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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2017

☐	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: 1-11869

FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

13-3362547

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

601 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut	06851
(Address of principal executive office)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 810-1000

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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.

Large accelerated filer ☒

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 outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value, as of December 31, 2017 was 39,023,879.

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended November 30, 2017

Index

		Page
Part I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements

	Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016	3

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016	4

	Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017	5

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016	6

	Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	7

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	27

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	38

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	39

Part II	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	40

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	40

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	40

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	40

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	40

Item 5.	Other Information	40

Item 6.	Exhibits	41

	Signatures	41

For additional information about FactSet Research Systems Inc. and access to its Annual Reports to Stockholders and Securities and Exchange Commission filings, free of charge, please visit the website at http://investor.factset.com. Any information on or linked from the website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME – Unaudited

	Three Months Ended November 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016
Revenues	$	329,141		$	288,063
Operating expenses
Cost of services		161,524			127,250
Selling, general and administrative		78,519			70,494
Total operating expenses		240,043			197,744
Operating income		89,098			90,319
Other expense		(2,919	)		(499	)
Income before income taxes		86,179			89,820
Provision for income taxes		15,800			23,237
Net income	$	70,379		$	66,583
Basic earnings per common share	$	1.80		$	1.67
Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.77		$	1.66
Basic weighted average common shares		39,085			39,827
Diluted weighted average common shares		39,680			40,100

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

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – Unaudited

	Three Months Ended November 30,
(In thousands)	2017			2016
Net income	$	70,379		$	66,583

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges*		(476	)		447
Foreign currency translation adjustments		8,466			(11,497	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		7,990			(11,050	)
Comprehensive income	$	78,369		$	55,533

*For the three months ended November 30, 2017, the unrealized loss on cash flow hedges was net of tax benefits of $288. For the three months ended November 30, 2016, the unrealized gain on cash flow hedges was net of tax expense of $261.

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

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	November 30, 2017			August 31, 2017
(In thousands, except share data)	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	221,933		$	194,731
Investments		31,677			32,444
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $2,920 at November 30, 2017 and $2,738 at August 31, 2017		144,848			148,331
Prepaid taxes		—			7,076
Deferred taxes		—			2,668
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		28,554			24,126
Total current assets		427,012			409,376
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		98,731			100,454
Goodwill		712,476			707,560
Intangible assets, net		168,874			173,543
Deferred taxes		6,975			7,412
Other assets		16,534			14,970
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,430,602		$	1,413,315

LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	67,669		$	59,214
Accrued compensation		20,658			61,083
Deferred fees		43,423			47,495
Deferred taxes		—			2,382
Taxes payable		7,948			9,112
Dividends payable		21,902			21,853
Total current liabilities		161,600			201,139
Long-term debt		574,666			575,000
Deferred taxes		25,028			24,892
Deferred fees		4,713			3,921
Taxes payable		9,465			11,484
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities		36,913			37,188
TOTAL LIABILITIES	$	812,385		$	853,624
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 17)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued	$	—		$	—
Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 52,101,426 and 51,845,132 shares issued; 39,110,080 and 39,023,032 shares outstanding at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, respectively		521			518
Additional paid-in capital		775,509			741,748
Treasury stock, at cost: 12,991,346 and 12,822,100 shares at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, respectively		(1,638,384	)		(1,606,678	)
Retained earnings		1,507,301			1,458,823
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(26,730	)		(34,720	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	618,217		$	559,691
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,430,602		$	1,413,315

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

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – Unaudited

	Three months Ended
(in thousands)	November 30, 2017			November 30, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	70,379		$	66,583
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		14,286			10,016
Stock-based compensation expense		7,481			6,385
Deferred income taxes		875			4,907
Loss on sale of assets		17			—
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		—			(5,511	)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
Accounts receivable, net of reserves		3,511			(9,985	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		8,604			2,043
Accrued compensation		(40,384	)		(34,261	)
Deferred fees		(3,531	)		(3,118	)
Taxes payable, net of prepaid taxes		7,401			13,786
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(6,716	)		(2,805	)
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities		(845	)		3,225
Other working capital accounts, net		65			(152	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		61,143			51,113

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			(71,689	)
Purchases of investments		(6,942	)		(16,700	)
Proceeds from sales of investments		7,409			19,501
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of proceeds from dispositions		(5,912	)		(12,537	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(5,445	)		(81,425	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividend payments		(21,682	)		(19,867	)
Repurchases of common stock		(31,706	)		(84,860	)
Proceeds from debt		—			65,000
Purchase of business		442			—
Proceeds from employee stock plans		22,132			16,685
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		—			5,511
Net cash used by financing activities		(30,814	)		(17,531	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		2,318			(7,276	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		27,202			(55,119	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		194,731			228,407
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	221,933		$	173,288

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

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

November 30, 2017

(Unaudited)

1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company” or “FactSet”) is a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications and industry-leading service for the global investment community. The Company delivers insight and information to investment professionals through its analytics, services, content, and technology. These professionals include portfolio managers, investment research professionals, investment bankers, risk and performance analysts, and wealth advisors. From streaming real-time data to historical information, including quotes, estimates, news and commentary, FactSet offers unique and third-party content through desktop, web, mobile and off-platform solutions. The Company’s broad application suite offers tools and resources including company and industry analyses, full screening tools, portfolio analysis, risk profiles, alpha-testing, portfolio optimization and research management solutions. With recent acquisitions, FactSet has continued to expand its solutions across the investment lifecycle from idea generation to performance and client reporting. The Company’s revenues are derived from subscriptions to products and services such as workstations, analytics, enterprise data, research management, and trade execution.

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

FactSet conducts business globally and is managed on a geographic basis. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany activity and balances have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of FactSet and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments, transactions or events discretely impacting the interim periods considered necessary to fairly state our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The information in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date that the financial statements were issued.

3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

As of the beginning of fiscal 2018, FactSet implemented all applicable new accounting standards and updates issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that were in effect. There were no new standards or updates adopted during the first three months of fiscal 2018 that had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Standards or Updates Recently Adopted

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, FactSet adopted the accounting standard update issued by the FASB in November 2015 to simplify the presentation of deferred taxes on the balance sheet. This accounting standard update requires an entity to present all deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as non-current on the balance sheet. Under the previous guidance, entities were required to separately present deferred taxes as current or non-current. Netting deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities by tax jurisdiction will still be required under the new guidance. This accounting standard update is a change to the balance sheet presentation only. The changes have been applied prospectively as permitted by the standard and prior periods have not been restated.

Share-Based Payments

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, FactSet adopted the accounting standard update issued by the FASB in March 2016, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. This accounting standard update will increase the volatility within the Company’s provision for income taxes as all excess tax benefits or deficiencies related to share-based payments, that were previously reported within equity, are now recognized in the consolidated statement of income. In addition, this standard changes the classification of excess tax benefits presented in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows from a financing activity to an operating activity, which has be applied on a prospective basis as permitted by the standard and prior periods have not been restated. Share-based payment expense will continue to reflect estimated forfeitures of share-based payment awards. The adoption of this standard resulted in the recognition of $4.1 million of excess tax benefits to FactSet’s provision for income taxes during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The recognition of these benefits contributed $0.09 to diluted earnings per share for the three months ended November 30, 2017. The remaining provisions of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Standards or Updates Not Yet Effective

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014 and July 2015, the FASB issued accounting standard updates, which provide clarified principles for recognizing revenue arising from contracts with clients and supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. These accounting standard updates will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption in fiscal 2018 permitted and allow for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. The Company plans to adopt the standard on September 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact of these accounting standard updates on its consolidated financial statements and the method of adoption.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to amend its current guidance on the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments. The accounting standard update significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. This guidance also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. This guidance will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update related to accounting for leases. The guidance introduces a lessee model that requires most leases to be reported on the balance sheet. The accounting standard update aligns many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in the FASB’s new revenue recognition standard. The guidance also eliminates the requirement in current U.S. GAAP for an entity to use bright-line tests in determining lease classification. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, with early adoption in fiscal 2019 permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Payments

In May 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard update, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The guidance focuses on changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards that would require the application of modification accounting and specifies that an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Cash Flow Simplification

In August 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update, which simplifies how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This includes revised guidance on the cash flow classification of debt prepayments and debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination and distributions received from equity method investments. The guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice across all industries. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes on Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets

In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update, which removes the prohibition against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice related to the tax consequences of certain types of intra-entity asset transfers, particularly those involving intellectual property. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill Impairment Test

In January 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard update, which removes the requirement for companies to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Hedge Accounting Simplification

In August 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to reduce the complexity of and simplify the application of hedging accounting. The guidance refines and expands hedge accounting for both financial and nonfinancial risk components, eliminates the need to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness, and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. This guidance will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective as of November 30, 2017 have had or are expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

4. FAIR VALUE MEASURES

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the use of various valuation methodologies, including market, income and cost approaches is permissible. The Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

Fair Value Hierarchy

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value based on the reliability of inputs. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. FactSet has categorized its cash equivalents, investments and derivatives within the fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level 1 – applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These Level 1 assets and liabilities include the Company’s corporate money market funds that are classified as cash equivalents.

Level 2 – applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. The Company’s certificates of deposit, mutual funds and derivative instruments are classified as Level 2.

Level 3 – applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. There were no Level 3 assets or liabilities held by the Company as of November 30, 2017 or August 31, 2017.

(a) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables shows by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017:

	Fair Value Measurements at November 30, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Corporate money market funds ⁽¹⁾	$	47,741	$	—	$	—	$	47,741
Mutual funds ⁽²⁾		—		20,475		—		20,475
Certificates of deposit ⁽³⁾		—		11,202		—		11,202
Derivative instruments ⁽⁴⁾		—		5,375		—		5,375
Total assets measured at fair value	$	47,741	$	37,052	$	—	$	84,793

Liabilities
Derivative instruments ⁽⁴⁾	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

	Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Corporate money market funds ⁽¹⁾	$	26,677	$	—	$	—	$	26,677
Mutual Funds ⁽²⁾		—		18,364		—		18,364
Certificates of deposit ⁽³⁾		—		14,080		—		14,080
Derivative instruments ⁽⁴⁾		—		6,142		—		6,142
Total assets measured at fair value	$	26,677	$	38,586	$	—	$	65,263

Liabilities
Derivative instruments ⁽⁴⁾	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—



	(1)	The Company’s corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value. As such, the Company’s corporate money market funds are classified as Level 1 and included in cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2)

The Company’s mutual funds have a fair value based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the mutual funds allocated to each share of the mutual fund using a net asset value approach. The fair value of the underlying investments is based on observable inputs. As such, the Company’s mutual funds are classified as Level 2 and are classified as investments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(3)

The Company’s certificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(4)

The Company utilizes the income approach to measure fair value for its derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). The income approach uses pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as spot, forward and interest rates, as well as credit default swap spreads and therefore, are classified as Level 2.

The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the periods presented.

(b) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets, including goodwill and intangible assets, and liabilities, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances such as when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The fair values of these non-financial assets and liabilities are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available, and may include quoted market prices, market comparables, and discounted cash flow projections. An impairment charge is recorded when the cost exceeds its fair value, based upon the results of such valuations. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, no fair value adjustments or material fair value measurements were required for the Company’s non-financial assets or liabilities.

(c) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for Disclosure Purposes Only

As of November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was $575 million, respectively, which approximated its carrying amount given its floating interest rate basis. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was determined based on quoted market prices for debt with a similar maturity, and thus categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Cash Flow Hedges

FactSet conducts business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen and Philippine Peso. As such, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar. The Company utilizes derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts) to manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations and reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The Company does not enter into foreign currency forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes. In designing a specific hedging approach, FactSet considered several factors, including offsetting exposures, the significance of exposures, the forecasting of risk and the potential effectiveness of the hedge. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts offset the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings. There was no discontinuance of cash flow hedges during the first three months of fiscal 2018 and 2017, and as such, no corresponding gains or losses related to changes in the value of the Company’s contracts were reclassified into earnings prior to settlement.

As of November 30, 2017, FactSet maintained the following foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 75% of its Indian Rupee exposure through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

The following is a summary of all hedging positions and corresponding fair values:

(in thousands)	Gross Notional Value				Fair Value (Liability) Asset
Currency Hedged (in U.S. dollars)	November 30, 2017		August 31, 2017		November 30, 2017		August 31, 2017
Indian Rupee		43,860		51,000		5,375		6,142
Total	$	43,860	$	51,000	$	5,375	$	6,142

As of November 30, 2017, the gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs. 3.3 billion.

Counterparty Credit Risk

As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk. FactSet has incorporated counterparty risk into the fair value of its derivative assets and its own credit risk into the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities, when applicable. FactSet calculates credit risk from observable data related to credit default swaps (“CDS”) as quoted by publicly available information. Counterparty risk is represented by CDS spreads related to the senior secured debt of the respective bank with whom FactSet has executed these derivative transactions. As CDS spread information is not available for FactSet, the Company’s credit risk is determined based on using a simple average of CDS spreads for peer companies. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, FactSet enters into contracts with large financial institutions and regularly reviews its credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparties. The Company does not expect any losses as a result of default of its counterparties.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table provides the fair value of derivative instruments:

(in thousands) Designation of Derivatives	Balance Sheet Location	November 30, 2017		August 31, 2017
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	Assets: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	3,943	$	3,796
	Other assets	$	1,432	$	2,346
	Liabilities: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	—	$	—

All derivatives were designated as hedging instruments as of November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, respectively.

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

The following table provides the pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016:

(in thousands)

Loss Recognized

in AOCL on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)

Location of Loss
Reclassified from AOCL into Income
(Effective Portion)

Gain (Loss) Reclassified
from AOCL into Income
(Effective Portion)

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

2017

2016

2017

2016

Foreign currency forward contracts

)

(649

)

SG&A

763

(1,357

)

No amount of ineffectiveness was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for these designated cash flow hedges and all components of each derivative’s gain or loss was included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. As of November 30, 2017, FactSet estimates that approximately $3.9 million of net derivative gains related to its cash flow hedges included in AOCL will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

Offsetting of Derivative Instruments

FactSet’s master netting and other similar arrangements with its respective counterparties allow for net settlement under certain conditions. As of November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, there were no net settlements recorded on Consolidated Balance Sheets.

6. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components of other comprehensive income and amounts reclassified out of AOCL into earnings during the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

	November 30, 2017						November 30, 2016
(in thousands)	Pre-tax			Net of tax			Pre-tax			Net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	8,466		$	8,466		$	(11,497	)	$	(11,497	)
Realized (gain) loss on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings ⁽¹⁾		(763	)		(476	)		1,357			857
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		(1	)		—			(649	)		(410	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	7,702		$	7,990		$	(10,789	)	$	(11,050	)

(1)

Reclassified to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The components of AOCL are as follows:

(in thousands)	November 30, 2017			August 31, 2017
Accumulated unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax	$	3,326		$	3,802
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments		(30,056	)		(38,522	)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(26,730	)	$	(34,720	)

7. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. Financial information at the operating segment level is reviewed jointly by the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and senior management. Senior management consists of certain executives who directly report to the CEO, consisting of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology and Product Officer, Global Head of Sales and Client Solutions, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer. Senior management, along with the CEO, constitute FactSet’s chief operating decision making group (“CODMG”) and is responsible for making decisions about resources allocated amongst the operating segments based on actual results.

FactSet’s operating segments are aligned with how the Company, including its CODMG, manages the business and the demographic markets in which FactSet serves. The Company’s internal financial reporting structure is based on three segments; the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. FactSet believes this alignment helps it better manage the business and view the markets the Company serves, which are centered on providing integrated global financial and economic information. Sales, consulting, data collection, product development and software engineering are the primary functional groups within the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific segments that provide global financial and economic information to investment managers, investment banks and other financial services professionals.

The U.S. segment services investment professionals including financial institutions throughout the Americas. The European and Asia Pacific segments service investment professionals located throughout Europe and the Asia Pacific region, respectively. The European segment maintains office locations in England, Bulgaria, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. The Asia Pacific segment has office locations in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and South Africa. Segment revenues reflect direct sales to clients based in their respective geographic locations. Each segment records compensation expense, including stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, office and other direct expenses.

Expenditures associated with the Company’s data centers, third party data costs and corporate charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the other segments. The content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of the Company’s operating segments and thus the expenses incurred at these locations are allocated to each segment based on a percentage of revenues. Of the total $712.5 million of goodwill reported by the Company at November 30, 2017, 54% was recorded in the U.S. segment, 45% in the European segment and the remaining 1% in the Asia Pacific segment.

The following reflects the results of operations of the segments consistent with the Company’s management system. These results are used by management, both in evaluating the performance of, and in allocating resources to, each of the segments.

(in thousands) For the three months ended November 30, 2017	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	208,768	$	91,727	$	28,646	$	329,141
Segment operating profit		40,771		32,970		15,357		89,098
Total assets		719,491		603,848		107,263		1,430,602
Capital expenditures		3,545		1,524		843		5,912

For the three months ended November 30, 2016	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	190,627	$	71,863	$	25,573	$	288,063
Segment operating profit		40,005		36,584		13,730		90,319
Total assets		698,328		262,523		85,314		1,046,165
Capital expenditures		11,125		491		921		12,537

8. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

BISAM

On March 17, 2017, FactSet acquired BI-SAM Technologies (“BISAM”) for a total purchase price of $217.6 million. BISAM is a global provider of portfolio performance and attribution, multi-asset risk, GIPS composites management and reporting. BISAM’s product offerings include B-One, BISAM’s cross-asset solution, which will serve as a complement to both FactSet’s portfolio analytics suite and client reporting solutions, and Cognity, which enhances FactSet’s risk analysis for derivatives and quantitative portfolio construction. These factors contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of BISAM’s net tangible and intangible assets, leading to the recognition of goodwill. At the time of acquisition, BISAM employed over 160 employees based primarily in its New York, Boston, Paris, London and Sofia offices. Total transaction costs related to the acquisition were $3.2 million in fiscal 2017 and were recorded within Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was finalized during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. There were no significant adjustments between the preliminary and final allocation. The total purchase price was allocated to BISAM’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition.

(in thousands)
Tangible assets acquired	$	27,583
Amortizable intangible assets
Software technology		18,261
Client relationships		37,597
Trade name		741
Goodwill		173,898
Total assets acquired	$	258,080
Liabilities assumed		(40,443	)
Net assets acquired	$	217,637

Intangible assets of $56.6 million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of client relationships, amortized over 16 years using an accelerated amortization method; software technology, amortized over five years using a straight-line amortization method; and a trade name, amortized over four years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling $173.9 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill generated from the BISAM acquisition is included in the US and European segments and is not deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations of BISAM have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since the completion of the acquisition on March 17, 2017. Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of the BISAM acquisition is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

Vermilion

On November 8, 2016, FactSet acquired Vermilion Holdings Limited (“Vermilion”) for a total purchase price of $67.9 million. Vermilion is a global provider of client reporting and communications software and services to the financial services industry. Client reporting is a growing area of the market as regulatory requirements rise; and with the acquisition of Vermilion and its Vermilion Reporting Suite (“VRS”), FactSet now offers a workflow around all elements of the client reporting process, which it expects will expand as investors grow increasingly sophisticated. This factor contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of Vermilion’s net tangible and intangible assets, leading to the recognition of goodwill. At the time of acquisition, Vermilion employed 59 individuals in its London, Boston and Singapore offices. Total transaction costs related to the acquisition were $0.7 million and recorded within SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2017. There were no significant adjustments between the preliminary and final allocation. The total purchase price was allocated to Vermilion’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition. Based upon the purchase price and the valuation, the allocation is as follows:

(in thousands)
Tangible assets acquired	$	7,916
Amortizable intangible assets
Software technology		10,916
Client relationships		5,954
Non-compete agreements		806
Trade name		571
Goodwill		51,157
Total assets acquired	$	77,320
Liabilities assumed		(9,434	)
Net assets acquired	$	67,886

Intangible assets of $18.2 million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of client relationships, amortized over 15 years using an accelerated amortization method; software technology, amortized over six years using a straight-line amortization method; non-compete agreements, amortized over three years using a straight-line amortization method; and a trade name, amortized over four years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling $51.2 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill generated from the Vermilion acquisition is included in the European segment and is not deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations of Vermilion have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since the completion of the acquisition on November 8, 2016. Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of the Vermilion acquisition is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

9. GOODWILL

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the three months ended November 30, 2017 are as follows:

(in thousands)	U.S.			Europe			Asia Pacific			Total
Balance at August 31, 2017	$	386,835		$	317,759		$	2,966		$	707,560
Foreign currency translations		—			5,390			(49	)		5,341
Other adjustments		(107	)		(318	)		—			(425	)
Balance at November 30, 2017	$	386,728		$	322,831		$	2,917		$	712,476

Goodwill is not amortized as it is estimated to have an indefinite life. At least annually, the Company is required to test goodwill at the reporting unit level for potential impairment, and, if impaired, write down to fair value based on the present value of discounted cash flows. The Company’s reporting units evaluated for potential impairment were the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which reflect the level of internal reporting the Company uses to manage its business and operations. The three reporting units are consistent with the operating segments reported as there is no discrete financial information available for the subsidiaries within each operating segment. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, consistent with the timing of previous years, at which time it was determined that there was no impairment, with the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units significantly exceeding carrying value.

10. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

FactSet’s identifiable intangible assets consist of acquired content databases, client relationships, software technology, non-compete agreements and trade names resulting from previous acquisitions, which have been fully integrated into the Company’s operations. The weighted average useful life of FactSet’s acquired identifiable intangible assets at November 30, 2017 was 11.5 years. The Company amortizes intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which are evaluated quarterly to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. There have been no changes to the estimate of the remaining useful lives during the first three months of fiscal 2018. Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment, if indicators of impairment are present, based on undiscounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on discounted cash flows. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periods presented. The intangible assets have no assigned residual values.

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization totals related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

At November 30, 2017 (in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Data content	$	35,039	$	19,890	$	15,149
Client relationships		100,375		24,341		76,034
Software technology		106,610		34,362		72,248
Non-compete agreements		4,875		1,750		3,125
Trade names		4,113		1,795		2,318
Total	$	251,012	$	82,138	$	168,874

At August 31, 2017 (in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Data content	$	34,116	$	18,899	$	15,217
Client relationships		99,779		22,339		77,440
Software technology		105,963		30,889		75,074
Non-compete agreements		4,833		1,518		3,315
Trade names		4,080		1,583		2,497
Total	$	248,771	$	75,228	$	173,543

Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets was $6.2 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of November 30, 2017, estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:

Fiscal Year (in thousands)	Estimated Amortization Expense
2018 (remaining nine months)		$	18,533
2019			23,838
2020			23,120
2021			21,589
2022			19,259
Thereafter			62,535
Total		$	168,874

11. COMMON STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

Shares of common stock outstanding were as follows:

	Three Months ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Balance at September 1		39,023			40,038
Common stock issued for employee stock plans		256			310
Repurchase of common stock from employees⁽¹⁾		(4	)		(36	)
Repurchase of common stock under the share repurchase program		(165	)		(505	)
Repurchase of common stock under accelerated share repurchase agreement		—			(103	)⁽²⁾
Balance at November 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively		39,110			39,704

(1)

For the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company repurchased 4,220 and 34,639 shares, or $0.8 million and $5.3 million, of common stock, respectively, in settlement of employee tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.

(2)

On July 1, 2016, FactSet entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) to purchase FactSet common stock. The final settlement of the ASR Agreement occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, with FactSet receiving an additional 102,916 shares of its common stock.

A reconciliation of the weighted average shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) computations is as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Net Income (Numerator)		Weighted Average Common Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
For the three months ended November 30, 2017
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	70,379		39,085	$	1.80
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				595
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	70,379		39,680	$	1.77
For the three months ended November 30, 2016
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	66,583		39,827	$	1.67
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				273
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	66,583		40,100	$	1.66

Dilutive potential common shares consist of stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. The number of stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and November 30, 2016 was 552,389 and 621,503, respectively, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

For the three months ended November 30, 2017, the number of performance-based stock option grants excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS was 332,338. For the three months ended November 30, 2016, the number of performance-based stock option grants excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share was 756,994. Performance-based stock options are omitted from the calculation of diluted EPS until the performance criteria are probable of being achieved.

12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock

At November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, there were 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock ($0.01 par value per share) authorized, of which no shares were issued and outstanding. FactSet’s Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock and, in connection with the creation of such series, determine the characteristics of each such series including, without limitation, the preference and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the series.

Common Stock

At November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, there were 150,000,000 shares of common stock ($.01 par value per share) authorized, of which 52,101,426 and 51,845,132 shares were issued, respectively. The authorized shares of common stock are issuable for any proper corporate purpose, including future stock splits, stock dividends, acquisitions, raising equity capital or to adopt additional employee benefit plans.

Treasury Stock

At November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, there were 12,991,346 and 12,822,100 shares of treasury stock (at cost) outstanding, respectively. As a result, 39,110,080 and 39,023,032 shares of FactSet common stock were outstanding at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. During the first three months of fiscal 2018, the Company repurchased 164,920 shares for $30.9 million compared to 505,000 shares for $79.3 million in the prior year comparable period. As of November 30, 2017, $213.2 million remains authorized for future share repurchases. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations.

Restricted Stock Vesting

Restricted stock awards entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest over time. During the first three months of fiscal 2018, 11,278 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of November 30, 2017 (less 4,220 shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock). During the same period a year ago, 94,877 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of November 30, 2016 (less 34,639 shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock).

Dividends

The Company’s Board of Directors declared the following historical dividends:

Declaration Date	Dividends Per Share of Common Stock		Type	Record Date	Total $ Amount (in thousands)		Payment Date
November 8, 2017	$	0.56	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2017	$	21,902	December 19, 2017
August 10, 2017	$	0.56	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2017	$	21,853	September 19, 2017
May 5, 2017	$	0.56	Regular (cash)	May 31, 2017	$	21,951	June 20, 2017
February 6, 2017	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	February 28, 2017	$	19,709	March 21, 2017
November 10, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2016	$	19,852	December 20, 2016
August 5, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2016	$	20,019	September 20, 2016

All of the above cash dividends were paid from existing cash resources. Future dividend payments will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by the Company and is subject to final determination by the Company’s Board of Directors.

13. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION AND RETIREMENT PLANS

Stock Option Awards

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan, as Amended and Restated (the “Option Plan”) provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards to employees of FactSet. The expiration date of the Option Plan is December 14, 2020. Stock options granted under the Option Plan expire not more than ten years from the date of grant and the majority vest ratably over a period of five years. Options become vested and exercisable provided the employee continues employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date and remain exercisable until expiration or cancellation. Options are not transferable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During the grantee’s lifetime, the options may be exercised only by the grantee.

Stock Option Activity

During the first three months of fiscal 2018, FactSet granted 553,942 stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $189.98 to existing employees of the Company. As of November 30, 2017, a total of 3,669,181 stock options were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $149.09. Unamortized stock-based compensation of $75.1 million is expected to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 3.8 years.

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Balance at August 31, 2017		3,366		$	139.29
Granted – nonperformance-based		554		$	189.98
Exercised		(226	)	$	104.90
Forfeited		(25	)	$	133.89
Balance at November 30, 2017		3,669		$	149.09

The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of November 30, 2017 was 1.3 million with a weighted average exercise price of $121.40. The aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money stock options exercisable at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017 was $102.3 million and $49.7 million, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock prices of $199.88 and $157.18 on November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, respectively, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options exercisable as of that date. The total pre-tax intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016 was $18.0 million and $16.4 million, respectively.

Performance-based Stock Options

Performance-based stock options require management to make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving Company performance targets. The number of performance-based options that vest will be predicated on the Company achieving performance levels during the measurement period subsequent to the date of grant. Dependent on the financial performance levels attained by FactSet, a percentage of the performance-based stock options will vest to the grantees of those stock options. However, there is no current guarantee that such options will vest in whole or in part.

February 2015 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of Code Red, FactSet granted 137,522 performance-based stock options during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Of the total amount granted, 68,761 performance-based options were eligible to vest if certain Code Red ASV and operating margin targets were achieved over a two-year measurement period ending February 28, 2017. At the conclusion of the measurement period, 70% of the options were deemed eligible to vest, with the remaining options being forfeited. The option holders must remain employed by FactSet through February 28, 2019 in order for the options to vest. As of November 30, 2017, total unamortized stock-based compensation of $0.6 million will be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period of 1.2 years.

The remaining 68,761 options granted in February 2015 are eligible to cliff vest based on a four-year measurement period ending February 28, 2019. As of November 30, 2017, total unamortized stock-based compensation of $0.4 million will be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period of 1.2 years. A change, up or down, in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Code Red in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*			Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0%	$	(844	)		—
10%	$	(633	)	$	89
40% (current expectation)	$	—		$	356
70%	$	633		$	623
100%	$	1,266		$	891

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of November 30, 2017.

January 2017 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of Vermilion, FactSet granted 61,744 performance-based stock options in January 2017. These performance-based options will vest 40% on the second anniversary date of the grant and 20% on each subsequent anniversary date if certain Vermilion revenue and operating income targets are achieved by November 30, 2017. The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet for the options to be eligible to vest. As of November 30, 2017, FactSet does not believe these growth targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized in connection with these performance-based options. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Vermilion in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)

Cumulative

Catch-up Adjustment*

Remaining Expense

to be Recognized

0% (current expectation)

—

100%

473

2,232

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of November 30, 2017.

June 2017 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of BISAM, FactSet granted 206,417 performance-based stock options in June 2017. These performance-based options will vest 40% on the second anniversary date of the grant and 20% on each subsequent anniversary date if certain BISAM revenue and operating income targets are achieved by March 31, 2019. The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet for the options to be eligible to vest. As of November 30, 2017, FactSet does not believe these growth targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized in connection with these performance-based options. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by BISAM in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)	$	—	$	—
80%	$	592	$	6,515
90%	$	666	$	7,329
100%	$	740	$	8,144

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of November 30, 2017.

Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Awards

The Company’s Option Plan permits the issuance of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards are subject to continued employment over a specified period.

Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Awards Activity

During the first three months of fiscal 2018, FactSet granted 961 restricted stock awards to employees of the Company at a weighted average grant date fair value of $182.17. These restricted stock awards vest over a weighted average period of 5.0 years from grant date.

As of November 30, 2017, a total of 161,527 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units were unvested and outstanding, which results in unamortized stock-based compensation of $17.5 million to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 3.3 years.

A summary of restricted stock award activity is as follows:

(in thousands, except per award data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award
Balance at August 31, 2017		182		$	138.62
Granted		1		$	182.17
Forfeited		(10	)	$	114.37
Vested⁽¹⁾		(11	)	$	157.37
Balance at November 30, 2017		162		$	139.12

(1)

Of the 11,278 restricted stock awards that vested during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, 9,765 related to the second tranche (20%) of awards granted on October 16, 2015. These awards vest 20% per year on the anniversary date of the award. The remaining 1,513 awards vested related to other grants.

Share-based Awards Available for Grant

A summary of share-based awards available for grant is as follows:

(in thousands)	Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Employee Option Plan			Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Non-Employee Directors Plan
Balance at August 31, 2017		897			42
Granted – nonperformance-based options		(554	)		—
Granted – performance-based options		—			—
Granted – restricted stock awards⁽¹⁾		(2	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited⁽²⁾		51			—
Balance at November 30, 2017		392			42

(1)

Each restricted stock award granted is equivalent to 2.5 shares granted under the Company’s Option Plan.

(2)

Under the Company’s Option Plan, for each restricted stock award canceled/forfeited, an equivalent of 2.5 shares is added back to the available share-based awards balance.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Shares of FactSet common stock may be purchased by eligible employees under the Amended and Restated FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) in three-month intervals at a purchase price equal to at least 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on either the first day or the last day of each three-month offering period. Employee purchases may not exceed 10% of their gross compensation or a $25,000 contribution limit during an offering period.

During the three months ended November 30, 2017, employees purchased 19,589 shares at a weighted average price of $134.39 as compared to 16,496 shares at a weighted average price of $136.14 for the three months ended November 30, 2016. At November 30, 2017, 313,583 shares were reserved for future issuance under the ESPP.

401(k) Plan

The Company established it 401(k) Plan in fiscal 1993. The 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all full-time, U.S. employees of the Company and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“IRC”). Each year, participants may contribute up to 60% of their eligible annual compensation, subject to annual limitations established by the IRC. The Company matches up to 4% of employees’ earnings, capped at the Internal Revenue Service annual maximum. Company matching contributions are subject to a five year graduated vesting schedule. All full-time, U.S. employees are eligible for the matching contribution by the Company. The Company contributed $2.8 million and $1.9 million in matching contributions to employee 401(k) accounts during the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $7.5 million and $6.4 million during the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of November 30, 2017, $92.5 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested equity awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.6 years. There was no stock-based compensation capitalized as of November 30, 2017 or August 31, 2017, respectively.

Employee Stock Option Fair Value Determinations

The Company utilizes the lattice-binomial option-pricing model (“binomial model”) to estimate the fair value of new employee stock option grants. The Company’s determination of fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using the binomial model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeitures and employee stock option exercise behaviors.

Q1 2018	553,942 nonperformance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $189.98 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $48.27 per share.
Q1 2017	671,263 nonperformance-based employee stock options and 22,460 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $152.51 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $39.60 per share.

The weighted average estimated fair value of employee stock options granted was determined using the binomial model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Three months ended November 30,	2017			2016
Term structure of risk-free interest rate	1.28%	-	2.41%	0.07%	-	2.09%
Expected life (years)		7.4			7.4
Term structure of volatility	19%	-	29%	21%	-	30%
Dividend yield		1.32%			1.18%
Weighted average estimated fair value		$48.27			$39.60
Weighted average exercise price		$189.98			$152.51
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price		25.4%			26.0%

The risk-free interest rate assumption for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility is based on a combination of historical volatility of the Company’s stock and implied volatilities of publicly traded options to buy FactSet common stock with contractual terms closest to the expected life of options granted to employees. The approach to utilize a mix of historical and implied volatility was based upon the availability of actively traded options on the Company’s stock and the Company’s assessment that a combination of implied volatility and historical volatility is best representative of future stock price trends. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee termination within the valuation model. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is a derived output of the binomial model. The binomial model estimates employees exercise behavior based on the option’s remaining vested life and the extent to which the option is in-the-money. The binomial model estimates the probability of exercise as a function of these two variables based on the entire history of exercises and cancellations of all past option grants made by the Company.

Non-Employee Director Stock Option Fair Value Determinations

The 2008 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”) provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options, to non-employee directors of FactSet. An initial 250,000 shares of FactSet common stock were reserved for issuance under the Directors’ Plan, of which 42,185 remain available for future grant as of November 30, 2017. The expiration date of the Directors’ Plan is December 1, 2018.

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of non-employee Director stock option grants. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeitures and employee stock option exercise behaviors.

Fiscal 2018

There were no stock options granted to the Company’s non-employee Directors during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Fiscal 2017

There were no stock options granted to the Company’s non-employee Directors during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. However, on January 13, 2017, FactSet granted 23,846 stock options to the Company’s non-employee Directors, including one-time new Director grants of 2,104 stock options each for Malcolm Frank and Sheila B. Jordan, who were elected to FactSet’s Board of Directors on December 20, 2016. All of the options granted on January 13, 2017 have a weighted average estimated fair value of $35.65 per share, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate	1.95	%
Expected life (years)	5.4
Expected volatility	22.7	%
Dividend yield	1.24	%

Restricted Stock Fair Value Determinations

Restricted stock granted to employees entitles the holder to shares of common stock as the award vests over time, but not to dividends declared on the underlying shares while the restricted stock is unvested. The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is measured by reducing the grant date price of FactSet’s share by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying stock during the requisite service period, discounted at the appropriate risk-free interest rate. Restricted stock awards are amortized to expense over the vesting period. During the first three months of fiscal 2018, there were 961 restricted stock awards granted with a weighted average grant date fair value of $182.17. During the first three months of fiscal 2017, FactSet granted 5,084 restricted stock awards at a weighted average grant date fair value of $151.63.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan Fair Value Determinations

During the three months ended November 30, 2017, employees purchased 19,589 shares at a weighted average price of $134.39 as compared to 16,496 shares at a weighted average price of $136.14 a year ago. Stock-based compensation expense recorded for each of the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, relating to the ESPP was $0.5 million, respectively.

The weighted average estimated fair value for the ESPP was calculated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:

Three months ended November 30,	2017			2016
Risk-free interest rate		1.11	%		0.35	%
Expected life (months)		3			3
Expected volatility		7.97	%		10.3	%
Dividend yield		1.42	%		1.11	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	25.79		$	30.32

Accuracy of Fair Value Estimates

The Company is responsible for determining the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of its share-based payment awards. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeiture rates and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable.

15. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense is based on taxable income determined in accordance with current enacted laws and tax rates. Deferred income taxes are recorded for the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is as follows:

	Three months ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Income before income taxes	$	86,179		$	89,820
Total provision for income taxes	$	15,800		$	23,237
Effective tax rate		18.3	%		25.9	%

FactSet’s effective tax rate is based on recurring factors and nonrecurring events, including the taxation of foreign income. The Company’s effective tax rate will vary based on, among other things, changes in levels of foreign income, as well as discrete and other nonrecurring events that may not be predictable. The effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. federal rate of 35.0% in both periods presented above primarily due to foreign income taxed at lower statutory tax rates than in the U.S., R&D tax benefits, foreign tax credits, the recognition of $4.1 million of excess tax benefits associated with the new shared-based payment accounting standard update and $1.5 million of income tax benefits from settlements with tax authorities. These tax benefits were partially offset by additional state and local income taxes.

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The significant components of deferred tax assets that are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

(in thousands)	November 30, 2017			August 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Receivable reserve	$	913		$	811
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements		3,235			2,220
Deferred rent		11,452			11,615
Stock-based compensation		19,447			20,117
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology		(33,376	)		(32,742	)
Other		5,304			8,059
Total deferred tax assets	$	6,975		$	10,080

The significant components of deferred tax liabilities that are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

(in thousands)	November 30, 2017			August 31, 2017
Deferred tax liabilities:
Stock-based compensation	$	(840	)	$	(815	)
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements		531			168
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology		25,569			26,231
Other		(232	)		1,690
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	25,028		$	27,274

No U.S. income taxes have been provided on undistributed foreign earnings and profits as of November 30, 2017, as FactSet plans to permanently reinvest these amounts and use the earnings to fund non-U.S. operations and working capital needs as well as facilities overseas. This includes, but is not limited to, capital expenditures and acquisitions intended to further FactSet’s global growth strategy. At each reporting period, FactSet assesses its position with regard to the undistributed foreign earnings of its subsidiaries. To the extent that earnings can no longer be indefinitely reinvested, the Company will accrue the tax impact, if any, attributable to those earnings, including the impact of foreign tax credits, at such time. If such earnings are repatriated, additional tax expense may result, although the flexibility inherent in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code may permit the ultimate distribution to be tax-free depending on the nature of the distribution. Therefore, the Company does not believe it is practicable to estimate, with reasonable accuracy, the hypothetical amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability on its undistributed foreign earnings given the many factors and assumptions necessary to estimate the amount of the federal income tax that may be payable in the future on the undistributed earnings.

Unrecognized Tax Positions

Applicable accounting guidance prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification and disclosure of uncertain tax positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. A company can recognize the financial effect of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the tax position will prevail upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit or expense can be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, companies are required to accrue interest on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws.

As of November 30, 2017, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling $9.5 million, including $1.4 million of accrued interest, recorded as Non-current taxes payable within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax positions taken on tax returns but not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statements. When applicable, the Company adjusts the previously recorded tax expense to reflect examination results when the position is ultimately settled. The Company regularly engages in discussions and negotiations with tax authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that certain federal, foreign, and state tax matters may be concluded in the next 12 months. However, FactSet has no reason to believe that such audits will result in the payment of additional taxes and/or penalties that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position, beyond current estimates. Any changes in accounting estimates resulting from new developments with respect to uncertain tax positions will be recorded as appropriate. The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next 12 months.

The following table summarizes the changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits during the first three months of fiscal 2018:

(in thousands)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2017	$	11,484
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		448
Additions for tax positions of prior years		134
Reductions from settlements with taxing authorities		(2,601	)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at November 30, 2017	$	9,465

In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax filings are subject to audit by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. At November 30, 2017, the Company remained subject to examination in the following major tax jurisdictions:

Major Tax Jurisdictions	Open Tax Years
U.S.
Federal	2014 through 2018
State (various)	2014 through 2018
Europe
France	2014 through 2018
United Kingdom	2016 through 2018
Germany	2017 through 2018

16. LONG-TERM DEBT

FactSet’s debt obligations consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

November 30,

2017

August 31,

2017

2017 Revolving Credit Facility

574,666

575,000

Total Outstanding Debt

574,666

575,000

On March 17, 2017, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as the administrative agent and lender. The 2017 Credit Agreement provides for a $575.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). FactSet may request borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility until its maturity date of March 17, 2020. The 2017 Credit Agreement also allows FactSet, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with PNC for an aggregate amount of up to $225.0 million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings must be in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. Borrowings under the loan bear interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. Interest on the loan outstanding is payable quarterly in arrears and on the maturity date. There are no prepayment penalties if the Company elects to prepay the outstanding loan amounts prior to the scheduled maturity date. The principal balance is payable in full on the maturity date.

In conjunction with FactSet’s entrance into the 2017 Credit Agreement, the Company borrowed $575.0 million in the form of a LIBOR rate loan under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility. Proceeds from the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility were also used to fund FactSet’s acquisition of BISAM.

All outstanding loan amounts are reported as Long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and net of related amortized loan origination fees at November 30, 2017. The loan origination fees are amortized into interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method. During the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid approximately $3.4 million and $1.1 million in interest on its outstanding debt amounts, respectively. As of November 30, 2017, no commitment fee was owed by FactSet since it borrowed the full amount under the 2017 Credit Agreement.

The 2017 Credit Agreement contained covenants restricting certain FactSet activities, which are usual and customary for this type of loan. In addition, the 2017 Credit Agreement required that FactSet maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, as measured by total funded debt/EBITDA below a specified level as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Company was in material compliance with all of the covenants of the 2017 Credit Agreement as of November 30, 2017.

17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments represent obligations, such as those for future purchases of goods or services that are not yet recorded on the balance sheet as liabilities. FactSet records liabilities for commitments when incurred (i.e., when the goods or services are received).

Lease Commitments

At November 30, 2017, the Company leased approximately 202,000 square feet of office space at its headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. Including new lease agreements executed during fiscal 2018, the Company’s worldwide leased office space increased to approximately 1,612,100 square feet at November 30, 2017, up 469,100 square feet, or 41.0%, from August 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to new leases for additional office space in the Philippines. The Company’s significant locations are listed under Item 2, Properties, within the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017. The non-cancelable operating leases expire on various dates through 2031. The Company believes the amount of leased office space as of November 30, 2017 is adequate for its current needs and that additional space is available for lease to meet any future needs.

Total minimum rental payments associated with the leases are recorded as rent expense (a component of SG&A expense) on a straight-line basis over the periods of the respective non-cancelable lease terms. Future minimum commitments for the Company’s operating leases in place as of November 30, 2017 are as follows:

Years ended August 31, (in thousands)	Minimum Lease Payments
2018 (remaining nine months)	$	29,729
2019		36,729
2020		28,669
2021		21,558
2022		20,858
Thereafter		144,761
Total	$	282,304

Rent expense (including operating costs) for all operating leases amounted to $13.0 million and $11.4 million during the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, deferred rent reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $37.3 million and $37.4 million, of which $33.2 million and $33.5 million, respectively, was reported as a non-current liability within the line item Deferred Rent and Other Non-Current Liabilities

Approximately $1.9 million of standby letters of credit have been issued during the ordinary course of business in connection with the Company’s current leased office space as of November 30, 2017. These standby letters of credit contain covenants that, among other things, require FactSet to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. As of November 30, 2017, FactSet was in material compliance with all covenants contained in the standby letters of credit.

Purchase Commitments with Suppliers

Purchase obligations represent payments due in future periods in respect of commitments to the Company’s various data vendors as well as commitments to purchase goods and services such as telecommunication and computer maintenance services. These purchase commitments are agreements that are enforceable and legally binding on FactSet and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. As of August 31, 2017, the Company had total purchase commitments with suppliers of $81.0 million. There were no material changes in the Company’s purchase commitments during the first three months of fiscal 2018.

Contingencies

Income Taxes

Uncertain income tax positions are accounted for in accordance with applicable accounting guidance (see Note 15). FactSet is currently under audit by tax authorities and has reserved for potential adjustments to its provision for income taxes that may result from examinations by, or any negotiated settlements with, these tax authorities. The Company believes that the final outcome of these examinations or settlements will not have a material effect on its results of operations. If events occur which indicate payment of these amounts is unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in the recognition of tax benefits in the period FactSet determines the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the Company’s estimates of the federal, state, and foreign income tax liabilities are less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result.

Legal Matters

FactSet accrues non income-tax liabilities for contingencies when management believes that a loss is probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, while contingent gains are recognized only when realized. The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, including intellectual property litigation. Based on information available at November 30, 2017, FactSet’s management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these unresolved matters against the Company, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, its results of operations or its cash flows.

Indemnifications

As permitted or required under Delaware law and to the maximum extent allowable under that law, FactSet has certain obligations to indemnify its current and former officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was serving, at FactSet’s request in such capacity. These indemnification obligations are valid as long as the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The maximum potential amount of future payments FactSet could be required to make under these indemnification obligations is unlimited; however, FactSet has a director and officer insurance policy that it believes mitigates FactSet's exposure and may enable FactSet to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. The Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification obligations is immaterial.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained primarily with five financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. These deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate its credit risks by spreading such risks across multiple counterparties and monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are unsecured and derived from revenues earned from clients located around the globe. FactSet does not require collateral from its clients but performs credit evaluations on an ongoing basis. The Company maintains reserves for potential write-offs and evaluates the adequacy of the reserves periodically. These losses have historically been within expectations. No single client represented 10% or more of FactSet’s total revenues in any period presented. At November 30, 2017, the Company’s largest individual client accounted for 7% of total annual subscriptions and subscriptions from the ten largest clients did not surpass 20% of total annual subscriptions, slightly higher than the percentages as of August 31, 2017. As of November 30, 2017, the receivable reserve was $2.9 million compared to a reserve of $2.7 million as of August 31, 2017.

Derivative Instruments

As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk. FactSet has incorporated counterparty risk into the fair value of its derivative assets and its own credit risk into the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities, when applicable. FactSet calculates credit risk from observable data related to CDS as quoted by publicly available information. Counterparty risk is represented by CDS spreads related to the senior secured debt of the respective bank with whom FactSet has executed these derivative transactions. Because CDS spread information is not available for FactSet, the Company’s credit risk is determined based on using a simple average of CDS spreads for peer companies as determined by FactSet. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, FactSet enters into contracts with large financial institutions and regularly reviews credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparties.

18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Departure of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

On November 14, 2017, the Company announced that Mark J. Hale would separate from his position as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. The separation was effective on December 31, 2017. Under the terms of the separation of employment and general release agreement with Mark J. Hale (the “Agreement”), Mr. Hale was scheduled to receive: (i) a payment of $427,500 on or before January 11, 2018; (ii) the acceleration of the vesting of certain outstanding restricted shares on December 31, 2017; and (iii) the acceleration of the vesting of certain outstanding stock options on December 31, 2017. In addition, the Agreement provides for a release of claims by Mr. Hale and the Company and other terms and conditions customary for agreements of this nature. The foregoing description of the Separation Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.

Recently Enacted Tax Reform Bill

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into U.S. law and included numerous provisions that significantly revise existing tax law. The Tax Act introduces changes, including the reduction of the corporate income statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 as well as a variety of other changes including the limitation of the tax deductibility of interest expense, acceleration of expensing of certain business assets, the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system, and reductions in the amount of executive pay that could qualify as a tax deduction. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the Tax Act on its consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of our management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Our MD&A is presented in the following sections:

	•		Executive Overview
	•		Key Metrics
	•		Results of Operations
	•		Liquidity
	•		Capital Resources
	•		Foreign Currency
	•		Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
	•		Share Repurchase Program
	•		Contractual Obligations
	•		Dividends
	•		Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
	•		New Accounting Pronouncements
	•		Market Trends
	•		Forward-Looking Factors

Executive Overview

Fiscal 2018 First Quarter in Review

Revenues in the first quarter were $329.1 million, an increase of 14.3% from the prior year comparable period. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months and foreign currency, organic revenues grew 5.8% over the previous year. Annual subscription value (“ASV”) during the quarter grew 5.1% organically and totaled $1.32 billion as of November 30, 2017. In the last three months, we saw an increase in add-on sales and an addition of new clients, with strong performance from our analytics and content and technology solutions (“CTS”) offerings. Both of these products have demonstrated consistent growth over the last few years.

While this growth represented positive results in the current period, our organic ASV and revenue growth rates were below the growth experienced in the previous year. These metrics were impacted primarily by a shift in our clients from active to passive investing, a focus on total cost of ownership, and ongoing consolidation in the industry. Operating income decreased 1.4%, while diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) increased 6.6% compared to the prior year period. The decrease in operating income was due primarily to higher costs associated with our recent acquisitions, as well as restructuring actions initiated by the Company.

As of November 30, 2017, employee count was 9,421, up 8.1% in the past 12 months. Excluding workforces acquired in fiscal 2017, headcount increased 2.9% from a year ago. Of our total employees, 2,474 were located in the U.S., 1,236 in Europe and 5,711 in the Asia Pacific region.

Additionally, FactSet won numerous awards including Excellence in Asset Management and Servicing, Data and Technology at the CIO Industry Innovation Awards, Best Overall Technology Provider at the Buy-Side Technology Awards from Waters Technology and Data Vendor of the Year at the Risk.Net Market Technology Awards.

Key Metrics

The following is a review of our key metrics:

	As of and for the Three months ended November 30,
(in millions, except client and user counts)	2017		2016		Change
Revenues	$	329.1	$	288.1		14.3	%
Operating income	$	89.1	$	90.3		(1.4	)%
Net income	$	70.4	$	66.6		5.7	%
Diluted EPS	$	1.77	$	1.66		6.6	%
Free cash flow⁽¹⁾	$	55.2	$	38.6		43.2	%
ASV	$	1,319.9	$	1,170.4		12.8	%	⁽²⁾⁽³⁾
Clients		4,809		4,261		12.9	%	⁽⁴⁾
Users		88,593		84,285		5.1	%	⁽⁵⁾

(1)

We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, which includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures. The presentation of free cash flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, both in presenting our results to stockholders and the investment community, and in our internal evaluation and management of the business. Management believes that this financial measure and the information we provide are useful to investors because they permit investors to view our performance using the same metric that we use to gauge progress in achieving our goals. Free cash flow is also an indication of cash flow that may be available to fund further investments in future growth initiatives.

(2)

ASV grew 5.1% organically year over year.

(3)

In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet changed its ASV definition to exclude professional services as these fees are not subscription based.

(4)

In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet changed its client count definition to capture clients with ASV greater than $10,000 versus the previous metric of clients with ASV greater than $24,000. The prior year client count was restated to reflect this change for comparison purposes.

(5)

In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet changed its user count definition to account for users from workstations previously not captured due to certain product bundling and also users of the StreetAccount web product. The prior year user count was restated to reflect this change for comparison purposes.

Annual Subscription Value

Annual subscription value at any given point in time represents the forward-looking revenues for the next twelve months from all subscription services currently being supplied to clients. With proper notice to us, our clients are able to add to, delete portions of, or terminate service at any time, subject to certain contractual limitations. ASV totaled $1.32 billion at November 30, 2017. ASV excludes professional services fees billed in the last 12 months, which are not subscription-based. We have achieved organic ASV growth of $59.3 million, or 5.1%, over the last 12 months. Organic ASV excludes ASV from acquisitions and dispositions completed within the past 12 months and the effects of foreign currency.

Buy-side and sell-side ASV growth rates for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were 5.3% and 3.9%, respectively. Buy-side clients account for 84.2% of ASV, while the remainder is derived from sell-side firms that perform mergers and acquisitions advisory work, capital markets services and equity research. The increase in ASV was driven primarily by an increase in add-on sales and the addition of new clients, partially offset by cancellations. The first quarter of fiscal 2018 growth rates for both buy and sell-side were a decrease from prior year growth rates, which is primarily attributed to a decrease in trading volumes from our Portware Executive Management System (“EMS”) product and an increase in client cancellations, partially offset by the addition of new clients.

ASV from U.S. operations was $824.9 million, increasing 7.8% over prior year and 3.9% organically. ASV from international operations was $495.0 million, increasing 22.2% over prior year and 7.3% organically. International ASV now represents 37.5% of total ASV, up from 34.6% a year ago. This substantial shift in ASV to international operations was due primarily to acquisitions completed in the last 12 months and increased growth in analytics and workstation sales to asset managers in Asia Pacific compared to the U.S.

Client and User Additions

Our total client count was 4,809 as of November 30, 2017, representing a net increase of 65 clients in the past three months. In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet changed its client count definition to capture clients with ASV greater than $10,000 versus the previous metric of clients with ASV greater than $24,000. The prior year client count was restated to reflect this change for comparison purposes. Client count has increased by 12.9% in the last 12 months. We continue to focus on expanding our current client base as it is essential to our long-term growth strategy and encourages incremental sales growth of workstations, applications and content at our existing clients.

As of November 30, 2017, there were 88,593 professionals using FactSet. In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet also changed its user count definition to account for users from workstations previously not captured due to certain product bundling and also StreetAccount web product users. The prior year user count was restated to reflect this change for comparison purposes. User count decreased 253 in the past three months primarily due to StreetAccount user cancellations. However, over the last 12 months, user count grew by 5.1% primarily due to expansion at existing clients and new client acquisition.

Annual client retention as of November 30, 2017 was greater than 95% of ASV and 90% when expressed as a percentage of clients. Our retention success, demonstrating that a majority of our clients maintain their subscriptions to FactSet year over year, highlights the strength of our business model. At November 30, 2017, our largest individual client accounted for 7% of total subscriptions and annual subscriptions from our ten largest clients did not surpass 20% of total client subscriptions.

Returning Value to Stockholders

On November 8, 2017, FactSet’s Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.56 per share, or $2.24 per share per annum. The cash dividend of $21.9 million was paid on December 19, 2017 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30, 2017. We repurchased 164,920 shares for $30.9 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 under our existing share repurchase program. Over the last 12 months, we have returned $290.5 million to stockholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends, funded by cash generated from operations. On March 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of FactSet approved a $300.0 million expansion of the existing share repurchase program. Including this expansion, $213.2 million is available for future share repurchases as of November 30, 2017.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were $5.9 million, compared with $12.5 million a year ago. Approximately $3.5 million, or 59%, of our capital expenditures was primarily for purchases of new computer equipment for our recent acquisitions, additional servers in our existing data centers and new laptop computers and peripherals for our growing employee base. The remainder of our capital expenditures was primarily for the build out of office space including $1.0 million in the Netherlands and $0.6 million in New York.

Results of Operations

For an understanding of the significant factors that influenced our performance for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

	Three months ended November 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2017		2016		Change
Revenues	$	329,141	$	288,063		14.3	%
Cost of services	$	161,524	$	127,250		26.9	%
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A")	$	78,519	$	70,494		11.4	%
Operating income	$	89,098	$	90,319		(1.4	)%
Net income	$	70,379	$	66,583		5.7	%
Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.77	$	1.66		6.6	%
Diluted weighted average common shares		39,680		40,100

Revenues

Revenues for the three months ended November 30, 2017 were $329.1 million, up 14.3% compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue was driven by new revenue from acquisitions and organic ASV growth of 5.1%, primarily from our analytics and CTS products, along with a solid performance from our wealth product. Within analytics we saw strong contribution from Risk, Portfolio Reporting, Portfolio Services and Fixed. CTS had a strong quarter with continued momentum around our expanding suite of standard data feeds. Offsetting the positive factors associated with our revenue growth, we experienced cancellations due to a shift from active to passive investing, focus placed on total cost ownership and firm consolidations. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months and foreign currency, our organic revenue growth rate for the quarter was 5.8%.

Revenues by Geographic Region

	Three months ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			Change
U.S.	$	208,768		$	190,627			9.5	%
% of revenues		63.4	%		66.2	%
Europe	$	91,727		$	71,863			27.6	%
Asia Pacific		28,646			25,573			12.0	%
International	$	120,373		$	97,436			23.5	%
% of revenues		36.6	%		33.8	%
Consolidated	$	329,141		$	288,063			14.3	%

Three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to three months ended November 30, 2016

Revenues from our U.S. segment increased 9.5% to $208.8 million during the three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago, primarily a result of strong performance from the analytics suite and data feed products. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months, organic revenues in the U.S. were up 4.8% compared to the year ago first quarter. Revenues from our U.S. operations accounted for 63.4% of our consolidated revenues during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, a decrease from the prior year, as U.S. sales growth was outpaced by international growth.

European revenues grew 27.6% due primarily to recent acquisitions, which have significant operations in the European markets. Organic revenues in the European segment were up 5.9% compared to the year ago first quarter. Growth rates in Europe have been negatively impacted by the regulatory environment and political events, resulting in delayed purchasing decisions. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations increased our European growth rate by 140 basis points.

Asia Pacific revenue growth of 12.0% was primarily due to an increase in the analytics suite and workstation sales to asset managers. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations reduced our Asia Pacific growth rate by 20 basis points.

Operating Expenses

	Three months ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2017			2016			Change
Cost of services	$	161,524		$	127,250			26.9	%
SG&A		78,519			70,494			11.4	%
Total operating expenses	$	240,043		$	197,744			21.4	%
Operating Income	$	89,098		$	90,319			(1.4	)%
Operating Margin		27.1	%		31.4	%

Cost of Services

Three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to three months ended November 30, 2016

For the three months ended November 30, 2017, cost of services increased 26.9% to $161.5 million compared to $127.3 million in the same period a year ago. Cost of services, expressed as a percentage of revenues, was 49.1% during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, an increase of 490 basis points over the prior year period due to higher employee compensation, amortization of intangible assets, and data costs.

Employee compensation, when expressed as a percentage of revenues increased 200 basis points in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the same period a year ago. The increase is primarily due to an increase in net new employees of 708 over the last 12 months, with the majority of their compensation included in cost of services, as well as base salary changes and incremental hires in our centers of excellence located in India and the Philippines and a non-recurring pre-tax charge of approximately $3.2 million related to restructuring actions initiated by the Company. As of November 30, 2017, approximately 72% of our employee base performed operational roles.

Amortization of acquired intangible assets, when expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased 60 basis points in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the same period a year ago primarily due to our fiscal 2017 acquisitions, which added approximately $93.2 million of intangible assets to be amortized over a weighted-average life of 11.5 years. These intangible assets were amortized for the full first quarter of fiscal 2018, however, the first quarter of fiscal 2017 did not include a similar amount of acquisition amortization due to the dates of each acquisition. Data costs increased 80 basis points when expressed as a percentage of revenues due primarily to our recently acquired businesses.

Selling, General and Administrative

Three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to three months ended November 30, 2016

For the three months ended November 30, 2017, SG&A expenses increased to $78.5 million, up 11.4%, from $70.5 million in the same period a year ago. SG&A expenses, expressed as a percentage of revenues, were 23.9% during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, a decrease of 70 basis points over the prior year period as a result of foreign exchange hedges, partially offset by an increase of 40 basis points in compensation expense.

The increase to employee compensation as a percentage of revenue compared to the same period a year ago was due primarily to the current year non-recurring pre-tax charge of approximately $3.3 million related to restructuring actions initiated by the Company and an increase in headcount year over year.

Operating Income and Operating Margin

Three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to three months ended November 30, 2016

Operating income decreased 1.4% to $89.1 million for the three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period. Our operating margin during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was 27.1%, down from 31.4% a year ago. The lower operating margin was primarily due to increases in employee compensation costs, including non-recurring restructuring actions initiated by the Company, as well as data costs, and amortization of intangible assets, partially offset by a gain on foreign exchange hedges.

Operating Income by Segment

	Three months ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		Change
U.S.	$	40,771	$	40,005		1.9	%
Europe		32,970		36,584		(9.9	)%
Asia Pacific		15,357		13,730		11.8	%
Consolidated	$	89,098	$	90,319		(1.4	)%

Our operating segments are aligned with how we manage the business and the demographic markets in which we serve and how the chief operating decision maker assesses performance. Our internal financial reporting structure is based on three reportable segments, the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which we believe helps us better manage the business and view the markets we serve. Sales, consulting, data collection, product development and software engineering are the primary functional groups within each segment. Each segment records compensation expense, including stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, office and other direct expenses. Expenditures associated with our data centers, third party data costs and corporate headquarters charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the other segments. The content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of our segments, so the expenses incurred at these locations are allocated to each segment based on a percentage of revenues.

Three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to three months ended November 30, 2016

U.S. operating income increased 1.9% to $40.8 million during the three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to $40.0 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in U.S. operating income is primarily from revenue growth of 9.5% partially offset by higher employee compensation and data costs. U.S. revenue growth was driven by U.S. organic ASV growth of 3.9% and strong performance in our analytics suite and data feed products. Excluding the effect of acquisitions and dispositions in the last 12 months, U.S. employee headcount grew 2.1% year over year, leading to an increase in compensation expense and related benefits. Data costs increased due primarily to higher third-party data costs from our recent acquisitions and additional users of FactSet, along with increased data fees from certain vendors.

European operating income decreased 9.9% to $33.0 million during the three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to $36.6 million in the same period a year ago. The decrease in European operating income was due to higher employee compensation, amortization of intangible assets, and data cost partially offset by revenue growth of 27.6%. The impact of foreign currency decreased operating income by $0.3 million year over year. Employee compensation was higher year over year as a result of 333 net new employees in our European offices in the last 12 months. These employees are primarily from our recent acquisitions. Amortization of intangible assets increased due to intangible assets acquired from the recent acquisitions, the majority of which reside in our European segment. Data costs increased due primarily to higher third-party data costs related to our recently acquired businesses.

Asia Pacific operating income increased 11.8% to $15.4 million during the three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to $13.7 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in the Asia Pacific operating income was due to revenue growth of 12.0%, partially offset by increases in employee compensation. The impact of foreign currency increased Asia Pacific operating income by $0.5 million year over year. Asia Pacific revenue growth was due primarily to an increase in analytics and workstation sales to asset managers. Employee compensation was higher year over year as a result of a 6.0% increase in our Asia Pacific workforce in the last 12 months.

Income Taxes, Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share

	Three months ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		Change
Provision for income taxes	$	15,800	$	23,237		(32.0	)%
Net income	$	70,379	$	66,583		5.7	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.77	$	1.66		6.6	%

Income Taxes

Three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to three months ended November 30, 2016

For the three months ended November 30, 2017, the provision for income taxes was $15.8 million, down 32.0% from the same period a year ago. The provision for income taxes decreased year over year primarily due to the recognition of $4.1 million of excess tax benefits associated with an employee share-based payment accounting standard update adopted in first quarter of fiscal 2018. Additionally, we recognized $1.5 million of income tax benefits from settlements with tax authorities during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. As a result of these tax benefits, our effective tax rate declined to 18.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 from 25.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share

Three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to three months ended November 30, 2016

Net income increased 5.7% to $70.4 million and diluted earnings per share increased 6.6% to $1.77 for the three months ended November 30, 2017, compared to the three months ended November 30, 2016. Net income and earnings per share increased during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 due to a lower provision for income taxes, partially offset by slightly lower operating income and an increase in interest expense associated with our outstanding debt. The provision for income taxes decreased year over year due primarily to the recognition of excess tax benefits associated with an employee share-based payment accounting standard update adopted in first quarter of fiscal 2018. The increase in diluted earnings per share was also driven by a decrease in diluted shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases.

Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share (non-GAAP)

Financial measures in accordance with U.S. GAAP including operating income and margin, net income and diluted EPS have been adjusted below. These adjusted financial measures are used both in presenting our results to stockholders and the investment community, and also in our internal evaluation and management of the business. We believe that these adjusted financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors because they permit investors to view the Company’s performance using the same tools that we uses to gauge progress in achieving our goals. Adjusted measures may also facilitate comparisons to FactSet’s historical performance.

Adjusted net income for the three months ended November 30, 2017 was $80.9 million, an increase of 15.4% from the prior year period. As presented in the table below, adjusted net income for the quarter ended November 30, 2017 excludes $4.6 million (after-tax) of intangible asset amortization, $2.0 million (after-tax) related to deferred revenue fair value adjustments from purchase accounting, $5.4 million (after-tax) of non-recurring restructuring actions and $1.5 million of income tax benefits primarily from settlements with taxing authorities. Adjusted net income for the three months ended November 30, 2016 was $70.1 million, which excludes $2.8 million of after-tax intangible asset amortization and $0.7 million of after-tax non-recurring items primarily related to legal matters.

Fiscal 2018 first quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $2.04 excludes the net effect of the $0.12 detriment from the intangible asset amortization, $0.05 detriment from the deferred revenue fair value adjustments, $0.14 detriment from non-recurring restructuring actions and $0.04 benefit from income tax benefits primarily from settlements with taxing authorities. Fiscal 2017 first quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $1.75 excludes a $0.09 detriment from the intangible asset amortization and non-recurring acquisition costs.

	Three months ended November 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016		Change

GAAP net income	$	70,379		$	66,583		5.7	%
Intangible asset amortization		4,625			2,783
Deferred revenue fair value adjustment		2,042		─
Other non-recurring items		5,367			707
Income tax benefits		(1,547	)	─
Adjusted net income	$	80,866		$	70,073		15.4	%

GAAP diluted earnings per common share	$	1.77		$	1.66		6.6	%
Intangible asset amortization		0.12			0.07
Deferred revenue fair value adjustment		0.05		─
Other non-recurring items		0.14			0.02
Income tax benefits		(0.04	)	─
Adjusted diluted earnings per common share	$	2.04		$	1.75		16.6	%
Weighted average common shares (diluted)		39,680			40,100

The presentation of the financial information above is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Liquidity

The table below, for the periods indicated, provides selected cash flow information:

	Three months ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2017			2016
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	61,143		$	51,113
Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾		(5,912	)		(12,537	)
Free cash flow ⁽²⁾	$	55,231		$	38,576
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(5,445	)	$	(81,425	)
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(30,814	)	$	(17,531	)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	221,933		$	173,288

(1)

Included in net cash used in investing activities during each fiscal year reported.

(2)

We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, which includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures.

Cash and cash equivalents aggregated to $221.9 million, or 15.5% of our total assets at November 30, 2017, compared with $194.7 million, or 13.8% of our total assets at August 31, 2017. Our cash and cash equivalents increased $27.2 million during the first three months of fiscal 2018 due to cash provided by operations of $61.1 million, $22.1 million in proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options and $2.3 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuation. These cash inflows were partially offset by $21.7 million in dividend payments, $5.9 million of capital expenditures and $31.7 million in share repurchases, which included $30.9 million under the existing share repurchase program and $0.8 million in shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of restricted stock.

Free cash flow generated in the three months ended November 30, 2017 was $55.2 million, an increase of 43.2% compared to a year ago. The free cash flow was attributable to $70.4 million of net income, increased by $22.7 million of non-cash items, less $31.9 million of negative working capital changes and $5.9 million in capital expenditures. The year over year free cash flow increase was driven primarily by an increase in non-cash items of $6.7 million, an increase in net income of $3.8 million and lower capital expenditures of $6.6 million. The increase in non-cash items was attributable to an increase in intangible asset amortization associated with our recent acquisitions, partially offset by the impact from the adoption of the accounting standard update for share-based payments resulting in a decrease in the deferred income taxes and tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements compared to prior year. Free cash flow generated over the last twelve months was $300.3 million. Included in the twelve-month calculation of free cash flow was $330.6 million of net cash provided by operations less $30.2 million of capital expenditures.

Net cash used in investing activities was $5.4 million in the first three months of fiscal 2018, representing a $76.0 million decrease from the same period a year ago. This decrease was due primarily to a net cash outflow of $71.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 for the acquisitions of CYMBA and Vermilion. Additionally, cash used in investing activities decreased year over year due to lower capital expenditures of $6.6 million, offset by a decrease in proceeds from the sales of investments (net of purchases) of $2.3 million year over year.

During the first three months of fiscal 2018, net cash used in financing activities was $30.8 million, representing a $13.3 million increase in cash used in financing activities. The year over year increase in cash used in financing activities was due primarily to lower proceeds from long-term debt of $65.0 million and a reduction of tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements due to the adoption of the accounting standard update of $5.5 million. This was offset by a decrease in share repurchases of $53.2 million and a decrease in proceeds from employee stock plans of $5.4 million.

We expect that for at least the next 12 months, our operating expenses will continue to constitute a significant use of our cash. As of November 30, 2017, our total cash and cash equivalents worldwide was $221.9 million with $574.7 million in outstanding borrowings (net of $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs). Approximately $44.8 million of our total available cash and cash equivalents is held in bank accounts located within the U.S., $137.2 million in Europe (predominantly within the UK, France, and Germany) and the remaining $39.9 million is held in the Asia Pacific region. We believe our liquidity (including cash on hand, cash from operating activities and other cash flows that we expect to generate) within each geographic segment will be sufficient to meet our short-term and long-term operating requirements, as they occur, including working capital needs, capital expenditures, dividend payments, stock repurchases, growth objectives and other financing activities. In addition, we expect existing foreign cash, cash equivalents and cash flows from operations to continue to be sufficient to fund our foreign operating activities and cash commitments for investing activities, such as capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months, and thereafter, for the foreseeable future.

Capital Resources

Capital Expenditures

Capital Needs

Long-Term Debt

On March 17, 2017, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as the administrative agent and lender. The 2017 Credit Agreement provides for a $575.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). We may request borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility until its maturity date of March 17, 2020. The 2017 Credit Agreement also allows us, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with PNC for an aggregate amount of up to $225.0 million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings must be in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. At our option, a borrowing may be in the form of a base rate loan or a LIBOR rate loan. Borrowings under the loan bear interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. Interest on the loan outstanding is payable quarterly in arrears and on the maturity date. There are no prepayment penalties if we elect to prepay the outstanding loan amounts prior to the scheduled maturity date. The principal balance is payable in full on the maturity date.

In conjunction with our entrance into the 2017 Credit Agreement, we borrowed $575.0 million in the form of a LIBOR rate loan under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility. Proceeds from the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility were also used to fund our acquisition of BISAM.

All outstanding loan amounts are reported as Long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet, presented net of related loan origination fees at November 30, 2017. The loan origination fees are amortized into interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method. During the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, we paid approximately $3.4 million and $1.1 million in interest on our outstanding debt amounts, respectively. As of November 30, 2017, no commitment fee was owed by us since we borrowed the full amount under the 2017 Credit Agreement.

The 2017 Credit Agreement contained covenants restricting certain FactSet activities, which are usual and customary for this type of loan. In addition, the 2017 Credit Agreement required that we maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, as measured by total funded debt/EBITDA below a specified level as of the end of each fiscal quarter. We were in material compliance with all of the covenants of the 2017 Credit Agreement as of November 30, 2017.

As of November 30, 2017, the fair value of our long-term debt was $575 million, which we believe approximated the carrying amount as the terms and interest rates approximate market rates given its floating interest rate basis.

Letters of Credit

From time to time, we are required to obtain letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. Approximately $1.9 million of standby letters of credit have been issued in connection with our current leased office space as of November 30, 2017. These standby letters of credit contain covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. As of November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, we were in material compliance with all covenants contained in the standby letters of credit.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency Exposure

Certain wholly owned subsidiaries within the European and Asia Pacific segments operate under a functional currency different from the U.S. dollar. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Translation gains and losses that arise from translating assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of foreign operations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of stockholders’ equity.

As of November 30, 2017, our annualized non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues are estimated to be $82.8 million while our non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are estimated to be $316.4 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $233.7 million. Our foreign currency exchange exposure is related to our operating expense base in countries outside the U.S., where 74% of our employees were located as of November 30, 2017. During the first three months of fiscal 2018, foreign currency movements increased operating income by $0.1 million, compared to $1.8 million a year ago.

Foreign Currency Hedges

As of November 30, 2017, we maintained foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 75% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs. 3.3 billion.

There were no other outstanding foreign currency forward contracts as of November 30, 2017. A gain on derivatives of $0.8 million was recorded into operating income during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to a loss of $1.4 million in the year ago first quarter.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, we had no off-balance sheet financing or other arrangements with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships (such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities) established for purposes of facilitating off-balance sheet financing, other debt arrangements, or other contractually limited purposes.

Share Repurchase Program

Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, FactSet repurchased 164,920 shares for $30.9 million under the Company’s existing share repurchase program. Over the last 12 months, FactSet has returned $290.5 million to stockholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends. As of November 30, 2017, $213.2 million is available for future share repurchases under the existing share repurchase program.

Contractual Obligations

Fluctuations in our operating results, the degree of success of our accounts receivable collection efforts, the timing of tax and other payments as well as necessary capital expenditures to support growth of our operations will impact our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. The effect of our contractual obligations on our liquidity and capital resources in future periods should be considered in conjunction with the factors mentioned here. As of August 31, 2017, we had total purchase commitments of $81.0 million. There were no material changes in our purchase commitments during the first three months of fiscal 2018.

At November 30, 2017, we leased approximately 1,612,100 square feet of office space, which we believe is adequate for our current needs and that additional space is available for lease to meet any future needs. Including new lease agreements executed during fiscal 2018, our worldwide-leased office space increased by approximately 469,100 square feet, or 41.0%, from August 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to new leases for expanded office space in the Philippines. Future minimum commitments for our operating leases in place as of November 30, 2017 totaled $282.3 million, which is comparable to $281.7 million as of August 31, 2017.

As disclosed in the Capital Resources section of the MD&A, FactSet entered into the 2017 Credit Agreement on March 17, 2017 and borrowed $575.0 million.

With the exception of the new leases entered into in the ordinary course of business, there were no other significant changes to our contractual obligations during the first three months of fiscal 2018.

Dividends

On November 8, 2017, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.56 per share, or $2.24 per share per annum. The cash dividend of $21.9 million was paid on December 19, 2017, to common stockholders of record on November 30, 2017. Future cash dividends will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by us and is subject to final determination by our Board of Directors.

Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates

We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.

We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017. There were no significant changes in our accounting policies or critical accounting estimates during the first three months of fiscal 2018.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption, which we include herein by reference.

Market Trends

In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to financial risks involving the volatility of equity markets as well as foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations.

Shift from Active to Passive Investment Management

Approximately 84.2% of our ASV is derived from our investment management clients. The prosperity of these clients is tied to equity assets under management. An equity market decline not only depresses assets under management but also could cause a significant increase in redemption requests to move money out of equities and into other asset classes. Moreover, a shift from active investment management to passive investment management can result in lower demand for our services. Our investment banking clients, that provide M&A advisory work, capital markets services and equity research, account for approximately 15.8% of our ASV. A significant portion of these revenues relate to services deployed by large, bulge bracket banks. Credit continues to impact many of the large banking clients due to the amount of leverage deployed in past operations. Our clients could also encounter similar problems. A lack of confidence in the global banking system could cause declines in M&A funded by debt. Additional uncertainty, consolidation and business failures in the global investment banking sector could adversely affect our financial results and future growth. Regardless, the size of banks in general is shrinking as they deleverage their balance sheets and adjust their expense bases to future revenue opportunities. Our revenues may decline if banks, including those involved in recent merger activity, significantly reduce headcount in the areas of corporate M&A, capital markets and equity research to compensate for the issues created by other departments.

Foreign Currency Volatility

Due to the global nature of our operations, we conduct business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen and Philippine Peso. To the extent that our international activities increase in the future, our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will correspondingly increase. To manage this exposure, we utilize derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). By their nature, all derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and credit risk. The market risk associated with these instruments resulting from currency exchange movements is expected to offset the market risk of the underlying transactions, assets and liabilities being hedged. Credit risk is managed through the continuous monitoring of exposure to the counterparties associated with these instruments. Our primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings associated with changes in foreign currency.

Brexit

Volatility is expected to continue in the short term as the UK negotiates its exit from the European Union. As the negotiation process continues and the timeframe from the initial vote increases, the UK economic performance has been stronger than originally expected. Increased European confidence and UK consumer spending has contributed to the recovery of the economic outlook. In the longer term, as negotiations continue, any impact from Brexit on us will depend, in part, on the outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory and other negotiations. Although it is unknown what the result of those negotiations will be, it is possible that new terms may adversely affect our operations and financial results. While we evaluate our own risks and uncertainty related to Brexit, we will continue to partner with our clients to help them navigate the fluctuating international markets.

MiFID II

The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive ("the Directive") is the European Union's regulation of financial markets. On January 3, 2018, the Directive will apply "MiFID II" to ensure fairer, safer and more efficient markets and facilitate greater transparency for all participants. Research is one area where both buy-side and sell-side clients that have seen and will continue to see significant change requirements as a result of the MiFID II inducement rules. The goal of the new legislative framework is to strengthen investor protection and improve the functioning of financial markets making them more efficient, resilient and transparent. New reporting requirements and tests will increase the amount of information available, and reduce the use of dark pools and OTC trading. MiFID II requirements have meant pricing models and business practices have had to adapt significantly. We will continue to evaluate our own risks and uncertainty related to MiFID II and partner with our clients to help them navigate these new rules. However, recently we have noticed a substantial interest in our research unbundling solutions, which is part of the opportunity for us, but more importantly, allows our clients to leverage our technology solutions for MiFID II compliance.

Forward-Looking Factors

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to current and historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, forecast and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These include statements about our strategy for growth, product development, market position, subscriptions and expected expenditures and financial results. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “should,” “indicates,” “continues,” “ASV,” “subscriptions,” “believes,” “estimates,” “may” and similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth, trends in our business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We will publicly update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

We intend that all forward-looking statements we make will be subject to safe harbor protection of the federal securities laws as found in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

These statements involve certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those listed below. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Business Outlook

Starting with the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company will provide annual guidance and discontinue quarterly guidance. The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of December 19, 2017. Given the risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed above, actual results may differ materially. We do not intend to update our forward-looking statements until our next quarterly results announcement, other than in publicly available statements. Both GAAP operating margin and GAAP diluted EPS guidance do not include the effects of any non-recurring benefits or charges that may arise in the next three quarters of fiscal 2018.

Fiscal 2018 Expectations:

Organic ASV is expected to increase in the range of $65 million and $85 million over fiscal 2017 implying a growth rate in the range of 4.9% to 6.5%.


	-	GAAP Revenues are expected to be in the range of $1.34 billion and $1.36 billion.

GAAP operating margin is expected to be in the range of 28.5% and 30.0%. Adjusted operating margin is expected to be in the range of 31.0% and 32.5%.

The annual effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 21.0% and 22.5%. This guidance incorporates the impact from an accounting standard update, which affects the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including income taxes and classification of excess tax benefits in the statement of cash flows. The projected tax rate range does not incorporate any impact from the recently signed U.S. corporate tax reform bill.

GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $7.60 and $7.80. Adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $8.25 and $8.45. The midpoint of the adjusted EPS range represents 14% growth over the prior year. Adjusted diluted EPS for the fiscal 2018 includes an estimated $0.26 impact from the aforementioned accounting standard update.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk that could impact our financial position and results of operations.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We conduct business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen and Philippine Peso. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Over the next 12 months, our non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues expected to be recognized are estimated to be $82.8 million while our non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are estimated to be $316.4 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $233.7 million. To the extent that our international activities recorded in local currencies increase in the future, our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will correspondingly increase. To manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we utilize derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). By their nature, all derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and credit risk. The market risk associated with these instruments resulting from currency exchange movements is expected to offset the market risk of the underlying transactions, assets and liabilities being hedged. We do not believe there is significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties associated with these instruments because these transactions are executed with a major financial institution. Further, our policy is to deal with counterparties having a minimum investment grade or better credit rating. Credit risk is managed through the continuous monitoring of exposures to such counterparties. Our primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings associated with changes in foreign currency.

As of November 30, 2017, we maintained the following foreign currency forward contracts to approximately 75% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs. 3.3 billion.

A gain on derivatives of $0.8 million was recorded into operating income during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to a loss on derivatives of $1.4 million in the year ago first quarter. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts mitigate the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. These transactions are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The related cash flow impacts of all of our derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities.

A sensitivity analysis was performed based on the estimated fair value of all foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at November 30, 2017. If the U.S. dollar had been 10% weaker, the fair value of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts would have increased by $4.7 million, which would have had an immaterial impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Such a change in fair value of our financial instruments would be substantially offset by changes in our expense base. Had we not had any hedges in place as of November 30, 2017, a hypothetical 10% weaker U.S. dollar against all foreign currencies from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at November 30, 2017, would result in a decrease in operating income by $22.8 million over the next 12 months. A hypothetical 10% weaker U.S. dollar against all foreign currencies at November 30, 2017 would increase the fair value of total assets by $71.3 million and equity by $64.5 million.

Volatility in the British Pound Sterling exchange rate is expected to continue in the short term as the UK negotiates its exit from the European Union. In the longer term, any impact from Brexit on will depend, in part, on the outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory and other negotiations.

Interest Rate Risk

Cash and Cash Equivalents - The fair market value of our cash and investments at November 30, 2017 was $253.6 million. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less and are reported at fair value. Our investments consist of both mutual funds and certificates of deposit as both are part of the Company’s investment strategy. These mutual funds and certificates of deposit are included as Investments (short-term) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as the certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and the mutual funds can be liquidated at that Company’s discretion. The mutual funds and certificates of deposit are held for investment and are not considered debt securities. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our cash and investments will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates. Preservation of principal is the primary goal of our cash and investment policy. Pursuant to our established investment guidelines, we try to achieve high levels of credit quality, liquidity and diversification. Our investment guidelines do not permit us to invest in puts, calls, strips, short sales, straddles, options, commodities, precious metals, futures or investments on margin. Because we have a restrictive investment policy, our financial exposure to fluctuations in interest rates is expected to remain low. We do not believe that the value or liquidity of our cash and investments have been significantly impacted by current market events.

Debt - As of November 30, 2017, the fair value of our long-term debt was $575 million, which approximated its carrying amount and was determined based on quoted market prices for debt with a similar maturity. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our debt will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates and we do not believe that the value of our debt has been significantly impacted by current market events. The debt bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. During the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, we paid approximately $3.4 million and $1.1 million in interest on our outstanding debt amounts, respectively. Assuming all terms of our outstanding long-term debt remained the same, a hypothetical 25 basis point change (up or down) in the one-month LIBOR rate would result in a $1.4 million change in our annual interest expense.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information set forth under Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, contained in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is incorporated by reference in answer to this Item.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes during the first three months of fiscal 2018 to the risk factors identified in the Company’s fiscal 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Items 2(a) and (b) are not applicable as there have been no unregistered sales of equity securities.

The following table provides a month-to-month summary of the share repurchase activity under the current stock repurchase program during the three months ended November 30, 2017:

Period	Total number of shares purchased		Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs		Maximum number of shares (or approximate dollar value) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in US$)

September 2017		20,000	$	180.34		20,000	$	240,504
October 2017		45,000	$	177.79		45,000	$	232,504
November 2017		99,920	$	193.44		99,920	$	213,176
Total		164,920				164,920

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) EXHIBITS:

EXBHIT NUMBER		DESCRIPTION

10.1		Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims, dated November 13, 2017
31.1		Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2		Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1		Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
32.2		Section 906 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.
	(Registrant)

Date: January 9, 2018	/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI
	Maurizio Nicolelli
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

	/s/ MATTHEW J. MCNULTY
	Matthew J. McNulty
	Vice President, Controller
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXBHIT NUMBER		DESCRIPTION

10.1		Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims, dated November 13, 2017
31.1		Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2		Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1		Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
32.2		Section 906 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

ex_102732.htm

Exhibit 10.1

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE of claims

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (“the Company”) and I, Mark Hale (“Employee”), have entered into this Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims (“Agreement”) to settle all known and unknown claims I might have against Company and all related parties. Except to the extent governed by federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by the statutes and common law of Connecticut, excluding any that mandate the use of another jurisdiction’s laws.

The Company and I agree as follows:

Section 1 -- Benefits

(a) In General: The Company promises that I will receive the benefits set forth in this section that are conditioned on my execution of this Agreement. I understand and agree that I am not otherwise entitled to receive the benefits provided to me under this Agreement. I understand that I may revoke this Agreement within 7 days after I sign it, in which case I will not receive the amounts or benefits that are being paid to me under it, and this Agreement will never go into effect.

(b) Salary Continuation: Whether I sign this Agreement or not, I will continue to receive my regular pay, less all applicable federal, state and local taxes and withholdings, for the period from now through the effective date of my termination on December 31, 2017 (“Termination Date”). During this period, I will remain on active payroll and retain all salary, compensation and employment benefits that I previously enjoyed, including Company medical benefits. I will be required to report to work at the Company as usual during this period, and will be required to perform regular work assignments.

(c) Separation Payment: In exchange for signing this Agreement, I will receive a lump sum separation payment of $427,500 (Four Hundred Twenty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents), less all applicable federal, state and local taxes and withholdings. Payment will be made on the first payroll date following the Termination Date, provided the revocation period described in Section 5 below has expired.

(d) Equity Awards: The Company will accelerate the vesting of the following outstanding equity awards such that the shares subject to such awards as specified here shall be deemed vested and exercisable as of the first business day following the Termination Date, subject to the standard terms of the Company’s option agreement:

the accelerated vesting of 1,370 restricted shares granted on November 1, 2013;

ii.

the accelerated vesting of 2,018 options granted on November 3, 2014;

iii.

the accelerated vesting of 5,099 options granted on November 2, 2015;

iv.

the accelerated vesting of 1,700 options granted on November 2, 2015; and

the accelerated vesting of 1,774 options granted on November 1, 2016.

(e) Compensation and Benefit Programs: I waive coverage and benefits under all Company disability programs, but this Agreement does not affect my eligibility for other Company stock option, bonus, incentive compensation, commission, medical, dental, life insurance, retirement and other compensation or benefit plans of the Company or any affiliate. Whether I sign this Agreement or not, I understand that my rights and continued participation in those plans will be governed by their existing terms. After my Termination Date, the Company shall make monthly premium payments of $2,541.51 to be made on my behalf for continuation of health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended (COBRA) through December 31, 2018, totaling $30,498.12. Thereafter, I may be able to purchase continued health plan coverage under the normal COBRA health care continuation rules. I understand and acknowledge that it is my responsibility to enroll in COBRA coverage if I elect to do so, and I shall be responsible for all premium payments.

Payments made under this Agreement will not be included in my compensation for purposes of calculating the benefits to which I am entitled under any employee benefit program, notwithstanding anything in it to the contrary.

(f) Car. The Company will transfer to me title to the 2007 Mercedes purchased for my use during my employment effective as of the first business day following the Termination Date.

(g) Outplacement Assistance: I will receive outplacement assistance services provided by the vendor mutually selected by the Company and me, provided that I utilize such services within one year following the Termination Date and the cost does not exceed $25,000.

Section 2 -- Complete General Release of Claims

(a) Claims Released: Except for the claims identified in Section 2(b), I irrevocably and unconditionally release (i.e., give up) all known and unknown claims, promises, causes of action, or similar rights of any type that I currently may have (“Claims”) with respect to any Released Party listed in Section 2(c). I understand that I am not releasing future rights or claims, meaning rights or claims that arise after the date I execute this Agreement. I understand that the Claims I am releasing might arise under many different foreign, domestic, national, state, or local laws (including statutes, regulations, other administrative guidance, and common law doctrines), such as the following:

Anti-discrimination statutes, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Sections 1981 and 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and Executive Order 11,246, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, or sex; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) and Executive Order 11,141, which prohibit age discrimination in employment; the Equal Pay Act, which prohibits paying men and women unequal pay for equal work; the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination based on disability; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (“GINA”), which prohibits discrimination based on genetic information; and any other federal, state, or local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on a protected category, such as actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.

Federal employment statutes, such as the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN Act”), which requires that advance notice be given of certain work force reductions; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), which, among other things, protects employee benefits; and any other federal laws relating to employment, such as veterans’ reemployment rights laws.

Other laws, such as any federal, state, or local laws mandating leaves of absence, restricting an employer’s right to terminate employees, or otherwise regulating employment; any federal, state, or local law enforcing express or implied employment contracts or requiring an employer to deal with employees fairly or in good faith; any other federal, state, or local laws providing recourse for alleged wrongful discharge, tort, physical or personal injury, emotional distress, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, defamation, and similar or related claims; any other law relating to salary, commission, compensation, benefits, and other matters; and family and medical leave laws.

Examples of released Claims include, but are not limited to the following (except to the extent explicitly preserved by Section 1 or 2(b) of this Agreement): (i) Claims that in any way relate to or arose during my employment with the Company, or the termination of that employment, such as Claims for compensation, bonuses, commissions, lost wages, or unused accrued vacation or sick pay; (ii) Claims that in any way relate to the design or administration of any employee benefit program; (iii) Claims that I have irrevocable or vested rights to severance or similar benefits or to post-employment health or group insurance benefits; (iv) any Claims to attorneys’ fees or other indemnities (such as under the Civil Rights Attorneys’ Fees Act), with respect to Claims I am releasing; or (v) claims under the Connecticut Human Rights and Opportunities Law, the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Law, the Connecticut Age Discrimination and Employee Insurance Benefits Law, and the Connecticut Smokers’ Rights Law.

If, despite this Agreement, I sue or bring an arbitration action asserting any Claim that I have released, I will be liable to the Released Party (as defined below) for its attorneys’ fees, other defense costs, and any other damages that my suit or arbitration causes, except those attributable to ADEA claims. I promise not to accept any relief or remedies not set forth in this Agreement as to any Claim I have released by signing it.

(b) Claims Not Released: This Agreement does not release any claims that the law does not permit me to release. Nothing herein affects my rights to indemnification for acts or omissions taken by me as an officer and employee of the Company under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws and other governing documents and under any insurance policies providing such coverage, reimbursement for business expenses incurred through the Termination Date in accordance with Company policy, payment for accrued but unused vacation in accordance with Company policy, and vested benefits under the Company’s 401(k) plan, subject to the terms of such plan.

(c) Released Parties: The Released Parties are the Company, all current and former parents, subsidiaries, related companies, partnerships, or joint ventures, and, with respect to each of them, their predecessors and successors; and, with respect to each such entity, all of its past, present, and future employees, officers, directors, stockholders, owners, representatives, assigns, attorneys, agents, insurers, employee benefit programs (and the trustees, administrators, fiduciaries, and insurers of such programs), and any other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of the persons or entities listed in this subsection, and their successors.

Section 3 -- Promises

(a) Employment Termination: I agree that my employment with the Company and its affiliates has ended or is ending as of my Termination Date, and that I am accepting payments and benefits under this Agreement in lieu of any such other rights or benefits to which I possibly could be or become entitled. I have not been told that the Company or any Released Party will rehire me.

(b) Resignation of All Other Positions: Upon termination of my employment, I agree to resign, effective on the Termination Date from all positions that I hold as an officer or member of the Board (or a committee thereof) of the Company or any of its affiliates.

(c) Company Property and Debts: I have returned to the Company all files, memoranda, documents, records, copies of the foregoing, Company-provided credit cards, keys, building passes, security passes, access or identification cards, devices and equipment belonging to the Company (including computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, handheld electronic devices, telephone equipment, and other electronic devices, including PDAs), and any other property of the Company or any Released Party in my possession or control, other than my car, my cellphone and the number associated with my cellphone, all with the Company’s consent. The Company will promptly transfer the title of the car to me. I have cooperated with the Company and will cooperate with the Company regarding the proper handling of any digital property of the Company that may be retained in mobile phone or related digital storage devices, media or accounts. I have cleared all expense accounts, repaid everything I owe to the Company or any Released Party, paid all amounts I owe on Company-provided credit cards or accounts (such as mobile or smart phone accounts), and canceled or personally assumed any such credit cards or accounts.

(d) Taxes: I am responsible for paying any taxes on amounts I receive because I signed this Agreement. I agree that the Company is to withhold all taxes it determines it is legally required to withhold. I agree not to make any claim against the Company or any other person based on how the Company reports amounts paid under this Agreement to tax authorities.

(e) Ownership of Claims: I have not assigned or transferred any Claim I am purporting to release, nor have I attempted to do so.

(f) Communication with Government Agency; Immunity: This Agreement does not preclude me from filing an administrative charge or otherwise communicating with any federal, state or local government office, official or agency. I promise never to seek or accept any damages, remedies or other relief for myself personally with respect to any Claim released by Paragraph 2(a) of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is designed to interfere with, restrain, restrict, or prevent communications protected by state or federal law, including as protected by (a) Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (“NLRA”) (or court order), regarding wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment or (b) Exchange Act Rule 21F-17, addressing communications (including by my attorney) with, or testimony before, the SEC, FINRA, or other regulatory authority regarding possible securities law violations. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement prohibits me from communicating with or reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any federal, state, or local governmental office, official, agency, or entity. Notwithstanding my confidentiality obligations set forth in this Agreement, I understand that, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, I will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any U.S. Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (A) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. I also understand that if I file a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, I may disclose the trade secret to my attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if I (A) file any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (B) do not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. I understand that if a disclosure of trade secrets was not done in good faith pursuant to the above, then I may be subject to liability, including, without limitation, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

(g) Mutual Agreement Not to Disparage or Harm: Subject to Section 3(f), I agree not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage any Released Party and, in particular, not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage any current or former employee of the Company. I understand and agree that breach of this provision will result in damages that are difficult to quantify. The Company likewise agrees not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage me or my work in any communication to a third party. I agree not to incur any expenses, obligations, or liabilities on behalf of the Company.

(h) Confidential and Proprietary Information and Existing Obligations: Subject to Section 3(f), I understand that, at all times in the future, I will remain bound by any Company or Company affiliate agreement or policy relating to confidential information, proprietary information, invention, or similar matters to which I am now subject, including but not limited to any FactSet Research Systems Inc. Intellectual Property Agreement which I previously signed, and which is expressly incorporated by reference herein, and I agree that to the extent any provision in such agreement or policy conflicts with any provision in this Agreement, the provision or interpretation affording the greater protection to the Company shall govern. In particular, I acknowledge that my employment by the Company created a relationship of confidence and trust with respect to any information of a confidential or secret nature disclosed to me by the Company or a third party that (i) related to the business of the Company or to the business of any parent, subsidiary, affiliate, customer or supplier of the Company or any other party with whom the Company agreed to hold information of such party in confidence, (ii) was not generally known to the public or to other persons in the industry, or if generally known, was used, selected or arranged by the Company in a manner not generally known and was made the property of the Company by mutual agreement of the parties, including by the Invention Assignment and Proprietary Information Agreement, and/or similar agreement, and (iii) that the Company has taken reasonable measures under the circumstances to protect from unauthorized use or disclosure (the “Confidential Information”). I agree and represent that I have not disclosed, copied, disseminated, shared or transmitted any Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation or entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except in the course of carrying out my duties and responsibilities of employment with the Company. I also agree, at all times in the future, not to make use of any Confidential Information for my own purposes or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation or other entity. I further warrant and represent that all Confidential Information in my possession, custody or control that is or was a property of the Company has been or shall be returned to the Company by the date I sign this Agreement.

(i) Implementation: I agree to sign any documents and do anything else that in the future is needed to implement this Agreement.

(j) Other Representations: In addition to my other representations in this Agreement, I have made the following representations to the Company, on which I acknowledge it also has relied in entering into this Agreement with me:

I have not suffered any job-related wrongs or injuries, such as any type of discrimination, for which I might still be entitled to compensation or relief in the future. I have properly reported any and all job-related wrongs or injuries for which I might still be entitled to compensation or relief, such as an injury for which I might receive a workers’ compensation award in the future. I have properly reported all hours that I have worked and I have been paid all wages, overtime, commissions, compensation, benefits, and other amounts that the Company or any Released Party should have paid me in the past.

ii.

This Agreement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the Company or any other Released Party.

iii.

I am intentionally releasing claims that I do not know I might have and that, with hindsight, I might regret having released.

iv.

If the Company or I successfully assert that any provision in this Release is void, the rest of the Agreement shall remain valid and enforceable.

(k) False Claims Representations and Promises: I have disclosed to the Company any information I have concerning any conduct involving the Company or any affiliate that I have any reason to believe may be unlawful or that involves any false claims to the United States. I promise to cooperate fully in any investigation the Company or any affiliate undertakes into matters occurring during my employment with the Company or any affiliate. I understand that nothing in this Agreement prevents me from cooperating with any U.S. government investigation. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, I hereby irrevocably assign to the U.S. government any right I might have to any proceeds or awards in connection with any false claims proceedings against the Company or any affiliate.

(l) Cooperation Required: I agree that when requested by the Company, I will promptly and fully respond to all inquiries from the Company or any affiliate and its representatives relating to any lawsuit in which I am identified as having factual information needed by the Company. To the extent I incur reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (such as postage costs or telephone charges) in assisting the Company or any affiliate at its request, the Company will mail me a reimbursement check for those expenses within 15 days after it receives my request for payment, along with satisfactory written substantiation of the claimed expenses.

(m) Disclosure: Nothing herein shall prevent the Company or the Executive from disclosing the terms of this Agreement if required to do so under applicable law or by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 4 -- Consequences of Violating Promises

I agree that the Company would be irreparably harmed by any actual or threatened violation of Section 3 that involves disclosure or use of confidential information, proprietary information, or trade secrets, and that the Company will be entitled to an injunction prohibiting me from committing any such violation.

Section 5 -- Consideration of Agreement

I acknowledge that, before signing this Agreement, I was given at least 21 days in which to consider this Agreement. I waive any right I might have to additional time within which to consider this Agreement. I further acknowledge that: (1) I took advantage of the time I was given to consider this Agreement before signing it; (2) I carefully read this Agreement; (3) I fully understand it; (4) I am entering into it voluntarily; (5) I am receiving valuable consideration in exchange for my execution of this Agreement that I would not otherwise be entitled to receive; (6) the Company, by this writing, encouraged me to discuss this Agreement with my attorney (at my own expense) before signing it, and that I did so to the extent I deemed appropriate; and (7) any changes made to this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, will not restart the 21 day consideration period. I understand that I am entitled to revoke this Agreement, in writing, within 7 days once I sign it. Such revocation must be delivered to the Company as provided herein within the 7 day period, in which case I will receive no benefits and this Agreement will not go into effect. If I do not revoke this Agreement, it will become enforceable on the eighth day after I sign it. The Company need not sign this Agreement for it to become effective.

Section 6 -- Miscellaneous

(a) Entire Agreement: In addition to any Company or Company affiliate agreement or policy relating to the confidentiality of Proprietary Information, inventions, or similar matters referenced in Section 3 above, this Agreement is the entire agreement between me and the Company relating to my termination of employment or the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified or canceled in any manner, nor may any provision of it or any legal remedy with respect to it be waived, except by a writing signed by both me and an authorized Company official. I acknowledge that the Company has made no representations or promises to me (such as that my former position will remain vacant), other than those in or referred to by this Agreement. If any provision in this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, all other provisions will remain fully enforceable.

(b) Successors: This Agreement binds my heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of all Released Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns.

(c) Interpretation: This Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It shall not be construed strictly for or against me or any Released Party. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term “or” shall be deemed to include the term “and” and the singular or plural number shall be deemed to include the other. Captions are intended solely for convenience of reference and shall not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 7 -- Arbitration of Disputes

The Company and I agree to resolve any disputes we may have with each other through final, binding and confidential arbitration consistent with applicable law. For example, I am agreeing to arbitrate any dispute about the validity of this Agreement or any discrimination claim. I also agree to resolve through final, binding and confidential arbitration any disputes I have with any other Released Party who elects to arbitrate those disputes under this subsection. Arbitration shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its employment dispute resolution rules which can be found at www.adr.org/employment, and consistent with state law. A neutral arbitrator will preside over the arbitration and issue a written decision subject to limited judicial review. The decision shall remain confidential between the parties and shall not be published by the arbitrator or the AAA. All remedies available under law will be available in the Arbitration. The Arbitration proceedings will allow for adequate discovery. Commencement of the Arbitration will be at a minimal cost to me. This agreement to arbitrate does not apply to government agency proceedings. By agreeing to this Agreement, I understand that I am waiving my right to a jury trial.

(remainder of page left intentionally blank)

YOU MAY NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND YOU MAY NOT SIGN IT UNTIL THE END OF YOUR WORK DAY ON YOUR TERMINATION DATE.

BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, TAKE IT HOME, READ IT, AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER IT. IF YOU CHOOSE, DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR ATTORNEY (AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE). YOU HAVE 21 DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT SIGN AND RETURN THIS AGREEMENT WITHIN THIS 21-DAY PERIOD, IT AUTOMATICALLY EXPIRES.

ONCE YOU SIGN THIS AGREEMENT, YOU WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 7 DAYS TO REVOKE IT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO REVOKE THIS AGREEMENT, YOU MUST DELIVER A WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION TO:

RACHEL STERN, GENERAL COUNSEL

FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.

601 MERRITT 7, NORWALK, CT 06851

BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU WILL BE WAIVING YOUR KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

Executed at Norwalk (print name of city), Connecticut (print name of state), this 10th day of November , 2017, and signed under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Connecticut.


		/s/ MARK J. HALE
		Signature

		MARK J. HALE
		Print Name

Executed at Norwalk , CT this 13 day of Nov., 2017.


		/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI
		For FactSet Research Systems Inc.

		MAURIZIO NICOLELLI – SVP, CFO
		Print Name and Title

ex_102733.htm

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, F. Philip Snow, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of FactSet Research Systems Inc.;

2.	Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

	a)	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

	b)	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

	c)	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

	d)	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

	a)	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

	b)	any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have any significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: January 9, 2018
	/s/ F. PHILIP SNOW
	F. Philip Snow
	Chief Executive Officer

ex_102734.htm

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Maurizio Nicolelli, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of FactSet Research Systems Inc.;

2.	Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

	a)	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

	b)	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

	c)	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

	d)	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

	a)	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

	b)	any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have any significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: January 9, 2018
	/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI
	Maurizio Nicolelli
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

ex_102735.htm

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, F. Philip Snow, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ F. PHILIP SNOW

F. Philip Snow

Chief Executive Officer

January 9, 2018

ex_102736.htm

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Maurizio Nicolelli, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI

Maurizio Nicolelli

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

January 9, 2018