EXPONENT INC - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

OR

For the transition period from __________________ to__________________

Commission File Number 0-18655

EXPONENT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(650) 326-9400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐       No ☒

As of October 28, 2016, the latest practicable date, the registrant had 25,592,534 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding.

EXPONENT, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

EXPONENT, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016

(in thousands, except par value)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

EXPONENT, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

EXPONENT, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

EXPONENT, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

EXPONENT, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

Exponent, Inc. (referred to as the “Company” or “Exponent”) is an engineering and scientific consulting firm that provides solutions to complex problems. The Company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Friday closest to the last day of December.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not contain all the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are necessary for the fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily representative of the results of future quarterly or annual periods. The following information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2016, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2016.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Exponent, Inc. and its subsidiaries, which are all wholly owned. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Dividend. The Company declared and paid cash dividends per common share during the periods presented as follows:

On October 19, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors announced a cash dividend of $0.18 per share of the Company’s common stock, payable December 23, 2016, to stockholders of record as of December 2, 2016. The Company expects to continue paying quarterly dividends in the future, subject to declaration by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include accounting for revenue recognition and estimating the allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement. On March 30, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. ASU No. 2016-09 includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. Under ASU No. 2016-09, entities will record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as an income tax benefit or expense in the income statement. Prior to ASU No. 2016-09, excess tax benefits were recognized in additional paid-in-capital on the balance sheet. Under ASU No. 2016-09, excess tax benefits will be classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. Prior to ASU No. 2016-09, excess tax benefits were classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. Under ASU No. 2016-09, entities will also elect an accounting policy to either estimate the number of forfeitures of share-based awards or account for forfeitures when they occur. Prior to ASU No. 2016-09, entities were required to estimate forfeitures. In addition, ASU No. 2016-09 allows entities to withhold from employees upon exercise or settlement of share-based awards up to the maximum individual statutory tax rate without classifying the awards as a liability.

ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period, with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company elected to early adopt ASU No. 2016-09 as of the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal 2016.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2016 the Company recorded an excess tax benefit of $39,000 as an income tax benefit in the condensed consolidated statement of income and classified this excess tax benefit as an operating activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Excluding the excess tax benefit, net income would have been $11,250,000 and diluted earnings per share would have been $0.41 per share during the third quarter of fiscal 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded an excess tax benefit of $4,827,000 as an income tax benefit in the condensed consolidated statement of income and classified this excess tax benefit as an operating activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Excluding the excess tax benefit, net income would have been $32,265,000 and diluted earnings per share would have been $1.18 per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies was applied prospectively and thus prior periods were not adjusted. The formula for calculating diluted earnings per share under the treasury stock method no longer includes the estimated excess tax benefits that were recorded in additional paid-in capital. The impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 had an immaterial impact on weighted average diluted shares outstanding during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

In connection with the early adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, the Company elected to account for forfeitures of share-based awards when they occur. This election is applied prospectively and thus prior periods were not adjusted. An adjustment of $78,000 was made during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to reduce beginning retained earnings for estimated forfeitures previously recorded on outstanding share-based awards. The election to account for forfeitures of share-based awards when they occur did not have a material impact on stock-based compensation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective. On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) when it becomes effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, which deferred by one year the effective date for the new revenue recognition standard for entities reporting under U.S. GAAP. In accordance with the deferral, the new standard will be effective for the Company on the first day of fiscal 2018 (December 30, 2017). Early application is permitted beginning fiscal 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet.  The new standard will be effective for the Company on the first day of fiscal 2019 (December 29, 2018).  Early adoption is permitted.  The standard requires use of the modified retrospective transition method, with elective relief, which requires application of the guidance for all periods presented.  The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. The standard will require the Company to record a right of use asset and a lease liability that will materially gross up its balance sheet.  

Note 2: Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including available-for-sale fixed income securities, trading fixed income and equity securities held in its deferred compensation plan and the liability associated with its deferred compensation plan. There were no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015. Any transfers between fair value measurement levels would be recorded on the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. The fair value of these certain financial assets and liabilities was determined using the following inputs at September 30, 2016:

The fair value of these certain financial assets and liabilities was determined using the following inputs at January 1, 2016:

Fixed income available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016 represent obligations of United States agencies and state and local government agencies. Fixed income and equity trading securities represent mutual funds held in the Company’s deferred compensation plan. See Note 6 for additional information about the Company’s deferred compensation plan.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments consisted of the following as of September 30, 2016:

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments consisted of the following as of January 1, 2016:

The following table summarizes the cost and estimated fair value of short-term fixed income securities classified as short-term investments based on stated effective maturities as of September 30, 2016:

At September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities valued using significant unobservable inputs.

The following financial instruments are not measured at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016, but require disclosure of their fair values: accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable. The estimated fair value of such instruments at September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016 approximates their carrying value as reported on the consolidated balance sheet.

There were no other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015.

Note 3: Net Income Per Share

Basic per share amounts are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted per share amounts are calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period and, when dilutive, the weighted-average number of potential common shares from the issuance of common stock to satisfy outstanding restricted stock units and the exercise of outstanding options to purchase common stock using the treasury stock method.

The following schedule reconciles the shares used to calculate basic and diluted net income per share:

There were no options excluded from the diluted per share calculations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Common stock options to purchase 40,000 shares were excluded from the diluted per share calculation for the three months ended October 2, 2015 due to their antidilutive effect. The weighted-average exercise price for the antidilutive shares was $44.20 for the three months ended October 2, 2015. Common stock options to purchase 33,993 shares were excluded from the diluted per share calculation for the nine months ended October 2, 2015 due to their antidilutive effect. The weighted-average exercise price for the antidilutive shares was $44.20 for the nine months ended October 2, 2015.

Note 4: Stock-Based Compensation

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock unit grants are designed to attract and retain employees, and to better align employee interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. For a select group of employees, up to 40% of their annual bonus is settled with fully vested restricted stock unit awards. Under these fully vested restricted stock unit awards, the holder of each award has the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock for each fully vested restricted stock unit four years from the date of grant. Each individual who receives a fully vested restricted stock unit award is also granted a matching number of unvested restricted stock unit awards. Unvested restricted stock unit awards are also granted for select new hires and promotions. These unvested restricted stock unit awards generally cliff vest four years from the date of grant, at which time the holder of each award will have the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock for each restricted stock unit award provided the holder of each award has met certain employment conditions. In the case of retirement at 59½ years or older, all unvested restricted stock unit awards will continue to vest, provided that the holder of each award does all consulting work through the Company and does not become an employee for a past or present client, beneficial party or competitor of the Company.

The value of these restricted stock unit awards is determined based on the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The value of fully vested restricted stock unit awards issued is recorded as a reduction to accrued bonuses. The portion of bonus expense that the Company expects to settle with fully vested restricted stock unit awards is recorded as stock-based compensation during the period the bonus is earned. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with accrued bonus awards of $1,548,000 and $1,616,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with accrued bonus awards of $4,716,000 and $4,959,000, respectively. The value of the unvested restricted stock unit awards granted is recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the four-year vesting period or the period between the grant date and the date the award recipient turns 59½. If the award recipient is 59½ years or older on the date of grant, the value of the entire award is expensed upon grant. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with the unvested restricted stock unit awards of $1,115,000 and $967,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, respectively. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with the unvested restricted stock unit awards of $5,447,000 and $5,078,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, respectively.

Stock Options

Stock options are granted for terms of ten years and generally vest 25% per year over a four-year period from the grant date. Unvested stock option awards will continue to vest in the case of retirement at 59½ years or older, provided that the holder of each award does all consulting work through the Company and does not become an employee for a past or present client, beneficial party or competitor of the Company. The Company grants options at exercise prices equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with stock option grants of $67,000 and $51,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, respectively. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with stock option grants of $496,000 and $499,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, respectively.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. The determination of the fair value of stock option 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 complex and subjective variables. These variables include expected stock price volatility over the term of the award, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

The Company used historical exercise and post-vesting forfeiture and expiration data to estimate the expected term of options granted. The historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over a period of time equal to the expected term of the options granted was used to estimate expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate used in the option-pricing model was based on United States Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term of the options. The dividend yield assumption considers the expectation of continued declaration of dividends, offset by option holders’ dividend equivalent rights.

With the adoption of ASU 2016-09 as of the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2016 (see Note 1 - Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement), the Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based awards when they occur. All stock-based payment awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards.

Note 5:  Treasury Stock

On May 29, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized $35,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. On October 21, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $35,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock.

The Company repurchased 491,312 shares of its common stock for $24,456,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The Company repurchased 463,402 shares of its common stock for $19,814,000 during the nine months ended October 2, 2015.  As of September 30, 2016 the Company had remaining authorization under its stock repurchase plans of $22,307,000 to repurchase shares of common stock.

On October 19, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized an additional $35,000,000 in share repurchases, increasing the Company’s current authorization to $57,307,000.

Net losses related to the re-issuance of treasury stock to settle restricted stock unit and stock option awards of $5,791,000 and $4,943,000 were recorded as a reduction to retained earnings during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, respectively.

Note 6: Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company maintains nonqualified deferred compensation plans for the benefit of a select group of highly compensated employees. Under these plans, participants may elect to defer up to 100% of their compensation. Company assets that are earmarked to pay benefits under the plans are held in a rabbi trust and are subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors. As of September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016, the invested amounts under the plans totaled $46,548,000 and $42,940,000, respectively. These assets are classified as trading securities and are recorded at fair value with changes recorded as adjustments to miscellaneous income (expense), net.

As of September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016, vested amounts due under the plans totaled $51,845,000 and $46,740,000, respectively. Changes in the liability are recorded as adjustments to compensation expense. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, the Company recognized compensation expense of $1,458,000 and ($2,688,000), respectively, as a result of changes in the market value of the trust assets with the same amount being recorded as income in miscellaneous income (expense), net. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, the Company recognized compensation expense of $2,823,000 and ($1,379,000), respectively, as a result of changes in the market value of the trust assets with the same amount being recorded as income in miscellaneous income (expense), net.

Note 7: Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following is supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Note 8: Accounts Receivable, Net

At September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016, accounts receivable, net, was comprised of the following:

Note 9: Segment Reporting

The Company has two reportable operating segments based on two primary areas of service. The Engineering and Other Scientific segment is a broad service group providing technical consulting in different practices primarily in engineering. The Environmental and Health segment provides services in the area of environmental, epidemiology and health risk analysis. This segment provides a wide range of consulting services relating to environmental hazards and risks and the impact on both human health and the environment.

Segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015 follows:

No single customer comprised more than 10% of the Company’s revenues during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015. No single customer comprised more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable at September 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016.

Note 10: Goodwill

Below is a breakdown of goodwill reported by segment as of September 30, 2016:

There were no acquisitions, dispositions, impairments or other changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, nor any changes in the composition of the Company’s reporting units, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Note 11: Contingencies

The Company is a party to various legal actions from time to time and may be contingently liable in connection with claims and contracts arising in the normal course of business, the outcome of which the Company believes, after consultation with legal counsel, will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings, actual results could differ from current expected results. All legal costs associated with litigation are expensed as incurred.

Note 12: Related Party Transaction

On July 29, 2016, Exponent’s Board of Directors appointed Dr. Catherine Corrigan as its President. Dr. Paul Johnston continues to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Corrigan relocated from the Company’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office to its Menlo Park, California office. In connection with the relocation, the Company purchased Dr. Corrigan’s primary residence in Pennsylvania for an appraised value of $1.25 million. The Company intends to resell the house as soon as practicable; therefore, the house is recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets.

Note 13: Subsequent Event

On October 19, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized an additional $35,000,000 in share repurchases, increasing the Company’s current authorization to $57,307,000.

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein and with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2016, which are contained in our fiscal 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2016 (our “2015 Annual Report”).

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking” statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company’s management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this document, the words “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company or its management with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material differences include the possibility that the demand for our services may decline as a result of changes in general and industry specific economic conditions, the timing of engagements for our services, the effects of competitive services and pricing, the absence of backlog related to our business, our ability to attract and retain key employees, the effect of tort reform and government regulation on our business and liabilities resulting from claims made against us. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in our 2015 Annual Report under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the report. The inclusion of such forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. Due to such uncertainties and risks, you are warned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements.

Business Overview

Exponent, Inc. is an engineering and scientific consulting firm that provides solutions to complex problems. Our multidisciplinary team of scientists, physicians, engineers and business consultants brings together more than 90 different technical disciplines to solve complicated issues facing industry and business today. Our services include analysis of product development, product recall, regulatory compliance, and the discovery of potential problems related to products, people, property and impending litigation.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

In preparing our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we make assumptions, judgments and estimates that can have a significant impact on our revenue, operating income and net income, as well as on the value of certain assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. We base our assumptions, judgments and estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. On a regular basis we evaluate our assumptions, judgments and estimates and make changes accordingly. We believe that the assumptions, judgments and estimates involved in the accounting for revenue recognition and estimating the allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting policies have not differed materially from actual results. Policies covering revenue recognition and estimating the allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts are described in our 2015 Annual Report under “Critical Accounting Estimates” and Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

Executive Summary

Revenues for the third quarter of 2016 decreased 2% to $77,612,000 as compared to $78,994,000 during the same period last year. Revenues before reimbursements for the third quarter of 2016 decreased slightly to $74,160,000 as compared to $74,503,000 during the same period last year. Net income decreased 4% to $11,289,000 during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to $11,719,000 during the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share decreased to $0.42 per share as compared to $0.43 in the same period last year.

The decreases in revenues and net income were due to softening of demand in a few industry sectors partially offset by an increase in demand related to consumer products and construction. Recent shifts in market conditions have resulted in reduced revenues from the oil & gas and industrial chemicals industries and a slowdown in intellectual property cases. Additionally, after several years of growth, revenues from the automotive industry remained flat in the third quarter. During the third quarter we did see increased activity related to consumer product recalls and construction disputes.

We remain focused on selectively adding top talent and developing the skills necessary to expand our market position and providing clients with in-depth scientific research and analysis to determine what happened and how to prevent failures or exposures in the future. We also remain focused on capitalizing on emerging growth areas, managing other operating expenses, generating cash from operations, maintaining a strong balance sheet and undertaking activities such as share repurchases and dividends to enhance shareholder value.

Overview of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

During the third quarter of 2016, billable hours decreased 3% to 278,000 as compared to 286,000 during the same period last year. Our utilization decreased to 70% during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to 73% during the third quarter of 2015. Technical full-time equivalent employees increased 2% to 761 during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to 749 during the same period last year.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 compared to Three Months Ended October 2, 2015

Revenues

The increase in revenues for our Engineering and Other Scientific segment was primarily due to an increase in billing rates. During the third quarter of 2016, billable hours for this segment decreased by 1% to 214,000 as compared to 216,000 during the same period last year. Utilization in this segment decreased to 73% during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to 77% during the same period last year. The decreases in billable hours and utilization were due to recent shifts in market conditions, such as reduced spending in the oil & gas industry and lower demand related to intellectual property cases. Additionally, after several years of growth, revenues from the automotive industry were flat during the third quarter of 2016. These decreases were partially offset by increased activity related to consumer product recalls and construction disputes. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment increased 5% to 566 during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to 538 for the same period last year due to our continuing recruiting and retention efforts.

The decrease in revenues for our Environmental and Health segment was due to a decrease in billable hours and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by an increase in billing rates. During the third quarter of 2016, billable hours for this segment decreased by 9% to 64,000 as compared to 70,000 during the same period last year. Utilization in this segment was 63% for the third quarter of 2016 and 2015. The decrease in billable hours was due to one of our major investigations ending in the third quarter of 2015 and the impact from reduced spending in the oil & gas and industrial chemicals industries. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment decreased by 8% to 195 during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to 211 during the same period last year due to our efforts to align resources with anticipated demand.

Compensation and Related Expenses

The increase in compensation and related expenses during the third quarter of 2016 was due to an increase in payroll expense and a change in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan, partially offset by a decrease in bonus expense. Payroll expense increased $1,295,000 due to the increase in technical full-time equivalent employees and our annual salary increases. During the third quarter of 2016, deferred compensation expense increased $4,146,000 with a corresponding increase to miscellaneous income (expense), net, as compared to the same period last year due to the change in value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. This increase consisted of an increase in the value of the plan assets of $1,458,000 during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to a decrease in the value of the plan assets of $2,688,000 during same period last year. Bonus expense decreased $353,000 during the third quarter of 2016 due to a decrease in income before income taxes, before bonus expense, and before stock-based compensation expense.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses include facilities-related costs, technical materials, computer-related expenses and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements. The increase in other operating expenses during the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense of $253,000 associated with investments in our corporate infrastructure. We expect other operating expenses to grow as we selectively add new talent and make investments in our corporate infrastructure.

Reimbursable Expenses

The amount of reimbursable expenses will vary from quarter to quarter depending on the nature of our projects.

General and Administrative Expenses

The decrease in general and administrative expenses during the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to decreases in legal fees and travel & meals, partially offset by an increase in bad debt. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase as we selectively add new talent, expand our business development initiatives and pursue staff development initiatives.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net, consists primarily of changes in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan, interest income earned on available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and rental income from leasing space in our Silicon Valley facility. During the third quarter of 2016, other income (expense), net, increased $4,146,000 with a corresponding increase to deferred compensation expense, as compared to the same period last year, due to a change in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. This increase consisted of an increase in the value of the plan assets of $1,458,000 during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to a decrease in the value of the plan assets of $2,688,000 during the same period last year.

Income Taxes

The decrease in income taxes was due to a corresponding decrease in pre-tax income.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 compared to Nine Months Ended October 2, 2015

The increase in revenues for our Engineering and Other Scientific segment was primarily due to an increase in billable hours and billing rates. During the first nine months of 2016, billable hours for this segment increased 2% to 649,000 as compared to 635,000 during the same period last year. Utilization in this segment decreased to 74% during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to 76% during the same period last year. The increase in billable hours was due to demand for our services in our civil engineering, polymer science & materials chemistry, and materials & corrosion engineering practices. The decrease in utilization was due to recent shifts in market conditions, such as reduced spending in the oil & gas industry and lower demand related to intellectual property cases. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment increased 6% to 563 during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to 533 for the same period last year due to our continuing recruiting and retention efforts.

The decrease in revenues for our Environmental and Health segment was due to a decrease in billable hours and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by an increase in billing rates. During the first nine months of 2016, billable hours for this segment decreased by 13% to 199,000 as compared to 229,000 during the same period last year. Utilization in this segment decreased to 63% for the first nine months of 2016 as compared to 68% for the same period last year. The decrease in billable hours and utilization was due to one of our major investigations ending in the third quarter of 2015 and the impact from reduced spending in the oil & gas and industrial chemicals industries. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment decreased by 6% to 203 during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to 215 during the same period last year due to our efforts to align resources with anticipated demand.

Compensation and Related Expenses

The increase in compensation and related expenses during the first nine months of 2016 was due to an increase in payroll expense and a change in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan, partially offset by a decrease in bonus expense. Payroll expense increased $3,897,000 due to the increase in technical full-time equivalent employees and our annual salary increases. During the first nine months of 2016, deferred compensation expense increased $4,202,000 with a corresponding increase to miscellaneous income (expense), net, as compared to the same period last year, due to the change in value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. This increase consisted of an increase in the value of the plan assets of $2,823,000 during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to a decrease in the value of the plan assets of $1,379,000 during the same period last year. Bonus expense decreased $1,471,000 during the first nine months of 2016 due to a decrease in income before income taxes, before bonus expense, and before stock-based compensation expense.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses include facilities-related costs, technical materials, computer-related expenses and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements. The increase in other operating expenses during the first nine months of 2016 was primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense of $475,000, an increase in occupancy expense of $394,000, an increase in computer expense of $164,000 and several individually insignificant increases, all of which were associated with the increase in technical full-time equivalent employees and investments in our corporate infrastructure.

Reimbursable Expenses

The amount of reimbursable expenses will vary from quarter to quarter depending on the nature of our projects.

General and Administrative Expenses

The decrease in general and administrative expenses during the first nine months of 2016 was primarily due to a decrease in outside consulting services and legal fees, partially offset by an increase in bad debt.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net, consists primarily of changes in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan, interest income earned on available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and rental income from leasing space in our Silicon Valley facility. During the first nine months of 2016, other income (expense), net, increased $4,202,000 with a corresponding increase to deferred compensation expense, as compared to the same period last year, due to a change in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. This increase consisted of an increase in the value of the plan assets of $2,823,000 during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to a decrease in the value of the plan assets of $1,379,000 during the same period last year. The increase in other income (expense), net, during the first nine months of 2016 was also due to an increase in interest income of $374,000 and an increase in rental income of $226,000.

Income Taxes

The decrease in income taxes and the decrease in our effective tax rate were primarily due to the early adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, on a prospective basis, during the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Under ASU No. 2016-09 excess tax benefits are recorded as an income tax benefit in the condensed consolidated statement of income. Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, excess tax benefits were recognized in additional paid-in capital. The tax benefit realized during the first nine months of fiscal 2016 was $4,827,000. Excluding the excess tax benefit, the effective tax rate would have been 38.3%. The decrease in our effective tax rate, excluding the impact of ASU No. 2016-09, was due to an increase in foreign earnings in jurisdictions with lower income tax rates.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We financed our business during the first nine months of 2016 through available cash. We invest our excess cash in cash equivalents and short-term investments. As of September 30, 2016, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $150.4 million compared to $171.6 million at January 1, 2016. We believe our existing balances of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, outstanding commitments, stock repurchases, dividends and other liquidity requirements over at least the next twelve months.

Generally, our net cash provided by operating activities is used to fund our day to day operating activities. First quarter operating cash requirements are generally higher due to payment in the first quarter of our annual bonuses accrued during the prior year. Our largest source of operating cash flows is collections from our clients. Our primary uses of cash from operating activities are for employee related expenditures, leased facilities, taxes, and general operating expenses including marketing and travel. Under ASU No. 2016-09, the excess tax benefit of $4,827,000 for the first nine months of 2016 was classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. The excess tax benefit of $4,983,000 for the first nine months of 2015 was classified as a financing activity.

The increase in net cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2016, as compared to the same period last year, was due to an increase in capital expenditures and an increase in the purchase of short-term investments. On August 12, 2016, we completed the purchase of a 1.1 acre parcel of land with 27,000 square feet of warehouse storage space in Menlo Park, California adjacent to our owned office and lab facilities. We had leased this warehouse storage space for the past 25 years. The total purchase price was $8,250,000.

The increase in net cash used in financing activities during the first nine months of 2016, as compared to the same period last year, was due to the early adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 on a prospective basis. Under ASU No. 2016-09, the excess tax benefit of $4,827,000 for the first nine months of 2016 was classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. The excess tax benefit of $4,983,000 for the first nine months of 2015 was classified as a financing activity. The increase in net cash used in financing activities during the first nine months of 2016 was also due to an increase in repurchases of our common stock and dividends paid.

We expect to continue our investing activities, including capital expenditures. Furthermore, cash reserves may be used to repurchase common stock under our stock repurchase programs, pay dividends or strategically acquire professional service firms that are complementary to our business.

For a summary of our commitments to make future payments under contractual obligations, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2016. There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations since January 1, 2016.

We maintain a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for the benefit of a select group of highly compensated employees. Vested amounts due under the plan of $45,662,000 were recorded as a long-term liability on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2016. Company assets that are earmarked to pay benefits under the plan are held in a rabbi trust and are subject to the claims of our creditors. As of September 30, 2016, invested amounts under the plan of $40,365,000 were recorded as a long-term asset on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

As permitted under Delaware law, we have agreements whereby we indemnify our officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at our request in such capacity. The indemnification period covers all pertinent events and occurrences during the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have director and officer insurance coverage that reduces our exposure and enables us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Regulation G, Conditions for Use of Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("Non-GAAP") Financial Measures, and other SEC rules and regulations define and prescribe the conditions for use of Non-GAAP financial information. Generally, a Non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We closely monitor two financial measures, EBITDA and EBITDAS, which meet the definition of Non-GAAP financial measures. We define EBITDA as net income before income taxes, net interest income, depreciation and amortization. We define EBITDAS as EBITDA before stock-based compensation. The Company regards EBITDA and EBITDAS as useful measures of operating performance to complement operating income, net income and other GAAP financial performance measures. Additionally, management believes that EBITDA and EBITDAS provide meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. These measures are used to evaluate our financial results, develop budgets and determine employee compensation. These measures, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measure is set forth below.

The following table shows EBITDA (determined as shown in the reconciliation table below) as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015:

The decrease in EBITDA as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the same period last year was due to the decrease in utilization. Utilization for the third quarter of 2016 was 70% as compared to 73% during the same period last year. The decrease in utilization was due to the impact of the completion of a major project during the third quarter of 2015 and recent shifts in market conditions, such as reduced spending in the oil & gas industry and lower demand related to intellectual property cases. The decrease in utilization was also due to lower demand from the industrial chemicals industry.

The decrease in EBITDA as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the same period last year was due to the decrease in utilization. Utilization for the first nine months of 2016 was 71% as compared to 74% during the same period last year. The decrease in utilization was due to the impact of the completion of a major project during the third quarter of 2015 and recent shifts in market conditions, such as reduced spending in the oil & gas industry and lower demand related to intellectual property cases. The decrease in utilization was also due to lower demand from the industrial chemicals industry.

The following table is a reconciliation of EBITDA and EBITDAS to the most comparable GAAP measure, net income, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015:

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with our balances of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. We manage our interest rate risk by maintaining an investment portfolio primarily consisting of debt instruments with high credit quality and relatively short average effective maturities in accordance with our investment policy. The maximum effective maturity of any issue in our portfolio is 3 years and the maximum average effective maturity of the portfolio cannot exceed 12 months. If interest rates were to instantaneously increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the change in the fair market value of our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments would not have a material impact on our financial statements. We do not use derivative financial instruments in our portfolio. There have not been any material changes during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to our interest rate risk exposures, or how these exposures are managed. Notwithstanding our efforts to manage interest rate risk, there can be no assurances that we will be adequately protected against the risks associated with interest rate fluctuations.

We have foreign currency risk related to our revenues and expenses denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the British Pound, the Euro, and the Chinese Yuan. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates may negatively affect the revenues and net income of our foreign subsidiaries as expressed in U.S. dollars.

At September 30, 2016, we had net assets of approximately $6.9 million with a functional currency of the British Pound, net assets of approximately $2.7 million with a functional currency of the Euro, and net assets of approximately $3.0 million with a functional currency of the Chinese Yuan associated with our operations in the United Kingdom, Germany, and China, respectively.

We also have foreign currency risk related to foreign currency transactions and monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency. We have experienced and will continue to experience fluctuations in our net income as a result of gains (losses) on these foreign currency transactions and the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities. At September 30, 2016, we had net assets denominated in the non-functional currency of approximately $1.4 million. As such, a ten percent change in the value of the local currency would result in a $140,000 foreign currency gain or loss in our results of operations.

We do not use foreign exchange contracts to hedge any foreign currency exposures. To date, the impacts of foreign currency exchange rate changes on our consolidated revenues and consolidated net income have not been material. However, our continued international growth increases our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and as a result such fluctuations could have a significant impact on our future results of operations.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

(a)          Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of September 30, 2016, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

We intend to review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures on an ongoing basis, to improve our controls and procedures over time and to correct any deficiencies that we may discover in the future. Our goal is to ensure that our senior management has timely access to all material financial and non-financial information concerning our business. While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures is effective to achieve our goal, future events affecting our business may cause us to significantly modify our disclosure controls and procedures.

(b)          Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three month period ended September 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Exponent is not engaged in any material legal proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from risk factors as previously discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2016.

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

The following table provides information on the Company’s repurchases of the Company’s common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands, except price per share):

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

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.

Date: November 4, 2016