Moody's 10-Q 2022-03-31

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark one)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022

Or

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 1-14037

____________________

Moody’s Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 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 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

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

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

MOODY’S CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

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

MOODY’S CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in millions)

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

MOODY’S CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in millions, except share and per share data)

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This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Moody’s Corporation condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10–Q.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains Forward-Looking Statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” commencing on page 59 for a discussion of uncertainties, risks and other factors associated with these statements.

THE COMPANY

Moody’s is a global integrated risk assessment firm that empowers organizations and investors to make better decisions. Moody’s reports in two segments: MIS and MA.

MIS publishes credit ratings and provides assessment services on a wide range of debt obligations, programs and facilities, and the entities that issue such obligations in markets worldwide, including various corporate, financial institution and governmental obligations, and structured finance securities.

MA is a global provider of: i) data and information; ii) research and insights; and iii) decision solutions, which help companies make better and faster decisions. MA leverages its industry expertise across multiple risks such as credit, market, financial crime, supply chain, catastrophe and climate to deliver integrated risk assessment solutions that enable business leaders to identify, measure and manage the implications of interrelated risks and opportunities.

Sustainability

Moody’s manages its business with the goal of delivering value to all of its stakeholders, including its customers, employees, business partners, local communities and stockholders. As part of this effort, Moody’s advances sustainability by considering environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) factors throughout its operations and products and services. The Company uses its expertise and assets to make a positive difference through technology tools, research and analytical services that help other organizations and the investor community better understand the links between sustainability considerations and the global markets. Moody’s efforts to promote sustainability-related thought leadership, assessments and data to market participants include adhering to the policies of recognized sustainability organizations that develop standards or frameworks and/or evaluate and assess performance, including: the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI); Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB); and the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Stakeholder Capitalism metrics. Moody's also issues an annual report on Stakeholder Sustainability and on how the Company has implemented the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) recommendations. Moody’s sustainability-related achievements during the first quarter of 2022 included the following:

–Validated Moody’s long-term net-zero targets with SBTi;

–Rolled-out an all-employee training on Sustainability and ESG;

–Named 2021 CDP Supplier Engagement Leader on Climate Action for second consecutive year; and

–Awarded Best ESG Reporting (large-cap) from IR Magazine

The Board oversees sustainability matters, with assistance from the Audit, Governance & Nominating and Compensation & Human Resources Committees, as part of its oversight of management and the Company’s overall strategy. The Board also oversees Moody’s policies for assessing and managing our exposure to risk, including climate-related risks such as business continuity disruption or reputational and credibility concerns stemming from incorporation of climate-related risks into the credit methodologies and credit ratings of MIS.

Russia/Ukraine Conflict

The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the ongoing Russia/Ukraine conflict on all aspects of its business. In response to the conflict, in the first quarter of 2022, the Company has suspended commercial operations in Russia for both MIS and MA and is complying with all applicable regulatory restrictions set forth by the jurisdictions in which Moody's operates. Furthermore, the Company also has withdrawn MIS credit ratings on Russian entities.

While Moody's Russian operations and net assets are not material, broader global market volatility relating to uncertainties surrounding the conflict has adversely impacted rated issuance volumes in the first quarter of 2022, which is more fully discussed in the "Results of Operations" section of this MD&A. The Company is unable to predict either the near-term or longer-term impact that the conflict may have on its financial position and operating results due to numerous uncertainties regarding the severity and duration of the conflict and its broader potential macroeconomic impact.

COVID-19

The Company continues to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business. The Company continues to monitor regional developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic to inform decisions on the reopening of its offices and its business travel policies. As of the date of the filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the Company has reopened most of its offices for employees to access on a voluntary basis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not had a material adverse impact on the Company's reported results to date and is currently not expected to have a material adverse impact on its near-term outlook. However, Moody's is unable to predict the longer-term impact that the pandemic may have on its business, future results of operations, financial position or cash flows due to numerous uncertainties. Refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors”, contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 for further disclosure relating to the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business.

Reportable Segments

The Company is organized into two reportable segments at March 31, 2022: MIS and MA, which are more fully described in the section entitled “The Company” above and in Note 17 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Reclassification of Previously Reported Revenue by LOB

In the first quarter of 2022, the Company realigned its revenue by LOB reporting structure for the MA operating segment to enhance insight and transparency into this business. As of January 1, 2022, the MA LOBs have been realigned from RD&A and ERS to:

–Decision Solutions (DS) - provides software and workflow tools for specific use cases (banking, insurance, KYC/KYS, CRE and structured finance solutions). This LOB utilizes components from the Data & Information and Research & Insights LOBs to provide integrated risk solutions;

–Research & Insights (R&I) - provides models, scores, expert insights and commentary. This LOB includes: credit research; credit models and analytics; and economics data and models; and

–Data & Information (D&I) - provides vast data sets on economies, companies, commercial properties and financial securities via data feeds and data applications products.

Prior year revenue by LOB amounts have been reclassified to conform to the new LOB reporting structure, which is presented below in the section entitled "Results of Operations."

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Impact of acquisitions/divestitures on comparative results

–Moody’s completed the following acquisitions, which impact the Company's year-over-year comparative results:

–Cortera on March 19, 2021;

–RMS on September 15, 2021;

–RealXData on September 17, 2021; and

–PassFort on November 30, 2021.

Refer to the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this MD&A for the definitions of how the Company determines certain organic growth measures used in this MD&A that exclude the impact of acquisition activity.

Three months ended March 31, 2022 compared with three months ended March 31, 2021

Executive Summary

The following table provides an executive summary of key

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In the first quarter of 2022, the Company entered into new hedging transactions, which are disclosed in Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. The sensitivity analyses disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 have been updated below to reflect the Company's derivative instrument portfolio as of March 31, 2022.

Foreign exchange risk:

The effects of revaluing assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than a subsidiary’s functional currency are charged to other non-operating income (expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Accordingly, the Company enters into foreign exchange forwards to partially mitigate the change in fair value on certain assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than a subsidiary’s functional currency. The following table shows the impact to the fair value of the forward contracts if currencies being purchased were to weaken by 10%:

(1)Refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q for further detail on the forward contracts.

The change in fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts would be offset by FX revaluation gains or losses on underlying assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than a subsidiary’s functional currency.

Derivatives and non-derivatives designated as net investment hedges:

The Company designates derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated debt as hedges of foreign currency risk of net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries (net investment hedges) under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging.

Cross-currency swaps

The Company has cross-currency swaps designated as hedges of euro denominated net investments in subsidiaries. Refer to Note 9 of this Form 10-Q for further details regarding these derivative instruments as of March 31, 2022.

If the euro were to strengthen 10% relative to the U.S. dollar, there would be an approximate $271 million unfavorable impact to the fair value of the cross-currency swaps recognized in OCI, which would be offset by favorable currency translation gains on the Company’s euro net investment in foreign subsidiaries.

Interest rate and credit risk:

Interest rate swaps designated as a fair value hedge:

The Company’s interest rate risk management objectives are to reduce the funding cost and volatility to the Company and to alter the interest rate exposure to a desired risk profile. Moody’s uses interest rate swaps as deemed necessary to assist in accomplishing these objectives. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its various outstanding fixed-rate debt for which the fair value of the outstanding fixed rate debt fluctuates based on changes in interest rates. The Company has entered into interest rate swaps to convert the fixed interest rate on certain of its long-term debt to a floating interest rate based on the 3-month and 6-month LIBOR as well as SOFR. These swaps are adjusted to fair market value based on prevailing interest rates at the end of each reporting period and fluctuations are recorded as a reduction or addition to the carrying value of the borrowing, while net interest payments are recorded as interest expense/income in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. A hypothetical change of 100 BPS in the LIBOR/SOFR-based swap rate would result in an approximate $86 million change to the fair value of the swaps, which would be offset by the change in fair value of the hedged item.

Additional information on these interest rate swaps is disclosed in Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: The Company carried out an evaluation, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the communication to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has determined that there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these internal controls over financial reporting during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022. Although a significant portion of the Company’s workforce has been working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Moody’s has not experienced any material impact to its internal controls over financial reporting.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Company acquired RMS and is in process of integrating the acquired entity into the Company’s financial reporting processes and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

For information regarding legal proceedings, see Item 1 – “Financial Statements – Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited),” Note 16 “Contingencies” in this Form 10-Q.

There have been no material changes from the significant risk factors and uncertainties previously disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, that if they were to occur, could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and/or cash flow. For a discussion of the Company’s risk factors, refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors” contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

MOODY'S PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

For the three months ended March 31, 2022

(1)Includes surrender to the Company of 583; 604; and 252,007 shares of common stock in January, February and March, respectively, to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock issued to employees.

(2)As of the last day of each of the months. On February 9, 2021, the Board authorized $1 billion in share repurchase authority and on February 7, 2022, the Board of Directors approved an additional $750 million of share repurchase authority. At March 31, 2022 there was approximately $1,173 million of combined share repurchase authority remaining. There is no established expiration date for the remaining authorization.

(3) Pursuant to an ASR executed in March 2022, the Company paid $500 million to a counterparty and received an initial delivery of 1.2 million shares of its common stock. In April 2022, the ASR agreement was completed and the Company received delivery of an additional 0.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock.

During the first quarter of 2022, Moody’s issued a net 0.5 million shares under employee stock-based compensation plans.

Not applicable.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.