FICO 10-Q
Fair Isaac Corp (FICO)
10-Q
2025-02-04
For: 2024-12-31
View Original
Added on
April 12, 2026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2024
| 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 1-11689
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |||||||
| incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) | |||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 406 -982-7276
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
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. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
| ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | |||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
| Yes | ☐ | No | |||||||||
The number of shares of common stock outstanding on January 21, 2025 was 24,418,138 (excluding 64,438,645 shares held by us as treasury stock).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| Item 5. | ||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||
i
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Unaudited Financial Statements
FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands, except par value data) | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | ||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Marketable securities | $ | ||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| Other assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued compensation and employee benefits | |||||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | |||||||||||
| Current maturities on debt | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
| Stockholders’ deficit: | |||||||||||
Preferred stock ($ | |||||||||||
Common stock ($ | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | |||||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ deficit | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying notes.
1
FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
| Quarter Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||
| On-premises and SaaS software | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Professional services | |||||||||||
| Scores | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | |||||||||||
| Research and development | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | |||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other income, net | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | |||||||||||
| Income tax provision (benefit) | ( | ||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | ( | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Shares used in computing earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
2
FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(Unaudited)
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in-Capital | Treasury Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Stockholders’ Deficit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Shares | Par Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | ( | ( | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in-Capital | Treasury Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Stockholders’ Deficit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Shares | Par Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | ( | ( | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
3
FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| Quarter Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net (gain) loss on marketable securities | ( | ||||||||||
| Non-cash operating lease costs | |||||||||||
| Provision for doubtful accounts | |||||||||||
| Net (gain) loss on sales and abandonment of property and equipment | ( | ||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ||||||||||
| Accrued compensation and employee benefits | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Capitalized internal-use software costs | ( | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of marketable securities | |||||||||||
| Purchases of marketable securities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from revolving line of credit and term loans | |||||||||||
| Payments on revolving line of credit and term loans | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Payments on finance leases | ( | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans | |||||||||||
| Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | ( | ||||||||||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | |||||||||||
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds of $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment included in accounts payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Unsettled repurchases of common stock | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying notes.
4
FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Nature of Business
Fair Isaac Corporation
Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE: FICO) (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” which may also be referred to in this report as “we,” “us,” “our,” or “FICO”) is a global analytics software leader. We were founded in 1956 on the premise that data, used intelligently, can improve business decisions. Today, FICO’s software and the widely used FICO® Score operationalize analytics, enabling thousands of businesses in more than 80 countries to uncover new opportunities, make timely decisions that matter, and execute them at scale. Most leading banks and credit card issuers rely on our solutions, as do insurers, retailers, telecommunications providers, automotive lenders, consumer reporting agencies, public agencies, and organizations in other industries. We also serve consumers through online services that enable people to access and understand their FICO® Scores — the standard measure in the United States (“U.S.”) of consumer credit risk — empowering them to increase financial literacy and manage their financial health.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
We have prepared the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and the applicable accounting guidance. Consequently, we have not necessarily included all information and footnotes required for audited financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise indicated) necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. The interim financial information contained in this report is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FICO and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
We make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the disclosures made in the accompanying notes. For example, we use estimates in determining the appropriate levels of various accruals; variable considerations included in the transaction price and standalone selling price of each performance obligation for our customer contracts; labor hours in connection with fixed-fee service contracts; the amount of our tax provision; and the realizability of deferred tax assets. We also use estimates in determining the remaining economic lives and carrying values of property and equipment and other long-lived assets. In addition, we use assumptions to estimate the fair value of reporting units and share-based compensation. Actual results may differ from our estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 expands annual and interim disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, which means that it will be effective for our annual periods beginning October 1, 2024, and our interim periods beginning October 1, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on our disclosures within our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as disaggregated information on income tax paid. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, which means that it will be effective for our fiscal years beginning October 1, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on our disclosures within our consolidated financial statements.
5
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” (“ASU 2024-03”). ASU 2024-03 requires disaggregated disclosure of certain income statement expenses an entity presents on the face of the income statement into specified categories in disclosures within the footnotes to the financial statements, including employee compensation, depreciation, intangible asset amortization, and certain other expenses, when applicable. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, which means that it will be effective for our annual periods beginning October 1, 2027, and our interim periods beginning October 1, 2028. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on our disclosures within our consolidated financial statements.
We do not expect that any other recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.
2. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure that is based on the extent and level of judgment used to estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities.
•Level 1 — uses unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Our Level 1 assets were comprised of money market funds and certain marketable securities and our Level 1 liabilities included senior notes as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
•Level 2 — uses inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable through correlation with market data. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and inputs to valuation models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment because the inputs used in the model, such as interest rates and volatility, can be corroborated by readily observable market data. We did not have any assets or liabilities that are valued using inputs identified under a Level 2 hierarchy as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
•Level 3 — uses one or more significant inputs that are unobservable and supported by little or no market activity, and that reflect the use of significant management judgment. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those whose fair value measurements are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar valuation techniques, and significant management judgment or estimation. We did not have any assets or liabilities that are valued using inputs identified under a Level 3 hierarchy as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
6
The following tables represent financial assets that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:
| December 31, 2024 | Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1) | Fair Value as of December 31, 2024 | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||
Cash equivalents (1) | $ | $ | |||||||||
Marketable securities (2) | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1) | Fair Value as of September 30, 2024 | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||
Cash equivalents (1) | $ | $ | |||||||||
Marketable securities (2) | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
(1)Included in cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024. Not included in these tables are cash deposits of $183.5 million and $142.8 million at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
(2)Represents securities held under a supplemental retirement and savings plan for certain officers and senior management employees, which are distributed upon termination or retirement of the employees. Included in marketable securities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
See Note 6 for the fair value of our senior notes.
There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
3. Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative instruments to manage risks caused by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The primary objective of our derivative instruments is to protect the value of foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances from the effects of volatility in foreign exchange rates that might occur prior to conversion to their functional currencies. We principally utilize foreign currency forward contracts, which enable us to buy and sell foreign currencies in the future at fixed exchange rates and economically offset changes in foreign exchange rates. We routinely enter into contracts to offset exposures denominated in the British pound, Euro, and Singapore dollar.
Foreign currency-denominated receivable and cash balances are remeasured at foreign exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date with the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates reported in other income, net. The forward contracts are not designated as hedges and are marked to market through other income, net. Fair value changes in the forward contracts help mitigate the changes in the value of the remeasured receivable and cash balances attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates. The forward contracts are short-term in nature and typically have average maturities at inception of less than three months .
7
The following tables summarize our outstanding foreign currency forward contracts, by currency, at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract Amount | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Currency | USD | USD | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sell foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Euro (EUR) | EUR | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Buy foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| British pound (GBP) | GBP | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Singapore dollar (SGD) | SGD | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract Amount | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Currency | USD | USD | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sell foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Euro (EUR) | EUR | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Buy foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| British pound (GBP) | GBP | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Singapore dollar (SGD) | SGD | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The foreign currency forward contracts were entered into on December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024; therefore, their fair value was $0
Gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments were recorded in our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as a component of other income, net, and consisted of the following:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
Gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||
4. Goodwill
The following table summarizes changes to goodwill during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, both in total and as allocated to our segments. As of December 31, 2024, there was no accumulated goodwill impairment loss.
| Scores | Software | Total | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
8
5. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions
The following table presents the composition of property and equipment, net and other accrued liabilities at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net: | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Internal-use software | |||||||||||
| Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Interest payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
6. Debt
The following table represents our debt at carrying value at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Current maturities on debt: | |||||||||||
| The $300 Million Term Loan | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | |||||||||||
| Revolving line of credit | |||||||||||
| The $300 Million Term Loan | |||||||||||
| The $450 Million Term Loan | |||||||||||
| The 2018 Senior Notes | |||||||||||
| The 2019 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes | |||||||||||
| Less: debt issuance costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Total debt | $ | $ | |||||||||
9
Revolving Line of Credit and Term Loans
We have a $600 million unsecured revolving line of credit, a $300 million unsecured term loan (the “$300 Million Term Loan”), and a $450 million unsecured term loan (the “$450 Million Term Loan”) with a syndicate of banks that mature on August 19, 2026 . Borrowings under the revolving line of credit and the term loans can be used for working capital and general corporate purposes and may also be used for the refinancing of existing debt, acquisitions, and the repurchase of our common stock. The $300 Million Term Loan requires principal payments in consecutive quarterly installments of $3.75 million on the last business day of each quarter. We have no obligation to make scheduled principal payments on the $450 Million Term Loan prior to the maturity date, but may prepay the $450 Million Term Loan, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part. Interest rates on amounts borrowed under the revolving line of credit and the term loans are based on (i) an adjusted base rate, which is the greatest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5 %, and (c) one-month adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1 %, plus, in each case, an applicable margin, or (ii) an adjusted term SOFR plus an applicable margin (or, if such rate is no longer available, a successor benchmark rate determined in accordance with the terms of the credit agreement). Adjusted term SOFR is defined as term SOFR for the relevant interest period plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% per annum. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings and for SOFR borrowings is determined based on our consolidated leverage ratio. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings ranges from 0 % to 0.75 % per annum and for SOFR borrowings ranges from 1 % to 1.75 % per annum. In addition, we must pay certain credit facility fees. The revolving line of credit and the term loans contain certain restrictive covenants including a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1.0, subject to a step up to 4.0 to 1.0 following certain permitted acquisitions and subject to certain conditions, and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.0 to 1.0. The credit agreement also contains other covenants typical of unsecured credit facilities.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $425.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit at a weighted-average interest rate of 5.762 %, $255.0 million in outstanding balance of the $300 Million Term Loan at an interest rate of 5.794 %, and $450.0 million in outstanding balance of the $450 Million Term Loan at an interest rate of 5.745 %. We were in compliance with all financial covenants under the credit agreement as of December 31, 2024.
Senior Notes
On May 8, 2018, we issued $400 million of senior notes in a private offering to qualified institutional investors (the “2018 Senior Notes”). The 2018 Senior Notes require interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 5.25 % per annum and will mature on May 15, 2026 .
On December 6, 2019, we issued $350 million of senior notes in a private offering to qualified institutional investors (the “2019 Senior Notes”). The 2019 Senior Notes require interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 4.00 % per annum and will mature on June 15, 2028 .
On December 17, 2021, we issued $550 million of additional senior notes of the same class as the 2019 Senior Notes in a private offering to qualified institutional investors (the “2021 Senior Notes,” and collectively with the 2018 Senior Notes and the 2019 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The 2021 Senior Notes require interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 4.00 % per annum and will mature on June 15, 2028 , the same date as the 2019 Senior Notes.
The indentures for the Senior Notes contain certain covenants typical of unsecured obligations and we were in compliance as of December 31, 2024.
The following table presents the face values and fair values for the Senior Notes at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Face Value | Fair Value | Face Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The 2018 Senior Notes | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| The 2019 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
10
7. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following tables provide information about disaggregated revenue by primary geographical market:
| Quarter Ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scores | Software | Total | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Europe, Middle East and Africa | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asia Pacific | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scores | Software | Total | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Europe, Middle East and Africa | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asia Pacific | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue for on-premises and SaaS software within our Software segment by deployment method:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Percentage of revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-premises software | $ | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| SaaS software | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue for on-premises and SaaS software within our Software segment by product features:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Percentage of revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platform software | $ | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-platform software | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||
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The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue for on-premises and SaaS software within our Software segment by timing of revenue recognition:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Percentage of revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Software recognized at a point in time (1) | $ | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Software recognized over contract term (2) | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(1)Includes license portion of our on-premises subscription software and perpetual license, both of which are recognized when the software is made available to the customer, or at the start of the subscription.
(2)Includes maintenance portion and usage-based fees of our on-premises subscription software, maintenance revenue on perpetual licenses, as well as SaaS revenue.
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue for our Scores segment by distribution method:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Percentage of revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business-to-business Scores | $ | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Business-to-consumer Scores | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||
We derive a substantial portion of revenues from our contracts with the three major consumer reporting agencies, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Revenues collectively generated by agreements with these customers accounted for 44 % and 39 % of our total revenues in the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with all three one
Contract Balances
We record a receivable when we satisfy a performance obligation prior to invoicing if only the passage of time is required before payment is due or if we have an unconditional right to consideration before we satisfy a performance obligation. We record a contract asset when we satisfy a performance obligation prior to invoicing but our right to consideration is conditional. We record deferred revenue when the payment is made or due before we satisfy a performance obligation.
Receivables at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 consisted of the following:
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Billed | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Unbilled | |||||||||||
| Less: allowance for doubtful accounts | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net receivables | |||||||||||
| Less: long-term receivables (*) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Short-term receivables (*) | $ | $ | |||||||||
(*) Short-term receivables and long-term receivables were recorded in accounts receivable, net and other assets, respectively, within the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Deferred revenue primarily relates to our maintenance and SaaS contracts billed annually in advance and generally recognized ratably over the term of the service period. Significant changes in the deferred revenues balances are as follows:
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| Quarter Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||
| Deferred revenues, beginning balance (*) | $ | |||||||
| Revenue recognized that was included in the deferred revenues balance at the beginning of the period | ( | |||||||
| Increases due to billings, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period | ||||||||
| Deferred revenues, ending balance (*) | $ | |||||||
(*) Deferred revenues at December 31, 2024 included current portion of $165.4 million and long-term portion of $3.2 million that were recorded in deferred revenue and other liabilities, respectively, within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Deferred revenues at September 30, 2024 included current portion of $156.9 million and long-term portion of $3.3 million that were recorded in deferred revenue and other liabilities, respectively, within the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 to 60 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, we have determined our contracts generally do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our products and services, not to provide customers with financing or to receive financing from our customers. Examples include multi-year on-premises licenses that are invoiced annually with revenue recognized upfront and invoicing at the beginning of a subscription term with revenue recognized ratably over the contract period.
Performance Obligations
Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations represents contracted revenue that will be recognized in future periods, which is comprised of deferred revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. This does not include:
•Usage-based revenue that will be recognized in future periods from on-premises software subscriptions;
•Consumption-based variable fees from SaaS software that will be recognized in the distinct service period during which it is earned; and
•Revenue from variable considerations that will be recognized in accordance with the “right-to-invoice” practical expedient, such as fees from our professional services billed based on a time and materials basis.
Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations was $496.3 million as of December 31, 2024, approximately 50 % of which we expect to recognize over the next 14 months and the remainder thereafter. Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations was $507.3 million as of September 30, 2024.
8. Income Taxes
Effective Tax Rate
The effective income tax rate was (1.6 )% and 7.3 % during the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The income tax provision (benefit) during interim quarterly reporting periods is based on our estimates of the effective tax rates for the full fiscal year. The effective tax rate in any quarter can also be affected positively or negatively by adjustments that are required to be reported in the specific quarter of resolution.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development published Pillar Two Model Rules (“Pillar Two”) for a global 15% minimum tax rate that are in the process of being adopted by a number of jurisdictions in which we operate. FICO continues to monitor these legislative developments and does not expect Pillar Two to have material impacts on its fiscal 2025 consolidated financial statements.
The total unrecognized tax benefit for uncertain tax positions was estimated to be $20.7 million and $19.9 million at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively. We recognize interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as part of the income tax provision (benefit) in our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We accrued interest of $2.0 million and $1.7 million related to unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
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9. Share-Based Employee Benefit Plans
We maintain the 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) under which we grant equity awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, stock unit awards and other share-based awards. All employees, consultants and advisors of FICO or any subsidiary, as well as all non-employee directors, are eligible to receive awards under the 2021 Plan. Stock option awards have a maximum term of ten years . In general, stock option awards and stock unit awards not subject to market or performance conditions vest annually over four years . Stock unit awards subject to market or performance conditions generally vest annually over three years based on the achievement of specified criteria.
We also maintain the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2019 Purchase Plan”) under which we are authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to eligible employees. Eligible employees may elect to have up to 15 % of their eligible pay withheld through payroll deductions to purchase FICO common stock during semi-annual offering periods. The purchase price of the stock is 85 % of the closing sales price of FICO common stock on the last trading day of each offering period. Offering period means the approximately six-month periods commencing (a) on the first trading day on or after September 1 and terminating on the last trading day in the following February, and (b) on the first trading day on or after March 1 and terminating on the last trading day in the following August. No shares were purchased under the 2019 Purchase Plan during the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2024:
| Shares | Weighted-average Grant-date Fair Value | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Released | ( | ||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
Performance Share Units
The following table summarizes performance share unit activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2024:
| Shares | Weighted-average Grant-date Fair Value | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Released | ( | ||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
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Market Share Units
The following table summarizes market share unit activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2024:
| Shares | Weighted-average Grant-date Fair Value | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Released | ( | ||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
Stock Options
The following table summarizes option activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2024:
| Shares | Weighted-average Exercise Price | Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Term | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | (In years) | (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
10. Earnings per Share
The following table presents reconciliations for the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||
| Numerator for diluted and basic earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Denominator — share: | |||||||||||
| Basic weighted-average shares | |||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities | |||||||||||
| Diluted weighted-average shares | |||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||
Anti-dilutive share-based awards excluded from the calculations of diluted EPS were immaterial during the periods presented.
11. Segment Information
We are organized into two reportable segments: Scores and Software. Although we sell solutions and services to a large number of end user product and industry markets, our reportable business segments reflect the primary method in which management organizes and evaluates internal financial information to make operating decisions and assess performance.
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•Scores. This segment includes our business-to-business (“B2B”) scoring solutions and services which give our clients access to predictive credit and other scores that can be easily integrated into their transaction streams and decision-making processes. This segment also includes our business-to-consumer (“B2C”) scoring solutions, including our myFICO.com subscription offerings.
•Software. This segment includes pre-configured analytic and decision management solutions designed for a specific type of business need or process — such as account origination, customer management, customer engagement, fraud detection, and marketing — as well as associated professional services. This segment also includes FICO® Platform, a modular software offering designed to support advanced analytic and decision use cases, as well as stand-alone analytic and decisioning software that can be configured by our customers to address a wide variety of business use cases. These offerings are available to our customers as SaaS or as on-premises software.
Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who is our Chief Executive Officer, evaluates segment financial performance based on segment revenues and segment operating income. Segment operating expenses consist of direct and indirect costs principally related to personnel, facilities, IT infrastructure, consulting, travel and depreciation. Indirect costs are allocated to the segments generally based on relative segment revenues, fixed rates established by management based upon estimated expense contribution levels and other assumptions that management considers reasonable. We do not allocate broad-based incentive expense, share-based compensation expense, restructuring and acquisition-related expense, amortization expense, various corporate charges and certain other income and expense measures to our segments. These income and expense items are not allocated because they are not considered in evaluating the segment’s operating performance. Our CODM does not evaluate the financial performance of each segment based on its respective assets or capital expenditures; rather, depreciation and amortization amounts are allocated to the segments from their internal cost centers as described above.
The following tables summarize segment information for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Quarter Ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scores | Software | Unallocated Corporate Expenses | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-premises and SaaS software | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Professional services | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scores | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total segment revenues | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment operating expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated share-based compensation expense | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated interest expense, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated other income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Quarter Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scores | Software | Unallocated Corporate Expenses | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-premises and SaaS software | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Professional services | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scores | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total segment revenues | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment operating expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated share-based compensation expense | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated amortization expense | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated interest expense, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated other income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
12. Contingencies
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this report that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). In addition, certain statements in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with our approval that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the PSLRA. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenue, income or loss, expenses, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, share repurchases, capital structure and other statements concerning future financial performance; (ii) statements of our plans and objectives by our management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services, research and development, and the sufficiency of capital resources; (iii) statements of assumptions underlying such statements, including those related to economic conditions; (iv) statements regarding results of business combinations or strategic divestitures; (v) statements regarding business relationships with vendors, customers or collaborators, including the proportion of revenues generated from international as opposed to domestic customers; and (vi) statements regarding products and services, their characteristics, performance, sales potential or effect in use by customers. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “targeted,” “should,” “potential,” “goals,” “strategy,” “outlook,” “plan,” “estimated,” “will,” variations of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. The performance of our business and our securities may be adversely affected by these factors and by other factors common to other businesses and investments, or to the general economy. Forward-looking statements are qualified by some or all of these risk factors. Therefore, you should consider these risk factors with caution and form your own critical and independent conclusions about the likely effect of these risk factors on our future performance. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which statements are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances. Readers should carefully review the disclosures and the risk factors described in this and other documents we file from time to time with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
OVERVIEW
We were founded in 1956 on the premise that data, used intelligently, can improve business decisions. Today, FICO’s software and the widely used FICO® Score operationalize analytics, enabling thousands of businesses in more than 80 countries to uncover new opportunities, make timely decisions that matter, and execute them at scale. Most leading banks and credit card issuers rely on our solutions, as do insurers, retailers, telecommunications providers, automotive lenders, consumer reporting agencies, public agencies, and organizations in other industries. We also serve consumers through online services that enable people to access and understand their FICO® Scores — the standard measure in the United States (“U.S.”) of consumer credit risk — empowering them to increase financial literacy and manage their financial health.
Our business consists of two operating segments: Scores and Software.
Our Scores segment includes our business-to-business (“B2B”) scoring solutions and services which give our clients access to predictive credit and other scores that can be easily integrated into their transaction streams and decision-making processes. This segment also includes our business-to-consumer (“B2C”) scoring solutions, including our myFICO.com subscription offerings.
Our Software segment includes pre-configured analytic and decision management solutions designed for a specific type of business need or process — such as account origination, customer management, customer engagement, fraud detection, and marketing — as well as associated professional services. This segment also includes FICO® Platform, a modular software offering designed to support advanced analytic and decision use cases, as well as stand-alone analytic and decisioning software that can be configured by our customers to address a wide variety of business use cases. Our offerings are available to our customers as software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) or as on-premises software.
18
Highlights from the quarter ended December 31, 2024
•Total revenues were $440.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a 15% increase from the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
•Revenues for our Scores segment were $235.7 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a 23% increase from the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
•Annual Recurring Revenue for our Software segment as of December 31, 2024 was $729.3 million, a 6% increase from December 31, 2023.
•Dollar-Based Net Retention Rate for our Software segment was 105% as of December 31, 2024.
•Operating income was $179.5 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a 19% increase from the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
•Net income was $152.5 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a 26% increase from the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
•Diluted EPS was $6.14 during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a 28% increase from the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
•Cash flows from operating activities were $194.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared with $122.1 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
•Cash and cash equivalents were $184.3 million as of December 31, 2024, compared with $150.7 million as of September 30, 2024.
•Total debt balance was $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared with $2.2 billion as of September 30, 2024.
•Total share repurchases during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 were $159.7 million, compared with $71.7 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
Key performance metrics for Software segment
Annual Contract Value Bookings (“ACV Bookings”)
Management regards ACV Bookings as an important indicator of future revenues, but it is not comparable to, nor is it a substitute for, an analysis of our revenues and other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) measures. We define ACV Bookings as the average annualized value of software contracts signed in the current reporting period that generate current and future on-premises and SaaS software revenue. We only include contracts with an initial term of at least 24 months and we exclude perpetual licenses and other software revenues that are non-recurring in nature. For renewals of existing software subscription contracts, we count only incremental annual revenue expected over the current contract as ACV Bookings.
ACV Bookings is calculated by dividing the total expected contract value by the contract term in years. The expected contract value equals the fixed amount — including guaranteed minimums, if any — stated in the contract, plus estimates of future usage-based fees. We develop estimates from discussions with our customers and examinations of historical data from similar products and customer arrangements. Differences between estimates and actual results occur due to variability in the estimated usage. This variability can be the result of the economic trends in our customers’ industries, individual performance of our customers relative to their competitors, and regulatory and other factors that affect the business environment in which our customers operate. For the periods presented, ACV Bookings related to estimates of future usage-based fees was approximately 30% of the total ACV Bookings amount on an annualized basis. Differences between the initial estimates of future usage-based fees and actual results historically have not been material and we do not currently expect that they will be materially different in the future.
We disclose estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to remaining performance obligations in Note 7 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. However, we believe ACV Bookings is a useful supplemental measure of our business as it includes estimated revenues and future billings excluded from Note 7, such as usage-based fees and guaranteed minimums derived from our on-premises software licenses, among others.
The following table summarizes our ACV Bookings during the periods indicated:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Total on-premises and SaaS software | $ | 21.2 | $ | 18.3 | |||||||
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Annual Recurring Revenue (“ARR”)
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requires us to recognize a significant portion of revenue from our on-premises software subscriptions at the point in time when the software is first made available to the customer, or at the beginning of the subscription term, despite the fact that our contracts typically call for billing these amounts ratably over the life of the subscription. The remaining portion of our on-premises software subscription revenue including maintenance and usage-based fees are recognized over the life of the contract. This point-in-time recognition of a portion of our on-premises software subscription revenue creates significant variability in the revenue recognized period to period based on the timing of the subscription start date and the subscription term. Furthermore, this point-in-time revenue recognition can create a significant difference between the timing of our revenue recognition and the actual customer billing under the contract. We use ARR to measure the underlying performance of our subscription-based contracts and mitigate the impact of this variability. ARR is defined as the annualized revenue run-rate of on-premises and SaaS software agreements within a quarterly reporting period, and as such, is different from the timing and amount of revenue recognized. All components of our software licensing and subscription arrangements that are not expected to recur (primarily perpetual licenses) are excluded. We calculate ARR as the quarterly recurring revenue run-rate multiplied by four.
The following table summarizes our ARR for on-premises and SaaS software exiting each of the dates presented:
| March 31, 2023 | June 30, 2023 | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ARR | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platform | $ | 152.5 | $ | 164.1 | $ | 173.2 | $ | 190.3 | $ | 201.4 | $ | 215.1 | $ | 227.0 | $ | 227.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-platform | 461.0 | 481.8 | 496.2 | 497.4 | 495.6 | 494.5 | 494.2 | 501.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 613.5 | $ | 645.9 | $ | 669.4 | $ | 687.7 | $ | 697.0 | $ | 709.6 | $ | 721.2 | $ | 729.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platform | 25 | % | 25 | % | 26 | % | 28 | % | 29 | % | 30 | % | 31 | % | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-platform | 75 | % | 75 | % | 74 | % | 72 | % | 71 | % | 70 | % | 69 | % | 69 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YoY Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platform | 60 | % | 53 | % | 53 | % | 43 | % | 32 | % | 31 | % | 31 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-platform | 7 | % | 11 | % | 14 | % | 11 | % | 8 | % | 3 | % | — | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 17 | % | 20 | % | 22 | % | 18 | % | 14 | % | 10 | % | 8 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dollar-Based Net Retention Rate (“DBNRR”)
We consider DBNRR to be an important measure of our success in retaining and growing revenue from our existing customers. To calculate DBNRR for any period, we compare the ARR at the end of the prior comparable quarter (“base ARR”) to the ARR from that same cohort of customers at the end of the current quarter (“retained ARR”); we then divide the retained ARR by the base ARR to arrive at the DBNRR. Our calculation includes the positive impact among this cohort of customers of selling additional products, price increases and increases in usage-based fees, and the negative impact of customer attrition, price decreases, and decreases in usage-based fees during the period. However, the calculation does not include the positive impact from sales to any new customers acquired during the period. Our DBNRR may increase or decrease from period to period as a result of various factors, including the timing of new sales and customer renewal rates.
The following table summarizes our DBNRR for on-premises and SaaS software exiting each of the dates presented:
| March 31, 2023 | June 30, 2023 | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DBNRR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platform | 146 | % | 142 | % | 145 | % | 136 | % | 126 | % | 124 | % | 123 | % | 112 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-platform | 105 | % | 109 | % | 111 | % | 108 | % | 106 | % | 101 | % | 99 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 114 | % | 117 | % | 120 | % | 114 | % | 112 | % | 108 | % | 106 | % | 105 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We are organized into two reportable segments: Scores and Software. Although we sell solutions and services into a large number of end user product and industry markets, our reportable business segments reflect the primary method in which management organizes and evaluates internal financial information to make operating decisions and assess performance.
Segment revenues, operating income, and related financial information, including disaggregation of revenue, are set forth in Note 7 and Note 11 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Revenues
The following tables set forth certain summary information on a segment basis related to our revenues for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Percentage of Revenues | Period-to-Period Change | Period-to-Period Percentage Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scores | $ | 235,675 | $ | 192,112 | 54 | % | 50 | % | $ | 43,563 | 23 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Software | 204,293 | 189,947 | 46 | % | 50 | % | 14,346 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 439,968 | $ | 382,059 | 100 | % | 100 | % | 57,909 | 15 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scores
Scores segment revenues increased $43.6 million due to an increase of $42.0 million in our business-to-business scores revenue and an increase of $1.6 million in our business-to-consumer revenue. The increase in business-to-business scores revenue was primarily attributable to a higher unit price and an increase in volume of mortgage originations.
Software
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue for our Software segment by revenue types:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Period-to-Period Change | Period-to-Period Percentage Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On-premises and SaaS software | $ | 186,011 | $ | 168,668 | $ | 17,343 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Professional services | 18,282 | 21,279 | (2,997) | (14) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 204,293 | $ | 189,947 | 14,346 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Software segment revenues increased $14.3 million due to a $17.3 million increase in our on-premises and SaaS software revenue, partially offset by a $3.0 million decrease in professional services revenue. The increase in our on-premises and SaaS software revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in license revenue recognized at a point in time due to a large license renewal and an increase in revenue recognized over time largely driven by SaaS growth for our Platform products. The decrease in professional services revenue was primarily attributable to our strategy to emphasize higher-margin software over professional services.
21
Operating Expenses and Other Income (Expense), Net
The following tables set forth certain summary information related to our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Percentage of Revenues | Period-to-Period Change | Period-to- Period Percentage Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except employees) | (In thousands, except employees) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 439,968 | $ | 382,059 | 100 | % | 100 | % | $ | 57,909 | 15 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | 87,345 | 83,461 | 20 | % | 22 | % | 3,884 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 45,145 | 42,635 | 10 | % | 11 | % | 2,510 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 127,950 | 104,329 | 29 | % | 27 | % | 23,621 | 23 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | — | 275 | — | % | — | % | (275) | (100) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 260,440 | 230,700 | 59 | % | 60 | % | 29,740 | 13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 179,528 | 151,359 | 41 | % | 40 | % | 28,169 | 19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (29,488) | (24,162) | (7) | % | (7) | % | (5,326) | 22 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 89 | 3,393 | — | % | 1 | % | (3,304) | (97) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 150,129 | 130,590 | 34 | % | 34 | % | 19,539 | 15 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision (benefit) | (2,399) | 9,525 | (1) | % | 2 | % | (11,924) | (125) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 152,528 | $ | 121,065 | 35 | % | 32 | % | 31,463 | 26 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of employees at quarter end | 3,604 | 3,485 | 119 | 3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists primarily of employee salaries, incentives, and benefits for personnel directly involved in delivering software products, operating SaaS infrastructure, and providing support, implementation and consulting services; overhead, facilities and data center costs; software royalty fees; credit bureau data and processing services; third-party hosting fees related to our SaaS services; travel costs; and outside services.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in cost of revenues of $3.9 million was primarily attributable to a $2.9 million increase in infrastructure and facilities costs and a $0.9 million increase in personnel and labor costs. The increase in infrastructure and facilities costs was primarily attributable to an increase in third-party data center hosting costs and an increase in depreciation on data center computer hardware. The increase in personnel and labor costs was primarily attributable to increased incentive expense and increased share-based compensation expense. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues decreased to 20% during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 from 22% during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to increased sales of our higher-margin Scores products and decreased sales of our lower-margin professional services.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses include personnel and related overhead costs incurred in the development of new products and services, including research of mathematical and statistical models and development of new versions of Software products.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in research and development expenses of $2.5 million was primarily attributable to a $1.7 million increase in infrastructure and facilities costs primarily attributable to increased third-party data center hosting costs and software royalty fees and a $1.6 million increase in third-party contractor costs, partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in personnel and labor costs. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 10% during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 from 11% during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
22
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of employee salaries, incentives, commissions and benefits; travel costs; overhead costs; advertising and other promotional expenses; corporate facilities expenses; legal expenses; and business development expenses.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $23.6 million was primarily attributable to a $12.6 million increase in personnel and labor costs and a $10.2 million increase in advertising and other promotional expenses. The increase in personnel and labor costs was primarily attributable to increased share-based compensation expense, increased headcount, and market base-pay adjustments. The increase in advertising and other promotional expenses was primarily attributable to increased costs for corporate events and advertising campaigns. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 29% during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 from 27% during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense includes interest on the senior notes issued in December 2021, December 2019 and May 2018, as well as interest and credit agreement fees on the revolving line of credit and term loans. On our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, interest expense is netted with interest income, which is derived primarily from the investment of funds in excess of our immediate operating requirements.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in interest expense of $5.3 million was primarily attributable to a higher average outstanding balance on borrowings under our credit agreement during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, partially offset by a lower average interest rate on borrowings under our credit agreement during the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net consists primarily of unrealized investment gains/losses and realized gains/losses on marketable securities classified as trading securities, exchange rate gains/losses resulting from remeasurement of foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances held by our various reporting entities into their respective functional currencies at period-end market rates, net of the impact of offsetting foreign currency forward contracts, and other non-operating items.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter decrease in other income, net of $3.3 million was primarily attributable to a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments classified as trading securities in our supplemental retirement and savings plan.
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
The effective income tax rate was (1.6)% and 7.3% during the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The income tax provision (benefit) during interim quarterly reporting periods is based on our estimates of the effective tax rates for the full fiscal year. The effective tax rate in any quarter can also be affected positively or negatively by adjustments that are required to be reported in the specific quarter of resolution. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was favorably impacted by the excess tax benefit relating to share-based compensation.
Operating Income
The following tables set forth certain summary information on a segment basis related to our operating income for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Period-to-Period Change | Period-to-Period Percentage Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scores | $ | 203,771 | $ | 168,654 | $ | 35,117 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Software | 60,742 | 55,122 | 5,620 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated corporate expenses | (44,331) | (40,568) | (3,763) | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total segment operating income | 220,182 | 183,208 | 36,974 | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated share-based compensation | (40,654) | (31,574) | (9,080) | 29 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated amortization expense | — | (275) | 275 | (100) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 179,528 | $ | 151,359 | 28,169 | 19 | % | ||||||||||||||||
23
| Scores | Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Percentage of Revenues | Quarter Ended December 31, | Percentage of Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment revenues | $ | 235,675 | $ | 192,112 | 100 | % | 100 | % | $ | 204,293 | $ | 189,947 | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment operating expense | (31,904) | (23,458) | (14) | % | (12) | % | (143,551) | (134,825) | (70) | % | (71) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | 203,771 | $ | 168,654 | 86 | % | 88 | % | $ | 60,742 | $ | 55,122 | 30 | % | 29 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in operating income of $28.2 million was primarily attributable to a $57.9 million increase in segment revenues, partially offset by a $17.2 million increase in segment operating expenses, a $9.1 million increase in share-based compensation cost, and a $3.8 million increase in corporate expenses.
At the segment level, the quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in segment operating income of $37.0 million was the result of a $35.1 million increase in our Scores segment operating income and a $5.6 million increase in our Software segment operating income, partially offset by a $3.8 million increase in corporate expenses.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in Scores segment operating income of $35.1 million was due to a $43.6 million increase in segment revenue, partially offset by an $8.4 million increase in segment operating expenses. Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenue for Scores decreased to 86% from 88%, primarily attributable to an increase in marketing expenses.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in Software segment operating income of $5.6 million was due to a $14.3 million increase in segment revenue, partially offset by an $8.7 million increase in segment operating expenses. Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenue for Software was 30%, materially consistent with the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Outlook
As of December 31, 2024, we had $184.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, which included $123.9 million held by our foreign subsidiaries. We believe our cash and cash equivalents balances, including those held by our foreign subsidiaries, as well as available borrowings from our $600 million revolving line of credit and anticipated cash flows from operating activities, will be sufficient to fund our working and other capital requirements for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future, including the $15.0 million principal payments on the $300 Million Term Loan (as defined below) due over the next 12 months. Under our current financing arrangements, we have no other significant debt obligations maturing over the next 12 months. For jurisdictions outside the U.S. where cash may be repatriated in the future, the Company expects the net impact of any repatriations to be immaterial to the Company’s overall tax liability.
In the normal course of business, we evaluate the merits of acquiring technology or businesses, or establishing strategic relationships with or investing in these businesses. We may elect to use available cash and cash equivalents to fund such activities in the future. In the event additional needs for cash arise, or if we refinance our existing debt, we may raise additional funds from a combination of sources, including the potential issuance of debt or equity securities. Additional financing might not be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If adequate funds were not available or were not available on acceptable terms, our ability to take advantage of unanticipated opportunities or respond to competitive pressures could be limited.
24
Summary of Cash Flows
| Quarter Ended December 31, | Period-to-Period Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 193,997 | $ | 122,120 | $ | 71,877 | |||||||||||
| Investing activities | (8,942) | (2,418) | (6,524) | ||||||||||||||
| Financing activities | (144,218) | (99,866) | (44,352) | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (7,250) | 3,807 | (11,057) | ||||||||||||||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 33,587 | $ | 23,643 | 9,944 | ||||||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Our primary method for funding operations and growth has been through cash flows generated from operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $194.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 from $122.1 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The $71.9 million increase was attributable to a $31.5 million increase in net income, a $29.1 million increase due to the timing of receipts and payments in our ordinary course of business, and an $11.3 million increase in non-cash items.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased to $8.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 from $2.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The $6.5 million increase was primarily attributable to a $6.3 million increase in capitalized internal-use software costs.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities increased to $144.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 from $99.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The $44.4 million increase was primarily attributable to a $90.9 million increase in repurchases of common stock and a $64.2 million increase in taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards, partially offset by a $112.0 million increase in proceeds, net of payments, from our revolving line of credit and term loans.
Repurchases of Common Stock
In July 2024, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program (the “July 2024 program”), replacing our previously authorized January 2024 stock repurchase program, which was terminated prior to its expiration. The July 2024 program is open-ended and authorizes repurchases of shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate cost of $1.0 billion in the open market or in negotiated transactions. The July 2024 program remains in effect until the total authorized amount is expended or until further action by our Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2024, we had $600.7 million remaining under the July 2024 program. We expended $159.7 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 under the July 2024 program and $71.7 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 under previously authorized stock repurchase programs.
25
Revolving Line of Credit and Term Loans
We have a $600 million unsecured revolving line of credit, a $300 million unsecured term loan (the “$300 Million Term Loan”), and a $450 million unsecured term loan (the “$450 Million Term Loan”) with a syndicate of banks that mature on August 19, 2026. Borrowings under the revolving line of credit and the term loans can be used for working capital and general corporate purposes and may also be used for the refinancing of existing debt, acquisitions, and the repurchase of our common stock. The $300 Million Term Loan requires principal payments in consecutive quarterly installments of $3.75 million on the last business day of each quarter. We have no obligation to make scheduled principal payments on the $450 Million Term Loan prior to the maturity date, but may prepay the $450 Million Term Loan, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part. Interest rates on amounts borrowed under the revolving line of credit and the term loans are based on (i) an adjusted base rate, which is the greatest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, and (c) one-month adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1%, plus, in each case, an applicable margin, or (ii) an adjusted term SOFR plus an applicable margin (or, if such rate is no longer available, a successor benchmark rate determined in accordance with the terms of the credit agreement). Adjusted term SOFR is defined as term SOFR for the relevant interest period plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% per annum. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings and for SOFR borrowings is determined based on our consolidated leverage ratio. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings ranges from 0% to 0.75% per annum and for SOFR borrowings ranges from 1% to 1.75% per annum. In addition, we must pay certain credit facility fees. The revolving line of credit and the term loans contain certain restrictive covenants including a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1.0, subject to a step up to 4.0 to 1.0 following certain permitted acquisitions and subject to certain conditions, and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.0 to 1.0. The credit agreement also contains other covenants typical of unsecured credit facilities.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $425.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit at a weighted-average interest rate of 5.762%, $255.0 million in outstanding balance of the $300 Million Term Loan at an interest rate of 5.794%, and $450.0 million in outstanding balance of the $450 Million Term Loan at an interest rate of 5.745%. We were in compliance with all financial covenants under the credit agreement as of December 31, 2024.
Senior Notes
On May 8, 2018, we issued $400 million of senior notes in a private offering to qualified institutional investors (the “2018 Senior Notes”). The 2018 Senior Notes require interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 5.25% per annum and will mature on May 15, 2026. On December 6, 2019, we issued $350 million of senior notes in a private offering to qualified institutional investors (the “2019 Senior Notes”). The 2019 Senior Notes require interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 4.00% per annum and will mature on June 15, 2028. On December 17, 2021, we issued $550 million of additional senior notes of the same class as the 2019 Senior Notes in a private offering to qualified institutional investors (the “2021 Senior Notes,” and collectively with the 2018 Senior Notes and the 2019 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The 2021 Senior Notes require interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 4.00% per annum and will mature on June 15, 2028, the same date as the 2019 Senior Notes. The indentures for the Senior Notes contain certain covenants typical of unsecured obligations. As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value of the Senior Notes was $1.3 billion and we were in compliance with all financial covenants under these obligations.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
We prepare our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. These accounting principles require management to make certain judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We periodically evaluate our estimates including those relating to revenue recognition, goodwill resulting from business combinations and other long-lived assets — impairment assessment, share-based compensation, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on the specific circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such differences could be material to our financial condition and results of operations. Critical accounting estimates are those that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
You should carefully consider the critical accounting estimates disclosed in Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 (“Annual Report on Form 10-K”). There have been no significant changes from the critical accounting estimates disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
26
New Accounting Pronouncements
For information about recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted and the impact on our consolidated financial statements, refer to Part I, Item 1, “Unaudited Financial Statements,” Note 1, “Nature of Business” in our accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market Risk Disclosures
We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Interest Rate
We maintain an investment portfolio consisting of bank deposits and money market funds. The funds provide daily liquidity and may be subject to interest rate risk and fall in value if market interest rates increase. We do not expect our operating expenses to be affected to any significant degree by a sudden change in market interest rates. The following table presents the principal amounts and related weighted-average yields for our investments with interest rate risk at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost Basis | Carrying Amount | Average Yield | Cost Basis | Carrying Amount | Average Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 184,254 | $ | 184,254 | 2.86 | % | $ | 150,667 | $ | 150,667 | 2.88 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
On May 8, 2018, we issued $400 million of senior notes in a private placement to qualified institutional investors (the “2018 Senior Notes”). On December 6, 2019, we issued $350 million of senior notes in a private offering to qualified institutional investors (the “2019 Senior Notes”). On December 17, 2021, we issued $550 million of additional senior notes of the same class as the 2019 Senior Notes in a private placement to qualified institutional investors (the “2021 Senior Notes” and collectively with the 2018 Senior Notes and 2019 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The fair value of the Senior Notes may increase or decrease due to various factors, including fluctuations in market interest rates and fluctuations in general economic conditions. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Resources and Liquidity” for additional information on the Senior Notes. The following table presents the face values and fair values for the Senior Notes at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Face Value | Fair Value | Face Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The 2018 Senior Notes | $ | 400,000 | $ | 398,000 | $ | 400,000 | $ | 399,500 | |||||||||||||||
| The 2019 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes | 900,000 | 849,375 | 900,000 | 864,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,300,000 | $ | 1,247,375 | $ | 1,300,000 | $ | 1,263,500 | |||||||||||||||
27
We have interest rate risk with respect to our unsecured revolving line of credit and term loans. Interest rates on amounts borrowed under the revolving line of credit and term loans are based on (i) an adjusted base rate, which is the greatest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, and (c) one-month adjusted term SOFR plus 1%, plus, in each case, an applicable margin, or (ii) an adjusted term SOFR plus an applicable margin (or, if such rate is no longer available, a successor benchmark rate determined in accordance with the terms of the credit agreement). Adjusted term SOFR is defined as term SOFR for the relevant interest period plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% per annum. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings and for SOFR borrowings is determined based on our consolidated leverage ratio. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings ranges from 0% to 0.75% per annum and for SOFR borrowings ranges from 1% to 1.75% per annum. A change in interest rates on this variable rate debt impacts the interest incurred and cash flows, but does not impact the fair value of the instrument. As of December 31, 2024, we had $425.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving line of credit at a weighted-average interest rate of 5.762%, $255.0 million in outstanding balance of the $300 Million Term Loan at an interest rate of 5.794%, and $450.0 million in outstanding balance of the $450 Million Term Loan at an interest rate of 5.745%.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
We maintain a program to manage our foreign exchange rate risk on existing foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances by entering into forward contracts to sell or buy foreign currencies. At period end, foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances held by our various reporting entities are remeasured into their respective functional currencies at current market rates. The change in value from this remeasurement is then reported as a foreign exchange gain or loss for that period in our accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and the resulting gain or loss on the forward contract mitigates the foreign exchange rate risk of the associated assets. All of our foreign currency forward contracts have maturity periods of less than three months. Such derivative financial instruments are subject to market risk.
The following tables summarize our outstanding foreign currency forward contracts, by currency, at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract Amount | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Currency | USD | USD | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sell foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Euro (EUR) | EUR | 8,600 | $ | 8,958 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Buy foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| British pound (GBP) | GBP | 8,460 | $ | 10,600 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Singapore dollar (SGD) | SGD | 8,967 | $ | 6,600 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract Amount | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Currency | USD | USD | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sell foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Euro (EUR) | EUR | 13,000 | $ | 14,531 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Buy foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| British pound (GBP) | GBP | 12,237 | $ | 16,400 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Singapore dollar (SGD) | SGD | 7,404 | $ | 5,800 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
The foreign currency forward contracts were entered into on December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024; therefore, their fair value was $0 on each of these dates.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of FICO’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of FICO’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that FICO’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2024 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by FICO in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. In addition, the disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, allowing timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in FICO’s internal control over financial reporting was identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report and that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
FICO is a defendant in consolidated putative class action lawsuits brought in the Northern District of Illinois against FICO and the credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, alleging antitrust claims in connection with the distribution of FICO Scores. On November 24, 2024, the court ruled on FICO’s and the credit bureaus’ motions to dismiss the plaintiffs’ amended complaints. The court dismissed with prejudice all claims in the lawsuit other than a Sherman Act Section 2 claim and accompanying state law claims against FICO, which were allowed to proceed through the discovery stage of the litigation.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 (our “Annual Report on Form 10-K”). The risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K could materially affect our business, financial condition and future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be insignificant also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results in the future. There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2) | Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| October 1, 2024 through October 31, 2024 | 58,075 | $ | 1,997.15 | 57,509 | $ | 645,624,035 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 1, 2024 through November 30, 2024 | 216 | $ | 1,990.18 | — | $ | 645,624,035 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 | 110,097 | $ | 2,174.99 | 21,760 | $ | 600,727,746 | |||||||||||||||||
| 168,388 | $ | 2,113.42 | 79,269 | $ | 600,727,746 | ||||||||||||||||||
(1)Includes 89,119 shares delivered in satisfaction of the tax withholding obligations resulting from the vesting of restricted stock units held by employees during the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
(2)In July 2024, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program (the “July 2024 program”), replacing our previously authorized January 2024 stock repurchase program, which was terminated prior to its expiration. The July 2024 program is open-ended and authorizes repurchases of shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate cost of $1.0 billion in the open market or in negotiated transactions. The July 2024 program remains in effect until the total authorized amount is expended or until further action by our Board of Directors.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
On November 11, 2024 , William Lansing , our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors , entered into a pre-arranged trading plan that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This plan provides for the sale of up to 63,877 shares of our common stock in the aggregate, and terminates on the earlier of the close of business on December 5, 2025 or the date all shares are sold thereunder.
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
| 3.1 | ||||||||
| 3.2 | ||||||||
| 31.1 * | ||||||||
| 31.2 * | ||||||||
| 32.1 * | ||||||||
| 32.2 * | ||||||||
| 101.INS * | Inline XBRL Instance Document. | |||||||
| 101.SCH * | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||
| 101.CAL * | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.DEF * | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.LAB * | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.PRE * | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 104 * | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | |||||||
| * | Filed herewith. | ||||
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION | |||||||||||
| DATE: | February 4, 2025 | ||||||||||
| By | /s/ STEVEN P. WEBER | ||||||||||
| Steven P. Weber | |||||||||||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
| (for Registrant as duly authorized officer and | |||||||||||
| as Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||||||
| DATE: | February 4, 2025 | ||||||||||
| By | /s/ MICHAEL S. LEONARD | ||||||||||
| Michael S. Leonard | |||||||||||
| Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||||||||
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