Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

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 79 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 but not limited to, 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, 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 three quarters 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;

–Awarded Best ESG Reporting (large-cap) from IR Magazine U.S. 2022 and ‘Sustainability reporting of the year – Americas’ from Environmental Finance Company Awards 2022;

–Published Moody’s 2021 Stakeholder Sustainability report and 2021 TCFD report;

–Issued an inaugural global tax policy; and

–Updated Moody’s decarbonization plan

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.

Current Matters Impacting Moody's Business

Current Macroeconomic Uncertainties/Market Volatility

The Company is monitoring current macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties that have contributed to declines in rated issuance volumes in 2022. A substantial portion of MIS’s revenue is impacted by the level of issuance activity in the fixed income capital markets, both in the U.S. and internationally. While market volatility in 2022 has resulted in declines in rated issuance volumes, the Company believes that these declines are predominantly transitory in nature. However, due to various uncertainties, Moody's is unable to predict the severity and duration of current macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties and their potential impact on future ratings issuance volumes. 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 these risks.

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, the Company is no longer conducting 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, which partially relates to uncertainties surrounding the conflict, has contributed to an adverse impact on rated issuance volumes in 2022. This impact to rated issuance volumes 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 regarding 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 all of its offices for employees to access.

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.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Moody’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires Moody’s to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These estimates are based on historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, Moody’s evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, accounts receivable allowances, contingencies, restructuring, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, pension and other retirement benefits, stock-based compensation, and income taxes. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Item 7, MD&A, in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, includes descriptions of some of the judgments that Moody’s makes in applying its accounting estimates in these areas. Since the date of the annual report on Form 10-K, there have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates disclosures other than the update below relating to the results of the Company's annual impairment assessment as of July 31, 2022.

Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets

On July 31st of each year, Moody’s evaluates its goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, defined as an operating segment (i.e., MIS and MA), or one level below an operating segment (i.e., a component of an operating segment). At July 31, 2022, the Company has four reporting units: two within the Company's ratings business (one for the ICRA business and one that encompasses all of Moody's other ratings operations) and two reporting units within MA consisting of businesses that offer: i) data and data-driven analytical solutions; and ii) risk management software, workflow and CRE solutions.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill using a two-step impairment test approach at the reporting unit level. In the first step, the Company assesses various qualitative factors to determine whether the fair value of a reporting unit may be less than its carrying amount. If a determination is made based on the qualitative factors that an impairment does not exist, the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the aforementioned qualitative assessment results in the Company concluding that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit may be less than its carrying amount, the fair value of the reporting unit will be quantitatively determined and compared to its carrying value including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the Company will record a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The Company evaluates its reporting units on an annual basis, or more frequently if there are changes in the reporting structure of the Company due to acquisitions, realignments or if there are indicators of potential impairment. For the reporting units where the Company is consistently able to conclude that no impairment exists using only a qualitative approach, the Company’s accounting policy is to perform the second step of the aforementioned goodwill impairment assessment at least once every three years.

The Company last performed quantitative assessments on all reporting units at July 31, 2021, pursuant to a change in reporting unit structure in the MA reportable segment, which is more fully discussed in Item 7, MD&A, in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. The quantitative assessments performed at July 31, 2021 resulted in fair values that significantly exceeded carrying values for all reporting units.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, which are more fully described within Item 7, MD&A, in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. In addition, the Company also makes certain judgments and assumptions in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of its reporting units.

Annual goodwill impairment assessment performed at July 31, 2022

At July 31, 2022, the Company performed a qualitative assessment for each of the reporting units. The qualitative analyses resulted in the Company determining that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.

Reportable Segments

The Company is organized into two reportable segments as of September 30, 2022: MIS and MA, which are more fully described in the section entitled “The Company” above and in Note 18 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 companies and 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 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;

–PassFort on November 30, 2021; and

–kompany on February 28, 2022.

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.

The following footnotes are applicable throughout the discussion of the Company's results of operations:

(1) Refer to the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this MD&A for the definition and methodology that the Company utilizes to calculate this metric.

(2) Refer to the section entitled "Key Performance Metrics" of this MD&A for the definition and methodology that the Company utilizes to calculate this metric.

(3) Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margin and Adjusted Diluted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this MD&A for further information regarding these measures.

Three months ended September 30, 2022 compared with three months ended September 30, 2021

Executive Summary

The following table provides an executive summary of key operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Following this executive summary is a more detailed discussion of the Company’s operating results as well as a discussion of the operating results of the Company’s reportable segments.


	Three Months Ended September 30,
Financial measure:	2022			2021			% Change Favorable (Unfavorable)		Insight and Key Drivers of Change Compared to Prior Year
Moody's total revenue	$	1,275		$	1,526		(16	%)	— reflects lower MIS revenue partially offset by growth in MA
MIS external revenue	$	590		$	925		(36	%)	— credit market activity remained muted across all sectors given ongoing market volatility, central bank actions, high levels of balance sheet cash, as well as heightened inflationary and recessionary concerns
MA external revenue	$	685		$	601		14	%	— inorganic growth from acquisitions; and — sustained demand for Know Your Customer solutions, credit research and insights, and data feeds; partially offset by: — unfavorable changes in FX translation rates
Total operating and SG&A expenses	$	778		$	789		1	%	— operational and integration costs associated with recent acquisitions; and — increases in hiring and salary growth; offset by: — lower incentive compensation accruals and performance-based equity compensation; and — favorable changes in FX translation rates
Depreciation and amortization	$	83		$	61		(36	%)	— higher amortization of intangible assets reflecting recent M&A activity (most notably RMS); and — higher amortization relating to internally developed software

Total non-operating (expense) income, net	$	(32)		$	(57)		44 %		— increase in FX gains primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar to the euro; and — a $13 million loss in the prior year on a forward contract used to hedge a portion of the GBP-denominated RMS purchase price
Operating margin	32.4		%	44.3		%	(1,190	BPS)	— margin declines primarily due to the aforementioned decrease in MIS revenue
Adjusted Operating Margin	39.0		%	48.3		%	(930	BPS)
ETR	20.5		%	23.4		%	(290	BPS)	— primarily reflects lower pre-tax income and a favorable mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which Moody’s operates
Diluted EPS	$	1.65		$	2.53		(35	%)	— mainly due to declines in MIS revenue
Adjusted Diluted EPS	$	1.85		$	2.69		(31	%)

Moody's Corporation


	Three Months Ended September 30,						% Change Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2022			2021
Revenue:
United States	$	668		$	841		(21	%)
Non-U.S.:
EMEA	393			443			(11	%)
Asia-Pacific	129			149			(13	%)
Americas	85			93			(9	%)
Total Non-U.S.	607			685			(11	%)
Total	1,275			1,526			(16	%)
Expenses:
Operating	393			394			—	%
SG&A	385			395			3	%
Depreciation and amortization	83			61			(36	%)
Restructuring	1			—			NM



Total	862			850			(1	%)
Operating income	$	413		$	676		(39	%)
Adjusted Operating Income (3)	$	497		$	737		(33	%)
Interest expense, net	$	(58)		$	(53)		(9	%)
Other non-operating income, net	26			(4)			NM
Non-operating (expense) income, net	$	(32)		$	(57)		44	%

Net income attributable to Moody's	$	303		$	474		(36	%)
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	183.9			187.3			2	%
Diluted EPS attributable to Moody's common shareholders	$	1.65		$	2.53		(35	%)
Adjusted Diluted EPS (3)	$	1.85		$	2.69		(31	%)
Operating margin	32.4		%	44.3		%
Adjusted Operating Margin(3)	39.0		%	48.3		%
Effective tax rate	20.5		%	23.4		%

The table below shows Moody’s global staffing by geographic area:


		September 30,		Change
		2022	2021	%

MIS	U.S.	1,547	1,442	7	%
	Non-U.S.	3,969	3,725	7	%
	Total	5,516	5,167	7	%

MA	U.S.	2,859	2,602	10	%
	Non-U.S.	4,368	3,770	16	%
	Total	7,227	6,372	13	%

MSS	U.S.	785	697	13	%
	Non-U.S.	1,043	888	17	%
	Total	1,828	1,585	15	%

Total MCO	U.S.	5,191	4,741	9	%
	Non-U.S.	9,380	8,383	12	%
	Total	14,571	13,124	11	%

GLOBAL REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


Global revenue ⇓ $251 million						U.S. Revenue ⇓ $173 million						Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $78 million

The decrease in global revenue reflected declines in MIS, mainly in the U.S. and EMEA, partially offset by growth in MA in all regions. Refer to the section entitled “Segment Results” of this MD&A for a more fulsome discussion of the Company’s segment revenue.

–Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted global revenue by 4% percent.

**–**Organic constant currency revenue(1) decreased 17%.


						Q3 Operating Expense ⇓ $1 million												Q3 SG&A Expense ⇓ $10 million

---------- ---------


Compensation expenses decreased $22 million reflecting:		Compensation expenses increased $13 million reflecting:
— lower incentive compensation accruals and performance-based equity compensation of $32 million, which aligns with actual/projected financial and operating performance; and		— higher salaries and benefits of $26 million primarily due to hiring and salary increases; and
— lower salaries and benefits of $15 million reflecting a higher percentage of costs capitalized in MA for product development; partially offset by:		— inorganic growth from acquisitions of $13 million; partially offset by:
	— lower incentive compensation accruals and performance-based equity compensation of $20 million, which aligns with actual/projected financial and operating performance.
— inorganic growth from acquisitions of $29 million.
Non-compensation expenses increased $21 million reflecting:		Non-compensation expenses decreased $23 million reflecting:
— inorganic growth from acquisitions of $10 million; and		— operating and transaction-related costs in 2021 associated with acquisitions, most notably $22 million in RMS acquisition-related costs that did not recur in 2022; and
— higher costs of $7 million primarily relating to strategic initiatives to support business growth coupled with enhancements to technology infrastructure to enable automation, innovation and efficiency.		— charitable contributions via the Moody's Foundation in 2021 that did not recur in 2022; partially offset by:
	— inorganic growth from acquisitions of $9 million.


Depreciation and amortization

The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is driven by amortization of intangible assets recently acquired (primarily RMS) and amortization of internally developed software recently capitalized.


						Operating margin 32.4%, down 1,190 BPS									Adjusted Operating Margin 39.0%, down 930 BPS

Overall, margin declines primarily resulted from the aforementioned decrease in MIS revenue.


									Interest Expense, net ⇑ $5 million									Other non-operating income ⇑ $30 million


Increase in expense is primarily due to:		Increase in income is primarily due to:
— higher interest on borrowings resulting from the issuance of new long-term debt in 2022 (refer to the "Material Cash Requirements" section of this MD&A for further information on the Company's indebtedness)		— higher FX gains of $15 million primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro; and
	— a $13 million loss in 2021 on a forward contract used to hedge a portion of the GBP-denominated RMS purchase price.


						ETR ⇓ 290 BPS

The decrease in ETR primarily reflects lower pre-tax income, which increases the percentage impact of net beneficial discrete items, and a favorable mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which Moody’s operates.


						Diluted EPS ⇓ $0.88												Adjusted Diluted EPS ⇓ $0.84

Diluted EPS and Adjusted Diluted EPS declined mainly due to lower operating income and Adjusted Operating Income, respectively, the components of which are more fully described above. Refer to the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A for items excluded in the derivation of Adjusted Diluted EPS.

Segment Results

Moody’s Investors Service

The table below provides a summary of revenue and operating results, followed by further insight and commentary:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						% Change Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2022			2021
Revenue:
Corporate finance (CFG)	$	277		$	488		(43	%)
Structured finance (SFG)	101			143			(29	%)
Financial institutions (FIG)	109			153			(29	%)
Public, project and infrastructure finance (PPIF)	92			130			(29	%)
Total ratings revenue	579			914			(37	%)
MIS Other	11			11			—	%
Total external revenue	590			925			(36	%)
Intersegment revenue	43			42			2	%
Total MIS revenue	633			967			(35	%)
Expenses:
Operating and SG&A (external)	342			385			11	%
Operating and SG&A (intersegment)	2			2			—	%
Total operating and SG&A	344			387			11	%








Adjusted Operating Income	$	289		$	580		(50	%)


Adjusted Operating Margin	45.7		%	60.0		%

Depreciation and amortization	21			17			(24	%)

The following chart presents changes in rated issuance volumes compared to the third quarter of 2021. To the extent that changes in rated issuance volumes had a material impact to MIS's revenue compared to the prior year, those impacts are discussed below.

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


MIS: Global revenue ⇓ $335 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $218 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $117 million

**–**The decrease in global MIS revenue primarily reflects a 41% decrease in rated issuance volumes, which resulted in transaction revenue declining $335 million compared to the same period in the prior year. The decline in rated issuance volumes compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflected muted credit market activity across all sectors given ongoing market volatility, central bank actions, high levels of balance sheet cash, as well as heightened inflationary and recessionary concerns.

–Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted MIS revenue by three percentage points.

CFG REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


CFG: Global revenue ⇓ $211 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $146 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $65 million

Global CFG revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised as follows:

(1) Other includes: recurring monitoring fees of a rated debt obligation and/or entities that issue such obligations as well as fees from programs such as commercial paper, medium term notes, and ICRA corporate finance revenue.

The decrease in CFG revenue of 43% reflected declines in both U.S. (44%) and internationally (42%).

Transaction revenue decreased $213 million compared to the same period in the prior year.

The decrease compared to a strong period of issuance in the third quarter of 2021 reflected declines in leveraged finance and investment-grade issuance activity in all regions resulting from muted credit market activity across all sectors given ongoing market volatility, central bank actions, high levels of balance sheet cash, as well as heightened inflationary and recessionary concerns.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted CFG revenue by two percentage points.

SFG REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**---------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


SFG: Global revenue ⇓ $42 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $29 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $13 million

Global SFG revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised as follows:

The 29% decrease in SFG revenue was substantially all in the U.S. and EMEA.

Transaction revenue decreased $42 million compared to the third quarter of 2021.

The most notable drivers of the decline in SFG revenue included lower CLO and RMBS activity reflecting higher credit spreads given ongoing market volatility, central bank actions, and heightened inflationary and recessionary concerns.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted SFG revenue by three percentage points.

FIG REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


FIG: Global revenue ⇓ $44 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $24 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $20 million

Global FIG revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised as follows:

The decrease in FIG revenue of 29% reflected revenue declines in both U.S. (34%) and internationally (24%).

Transaction revenue decreased $42 million compared to the third quarter of 2021.

The most notable drivers of the decline reflected lower revenue from U.S. banking and insurance issuers, mainly due to:

–an unfavorable product mix; and

–lower rated issuance volumes resulting from market volatility and macroeconomic/geopolitical uncertainties.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted FIG revenue by four percentage points.

PPIF REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


PPIF: Global revenue ⇓ $38 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $19 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $19 million

Global PPIF revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised as follows:

Transaction revenue decreased $38 million compared to the third quarter of 2021.

The decrease in PPIF revenue of 29% reflected declines in the U.S. (25%) and internationally (35%).

The main drivers of the decrease were:

–declines in U.S. public finance and project finance revenue resulting from market volatility, which increased funding costs, coupled with issuers in these sectors being currently well capitalized; and

–declines in international sovereign and project/infrastructure finance activity compared to a strong prior year period.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted PPIF revenue by three percentage points.


						MIS: Q3 Operating and SG&A Expense ⇓ $43 million

The decline is due to lower compensation costs of $46 million, partially offset by higher non-compensation costs of $3 million, with the most notable drivers reflecting:


Compensation costs						Non-compensation costs
The decrease is primarily due to:						The modest increase is primarily due to:
— lower incentive compensation accruals and performance-based equity compensation, which aligns with actual/projected financial and operating performance; and						— higher costs relating to strategic initiatives to support business growth coupled with enhancements to technology infrastructure to enable automation, innovation and efficiency; and
— favorable changes in FX translation rates.						— higher travel costs compared to minimal travel in the prior year in light of COVID-19; mostly offset by:
						— charitable contributions via the Moody's Foundation in 2021 that did not recur in 2022; and
						— favorable changes in FX translation rates.


												MIS: Adjusted Operating Margin 45.7% ⇓ 1,430 BPS

The MIS Adjusted Operating Margin decline primarily reflected the aforementioned 36% decrease in revenue.

Moody’s Analytics

The table below provides a summary of revenue and operating results, followed by further insight and commentary:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						% Change Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2022			2021
Revenue:
Decision Solutions (DS)	$	325		$	250		30	%
Research and Insights (R&I)	184			177			4	%
Data and Information (D&I)	176			174			1	%
Total external revenue	685			601			14	%
Intersegment revenue	2			2			—	%
Total MA revenue	687			603			14	%
Expenses:
Operating and SG&A (external)	436			404			(8	%)
Operating and SG&A (intersegment)	43			42			(2	%)
Total operating and SG&A	479			446			(7	%)











Adjusted Operating Income	$	208		$	157		32	%


Adjusted Operating Margin	30.3		%	26.0		%

Depreciation and amortization	62			44			(41	%)
Restructuring	1			—			NM

MOODY'S ANALYTICS REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


MA: Global revenue ⇑ $84 million			U.S. Revenue ⇑ $45 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇑ $39 million

The 14% increase in global MA revenue reflects growth both in the U.S. (17%) and internationally (11%) in all LOBs and includes revenue from the acquisitions of RMS, RealXData, PassFort and kompany. Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted MA revenue by seven percentage points.

**–**Organic constant currency revenue growth(1) was 9% reflecting increases across all LOBs.

–ARR(2) grew 9% representing increased demand for KYC and banking products within the Decision Solutions LOB coupled with growth for company data and ratings feeds products in the Data & Information LOB.

DECISION SOLUTIONS REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


DS: Global revenue ⇑ $75 million			U.S. Revenue ⇑ $36 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇑ $39 million

Global DS revenue grew 30% compared to the third quarter of 2021 and reflects growth in both the U.S. (34%) and internationally (27%) with the most notable drivers of the increase reflecting:

–inorganic revenue growth from the acquisitions of RMS, PassFort, RealXData, and kompany; and

–continued demand for KYC and compliance solutions reflecting increased customer and supplier risk data usage.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted DS revenue by five percentage points.

Constant currency organic revenue(1) growth was 7%.

ARR(2) grew 10%.

RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________________****__ ________________________________________________


R&I: Global revenue ⇑ $7 million			U.S. Revenue ⇑ $4 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇑ $3 million

Global R&I revenue increased 4% compared to the third quarter of 2021 and reflects growth in both the U.S. (4%) and internationally (4%) mainly driven by continued strong retention and demand for credit research, analytics and models.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted R&I revenue by six percentage points.

Constant currency revenue growth(1) was 10%.

ARR(2) grew 8%.

DATA AND INFORMATION REVENUE


Three months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

______________________________________________********__________________________________________________


D&I: Global revenue ⇑ $2 million			U.S. Revenue ⇑ $5 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $3 million

Global D&I revenue increased 1% compared to the third quarter of 2021 and reflects growth in the U.S. (9%) partially offset by decreases internationally (3%) mainly driven by:

**–**strong retention and new sales for ratings feeds coupled with pricing increases; and

–continued demand for company data.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted D&I revenue by eleven percentage points.

Organic constant currency revenue growth(1) was 12%.

ARR(2) grew 9%.


						MA: Q3 Operating and SG&A Expense ⇑ $32 million

The increase in operating and SG&A expenses compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflected growth in compensation costs of $39 million partially offset by a decrease in non-compensation of $7 million. The most notable drivers of these changes were:


Compensation costs						Non-compensation costs
The increase is primarily due to:						The decrease is primarily due to:
— inorganic expense growth from acquisitions; and						— transaction-related costs in 2021 associated with acquisitions, most notably $22 million in RMS acquisition-related costs that did not recur in 2022;
— higher salaries and benefits related to headcount growth; partially offset by:
— favorable changes in FX translation rates.						— charitable contributions via the Moody's Foundation in 2021 that did not recur in 2022; and
						— favorable changes in FX translation rates; partially offset by:
						— operating and integration-related costs associated with recent acquisitions.


												MA: Adjusted Operating Margin 30.3% ⇑ 430 BPS

The Adjusted Operating Margin increase for MA is primarily due to the 14% increase in global MA revenue.


Depreciation and amortization

The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is driven by higher amortization of intangible assets reflecting recent M&A activity (most notably RMS) and amortization of internally developed software.

Nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2021

Executive Summary

–The following table provides an executive summary of key operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Following this executive summary is a more detailed discussion of the Company’s operating results as well as a discussion of the operating results of the Company’s reportable segments.


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
Financial measure:	2022			2021			% Change		Insight and Key Drivers of Change Compared to Prior Year
Moody's total revenue	$	4,178		$	4,679		(11	%)	— reflects lower MIS revenue partially offset by growth in MA
MIS external revenue	$	2,123		$	2,941		(28	%)	— credit market activity remained muted across all sectors given ongoing market volatility, central bank actions, high levels of balance sheet cash, as well as heightened inflationary and recessionary concerns
MA external revenue	$	2,055		$	1,738		18	%	— inorganic growth from acquisitions; and — strong organic growth across all LOBs, most notably for KYC and compliance solutions coupled with continued strong retention and demand for credit research, analytics and models
Total operating and SG&A expenses	$	2,327		$	2,167		(7	%)	— operational and integration costs associated with recent acquisitions; and — increases in hiring and salary growth; partially offset by: — lower incentive compensation accruals and performance-based equity compensation; and — favorable changes in FX translation rates
Depreciation and amortization	$	242		$	180		(34	%)	— higher amortization of intangible assets reflecting recent M&A activity (most notably RMS); and — amortization of internally developed software
Restructuring	$	32		$	2		NM		— the 2022 charge is pursuant to the Company's 2022 - 2023 Geolocation Restructuring Program, more fully discussed in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements
Total non-operating (expense) income, net	$	(144)		$	(91)		(58	%)	— reflects a $40 million benefit in the prior period related to the reversal of tax-related interest accruals pursuant to the resolution of tax matters; and — the 2022 amount includes FX translation losses of $20 million reclassified to earnings resulting from the Company no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia
Operating margin	37.7		%	49.8		%	(1210 BPS)		— margin declines primarily due to the aforementioned decrease in MIS revenue
Adjusted Operating Margin	44.3		%	53.7		%	(940 BPS)
ETR	21.3		%	20.2		%	(110BPS)		— primarily reflects the non-deductible nature of the aforementioned FX translation losses resulting from the Company no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia; and — the resolution of UTPs in the first nine months of 2021 that did not recur to the same extent in the first nine months of 2022; partially offset by: — a favorable mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which Moody's operates
Diluted EPS	$	6.10		$	9.51		(36	%)	— primarily due to declines in MIS revenue coupled with the aforementioned increase in expenses
Adjusted Diluted EPS	$	6.96		$	9.96		(30	%)

Moody’s Corporation


	Nine Months Ended September 30,						% Change Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2022			2021
Revenue:
United States	$	2,214		$	2,557		(13	%)
Non-U.S.:
EMEA	1,271			1,402			(9	%)
Asia-Pacific	422			460			(8	%)
Americas	271			260			4	%
Total Non-U.S.	1,964			2,122			(7	%)
Total	4,178			4,679			(11	%)
Expenses:
Operating	1,203			1,152			(4	%)
SG&A	1,124			1,015			(11	%)
Depreciation and amortization	242			180			(34	%)
Restructuring	32			2			NM


Total	2,601			2,349			(11	%)
Operating income	1,577			2,330			(32	%)
Adjusted Operating Income (1)	1,851			2,512			(26	%)
Interest expense, net	(166)			(109)			(52	%)
Other non-operating income, net	22			18			22	%
Non-operating (expense) income, net	(144)			(91)			(58	%)

Net income attributable to Moody’s	$	1,128		$	1,787		(37	%)
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	184.9			188.0			2	%
Diluted EPS attributable to Moody’s common shareholders	$	6.10		$	9.51		(36	%)
Adjusted Diluted EPS (1)	$	6.96		$	9.96		(30	%)
Operating margin	37.7		%	49.8		%
Adjusted Operating Margin (1)	44.3		%	53.7		%
Effective tax rate	21.3		%	20.2		%

GLOBAL REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


Global revenue ⇓ $501 million						U.S. Revenue ⇓ $343 million						Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $158 million

The decrease in global revenue reflected declines in MIS in all regions, partially offset by growth in MA in all regions. Refer to the section entitled “Segment Results” of this MD&A for a more fulsome discussion of the Company’s segment revenue.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted global revenue by three percent.

Organic constant currency revenue(1) for MCO decreased 13%.

(1) Refer to the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this MD&A for the definition and methodology that the Company utilizes to calculate this metric.


						YTD Operating Expense ⇑ $51 million												YTD SG&A Expense ⇑ $109 million

-------------------------------------


Compensation expenses decreased $9 million and reflected:		Compensation expenses increased $74 million reflecting:
— lower incentive compensation accruals and performance-based equity compensation of $67 million, which aligns with actual/projected financial and operating performance; and		— inorganic growth from acquisitions of $43 million; and
	— higher salaries and benefits of approximately $86 million primarily due to hiring and salary increases; partially offset by:
— approximately $35 million in higher compensation costs eligible for capitalization in 2022 reflecting certain product development in the MA operating segment; partially offset by:		— lower incentive compensation accruals and performance-based equity compensation of $46 million, which aligns with actual/projected financial and operating performance.
— inorganic growth from acquisitions of $101 million.
Non-compensation expenses increased $60 million reflecting:		Non-compensation expenses increased $35 million reflecting:
— inorganic growth from acquisitions of $31 million; and		— inorganic growth from acquisitions of $30 million; and
— higher costs of $20 million relating to strategic initiatives to support business growth coupled with enhancements to technology infrastructure to enable automation, innovation and efficiency.	— higher bad debt reserves of $13 million resulting from the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict; partially offset by:
		— charitable contributions via the Moody's Foundation in 2021 that did not recur in 2022.


Depreciation and amortization


Restructuring

The restructuring charge in the first nine months of 2022 relates to the Company's 2022 - 2023 Geolocation Restructuring Program as more fully discussed in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.



						Operating margin 37.7%, down 1,210 BPS									Adjusted Operating Margin 44.3%, down 940 BPS

Overall, margin declines resulted from the aforementioned decrease in MIS revenue coupled with operating expense growth (mainly from inorganic expense growth from acquisitions).


						Interest Expense, net ⇑ $57 million									Other non-operating income ⇑ $4 million


Increase in expense is primarily due to:		Increase in income is primarily due to:
— a $40 million benefit in the prior year related to the reversal of tax-related interest accruals pursuant to the resolution of UTPs; and		— an increase in FX gains primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro;
— higher interest on borrowings resulting from the issuance of new long-term debt in 2022 (refer to the "Material Cash Requirements" section of this MD&A for further information on the Company's indebtedness).		— a $13 million loss in 2021 on a forward contract used to hedge a portion of the GBP-denominated RMS purchase price;
	— an $11 million benefit in 2022 relating to statute of limitations lapses on certain indemnification obligations relating to the MAKS divestiture; and
		— an $8 million loss in 2021 on the settlement of pension obligations resulting from lump sum distributions from the Company's defined benefit pension plans; partially offset by
		— FX translation losses of $20 million reclassified to earnings resulting from the Company no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia (refer to the section above entitled "Russia/Ukraine Conflict" for further information).


						ETR ⇑ 110 BPS

The drivers for the increase in the ETR include:

*–*approximately $40 million in higher tax benefits from the resolution of UTPs in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the first nine months of 2022; and

**–**the non-deductible nature of the aforementioned FX translation losses resulting from the Company no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia;

partially offset by:

**–**a favorable mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which Moody's operates.


						Diluted EPS ⇓ $3.41									Adjusted Diluted EPS ⇓ $3.00

Diluted EPS and Adjusted Diluted EPS declined mainly due to lower operating income and Adjusted Operating Income, respectively. Refer to the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A for items excluded in the derivation of Adjusted Diluted EPS.

Moody’s Investors Service

The table below provides a summary of revenue and operating results, followed by further insight and commentary:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,						% Change Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2022			2021
Revenue:
Corporate finance (CFG)	$	1,016		$	1,643		(38	%)
Structured finance (SFG)	368			399			(8	%)
Financial institutions (FIG)	368			465			(21	%)
Public, project and infrastructure finance (PPIF)	337			403			(16	%)
Total ratings revenue	2,089			2,910			(28	%)
MIS Other	34			31			10	%
Total external revenue	2,123			2,941			(28	%)
Intersegment royalty	129			124			4	%
Total	2,252			3,065			(27	%)
Expenses:
Operating and SG&A (external)	1,033			1,073			4	%
Operating and SG&A (intersegment)	5			6			17	%
Total operating and SG&A expense	1,038			1,079			4	%

Adjusted Operating Income	$	1,214		$	1,986		(39	%)

Adjusted Operating Margin	53.9		%	64.8		%

Depreciation and amortization	60			53			(13	%)
Restructuring	15			—			NM

The following chart presents changes in rated issuance volumes compared to the first nine months of 2021. To the extent that changes in rated issuance volumes had a material impact to MIS's revenue compared to the prior year, those impacts are discussed below.

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


MIS: Global revenue ⇓ $818 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $508 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $310 million

**–**The decrease in global MIS revenue primarily relates to a 30% decrease in rated issuance volumes, which resulted in transaction revenue declining $827 million compared to the same period in the prior year. The decline in rated issuance volumes compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflected muted credit market activity across all sectors given ongoing market volatility, central bank actions, high levels of balance sheet cash, as well as heightened inflationary and recessionary concerns.

–Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted MIS revenue by two percentage points.

CFG REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


CFG: Global revenue ⇓ $627 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $420 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $207 million

Global CFG revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised as follows:

The decrease in CFG revenue of 38% reflected declines both in the U.S. and internationally of 38% each, which resulted in a $635 million decrease in transaction revenue.

The most notable drivers of the decrease compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflected declines in leveraged finance and investment-grade issuance activity compared to a strong prior year period resulting from muted credit market activity given ongoing market volatility, central bank actions, high levels of balance sheet cash, as well as heightened inflationary and recessionary concerns.

SFG REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


SFG: Global revenue ⇓ $31 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $5 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $26 million

Global SFG revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised as follows:

The decrease in SFG revenue of 8% reflected declines in both the U.S. (2%) and internationally (18%). Transaction revenue decreased $34 million compared to the first nine months of 2021.

The most notable drivers of the decline in SFG revenue were:

–a decrease in CLO refinancing activity in the U.S. and EMEA resulting from the widening of credit spreads for this asset class;

partially offset by:

–strong growth in U.S. CMBS securitization activity before a widening of credit spreads late in the first quarter of 2022.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted SFG revenue by three percentage points.

FIG REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


FIG: Global revenue ⇓ $97 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $61 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $36 million

Global FIG revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised as follows:

The decrease in FIG revenue of 21% reflected declines in both the U.S. (27%) and internationally (15%) which resulted in a $93 million decrease in transaction revenue compared to the same period in the prior year.

The most notable drivers of the decline reflected lower revenue from banking and insurance issuers, mainly due to:

–an unfavorable product mix; and

–a decline in opportunistic issuance, as banks, insurers and asset management issuers were well capitalized following financing activity in the prior year period ahead of anticipated interest rate increases.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted FIG revenue by three percentage points.

PPIF REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


PPIF: Global revenue ⇓ $66 million			U.S. Revenue ⇓ $23 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $43 million

Global PPIF revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised as follows:

Transaction revenue decreased $65 million compared to the same period in the prior year.

The 16% decrease in PPIF revenue reflected declines in both the U.S. (10%) and internationally (25%). The decrease in revenue was mainly due to:

–declines in U.S. public finance revenue resulting from market volatility, which increased funding costs, coupled with issuers in this sector being currently well capitalized; and

–declines in sovereign, project finance and infrastructure finance rated issuance volumes in EMEA resulting from market volatility and rising funding costs.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted PPIF revenue by two percentage points.


						MIS: YTD Operating and SG&A Expense ⇓ $40 million

The decrease in operating and SG&A expense reflects an $85 million decrease in compensation costs partially offset by a $45 million increase in non-compensation expenses. The most notable drivers of these changes are as follows:


Compensation costs						Non-compensation costs
The decrease is primarily due to:						The increase is primarily due to:
— lower incentive compensation accruals and performance-based equity compensation, which aligns with actual/projected financial and operating performance; and						— higher bad debt reserves resulting from the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, which represented approximately 35% of the increase;
— favorable changes in FX translation rates.						— higher costs relating to strategic initiatives to support business growth coupled with enhancements to technology infrastructure to enable automation, innovation and efficiency, which represented approximately 25% of the increase; and
						— higher travel costs resulting from minimal travel in the prior year in light of COVID-19, which represented approximately 15% of the increase; partially offset by:
						— charitable contributions via the Moody's Foundation in 2021 that did not recur in 2022.


Other Expenses


															Adjusted Operating Margin of 53.9% ⇓ 1,090 BPS

The MIS Adjusted Operating Margin decline primarily reflected the aforementioned 28% decrease in revenue.

Moody’s Analytics

The table below provides a summary of revenue and operating results, followed by further insight and commentary:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,						% Change Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2022			2021
Revenue:
Decision Solutions (DS)	$	971		$	697		39	%
Research and Insights (R&I)	552			523			6	%
Data and Information (D&I)	532			518			3	%
Total external revenue	2,055			1,738			18	%
Intersegment revenue	5			6			(17	%)
Total MA Revenue	2,060			1,744			18	%
Expenses:
Operating and SG&A (external)	1,294			1,094			(18	%)
Operating and SG&A (intersegment)	129			124			(4	%)


Total operating and SG&A expense	1,423			1,218			(17	%)


Adjusted Operating Income	$	637		$	526		21	%

Adjusted Operating Margin	30.9		%	30.2		%

Depreciation and amortization	182			127			(43	%)
Restructuring	17			2			NM

MOODY'S ANALYTICS REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


MA: Global revenue ⇑ $317 million			U.S. Revenue ⇑ $165 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇑ $152 million

The 18% increase in global MA revenue reflects growth both in the U.S. (22%) and internationally (15%) in all LOBs and includes revenue from the acquisitions of Cortera, RMS, RealXData, PassFort and kompany. Change in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted MA revenue by five percentage points.

**–**Organic constant currency revenue(1) growth was 10%.

–ARR(2) grew 9% reflecting increased demand for KYC and banking products within the Decision Solutions LOB coupled with growth for company data and ratings feeds products in the Data & Information LOB.

DECISION SOLUTIONS REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


DS: Global revenue ⇑ $274 million			U.S. Revenue ⇑ $131 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇑ $143 million

Global DS revenue grew 39% compared to the first nine months of 2021 with the most notable drivers of the increase reflecting:

–inorganic revenue growth from the acquisitions of RMS, PassFort, RealXData and kompany;

–continued demand for KYC and compliance solutions reflecting increased customer and supplier risk data usage;

–growth in recurring revenue for banking solutions reflecting strong renewals of multi-year commitments; and

–growth in subscription-based revenue for pension and actuarial modeling tools in support of certain international accounting standards relating to insurance contracts.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted DS revenue by four percentage points.

Organic constant currency revenue(1) grew 10%.

ARR(2) grew 10%.

RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


R&I: Global revenue ⇑ $29 million			U.S. Revenue ⇑ $19 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇑ $10 million

Global R&I revenue increased 6% compared to the first nine months of 2021 mainly driven by growth in recurring revenue of 6%, primarily due to continued strong retention and demand for credit research, analytics and models.

Changes in foreign currency translation rates unfavorably impacted R&I revenue by two percentage points.

Constant currency revenue(1) growth for R&I was 8%.

ARR(2) grew 8%.

DATA AND INFORMATION REVENUE


Nine months ended September 30,

2022**-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------**2021

_________________________________________********________________________________________


D&I: Global revenue ⇑ $14 million			U.S. Revenue ⇑ $15 million			Non-U.S. Revenue ⇓ $1 million

Global D&I revenue increased 3% compared to the first nine months of 2021 and includes inorganic revenue growth from the acquisition of Cortera. The main drivers of the increase were:

–continued strong retention and new sales for ratings feeds coupled with pricing increases; and

–increased demand for company data.

Changes in foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted D&I revenue by eight percentage points.

Organic constant currency revenue(1) growth for D&I was 10%.

ARR(2) grew 9%.


						MA: YTD Operating and SG&A Expense ⇑ $200 million

The increase in operating and SG&A expenses compared to the first nine months of 2021 is primarily due to growth in both compensation and non-compensation costs of $153 million and $47 million, respectively, reflecting:


Compensation costs						Non-compensation costs
— inorganic expense growth from acquisitions, which represented approximately 95% of the growth; partially offset by:						— operating and integration-related costs associated with recent acquisitions; partially offset by:
— favorable changes in FX translation rates.						— favorable changes in FX translation rates.


															MA: Adjusted Operating Margin 30.9% ⇑ 70BPS

The Adjusted Operating Margin increase for MA is primarily due to the 18% increase in global MA revenue partially offset by operational and integration-related costs associated with recent acquisitions.


Depreciation and amortization


Restructuring

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Moody's remains committed to using its cash flow to create value for shareholders by both investing in the Company's employees and growing the business through targeted organic initiatives and inorganic acquisitions aligned with strategic priorities. Additional excess capital is returned to the Company’s shareholders via a combination of dividends and share repurchases.

Cash Flow

The Company is currently financing its operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions and share repurchases from operating and financing cash flows.

The following is a summary of the changes in the Company’s cash flows followed by a brief discussion of these changes:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,				$ Change Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2022		2021
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	1,097	$	1,706	$	(609)
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(172)	$	(2,161)	$	1,989
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	$	(957)	$	135	$	(1,092)
Free Cash Flow (1)	$	893	$	1,629	$	(736)

(1) Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP measure and is defined by the Company as net cash provided by operating activities minus cash paid for capital expenditures. Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A for further information on this financial measure.

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash flows from operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 decreased $609 million compared to the same period in 2021 primarily reflecting a decrease in net income (see section entitled “Results of Operations” of this MD&A for further discussion).

Net cash used in investing activities

The $1,989 million decrease in cash used in investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily reflects:

–higher cash paid of $1,929 million in the prior year for acquisitions, primarily reflecting the acquisition of RMS in 2021; and

–higher net cash receipts of $243 million in 2022 relating to the settlement of net investment hedges;

partially offset by:

–an increase in cash paid for capital additions of $127 million reflecting product development and investments relating to strategic initiatives to support business growth and to enhance technology infrastructure to enable automation, innovation and efficiency; and

–$56 million in higher net purchases of investments in 2022 compared to the same period in the prior year (refer to Note 7 and Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information on the Company's investments).

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

The $1,092 million increase in cash used in financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily attributed to:

*–*higher net issuance (issuance, less repayment) of $690 million in long term debt in 2021;

–higher cash paid for treasury share repurchases in 2022 of $355 million, which includes payment for shares made under an ASR agreement executed in the first quarter of 2022; and

–higher dividend payments of $40 million in 2022.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

The Company’s aggregate cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1.7 billion at September 30, 2022 included approximately $1.6 billion located outside of the U.S. Approximately 29% of the Company’s aggregate cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments is denominated in euros and British pounds. The Company manages both its U.S. and non-U.S. cash flow to maintain sufficient liquidity in all regions to effectively meet its operating needs.

As a result of the Tax Act, all previously net undistributed foreign earnings have now been subject to U.S. tax. The Company continues to evaluate which entities it will indefinitely reinvest earnings outside the U.S. The Company has provided deferred taxes for those entities whose earnings are not considered indefinitely reinvested. Accordingly, the Company has commenced repatriating a portion of its non-U.S. cash in these subsidiaries and will continue to repatriate certain of its offshore cash in a manner that addresses compliance with local statutory requirements, sufficient offshore working capital and any other factors that may be relevant in certain jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the Tax Act, which generally eliminated federal income tax on future cash repatriation to the U.S., cash repatriation may be subject to state and local taxes or withholding or similar taxes.

Material Cash Requirements

The Company's material cash requirements consist of the following contractual and other obligations:

Financing Arrangements

Indebtedness

At September 30, 2022, Moody’s had $7.5 billion of outstanding debt and approximately $1 billion of additional capacity available under the Company’s CP Program, which is backstopped by the $1.25 billion 2021 Facility.

The repayment schedule for the Company’s borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2022 is as follows:

For additional information on the Company's outstanding debt, refer to Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Future interest payments and fees associated with the Company's debt and credit facility are expected to be $4.3 billion, of which approximately $271 million is expected to be paid over the next twelve months.

Management may consider pursuing additional long-term financing when it is appropriate in light of cash requirements for operations, share repurchases and other strategic opportunities, which would result in higher financing costs.

Purchase Obligations

Purchase obligations generally include multi-year agreements with vendors to purchase goods or services and mainly include data center/cloud hosting fees and fees for information technology licensing and maintenance. As of September 30, 2022, these purchase obligations totaled $236 million, of which $158 million is expected to be paid in the next twelve months.

Leases

The Company has operating lease obligations of $493 million at September 30, 2022, primarily related to real estate leases, of which $104 million in payments are expected over the next twelve months. For more information on the Company's operating leases, refer to Note 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Pension and Other Retirement Plan Obligations

The Company does not anticipate making significant contributions to its funded pension plan in the next twelve months. This plan is overfunded at September 30, 2022, and accordingly holds sufficient investments to fund future benefit obligations. Payments for the Company's unfunded plans are not expected to be material in either the short or long-term.

Dividends and share repurchases

On October 24, 2022, the Board approved the declaration of a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share for Moody’s common stock, payable December 14, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 23, 2022. The continued payment of dividends at this rate, or at all, is subject to the discretion of the Board.

On February 9, 2021, the Board approved $1 billion in share repurchase authority, and on February 7, 2022, the Board approved an additional $750 million of share repurchase authority. At September 30, 2022, the Company had approximately $848 million of remaining authority. There is no established expiration date for the remaining authorizations.

Restructuring

As more fully discussed in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company is currently in the process of executing the 2022 - 2023 Geolocation Restructuring Program. This program relates to the Company's post-COVID-19 geolocation strategy and includes the rationalization and exit of certain real estate leases and a reduction in staff, including the relocation of certain job functions from their current locations. Cash outlays associated with this program are expected to be $75 million to $100 million, which are expected to be paid through 2024.

Sources of Funding to Satisfy Material Cash Requirements

The Company believes that it has the financial resources needed to meet its cash requirements and expects to have positive operating cash flow over the next twelve months. Cash requirements for periods beyond the next twelve months will depend, among other things, on the Company’s profitability and its ability to manage working capital requirements. The Company may also borrow from various sources as described above.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to its reported results, Moody’s has included in this MD&A certain adjusted results that the SEC defines as “non-GAAP financial measures.” Management believes that such adjusted financial 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 can provide greater transparency to investors of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. These adjusted measures, as defined by the Company, are not necessarily comparable to similarly defined measures of other companies. Furthermore, these adjusted measures should not be viewed in isolation or used as a substitute for other GAAP measures in assessing the operating performance or cash flows of the Company. Below are brief descriptions of the Company’s adjusted financial measures accompanied by a reconciliation of the adjusted measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure:

Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin**:**

The Company presents Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin because management deems these metrics to be useful measures to provide additional perspective on Moody's operating performance. Adjusted Operating Income excludes the impact of: i) depreciation and amortization; and ii) restructuring charges/adjustments. Depreciation and amortization are excluded because companies utilize productive assets of different ages and use different methods of acquiring and depreciating productive assets. Restructuring charges are excluded as the frequency and magnitude of these charges may vary widely across periods and companies.

Management believes that the exclusion of the aforementioned items, as detailed in the reconciliation below, allows for an additional perspective on the Company’s operating results from period to period and across companies. The Company defines Adjusted Operating Margin as Adjusted Operating Income divided by revenue.


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			2022			2021
Operating income	$	413		$	676		$	1,577		$	2,330
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization	83			61			242			180
Restructuring	1			—			32			2
Adjusted Operating Income	$	497		$	737		$	1,851		$	2,512
Operating margin	32.4		%	44.3		%	37.7		%	49.8		%
Adjusted Operating Margin	39.0		%	48.3		%	44.3		%	53.7		%

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS attributable to Moody's common shareholders:

The Company presents Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS because management deems these metrics to be useful measures to provide additional perspective on Moody’s operating performance. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS exclude the impact of: i) amortization of acquired intangible assets; ii) restructuring charges; and iii) FX translation losses reclassified to earnings resulting from the Company no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia.

The Company excludes the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets as companies utilize intangible assets with different estimated useful lives and have different methods of acquiring and amortizing intangible assets. These intangible assets were recorded as part of acquisition accounting and contribute to revenue generation. The amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized. Furthermore, the timing and magnitude of business combination transactions are not predictable and the purchase price allocated to amortizable intangible assets and the related amortization period are unique to each acquisition and can vary significantly from period to period and across companies. Restructuring charges and FX translation losses resulting from the Company no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia are excluded as the frequency and magnitude of these items may vary widely across periods and companies.

The Company excludes the aforementioned items to provide additional perspective when comparing net income and diluted EPS from period to period and across companies as the frequency and magnitude of similar transactions may vary widely across periods.

Below is a reconciliation of these measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP amounts:


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
Amounts in millions	2022				2021				2022				2021
Net income attributable to Moody's common shareholders			$	303			$	474			$	1,128			$	1,787



Pre-Tax Acquisition-Related Intangible Amortization Expenses	$	48			$	37			$	150			$	108
Tax on Acquisition-Related Intangible Amortization Expenses	(11)				(8)				(35)				(24)
Net Acquisition-Related Intangible Amortization Expenses			37				29				115				84

Pre-Tax Restructuring	$	1			$	—			$	32			$	2
Tax on Restructuring	(1)				—				(8)				—
Net Restructuring			—				—				24				2
FX losses resulting from the Company no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia			—				—				20				—
Adjusted Net Income			$	340			$	503			$	1,287			$	1,873


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2022				2021				2022				2021
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Moody's common shareholders			$	1.65			$	2.53			$	6.10			$	9.51



Pre-Tax Acquisition-Related Intangible Amortization Expenses	$	0.26			$	0.20			$	0.81			$	0.57
Tax on Acquisition-Related Intangible Amortization Expenses	(0.06)				(0.04)				(0.19)				(0.13)
Net Acquisition-Related Intangible Amortization Expenses			0.20				0.16				0.62				0.44

Pre-Tax Restructuring	$	0.01			$	—			$	0.17			$	0.01
Tax on Restructuring	(0.01)				—				(0.04)				—
Net Restructuring			—				—				0.13				0.01
FX losses resulting from the Company no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia			—				—				0.11				—
Adjusted Diluted EPS			$	1.85			$	2.69			$	6.96			$	9.96

Note: the tax impacts in the table above were calculated using tax rates in effect in the jurisdiction for which the item relates.

Free Cash Flow*:*

The Company defines Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities minus payments for capital additions. Management believes that Free Cash Flow is a useful metric in assessing the Company’s cash flows to service debt, pay dividends and to fund acquisitions and share repurchases. Management deems capital expenditures essential to the Company’s product and service innovations and maintenance of Moody’s operational capabilities. Accordingly, capital expenditures are deemed to be a recurring use of Moody’s cash flow. Below is a reconciliation of the Company’s net cash flows from operating activities to Free Cash Flow:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2022		2021
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	$	1,097	$	1,706
Capital additions	(204)		(77)
Free Cash Flow	$	893	$	1,629
Net cash flows used in investing activities	$	(172)	$	(2,161)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities	$	(957)	$	135

Organic Constant Currency Revenue Growth (Decline)/Constant Currency Revenue Growth (Decline):

Beginning in the second quarter of 2022, the Company began presenting organic constant currency revenue growth (decline) and constant currency revenue growth (decline) as its non-GAAP measure of revenue growth (decline). Previously, the Company presented organic revenue growth (decline), which excluded only the impact of certain acquisition activity. Management deems this revised measure to be useful in providing additional perspective in assessing the Company's revenue growth (decline) excluding both the inorganic revenue impacts from certain acquisition activity and the impacts of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company calculates the dollar impact of foreign exchange as the difference between the translation of its current period non-USD functional currency results using prior comparative period weighted average foreign exchange translation rates and current year as reported results.

Below is a reconciliation of the Company's reported revenue and growth rates to its organic constant currency revenue growth (decline) and constant currency revenue growth (decline) measures:


	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
Amounts in millions	2022		2021		Change		Growth	2022		2021		Change		Growth
MA revenue	$	685	$	601	$	84	14%	$	2,055	$	1,738	$	317	18%
FX impact	41		—		41			81		—		81
Inorganic revenue from acquisitions	(70)		—		(70)			(232)		—		(232)
Organic constant currency MA revenue	$	656	$	601	$	55	9%	$	1,904	$	1,738	$	166	10%



Decision Solutions revenue	$	325	$	250	$	75	30%	$	971	$	697	$	274	39%
FX impact	12		—		12			28		—		28
Inorganic revenue from acquisitions	(70)		—		(70)			(230)		—		(230)
Organic constant currency Decision Solutions revenue	$	267	$	250	$	17	7%	$	769	$	697	$	72	10%

Research and Insights revenue	$	184	$	177	$	7	4%	$	552	$	523	$	29	6%
FX impact	10		—		10			15		—		15
Constant currency Research and Insights revenue	$	194	$	177	$	17	10%	$	567	$	523	$	44	8%



Data and Information revenue	$	176	$	174	$	2	1%	$	532	$	518	$	14	3%
FX impact	19		—		19			38		—		38
Inorganic revenue from acquisitions	—		—		—			(2)		—		(2)
Organic constant currency Data and Information revenue	$	195	$	174	$	21	12%	$	568	$	518	$	50	10%












































	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
Amounts in millions	2022		2021		Change		Growth	2022		2021		Change		Growth
MCO revenue	$	1,275	$	1,526	$	(251)	(16)%	$	4,178	$	4,679	$	(501)	(11)%
FX impact	67		—		67			142		—		142
Inorganic revenue from acquisitions	(70)		—		(70)			(232)		—		(232)
Organic constant currency MCO revenue	$	1,272	$	1,526	$	(254)	(17)%	$	4,088	$	4,679	$	(591)	(13)%

Key Performance Metrics:

The Company presents Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) on a constant currency organic basis for its MA business as a supplemental performance metric to provide additional insight on the estimated value of MA's recurring revenue contracts at a given point in time. The Company uses ARR to manage and monitor performance of its MA operating segment and believes that this metric is a key indicator of the trajectory of MA's recurring revenue base.

The Company calculates ARR by taking the total recurring contract value for each active renewable contract as of the reporting date, divided by the number of days in the contract and multiplied by 365 days to create an annualized value. The Company defines renewable contracts as subscriptions, term licenses, maintenance and renewable services. ARR excludes transaction sales including training, one-time services and perpetual licenses. In order to compare period-over-period ARR excluding the effects of foreign currency translation, the Company bases the calculation on currency rates utilized in its current year operating budget and holds these FX rates constant for the duration of all current and prior periods being reported. Additionally, ARR excludes contracts related to acquisitions to provide additional perspective in assessing growth excluding the impacts from certain acquisition activity.

The Company’s definition of ARR may differ from definitions utilized by other companies reporting similarly named measures, and this metric should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, financial measures presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.


Amounts in millions	September 30, 2022		September 30, 2021		Change		Growth






ARR
Decision Solutions	$	1,177	$	1,071	$	106	10%
Research and Insights	740		688		52		8%
Data and Information	745		683		62		9%
Total MA ARR	$	2,662	$	2,442	$	220	9%

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Refer to Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements located in Part I of this Form 10-Q for a discussion on the impact to the Company relating to recently issued accounting pronouncements.

CONTINGENCIES

Legal proceedings in which the Company is involved also may impact Moody’s liquidity or operating results. No assurance can be provided as to the outcome of such proceedings. In addition, litigation inherently involves significant costs. For information regarding legal proceedings, see Item 1 - "Financial Statements", Note 17 "Contingencies” in this Form 10-Q.

REGULATION

MIS, certain of the Company's credit rating affiliates and many of the issuers and/or securities that MIS and the affiliates rate, are subject to extensive regulation in the U.S., EU and in other countries (including by state and local authorities). In addition, some of the services offered by MA and its affiliates are subject to regulation in a number of countries. MA also derives a significant amount of its sales from banks and other financial services providers who are subject to regulatory oversight and who are required to pass through certain regulatory requirements to key suppliers such as MA. Existing and proposed laws and regulations can impact the Company’s operations, products and the markets in which the Company operates. Additional laws and regulations have been proposed or are being considered. Each of the existing, adopted, proposed and potential laws and regulations can increase the costs and legal risk associated with the Company’s operations, including the issuance of credit ratings, and may negatively impact the Company’s profitability and ability to compete, or result in changes in the demand for the Company’s products and services, in the manner in which the Company’s products and services are utilized and in the manner in which the Company operates.

The regulatory landscape continues to evolve. In the U.S., CRAs are subject to extensive regulation primarily pursuant to the Reform Act and the Dodd-Frank Act. The Reform Act added Section 15E to the Exchange Act and provided the SEC with the authority to establish a registration and oversight program for CRAs registered as NRSROs. The Dodd-Frank Act added additional provisions to Section 15E. Future government transitions, can bring potential changes in the laws affecting CRAs and/or the enforcement of any new or existing legislation, regulation or directives by government authorities.

In the EU, the CRA industry is registered and supervised through a pan-EU regulatory framework. ESMA has direct supervisory responsibility for registered CRAs throughout the EU. MIS’s EU CRA subsidiaries are registered and are subject to formal regulation and periodic inspection. From time to time, ESMA publishes interpretive guidance, or thematic reports regarding various aspects of the CRA regulation and, annually, sets out its work program for the forthcoming year. The Commission is moving forward with their sustainable finance strategy released in July 2021. This includes further assessments in respect of both CRAs and sustainability ratings and research, which might lead to legislative action.

On December 31, 2020, the MIS U.K. registered CRA ceased to be registered with and regulated by ESMA and became subject to regulation by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Regulatory arrangements also came into effect in both the U.K. and the EU to allow credit ratings to be available for regulatory use in both the EU and the U.K. MIS has put arrangements in place to endorse its U.K. credit ratings into the EU and its EU credit ratings into the U.K. The U.K. Government is considering bringing ESG data and ratings firms within the scope of FCA authorization and regulation. The FCA has said that it sees a clear rationale for regulating them.

In light of the regulations that have gone into effect in both the EU and the U.S. (as well as many other countries), periodically and as a matter of course pursuant to their enabling legislation, regulatory authorities have, and will continue to, publish reports that describe their oversight activities. In addition, other legislation, regulation and/or interpretation of existing regulation relating to the Company’s operations, including credit rating, ancillary and research services has been or is being considered by local, national and multinational bodies and this type of activity is likely to continue in the future. Finally, in certain countries, governments may provide financial or other support to locally-based CRAs. If enacted, any such legislation, regulation or support could change the competitive landscape in which the Company operates. The legal status of CRAs has been addressed by courts in various jurisdictions and is likely to be considered and addressed in legal proceedings from time to time in the future. Management of the Company cannot predict whether these or any other proposals will be enacted, the outcome of any pending or possible future legal proceedings, or regulatory or legislative actions, or the ultimate impact of any such matters on the competitive position, financial position or results of operations of the Company.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements and are based on future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company's business and operations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Those statements appear at various places throughout this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including in the sections entitled “Contingencies” under Item 2, “MD&A”, commencing on page 43 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, under “Legal Proceedings” in Part II, Item 1, of this Form 10-Q, and elsewhere in the context of statements containing the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “aspire,” “target,” “forecast,” “project,” “estimate,” “should,” “could,” “may,” and similar expressions or words and variations thereof relating to the Company’s views on future events, trends and contingencies or otherwise convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicative of forward-looking statements. Stockholders and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other information are made as of the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and the Company undertakes no obligation (nor does it intend) to publicly supplement, update or revise such statements on a going-forward basis, whether as a result of subsequent developments, changed expectations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company is identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those indicated by these forward-looking statements.

Those factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

the impact of general economic conditions, including inflation and related monetary policy actions by governments in response to inflation, on worldwide credit markets and economic activity and its effect on the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets;
the global impacts of each of the crisis in Ukraine and COVID-19 on volatility in the U.S. and world financial markets, on general economic conditions and GDP in the U.S. and worldwide, on global relations and on the Company's own operations and personnel;
other matters that could affect the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets, including regulation, credit quality concerns, changes in interest rates, inflation and other volatility in the financial markets;
the level of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. and abroad;
the uncertain effectiveness and possible collateral consequences of U.S. and foreign government actions affecting credit markets, international trade and economic policy, including those related to tariffs, tax agreements and trade barriers;
the impact of MIS’s withdrawal of its credit ratings on Russian entities and of Moody’s no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia;
concerns in the marketplace affecting our credibility or otherwise affecting market perceptions of the integrity or utility of independent credit agency ratings;
the introduction of competing products or technologies by other companies;
pricing pressure from competitors and/or customers;
the level of success of new product development and global expansion;
the impact of regulation as an NRSRO, the potential for new U.S., state and local legislation and regulations;
the potential for increased competition and regulation in the EU and other foreign jurisdictions;
exposure to litigation related to our rating opinions, as well as any other litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries to which Moody’s may be subject from time to time;
provisions in U.S. legislation modifying the pleading standards and EU regulations modifying the liability standards, applicable to credit rating agencies in a manner adverse to credit rating agencies;
provisions of EU regulations imposing additional procedural and substantive requirements on the pricing of services and the expansion of supervisory remit to include non-EU ratings used for regulatory purposes;
uncertainty regarding the future relationship between the U.S. and China;
the possible loss of key employees;
failures or malfunctions of our operations and infrastructure;
any vulnerabilities to cyber threats or other cybersecurity concerns;
the timing and effectiveness of our restructuring programs, such as the 2022 - 2023 Geolocation Restructuring Program;
currency and foreign exchange volatility;
the outcome of any review by controlling tax authorities of Moody’s global tax planning initiatives;
exposure to potential criminal sanctions or civil remedies if Moody’s fails to comply with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable in the jurisdictions in which Moody’s operates, including data protection and privacy laws, sanctions laws, anti-corruption laws, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials;
the impact of mergers, acquisitions, such as our acquisition of RMS, or other business combinations and the ability of Moody’s to successfully integrate acquired businesses;
the level of future cash flows;
the levels of capital investments; and
a decline in the demand for credit risk management tools by financial institutions.

These factors, risks and uncertainties as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause Moody’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of Moody’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and in other filings made by the Company from time to time with the SEC or in materials incorporated herein or therein. Stockholders and investors are cautioned that the occurrence of any of these factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. New factors may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict new factors, nor can the Company assess the potential effect of any new factors on it. Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our corporate responsibility progress, plans, and goals (including sustainability and environmental matters), and the inclusion of such statements is not an indication that these contents are necessarily material to investors or required to be disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future.

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