Cover and table of contents

46K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown

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, 2021

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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C.7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑

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, 2021 (based upon its closing transaction price on the New York Stock Exchange on such date) was approximately $68 billion.

As of January 31, 2022, 185.2 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 26, 2022, 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.

Auditor Name:KPMG LLPAuditor Location:New York, NYAuditor Firm ID:185

MOODY'S 2021 10-K 1

Table of Contents

MOODY’S CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-K

Page(s)
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations4-10
PART I.
Item 1.BUSINESS11
Background11
The Company11-14
Human Capital14-18
Climate18
Moody’s Strategy19-20
Prospects for Growth21-23
Competition23
Regulation23-24
Intellectual Property24-25
Available Information25
Executive Officers of the Registrant25-26
Item 1A.RISK FACTORS27-37
Item 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS38
Item 2.PROPERTIES38
Item 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS38
Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES38
PART II.
Item 5.MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES39
Moody’s Purchases of Equity Securities39
Common Stock Information39
Equity Compensation Plan Information39
Performance Graph40
Item 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS41
The Company41
Critical Accounting Estimates41-46
Reportable Segments46
Results of Operations46-59
Market Risk60-61
Liquidity and Capital Resources61-66
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements66
Contingencies66
Forward-Looking Statements66-67
Item 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK67
Item 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS68-129
Item 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE130

2 MOODY'S 2021 10-K

Table of Contents

Page(s)
Item 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES130
Item 9B.OTHER INFORMATION130
Item 9C.DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS130
PART III.
Item 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE131
Item 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION131
Item 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS131
Item 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE131
Item 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES131
PART IV.
Item 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES132
INDEX TO EXHIBITS132-135
Item 16.FORM 10-K SUMMARY135
SIGNATURES136

MOODY'S 2021 10-K 3

Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

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

TERMDEFINITION
Acquire Media (AM)An aggregator and distributor of curated real-time news, multimedia, data, and alerts; acquired by the Company on October 21, 2020
Acquisition-Related AmortizationAmortization of definite-lived intangible assets acquired by the Company from all business combination transactions
Acquisition-Related ExpensesConsists of expenses incurred over a multi-year period to complete and integrate the acquisition of Bureau van Dijk
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.
AMLAnti-money laundering
AOCI(L)Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss); a separate component of shareholders’ equity
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
B&HBarrie & Hibbert Limited, an acquisition completed in December 2011; part of the MA segment, a leading provider of risk management modeling tools for insurance companies worldwide
BoardThe board of directors of the Company
BPSBasis points
BrexitThe withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union
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
BitSightA provider of cybersecurity ratings, analytics, and performance management tools; Moody's acquired a minority investment in BitSight in 2021
CatylistA provider of commercial real estate (CRE) solutions for brokers; acquired by the Company on December 30, 2020
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
CDPA not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts

4 MOODY'S 2021 10-K

Table of Contents

TERMDEFINITION
CFGCorporate finance group; an LOB of MIS
CLOCollateralized loan obligation
CMBSCommercial mortgage-backed securities; an asset class within SFG
COLICorporate-Owned Life Insurance
CommissionEuropean Commission
Common StockThe Company’s common stock
CompanyMoody’s Corporation and its subsidiaries; MCO; Moody’s
ContentPrior to the second quarter of 2021, was a reporting unit within the MA segment that offered 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
CorteraA provider of North American credit data and workflow solutions; acquired by the Company in March 2021
COVID-19An outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus resulting in an international public health crisis and a global pandemic
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 2021 Facility.
CRAsCredit rating agencies
CRECommercial Real Estate
DBPPsDefined benefit pension plans
Dodd-Frank ActDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
EBITDAEarnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
EEO-1Data filing required by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that requires all private sector employers with 100 or more employees, and federal contractors with 50 or more employees meeting certain criteria, to submit demographic workforce data, including data by race/ethnicity, sex and job categories
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
ESPPEmployee stock purchase plan
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

MOODY'S 2021 10-K 5

Table of Contents

TERMDEFINITION
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
FermatFermat International; an acquisition completed in October 2008; part of the MA segment; a provider of risk and performance management software to the global banking industry
FIGFinancial institutions group; an LOB of MIS
Four Twenty SevenA provider of data, intelligence, and analysis related to physical climate risks; acquired by the Company in July 2019
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
GDPGross domestic product
GDPREuropean Union’s General Data Protection Regulation
ICRAICRA Limited; a provider of credit ratings and research in India.
INRIndian National Rupee
IRSInternal Revenue Service
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
KYCKnow-your-customer
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
LOBLine of business
MAMoody’s Analytics—a reportable segment of MCO; a global provider of: i) data and information; ii) research and insights; and iii) decision solutions, which help companies make better and faster decisions; consists of two LOBs—RD&A and ERS
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; provided offshore research and analytic services to the global financial and corporate sectors; business was divested in the fourth quarter of 2019 and was formerly part of the PS LOB and a reporting unit within the MA reportable segment.
MALSMoody’s Analytics Learning Solutions; prior to the second quarter of 2021, was a reporting unit within the MA segment that offered on-line and classroom-based training services as well as credentialing and certification services
MCOMoody’s; Moody’s Corporation and its subsidiaries; the Company

6 MOODY'S 2021 10-K

Table of Contents

TERMDEFINITION
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 revenue as well as revenue from providing ESG research, data and assessments. These businesses are components of MIS; MIS Other is an LOB of MIS
Moody’sMoody’s Corporation and its subsidiaries; MCO; the Company
Moody's LocalA ratings platform focused on providing credit rating services in local capital markets
MSSMoody's Shared Services; primarily consists of information technology and support staff such as finance, human resources and legal that support both MIS and MA.
NAVNet asset value
Net IncomeNet income attributable to Moody’s Corporation, which excludes net income from consolidated noncontrolling interests belonging to the minority interest holder
New Credit Losses Accounting StandardUpdates to the ASC pursuant to ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. This new accounting guidance requires the use of an “expected credit loss” impairment model for most financial assets reported at amortized cost, which requires entities to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of the instrument.
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
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, certain gains and losses relating to pension and other retirement benefit obligations and foreign currency translation adjustments
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
PassFortA U.K. SaaS-based workflow platform for identity verification, customer onboarding, and risk analysis; acquired by the Company on November 30, 2021.
PCSPost-Contract Customer Support
PPIFPublic, project and infrastructure finance; an LOB of MIS
Profit Participation PlanDefined contribution profit participation plan that covers substantially all U.S. employees of the Company

MOODY'S 2021 10-K 7

Table of Contents

TERMDEFINITION
PSProfessional Services, a former LOB within MA which consisted of MAKS and MALS that provided offshore analytical and research services as well as learning solutions and certification programs. Subsequent to the divestiture of MAKS in 2019, revenue from the MALS reporting unit, which previous to 2020 was reported in the PS LOB, is now reported as part of the RD&A LOB. Prior periods have not been reclassified as the amounts were not material.
RealXDataA provider of CRE lease-level portfolio management with benchmarking and rent forecasting capabilities; acquired by the Company in September 2021
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; commercial real estate data and analytical tools; and on-line and classroom-based training services as well as credentialing and certification services
Recurring 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
Reform ActCredit Rating Agency Reform Act of 2006
Regulatory Data Corporation (RDC)A provider of anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) data and due diligence services; 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 prior to the second quarter of 2021 a reporting unit within the MA reportable segment.
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
Revenue Accounting StandardUpdates to the ASC pursuant to ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606)”. This accounting guidance significantly changed 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
RMBSResidential mortgage-backed securities; an asset class within SFG
RMSA global provider of climate and natural disaster risk modeling and analytics; acquired by the Company in September 2021
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
SECU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities ActSecurities Act of 1933, as amended
SFGStructured finance group; an LOB of MIS
SG&ASelling, general and administrative expenses
SOFRSecured Overnight Financing Rate
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.
TCFDTask Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures

8 MOODY'S 2021 10-K

Table of Contents

TERMDEFINITION
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
UTPsUncertain tax positions
Vigeo Eiris (VE)A provider of ESG research, data and assessments; acquired by the Company in April 2019
VisibleRiskA cyber risk ratings joint venture created by Moody’s and Team8, a global venture group
WACCWeighted Average Cost of Capital
ZM Financial Systems (ZMFS)A provider of risk and financial management software for the U.S. banking sector; acquired by the Company in December 2020
2018 Restructuring ProgramRestructuring program approved by the chief executive officer of Moody’s on October 26, 2018. This program included relocation of certain functions from high-cost to lower-cost jurisdictions, a reduction of staff, including from acquisitions and pursuant to a review of the business criticality of certain positions, and the rationalization and exit of certain real estate leases due to consolidation of various business activities.
2020 MA Strategic Reorganization Restructuring ProgramRestructuring program approved by the chief executive officer of Moody’s on December 22, 2020, relating to a strategic reorganization in the MA reportable segment.
2020 Real Estate Rationalization Restructuring ProgramRestructuring program approved by the chief executive officer of Moody’s on July 29, 2020, primarily in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which revolves around the rationalization and exit of certain real estate leases.
2012 Senior Notes Due 2022Principal amount of $500 million, 4.50% senior unsecured notes due in September 2022, but early repaid by the Company in 2021
2013 Senior Notes Due 2024Principal amount of $500 million, 4.875% senior unsecured notes due in February 2024
2014 Senior Notes Due 2044Principal amount of $600 million, 5.25% senior unsecured notes due in July 2044
2015 Senior Notes Due 2027Principal 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
2018 FacilityFive-year unsecured revolving credit facility, with capacity to borrow up to $1 billion; backstops CP issued under the CP Program. The 2021 Facility replaces the Company's $1 billion 2018 Credit Facility.
2018 Senior Notes Due 2029Principal amount of $400 million, 4.25% senior unsecured notes due February 1, 2029
2018 Senior Notes Due 2048Principal amount of $400 million, 4.875% senior unsecured notes due December 17, 2048
2019 Senior Notes Due 2030Principal amount of €750 million, 0.950% senior unsecured notes due February 25, 2030

MOODY'S 2021 10-K 9

Table of Contents

TERMDEFINITION
2020 Senior Notes Due 2025Principal amount of $700 million, 3.75% senior unsecured notes due March 24, 2025
2020 Senior Notes Due 2050Principal amount of $300 million, 3.25% senior unsecured notes due May 20, 2050
2020 Senior Notes Due 2060Principal amount of $500 million, 2.55% senior unsecured notes due August 18, 2060
2021 FacilityFive-year unsecured revolving credit facility, with capacity to borrow up to $1.25 billion; backstops CP issued under the CP Program.
2021 Senior Notes Due 2031Principal amount of $600 million, 2.00% senior unsecured notes due August 19, 2031
2021 Senior Notes Due 2041Principal amount of $600 million, 2.75% senior unsecured notes due August 19, 2041
2021 Senior Notes Due 2061Principal amount of $500 million, 3.10% senior unsecured notes due November 15, 2061
7WTCThe Company’s corporate headquarters located at 7 World Trade Center in New York, NY

10 MOODY'S 2021 10-K

Table of Contents

PART I

Next: Item 1. BUSINESS