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Cover and table of contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)

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

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

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 1-14037

MOODY’S CORPORATION

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

Delaware13-3998945
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)(I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)

7 World Trade Center at 250 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10007

(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

(ZIP CODE)

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 553-0300.

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

TITLE OF EACH CLASSTRADING SYMBOL(S)NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareMCONew York Stock Exchange
1.75% Senior Notes Due 2027MCO 27New York Stock Exchange
0.950% Senior Notes Due 2030MCO 30New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES 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 ☑ No ☐

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 ☐ No ☑

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

Large Accelerated Filer☑Accelerated Filer ☐Non-accelerated Filer ☐Smaller reporting company☐Emerging growth company☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

The aggregate market value of Moody’s Corporation Common Stock held by nonaffiliates* on June 30, 2019 (based upon its closing transaction price on the New York Stock Exchange on such date) was approximately $37.0 billion.

As of January 31, 2020, 187.4 million shares of Common Stock of Moody’s Corporation were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for use in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on April 21, 2020, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

The Index to Exhibits is included as Part IV, Item 15(3) of this Form 10-K.

*Calculated by excluding all shares held by executive officers and directors of the Registrant without conceding that all such persons are “affiliates” of the Registrant for purposes of federal securities laws.

MOODY'S 2019 10-K

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MOODY’S CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-K

Page(s)
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations4-9
PART I.
Item 1.BUSINESS10
Background10
The Company10-11
Prospects for Growth11-12
Competition12
Moody’s Strategy12-13
Regulation13-14
Intellectual Property14-15
Employees15
Available Information15
Executive Officers of the Registrant15-16
Item 1A.RISK FACTORS17-25
Item 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS26
Item 2.PROPERTIES26
Item 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS26
Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES26
PART II.
Item 5.MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES27
Moody’s Purchases of Equity Securities27
Common Stock Information27
Equity Compensation Plan Information27
Performance Graph28
Item 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA29-30
Item 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS31
The Company31
Critical Accounting Estimates31-37
Reportable Segments37
Results of Operations38-51
Market Risk51-52
Liquidity and Capital Resources53-58
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements58
Contingencies59
Forward-Looking Statements59
Item 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK59
Item 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS60-117
Item 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE118
Item 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES118
Item 9B.OTHER INFORMATION118

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Page(s)
PART III.
Item 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATION GOVERNANCE119
Item 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION119
Item 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS119
Item 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE119
Item 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES119
PART IV.
Item 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES120
INDEX TO EXHIBITS120-124
Item 16.FORM 10-K SUMMARY124
SIGNATURES125
Exhibits filed Herewith
4.1Description of the Registrant’s securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
10.3.1.3Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated 2001 Moody’s Corporation Key Employees’ Stock Incentive Plan (as amended, December 18, 2017)
10.3.3.2Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement (for awards granted in 2020 or later) for the Amended and Restated 2001 Moody’s Corporation Key Employees’ Stock Incentive Plan
10.3.4.3Form of Performance Share Award Letter (for awards granted in 2020 or later) for the Amended and Restated 2001 Moody’s Corporation Key Employees’ Stock Incentive Plan
10.3.5.2Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement (for awards granted in 2020 or later) for the Amended and Restated 2001 Moody’s Corporation Key Employees’ Stock Incentive Plan
10.10Moody’s Corporation Retirement Account, amended and restated as of January 1, 2018
21SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
23.1CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
31.1Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INSInline 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.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101. CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFInline XBRL Definitions Linkbase Document
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The following terms, abbreviations and acronyms are used to identify frequently used terms in this report:

TERMDEFINITION
ABS SuiteBusiness acquired by the Company in October 2019 which includes a software platform used by issuers and trustees for administration of asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities programs
Acquisition-Related AmortizationAmortization of definite-lived intangible assets acquired by the Company from all business combination transactions
Acquisition-Related ExpensesConsists of expenses incurred to complete and integrate the acquisition of Bureau van Dijk for which the integration will be a multi-year effort
Adjusted Diluted EPSDiluted EPS excluding the impact of certain items as detailed in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”
Adjusted Net IncomeNet Income excluding the impact of certain items as detailed in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”
Adjusted Operating IncomeOperating income excluding the impact of certain items as detailed in the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures"
Adjusted Operating MarginAdjusted Operating Income divided by revenue
AmericasRepresents countries within North and South America, excluding the U.S.
AOCIAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss); a separate component of shareholders’ equity (deficit)
ASCThe FASB Accounting Standards Codification; the sole source of authoritative GAAP as of July 1, 2009 except for rules and interpretive releases of the SEC, which are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants
Asia-PacificRepresents Australia and countries in Asia including but not limited to: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand
ASRAccelerated Share Repurchase
ASUThe FASB Accounting Standards Update to the ASC. It also provides background information for accounting guidance and the bases for conclusions on the changes in the ASC. ASUs are not considered authoritative until codified into the ASC
BoardThe board of directors of the Company
BPSBasis points
BrexitThe withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, effective January 31, 2020
Bureau van DijkBureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing, B.V.; a global provider of business intelligence and company information; acquired by the Company on August 10, 2017 via the acquisition of Yellow Maple I B.V., an indirect parent of Bureau van Dijk; part of the RD&A LOB and a reporting unit within the MA reportable segment
CCARComprehensive Capital Analysis and Review; annual review by the Federal Reserve in the U.S. to ensure that financial institutions have sufficient capital in times of economic and financial stress and that they have robust, forward-looking capital-planning processes that account for their unique risks.
CCXIChina Cheng Xin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd.; China’s first and largest domestic credit rating agency approved by the People’s Bank of China; the Company acquired a 49% interest in 2006; currently Moody’s owns 30% of CCXI.
CCXI GainIn the first quarter of 2017, as part of a strategic business realignment, CCXI issued additional capital to its majority shareholder in exchange for a ratings business wholly-owned by the majority shareholder and which has the right to rate a different class of debt instrument in the Chinese market. The capital issuance by CCXI in exchange for this ratings business diluted Moody’s ownership interest in CCXI to 30% of a larger business and resulted in a $60 million non-cash, non-taxable gain.
CECLCurrent expected credit losses

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TERMDEFINITION
CFGCorporate finance group; an LOB of MIS
CLOCollateralized loan obligation
CMBSCommercial mortgage-backed securities; an asset class within SFG
CommissionEuropean Commission
Common StockThe Company’s common stock
CompanyMoody’s Corporation and its subsidiaries; MCO; Moody’s
ContentA reporting unit within the MA segment that offers subscription based research, data and analytical products, including credit ratings produced by MIS, credit research, quantitative credit scores and other analytical tools, economic research and forecasts
CPCommercial Paper
CP NotesUnsecured commercial paper issued under the CP Program
CP ProgramA program entered into on August 3, 2016 allowing the Company to privately place CP up to a maximum of $1 billion for which the maturity may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue and which is backstopped by the 2018 Facility.
CRAsCredit rating agencies
D&BDun & Bradstreet
DBPPsDefined benefit pension plans
Dodd-Frank ActDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
EBITDAEarnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
EMEARepresents countries within Europe, the Middle East and Africa
EPSEarnings per share
ERSEnterprise Risk Solutions; an LOB within MA, which offers risk management software solutions as well as related risk management advisory engagements services
ESAEconomics and Structured Analytics; part of the RD&A line of business within MA
ESGEnvironmental, Social and Governance
ESMAEuropean Securities and Markets Authority
ETREffective tax rate
EUEuropean Union
EUREuros
EURIBORThe Euro Interbank Offered Rate
EurozoneMonetary union of the EU member states which have adopted the euro as their common currency
Excess Tax BenefitsThe difference between the tax benefit realized at exercise of an option or delivery of a restricted share and the tax benefit recorded at the time the option or restricted share is expensed under GAAP
Exchange ActThe Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
External RevenueRevenue excluding any intersegment amounts
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
FIGFinancial institutions group; an LOB of MIS
Financial Reform ActDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
Four Twenty SevenA provider of data, intelligence, and analysis related to physical climate risks; acquired by the Company in July 2019

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TERMDEFINITION
Free Cash FlowNet cash provided by operating activities less cash paid for capital additions
FTSEFinancial Times Stock Exchange
FXForeign exchange
GAAPU.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GBPBritish pounds
ICRAICRA Limited; a provider of credit ratings and research in India.
IASBInternational Accounting Standards Board
IFRSInternational Financial Reporting Standards
INRIndian Rupee
IRSInternal Revenue Service
ITInformation technology
KISKorea Investors Service, Inc.; a Korean rating agency and consolidated subsidiary of the Company
KIS PricingKorea Investors Service Pricing, Inc.; a Korean provider of fixed income securities pricing and consolidated subsidiary of the Company
KIS ResearchKorea Investors Service Research; a Korean provider of financial research and consolidated subsidiary of the Company
KoreaRepublic of South Korea
Legacy Tax MattersExposures to certain potential tax liabilities assumed in connection with the Company’s spin-off from Dun & Bradstreet in 2000
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
LOBLine of business
MAMoody’s Analytics—a reportable segment of MCO; provides a wide range of products and services that support financial analysis and risk management activities of institutional participants in global financial markets; consists of three LOBs—RD&A, ERS and PS
Make Whole AmountThe prepayment penalty amount relating to certain Senior Notes, which is a premium based on the excess, if any, of the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments over the prepaid principal
MAKSMoody’s Analytics Knowledge Services; formerly known as Copal Amba; provides offshore research and analytic services to the global financial and corporate sectors; part of the PS LOB and a reporting unit within the MA reportable segment; this business was divested in November 2019
MALSMoody’s Analytics Learning Solutions; a reporting unit within the MA segment that includes on-line and classroom-based training services as well as credentialing and certification services
MCOMoody’s; Moody’s Corporation and its subsidiaries; the Company
MD&AManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MISMoody’s Investors Service—a reportable segment of MCO; consists of five LOBs—SFG, CFG, FIG, PPIF and MIS Other
MIS OtherConsists of non-ratings revenue from ICRA, KIS Pricing and KIS Research. These businesses are components of MIS; MIS Other is an LOB of MIS
Moody’sMoody’s Corporation and its subsidiaries; MCO; the Company
NAVNet asset value

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TERMDEFINITION
Net IncomeNet income attributable to Moody’s Corporation, which excludes net income from consolidated noncontrolling interests belonging to the minority interest holder
New Lease Accounting StandardUpdates to the ASC pursuant to ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (ASC Topic 842)”. This new accounting guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows depend on classification as either a finance or operating lease
New D&BThe New D&B Corporation—comprises the D&B business after September 30, 2000
New Revenue Accounting StandardUpdates to the ASC pursuant to ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606)”. This new accounting guidance significantly changes the accounting framework under U.S. GAAP relating to revenue recognition and to the accounting for the deferral of incremental costs of obtaining or fulfilling a contract with a customer
N/ANot applicable
NMPercentage change is not meaningful
Non-GAAPA financial measure not in accordance with GAAP; these measures, when read in conjunction with the Company’s reported results, can provide useful supplemental information for investors analyzing period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s performance, facilitate comparisons to competitors’ operating results and to provide greater transparency to investors of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making
NRSRONationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization, which is a credit rating agency registered with the SEC.
OCIOther comprehensive income (loss); includes gains and losses on cash flow and net investment hedges, unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities (in periods prior to January 1, 2018), certain gains and losses relating to pension and other retirement benefit obligations and foreign currency translation adjustments
Omega PerformanceA provider of online credit training; acquired by the Company in August 2018
Operating segmentTerm defined in the ASC relating to segment reporting; the ASC defines an operating segment as a component of a business entity that has each of the three following characteristics: i) the component engages in business activities from which it may recognize revenue and incur expenses; ii) the operating results of the component are regularly reviewed by the entity’s chief operating decision maker; and iii) discrete financial information about the component is available.
Other Retirement PlansThe U.S. retirement healthcare and U.S. retirement life insurance plans
PCSPost-Contract Customer Support
PPIFPublic, project and infrastructure finance; an LOB of MIS
Pri-2012Private Retirement Plans Mortality Table published by the Society of Actuaries
Profit Participation PlanDefined contribution profit participation plan that covers substantially all U.S. employees of the Company
PSProfessional Services, an LOB within MA consisting of MAKS and MALS that provides offshore analytical and research services as well as learning solutions and certification programs
Purchase Price HedgeForeign currency collars and forward contracts entered into by the Company to economically hedge the Bureau van Dijk euro denominated purchase price
Purchase Price Hedge GainGain on foreign currency collars and forward contracts to economically hedge the Bureau van Dijk euro denominated purchase price
RD&AResearch, Data and Analytics; an LOB within MA that offers subscription based research, data and analytical products, including credit ratings produced by MIS, credit research, quantitative credit scores and other analytical tools, economic research and forecasts, business intelligence and company information products, and commercial real estate data and analytical tools
Redeemable Non-controlling InterestRepresents minority shareholders' interest in entities which are controlled but not wholly-owned by Moody's and for which Moody's obligation to redeem the minority shareholders' interest is represented by a put/call relationship

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TERMDEFINITION
Reform ActCredit Rating Agency Reform Act of 2006
Regulatory Data Corporation (RDC)A global leader in risk and compliance intelligence; the Company acquired RDC in February 2020
REITReal Estate Investment Trust
Reis, Inc. (Reis)A provider of U.S. commercial real estate (CRE) data; acquired by the Company in October 2018; part of the RD&A LOB and a reporting unit within the MA reportable segment.
Relationship RevenueFor MIS, represents recurring monitoring fees of a rated debt obligation and/or entities that issue such obligations, as well as revenue from programs such as commercial paper, medium-term notes and shelf registrations. For MIS Other represents subscription-based revenue. For MA, represents subscription-based revenue and software maintenance revenue
Reporting unitThe level at which Moody’s evaluates its goodwill for impairment under U.S. GAAP; defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment
Retirement PlansMoody’s funded and unfunded pension plans, the healthcare plans and life insurance plans
RiskFirstA company providing risk analytic solutions for the asset management and pension fund communities; acquired by the Company in July 2019
RMBSResidential mortgage-backed securities; an asset class within SFG
ROU AssetAssets recorded pursuant to the New Lease Accounting Standard which represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the term of a lease
SaaSSoftware-as-a-Service
SCDMSCDM Financial, a leading provider of analytical tools for participants in securitization markets. Moody’s acquired SCDM’s structured finance data and analytics business in February 2017
SECU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities ActSecurities Act of 1933, as amended
Settlement ChargeCharge of $864 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 related to an agreement entered into on January 13, 2017 with the U.S. Department of Justice and the attorneys general of 21 U.S. states and the District of Columbia to resolve pending and potential civil claims related to credit ratings that MIS assigned to certain structured finance instruments in the financial crisis era
SFGStructured finance group; an LOB of MIS
SG&ASelling, general and administrative expenses
SynTao Green Finance (STGF)A provider of environmental, social and governance data and analytics based in and serving China; a minority stake was acquired by the Company in October 2019
SSPStandalone selling price
T&MTime-and-Material
Tax ActThe “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” enacted into U.S. law on December 22, 2017, which significantly amends the tax code in the U.S.
Total DebtAll indebtedness of the Company as reflected on the consolidated balance sheets
Transaction RevenueFor MIS, represents the initial rating of a new debt issuance as well as other one-time fees. For MIS Other, represents revenue from professional services as well as data services, research and analytical engagements. For MA, represents perpetual software license fees and revenue from software implementation services, risk management advisory projects, training and certification services, and research and analytical engagements
U.K.United Kingdom
U.S.United States
USDU.S. dollar

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TERMDEFINITION
UTPsUncertain tax positions
WACCWeighted Average Cost of Capital
2010 Senior NotesPrincipal amount of $500 million, 5.50% senior unsecured notes, repaid in 2019
2012 Senior NotesPrincipal amount of $500 million, 4.50% senior unsecured notes due in September 2022
2013 Senior NotesPrincipal amount of the $500 million, 4.875% senior unsecured notes due in February 2024
2014 Senior Notes (5-Year)Principal amount of $450 million, 2.75% senior unsecured notes, repaid in 2019
2014 Senior Notes (30-Year)Principal amount of $600 million, 5.25% senior unsecured notes due in July 2044
2015 Senior NotesPrincipal amount of €500 million, 1.75% senior unsecured notes due in March 2027
2017 Senior Notes Due 2023Principal amount of $500 million, 2.625% senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2023
2017 Senior Notes Due 2028Principal amount of $500 million, 3.25% senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2028
2017 Senior Notes Due 2021Principal amount of $500 million, 2.75% senior unsecured notes due in December 2021
2018 FacilityFive-year unsecured revolving credit facility, with capacity to borrow up to $1 billion; backstops CP issued under the CP Program
2018 Senior NotesPrincipal amount of $300 million, 3.25% senior unsecured notes due June 7, 2021
2018 Senior Notes (10-year)Principal amount of $400 million, 4.25% senior unsecured notes due February 1, 2029
2018 Senior Notes (30-year)Principal amount of $400 million, 4.875% senior unsecured notes due December 17, 2048
2019 Senior NotesPrincipal amount of €750 million, 0.950% senior unsecured notes due in February 25, 2030
7WTCThe Company’s corporate headquarters located at 7 World Trade Center in New York, NY

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PART I

Next: Item 1. BUSINESS