Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 0-27275

 

 

Akamai Technologies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   04-3432319

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

8 Cambridge Center

Cambridge, MA 02142

(617) 444-3000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨
     

(Do not check if a smaller

reporting company)

  

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of May 7, 2009: 172,823,522 shares.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (unaudited)

   3
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

   3
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

   5
  

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   26

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   38

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   39

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   41

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   41

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   50

SIGNATURES

   51

EXHIBIT INDEX

   52

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 
    

(In thousands,

except share data)

 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 215,210     $ 156,074  

Marketable securities (including restricted securities of $3,460 each at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008)

     238,794       174,557  

Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $13,667 and $11,270 at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     149,280       139,612  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     30,670       27,124  

Deferred income tax assets

     4,542       4,542  
                

Total current assets

     638,496       501,909  

Property and equipment, net

     174,651       174,483  

Marketable securities (including restricted securities of $153 each at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008)

     394,475       440,996  

Goodwill

     441,569       441,258  

Other intangible assets, net

     88,756       92,995  

Deferred income tax assets, net

     196,050       223,718  

Other assets

     5,315       5,592  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,939,312     $ 1,880,951  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 17,391     $ 21,165  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     46,203       66,132  

Deferred revenue

     25,829       11,506  

Accrued restructuring

     1,546       1,653  
                

Total current liabilities

     90,969       100,456  

Other liabilities

     13,257       10,619  

Deferred revenue

     3,889       1,251  

1% convertible senior notes

     199,855       199,855  
                

Total liabilities

     307,970       312,181  
                

Commitments, contingencies and guarantees (Note 15)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 700,000 shares designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; no shares issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 700,000,000 shares authorized; 172,720,123 and 169,371,675 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     1,727       1,694  

Additional paid-in capital

     4,559,690       4,539,154  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net

     (19,428 )     (24,350 )

Accumulated deficit

     (2,910,647 )     (2,947,728 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,631,342       1,568,770  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,939,312     $ 1,880,951  
                

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

 

3


Table of Contents

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands,
except per share amounts)
 

Revenues

   $ 210,368     $ 187,019  
                

Costs and operating expenses:

    

Cost of revenues

     60,362       51,575  

Research and development

     10,856       9,304  

Sales and marketing

     42,270       35,944  

General and administrative

     36,068       33,266  

Amortization of other intangible assets

     4,239       3,590  

Restructuring charge

     454       —    
                

Total costs and operating expenses

     154,249       133,679  
                

Income from operations

     56,119       53,340  

Interest income

     4,740       8,041  

Interest expense

     (710 )     (710 )

Other income (expense), net

     1,134       476  

Gain (loss) on investments, net

     455       208  
                

Income before provision for income taxes

     61,738       61,355  

Provision for income taxes

     24,657       24,444  
                

Net income

   $ 37,081     $ 36,911  
                

Net income per weighted average share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.22     $ 0.22  

Diluted

   $ 0.20     $ 0.20  

Shares used in per share calculations:

    

Basic

     170,519       165,959  

Diluted

     188,183       185,744  

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

 

4


Table of Contents

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 37,081     $ 36,911  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     28,678       22,647  

Stock-based compensation expense

     15,067       11,251  

Provision for deferred income taxes, net

     22,877       23,217  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     210       210  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     1,158       353  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     (325 )     (3,277 )

Gains on investments and loss on disposal of property and equipment, net

     (434 )     (271 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

    

Accounts receivable

     4,719       (2,072 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (3,807 )     (2,131 )

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (17,315 )     (928 )

Deferred revenue

     106       2,522  

Accrued restructuring

     (161 )     (164 )

Other non-current assets and liabilities

     2,615       (259 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     90,469       88,009  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (15,774 )     (21,911 )

Capitalization of internal-use software development costs

     (7,293 )     (6,301 )

Purchases of short- and long-term marketable securities

     (79,980 )     (160,182 )

Proceeds from sales of short- and long-term marketable securities

     69,276       35,403  

Proceeds from maturities of short- and long-term marketable securities

     5,500       119,063  

Cash paid for acquisition of a business

     (5,779 )     —    

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

     2       67  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (34,048 )     (33,861 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     325       3,277  

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock under stock option plans

     3,764       4,509  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     4,089       7,786  
                

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,374 )     1,483  
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     59,136       63,417  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     156,074       145,078  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 215,210     $ 208,495  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 10,245     $ 4,383  

Non-cash financing and investing activities:

    

Capitalization of stock-based compensation as internal-use software

   $ 1,908     $ 1,671  

Common stock returned upon settlement of escrow claims related to prior business acquisitions

     (213 )     (952 )

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

 

5


Table of Contents

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (“Akamai” or the “Company”) provides services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet. Akamai’s globally distributed platform comprises thousands of servers in hundreds of networks in approximately 70 countries. The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1998 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Akamai currently operates in one industry segment: providing services for accelerating and improving delivery of content and applications over the Internet.

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. These financial statements include the accounts of Akamai and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the accompanying financial statements.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been condensed or omitted in these interim financial statements. Accordingly, the unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Akamai’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009.

The results of operations presented in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for future periods. In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments and accruals, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that are necessary for a fair statement of the results of all interim periods reported herein.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-2 delayed until the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2009 the effective date of SFAS 157,Fair Value Measurement,” for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of FSP 157-2 on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities” (“FSP EITF 03-6-1”). FSP EITF 03-6-1 provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Upon adoption, a company is required to retrospectively adjust its earnings per share data (including any amounts related to interim periods, summaries of earnings and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions in this FSP. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2009, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations,” (“SFAS No. 141R”), became effective for the Company. This statement significantly changes the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. In

 

6


Table of Contents

addition, under this statement, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties in a business combination after the measurement period will impact income tax expense. SFAS No. 141R may have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements if or when it enters into another business combination.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” This FSP amends SFAS 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require those disclosures in all interim financial statements. This standard is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on its financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Whether a Market Is Not Active and a Transaction Is Not Distressed(“FSP FAS 157-4”), which provides guidelines for making fair value measurements more consistent with the principles presented in SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurement.” FSP FAS 157-4 provides additional authoritative guidance in determining whether a market is active or inactive, whether a transaction is distressed, whether SFAS 157 is applicable to all assets and liabilities (i.e., financial and non-financial) and whether enhanced disclosure is required. This standard is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company currently anticipates that the adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 will not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FSP FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (“FSP FAS 115-2 and FSP FAS 124-2”), which amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt and equity securities. This standard is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company currently anticipates the adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FSP FAS 124-2 will not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Business Acquisition

aCerno

In November 2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common and preferred stock of the parent entity of aCerno, Inc. (“acerno”) including vested stock options, in exchange for approximately $89.5 million in cash paid in 2008 and in the first quarter of 2009. The purchase of acerno was intended to augment Akamai’s Advertising Decision Solutions (“ADS”), which are solutions designed to help customers more effectively advertise online by helping them improve ad results by accessing the audiences they want. The aggregate purchase price of $90.8 million consisted of $89.5 million in cash and $1.3 million of transaction costs, which primarily consisted of fees for legal and financial advisory services.

The acquisition of acerno was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company since November 3, 2008, the date of acquisition. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, as determined by management and, with respect to identifiable intangible assets, by management with the assistance of an appraisal provided by a third-party valuation firm. The purchase price allocation was finalized during the first quarter of 2009. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill. The value of the goodwill from this acquisition can be attributed to a number of business factors including, but not limited to, potential sales opportunities to provide Akamai services to acerno customers; a trained technical workforce in place in the United States; an existing sales pipeline and a trained sales force. In accordance with current accounting standards, goodwill associated with the acerno acquisition will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142 (see Note 10).

 

7


Table of Contents

The following table presents the allocation of the purchase price for acerno:

 

     (In thousands)  

Total consideration:

  

Cash paid as of March 31, 2009

   $ 89,520  

Transaction costs

     1,294  
        

Total purchase consideration

   $ 90,814  
        

Allocation of the purchase consideration:

  

Current assets

   $ 5,249  

Property and equipment

     1,720  

Identifiable intangible assets

     19,400  

Goodwill

     80,596  

Deferred tax liabilities

     (7,516 )

Other liabilities assumed

     (8,635 )
        
   $ 90,814  
        

The following were the identified intangible assets acquired and the respective estimated periods over which such assets will be amortized:

 

     Amount    Weighted
Average
useful life
     (In thousands)    (In years)

Completed technologies

   $ 9,200    2.5

Customer relationships

     4,300    4.1

Non-compete agreements

     5,600    2.5

Trade names

     300    1.5
         

Total

   $ 19,400   
         

In determining the purchase price allocation, the Company considered, among other factors, its intention to use the acquired assets and the historical and estimated future demand for acerno services. The fair value of intangible assets was based upon the income approach. In applying this approach, the values of the intangible assets acquired were determined using projections of revenues and expenses specifically attributed to the intangible assets. The income streams were then discounted to present value using estimated risk adjusted discount rates. The rate used to discount the expected future net cash flows from the intangible assets to their present values was based upon a weighted average cost of capital of 15%. The discount rate was determined after consideration of market rates of return on debt and equity capital, the weighted average return on invested capital and the risk associated with achieving forecasted sales related to the technology and assets acquired from acerno.

The customer relationships were valued using the excess earnings method of income approach. The key assumptions used in valuing the customer relationships were as follows: discount rate of 15%, tax rate of 35% and estimated average economic life of seven years.

The relief-from-royalty method was used to value the completed technologies acquired from acerno. The relief-from-royalty method estimates the cost savings that accrue to the owner of an intangible asset that would otherwise be required to pay royalties or license fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset. The royalty rate used is based on an analysis of empirical, market-derived royalty rates for guideline intangible assets. Typically, revenue is projected over the expected remaining useful life of the completed technology. The market-derived royalty rate is then applied to estimate the royalty savings. The key assumptions used in valuing the completed technologies are as follows: royalty rate of 10%, discount rate of 15%, tax rate of 35% and estimated average economic life of five years.

 

8


Table of Contents

The lost-profits method was used to value the non-compete agreements Akamai entered into with certain members of acerno’s management team. The lost-profits method recognizes that the current value of an asset may be premised upon the expected receipt of future economic benefits protected by clauses within an agreement. These benefits are generally considered to be higher income resulting from the avoidance of a loss in revenue that would likely occur without an agreement. The key assumptions used in valuing the non-compete agreements were as follows: discount rate of 15%, tax rate of 35% and estimated average economic life of five years.

The relief-from-royalty method was used to value trade names. The relief-from-royalty method recognizes that the current value of an asset may be premised upon the expected receipt of future economic benefit in the use of trade names. These benefits are generally considered to be higher income resulting from the avoidance of a loss in revenue that would likely occur without the specific trade names. The key assumptions used in valuing trade names were as follows: royalty rate of 1%, discount rate of 15%, tax rate of 35% and estimated average economic life of three years.

The total weighted average amortization period for the intangible assets acquired from acerno is 2.8 years. The intangible assets are being amortized based upon the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are being utilized, which in general reflects the cash flows generated from such assets. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangible assets resulting from the acerno acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes.

The Company’s pro forma results of operations, presented to give effect to the acquisition of acerno for periods prior to the acquisition, would not differ materially from the Company’s reported results of operations.

4. Marketable Securities and Investments

The Company accounts for financial assets and liabilities in accordance with SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

  Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

  Level 2—Observable inputs, other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

  Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

 

9


Table of Contents

The following is a summary of marketable securities and other investment-related assets held at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands).

 

As of March 31, 2009

  Cost   Gross Unrealized     Other-than-
temporary
Impairment
Gains

(Losses)
    Aggregate
Fair Value
  Classified on Balance Sheet
          Short-term
Marketable
Securities
  Long-term
Marketable
Securities
    Gains   Losses          

Available-for-sale securities:

             

Certificates of deposit

  $ 614   $ —     $ —       $ —       $ 614   $ 511   $ 103

Commercial paper

    12,533     2     (19 )     —         12,516     12,516     —  

U.S. corporate debt securities

    238,056     1,220     (2,600 )     —         236,676     138,712     97,964

U.S. government agency obligations

    121,026     471     (27 )     —         121,470     87,055     34,415

Auction rate securities

    210,600     —       (25,107 )     —         185,493     —       185,493
                                             
    582,829     1,693     (27,753 )     —         556,769     238,794     317,975
                                             

Trading securities:

             

Auction rate securities

    76,500     —       —         (9,746 )     66,754     —       66,754

Other investment-related assets:

             

Put option related to auction rate securities

    —       —       —         9,746       9,746     —       9,746
                                             
  $ 659,329   $ 1,693   $ (27,753 )   $ —       $ 633,269   $ 238,794   $ 394,475
                                             

 

As of December 31, 2008

  Cost   Gross Unrealized     Other-than-
temporary
Impairment
Gains

(Losses)
    Aggregate
Fair Value
  Classified on Balance Sheet
          Short-term
Marketable
Securities
  Long-term
Marketable
Securities
    Gains   Losses          

Available-for-sale securities:

             

Certificates of deposit

  $ 640   $ —     $ —       $ —       $ 640   $ 487   $ 153

Commercial paper

    39,357     52     —         —         39,409     39,409     —  

U.S. corporate debt securities

    216,883     681     (2,593 )     —         214,971     85,907     129,064

U.S. government agency obligations

    110,137     902     (12 )     —         111,027     48,754     62,273

Auction rate securities

    210,600     —       (37,163 )     —         173,437     —       173,437
                                             
    577,617     1,635     (39,768 )     —         539,484     174,557     364,927
                                             

Trading securities:

             

Auction rate securities

    76,500     —       —         (12,931 )     63,569     —       63,569

Other investment-related assets:

             

Put option related to auction rate securities

    —       —       —         12,500       12,500     —       12,500
                                             
  $ 654,117   $ 1,635   $ (39,768 )   $ (431 )   $ 615,553   $ 174,557   $ 440,996
                                             

Unrealized gains and unrealized temporary losses on investments classified as available-for-sale securities are included within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net within stockholders’ equity. Upon realization, those amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net to gain (loss) on investments, net in the statement of operations. All gains and losses on investments classified as trading

 

10


Table of Contents

securities are included within the statement of operations as gain (loss) on investments, net. Realized gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairments on investments classified as available-for-sale securities are reflected in the statement of operations as gain (loss) on investments, net. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had $210.6 million of auction rate securities and $3.1 million of U.S. corporate debt securities with gross unrealized losses that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months.

The following table details the fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial assets, including investments and cash equivalents, at March 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Total Fair Value at
March 31, 2009
   Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
Date Using
        Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Money market funds

   $ 166,126    $ 166,126    $ —      $ —  

Certificates of deposit

     614      614      —        —  

Commercial paper

     12,516      —        12,516      —  

U.S. government agency obligations

     121,470      —        121,470      —  

U.S. corporate debt securities

     236,676      —        236,676      —  

Auction rate securities

     252,247      —        —        252,247

Put option related to auction rate securities

     9,746      —        —        9,746
                           
   $ 799,395    $ 166,740    $ 370,662    $ 261,993
                           

The following table reflects the activity for the Company’s major classes of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Auction Rate
Securities
   Put Option
Related to
Auction Rate
Securities
    Total  

Balance as of December 31, 2008

   $ 237,006    $ 12,500     $ 249,506  

Unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net

     12,056      —         12,056  

Unrealized gain on auction rate securities included in the statement of operations

     3,185      —         3,185  

Unrealized loss on other investment-related assets included in the statement of operations

     —        (2,754 )     (2,754 )
                       

Balance as of March 31, 2009

   $ 252,247    $ 9,746     $ 261,993  
                       

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had grouped money market funds and certificates of deposit using a Level 1 valuation because market prices for such investments are readily available in active markets. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had grouped commercial paper, U.S. government agency obligations and U.S. corporate debt securities using a Level 2 valuation because quoted prices for identical or similar assets are available in markets that are not active. As of March 31, 2009, the fair value of the Company’s assets grouped using a Level 3 valuation consisted of auction rate securities (“ARS”) as well as a related put option described below. ARS are long-term variable rate bonds tied to short-term interest rates that may reset through a “Dutch auction” process that are designed to occur every seven to 35 days.

Historically, the carrying value (par value) of the ARS approximated fair market value due to the resetting of variable interest rates. Beginning in mid-February 2008 and continuing throughout the period ended March 31, 2009, however, the auctions for ARS then held by the Company were unsuccessful. As a result, the interest rates on ARS reset to the maximum rate per the applicable investment offering statements. The Company will not be able to liquidate affected ARS until a future auction on these investments is successful, a buyer is found outside the auction process, the securities are called or refinanced by the issuer, or the securities mature. Due to these liquidity issues, the Company performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the estimated fair value of

 

11


Table of Contents

these investments. The discounted cash flow analysis performed by the Company considered the timing of expected future successful auctions, the impact of extended periods of maximum interest rates, collateralization of underlying security investments and the creditworthiness of the issuer. The discounted cash flow analysis performed as of March 31, 2009 assumes a weighted average discount rate of 4.63% and expected term of five years. The discount rate was determined using a proxy based upon the current market rates for similar debt offerings within the AAA-rated ARS market. The expected term was based on management’s estimate of future liquidity. As a result, as of March 31, 2009, the Company has estimated an aggregate loss of $34.9 million, of which $25.1 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed to be temporary and included in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity, and of which $9.7 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed other-than-temporary and included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations. The impact for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was a net gain of $12.1 million, included in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity, related to ARS having impairments deemed to be temporary in nature, as well as a net gain of $3.2 million, included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations, related to the impairment of ARS deemed other-than-temporary. The aggregate net gain in the fair value of ARS experienced in the three months ended March 31, 2009 was due to a decrease in the weighted average discount rate used in the computation of fair values to 4.63% from 6.275% used as of December 31, 2008.

The Company’s ARS are primarily AAA-rated bonds, most of which are collateralized by federally guaranteed student loans as part of the Federal Family Education Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Education. The Company believes the quality of the collateral underlying these securities will enable it to recover the Company’s principal balance.

Despite the failed auctions, the Company continues to receive cash flows in the form of specified interest payments from the issuers of ARS. In addition, except as described below for ARS related to the put option, the Company has the intent and ability to hold its ARS until a recovery of the impairment because it believes it has sufficient cash and other marketable securities on-hand and from projected cash flows from operations such that it does not anticipate a need to sell its ARS prior to a recovery to par value.

In November 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with one of its investment advisors, which will require the advisor to repurchase the $76.5 million in par value of ARS purchased through such advisor at par value beginning on June 30, 2010. Such agreement created a separate financial instrument between the two companies (the “put option”). For these particular ARS, Akamai expects to continue to hold these long-term debt instruments until the earlier of the settlement date or the date on which the market allows for active trading of ARS at par value. At any time during the period up until the June 2010, the investment advisor can call the ARS at par value. These ARS were classified as trading securities as of December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009.

The Company elected to apply the fair value option under SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” to the put option. As of December 31, 2008, the $12.5 million fair value of the put option was grouped with long-term marketable securities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of March 31, 2009, the fair value of the put option was reduced to $9.7 million. As a result, the Company recorded a net loss on investments of $2.8 million, included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The fair value of the put option was determined by comparing the fair values of the related ARS, as described above, to their par values and also considers the credit risk associated with the investment advisor. This put option will continue to be adjusted on each balance sheet date based on its then fair value. The fair value of the put option is based on unobservable inputs and is therefore classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.

 

12


Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company classified ARS as long-term marketable securities on its consolidated balance sheet due to management’s estimate of its inability to liquidate these investments within the following twelve months. Expected maturities of the Company’s marketable securities and other investment-related assets held at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Available-for-sale securities:

     

Due in one year or less

   $ 238,794    $ 174,710

Due after 1 year through 5 years

     132,482      191,337

Due after 5 years

     185,493      173,437

Trading securities:

     

Due after 5 years

     66,754      63,569

Other investment-related assets:

     

Due after 1 year through 5 years

     9,746      12,500
             
   $ 633,269    $ 615,553
             

As of March 31, 2009, $3.6 million of the Company’s marketable securities were classified as restricted. These securities primarily represent security for irrevocable letters of credit in favor of third-party beneficiaries, mostly related to facility leases. The letters of credit are collateralized by restricted marketable securities, of which $3.4 million are classified as short-term marketable securities and $0.2 million are classified as long-term marketable securities on the consolidated balance sheets. The restrictions on these marketable securities lapse as the Company fulfills its obligations or such obligations expire under the terms of the letters of credit. These restrictions are expected to lapse at various times through May 2011.

5. Accounts Receivable

Net accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Trade accounts receivable

   $ 139,071     $ 138,286  

Unbilled accounts

     23,876       12,596  
                

Gross accounts receivable

     162,947       150,882  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (8,297 )     (6,943 )

Reserve for cash-basis customers

     (5,370 )     (4,327 )
                

Total accounts receivable reserves

     (13,667 )     (11,270 )
                

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 149,280     $ 139,612  
                

The Company’s accounts receivable balance includes unbilled amounts that represent revenues recorded for customers that are typically billed monthly in arrears. The Company records reserves against its accounts receivable balance. These reserves consist of allowances for doubtful accounts and reserves for cash-basis customers. Increases and decreases in the allowance for doubtful accounts are included as a component of general and administrative expenses. The Company’s reserve for cash-basis customers increases as services are provided to customers where collection is no longer assured. Increases to the reserve for cash-basis customers are recorded as reductions of revenues. The reserve decreases and revenue is recognized when and if cash payments are received.

Estimates are used in determining these reserves and are based upon the Company’s review of outstanding balances on a customer-specific, account-by-account basis. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon a

 

13


Table of Contents

review of customer receivables from prior sales with collection issues where the Company no longer believes that the customer has the ability to pay for services previously provided. The Company also performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. If such an evaluation indicates that payment is no longer reasonably assured for services provided, any future services provided to that customer will result in the creation of a cash-basis reserve until the Company receives consistent payments. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

For presentation on the balance sheet at December 31, 2008, the Company reduced customer accounts receivable balances and deferred revenue by the amount of any deferred revenue recorded for customers that had a balance receivable. The reduction as of December 31, 2008 totaled $22.2 million. Beginning in the period ended March 31, 2009, the Company ceased to record such reduction for balance sheet presentation and now only records a reduction of customers’ accounts receivable balances for the amount of any deferred revenue related to services that have not yet commenced and any deferred revenue for customers from which collection is not reasonably assured. The actual reported deferred revenue on the balance sheet at December 31, 2008 was $12.8 million. That amount would have been $30.1 million if the new presentation had been applied at December 31, 2008.

6. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Payroll and other related benefits

   $ 23,134    $ 26,377

Bandwidth and co-location

     16,300      16,642

Property, use and other taxes

     2,392      13,317

Legal professional fees

     1,037      1,475

Other

     3,340      8,321
             

Total

   $ 46,203    $ 66,132
             

7. Net Income per Share

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus the dilutive effect of potential common stock. Potential common stock consists of shares issuable pursuant to stock options, deferred stock units, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and convertible notes.

 

14


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the components used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2009    2008

Numerator:

     

Net income

   $ 37,081    $ 36,911

Add back of interest expense on 1% convertible senior notes, net of tax

     426      710
             

Numerator for diluted net income

   $ 37,507    $ 37,621
             

Denominator:

     

Denominator for basic net income per common share

     170,519      165,959

Effect of dilutive securities:

     

Stock options

     2,452      5,656

Effect of escrow contingencies

     347      810

RSUs and deferred stock units

     1,929      392

Assumed conversion of 1% convertible senior notes

     12,936      12,927
             

Denominator for diluted net income per common share

     188,183      185,744
             

Basic net income per common share

   $ 0.22    $ 0.22

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 0.20    $ 0.20

Outstanding options to acquire an aggregate of 3.3 million and 1.9 million shares of common stock as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of these stock options were greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the respective periods. Additionally, 2.6 million and 4.4 million shares of common stock issuable in respect of outstanding performance-based RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, because the performance conditions had not been met as of those dates.

The calculation of assumed proceeds used to determine the diluted weighted average shares outstanding under the treasury stock method in the periods presented was adjusted by tax windfalls and shortfalls associated with all of the Company’s outstanding stock awards. Such windfalls and shortfalls are computed by comparing the tax deductible amount of outstanding stock awards to their grant date fair values and multiplying the results by the applicable statutory tax rate. A positive result creates a windfall, which increases the assumed proceeds, and a negative result creates a shortfall, which reduces the assumed proceeds.

 

15


Table of Contents

8. Stockholders’ Equity

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes the components of total stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:

    

Stock options

   $ 4,848     $ 6,172  

RSUs

     11,140       5,787  

Shares issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     987       963  

Amounts capitalized as internal-use software

     (1,908 )     (1,671 )
                

Total stock-based compensation before income taxes

     15,067       11,251  

Less: Income tax benefit

     (6,017 )     (3,417 )
                

Total stock-based compensation, net of taxes

   $ 9,050     $ 7,834  
                

Effect of stock-based compensation on income by line item:

    

Cost of revenues

   $ 561     $ 566  

Research and development expense

     2,726       2,448  

Sales and marketing expense

     7,040       4,949  

General and administrative expense

     4,740       3,288  

Provision for income taxes

     (6,017 )     (3,417 )
                

Total cost related to stock-based compensation, net of taxes

   $ 9,050     $ 7,834  
                

In addition to the amounts of stock-based compensation reported in the table above, the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three months March 31, 2009 and 2008 also included stock-based compensation reflected as a component of amortization of capitalized internal-use software; such additional stock-based compensation was $1.3 million and $0.9 million during such three-month periods, respectively, before tax.

Akamai has selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of the Company’s stock option awards. This model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including expected stock price volatility and estimated life of each award. The estimated fair value of Akamai’s stock-based awards, less expected forfeitures, is amortized over the awards’ vesting period on a straight-line basis. Expected volatilities are based on the Company’s historical stock price volatility and implied volatility from traded options in its stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate the expected life of options granted within the valuation model. The risk-free interest rate for periods commensurate with the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield rate in effect at the time of grant.

The grant-date fair values of option awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2009    2008

Expected life (years)

   4.1    4.1

Risk-free interest rate (%)

   1.6    2.5

Expected volatility (%)

   56.7    51.6

Dividend yield (%)

   —      —  

 

16


Table of Contents

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the weighted average fair value of Akamai’s stock option awards granted in those periods was $7.83 per share and $13.71 per share, respectively.

The grant-date fair values of Akamai’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2009    2008

Expected life (years)

   0.5    0.5

Risk-free interest rate (%)

   0.4    3.3

Expected volatility (%)

   68.1    50.0

Dividend yield (%)

   —      —  

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the weighted average fair value of ESPP awards granted in those periods was $2.15 per share and $5.48 per share, respectively.

As of March 31, 2009, the total pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost for stock options, RSUs and stock issued under the ESPP was $84.1 million. This non-cash expense is estimated to be recognized through 2013 over a weighted average period of 1.3 years. Nearly all of the Company’s employees have received grants through these equity compensation programs.

Stock Options

Options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or, subject to defined limitations, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to whom such authority has been delegated. Options granted under the Company’s 1998 Stock Incentive Plan generally have a contractual life of ten years, while options granted under the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan have a contractual life of seven years. Options typically vest as to 25% of the shares one year from date of grant, with the remaining 75% of the shares vesting in twelve equal quarterly installments thereafter so that all options are vested in full at the end of four years. The exercise price of the option is the Company’s closing stock price on the effective date of grant.

The following tables summarize the stock option activity under all of the Company’s stock incentive plans during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands, except exercise prices):

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   10,380     $ 18.76

Granted

   669       17.29

Exercised

   (408 )     8.94

Forfeited and expired

   (123 )     35.70
        

Outstanding at March 31, 2009

   10,518       18.86
        

Exercisable at March 31, 2009

   7,903       15.31

 

17


Table of Contents
     Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

   12,034     $ 15.83

Granted

   458       31.95

Exercised

   (466 )     9.01

Forfeited and expired

   (28 )     29.12
        

Outstanding at March 31, 2008

   11,998       16.68
        

Exercisable at March 31, 2008

   8,987       11.35

The total pre-tax intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $1.9 million and $10.7 million, respectively. Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $3.8 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Deferred Stock Units

The Company has granted deferred stock units (“DSUs”) to non-employee members of its Board of Directors and to the Company’s Executive Chairman. Each DSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. The holder may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the vested shares of stock represented by the DSU for a period of at least one year but not more than ten years from the grant date. The DSUs typically vest with respect to 50% of the shares upon the first anniversary of the grant date with the remaining 50% of the shares vesting in equal installments of 12.5% each quarter thereafter so that all DSUs are vested in full at the end of two years.

The following tables summarize the DSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands, except grant date fair values):

 

     Shares    Weighted Average
Grant Date

Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   207    $ 24.86

Vested and distributed

   —        —  
       

Outstanding at March 31, 2009

   207      24.86
       

 

     Shares     Weighted Average
Grant Date

Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

   196     $ 15.03

Vested and distributed

   (1 )     31.15
        

Outstanding at March 31, 2008

   195       14.98
        

The grant date fair value of each DSU is calculated based upon the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant. There were no DSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008. As of March 31, 2009, DSUs representing 50,027 shares of common stock were unvested, with a weighted average pre-tax intrinsic value of approximately $1.0 million and a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 1.1 years. These units are expected to vest through May 2010. All DSUs vest upon fulfilling service conditions or, under certain circumstances, upon a director’s departure from the Board.

 

18


Table of Contents

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes the different types of RSUs granted by the Company (in thousands):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended

March 31,
       2009        2008  

RSUs with service-based vesting conditions

   1,155    1,319

RSUs with performance-based vesting conditions

   989    898
         

Total

   2,144    2,217
         

Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. The fair value of these RSUs was calculated based upon the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant, and the stock-based compensation expense is being recognized over the vesting period. Most RSUs with service-based vesting provisions vest in installments over a three- or four-year period following the grant date.

The Company granted performance-based RSUs in 2008 and during the first quarter of 2009 to certain employees. These performance-based RSUs will only vest if the Company exceeds specified revenue and earnings per share targets over a period of three consecutive fiscal years commencing with the year in which the RSU was granted.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, management measured compensation expense for these performance-based RSUs based upon a review of the Company’s expected achievement of future performance. Such compensation cost is being recognized ratably over the three years for each series of grants, as these awards vest only in their entirety upon achievement of the specified targets. Management will continue to review the Company’s expected performance and adjust the compensation cost, if needed, at such time.

The following table summarizes the RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands, except grant date fair values):

 

     Units     Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   6,199     $ 34.64

Granted

   2,144       15.87

Vested

   (2,945 )     17.48

Forfeited

   (10 )     36.31
        

Outstanding at March 31, 2009

   5,388       30.26
        
     Units     Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

   4,595     $ 36.67

Granted

   2,217       32.05

Vested

   (395 )     35.56

Forfeited

   (16 )     38.38
        

Outstanding at March 31, 2008

   6,401       35.23
        

As of March 31, 2009, RSUs representing 5.4 million shares of common stock were outstanding and unvested, with an aggregate pre-tax intrinsic value of $104.5 million and a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 2.0 years. These RSUs are expected to vest through March 2012.

 

19


Table of Contents

9. Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the calculation of comprehensive income and its components (in thousands):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Net income

   $ 37,081     $ 36,911  

Other comprehensive income:

    

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (2,463 )     1,418  

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net

     12,056       (15,738 )

Income tax (expense) benefit related to unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net

     (4,671 )     5,705  
                

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     4,922       (8,615 )
                

Comprehensive income

   $ 42,003     $ 28,296  
                

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net consisted of (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   $ (3,465 )   $ (1,002 )

Net unrealized loss on investments, net of taxes

     (15,963 )     (23,348 )
                

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

   $ (19,428 )   $ (24,350 )
                

10. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company recorded goodwill and other intangible assets as a result of business acquisitions that occurred from 2000 through 2008. The Company also acquired license rights from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1999. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company made purchase accounting adjustments affecting goodwill of $0.3 million to reflect the final determination of the fair value of assumed liabilities and assets in connection with the acquisition of acerno.

The Company reviews goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may exceed their fair value. The Company concluded that it had one reporting unit and assigned the entire balance of goodwill to this reporting unit as of December 31, 2008 for purposes of performing its annual impairment test. The fair value of the reporting unit was determined using the Company’s market capitalization as of December 31, 2008. The fair value on December 31, 2008 exceeded the net assets of the reporting unit, including goodwill. Accordingly, the Company concluded that no impairment existed as of that date. Unless changes in events or circumstances indicate that an impairment is required, the Company will next test goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2009.

Other intangible assets that are subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2009
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount

Completed technology

   $ 35,031    $ (6,915 )   $ 28,116

Customer relationships

     88,700      (33,892 )     54,808

Non-compete agreements

     7,200      (1,849 )     5,351

Trademarks

     800      (319 )     481

Acquired license rights

     490      (490 )     —  
                     

Total

   $ 132,221    $ (43,465 )   $ 88,756
                     

 

20


Table of Contents
     December 31, 2008
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount

Completed technology

   $ 35,031    $ (5,659 )   $ 29,372

Customer relationships

     88,700      (31,291 )     57,409

Non-compete agreements

     7,200      (1,529 )     5,671

Trademarks

     800      (257 )     543

Acquired license rights

     490      (490 )     —  
                     

Total

   $ 132,221    $ (39,226 )   $ 92,995
                     

Aggregate expense related to amortization of other intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $4.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively. Based on the Company’s other intangible assets as of March 31, 2009, aggregate expense related to amortization of other intangible assets is expected to be $12.5 million for the remainder of 2009, and $16.4 million, $16.4 million, $15.4 million and $12.6 million for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

11. Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. The Company maintains the majority of its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balances principally with domestic financial institutions that the Company believes are of high credit standing.

At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company held ARS, with an estimated fair value of $252.2 million and $237.0 million, respectively, that have experienced failed auctions, which have prevented the Company from liquidating those investments. As a result, the Company has classified these investments as long-term marketable securities on its consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2009. Based on its ability to access its cash and short-term investments and its expected cash flows, the Company does not anticipate the current lack of liquidity with respect to these ARS to have a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations during 2009. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had recorded a pre-tax cumulative unrealized loss of $25.1 million related to the temporary impairment of the ARS, which was included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on its consolidated balance sheet.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited to certain customers to which the Company makes substantial sales. The Company’s customer base consists of a large number of geographically dispersed customers diversified across numerous industries. To reduce risk, the Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers. Based on such assessments, the Company believes that its accounts receivable credit risk exposure is limited. No customer accounted for 10% or more of accounts receivable as of March 31, 2009 or as of December 31, 2008. The Company believes that, at March 31, 2009, concentration of credit risk related to accounts receivable is not significant.

12. 1% Convertible Senior Notes

As of March 31, 2009, the carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s 1% convertible senior notes were $199.9 million and $270.1 million, respectively. The initial, and current, conversion price of the 1% convertible senior notes is $15.45 per share (equivalent to 64.7249 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 1% convertible senior notes). The conversion price is subject to adjustment in certain events. The Company may redeem the 1% convertible senior notes on or after December 15, 2010 at the Company’s option at 100% of the principal amount together with accrued and unpaid interest. Conversely, holders of the 1% convertible senior notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of such notes at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest on certain specified dates beginning on December 15, 2010. In

 

21


Table of Contents

the event of a change of control of the Company, the holders may require Akamai to repurchase all or a portion of such 1% convertible senior notes at a repurchase price of 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Interest on the 1% convertible senior notes began to accrue as of the issue date and is payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The 1% convertible senior notes are senior unsecured obligations and are the same rank as all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of Akamai. The 1% convertible senior notes rank senior to all of the Company’s subordinated indebtedness. Deferred financing costs of $5.9 million, including the initial purchaser’s discount and other offering expenses, for the 1% convertible senior notes are being amortized over the first seven years of the term of these notes to reflect the put and call rights discussed above. Amortization of deferred financing costs of the 1% convertible senior notes was $210,000 for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. Using the effective interest method, the Company records the amortization of deferred financing costs as interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

13. Segment and Geographic Information

Akamai’s chief decision-maker, as defined under SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” (“SFAS No. 131”) is the Chief Executive Officer and the executive management team. As of March 31, 2009, Akamai operated in one industry segment: providing services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet. The Company is not organized by market and is managed and operated as one business. A single management team that reports to the Chief Executive Officer comprehensively manages the entire business. The Company does not operate any material separate lines of business or separate business entities with respect to its services. Accordingly, the Company does not accumulate discrete financial information with respect to separate product lines and does not have separately reportable segments as defined by SFAS No. 131.

The Company deploys its servers into networks worldwide. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had $137.7 million and $37.0 million of property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, located in the United States and in foreign locations, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $138.6 million and $35.9 million of property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, located in the United States and in foreign locations, respectively. Akamai sells its services through a direct sales force located both in the United States and certain foreign locations. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, approximately 28% of revenues were derived from the Company’s operations outside the United States, including 18% from Europe. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, 25% of revenues were derived from the Company’s operations outside the United States, including 17% from Europe. No single country outside the United States accounted for 10% or more of revenues during these periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, no customer accounted for 10% or more of total revenues.

14. Income Taxes

The Company’s effective income tax rate, including discrete items, was 39.9% and 39.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The effective income tax rate is based upon the estimated income for the year, the estimated composition of the income in different jurisdictions and discrete adjustments, if any, in the applicable quarterly periods for settlements of tax audits or assessments, the resolution or identification of tax position uncertainties, and acquisitions of other companies. The discrete items also include the tax effect of disqualifying dispositions of incentive stock options and shares purchased under the ESPP. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the effective income tax rates were higher than the federal statutory tax rate mainly due to the effects of accounting for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” and state income tax expense.

15. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases its facilities under non-cancelable operating leases. These operating leases expire at various dates through December 2019 and generally require the payment of real estate taxes, insurance,

 

22


Table of Contents

maintenance and operating costs. In October 2007, the Company entered into facility lease agreements with its landlord to expand its corporate headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As of June 1, 2009, the Company will be occupying an additional 110,000 square feet at its current location in Cambridge. These lease obligations have been included in the future lease commitment table below.

The expected minimum aggregate future obligations under non-cancelable leases as of March 31, 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Operating
Leases

Remaining 2009

   $ 12,666

2010

     19,656

2011

     17,237

2012

     16,281

2013

     15,820

Thereafter

     84,352
      

Total

   $ 166,012
      

Purchase Commitments

The Company has long-term commitments for bandwidth usage and co-location services with various network and Internet service providers. For the remainder of 2009 and for the years ending December 31, 2010 and 2011, the minimum commitments pursuant to these contracts in effect as of March 31, 2009, are $41.1 million, $10.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had entered into purchase orders with various vendors for aggregate purchase commitments of $21.0 million, which are expected to be paid over the next twelve months.

Litigation

Between July 2, 2001 and November 7, 2001, purported class action lawsuits seeking monetary damages were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company as well as against the underwriters of its October 28, 1999 initial public offering of common stock. The complaints were filed allegedly on behalf of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock during different time periods, all beginning on October 28, 1999 and ending on various dates. The complaints are similar and allege violations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, primarily based on the allegation that the underwriters received undisclosed compensation in connection with the Company’s initial public offering. On April 19, 2002, a single consolidated amended complaint was filed, reiterating in one pleading the allegations contained in the previously filed separate actions. The consolidated amended complaint defines the alleged class period as October 28, 1999 through December 6, 2000. A Special Litigation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors authorized management to negotiate a settlement of the pending claims substantially consistent with a Memorandum of Understanding that was negotiated among class plaintiffs, all issuer defendants and their insurers. The parties negotiated a settlement that was subject to approval by the Court. On February 15, 2005, the Court issued an Opinion and Order preliminarily approving the settlement, provided that the defendants and plaintiffs agree to a modification narrowing the scope of the bar order set forth in the original settlement agreement. The parties agreed to a modification narrowing the scope of the bar order, and on August 31, 2005, the Court issued an order preliminarily approving the settlement. On December 5, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned the District Court’s certification of the class of plaintiffs who are pursuing the claims that would be settled in the settlement against the underwriter defendants. Thereafter, the District Court ordered a stay of all proceedings in all of the lawsuits pending the outcome of plaintiffs’ petition to the Second Circuit for rehearing en banc and resolution of the class certification issue. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ rehearing petition, but clarified that the plaintiffs may seek to

 

23


Table of Contents

certify a more limited class in the District Court. On June 25, 2007, the District Court signed an order terminating the settlement. On April 2, 2009, the plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of a new proposed settlement among plaintiffs, the underwriter defendants, the issuer defendants and the insurers for the issuer defendants. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims made in the complaint, and it intends to contest the lawsuit vigorously. An adverse resolution of this action could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations in the period in which the lawsuit is resolved. The Company is not presently able to estimate potential losses, if any, related to this lawsuit.

In addition, on or about October 3, 2007, a purported Akamai shareholder filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, against the underwriters involved in its 1999 initial public offering of common stock, alleging violations of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. The complaint alleges that the combined number of shares of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned by the lead underwriters and certain unnamed officers, directors and principal shareholders exceeded ten percent of its outstanding common stock from the date of the Company’s initial public offering on October 29, 1999, through at least October 28, 2000. The complaint further alleges that those entities and individuals were thus subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) and the short-swing trading prohibition of Section 16(b) and failed to comply with those provisions. The complaint seeks to recover from the lead underwriters any “short-swing profits” obtained by them in violation of Section 16(b). Akamai was named as a nominal defendant in the action but has no liability for the asserted claims. None of the Company’s directors or officers serving in such capacities at the time of its initial public offering are currently named as defendants in this action, but there can be no guarantee that the complaint will not be amended or a new complaint or suit filed to name such directors or officers as defendants in this action or another action alleging a violation of the same provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. On March 12, 2009, the Court granted a joint motion by the Company and other issuer defendants to dismiss the complaint without prejudice on the grounds that Ms. Simmonds had failed to make an adequate demand on the Company prior to filing her complaint. In its order, the Court stated it would not permit Ms. Simmonds to amend her demand letters while pursuing her claims in the litigation. Because the Court dismissed the case on the grounds that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction, it did not specifically reach the issue of whether Ms. Simmonds’ claims were barred by the applicable statute of limitations. However, the Court also granted a Joint Motion to Dismiss by the underwriter defendants in the action with respect to cases involving non-moving issuers, holding that the cases were barred by the applicable statute of limitations because the issuers’ shareholders had notice of the potential claims more than five years prior to filing suit. Ms. Simmonds filed a Notice of Appeal on April 10, 2009. The Company does not expect the results of this action to have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company is party to various other litigation matters that management considers routine and incidental to its business. Management does not expect the results of any of these routine actions to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Guarantees

The Company has identified guarantees in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 45 (“FIN 45”), “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others—an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57 and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34.” FIN 45 elaborates on the existing disclosure requirements for most guarantees, including loan guarantees such as standby letters of credit. FIN 45 also clarifies that at the time an entity issues a guarantee, that entity must recognize an initial liability for the fair value, or market value, of the obligation it assumes under the guarantee and must disclose that information in its interim and annual financial statements. The Company evaluates losses for guarantees under SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies, as Interpreted by FIN 45.” The Company considers such factors as the degree of probability that the Company would be required to satisfy the liability associated with the guarantee and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. To date, the Company has not encountered material costs as a result of such obligations and has not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in its financial statements. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding guarantees as of March 31, 2009 was determined to be immaterial.

 

24


Table of Contents

16. Subsequent Event

On April 29, 2009, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program permitting purchases of up to $100 million of the Company’s common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by the Company’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The Company may choose to suspend or discontinue the repurchase program at any time.

 

25


Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q, particularly Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth below, and notes to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management as of the date hereof based on information currently available to our management. Use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “should,” “forecasts,” “if,” “continues,” “goal,” “likely” or similar expressions indicates a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make. See “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of certain risks associated with our business. We disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

We provide services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet. We primarily derive income from the sale of services to customers executing contracts with terms of one year or longer, which we refer to as recurring revenue contracts or long-term contracts. These contracts generally commit the customer to a minimum monthly level of usage with additional charges applicable for actual usage above the monthly minimum. In recent years, however, we have entered into increasing numbers of customer contracts that have minimum usage commitments that are based on quarterly, twelve-month or longer periods. Our goal of having a consistent and predictable base level of income is important to our financial success. Accordingly, to be successful, we must maintain our base of recurring revenue contracts by eliminating or reducing lost monthly or annual recurring revenue due to customer cancellations or terminations and build on that base by adding new customers and increasing the number of services, features and functions that our existing customers purchase. At the same time, we must ensure that our expenses do not increase faster than, or at the same rate as, our revenues. Accomplishing these goals requires that we compete effectively in the marketplace on the basis of quality, price and the attractiveness of our services and technology.

Recent Events

On April 29, 2009, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program permitting purchases of up to $100 million of our common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. We may choose to suspend or discontinue the repurchase program at any time.

 

26


Table of Contents

Overview of Financial Results

The following sets forth, as a percentage of revenues, consolidated statements of operations data, for the periods indicated:

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
       2009         2008    

Revenues

   100.0 %   100.0 %
            

Cost of revenues

   28.7     27.6  

Research and development expense

   5.2     5.0  

Sales and marketing expense

   20.1     19.2  

General and administrative expense

   17.1     17.8  

Amortization of other intangible assets

   2.0     1.9  

Restructuring charge

   0.2     —    
            

Total cost and operating expenses

   73.3     71.5  
            

Income from operations

   26.7     28.5  

Interest income

   2.2     4.3  

Interest expense

   (0.3 )   (0.4 )

Other income (expense), net

   0.5     0.3  

Gain (loss) on investments, net

   0.2     0.1  
            

Income before provision for income taxes

   29.3     32.8  

Provision for income taxes

   11.7     13.1  
            

Net income

   17.6 %   19.7 %
            

We were profitable for the fiscal year 2008 and for the three months ended March 31, 2009; however, we cannot guarantee continued profitability or profitability for any period in the future at the levels we have recently experienced or at all. We have observed the following trends and events that are likely to have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations in the foreseeable future:

 

   

During each quarter of 2008 and for the first quarter of 2009, the dollar volume of new recurring revenue contracts that we booked exceeded the dollar volume of the contracts we lost through cancellations, terminations and non-payment. A continuation of this trend could lead to increased revenues; however, any such increased revenues could be offset if lower traffic reduces the revenues we earn on a non-committed basis.

 

   

We have experienced seasonal variations in our quarterly revenues attributable to ecommerce services used by our retail customers, with higher revenues in the fourth quarter of the year and lower revenues during the summer months. In the first quarter of 2009, our total revenues were lower than our total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

   

During the first quarter of 2009, unit prices offered to some new and existing customers declined, including contracts signed with certain customers at higher committed service levels that reflected volume discounts. Additionally, increased competition from new entrants into the market that are willing to use low unit prices as a method of differentiation contributed to these price declines. If we continue to experience decreases in unit prices for new and existing customers, our operating profit percentage could decrease.

 

   

During the first quarter of 2009, we reduced our network bandwidth costs per unit by entering into new supplier contracts with lower pricing and amending existing contracts to take advantage of price reductions offered by our existing suppliers. Additionally, we continued to invest in internal-use software development to improve the performance and efficiency of our network. Even with increased

 

27


Table of Contents
 

traffic delivered over our network, our total bandwidth costs decreased during the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. We believe that our overall bandwidth costs will increase slightly as compared to the first quarter of 2009 in the future as a result of expected higher traffic levels, partially offset by anticipated continued reductions in bandwidth costs per unit. If we do not experience lower per unit bandwidth pricing or we are unsuccessful at effectively routing traffic over our network through lower cost providers, total network bandwidth costs could increase more than expected during the remainder of 2009.

 

   

During the first quarter of 2009, no customer accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues. We expect that customer concentration levels will continue to remain low if our customer base continues to grow.

 

   

During the first quarter of 2009, revenues derived from customers outside the United States accounted for 28% of our total revenues, an increase over prior quarters. We expect revenues from such customers as a percentage of our total revenues to be between 25% and 30% for fiscal 2009.

 

   

Depreciation and amortization expense related to our network equipment and internal-use software development costs increased during the first quarter of 2009 as compared to first quarter of 2008. Due to expected future purchases of network equipment during 2009, we believe that depreciation expense related to our network equipment will continue to increase in the remainder of 2009 as compared to prior periods in 2008. We expect to continue to enhance and add functionality to our service offerings and capitalize stock-based compensation expense attributable to employees working on such projects, which would increase the amount of capitalized internal-use software costs. As a result, we believe that the amortization of internal-use software development costs, which we include in cost of revenues, will increase on a quarterly basis in 2009 as compared to corresponding periods in 2008.

 

   

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, our stock-based compensation expense was $15.1 million as compared to $11.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The primary reason for the increase in stock-based compensation expense for the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 was due to changes in management’s estimates in each period with respect to the expected vesting of performance-based restricted stock units. We expect that stock-based compensation expense will remain relatively flat for the second quarter of 2009 as compared to the first quarter of 2009. As of March 31, 2009, our total pre-tax unrecognized compensation costs for stock-based awards were $84.1 million, which we expect to recognize as expense over a weighted average period of 1.3 years through 2013.

 

   

As of March 31, 2009, we have recorded a pre-tax cumulative unrealized loss in stockholders’ equity of $26.1 million related to the temporary impairment of our marketable security investments. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded an unrealized gain of $3.2 million in our statement of operations related to a decrease in the other-than-temporary impairment of our investments in auction rate securities, or ARS. We also recorded an unrealized loss of $2.8 million in our statement of operations related to an agreement we entered into with one of our investment advisors. Under the terms of the agreement, the investment advisor agreed to repurchase, in June 2010, the ARS it previously sold to us. The loss represented by the put option incorporated into this agreement was included in gain on investments, net in our statement of operations. Based upon our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance of $848.5 million and expected operating cash flows, we do not anticipate that the lack of liquidity associated with our ARS will adversely affect our ability to conduct business during 2009. We believe we have the ability to hold these ARS until a recovery of the auction process, a buyer is found outside the auction process, the securities are called or refinanced by the issuer, or until maturity.

 

   

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, our effective income tax rate, including discrete items, was 39.9%. We expect our effective income tax rate to remain relatively consistent on a quarterly basis during each remaining quarter in 2009. In addition, we do not expect to make significant cash tax payments due to the continued utilization of our deferred tax assets.

 

28


Table of Contents

Based on our analysis of, among other things, the aforementioned trends and events, as of the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we expect to continue to generate net income on a quarterly and annual basis during 2009; however, our future results are likely to be affected by many factors identified in the section captioned “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including our ability to:

 

   

increase our revenue by adding customers through long-term contracts and limiting customer cancellations and terminations;

 

   

offset unit price declines for our services with higher volumes of traffic delivered on our network as well as increased sales of our value-added solutions;

 

   

prevent disruptions to our services and network due to accidents or intentional attacks; and

 

   

maintain our network bandwidth costs and other operating expenses consistent with our revenues.

As a result, there is no assurance that we will achieve our expected financial objectives, including generating positive net income, in any future period.

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which have been prepared by us in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim periods and with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act. The preparation of these unaudited consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related items, including, but not limited to, revenue recognition, accounts receivable and related reserves, valuation and impairment of investments and marketable securities, goodwill and other intangible assets, capitalized internal-use software costs, impairment and useful lives of long-lived assets, tax reserves, loss contingencies and stock-based compensation costs. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances at the time they were made. Actual results may differ from our estimates. See the section entitled “Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for further discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2009, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Staff Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” or FSP 157-2. FSP 157-2 delayed until the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2009 the effective date of SFAS 157,Fair Value Measurement,” for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of FSP 157-2 on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities,” or FSP EITF 03-6-1. FSP EITF 03-6-1 provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Upon adoption, a company is required to retrospectively adjust its earnings per share data (including any amounts related to interim periods, summaries of earnings and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions in this FSP. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2009, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations,” or SFAS No. 141R, became effective for us. This statement significantly changes the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. In addition, under

 

29


Table of Contents

this statement, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties in a business combination after the measurement period will impact income tax expense. SFAS No. 141R may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements if or when we enter into another business combination.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” This FSP amends SFAS 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require those disclosures in all interim financial statements. This standard is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Whether a Market Is Not Active and a Transaction Is Not Distressed,” or FSP FAS 157-4, which provides guidelines for making fair value measurements more consistent with the principles presented in SFAS 157,Fair Value Measurement.” FSP FAS 157-4 provides additional authoritative guidance in determining whether a market is active or inactive, whether a transaction is distressed, whether SFAS 157 is applicable to all assets and liabilities (i.e., financial and non-financial) and whether enhanced disclosure is required. This standard is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. We currently anticipate that the adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 will not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FSP FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments,” or FSP FAS 115-2 and FSP FAS 124-2, which amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt and equity securities. This standard is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. We currently anticipate the adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FSP FAS 124-2 will not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations

Revenues. Total revenues increased 12%, or $23.3 million, to $210.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $187.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The increase in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily attributable to an increase in the number of customers under recurring revenue contracts, as well as increases in traffic and additional services sold to new and existing customers. Increased sales to existing customers contributed to increases in the average revenue per customer during the period, partially offset by reduced unit prices offered to new and certain existing customers. We believe that the continued growth in use of the Internet by businesses and consumers was the principal factor driving increased purchases of our services. We expect this trend to continue during the reminder of 2009 but at lower rates of growth due to general economic conditions and a leveling off of the rate of increased growth in use of the Internet. Also contributing to increased revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were revenues generated through our acquisition of acerno, which added $4.9 million of revenue during the first quarter of 2009. As of March 31, 2009, we had 2,950 customers under recurring revenue contracts as compared to 2,672 as of March 31, 2008.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, 28% and 25%, respectively, of our revenues were derived from our operations located outside of the United States, including 18% and 17%, respectively, derived from Europe. No single country outside of the United States accounted for 10% or more of revenues during these periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, resellers accounted for 17% of revenues as compared to 16% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008. For each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, no customer accounted for 10% or more of revenues.

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues includes fees paid to network providers for bandwidth and co-location of our network equipment. Cost of revenues also includes payroll and payroll-related costs and stock-based compensation expense for network operations personnel, cost of software licenses, depreciation of network equipment used to deliver our services and amortization of internal-use software.

 

30


Table of Contents

Cost of revenues was comprised of the following (in millions):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
       2009        2008  

Bandwidth, co-location and storage fees

   $ 36.2    $ 32.0

Payroll and related costs of network operations personnel

     2.9      2.7

Stock-based compensation

     1.9      1.5

Depreciation and impairment of network equipment

     15.4      12.6

Amortization of internal-use software

     4.0      2.8
             

Total cost of revenues

   $ 60.4    $ 51.6
             

Cost of revenues increased 17%, or $8.8 million, to $60.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $51.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to an increase in amounts paid to network providers for bandwidth due to higher traffic levels, partially offset by reduced bandwidth costs per unit, and an increase in depreciation expense of network equipment and amortization of internal-use software as we continued to invest in our infrastructure.

Cost of revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2009 also included credits received of approximately $0.3 million from settlements and renegotiated contracts entered into in connection with billing disputes related to bandwidth contracts. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, cost of revenues included similar credits of approximately $0.5 million. Credits of this nature may occur in the future; however, the timing and amount of future credits, if any, is unpredictable.

We have long-term purchase commitments for bandwidth usage and co-location services with various network and Internet service providers. For the remainder of 2009 and for the years ending December 31, 2010 and 2011, the minimum commitments related to bandwidth usage and co-location services under agreements currently in effect are approximately $41.1 million, $10.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

We expect that cost of revenues will increase during the remainder of 2009 as compared to the first quarter of 2009. We expect to deliver more traffic on our network, which would result in higher expenses associated with the increased traffic; such costs are likely to be partially offset by lower bandwidth costs per unit. There is no guarantee, however, that bandwidth costs per unit will continue to decline. Additionally, during the remaining quarters of 2009, as we continue to make investments in our network, we anticipate an increase in depreciation expense related to our network equipment and amortization of internal-use software development costs as compared to the corresponding periods in 2008.

Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist primarily of payroll and related costs and stock-based compensation expense for research and development personnel who design, develop, test and enhance our services and our network. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, except certain internal-use software development costs eligible for capitalization. During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, we capitalized software development costs of $7.3 million and $6.3 million, respectively. These development costs consisted of external consulting expenses and payroll and payroll-related costs for personnel involved in the development of internal-use software used to deliver our services and operate our network. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, we capitalized $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation. These capitalized internal-use software costs are amortized to cost of revenues over their estimated useful lives of two years.

Research and development expenses increased 17%, or $1.6 million, to $10.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The increase in the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 was due to an increase in payroll and related

 

31


Table of Contents

costs resulting from higher headcount and an increase in stock-based compensation expense due to a change in management’s estimate with respect to the expected vesting of performance-based restricted stock units.

The following table quantifies the changes in the various components of our research and development expenses for the periods presented (in millions):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended

March 31, 2009
as compared to 2008
 

Payroll and related costs

   $ 2.0  

Stock-based compensation

     0.3  

Capitalized salaries and other expenses

     (0.7 )
        

Total net increase

   $ 1.6  
        

We believe that research and development expenses, in absolute dollar terms, will be consistent for remaining quarters of 2009 as compared to the first quarter of 2009.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of payroll and related costs, stock-based compensation expense and commissions for personnel engaged in marketing, sales and support functions, as well as advertising and promotional expenses.

Sales and marketing expenses increased 18%, or $6.3 million, to $42.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $35.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The increase in sales and marketing expenses during the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 was primarily due to an increase in payroll and related costs resulting from higher headcount and an increase in stock-based compensation expense due to a change in management’s estimate with respect to the expected vesting of performance-based restricted stock units. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in marketing costs. The following table quantifies the changes in the various components of our sales and marketing expenses for the periods presented (in millions):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
as compared to 2008
 

Payroll and related costs

   $ 4.4  

Stock-based compensation

     2.1  

Marketing and related costs

     (0.9 )

Other expenses

     0.7  
        

Total net increase

   $ 6.3  
        

We believe that sales and marketing expenses will increase, in absolute dollar terms, for the remaining quarters of 2009 as compared to the first quarter of 2009 due to an expected increase in commissions on higher forecasted sales.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of the following components:

 

   

payroll, stock-based compensation expense and other related costs, including expenses for executive, finance, business applications, network management, human resources and other administrative personnel;

 

   

depreciation and amortization of property and equipment we use internally;

 

32


Table of Contents
   

fees for professional services;

 

   

rent and other facility-related expenditures for leased properties;

 

   

the provision for doubtful accounts;

 

   

insurance costs; and

 

   

non-income related taxes.

General and administrative expenses increased 8%, or $2.8 million, to $36.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $33.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation expense related to a change in management’s estimate with respect to the expected vesting of performance-based restricted stock units. Additionally, facility-related costs increased due to office expansions. These increases were offset by a reduction in litigation-related expenses. The following table quantifies the changes in various components of our general and administrative expenses for the period presented (in millions):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
as compared to 2008
 

Payroll and related costs

   $ 0.5  

Stock-based compensation

     1.5  

Depreciation and amortization

     0.9  

Facilities and related costs

     1.1  

Legal fees

     (3.2 )

Provision for doubtful accounts

     0.8  

Non-income related taxes

     0.2  

Consulting and advisory services

     0.5  

Other expenses

     0.5  
        

Total net increase

   $ 2.8  
        

We expect general and administrative expenses for the remaining quarters of 2009 to increase, in absolute dollar terms, as compared to the first quarter of 2009 due to increase in facility related costs and payroll and related costs.

Amortization of Other Intangible Assets. Amortization of other intangible assets consists of amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and amortization of acquired license rights. Amortization of other intangible assets increased 18%, or $0.6 million, to $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The increase in amortization of other intangible assets during the first quarter of 2009 was primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of acerno in November 2008. Based on our intangible assets at March 31, 2009, we expect amortization of other intangible assets to be approximately $12.5 million for the remainder of 2009, and $16.4 million, $16.4 million, $15.4 million and $12.6 million for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Restructuring charge. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded a restructuring charge of $0.5 million related to one-time benefits provided to terminated employees in connection with the workforce reduction announced in November 2008.

Interest Income. Interest income includes interest earned on invested cash balances and marketable securities. Interest income decreased 41%, or $3.3 million, to $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was to due to lower interest rates earned on our investments during 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.

 

33


Table of Contents

Interest Expense. Interest expense includes interest paid on our debt obligations as well as amortization of deferred financing costs. Interest expense remained flat at $0.7 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. Based on our outstanding indebtedness at March 31, 2009, we believe that interest expense on our debt obligations, including deferred financing amortization, will not exceed $3.1 million for fiscal 2009.

Other Income (Expense), net. Other income (expense), net primarily represents net foreign exchange gains and losses incurred and gains from legal settlements. Other income (expense), net for the three months ended March 31, 2009 increased 138%, or $0.7 million, to $1.1 million as compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. These changes in the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 were due to exchange rate fluctuations as well as a legal settlement gain of $0.8 million recorded during the first quarter of 2009. Other income (expense), net may fluctuate in the future based upon movements in foreign exchange rates, the outcome of legal proceedings or other events.

Gain (Loss) on Investments, net. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded net gain on investments of $0.5 million, which relates primarily to a gain of $3.2 million due to a decrease in the other-than-temporary impairment of certain marketable securities and a loss of $2.8 million on a put option related to our auction rate securities holdings. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we recorded a gain of $0.2 million from the sales of marketable securities. We do not expect significant gains or losses on investments during the remainder of 2009.

Provision for Income Taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, our effective income tax rate, including discrete items, was 39.9% and 39.8%, respectively. For both the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, our effective income tax rates were higher than the federal statutory tax rate mainly due to the effects of accounting for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payments,” or SFAS No. 123R, and state income tax expense. The effective income tax rate is based upon the estimated income for the year, the estimated composition of the income in different jurisdictions and discrete adjustments, if any, in the applicable quarterly periods for settlements of tax audits or assessments, the resolution or identification of tax position uncertainties, and acquisitions of other companies. Provision for income taxes increased by $0.2 million to $24.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $24.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The increase in the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 was mainly due to the growth in our operating income.

While we expect our effective income tax rate for the remainder of 2009 to remain relatively consistent with the rate in the first quarter of 2009, this expectation does not take into consideration the effect of discrete items recorded as a result of SFAS No. 123R, if any, or any potential tax planning strategies. Our effective tax rate could be materially different depending on the nature and timing of dispositions of incentive and other employee stock options. Further, our effective tax rate may fluctuate within a fiscal year and from quarter to quarter, due to items arising from discrete events, including settlements of tax audits and assessments, the resolution or identification of tax position uncertainties and acquisitions of other companies.

Because of the availability of NOLs, a significant portion of our future provision for income taxes is expected to be a non-cash expense; consequently, the amount of cash paid with respect to income taxes is expected to be a relatively small portion of the total annualized tax expense during periods in which the NOLs are utilized. In determining our net deferred tax assets and valuation allowances, annualized effective tax rates, and cash paid for income taxes, management is required to make judgments and estimates about domestic and foreign profitability, the timing and extent of the utilization of NOL carryforwards, applicable tax rates, transfer pricing methodologies and tax planning strategies. Judgments and estimates related to our projections and assumptions are inherently uncertain; therefore, actual results could differ materially from our projections.

We have recorded certain tax reserves to address potential exposures involving our income tax and sales and use tax positions. These potential tax liabilities result from the varying application of statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations by different taxing jurisdictions. Our estimate of the value of these tax reserves reflects assumptions based on past experiences and judgments about the interpretation of statutes, rules and regulations by taxing jurisdictions. It is possible that the ultimate tax liability or benefit from of these matters may be materially greater or less than the amount that we have estimated.

 

34


Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

To date, we have financed our operations primarily through public and private sales of debt and equity securities, proceeds from exercise of stock awards and cash generated by operations.

As of March 31, 2009, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which consisted of corporate debt securities, U.S. treasury and government agency securities, commercial paper, corporate debt securities and student loan-backed ARS, totaled $848.5 million. We place our cash investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy. Our investment policy also limits the amount of our credit exposure to any one issue or issuer and seeks to manage these assets to achieve our goal of preserving principal, maintaining adequate liquidity at all times, and maximizing returns subject to our investment policy.

We held approximately $287.1 million in par value of ARS as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The ARS are primarily AAA-rated bonds, most of which are guaranteed by the U.S. government as part of the Federal Family Education Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Education. None of the ARS in our portfolio are mortgage-based or collateralized debt obligations. In mid-February 2008, all of our ARS experienced failed auction, which failures continued throughout the rest of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. As a result, we have been unable to liquidate most of our holdings of ARS. Based on our ability to access our cash and other short-term investments, our expected operating cash flows, and our other sources of cash, we do not anticipate the current lack of liquidity on these investments to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations in 2009. In November 2008, we entered into an agreement with one of our investment advisors that provides for the repurchase in June 2010 of $76.5 million of the ARS we hold if we have been unable to achieve liquidity with respect to such securities before that time.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $90.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to $88.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. We expect that cash provided by operating activities will continue to increase as a result of an upward trend in cash collections related to anticipated higher revenues, partially offset by an anticipated increase in operating expenses that require cash outlays due to the growth in the business, such as salaries in connection with expected increases in headcount and higher sales commissions. Current economic conditions could negatively impact our cash provided by operating activities if we are unable to manage our days sales outstanding or our business otherwise deteriorates.

Net cash used in investing activities was $34.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to $33.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 reflects a $5.8 million payment associated with the purchase of acerno, net purchases of short- and long-term marketable securities of $80.0 million and purchases of property and equipment of $23.1 million, including $7.3 million related to the capitalization of internal-use software development costs. Amounts attributable to these purchases and investments were offset, in part, by proceeds from sales and maturities of short- and long-term marketable securities of $74.8 million. Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 reflects net purchases of short- and long-term marketable securities of $160.2 million and purchases of property and equipment of $28.2 million, including $6.3 million related to the capitalization of internal-use software development costs. Amounts attributable to these purchases and investments were partially offset by proceeds from sales and maturities of short- and long-term marketable securities of $154.5 million. For fiscal year 2009, we expect total capital expenditures, a component of cash used in investing activities, to be approximately 15% of total revenue for the year. We expect to fund such capital expenditures through cash generated from operations.

Cash provided by financing activities was $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2009 consisted of $0.3 million related to excess tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options and proceeds of $3.8 million from the issuance of common stock upon exercises of stock options under our under our stock option plans. Cash provided by financing activities for the

 

35


Table of Contents

three months ended March 31, 2008 consisted of $3.3 million related to excess tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options and proceeds of $4.5 million received from exercises of stock options under our stock option plans.

Changes in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are dependent upon changes in, among other things, working capital items such as deferred revenues, accounts payable, accounts receivable and various accrued expenses, as well as changes in our capital and financial structure due to debt repurchases and issuances, stock option exercises, purchases and sales of equity investments and similar events.

The following table presents the net inflows and outflows of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities for the periods presented (in millions):

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
    For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2008
 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively

   $ 771.6     $ 633.5  
                

Changes in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities:

    

Receipts from customers

     221.7       188.9  

Payments to vendors

     (102.3 )     (80.6 )

Payments for employee payroll

     (54.8 )     (51.5 )

Stock option exercises

     3.8       4.5  

Cash used in business acquisition

     (5.8 )     —    

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable investments and other investment-related assets, net

     12.6       (15.7 )

Interest income

     4.7       8.0  

Other

     (3.0 )     —    
                

Net increase

     76.9       53.6  
                

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively

   $ 848.5     $ 687.1  
                

As part of an agreement entered into with one of our investment advisors under which it agreed to repurchase $76.5 million of our ARS in June 2010, we were also offered the ability to enter into a line of credit that would be collateralized by the underlying ARS investments. In January 2009, the line of credit for $76.5 million was approved by the investment advisor. We have not yet used the line of credit.

On April 29, 2009, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program permitting purchases of up to $100 million of our common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. We may choose to suspend or discontinue the repurchase program at any time. Any purchases made under the program will be reflected as an increase in cash used in financing activities.

We believe, based on our present business plan, that our current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and forecasted cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. If the assumptions underlying our business plan regarding future revenue and expenses change, if we are unable to liquidate our marketable securities, or if unexpected opportunities or needs arise, we may seek to raise additional cash by selling equity or debt securities. We may

 

36


Table of Contents

not, however, be able to sell equity or debt securities on terms we consider reasonable, or at all. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity or debt securities, these securities could have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those accruing to holders of common stock, and the terms of any such debt could impose restrictions on our operations. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in additional dilution to our existing stockholders. See “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of additional factors that could affect our liquidity.

Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities and Commercial Commitments

The following table presents our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, as of March 31, 2009, for the next five years and thereafter (in millions):

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations

as of March 31, 2009

   Total    Less than
12 Months
   12-36
Months
   36-60
Months
   More than
60 Months
 

1% convertible senior notes

   $ 199.9    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 199.9 (1)

Interest on 1% convertible senior notes

     50.0      2.0      4.0      4.0      40.0  

Bandwidth and co-location agreements

     52.2      21.1      31.1      —        —    

Real estate operating leases

     166.0      17.6      36.0      32.0      80.4  

Open vendor purchase orders

     21.0      21.0      —        —        —    
                                    

Total

   $ 489.1    $ 61.7    $ 71.1    $ 36.0    $ 320.3  
                                    

 

(1) Represents the 1% convertible senior notes, which can be redeemed or put to us on or after December 15, 2010. See Note 12 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

In accordance with FIN No. 48, as of March 31, 2009, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $8.6 million, which included approximately $2.5 million of accrued interest and penalties. We do not expect to recognize any of these tax benefits in 2009. We are not, however, able to provide a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future payments relating to these unrecognized benefits.

Letters of Credit

As of March 31, 2009, we had $8.6 million in outstanding irrevocable letters of credit in favor of third-party beneficiaries, primarily related to facility leases. Approximately $3.6 million of these letters of credit are collateralized by restricted marketable securities, of which $0.2 million are classified as long-term marketable securities and $3.4 million are classified as short-term marketable securities on the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2009. The restrictions on these marketable securities lapse as we fulfill our obligations or as such obligations expire as provided by the letters of credit. These restrictions are expected to lapse through May 2011. The remaining $5.0 million of irrevocable letters of credit are unsecured and are expected to remain in effect until December 2019.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have entered into indemnification agreements with third parties, including vendors, customers, landlords, our officers and directors, shareholders of acquired companies, joint venture partners and third parties to which we license technology. Generally, these indemnification agreements require us to reimburse losses suffered by a third party due to various events, such as lawsuits arising from patent or copyright infringement or our negligence. These indemnification obligations are considered off-balance sheet arrangements in accordance with FASB Interpretation 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” See also Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for further discussion of these indemnification agreements. The fair value of guarantees issued or modified during the three months ended March 31, 2009 was determined to be immaterial.

 

37


Table of Contents

The conversion features of our 1% convertible senior notes due December 15, 2033 are equity-linked derivatives. As such, we recognize these instruments as off-balance sheet arrangements. The conversion features associated with these notes would be accounted for as derivative instruments, except that they are indexed to our common stock and classified in stockholders’ equity. Therefore, these instruments meet the scope exception of paragraph 11(a) of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and accordingly are not accounted for as derivatives.

As of March 31, 2009, we did not have any additional material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Litigation

We are party to litigation that we consider to be routine and incidental to our business and certain non-routine legal proceedings for which there have been no material developments during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Management does not expect the results of any of these routine actions to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. See “Legal Proceedings” in Item 1 of Part II of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and Note 15 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for further discussion on litigation.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our debt and investment portfolio. In our investment portfolio, we do not use derivative financial instruments. We place our investments with high quality issuers and, by policy, limit the amount of risk by investing primarily in money market funds, U.S. Treasury obligations, high-quality corporate and municipal obligations and certificates of deposit. Our investment policy also limits the amount of our credit exposure to any one issue or issuer and seeks to manage these assets to achieve our goals of preserving principal, maintaining adequate liquidity at all times and maximizing returns subject to our investment policy.

At March 31, 2009, we held $287.1 million in par value of ARS that have experienced failed auctions, which has prevented us from liquidating those investments. As a result, we have classified these investments as long-term marketable securities on our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2009. Due to these liquidity issues, we performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the estimated fair value of these ARS investments. The discounted cash flow analysis we performed considered the timing of expected future successful auctions, the impact of extended periods of maximum interest rates, collateralization of underlying security investments and the creditworthiness of the issuer. The discounted cash flow analysis performed as of March 31, 2009 assumes a weighted average discount rate of 4.63% and expected term of five years. The discount rate was determined using a proxy based upon the current market rates for similar debt offerings within the AAA-rated ARS market. The expected term was based on management’s estimate of future liquidity. As a result, as of March 31, 2009, we have estimated an aggregate loss of $34.9 million, of which $25.1 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed to be temporary and included in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity and of which $9.7 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed other-than-temporary and included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations. The impact for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was a net gain of $12.1 million included in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity related to ARS having impairments deemed to be temporary in nature as well as a net gain of $3.2 million included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations related to the impairment of ARS deemed other-than-temporary. The aggregate net gain in the fair value of ARS experienced in the three months ended March 31, 2009 was due to a decrease in the weighted average discount rate used in the computation of fair values to 4.63% from 6.275% used as of December 31, 2008.

Based on our ability to access our cash and short-term investments and our expected cash flows, we do not anticipate the current lack of liquidity on these ARS will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations during the remainder of 2009 or our ability to operate our business in 2009.

 

38


Table of Contents

Our valuation of the ARS is sensitive to market conditions and management’s judgment and could change significantly based on the assumptions used. If we had used a term of three years or seven years and discount rate of 4.63%, the gross unrealized loss on the $210.6 million in par value of ARS classified as available-for-sale would have been $15.8 million or $33.6 million, respectively. If we had used a term of five years and discount rate of 3.63% or 5.63%, the gross unrealized loss on the $210.6 million in par value of ARS classified as available-for-sale would have been $16.1 million or $33.7 million, respectively.

During November 2008, we entered into an agreement with one of our investment advisors providing for it to repurchase the ARS held through such advisor at par value beginning on June 30, 2010. The ARS covered by this agreement had a par value of $76.5 million at March 31, 2009. We expect to continue to hold these long-term debt instruments until the earlier of the settlement date or the date on which the market for active trading of ARS at par value is re-established. At any time during the period up until the June 2010, our investment advisor can call the ARS at par value. We elected to apply the fair value option under SFAS No. 159 to the put option incorporated in this repurchase agreement. As of December 31, 2008, the $12.5 million fair value of such put option was grouped with other long-term marketable securities on our consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of the put option is determined by comparing the fair values of the related ARS, as described above, to their par values and also considers the credit risk associated with our investment advisor. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the fair value of the put option decreased $2.8 million to $9.7 million with the resultant loss offsetting $3.2 million of the related ARS gain included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations. This put option will continued to be adjusted on each balance sheet date based on its then fair value.

The valuation of our $76.5 million in par value of ARS subject to the put option is also sensitive to market conditions and management’s judgment and could change significantly based on assumptions used, resulting in a change in the unrealized loss on investments recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. Any change in the unrealized loss on the ARS would, however, be offset by a corresponding change in the unrealized gain on the valuation of the put option related to these ARS recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. Any net gain (loss) from future changes in market conditions is not expected to be material because the changes in valuations of the ARS and related put option will generally offset each other.

Our 1% convertible senior notes are subject to changes in market value. Under certain conditions, the holders of our 1% convertible senior notes may require us to redeem the notes on or after December 15, 2010. As of March 31, 2009, the aggregate outstanding principal amount and the fair value of the 1% convertible senior notes were $199.9 million and $270.1 million, respectively.

We have operations in Europe, Asia, Australia and India. As a result, we are exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Additionally, we may continue to expand our operations globally and sell to customers in foreign locations, which may increase our exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations. We do not have any foreign currency hedge contracts.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2009. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes

 

39


Table of Contents

that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2009, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

40


Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On or about October 3, 2007, Vanessa Simmonds, a purported Akamai shareholder, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, against the underwriters involved in our 1999 initial public offering of common stock, alleging violations of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. The complaint alleges that the combined number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the lead underwriters and certain unnamed officers, directors, and principal shareholders exceeded ten percent of our outstanding common stock from the date of our initial public offering on October 29, 1999, through at least October 28, 2000. The complaint further alleges that those entities and individuals were thus subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) and the short-swing trading prohibition of Section 16(b) and failed to comply with those provisions. The complaint seeks to recover from the lead underwriters any “short-swing profits” obtained by them in violation of Section 16(b). Akamai was named as a nominal defendant in the action, but has no liability for the asserted claims. None of our directors or officers serving in such capacities at the time of our initial public offering are currently named as defendants in this action, but there can be no guarantee that the complaint will not be amended or a new complaint or suit filed to name such directors or officers as defendants in this action or another action alleging a violation of the same provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. On March 12, 2009, the Court granted a joint motion by Akamai and other issuer defendants to dismiss the complaint without prejudice on the grounds that Ms. Simmonds had failed to make an adequate demand on us prior to filing her complaint. In its order, the Court stated it would not permit Ms. Simmonds to amend her demand letters while pursuing her claims in the litigation. Because the Court dismissed the case on the grounds that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction, it did not specifically reach the issue of whether Ms. Simmonds’ claims were barred by the applicable statute of limitations. However, the Court also granted a Joint Motion to Dismiss by the underwriter defendants in the action with respect to cases involving non-moving issuers, holding that the cases were barred by the applicable statute of limitations because the issuers’ shareholders had notice of the potential claims more than five years prior to filing suit. Ms. Simmonds filed a Notice of Appeal on April 10, 2009. We currently believe that the outcome of this litigation will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Between July 2, 2001 and November 7, 2001, purported class action lawsuits seeking monetary damages were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us as well as against the underwriters of our October 28, 1999 initial public offering of common stock. The complaints were filed allegedly on behalf of persons who purchased our common stock during different time periods, all beginning on October 28, 1999 and ending on various dates. The complaints are similar and allege violations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, primarily based on the allegation that the underwriters received undisclosed compensation in connection with our initial public offering. On April 19, 2002, a single consolidated amended complaint was filed, reiterating in one pleading the allegations contained in the previously filed separate actions. The consolidated amended complaint defines the alleged class period as October 28, 1999 through December 6, 2000. A Special Litigation Committee of our Board of Directors authorized management to negotiate a settlement of the pending claims substantially consistent with a Memorandum of Understanding that was negotiated among class plaintiffs, all issuer defendants and their insurers. On April 2, 2009, the plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of a proposed settlement among plaintiffs, the underwriter defendants, the issuer defendants and the insurers for the issuer defendants. See Item 3 of part I of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for a complete discussion of this legal proceeding.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following are certain of the important factors, among others, that could cause our actual operating results to differ materially from those indicated or suggested by forward-looking statements made in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q or presented elsewhere by management from time to time. We have not made any material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

41


Table of Contents

The markets in which we operate are highly competitive, and we may be unable to compete successfully against new entrants with innovative approaches and established companies with greater resources.

We compete in markets that are intensely competitive, highly fragmented and rapidly changing. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience increased competition. Many of our current competitors, as well as a number of our potential competitors, have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, broader customer relationships and industry alliances and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Some of our existing resellers are competitors. If one or more other resellers that generate substantial revenues for us were to terminate our relationship or become a competitor or a reseller for a competitor, our business could be adversely affected. Other competitors may attract customers by offering less-sophisticated versions of services than we provide at lower prices than those we charge. Given the relative ease with which some customers can potentially switch to another content delivery network provider, any differentiated offerings or lower pricing by competitors could lead to a rapid loss of customers. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. Some of our current or potential competitors may bundle their offerings with other services, software or hardware in a manner that may discourage website owners from purchasing any service we offer. Increased competition could result in price and revenue reductions, loss of customers and loss of market share, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, potential customers may decide to purchase or develop their own hardware, software and other technology solutions rather than rely on an external provider like Akamai. As a result, our competitors include hardware manufacturers, software companies and other entities that offer Internet-related solutions that are not service-based. It is an important component of our growth strategy to educate enterprises and government agencies about our services and convince them to entrust their content and applications to an external service provider, and Akamai in particular. If we are unsuccessful in such efforts, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

Prices we have been charging for some of our services have declined in recent years. This decline may continue in the future as a result of, among other things, existing and new competition in the markets we serve.

In recent quarters, we have lowered the prices we charge many of our customers for our content delivery services in order to remain competitive. This has been particularly true for the digital media services. Consequently, our historical revenue rates may not be indicative of future revenues based on comparable traffic volumes. In addition, our operating expenses have increased on an absolute basis in each of 2006, 2007 and 2008. If we are unable to sell our services at acceptable prices relative to our costs or if we are unsuccessful with our strategy of selling additional services and features to new or existing content delivery customers, our revenues and gross margins will decrease, and our business and financial results will suffer.

Failure to increase our revenues and keep our expenses consistent with revenues could prevent us from maintaining profitability at recent levels or at all.

We believe our revenue growth rate will decline in 2009 as a result of a number of factors including increasing competition, the inevitable decline in growth rates as our revenues increase to higher levels and macroeconomic factors affecting certain aspects of our business. We also believe our operating margins will decrease because we have large fixed expenses and expect to continue to incur significant bandwidth, sales and marketing, product development, administrative and other expenses. As a result, we may not be able to continue to maintain our current level of profitability in 2009 or on a quarterly or annual basis thereafter. We announced a restructuring in November 2008 that included termination of the employment of approximately seven percent of our global workforce, which resulted in a charge of approximately $2.5 million in 2008. There is no guarantee that the restructuring will be sufficient to improve the alignment of our expenses with revenues or that future restructurings will not be required. Therefore, we will need to generate higher revenues to maintain profitability at recent levels or at all.

 

42


Table of Contents

There are numerous factors that could, alone or in combination with other factors, impede our ability to increase revenues and/or moderate expenses, including:

 

   

market pressure to decrease our prices;

 

   

significant increases in bandwidth costs or other operating expenses;

 

   

failure to increase sales of our core services;

 

   

any failure of our current and planned services and software to operate as expected;

 

   

loss of any significant customers or loss of existing customers at a rate greater than we increase our number of, and sales to, new customers or our sales to existing customers;

 

   

unauthorized use of or access to content delivered over our network or network failures;

 

   

failure of a significant number of customers to pay our fees on a timely basis or at all or failure to continue to purchase our services in accordance with their contractual commitments; and

 

   

inability to attract high-quality customers to purchase and implement our current and planned services.

General global market and economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations.

Our business has been and could continue to be affected by general global economic and market conditions. Weakness in the United States and/or worldwide economy has had and could continue to have a negative effect on our operating results, including decreases in revenues and operating cash flows. In particular, weakness in the online advertising market has affected and could continue to affect the success of our ADS initiatives and could have a negative impact on our media and other customers. To the extent customers are unable to profitably monetize the content we deliver on their behalf, they may reduce or eliminate the traffic we deliver on their behalf. Such reductions in traffic would lead to a reduction in our revenues. Additionally, in a down-cycle economic environment, we may experience the negative effects of increased competitive pricing pressure, customer loss and failures by customers to pay amounts owed to us on a timely basis or at all. Suppliers on which we rely for servers, bandwidth, co-location and other services could also be negatively impacted by economic conditions which, in turn, could have a negative impact on our operations or expenses. There can be no assurance, therefore, that current economic conditions or worsening economic conditions or a prolonged or recurring recession will not have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.

Our failure to manage growth, diversification and changes to our business could harm us.

We have continued to grow, diversify and evolve our business both in the United States and internationally. It is unclear, however, whether such growth will continue. In the event of a slowing in our rate of growth, we must also address the challenges of establishing an appropriate organizational size while maintaining the quality of our services. As a result of the diversification of our business, personnel growth, acquisitions and international expansion in recent years, many of our employees are now based outside of our Cambridge, Massachusetts headquarters. If we are unable to effectively manage a large and geographically dispersed group of employees or to anticipate our future personnel needs, our business may be adversely affected.

As our business evolves, we must also expand and adapt our operational infrastructure. Our business relies on our data systems, billing systems, and other operational and financial reporting and control systems. All of these systems have become increasingly complex in the recent past due to the diversification and complexity of our business, acquisitions of new businesses with different systems and increased regulation over controls and procedures. To effectively manage our technical support infrastructure, we will need to continue to upgrade and improve our data systems, billing systems and other operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. These upgrades and improvements will require a dedication of resources and in some cases are likely to be complex. If we are unable to adapt our systems and organization in a timely and cost-effective manner to accommodate changing circumstances, our business may be adversely affected.

 

43


Table of Contents

Any unplanned interruption in the functioning of our network or services could lead to significant costs and disruptions that could reduce our revenues and harm our business, financial results and reputation.

Our business is dependent on providing our customers with fast, efficient and reliable distribution of applications and content over the Internet. For our core services, we currently provide a standard guarantee that our networks will deliver Internet content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If we do not meet this standard, affected customers will be entitled to credits. Our network or services could be disrupted by numerous events, including natural disasters, unauthorized access to our servers, failure or refusal of our third-party network providers to provide the necessary capacity, power losses and intentional disruptions of our services, such as disruptions caused by software viruses or attacks by unauthorized users. Although we have taken steps to prevent such disruptions, there can be no assurance that attacks by unauthorized users will not be attempted in the future, that our security measures will be effective, or that a successful attack would not be damaging. Any widespread interruption of the functioning of our network or services would reduce our revenues and could harm our business, financial results and reputation.

We may have insufficient transmission and server capacity, which could result in interruptions in our services and loss of revenues.

Our operations are dependent in part upon transmission capacity provided by third-party telecommunications network providers. In addition, our distributed network must be sufficiently robust to handle all of our customers’ traffic. We believe that, absent extraordinary circumstances, we have access to adequate capacity to provide our services; however, there can be no assurance that we are adequately prepared for unexpected increases in bandwidth demands by our customers. In addition, the bandwidth we have contracted to purchase may become unavailable for a variety of reasons, including payment disputes or network providers going out of business. Any failure of these network providers to provide the capacity we require, due to financial or other reasons, may result in a reduction in, or interruption of, service to our customers. If we do not have access to third-party transmission capacity, we could lose customers. If we are unable to obtain transmission capacity on terms commercially acceptable to us or at all, our business and financial results could suffer. We may not be able to deploy on a timely basis enough servers to meet the needs of our customer base or effectively manage the functioning of those servers. In addition, damage or destruction of, or other denial of access to, a facility where our servers are housed could result in a reduction in, or interruption of, service to our customers.

Because our services are complex and are deployed in complex environments, they may have errors or defects that could seriously harm our business.

Our services are highly complex and are designed to be deployed in and across numerous large and complex networks that we do not control. From time to time, we have needed to correct errors and defects in our software. In the future, there may be additional errors and defects in our software that may adversely affect our services. We may not have in place adequate quality assurance procedures to ensure that we detect errors in our software in a timely manner. If we are unable to efficiently and cost-effectively fix errors or other problems that may be identified, or if there are unidentified errors that allow persons to improperly access our services, we could experience loss of revenues and market share, damage to our reputation, increased expenses and legal actions by our customers.

As part of our business strategy, we have entered into and may enter into or seek to enter into business combinations and acquisitions that may be difficult to integrate, disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value and divert management attention.

In late 2006 and early 2007, we acquired Nine Systems Corporation, or Nine Systems, Netli and Red Swoosh. Additionally, we completed the acquisition of acerno in November 2008. If attractive acquisition opportunities arise in the future, we may seek to enter into additional business combinations or purchases. Acquisitions are accompanied by a number of risks, including the difficulty of integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired companies, the potential disruption of our ongoing business, the potential distraction of

 

44


Table of Contents

management, expenses related to the acquisition and potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired businesses. Any inability to integrate completed acquisitions in an efficient and timely manner could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, we may not be able to recognize any expected synergies or benefits in connection with a future acquisition. If we are not successful in completing acquisitions that we may pursue in the future, we may incur substantial expenses and devote significant management time and resources without a successful result. In addition, future acquisitions could require use of substantial portions of our available cash, as in the acerno acquisition, or, as in the Nine Systems, Netli and Red Swoosh acquisitions, dilutive issuances of securities.

Our stock price has been volatile.

The market price of our common stock has been volatile. Trading prices may continue to fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, including the following:

 

   

quarterly variations in operating results and announcements of innovations;

 

   

introduction of new products, services and strategic developments by us or our competitors;

 

   

business combinations and investments by us or our competitors;

 

   

variations in our revenue, expenses or profitability;

 

   

changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts;

 

   

failure to meet the expectations of public market analysts;

 

   

unfavorable media coverage;

 

   

macro-economic factors;

 

   

our customers’ inability to access equity and credit markets;

 

   

performance by other companies in our industry; and

 

   

geopolitical conditions such as acts of terrorism or military conflicts.

Any of these events may cause the price of our common stock to fall. In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for technology companies in particular, have experienced significant volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.

If we are unable to continue to innovate and respond to emerging technological trends and customers’ changing needs, our operating results may suffer.

The market for our services is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and new product and service introductions. Our ability to provide new and innovative solutions is important to our future growth; other companies are also looking to offering Internet-related solutions, such as cloud computing, to generate growth. These other companies may develop technological or business model innovations in the markets we seek to address that are, or are perceived to be, equivalent or superior to our services. In addition, our customers’ business models may change in ways that we do not anticipate and these changes could reduce or eliminate our customers’ needs for our services. Our operating results depend on our ability to adapt to market changes and develop and introduce new services into existing and emerging markets. The process of developing new technologies is complex and uncertain; we must commit significant resources to developing new services or enhancements to our existing services before knowing whether our investments will result in services the market will accept. Furthermore, we may not execute successfully our technology initiatives because of errors in planning or timing, technical hurdles that we fail to overcome in a timely fashion, misunderstandings

 

45


Table of Contents

about market demand or a lack of appropriate resources. Failures in execution or market acceptance of new services we introduce could result in competitors providing those solutions before we do and, consequently, loss by us of market share, revenues and earnings.

If the accounting estimates we make, and the assumptions on which we rely, in preparing our financial statements prove inaccurate, our actual results may be adversely affected.

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments about, among other things, taxes, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation costs, capitalization of internal-use software, investments, contingent obligations, allowance for doubtful accounts, intangible assets and restructuring charges. These estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, the amounts of charges accrued by us, such as those made in connection with our restructuring charges, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances and at the time they are made. If our estimates or the assumptions underlying them are not correct, actual results may differ materially from our estimates and we may need to, among other things, accrue additional charges that could adversely affect our results of operations, which in turn could adversely affect our stock price.

Future changes in financial accounting standards may adversely affect our reported results of operations.

A change in accounting standards can have a significant effect on our reported results. New accounting pronouncements and interpretations of accounting pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. These new accounting pronouncements may adversely affect our reported financial results.

A substantial portion of our marketable securities are invested in auction rate securities. Continued failures in the auctions for these securities may affect our liquidity.

We held $287.1 million in par value of auction rate securities, or ARS, as of March 31, 2009, which represented approximately 45% of our total short- and long-term marketable securities of $633.3 million as of that date. ARS are securities that are structured to allow for short-term interest rate resets but with contractual maturities that can be well in excess of ten years. At the end of each reset period, which typically occurs every seven to 35 days, investors can sell or continue to hold the securities at par. Beginning in February 2008, the majority of ARS in the marketplace, including the ARS that we hold in our portfolio, failed auction due to sell orders exceeding buy orders. Such failures resulted in the interest rate on these ARS resetting to predetermined rates in accordance with the underlying loan agreement, which might be lower than the current market rate of interest. In the event we need to liquidate our investments in these types of securities including for purposes of funding our operations, we will not be able to do so until a future auction on these investments in which demand equals or exceeds the supply of such securities being offered, the issuer redeems the outstanding securities, a buyer is found outside the auction process, the securities mature or there is a default requiring immediate payment from the issuer. These alternative liquidation measures may require that we sell our ARS at a substantial discount to par value. In the future, should the ARS we hold be subject to prolonged auction failures and we determine that the decline in value of ARS is other-than-temporary, we would recognize a loss in our consolidated statement of operations, which could be material. In addition, any future failed auctions may adversely impact the liquidity of our investments and our ability to fund our operations. Furthermore, if one or more of the issuers of the ARS held in our portfolio are unable to successfully close future auctions and their credit ratings deteriorate, we may be required to adjust the carrying value of these investments through additional impairment charges, which could be material.

If we are unable to retain our key employees and hire qualified sales and technical personnel, our ability to compete could be harmed.

Our future success depends upon the continued services of our executive officers and other key technology, sales, marketing and support personnel who have critical industry experience and relationships. There is

 

46


Table of Contents

increasing competition for talented individuals in the regions in which our primary offices are located. This affects both our ability to retain key employees and hire new ones. None of our officers or key employees is bound by an employment agreement for any specific term. We compensate our officers and employees in part through equity incentives, including stock options. A significant portion of these stock options held by our officers and employees have exercise prices in excess of the current market price of our common stock, which has diminished the retentive value of such options. The loss of the services of any of our key employees could hinder or delay the implementation of our business model and the development and introduction of, and negatively impact our ability to sell, our services.

We may need to defend our intellectual property and processes against patent or copyright infringement claims, which would cause us to incur substantial costs.

Other companies or individuals, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or sell our services or develop new services, which could make it more difficult for us to increase revenues and improve or maintain profitability. Companies holding Internet-related patents or other intellectual property rights are increasingly bringing suits alleging infringement of such rights against both technology providers and customers that use such technology.

We have agreed to indemnify our customers if our services infringe specified intellectual property rights; therefore, we could become involved in litigation brought against customers if our services and technology are implicated. Any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, brought against us or pursuant to which we indemnify our customers could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and require us to do one or more of the following:

 

   

cease selling, incorporating or using products or services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

 

   

pay substantial damages and incur significant litigation expenses;

 

   

obtain a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all; or

 

   

redesign products or services.

If we are forced to take any of these actions, our business may be seriously harmed. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology, our business and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Our business will be adversely affected if we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights from unauthorized use or infringement by third parties.

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual property rights. These legal protections afford only limited protection. We have previously brought lawsuits against entities that we believe are infringing our intellectual property rights. Such lawsuits can be expensive and require a significant amount of attention of our management and technical personnel, and the outcomes are unpredictable. Monitoring unauthorized use of our services is difficult, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use of our technology, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. Although we have licensed from other parties proprietary technology covered by patents, we cannot be certain that any such patents will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. Such licenses may also be non-exclusive, meaning our competition may also be able to access such technology. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that any pending or future patent applications will be granted, that any future patent will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, or that rights granted under any patent that may be issued will provide competitive advantages to us.

 

47


Table of Contents

If our license agreement with MIT terminates, our business could be adversely affected.

We have licensed from MIT technology that is covered by various patents, patent applications and copyrights relating to Internet content delivery technology. Some of our core technology is based in part on the technology covered by these patents, patent applications and copyrights. Our license is effective for the life of the patents and patent applications; however, under limited circumstances, such as a cessation of our operations due to our insolvency or our material breach of the terms of the license agreement, MIT has the right to terminate our license. A termination of our license agreement with MIT could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We face risks associated with international operations that could harm our business.

We have operations in numerous foreign countries and may continue to expand our sales and support organizations internationally. Such expansion could require us to make significant expenditures. We are increasingly subject to a number of risks associated with international business activities that may increase our costs, lengthen our sales cycle and require significant management attention. These risks include:

 

   

increased expenses associated with marketing services in foreign countries;

 

   

currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

unexpected changes in regulatory requirements resulting in unanticipated costs and delays;

 

   

interpretations of laws or regulations that would subject us to regulatory supervision or, in the alternative, require us to exit a country, which could have a negative impact on the quality of our services or our results of operations;

 

   

uncertainty regarding liability for content or services;

 

   

adjusting to different employee/employer relationships and different regulations governing such relationships;

 

   

longer accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable; and

 

   

potentially adverse tax consequences.

Any failure to meet our debt obligations would damage our business.

We have long-term debt. As of March 31, 2009, our total long-term debt was $199.9 million. If we are unable to remain profitable or if we use more cash than we generate in the future, our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our future operations by increasing our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions and by limiting or prohibiting our ability to obtain additional financing for future capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate and other purposes. In addition, if we are unable to make interest or principal payments when due, we would be in default under the terms of our long-term debt obligations, which would result in all principal and interest becoming due and payable which, in turn, would seriously harm our business.

Changes in regulations or user concerns regarding privacy and protection of user data could adversely affect our business.

Federal, state, foreign and international laws and regulations may govern the collection, use, retention, sharing and security of data that we receive from our customers, visitors to their websites and others. In addition, we have and post on our website our own privacy policy concerning the collection, use and disclosure of user data. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any privacy- related laws, government regulations or directives, or industry self-regulatory principles could result in damage to our reputation or proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, which could potentially have an adverse effect on our business.

 

48


Table of Contents

A large number of legislative proposals pending before the U.S. Congress, various state legislative bodies and foreign governments concern data privacy and retention issues related to our business, particularly the advertising-related services we have begun to offer. It is not possible to predict whether, when, or the extent to which such legislation may be adopted. In addition, the interpretation and application of user data protection laws are currently unsettled. These laws may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and inconsistently with our current data protection policies and practices. Complying with these varying international requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

Internet-related and other laws could adversely affect our business.

Laws and regulations that apply to communications and commerce over the Internet are becoming more prevalent. In particular, the growth and development of the market for online commerce has prompted calls for more stringent tax, consumer protection and privacy laws, both in the United States and abroad, that may impose additional burdens on companies conducting business online or providing Internet-related services such as ours. The adoption of an of these measures could negatively affect both our business directly as well as the businesses of our customers, which could reduce their demand for our services. Local tax laws that might apply to our servers, which are located in many different jurisdictions, could require us to pay additional taxes in those jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our continued profitability. We have recorded certain tax reserves to address potential exposures involving our sales and use and franchise tax positions. These potential tax liabilities result from the varying application of statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations by different jurisdictions. Our reserves, however, may not be adequate to reflect our total actual liability. Congress has been contemplating net neutrality legislation. The adoption of laws regulating the operation of the Internet could affect our business. As a government contractor, we are also subject to numerous laws and regulations. If we fail to comply with applicable requirements, then we could face penalties, contract terminations and damage to our reputation. We also may be required to devote substantial resources to the development and improvement of procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

If our ability to deliver media files in popular proprietary content formats were to become restricted or cost-prohibitive, demand for our content delivery services could decline, we could lose customers and our financial results could suffer.

Our business depends on our ability to deliver media content in all major formats. If our legal right or technical ability to store and deliver content in one or more popular proprietary content formats, such as Adobe® Flash® or Windows® Media®, was limited, our ability to serve our customers in these formats would be impaired and the demand for our content delivery services would decline by customers using these formats. Owners of propriety content formats may be able to block, restrict or impose fees or other costs on our use of such formats, which could lead to additional expenses for us and for our customers, or which could prevent our delivery of this type of content altogether. Such interference could result in a loss of existing customers, increased costs and impairment of our ability to attract new customers, which would harm our revenue, operating results and growth.

Provisions of our charter documents, our stockholder rights plan and Delaware law may have anti-takeover effects that could prevent a change in control even if the change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders.

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated by-laws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, our Board of Directors has adopted a stockholder rights plan the provisions of which could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer of Akamai to consummate an acquisition transaction without the approval of our Board of Directors.

 

49


Table of Contents

If we are required to seek additional funding, such funding may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.

If we seek to acquire significant businesses or technologies or require more cash to fund our future plans, we may need to obtain funding from outside sources. The current economic environment makes it difficult for companies to obtain financing, particularly raising debt financing or implementing credit facilities. Therefore, we may not be able to raise additional capital, which could limit future actions we may want to take. Even if we were to find outside funding sources, we might be required to issue securities with greater rights than the securities we have outstanding today or issue debt that places restrictions on our future activities. We might also be required to take other actions that could lessen the value of our common stock, including borrowing money on terms that are not favorable to us.

A class action lawsuit has been filed against us and an adverse resolution of such action could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in the period in which the lawsuit is resolved.

We are named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit filed in 2001 alleging that the underwriters of our initial public offering received undisclosed compensation in connection with our initial public offering of common stock in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. See Note 15 to the financial statements included elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for more information. Any conclusion of these matters in a manner adverse to us could have a material adverse affect on our financial position and results of operations.

We may become involved in other litigation that may adversely affect us.

In the ordinary course of business, we are or may become involved in litigation, administrative proceedings and governmental proceedings. Such matters can be time-consuming, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the results of any of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits filed as part of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are listed in the exhibit index immediately preceding the exhibits and are incorporated herein.

 

50


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

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

 

    Akamai Technologies, Inc.
May 11, 2009     By:   /s/    J. DONALD SHERMAN        
        J. Donald Sherman
        Chief Financial Officer

 

51


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit 31.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/ Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Exhibit 31.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/ Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Exhibit 32.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 32.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

52