FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC. - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-K

 

Commission File Number 000-21433

 

 

 

 

Forrester Research, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(617) 613-6000

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

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 requirement for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.)  Yes o     No o     

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

 

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

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009 (based on the closing price as quoted by the Nasdaq National Market as of such date) was approximately $360,000,000.

 

As of March 10, 2010, 22,449,868 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement related to its 2010 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting to be filed subsequently — Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Reference is made in particular to our statements about possible acquisitions, our plans for international expansion and the adequacy of our cash, marketable investments and cash flows to satisfy our working capital and capital expenditures. These statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements are discussed below under “Risk Factors.” We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

PART I

 

General

 

Forrester Research, Inc. is an independent research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice to global leaders in business and technology. Our products and services are targeted to 19 specific roles, including senior management in business strategy, marketing and information technology at $1 billion-plus (revenue) companies who collaborate with us to accelerate achievement of their business goals.

 

Research serves as the foundation for all our solutions and consists primarily of annual memberships to our RoleView^tm syndicated research offerings that provide access to our core research on a wide range of business and technology issues critical to the success of the individuals in the roles we serve. In addition to our RoleView offerings, we also provide a portfolio of products and services that allow our clients to interact directly with analysts and their peers and explore in greater detail the issues and topics covered by RoleView research on a role and client-specific basis.

 

We were incorporated in Massachusetts on July 7, 1983 and reincorporated in Delaware on February 16, 1996.

 

Our Internet address is www.forrester.com. We make available free of charge, on or through the investor information section of our website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

 

Industry Background

 

Technology plays a central role in companies’ and their employees’ efforts to remain both competitive and cost-efficient in an increasingly complex global business environment. Developing comprehensive and coordinated business strategies is difficult because as the economy and technology change, consumers and businesses adopt new methods of buying and selling, and markets grow increasingly dynamic.

 

Consequently, companies and the professionals who are in the roles we serve rely on external sources of expertise that provide independent business advice spanning a variety of areas including but not limited to technology, business strategy, and customer behavior. We believe there is a need for objective research that is thematic, prescriptive, and executable, and that provides a comprehensive perspective on the knowledge and skills required to succeed in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

 

Forrester’s Strategy

 

In 2007, Forrester accelerated execution of a role-based strategy to focus attention on serving leaders in key roles across its client base. Forrester’s role-centric solutions provide clients with more relevant insight, allowing them to make better informed and justified decisions faster.

We seek to maintain and enhance our position as a leading independent technology and market research firm and to capitalize on demand for our offerings by:

 

Identifying and Defining New Business Models, Technologies, and Markets.  We seek to differentiate ourselves from other research firms by delivering pragmatic and forward-thinking research and analysis on the impact of technology on business models, business practices, and technology infrastructure. We believe that our research methodology and our creative culture allow us to identify and analyze rapid shifts in business and consumer use of technology before these changes appear on the horizons of most users, vendors, and other research firms. Our early identification of these shifts enables us to help our clients capitalize on emerging business models and technologies.

 

Leveraging our RoleView Research.  Our business model, technology platform, and research methodologies allow us to sell existing products and to rapidly introduce new products and services without incurring significant incremental costs. We intend to continue to use our business model, technology platform, and research methodologies to both increase sales of our existing RoleView research products and introduce innovative new products. Our other offerings complement, enhance and supplement our RoleView research offerings, and many are designed to address the specific needs and problems of our clients and the professionals in the roles we serve. We also may acquire, through acquisition or license from third parties, new products and services that complement and support our strategy and existing offerings. In July 2008, we acquired JupiterResearch, LLC to enhance our offerings to marketing and strategy professionals. In December 2009 we acquired the business of New Strategic Oxygen, LLC whose products and services and decision tools enhance our offerings to technology product management & marketing professionals.

 

Using Targeted, Global Client-Centric Sales Channels.  Our business is organized into three principal global client groups that support our role-based strategy and are closely aligned with our client base: the Information Technology Client Group, the Marketing & Strategy Client Group, and the Technology Industry Client Group. Effective January 2010, we appointed senior role managers within our three principal client groups to better focus on creating and delivering relevant research and related products and services to the professional roles we serve. We sell our products and services directly through a global sales force with sales personnel focusing on the needs of professionals within each of the three principal client groups. Our sales force operates out of various locations in North America, Europe, and Australia. We also sell our products and services through independent sales representatives in select international locations.

 

Growing Our Client Base Worldwide and Increasing Sales to Existing Clients.  We believe that our products and services can be successfully marketed and sold to new client companies worldwide and to new roles and additional units and divisions within our existing client companies. We believe that within our client base of over 2,500 client companies as of December 31, 2009 there is opportunity both to sell additional products and services to current users as well as to deliver our RoleView research and product portfolio to a greater number of professionals in our targeted roles. In addition, we intend to expand our international presence as the growing impact of technology on business innovation creates demand for external sources of objective research.

 

Developing and Retaining Outstanding Research Professionals.  The knowledge and experience of our analysts are critical elements of our ability to provide high-quality products and services. We employ outstanding research professionals from varied backgrounds and a wide range of industries. We believe that our culture, which emphasizes quality, cooperation, and creativity, helps us to develop and retain high-caliber research professionals. We provide a competitive compensation structure, as well as recognition and rewards for excellent individual and team performance.

Forrester’s Solution

 

Our broad range of expertise on business and the impact of technology enables us to offer our clients the best available and most relevant research on changing business models, best practices, technology investments, implementation advice, and customer trends. Our solution provides our clients with:

 

A Unified Set of Services to Help our Clients and to Make their Leaders Successful in their Roles.  We offer clients a comprehensive set of products and services to obtain access to the research, data, analysts, and peer insights they need to be successful in their professional roles, including, for example, to:

 

 

Expertise on Emerging Technologies.  We started our business in 1983 and have a long history of, and extensive experience in, identifying trends and providing research and executable advice on the impact of technology on business. Our research analysts have many years of industry experience, are frequent speakers at business and technology conferences, and are often quoted in the media. They enjoy direct access to the leaders and decision-makers within large enterprises and technology vendors. We provide our research analysts with training to ensure that they have the skills to challenge conventional viewpoints and provide prescriptive, executable insight and research to our clients.

 

Products and Services

 

We offer our clients a selection of engagement opportunities that are organized for and directed toward the multiple professional roles we cover.

 

Roleview^tm Research

 

Our primary syndicated research product, RoleView, provides clients with access to our core syndicated research designed to inform their strategic decision-making. Our various RoleView research offerings, including IT View, M&S View, TI View, each consists of a library of cross-linked documents that interconnect our reports, data, product rankings, best practices, evaluation tools, and research archives. RoleView research access is provided through role-based websites that facilitate client access to research and tools that are most relevant to their professional roles, including community tools that allow interaction between and among clients and our analysts. Through this access structure, each of our RoleView research offerings addresses the interplay of an individual client’s responsibilities and goals, business demands, and organizational and technology capabilities.

 

Our RoleView research products include The Forrester Wave^tm. The Forrester Wave provides a detailed analysis of vendors’ technologies and services based on transparent, fully accessible criteria, and measurement of characteristics weighted by us. The Forrester Wave includes an Excel spreadsheet that allows clients to compare products and get in-depth data and analysis about each one and tools to develop a custom shortlist based on the client’s unique requirements. The Forrester Wave is our primary mechanism for evaluating enterprise technologies.

 

Clients subscribing to our RoleView research products may choose between two membership levels:

 

 

 

Both Member and Reader clients receive access to our research specialists, who provide additional information about our research, methodologies, coverage areas, and sources. The research specialists are available to help clients navigate our website, find relevant information, and put clients in contact with the appropriate analyst for inquiries.

 

Forrester Leadership Boards

 

Our Forrester Leadership Boards are exclusive offerings for executives and other key employees at large companies worldwide. Clients may choose to participate in one or more Forrester Leadership Boards. Memberships are available in the Chief Information Officer (CIO) Group and the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Group and in a number of additional IT, marketing, and executive programs and councils addressing issues of interest to the professional roles we cover. In addition to a Member license to access the appropriate RoleView research offering, members of our Forrester Leadership Boards receive access to the following:

 

 

Data Products & Services

 

Our Data products and services focus on consumers’ and business users’ attitudes about and behavior toward technology, including ownership, future purchases, and adoption trends. These products incorporate extensive survey research designed and analyzed by our staff. Clients can leverage our data products and services or choose to have us conduct data analysis on their behalf. Our data products and services include:

 

 

Forrester Consulting

 

Our research-based advisory and project consulting services leverage our RoleView research offerings and our data products and services to deliver focused insights and recommendations to assist clients in developing and executing technology and business strategy, informing critical decisions and reducing business risk, and making large technology investments. For example, we help IT professionals with vendor selection, compare best practices, analyze whether outsourcing is advisable, and validate technology infrastructure; marketing and strategy professionals with consumer product strategy, direct marketing technology investments, eBusiness strategy, and interactive marketing strategy, including Web 2.0; and technology industry professionals with market and competitive assessments, go-to-market strategy, custom market research, and product development.

 

Our consulting services include Website Reviews that provide targeted, action-oriented assessments of clients’ websites, extranets, or intranets. Feedback is based on a comprehensive examination of the clients’ website and web strategies as well as reviews and comparisons with competitors’ websites, other channels and industry benchmarks.

 

Forrester Events

 

We host multiple Events in various locations in North America and Europe throughout the year. Events build upon our research and data products and services to bring together executives and other participants serving or interested in the particular professional role(s) in which an event focuses. Event participants come together to network with their peers, meet with Forrester analysts, and to hear business leaders discuss business and technology issues of interest or significance to the professional roles in attendance and the impact of technology on the professionals and their businesses.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Our business is organized into three principal global client groups that support our role-based strategy and closely align with our client base: the IT Client Group, the Marketing & Strategy Client Group, and the Technology Industry Client Group. We sell our products and services through each client group’s direct sales force in various locations in North America, Europe, and Australia. We also sell our products and services through independent sales representatives in select international locations. We employed 315 salespersons as of December 31, 2009, a decrease of 11% from 353 as of December 31, 2008. We also sell certain of our research products directly online through our website.

 

For information on our operating segments and our international operations, see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

 

Our marketing activities are designed to increase awareness of the Forrester brand and further our reputation as a leader in role-based business and technology research. We actively promote brand awareness via our website, Forrester Events, extensive worldwide press relations, and direct mail campaigns. We also employ an integrated direct marketing strategy that uses Internet, mail, and telephone channels for identifying and attracting high-quality sales leads. We encourage our analysts to increase our visibility by having their research ideas selectively distributed through various Internet, print, and television outlets.

 

As of December 31, 2009, our research was delivered to more than 2,500 client companies. No single client company accounted for more than 2% of our 2009 revenues.

 

Pricing and Contracts

 

We report our revenue from client contracts in two categories of revenue: (1) research services and (2) advisory services and other. Research offerings principally generate research revenues, and Consulting offerings consist solely of advisory services revenues. We classify revenue from our Consumer Technographics Data & Services and Business Data Services as research services revenue. Revenue from memberships to the Forrester Leadership Boards is classified as research services revenue, and revenue from Forrester Events is classified as other revenue in our advisory services and other revenue classification.

 

Contract pricing for annual memberships for research only is principally a function of the number of licensed users at the client. Pricing of contracts for research and advisory services is a function of the number of licensed

users, and the amount and type of advisory services. We track the agreement value of contracts to purchase research and advisory services as a significant business indicator. We calculate agreement value as the total revenues recognizable from all research and advisory service contracts in force at a given time (but not including advisory-only contracts), without regard to how much revenue has already been recognized. Agreement value decreased 12% to $194.8 million at December 31, 2009 from $222.5 million at December 31, 2008.

 

Research Analysts and Methodology

 

We employ a structured methodology in our research that enables us to identify and analyze technology trends, markets, and audiences and ensures consistent research quality and recommendations across all coverage areas. We seek to provide relevant research that will contribute to the success of our clients in their professional roles.

 

We ascertain the issues important to our clients and technology users through thousands of interactions and surveys with vendors and business, marketing, and IT professionals, and accordingly, the majority of our research is focused on the issues our clients face each day. We use the following primary research inputs:

 

 

Our Consumer Technographics^® and Business Data Services research combines our qualitative research methodology with traditional survey research methodologies such as correlation, frequency distribution, cross-tabulation, and multivariate statistics to produce research reports, quantitative survey data, and data briefs. Third-party data vendors are frequently used for data collection and tabulation.

 

The Forrester Wave^tm combines in-depth product test results and user interviews with market and strategic analysis to score attributes of emerging technologies. We then apply this research and strategic analysis to determine the weighting of each attribute and create interactive spreadsheets, databases, and reports.

 

Collaboration among analysts is an integral part of our process, leading to higher-quality research and a unified perspective. All RoleView research begins either with a client or vendor catalyst or with discussion sessions among analysts to generate ideas for research. Analysts test ideas throughout the research process at both informal and weekly research meetings and using social media technologies. Our reports are consistent in format, and we require our analysts to write in a structure that combines graphics with easy-to-read text to deliver concise, decisive, relevant, and objective research to our clients.

 

Competition

 

We believe that the principal competitive factors in our industry include the following:

 

 

We believe that we compete favorably with respect to each of these factors. We believe that our role-based strategy and focus on emerging technologies are significant competitive advantages. Additionally, we believe that

our role-based strategy, research methodology, easy-to-read formats, and portfolio of complementary product offerings distinguish us from our competitors.

 

We compete principally in the market for research and advisory services about and relating to technology and its impact on business. Our principal direct competitors include other providers of similar services, such as Gartner, as well as providers of peer networking services and Internet and digital media measurement services. In addition, our indirect competitors include the internal planning and marketing staffs of our current and prospective clients, as well as other information providers such as electronic and print publishing companies, survey-based general market research firms, and general business consulting firms. Our indirect competitors could choose to compete directly against us in the future. In addition, there are relatively few barriers to entry into our market, and new competitors could readily seek to compete against us in one or more market segments addressed by our research. Increased competition could adversely affect our operating results through pricing pressure and loss of market share. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to compete successfully against existing or new competitors.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2009, we employed a total of 947 persons, including 362 research staff and 315 sales personnel.

 

Our culture emphasizes certain key values — including client service, quality, and creativity — that we believe are critical to our future growth. We promote these values through training and frequent recognition for achievement. We encourage teamwork and promote and recognize individuals who foster these values. New employees participate in a three-day training process that focuses on our role-based strategy, our products and services, corporate culture, values and goals.

 

 

We are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in forward-looking statements made by us. These risks and uncertainties include:

 

Our Business may be Adversely Affected by the Current Economic Environment.  Our business is in part dependent on technology spending and is impacted by economic conditions. The current global credit crisis and economic environment may materially and adversely affect demand for our products and services. If current conditions in the United States and global economy were to lead to a further decrease in technology spending, or in demand for our research and advisory services, this could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our international operations expose us to a variety of operational risks which could negatively impact our results of operations.  We have clients in over 60 countries and approximately 30% of our revenue comes from international sales. Our operating results are subject to the risks inherent in international business activities, including challenges in staffing and managing foreign operations, changes in regulatory requirements, compliance with numerous foreign laws and regulations, differences between U.S. and foreign tax rates and laws, and the difficulty of enforcing client agreements, collecting accounts receivable and protecting intellectual property rights in international jurisdictions. Furthermore, we rely on local independent sales representatives in some international locations. If any of these arrangements are terminated by our representative or us, we may not be able to replace the arrangement on beneficial terms or on a timely basis, or clients of the local sales representative may not want to continue to do business with us or our new representative.

 

A Decline in Renewals for Our Membership-Based Research Services.  Our success depends in large part upon retaining (on both a client company and dollar basis) and enriching existing memberships for our research products and services. Our client and dollar retention rate and enrichment rate (see Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations — Overview) declined in 2008 as compared with 2007. Our client and dollar retention rate increased in 2009 as compared with 2008 however our enrichment rate continued to decline in 2009 as compared to 2008. Future declines in client retention, dollar retention, and enrichment could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Ability To Develop and Offer New Products And Services.  Our future success will depend in part on our ability to offer new products and services. These new products and services must successfully gain market acceptance by anticipating and identifying changes in client requirements and changes in the technology industry and by addressing specific industry and business organization sectors. The process of internally researching, developing, launching and gaining client acceptance of a new product or service, or assimilating and marketing an acquired product or service, is risky and costly. We may not be able to introduce new, or assimilate acquired, products or services successfully. Our failure to do so would adversely affect our ability to maintain a competitive position in our market and continue to grow our business.

 

Loss of Key Management.  Our future success will depend in large part upon the continued services of a number of our key management employees. The loss of any one of them, in particular George F. Colony, our founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, could adversely affect our business.

 

The Ability To Attract and Retain Qualified Professional Staff.  Our future success will depend in large measure upon the continued contributions of our senior management team, research analysts, and experienced sales and marketing personnel. Thus, our future operating results will be largely dependent upon our ability to retain the services of these individuals and to attract additional professionals from a limited pool of qualified candidates. We experience competition in hiring and retaining professionals from developers of Internet and emerging-technology products, other research firms, management consulting firms, print and electronic publishing companies and financial services companies, many of which have substantially greater ability, either through cash or equity, to attract and compensate professionals. If we lose professionals or are unable to attract new talent, we will not be able to maintain our position in the market or grow our business.

 

Failure To Anticipate and Respond To Market Trends.  Our success depends in part upon our ability to anticipate rapidly changing technologies and market trends and to adapt our research to meet the changing information needs of our clients. The technology and commerce sectors that we analyze undergo frequent and often dramatic changes. The environment of rapid and continuous change presents significant challenges to our ability to provide our clients with current and timely analysis, strategies and advice on issues of importance to them. Meeting these challenges requires the commitment of substantial resources. Any failure to continue to provide insightful and timely analysis of developments, technologies, and trends in a manner that meets market needs could have an adverse effect on our market position and results of operations.

 

Competition.  We compete in the market for research products and services with other independent providers of similar services. We may also face increased competition from Internet-based research firms. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial, information-gathering, and marketing resources than we do. In addition, our indirect competitors include the internal planning and marketing staffs of our current and prospective clients, as well as other information providers such as electronic and print publishing companies, survey-based general market research firms and general business consulting firms. Our indirect competitors may choose to compete directly against us in the future. In addition, there are relatively few barriers to entry into our market, and new competitors could readily seek to compete against us in one or more market segments addressed by our products and services. Increased competition could adversely affect our operating results through pricing pressure and loss of market share.

 

Fluctuations in Our Operating Results.  Our revenues and earnings may fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may affect our stock price. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

 

 

As a result, our operating results in future quarters may be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, which could have an adverse effect on the market price for our common stock. Factors such as announcements of new products, services, offices, acquisitions or strategic alliances by us, our competitors, or in the technologies services industry generally may have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock. The market price for our common stock may also be affected by movements in prices of stocks in general.

 

We may realize losses on our investments or be unable to liquidate these investments at desired times and in desired amounts.  At December 31, 2009, we had approximately $10.0 million of long-term marketable investments in municipal notes with an auction reset feature (“auction rate securities” or “ARS”). In February 2008, auctions had begun to fail for these securities, which means that the parties wishing to sell securities could not. Based on current market conditions, it is likely that auction failures will continue and as a result, our ability to liquidate our investment and fully recover the carrying value of our investment in the near term may be limited or not exist.

 

 

We have not received written comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission that remain unresolved.

 

 

Our headquarters are located in approximately 145,000 square feet of office space in Cambridge, Massachusetts, substantially all of which is currently occupied by the Company. This facility accommodates research, marketing, sales, technology, and operations personnel. The lease term of this facility expires in September 2011. We have the option to extend this lease for an additional five-year term.

 

On September 29, 2009, we entered into a build-to-suit net lease (“Lease”) with BHX, LLC, as trustee of Acorn Park I Realty Trust and predecessor to 200 Discovery Park, LLC (“Landlord”) pursuant to which the Landlord will build a new corporate headquarters building for our Company in an office park in the Alewife section of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Pursuant to the Lease, as amended, the Landlord will construct an approximately 190,000 square foot building (“Building”) and lease the Building and parcel to us to be used as our new corporate headquarters. During construction, we will continue to occupy our current corporate headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts under the existing lease for such premises. The commencement date under the Lease is presently expected to be on or about September 1, 2011.

 

We also rent office space in Foster City and San Francisco, California, New York City, Dallas, McLean Virginia, Austin, Texas, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London and Paris. We also lease office space on a relatively short-term basis in various other locations in the North America, Europe and Asia.

 

We believe that our existing facilities are adequate for our current needs and that additional facilities are available for lease to meet future needs.

 

 

We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings.

PART II

 

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “FORR.” We did not declare or pay any dividends during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009. We anticipate that future earnings, if any, will be retained for the development of our business, and we do not presently intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

 

As of March 10, 2010 there were approximately 44 stockholders of record of our common stock. On March 10, 2010 the closing price of our common stock was $31.63 per share.

 

The following table represents the ranges of high and low sale prices of our common stock for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009:

 

 

Through 2009, our Board of Directors has authorized an aggregate $200.0 million to purchase common stock under the stock repurchase program. During the quarter ended December 31, 2009, we purchased the following shares of our common stock under the stock repurchase program:

 

 

 

 

The following graph contains the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock during the period from December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009 with the cumulative return during the same period for the Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S. Companies) and the Russell 2000, and assumes that the dividends, if any, were reinvested.

 

 

 

 

The selected financial data presented below is derived from our consolidated financial statements and should be read in connection with those statements.

 

 

 

The following items impact the comparability of our consolidated data:

 

 

 

Overview

 

We derive revenues from memberships to our research products and from our advisory services and events. We offer contracts for our research products that are typically renewable annually and payable in advance. Research revenues are recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the contract. Accordingly, a substantial portion of our billings are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Clients purchase advisory services independently and/or to supplement their memberships to our research. Billings attributable to advisory services are initially recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue when the services are performed. Event billings are also initially recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue upon completion of each event.

 

Our primary operating expenses consist of cost of services and fulfillment, selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses. Cost of services and fulfillment represents the costs associated with the production and delivery of our products and services, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits and stock-based compensation expense for research personnel and all associated editorial, travel, and support services. Selling and marketing expenses include salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, travel expenses, promotional costs, sales commissions, and other costs incurred in marketing and selling our products and services. General and administrative expenses include the costs of the technology, operations, finance, and strategy groups and our other administrative functions, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, and stock-based compensation expense. Overhead costs such as facilities are allocated to these categories according to the number of employees in each group.

 

Deferred revenue, agreement value, client retention, dollar retention and enrichment are metrics we believe are important to understanding our business. We believe that the amount of deferred revenue, along with the agreement value of contracts to purchase research and advisory services, provide a significant measure of our business activity. Deferred revenue reflects billings in advance of revenue recognition as of the measurement date. We calculate agreement value as the total revenues recognizable from all research and advisory service contracts in force at a given time (but not including advisory-only contracts), without regard to how much revenue has already been recognized. No single client accounted for more than 2% of agreement value at December 31, 2009. We calculate client retention as the percentage of client companies with memberships expiring during the most recent twelve-month period who renewed one or more of those memberships during that same period. We calculate dollar retention as a percentage of the dollar value of all client membership contracts renewed during the most recent twelve-month period to the total dollar value of all client membership contracts that expired during the period. We calculate enrichment as a percentage of the dollar value of client membership contracts renewed during the period to the dollar value of the corresponding expiring contracts. Client retention, dollar retention, and enrichment are not necessarily indicative of the rate of future retention of our revenue base. A summary of our key metrics is as follows:

 

 

 

The increase in deferred revenue from 2008 to 2009 is primarily due to increased demand for our products due to the improvement in the economy in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to 2008 and well as the effect of the JupiterResearch and Strategic Oxygen acquisitions completed in July 2008 and December 2009, respectively. See Note 2 — Acquisitions in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The decrease in agreement value from 2008 to 2009 is reflective of the economic downturn in the second half of 2008 through the majority of 2009 which resulted in a lower number of clients and lower enrichment rates in 2009 compared to 2008 and also is due to the exclusion in 2009 of agreement value in excess of the first year value for multiple year contracts signed in 2009. Client and dollar retention amounts were essentially flat in 2009 compared to 2008.

 

The increase in deferred revenue from 2007 to 2008 is primarily due to the acquisition of JupiterResearch. The increase in agreement value from 2007 to 2008 is primarily due to an increase in the average contract size and to the acquisition of JupiterResearch. The acquisition of JupiterResearch accounted for $13.3 million of agreement value at December 31, 2008. Client retention, dollar retention and enrichment all declined slightly year over year primarily due to the effects of a global economic downturn in the second half of 2008.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our policies and estimates, including but not limited to, those related to our revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, allowance for doubtful accounts, non-marketable investments, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes and valuation and impairment of marketable investments. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, data available at the time the estimates are made and various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We consider the following accounting policies to be those that require the most subjective judgment or that involve uncertainty that could have a material impact on our financial statements. If actual results differ significantly from management’s estimates and projections, there could be a material effect on our financial statements. This is not a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. For a discussion of our other accounting policies, see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-6.

 

 

 

The development of an expected life assumption involves projecting employee exercise behaviors (expected period between stock option vesting dates and stock option exercise dates). We are also required to estimate future forfeitures of stock-based awards for recognition of compensation expense. We will record additional expense if the actual forfeitures are lower than estimated and will record a recovery of prior recognized expense if the actual forfeitures are higher than estimated. In addition, for our performance-vested options and restricted stock units, we make estimates of the performance outcome at each period end in order to estimate the actual number of shares that will be earned and/or the vesting period of the award. The actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those awards that vest. If our actual forfeiture rate or performance outcomes are materially different from our estimate, the actual stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period.

 

 

Intangible assets with finite lives consist of acquired customer relationships, technology, research content and trademarks and are valued according to the future cash flows they are estimated to produce. These assigned values are amortized on a basis which best matches the periods in which the economic benefits are expected to be realized. Tangible assets with finite lives consist of property and equipment, which are depreciated and amortized over their estimated useful lives. We continually evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that the estimated remaining useful life of our intangible and long-lived tangible assets may warrant revision or that the carrying value of these assets may be impaired. To compute whether intangible assets have been impaired, the estimated undiscounted future cash flows for the estimated remaining useful life of the assets are compared to the carrying value. To the extent that the future cash flows are less than the carrying value, the assets are written down to their estimated fair value.

 

 

We record accruals for income taxes and associated interest that may become payable in future years as a result of audits by tax authorities. We recognize tax benefits when it is more likely than not (likelihood of greater than 50%), based on technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are measured and recorded, using a probability weighted approach, as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Whether the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met for a tax position is a matter of judgment based on the individual facts and circumstances of that position, evaluated in light of all available evidence.

 

 

We conduct periodic reviews to identify and evaluate each investment that has an unrealized loss, in accordance with the meaning of other-than-temporary impairment and its application to certain investments, as required under current accounting standards. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities that are determined to be temporary, and not related to credit loss, are recorded, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

 

For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, management performs an analysis to assess whether we intend to sell or whether we would more likely than not be required to sell the security before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. Where we intend to sell a security, or may be required to do so, the security’s decline in fair value would be deemed to be other-than-temporary and the full amount of the unrealized loss would be recorded within earnings as an impairment loss. Regardless of our intent to sell a security, we perform additional analysis on all securities with unrealized losses to evaluate losses associated with the creditworthiness of the security. Credit losses are identified where we do not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis of a security.

 

As of December 31, 2009, we held municipal bonds with a fair value of $39.5 million ($42.7 million at par value) with an auction reset feature (“auction rate securities” or “ARS”) with two investment advisors. The fair value of the ARS was determined by utilizing a discounted cash flow approach. The assumptions used in preparing the discounted cash flow model include estimates, based on data available at December 31, 2009,

of interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows, credit and liquidity premiums, and expected holding periods of the ARS. The assumptions used in valuing the ARS are volatile and subject to change as the underlying sources of these assumptions and market conditions change, which may lead us in the future to take an impairment charge for these securities.

 

In November 2008, we accepted an offer (the “Right”) from UBS AG (“UBS”), one of our investment advisors, entitling us to sell at par value auction-rate securities originally purchased from UBS (approximately $31.7 million, par value) at anytime during a two-year period from June 30, 2010 through July 2, 2012 (“UBS ARS”). Although the Company expects to sell its UBS ARS under the Right, if the Right is not exercised before July 2, 2012, it will expire and UBS will have no further rights or obligation to buy the Company’s UBS ARS. UBS’s obligations under the Right are not secured by its assets and do not require UBS to obtain any financing to support its performance obligations under the Right. If UBS has insufficient funding to buy back the UBS ARS and the auction process continues to fail, we may incur further losses on the carrying value of the UBS ARS.

 

The Right is recognized as a freestanding instrument that is accounted for at fair value separately from the underlying UBS ARS investment. We valued the Right using a discounted cash flow approach including estimates of interest rates and timing and amount of cash flow, based on data available at December 31, 2009 and adjusted for any bearer risk associated with UBS’s financial ability to repurchase the ARS beginning June 30, 2010. These assumptions are volatile and subject to change as the underlying sources of these assumptions and market conditions change and any change in these assumptions and market conditions would affect the value of this Right. The value of the Right of $2.1 million, which largely offsets the unrealized loss on the UBS ARS securities subject to the Right, is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 within marketable securities and changes in its value are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income, together with the change in the unrealized loss on the UBS ARS subject to the Right for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, as other income, net. We believe that any subsequent changes in the value of the Right will largely offset any fair value changes of the UBS ARS, subject to the continued expected performance by the financial institution of its obligations under the agreement.

 

Our remaining ARS are held by another investment advisor, who has not made an offer similar to UBS. We continue to classify the non-UBS ARS as long-term available-for-sale securities. Accordingly, any change in associated market value has been recorded in other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009. If the market conditions deteriorate further, we may be required to record unrealized losses in other comprehensive loss or impairment charges within the Consolidated Statements of Income. We may not be able to liquidate these investments unless the issuer calls the security, a successful auction occurs, a buyer is found outside of the auction process, or the security matures.

 

Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

 

The following table sets forth our Consolidated Statements of Income as a percentage of total revenues for the years noted.

 

 

2009 compared to 2008

 

Revenues

 

 

The decrease in total revenues in 2009 is primarily attributable to lower demand for our advisory and other services and the adverse effect of foreign exchange during 2009. The effects of foreign exchange resulted in an approximate 2% decrease in total revenues during 2009. The increase in revenue from research services in 2009 is due in part to our objective to drive a higher percentage of our revenue from research services, which was accomplished in part through greater alignment of our sales compensation plan with this objective, as well as the acquisition of JupiterResearch in July 2008. These increases were offset in part by a decline in the number of clients in 2009 due to the global economic slowdown. The decrease in advisory services and other revenue is reflective of the global economic slowdown in 2009 as well as our objective to drive a higher percentage of revenue from research services. No single client company accounted for more than 2% of revenues during 2008 or 2009.

Cost of Services and Fulfillment

 

 

The decrease in the dollar amount of cost of services and fulfillment in 2009 is largely due to lower salary and benefit costs resulting from a lower number of employees in 2009, a decrease in discretionary spending due to management’s focus on expense management in light of the global economic downturn, a decrease in outsourced costs and a general freeze in salary increases in 2009. We expect to reinstate salary merit increases in 2010.

 

Selling and Marketing

 

 

The decrease in the dollar amount of selling and marketing expenses in 2009 is primarily due to a decrease in compensation resulting from lower headcount and lower sales commissions due to lower sales volume in 2009, reduced discretionary spending and a general salary freeze in 2009. In 2010, we expect to increase sales headcount by 15% to 20% and resume salary merit increases.

 

General and Administrative

 

 

The decrease in the dollar amount of general and administrative expenses in 2009 is primarily due to a decrease in professional services fees as approximately $0.9 million of fees were incurred in 2008 related to our historical stock option investigation. The decrease in 2009 is also attributable to lower discretionary spending, lower hiring costs and a general salary freeze in 2009. We expect to reinstate salary merit increases in 2010.

 

Depreciation

 

 

The increase in depreciation expense in 2009 is primarily attributable to leasehold improvements completed in 2009.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

 

 

The increase in amortization expense in 2009 is primarily attributable to amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of JupiterResearch on July 31, 2008 and Strategic Oxygen on December 1, 2009, partially offset by a decrease in amortization from an acquisition in 2003 that became fully amortized in 2008.

 

Reorganization Costs

 

 

Reorganization costs in 2009 consist of $3.1 million incurred in the first quarter of 2009 primarily for severance and related benefit costs in connection with the termination of approximately 50 positions and approximately $2.3 million incurred in the fourth quarter of 2009 for costs related to facility consolidations primarily in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

 

Other Income, Net

 

 

Other income, net, which consists primarily of interest income and foreign exchange gains and losses, declined in 2009 primarily due to a decline interest income resulting from a significant decrease in the rates of return on our investments.

 

Gains (Losses) on Investments

 

 

In 2008 we sold the remainder of our investment in comScore, Inc. and received proceeds of approximately $2.3 million resulting in a gain of approximately $2.0 million. In 2008 and 2009, we recognized net losses from our non-marketable investments of approximately $0.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

The increase in our effective tax rate in 2009 is primarily due to an increase in state taxes, an increase in non-deductible expenses including stock-based compensation and a non-cash foreign exchange loss on the

remeasurement of a euro-denominated deferred tax liability. In addition, the 2008 effective tax rate was reduced by a reduction in a valuation allowance on foreign deferred tax assets that did not recur in 2009.

 

2008 compared to 2007

 

Revenues

 

 

The increase in total revenues, research services revenues and international revenues in 2008 is primarily due to an increase in the number of clients, which resulted primarily from an increase in sales personnel, the acquisition of JupiterResearch, favorable exchange rates, reduced discounting and increased prices. Of the 14% increase in revenues, the acquisition of JupiterResearch accounted for 3% and the impact of exchange rates accounted for 1%. The increase in advisory services and other revenues is primarily attributable to an increased demand for these services and an increase in research personnel available to deliver such services. No single client company accounted for more than 2% of revenues during 2007 or 2008.

 

The decrease in international revenues as a percentage of total revenues is primarily attributable to demand for our products and services growing at a faster rate domestically than internationally.

 

Research services revenues as a percentage of total revenues increased from 62% in 2007 to 64% in 2008 as a result of our objective to drive a higher percentage of our total revenue from research services. In 2008 we modified our sales compensation plan for greater alignment with this objective.

 

Cost of Services and Fulfillment

 

 

The increase in cost of services and fulfillment in dollars is primarily attributable to increased compensation and benefits costs resulting from an increase in the number of research and fulfillment employees, both as a result of the acquisition of JupiterResearch and organically, partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation. The acquisition of JupiterResearch resulted in additional cost of services and fulfillment expense of $3.3 million. The decrease in cost of services and fulfillment as a percentage of total revenues is primarily attributable to an increased revenue base and the focus on expense management in the second half of 2008 in light of the global economic downturn.

Selling and Marketing

 

 

The increase in selling and marketing expenses in dollars is primarily attributable to increased compensation and benefits costs resulting from an increase in the number of selling and marketing employees, including as a result of the acquisition of JupiterResearch. The acquisition of JupiterResearch resulted in additional selling and marketing expense of $1.4 million. The decrease in selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues is primarily attributable to an increased revenue base and the focus on expense management in the second half of 2008 in light of the global economic downturn.

 

General and Administrative

 

 

The decrease in general and administrative expenses in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues is primarily attributable to decreased professional services costs associated with the historical stock option investigation offset by increased compensation and benefits costs resulting from an increase in the number of general and administrative employees, including those added as a result of the acquisition of JupiterResearch. The acquisition of JupiterResearch resulted in additional general and administrative expense of $0.4 million.

 

Depreciation

 

Depreciation expense remained consistent at $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Amortization of Intangible Assets

 

 

The increase in amortization expense is primarily attributable to amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of JupiterResearch on July 31, 2008, offset by a decrease in the amortization of the intangible assets from an acquisition in 2003 that became fully amortized in 2008.

 

Other Income, Net

 

Other income, net decreased 36% to $5.4 million in 2008 from $8.4 million in 2007. The decrease is primarily due to a net foreign exchange loss of $1.6 million resulting primarily from the remeasurement of certain intercompany payables and receivables. Of the loss recognized, $1.9 million related to periods prior to 2008. Also contributing to the decrease in other income was lower interest income primarily attributable to lower returns on invested capital.

Gains (Losses) on Investments

 

In 2007, we sold approximately 20,000 shares of comScore, Inc., receiving proceeds of approximately $0.7 million and recognizing a gain of approximately $0.6 million related to the sale. In 2008, we sold the remaining 106,000 shares of comScore, receiving proceeds of approximately $2.3 million and recording a gain of approximately $2.0 million related to the sale. In 2007 and 2008, we recognized net losses from our non-marketable investments of approximately $1.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

During 2008, our effective tax rate was 35% compared to 37% in 2007. The decrease in our effective tax rate for 2008 resulted primarily from a decrease in a valuation allowance against foreign deferred tax assets and a decrease in nondeductible expenses including nondeductible stock compensation, partially offset by a decrease in tax exempt investment income.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We have financed our operations primarily through funds generated from operations. Memberships for research services, which constituted approximately 68% of our revenues during 2009, are annually renewable and are generally payable in advance. We generated cash from operating activities of $43.1 million during 2009 and $43.7 million during 2008. The slight decrease in cash provided from operations is primarily attributable to a $10.3 million decrease in net income in 2009 that was almost completely offset by changes in working capital and an increase in non-cash depreciation and amortization charges in 2009.

 

During 2009, we used $59.5 million of cash in investing activities, consisting primarily of $33.5 million used for net purchases of marketable investments and a $16.8 million increase in restricted cash. The restricted cash was comprised of $14.8 million placed in escrow under a lease signed in 2009 for leasehold improvements for our new headquarters to be constructed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as $2.0 million of the purchase price placed in escrow in connection our acquisition of Strategic Oxygen in December 2009. Investing activities in 2009 also included $5.6 million for acquisitions of businesses and $4.3 million for purchases of property and equipment. During 2008, we generated $38.6 million of cash from investing activities, consisting primarily of $63.7 million generated from net sales of marketable investments, partially offset by $22.4 million for the acquisition of JupiterResearch and $3.7 million for the purchase of property and equipment. We regularly invest excess funds in short and intermediate-term interest-bearing obligations of investment grade.

 

Our financing activities principally consist of repurchases of our common stock and the issuance of stock under our equity incentive and employee stock purchase plans. During 2009, we used $20.4 million to repurchase stock and received approximately $4.3 million of proceeds from exercises of stock options and our employee stock purchase plan. During 2008, we used $30.4 million to repurchase stock and received approximately $27.1 million of proceeds from exercises of stock options and our employee stock purchase plan. Our Board of Directors has authorized an aggregate $200.0 million to purchase our common stock under a stock repurchase program. As of December 31, 2009, we had cumulatively repurchased approximately 7.0 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $141.3 million. We plan to continue to repurchase our common stock during 2010.

 

As of December 31, 2009, we held approximately $39.5 million ($42.7 million at par value) of state and municipal bonds with an auction reset feature (auction rate securities or “ARS”) whose underlying assets are generally student loans which are substantially backed by the federal government or municipalities. In February 2008, auctions began to fail for these securities. Throughout 2009 auction failures continued and, as a result, our ability to liquidate our investment and fully recover the carrying value of our investment in the near term may be limited or not exist. In November 2008, we accepted an offer (the “Right”) from UBS AG (“UBS”), one of our investment advisors, entitling us to sell at par ARS originally purchased from UBS (approximately $31.7 million, par value) at anytime during a two-year period from June 30, 2010 — July 2, 2012 (“UBS ARS”). We currently

intend to sell our UBS ARS, valued at $29.6 million at December 31, 2009, to UBS under the Right during the second half of 2010. Based on our expected operating cash flows and our cash resources, we do not anticipate the current lack of liquidity on our ARS investments will affect our ability to execute our current business plan.

 

As of December 31, 2009, we had cash and cash equivalents of $97.8 million and marketable investments of $162.0 million. We do not have a line of credit and do not presently anticipate the need to access a line of credit in the foreseeable future. We plan to continue to introduce new products and services and expect to make the requisite investments in our infrastructure during the next 12 months. We believe that our current cash balance, marketable investments, and cash flows from operations will satisfy working capital, financing activities, and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next two years.

 

As of December 31, 2009, we had future contractual obligations as follows:

 

 

Under a build-to-suit lease entered into on September 29, 2009, whereby the landlord will build a new corporate headquarters for us in Cambridge, Massachusetts, we have committed to construct approximately $14.8 million of leasehold improvements in the building under the terms of the lease. Due to the uncertainty regarding the timing and final amount of the payments, the above table does not include the $14.8 million of future leaseholds. We expect to incur the majority of these costs in 2011. The funding for the leasehold improvements has been placed in an escrow account and is included in restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009. The $14.8 million in escrow will be increased or decreased based upon the final estimate of construction costs and will be released from escrow as the leasehold improvements are constructed.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not maintain any off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements including the respective expected dates of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

The following discussion about our market risk disclosures involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments.

 

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, we maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and marketable investments in a variety of securities, including U.S. government agencies, municipal notes which may have an auction reset feature (“auction rate securities” or “ARS”), corporate notes and bonds, commercial paper, and money market funds. The securities, other than money market funds, and the ARS for which we have accepted the Right from UBS, are classified as available-for-sale and consequently are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If interest rates rise, the market value of our investments may decline, which could result in a realized loss if we are forced to sell an investment before its scheduled maturity. We have the ability to hold our fixed income investments until maturity (without giving effect to any future acquisitions or mergers). Therefore, we would not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to any significant degree by a sudden change in market interest rates on our securities portfolio.

At December 31, 2009, we held approximately $39.5 million ($42.7 million at par value) of ARS. In February 2008, auctions for these securities began to fail and continued to fail throughout 2009. The Right from UBS, one of our investment advisors, entitles us to sell at par value auction-rate securities originally purchased from UBS at anytime during a two-year period from June 30, 2010 through July 2, 2012 (“UBS ARS”). At December 31, 2009, ARS subject to the Right had a fair value and par value of $29.6 million and $31.7 million, respectively. In accepting the Right, we granted UBS the authority to sell or auction the UBS ARS at par at any time up until the expiration date of the offer and released UBS from any claims relating to the marketing and sale of the UBS ARS. Although we expect to sell our UBS ARS under the Right, if the Right is not exercised before July 2, 2012 it will expire and UBS will have no further rights or obligation to buy our ARS. In lieu of our acceptance of the Right, the UBS ARS will continue to accrue and pay interest as determined by the auction process or the terms specified in the prospectus of the UBS ARS if the auction process fails. The value of the Right may largely offset the decline in fair value of the UBS ARS. We valued the Right as a put option asset using a discounted cash flow approach including estimates of interest rates, timing and amount of cash flow, adjusted for any bearer risk associated with UBS’s financial ability to repurchase the UBS ARS beginning June 30, 2010. The combined fair value of the right and the UBS ARS is equal to the par value of the UBS ARS. The assumptions used in valuing both the UBS ARS and the put option are volatile and subject to change as the underlying sources of these assumptions and market conditions change, which could result in significant changes to their fair value. The remaining $9.9 million ($11.0 at par value) of ARS may not be accessible for in excess of twelve months because of continued failed auctions and have been classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as long-term marketable investments as of December 31, 2009. Based on current market conditions, it is likely that auction failures will continue and as a result, our ability to liquidate our investment and fully recover the carrying value of our investment in the near term may be limited or not exist. If the issuers are unable to successfully close future auctions and their credit ratings deteriorate, we may in the future be required to record an impairment charge on these investments. We valued the ARS using a discounted cash flow model. The assumptions used in preparing the discounted cash flow model include estimates of interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows, credit and liquidity premiums, and expected holding periods of the ARS, based on data available at December 31, 2009. The assumptions used in valuing these ARS are volatile and subject to change as the underlying sources of these assumptions and market conditions change, which could result in significant changes to the fair value of these ARS

 

The following table provides information about our investment portfolio (excluding the value of the Right of $2.1 million). For investment securities, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates.

 

Principal amounts by expected maturity or auction reset dates in U.S. dollars (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Foreign Currency Exchange.  On a global level, we face exposure to movements in foreign currency exchange rates. This exposure may change over time as business practices evolve and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. To date, the effect of changes in currency exchange rates has not had a significant impact on our financial position or our results of operations. Accordingly, we have not entered into any hedging agreements. However, we may enter into hedging agreements in the future to attempt to mitigate the financial effect of future fluctuations in the euro or other foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2009, the total assets, excluding goodwill and intangible assets, related to non-U.S. dollar denominated currencies were approximately $66.2 million.

 

The financial statements listed in the following Index to Financial Statements are filed as a part of this 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Forrester Research, Inc.

Cambridge, MA

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Forrester Research, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Forrester Research, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

As described in Note 6 of the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2007, the company adopted accounting standards related to uncertainty in income taxes.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 12, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

Boston, Massachusetts

March 12, 2010

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

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

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

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

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME