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F5, INC. - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File Number 000-26041
 
F5 NETWORKS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Washington
 
91-1714307
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
801 5th Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(206) 272-5555
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, no par value
FFIV
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes      No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes      No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer
 
  
Accelerated Filer
 
Non-accelerated Filer
 
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller Reporting Company
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging Growth Company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes      No  
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of May 1, 2020 was 60,896,541.



F5 NETWORKS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
Table of Contents
 
 
Page
 
 



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
F5 NETWORKS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30,
2019
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
572,888

 
$
599,219

Short-term investments
 
248,257

 
373,063

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,305 and $3,259
 
338,655

 
322,029

Inventories
 
30,942

 
34,401

Other current assets
 
217,989

 
182,874

Total current assets
 
1,408,731

 
1,511,586

Property and equipment, net
 
232,006

 
223,426

Operating lease right-of-use assets
 
327,436

 

Long-term investments
 
204,969

 
358,402

Deferred tax assets
 
47,230

 
27,701

Goodwill
 
1,864,991

 
1,065,379

Other assets, net
 
355,614

 
203,781

Total assets
 
$
4,440,977

 
$
3,390,275

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
56,200

 
$
62,627

Accrued liabilities
 
286,902

 
235,869

Deferred revenue
 
889,629

 
807,030

Current portion of long-term debt
 
19,275

 

Total current liabilities
 
1,252,006

 
1,105,526

Deferred tax liabilities
 
221

 
313

Deferred revenue, long-term
 
391,475

 
391,086

Operating lease liabilities, long-term
 
357,645

 

Long-term debt
 
378,685

 

Other long-term liabilities
 
62,751

 
131,853

Total long-term liabilities
 
1,190,777

 
523,252

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
 

 

Shareholders' equity
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized, no shares outstanding
 

 

Common stock, no par value; 200,000 shares authorized, 60,629 and 60,367 shares issued and outstanding
 
223,101

 
142,597

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(22,903
)
 
(19,190
)
Retained earnings
 
1,797,996

 
1,638,090

Total shareholders' equity
 
1,998,194

 
1,761,497

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
4,440,977

 
$
3,390,275

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


3


F5 NETWORKS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Products
 
$
259,538

 
$
237,859

 
$
494,074

 
$
471,736

Services
 
323,911

 
307,036

 
658,680

 
616,929

Total
 
583,449

 
544,895

 
1,152,754

 
1,088,665

Cost of net revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Products
 
53,086

 
43,547

 
95,204

 
85,957

Services
 
48,152

 
44,631

 
94,676

 
88,935

Total
 
101,238

 
88,178

 
189,880

 
174,892

Gross profit
 
482,211

 
456,717

 
962,874

 
913,773

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
215,472

 
170,954

 
410,991

 
335,213

Research and development
 
109,028

 
96,314

 
205,033

 
188,352

General and administrative
 
74,013

 
46,656

 
133,017

 
89,199

Restructuring charges
 

 

 
7,800

 

Total
 
398,513

 
313,924

 
756,841

 
612,764

Income from operations
 
83,698

 
142,793

 
206,033

 
301,009

Other (loss) income, net
 
(141
)
 
7,434

 
5,079

 
14,529

Income before income taxes
 
83,557

 
150,227

 
211,112

 
315,538

Provision for income taxes
 
22,178

 
34,140

 
51,206

 
68,546

Net income
 
$
61,379

 
$
116,087

 
$
159,906

 
$
246,992

Net income per share — basic
 
$
1.01

 
$
1.94

 
$
2.63

 
$
4.12

Weighted average shares — basic
 
60,869

 
59,686

 
60,758

 
59,954

Net income per share — diluted
 
$
1.00

 
$
1.93

 
$
2.62

 
$
4.09

Weighted average shares — diluted
 
61,084

 
60,029

 
61,017

 
60,374

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


4


F5 NETWORKS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net income
 
$
61,379

 
$
116,087

 
$
159,906

 
$
246,992

Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(1,586
)
 
(197
)
 
(952
)
 
(56
)
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities, net of taxes of $(368) and $679 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $(344) and $743 for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
 
(2,999
)
 
2,849

 
(2,831
)
 
2,893

Reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income, net of taxes of $(17) and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $(18) and $0 for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
 
58

 

 
70

 

Net change in unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
 
(2,941
)
 
2,849

 
(2,761
)
 
2,893

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(4,527
)
 
2,652

 
(3,713
)
 
2,837

Comprehensive income
 
$
56,852

 
$
118,739

 
$
156,193

 
$
249,829

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


5


F5 NETWORKS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(unaudited, in thousands)

 
 
Common Stock
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2019
Balances, December 31, 2018
 
60,058

 
$
13,277

 
$
(21,993
)
 
$
1,417,904

 
$
1,409,188

Issuance of restricted stock
 
254

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock
 
(617
)
 
(23,370
)
 

 
(76,643
)
 
(100,013
)
Stock-based compensation
 

 
39,494

 

 

 
39,494

Net income
 

 

 

 
116,087

 
116,087

Other comprehensive income
 

 

 
2,652

 

 
2,652

Balances, March 31, 2019
 
59,695

 
$
29,401

 
$
(19,341
)
 
$
1,457,348

 
$
1,467,408

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2020
Balances, December 31, 2019
 
60,803

 
$
211,217

 
$
(18,376
)
 
$
1,736,617

 
$
1,929,458

Exercise of employee stock options
 
20

 
498

 

 

 
498

Issuance of restricted stock
 
248

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock
 
(442
)
 
(50,009
)
 

 

 
(50,009
)
Stock-based compensation
 

 
61,395

 

 

 
61,395

Net income
 

 

 

 
61,379

 
61,379

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
(4,527
)
 

 
(4,527
)
Balances, March 31, 2020
 
60,629

 
$
223,101

 
$
(22,903
)
 
$
1,797,996

 
$
1,998,194

 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended March 31, 2019
Balances, September 30, 2018
 
60,215

 
$
20,427

 
$
(22,178
)
 
$
1,287,243

 
$
1,285,492

Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of ASC 606
 

 

 

 
36,048

 
36,048

Issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan
 
135

 
18,901

 

 

 
18,901

Issuance of restricted stock
 
531

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock
 
(1,186
)
 
(88,110
)
 

 
(112,935
)
 
(201,045
)
Stock-based compensation
 

 
78,183

 

 

 
78,183

Net income
 

 

 

 
246,992

 
246,992

Other comprehensive income
 

 

 
2,837

 

 
2,837

Balances, March 31, 2019
 
59,695

 
$
29,401

 
$
(19,341
)
 
$
1,457,348

 
$
1,467,408

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended March 31, 2020
Balances, September 30, 2019
 
60,367

 
$
142,597

 
$
(19,190
)
 
$
1,638,090

 
$
1,761,497

Exercise of employee stock options
 
31

 
789

 

 

 
789

Issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan
 
169

 
20,670

 

 

 
20,670

Issuance of restricted stock
 
504

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock
 
(442
)
 
(50,009
)
 

 

 
(50,009
)
Stock-based compensation
 

 
109,054

 

 

 
109,054

Net income
 

 

 

 
159,906

 
159,906

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
(3,713
)
 

 
(3,713
)
Balances, March 31, 2020
 
60,629

 
$
223,101

 
$
(22,903
)
 
$
1,797,996

 
$
1,998,194

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


6


F5 NETWORKS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
 
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
159,906

 
$
246,992

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation
 
98,447

 
78,183

Depreciation and amortization
 
43,112

 
28,246

Non-cash operating lease costs
 
18,970

 

Other
 
54

 
(43
)
Deferred income taxes
 
5,353

 
3,606

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding effects of the acquisition of businesses):
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
4,317

 
(24,419
)
Inventories
 
3,459

 
(2,895
)
Other current assets
 
(19,603
)
 
(35,735
)
Other assets
 
(4,298
)
 
2,683

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
(1,936
)
 
16,746

Deferred revenue
 
43,987

 
78,046

Lease liabilities
 
(25,948
)
 

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
325,820

 
391,410

Investing activities
 
 
 
 
Purchases of investments
 
(195,123
)
 
(211,087
)
Maturities of investments
 
237,892

 
351,600

Sales of investments
 
232,255

 
2,499

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
 
(955,574
)
 

Purchases of property and equipment
 
(35,463
)
 
(50,056
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(716,013
)
 
92,956

Financing activities
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and purchases of stock under employee stock purchase plan
 
21,443

 
18,900

Repurchase of common stock
 
(50,009
)
 
(201,045
)
Proceeds from term debt agreement
 
400,000

 

Payments for debt issuance costs
 
(3,040
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
368,394

 
(182,145
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
(21,799
)
 
302,221

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
(1,090
)
 
(265
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
 
602,254

 
425,894

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
 
$
579,365

 
$
727,850

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities
 
$
30,067

 
$

Cash paid for interest on long-term debt
 
$
2,089

 
$

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities
 
 
 
 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations
 
$
399,203

 
$

Capitalized leasehold improvements paid directly by landlord
 
$

 
$
28,814

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

7


F5 NETWORKS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
F5 Networks, Inc. (the "Company") is a leading provider of multi-cloud application services which enable its customers to develop, deploy, operate, secure, and govern applications in any architecture, from on-premises to the public cloud. The Company's cloud, software, and hardware solutions enable its customers to deliver digital experiences to their customers faster, reliably, and at scale. The Company's enterprise-grade application services are available as cloud-based, software-as-a-service, and software-only solutions optimized for multi-cloud environments, with modules that can run independently, or as part of an integrated solution on its high-performance appliances. In connection with its solutions, the Company offers a broad range of professional services, including consulting, training, installation, maintenance, and other technical support services. On January 24, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of Shape Security, Inc. ("Shape"), a leader in online fraud and abuse prevention, adding protection from automated attacks, botnets, and targeted fraud to F5's world-class portfolio of application services.
Basis of Presentation
The year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for their fair statement in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The reclassified amounts are considered immaterial and there was no change to total cash from operating, investing or financing activities as a result.
There have been no material changes to the Company's significant accounting policies as of and for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, except for the accounting policy for leases that was updated as a result of adopting Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02) and related standards. For more information, refer to the "Recently Adopted Accounting Standards" section of Note 1 and Note 8 - Leases.
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19“) was first identified, and in March 2020, the World Health Organization categorized COVID-19 as a pandemic. The Company assessed the impact that COVID-19 had on its results of operations, including, but not limited to an assessment of its allowance for doubtful accounts, the carrying value of short-term and long-term investments, the carrying value of goodwill and other long-lived assets, and the impact to revenue recognition and cost of revenues. For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the Company’s analysis shows COVID-19 had a net-neutral impact on its results of operations. The Company is actively monitoring the impact to the results of its business operations, and may make decisions required by federal, state or local authorities, or that are determined to be in the best interests of its employees, customers, partners, suppliers and stockholders. As of the filing date, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the Company’s financial condition or results of operations remains uncertain.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), which requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheet a right-of-use asset, representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a corresponding lease liability for all leases with terms greater than twelve months. The Company's leases consist primarily of operating leases for its offices and lab spaces. The Company does not have finance leases. The guidance also requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures designed to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company adopted this standard on October 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis by applying the new standard to its lease portfolio as of October 1, 2019, while continuing to apply legacy guidance in the comparative periods. The adoption of this standard had no impact on the consolidated income statements and consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 8 - Leases for further discussion.

8


Upon adoption of the standard, the Company elected the package of three expedients for existing and expired contracts to not reassess: the existence of additional leases, lease classification, or the treatment of initial direct costs. The Company also applies the short-term lease exemption for leases with an original expected term of 12 months or less and expenses such leases month-to-month and does not record a right-of-use asset or lease liability. Short-term lease activity under the exception is not significant. Additionally, the Company does not separate lease and non-lease components in the allocation of minimum lease payments for its office space and equipment leases, as such separation is not significant.
The Company includes in minimum lease payments, fixed and variable payments based on a rate or index, but excludes variable payments based on satisfying future benchmarks or actual future costs incurred; such amounts are expensed as incurred. To calculate the net present value, the Company applied an incremental borrowing rate. This incremental borrowing rate is determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of interest the Company would pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. Renewal options to extend lease terms are excluded from the minimum lease term at lease commencement.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) (ASU 2018-15), which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license. The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the amendments in this update. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
2. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Capitalized Contract Acquisition Costs
The table below shows significant movements in capitalized contract acquisition costs (current and noncurrent) for the six months ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Balance, September 30, 2019
 
$
59,446

Additional capitalized contract acquisition costs deferred
 
21,836

Amortization of capitalized contract acquisition costs
 
(16,972
)
Balance, March 31, 2020
 
$
64,310


Amortization of capitalized contract acquisition costs was $8.3 million and $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $17.0 million and $14.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is recorded in Sales and Marketing expense in the accompanying consolidated income statements. There was no impairment of any capitalized contract acquisition costs during any period presented.
Contract Balances
Timing may differ between the satisfaction of performance obligations and the invoicing and collection of amounts related to the Company's contracts with customers. The Company records assets for amounts related to performance obligations that are satisfied but not yet billed and/or collected, in addition to contracts that have started, but not yet been fully billed. These assets are recorded as contract assets rather than receivables when receipt of the consideration is conditional on something other than the passage of time. Liabilities are recorded for amounts that are collected in advance of the satisfaction of performance obligations. These liabilities are classified as current and non-current deferred revenue.

9


The table below shows significant movements in contract assets (current and noncurrent) for the six months ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Balance, September 30, 2019
 
$
132,492

Revenue recognized during period but not yet billed
 
13,998

Contract asset additions
 
38,060

Contract assets acquired through the purchase of Shape
 
6,045

Contract assets reclassified to accounts receivable
 
(33,211
)
Balance, March 31, 2020
 
$
157,384


As of March 31, 2020, contract assets that are expected to be reclassified to receivables within the next 12 months are included in other current assets, with those expected to be transferred to receivables in more than 12 months included in other assets. There were no impairments of contract assets during the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
The table below shows significant movements in the deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent) for the six months ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Balance, September 30, 2019
 
$
1,198,116

Amounts billed but not recognized as revenues
 
587,983

Amounts acquired through the purchase of Shape
 
39,000

Revenues recognized related to the opening balance of deferred revenue
 
(543,995
)
Balance, March 31, 2020
 
$
1,281,104


The Company's contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract by contract basis at the end of each reporting period.
Remaining Performance Obligations
Remaining performance obligations represent the amount of the transaction price under contracts with customers that are attributable to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially satisfied at the reporting date. As of March 31, 2020, the total non-cancelable remaining performance obligations under the Company's contracts with customers was approximately $1.3 billion and the Company expects to recognize revenues on approximately 69.4% of these remaining performance obligations over the next 12 months, 18.6% in year two, and the remaining balance thereafter.
See Note 12, Segment Information, for disaggregated revenue by significant customer and geographic region.
3. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosure under GAAP, the Company determines fair value using a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity, and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, essentially the exit price.
The levels of fair value hierarchy are:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities at the measurement date that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available. These inputs reflect management's assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

10


Level 1 investments are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets and include the Company's cash equivalent investments. Level 2 investments, which include investments that are valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations, actual trade data, benchmark yields or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency, include the Company's certificates of deposit, corporate bonds and notes, municipal bonds and notes, U.S. government securities, U.S. government agency securities and international government securities. Fair values for the Company's level 2 investments are based on similar assets without applying significant judgments. In addition, all of the Company's level 2 investments have a sufficient level of trading volume to demonstrate that the fair values used are appropriate for these investments.
A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. However, the determination of what constitutes "observable" requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market.
The Company's financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements at March 31, 2020, were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Securities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Value at
March 31,
2020
Cash equivalents
 
$
100,355

 
$

 
$

 
$
100,355

Short-term investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities — certificates of deposits
 

 
493

 

 
493

Available-for-sale securities — corporate bonds and notes
 

 
201,811

 

 
201,811

Available-for-sale securities — municipal bonds and notes
 

 
8,057

 

 
8,057

Available-for-sale securities — U.S. government securities
 

 
27,232

 

 
27,232

Available-for-sale securities — U.S. government agency securities
 

 
10,664

 

 
10,664

Long-term investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities — corporate bonds and notes
 

 
180,625

 

 
180,625

Available-for-sale securities — U.S. government agency securities
 

 
24,344

 

 
24,344

Total
 
$
100,355

 
$
453,226

 
$

 
$
553,581



11


The Company's financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements at September 30, 2019, were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Securities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Value at
September 30,
2019
Cash equivalents
 
$
140,238

 
$
153,404

 
$

 
$
293,642

Short-term investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities — certificates of deposits
 

 
249

 

 
249

Available-for-sale securities — corporate bonds and notes
 

 
259,547

 

 
259,547

Available-for-sale securities — municipal bonds and notes
 

 
12,129

 

 
12,129

Available-for-sale securities — U.S. government securities
 

 
78,992

 

 
78,992

Available-for-sale securities — U.S. government agency securities
 

 
22,146

 

 
22,146

Long-term investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities — corporate bonds and notes
 

 
298,916

 

 
298,916

Available-for-sale securities — municipal bonds and notes
 

 
2,524

 

 
2,524

Available-for-sale securities — U.S. government securities
 

 
5,515

 

 
5,515

Available-for-sale securities — U.S. government agency securities
 

 
51,447

 

 
51,447

Total
 
$
140,238

 
$
884,869

 
$

 
$
1,025,107


The Company uses the fair value hierarchy for financial assets and liabilities. The fair value of the Company's borrowings under its Term Loan Facility approximate the carrying value based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms using Level 2 inputs. The carrying amounts of other current financial assets and other current financial liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.
The Company's non-financial assets and liabilities, which include goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived assets, are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis. These non-financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when there is an indicator of impairment, and they are recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized. The Company reviews goodwill and intangible assets for impairment annually, during the second quarter of each fiscal year, or as circumstances indicate the possibility of impairment. The Company monitors the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Included in the Company’s impairment considerations for non-financial assets and liabilities in the current quarter were the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges related to goodwill, intangible assets, or long-lived assets.
4. Short-Term and Long-Term Investments
Short-term investments consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2020
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
Certificates of deposits
 
$
493

 
$

 
$

 
$
493

Corporate bonds and notes
 
202,270

 
259

 
(718
)
 
201,811

Municipal bonds and notes
 
8,056

 
10

 
(9
)
 
8,057

U.S. government securities
 
27,007

 
225

 

 
27,232

U.S. government agency securities
 
10,627

 
37

 

 
10,664

 
 
$
248,453

 
$
531

 
$
(727
)
 
$
248,257

 

12


September 30, 2019
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
Certificates of deposits
 
$
249

 
$

 
$

 
$
249

Corporate bonds and notes
 
259,242

 
402

 
(97
)
 
259,547

Municipal bonds and notes
 
12,128

 
6

 
(5
)
 
12,129

U.S. government securities
 
78,988

 
18

 
(14
)
 
78,992

U.S. government agency securities
 
22,138

 
9

 
(1
)
 
22,146

 
 
$
372,745

 
$
435

 
$
(117
)
 
$
373,063


Long-term investments consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2020
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
Corporate bonds and notes
 
$
183,265

 
$
259

 
$
(2,899
)
 
$
180,625

U.S. government agency securities
 
24,276

 
71

 
(3
)
 
24,344

 
 
$
207,541

 
$
330

 
$
(2,902
)
 
$
204,969

 
September 30, 2019
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
Corporate bonds and notes
 
$
298,888

 
$
469

 
$
(441
)
 
$
298,916

Municipal bonds and notes
 
2,528

 
2

 
(6
)
 
2,524

U.S. government securities
 
5,515

 
3

 
(3
)
 
5,515

U.S. government agency securities
 
51,463

 
5

 
(21
)
 
51,447

 
 
$
358,394

 
$
479

 
$
(471
)
 
$
358,402


Interest income from investments was $3.3 million and $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $8.9 million and $14.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Interest income is included in other income, net on the Company's consolidated income statements.
The following table summarizes investments that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months as of March 31, 2020 (in thousands):
 
 
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
March 31, 2020
 
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Corporate bonds and notes
 
$
254,910

 
$
(3,477
)
 
$
11,732

 
$
(140
)
 
$
266,642

 
$
(3,617
)
Municipal bonds and notes
 
2,911

 
(9
)
 

 

 
2,911

 
(9
)
U.S. government agency securities
 
1,498

 
(3
)
 

 

 
1,498

 
(3
)
Total
 
$
259,319

 
$
(3,489
)
 
$
11,732

 
$
(140
)
 
$
271,051

 
$
(3,629
)


13


The following table summarizes investments that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months as of September 30, 2019 (in thousands):
 
 
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
September 30, 2019
 
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Corporate bonds and notes
 
$
237,747

 
$
(434
)
 
$
109,613

 
$
(104
)
 
$
347,360

 
$
(538
)
Municipal bonds and notes
 
864

 

 
7,800

 
(11
)
 
8,664

 
(11
)
U.S. government securities
 
27,095

 
(12
)
 
9,991

 
(5
)
 
37,086

 
(17
)
U.S. government agency securities
 
30,946

 
(22
)
 

 

 
30,946

 
(22
)
Total
 
$
296,652

 
$
(468
)
 
$
127,404

 
$
(120
)
 
$
424,056

 
$
(588
)

The Company invests in securities that are rated investment grade. The Company reviews the individual securities in its portfolio to determine whether a decline in a security's fair value below the amortized cost basis is other-than-temporary. Gross unrealized losses were not deemed material as of March 31, 2020 and were primarily caused by global market disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 rather than credit risks associated with the respective issuers of the debt securities. The Company determined that as of March 31, 2020, there were no investments in its portfolio that were other-than-temporarily impaired as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or other market conditions.
5. Business Combinations
Fiscal Year 2020 Acquisition of Shape Security, Inc.
On December 19, 2019, the Company entered into a Merger Agreement (the "Merger Agreement") with Shape Security, Inc. ("Shape"), a provider of fraud and abuse prevention solutions. The transaction closed on January 24, 2020 with Shape becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of F5.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the acquisition, the capital stock of Shape and the vested outstanding and unexercised stock options in Shape were cancelled and converted to the right to receive approximately $1.0 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, and the unvested stock options and restricted stock units in Shape held by continuing employees of Shape were assumed by F5, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. Included in cash consideration was $23.2 million of transaction costs paid by F5 on behalf of Shape. In addition, the Company incurred $11.4 million and $15.3 million of transaction costs associated with the acquisition for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, which was included in General and Administrative expenses.
Shape is a leader in online fraud and abuse prevention, adding protection from automated attacks, botnets, and targeted fraud to F5's world-class portfolio of application services. As a result of the acquisition, the Company acquired all the assets and assumed all the liabilities of Shape. The goodwill related to the Shape acquisition is comprised primarily of expected synergies from combining operations and the acquired intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. Goodwill related to the Shape acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The results of operations of Shape have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

14


The preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
Estimated
 
 
 
Useful Life
Assets acquired
 
 
 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$
53,934

 
 
Fair value of tangible assets:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
21,077

 
 
Deferred tax assets
24,619

 
 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
29,644

 
 
Other tangible assets
22,571

 
 
Identifiable intangible assets:
 
 
 
Developed technologies
120,000

 
7 years
Customer relationships
21,000

 
4 years
Trade name
9,500

 
5 years
Goodwill
799,611

 
 
Total assets acquired
$
1,101,956

 
 
Liabilities assumed
 
 
 
Deferred revenue
$
(39,000
)
 
 
Operating lease liabilities
(30,773
)
 
 
Other assumed liabilities
(18,571
)
 
 
Total liabilities assumed
$
(88,344
)
 
 
Net assets acquired
$
1,013,612

 
 

The initial allocation of the purchase price was based on preliminary valuations and assumptions and is subject to change within the measurement period. The Company expects to finalize the allocation of the purchase price as soon as practicable and no later than one year from the acquisition date.
The developed technology intangible asset will be amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of seven years and included in cost of net product revenues. The trade names and customer relationships intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of five and four years, respectively, and included in sales and marketing expenses. The weighted average life of the amortizable intangible assets recognized from the Shape acquisition was 6.5 years as of January 24, 2020, the date the transaction closed. The estimated useful lives for the acquired intangible assets were based on the expected future cash flows associated with the respective asset.
Since the Shape acquisition was completed on January 24, 2020, the F5 and Shape teams have been executing a plan to integrate ongoing operations. The pro forma financial information, as well as the revenue and earnings generated by Shape, were not considered material to the Company's operations.
Fiscal Year 2019 Acquisition of Nginx, Inc.
On March 9, 2019, the Company entered into a Merger Agreement (the "Merger Agreement") with Nginx, Inc. ("NGINX"), a provider of open source web server software and application delivery solutions. The transaction closed on May 8, 2019 with NGINX becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of F5.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the acquisition, the capital stock of NGINX and the vested outstanding and unexercised stock options in NGINX were cancelled and converted to the right to receive approximately $643.2 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, and the unvested stock options and restricted stock units in NGINX held by continuing employees of NGINX were assumed by F5, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. Included in cash consideration was $19.0 million of transaction costs paid by F5 on behalf of NGINX. In addition, the Company incurred an additional $1.0 million of transaction costs associated with the acquisition which was included in General and Administrative expenses for fiscal 2019.
NGINX is an open source leader in application delivery. The combined company will enable multi-cloud application services across all environments, providing the ease-of-use and flexibility developers require while also delivering the scale, security, reliability and enterprise readiness network operations teams demand. As a result of the acquisition, the Company

15


acquired all the assets and assumed all the liabilities of NGINX. The goodwill related to the NGINX acquisition is comprised primarily of expected synergies from combining operations and the acquired intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The results of operations of NGINX have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
The preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
Estimated
 
 
 
Useful Life
Assets acquired
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
29,911

 
 
Fair value of tangible assets:
 
 
 
Other tangible assets
23,699

 
 
Identifiable intangible assets:

 
 
Developed technologies
62,500

 
7 years
Customer relationships
12,000

 
15 years
Trade name
14,500

 
7 years
Non-competition agreements
300

 
2 years
Goodwill
509,414

 
 
Total assets acquired
$
652,324

 
 
Liabilities assumed
 
 
 
Other assumed liabilities
$
(9,116
)
 
 
Total liabilities assumed
$
(9,116
)
 
 
Net assets acquired
$
643,208

 
 

The measurement period for the NGINX acquisition will lapse during the third quarter of fiscal 2020.
The developed technology intangible asset will be amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of seven years and included in cost of net product revenues. The trade names and customer relationships intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of seven years and fifteen years, respectively, and included in sales and marketing expenses. The weighted average life of the amortizable intangible assets recognized from the NGINX acquisition was 8.1 years as of May 8, 2019, the date the transaction closed. The estimated useful lives for the acquired intangible assets were based on the expected future cash flows associated with the respective asset. Tax deductible goodwill based on the Company's preliminary calculation is $450.7 million.
Since the NGINX acquisition was completed on May 8, 2019, the F5 and NGINX teams have been executing a plan to integrate ongoing operations.
6. Balance Sheet Details
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods presented (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30,
2019
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
572,888

 
$
599,219

Restricted cash included in other assets, net
 
6,477

 
3,035

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
$
579,365

 
$
602,254



16


Inventories
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30,
2019
Finished goods
 
$
20,102

 
$
22,441

Raw materials
 
10,840

 
11,960

 
 
$
30,942

 
$
34,401


Other Current Assets
Other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30,
2019
Contract assets
 
$
101,049

 
$
79,407

Prepaid expenses
 
53,569

 
49,051

Capitalized contract acquisition costs
 
27,202

 
28,228

Other
 
36,169

 
26,188

 
 
$
217,989

 
$
182,874


Other Assets
Other assets, net consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30,
2019
Intangible assets
 
$
246,182

 
$
108,903

Contract assets
 
56,335

 
53,085

Capitalized contract acquisition costs
 
37,108

 
31,218

Other
 
15,989

 
10,575

 
 
$
355,614

 
$
203,781


Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30,
2019
Payroll and benefits
 
$
141,076

 
$
138,453

Operating lease liabilities, current
 
46,840

 

Income and other tax accruals
 
32,007

 
31,801

Other
 
66,979

 
65,615

 
 
$
286,902

 
$
235,869


Other Long-term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30,
2019
Income taxes payable
 
$
41,340

 
$
42,324

Deferred rent
 

 
66,103

Other
 
21,411

 
23,426

 
 
$
62,751

 
$
131,853



17


7. Debt Facilities
Term Credit Agreement
In connection with the acquisition of Shape, on January 24, 2020, the Company entered into a Term Credit Agreement ("Term Credit Agreement") with certain institutional lenders that provides for a senior unsecured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million (the "Term Loan Facility"). The proceeds from the Term Loan Facility were primarily used to finance the acquisition of Shape and related expenses. In connection with the Term Loan Facility, the Company incurred $2.2 million in debt issuance costs, which are recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the principal amount of the debt.
Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company's option, (a) LIBOR, adjusted for customary statutory reserves, plus an applicable margin of 1.125% to 1.75% depending on the Company's leverage ratio, or (b) an alternate base rate determined in accordance with the Term Credit Agreement, plus an applicable margin of 0.125% to 0.750% depending on the Company's leverage ratio. Interest on the outstanding principal of borrowings is currently due quarterly in arrears. As of March 31, 2020, the margin for LIBOR-based loans was 1.125% and the margin for alternate base rate loans was 0.125%.
The Term Loan Facility matures on January 24, 2023 with quarterly installments (commencing with the first full fiscal quarter ended after January 24, 2020) equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan Facility. The remaining outstanding principal of borrowings under the Term Loan Facility is due upon maturity on January 24, 2023. Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility may be voluntarily prepaid, in whole or in part, without penalty or premium. Borrowings repaid or prepaid under the Term Loan Facility may not be reborrowed.
 Among certain affirmative and negative covenants provided in the Term Credit Agreement, there is a financial covenant that requires the Company to maintain a leverage ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA. This covenant may result in a higher interest rate on its outstanding principal borrowings on the Term Loan Facility in future periods, depending on the Company's performance. As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.
As of March 31, 2020, $400.0 million of principal amount under the Term Loan Facility was outstanding, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.0 million. The weighted average interest rate on the principal amount under the Term Loan Facility outstanding balance was 2.765% for the period ending March 31, 2020. The following table presents the scheduled principal maturities as of March 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ending September 30:
 
Amount
2020 (remainder)
 
$
5,000

2021
 
20,000

2022
 
20,000

2023
 
355,000

Total
 
$
400,000


Revolving Credit Agreement
On January 31, 2020, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Revolving Credit Agreement") that provides for a senior unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Company has the option to increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from time to time, subject to certain conditions, by up to $150.0 million. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company's option, (a) LIBOR, adjusted for customary statutory reserves, plus an applicable margin of 1.125% to 1.75% depending on the Company's leverage ratio, or (b) an alternate base rate determined in accordance with the Revolving Credit Agreement, plus an applicable margin of 0.125% to 0.750% depending on the Company's leverage ratio. The Revolving Credit Agreement also requires payment of a commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum of 0.125% to 0.300% depending on the Company's leverage ratio on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. Amounts incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020 were not material.

18


The Revolving Credit Facility matures on January 31, 2025, upon which any remaining outstanding principal of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility is due. The Company has the option to request up to two extensions of the maturity date in each case for an additional period of one year. Among certain affirmative and negative covenants provided in the Revolving Credit Agreement, there is a financial covenant that requires the Company to maintain a leverage ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA. As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all covenants. As of March 31, 2020, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and the Company had available borrowing capacity of $350.0 million.
8. Leases
During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (the "Leasing Standard") using the transition method provided in ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. The impact of adopting the Leasing Standard resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of $304.8 million and $386.4 million, respectively, on October 1, 2019, the date of adoption.
The majority of the Company's operating lease payments relate to its corporate headquarters in Seattle, Washington, which includes approximately 515,000 square feet of office space. The lease commenced in April 2019 and expires in 2033 with an option for renewal. The Company has concluded that the renewal option is not yet likely to be exercised. The Company also leases additional office and lab space for product development and sales and support personnel in the United States and internationally. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The components of the Company's operating lease expenses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2020
 
Six months ended
March 31, 2020
Operating lease expense
 
$
12,975

 
$
24,293

Short-term lease expense
 
813

 
1,627

Variable lease expense
 
4,262

 
10,101

Total lease expense
 
$
18,050

 
$
36,021


Variable lease expense primarily consists of common area maintenance and parking expenses. The Company executed two sublease contracts that commenced during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Lease income payments commenced in the second fiscal quarter. The Company has three additional subleases through the Q2 2020 acquisition of Shape Security.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's operating leases was as follows (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):
 
 
March 31, 2020
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
 
$
327,436

 
 
 
Operating lease liabilities, current1
 
46,840

Operating lease liabilities, long-term
 
357,645

Total operating lease liabilities
 
$
404,485

 
 
 
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
 
10.5

Weighted average discount rate
 
2.60
%
(1)
Current portion of operating lease liabilities is included in accrued liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
Maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

19


Fiscal Years Ending September 30:
 
Operating Lease
Payments
2020 (remainder)
 
$
26,897

2021
 
59,217

2022
 
56,041

2023
 
43,029

2024
 
38,334

2025
 
32,119

Thereafter
 
215,923

Total lease payments
 
471,560

Less: imputed interest
 
(67,075
)
Total lease liabilities
 
$
404,485


Operating lease liabilities above do not include sublease income. As of March 31, 2020, the Company expects to receive sublease income of approximately $12.5 million, which consists of $2.3 million to be received for the remainder of fiscal 2020 and $10.2 million to be received over the three fiscal years thereafter.
As of March 31, 2020, the Company had no significant operating leases that were executed but not yet commenced.
ASC 840 - Leases
As a result of adopting the Leasing Standard, reporting periods beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 are presented under the new standard while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 840 - Leases.
Prior to the adoption of the Leasing Standard, future minimum operating lease payments, net of sublease income, were as follows as of September 30, 2019 (in thousands):
 
Fiscal Year
 
Gross Lease
Payments
 
Sublease
Income
 
Net Lease
Payments
2020
 
$
54,046

 
$
683

 
$
53,363

2021
 
50,712

 
1,051

 
49,661

2022
 
47,550

 
1,082

 
46,468

2023
 
36,514

 
368

 
36,146

2024
 
33,971

 

 
33,971

Thereafter
 
242,826

 

 
242,826

 
 
$
465,619

 
$
3,184

 
$
462,435


9. Commitments and Contingencies
Guarantees and Product Warranties
In the normal course of business to facilitate sales of its products, the Company indemnifies other parties, including customers, resellers, lessors, and parties to other transactions with the Company, with respect to certain matters. The Company has agreed to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants, or out of intellectual property infringement or other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors and certain other employees, and the Company's bylaws contain similar indemnification obligations to the Company's agents. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement.
The Company generally offers warranties of one year for hardware for those customers without service contracts, with the option of purchasing additional warranty coverage in yearly increments. The Company accrues for warranty costs as part of its cost of sales based on associated material product costs and technical support labor costs. Accrued warranty costs as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were not material.
Commitments

20


As of March 31, 2020, the Company's principal commitments consisted of borrowings under the Term Loan Facility and obligations outstanding under operating leases. Refer to Note 7 for the scheduled principal maturities of the Term Loan Facility as of March 31, 2020.
The Company leases its facilities under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2033. There have been no material changes in the Company's lease obligations compared to those discussed in Note 11 to its annual consolidated financial statements.
The Company currently has arrangements with contract manufacturers and other suppliers for the manufacturing of its products. The arrangement with the primary contract manufacturer allows them to procure component inventory on the Company's behalf based on a rolling production forecast provided by the Company. The Company is obligated to the purchase of component inventory that the contract manufacturer procures in accordance with the forecast, unless it gives notice of order cancellation in advance of applicable lead times. There have been no material changes in the Company's inventory purchase obligations compared to those discussed in Note 11 to its annual consolidated financial statements.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is not aware of any pending legal proceedings that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably possible to have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results, or financial condition. The Company is subject to a variety of claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Although management currently believes that resolving claims against the Company, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on its financial statements, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future. Such claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.
10. Income Taxes
The Company's tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items in the related period.
The effective tax rate was 26.5% and 24.3% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, compared to 22.7% and 21.7% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 is primarily due to the tax impact from stock-based compensation and other non-deductible expenses related to the acquisition of Shape Security, Inc., partially offset by a change in unrecognized tax benefits.
At March 31, 2020, the Company had $42.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. It is anticipated that the Company’s existing liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next twelve months due to audit settlements or the expiration of statutes of limitations. The Company does not expect these changes to be material to the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and, if applicable, penalties for any uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as the income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for fiscal years through September 30, 2015. Major jurisdictions where there are wholly owned subsidiaries of F5 Networks, Inc. which require income tax filings include the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and Israel. The earliest periods open for review by local taxing authorities are fiscal years 2018 for the United Kingdom, 2014 for Japan, 2015 for Singapore, 2015 for Australia, and 2013 for Israel. The Company is currently under audit by various states for fiscal years 2014 through 2017 and by Israel for fiscal years 2013 to 2017. Within the next four fiscal quarters, the statute of limitations will begin to close on the fiscal year 2016 federal income tax return, fiscal years 2015 and 2016 state income tax returns, and fiscal years 2013 to 2018 foreign income tax returns.
11. Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The Company's nonvested restricted units do not have nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents and are not considered participating securities that should be included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method.

21


The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Numerator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
61,379

 
$
116,087

 
$
159,906

 
$
246,992

Denominator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic
 
60,869

 
59,686

 
60,758

 
59,954

Dilutive effect of common shares from stock options and restricted stock units
 
215

 
343

 
259

 
420

Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
 
61,084

 
60,029

 
61,017

 
60,374

Basic net income per share
 
$
1.01

 
$
1.94

 
$
2.63

 
$
4.12

Diluted net income per share
 
$
1.00

 
$
1.93

 
$
2.62

 
$
4.09


Anti-dilutive stock-based awards excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share were immaterial for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
12. Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Management has determined that the Company is organized as, and operates in, one reportable operating segment: the development, marketing and sale of application services that optimize the security, performance and availability of network applications, servers and storage systems.
Revenues by Geographic Location and Other Information
The Company does business in three main geographic regions: the Americas (primarily the United States); Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); and the Asia Pacific region (APAC). The Company's chief operating decision-maker reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis accompanied by information about revenues by geographic region. The Company's foreign offices conduct sales, marketing and support activities. Revenues are attributed by geographic location based on the location of the customer.
The following presents revenues by geographic region (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Americas:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
 
$
302,192

 
$
282,037

 
$
577,691

 
$
546,788

Other
 
23,094

 
25,375

 
49,157

 
52,268

Total Americas
 
325,286

 
307,412

 
626,848

 
599,056

EMEA
 
147,985

 
136,549

 
303,937

 
285,533

Asia Pacific
 
110,178

 
100,934

 
221,969

 
204,076

 
 
$
583,449

 
$
544,895

 
$
1,152,754

 
$
1,088,665


The following distributors of the Company's products accounted for more than 10% of total net revenue:
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Ingram Micro, Inc.
 
17.3
%
 
20.0
%
 
16.9
%
 
18.4
%
Westcon Group, Inc.
 

 

 

 
10.5
%
Arrow ECS
 

 
10.3
%
 

 
10.6
%
Tech Data
 

 
10.0
%
 

 



22


The Company tracks assets by physical location. Long-lived assets consist of property and equipment, net, and are shown below (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30,
2019
United States
 
$
200,035

 
$
194,176

EMEA
 
16,244

 
13,451

Other countries
 
15,727

 
15,799

 
 
$
232,006

 
$
223,426


13. Restructuring Charges
In December 2019, the Company initiated a restructuring plan to match strategic and financial objectives and optimize resources for long term growth, including a reduction in force program affecting approximately 75 employees. The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $7.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company does not expect to record any significant future charges related to the restructuring plan.
During the six months ended March 31, 2020, the following activity was recorded (in thousands):

 
 
Employee Severance, Benefits and Related Costs
Accrued expenses, October 1, 2019
 
$

Restructuring charges
 
7,800

Cash payments
 
(6,956
)
Non-cash items
 

Accrued expenses, March 31, 2020
 
$
844



Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, intentions or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and are generally identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" herein and in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements.
Overview
F5 is a leading provider of multi-cloud application services which enable our customers to develop, deploy, operate, secure, and govern applications in any architecture, from on-premises to the public cloud. Our enterprise-grade application services are available as cloud-based, software-as-a-service, and software-only solutions optimized for multi-cloud environments, with modules that can run independently, or as part of an integrated solution on our high-performance appliances. We market and sell our products primarily through multiple indirect sales channels in the Americas (primarily the United States); Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); and the Asia Pacific region (APAC). Enterprise customers (Fortune 1000 or Business Week Global 1000 companies) in the technology, telecommunications, financial services, transportation, education, manufacturing and healthcare industries, along with government customers, continue to make up the largest percentage of our customer base.

23


Our management team monitors and analyzes a number of key performance indicators in order to manage our business and evaluate our financial and operating performance on a consolidated basis. Those indicators include:
Revenues. The majority of our revenues are derived from sales of our application delivery controller (ADC) products including our BIG-IP appliances and VIPRION chassis and related software modules and our software-only Virtual Editions; Local Traffic Manager (LTM), DNS Services (formerly Global Traffic Manager); Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) and Policy Enforcement Manager (PEM), that leverage the unique performance characteristics of our hardware and software architecture; and products that incorporate acquired technology, including Application Security Manager (ASM) and Access Policy Manager (APM); NGINX Plus and NGINX Controller; Shape Defense and Enterprise Defense; and the Secure Web Gateway and Silverline DDoS and Application security offerings which are sold to customers on a subscription basis. We also derive revenues from the sales of services including annual maintenance contracts, training and consulting services. We carefully monitor the sales mix of our revenues within each reporting period. We believe customer acceptance rates of our new products and feature enhancements are indicators of future trends. We also consider overall revenue concentration by customer and by geographic region as additional indicators of current and future trends. We are also monitoring the uncertainty related to the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has on the global economy and our customer base.
Cost of revenues and gross margins. We strive to control our cost of revenues and thereby maintain our gross margins. Significant items impacting cost of revenues are hardware costs paid to our contract manufacturers, third-party software license fees, Silverline infrastructure, amortization of developed technology and personnel and overhead expenses. Our margins have remained relatively stable; however, factors such as sales price, product and services mix, inventory obsolescence, returns, component price increases, warranty costs, and the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impacts to our supply chain could significantly impact our gross margins from quarter to quarter and represent significant indicators we monitor on a regular basis.
Operating expenses. Operating expenses are substantially driven by personnel and related overhead expenses. Existing headcount and future hiring plans are the predominant factors in analyzing and forecasting future operating expense trends. Other significant operating expenses that we monitor include marketing and promotions, travel, professional fees, computer costs related to the development of new products and provision of services, facilities and depreciation expenses.
Liquidity and cash flows. Our financial condition remains strong with significant cash and investments. The decrease in cash and investments for the first six months of fiscal year 2020 was primarily due to $955.6 million in cash paid for the acquisition of Shape in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, partially offset by cash provided by operating activities of $325.8 million. Going forward, we believe the primary driver of cash flows will be net income from operations. Capital expenditures of $35.5 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2020 were primarily related to the expansion of our facilities to support our operations worldwide as well as investments in information technology infrastructure and equipment purchases to support our core business activities. We will continue to evaluate possible acquisitions of, or investments in businesses, products, or technologies that we believe are strategic, which may require the use of cash. Additionally, on January 31, 2020, we entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Revolving Credit Agreement") that provides for a senior unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). We have the option to increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from time to time, subject to certain conditions, by up to $150.0 million. As of March 31, 2020, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and we had available borrowing capacity of $350.0 million.
Balance sheet. We view cash, short-term and long-term investments, deferred revenue, accounts receivable balances and days sales outstanding as important indicators of our financial health. Deferred revenues increased in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020 primarily due to growth in the amount of annual maintenance contracts purchased on new products and maintenance renewal contracts related to our existing product installation base. Our days sales outstanding at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2020 was 52. Days sales outstanding is calculated by dividing ending accounts receivable by revenue per day for a given quarter.
Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our financial condition and results of operations requires us to make judgments and estimates that may have a significant impact upon our financial results. We believe that, of our significant accounting policies, the following require estimates and assumptions that require complex, subjective judgments by management, which can materially impact reported results: revenue recognition, accounting for business combinations and accounting for leases. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

24


Except for the accounting policies for leases that were updated as a result of adopting ASC Topic 842, there were no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates described in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. Refer to the "Recently Adopted Accounting Standards" section of Note 1 and Note 8 - Leases in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a summary of the new accounting policies under ASC Topic 842.

COVID-19 Update
Management has prioritized a human-first approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. For F5, this means ensuring the health and safety of employees, their families and our communities. Further, this approach extends to our customers as we look for ways that we can support their operations during this crisis.
While our analysis shows COVID-19 had a net-neutral impact on our results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the impacts of the global pandemic on our business and financial outlook are currently unknown. We are conducting business with substantial modifications to employee travel, employee work locations, and virtualization or cancellation of certain sales and marketing events, among other modifications. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities, or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners, suppliers and stockholders. It is not clear what the potential effects any such alterations or modifications may have on our business, including the effects on our customers and prospects, or on our financial results.
Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, related notes and risk factors included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
(in thousands, except percentages)
Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Products
 
$
259,538

 
$
237,859

 
$
494,074

 
$
471,736

Services
 
323,911

 
307,036

 
658,680

 
616,929

Total
 
$
583,449

 
$
544,895

 
$
1,152,754

 
$
1,088,665

Percentage of net revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Products
 
44.5
%
 
43.7
%
 
42.9
%
 
43.3
%
Services
 
55.5

 
56.3

 
57.1

 
56.7

Total
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Net revenues. Total net revenues increased 7.1% and 5.9% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year. Overall revenue growth for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, was primarily due to increased software revenue including our subscription-based products and increased service revenues as a result of our increased installed base of products. International revenues represented 48.2% and 49.9% of total net revenues for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, compared to 48.2% and 49.8% for the same periods in the prior year, respectively.
Net product revenues increased 9.1% and 4.7% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods on the prior year. The increase in net product revenues for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in software sales compared to the same periods in the prior year.
Net service revenues increased 5.5% and 6.8% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year. The increase in net service revenues was primarily due to increases in the purchase or renewal of maintenance contracts driven by additions to our installed base of products.

25


The following distributors of our products accounted for more than 10% of total net revenue:
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Ingram Micro, Inc.
17.3
%
 
20.0
%
 
16.9
%
 
18.4
%
Westcon Group, Inc.

 

 

 
10.5
%
Arrow ECS

 
10.3
%
 

 
10.6
%
Tech Data

 
10.0
%
 

 

The following distributors of our products accounted for more than 10% of total receivables:
 
 
March 31,
2020
 
September 30, 2019
Ingram Micro, Inc.
15.4
%
 
12.4
%
Arrow ECS
10.6
%
 

Carahsoft Technology
11.5
%
 
11.5
%
Synnex Corporation
11.2
%
 
12.9
%
No other distributors accounted for more than 10% of total net revenue or receivables. 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
(in thousands, except percentages)
Cost of net revenues and gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Products
 
$
53,086

 
$
43,547

 
$
95,204

 
$
85,957

Services
 
48,152

 
44,631

 
94,676

 
88,935

Total
 
101,238

 
88,178

 
189,880

 
174,892

Gross profit
 
$
482,211

 
$
456,717

 
$
962,874

 
$
913,773

Percentage of net revenues and gross profit (as a percentage of related net revenue)
Products
 
20.5
%
 
18.3
%
 
19.3
%
 
18.2
%
Services
 
14.9

 
14.5

 
14.4

 
14.4

Total
 
17.4

 
16.2

 
16.5

 
16.1

Gross profit
 
82.6
%
 
83.8
%
 
83.5
%
 
83.9
%
Cost of net product revenues. Cost of net product revenues consist of finished products purchased from our contract manufacturers, manufacturing overhead, freight, warranty, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory and amortization expenses in connection with developed technology from acquisitions. Cost of net product revenues increased $9.5 million and $9.2 million, or 21.9% and 10.8% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year. The increase in cost of net product revenues was primarily due to software revenue growth for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 from the comparable periods in the prior year.
Cost of net service revenues. Cost of net service revenues consist of the salaries and related benefits of our professional services staff, travel, facilities and depreciation expenses. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, cost of net service revenues as a percentage of net service revenues was 14.9% and 14.4%, respectively, compared to 14.5% and 14.4% for the comparable periods in the prior year, respectively. Professional services headcount at the end of March 2020 increased to 937 from 899 at the end of March 2019.

26


 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
(in thousands, except percentages)
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
$
215,472

 
$
170,954

 
$
410,991

 
$
335,213

Research and development
 
109,028

 
96,314

 
205,033

 
188,352

General and administrative
 
74,013

 
46,656

 
133,017

 
89,199

Restructuring charges
 

 

 
7,800

 

Total
 
$
398,513

 
$
313,924

 
$
756,841

 
$
612,764

Operating expenses (as a percentage of net revenue)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
36.9
%
 
31.4
%
 
35.7
%
 
30.8
%
Research and development
 
18.7

 
17.7

 
17.8

 
17.3

General and administrative
 
12.7

 
8.5

 
11.5

 
8.2

Restructuring charges
 

 

 
0.7

 

Total
 
68.3
%
 
57.6
%
 
65.7
%
 
56.3
%
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist of salaries, commissions and related benefits of our sales and marketing staff, the costs of our marketing programs, including public relations, advertising and trade shows, travel, facilities, and depreciation expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased $44.5 million and $75.8 million, or 26.0% and 22.6% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year. The increase in sales and marketing expense was primarily due to an increase of $24.1 million and $37.7 million in personnel costs for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year. In addition, facilities costs for our Sales and Marketing organization increased $2.7 million and $5.7 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year, primarily due to the move of our corporate headquarters which began in April 2019. Sales and marketing headcount at the end of March 2020 increased to 2,302 from 1,864 at the end of March 2019. Sales and marketing expenses included stock-based compensation expense of $22.6 million and $44.4 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, compared to $16.4 million and $31.9 million for the same periods in the prior year, respectively.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented more stringent work-related travel restrictions during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and canceled or postponed large, in-person events. As a result, sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included expenses related to costs incurred in preparation for these events that are no longer recoverable.
Research and development. Research and development expenses consist of the salaries and related benefits of our product development personnel, prototype materials and other expenses related to the development of new and improved products, facilities and depreciation expenses. Research and development expenses increased $12.7 million and $16.7 million, or 13.2% and 8.9% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year. The increase in research and development expense was primarily due to an increase of $9.3 million and $11.5 million in personnel costs for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year, as well as an increase of $2.5 million and $5.0 million in facilities costs primarily due to the move of our corporate headquarters which began in April 2019. Research and development headcount at the end of March 2020 increased to 1,708 from 1,404 at the end of March 2019. Research and development expenses included stock-based compensation expense of $12.6 million and $23.8 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, compared to $10.3 million and $20.6 million for the same periods in the prior year, respectively.

27


General and administrative. General and administrative expenses consist of the salaries, benefits and related costs of our executive, finance, information technology, human resource and legal personnel, third-party professional service fees, facilities and depreciation expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $27.4 million and $43.8 million, or 58.6% and 49.1% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase of $14.1 million and $20.5 million in fees paid to outside consultants for legal, accounting and tax services for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year. In addition, personnel costs increased $6.0 million and $10.3 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, from the comparable periods in the prior year due to growth in general and administrative headcount, including employees from the acquisitions of NGINX and Shape. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2020 also included an increase in facilities cost of $2.8 million from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to the move of our corporate headquarters which began in April 2019. General and administrative headcount at the end of March 2020 increased to 658 from 527 at the end of March 2019. General and administrative expenses included stock-based compensation expense of $9.6 million and $18.8 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, compared to $7.9 million and $15.7 million for the same periods in the prior year, respectively.
Restructuring charges. In the first fiscal quarter of 2020, we completed a restructuring plan to align strategic and financial objectives and optimize resources for long term growth. As a result of these initiatives, we recorded a restructuring charge of $7.8 million related to a reduction in workforce.
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
Six months ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
(in thousands, except percentages)
Other income and income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
$
83,698

 
$
142,793

 
$
206,033

 
$
301,009

Other (loss) income, net
 
(141
)
 
7,434

 
5,079

 
14,529

Income before income taxes
 
83,557

 
150,227

 
211,112

 
315,538

Provision for income taxes
 
22,178

 
34,140

 
51,206

 
68,546

Net income
 
$
61,379

 
$
116,087

 
$
159,906

 
$
246,992

Other income and income taxes (as percentage of net revenue)
Income from operations
 
14.3
 %
 
26.2
%
 
17.9
%
 
27.7
%
Other (loss) income, net
 

 
1.4

 
0.4

 
1.3

Income before income taxes
 
14.3

 
27.6

 
18.3

 
29.0

Provision for income taxes
 
3.8

 
6.3

 
4.4

 
6.3

Net income
 
10.5
 %
 
21.3
%
 
13.9
%
 
22.7
%
Other (loss) income, net. Other (loss) income, net consists primarily of interest income and expense and foreign currency transaction gains and losses. The decrease in other (loss) income, net for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in interest income of $4.2 million and $5.5 million, respectively, from our investments compared to the same periods in the prior year. In addition, interest expense increased $2.2 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same periods in the prior year due to interest paid for outstanding amounts under our Term Loan Facility.
Provision for income taxes. The effective tax rate was 26.5% and 24.3% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, compared to 22.7% and 21.7% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 is primarily due to the tax impact from stock-based compensation and other non-deductible expenses related to the acquisition of Shape Security, Inc., partially offset by a change in unrecognized tax benefits.
We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. In making these determinations we consider historical and projected taxable income, and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the appropriateness of a valuation allowance. Our net deferred tax assets at March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were $47.0 million and $27.4 million, respectively. The net deferred tax assets include valuation allowances of $30.6 million and $23.5 million as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively, which are primarily related to tax net operating losses incurred in certain foreign jurisdictions, and state tax carryforwards.

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Our worldwide effective tax rate may fluctuate based on a number of factors, including variations in projected taxable income in the various geographic locations in which we operate, changes in the valuation of our net deferred tax assets, resolution of potential exposures, tax positions taken on tax returns filed in the various geographic locations in which we operate, and the introduction of new accounting standards or changes in tax laws or interpretations thereof in the various geographic locations in which we operate. We have recorded liabilities to address potential tax exposures related to business and income tax positions we have taken that could be challenged by taxing authorities. The ultimate resolution of these potential exposures may be greater or less than the liabilities recorded which could result in an adjustment to our future tax expense.
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). We are continuing to analyze the impact, but do not expect that the CARES Act will have a material impact on our provision for income taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments totaled $1,026.1 million as of March 31, 2020, compared to $1,330.7 million as of September 30, 2019, representing a decrease of $304.6 million. The decrease was primarily due to $955.6 million in cash paid for the acquisition of Shape in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, partially offset by cash provided by operating activities of $325.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020. Cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of fiscal year 2020 resulted from net income of $159.9 million combined with changes in operating assets and liabilities, as adjusted for various non-cash items including stock-based compensation, deferred revenue, depreciation and amortization charges.
Cash from operations could be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks detailed in Part II, Item 1A titled “Risk Factors”. However, we anticipate our current cash, cash equivalents and investment balances, anticipated cash flows generated from operations, and available borrowing capacity on the Revolver Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs.
Cash used in investing activities was $716.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, compared to cash provided by investing activities of $93.0 million for the same period in the prior year. Investing activities include purchases, sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities, business acquisitions and capital expenditures. The amount of cash used in investing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily the result of $955.6 million in cash paid for the acquisition of Shape, along with capital expenditures related to the build-out of our new corporate headquarters and the purchase of investments, partially offset by the maturity and sale of investments.
Cash provided by financing activities was $368.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, compared to cash used in financing activities of $182.1 million for the same period in the prior year. Our financing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2020 primarily consisted of $400.0 million in cash proceeds from a term loan as well as cash received from the exercise of employee stock options and stock purchases under our employee stock purchase plan of $21.4 million, partially offset by $50.0 million in cash used to repurchase common stock under our share repurchase program.
On January 31, 2020, we entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Revolving Credit Agreement") that provides for a senior unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). We have the option to increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from time to time, subject to certain conditions, by up to $150.0 million. As of March 31, 2020, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and we had available borrowing capacity of $350.0 million.
Obligations and Commitments
As of March 31, 2020, our principal commitments consisted of borrowings under the Term Loan Facility and obligations outstanding under operating leases.

29


In connection with the acquisition of Shape, on January 24, 2020, we entered into a Term Credit Agreement ("Term Credit Agreement") with certain institutional lenders that provides for a senior unsecured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million (the "Term Loan Facility"). The proceeds from the Term Loan Facility were primarily used to finance the acquisition of Shape and related expenses. As of March 31, 2020, $400.0 million of principal amount under the Term Loan Facility was outstanding. There is a financial covenant that requires us to maintain a leverage ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA. This covenant may result in a higher interest rate on our outstanding principal borrowings on the Term Loan Facility in future periods, depending on the Company's performance. We will monitor the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on our leverage ratio calculation but do not believe there will be a material impact to the interest payable on our borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. Refer to Note 7 for the scheduled principal maturities of the Term Loan Facility as of March 31, 2020.
We lease our facilities under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2033. There have been no material changes in our principal lease commitments compared to those discussed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
We outsource the manufacturing of our pre-configured hardware platforms to contract manufacturers who assemble each product to our specifications. Our agreement with our largest contract manufacturer allows them to procure component inventory on our behalf based upon a rolling production forecast. We are contractually obligated to purchase the component inventory in accordance with the forecast, unless we give notice of order cancellation in advance of applicable lead times.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The anticipated impact of recent accounting pronouncements is discussed in Note 1 to the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk. We maintain an investment portfolio of various holdings, types, and maturities. Our primary objective for holding fixed income securities is to achieve an appropriate investment return consistent with preserving principal and managing risk. At any time, a sharp rise in market interest rates could have a material adverse impact on the fair value of our fixed income investment portfolio. Conversely, declines in interest rates, including the impact from lower credit spreads, could have a material adverse impact on interest income for our investment portfolio. Our fixed income investments are held for purposes other than trading. Our fixed income investments were not leveraged as of March 31, 2020. We monitor our interest rate and credit risks, including our credit exposures to specific rating categories and to individual issuers. As of March 31, 2020, 13.7% of our fixed income securities balance consisted of U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities. We believe the overall credit quality of our portfolio is strong.
Refer to Note 7 for information on our recent borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, (a) LIBOR, adjusted for customary statutory reserves, plus an applicable margin of 1.125% to 1.75% depending on our leverage ratio, or (b) an alternate base rate determined in accordance with the Term Credit Agreement, plus an applicable margin of 0.125% to 0.750% depending on our leverage ratio.
The Term Loan Facility requires us to maintain a leverage ratio financial covenant, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA. This covenant may result in a higher interest rate on our outstanding principal borrowings on the Term Loan Facility in future periods, depending on the Company's performance. At any time, a sharp rise in market interest rates could have a material adverse impact on the interest payable on outstanding principal borrowings on our Term Loan Facility. We monitor our interest rate and credit risks, which include the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on interest rates on principal borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. As of March 31, 2020, we have not noted any adverse impacts to interest rates that would have a material impact to interest owed on principal borrowings.
Foreign Currency Risk. The majority of our sales and expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars and as a result, we have not experienced significant foreign currency transaction gains and losses to date.
Management believes there have been no material changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk during the six month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2019, other than market risk that is created by the global market disruptions and uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. See the section “Risk Factors” for further discussion of the possible impact to our business.

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Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) are designed to ensure that required information is properly recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required timeframe, as specified in the rules set forth by the SEC. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2020.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
On January 24, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Shape. In connection with the acquisition of Shape, we entered into a Term Credit Agreement that provides for a senior unsecured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million (the "Term Loan Facility"). As a result, we have implemented new internal controls over financial reporting related to our borrowings under the Term Loan Facility.
Although the entire global F5 workforce is working remotely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no material changes to our existing internal controls over financial reporting. There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this quarterly report 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
See Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for information regarding legal proceedings in which we are involved.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
The following information updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the information discussed in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The risks discussed below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K could materially affect our business, financial condition and future results. These are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be insignificant also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results in the future.
The effects of a pandemic or widespread health epidemic such as the coronavirus outbreak could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The impact on the global population and the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult to assess or predict and depends on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict or effectively respond to, including, without limitation: the duration and scope of the outbreak; actions taken by governments, businesses, and individuals in response to the outbreak; the effect on economic activity and actions taken in response.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations is not yet certain, which may or may not adversely disrupt or impact, and is not limited to the following areas: customer demand for our products and services, reductions in customer spend, delayed or the inability to collect from our customers, disruptions to our supply chain that could result in delays, shortages or increased costs of our products, disruptions to our operations in servicing our customers as a result of working remotely or business location closures, which all may adversely impact our business, results of operations and overall financial performance in future periods.

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Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On October 31, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.0 billion for its common stock share repurchase program. This new authorization is incremental to the existing $4.4 billion program, initially approved in October 2010 and expanded in each fiscal year. Acquisitions for the share repurchase programs will be made from time to time in private transactions or open market purchases as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company repurchased and retired 441,851 shares at an average price of $113.18 per share and the Company had $1.3 billion remaining authorized to purchase shares at March 31, 2020.
Shares repurchased and retired for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands, except shares and per share data): 
 
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
per the Publicly
Announced Plan
 
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased
Under the Plan
January 1, 2020 — January 31, 2020
 

 
$

 

 
$
1,372,527

February 1, 2020 — February 29, 2020
 

 
$

 

 
$
1,372,527

March 1, 2020 — March 31, 2020
 
441,851

 
$
113.18

 
441,851

 
$
1,322,518



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Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5.
Other Information
None.

Item 6.
Exhibits
 
Exhibit
Number
 
  
Exhibit Description
 
 
 
 
3.1
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
 
 
 
 
 
10.3*
 
 
 
 
 
10.4
 
 
 
 
 
10.5
 
 
 
 
 
10.6
 
 
 
 
 
31.1*
  
 
 
 
 
31.2*
  
 
 
 
 
32.1*
  
 
 
 
 
101.INS*
  
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
 
 
 
 
101.SCH*
  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
101.CAL*
  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.DEF*
  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.LAB*
  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.PRE*
  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
104*
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
 
§
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
*
Filed herewith.
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 21, 2020 and filed with the SEC on January 23, 2020.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on February 3, 2020.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on February 3, 2020.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2020 and filed with the SEC on March 13, 2020.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2020 and filed with the SEC on January 24, 2020.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.


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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 on this 6th day of May, 2020.
 
 
F5 NETWORKS, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ FRANCIS J. PELZER
 
 
 
Francis J. Pelzer
 
 
 
Executive Vice President,
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)


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