EXPONENT INC - Quarter Report: 2017 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 29, 2017

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.

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).    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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).

As of October 27, 2017, the latest practicable date, the registrant had 25,810,749 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 29, 2017 and December 30, 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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016

(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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016

(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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016

(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 29, 2017 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 December 30, 2016, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2017.

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 18, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors announced a cash dividend of $0.21 per share of the Company’s common stock, payable December 22, 2017, to stockholders of record as of December 1, 2017. 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.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective. On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“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. The new standard is effective for the Company on the first day of fiscal 2018 (December 30, 2017). The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application.

The impact of adopting the new standard is not expected to be material because the analysis of the Company’s contracts under the new revenue recognition standard supports the recognition of revenue over time, which is consistent with the Company’s current revenue recognition model.

Substantially all of the Company’s engagements are performed under time and material or fixed-price arrangements. For time and materials contracts the Company anticipates utilizing the practical expedient under the ASU which states, if an entity has a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value of the entity’s performance completed to date (for example, a service contract in which an entity bills a fixed amount for each hour or service provided), the entity may recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has a right to invoice. Application of the practical expedient to time and material contracts is consistent with the Company’s current revenue recognition policy.

For fixed price contracts the Company will recognize revenue over time under the ASU because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer. The customer typically controls the work in process as evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by the Company’s rights to payment for work performed to date to deliver services that do not have an alternative use to the Company. Input methods are an acceptable method of measuring progress towards completing under the ASU. This is consistent with the Company’s current policy of measuring progress towards completion based on the relationship of incurred labor hours at standard rates to its estimate of the total labor hours at standard rates it expects to incur over the term of the contract. The Company believes this methodology achieves a reliable measure of the revenue from the consulting services it provides to its customers under fixed price contracts.

The Company anticipates adopting the standard using the modified retrospective method. The Company is currently evaluating the required disclosures under the new standard and developing appropriate changes to its process, systems and controls.

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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016. 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 29, 2017:

The fair value of these certain financial assets and liabilities was determined using the following inputs at December 30, 2016:

Fixed income available-for-sale securities as of September 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016 represent obligations of United States 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 29, 2017:

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments consisted of the following as of December 30, 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 29, 2017:

At September 29, 2017 and December 30, 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 condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, but require disclosure of their fair values: accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable. The estimated fair value of such instruments at September 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016 approximates their carrying value as reported on the condensed 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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

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 $2,155,000 and $1,548,000 during the three months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. For the nine months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with accrued bonus awards of $6,284,000 and $4,716,000, 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 $1,294,000 and $1,115,000 during the three months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with the unvested restricted stock unit awards of $5,788,000 and $5,447,000 during the nine months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, 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 $92,000 and $67,000 during the three months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with stock option grants of $656,000 and $496,000 during the nine months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, 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.

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 October 21, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized $35,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. On October 19, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $35,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock.

The Company repurchased 139,182 shares of its common stock for $8,431,000 during the nine months ended September 29, 2017.  The Company repurchased 491,312 shares of its common stock for $24,456,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. As of September 29, 2017 the Company had remaining authorization under its stock repurchase plans of $48,876,000 to repurchase shares of common stock.

Net losses related to the re-issuance of treasury stock to settle restricted stock unit and stock option awards of $5,667,000 and $5,791,000 were recorded as a reduction to retained earnings during the nine months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. There were no net losses related to the re-issuance of treasury stock during the three months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

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 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, the invested amounts under the plans totaled $50,779,000 and $48,267,000, respectively, and are recorded in pre-paid expenses and other assets and deferred compensation plan assets on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. These assets are classified as trading securities and are recorded at fair value with changes recorded as adjustments to miscellaneous income, net.

As of September 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, vested amounts due under the plans totaled $56,479,000 and $53,617,000, respectively, and are recorded within accrued payroll and employee benefits and deferred compensation on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the liability are recorded as adjustments to compensation expense. During the three months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company recognized compensation expense of $1,699,000 and $1,458,000, 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, net. During the nine months ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company recognized compensation expense of $4,617,000 and $2,823,000, 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, net.

Note 7: Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following is supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Note 8: Accounts Receivable, Net

At September 29, 2017 and December 30, 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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016 follows:

Revenues

Operating Income

Capital Expenditures

Depreciation and Amortization

One client comprised 17% of the Company’s revenues during the three months ended September 29, 2017. The same client comprised 14% of the Company’s revenues during the nine months ended September 29, 2017. No other single client comprised more than 10% of the Company’s revenues during the three and nine months ended September 29, 2017. No single client comprised more than 10% of the Company’s revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. The same client comprised 29% of the Company’s accounts receivable at September 29, 2017. No other single client comprised more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable at September 29, 2017. No single client comprised more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable at December 30, 2016.

Note 10: 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.

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 December 30, 2016, which are contained in our fiscal 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2017 (our “2016 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 2016 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, 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 2016 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 2017 increased 13% to $87,555,000 as compared to $77,612,000 during the same period last year. Revenues before reimbursements for the third quarter of 2017 increased 11% to $82,359,000 as compared to $74,160,000 during the same period last year. We experienced strong demand for our consulting services from a diverse set of clients for both proactive and reactive projects. We continue to see demand for our proactive services in the areas of design and regulatory consulting, specifically related to consumer electronics, and our reactive services in international construction disputes, consumer product recalls and product liability claims.

During the third quarter of 2017 we had strong growth in our chemical regulation & food safety, construction consulting, electrical engineering & computer science, human factors, mechanical engineering, and polymer science & materials chemistry practices. During the quarter we continued to work on a large human factors assessment for a client in the consumer products industry. The level of activity for this project increased during the quarter, driving increases in both revenue and profitability. This project represented approximately 8% of our revenues before reimbursements in the third quarter of 2017 and approximately 6% of our revenues before reimbursements for the first nine months of 2017. During the quarter we also continued our international construction disputes work with current mining, gas terminal and power plant projects. We also experienced growth from lithium-ion battery consulting for clients in the consumer products, transportation, medical device, and utility industries. Our interdisciplinary team of chemists, electrical engineers, material scientists and mechanical engineers has guided clients with respect to the performance, reliability, and safety of new products, as well as with respect to recalls and litigation matters involving existing products with lithium-ion batteries.

Net income increased 30% to $14,643,000 during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to $11,289,000 during the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.54 per share as compared to $0.42 in the same period last year. We were able to improve profitability and margins by effectively managing headcount over the past year to align our resources with demand and benefited from a large human factors assessment for a client in the consumer products industry, which resulted in improved utilization and increased leverage of our cost structure.

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 29, 2017

During the third quarter of 2017, billable hours increased 12% to 310,000 as compared to 278,000 during the same period last year. Our utilization increased to 76% during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to 70% during the same period last year. Technical full-time equivalent employees increased 3% to 787 during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to 761 during the same period last year. We continue to selectively hire key talent to expand our capabilities.

Three Months Ended September 29, 2017 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

The increase in revenues for our Engineering and Other Scientific segment was due to an increase in billable hours. During the third quarter of 2017, billable hours for this segment increased by 13% to 242,000 as compared to 214,000 during the same period last year. Utilization for this segment increased to 78% during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to 73% during the same period last year. The increase in billable hours and utilization was due to strong growth from our proactive design consulting services, specifically related to ongoing projects with clients in the consumer products industry. During the quarter we continued work on a large human factors assessment for a client in the consumer products industry. In addition to the ongoing large human factors assessment project, we realized increased demand for similar services from other clients. We have developed a unique offering of highly qualified scientists and facilities to advise clients as they navigate the increasing complexity of interactions between their products and users. We also experienced growth from lithium-ion battery consulting for clients in the consumer products, transportation, medical device, and utility industries. Our interdisciplinary team of chemists, electrical engineers, material scientists and mechanical engineers has guided clients with respect to the performance, reliability, and safety of new products, as well as with respect to recalls and litigation matters involving existing products with lithium-ion batteries. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment increased 5% to 594 during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to 566 for the same period last year due to our continuing recruiting and retention efforts.

The increase in revenues for our Environmental and Health segment was due to an increase in billable hours. During the third quarter of 2017, billable hours for this segment increased by 6% to 68,000 as compared to 64,000 during the same period last year. Utilization in this segment increased to 68% during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to 63% during the same period last year. The increase in billable hours and utilization was due to growth in our chemical regulation and food safety practice where we continued to assist clients with global regulatory issues. This segment’s contribution to the large ongoing human factors assessment also contributed to the increase in billable hours and utilization. These increases were partially offset by depressed demand from the oil and gas and industrial chemical industries. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment decreased by 1% to 193 during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to 195 during the same period last year. The decrease in technical full-time equivalent employees was due to our efforts to align resources with anticipated demand.

The increase in compensation and related expenses during the third quarter of 2017 was due to an increase in bonus expense and an increase in payroll expense. Bonus expense increased by $2,392,000 during the third quarter of 2017 due to a corresponding increase to income before income taxes, before bonus expense, and before stock-based compensation. Payroll expense increased $854,000 due to the increase in technical full-time equivalent employees. We expect our compensation expense, excluding the change in value of deferred compensation plan assets, to increase as we selectively add new talent and adjust compensation to market conditions.

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 2017 was primarily due to an increase in occupancy expense of $265,000 and an increase in computer expense of $137,000 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.

The increase in reimbursable expenses was primarily due to an increase in travel related costs associated with our large human factors assessment project. The amount of reimbursable expenses will vary from quarter to quarter depending on the nature of our projects.

The increase in general and administrative expenses during the third quarter of 2017 was primarily due to an increase in bad debt of $91,000, an increase in travel and meals of $90,000, and an increase in legal expenses of $87,000. 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, 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. The increase in other income, net, was primarily due to an increase in interest income of $193,000 and a change in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. The increase in interest income was due to higher interest rates for our cash equivalents and short-term investments. During the third quarter of 2017, other income, net, increased $241,000 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 $1,699,000 during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to an increase in the value of the plan assets of $1,458,000 during the same period last year.

The increase in income tax expense was due to a corresponding increase in pre-tax income. The decrease in our effective tax rate was due to an increase in the excess tax benefit associated with share-based awards and a decrease in our unrecognized tax benefit. The excess tax benefit associated with share-based awards increased to $464,000 during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to $39,000 during the same period last year. During the third quarter of 2017 we released $437,000 of our unrecognized tax benefit due to the completion of two tax audits.

Nine Months Ended September 29, 2017 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

The increase in revenues for our Engineering and Other Scientific segment was due to an increase in billable hours. During the first nine months of 2017, billable hours for this segment increased by 9% to 709,000 as compared to 649,000 during the same period last year. Utilization for this segment increased to 78% during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to 74% during the same period last year. The increase in billable hours and utilization was due to strong growth from our proactive design and regulatory consulting services, specifically related to ongoing projects with clients in the consumer products industry. During the first nine months of 2017 we performed a large human factors assessment for a client in the consumer products industry. We continued to expand our broad base of international construction dispute work with ongoing mining, gas terminal and power plant projects leveraging our integrated team of experts to deliver solutions to complex capital projects. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment increased 4% to 584 during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to 563 for the same period last year due to our continuing recruiting and retention efforts.

The increase in revenues for our Environmental and Health segment was due to an increase in billable hours. During the first nine months of 2017, billable hours for this segment increased by 4% to 207,000 as compared to 199,000 during the same period last year. Utilization in this segment increased to 69% during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to 63% during the same period last year. The increase in billable hours and utilization was due to growth in our chemical regulation and food safety practice where we continued to assist clients with global regulatory issues. This segment’s contribution to the large ongoing human factors assessment also contributed to the increase in billable hours and utilization. These increases were partially offset by depressed demand from the oil and gas and industrial chemical industries. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment decreased by 5% to 192 during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to 203 during the same period last year. The increase in utilization and the decrease in technical full-time equivalent employees were due to our efforts to align resources with anticipated demand.

The increase in compensation and related expenses during the first nine months of 2017 was due to an increase in bonus expense, an increase in payroll expense and fringe benefits, an increase in stock-based compensation, and a change in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. Bonus expense increased by $5,467,000 during the first nine months of 2017 due to a corresponding increase to income before income taxes, before bonus expense, and before stock-based compensation. Payroll expense increased $2,453,000 and fringe benefits increased $291,000 due to the increase in technical full-time equivalent employees and our annual salary increases. Stock-based compensation increased by $460,000 due primarily to an increase in the amortization of restricted stock unit grants. During the first nine months of 2017, deferred compensation expense increased $1,794,000 with a corresponding increase to other income, net, as compared to the same period last year due to a change in value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. This increase consisted of an increase in the value of plan assets of $4,617,000 during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to an increase in the value of plan assets of $2,823,000 during the same period last year.

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 2017 was primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense of $253,000, an increase in occupancy expense of $158,000, and an increase in computer expense of $155,000 associated with investments in our corporate infrastructure.

The increase in reimbursable expenses was primarily due to an increase in travel related costs associated with our large human factors assessment project. The amount of reimbursable expenses will vary from quarter to quarter depending on the nature of our projects.

The increase in general and administrative expenses during the first nine months of 2017 was primarily due to an increase in travel and meals of $1,010,000, an increase in legal expenses of $246,000, and an increase in marketing and promotion of $141,000. The increase in travel and meals was due to a firm-wide managers’ meeting which occurs every other year. The increase in marketing and promotion was due to several initiatives associated with the firm’s 50^th anniversary.

Other income, 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 2017, other income, net, increased $1,794,000 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 $4,617,000 during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to an increase in the value of the plan assets of $2,823,000 during the same period last year. The increase in other income, net, was also due to an increase in interest income of $383,000 due to higher interest rates for our cash equivalents and short-term investments.

The increase in income tax expense was due to a corresponding increase in pre-tax income. The decrease in our effective tax rate was due to an increase in the excess tax benefit associated with share-based awards and a decrease in our unrecognized tax benefit. The excess tax benefit associated with share-based awards increased to $6,518,000 during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to $4,827,000 during the same period last year. During the first nine months of 2017 we released $437,000 of our unrecognized tax benefit due to the completion of two tax audits.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We financed our business during the first nine months of 2017 through available cash. We invest our excess cash in cash equivalents and short-term investments. As of September 29, 2017, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $165.6 million compared to $173.7 million at December 30, 2016. We believe our existing balances of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and cash generated from operations 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. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the same period last year was primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable.

The increase in net cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2017, as compared to the same period last year, was due to an increase in the purchase of short-term investments, net of maturities partially offset by a decrease in capital expenditures.

The decrease in net cash used in financing activities during the first nine months of 2017, as compared to the same period last year, was due to a decrease in repurchases of common stock partially offset by an increase in payroll taxes for restricted stock units, and an increase in dividend payments.

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 2016 Annual Report.

During April 2017, we entered into two agreements to purchase a total of 2.9 acres of land in Natick, Massachusetts on which we intend to build office and laboratory facilities. The total purchase price is $5,200,000. The purchase agreements are contingent on several items including feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and government approvals. If we determine that the property is unsuitable for the planned project, we can terminate the agreements to purchase the land at our sole discretion.

There have been no other material changes in our contractual obligations since December 30, 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 $50,778,000 were recorded as a long-term liability on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 29, 2017. 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 29, 2017, invested amounts under the plan of $46,678,000 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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

The increase in EBITDA as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period last year was primarily due to an increase in utilization. Utilization for the third quarter of 2017 was 76% as compared to 70% during the same period last year.

The increase in EBITDA as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the same period last year was primarily due to an increase in utilization. Utilization for the first nine months of 2017 was 76% as compared to 71% during the same period last year.

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 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

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 29, 2017, we had net assets of approximately $10.0 million with a functional currency of the British Pound, net assets of approximately $4.1 million with a functional currency of the Euro, and net assets of approximately $4.0 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 29, 2017, we had net assets denominated in the non-functional currency of approximately $2.6 million. As such, a ten percent change in the value of the local currency would result in a $260,000 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.

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 29, 2017, 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.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three month period ended September 29, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Exponent is not engaged in any material legal proceedings.

There have been no material changes from risk factors as previously discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report.

The following table provides information on the Company’s repurchases of the Company’s common stock for the three months ended September 29, 2017 (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.