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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark one)
| | | | | |
☑ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
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: 001-39420
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | |
Delaware | | 81-3369925 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
19122 US Highway 281 N.
Suite 128
San Antonio, Texas 78258
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
1-800-961-4454
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | | RXT | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | | Accelerated filer | ☑ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | | Smaller reporting company | ☑ |
| | | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2023, the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $139 million based upon the closing price of such shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on such date.
On March 7, 2024, 219,755,451 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by references in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the registrant's fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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COMMONLY USED OR DEFINED TERMS
| | | | | | | | | | |
Term | | Definition | | |
2017 Incentive Plan | | Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan | | |
2020 Incentive Plan | | Rackspace Technology, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan | | |
3.50% FLSO Notes | | 3.50% FLSO Senior Secured Notes due 2028 | | |
3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture | | Indenture governing the 3.50% FLSO Notes | | |
3.50% Notes Indenture | | Indenture governing the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes | | |
3.50% Senior Secured Notes | | 3.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 | | |
5.375% Notes Indenture | | Indenture governing the 5.375% Senior Notes | | |
5.375% Senior Notes | | 5.375% Senior Notes due 2028 | | |
ABRY | | ABRY Partners, LLC and ABRY Partners II, LLC, collectively | | |
AI | | Artificial intelligence | | |
Annual Report | | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 | | |
APJ | | Asia Pacific and Japan | | |
Apollo | | Apollo Global Management, Inc. and its subsidiaries | | |
Apollo Global Securities | | Apollo Global Securities, LLC | | |
ASC | | Accounting Standards Codification | | |
ASC 420 | | Accounting Standards Codification No. 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations | | |
ASC 606 | | Accounting Standards Codification No. 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers | | |
ASC 842 | | Accounting Standards Codification No. 842, Leases | | |
ASC 860 | | Accounting Standards Codification No. 860, Transfers and Servicing | | |
ASU | | Accounting Standards Update | | |
AWS | | Amazon Web Services | | |
Citi | | Citibank, N.A. | | |
Datapipe | | Datapipe Parent, Inc. | | |
E.U. | | European Union | | |
EBITDA | | Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization | | |
EMEA | | Europe, Middle East and Africa | | |
EPS | | Earnings per share | | |
ESPP | | Employee Stock Purchase Plan | | |
Exchange Act | | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended | | |
FASB | | Financial Accounting Standards Board | | |
February 2021 Refinancing Transaction | | Debt refinancing transaction on February 9, 2021, in which we borrowed $2,300 million under the Term Loan Facility and issued $500 million of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes | | |
First Lien Credit Agreement | | Credit agreement governing the Senior Facilities | | |
FLFO Term Loan Facility | | First lien first out senior secured term loan facility | | |
FLSO Term Loan Facility | | First lien second out senior secured term loan facility | | |
GAAP | | Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America | | |
Incentive Plans | | 2017 Incentive Plan and 2020 Incentive Plan, together | | |
Inception Parent | | Inception Parent, Inc. | | |
Indentures | | 5.375% Notes Indenture and 3.50% Notes Indenture, together | | |
IRC | | Internal Revenue Code | | |
IRS | | U.S. Internal Revenue Service | | |
July 2021 Restructuring Plan | | Internal restructuring plan committed to on July 21, 2021 | | |
Just Analytics | | Just Analytics Pte. Ltd. | | |
LIBOR | | London Interbank Offered Rate | | |
MD&A | | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | | |
MOIC | | Multiple of invested capital | | |
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Nasdaq | | Nasdaq Stock Market LLC | | |
New First Lien Credit Agreement | | Credit agreement governing the New Senior Facilities | | |
New Revolving Credit Facility | | Senior secured first lien first out revolving credit facility | | |
New Senior Facilities | | FLFO Term Loan Facility, FLSO Term Loan Facility and New Revolving Credit Facility, together | | |
PNC | | PNC Bank, National Association | | |
PSUs | | Performance stock units | | |
Prior Term Loan Facility | | Senior secured first lien term loan facility entered into on November 3, 2016 and fully repaid in conjunction with the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction | | |
R&D | | Research and development | | |
Rackspace Acquisition | | November 3, 2016 acquisition of Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (now named Rackspace Technology Global, Inc.) by Inception Parent, Inc. | | |
Rackspace Hosting | | Rackspace Hosting, Inc. | | |
Rackspace Technology | | Rackspace Technology, Inc. | | |
Rackspace Technology Global | | Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. | | |
Rackspace US | | Rackspace US, Inc. | | |
Receivables Purchase Facility | | Accounts receivable purchase agreement entered into on September 29, 2023 | | |
Receivables Financing Facility | | Accounts receivable financing agreement entered into on March 19, 2020 | | |
Revolving Credit Facility | | Senior secured first lien revolving credit facility | | |
RSUs | | Restricted stock units | | |
SaaS | | Software-as-a-service | | |
SEC | | Securities and Exchange Commission | | |
Securities Act | | Securities Act of 1933, as amended | | |
Senior Facilities | | Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility, together | | |
SG&A | | Selling, general and administrative | | |
SOFR | | Secured Overnight Financing Rate | | |
SPV | | Special purpose vehicle | | |
SSP | | Standalone selling price | | |
Term Loan Facility | | Senior secured first lien term loan facility | | |
U.K. | | United Kingdom | | |
U.S. | | United States | | |
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While we have specifically identified certain information as being forward-looking in the context of its presentation, including with respect to the Public Term Loan Exchange and the Public Note Exchange, we caution you that all statements contained in this report that are not clearly historical in nature, including statements regarding anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, market conditions, and other matters are forward-looking. The Public Term Loan Exchange and the Public Note Exchange are subject to customary closing conditions. Forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections of this report entitled “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, any time we use the words “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “continue,” “propose,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “projects,” and similar expressions, we intend to clearly express that the information deals with possible future events and is forward-looking in nature. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in, or reasonably inferred from, such statements, and the risks and uncertainties disclosed or referenced in Part I Item 1A. of this report under the heading “Risk Factors.” Therefore, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Much of the information in this report that looks toward future performance of the company is based on various factors and important assumptions about future events that may or may not actually occur. As a result, our operations and financial results in the future could differ materially and substantially from those we have discussed in the forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report. We assume no obligation (and specifically disclaim any such obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
TRADEMARKS, TRADE NAMES AND SERVICE MARKS
“Rackspace,” “Rackspace Technology,” “Fanatical,” “Fanatical Experience,” “Rackspace Fabric,” Rackspace Data Freedom,” “Rackspace Services for VMware Cloud™” and “MyRackspace” are registered or unregistered trademarks of Rackspace US, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. OpenStack® is a registered trademark of OpenStack, LLC and Openstack Foundation in the U.S. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this Annual Report may appear without the ® or ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. Other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this Annual Report are the property of their respective holders. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
PART I
ITEM 1 – BUSINESS
Overview
Rackspace Technology is a leading end-to-end, hybrid, multicloud and AI solutions company. We design, build, and operate our customers’ cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products and adopt innovative technologies.
Cloud technology is reinventing how companies store, process and manage their data.
Businesses have accelerated their adoption of cloud technologies in recent years due to:
•Strong growth in highly variable, high-scale workloads (a computing task performed by a business application) such as mobile applications, device telemetry and associated marketing, tracking and data. Those workloads have also driven an explosion of data volumes. All of these workloads run more efficiently in the flexible, agile, variable-cost environment of cloud technologies with its associated highly scaled data storage.
•The need to compete with “digital natives” (technology companies that began their existence online in the digital age and do not have legacy infrastructure or technology to maintain and support).
•The emergence of cloud-based business tools, such as data analytics, machine learning and AI, that help companies optimize business performance.
•A global pandemic that challenged companies to accommodate an increasingly remote workforce.
In addition, the cost to maintain a company-owned data center (known in industry parlance as “on-premises” or “on-prem” data centers) has become cost prohibitive since companies must constantly upgrade hardware, maintain physical infrastructure and constantly apply security patches to counteract emerging security threats. Companies are also looking to reduce their on-premises operations budgets to fund the build-out of their cloud management operations and skill base.
At the same time, several dominant players have emerged in the cloud computing industry: the “hyperscalers” – AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure, which are the leading public cloud providers; as well as VMware by Broadcom, which is a leading provider of private cloud technology. These technology providers operate cloud environments at a massive scale and have a significant cost-benefit advantage compared to a company-owned on-prem data center. They can also easily invest billions of dollars in product development and innovation, maintenance of the physical infrastructure and upkeep of important security protocols and technology.
As a result of these developments, most companies will become increasingly dependent on cloud technologies for most of their new workloads, as well as a portion of existing workloads, over the coming years.
The multicloud paradigm brings additional complexity for businesses moving to the cloud.
Moving to the cloud is not as simple as selecting a single platform and migrating data. The cloud is taking market share because it is a structurally different platform with structurally different cost dynamics. Oftentimes, new code must be written, or existing code must be re-written, to take full advantage of cloud capabilities. Likewise, simply moving existing code to the cloud (known as “lifting and shifting”) can often result in high or unforeseen cost over-runs. The efficiencies of cloud are real, but it takes substantial effort to realize them.
Companies also face the challenge of managing multiple clouds. They often employ more than one cloud solution for several business reasons:
•to prevent lock-in with any one cloud provider;
•to ensure data storage redundancy and protect against business interruption;
•to provide for enhanced security, compliance and governance;
•to access business tools that may run better on one cloud platform versus another; or
•to accommodate past decisions related to prior deployments and/or acquisitions, both of which can force most large companies into managing workloads situated on multiple clouds.
In addition, some business applications cannot migrate to the cloud and must remain on mature cloud platforms like private cloud, or even on-prem data centers, for various reasons:
•Corporate governance requires data sovereignty for sensitive data such as financial or health information.
•Older applications, often built in-house on older code, are not cloud-ready, and the cost of modernizing or replacing them outweighs the benefits of moving to the cloud.
•Data egress fees (fees charged by the hyperscalers for moving data out of their storage environment) have highlighted the need to keep frequently-accessed data on non-hyperscaler platforms.
As a result, businesses quickly find themselves in a multicloud paradigm that includes two or more hyperscaler platforms, private cloud and data and applications that are hosted on-premises or in a colocation or managed hosting facility. In such a complex environment, even the most sophisticated IT organizations at the largest multinational companies require outside resources to manage their multicloud strategy.
Rackspace Technology is a leading pure-play hybrid, multicloud and AI solutions company.
We help companies of all sizes manage their transition to the cloud, make sense of their IT infrastructure, migrate their data to the cloud, optimize their cloud presence on an ongoing basis, accelerate the responsible adoption of AI and manage the workloads best left to managed hosting or other mature platforms.
Few companies have the internal resources required to effectively manage a transition to the cloud. Building a well-rounded and capable in-house team would require hiring experts on all three hyperscaler platforms as well as private cloud, colocation and managed hosting. We believe professionals with these skill sets are challenging for companies to source and hire because they generally prefer to work at a technology company. We believe this creates an opportunity for a service partner like Rackspace Technology which enables businesses to fully embrace the power of all cloud technologies.
Our team of 5,800 highly skilled Rackers, including consultants and engineers, partners with companies at every stage of their cloud transformation journey and helps them:
•select the right platforms for their business needs;
•manage the movement of applications and data to the cloud and re-hosting of applications best suited for managed hosting;
•strategically locate and manage growing volumes of associated data storage to minimize cost and business risk;
•optimize their cloud footprint by leveraging new offerings and new pricing models from the hyperscalers, as well as new cloud computing technologies;
•operate their cloud environment;
•monitor security and ensure the security infrastructure is kept up to date;
•modernize their legacy business applications so they are optimized to run in the cloud;
•accelerate the responsible adoption of AI in their organization; and
•mine their business data for actionable insights using cloud data analytics tools.
We aim to be our customers’ most trusted advisor and services partner in their path to cloud transformation and to accelerate the value of their cloud investments. We give customers the ability to make informed decisions when choosing the right technologies, and we recommend solutions based on each customer’s unique objectives. In this way, we empower our customers to harness the full benefits of cloud adoption.
We differentiate ourselves from other service providers by:
•focusing solely on the cloud as the only pure play cloud solutions company;
•automating much of the manual labor to reduce cost for our customers;
•providing our renowned Fanatical Experience for our customers;
•maintaining close relationships with the major cloud providers – AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and VMware by Broadcom; and
•providing a full suite of cloud services across public and private cloud, as well as managed hosting and colocation services, so that enterprises can cost-effectively maintain legacy applications that are not cloud-ready while migrating their business to the cloud gradually.
We have a culture of innovation that permeates all that we do. Our Rackers gather insights from customers, cloud partners and each other to design, implement and operate advanced cloud environments. With our deep technical expertise, we build solutions alongside our customers to solve their most complex business challenges and explore their most promising business opportunities. Our tight-knit relationships with leading cloud partners enable Rackers to be on the front lines of cloud technology and among the first to utilize the latest capabilities of the cloud when our cloud partners launch new solutions. Our partnerships, Rackers and culture combine to ensure that we are at the forefront of major trends in technology, including cloud native application development, Internet of Things, AI and containers. We believe this expertise - and our ability to deliver it effectively - enables our customers to achieve their desired business outcomes, innovate faster and stay ahead of their competition.
Rackspace Fabric, our proprietary cloud software, is a significant differentiator.
Rackspace Fabric is the proprietary software that underpins our industry-leading automation. It includes over 200 unique tools and components to deliver our services and represents an investment of over $1 billion and 12 million hours of highly skilled professionals' time. We believe it gives us a sustainable competitive advantage that would be difficult, if not impossible, for a competitor to replicate. Rackspace Fabric serves as a single pane of glass through which customers can manage their entire cloud presence and delivers automation, AI, predictive analytics and proprietary tools that make our services even more reliable and easier to use.
Rackspace Fabric was built over the course of our two decades of experience in the cloud business. We leverage automation to reduce the amount of manual labor associated with serving our customers, as well as to improve efficiency. Whenever there is repetitive, manual labor associated with customer-related tasks, we automate the task. We also use advanced machine learning tools to identify additional work that can be automated. This has provided Rackspace Technology with a critical mass of automation, based upon institutional knowledge and know-how, that we continue to grow incrementally every year.
This is in direct contrast to our competition, many of whom charge for their services on a markup over labor costs, and therefore are not incentivized to employ automation in order to reduce customer costs.
Approximately 75% of our workloads are automated today, an industry leading figure that increased dramatically in recent years. We continually strive to optimize our automation to drive further efficiency gains in our business.
Rackspace Fabric includes automation that ranges from service delivery to self-healing infrastructure, giving us the ability to anticipate and proactively respond to opportunities and threats. It ensures consistency in our customers’ experiences and allows our Rackers to automate key service and application management processes, freeing up resources to focus on strategic, high-value business opportunities. This drives an efficient business model that has generated revenue per employee of over $450,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022 and over $500,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, which we believe is ahead of our competitors and in-line with leading SaaS companies.
Our go-to-market and service-delivery strategy.
Our business benefits from a highly efficient go-to-market strategy. Our sales efforts are led primarily by a team of over 700 quota-bearing representatives and customer success managers. Our ecosystem of partners serves as an extension of our direct sales force, providing a source of additional new business opportunities. Our customer engagement model begins with our professional services, where we partner with a customer to assess its objectives and design the best cloud strategy to meet its needs, and continues with our flexible recurring service offerings.
We deliver our services to a global customer base through an integrated service delivery model. We have a presence in more than 60 cities around the world. This footprint allows us to better serve customers based in various countries, especially multinational companies requiring cross-border solutions.
Our success has been recognized by third parties and customers alike. We served over 95,000 customers across 120 countries as of December 31, 2023. We are recognized in leading analyst firm reports, including the Gartner Magic Quadrant and Critical Capabilities for Public Cloud IT Transformation Services, the Forrester Wave: Multicloud Managed Services Providers, IDC Worldwide Managed Multicloud Services Marketscape, IDC Worldwide Managed Public Cloud Services Marketscape and multiple ISG Provider Lens reports focused on Public Cloud and Private/Hybrid Cloud and Data Center Solutions. In 2023 we received the following Provider Lens Leader designations for reports by ISG, a leading global technology research and advisory firm: Multi Public Cloud Services and Solutions, Cybersecurity Solutions and Services, Google Cloud Partner Ecosystem, AWS Partner Ecosystem, Microsoft Partner Ecosystem and Private/Hybrid Cloud - Data Center Services.
In addition, we have also received several industry partner awards including being awarded 3x Partner of the Year for Google- including the 2020 Google Cloud Breakthrough North America Partner of the Year Award, 2021, AWS Migration Partner of the Year (US), 2021, Kubernetes on Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization, and Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization, 2021, VMware CloudHealth Global Partner of the Year, 2021, and Dell Technologies Global Alliances – Excellence in Expansion, EMEA Award 2021. In 2023 we received several industry partner awards including AWS SI Partner of the Year - NAMER, AWS Sustainability Partner of the Year - NAMER and AWS Education Partner of the Year – EMEA and VMware 2023 Lifecycle Services Award for the Americas Region, Dell Technologies Excellence in Server and Storage Sales, Americas and 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Azure Intelligent Data Platform, Data & AI- Singapore.
Our History
Rackspace Technology’s predecessor company was founded in 1998, and was focused primarily on providing outsourced, dedicated IT infrastructure, primarily for small and mid-sized businesses. The predecessor company was publicly traded from its initial public offering in August 2008 until it was taken private in a leveraged buyout in November 2016. Rackspace Technology subsequently returned to the public markets through an initial public offering in August 2020.
During the time that Rackspace Technology was a private company from 2016 to 2020, management focused on transforming the business to serve companies that were migrating to the cloud. This included forging and strengthening partnerships with the major infrastructure providers such as AWS, Google, Microsoft and VMware by Broadcom; enhancing the company’s service offerings, including professional services, managed security and data services; building an enterprise sales force and professional services-driven sales approach to penetrate a broader market opportunity; and expanding the company’s geographic presence.
Today, we are a trusted partner to the global cloud ecosystem. We maintain close relationships with major cloud infrastructure and application vendors, enabling us to provide our customers with complete, unbiased hybrid and multicloud services, all through our single customer interface.
Our Integrated Services Portfolio
Effective on January 1, 2023, Rackspace Technology reorganized around a two-business unit operating model, Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Public Cloud and Private Cloud have very different business dynamics and require different skill sets and levels of investment to manage. This two-business unit operating model ensures increased focus, delivery and service quality for our customers. Beginning in 2023, we changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two reporting segments: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. The services across these two segments are described in more detail below:
•Private Cloud: Rackspace Private Cloud enables our customers to achieve their business outcomes at our world class data centers or in a colocation or edge facility strategic to our customers’ success and connected by our RackConnectTM Global network service, virtual backbone, or provider-based network services. The Private Cloud product portfolio includes:
•Programmatic Infrastructure: Programmatic Infrastructure is the foundation of Private Cloud and includes hardware and services for compute, network, storage, and data protection services. We partner with OEMs like Dell, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, and NetApp to provide standard offers at scale or solutions tailored to our customers’ specific needs.
•Cloud Operating Systems: These services provide the operating layer for physical devices with a software defined data center from VMware by Broadcom or OpenStack. These offers include Enterprise, Business, Flex, and Anywhere packages to match our customers’ needs and locations.
•Platform-as-a-Service: Our PaaS offers include RMPK (a managed Kubernetes service), RXDB (a privately hosted Database-as-a-Service solution specializing in High Availability NoSQL databases), RSDM (a team of database experts to manage and optimize your database estate), and SPOT (a unique cloud infrastructure offer auctioned in an open market as turnkey fully managed Kubernetes clusters).
•Private Cloud Solutions: These solutions are specific to certain customer use cases including AI, ERP services like SAP and Oracle, Epic workloads for customers in our healthcare vertical, and Sovereign and Government compliant services.
•Private Cloud Services: To solve our customers’ challenges and meet them where they are in their digital transformation, we provide managed services, professional services, Elastic Engineering services, and security services. Additionally, our Rackspace Email service provides a fully managed email platform for customers and carriers.
•Public Cloud: These offerings address the challenges of managing applications and data on the AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud public clouds. We bundle the underlying public cloud infrastructure with our expertise and experience, managed services and proprietary tools. While the infrastructure providers are responsible for their data centers, servers, storage, networking and operating system software, we help customers navigate, migrate, modernize, architect and deploy their applications on those leading public cloud platforms. After a migration, we manage, secure and optimize the customer’s environments on an ongoing basis using our tools, automation and expertise, while supporting the customer with robust service level agreements. These offerings do not require us to commit significant capital expenditures given that third parties provide the infrastructure.
Within Public Cloud, we deliver innovative Cloud Offerings (pre-defined playbooks) that are delivered using services (Professional Services, Elastic Engineering, and Managed Services) to provide solutions to customer problems across all three public clouds (AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud). These solutions accelerate a "Do With" approach to cloud transformation and are enabled by Rackspace assets and accelerators. We take these solutions to our customers through four service lines - Cloud Platform, Cloud Apps, Cloud Security and Cloud Data.
•Cloud Platform: The Cloud Platform Service Line focuses on providing platform-related services such as cloud strategy and architecture, platform and infrastructure migrations, and modern cloud infrastructure. The outcomes are to have a well-architected, optimized sustainable workloads on a cloud platform.
•Cloud Apps: The application service line is focused on building and managing applications within a cloud technology stack. It involves building new cloud-native applications on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as modernizing legacy applications through methods like re-platforming, container adoption, refactoring, and rewriting.
•Cloud Security: We provide fully-integrated security solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with our in-house Security Operations Center to provide customers with threat detection, analysis and remediation capabilities. Additionally, we have integrated security platforms into our management tools to give our customers one view of their organization’s vulnerability and threats.
We offer additional managed security services to customers in the areas of (i) security threat assessment and prevention, (ii) proactive threat detection and response, (iii) rapid remediation, (iv) governance, risk and compliance assistance across multiple cloud platforms and (v) Privacy and Data Protection services, including detailed access restrictions and reporting. Our 24x7x365 Customer Security Operations Center is staffed by experienced Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) security analysts.
•Cloud Data: Cloud Data Services are dedicated to helping customers accelerate the adoption of modern data solutions while enabling their business transformation. Leveraging our IP, delivery frameworks, and reference architectures, we provide professional services and managed services across Data Modernization, Cloud Native Data Platforms, Self Service Analytics, AI, and Machine Learning across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
In June 2023, we launched Foundry for Artificial Intelligence (FAIRTM), a groundbreaking practice dedicated to helping organizations accelerate the responsible and sustainable adoption of AI solutions across all industries. FAIR offers three service offerings designed to meet the needs of every industry and organizational requirement. FAIR Ideate is an interactive and collaborative ideation workshop that helps organizations uncover actionable use cases for generative AI with defined business impacts. AI readiness diagnostics provide critical considerations for successful AI adoption. FAIR Incubate is an agile and iterative program that co-creates an enterprise's first generative AI solution. It establishes the technology stack and assesses the viability of AI, ensuring seamless integration into organizational processes. FAIR Industrialize is a systematic effort to transform the AI solution into a product, implementing governance, defining metrics, and optimizing the AI model and Distributed Cloud Infrastructure for continuous improvement.
We offer professional services across our entire portfolio, including hybrid, multicloud solutions, applications, security and data. As part of our professional services process, we meet customers at every stage of their cloud journey and design solutions focused on modernizing their infrastructure and applications to enhance the value of their cloud technologies. This process often serves as the starting point for new business opportunities; following our initial professional services engagement, a customer will typically use any combination of our managed services under long-term contracts, and will often use our professional services multiple times as their technology needs continue to evolve. For some new customer relationships, the early stages of the relationship can be weighted toward infrastructure revenue; in these cases, our customer success sales team is tasked with up-selling and cross-selling additional services, including professional services, to enhance the overall customer relationship.
Our Technology Platform
Our technology platform is at the center of the Fanatical Experience that we deliver to customers. Our technologies focus on removing the complexities of multicloud deployments, unifying compelling aspects of the experience for our customers and enabling us to deliver scalable solutions.
•Innovative automation drives efficiency for us and our customers, enabling us to rapidly and consistently deliver our solutions across multiple products and clouds at scale. Rackspace Business Automation is a custom platform developed to handle over 12 million events and over 1 billion actions per month across physical devices, virtual devices, systems and tools. Data center automation provides services and applications to automate provisioning, configuring and the decommissioning of data center infrastructure. UIPath Robotic Process Automation is deployed across our business to automate repetitive tasks. We can automate 75% of customer support workloads based upon the automation of thousands of unique processes across our support organization.
•AIOps is a new field of software that combines monitoring, machine learning and automation to enhance IT operations. Our AIOps platform correlates monitoring events across our customers’ physical and virtual devices into a single incident or problem, significantly reducing the time to resolution for complex incidents. We developed a first-of-its-kind multi-tenant AIOps solution that processes millions of compliance-related events each month.
•Predictive operations enables our data scientists to build sophisticated models to provide actionable insights to our business leaders, increasing our agility and ability to identify opportunities that enhance our customer relationships.
•Self-service APIs enable our customers to access data and resources programmatically, extending our automation and service delivery into their native tools and processes. We support integration with our ticketing systems to enable two-way integrated support workflows and billing system integration to enable access to consolidated billing data in multicloud environments. Additionally, our pre-built integration with ServiceNow enables enterprise customers to simplify connectivity between our tools and ServiceNow.
•MyRackspace and other portals and associated mobile apps service over 550,000 active monthly users and support product specific self-service, insights, account management, security management, ticketing and billing. These portals are unified with our custom framework and design language, Pilot and Helix, providing a consistent experience and integrated navigation between our product lines and features. Our custom identity management system authenticates access to our user interfaces and APIs. This includes federation capabilities to integrate with our customers’ identity providers.
•Unified billing enables us to deliver an integrated single invoice for customers across all multicloud deployments. Our systems extract and rerate bills from public cloud hyperscalers and merge data from our products and services to generate a single invoice each month, while applying sophisticated billing and discount models.
•Service management applications ensure scale, speed, quality and consistency in our service delivery. These applications, including our custom CORE and Encore tools, support configurable rules and routing engines, integrated escalation management, detailed queue management and management visibility and reporting. These tools are augmented with sophisticated workforce management solutions to manage work shifts by utilizing historical data and trends across ticketing, chat and telephony, to maintain and appropriately staff our 24x7x365 operations.
Our Growth Strategies
In order to continue to drive growth and capture our large market opportunity, key elements of our growth strategies include:
•growing our private cloud business with new solutions, such as Rackspace Software Defined Datacenter, Industry Cloud, Sovereign Cloud, Private AI Cloud and Edge;
•building innovative solutions to broaden our portfolio, including scaled cloud-native solutions on our public cloud platforms and full-stack cloud offerings for infrastructure, applications and data;
•accelerating sales motions to defend our commercial business, expanding into mid-market and selectively targeting enterprise customers with our differentiated solutions both horizontally and vertically;
•identifying new areas with unmet needs and making smart technology bets to capture those opportunities ahead of the trend. For example, new product offerings such as Rackspace Data Freedom and Managed Kubernetes introduced to claim previously-unfilled white space in the cloud market;
•igniting the Racker Culture of innovation and Fanatical Experience for our customers and building on our unique culture by living our core values, embracing a growth mindset and operating with speed while celebrating accomplishments; and
•expanding automation to drive operational effectiveness and continuous process improvement for ourselves and our customers while remaining ahead of the competition in automation and building on our advantage.
Our Competition
We believe our technology and services expertise positions us well to compete with other technology and services providers. We face competition primarily from:
•In-house IT departments of our customers and potential customers provide services for their respective organizations, but typically need help scaling large technology environments and maximizing the value from their cloud investments, especially when speed, cost and innovation are key constraints.
•Traditional global IT systems integrators, such as Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Cognizant, Deloitte, DXC Technology and IBM, offer consulting and outsourcing, in a labor-intensive model, for large enterprise customers. Many of these businesses largely support legacy technologies and, where cloud capabilities exist, legacy revenue streams disincentivize these companies from fully embracing cloud technologies.
•Cloud service providers and digital systems integrators provide either consultation and implementation services for digital workflows or cloud services for a single cloud vendor. The solutions offered by these companies are often narrow in scope and are not well-suited for companies with complex hybrid, multicloud objectives.
•Regional managed services providers use a local go-to-market approach, and provide cloud services within a single region or few regions. These companies are unable to serve the full needs of multinational customers.
•Colocation providers, such as Equinix, CyrusOne and QTS, provide secure environments for hardware and access to network connectivity. We believe that these companies provide limited services differentiation, and their customers do not benefit from the economics of cloud-based technologies.
We believe the principal competitive factors in our market include, but are not limited to:
•Focus on the cloud
•Technology and services expertise
•Customer experience
•Speed of innovation
•Strength of relationships with technology partners
•Automation and scalability
•Standardized operational processes
•Geographic reach
•Brand recognition and reputation
•Price
We believe that we compare favorably on the basis of the factors listed above. However, many of our competitors have: substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources; relationships with large vendor partners; larger global presence; larger customer bases; longer operating histories; greater brand recognition; and more established relationships in the industry than we do. Furthermore, new entrants not currently considered to be competitors may enter the market through acquisitions, partnerships or strategic relationships.
Our Customers
We serve a wide range of customers across geography, size and industry.
•Geography. We serve a global customer base. As of December 31, 2023, we served over 95,000 customers in over 120 countries.
•Size. We have a strong presence with customers of all sizes, including enterprise businesses (revenue in excess of $3 billion), mid-market businesses (revenue of $300 million to $3 billion) and commercial customers (revenue less than $300 million).
•Industry. We serve customers across all sectors, including highly regulated industries with complex security, compliance and governance requirements.
We have low customer concentration; no customer represented 4% or more of our total revenue in 2023.
Our Approach to Partnerships
We benefit from differentiated partnerships with all major public and private cloud vendors, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud and VMware by Broadcom. These partnerships provide us with a competitive advantage unmatched by our competitors, spanning across multiple disciplines, including:
•Comprehensive alignment: We work with major technology partners through a systematic engagement model across six key areas of our business: executive, alliances, solutions, marketing, sales, and service delivery to ensure alignment on key initiatives. We operate strategic programs that include solutions milestones, performance reviews and long-term strategic initiatives.
•New business opportunities: Our sales teams and pre-sales engineering experts work with sales teams at technology partners to offer bundled solutions through a combined go-to-market effort. This results in a more compelling value proposition and greater value for our mutual customer. We believe our partners view us as a top services partner for their cloud technologies, as we are often cited as a ‘go-to’ services vendor for new business opportunities.
•Innovative solutions: We work closely with our partners’ product engineering teams as the baseline for our roadmap development and to provide input into our partners’ development plan. This critical input allows us and our partners to develop complementary services and technology. This has helped us arrive and stay at the forefront of innovation well before our competitors, and develop services and tools related to emerging technologies such as cloud-native application development, machine learning and AI.
We believe these relationships are beneficial to us, our partners and our customers. We and our partners both receive critical inputs for further innovation and benefit from joint go-to-market initiatives, while our customers are able to maximize their use of innovative technologies more efficiently, reduce time-to-market and remain competitive.
Sales and Delivery
Our services are sold via a global direct sales team of over 220 sales representatives and over 520 service delivery managers as of December 31, 2023, through third-party channel partners and through online orders on our website. Our sales model is based on both distributed and centralized sales teams with leads generated from customer referrals, channel partners and corporate marketing efforts.
Professional services are at the core of our consultative sales model and often serve as the gateway to our platform. For new business opportunities, our professional services organization engages closely with a customer to assess and design the best cloud solution for that customer. This is often the first step toward a long-term services agreement with a customer where we manage a customer’s cloud operations and give them the flexibility to evolve their spend with us as their needs change over time.
Our network of channel and technology partners also plays an important role in our sales efforts. Our channel partners - including management and technical consultancies, technology integrators, software application providers, value-added resellers and web developers - serve as a source of new business opportunities, primarily for small and medium-sized customers. Our technology partners serve as an extension of our sales force, often leading to new business opportunities as their customers recognize the need for a services partner to make the best use of their technology investments. In some cases, we collaborate directly with these partners on go-to-market efforts.
Our Customer Success team includes over 520 Rackers and engages in client relationship, contract management, managing deliverables, client retention and growth of our install base. This team is responsible for understanding the existing customers’ changing business needs and translating them into IT requirements, resulting in successful project execution or alignment of our other service offerings.
Our Culture
At the heart of Fanatical Experience is our unique culture. We invest in the recruitment, development and retention of our Rackers. Inclusion and diversity are top priorities for our company; we attract and cultivate top talent from around the world with diverse backgrounds and a range of expertise. We are highly selective. In our quest to hire the best talent, less than 1% of all applicants are offered positions. We strive to ensure our employees are not just technical experts, but also obsessed with customer outcomes and delivering Fanatical Experience.
We offer Rackers various professional development opportunities through Rackspace University, along with award-winning onboarding and leadership development programs, enabling them to enhance their capabilities across technologies and further their professional growth.
Additionally, in 2023 we were recognized with several workplace-related awards:
•#1 Most Inspiring Workplace – Global, published by Inspiring Workplaces
•Top 50 Most Inspiring Workplaces – EMEA, published by Inspiring Workplaces
•Top 50 Most Inspiring Workplaces – North America, published by Inspiring Workplaces
•Top 10 Most Inspiring Workplaces – Australasia, published by Inspiring Workplace
•Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces, published by Achievers Workforce Institute
•Best Places to Work for Women, published by Great Place to Work Institute – Mexico
•Top 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the U.S., published by Latina Style Magazine
•Tech Cares Awardee, published by Trust Radius
•Great Place to Work-certified by Great Place to Work Mexico
•Corporate University Team of the Year Finalist, published by Corporate Learning Network
Our Rackers are passionate about serving our communities as well. Rackspace Technology provides a minimum of 40 hours of paid time for each Racker to volunteer annually, with over 20,000 volunteer hours logged for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Rackspace Foundation, a Racker-funded nonprofit organization, has been supporting underserved San Antonio-area schools through charitable grants since 2008.
Our Employees
As of December 31, 2023, we employed approximately 5,800 Rackers in 22 countries, including 2,300 Rackers in North America, 1,000 Rackers in EMEA, 2,400 in APJ and 100 Rackers in Australia and New Zealand. Of our North American Rackers, approximately 500 work from our corporate headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 70% of all Rackers were classified as work-from-home. None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining agreement, nor have we experienced any work stoppages.
Seasonality
Our business is not materially affected by seasonal trends.
Other Information
Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements for our annual stockholders’ meetings and amendments to those reports are available free of charge on our website, www.rackspace.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this Annual Report. In addition, we will provide electronic or paper copies of our filings free of charge upon request.
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. You can review copies of these documents on the SEC's website. The SEC’s website address is www.sec.gov.
Any references to websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS
Summary
Our ability to execute our strategies is subject to certain risks. The risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” immediately following this summary may cause us not to realize the full benefits of our competitive strengths or may cause us to be unable to successfully execute all or part of our strategies. Some of the more significant challenges and risks we face include the following:
•attracting new customers, retaining existing customers and selling additional services and comparable gross margin services to our customers;
•risks associated with general economic conditions and uncertainties affecting markets in which we operate and economic volatility that could adversely impact our business, including fluctuating interest rates;
•our ability to successfully execute our strategies and adapt to evolving customer demands, including the trend to lower-gross margin offerings;
•risk associated with impairment of goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets;
•risks associated with our substantial indebtedness and our obligations to repay such indebtedness;
•the loss of, and our reliance on, third-party providers, vendors, consultants and software;
•competing successfully against current and future competitors;
•security breaches, cyber-attacks and other interruptions to our and our third-party service providers’ technological and physical infrastructures; and
•our ability to meet our service level commitments to customers, including network uptime requirements.
Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends may not predict results or trends in future periods.
Risks Related to Our Business
If we are unable to attract new customers, retain existing customers and sell additional services at comparable gross margins to customers, our revenue and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our ability to maintain or increase our revenues and profit may be impacted by a number of factors, including our ability to attract new customers, retain existing customers and sell additional services at comparable gross margins to our customers. In addition, as we seek to grow our customer base increasingly through outbound sales, we expect to incur higher customer acquisition costs and, to the extent we are unable to retain and sell additional services to existing customers, our revenue and results of operations may decrease.
Growth in the demand for our services may be inhibited and we may be unable to profitably maintain or grow our customer base for a number of reasons, such as:
•our inability to provide compelling services or effectively market them to new and existing customers;
•loss of our favorable relationships with our third-party cloud service providers;
•customer migration to platforms that we do not have expertise in managing;
•the inability of customers to differentiate our services from those of our competitors or our inability to effectively communicate such distinctions;
•the decision of customers to host internally, in third-party cloud infrastructure, or in third-party colocation facilities as an alternative to the use of our services;
•the decision of customers to use internal or other third-party resources to manage their platforms and applications;
•reductions in IT spending by customers or potential customers;
•our inability to penetrate international markets;
•a reduction in the demand for our services due to macroeconomic factors in the markets in which we operate;
•our inability to strengthen awareness of our brand;
•past or future cybersecurity-related incidents; and
•reliability, quality or compatibility problems with our services.
Moreover, we may face difficulty retaining existing customers over the long term. Certain customer contracts, particularly within our Private Cloud segment, frequently have initial terms (typically from 12 to 36 months) and, unless terminated, may be renewed or automatically extended for shorter, rolling periods after the initial term. Our customers have no obligation to renew their services after their initial contract periods expire and any termination fees associated with an early termination may not be sufficient to recover our costs associated with such contracts. In addition, most of our services within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business are based on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty. As a result, we may face high rates of customer churn if we are unable to meet our customer needs, requirements and preferences.
Our costs associated with generating revenue from existing customers are generally lower than costs associated with generating revenue from new customers, and depending on the customer and the service offering, there may be substantial variation in the gross margins associated with existing and new customers. Any failure by us in continuing to attract new customers or grow our revenue from existing customers could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is affected by general economic conditions and uncertainties affecting markets in which we operate and economic volatility could adversely impact our business.
Our overall performance depends in part on worldwide economic and geopolitical conditions. The U.S., the U.K. and other key international economies have experienced cyclical downturns from time to time in which economic activity was impacted by falling demand for a variety of goods and services, restricted credit, poor liquidity, reduced corporate profitability, volatility in credit and fluctuating interest rates, equity and foreign exchange markets, bankruptcies and overall uncertainty with respect to the economy. These economic conditions can arise suddenly and the full impact of such conditions can remain uncertain. In addition, geopolitical developments, such as existing and potential wars, trade wars or other conflicts, and other events beyond our control. Any form of civil unrest or other conflict can increase levels of political and economic unpredictability regionally or globally and has the potential to increase the volatility of global financial markets. Any of these effects could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to successfully execute our strategies and continue to develop and sell the services and solutions our customers demand, our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.
We must adapt to rapidly changing customer demands and preferences in order to successfully execute our strategies. This requires us to anticipate and respond to customer demands and preferences, address business model shifts, optimize our go-to-market execution by improving our cost structure, align sales coverage with strategic goals, improve channel execution and strengthen our services and capabilities in our areas of strategic focus. Any failure to successfully execute our strategies, including any failure to invest in strategic growth areas, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our strategies require significant investments that may adversely affect our near-term revenue growth and results of operations.
We expect the implementation of our strategies to require significant investments, and the investments we must make could result in lower gross margins and raise our operating expenses and capital expenditures. The risks and challenges we face in connection with our strategies include upgrading and integrating our service offerings, expanding our professional services capability, expanding into new geographies, growing in geographies where we currently have an existing presence and ensuring that the performance, features and reliability of our service offerings and our customer service remain competitive in a rapidly changing technological environment. These investments may adversely affect our near-term revenue growth and results of operations, and we cannot assure that they will ultimately be successful.
We have a history of losses and may not be able to achieve profitability in the future.
We incurred net losses of $218.3 million, $804.8 million and $837.8 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. We may not be able to achieve profitability in the future or on a consistent basis. We have incurred substantial expenses and expended significant resources to market, promote, and sell our services, and we have substantial debt service payments. Our ability to achieve or maintain profitability will depend on our ability to increase our revenue, manage our cost structure, and avoid significant liabilities. Revenue growth may slow or revenue may decline for a number of reasons, including general macroeconomic conditions, increasing competition, or a decrease in the growth of the markets in which we operate. Additionally, we may encounter unforeseen operating expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may result in losses in future periods. Any failure to increase our revenue or manage our expenses could prevent us from achieving profitability at all or on a consistent basis, which would cause our business, financial condition and results of operations to suffer.
We may be required to recognize goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived asset impairment charges.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized and are subject to impairment testing at least annually. Future events may cause impairments of our goodwill or long-lived assets based on factors such as the price of our common stock, projected cash flows, assumptions used or other variables.
In addition, if we divest long-lived assets at prices below their asset value, we must write them down to fair value resulting in long-lived asset impairment charges, which could adversely affect our financial position or results of operations. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets. We have recognized, and we may be required to recognize additional goodwill or other asset impairment charges which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for further discussion.
Our results of operations have historically varied and may fluctuate significantly, which could make our future results difficult to predict and could cause our results of operations to fall below investor or analyst expectations.
Our results of operations may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including many of the risks described in this section, many of which are outside of our control. Many of these factors outside our control could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenue and diversion of management’s time and energy, which could materially and adversely impact our business. Our period-to-period results of operations are not necessarily an indication of our future operating performance. In addition, in calculating Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), we utilize estimates of our net effective tax rate, which may fluctuate based on a number of factors, including tax law changes and the geographic distribution of our profits and losses. As a result, our calculation of Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) could change from period to period, including due to factors not tied to our financial performance. Furthermore, our revenue, gross margins and profitability in any given period are dependent partially on the service, customer and geographic mix reflected in the respective period. Variations in cost structure and gross margins across business units and services may lead to operating profit volatility on an annual and quarterly basis. Fluctuations in our revenue can lead to even greater fluctuations in our results of operations. Our budgeted expense levels depend in part on our expectations of long-term future revenue. Given the fixed nature of certain operating costs related to our personnel and facilities, any substantial adjustment to our expenses to account for lower than expected levels of revenue will be difficult. Consequently, if our revenue does not meet projected levels, our operating expenses would be high relative to our revenue, which would negatively affect our operating performance. If our revenue or operating results do not meet or exceed the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock may decline.
We may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors.
The market for our services is highly competitive, quickly evolving and subject to rapid changes in technology. We expect to continue to face intense competition from our existing competitors as well as additional competition from new market entrants in the future as the market for our services continues to grow.
Our current and potential competitors vary by size, service offerings and geographic region. These competitors may elect to partner with each other or with focused companies to grow their businesses. They include:
•in-house IT departments of our customers and potential customers;
•traditional global IT systems integrators, including large multi-national providers, such as Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Cognizant, Deloitte, DXC Technology and IBM;
•cloud service providers and digital systems integrators;
•regional managed services providers; and
•colocation solutions providers, such as Equinix, CyrusOne and QTS.
The primary competitive factors in our market are: focus on the cloud, technology and service expertise, customer experience, speed of innovation, strength of relationships with technology partners, automation and scalability, standardized operational processes, geographic reach, brand recognition and reputation and price.
Many of our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources; relationships with large vendor partners; larger global presence; larger customer bases; longer operating histories; greater brand recognition; and more established relationships in the industry than we do. As a result, some of these competitors may be able to:
•develop superior products or services, gain greater market acceptance and expand their service offerings more efficiently or more rapidly;
•adapt to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements more quickly;
•bundle their offerings, including hosting services, with other services they provide at reduced prices;
•streamline their operational structure, obtain better pricing or secure more favorable contractual terms, allowing them to deliver services and products at a lower cost;
•take advantage of acquisition, joint venture and other opportunities more readily;
•adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote greater resources to the promotion, marketing and sales of their services, which could cause us to have to lower prices for certain services to remain competitive in the market; and
•devote greater resources to the R&D of their products and services.
To the extent we face increased price competition, we may have to lower the prices of certain of our services in the future to stay competitive, while simultaneously seeking to maintain or improve our revenue and gross margin.
In addition, consolidation activity through strategic mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures may result in new competitors that can offer a broader range of products and services, may have greater scale or a lower cost structure. To the extent such consolidation results in the ability of vertically-integrated companies to offer more integrated services to customers than we can, customers may prefer the single-source approach and direct more business to such competitors, thereby impairing our competitive position. Furthermore, new entrants not currently considered to be competitors may enter the market through acquisitions, partnerships or strategic relationships. As we look to market and sell our services to potential customers, we must convince their internal stakeholders that our services are superior to their current solutions. If we are unable to anticipate or react to these competitive challenges, our competitive position would weaken, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may from time to time enter into strategic relationships with one or more of our competitors. By way of example, we have non-exclusive managed service provider relationships with AWS, Microsoft and Google and have entered into agreements with colocation service providers to provide us with colocation space.
Our business is highly dependent on our ability to maintain favorable relationships with our third-party cloud infrastructure providers and the ability of those third-party cloud infrastructure providers to provide the services and features that our customers desire.
We have non-exclusive managed service provider relationships with AWS, Microsoft and Google. Some of our customers first select their cloud infrastructure platform provider and then engage us to provide the managed services for the selected platform and, more often than not, we resell the cloud infrastructure to the customer (although some customers may elect to purchase the cloud infrastructure directly from the providers). Our agreements with AWS, Microsoft and Google may be terminated at will by the counterparty. If we are unable to maintain these relationships on favorable terms, or at all, we may not be able to retain our current customers or attract new customers, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, if our cloud infrastructure providers are unable to provide the types of services and features that meet customer needs, our customers may migrate to alternative cloud infrastructure providers that we may not have the ability to resell and/or support or may not be able to support on a competitive cost structure, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on our relationships with third-party cloud infrastructure providers to help drive revenue to our business. Most of these providers offer services that are complementary to our services; however, some may compete with us in one or more of our service offerings. These providers may decide in the future to terminate their agreements with us and/or to market and sell a competitor’s or their own services rather than ours, which could cause our revenue to decline. Also, we derive tangible and intangible benefits from our association with some of these providers, particularly high-profile providers that reach a large number of companies through the Internet. If a substantial number of these providers terminate their relationship with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our referral and reseller partners provide revenue to our business, and we benefit from our association with them. The loss of these participants could adversely affect our business.
Our referral and reseller partners drive revenue to our business. Most of these partners offer services that are complementary to our services; however, some may actually compete with us in one or more of our service offerings. These referral and reseller partners may decide in the future to terminate their agreements with us and/or to market and sell a competitor’s or their own services rather than ours, which could cause our revenue to decline. Also, we derive tangible and intangible benefits from our association with some of our referral and reseller partners, particularly high-profile partners that reach a large number of companies through the Internet. If a substantial number of these partners terminate their relationships with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We also receive payments and credits from some of our referral and reseller partners, including consideration under volume incentive programs and shared marketing expense programs. Our referral and reseller partners may decide to terminate or reduce the benefits under their incentive programs, or change the conditions under which we may obtain such benefits, and we may fail to achieve the volumes on which our forecasts for incentive payments and credits are based. Any sizable reduction, termination or significant delay in receiving benefits under these programs could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to timely react to any changes in our referral and reseller partners’ programs, such as the elimination of funding for some of the activities for which we have been compensated in the past, such changes could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to hire and retain qualified employees and management personnel, our strategies and our business could be harmed.
Our ability to be successful and to execute on our strategies depends on our ability to identify, hire, train and retain qualified executives, IT professionals, technical engineers, software developers, operations employees and sales and senior management personnel who maintain relationships with our customers and who can provide the technical, strategic and marketing skills required for our company to grow. Our ability to execute on our sales strategy is also dependent on our ability to identify, hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified sales personnel. There is a shortage of qualified personnel in these fields, and like many other companies we have recently encountered additional challenges in hiring and retaining qualified personnel. We compete with other companies for this limited pool of potential employees. Furthermore, the implementation of our strategies will result in changes throughout our business, which may create uncertainty for our employees. Such uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel and could cause customers, suppliers and others who deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships. In addition, the industry in which we operate is generally characterized by significant competition for skilled personnel, and as our industry becomes more competitive, it could become especially difficult to retain personnel with unique in-demand skills and knowledge, whom we would expect to become recruiting targets for our competitors. There is no assurance that we will be able to recruit or retain qualified personnel or successfully transition knowledge from departing employees, and this failure could cause a dilution of our service-oriented culture and our inability to develop and deliver existing or new operations and services, which could cause our business to be negatively impacted.
Security breaches, cyber-attacks and other interruptions to our or our third-party service providers’ infrastructure have disrupted and may continue to disrupt our internal operations and we may be exposed to claims and liability, lose customers, suffer harm to our reputation, lose business-critical compliance certifications and incur additional costs.
We are materially dependent upon our networks, information technology infrastructure and related technology systems to provide services to our customers, manage our internal operations and support our strategic objectives. Many of our customers require access to our services on a continuous basis and may be materially impaired by interruptions in our or our third-party service providers’ infrastructure. The services we offer also involve the transmission of large amounts of sensitive and proprietary information over public communications networks, as well as the processing and storage of confidential customer information, which may include information subject to stringent domestic and foreign data protection laws, including those governing personally identifiable information, protected health information or other types of sensitive data. We also process, store and transmit our own data as part of our business and operations, which may include personally identifiable, confidential or proprietary information.
Cyber-attacks have become more prevalent in our industry, and the techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems are constantly expanding and evolving. Malicious actors are increasingly sophisticated in their methods, tactics, techniques and procedures, seeking to steal money, gain unauthorized access to, destroy or manipulate data, and disrupt operations, and some of their attacks may not be recognized or discovered until launched or after initial entry into the environment, such as novel or zero-day attacks that are launched before patches are available and defenses can be readied. Malicious actors are also increasingly developing methods to avoid prevention, detection and alerting capabilities, including employing counter-forensic tactics, making response activities more difficult. Like many companies, we have experienced these attacks, including a ransomware incident that caused service disruptions for our Hosted Exchange customers, as previously disclosed in December 2022. When these cyber-attacks occur, we respond to these incidents pursuant to our cybersecurity policies and procedures and in accordance with the law. Our cybersecurity policies and procedures are designed to protect against and mitigate harm from unauthorized access, infrastructure attacks, malicious file attacks, ransomware, data theft, bugs, worms, malicious software programs, remnant data exposure, computer viruses, denial-of-service attacks, accidents, employee error or malfeasance, intentional misconduct by computer “hackers,” state-sponsored cyber-attacks and attempts by outside parties to fraudulently induce our employees or customers to disclose or grant access to our data or our customers’ data. Our current cybersecurity framework is governed and overseen by the Chief Security Officer. The audit committee of our board of directors receives regular cybersecurity updates. When necessary, our internal incident response team engages with external advisors, including outside counsel or outside cybersecurity firms to investigate and remediate.
Our current security measures are monitored and periodically reviewed. Nevertheless, our security measures have in the past and may continue to be circumvented or fail to defeat or mitigate cybersecurity attacks. Additionally, other disruptions can occur, such as infrastructure gaps, hardware and software vulnerabilities, inadequate or missing security controls, exposed or unprotected customer data and the accidental or intentional disclosure of source code or other confidential information by former or current employees. Any such incidents could (i) interfere with the delivery of services to our customers, (ii) impede our customers’ ability to do business, (iii) compromise the security of infrastructure, systems and data, (iv) lead to the dissemination to third parties of proprietary information or sensitive, personal, or confidential data about us, our employees or our customers, including personally identifiable information of individuals involved with our customers and their end users and (v) impact our ability to do business in the ordinary course. Each of these risks could further intensify as we maintain information in digital form stored on servers connected to the Internet, especially in light of the growing frequency, scope and well-documented sophistication of cyber-attacks and intrusions. Some of our systems or vendors’ systems have experienced past security breaches, and, although they did not have a material adverse effect on our operating results, there can be no assurance of a similar result in the future. Cyber breaches and other security incidents may expose us to increased risk of claims and liability, including litigation, regulatory enforcement, notification obligations and indemnity obligations, as well as loss of existing or potential customers, harm to our reputation, increases in our security costs (including spending material resources to investigate or correct the breach or incident and to prevent future security breaches and incidents), disruption of normal business operations, the impairment or loss of industry certifications and government sanctions (including debarment), all of which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The security of our services is important in our customers’ decisions to purchase or use our services. Threats to our infrastructure may not only affect the data that we own but also the data belonging to our customers. When customers use our services, they rely on the security of our infrastructure, including hardware and other elements provided by third parties, to ensure the reliability of our services and the protection of their data. We also offer professional services to our customers where we consult on data center solutions and assist with implementations. We offer managed services domestically and in some jurisdictions outside of the U.S. An actual or perceived breach of, or other security incident relating to, our cloud storage systems and networks could result in significant loss. In the event of a claim, we could be liable for substantial damage awards that may significantly exceed our liability insurance coverage by unknown but significant amounts, which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, we cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will cover any claims against us relating to any such incident, will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or that our insurers will not deny coverage as to any such claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, or the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. The costs could be exacerbated by regulatory fines and penalties, notification costs and the loss of revenue due to brand and reputational harm.
Similar security risks exist with respect to our business partners and the third-party vendors that we rely on for aspects of our IT support services and administrative functions, including the systems owned, operated or controlled by other unaffiliated operators to the extent we rely on such other systems to deliver services to our customers. Our cybersecurity policies and procedures are designed to vet third-party providers and provide for adequate oversight and cooperation regarding cybersecurity incidents with respect to our third-party vendors, but our ability to monitor our third-party service providers’ data security is limited. As a result, we are subject to the risk that cyber-attacks on, or other security incidents affecting, our business partners and third-party vendors may adversely affect our business even if an attack or breach does not directly impact our systems. It is also possible that security breaches sustained by, or other security incidents affecting, our competitors could result in negative publicity for our entire industry that indirectly harms our reputation and diminishes demand for our services.
In addition, our customers require and expect that we maintain industry-related compliance certifications, such as International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") 27001, Service Organization Controls ("SOC 1, 2, 3") and Payment Card Industry ("PCI"), Federal Information Security Management Act ("FISMA"), Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program ("FedRAMP") and Health Information Trust Alliance (“HITRUST”) in the U.S., Information Security Registered Assessors Program ("IRAP") in Australia and Public Services Network ("PSN") in the U.K. There are significant costs associated with maintaining existing and implementing any newly-adopted industry-related compliance certifications, including costs associated with retroactively building security controls into services which may involve re-engineering technology, processes and staffing. The inability to maintain applicable compliance certifications could result in monetary fines, disruptive participation in forensic audits due to a breach, security-related control failures, customer contract breaches, customer churn and brand and reputational harm.
See Item 1C - “Cybersecurity” for additional information.
Our inability to prevent service disruptions and ensure network uptime could lead to significant costs and could harm our business reputation and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our value proposition to customers is highly dependent on the ability of our existing and potential customers to access our services and platform capabilities at any time and within an acceptable amount of time. We have experienced interruptions in service in the past and may in the future experience service interruptions due to such things as power outages, power equipment failures, cooling equipment failures, network connectivity downtime, routing problems, security issues, hard drive failures, database corruption, system failures, natural disasters, software failures, human and software errors, denial-of-service attacks and other computer failures. Because our ability to attract and retain customers depends on our ability to provide customers with highly reliable service, even minor interruptions in our service could harm our reputation.
Because our service offerings do not require geographic proximity of our data centers to our customers, our infrastructure is consolidated into a few large facilities. Accordingly, any failure or downtime in one of our data center facilities could affect a significant percentage of our customers. The total destruction or severe impairment of any of our data center facilities could result in significant downtime of our services and the loss of customer data. In addition, it may become increasingly difficult to maintain and improve our performance, especially during peak usage times and as our services and platform capabilities become more complex and our user traffic increases. To the extent that our facilities fail or experience downtime or we do not effectively upgrade our systems as needed or continually develop our technology and network architecture to accommodate actual and anticipated changes in technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Service interruptions continue to be a significant risk for us and could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any future service interruptions could:
•cause our customers to seek damages for losses incurred;
•delay payment to us by customers;
•result in legal claims against us;
•divert our resources;
•require us to replace existing equipment or add redundant facilities;
•affect our reputation as a reliable provider of hosting services;
•cause existing customers to cancel or elect to not renew their contracts; or
•make it more difficult for us to attract new customers.
Our customer agreements include certain service level commitments to our customers relating primarily to network uptime, critical infrastructure availability and hardware replacement. If we are unable to meet the stated service level commitments, we may be contractually obligated to provide these customers with service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers. As a result, a failure to deliver services for a relatively short duration could cause us to issue these credits to a large number of affected customers. In addition, we cannot be assured that our customers will accept these credits in lieu of other legal remedies that may be available to them. Our failure to meet our commitments could also result in substantial customer dissatisfaction or loss. Our failure to meet our service level commitments to our customers could lead to future loss of revenues and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to operate our data centers relies on access to sufficient and reliable electric power.
Since our data centers rely on third parties to provide power sufficient to meet operational needs, our data centers could have a limited or inadequate amount of electrical resources necessary to meet our customer requirements. We and other data center operators attempt to limit exposure to system downtime due to power outages by using backup generators and power supplies. However, these protections may not limit our exposure to power shortages or outages entirely. Any system downtime resulting from insufficient power resources or power outages could cause physical damage to equipment, increase our susceptibility to security breaches, damage our reputation and lead us to lose current and potential customers, which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to have reliable Internet, telecommunications and fiber optic network connectivity and capacity may adversely affect our results of operations.
Our success depends in part upon the capacity, reliability and performance of our network infrastructure, including our Internet, telecommunications and fiber optic network connectivity providers. We depend on these companies to provide uninterrupted and error-free service through their telecommunications networks. Some of these providers are also our competitors. We exercise little control over these providers, which increases our vulnerability to problems with the services they provide. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience interruptions or delays in network service. Any failure on our part or the part of our third-party suppliers to achieve or maintain high data transmission capacity, reliability or performance could significantly reduce customer demand for our services and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also can provide no assurances that our redundancy planning will be effective.
As our customers’ usage of telecommunications capacity increases, we will be required to make additional investments in our capacity to maintain adequate data transmission speeds, the availability of which may be limited or the cost of which may be on terms unacceptable to us. If adequate capacity is not available to us as our customers’ usage increases, our network may be unable to achieve or maintain sufficiently high data transmission capacity, reliability or performance. In addition, our business and results of operations would suffer if our network suppliers increased the prices for their services and we were unable to successfully pass along the increased costs to our customers.
We have overestimated our data center capacity requirements in the past. If we overestimate or underestimate our data center capacity requirements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
The costs of building out, leasing and maintaining our data centers constitute a significant portion of our capital and operating expenses. To manage our capacity while minimizing unnecessary excess capacity costs, we continuously evaluate our short and long-term data center capacity requirements, and we have overestimated our data center capacity requirements in the past. However, many of the data center sites that we lease are subject to long-term leases. If our capacity needs are reduced, or if we decide to close a data center, we may nonetheless be committed to perform our obligations under the applicable leases including, among other things, paying the base rent for the balance of the lease term. Moreover, as a result of changing technological trends, we have seen customer demand shift towards our offerings provided on the infrastructure of a third-party cloud infrastructure provider, which reduces our data center capacity needs. In addition, the solutions we offer and our customer-based approach may encourage our customers to move to the public cloud, which may reduce our data center capacity needs. If we overestimate our data center capacity requirements and therefore secure excess data center capacity, our operating margins could be materially reduced. If we underestimate our data center capacity requirements, we may not be able to service the expanding needs of our existing customers and may be required to limit new customer acquisition or enter into leases that are not optimal, both of which may materially and adversely impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Real or perceived errors, failures or bugs in our customer solutions, software or technology could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Undetected real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects may be present or occur in the future in our customer solutions, software or technology or the technology or software we license from third parties, including open source software. Despite testing by us, real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects may not be found until our customers use our services. Real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects in our customer solutions could result in negative publicity, loss of or delay in market acceptance of our services and harm to our brand, weakening of our competitive position, claims by customers for losses sustained by them or failure to meet the stated service level commitments in our customer agreements. In such an event, we may be required, or may choose, for customer relations or other reasons, to expend significant additional resources in order to help correct the problem. Any real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects in our customer solutions could also impair our ability to attract new customers, retain existing customers or expand their use of our services, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on third-party software that may be difficult to replace, or which could cause errors or failures of our service that could lead to lost customers or harm to our reputation.
We rely on software licensed from third parties to offer our services. This software may not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of this software could result in delays in the provisioning of our services until equivalent technology is either developed by us, or, if available, is identified, obtained and integrated, which could harm our business, and there is no guarantee that we would be successful in developing, identifying, obtaining or integrating equivalent or similar technology, which could result in the loss or limiting of our services or features available in our services. Any errors or defects in third-party software or inadequate or delayed support by our third-party licensors could result in errors or a failure of our service, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our third-party vendors, including our third-party software licensors, increase their prices and we are unable to pass those increased costs to our customers, it could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.
If third-party vendors increase their prices and we are unable to successfully pass those costs on to our customers, it could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations. Many of our contracts with our customers give us the flexibility to increase our prices from time to time; however, notwithstanding our contractual right to do so, raising prices may decrease the demand for our services, cause customers to terminate their existing relationships with us or limit our ability to attract new customers. Our attempts to otherwise mitigate cost increases or achieve cost reductions can also cause disruptions and operational impacts in the near- and medium-term, including increased costs and distraction of management attention.
Our services depend in part on intellectual property and proprietary rights and technology licensed from third parties.
Much of our business and many of our services rely on key technologies developed or licensed by third parties. For example, we sell or otherwise provide licenses to use third-party software in connection with the sale of some of our managed service partner offerings. These third-party software components may become obsolete, defective or incompatible with future versions of our services, or relationships with the third-party licensors may deteriorate, or our agreements with the third-party licensors may expire or be terminated. Additionally, some of these licenses may not be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable or that allow our service offerings to remain competitive. Our inability to obtain licenses or rights on favorable terms could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Furthermore, incorporating intellectual property or proprietary rights licensed from third parties on a non-exclusive basis in our services could limit our ability to protect the intellectual property and proprietary rights in our services and our ability to restrict third parties from developing, selling or otherwise providing similar or competitive technology using the same third-party intellectual property or proprietary rights.
Sales to enterprise customers involve risks that may not be present in or that are present to a greater extent than sales to smaller entities.
We continue to focus a significant portion of our sales efforts on enterprise customers. Sales to such customers generally have longer sales cycles, more complex customer requirements, substantial upfront sales costs and contract terms that are less favorable to us, including as it relates to pricing and limitations on liability. A number of factors influence the length and variability of our sales cycle, including the need to educate potential customers about the uses and benefits of our solutions, the discretionary nature of purchasing and budget cycles and the competitive nature of evaluation and purchasing approval processes. As a result, the length of our sales cycle, from identification of the opportunity to deal closure, may vary significantly from customer to customer, with sales to large enterprises typically taking longer to complete.
Some of our professional services engagements with our clients are based on estimated pricing terms. If our estimates are incorrect, these terms could become unprofitable.
Some of our customer contracts for professional services are fixed-price contracts to which we commit before we provide services to these clients. In pricing such fixed-price client contracts, we are required to make estimates and assumptions at the time we enter into these contracts that could differ from actual results. As a result, the profit that is anticipated at a contract’s inception is not guaranteed. Our estimates reflect our best judgments about the nature of the engagement and our expected costs in providing the contracted services. However, any increased or unexpected costs or any unanticipated delays in connection with our performance of these engagements, including delays caused by our third-party providers or by factors outside our control, could make these contracts less profitable or unprofitable and could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
If we fail to maintain, enhance and protect our brand, our ability to expand our customer base will be impaired and our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.
We believe that maintaining, enhancing and protecting our brand is important to support the marketing and sale of our existing and future services to new customers and expand sales of our services to existing customers. We also believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our market increases. Successfully maintaining, enhancing and protecting our brand will depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts, our ability to provide reliable services that continue to meet the needs of our customers at competitive prices, our ability to maintain our customers’ trust, our ability to successfully differentiate our services and platform capabilities from competitive services and our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce trademark and other intellectual property protection for our brand. Our brand promotion activities may not generate customer awareness or yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses incurred in building and maintaining our brand. If we fail to successfully promote, maintain and protect our brand, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our ability to operate and expand our business is susceptible to risks associated with international sales and operations.
We have operations across the globe. We anticipate that a significant portion of our revenue will continue to be derived from sources outside of the U.S. A key element of our strategy is to further expand our customer base internationally and successfully operate data centers in foreign markets. Managing a global organization is difficult, time consuming and expensive. If we are unable to manage the risks of our global operations and geographic expansion strategy, our business, results of operations and ability to grow could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, conducting international operations subjects us to new risks that we have not generally faced. These risks include:
•localization of our services, including translation into foreign languages and adapting to local practices and regulatory requirements and differing technology standards or customer requirements;
•lack of familiarity with and unexpected changes in foreign regulatory requirements;
•longer accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;
•difficulties in managing and staffing international operations;
•fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
•restrictions on the ability to move cash;
•potentially adverse tax consequences, including the complexities of transfer pricing and foreign value added tax systems;
•challenges associated with repatriating earnings generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner and changes in tax laws;
•dependence on certain third parties, including channel partners with whom we do not have extensive experience;
•the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and legal standards;
•increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;
•trade regulations and procedures and actions affecting production, pricing and marketing of services, including policies adopted by countries that may champion or otherwise favor domestic companies and technologies over foreign competitors;
•political, social and economic instability and corruption abroad, terrorist attacks, civil unrest and security concerns in general;
•pandemics and public health emergencies; and
•reduced or varied protection for intellectual property and proprietary rights in some countries.
Operating in international markets also requires significant management attention and financial resources. The investment and additional resources required to establish operations and manage growth in other countries may not produce desired levels of revenue or profitability.
Failure to develop and maintain adequate internal systems could cause us to be unable to properly provide service to our customers, causing us to lose customers, suffer harm to our reputation and incur additional costs.
Some of our enterprise systems have been designed to support individual service offerings, resulting in a lack of standardization among various internal systems, tools and processes across products, platforms, services, functions and geographies, making it difficult to serve customers who use multiple service offerings. This lack of standardization causes us to implement manual processes to overcome the fragmentation, which can result in increased expense and manual errors.
We continually seek to drive efficiencies in our infrastructure and business processes. Our inability to manage competing priorities, execute multiple concurrent projects, plan and manage resources effectively and meet deadlines and budgets could result in us not being able to implement the systems needed to speed up implementation of customer solutions and deliver our services in a compelling manner to our customers. If we are unable to drive efficiencies in our infrastructure and business processes, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We may not be able to renew the leases on our existing facilities on terms acceptable to us, if at all, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We do not own the facilities occupied by our current data centers but occupy them pursuant to commercial leasing arrangements. The initial terms of our main existing data center leases expire over the next 15 years. Upon the expiration or termination of our data center facility leases, we may not be able to renew these leases on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Even if we are able to renew the leases on our existing data centers, we expect that rental rates, which will be determined based on then-prevailing market rates with respect to the renewal option periods and which will be determined by negotiation with the landlord after the renewal option periods, will be higher than rates we currently pay under our existing lease agreements. Migrations to new facilities could also be expensive and present technical challenges that may result in downtime for our affected customers or loss of data. There can also be no assurances that our plans to mitigate customer downtime for affected customers will be successful. This could damage our reputation and lead us to lose current and potential customers, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on a number of third-party providers for data center space, equipment, maintenance and other services, and the loss of, or problems with, one or more of these providers may impede our growth or cause us to lose customers.
We rely on third-party providers to supply data center space, equipment and maintenance. For example, we lease data center space from third-party landlords, purchase equipment from equipment providers and source equipment maintenance through third parties. While we have entered into various agreements for the lease of data center space, equipment, maintenance and other services, a third-party could fail to comply with their contractual obligations under those agreements. For example, a data center landlord may fail to adequately maintain its facilities or provide an appropriate data center infrastructure for which it is responsible. If that were to happen, we would not likely be able to deliver the services to our customers that we have agreed to provide according to our standards or at all. Additionally, if the third parties that we rely on fail to deliver on their obligations, our customers may lose confidence in our company, which would make it likely that we would not be able to retain those customers, and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to various laws, directives, regulations, contractual obligations and policies regarding the protection of confidentiality and appropriate use of personal information.
We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international laws, directives and regulations, as well as contractual obligations and policies, relating to the collection, use, retention, security, disclosure, transfer and other processing of information, including sensitive, proprietary, healthcare, financial and personal information. The regulatory framework for privacy and security issues worldwide is complex and rapidly evolving and as a result, implementation standards and enforcement practices are likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Any failure by us, our suppliers or other parties with whom we do business to comply with our contractual commitments, policies or with federal, state, local or international regulations could result in proceedings against us by governmental entities or others. In many jurisdictions, enforcement actions and consequences for noncompliance are rising. In the U.S., these include enforcement actions in response to rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of federal agencies, state attorneys general and legislatures and consumer protection agencies. In addition, security advocates and industry groups have regularly proposed, and may propose in the future, self-regulatory standards with which we must legally comply or that contractually apply to us. If we fail to follow these security standards even if no personal information is compromised, we may incur significant fines or experience a significant increase in costs.
Internationally, virtually every jurisdiction in which we operate has established its own data security and privacy legal framework with which we or our customers must comply, including but not limited to the U.K. and the E.U. The E.U. has adopted the General Data Protection Regulation ("E.U. GDPR"), which went into effect in May 2018, and together with national legislation, regulations and guidelines of the E.U. member states, contains numerous requirements and changes from previously existing E.U. law, including the increased jurisdictional reach of the European Commission, more robust obligations on data processors and additional requirements for data protection compliance programs by companies. E.U. member states are tasked under the E.U. GDPR to enact, and have enacted, certain legislation that adds to and/or further interprets the E.U. GDPR requirements and potentially extends our obligations and potential liability for failing to meet such obligations. Among other requirements, the E.U. GDPR regulates transfers of personal data subject to the E.U. GDPR to the U.S. as well as other third countries that have not been found to provide adequate protection to such personal data. While we have taken steps to mitigate the impact on us with respect to transfers of data, such as implementing standard contractual clauses, the efficacy and longevity of these transfer mechanisms remains uncertain. Following Brexit, the U.K. enacted a Data Protection Act substantially implementing the GDPR and amended to align with the E.U. GDPR. It is unclear how U.K. data protection laws or regulations will develop in the medium to longer term. We must comply with the E.U. GDPR and the U.K. GDPR, with each regime having the ability to fine up to the greater of €20 million (in the case of the E.U. GDPR) or £17 million (in the case of the U.K. GDPR) and 4% of total annual revenue. Such penalties are in addition to any civil litigation claims by customers and data subjects. The GDPR requirements apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between us and our subsidiaries, including employee information.
Non-compliance with relevant data privacy laws, directives and regulations, such as the E.U. or U.K. GDPR, could result in proceedings against us by governmental entities, customers, data subjects or others. We may also experience difficulty retaining or obtaining new European or multi-national customers due to the legal requirements, compliance cost, potential risk exposure and uncertainty for these entities, and we may experience significantly increased liability with respect to these customers pursuant to the terms set forth in our engagements with them.
Domestic laws in this area are also complex and developing rapidly. Many state legislatures have adopted legislation that regulates how businesses operate online, including measures relating to privacy, data security and data breaches, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, have adopted, or are considering adopting, laws and regulations concerning personal information and data security. In addition, laws in all 50 states require businesses to provide notice to customers whose personally identifiable information has been disclosed as a result of a data breach. The laws are not consistent, and compliance in the event of a widespread data breach is costly. States are also constantly amending existing laws, requiring attention to frequently changing regulatory requirements.
Because the interpretation and application of many privacy and data protection laws along with contractually imposed industry standards are uncertain, it is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our existing data management practices or the features of our services and platform capabilities. If so, in addition to the possibility of fines, lawsuits, regulatory investigations, imprisonment of company officials and public censure, other claims and penalties, significant costs for remediation and damage to our reputation, we could be required to fundamentally change our business activities and practices or modify our services and platform capabilities, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business.
In addition, our board of directors has adopted a code of conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees which, among other things, sets forth our policies regarding the protection of customer, third party, proprietary and confidential information. We also make public statements about our use and disclosure of personal information through information provided on our website, press statements and our privacy policies, and we have a Chief Privacy Officer that oversees our compliance with these policies. Although we endeavor to comply with our public statements and documentation, including our code of conduct and privacy policies, we may at times fail to do so or be alleged to have failed to do so. The publication of our privacy policies and other statements that provide promises and assurances about data privacy and security can subject us to potential government or legal action if they are found to be deceptive, unfair or misrepresentative of our actual practices.
Any inability to adequately address privacy and security concerns, even if unfounded, or comply with applicable privacy and data security laws, regulations, contractual obligations and policies, could result in additional cost and liability to us, damage our reputation, inhibit sales and have a material and adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations, contractual obligations and policies that are applicable to the businesses of our customers may limit the use and adoption of, and reduce the overall demand for, our services. Privacy and data security concerns, whether valid or not valid, may inhibit market adoption of our services, particularly in certain industries and foreign countries. If we are not able to adjust to changing laws, regulations and standards related to the Internet, our business may be harmed.
Customers could potentially expose us to lawsuits for their lost profits or damages, which could impair our results of operations.
Because our services are critical to many of our customers’ businesses, any significant disruption in our services could result in lost profits or other indirect or consequential damages to our customers. Although we generally require our customers to sign agreements that contain provisions attempting to limit our liability for service outages, we cannot be assured that a court would enforce any contractual limitations on our liability in the event that one of our customers brings a lawsuit against us as the result of a service interruption or other Internet site or application problems that they may ascribe to us. The outcome of any such lawsuit would depend on the specific facts of the case and any legal and policy considerations that we may not be able to mitigate. In such cases, we could be liable for substantial damage awards that may exceed our insurance coverage by unknown but significant amounts, which could materially and adversely impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our clients include national, provincial, state and local governmental entities.
Our government work carries various risks inherent in the government contracting process. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Government entities typically fund projects through appropriated monies and demand is affected by public sector budgetary cycles and funding authorizations. While these projects are often planned and executed as multi-year projects, government entities usually reserve the right to change the scope of or terminate these projects for lack of approved funding and/or at their convenience, which also could limit our recovery of incurred costs, reimbursable expenses and profits on work completed prior to the termination.
•Government contracts are subject to heightened reputational and contractual risks compared to contracts with commercial clients. For example, government contracts and the proceedings surrounding them are often subject to more extensive scrutiny and publicity. Negative publicity, including an allegation of improper or illegal activity, regardless of its accuracy, or challenges to government contracts awarded to us, may adversely affect our reputation.
•Government contracts can be challenged by other interested parties and such challenges, even if unsuccessful, can increase costs, cause delays and defer project implementation and revenue recognition.
•Terms and conditions of government contracts also tend to be more onerous and are often more difficult to negotiate. For example, these contracts often contain high liability for breaches and feature less favorable payment terms and sometimes require us to take on liability for the performance of third parties.
•Political and economic factors such as pending elections, the outcome of elections, changes in leadership among key executive or legislative decision makers, revisions to governmental tax or other policies and reduced tax revenues can affect the number and terms of new government contracts signed or the speed at which new contracts are signed, decrease future levels of spending and authorizations for programs that we bid, shift spending priorities to programs in areas for which we do not provide services and/or lead to changes in enforcement or how compliance with relevant rules or laws is assessed.
•If a government client discovers improper or illegal activities during audits or investigations, we may become subject to various civil and criminal penalties, including those under the civil U.S. False Claims Act and administrative sanctions, which may include termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspensions or debarment from doing business with other agencies of that government. The inherent limitations of internal controls may not prevent or detect all improper or illegal activities.
•U.S. government contracting regulations impose strict compliance and disclosure obligations. Disclosure is required if certain company personnel have knowledge of “credible evidence” of a violation of federal criminal laws involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery or improper gratuity, a violation of the civil U.S. False Claims Act or receipt of a significant overpayment from the government. Failure to make required disclosures could be a basis for suspension and/or debarment from federal government contracting in addition to breach of the specific contract and could also impact contracting beyond the U.S. federal level. Reported matters also could lead to audits or investigations and other civil, criminal or administrative sanctions. In addition, contracting with Federal government bodies may subject us to operational requirements or prohibitions which would increase our compliance costs or increase the risk of non-compliance.
The occurrences or conditions described above could affect not only our business with the government entities involved, but also our business with other entities of the same or other governmental bodies or with certain commercial clients and could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.
In addition, the success of our government solutions business is highly dependent on our FISMA and FedRAMP certifications which evidence our ability to meet certain federal government security compliance requirements. Failure to maintain the FedRAMP certification would result in a breach in many of our government contracts, which in turn, could subject us to liability and result in reputational harm and customer and employee attrition. Further, government contracts are increasingly requiring that FedRAMP-authorized service offerings be hosted on public cloud infrastructure. In the event that we are unable to expand the scope of our FedRAMP-authorized service offerings accordingly, it may impair our ability to successfully bid on government contracts.
Our operations and operations of our third-party channel partners in countries outside of the U.S. are subject to a number of anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and similar laws, and non-compliance with such laws can subject us to criminal or civil liability and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We operate internationally and must comply with complex foreign and U.S. laws including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which prohibit engaging in certain activities to obtain or retain business or to influence a person working in an official capacity. We must also comply with economic and trade sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and the U.S. Commerce Department based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign states, organizations and individuals, as well as other anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in the countries in which we conduct activities. We do business and may in the future do additional business in countries and regions in which we may face, directly or indirectly, corrupt demands by officials or by private entities in which corrupt offers are expected. Furthermore, many of our operations require us to use third parties to conduct business or to interact with people who are deemed to be governmental officials under the FCPA. Thus, we face the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments or other things of value by our employees, contractors or agents. While it is our policy to implement compliance procedures to prohibit these practices, our due diligence policy and the procedures we undertake may not sufficiently vet our third-party channel partners for these risks prior to entering into a contractual relationship with them. As a result, despite our policies and any safeguards and any future improvements made to them, our employees, contractors, third-party channel partners and agents may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible, regardless of whether such conduct occurs within or outside the U.S. We may also be held responsible for any violations by an acquired company that occurs prior to an acquisition, or subsequent to the acquisition but before we are able to institute our compliance procedures. A violation of any of these laws, even if prohibited by our policies, may result in severe criminal and/or civil sanctions and other penalties and could have a material and adverse effect on our business.
Compliance with U.S. regulations on trade sanctions and embargoes administered by OFAC and the U.S. Commerce Department also poses a risk to us. We cannot provide services to certain countries subject to U.S. trade sanctions. Furthermore, the laws and regulations concerning import activity, export recordkeeping and reporting, export control and economic sanctions are complex and constantly changing. Any failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory trading obligations could result in criminal and civil penalties and sanctions, such as fines, imprisonment, debarment from governmental contracts, seizure of shipments and loss of import and export privileges. For example, in 2017, prior to our acquisition of Datapipe, one of Datapipe’s European subsidiaries provided network interconnectivity and distributed denial of attack protection service to an Iranian entity subject to OFAC sanctions. Datapipe self-reported the instance to OFAC and we have taken remedial measures to safeguard against re-occurrence. If we provide services to sanctioned targets in the future in violation of applicable export laws or economic sanctions, we could be subject to government investigations, penalties and reputational harm.
Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations of anti-corruption laws can require a significant diversion of time, resources and attention from senior management. In addition, noncompliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-money laundering laws could subject us to whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, enforcement actions, fines, damages, other civil or criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension or debarment from contracting with certain persons, reputational harm, adverse media coverage and other collateral consequences. If any subpoenas or investigations are launched, or governmental or other sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal proceeding, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a materially significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees.
Certain of our international operations are conducted in countries or regions experiencing corruption or instability, which subjects us to heightened legal and economic risks.
We do business and may in the future do additional business in certain countries or regions in which corruption is a serious problem. Moreover, to effectively compete in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions, it is frequently necessary or required to establish joint ventures, strategic alliances or marketing arrangements with local operators, partners or agents. In certain instances, these local operators, partners or agents may have interests that are not always aligned with ours. Reliance on local operators, partners or agents could expose us to the risk of being unable to control the scope or quality of our overseas services or being held liable under any anti-corruption laws for actions taken by our strategic or local partners or agents even though these partners or agents may not themselves be subject to such anti-corruption laws. Any determination that we have violated anti-corruption laws could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations, reputation or prospects.
We may be liable for the material that content providers distribute over our network, and we may have to terminate customers that provide content that is determined to be illegal, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
The laws relating to the liability of private network operators for information carried on, stored on, or disseminated through their networks are unsettled or evolving in many jurisdictions. We have been and expect to continue to be subject to legal claims relating to the content disseminated on our network, including claims under The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, other similar legislation, regulation and common law. In addition, there are other potential customer activities, such as online gambling and pornography, where we, in our role as a hosting provider, may be held liable as an aider or abettor of our customers. If we need to take costly measures to reduce our exposure to these risks, terminate customer relationships and the associated revenue or defend ourselves against such claims, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected.
Government regulation is continuously evolving and, depending on its evolution, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to varying degrees of regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide services. Local laws and regulations, and their interpretation and enforcement, differ significantly among those jurisdictions. These regulations and laws may cover taxation, privacy, data protection, pricing, content, intellectual property and proprietary rights, distribution, mobile communications, electronic device certification, electronic waste, electronic contracts and other communications, consumer protection, web services, the provision of online payment services, unencumbered Internet access to our services, the design and operation of websites and the characteristics and quality of services. These laws can be costly to comply with, can be a significant diversion to management’s time and effort and can subject us to claims or other remedies, as well as negative publicity. Many of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and related technologies and, as a result, do not contemplate or address the unique issues that the Internet and related technologies currently produce. Some of the laws that do reference the Internet and related technologies have been and continue to be interpreted by the courts, but their applicability and scope remain largely uncertain.
Any failure by us to identify, manage, complete and integrate acquisitions and other significant transactions, including dispositions, successfully could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As part of our strategy, we expect to continue to acquire companies or businesses, enter into strategic alliances and joint ventures and make investments to further our business, both domestically and globally (“Strategic Transactions”). Risks associated with these Strategic Transactions include the following, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations:
•If we fail to identify and successfully complete and integrate Strategic Transactions that further our strategic objectives, we may be required to expend resources to develop services and technology internally, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage.
•Due to the inherent limitations in the due diligence process, we may not identify all events and circumstances that could impact the valuation or performance of a Strategic Transaction and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating and pursuing suitable opportunities, whether or not the transactions are completed.
•Managing Strategic Transactions requires varying levels of management resources, which may divert our attention from other business operations.
•We have not realized all anticipated benefits, synergies and cost-savings initiatives from certain previous Strategic Transactions, and in the future, we may not fully realize all or any of the anticipated benefits of any particular Strategic Transaction.
•We may be adversely impacted by liabilities that we assume from a company we acquire or in which we invest, whether known or unknown.
•Our organizational structure could make it difficult for us to efficiently integrate the Strategic Transactions into our on-going operations and retain and assimilate employees of our organization or those of the acquired business. If key employees depart because of integration issues, or if customers, suppliers or others seek to change their dealings with us because of these changes, our business could be negatively impacted.
•Certain previous Strategic Transactions have resulted, and in the future any such Strategic Transactions by us may result, in significant costs and expenses, including those related to severance pay, early retirement costs, employee benefit costs, charges from the elimination of duplicative facilities, other liabilities, legal, accounting and financial advisory fees and required payments to executive officers and key employees under retention plans.
•We may issue equity or equity-linked securities or borrow to finance Strategic Transactions, and the amount and terms of any potential future acquisition-related or other dilutive issuance of equity or borrowings, as well as other factors, could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we may divest assets or businesses that are no longer a part of our strategy. These divestitures similarly require significant investment of time and resources, may disrupt our business and distract management from other responsibilities and may result in losses on disposition or continued financial involvement in the divested business, including through indemnification or other financial arrangements, for a period following the transaction, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Although we report our results of operations in U.S. dollars, a significant portion of our revenue and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Further, the majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in the functional currency of our company or our subsidiaries, respectively. However, some of our customers are currently invoiced in currencies other than the applicable functional currency. As a result, we may incur foreign currency losses based on changes in exchange rates between the date of the invoice and the date of collection. In addition, large changes in foreign exchange rates relative to our functional currencies could increase the costs of our services to non-U.S. customers relative to local competitors, thereby causing us to lose existing or potential customers to these local competitors. Thus, our results of operations are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Further, as we grow our international operations, our exposure to foreign currency risk could become more significant. We have entered into, and in the future we may enter into, foreign currency hedging contracts to reduce foreign currency volatility. However, we currently do not maintain foreign currency hedging contracts with respect to all our foreign currencies, and any contracts we have or may enter into may not fully mitigate our foreign currency risk, may prove disadvantageous or may create additional risks.
We are exposed to commodity and market price risks that affect our results of operations.
We consume a large quantity of power to operate our data centers and as such are exposed to risk associated with fluctuations in the price of power. During 2023, we incurred approximately $47 million in costs to power our data centers. We anticipate an increase in our consumption of power in the future if our private cloud sales grow. Power costs vary by locality and are subject to substantial seasonal fluctuations and changes in energy prices. Certain of our data centers are located within deregulated energy markets. Power costs have historically tracked the general costs of energy and continued increases in electricity costs may negatively impact our gross margins. We periodically evaluate the advisability of entering into fixed-price utilities contracts and have entered into certain fixed-price utilities contracts for some of our power consumption. If we choose not to enter into a fixed-price contract, we expose our cost structure to this commodity price risk. If we do choose to enter into a fixed-price contract, we lose the opportunity to reduce our power costs if the price for power falls below the fixed cost. Therefore, increases in our power costs could result in lower gross margins and materially and adversely impact our results of operations.
Concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change may result in environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties, resulting in increased electricity prices.
The effects of human activity on the global climate change have attracted considerable public and scientific attention, as well as the attention of the U.S. government. Efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse emissions, particularly those from coal combustion by power plants, some of which we rely upon for power. The added cost of any environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties levied on these power plants could be passed on to us, increasing the cost to run our data centers. Additionally, environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties could be levied directly on us in proportion to our carbon footprint. Any enactment of laws or passage of regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions by the U.S., or any domestic or foreign jurisdiction we perform business in, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We utilize open source software in providing a substantial portion of our services. Our use of open source software, and our contributions to open source projects, could impose limitations on our ability to provide our services, expose us to litigation, cause us to impair our assets and allow third parties to access and use software and technology that we use in our business, all of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We utilize open source software, including Linux-based software, in providing a substantial portion of our services and we expect to continue to incorporate open source software in a substantial portion of our services in the future. The terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. courts, and there is a risk that such licenses could be construed in a manner that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to offer our services. Moreover, we cannot ensure that we have not incorporated additional open source software in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms of the applicable license. If we fail to comply with these licenses, or if we combine our proprietary software with open source software in a certain manner, we may be subject to certain requirements, including requirements that we offer our solutions that incorporate the open source software for no cost, that we make available the source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon, incorporating or using the open source software, and that we license such modifications or derivative works under the terms of applicable open source licenses.
Additionally, the use and distribution of open source software can lead to greater risks than the use of third-party commercial software, as some open source projects have known vulnerabilities and open source software does not come with warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. From time to time parties have asserted claims against companies that distribute or use open source software in their products and services, asserting that open source software infringes their intellectual property rights. We have been subject to suits, and could be subject to suits in the future, by parties claiming infringement of intellectual property rights with respect to what we believe to be open source software. Litigation could be costly for us to defend, and in such an event, we could be required to seek licenses from third parties to continue using such software or offering certain of our services. If we are unable to obtain a required license, we may have to discontinue the use of such software or the sale of our affected services, which could cause us to breach customer agreements and incur liability to customers. The cost of obtaining such licenses, or the consequences of failing to obtain them, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We also participate in open source projects, including contributing portions of our proprietary software code to such open source projects. Our participation in open source projects, and our use of open source solutions in a substantial portion of our services, could result in an impairment of design and development assets. In addition, our activities with these open source projects could subject us to additional risks of litigation, including indirect infringement claims based on third-party contributors because of our participation in these projects. Furthermore, our participation in open source projects may allow third parties, including our competitors, to have access to software that we use in our business, which could limit our ability to restrict third parties from developing, selling or otherwise providing similar or competitive technology or services, and which may enable our competitors to provide similar services with lower development effort and time, which could ultimately result in a loss of sales for us. While we may be able to claim protection of our intellectual property under other rights, such as trade secrets or contractual rights, our participation in open source projects limits our ability to assert certain of our patent rights against third parties (even if we were to conclude that their use infringes our patents with competing offerings), unless such third parties assert patent rights against us. This limitation on our ability to assert our patent rights against others could harm our business and ability to compete.
Our business is dependent on our ability to continue to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce the intellectual property and proprietary rights on which our business relies. If we are not successful in obtaining, maintaining, protecting and enforcing our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition to our use of open source software, we rely on patent, copyright, trademark, service mark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual restrictions, to establish and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, all of which provide only limited protection. For example, we do not have any patent rights related to our proprietary tools, technology, processes and systems, including Rackspace Fabric, and rely on confidentiality agreements to protect such proprietary rights. We cannot assure you that any future patent, copyright, trademark or service mark registrations will be issued for pending or future applications or that any registered or unregistered copyrights, trademarks or service marks will be enforceable or provide adequate protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Furthermore, the legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property and proprietary rights are uncertain.
We regard our trademarks, trade names and service marks as having significant value, and our brand is an important factor in the marketing of our services. We intend to rely on both registration and common law protection for our trademarks. However, we may be unable to prevent competitors from acquiring trademarks or service marks and other intellectual property and proprietary rights that are similar to, infringe upon, misappropriate, violate or diminish the value of our trademarks and service marks and our other intellectual property and proprietary rights. The value of our intellectual property and proprietary rights could diminish if others assert rights in or ownership of our intellectual property or proprietary rights, or in trademarks that are similar to our trademarks.
We also endeavor to enter into agreements with our employees, contractors and parties with whom we do business to limit access to and disclosure of our proprietary information. However, we cannot guarantee that we have entered into such agreements with each party that has or may have had access to our proprietary information, including our know-how and trade secrets. Additionally, we currently have patents issued and patent applications pending in the U.S. and the E.U., primarily related to our legacy OpenStack business. However, our patent applications may be challenged and/or ultimately rejected, and our issued patents may be contested, circumvented, found unenforceable or invalidated. Even if we continue to seek patent protection in the future, we may be unable to obtain or maintain patent protection for our technology. In addition, any patents issued from pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us in the future may not provide us with competitive advantages, or may be circumvented or successfully challenged, invalidated or held unenforceable through administrative process, including re-examination, inter partes review, interference and derivation proceedings and equivalent proceedings in foreign jurisdictions (e.g., opposition proceedings) or litigation. There may be issued patents, or pending patent applications that may result in issued patents, of which we are not aware held by third parties that, if found to be valid and enforceable, could be alleged to be infringed by our current or future technologies or services.
Third parties may independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent, superior to, or otherwise competitive to the technologies we employ in our services or that infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate our intellectual property and proprietary rights. If we fail to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights adequately, our competitors may gain access to our proprietary technology and develop and commercialize substantially identical services or technologies, and the steps we have taken may not prevent unauthorized use, access, distribution, misappropriation, reverse engineering or disclosure of our intellectual property and proprietary information, including our know-how and trade secrets. Enforcement of our intellectual property and proprietary rights also depends on successful legal actions against infringers and parties who misappropriate or otherwise violate our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including our proprietary information and trade secrets, but these actions may not be successful, even when our rights have been infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S., and patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available to us in every country in which our services are available.
Despite the measures taken by us, it may be possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including our technology and information, without authorization. Policing unauthorized use of our proprietary technologies and other intellectual property and our services is difficult, time-consuming and costly, and litigation could become necessary in the future to protect or enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Any such litigation could be time consuming and expensive to prosecute or resolve, result in substantial diversion of management attention and resources and harm our business and results of operations. Furthermore, any such litigation may ultimately be unsuccessful and could result in the impairment or loss of portions of our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Additionally, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims and countersuits attacking the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property and proprietary rights, and if such defenses, counterclaims or countersuits are successful, we could lose valuable intellectual property and proprietary rights.
Third-party claims of intellectual property or proprietary right infringement, misappropriation or other violation may be costly to defend and may limit or disrupt our ability to sell our services.
Third-party claims of intellectual property or proprietary right infringement, misappropriation or other violation are commonplace in technology-related industries. Companies in the technology industry, holding companies, non-practicing entities and other adverse intellectual property owners who may or may not have relevant service revenue, but are seeking to profit from royalties in connection with grants of licenses, own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks and trade secrets and frequently make claims of allegations of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of intellectual property and proprietary rights and may pursue litigation against us. These or other parties have claimed in the past, and could claim in the future, that we have misappropriated, violated, infringed or misused intellectual property proprietary rights. We could incur substantial costs in defending any such litigation, and any such litigation, regardless of merit or outcome, could be time consuming and expensive to settle or litigate and could divert the attention of our technical and management personnel and could harm our business, results of operations and reputation. An adverse determination in any such litigation could prevent us from offering our services to our customers and may require that we procure or develop substitute services that do not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate, which could be costly, time-consuming or impossible, or require us to obtain a costly and/or unfavorable license. Certain of our agreements with our customers and other third parties include indemnification provisions under which we agree to indemnify or otherwise be liable to them for losses suffered or incurred as a result of claims of infringement, misappropriation or other violation of intellectual property rights. For any intellectual property or proprietary right claim against us or our customers or such other third parties, we may also have to pay damages (including treble damages and attorneys’ fees if we are found to have willfully infringed a party’s rights), indemnify our customers or such other third parties against damages or stop using technology or intellectual property found to be in violation of a third party’s rights, which could harm our business. We may be unable to replace or obtain a license for those technologies with technologies that have the same features or functionality and that are of equal quality and performance standards on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Licensing replacement technologies and intellectual property may significantly increase our operating expenses or may require us to restrict our business activities in one or more respects. We may also be required to develop alternative technology and intellectual property that is non-infringing, misappropriating or violating, which could require significant effort, time and expense and ultimately may not be an alternative that functions as well as the original or is accepted in the marketplace.
We may have additional tax liabilities.
We are subject to a variety of taxes and tax collection obligations in the U.S. (federal and state) and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. We may recognize additional tax expense and be subject to additional tax liabilities, including other liabilities for tax collection obligations due to changes in laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations related to tax, including changes to the global tax framework, competition and other laws and accounting rules in various jurisdictions. Such changes could come about as a result of economic, political and other conditions, or certain jurisdictions aggressively interpreting their laws in an effort to raise additional tax revenue. An increasing number of jurisdictions are considering or have unilaterally adopted laws or country-by-country reporting requirements that could adversely affect our effective tax rates or result in other costs to us which could adversely affect our operating results.
We are also currently subject to tax audits in various jurisdictions, and these jurisdictions may assess additional tax liabilities against us. Developments in an audit, investigation or other tax controversy could have a material and adverse effect on our operating results or cash flows in the period or periods for which that development occurs, as well as for prior and subsequent periods. We regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these proceedings to determine the adequacy of our tax accruals. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of audits, investigations and any other tax controversies could be materially different from our historical tax accruals.
Changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs and the resulting consequences, may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The U.S. government has adopted a new approach to trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements. It has also imposed tariffs on certain foreign goods, including information and communication technology products. These measures may materially increase costs for goods imported into the U.S. This in turn could mean that a larger portion of our customer’s IT spending will be made on hardware costs and less will be available to spend on our services, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
Our substantial indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments.
We are a highly leveraged company. As of December 31, 2023, we had $2,892.5 million face value of outstanding indebtedness, in addition to $375.0 million of undrawn commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and $3.5 million of letters of credit issued thereunder. Our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2023 included $2,181.2 million of borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, $197.6 million of 5.375% Senior Notes and $513.7 million of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, we made total debt service payments, consisting of required principal and interest payments, of approximately $166.3 million and $200.7 million, respectively, which represented 67.4% and 53.5%, respectively, of our cash flow from operations (or 42.6% and 36.3%, respectively, of our cash flow from operations calculated prior to any deductions for cash interest payments).
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:
•limit our ability to borrow money for our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, strategic initiatives or other purposes;
•make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including restrictive covenants and borrowing conditions, could result in an event of default under the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture, the New First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Credit Agreement and agreements governing other indebtedness;
•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and the repayment of our indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available to us for other purposes;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our operations or business;
•make us more highly leveraged than some of our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;
•impact our rent expense on leased space and interest expense from financing leases, which could be significant;
•make us more vulnerable to downturns in our business, our industry or the economy;
•restrict us from making strategic acquisitions, engaging in development activities, introducing new technologies or exploiting business opportunities;
•cause us to make non-strategic divestitures;
•limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds or dispose of assets;
•prevent us from raising the funds necessary to repurchase all 3.50% FLSO Notes, 5.375% Senior Notes or 3.50% Senior Secured Notes tendered to us upon the occurrence of certain changes of control, which failure to repurchase would constitute an event of default under the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, 5.375% Notes Indenture or the 3.50% Notes Indenture, or refinance the New Senior Facilities or the Senior Facilities upon a change of control, which is an event of default under the New First Lien Credit Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement; or
•expose us to the risk of increased interest rates, as certain of our borrowings, including borrowings under the New Senior Facilities and Senior Facilities, are at variable rates of interest.
In addition, the New First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Credit Agreement, the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture and the 3.50% Notes Indenture contain restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interest. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of substantially all of our indebtedness. See Note 1, “Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Subsequent Events,” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the public and private debt exchange and related transactions that impacted or are expected to impact the Senior Facilities, the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Despite our substantial indebtedness, we may still be able to incur significantly more debt, including secured debt, which could intensify the risks associated with our indebtedness.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial indebtedness in the future. Although the terms of the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture, the New First Lien Credit Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement contain restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions do not prevent us from incurring indebtedness or our subsidiaries from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness under the terms of the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture, the New First Lien Credit Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement. To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness or such other obligations, the risk associated with our substantial indebtedness as described above under the risk factor “Our substantial indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments,” including our potential inability to service our debt, will increase.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $375.0 million available for additional borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility portion of our Senior Facilities (with $3.5 million of letters of credit issued thereunder), all of which would be secured. In addition to the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes, the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and our borrowings under the New Senior Facilities and the Senior Facilities, the covenants under the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture, the New First Lien Credit Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement and the covenants under any other of our existing or future debt instruments allow us to incur a significant amount of additional indebtedness and, subject to certain limitations, such additional indebtedness could be secured.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and to fund our working capital and capital expenditures and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness that may not be successful.
Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations will depend upon, among other things:
•our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic, industry and competitive conditions and financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control;
•our future ability to refinance or restructure our existing debt obligations, which depends on among other things, the condition of the capital markets, our financial condition and the terms of existing or future debt agreements; and
•our future ability to borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, the availability of which depends on, among other things, our compliance with the covenants in the First Lien Credit Agreement.
We cannot be certain that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that we will be able to draw under our Revolving Credit Facility or otherwise, in an amount sufficient to fund our liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to service our indebtedness and other liquidity needs, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. We cannot be certain that we will be able to restructure or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements, including the New First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Credit Agreement and the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture and the 3.50% Notes Indenture, may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions for fair market value or at all. Furthermore, any proceeds that we could realize from any such dispositions may not be adequate to meet our debt service obligations when due. Our equityholders, including Apollo and its affiliates, have no continuing obligation to provide us with debt or equity financing. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would result in a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If we cannot make scheduled payments on our indebtedness, we will be in default, and holders of the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the lenders under the New Senior Facilities and the Senior Facilities could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under the New Senior Facilities and the Senior Facilities could terminate their commitments to loan money, our secured lenders (including the lenders under the Senior Facilities) and holders of the 3.50% FLSO Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes could foreclose against the assets securing their indebtedness and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.
The First Lien Credit Agreement and the Indentures contain, and any other existing or future indebtedness of ours would likely contain, a number of covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:
•incur additional debt, guarantee indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares;
•pay dividends on or make distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, our capital stock or make other restricted payments;
•prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt;
•make loans or certain investments;
•sell certain assets;
•create liens on certain assets;
•consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;
•enter into certain transactions with our affiliates;
•substantially alter the businesses we conduct;
•enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; and
•designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.
In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility requires us to comply with a net first lien leverage ratio under certain circumstances.
As a result of these covenants, we are limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs. A failure to comply with the covenants in the New First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Credit Agreement, the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture or any of our other existing or future indebtedness could result in an event of default under the applicable agreements governing such indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In the event of any such event of default, the lenders under the Senior Facilities, as applicable:
•will not be required to lend any additional amounts to us;
•could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit;
•could require us to apply our available cash to repay these borrowings; or
•could effectively prevent us from making debt service payments on the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes;
any of which could result in an event of default under the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, 5.375% Notes Indenture and the 3.50% Notes Indenture.
Such actions by the lenders could cause cross defaults under our other indebtedness. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under the Senior Facilities and any of our other existing or future secured indebtedness could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure the Senior Facilities or such other indebtedness. We have pledged substantially all of our assets as collateral under the Senior Facilities.
If any of our outstanding indebtedness under the Senior Facilities or our other indebtedness, including the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full.
Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.
Borrowings under the Senior Facilities are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2023, assuming the Revolving Credit Facility was fully drawn, each 0.125% change in assumed blended interest rates would result in a $3 million change in annual interest expense on indebtedness under the Senior Facilities. We have entered into, and in the future we may enter into, interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments to reduce interest rate volatility. However, we currently do not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all our variable rate indebtedness, and any swaps we have or may enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk, may prove disadvantageous or may create additional risks.
The Senior Facilities carry floating interest rates that are tied to SOFR. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as administrator of SOFR, may make methodological or other changes that could change the value of SOFR, including changes related to the method by which SOFR is calculated, eligibility criteria applicable to the transactions used to calculate SOFR or timing related to the publication of SOFR. If the manner in which SOFR is calculated is changed, that change may result in a change in the amount of our annual interest expense on our indebtedness under the Senior Facilities.
Any downgrade in our credit ratings could limit our ability to obtain future financing, increase our borrowing costs and adversely affect the market price of our existing debt securities or otherwise impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Nationally recognized credit rating organizations have issued credit ratings relating to our long-term debt. Our outstanding debt under the New Senior Facilities, the Senior Facilities, the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes currently has non-investment grade ratings. Certain of these organizations have downgraded our credit ratings in the past. There can be no assurance that any rating assigned to any of our debt securities or loans will remain in effect for any given period or that any such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant.
Any additional actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade, could:
•adversely affect the market price of some or all our outstanding debt securities or loans;
•limit our access to the capital markets or otherwise adversely affect the availability of other new financing on favorable terms, if at all;
•result in new or more restrictive covenants in agreements governing the terms of any future indebtedness that we may incur;
•increase our cost of borrowing; and
•impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
Our stock price may fluctuate significantly.
The market price of our common stock could vary significantly as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. The following factors could affect our stock price:
•our operating and financial performance and prospects;
•quarterly variations in the rate of growth (if any) of our financial or operational indicators, such as EPS, net income, revenues, Non-GAAP Net Income, Non-GAAP Operating Profit, and Adjusted EBITDA;
•the public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;
•strategic actions by our competitors;
•changes in operating performance and the stock market valuations of other companies;
•announcements related to litigation;
•our failure to meet revenue or earnings estimates made by research analysts or other investors;
•changes in revenue or earnings estimates, or changes in recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage, by equity research analysts;
•speculation in the press or investment community;
•sales of our common stock by us or our stockholders, or the perception that such sales may occur;
•changes in accounting principles, policies, guidance, interpretations or standards;
•additions or departures of key management personnel;
•actions by our stockholders;
•general market conditions;
•domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance;
•material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting; and
•the realization of any risks described under this “Risk Factors” section, or other risks that may materialize in the future.
The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in very substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception in the public market that such sales may occur, could reduce our stock price.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 220.5 million shares of common stock issued and approximately 38.3 million shares of common stock underlying outstanding options and restricted stock under the 2017 Incentive Plan and the 2020 Incentive Plan, and we have reserved an additional 14.1 million shares of common stock for issuance under the 2020 Incentive Plan and 8.9 million shares of common stock for issuance under the ESPP and we may be required to issue additional shares of common stock to an affiliate of ABRY under the merger agreement related to the acquisition of Datapipe. In addition, certain of our existing stockholders, including Apollo and ABRY, have certain rights to require us to register the sale of common stock held by them including in connection with underwritten offerings. Additionally, we filed a registration statement in respect of all shares of common stock that we may issue under the 2017 Incentive Plan, the 2020 Incentive Plan and the ESPP. After registration, these shares can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance. Sales of significant amounts of stock in the public market upon expiration of applicable lock-up agreements, the perception that such sales may occur, or early release of any lock-up agreements, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock or make it more difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.
If we do not maintain effective internal controls, our financial statements may be inaccurate and the value of your investment in our common stock could decrease.
We expect to continue incurring significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including with respect to compliance with the requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and fail in meeting our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the Nasdaq, regulatory investigations, civil or criminal sanctions and litigation, any of which would have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our common stock.
We continue to be controlled by Apollo, and Apollo’s interests may conflict with our interests and the interests of other stockholders.
As of December 31, 2023, Apollo beneficially owned approximately 59% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Therefore, individuals affiliated with Apollo will have effective control over the outcome of votes on all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, entering into significant corporate transactions such as mergers, tender offers, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets and issuance of additional debt or equity. The interests of Apollo and its affiliates could conflict with or differ from our interests or the interests of our other stockholders. For example, the concentration of ownership held by Apollo could delay, defer or prevent a change in control of our company or impede a merger, takeover or other business combination which may otherwise be favorable for us. Additionally, Apollo and its affiliates are in the business of making investments in companies and may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in or provide advice to businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us, or are suppliers or customers of ours. Apollo and its affiliates may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. Any such investment may increase the potential for the conflicts of interest discussed in this risk factor. So long as Apollo continues to directly or indirectly beneficially own a significant amount of our equity, even if such amount is less than 50%, Apollo will continue to be able to substantially influence or effectively control our ability to enter into corporate transactions. Apollo also has a right to nominate a number of directors comprising a percentage of our board of directors in accordance with their beneficial ownership of the voting power of our outstanding common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole number), which currently represents at least a majority of our board of directors. In addition, we have an executive committee that serves at the discretion of our board of directors and includes two members nominated by Apollo, who are authorized to take actions (subject to certain exceptions) that they reasonably determine are appropriate.
We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq’s rules and, as a result, qualify for and intend to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
Apollo controls a majority of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock, and as a result we are a controlled company within the meaning of the Nasdaq’s corporate governance standards. Under the Nasdaq rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another person or group of persons acting together is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that:
•a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors;
•the nominating and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors or otherwise require that the nominees for directors are determined or recommended to our board of directors by the independent members of our board of directors pursuant to a formal resolution addressing the nominations process and such related matters as may be required under the federal securities laws; and
•the compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors.
We intend to utilize these exemptions as long as we remain a controlled company. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq. There can be no assurances that we will remain a “controlled company” and, following the loss of such status, we may need to modify our board and committee compositions in order to be in compliance with applicable Nasdaq rules.
We are a holding company and rely on dividends, distributions and other payments, advances and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.
We are a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of our own. As a result, we are largely dependent upon cash dividends and distributions and other transfers, including for payments in respect of our indebtedness, from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations. The agreements governing the indebtedness of our subsidiaries impose restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us. See Item 7 of Part II, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - "Liquidity and Capital Resources." Each of our subsidiaries is a distinct legal entity, and under certain circumstances legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from them and we may be limited in our ability to cause any future joint ventures to distribute their earnings to us. The deterioration of the earnings from, or other available assets of, our subsidiaries for any reason could also limit or impair their ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us.
We do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future on our common stock. We intend to retain all future earnings for the operation and expansion of our business and the repayment of outstanding debt. Our Senior Facilities and the Indentures contain, and any future indebtedness likely will contain, restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and make other restricted payments.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish negative reports, our stock price could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrades our common stock, publishes unfavorable research about our business or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
ITEM 1B – UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C – CYBERSECURITY
We are materially dependent upon our networks, information technology infrastructure and related technology systems to provide services to our customers, manage our internal operations and support our strategic objectives. Cyber-attacks have become prevalent in our industry, and the techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems are constantly expanding and evolving. Malicious actors are increasingly sophisticated in their methods, tactics, techniques and procedures, seeking to steal money, gain unauthorized access to, destroy or manipulate data, and disrupt operations.
As of the date of this report, we have not identified any cybersecurity threats or cybersecurity incidents that have materially affected or are reasonably anticipated to have a material adverse effect on our business. However, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity incidents. As an example, in December 2022, we previously disclosed a ransomware incident that caused service disruptions for our Hosted Exchange customers. We are committed to maintaining robust governance and oversight of cybersecurity risks and implementing recognized industry best practices to help prevent, detect, mitigate and respond to these risks; however, we cannot provide assurance that cybersecurity risks will not materially affect our business in the future, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition or that our controls, processes and procedures will be fully complied with or that our program will be fully effective in protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our information systems.
Cybersecurity threats, whether or not successful, could result in our incurring significant costs related to rebuilding our internal systems, writing down inventory value, implementing additional threat protection measures, providing modifications or replacements to our products and services, defending against litigation, responding to regulatory inquiries or actions, paying damages, providing customers with incentives to maintain a business relationship with us, or taking other remedial steps with respect to third parties, as well as incurring significant reputational harm. In addition, these threats are constantly evolving, thereby increasing the difficulty of successfully defending against them or implementing adequate preventative measures. We have seen an increase in cyberattack volume, frequency and sophistication.
See "Risk Factors - Security breaches, cyber-attacks and other interruptions to our or our third-party service providers’ infrastructure have disrupted and may continue to disrupt our internal operations and we may be exposed to claims and liability, lose customers, suffer harm to our reputation, lose business-critical compliance certifications and incur additional costs." for more information on our cybersecurity risks.
Risk Management and Strategy
Cybersecurity risk management is a component of the company’s broader enterprise risk management program and we have established cybersecurity policies and procedures to protect against and mitigate harm from cybersecurity incidents. We respond to cybersecurity incidents in accordance with our cybersecurity policies and procedures and applicable law. Rackspace maintains a cross-functional approach to cybersecurity risk, which is designed to help prevent, identify, assess, manage, mitigate, and respond to cybersecurity threats.
Our cybersecurity strategy focuses on implementing effective and efficient controls, technologies, and other processes to assess, identify, manage and address material cybersecurity risks. These include, among other things: annual and ongoing security awareness training for employees; mechanisms to detect and monitor unusual network activity; and containment and incident response tools. We monitor issues that are internally discovered or externally reported that may affect our operations, systems, network, data, products and/or services, and have processes to assess those issues for potential cybersecurity impact or risk.
We regularly assess and deploy technical safeguards designed to protect our information systems from cybersecurity threats. Such safeguards are regularly evaluated and improved based on vulnerability assessments, cybersecurity threat intelligence and incident response experience. Our cybersecurity policies and procedures include incident response plans which guide our employees, senior management, the Audit Committee and the Board on our response to cybersecurity incidents, including escalation processes, as appropriate.
Our team engages with external cybersecurity advisors and experts, including outside counsel and outside cybersecurity firms, assessors, auditors and consultants as necessary or appropriate. We also maintain numerous industry-related compliance certifications for various aspects of our business, such as International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") 27001, Service Organization Controls ("SOC 1, 2, 3") and Payment Card Industry ("PCI"), Federal Information Security Management Act ("FISMA"), Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program ("FedRAMP") and Health Information Trust Alliance (“HITRUST”) in the U.S., Information Security Registered Assessors Program ("IRAP") in Australia and Public Services Network ("PSN") in the U.K.
Our cybersecurity policies and procedures are designed to vet key third-party providers and provide for oversight and cooperation regarding cybersecurity incidents. In addition, our cybersecurity policies and procedures require our third-party providers to meet appropriate security requirements and we investigate security incidents that have impacted our third-party providers, as appropriate; however, our ability to monitor our third-party service providers’ data security is limited.
Governance
Board Oversight
The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) oversees our cybersecurity risk. The Audit Committee receives regular cybersecurity specific updates from management (including our Chief Security Officer (“CSO”) and/or other key personnel), typically on a quarterly basis, about the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity incidents, as well as the evolving cybersecurity landscape, recent program enhancements and other relevant topics. The Audit Committee reports to our Board and a number of our Audit Committee and Board members have experience in assessing and managing cybersecurity risks. In addition to this regular reporting, significant cybersecurity risks or threats may also be escalated to the Audit Committee and/or the Board on an as-needed basis.
Management’s Role
Our CSO leads our overall cybersecurity function and supervises our cybersecurity team’s efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate and remediate cybersecurity risks and incidents. She provides regular updates directly to the Audit Committee, typically on a quarterly basis. She has over 20 years of experience in information security leadership positions, including with large technology and healthcare companies as well as several large financial institutions. She holds a BS from Arizona State University and has been with us since 2019.
Our CSO reports to our President – Artificial Intelligence, Technology and Sustainability, who has been a CIO or CTO of two other large publicly traded companies. He provides overall leadership and guidance for the company’s technology department, including the cybersecurity team. He holds an MBA in international business from The Ohio State University, an MCA in computer science from the University of Mumbai, a BS in physics from the University of Madras and has been with us since 2021.
Key security, risk, and compliance personnel across a cross-functional group of internal stakeholders, including senior management, meet regularly to develop and continually evaluate our cybersecurity policies and procedures, including discussions of the following:
•cybersecurity strategies for preservation of the confidentiality, integrity and availability of company and customer information;
• identification, prevention and mitigation of cybersecurity threats and incidents; and
•effective response to cybersecurity incidents (including escalation procedures of certain cybersecurity incidents so that decisions regarding public disclosure and other required reporting can be made by the appropriate personnel in a timely manner).
ITEM 2 – PROPERTIES
Office Space
Our corporate headquarters facility is in Windcrest, Texas, which is in the San Antonio, Texas area and consists of a 1.2 million square foot facility located on 67 acres of land. In addition to our corporate headquarters, we lease office locations throughout the U.S., Europe, the Asia Pacific Region, Mexico and other locations throughout the world. To retain operational flexibility, we are increasingly utilizing shorter-term shared office facilities rather than entering into traditional longer-term office leases.
In February 2023, we signed an agreement to lease approximately 93,000 square feet of office space in San Antonio, Texas, which will serve as our new corporate headquarters. The initial lease term is 11 years, with three 5-year renewal options. As of December 31, 2023, we have access to the space for build out purposes, but we do not expect to begin occupying the space until the build out is complete.
In July 2023, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a potential buyer of our current corporate headquarters. An amended purchase and sale agreement was executed in December 2023 and the sale is currently expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.
Data Centers
As of December 31, 2023, we leased data centers located across the U.S., the U.K., Hong Kong, Australia and other locations throughout the world.
We believe that our existing office space and data center facilities are adequate for our current needs and that suitable additional or alternative space will be available in the future to meet our anticipated needs.
ITEM 3 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We have contingencies resulting from various litigation, claims and commitments. We record accruals for loss contingencies when losses are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. The amount that will ultimately be paid related to these matters may differ from the recorded accruals, and the timing of such payments is uncertain.
From time to time we may be subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, from time to time, third parties may bring intellectual property claims against us asserting that certain of our offerings, services and technologies infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property or proprietary rights of others.
We are not party to any litigation, the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Hosted Exchange Incident
We were named in several lawsuits in connection with a previously disclosed ransomware incident which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business. The lawsuits sought, among other things, equitable and compensatory relief. We vigorously defended these matters and do not expect any of these claims, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We maintain insurance, including coverage for cyber-attacks, subject to certain deductibles and policy limitations, in an amount that we believe appropriate.
ITEM 4 – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5 – MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information for Common Stock
Our common stock has been listed on the Nasdaq, under the symbol "RXT" since August 5, 2020. Prior to that date, there was no public market for our common stock.
Holders of Record
As of March 7, 2024, there were 22 registered stockholders of record of our common stock. Because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these stockholders of record.
Dividend Policy
We have not to date paid any cash dividends on our common stock and we currently do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, we may, in the future, decide to pay dividends on our common stock. Any declaration and payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, cash flows, capital requirements, levels of indebtedness, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating subsidiaries. Our ability to pay dividends will therefore be restricted as a result of restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to us under our Senior Facilities, the Indentures and under other current and future indebtedness that we or they may incur. See Item 1A of Part I “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock” and Item 7 of Part II “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, see Part III, Item 12 - "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters."
Stock Performance Graph
The graph set forth below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock between August 5, 2020 (the date our common stock commenced trading on the Nasdaq) and December 31, 2023 with the cumulative total return of (i) the Standard & Poor's ("S&P") 500 Index and (ii) the S&P 500 Information Technology Index over the same period. All values assume the investment of $100 in our common stock and both of the other indices on August 5, 2020 and assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The graph uses the closing market price on August 5, 2020 of $16.39 per share as the initial value of our common stock. The comparisons shown below are based upon historical data. We caution that the stock price performance shown is not necessarily indicative of, nor is it intended to forecast, the potential future performance of our common stock.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company/Index | | August 5, 2020 | | December 31, 2020 | | June 30, 2021 | | December 31, 2021 | | June 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2022 | | June 30, 2023 | | December 31, 2023 |
Rackspace Technology, Inc. | | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 116.29 | | | $ | 119.65 | | | $ | 82.18 | | | $ | 43.75 | | | $ | 18.00 | | | $ | 16.60 | | | $ | 12.20 | |
S&P 500 Index | | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 112.87 | | | $ | 129.14 | | | $ | 143.22 | | | $ | 113.75 | | | $ | 115.38 | | | $ | 133.73 | | | $ | 143.33 | |
S&P 500 Information Technology Index | | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 114.45 | | | $ | 129.59 | | | $ | 152.62 | | | $ | 111.04 | | | $ | 108.50 | | | $ | 154.14 | | | $ | 169.69 | |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Not Applicable.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
ITEM 6 - [RESERVED]
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following MD&A is intended to help readers understand our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. References to “Rackspace Technology,” “we,” “our company,” “the company,” “us,” or “our” refer to Rackspace Technology and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risk, assumptions and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and forecasts. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under the section of this Annual Report titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Please also see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” contained elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
We are a leading end-to-end, hybrid, multicloud, and AI solutions company. We design, build and operate our customers’ cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products and adopt innovative technologies. We serve our customers with a unique combination of proprietary technology resulting from over $1 billion of investment and services expertise from a team of highly skilled consultants and engineers. And we provide our customers with unbiased expertise and technology solutions, delivered over the world’s leading cloud services, all wrapped in Fanatical Experience.
We aim to be our customers’ most trusted advisor and services partner in their path to cloud transformation and to accelerate the value of their cloud investments. We give customers the ability to make fluid decisions when choosing the right technologies, and we recommend solutions based on customers’ unique objectives. In this way, we empower our customers to harness the full benefits of cloud adoption.
Our team of 5,800 highly skilled Rackers, including consultants and engineers, partners with companies at every stage of their cloud transformation journey
We deliver our services to a global customer base through an integrated service delivery model. We have a presence in more than 60 cities around the world. This footprint allows us to better serve customers based in various countries, especially multinational companies requiring cross-border solutions. We have a strong presence with customers of all sizes, including enterprise businesses (revenue in excess of $3 billion), mid-market businesses (revenue of $300 million to $3 billion) and commercial customers (revenue less than $300 million).
Effective on January 1, 2023, we reorganized around a two-business unit operating model, Public Cloud and Private Cloud. This two-business unit operating model ensures increased focus, delivery, and service quality for our customers. Beginning in 2023, we changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two reportable segments: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. We have reflected this change in all historical comparative periods presented within this MD&A.
Our Public Cloud segment is a services-centric, capital-light model providing value-added cloud solutions through managed services, Elastic Engineering and professional services offerings for customer environments hosted on the AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud public cloud platforms. Our Private Cloud segment is a technology-forward, capital-intensive model providing managed service offerings for customer environments hosted in one of our data centers as well as in those owned by customers or by third parties such as colocation providers. Private Cloud also includes our legacy OpenStack Public Cloud business that we ceased to actively market to customers in 2017. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 18, "Segment Reporting" for additional information about our segments.
We generate revenue primarily through the sale of consumption-based contracts for our services offerings, which are recurring in nature. We also generate revenue from the sale of professional services related to designing and building customer solutions, which are non-recurring in nature. Arrangements within our Private Cloud segment generally have a fixed term, typically from 12 to 36 months, with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources provided to and utilized by the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Our other primary sources of revenue are for services within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business. Contracts for these arrangements typically operate on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty.
We sell our services through direct sales teams, third-party channel partners and via online orders. Our sales model is based on both distributed and centralized sales teams with leads generated from technology partners, customer referrals, channel partners and corporate marketing efforts. We offer customers the flexibility to select the best combination of resources in order to meet the requirements of their unique applications and provide the technology to seamlessly operate and manage multiple cloud computing environments.
On July 21, 2021, we committed to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan to drive a change in the type and location of certain positions that was expected to result in the termination of approximately 10% of our workforce. We recorded total charges of $50.5 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, related to this restructuring plan. The 2021 charges included $25.4 million for employee related costs and other costs accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420 as described in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 11, "July 2021 Restructuring Plan." Employee related costs consisted of one-time termination benefits and certain contractual termination benefits with executives. Other costs consisted of professional fees and non-cash charges related to a contract termination with a third-party. The remaining $25.1 million of 2021 charges and total 2022 charges consisted primarily of one-time offshore build out costs which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420.
In December 2022, we experienced a ransomware incident which caused service disruptions for our Hosted Exchange customers. The Hosted Exchange email business, reported in our Private Cloud segment, is a managed email solution provided to small and medium businesses and represented approximately 1% of our total annual revenue. Following discovery of the incident, we engaged an industry-leading global cybersecurity firm to help investigate the incident and remediate as necessary. The firm confirmed that the incident was quickly contained and limited solely to the Hosted Exchange email business. We have sunset the on-premises Hosted Exchange platform and have transitioned many customers from the Hosted Exchange platform to Microsoft 365 through our reseller agreement with Microsoft. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, we recorded $5.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of expenses related to the Hosted Exchange incident, including costs to investigate and remediate, legal and other professional services, and supplemental staff resources that were deployed to provide support to customers. We maintain cybersecurity insurance commensurate with the size of our business, and a significant portion of the incremental costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident have been covered by insurance. However, the timing of insurance reimbursements have differed from the timing of recognition of the related expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded $10.0 million of loss recovery insurance proceeds received or expected to be received related to the Hosted Exchange incident.
Subsequent Events
For a description of subsequent events, see "Subsequent Events" in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
Key Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe our combination of proprietary technology, automation capabilities and technical expertise creates a value proposition for our customers that is hard to replicate for both competitors and in-house IT departments. Our continued success depends to a significant extent on our ability to meet the challenges presented by our highly competitive and dynamic market, including the following key factors:
Differentiating Our Service Offerings in a Competitive Market Environment
Our success depends to a significant extent on our ability to continue to differentiate, expand and upgrade our service offerings in line with developing customer needs, while deepening our relationships with leading public cloud service providers and establishing new relationships, including with sales partners. We are a certified premier consulting and managed services partner to some of the largest cloud computing platforms, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, SAP and VMware by Broadcom. We believe we are unique in our ability to serve customers across major technology stacks and deployment options, all while delivering Fanatical Experience. Our existing and prospective customers are also under increasing pressure to move from on-premise or self-managed IT to the cloud to compete effectively in a digital economy and maximize the value of their cloud investments, which we believe presents an opportunity for professional services projects as well as new recurring business.
Customer Relationships and Retention
Our success greatly depends on our ability to retain and develop opportunities with our existing customers and to attract new customers. We operate in a growing but competitive and evolving market environment, requiring innovation to differentiate us from our competitors. We believe that our integrated cloud service portfolio and our differentiated customer experience and technology are keys to retaining and growing revenue from existing customers as well as acquiring new customers. For example, we believe that Rackspace Fabric provides customers a unified experience across their entire cloud and security footprint, and that our Rackspace Elastic Engineering model helps customers embrace a cloud native approach with on-demand access to a dedicated team of highly skilled cloud architects and engineers. These offerings differentiate us from legacy IT service providers that operate under long-term fixed and project-based fee structures often tethered to their existing technologies with less automation.
Business Mix Shift
The mix of revenue has shifted in recent years, from our Private Cloud offerings to infrastructure resale and services within Public Cloud. Private Cloud offerings are generally hosted on our own infrastructure and deliver higher segment operating margins, but also require a higher level of capital expenditures. Conversely, Public Cloud segment operating margins are lower, driven by high volumes of infrastructure resale revenue which come at significantly lower margins. However, Public Cloud requires significantly less capital expenditures. Going forward, we will continue to take a workload-centric approach and both Public and Private Cloud will be the net recipients of the workloads. The focus in Private Cloud will be to defend and expand our revenue with new solutions. The focus in Public Cloud is on expanding segment operating margins by driving cost efficiencies and growing higher-margin services revenue.
Key Components of Statement of Operations
Revenue
A substantial amount of our revenue, particularly within our Private Cloud segment, is generated pursuant to contracts that typically have a fixed term (typically from 12 to 36 months). Our customers generally have the right to cancel their contracts by providing us with written notice prior to the end of the fixed term, though most of our contracts provide for termination fees in the event of cancellation prior to the end of their term, typically amounting to the outstanding value of the contract. These contracts include a monthly recurring fee, which is determined based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Most of our services within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business generate usage-based revenue invoiced on a monthly basis and can be canceled at any time without penalty. We also generate revenue from usage-based fees and fees from professional services earned from customers using our hosting and other services. We typically recognize revenue on a daily basis, as services are provided, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for our services. Our usage-based arrangements generally include a variable consideration component, consisting of monthly utility fees, with a defined price and undefined quantity. Our customer contracts also typically contain service level guarantees, including with respect to network uptime requirements, that provide discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and, with respect to certain products, we may offer volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for all of them as services are provided and earned.
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue consists primarily of usage charges for third-party infrastructure and personnel costs (including salaries, bonuses, benefits and share-based compensation) for engineers, developers and other employees involved in the delivery of services to our customers. Cost of revenue also includes depreciation of servers, software and other systems infrastructure, data center rent and other infrastructure maintenance and support costs, including software license costs and utilities. Cost of revenue is driven mainly by demand for our services, our service mix and the cost of labor in a given geography.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses consist primarily of personnel costs (including salaries, bonuses, commissions, benefits and share-based compensation) for our sales force, executive team and corporate administrative and support employees, including our human resources, finance, accounting and legal functions. SG&A also includes R&D costs, repair and maintenance of corporate infrastructure, facilities rent, third-party advisory fees (including audit, legal and management consulting costs), marketing and advertising costs and insurance, as well as the amortization of related intangible assets and certain depreciation of fixed assets.
SG&A also includes transaction costs related to acquisitions and financings along with costs related to integration and business transformation initiatives which may impact the comparability of SG&A between periods. Employee related costs and other costs incurred, as discussed in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 11, "July 2021 Restructuring Plan," are also included within SG&A.
Income taxes
Our income tax benefit and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect management’s best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. To date, we have recorded consolidated tax benefits, reflecting our net losses, though certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries have incurred corporate tax expense according to the relevant taxing jurisdictions. We are under certain domestic and foreign tax audits. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, there is the possibility that the various taxing authorities may disagree with certain tax positions filed on our income tax returns. We believe we have made adequate provision for all uncertain tax positions. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 14, "Taxes."
Results of Operations
We discuss our historical results of operations, and the key components of those results, below. Past financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the specified periods, as well as changes between periods and as a percentage of revenue for those same periods (totals in table may not foot due to rounding):
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| Year Ended December 31, | | Year-Over-Year Comparison |
| 2022 | | 2023 | |
(In millions, except %) | Amount | | % Revenue | | Amount | | % Revenue | | Amount | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 3,122.3 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 2,957.1 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | (165.2) | | | (5.3) | % |
Cost of revenue | (2,265.4) | | | (72.6) | % | | (2,328.3) | | | (78.7) | % | | (62.9) | | | 2.8 | % |
Gross profit | 856.9 | | | 27.4 | % | | 628.8 | | | 21.3 | % | | (228.1) | | | (26.6) | % |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (855.3) | | | (27.4) | % | | (767.2) | | | (25.9) | % | | 88.1 | | | (10.3) | % |
Impairment of goodwill | (534.5) | | | (17.1) | % | | (708.8) | | | (24.0) | % | | (174.3) | | | 32.6 | % |
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Impairment of assets, net | (146.1) | | | (4.7) | % | | (52.2) | | | (1.8) | % | | 93.9 | | | (64.3) | % |
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Loss from operations | (679.0) | | | (21.7) | % | | (899.4) | | | (30.4) | % | | (220.4) | | | 32.5 | % |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | (208.5) | | | (6.7) | % | | (221.6) | | | (7.5) | % | | (13.1) | | | 6.3 | % |
Gain (loss) on investments, net | (0.2) | | | (0.0) | % | | 0.3 | | | 0.0 | % | | 0.5 | | | NM |
Gain on debt extinguishment | — | | | — | % | | 271.3 | | | 9.2 | % | | 271.3 | | | 100.0 | % |
Other expense, net | (10.0) | | | (0.3) | % | | (5.0) | | | (0.2) | % | | 5.0 | | | (50.0) | % |
Total other income (expense) | (218.7) | | | (7.0) | % | | 45.0 | | | 1.5 | % | | 263.7 | | | NM |
Loss before income taxes | (897.7) | | | (28.8) | % | | (854.4) | | | (28.9) | % | | 43.3 | | | (4.8) | % |
Benefit for income taxes | 92.9 | | | 3.0 | % | | 16.6 | | | 0.6 | % | | (76.3) | | | (82.1) | % |
Net loss | $ | (804.8) | | | (25.8) | % | | $ | (837.8) | | | (28.3) | % | | $ | (33.0) | | | 4.1 | % |
NM = not meaningful.
Revenue
Revenue decreased $165 million, or 5.3%, to $2,957 million in 2023 from $3,122 million in 2022. Revenue declined primarily due to Private Cloud, partially offset by growth in Public Cloud, as discussed below.
Revenue was not materially impacted by foreign currency fluctuations as revenue on a constant currency basis also declined 5.3%. The following table presents revenue growth by segment:
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| Year Ended December 31, | | % Change |
(In millions, except %) | 2022 | | 2023 | | Actual | | Constant Currency (1) |
Public Cloud | $ | 1,740.8 | | | $ | 1,747.4 | | | 0.4 | % | | 0.4 | % |
Private Cloud | 1,381.5 | | | 1,209.7 | | | (12.4) | % | | (12.5) | % |
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Total | $ | 3,122.3 | | | $ | 2,957.1 | | | (5.3) | % | | (5.3) | % |
(1) Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this section for further explanation and reconciliation.
Public Cloud revenue in 2023 increased 0.4% on an actual and constant currency basis, from 2022. Underlying growth was driven by both the acquisition of new customers and increased spend by existing customers, partially offset by cancellations by existing customers. Offerings in this segment with the strongest growth include infrastructure resale on AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
Private Cloud revenue in 2023 decreased 12.4% on an actual basis, and 12.5% on a constant currency basis, from 2022, due to customers rolling off old generation private cloud offerings, expected decline in legacy OpenStack offerings, and the impact from the December 2022 Hosted Exchange ransomware incident.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue increased $63 million, or 3%, to $2,328 million in 2023 from $2,265 million in 2022, primarily due to an increase in usage charges for third-party infrastructure associated with growth in these offerings. Consulting professional fees and data center costs increased primarily to support growth for certain large customers. Personnel costs declined between periods due to lower headcount and a decrease in non-equity incentive compensation, partially offset by higher severance expense in 2023.
As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue increased 610 basis points in 2023 to 78.7% from 72.6% in 2022, primarily driven by a 440 basis point increase in usage charges for third-party infrastructure. Higher data center and professional fees also contributed to the increase in basis points between periods.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit was $629 million in 2023, a decrease of $228 million from $857 million in 2022. Our gross margin was 21.3% in 2023, a decrease of 610 basis points from 27.4% in 2022.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses decreased $88 million, or 10%, to $767 million in 2023 from $855 million in 2022. Contributing to the reduction in expense was a wind down of certain business optimization initiatives between periods. In addition, personnel costs declined between periods due to lower headcount and decreases in non-equity incentive compensation and commissions, partially offset by higher severance expense. Other non-personnel costs fluctuations include lower marketing spend, professional fees, and depreciation and amortization expense, offset by higher office rent. The increase in office rent includes $12 million of expense recognized for a UK office that we exited in the second quarter of 2023, prior to the lease end date.
As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses decreased 150 basis points, to 25.9% in 2023 from 27.4% in 2022, for the reasons discussed above.
Loss from Operations, Segment Operating Profit, and Non-GAAP Operating Profit
Our loss from operations was $899 million in 2023 compared to $679 million in 2022. Our Non-GAAP Operating Profit was $183 million in 2023, a decrease of $180 million from $364 million in 2022. Non-GAAP Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information.
The table below presents a reconciliation of loss from operations to Non-GAAP Operating Profit.
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| Year Ended December 31, | |
(In millions) | 2022 | | 2023 | |
Loss from operations | $ | (679.0) | | | $ | (899.4) | | |
Share-based compensation expense | 69.5 | | | 65.4 | | |
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a) | 10.0 | | | 12.1 | | |
Transaction-related adjustments, net (b) | 11.0 | | | 5.2 | | |
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c) | 99.0 | | | 70.8 | | |
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage | 5.9 | | | (4.8) | | |
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Impairment of goodwill | 534.5 | | | 708.8 | | |
UK office closure (d) | — | | | 12.1 | | |
Impairment of assets, net | 146.1 | | | 52.2 | | |
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Amortization of intangible assets (e) | 166.8 | | | 161.0 | | |
Non-GAAP Operating Profit | $ | 363.8 | | | $ | 183.4 | | |
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(a) | Includes expense related to retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and the related payroll tax, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes expense related to the one-time grant of long-term incentive bonuses as a component of our annual compensation award process. |
(b) | Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to acquisitions, certain one-time compliance costs related to being a public company, integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities. |
(c) | Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs, and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes total charges of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs. |
(d) | Expense recognized related to the closure of a UK office that we exited in the second quarter of 2023 prior to the lease end date. |
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(e) | All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016. |
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Our segment operating profit and segment operating margin for the periods indicated, and the change between periods is shown in the table below:
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| Year Ended December 31, | | Year-Over-Year Comparison |
(In millions, except %) | 2022 | | 2023 | |
Segment operating profit: | Amount | | % of Segment Revenue | | Amount | | % of Segment Revenue | | Amount | | % Change |
Public Cloud | $ | 124.9 | | | 7.2 | % | | $ | 90.4 | | | 5.2 | % | | $ | (34.5) | | | (27.6) | % |
Private Cloud | 493.9 | | | 35.8 | % | | 340.8 | | | 28.2 | % | | (153.1) | | | (31.0) | % |
Total consolidated segment operating profit | 618.8 | | | | | 431.2 | | | | | (187.6) | | | (30.3) | % |
Corporate functions | (255.0) | | | | | (247.8) | | | | | 7.2 | | | (2.8) | % |
Non-GAAP Operating Profit | $ | 363.8 | | | | | $ | 183.4 | | | | | $ | (180.4) | | | (49.6) | % |
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Public Cloud operating profit decreased 28% in 2023 from 2022. Segment operating profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 200 basis points, reflecting a 3% increase in segment operating expenses as segment revenue growth remained relatively flat. The increase in costs was mainly driven by higher third-party infrastructure costs due to the increase in revenue, partially offset by a decrease in personnel costs.
Private Cloud operating profit decreased 31% in 2023 from 2022. Segment operating profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 760 basis points, due to a 12% decrease in segment revenue, partially offset by a 2% decrease in segment operating expenses. The decrease in costs was mainly driven by a reduction in personnel costs.
Centralized corporate functions that provide services to the segments in areas such as accounting, information technology, marketing, legal and human resources are not allocated to the segments and are included in "corporate functions" in the table above. This expense decreased 3% in 2023 primarily due to a decline in depreciation expense as certain property, equipment, and software reached the end of its useful life.
For more information about our segment operating profit, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 18, "Segment Reporting."
Impairment of Goodwill
We recorded a total of $709 million and $535 million in non-cash goodwill impairment charges in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Due to the change in our segment reporting as a result of the business reorganization as of January 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis both prior and subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of January 1, 2023, subsequent to the change, indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $271 million in the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of March 31, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first three months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of March 31, 2023. The results of this quantitative goodwill impairment analysis indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge of $272 million in the first quarter of 2023.
We performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2023 based on our assessment of several events and circumstances that affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, market capitalization and earnings quality and sustainability. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our Private Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a non-cash impairment of goodwill of $166 million in the third quarter of 2023.
As of October 1, 2023, we reassessed our reporting units and combined our Private Cloud and OpenStack Public Cloud reporting units into a new Private Cloud reporting unit. We completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1, 2023, subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis indicated no impairment to goodwill.
During the third quarter of 2022, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. We performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis as of September 1, 2022 based on our assessment of several events and circumstances that affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance from prior year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. In addition, as of September 1, 2022, we lowered our projected operating results primarily due to product mix shifts and market concerns related to inflation and other macroeconomic factors. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our former Multicloud Services reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $405 million during the third quarter of 2022.
The results of our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we experienced a decline in our market capitalization following a ransomware incident in early December which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business. We therefore determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $129 million during the fourth quarter of 2022.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for further discussion.
Impairment of Assets, Net
We recorded a total of $52 million and $146 million in net asset impairment charges in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
We evaluated our indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment as of September 30, 2023. As a result of this evaluation, we recorded a $57 million impairment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset in the third quarter of 2023.
Similarly, we evaluated our indefinite-lived intangible asset and long-lived assets for impairment as of September 1, 2022. As a result of these evaluations, we recorded total impairment charges of $59 million in the third quarter of 2022, consisting of a $21 million impairment of our indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset and a $38 million impairment of OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets.
As of December 31, 2022, we recorded an additional $12 million impairment of our indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset.
Additionally, as of December 31, 2022, our corporate headquarters property was classified as held for sale. The property's previous carrying amount of $83 million was written down to its estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of $12 million, resulting in a $71 million impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022. We also wrote-off the remaining $5 million net book value of the related property tax abatement asset in connection with the held for sale classification.
During 2023, we recorded a $5 million net increase in the estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of our corporate headquarters.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net" and Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for further discussion.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $13 million, or 6%, to $222 million in 2023 from $209 million in 2022, due primarily to rising interest rates and the impact on our variable-rate Term Loan Facility, partially offset by debt repurchases during 2023, as discussed below.
Gain on Debt Extinguishment
We recorded a $228 million gain on debt extinguishment in 2023 related to repurchases of $352 million principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes. In addition, we repurchased $36 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and $56 million principal amount of the Term Loan Facility, which resulted in an $18 million and $26 million gain on debt extinguishment, respectively.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 7, "Debt" for further discussion.
Other Expense, Net
The decrease in other expense, net to $5 million in 2023 from $10 million in 2022 is primarily related to foreign currency transaction gains, partially offset by costs incurred in 2023 related to the Receivables Purchase Facility entered into in September 2023.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 3, "Sale of Receivables" for further discussion regarding the Receivables Purchase Facility.
Benefit for Income Taxes
Our income tax benefit decreased by $76 million to $17 million in 2023 from $93 million in 2022. Our effective tax rate decreased from 10.3% in 2022 to 1.9% in 2023. The decrease in the effective tax rate year-over-year is primarily due to the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments recorded in 2023 as well as changes in the valuation allowance. The majority of the goodwill impairments recorded in 2023 were nondeductible for income tax purposes. The difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory rate in 2023 is primarily due to the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments recorded during the year, executive compensation that is nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m), the geographic distribution of profits, tax effects from nondeductible share-based compensation as well as changes in the valuation allowance.
For a full reconciliation of our effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate and further explanation of our benefit for income taxes, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 14, "Taxes."
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the specified periods, as well as changes between periods and as a percentage of revenue for those same periods (totals in table may not foot due to rounding):
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| Year Ended December 31, | | Year-Over-Year Comparison |
| 2021 | | 2022 | |
(In millions, except %) | Amount | | % Revenue | | Amount | | % Revenue | | Amount | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 3,009.5 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,122.3 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 112.8 | | | 3.7 | % |
Cost of revenue | (2,072.7) | | | (68.9) | % | | (2,265.4) | | | (72.6) | % | | (192.7) | | | 9.3 | % |
Gross profit | 936.8 | | | 31.1 | % | | 856.9 | | | 27.4 | % | | (79.9) | | | (8.5) | % |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (906.8) | | | (30.1) | % | | (855.3) | | | (27.4) | % | | 51.5 | | | (5.7) | % |
Impairment of goodwill | (52.4) | | | (1.7) | % | | (534.5) | | | (17.1) | % | | (482.1) | | | NM |
Impairment of assets, net | — | | | — | % | | (146.1) | | | (4.7) | % | | (146.1) | | | 100.0 | % |
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Gain on sale of land | 19.9 | | | 0.7 | % | | — | | | — | % | | (19.9) | | | (100.0) | % |
Loss from operations | (2.5) | | | (0.1) | % | | (679.0) | | | (21.7) | % | | (676.5) | | | NM |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | (205.1) | | | (6.8) | % | | (208.5) | | | (6.7) | % | | (3.4) | | | 1.7 | % |
Loss on investments, net | (3.0) | | | (0.1) | % | | (0.2) | | | (0.0) | % | | 2.8 | | | (93.3) | % |
Debt modification costs and loss on debt extinguishment | (37.5) | | | (1.2) | % | | — | | | — | % | | 37.5 | | | (100.0) | % |
Other expense, net | (1.0) | | | (0.0) | % | | (10.0) | | | (0.3) | % | | (9.0) | | | NM |
Total other income (expense) | (246.6) | | | (8.2) | % | | (218.7) | | | (7.0) | % | | 27.9 | | | (11.3) | % |
Loss before income taxes | (249.1) | | | (8.3) | % | | (897.7) | | | (28.8) | % | | (648.6) | | | NM |
Benefit for income taxes | 30.8 | | | 1.0 | % | | 92.9 | | | 3.0 | % | | 62.1 | | | NM |
Net loss | $ | (218.3) | | | (7.3) | % | | $ | (804.8) | | | (25.8) | % | | $ | (586.5) | | | NM |
NM = not meaningful.
Revenue
Revenue increased $113 million, or 3.7%, to $3,122 million in 2022 from $3,010 million in 2021 primarily due to growth in Public Cloud, partially offset by a decline in Private Cloud, as discussed below.
After removing the impact from foreign currency fluctuations, on a constant currency basis, revenue increased 5.2% year-over-year. The following table presents revenue growth by segment:
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| Year Ended December 31, | | % Change |
(In millions, except %) | 2021 | | 2022 | | Actual | | Constant Currency (1) |
Public Cloud | $ | 1,471.3 | | | $ | 1,740.8 | | | 18.3 | % | | 19.2 | % |
Private Cloud | 1,538.2 | | | 1,381.5 | | | (10.2) | % | | (8.2) | % |
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Total | $ | 3,009.5 | | | $ | 3,122.3 | | | 3.7 | % | | 5.2 | % |
(1) Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this section for further explanation and reconciliation.
Public Cloud revenue in 2022 increased 18% on an actual basis and 19% on a constant currency basis, from 2021. Underlying growth was driven by both the acquisition of new customers and increased spend by existing customers, partially offset by cancellations by existing customers. Offerings in this segment with the strongest growth include infrastructure resale on AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
Private Cloud revenue in 2022 decreased 10% on an actual basis and 8% on a constant currency basis, from 2021, due to customers rolling off old generation private cloud offerings and expected decline in legacy OpenStack offerings.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue increased $193 million, or 9%, to $2,265 million in 2022 from $2,073 million in 2021, primarily due to an increase in usage charges for third-party infrastructure associated with growth in these offerings. The increase in expense was partially offset by a decline in personnel costs primarily due to cost savings as a result of shifting roles to lower-cost locations as part of our continued focus on business optimization initiatives, including the July 2021 Restructuring Plan. We also had higher severance in the prior period. In addition, there were year-over-year data center expense reductions as a result of initiatives to lower our cost structure, which included the consolidation of data center facilities. Depreciation expense also decreased between periods primarily due to certain property, equipment and software reaching the end of its useful life for depreciation purposes as we shift towards faster-growing, value-added service offerings which have significantly lower capital requirements than our legacy capital-intensive revenue streams.
As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue increased 370 basis points in 2022 to 72.6% from 68.9% in 2021, primarily driven by a 640 basis point increase in usage charges for third-party infrastructure, partially offset by a decrease related to personnel costs, data center, and depreciation expense.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit was $857 million in 2022, a decrease of $80 million from $937 million in 2021. Our gross margin was 27.4% in 2022, a decrease of 370 basis points from 31.1% in 2021.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses decreased $52 million, or 6%, to $855 million in 2022 from $907 million in 2021, due to a decline in personnel costs from cost savings as a result of shifting roles to lower-cost locations as part of our continued focus on business optimization initiatives. We also had lower severance expense between periods. The prior period included $25 million of restructuring charges related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, of which $14 million were personnel related costs. There were also reductions in costs related to other business optimization and integration initiatives compared to the prior period, as well as lower amortization expense related to certain intangible assets reaching the end of their useful life. These reductions in expense were partially offset by an increase in travel expense as a result of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and costs incurred in 2022 related to the Hosted Exchange incident.
As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses decreased 270 basis points, to 27.4% in 2022 from 30.1% in 2021, for the reasons discussed above.
Loss from Operations, Segment Operating Profit, and Non-GAAP Operating Profit
Our loss from operations was $679 million in 2022 compared to $3 million in 2021. Our Non-GAAP Operating Profit was $364 million in 2022, a decrease of $120 million from $484 million in 2021. Non-GAAP Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information.
The table below presents a reconciliation of loss from operations to Non-GAAP Operating Profit.
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| Year Ended December 31, | |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | |
Loss from operations | $ | (2.5) | | | $ | (679.0) | | |
Share-based compensation expense | 75.4 | | | 69.5 | | |
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a) | 11.8 | | | 10.0 | | |
Transaction-related adjustments, net (b) | 25.7 | | | 11.0 | | |
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c) | 161.5 | | | 99.0 | | |
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage | — | | | 5.9 | | |
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Impairment of goodwill | 52.4 | | | 534.5 | | |
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Impairment of assets, net | — | | | 146.1 | | |
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Gain on sale of land | (19.9) | | | — | | |
Amortization of intangible assets (d) | 179.7 | | | 166.8 | | |
Non-GAAP Operating Profit | $ | 484.1 | | | $ | 363.8 | | |
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(a) | Includes expense related to retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and the related payroll tax, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. |
(b) | Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to acquisitions, certain one-time compliance costs related to being a public company, integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities. |
(c) | Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs, and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes employee related costs and other costs related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan of $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420. In addition, it includes total charges of $25.1 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs. |
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(d) | All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016. |
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Our segment operating profit and segment operating margin for the periods indicated, and the change between periods is shown in the table below:
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| Year Ended December 31, | | Year-Over-Year Comparison |
(In millions, except %) | 2021 | | 2022 | |
Segment operating profit: | Amount | | % of Segment Revenue | | Amount | | % of Segment Revenue | | Amount | | % Change |
Public Cloud | $ | 120.1 | | | 8.2 | % | | $ | 124.9 | | | 7.2 | % | | $ | 4.8 | | | 4.0 | % |
Private Cloud | 604.3 | | | 39.3 | % | | 493.9 | | | 35.8 | % | | (110.4) | | | (18.3) | % |
Total consolidated segment operating profit | 724.4 | | | | | 618.8 | | | | | (105.6) | | | (14.6) | % |
Corporate functions | (240.3) | | | | | (255.0) | | | | | (14.7) | | | 6.1 | % |
Non-GAAP Operating Profit | $ | 484.1 | | | | | $ | 363.8 | | | | | $ | (120.3) | | | (24.9) | % |
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Public Cloud operating profit increased by 4% in 2022 from 2021. Segment operating profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 100 basis points, reflecting a 20% increase in segment operating expenses, partially offset by an 18% increase in segment revenue. The increase in costs was mainly driven by higher third-party infrastructure costs due to the increase in revenue.
Private Cloud operating profit decreased 18% in 2022 from 2021. Segment operating profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 350 basis points, due to a 10% decrease in segment revenue, partially offset by a 5% reduction in segment operating expenses. The decrease in costs was mainly driven by declines in personnel costs from cost savings as a result of shifting roles to lower-cost locations as part of our continued focus on business optimization initiatives.
Centralized corporate functions that provide services to the segments in areas such as accounting, information technology, marketing, legal and human resources are not allocated to the segments and are included in "corporate functions" in the table above. This expense increased 6% in 2022 primarily due to costs incurred in 2022 related to the Hosted Exchange incident and an increase in travel expense as a result of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
For more information about our segment operating profit, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 18, "Segment Reporting."
Impairment of Goodwill
During the third quarter of 2022, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. We performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis as of September 1, 2022 based on our assessment of several events and circumstances that affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance from prior year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. In addition, as of September 1, 2022, we lowered our projected operating results primarily due to product mix shifts and market concerns related to inflation and other macroeconomic factors. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our former Multicloud Services reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $405 million during the third quarter of 2022.
The results of our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we experienced a decline in our market capitalization following a ransomware incident in early December which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business. We therefore determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $129 million during the fourth quarter of 2022.
As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2021, we determined that the carrying amount of our OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and fully impaired its goodwill by recording a goodwill impairment charge of $52 million. The impairment was driven by deteriorating forecasted margins and cash flows within the reporting unit primarily due to operating costs declining at a slower rate than previously anticipated even after factoring in the long term impacts of the July 2021 Restructuring Plan.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for further discussion.
Impairment of Assets, Net
We also evaluated our indefinite-lived intangible asset and long-lived assets for impairment as of September 1, 2022. As a result of these evaluations, we recorded total impairment charges of $59 million during the third quarter of 2022, consisting of a $21 million impairment of our indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset and a $38 million impairment of OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets.
As of December 31, 2022, we recorded an additional $12 million impairment of our indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset.
In addition, as of December 31, 2022, our corporate headquarters property was classified as held for sale. The property's previous carrying amount of $83 million was written down to its estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of $12 million, resulting in a $71 million impairment charge. We also wrote-off the remaining $5 million net book value of the related property tax abatement asset in connection with the held for sale classification.
There were no such impairments in 2021.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net" and Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for further discussion.
Gain on Sale of Land
In January 2021, we recorded a $20 million gain related to the sale of a parcel of undeveloped land in the United Kingdom adjacent to one of our existing data centers, as further discussed in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net."
Debt Modification Costs and Loss on Debt Extinguishment
In 2021, we recorded $37 million and $0.5 million of debt modification costs and loss on debt extinguishment related to the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction and termination of the Receivables Financing Facility, respectively. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 7, "Debt" for further discussion.
Other Expense, Net
The increase in other expense, net to $10 million in 2022 from $1 million in 2021 is primarily related to foreign currency transaction losses.
Benefit for Income Taxes
Our income tax benefit increased by $62 million to $93 million in 2022 from $31 million in 2021. Our effective tax rate decreased from 12.4% in 2021 to 10.3% in 2022. The decrease in the effective tax rate year-over-year is primarily due to the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments, the geographic distribution of profits and tax effects from nondeductible share-based compensation. The difference between the effective tax rate for 2022 and the statutory tax rate is primarily due to the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments, the geographic distribution of profits, executive compensation that is nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m) and tax effects from nondeductible share-based compensation.
For a full reconciliation of our effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate and further explanation of our benefit for income taxes, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 14, "Taxes."
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We track several non-GAAP financial measures to monitor and manage our underlying financial performance. The following discussion includes the presentation of constant currency revenue, Non-GAAP Gross Profit, Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit, Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share, which are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of certain costs, losses and gains that are required to be included in our profit and loss measures under GAAP. Although we believe these measures are useful to investors and analysts for the same reasons they are useful to management, as discussed below, these measures are not a substitute for, or superior to, U.S. GAAP financial measures or disclosures. Other companies may calculate similarly-titled non-GAAP measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. We have reconciled each of these non-GAAP measures to the applicable most comparable GAAP measure throughout this MD&A.
Constant Currency Revenue
We use constant currency revenue as an additional metric for understanding and assessing our growth excluding the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations on our international business operations. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period and is calculated by translating the non-U.S. dollar income statement balances for the most current period to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate from the comparative period rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the respective period. We also believe this is an important metric to help investors evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods.
The following tables present, by segment, actual and constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth rates, for and between the periods indicated:
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| Year Ended December 31, 2022 | | Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | % Change |
(In millions, except %) | Revenue | | Revenue | | Foreign Currency Translation (a) | | Revenue in Constant Currency | | Actual | | Constant Currency |
Public Cloud | $ | 1,740.8 | | | $ | 1,747.4 | | | $ | 0.4 | | | $ | 1,747.8 | | | 0.4 | % | | 0.4 | % |
Private Cloud | 1,381.5 | | | 1,209.7 | | | (1.2) | | | 1,208.5 | | | (12.4) | % | | (12.5) | % |
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Total | $ | 3,122.3 | | | $ | 2,957.1 | | | $ | (0.8) | | | $ | 2,956.3 | | | (5.3) | % | | (5.3) | % |
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(a) | The effect of foreign currency is calculated by translating current period results using the average exchange rate from the prior comparative period. |
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| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | | % Change |
(In millions, except %) | Revenue | | Revenue | | Foreign Currency Translation (a) | | Revenue in Constant Currency | | Actual | | Constant Currency |
Public Cloud | $ | 1,471.3 | | | $ | 1,740.8 | | | $ | 13.0 | | | $ | 1,753.8 | | | 18.3 | % | | 19.2 | % |
Private Cloud | 1,538.2 | | | 1,381.5 | | | 30.6 | | | 1,412.1 | | | (10.2) | % | | (8.2) | % |
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Total | $ | 3,009.5 | | | $ | 3,122.3 | | | $ | 43.6 | | | $ | 3,165.9 | | | 3.7 | % | | 5.2 | % |
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(a) | The effect of foreign currency is calculated by translating current period results using the average exchange rate from the prior comparative period. |
Non-GAAP Gross Profit
We present Non-GAAP Gross Profit in this MD&A because we believe the measure is useful in analyzing trends in our underlying, recurring gross margins. We define Non-GAAP Gross Profit as gross profit, adjusted to exclude the impact of share-based compensation expense and other non-recurring or unusual compensation items, purchase accounting-related effects, certain business transformation-related costs, and costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident.
The table below presents a reconciliation of gross profit to Non-GAAP Gross Profit:
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| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Gross profit | $ | 936.8 | | | $ | 856.9 | | | $ | 628.8 | |
Share-based compensation expense | 16.7 | | | 11.6 | | | 9.1 | |
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a) | 2.7 | | | 1.9 | | | 4.0 | |
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Purchase accounting impact on expense (b) | 4.7 | | | 2.7 | | | 2.6 | |
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c) | 35.5 | | | 10.9 | | | 16.9 | |
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage | — | | | 0.2 | | | 0.3 | |
Non-GAAP Gross Profit | $ | 996.4 | | | $ | 884.2 | | | $ | 661.7 | |
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(a) | Adjustments for retention bonuses, mainly in connection with restructuring and transformation projects, and the related payroll tax, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes expense related to the one-time grant of long-term incentive bonuses as a component of our annual compensation award process. |
(b) | Adjustment for the impact of purchase accounting from the Rackspace Acquisition on expenses. |
(c) | Adjustment for the impact of business transformation and optimization activities, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes certain costs associated with the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs. |
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA
We present Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA because they are a basis upon which management assesses our performance and we believe they are useful to evaluating our financial performance. We believe that excluding items from net income that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and that may vary in frequency or magnitude, enhances the comparability of our results and provides a better baseline for analyzing trends in our business.
The Rackspace Acquisition was structured as a leveraged buyout of Rackspace Technology Global, our predecessor, and resulted in several accounting and capital structure impacts. For example, the revaluation of our assets and liabilities resulted in a significant increase in our amortizable intangible assets and goodwill, the incurrence of a significant amount of debt to partially finance the Rackspace Acquisition resulted in interest payments that reflect our high leverage and cost of debt capital, and the conversion of Rackspace Technology Global’s unvested equity compensation into a cash-settled bonus plan and obligation to pay management fees to our equityholders resulted in new cash commitments. In addition, the change in ownership and management resulting from the Rackspace Acquisition led to a strategic realignment in our operations that had a significant impact on our financial results. Following the Rackspace Acquisition, we acquired several businesses, sold businesses and investments that we deemed to be non-core and launched multiple integration and business transformation initiatives intended to improve the efficiency of people and operations and identify recurring cost savings and new revenue growth opportunities. We believe that these transactions and activities resulted in costs, which have historically been substantial, and that may not be indicative of, or are not related to, our core operating results, including interest related to the incurrence of additional debt to finance acquisitions and third party legal, advisory and consulting fees and severance, retention bonus and other internal costs that we believe would not have been incurred in the absence of these transactions and activities and also may not be indicative of, or related to, our core operating results.
We define Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation, special bonuses and other compensation expense, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident, the amortization of acquired intangible assets, goodwill and asset impairment charges, costs related to the closure of a UK office, and certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses, as well as the tax effects of these non-GAAP adjustments.
We define Non-GAAP Operating Profit as income (loss) from operations adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation, special bonuses and other compensation expense, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident, the amortization of acquired intangible assets, goodwill and asset impairment charges, costs related to the closure of a UK office, and certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation, special bonuses and other compensation expense, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident, costs related to the closure of a UK office, certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses, interest expense, expenses for our Receivables Purchase Facility, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and goodwill and asset impairment charges.
Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are management’s principal metrics for measuring our underlying financial performance. Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA, along with other quantitative and qualitative information, are also the principal financial measures used by management and our board of directors in determining performance-based compensation for our management and key employees.
These non-GAAP measures are not intended to imply that we would have generated higher income or avoided net losses if the Rackspace Acquisition and the subsequent transactions and initiatives had not occurred. In the future we may incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit or Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these items. Other companies, including our peer companies, may calculate similarly-titled measures in a different manner from us, and therefore, our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-tiled measures of other companies. Investors are cautioned against using these measures to the exclusion of our results in accordance with GAAP.
The following tables present a reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of income (loss) from operations to Non-GAAP Operating Profit, see “Loss from Operations, Segment Operating Profit, and Non-GAAP Operating Profit” in the year-over-year comparisons under "Results of Operations" above.
Net loss reconciliation to Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)
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| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Net loss | $ | (218.3) | | | $ | (804.8) | | | $ | (837.8) | |
Share-based compensation expense | 75.4 | | | 69.5 | | | 65.4 | |
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a) | 11.8 | | | 10.0 | | | 12.1 | |
Transaction-related adjustments, net (b) | 25.7 | | | 11.0 | | | 5.2 | |
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c) | 161.5 | | | 99.0 | | | 70.8 | |
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage | — | | | 5.9 | | | (4.8) | |
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Impairment of goodwill | 52.4 | | | 534.5 | | | 708.8 | |
UK office closure (d) | — | | | — | | | 12.1 | |
Impairment of assets, net | — | | | 146.1 | | | 52.2 | |
Gain on sale of land | (19.9) | | | — | | | — | |
Net (gain) loss on divestiture and investments (e) | 3.0 | | | 0.2 | | | (0.3) | |
Debt modification costs and (gain) loss on debt extinguishment (f) | 37.5 | | | — | | | (271.3) | |
Other adjustments (g) | 1.0 | | | 10.0 | | | (1.0) | |
Amortization of intangible assets (h) | 179.7 | | | 166.8 | | | 161.0 | |
Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (i) | (103.3) | | | (133.3) | | | (5.1) | |
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) | $ | 206.5 | | | $ | 114.9 | | | $ | (32.7) | |
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Net loss reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA
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| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Net loss | $ | (218.3) | | | $ | (804.8) | | | $ | (837.8) | |
Share-based compensation expense | 75.4 | | | 69.5 | | | 65.4 | |
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a) | 11.8 | | | 10.0 | | | 12.1 | |
Transaction-related adjustments, net (b) | 25.7 | | | 11.0 | | | 5.2 | |
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c) | 161.5 | | | 99.0 | | | 70.8 | |
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage | — | | | 5.9 | | | (4.8) | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Impairment of goodwill | 52.4 | | | 534.5 | | | 708.8 | |
UK office closure (d) | — | | | — | | | 12.1 | |
Impairment of assets, net | — | | | 146.1 | | | 52.2 | |
Gain on sale of land | (19.9) | | | — | | | — | |
Net (gain) loss on divestiture and investments (e) | 3.0 | | | 0.2 | | | (0.3) | |
Debt modification costs and (gain) loss on debt extinguishment (f) | 37.5 | | | — | | | (271.3) | |
Other expense, net (j) | 1.0 | | | 10.0 | | | 5.0 | |
Interest expense | 205.1 | | | 208.5 | | | 221.6 | |
Benefit for income taxes | (30.8) | | | (92.9) | | | (16.6) | |
Depreciation and amortization (k) | 421.4 | | | 387.5 | | | 366.4 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 725.8 | | | $ | 584.5 | | | $ | 388.8 | |
| | | | | |
(a) | Includes expense related to retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and the related payroll tax, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes expense related to the one-time grant of long-term incentive bonuses as a component of our annual compensation award process. |
(b) | Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to acquisitions, certain one-time compliance costs related to being a public company, integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities. |
(c) | Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs, and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes employee related costs and other costs related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan of $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420. In addition, it includes total charges of $25.1 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs. |
(d) | Expense recognized related to the closure of a UK office that we exited in the second quarter of 2023 prior to the lease end date. |
(e) | Includes gains and losses on investment and from dispositions. |
(f) | Includes gains and losses related to repurchases of 5.375% Senior Notes, 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the Term Loan Facility, the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction and termination of the Receivables Financing Facility. |
(g) | Primarily consists of foreign currency gains and losses. |
(h) | All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016. |
(i) | We utilize an estimated structural long-term non-GAAP tax rate in order to provide consistency across reporting periods, removing the effect of non-recurring tax adjustments, which include but are not limited to tax rate changes, U.S. tax reform, share-based compensation, audit conclusions and changes to valuation allowances. We used a structural non-GAAP tax rate of 26% for all periods which reflects the removal of the tax effect of non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments and non-recurring tax adjustments on a year-over-year basis. The non-GAAP tax rate could be subject to change for a variety of reasons, including the rapidly evolving global tax environment, significant changes in our geographic earnings mix including due to acquisition activity, or other changes to our strategy or business operations. We will re-evaluate our long-term non-GAAP tax rate as appropriate. We believe that making these adjustments facilitates a better evaluation of our current operating performance and comparisons to prior periods. |
(j) | Primarily consists of foreign currency gains and losses and expense related to our Receivables Purchase Facility. |
(k) | Excludes accelerated depreciation expense related to facility closures. |
Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share
We define Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share as Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) divided by our GAAP weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period on a diluted basis and further adjusted for the weighted average number of shares associated with securities which are anti-dilutive to GAAP loss per share but dilutive to Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share. Management uses Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share to evaluate the performance of our business on a comparable basis from period to period, including by adjusting for the impact of the issuance of shares that would be dilutive to Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share. The following table reconciles Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share to our GAAP net loss per share on a diluted basis:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions, except per share amounts) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (218.3) | | | $ | (804.8) | | | $ | (837.8) | |
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) | $ | 206.5 | | | $ | 114.9 | | | $ | (32.7) | |
| | | | | |
Weighted average number of shares - Diluted | 208.0 | | | 211.2 | | | 215.3 | |
Effect of dilutive securities (a) | 4.2 | | | 1.3 | | | 3.1 | |
Non-GAAP weighted average number of shares - Diluted | 212.2 | | | 212.5 | | | 218.4 | |
| | | | | |
Net loss per share - Diluted | $ | (1.05) | | | $ | (3.81) | | | $ | (3.89) | |
Per share impacts of adjustments to net loss (b) | 2.04 | | | 4.35 | | | 3.74 | |
Per share impacts of shares dilutive after adjustments to net loss (a) | (0.02) | | | 0.00 | | | 0.00 | |
Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share | $ | 0.97 | | | $ | 0.54 | | | $ | (0.15) | |
| | | | | |
(a) | Reflects impact of awards that would have been anti-dilutive to net loss per share, and therefore not included in the calculation, but would be dilutive to Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share and are therefore included in the share count for purposes of this non-GAAP measure. Potential common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units) or purchases under the ESPP, as well as contingent shares associated with our acquisition of Datapipe. Certain of our potential common share equivalents are contingent on Apollo achieving pre-established performance targets based on a MOIC, which are included in the denominator for the entire period if such shares would be issuable as of the end of the reporting period assuming the end of the reporting period was the end of the contingency period. |
(b) | Reflects the aggregate adjustments made to reconcile Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) to our net loss, as noted in the above table, divided by the GAAP diluted number of shares outstanding for the relevant period. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
We primarily finance our operations and capital expenditures with internally-generated cash from operations and hardware leases, and if necessary, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, the Revolving Credit Facility provided for up to $375 million of borrowings, none of which was drawn and outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Our primary uses of cash are working capital requirements, debt service requirements and capital expenditures. Based on our current level of operations and available cash, we believe our sources will provide sufficient liquidity over at least the next twelve months. We cannot provide assurance, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under the Revolving Credit Facility or from other sources in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Our ability to do so depends on prevailing economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change of control, we could be required to repay or refinance our indebtedness. We cannot assure that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the Senior Facilities, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions will likely require additional capital, and there can be no assurance that any such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
From time to time, depending upon market and other conditions, as well as upon our cash balances and liquidity, we, our subsidiaries or our affiliates may acquire (and have acquired) our outstanding debt securities or our other indebtedness through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, redemption or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we, our subsidiaries or our affiliates may determine (or as may be provided for in the Indentures, if applicable), for cash or other consideration.
On February 2, 2021, we issued 2,665,935 shares of common stock to DPH 123, LLC, an ABRY affiliate, for no additional consideration pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 6, 2017, (the "Datapipe Merger Agreement") in connection with our November 15, 2017 acquisition of Datapipe. We will be required to issue additional shares of our common stock to DPH 123, LLC based on the MOIC exceeding certain thresholds as defined in the Datapipe Merger Agreement. If the MOIC exceeds 3.0x, which is indicated by a volume weighted average trading price of our common stock over 30 consecutive trading days of more than $25.00, we will be required to issue an additional 2,665,935 shares.
On March 3, 2022, our board of directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $75 million of shares of our common stock from time to time through open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share repurchases and other transactions in accordance with applicable security laws. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we repurchased $31 million, or 3.1 million shares, of our common stock on the open market under this program. No shares were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2023 and the program authorization expired on September 30, 2023.
On September 29, 2023, indirect subsidiaries of the company entered into a revolving agreement where a bankruptcy-remote SPV can sell accounts receivable, based upon the face amount of eligible receivables in the collateral pool, up to an aggregate maximum limit of $300 million to a financial institution on a recurring basis in exchange for cash.
At December 31, 2023, we held $197 million in cash and cash equivalents (not including $3 million in restricted cash, which is included in "Other non-current assets"), of which $117 million was held by foreign entities.
We have entered into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors, along with sale-leaseback arrangements for equipment and certain property leases that are considered financing obligations. We had $66 million outstanding with respect to these arrangements as of December 31, 2023. We may choose to utilize these various sources of funding in future periods. Refer to Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 9, "Financing Obligations" for more information regarding financing obligations.
We also lease certain equipment and real estate under operating and finance lease agreements. We had $504 million outstanding with respect to operating and finance lease agreements as of December 31, 2023. We may choose to utilize such leasing arrangements in future periods. Refer to Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 8, "Leases" for more information regarding our operating and finance leases.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $2,893 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Term Loan Facility, 5.375% Senior Notes, and 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, with $375 million of borrowing capacity available under the Revolving Credit Facility. Our liquidity requirements are significant, primarily due to debt service requirements.
Debt
Senior Facilities
On February 9, 2021, we amended and restated the First Lien Credit Agreement, which included a new seven-year $2,300 million senior secured first lien term loan facility (the Term Loan Facility) and our existing Revolving Credit Facility, which we refer to together as the Senior Facilities. We used the borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes described below, to repay all borrowings under the Prior Term Loan Facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. The Term Loan Facility will mature on February 15, 2028 and the Revolving Credit Facility will mature on August 7, 2025. We may request one or more incremental term loan facilities, one or more incremental revolving credit facilities and/or increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility in an amount equal to the greater of $860 million and 1.0x Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the amended First Lien Credit Agreement), plus additional amounts, subject to compliance with applicable leverage ratios and certain terms and conditions.
On April 26, 2023, we executed an amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement to establish Term SOFR as the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate, replacing LIBOR.
As a result of the amendment, borrowings under the Senior Facilities bear interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) Term SOFR equal to the forward-looking term rate, based on the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, for the interest period relevant to such borrowing, plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.11% for an interest period of one-month's duration, 0.26% for an interest period of three-months' duration, and 0.43% for an interest period of six-months' duration, subject to a 0.75% floor, in the case of the Term Loan Facility, and a 1.00% floor, in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate of Citi and (iii) adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor plus 1.00%.
The applicable margin for the Term Loan Facility is 2.75% for SOFR loans and 1.75% for base rate loans and the applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility is 3.00% for SOFR loans and 2.00% for base rate loans. Interest is due at the end of each interest period elected, not exceeding 90 days, for SOFR loans and at the end of every calendar quarter for base rate loans.
The Revolving Credit Facility also includes a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum in respect of the unused commitments that is due quarterly. This fee is subject to one step-down based on the net first lien leverage ratio.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $56 million aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan Facility for $30 million, excluding related fees and expenses.
As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 8.23% and the outstanding principal balance was $2,181 million. We are required to make quarterly principal payments in the amount equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan Facility, or $5.8 million, which began on June 30, 2021, with the balance due at maturity on February 15, 2028.
We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage the interest rate risk associated with interest payments on the Term Loan Facility that result from fluctuations in Term SOFR. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 15, "Derivatives" for more information on the interest rate swap agreements.
In addition to the quarterly amortization payments discussed above, our Senior Facilities require us to make certain mandatory prepayments, including using (i) a portion of annual excess cash flow, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, to prepay the Term Loan Facility, (ii) net cash proceeds of certain non-ordinary assets sales or dispositions of property to prepay the Term Loan Facility and (iii) net cash proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of debt not permitted under the Senior Facilities to prepay the Term Loan Facility. We can make voluntary prepayments at any time without penalty, except in connection with a repricing event, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement.
Rackspace Technology Global, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is the borrower under the Senior Facilities, and all obligations under the Senior Facilities are (i) guaranteed by Inception Parent, Rackspace Technology Global’s immediate parent company, on a limited recourse basis and secured by the equity interests of Rackspace Technology Global held by Inception Parent and (ii) guaranteed by Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries and secured by substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interests held by each, in each case subject to certain exceptions.
During 2023, we borrowed and fully repaid $50 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, we had total commitments of $375 million, no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and $3.5 million of letters of credit issued thereunder. As such, as of December 31, 2023, we had $375 million of available commitments remaining.
3.50% Senior Secured Notes
On February 9, 2021, Rackspace Technology Global issued $550 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes will mature on February 15, 2028 and bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 3.50%. Interest is payable semiannually on each February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2021. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are not subject to registration rights. As noted above, we used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with borrowings under the Term Loan Facility described above, to repay all borrowings outstanding under the Prior Term Loan Facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, and obligations under the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interest held by each, subject to certain exceptions, which assets also secure the Senior Facilities. The 3.50% Notes Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes.
Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: from February 15, 2024 to February 14, 2025, at a redemption price equal to 101.750% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from February 15, 2025 to February 14, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from February 15, 2026 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Rackspace Technology Global may redeem during each twelve-month period, commencing with February 9, 2021, up to 10.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price of 103.000%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $36 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes for $18 million, including accrued interest of $0.3 million and excluding related fees and expenses.
As of December 31, 2023, $514 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes remained outstanding.
5.375% Senior Notes
Rackspace Technology Global issued $550 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes on December 1, 2020. The 5.375% Senior Notes will mature on December 1, 2028 and bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.375% per year, payable semi-annually on each June 1 and December 1, commencing on June 1, 2021 through maturity. The 5.375% Senior Notes are not subject to registration rights.
Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 5.375% Senior Notes, and obligations under the 5.375% Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 5.375% Senior Notes are effectively junior to the indebtedness under the Senior Facilities and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, to the extent of the collateral securing the Senior Facilities and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. The 5.375% Notes Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 5.375% Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, at a redemption price equal to 102.688% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025, at a redemption price equal to 101.344% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from December 1, 2025 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $352 million principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes for $124 million, including accrued interest of $3 million and excluding related fees and expenses.
As of December 31, 2023, $198 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes remained outstanding.
Debt covenants
Our Term Loan Facility is not subject to a financial maintenance covenant. The Revolving Credit Facility included a financial maintenance covenant that limits the borrower's net first lien leverage ratio to a maximum of 5.00 to 1.00. The net first lien leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of (x) the total amount of the borrower’s first lien debt for borrowed money (which is currently identical to the total amount outstanding under the Senior Facilities), less the borrower’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, to (y) consolidated EBITDA (as defined under the First Lien Credit Agreement governing the Senior Facilities). However, this financial maintenance covenant will only be applicable and tested if the aggregate amount of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and letters of credit issued thereunder (excluding $25 million of undrawn letters of credit and cash collateralized letters of credit) as of the last day of a fiscal quarter is equal to or greater than 35% of the Revolving Credit Facility commitments as of the last day of such fiscal quarter. Additional covenants in the Senior Facilities limit our subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur certain additional debt and liens, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates.
The Indentures contains covenants that, among other things, limit our subsidiaries' ability to incur certain additional debt, incur certain liens securing debt, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the Indentures. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the Indentures), we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes and 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at a price in cash equal to 101.000% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the purchase date.
Our “consolidated EBITDA,” as defined under our debt instruments, is calculated in the same manner as our Adjusted EBITDA, presented elsewhere in this report, except that our debt instruments allow us to adjust for additional items, including certain start-up costs, and to give pro forma effect to acquisitions, including resulting synergies, and internal cost savings initiatives. In addition, under the Indentures, the calculation of consolidated EBITDA does not take into account substantially any changes in GAAP subsequent to the date of issuance, whereas under the Senior Facilities, the calculation of consolidated EBITDA takes into account the impact of certain changes in GAAP subsequent to the original closing date other than with respect to capital leases.
As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Facilities and the Indentures.
March 2024 Refinancing Transactions
See "Subsequent Events" in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for a discussion of the public and private debt exchange and related transactions that impacted or are expected to impact the Senior Facilities, the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Capital Expenditures
The following table sets forth a summary of our total capital expenditures for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Customer gear (1) | $ | 116.1 | | | $ | 83.7 | | | $ | 115.3 | |
Data center build outs (2) | 12.5 | | | 4.2 | | | 2.9 | |
Office build outs (3) | 2.0 | | | 0.1 | | | 1.8 | |
Capitalized software and other projects (4) | 72.3 | | | 53.8 | | | 61.3 | |
Total capital expenditures | $ | 202.9 | | | $ | 141.8 | | | $ | 181.3 | |
(1) Includes servers, firewalls, load balancers, cabinets, backup libraries, storage arrays and drives and certain software that is essential to the functionality of customer gear, which we provide.
(2) Includes generators, uninterruptible power supplies, power distribution units, mechanical and electrical plants, chillers, raised floor, network cabling, other infrastructure gear and other data center building improvements.
(3) Includes building improvements, raised floor, furniture and equipment.
(4) Includes salaries and payroll-related costs of employees and consultants who devote time to the development of certain internal-use software projects, purchased software licenses and other projects that meet the criteria for capitalization.
The $40 million increase in capital expenditures from 2022 to 2023 was primarily driven by purchases of customer gear originally intended to support a specific new customer. This new customer did not materialize as expected; however, the gear is fungible and has been redeployed to support other business requirements. This gear was acquired through a finance lease.
The $61 million reduction in capital expenditures from 2021 to 2022 was due to the continued mix shift of our revenues from high capital intensity service offerings to low capital intensity service offerings. Additionally, the shift of internal software development work to lower cost geographies has also contributed to the decrease in capital expenditures between periods.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth a summary of certain cash flow information for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 370.8 | | | $ | 246.7 | | | $ | 374.9 | |
Cash used in investing activities | $ | (69.0) | | | $ | (97.9) | | | $ | (96.0) | |
Cash used in financing activities | $ | (132.2) | | | $ | (187.0) | | | $ | (312.8) | |
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities results primarily from cash received from customers, offset by cash payments made for employee and consultant compensation (less amounts capitalized related to internal-use software that are reflected as cash used in investing activities), data center costs, license costs, third-party infrastructure costs, marketing programs, interest, taxes, and other general corporate expenditures.
Net cash provided by operating activities for 2023 increased $128 million, or 52%, from 2022. The increase in operating cash was primarily driven by $209 million of cash proceeds related to the initial sale of a portion of our receivables upon execution of the Receivables Purchase Facility in September 2023 and a $58 million decrease in payroll and payroll taxes due to lower levels of severance payouts in 2023 compared to 2022. Partially offsetting this increase in cash was a $103 million increase in operating expense payments, largely for third-party infrastructure costs, and a $38 million increase in interest payments on debt.
Net cash provided by operating activities for 2022 decreased $124 million, or 33%, from 2021. This decrease was primarily driven by an increase in operating expense payments of $317 million, largely for third-party infrastructure costs, partially offset by an increase in cash collections of $115 million and a decrease in employee-related payments of $56 million mainly due to a shift in headcount to our offshore service centers.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities primarily consists of capital expenditures to meet the demands of our customer base and our strategic initiatives. The largest outlays of cash are for purchases of customer gear, data center and office build-outs, and capitalized payroll costs related to internal-use software development.
Net cash used in investing activities for 2023 decreased $2 million, or 2%, from 2022. During 2022, we made an $8 million cash payment in connection with the acquisition of Just Analytics and a $15 million payment for the purchase of a convertible promissory note. These cash outflows were partially offset by a $17 million increase in cash purchases of property, equipment, and software year-over-year. Other investing activities comprised the remainder of the variance in cash used between periods.
Net cash used in investing activities for 2022 increased $29 million, or 42%, from 2021. This was mainly due to the receipt of net proceeds of $31 million in the prior year from the January 2021 sale of a parcel of undeveloped land in the United Kingdom adjacent to one of our existing data centers. During 2022, we made an $8 million cash payment in connection with the acquisition of Just Analytics and a $15 million payment for the purchase of a convertible promissory note that matures in 2027. These outflows in the current year period were offset by a $28 million reduction in cash purchases of property, equipment, and software year-over-year.
Cash Used in Financing Activities
Financing activities generally include cash activity related to debt and other long-term financing arrangements (for example, finance lease obligations and financing obligations), including proceeds from and repayments of borrowings, and cash activity related to the issuance and repurchase of equity.
Net cash used in financing activities for 2023 increased $126 million, or 67% from 2022. The change was driven by a $169 million increase in net payments related to long-term debt between periods as the current period includes $121 million of 5.375% Senior Note repurchases, $18 million of 3.50% Senior Secured Note repurchases, and $30 million of Term Loan Facility repurchases, while the prior period only includes quarterly principal payments on our Term Loan Facility. In addition, there was a $13 million increase in finance lease principal payments between periods. Partially offsetting these drivers was $31 million in common stock share repurchases during 2022 as part of the program authorized in March 2022 and a $26 million reduction in principal payments of financing obligations.
Net cash used in financing activities for 2022 increased $55 million, or 41% from 2021. The change was primarily driven by a $57 million reduction in proceeds from employee stock plans year-over-year. The remaining variance includes $31 million in common stock share repurchases as part of the program authorized in March 2022, a $17 million increase in finance lease principal payments, and a $4 million increase in payments on the financing component of our interest rate swap during 2022. These drivers were partially offset by a $51 million reduction in net payments related to long-term debt activity between periods, including debt issuance costs. The prior year included the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction and a $65 million repayment on the now terminated Receivables Financing Facility, while the current period only includes quarterly principal payments on our Term Loan Facility. In addition, there was a $7 million decrease in principal payments for financing obligations between period
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
On September 29, 2023, Rackspace US and Rackspace Receivables II, LLC, a bankruptcy-remote SPV, each an indirect subsidiary of the company, entered into the Receivables Purchase Facility with PNC. The Receivables Purchase Facility allows the SPV to sell and/or contribute accounts receivable up an aggregate maximum limit of $300 million to PNC on a revolving basis.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 3, "Sale of Receivables" for more information regarding this off-balance sheet transaction.
We have entered into various indemnification arrangements with third parties, including vendors, customers, landlords, our officers and directors, stockholders of acquired companies and third parties to whom and from whom we license technology. Generally, these indemnification agreements require us to reimburse losses suffered by third parties due to various events, such as lawsuits arising from patent or copyright infringement or our negligence. Certain of these agreements require us to indemnify the other party against certain claims relating to property damage, personal injury or the acts or omissions by us, our employees, agents or representatives. These indemnification obligations are considered off-balance sheet arrangements. To date, we have not incurred material costs as a result of such obligations and have not accrued any material liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our consolidated financial statements. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 10, "Commitments and Contingencies" for more information related to these indemnification arrangements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We consider accounting estimates that require significant management judgment to be critical accounting estimates. We review our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for credit losses, property, equipment and software and definite-lived intangible assets, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, contingencies, share-based compensation and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances to determine the carrying values of assets and liabilities. In many instances, we could have reasonably used different accounting estimates, and in other instances, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period-to-period. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates made by our management. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be affected.
Revenue Recognition
We provide cloud computing to customers, which is broadly defined as the delivery of computing, storage and applications over the Internet. Cloud computing is a service transaction under which the services we provide vary on a daily basis. The totality of services provided represent a single integrated solution tailored to the customer’s specific needs. As such, our performance obligations to our customers consist of a single integrated solution delivered as a series of distinct daily services delivered over the same period of time. We recognize revenue on a daily basis as services are provided in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for the services.
Our usage-based arrangements generally include variable consideration components consisting of monthly utility fees with a defined price and undefined quantity. Additionally, our contracts contain service level guarantees that provide discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and certain products may include volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for this consideration as services are provided and earned.
A substantial amount of revenue, particularly within our Private Cloud segment, relates to fees associated with offerings that generally have a fixed term, typically from 12 to 36 months, with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Contracts for our service offerings falling within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business typically operate on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty.
We also provide customers with professional services for the design and implementation of application, security and data services. Professional service contracts are either fixed-fee or time-and-materials based. We typically consider our professional services to be a separate performance obligation from other integrated solutions being provided to the same customer. Our performance obligations under these arrangements are typically to provide the services on a daily basis over a period of time and we recognize revenue as the services are performed.
We offer customers the flexibility to select the best combination of resources in order to meet the requirements of their unique applications and provide the technology to seamlessly operate and manage multiple cloud computing environments. Judgment is required in assessing whether a service is distinct, including determination of whether the customer could benefit from the service on its own or in conjunction with other readily available resources and whether certain services are highly integrated into a bundle of services that represent the combined output specified by the customer. Arrangements can contain multiple performance obligations that are distinct, which are accounted for separately. Each performance obligation is recognized as services are provided based on their SSP. Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each of our distinct performance obligations. We utilize a range of prices when developing our estimates of SSP. We determine the range of prices for estimating SSP for all our performance obligations using observable inputs, such as standalone sales and historical contract pricing. Our estimates of SSP are updated quarterly.
In addition, our customer agreements provide that we will achieve certain service levels related primarily to network uptime, critical infrastructure availability and hardware replacement. We may be obligated to provide service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers to the extent that such service levels are not achieved or are otherwise disputed. Credit memos are recognized in the period of service to which they relate.
Revenue recognition for revenue generated from arrangements in which we resell third-party infrastructure bundled with our managed services, requires judgment to determine whether revenue can be recorded at the gross sales price or net of third-party fees. Typically, revenue is recognized on a gross basis when it is determined that we are the principal in the relationship. We are considered the principal in the relationship when we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the contract and obtain control of the third-party infrastructure before transferring it as an integral part of our performance obligation to provide services to the customer. Revenue is recognized net of third-party fees when we determine that our obligation is only to facilitate the customers’ purchase of third-party infrastructure.
Valuation of Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses
We record an allowance for credit losses on trade accounts receivable for estimated losses resulting from uncollectible receivables. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, we consider historical bad debt write-offs and all known facts and circumstances such as current economic conditions and trends, customer creditworthiness and specifically identified customer risks. If actual collections of customer receivables differ from our estimates, additional allowances may be required which could have an impact on our results of operations.
Property, Equipment and Software and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
In providing services to our customers, we utilize significant amounts of property, equipment and software, which we depreciate on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Definite-lived intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and are stated at their acquisition-date fair value less accumulated amortization. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Property and equipment under operating and finance leases are included within “Operating right-of-use assets” and “Property, equipment and software, net,” respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating right-of-use assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term whereas finance lease assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. We routinely review the estimated useful lives of our property, equipment and software and definite-lived intangible assets (“long-lived assets”). A change in the useful life of a long-lived asset is treated as a change in accounting estimate in the period of change and future periods.
Long-lived assets, including operating right-of-use assets and finance lease assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured at the asset group level and if the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value.
As of September 1, 2022, due to the factors discussed below, we performed an interim impairment review of the recoverability of our long-lived assets by asset group. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that, as of September 1, 2022, the carrying amount of the OpenStack Public Cloud asset group’s long-lived assets exceeded the sum of the undiscounted cash flows. Fair values of the OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets were determined using a combination of the income approach and the cost approach. The income approach utilized assumptions including management’s best estimates of the expected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rate, and the estimated useful life of the asset group. The cost approach utilized assumptions for the current replacement costs of similar assets adjusted for estimated depreciation and deterioration of the existing equipment and economic obsolescence. Estimates of floor values for the property, equipment and software, net, were considered relative to potential economic support for the assets such that the concluded value did not fall below the estimated floor value of these assets. We concluded that the carrying value of the OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets, including customer relationship intangibles and property, equipment and software, net, were impaired and recorded non-cash impairment charges of $38 million during the third quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
We also performed recoverability tests of our long-lived assets in conjunction with the goodwill impairment analyses performed subsequent to September 1, 2022 which did not result in any impairment charges.
We capitalize the salaries and related compensation costs of employees and consultants who devote time to the development of certain internal-use software projects. Judgment is required in determining whether an enhancement to previously developed software is significant and creates additional functionality to the software, thus resulting in capitalization. All other software development costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software development costs are amortized over the expected useful life of the software, which is generally three years; however, we evaluate the nature and utility of each project which can result in a useful life ranging between one and five years on certain projects.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of our Rackspace trade name, which was recorded at fair value on our balance sheet at the date of the Rackspace Acquisition.
Application of the goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to reporting units and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. We test goodwill and our indefinite-lived intangible asset, the Rackspace trade name, for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, regulatory environment, established business plans, operating performance indicators or competition. Potential impairment indicators may also include, but are not limited to, (i) the results of our most recent annual or interim impairment testing, (ii) downward revisions to internal forecasts, and the magnitude thereof, if any, (iii) declines in our market capitalization below our book value, and the magnitude and duration of those declines, if any, (iv) a reorganization resulting in a change to our operating segments, and (v) other macroeconomic factors, such as increases in interest rates that may affect the weighted average cost of capital, volatility in the equity and debt markets, or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may negatively impact our reported results of operations.
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). We allocate goodwill to reporting units based on the reporting unit expected to benefit from the business combination. Assets and liabilities are assigned to each of our reporting units if they are employed by a reporting unit and are considered in the determination of the reporting unit fair value. Certain assets and liabilities are shared by multiple reporting units, and thus, are allocated to each reporting unit based on the relative size of a reporting unit, primarily based on revenue. Subsequent to the January 1, 2023 business reorganization, we have two reporting units with goodwill: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Goodwill allocated to our third reporting unit, OpenStack Public Cloud, was fully impaired during the fourth quarter of 2021.
We estimate the fair values of our reporting units and the Rackspace trade name using the discounted cash flow method and relief-from-royalty method, respectively. These calculations require the use of significant estimates and assumptions, such as: (i) the royalty rate; (ii) the estimation of future revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, and projected capital expenditures, which are dependent on internal cash flow forecasts; (iii) estimation of the terminal growth rates; and (iv) determination of the risk-adjusted discount rates. The discount rates used are based on our weighted average cost of capital and are adjusted for risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and in our estimation of future cash flows. As part of the goodwill impairment test, we also consider our market capitalization in assessing the reasonableness of the combined fair values estimated for our reporting units, including OpenStack Public Cloud. The estimates and assumptions used to calculate the fair value of our reporting units and the Rackspace trade name from year to year are based on operating results, market conditions, and other factors. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could produce materially different results.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis, we utilized the income approach to determine the fair value of our reporting units. The income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow method which is based on the present value of projected cash flows. The discounted cash flow models reflect our assumptions and considerations regarding revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, risk-adjusted discount rates, terminal period growth rates, and economic market trends. The terminal period growth rate is selected based on economic conditions and consideration of growth rates used in the forecast period and historical performance of the reporting unit.
Due to the change in our segment reporting as a result of the business reorganization as of January 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis both prior and subsequent to the aforementioned change. We reassigned goodwill to the updated reporting units using a relative fair value approach. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of January 1, 2023, subsequent to the change, indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $271 million in the first quarter of 2023.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of January 1, 2023, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.5% to 12.0% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of January 1, 2023. As a result, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $271 million during the first quarter of 2023, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment primarily resulted from the reallocation of certain costs between the three reporting units to reflect the going-forward operating model following the business reorganization. The Public Cloud reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 20% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units of approximately $175 million and $67 million, respectively.
During the first quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of March 31, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first three months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of March 31, 2023.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2023, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.0% to 11.5% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of March 31, 2023. As a result, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $272 million during the first quarter of 2023, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment was driven by the company's most recent cash flow projections as revised in the first quarter of 2023 which reflected current market conditions and current trends in business performance, including slower than anticipated actualization of bookings. The Public Cloud reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 14% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units of approximately $80 million and $65 million, respectively.
During the third quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of September 30, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first nine months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of September 30, 2023.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of September 30, 2023, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 11.0% to 12.5% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of September 30, 2023. As a result, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $166 million during the third quarter of 2023, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment was driven by the company's cash flow projections as revised in the third quarter of 2023 to reflect current market conditions and business mix shifts. The Public Cloud reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 17% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units of approximately $65 million and $52 million, respectively.
As of October 1, 2023, we reassessed our reporting unit structure and aggregated the OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit into our Private Cloud reporting unit. We currently have two reporting units: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Due to the change in our reporting units as of October 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis. As the Private Cloud and OpenStack Public Cloud reporting units are being combined into the new Private Cloud reporting unit, the goodwill of the reporting units has been combined rather than reassigned based on the relative fair values of the reporting units. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of October 1, 2023, subsequent to the change, indicated no impairment charges to our Private Cloud or Public Cloud reporting units.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of October 1, 2023, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 11.0% to 12.5% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of October 1, 2023. The Private and Public Cloud reporting units were determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 3% and 17%, respectively and, therefore, no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units of approximately $67 million and $52 million, respectively.
As of September 1, 2022, after considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting unit as of September 1, 2022.
For the interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of September 1, 2022, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.0% to 12.0% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of September 1, 2022. As a result of our interim goodwill impairment test performed as of September 1, 2022, we determined that the carrying amount of our former Multicloud Services reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $405 million during the third quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment was driven by deteriorating forecasted margins and cash flows within this reporting unit primarily due to slower than anticipated product mix shifts. Our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 15% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting unit by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reporting units of approximately $235 million and $33 million, respectively.
We performed our annual quantitative goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022. For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of October 1, 2022, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.0% to 12.0% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of October 1, 2022. As a result of our goodwill impairment test performed as of October 1, 2022, we determined that the fair value exceeded the carrying amounts for each of our reporting units. The fair value exceeded the carrying value for the former Multicloud Services reporting unit by 1% and the former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit by 15%. Therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting unit by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reporting units of approximately $236 million and $38 million, respectively.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we experienced decline in our market capitalization following a ransomware incident in early December which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business which was included in our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, including our lowered projected operating results within this reporting unit, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of December 31, 2022, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.5% to 12.0% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of December 31, 2022. As a result of our goodwill impairment test performed as of December 31, 2022, we determined that the carrying amount of our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $129 million during the fourth quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment was driven by a decrease in forecasted revenues, margins, and cash flows within the reporting unit primarily due to the Hosted Exchange incident and other macroeconomic factors. The former Multicloud Services reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 1% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting unit by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reporting units of approximately $218 million and $22 million, respectively.
As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2021, we determined that the carrying amount of our OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and fully impaired its goodwill by recording a goodwill impairment charge of $52 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The impairment was driven by deteriorating forecasted margins and cash flows within the reporting unit primarily due to operating costs declining at a slower rate than previously anticipated even after factoring in the long term impacts of the July 2021 Restructuring Plan.
As of December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of goodwill was $1,452.4 million.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
As of January 1, 2023, March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, due to the factors discussed above, we performed a quantitative assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset utilizing a relief from royalty method. Significant estimates and assumptions included in the relief from royalty method are expectations of revenue growth rates, and selection of royalty rate and discount rate. We utilized a royalty rate of 0.5% for all periods and a discount rate of 11.0% as of January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023, and a discount rate of 11.9% as of September 30, 2023. We completed the quantitative assessments of our indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to testing our goodwill for impairment as of January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023 which did not indicate any impairment of the Rackspace trade name.
The quantitative test as of September 30, 2023 indicated that the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a $57 million non-cash impairment charge during the third quarter of 2023 which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
We completed the quantitative assessments of our indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to testing our goodwill for impairment as of October 1, 2023 which did not indicate any impairment of the Rackspace trade name.
As of September 1, 2022, October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, due to the factors discussed above, we performed a quantitative assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset utilizing a relief from royalty method. Significant estimates and assumptions included in the relief from royalty method are expectations of revenue growth rates, and selection of royalty rate and discount rate. We utilized a royalty rate of 0.5% for all periods and a discount rate of 10.7% as of September 1, 2022 and October 1, 2022, and a discount rate of 11.0% as of December 31, 2022. We completed the quantitative assessments of our indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to testing our goodwill for impairment.
As of September 1, 2022, we determined the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a $21 million non-cash impairment charge during the third quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
As of October 1, 2022, we determined the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was greater than its carrying value, and therefore no impairment was recognized.
As of December 31, 2022, we determined the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a $12 million non-cash impairment charge during the fourth quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
The fair value determination of our reporting units and our indefinite-lived intangible asset is judgmental in nature and requires the use of estimates and assumptions that are sensitive to changes. Assumptions include estimation of the royalty rate for the trade name, estimation of future revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, which are dependent on internal cash flow forecasts, estimation of the terminal growth rates and determination of risk-adjusted discount rates. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the quantitative goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment tests will prove to be an accurate prediction of future results. Examples of events or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the underlying key assumptions and ultimately impact the estimated fair value of our reporting units may include such items as: (i) volatility in the equity and debt markets or other macroeconomic factors, (ii) an increase in the weighted-average cost of capital due to further increases in interest rates, (iii) decrease in future cash flows due to lower than expected sales, or (iv) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may negatively impact our reported results of operations. Accordingly, if our current cash flow assumptions are not realized, we experience further sustained declines in our stock price or market capitalization, or increases in costs of capital, it is possible that an additional impairment charge may be recorded in the future, which could be material.
We are currently evaluating the impact of the subsequent events described in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and the company’s most recently approved internal forecasts on the significant estimates and assumptions used in our most recent annual impairment testing. After considering all available evidence in evaluating potential impairment indicators, we may determine it is appropriate to perform an interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis during the first quarter of 2024. It is possible that impairment charges may be recorded, which could be material.
Contingencies
We accrue for contingent obligations when the obligation is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. As facts concerning contingencies become known, we reassess our position and make appropriate adjustments to the recorded accrual. Estimates that are particularly sensitive to future changes include those related to tax, legal and other regulatory matters, changes in the interpretation and enforcement of international laws, and the impact of local economic conditions and practices, which are all subject to change as events evolve and as additional information becomes available during the administrative and litigation process. Changes in our estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Share-Based Compensation
We account for share-based awards under the recognition and measurement provisions of ASC No. 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the underlying common stock and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The fair value of stock options with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Determining the grant date fair value of share-based awards with performance vesting conditions and the probability of such awards vesting requires judgment.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. Although we believe we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.
Our effective tax rates may differ from the statutory rate for various reasons, including differences due to the tax impact of foreign operations, R&D tax credits, state taxes, contingency reserves for uncertain tax positions, certain benefits realized related to share-based compensation, executive compensation that is nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m), changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets or liabilities, goodwill impairments, or from changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof. In addition, we are periodically subject to examination of our income tax returns in the U.S., U.K., India, and other countries. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.
Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of recent operations. The assumptions about future taxable income require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses.
In December 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (the “OECD”) issued model rules for a new global minimum tax framework (Pillar Two). Governments in many of the countries where we operate have issued, or are in the process of issuing, legislation on this rule. We are currently evaluating, but do not expect this rule to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
For a description of accounting pronouncements recently adopted and issued, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
ITEM 7A – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rates
We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates on our floating-rate debt under our Senior Facilities, which includes our $375 million Revolving Credit Facility and $2,181 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. As of December 31, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and therefore our only variable-rate debt outstanding was the $2,181 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. As of December 31, 2023, assuming the Revolving Credit Facility was fully drawn, each 0.125% change in assumed blended interest rates would result in a $3 million change in annual interest expense on indebtedness under the Senior Facilities.
Our Term Loan Facility bears interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus one-month Term SOFR, subject to a 0.75% floor. Prior to the April 26, 2023 amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement, three-month LIBOR was the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate. As such, we have historically entered into interest rate swap agreements indexed to three-month LIBOR in order to manage our risk from fluctuations in three-month LIBOR above the 0.75% floor. During 2022, three of these swap agreements matured.
To continue to manage our exposure to interest rate risk associated with our Term Loan Facility, in May 2023 we amended our remaining swap agreement to change the index from three-month LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.75%) to one-month Term SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.75%); consistent with the First Lien Credit Agreement amendment in April 2023. The fixed rate for this swap agreement is presented in the table below. As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 8.23%, equal to an applicable margin of 2.86% (including the credit spread adjustment of 0.11%) plus one-month Term SOFR for the interest period of 5.37%.
The key terms of the swap outstanding as of December 31, 2023 are presented below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction Date | | Effective Date | | Notional Amount (in millions) | | Fixed Rate Paid | | Maturity Date |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
February 2021 | | February 9, 2021 | | $ | 1,350.0 | | | 2.34150% | | February 9, 2026 |
| | | | | | | | |
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 15, "Derivatives," for more information on interest rate swaps.
Foreign Currencies
We are subject to foreign currency translation risk due to the translation of the results of our subsidiaries from their respective functional currencies to the U.S. dollar, our functional currency. As a result, we discuss our revenue on a constant currency as well as actual basis, highlighting our sensitivity to changes in foreign exchange rates. See “Constant Currency Revenue.” While the majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in their respective functional currencies, we also have exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses as the result of certain receivables due from our foreign subsidiaries. As such, the results of operations and cash flows of our foreign subsidiaries are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. During 2023, we recognized foreign currency transaction gains of $4 million within "Other expense, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. As we grow our international operations, our exposure to foreign currency translation and transaction risk could become more significant.
We have in the past and may in the future enter into foreign currency hedging instruments to limit our exposure to foreign currency risk.
Power Prices
We are a large consumer of power. During 2023, we expensed approximately $47 million for utility companies to power our data centers, representing approximately 2% of our revenue. Power costs vary by geography, the source of power generation and seasonal fluctuations and are subject to certain proposed legislation that may increase our exposure to increased power costs. We have power contracts for data centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Jose, Somerset, New Jersey and London areas that allow us to procure power either on a fixed price or on a variable price basis.
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Rackspace Technology, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Rackspace Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, of stockholders’ equity (deficit) and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Interim Goodwill Impairment Assessments - Private Cloud and Public Cloud Reporting Units
As described in Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated net goodwill balance was $1,452.4 million as of December 31, 2023, and the goodwill associated with the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units was $854.7 million and $597.7 million, respectively. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. Management conducts impairment testing on an annual basis as of October 1st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. On January 1, 2023, as a result of a reorganization of the Company’s business around a two-business unit operating model, the Company changed its reportable segments to Private Cloud and Public Cloud. As a result of this change, goodwill was allocated from the former reporting units to the Public Cloud and Private Cloud reporting units based on their relative fair value and a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis was performed both prior and subsequent to the change. The results of the quantitative impairment analysis performed as of January 1, subsequent to the change, indicated an impairment within the Private Cloud reporting unit resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $270.8 million. During the first and third quarters of 2023, the Company experienced a sustained decline in its stock price resulting in the market capitalization being less than the carrying value of the combined reporting units. After considering all available evidence in the evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, management determined it appropriate to perform interim quantitative assessments of the reporting units as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023. As a result of the quantitative assessments performed as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, management recorded non-cash impairment charges of $272.3 million and $165.7 million, respectively, for the Private Cloud reporting unit. Management estimated the fair values of each of the reporting units using the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method. The discounted cash flow models reflect management’s assumptions and considerations regarding revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, risk-adjusted discount rates, terminal period growth rates, and economic market trends.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the interim goodwill impairment assessments of the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value estimates of the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing audit procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, risk-adjusted discount rate and terminal period growth rate for the Private Cloud reporting unit and revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, risk-adjusted discount rate, and terminal period growth rate, for the Public Cloud reporting unit; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessments, including controls over the valuation of the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units. These procedures also included, among others, (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimates of the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units, (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow models used by management, (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the discounted cash flow models, and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management related to revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures and risk-adjusted discount rates for the Private Cloud reporting unit and revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs and risk-adjusted discount rates for the Public Cloud reporting unit. Evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs and projected capital expenditures for the Private Cloud reporting unit and revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins and projected operating costs for the Public Cloud reporting unit involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting units; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating (i) the appropriateness of the Company’s discounted cash flow models and (ii) the reasonableness of the terminal period growth rate and risk-adjusted discount rate assumptions.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Austin, Texas
March 15, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions, except per share data) | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 228.4 | | | $ | 196.8 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses and accrued customer credits of $24.6 and $20.1, respectively | 622.2 | | | 339.7 | |
Prepaid expenses | 97.3 | | | 87.4 | |
Other current assets | 125.3 | | | 114.2 | |
Total current assets | 1,073.2 | | | 738.1 | |
| | | |
Property, equipment and software, net | 628.3 | | | 608.8 | |
Goodwill, net | 2,155.1 | | | 1,452.4 | |
Intangible assets, net | 1,236.0 | | | 1,019.0 | |
Operating right-of-use assets | 138.0 | | | 126.3 | |
| | | |
Other non-current assets | 226.1 | | | 151.6 | |
Total assets | $ | 5,456.7 | | | $ | 4,096.2 | |
| | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 447.3 | | | $ | 432.7 | |
Accrued compensation and benefits | 95.3 | | | 72.2 | |
Deferred revenue | 80.9 | | | 78.8 | |
Debt | 23.0 | | | 23.0 | |
Accrued interest | 36.3 | | | 20.5 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 60.0 | | | 66.0 | |
Finance lease liabilities | 61.7 | | | 55.8 | |
Financing obligations | 16.7 | | | 14.0 | |
Other current liabilities | 35.3 | | | 36.5 | |
Total current liabilities | 856.5 | | | 799.5 | |
| | | |
Non-current liabilities: | | | |
Debt | 3,295.4 | | | 2,839.6 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 84.8 | | | 74.6 | |
Finance lease liabilities | 310.5 | | | 308.0 | |
Financing obligations | 47.6 | | | 52.4 | |
Deferred income taxes | 126.7 | | | 79.2 | |
Other non-current liabilities | 105.7 | | | 97.4 | |
Total liabilities | 4,827.2 | | | 4,250.7 | |
| | | |
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10) | | | |
| | | |
Stockholders' equity (deficit): | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share: 5.0 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding | — | | | — | |
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 1,495.0 shares authorized; 215.7 and 220.5 shares issued; 212.6 and 217.4 shares outstanding, respectively | 2.2 | | | 2.2 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 2,573.3 | | | 2,638.2 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 71.4 | | | 60.3 | |
Accumulated deficit | (1,986.4) | | | (2,824.2) | |
Treasury stock, at cost; 3.1 shares held | (31.0) | | | (31.0) | |
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) | 629.5 | | | (154.5) | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) | $ | 5,456.7 | | | $ | 4,096.2 | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions, except per share data) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Revenue | $ | 3,009.5 | | | $ | 3,122.3 | | | $ | 2,957.1 | |
Cost of revenue | (2,072.7) | | | (2,265.4) | | | (2,328.3) | |
Gross profit | 936.8 | | | 856.9 | | | 628.8 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (906.8) | | | (855.3) | | | (767.2) | |
Impairment of goodwill | (52.4) | | | (534.5) | | | (708.8) | |
| | | | | |
Impairment of assets, net | — | | | (146.1) | | | (52.2) | |
Gain on sale of land | 19.9 | | | — | | | — | |
Loss from operations | (2.5) | | | (679.0) | | | (899.4) | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | |
Interest expense | (205.1) | | | (208.5) | | | (221.6) | |
Gain (loss) on investments, net | (3.0) | | | (0.2) | | | 0.3 | |
Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment | (37.5) | | | — | | | 271.3 | |
Other expense, net | (1.0) | | | (10.0) | | | (5.0) | |
Total other income (expense) | (246.6) | | | (218.7) | | | 45.0 | |
Loss before income taxes | (249.1) | | | (897.7) | | | (854.4) | |
Benefit for income taxes | 30.8 | | | 92.9 | | | 16.6 | |
Net loss | $ | (218.3) | | | $ | (804.8) | | | $ | (837.8) | |
| | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | $ | (3.6) | | | $ | (27.2) | | | $ | 8.0 | |
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts | 11.5 | | | 86.9 | | | 10.8 | |
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings | 17.6 | | | 4.8 | | | (29.9) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 25.5 | | | 64.5 | | | (11.1) | |
Comprehensive loss | $ | (192.8) | | | $ | (740.3) | | | $ | (848.9) | |
| | | | | |
Net loss per share: | | | | | |
Basic and diluted | $ | (1.05) | | | $ | (3.81) | | | $ | (3.89) | |
| | | | | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | | | | | |
Basic and diluted | 208.0 | | 211.2 | | 215.3 |
| | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities | | | | | |
Net loss | $ | (218.3) | | | $ | (804.8) | | | $ | (837.8) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 424.8 | | | 387.8 | | | 369.7 | |
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets | 65.9 | | | 59.8 | | | 73.2 | |
Deferred income taxes | (41.5) | | | (108.8) | | | (41.9) | |
Share-based compensation expense | 75.4 | | | 69.5 | | | 65.4 | |
Impairment of goodwill | 52.4 | | | 534.5 | | | 708.8 | |
Impairment of assets, net | — | | | 146.1 | | | 52.2 | |
| | | | | |
Gain on sale of land | (19.9) | | | — | | | — | |
Debt modification costs and (gain) loss on debt extinguishment | 37.5 | | | — | | | (271.3) | |
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts | 16.8 | | | 18.5 | | | 15.5 | |
(Gain) loss on investments, net | 3.0 | | | 0.2 | | | (0.3) | |
Provision for bad debts and accrued customer credits | (2.0) | | | 12.4 | | | 9.0 | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount | 8.8 | | | 8.0 | | | 7.9 | |
Non-cash fair value adjustments | — | | | 3.2 | | | (1.0) | |
Other operating activities | (2.1) | | | (0.2) | | | 0.4 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | (69.5) | | | (82.4) | | | 275.1 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 9.5 | | | (7.1) | | | 24.6 | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities | 88.1 | | | 69.8 | | | (44.2) | |
Deferred revenue | 21.6 | | | (21.6) | | | (5.8) | |
Operating lease liabilities | (61.4) | | | (65.5) | | | (65.6) | |
Other non-current assets and liabilities | (18.3) | | | 27.3 | | | 41.0 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 370.8 | | | 246.7 | | | 374.9 | |
Cash Flows From Investing Activities | | | | | |
Purchases of property, equipment and software | (108.4) | | | (80.4) | | | (96.9) | |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | — | | | (7.7) | | | — | |
Proceeds from sale of land | 31.3 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Purchase of convertible promissory note | — | | | (15.0) | | | — | |
Other investing activities | 8.1 | | | 5.2 | | | 0.9 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (69.0) | | | (97.9) | | | (96.0) | |
Cash Flows From Financing Activities | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Proceeds from employee stock plans | 61.1 | | | 3.7 | | | 1.3 | |
Shares of common stock withheld for employee taxes | — | | | — | | | (1.0) | |
Shares of common stock repurchased | — | | | (31.0) | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Proceeds from borrowings under long-term debt arrangements | 2,838.5 | | | — | | | 50.0 | |
Payments on long-term debt | (2,877.9) | | | (23.0) | | | (241.9) | |
Payments for debt issuance costs | (34.5) | | | — | | | — | |
Payments on financing component of interest rate swap | (12.9) | | | (17.2) | | | (18.8) | |
| | | | | |
Principal payments of finance lease liabilities | (50.6) | | | (67.2) | | | (79.7) | |
| | | | | |
Principal payments of financing obligations | (55.9) | | | (49.0) | | | (22.7) | |
Other financing activities | — | | | (3.3) | | | — | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (132.2) | | | (187.0) | | | (312.8) | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (2.3) | | | (5.8) | | | 2.2 | |
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 167.3 | | | (44.0) | | | (31.7) | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 108.1 | | | 275.4 | | | 231.4 | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 275.4 | | | $ | 231.4 | | | $ | 199.7 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Cash Flow Information | | | | | |
Cash payments for interest, net of amount capitalized | $ | 178.5 | | | $ | 177.9 | | | $ | 213.9 | |
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds | $ | 5.5 | | | $ | 10.5 | | | $ | 11.9 | |
| | | | | |
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Acquisition of property, equipment and software by finance leases | $ | 60.4 | | | $ | 36.7 | | | $ | 67.7 | |
Acquisition of property, equipment and software by financing obligations | 44.7 | | | 7.1 | | | 25.0 | |
Other non-cash additions | — | | | — | | | 5.3 | |
Increase (decrease) in property, equipment and software accrued in liabilities | (10.6) | | | 17.6 | | | (13.6) | |
Non-cash purchases of property, equipment and software | $ | 94.5 | | | $ | 61.4 | | | $ | 84.4 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash to the total of such amounts shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 272.8 | | | $ | 228.4 | | | $ | 196.8 | |
Restricted cash included in other non-current assets | 2.6 | | | 3.0 | | | 2.9 | |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows | $ | 275.4 | | | $ | 231.4 | | | $ | 199.7 | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Accumulated Deficit | | Treasury Stock, at Cost | | Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) |
| Shares | | Amount | | | | | Shares | | Amount | |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | 201.8 | | | $ | 2.0 | | | $ | 2,363.6 | | | $ | (18.6) | | | $ | (963.3) | | | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,383.7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common stock | 2.7 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Exercise of stock options and release of stock awards | 6.0 | | | 0.1 | | | 50.7 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 50.8 | |
Issuance of shares from Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 0.7 | | | — | | | 10.3 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10.3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share-based compensation expense | — | | | — | | | 75.4 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 75.4 | |
Net loss | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (218.3) | | | — | | | — | | | (218.3) | |
Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | 25.5 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 25.5 | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | 211.2 | | | $ | 2.1 | | | $ | 2,500.0 | | | $ | 6.9 | | | $ | (1,181.6) | | | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,327.4 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options and release of stock awards | 3.7 | | | 0.1 | | | 0.7 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 0.8 | |
Issuance of shares from Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 0.8 | | | — | | | 3.1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3.1 | |
Share-based compensation expense | — | | | — | | | 69.5 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 69.5 | |
Net loss | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (804.8) | | | — | | | — | | | (804.8) | |
Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | 64.5 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 64.5 | |
Repurchase of common stock | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3.1 | | | (31.0) | | | (31.0) | |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | 215.7 | | | $ | 2.2 | | | $ | 2,573.3 | | | $ | 71.4 | | | $ | (1,986.4) | | | 3.1 | | | $ | (31.0) | | | $ | 629.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options and release of stock awards, net of shares withheld | 4.1 | | | — | | | (1.0) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1.0) | |
Issuance of shares from Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 0.7 | | | — | | | 1.3 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1.3 | |
Share-based compensation expense for equity classified awards | — | | | — | | | 64.6 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 64.6 | |
Net loss | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (837.8) | | | — | | | — | | | (837.8) | |
Other comprehensive loss | — | | | — | | | — | | | (11.1) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (11.1) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2023 | 220.5 | | | $ | 2.2 | | | $ | 2,638.2 | | | $ | 60.3 | | | $ | (2,824.2) | | | 3.1 | | | $ | (31.0) | | | $ | (154.5) | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Rackspace Technology is a Delaware corporation controlled by investment funds affiliated with Apollo. Rackspace Technology was formed on July 21, 2016 but had no assets, liabilities or operating results until November 3, 2016 when Rackspace Hosting (now named Rackspace Technology Global), a global provider of modern information technology-as-a-service, was acquired by Inception Parent, a wholly-owned entity indirectly owned by Rackspace Technology.
Rackspace Technology Global commenced operations in 1998 as a limited partnership, and was incorporated in Delaware in March 2000. Rackspace Technology serves as the holding company for Rackspace Technology Global and does not engage in any material business or operations other than those related to its indirect ownership of the capital stock of Rackspace Technology Global and its subsidiaries or business or operations otherwise customarily undertaken by a holding company.
For ease of reference, the terms "we," "our company," "the company," "us," or "our" as used in this report refer to Rackspace Technology and its consolidated subsidiaries.
On January 18, 2022, we acquired 100% of Just Analytics, a leading provider of cloud-based data, analytics, and AI services based in the APJ region. The acquisition was completed for $7.7 million in cash consideration, net of cash acquired, together with future deferred payments that are considered post-combination compensation costs and will be recognized over the next three years. The acquisition of Just Analytics was not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Effective on January 1, 2023, we reorganized around a two-business unit operating model, Public Cloud and Private Cloud. This two-business unit operating model ensures increased focus, delivery, and service quality for our customers. Beginning in 2023, we changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two reportable segments: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. See Note 18, "Segment Reporting" for more information.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rackspace Technology and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the allowance for credit losses, useful lives of property, equipment and software, software capitalization, incremental borrowing rates for lease liability measurement, fair values of intangible assets and reporting units, useful lives of intangible assets, share-based compensation, contingencies, and income taxes, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
Liquidity Overview
We are a highly leveraged company. As of December 31, 2023, we had $2,892.5 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Term Loan Facility, 5.375% Senior Notes, and 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. We primarily finance our operations and capital expenditures with internally-generated cash from operations and hardware leases, and if necessary, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, the Revolving Credit Facility provided for up to $375.0 million of borrowings, none of which was drawn and outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Our primary uses of cash are working capital requirements, debt service requirements and capital expenditures. Based on our current level of operations and available cash and cash equivalents of $196.8 million as of December 31, 2023, we believe our sources will provide sufficient liquidity over at least the next twelve months. We cannot provide assurance, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under the Revolving Credit Facility or from other sources in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Our ability to do so depends on prevailing economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Subsequent Events
Private Exchange
On March 12, 2024, we (together with certain of our subsidiaries) closed a private debt exchange (the “Private Exchange”) with (i) certain holders of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes (the “Existing Secured Notes”) issued by Rackspace Technology Global (the “Existing Borrower”), representing more than 64% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Existing Secured Notes, and (ii) lenders representing more than 72% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding term loans (the “Existing Term Loans”) under the First Lien Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the Private Exchange, (i) $331.4 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Secured Notes and $1,588.8 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Term Loans were exchanged or purchased for cancellation and (ii) $267.3 million aggregate principal amount of new 3.50% FLSO Notes and $1,312.0 million aggregate principal amount of new first lien second out term loans (the “New FLSO Term Loans”) were issued by Rackspace Finance, LLC, a new subsidiary of the company (the “New Borrower”).
As a result of the Private Exchange, the company eliminated more than $375.0 million of its debt and extended the maturity of $1,579.4 million of its debt until May 2028. In addition, the New Borrower issued $275.0 million in aggregate principal amount of first lien first out senior secured term loans and the company repurchased and cancelled $69.3 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Senior Notes.
Public Exchanges
On March 13, 2024, the company launched an offer to all of the holders of the Existing Borrower’s remaining Existing Term Loans (the “Public Term Loan Exchange”). Assuming full participation in the Public Term Loan Exchange, the company expects that (i) $592.3 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Term Loans will be exchanged or purchased for cancellation and (ii) $418.8 million aggregate principal amount of New FLSO Term Loans will be issued by the New Borrower.
On March 14, 2024, the company launched an offer to all of the holders of the Existing Borrower’s remaining Existing Secured Notes (the “Public Note Exchange” and, together with the Public Term Loan Exchange, the “Public Exchanges”). Assuming full participation in the Public Note Exchange, the company expects that (i) $182.3 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Secured Notes will be exchanged or purchased for cancellation and (ii) $127.6 million aggregate principal amount of New Secured Notes will be issued by the New Borrower.
The Public Exchanges are subject to certain customary closing conditions and termination provisions and may not be consummated.
These disclosures are for informational purposes only and shall not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase or sell, or any solicitation of any offer to sell or purchase, notes or any other securities or debt instruments, and neither this report nor any part of it, nor the fact of its release, shall form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract therefor. The Public Note Exchange is made only by and pursuant to the terms and conditions of a confidential offering memorandum that will only be made available to eligible holders of the Existing Secured Notes. The complete terms and conditions of the Public Note Exchange for the Existing Secured Notes are set forth in such confidential offering memorandum. The Public Term Loan Exchange is made only by and pursuant to the terms and conditions of an exchange agreement that will only be made available to holders of the Existing Term Loans. The complete terms and conditions of the Public Term Loan Exchange for the Existing Term Loans are set forth in such exchange agreement. None of the company, the Existing Borrower, the New Borrower or any of their affiliates takes any position or makes any recommendation as to whether or not eligible holders should participate in the Public Note Exchange or the Public Term Loan Exchange.
New Revolving Credit Facility
On March 12, 2024, the New Borrower also established the New Revolving Credit Facility consisting of new first out first lien revolving credit commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $375.0 million. All revolving lenders under the company’s prior Revolving Credit Facility agreed to exchange their revolving loan commitments for commitments in respect of the New Revolving Credit Facility, which replaces in full the company’s prior Revolving Credit Facility. The New Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of May 15, 2028.
Accounting and Tax Impacts
We are evaluating the accounting impacts of the Private Exchange, Public Exchanges and New Revolving Credit Facility which are currently not estimable.
In addition, the tax consequences of debt exchanges are reasonably complex and could result in both the recognition of taxable income and/or the reduction of the tax basis of our assets. We are in the process of evaluating these matters and expect that a portion of any income resulting from the Private Exchange and Public Exchanges could be taxable. Any additional taxable income arising from these transactions could be substantially offset by tax attributes currently reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, which may also include attributes that have a valuation allowance against resulting in reversals of such valuation allowances.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
Our cash is comprised of bank deposits, overnight sweep accounts and money market funds and is held with high-credit quality U.S. and foreign financial institutions. We consider all highly liquid investments, such as money market funds, with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.
Restricted cash, included in "Other non-current assets" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, represents collateral for letters of credit. Restricted cash was $3.0 million and $2.9 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Property, Equipment and Software and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
Property, equipment and software is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Included in property, equipment and software are capitalized costs related to computer software developed or acquired for internal use. Capitalized computer software costs consist of purchased software licenses, implementation costs, and salaries and related compensation costs of employees and consultants for certain projects that qualify for capitalization. For cloud computing arrangements that include a software license, the software license element of the arrangement is accounted for in a manner consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. For cloud computing arrangements that do not include a software license, the arrangement is accounted for as a service contract and is expensed as the services are provided.
Replacements and major improvements to property, equipment and software are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. We also capitalize interest costs incurred during the acquisition, development and construction of certain assets until the asset is ready for its intended use. We capitalized interest of $0.6 million, $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Property, equipment and software is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term. Depreciation expense is recorded within "Cost of revenue" and "Selling, general and administrative expenses" on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
The following table shows the estimated useful lives used for property, equipment and software:
| | | | | | | | |
Classification | | Estimated Useful Lives |
Computers and equipment | | 3 to 5 years |
Software | | 3 years |
Furniture and fixtures | | 7 years |
Buildings and leasehold improvements | | 2 to 39 years |
Assets classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or its estimated fair value, less costs to sell, and no depreciation and amortization is recorded after the held for sale classification is met. As of December 31, 2022, our corporate headquarters property was classified as held for sale. See Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net" and Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for more information.
The cost of assets and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are written off upon retirement or disposal and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income or expense.
Definite-lived intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and are stated at their acquisition date fair value less accumulated amortization. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as this method best approximates the economic benefit derived from such assets. Amortization expense is recorded within "Selling, general and administrative expenses" on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
Long-lived assets, including operating and finance lease assets (see "Leases" below for more information) are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured at the asset group level. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized in the amount that an asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
As of September 1, 2022, prior to performing the goodwill impairment analysis discussed below, we performed a recoverability test of our long-lived assets by asset group, including finite-lived intangible assets, in which we estimated the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that, as of September 1, 2022, the carrying amount of the OpenStack Public Cloud asset group’s underlying assets exceeded the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, and therefore is subject to the fair value test. Fair values of the OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets were determined using a combination of the income approach and the cost approach. The income approach utilized assumptions including management’s best estimates of the expected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rate, and the estimated useful life of the asset group. The cost approach utilized assumptions for the current replacement costs of similar assets adjusted for estimated depreciation and deterioration of the existing equipment and economic obsolescence. Estimates of floor values for the property, equipment and software, net, were considered relative to potential economic support for the assets such that the concluded value did not fall below the estimated floor value of these assets. As a result of the fair value test, we recorded non-cash impairment charges totaling $37.7 million related to property, equipment and software, net and intangible assets, which are included in "Impairment of assets, net" on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
We also performed recoverability tests of our long-lived assets in conjunction with the goodwill impairment analyses performed subsequent to September 1, 2022 which did not result in any impairment charges.
See Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net," and Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets," for more information.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset consists of our Rackspace trade name, which was recorded at fair value on our balance sheet at the date of the Rackspace Acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to impairment testing on an annual basis as of October 1st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, regulatory environment, established business plans, operating performance indicators or competition. Potential impairment indicators may also include, but are not limited to, (i) significant changes to estimates and assumptions used in the most recent annual or interim impairment testing, (ii) downward revisions to internal forecasts, and the magnitude thereof, (iii) declines in our market capitalization below our book value, and the magnitude and duration of those declines, (iv) a reorganization resulting in a change to our operating segments, and (v) other macroeconomic factors, such as increases in interest rates that may affect the weighted average cost of capital, volatility in the equity and debt markets, or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may negatively impact our reported results of operations.
On January 1, 2023, as a result of the reorganization of our business around a two-business unit operating model, we changed our operating and reportable segments to Private Cloud and Public Cloud. Our prior Multicloud Services segment has been separated into its public and private cloud components and the offerings previously reported in our Apps & Cross Platform segment have been reassigned to either the Public Cloud or Private Cloud segment based on the nature of the offering. Our prior OpenStack Public Cloud segment is included in Private Cloud. As a result of the segment change, we allocated the goodwill of our former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reporting units to the Public Cloud and Private Cloud reporting units based on their relative fair value. OpenStack Public Cloud remains a separate reporting unit for goodwill purposes. Due to the change in our segment reporting and the allocation of goodwill, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis both prior and subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of December 31, 2022, prior to the change, indicated an impairment within our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $129.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, as further discussed below. We reassigned goodwill to the updated reporting units using a relative fair value approach. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of January 1, 2023, subsequent to the reorganization, indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $270.8 million in the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of March 31, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first three months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of March 31, 2023.
During the third quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of September 30, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first nine months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of September 30, 2023.
Prior to October 1, 2023, we had two reporting units with goodwill: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Goodwill allocated to our third reporting unit, OpenStack Public Cloud, was fully impaired during the fourth quarter of 2021. As of October 1, 2023, we reassessed our reporting unit structure and aggregated the OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit into our Private Cloud reporting unit. We currently have two reporting units: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Due to the change in our reporting units as of October 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis.
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). We allocate goodwill to reporting units based on the reporting unit expected to benefit from the business combination. Assets and liabilities are assigned to each of our reporting units if they are employed by a reporting unit and are considered in the determination of the reporting unit fair value. Certain assets and liabilities are shared by multiple reporting units, and thus, are allocated to each reporting unit based on the relative size of a reporting unit, primarily based on revenue.
For the goodwill impairment tests completed during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, including the interim quantitative analyses, we compared the fair values of each of our reporting units to their respective carrying amounts. The fair values of each of our reporting units were derived using the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method. The discounted cash flow models reflect our assumptions and considerations regarding revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, risk-adjusted discount rates, terminal period growth rates, and economic market trends. As part of the goodwill impairment test, we also consider our market capitalization in assessing the reasonableness of the combined fair values estimated for our reporting units, including OpenStack Public Cloud. Goodwill impairment is measured as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill for that reporting unit.
The results of our quantitative goodwill impairment analyses as of January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $270.8 million and $272.3 million, respectively, within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the first quarter of 2023.
The results of our quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2023 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $165.7 million, within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the third quarter of 2023. The results of our quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1, 2023 indicated no impairment of goodwill
During the third quarter of 2022, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of September 1, 2022, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance from prior year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. In addition, as of September 1, 2022, we lowered our projected operating results primarily due to product mix shifts and market concerns related to inflation and other macroeconomic factors. As such, as of September 1, 2022, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units, which indicated an impairment of goodwill within the former Multicloud Services reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $405.2 million within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the third quarter of 2022.
The results of our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we experienced a decline in our market capitalization following a ransomware incident in early December which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business which was included in the former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, including our lowered projected operating results within this reporting unit, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022, which indicated an impairment of goodwill within our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $129.3 million within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The results of our annual goodwill impairment test for the year ended December 31, 2021 indicated a full impairment of goodwill within our OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $52.4 million within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
See Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for more information.
Our indefinite-lived intangible asset is tested for impairment at the consolidated level. In evaluating the recoverability of the Rackspace trade name, we compare the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount to determine potential impairment. Our estimate of the fair value of the Rackspace trade name is derived using the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty method.
We performed a quantitative assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to testing our goodwill for impairment as of January 1, 2023, March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2023 which did not indicate any impairment of the Rackspace trade name.
Due to the factors discussed in the goodwill analyses above and prior to testing our goodwill for impairment, we performed a quantitative assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset as of September 1, 2022, December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023. The quantitative assessment performed as of those dates indicated the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a $21.0 million, $12.0 million, and $57.0 million non-cash impairment charge as of September 1, 2022, December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively. These charges are included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the third quarter of 2022, fourth quarter of 2022, and third quarter of 2023, respectively.
The results of our annual indefinite-lived asset impairment test as of October 1, 2022 did not indicate any impairment of the Rackspace trade name.
The results of our indefinite-lived asset impairment test for the year ended December 31, 2021 did not indicate any impairments of the Rackspace trade name.
The fair value determination of our reporting units and our indefinite-lived intangible asset is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions that are sensitive to changes. Assumptions include estimation of the royalty rate for the trade name, estimation of future revenue and projected margins, which are dependent on internal cash flow forecasts, estimation of the terminal growth rates and capital spending, and determination of discount rates. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the quantitative goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment tests will prove to be an accurate prediction of future results. Examples of events or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the underlying key assumptions and ultimately impact the estimated fair value of our reporting units may include such items as: (i) volatility in the equity and debt markets or other macroeconomic factors, (ii) an increase in the weighted-average cost of capital due to further increases in interest rates, (iii) decrease in future cash flows due to lower than expected sales, or (iv) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may negatively impact our reported results of operations. Accordingly, if our current cash flow assumptions are not realized, we experience further sustained declines in our stock price or market capitalization, or increases in costs of capital, it is possible that an additional impairment charge may be recorded in the future, which could be material.
Business Combinations
Mergers and acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method, in accordance with accounting guidance for business combinations. Under the acquisition method, we allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets ("identifiable assets") acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. When determining the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration when applicable, we make significant estimates and assumptions based on historical data, estimated discounted future cash flows, expected royalty rates for trade names, as well as certain other information. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.
Investments
We have equity investments in entities in which we do not exercise significant influence. Investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net loss. Investments in equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are measured at cost less any impairments, adjusted for observable pricing changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. We perform a qualitative assessment on these investments at each reporting period to determine whether any indicators of impairment exist. If an impairment exists, we recognize an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the investment.
The aggregate carrying value of equity investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value was $5.1 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2023.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. This determination depends on whether the arrangement conveys to us the right to control the use of an explicitly or implicitly identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control of an underlying asset is conveyed to us if we obtain the rights to direct the use of and to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from using the underlying asset.
We classify leases with contractual terms greater than 12 months as either operating or finance. Finance leases are generally those leases that allow us to substantially utilize an asset over its estimated life. Our finance leases primarily consist of equipment and certain data center facilities. All other leases are categorized as operating leases, which primarily consist of certain data centers and office space. Our leases generally have terms ranging from 1 to 20 years for data centers, 3 to 5 years for equipment and 1 to 10 years for office space.
Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments, reduced by lease incentives, at the lease commencement date. For finance leases, we use the rate implicit in the lease to determine the present value of lease payments where available. For operating leases, we use an incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments as the interest rate implicit in most of our operating leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments, on a collateralized basis and in a similar economic environment over a similar term. The rate is dependent on several factors, including the lease term, currency of the lease payments and the company’s credit rating. Operating and finance lease liabilities are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as current and non-current liabilities.
Lease assets are recognized based on the related lease liabilities, plus any prepaid lease payments and initial direct costs from executing the leasing arrangement. Operating and finance lease assets are included in "Operating right-of-use assets" and "Property, equipment and software, net," respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Our lease terms include the base, non-cancelable lease term, and any options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain at commencement that we will exercise such options. Some of our data center and office space leases contain such extension and termination options. We will remeasure our lease liability and adjust the related right-of-use asset upon the occurrence of the following: lease modifications not accounted for as a separate contract; a triggering event that changes the certainty of the lessee exercising an option to renew or terminate the lease, or purchase the underlying asset; or the resolution of a contingency upon which any variable lease payments are based such that those payments become fixed.
Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance lease assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. The interest component of a finance lease is included in "Interest expense" and recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term. Leases with terms of less than 12 months at commencement are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term in accordance with the short-term lease practical expedient under ASC 842. We have also elected the practical expedient under ASC 842 to not separate lease and non-lease components within a leasing arrangement. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. We have elected to apply both of these practical expedients to all classes of underlying assets.
Variable payments related to a lease are expensed as incurred. These costs often relate to payments for a proportionate share of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, and other operating costs in addition to base rent.
We are the intermediate lessor in certain sublease arrangements and account for both the head lease and the associated sublease as separate operating leases. We offset rental income against head lease operating costs within "Cost of revenue" or "Selling, general and administrative expenses," depending on whether the head lease is a data center or office space lease.
We are deemed a lessor in certain hosting arrangements where our equipment is located in a customer’s data center. We account for these arrangements as either sales-type or direct finance leases.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs such as underwriting, financial advisory, professional fees and other similar fees are deferred and recognized in interest expense over the estimated life of the related debt instrument using the effective interest method or the straight-line method, as applicable. Debt issuance costs related to our debt instruments are classified as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the long-term debt liability or as an asset within "Other non-current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Financing Obligations
From time to time, we enter into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors. These arrangements are generally non-interest bearing, and require the calculation of an imputed interest rate.
We also may enter into sale-leaseback arrangements for certain equipment in which we sell the assets to a third party and concurrently lease the assets back for a specified term. These arrangements generally do not qualify as asset sales because they include a purchase option that we are reasonably certain to exercise and therefore they are accounted for as failed sale-leasebacks. In addition, we lease properties that were deemed failed sale-leasebacks upon the adoption of ASC 842 due to options to purchase the underlying assets at an exercise price that is not at fair value or due to the present value of the future minimum lease payments exceeding the fair value of the underlying assets.
See Note 9, "Financing Obligations" for disclosure of future minimum payments under vendor financing and failed sale-leaseback arrangements.
Restructuring Activities
We record restructuring activities including costs for one-time termination benefits in accordance with ASC 420. The timing of recognition for severance costs accounted for under ASC 420 depends on whether employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits. If employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits, a liability is recognized ratably over the future service period. Otherwise, a liability is recognized when management has committed to a restructuring plan and has communicated those actions to employees.
Under ASC 420-10, we establish a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity, including severance and non-lease contract termination obligations, and other related costs, when the liability is incurred, rather than at the date that we commit to an exit plan. We reassess the expected cost to complete the exit or disposal activities at the end of each reporting period and adjust our remaining estimated liabilities, if necessary.
See Note 11, "July 2021 Restructuring Plan," for additional information.
Revenue Recognition
All of our revenue is from contracts with customers. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from all parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable. We provide cloud computing to customers, which is broadly defined as the delivery of computing, storage and applications over the Internet. Cloud computing is a service transaction under which the services we provide vary on a daily basis. The totality of services provided represent a single integrated solution tailored to the customer’s specific needs. As such, our performance obligations to our customers consist of a single integrated solution delivered as a series of distinct daily services. We recognize revenue on a daily basis as services are provided in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for the services. Our usage-based arrangements generally include variable consideration components consisting of monthly utility fees with a defined price and undefined quantity. Additionally, our contracts contain service level guarantees that provide discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and certain services may include volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for this consideration as services are provided and earned. In accordance with the series guidance within ASC 606, regarding modification to a single performance obligation, when contracts are modified to add, remove or change existing services, the modification will only affect the accounting for the remaining distinct goods and services provided. As such, our contract modifications are accounted for prospectively.
A substantial amount of revenue, particularly within our Private Cloud segment, relates to fees associated with offerings that generally have a fixed term, typically from 12 to 36 months, with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure, and the level of support we provide. Customers generally have the right to cancel their contracts by providing prior written notice to us of their intent to cancel the remainder of the contract term. Many of our contracts require our customers to pay early termination fees in the event they cancel a contract prior to the end of its term, typically amounting to the outstanding value of the contract. These fees are recognized as revenue in the period of contract termination as we have no further obligation to perform.
Our other primary sources of revenue are for services within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business. Customers are generally invoiced monthly based on usage. Contracts for these arrangements typically operate on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty. We also provide customers with professional services for the design and implementation of application, security and data services. Professional service contracts are either fixed-fee or time-and-materials based. We typically consider these services to be a separate performance obligation from other integrated solutions being provided to the same customer. Our performance obligations under these arrangements are typically to provide the services on a daily basis over a period of time and therefore we recognize revenue as the services are performed.
We also offer customers the flexibility to select the best combination of offerings in order to meet the requirements of their unique applications and provide the technology to seamlessly operate and manage multiple cloud computing environments. Judgment is required in assessing whether a service is distinct, including determination of whether the customer could benefit from the service on its own or in conjunction with other readily available resources and whether certain services are highly integrated into a bundle of services that represent the combined output specified by the customer. Arrangements can contain multiple performance obligations that are distinct, which are accounted for separately. Each performance obligation is recognized as services are provided based on their SSP. Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each of our distinct performance obligations. We utilize a range of prices when developing our estimates of SSP.
Revenue recognition for revenue generated from arrangements in which we resell third party infrastructure bundled with our managed services, requires judgment to determine whether revenue can be recorded at the gross sales price or net of third party fees. Typically, revenue is recognized on a gross basis when it is determined that we are the principal in the relationship. We are considered the principal in the relationship when we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the contract and obtain control of the third party infrastructure before transferring it as an integral part of our performance obligation to provide services to the customer. Revenue is recognized net of third party fees when we determine that our obligation is only to facilitate the customers’ purchase of third party infrastructure.
Revenue is reported net of customer credits and sales and use tax.
Contract Balances
Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Invoiced amounts and accrued unbilled usage are recorded in accounts receivable and either deferred revenue or revenue.
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. Our accounts receivable balance also includes unbilled amounts representing revenue recorded for usage-based services provided in the period but which are invoiced in arrears. We record an allowance for credit losses for estimated losses resulting from uncollectible receivables. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, we consider historical bad debt write-offs and all known facts and circumstances such as current economic conditions and trends, customer creditworthiness, and specifically identified customer risks.
Our arrangements contain service level commitments with our customers. To the extent that such service levels are not achieved or are otherwise disputed, we are required to issue service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers. At each reporting period, we accrue for credits which are due to customers, but not yet issued.
We recognize revenue for certain fixed term contracts in which services are provided in advance of the first invoice. This revenue is recognized as a contract asset, separate from accounts receivable. A contract liability, presented as deferred revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, is recognized when services are invoiced prior to being provided.
Cost Incurred to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract
We recognize assets for the incremental costs to obtain and fulfill a contract with a customer. Incremental costs to obtain a contract include sales commissions on the initial contract while costs to fulfill a contract include implementation and set-up related expenses. These costs are capitalized within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are recognized as expense over the period the related services are expected to be delivered to the customer, which is approximately 30 months including expected renewals. If such period is less than 12 months, we have elected to apply the practical expedient under ASC 606 and expense costs as incurred. We include expected renewals in the period over which related services are expected to be delivered because sales commissions paid on renewals are not material and not commensurate with sales commissions paid on the initial contract. Sales commissions expense is recorded within "Selling, general and administrative expenses" and implementation and amortization of set-up costs are recorded within "Cost of revenue" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. These capitalized costs are included in "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue primarily consists of expenses related to personnel, software licenses, the costs to operate our data center facilities, including depreciation expense, and infrastructure expense related to our service offerings bundled with third party clouds. Personnel expenses include the salaries, share-based compensation, non-equity incentive compensation and related expenses of our support teams and data center employees. Data center facility costs include rent, utility costs, maintenance fees, and bandwidth.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses primarily consist of: (i) employee-related costs for functions such as executive management, sales and marketing, R&D, finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, and legal; (ii) costs for advertising and promoting our services and to generate customer demand; (iii) general costs such as professional fees, office facilities, software, and equipment expenses, including the related depreciation, and other overhead costs; and (iv) definite-lived intangibles amortization expense.
Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expense was $33.6 million, $34.4 million and $27.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
R&D expense was $28.3 million, $24.5 million and $43.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation
We grant equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock, to eligible participants. Share-based compensation expense for equity awards is measured at fair value on the grant date. The fair value of stock options with either solely a service requirement or with the combination of service and performance requirements is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires us to make assumptions and judgments about variables related to our common stock and the related awards. The fair value of restricted stock with either solely a service requirement or with the combination of service and performance requirements is based on the closing fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of awards with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the awards requisite service period. For awards with graded vesting that are subject only to a service condition, the expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award. Expense for awards with a performance condition is recognized over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met. Forfeitures are recognized as incurred, rather than estimated.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in recognizing certain income, expense, and credit items for financial reporting purposes and tax reporting purposes. Such deferred income taxes primarily relate to the difference between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to the future years in which deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
We are under certain domestic and foreign tax audits. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, there is the possibility that the various taxing authorities may disagree with certain tax positions filed on our income tax returns. We have considered all relevant facts and circumstances and believe that we have made adequate provision for all uncertain tax positions.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy below prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three categories:
Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, which require management judgment or estimation. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques, including discounted cash flow models.
Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily consist of money market funds and derivative instruments. The fair values of money market funds are measured using Level 1 inputs, which are based on a market approach using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. The fair values of derivative instruments are measured using Level 2 inputs. See "Derivative Instruments" below for more information on the inputs used to fair value our derivative instruments.
The fair values of our long-term debt instruments are measured using Level 2 inputs. See Note 7, "Debt" for more information on the inputs used to fair value our long-term debt instruments.
The fair values of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities assumed in acquisitions accounted for as business combinations are measured using Level 3 inputs. Refer to "Business Combinations" above for more information on the inputs used to fair value our identifiable assets and liabilities assumed in acquisitions.
The fair values of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets are measured using Level 3 inputs. See "Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets" above for more information on the inputs used to fair value our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
The fair value of the convertible promissory note described in Note 2, "Customer Contracts" is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy due to the use of unobservable inputs such as the issuer's credit risk and probabilities of various settlement scenarios.
Foreign Currency
We have assessed the functional currency of each of our international subsidiaries and have generally designated the local currency to be their respective functional currencies. The assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries are translated to the U.S. dollar at the end-of-period exchange rates. Capital accounts are determined to be of a permanent nature and are therefore translated using historical exchange rates. Revenue and expenses are translated using average exchange rates.
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising from differences in exchange rates from period to period are recorded within "Accumulated other comprehensive income" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Transaction gains or losses in currencies other than the functional currency are included as a component of "Other expense, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. We recorded transaction losses of $3.3 million, losses of $10.1 million, and gains of $3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Derivative Instruments
We utilize derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency hedging contracts and fixed price power contracts, to manage our exposure to interest rate risk, foreign currency fluctuations and commodity price risk. We only hold such instruments for economic hedging purposes, not for speculative or trading purposes. Our derivative instruments are transacted only with highly-rated institutions, which reduces our exposure to credit risk in the event of nonperformance.
Interest Rate Swaps
We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates on the floating-rate Term Loan Facility. The objective in using interest rate derivatives is to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
Our interest rate swaps, excluding the portion treated as debt, are recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as yield curve data, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
Foreign Currency Hedging Contracts
The majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in the functional currency of our company or our subsidiaries, respectively. We also have exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses as the result of certain receivables due from our foreign subsidiaries. As such, the results of operations and cash flows of our foreign subsidiaries are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The objective of our foreign currency hedging contracts is to manage our exposure to foreign currency movements. To accomplish this objective, we may enter into foreign currency forward contracts and collars. A forward contract is an agreement to buy or sell a quantity of a currency at a predetermined future date and at a predetermined exchange rate. A collar is a strategy that uses a combination of a purchased put option and a sold call option with equal premiums to hedge a portion of anticipated cash flows, or to limit possible gains or losses on an underlying asset or liability to a specific range. The put and call options have identical notional amounts and settlement dates.
These contracts are recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as current exchange rates, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. We have not designated these contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, therefore, all changes in the fair value are recorded in "Other expense, net."
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, we do not have any outstanding foreign currency hedging contracts.
Fixed Price Power Contracts
We consume a large quantity of power to operate our data centers and as such are exposed to risk associated with fluctuations in the price of power. The objective of our fixed price power contracts is to manage our exposure to the price of power. The fixed price power contracts, which we enter into from time to time to manage the risk related to the uncertainty of future power prices, allow for the purchase of a set volume of power at a fixed rate.
We evaluate every fixed price power contract to determine if the contract meets the definition of a derivative, which requires recognizing the contract at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in the fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. If a contract is deemed to be a derivative, we also determine if it qualifies for the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception to derivative accounting, which would result in expensing electricity usage as incurred. Power contracts accounted for as derivatives are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as current power prices, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, we do not have any power contracts recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as we have applied the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception to derivative accounting for all fixed priced power contracts.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted
Reference Rate Reform
The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will not compel panel banks to contribute to the overnight 1, 3, 6 and 12 months U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors after June 30, 2023 and all other tenors after December 31, 2021. U.S. dollar LIBOR may be replaced by SOFR or other benchmark rates over the next several years. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting containing practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848) - Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which extended the date to apply the practical expedients outlined in ASU No. 2020-04 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The guidance in these ASUs is optional and may be applied from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024 as reference rate reform activities occur.
During the second quarter of 2023, we elected to apply certain practical expedients in connection with the execution of amendments to our affected contracts that referenced LIBOR. On April 26, 2023, we executed an amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement, which governs our Senior Facilities borrowings, to establish Term SOFR as the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate, replacing LIBOR. In addition, effective May 9, 2023, we amended our interest rate swap agreement to change the index from three-month LIBOR to one-month Term SOFR. See Note 7, Debt" and Note 15, "Derivatives" for more information. We continue to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections prior to December 31, 2024, as applicable, as additional changes in the market occur.
Not Yet Adopted
Segment Disclosures
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 requires disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis, including significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. Additionally, the ASU requires disclosure of the title and position of our CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. This guidance is effective for Rackspace beginning with our 2024 Form 10-K for annual disclosures and the Q1 2025 Form 10-Q for interim disclosures, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The guidance, once adopted, will result in increased reportable segment disclosures.
Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 expands the existing disclosure requirements for the annual rate reconciliation between the effective tax rate and the statutory federal tax rate by requiring reconciliation items to be disaggregated by defined categories and disclosed as both percentages and amounts. The ASU also requires the disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction for each annual period presented. This guidance is effective for Rackspace beginning with our 2025 Form 10-K annual disclosures, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied on a prospective basis, but retrospective application is permitted. The guidance, once adopted, will result in increased income tax disclosures.
SEC Rule Changes
In March 2024, the SEC adopted new rules that will require registrants to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports. The rules require information about a registrant's climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on its business, results of operations, or financial condition. The required information about climate-related risks will also include disclosure of a registrant's greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the rules will require registrants to present certain climate-related financial metrics in their audited financial statements. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of these rules on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
2. Customer Contracts
The following table presents the balances related to customer contracts:
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(In millions) | Consolidated Balance Sheets Account | | December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
Accounts receivable, net | Accounts receivable, net (1) | | $ | 554.3 | | | $ | 622.2 | | | $ | 339.7 | |
Current portion of contract assets | Other current assets | | $ | 15.2 | | | $ | 16.0 | | | $ | 10.7 | |
Non-current portion of contract assets | Other non-current assets | | $ | 13.1 | | | $ | 10.4 | | | $ | 8.6 | |
Current portion of deferred revenue | Deferred revenue | | $ | 98.6 | | | $ | 80.9 | | | $ | 78.8 | |
Non-current portion of deferred revenue | Other non-current liabilities | | $ | 13.6 | | | $ | 8.6 | | | $ | 5.3 | |
(1) Allowance for credit losses and accrued customer credits was $18.4 million, $24.6 million and $20.1 million as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The following table sets forth the changes in the allowance for credit losses during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023:
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(In millions) | Beginning Balance | | Additions (1) | | Write-offs of Accounts Receivables, Net of Recoveries | | Ending Balance |
For the years ending December 31, | | | | | | | |
2021 | $ | 16.2 | | | $ | 5.4 | | | $ | (7.9) | | | $ | 13.7 | |
2022 | $ | 13.7 | | | $ | 11.0 | | | $ | (6.3) | | | $ | 18.4 | |
2023 | $ | 18.4 | | | $ | 9.2 | | | $ | (13.4) | | | $ | 14.2 | |
(1) Additions to the allowance for credit losses are charged to bad debt within "Selling, general and administrative expenses."
Amounts recognized in revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, which were included in deferred revenue as of the beginning of the period totaled $76.7 million, $98.6 million and $80.9 million, respectively.
Cost Incurred to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the balances of capitalized costs to obtain a contract were $55.8 million and $42.0 million, respectively, and the balances of capitalized costs to fulfill a contract were $17.7 million and $13.4 million, respectively. These capitalized costs are included in "Other non-current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Amortization of capitalized sales commissions and implementation costs were as follows:
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| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Amortization of capitalized sales commissions | $ | 43.7 | | | $ | 43.7 | | | $ | 38.1 | |
Amortization of capitalized implementation costs | $ | 18.1 | | | $ | 16.4 | | | $ | 13.0 | |
Remaining Performance Obligations
As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $448.9 million, of which approximately 69% is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2024 and the remainder thereafter. These remaining performance obligations primarily relate to our fixed-term arrangements. The aggregate amount of transaction price excludes variable consideration related to our usage-based arrangements for which we recognize revenue based on the right to invoice for the services performed.
Convertible Promissory Note
On September 27, 2022, we entered into a convertible note purchase agreement with a private company that is also a customer and a vendor. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, we purchased an unsecured convertible promissory note (the "Note") in an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million. The Note accrues simple interest at a rate of 6% per annum and matures on September 27, 2027, unless earlier converted per the terms of the agreement. Principal and accrued interest are due and payable on the maturity date. We have elected to apply the fair value option under ASC No. 825, Financial Instruments, to account for the Note. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the fair value of the Note was $11.8 million and $12.8 million, respectively, and is included in "Other non-current assets" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
3. Sale of Receivables
On September 29, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), Rackspace US and Rackspace Receivables II, LLC, a bankruptcy-remote SPV, each an indirect subsidiary of the company, entered into the Receivables Purchase Facility with PNC and other parties thereto. On February 12, 2024, the Receivables Purchase Facility was amended to include certain international subsidiaries of the company as parties to the agreement.
Under the Receivables Purchase Facility, certain indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the company have sold and/or contributed, and may continue to sell and/or contribute on a revolving basis, their current and future accounts receivable to the SPV, which, in turn, will sell and transfer, and may continue to sell and transfer, certain of the accounts receivable to PNC in exchange for cash. The Receivables Purchase Facility will terminate on September 29, 2026 unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms and the SPV can sell accounts receivable based upon the face amount of eligible receivables in the collateral pool up to an aggregate maximum limit of $300.0 million. The purpose of this arrangement is to enhance the company's financial flexibility by providing additional liquidity.
The Receivables Purchase Facility is subject to yield charges based upon a rate as specified in the agreement. The SPV is also required to pay certain customary fees on a monthly basis in addition to an upfront fee and a commitment fee. The Receivables Purchase Facility contains certain customary termination events, as well as customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, indemnification provisions, and events of default, including those providing for the acceleration of amounts owed by the SPV to PNC upon the occurrence of certain events.
The transfers of accounts receivable to PNC are accounted for as sales in accordance with ASC 860 because effective control and risk associated with the transferred accounts receivable is passed to PNC. As these transfers represent true sales, we derecognize the sold accounts receivable from our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cash proceeds related to the accounts receivable sold are included in cash from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Yield charges and fees recorded in connection with the sales are recorded within “Other expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The company maintains continuing involvement with the sold accounts receivable by providing collection services in exchange for a servicing fee. Servicing fees are immaterial and no servicing asset or liability has been recognized. The company may incur a recourse obligation on the sold accounts receivable in limited circumstances. Separate accruals have been established for recourse obligations and are immaterial as of December 31, 2023. Cash collected on pledged accounts receivable, which have not been sold, are included in cash from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
In connection with accounts receivable sold during 2023, we recorded $10.6 million of expense, consisting of $6.0 million of yield charges and fees and $4.6 million of upfront transaction costs associated with the execution of the agreement, within “Other expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023. The outstanding portfolio of sold accounts receivable derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023 was $223.8 million. The SPV holds unsold accounts receivable of $125.6 million as of December 31, 2023 that are pledged as collateral to PNC.
4. Net Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share:
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| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions, except per share data) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Basic and diluted net loss per share: | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (218.3) | | | $ | (804.8) | | | $ | (837.8) | |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | | | | | |
Common stock | 208.0 | | 211.2 | | 215.3 |
Number of shares used in per share computations | 208.0 | | 211.2 | | 215.3 |
Net loss per share | $ | (1.05) | | | $ | (3.81) | | | $ | (3.89) | |
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Potential common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock or purchase under the ESPP, as well as contingent shares associated with our acquisition of Datapipe. Since we were in a net loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share is the same as diluted net loss per share for all periods as the inclusion of all potential common shares outstanding would have been anti-dilutive. We excluded 19.2 million, 23.3 million and 38.6 million potential common shares from the computation of dilutive loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively, because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
5. Property, Equipment and Software, net
Property, equipment and software, net, consisted of the following:
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(In millions) | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
Computers and equipment | $ | 1,131.2 | | | $ | 1,154.9 | |
Software | 464.2 | | | 452.8 | |
Furniture and fixtures | 15.8 | | | 14.5 | |
Buildings and leasehold improvements | 402.2 | | | 411.8 | |
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Property, equipment and software, at cost | 2,013.4 | | | 2,034.0 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (1,400.3) | | | (1,442.1) | |
Work in process | 15.2 | | | 16.9 | |
Property, equipment and software, net | $ | 628.3 | | | $ | 608.8 | |
On January 15, 2021, we completed the sale of a parcel of undeveloped land in the United Kingdom adjacent to one of our existing data centers. The net book value of the land prior to the sale was $11.4 million and we received cash proceeds of $32.2 million, less brokerage and professional fees of $0.9 million, resulting in net cash proceeds of $31.3 million. Therefore, we recorded a gain on sale of land of $19.9 million to "Gain on sale of land" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2021.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized property, equipment and software impairment charges of $15.3 million, included in "Impairment of assets, net", related to the OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets. See Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," for discussion of the long-lived asset impairment charges.
In October 2022, we announced our intention to sell our current corporate headquarters facility located in Windcrest, Texas and relocate our corporate headquarters to leased office space in San Antonio, Texas. As of December 31, 2022, this property met the criteria to be classified as held for sale under GAAP. The property's previous carrying amount of $82.7 million was written down to its estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of $12.1 million, resulting in a $70.6 million impairment charge which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2022. The property's estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of $12.1 million was recorded in "Other current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022. We recorded this impairment charge prior to performing the December 31, 2022 goodwill impairment test. See Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for more information.
In July 2023, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a potential buyer of the property for $21.5 million. Under held for sale accounting, the carrying amount of the property held for sale should be remeasured each reporting period for changes in fair value less cost to sell. As such, we increased the property’s estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, to $20.7 million as of September 30, 2023, resulting in an $8.6 million gain, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023.
In December 2023, we entered into an amendment to the purchase and sale agreement originally executed in July 2023. This amendment lowered the original purchase price of $21.5 million to $17.5 million. As such, we reduced the property’s estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, to $16.9 million as of December 31, 2023, resulting in a $3.8 million loss, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We are currently in negotiations with certain local governments and other parties to terminate the Master Economic Incentives Agreement associated with the property which could require us to pay a termination fee upon completion of the sale.
Depreciation expense related to property, equipment and software was $245.1 million, $220.9 million and $208.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Included in the balance of property, equipment and software as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 are assets recorded under finance leases. See Note 8, "Leases" for a discussion of the lease arrangements and the amounts within property, equipment and software as of December 31, 2022 and 2023.
6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by reportable segment during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. As a result of the January 1, 2023 reorganization, we changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two reportable segments: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Accordingly, we reallocated the total consolidated net balance of goodwill as of January 1, 2023 under the new segments, shown below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | | Public Cloud | | Private Cloud | | Multicloud Services | | Apps & Cross Platform | | OpenStack Public Cloud | | Total Consolidated |
Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2021 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,679.3 | | | $ | 322.5 | | | $ | 52.4 | | | $ | 3,054.2 | |
Less: Accumulated impairment charges | | — | | | — | | | (295.0) | | | — | | | (52.4) | | | (347.4) | |
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2021 | | — | | | — | | | 2,384.3 | | | 322.5 | | | — | | | 2,706.8 | |
Just Analytics acquisition | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5.9 | | | — | | | 5.9 | |
Impairment of goodwill | | — | | | — | | | (405.2) | | | (129.3) | | | — | | | (534.5) | |
Foreign currency translation | | — | | | — | | | (22.7) | | | (0.4) | | | — | | | (23.1) | |
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2022 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,956.4 | | | $ | 198.7 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,155.1 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2022 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,656.6 | | | $ | 328.0 | | | $ | 52.4 | | | $ | 3,037.0 | |
Less: Accumulated impairment charges | | — | | | — | | | (700.2) | | | (129.3) | | | (52.4) | | | (881.9) | |
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2022 | | — | | | — | | | 1,956.4 | | | 198.7 | | | — | | | 2,155.1 | |
Reallocation adjustment (1) | | 594.7 | | | 1,560.4 | | | (1,956.4) | | | (198.7) | | | — | | | — | |
Impairment of goodwill | | — | | | (708.8) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (708.8) | |
Foreign currency translation | | 3.0 | | | 3.1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6.1 | |
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2023 | | $ | 597.7 | | | $ | 854.7 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,452.4 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2023 | | $ | 597.7 | | | $ | 1,563.5 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,161.2 | |
Less: impairment charges (2) | | — | | | (708.8) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (708.8) | |
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2023 | | $ | 597.7 | | | $ | 854.7 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,452.4 | |
(1) Represents the adjustment to reallocate goodwill of the former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reportable segments to Public Cloud and Private Cloud reportable segments, using the relative fair value basis, as a result of the January 1, 2023 reorganization.(2) On a consolidated basis, gross and net goodwill as of December 31, 2023 was $3,043.1 million and $1,452.4 million, respectively. This includes $1,590.7 million of accumulated impairment charges as of December 31, 2023.
Management exercised significant judgment related to the determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit was estimated using the discounted cash flow method. The discounted cash flow methodology requires significant judgment, including estimation of our assumptions and considerations regarding future revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures which are dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the risk-adjusted discount rates, and economic and market trends. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the fair value of the reporting unit, potentially resulting in an impairment charge.
Due to the change in our segment reporting as a result of the business reorganization as of January 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of January 1, 2023, subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $270.8 million in the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2023, we performed an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of March 31, 2023. The results of our interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2023 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge of $272.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. The impairment was driven by the company's most recent cash flow projections as revised in the first quarter of 2023 which reflected current market conditions and current trends in business performance, including slower than anticipated actualization of bookings.
During the third quarter of 2023, we performed an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of September 30, 2023. The results of our interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of September 30, 2023 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $165.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. The impairment was driven by the company's cash flow projections as revised in the third quarter of 2023 to reflect current market conditions and business mix shifts.
As of October 1, 2023, we reassessed our reporting units and combined our Private Cloud and OpenStack Public Cloud reporting units into a new Private Cloud reporting unit. We completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1, 2023, subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis indicated no impairment to goodwill.
During the third quarter of 2022, we performed an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of September 1, 2022. The results of our interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of September 1, 2022 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our former Multicloud Services reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $405.2 million. The impairment was driven by lowered projected operating results primarily due to product mix shifts and market concerns related to inflation and other macroeconomic factors.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 and the results of our test did not indicate any further impairment of goodwill.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we performed an additional interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022. We determined that the carrying amount of our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $129.3 million. The impairment was driven by a decrease in forecasted revenues, margins, and cash flows within the reporting unit, primarily due to the Hosted Exchange incident and other macroeconomic factors.
During the fourth quarter of 2021, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test. We determined that the carrying amount of our OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and fully impaired its goodwill by recording a goodwill impairment charge of $52.4 million. The impairment was driven by deteriorating forecasted margins and cash flows within the reporting unit primarily due to operating costs declining at a slower rate than previously anticipated even after factoring in the long term impacts of the July 2021 Restructuring Plan.
See Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," for additional discussion of the goodwill impairment charges recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, our accumulated goodwill impairment charges totaled $708.8 million.
The following table provides information regarding our intangible assets other than goodwill:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
(In millions) | Gross carrying amount | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount | | Gross carrying amount | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount |
Customer relationships | $ | 1,928.5 | | | $ | (914.9) | | | $ | 1,013.6 | | | $ | 1,932.0 | | | $ | (1,073.9) | | | $ | 858.1 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Other | 27.7 | | | (22.3) | | | 5.4 | | | 27.8 | | | (26.9) | | | 0.9 | |
Total definite-lived intangible assets | 1,956.2 | | | (937.2) | | | 1,019.0 | | | 1,959.8 | | | (1,100.8) | | | 859.0 | |
Trade name (indefinite-lived) | 217.0 | | | — | | | 217.0 | | | 160.0 | | | — | | | 160.0 | |
Total intangible assets other than goodwill | $ | 2,173.2 | | | $ | (937.2) | | | $ | 1,236.0 | | | $ | 2,119.8 | | | $ | (1,100.8) | | | $ | 1,019.0 | |
During the year ended December 31, 2023 we recognized impairment charges of $57.0 million related to our trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset.
Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2022 we recognized impairment charges of $33.0 million and $22.4 million related to our trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset and the OpenStack Public Cloud definite-lived intangible assets, respectively.
These impairment charges are recorded in “Impairment of assets, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023.
In connection with the classification of our corporate headquarters facility as held for sale as of December 31, 2022, we wrote-off the remaining $4.8 million net book value of the related property tax abatement asset to "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
For additional information, see the discussion of our impairment charges in Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
Amortization expense related to intangibles was $179.7 million, $166.8 million and $161.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, amortization of intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter is expected to be as follows:
| | | | | |
(In millions) | Intangible Assets |
Year ending: | |
2024 | $ | 154.4 | |
2025 | 146.8 | |
2026 | 123.9 | |
2027 | 117.3 | |
2028 | 117.3 | |
Thereafter | 199.3 | |
Total | $ | 859.0 | |
7. Debt
Debt consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions, except %) | | | | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
Debt Instrument | | Maturity Date | | Interest Rate (1) | | Amount | | Interest Rate (1) | | Amount |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Term Loan Facility | | February 15, 2028 | | 7.38% | | $ | 2,259.8 | | | 8.23% | | $ | 2,181.2 | |
Revolving Credit Facility | | August 7, 2025 | | —% | | — | | | —% | | — | |
3.50% Senior Secured Notes | | February 15, 2028 | | 3.50% | | 550.0 | | | 3.50% | | 513.7 | |
5.375% Senior Notes | | December 1, 2028 | | 5.375% | | 550.0 | | | 5.375% | | 197.6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs | | | | | | (30.7) | | | | | (21.4) | |
Less: unamortized debt discount | | | | | | (10.7) | | | | | (8.5) | |
Total debt | | | | | | 3,318.4 | | | | | 2,862.6 | |
Less: current portion of debt | | | | | | (23.0) | | | | | (23.0) | |
Debt, excluding current portion | | | | | | $ | 3,295.4 | | | | | $ | 2,839.6 | |
(1) Interest rates are as of each respective balance sheet date.
Senior Facilities
The Senior Facilities include the Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility, and is governed by the First Lien Credit Agreement with Citi as the administrative agent.
On February 9, 2021, we amended and restated the First Lien Credit Agreement, which included a new seven-year $2,300.0 million senior secured first lien term loan facility due on February 15, 2028 (the Term Loan Facility) and our existing $375.0 million Revolving Credit Facility. We used the borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes described below (together, the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction), to repay all borrowings under the Prior Term Loan Facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
On April 26, 2023, we executed an amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement to establish Term SOFR as the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate, replacing LIBOR.
As a result of the amendment, borrowings under the Senior Facilities bear interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) Term SOFR equal to the forward-looking term rate, based on the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, for the interest period relevant to such borrowing, plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.11% for an interest period of one-month's duration, 0.26% for an interest period of three-months' duration, and 0.43% for an interest period of six-months' duration, subject to a 0.75% floor, in the case of the Term Loan Facility, and a 1.00% floor, in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate of Citi and (iii) adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor plus 1.00%.
The applicable margin for the Term Loan Facility is 2.75% for SOFR loans and 1.75% for base rate loans and the applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility is 3.00% for SOFR loans and 2.00% for base rate loans. Interest is due at the end of each interest period elected, not exceeding 90 days, for SOFR loans and at the end of every calendar quarter for base rate loans.
All other material terms and conditions of the First Lien Credit Agreement were unchanged.
In addition to paying interest on the outstanding principal under the Senior Facilities, the Revolving Credit Facility also includes a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum in respect of the unused commitments that is due quarterly. This commitment fee is subject to one step-down based on the net first lien leverage ratio.
As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 8.23%. We are required to make quarterly principal payments of $5.8 million, which began on June 30, 2021. See Note 15, "Derivatives" for information on interest rate swap agreements we utilize to manage the interest rate risk on the Term Loan Facility.
Affiliates of ABRY are Term Loan Facility lenders under the First Lien Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility was $2,181.2 million, of which $58.4 million, or 2.7%, is due to ABRY affiliates. Investment funds affiliated with ABRY are also co-investors in Rackspace Technology.
As of December 31, 2023, Apollo also held $24.2 million, or 1.1%, of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility.
In addition to the quarterly amortization payments discussed above, the Senior Facilities require us to make certain mandatory prepayments, including using (i) a portion of annual excess cash flow, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, to prepay the Term Loan Facility, (ii) net cash proceeds of certain non-ordinary assets sales or dispositions of property to prepay the Term Loan Facility, and (iii) net cash proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of debt not permitted under the Senior Facilities to prepay the Term Loan Facility. We may make voluntary prepayments at any time without penalty, except in connection with a repricing event, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $55.6 million principal amount of the Term Loan Facility for $29.5 million. In connection with this repurchase, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $25.5 million included in “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, which includes $0.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount write-offs.
The fair value of the Term Loan Facility as of December 31, 2023 was $935.3 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the Term Loan Facility is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Rackspace Technology Global is the borrower under the Senior Facilities, and all obligations under the Senior Facilities are (i) guaranteed by Inception Parent, Rackspace Technology Global’s immediate parent company, on a limited recourse basis and secured by the equity interests of Rackspace Technology Global held by Inception Parent, and (ii) guaranteed by Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries and secured by substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interests held by each, in each case subject to certain exceptions. The only financial covenant is with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility which limits the net first lien leverage ratio to a maximum of 5.00 to 1.00; however, this covenant is only applicable and tested if the aggregate amount of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and letters of credit issued thereunder (excluding $25.0 million of undrawn letters of credit and cash collateralized letters of credit) is equal to or greater than 35% of the Revolving Credit Facility commitments at the end of a fiscal quarter. Other covenants include limitations on restricted payments, indebtedness, investments, liens, asset sales and transactions with affiliates.
As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Facilities.
The Revolving Credit Facility matures on August 7, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we borrowed and fully repaid $50.0 million. As of December 31, 2023, we had total commitments of $375.0 million, no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and $3.5 million of letters of credit issued thereunder. As such, as of December 31, 2023, we had $375.0 million of available commitments remaining.
3.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
On February 9, 2021, Rackspace Technology Global issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes will mature on February 15, 2028 and bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 3.50%. Interest is payable semiannually on each February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2021. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are not subject to registration rights. As noted above, we used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with borrowings under the Term Loan Facility described above, to repay all borrowings outstanding under the Prior Term Loan Facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, and obligations under the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interest held by each, subject to certain exceptions, which assets also secure the Senior Facilities. The 3.50% Notes Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes.
Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: from February 15, 2024 to February 14, 2025, at a redemption price equal to 101.750% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from February 15, 2025 to February 14, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from February 15, 2026 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Rackspace Technology Global may redeem during each twelve-month period, commencing with February 9, 2021, up to 10.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price of 103.000%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $36.3 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes for $18.4 million, including accrued interest of $0.3 million. In connection with this repurchase, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $17.9 million included in “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, which includes $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs write-offs.
The 3.50% Notes Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain additional debt, incur certain liens securing debt, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the 3.50% Notes Indenture. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the 3.50% Notes Indenture), we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the outstanding 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at a price in cash equal to 101.000% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the purchase date.
As of December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global was in compliance with all covenants under the 3.50% Notes Indenture.
The fair value of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes as of December 31, 2023 was $204.2 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
5.375% Senior Notes due 2028
Rackspace Technology Global issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes on December 1, 2020. The 5.375% Senior Notes will mature on December 1, 2028 and bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 5.375%. Interest is payable semiannually on each June 1 and December 1, commencing on June 1, 2021. The 5.375% Senior Notes are not subject to registration rights.
Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 5.375% Senior Notes, and obligations under the 5.375% Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 5.375% Senior Notes are effectively junior to the indebtedness under the Senior Facilities and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, to the extent of the collateral securing the Senior Facilities and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. The 5.375% Notes Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 5.375% Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, at a redemption price equal to 102.688% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025, at a redemption price equal to 101.344% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from December 1, 2025 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $352.4 million principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes for $124.1 million, including accrued interest of $2.8 million. In connection with these repurchases, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $227.9 million included in “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, which includes $3.2 million of unamortized debt issuance costs write-offs.
The 5.375% Notes Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain additional debt, incur certain liens securing debt, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the 5.375% Notes Indenture. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the 5.375% Notes Indenture), we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes at a price in cash equal to 101.000% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the purchase date.
As of December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global was in compliance with all covenants under the 5.375% Notes Indenture.
The fair value of the 5.375% Senior Notes as of December 31, 2023 was $68.9 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the 5.375% Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Accounts Receivable Financing Agreement
Under the Receivables Financing Facility entered into in 2020, a bankruptcy-remote SPV indirectly wholly owned by Rackspace Technology Global granted a security interest in all of its current and future receivables and related assets in exchange for a credit facility permitting borrowings of up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100.0 million from time to time. Rackspace Technology Global was the primary beneficiary of the SPV.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the SPV repaid $15.0 million to cover a borrowing base deficit, repaid the outstanding balance of $50.0 million and terminated the Receivables Financing Facility. The termination resulted in expense of $0.5 million recorded within “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2021. The expense was comprised of the write-off of the unamortized debt issuance costs, as well as third party fees associated with the termination.
February 2021 Refinancing Transaction
The February 2021 Refinancing Transaction represented an extinguishment and modification of debt. We derecognized $2,795.6 million of the Prior Term Loan Facility and wrote off $9.4 million in unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount associated with the portion of the Prior Term Loan Facility that was deemed extinguished. We recognized $2,300.0 million borrowed under the Term Loan Facility and $41.0 million of associated debt issuance costs and debt discount, including amounts allocated from the Prior Term Loan Facility, both classified as a direct deduction from the carrying value of non-current debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognized $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 and $6.8 million of associated debt issuance costs, including amounts allocated from the Prior Term Loan Facility. The February 2021 Refinancing Transaction resulted in expense of $37.0 million recorded within “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2021. The expense was comprised of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount associated with the portion of the Prior Term Loan Facility that was deemed extinguished, as well as $27.6 million in third party fees associated with the modification.
Debt Maturities
The maturities of debt obligations for the next five years at December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| | | | | |
(In millions) | Amount |
Year ending: | |
2024 | $ | 23.0 | |
2025 | 23.0 | |
2026 | 23.0 | |
2027 | 23.0 | |
2028 | 2,800.5 | |
Thereafter | — | |
Total | $ | 2,892.5 | |
March 2024 Refinancing Transactions
See Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Subsequent Events," for a discussion of the public and private debt exchange and related transactions that impacted or are expected to impact the Senior Facilities, the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes.
8. Leases
Assets recorded as property and equipment under finance leases, and the related accumulated depreciation balances as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
(In millions) | |
Computers and equipment | $ | 192.5 | | | $ | 159.7 | |
Buildings | 285.9 | | | 290.3 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (140.0) | | | (124.2) | |
Net book value of property and equipment under finance leases | $ | 338.4 | | | $ | 325.8 | |
The components of operating and finance lease expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Operating lease expense: | | | | | |
Fixed lease expense | $ | 62.2 | | | $ | 58.1 | | | $ | 63.3 | |
Variable lease expense | 18.8 | | | 17.9 | | | 21.7 | |
Short-term lease expense | 0.4 | | | 0.7 | | | 1.2 | |
Sublease income | (2.6) | | | (2.4) | | | (0.8) | |
Total operating lease expense | $ | 78.8 | | | $ | 74.3 | | | $ | 85.4 | |
Finance lease expense: | | | | | |
Depreciation of finance lease assets | $ | 46.3 | | | $ | 51.2 | | | $ | 55.8 | |
Interest expense on finance lease liabilities | 28.2 | | | 23.5 | | | 26.6 | |
Total finance lease expense | $ | 74.5 | | | $ | 74.7 | | | $ | 82.4 | |
Supplemental operating cash flow information related to operating and finance leases for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Cash payments for lease liabilities included within operating activities: | | | | | |
Operating leases | $ | (78.4) | | | $ | (73.3) | | | $ | (80.2) | |
Finance leases | (26.9) | | | (26.7) | | | (29.2) | |
| | | | | |
Operating leases: | | | | | |
New lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities | $ | 18.6 | | | $ | 17.3 | | | $ | 43.1 | |
Modified/renewed lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities | 38.5 | | | 23.2 | | | 15.5 | |
Total lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities | $ | 57.1 | | | $ | 40.5 | | | $ | 58.6 | |
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate of our operating and finance leases, respectively, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
| |
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) | | | |
Operating leases | 3 | | 4 |
Finance leases | 12 | | 11 |
Weighted average discount rate | | | |
Operating leases | 6.3 | % | | 6.5 | % |
Finance leases | 7.0 | % | | 7.2 | % |
Future lease payments under operating and finance leases as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | Operating leases | | Finance leases (1) |
Year ending: | | | |
2024 | $ | 73.8 | | | $ | 78.3 | |
2025 | 31.3 | | | 61.0 | |
2026 | 19.2 | | | 32.1 | |
2027 | 13.8 | | | 30.9 | |
2028 | 6.0 | | | 31.6 | |
Thereafter | 11.8 | | | 306.7 | |
Total future lease payments | 155.9 | | | 540.6 | |
Less amount representing interest | (15.3) | | | (176.8) | |
Total lease liability | $ | 140.6 | | | $ | 363.8 | |
(1) We excluded a $38.3 million finance lease, on an undiscounted basis, that has not yet commenced. The lease, which is for our new corporate headquarter building, will commence in 2024 and has a lease term of approximately eleven years.
9. Financing Obligations
We have entered into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors. In addition, we have entered into certain sale-leaseback agreements that do not qualify as asset sales and are accounted for as failed sale-leasebacks. These arrangements include the sale and leaseback of equipment with third party financial institutions and certain property leases we assumed upon the acquisition of Datapipe.
The weighted average imputed interest rate for our financing obligations was 7.9% as of December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, future payments under financing obligations were as follows:
| | | | | |
(In millions) | Amount |
Year ending: | |
2024 | $ | 17.5 | |
2025 | 18.6 | |
2026 | 12.5 | |
2027 | 3.5 | |
2028 | 3.1 | |
Thereafter | 18.2 | |
Total future payments | 73.4 | |
Plus amount representing residual asset balance | 12.8 | |
Less amount representing interest | (19.8) | |
Total financing obligations | $ | 66.4 | |
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase Commitments
Non-cancelable purchase commitments primarily consist of commitments for certain software licenses, hardware purchases, third party infrastructure purchases, and costs associated with our data centers, such as bandwidth and electricity. The agreements provide for either penalties for early termination or may require minimum commitments for the remaining term. The minimum commitments for all of these agreements, as of December 31, 2023, are approximated as follows:
| | | | | |
(In millions) | Amount |
Year ending: | |
2024 | $ | 617.9 | |
2025 | 409.7 | |
2026 | 316.7 | |
2027 | 76.2 | |
2028 | 23.1 | |
Thereafter | 51.6 | |
Total | $ | 1,495.2 | |
We also have purchase orders and construction contracts primarily related to data center equipment and facility build-outs. We generally have the right to cancel these open purchase orders prior to delivery or terminate the contracts without cause.
Contingencies
We have contingencies that arise from various litigation, claims and commitments, none of which we consider to be material.
From time to time, we are a party to various claims asserting that certain of our services and technologies infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Adverse results in these lawsuits may include awards of substantial monetary damages, costly royalty or licensing agreements, or orders preventing us from offering certain features, products, or services, and may also cause us to change our business practices and require development of non-infringing products or technologies, which could result in a loss of revenue for us or otherwise harm our business.
We record an accrual for a loss contingency when a loss is considered probable and reasonably estimable. As additional facts concerning a loss contingency become known, we reassess our position and make appropriate adjustments to a recorded accrual. The amount that will ultimately be paid related to a matter may differ from the recorded accrual, and the timing of such payments, if any, may be uncertain.
We are not a party to any litigation, the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Hosted Exchange Incident
We were named in several lawsuits in connection with a previously disclosed ransomware incident which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business. The lawsuits sought, among other things, equitable and compensatory relief. We vigorously defended these matters and do not expect any of these claims, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We maintain insurance, including coverage for cyber-attacks, subject to certain deductibles and policy limitations, in an amount that we believe appropriate. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, we recorded $5.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of expenses related to the Hosted Exchange incident, including costs to investigate and remediate, legal and other professional services, and supplemental staff resources that were deployed to provide support to customers. We recorded $10.0 million of loss recovery insurance proceeds received or expected to be received during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, $3.3 million of proceeds were recorded as a receivable and the payment was subsequently received on January 8, 2024.
Indemnifications
As permitted under Delaware law, we have agreements whereby we indemnify our officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at our request in such capacity. In addition, from time to time we may enter into indemnification agreements with certain of our employees so that such employees will agree to serve as directors or officers of our foreign subsidiaries. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have a director and officer insurance policy that limits our exposure and enables us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of the insurance policy coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. We had no material liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2022 or 2023.
Additionally, in the normal course of business, we indemnify certain parties, including customers, vendors and lessors, with respect to certain matters. We have agreed to hold certain parties harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants or out of intellectual property infringement or other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. We had no material liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2022 or 2023.
11. July 2021 Restructuring Plan
On July 21, 2021, we committed to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan to drive a change in the type and location of certain positions that was expected to result in the termination of approximately 10% of our workforce. Substantially all of the employees impacted by the reduction in workforce were notified of the reduction on July 22, 2021 and have since exited the company.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we incurred employee related costs, which consisted of one-time termination benefits and certain contractual termination benefits with executives, and other costs, which are accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420. Other costs consisted of professional fees and non-cash charges related to a contract termination with a third-party. These costs are recorded within "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, the components of which were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | | Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
Employee related costs | | $ | 13.8 | |
Other | | 11.6 | |
Total restructuring charges | | $ | 25.4 | |
A portion of the other costs are non-cash charges, representing $5.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2021. This amount is related to a contract termination with a third party.
Liability activity for restructuring costs that are expected to be settled in cash are presented in the table below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | Employee Related | | Other | | Total |
Liability as of December 31, 2020 | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Charges | 13.8 | | | 6.0 | | | 19.8 | |
Cash payments | (6.7) | | | (5.4) | | | (12.1) | |
Liability as of December 31, 2021 | 7.1 | | | 0.6 | | | 7.7 | |
Charges | — | | | — | | | — | |
Cash payments | (7.1) | | | (0.6) | | | (7.7) | |
Liability as of December 31, 2022 | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Total cumulative costs incurred as of December 31, 2022 | $ | 13.8 | | | $ | 6.0 | | | $ | 19.8 | |
| | | | | |
We did not incur any additional ASC 420 exit and disposal costs related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2023.
12. Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, we had 215.7 million and 220.5 million shares of our common stock legally issued and 212.6 million and 217.4 million common stock outstanding, respectively.
We have one class of authorized common stock. The rights and privileges provided to our common stockholders are as follows:
•Voting Rights—The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted for action by the stockholders generally.
•Dividend Rights—Subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding preferred stock, all shares of our common stock are entitled to share equally in any dividends our board of directors may declare from legally available sources.
•Liquidation Rights—Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment in full of the amounts required to be paid to holders of any then outstanding preferred stock, all shares of our common stock are entitled to share equally in the assets available for distribution to stockholders after payment of all of our prior obligations.
Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, there were 5.0 million authorized shares of preferred stock, of which none was issued or outstanding.
Share Repurchase Program
On March 3, 2022, our board of directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $75.0 million of shares of our common stock from time to time through open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share repurchases and other transactions in accordance with applicable security laws. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we repurchased $31.0 million, or 3.1 million shares, of our common stock on the open market under this program. No shares were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2023. Shares purchased pursuant to the program are recorded as treasury stock at cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The program expired on September 30, 2023.
Datapipe Contingent Shares
On September 6, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Datapipe Merger Agreement") pursuant to which we acquired Datapipe. In addition, the Datapipe Merger Agreement provides that we will be required to issue additional shares of our common stock to an affiliate of ABRY based on a MOIC on any “Measurement Date,” as defined in the Datapipe Merger Agreement. The maximum number of shares of common stock issuable will not exceed 10,663,741 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recombinations, reclassifications and similar equitable adjustments.
On February 2, 2021, we issued 2,665,935 shares of common stock for no additional consideration pursuant to the Datapipe Merger Agreement. If the MOIC exceeds 3.0x, which is indicated by a volume weighted average trading price of our common stock over 30 consecutive trading days of more than $25.00, we will be required to issue an additional 2,665,935 shares. No shares were issued under the Datapipe Merger Agreement during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2023.
13. Share-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans
Stock Plans
In April 2017, the Executive Committee of the board of directors authorized the company to adopt the 2017 Incentive Plan. On July 24, 2020, the board of directors approved, effective on August 7, 2020, the 2020 Incentive Plan and amendments to the 2017 Incentive Plan which, among other things, resulted in the termination of the 2017 Incentive Plan, except as it relates to outstanding awards, and any remaining shares reserved for future grants under the 2017 Incentive Plan were released.
The 2020 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including incentive stock options, and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, other stock-based incentive awards, dividend equivalents and cash-based awards (collectively, "awards"). Incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees or an employee of a parent or subsidiary. All other awards may be granted to employees and consultants of the company and its parents and subsidiaries, as well as all non-employee members of our board of directors.
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the company granted RSU's (including performance-based RSUs) and restricted stock (collectively "restricted stock") under the Incentive Plans. The company issues new shares of its common stock to satisfy vesting of restricted stock and exercise of stock options under the Incentive Plans. All awards deduct one share from the Incentive Plans shares available for issuance for each share granted. The 2017 Incentive Plan began with 12.2 million shares authorized for grant and contained an evergreen feature whereby shares available increased each grant date based on the quantity of certain types of awards granted. Upon the approval of the 2020 Incentive Plan, the 2017 Incentive Plan was terminated, except as it relates to outstanding awards.
The maximum number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2020 Incentive Plan was originally 25.0 million shares. In 2022, our board of directors and our stockholders voted to approve the maximum number of shares from 25.0 million shares to 50.0 million shares. On April 21, 2023 the board approved a proposed amendment to increase the maximum number of shares to 57.9 million shares, which was subsequently approved by our stockholders as part of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 16, 2023. To the extent awards granted under the 2020 Incentive Plan terminate, expire or lapse, shares subject to such awards generally will again be available for future grant.
As of December 31, 2023, the total number of shares outstanding and the total number of shares available for future grants under the Incentive Plans was 38.3 million and 14.1 million, respectively.
The composition of the equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
(In millions) | |
Restricted stock | 13.7 | | | 34.5 | |
Stock options | 9.3 | | | 3.8 | |
Total outstanding awards | 23.0 | | | 38.3 | |
Stock Options
Stock options have been granted for a term of 10 years and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, subject to continued service. Certain executives have received stock options that vest in part subject to continued service ratably over a five-year period and in part based upon the attainment of performance and market conditions.
In 2021, we shifted away from granting stock options as we had in previous years, to granting restricted stock. As such, there were no stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 or 2023.
The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Shares (in millions) | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Weighted Average-Remaining Contractual Life | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) |
Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 9.3 | | $ | 12.65 | | | 3.85 | | $ | — | |
Granted | — | | $ | — | | | | | |
Exercised | — | | $ | — | | | | | |
Forfeited | (1.5) | | $ | 12.06 | | | | | |
Expired | (4.0) | | $ | 12.51 | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 3.8 | | $ | 13.04 | | | 5.21 | | $ | — | |
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2023 | 3.6 | | $ | 13.07 | | | 5.18 | | $ | — | |
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2023 and expected to vest thereafter (1) | 3.8 | | $ | 13.04 | | | 5.21 | | $ | — | |
(1) Forfeitures are recognized as they occur, rather than estimated.
The total pre-tax intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 was $35.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the awards requisite service period or over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met, as applicable. As of December 31, 2023, there was $0.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 year.
Restricted Stock
In 2021, we shifted away from granting stock options as we had in previous years, to granting restricted stock. The majority of our restricted stock grants were made as part of our annual compensation award process and vest ratably over a three-year period, subject to continued service. Restricted stock has also been granted to certain executives that vest in part subject to continued service ratably over a three or five-year period and in part based upon the attainment of performance and market conditions. The fair value of the service-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. The fair value of restricted stock with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period or over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met, as applicable.
Certain non-executive board members elected to receive a portion of their annual compensation in the form of restricted stock. The fair value of these service-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the one-year service period.
In August 2021, we granted certain awards, 0.6 million shares in total, to a participant with vesting dependent upon the attainment of predetermined financial performance results over the next three years. The performance metric that will determine vesting of these awards is Non-GAAP Operating Profit (as defined in the applicable award agreement) measured over a trailing four-quarter period. The fair value of these performance-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and share-based compensation expense is recognized when it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. Probability is based upon probable achievement of the various targets in management's internal forecasts. These awards were forfeited upon the participant's separation from the company.
During 2022 and 2023, we granted 11.1 million and 28.5 million RSUs, respectively, under the 2020 Incentive Plan with a weighted average grant date fair value of $8.68 and $2.17, respectively. The majority of the RSUs were granted as part of our annual compensation award process and vest ratable over a three-year period, subject to continued service.
In addition, during 2022 and 2023, 2.6 million and 2.8 million PSUs were granted, respectively, and in 2023, 5.5 million long-term incentive cash units (“LTIC units”) were granted under the 2020 Incentive Plan with a weighted-average fair value as of December 31, 2023 of $0.61. Both the PSUs and LTIC units represent the target amount of grants, and the actual number of shares or units awarded upon vesting may vary depending upon the achievement of the relevant market condition which is based on Rackspace’s Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative to the TSR of a comparator group of IT and Cloud Services Companies. The awards are eligible to vest in equal annual installments over three years based on the attainment of the market condition and the employee’s continued service through the end of the applicable measurement period and were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. As the company intends to settle the LTIC units in cash, they are classified as a liability within "Other current liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table presents the assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the PSUs granted in the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2023 |
Expected stock volatility (1) | 54% - 63% | | 69% - 72% |
Expected dividend yield (2) | — | % | | — | % |
Risk-free interest rate (3) | 2.32% - 4.34% | | 3.76% - 3.78% |
(1) Management estimates volatility based on the historical trading volatility of a public company peer group and the implied volatility of our assets and current leverage.
(2) We have not issued dividends to date and do not anticipate issuing dividends.
(3) Based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent expected term.
The following table summarizes our restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Units or Shares (in millions) | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 13.7 | | $ | 9.96 | |
Granted | 31.3 | | $ | 2.15 | |
Released | (4.6) | | $ | 11.07 | |
Cancelled | (5.9) | | $ | 5.09 | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 34.5 | | $ | 3.57 | |
Expected to vest after at December 31, 2023 (1) | 34.5 | | $ | 3.57 | |
(1) Forfeitures are recognized as they occur, rather than estimated.
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock granted during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 was $17.80 and $8.70, respectively.
The total pre-tax intrinsic value of the restricted stock released during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 was $35.2 million, $30.7 million and $9.5 million, respectively.
Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the awards requisite service period or over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met, as applicable. As of December 31, 2023, there was $74.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The ESPP was approved by the company's board of directors on July 24, 2020 and became effective on August 7, 2020. Under the ESPP, eligible employees may purchase a limited number of shares of our common stock at the lesser of 85% of the market value on the enrollment date or 85% of the market value on the purchase date. The fair value on each enrollment date is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the offering period. We issued 0.7 million, 0.8 million and 0.7 million shares through the ESPP during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The share-based compensation expense recognized for the ESPP was $4.5 million, $1.9 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to the ESPP. The shares available for issuance under the ESPP is 8.9 million shares as of December 31, 2023.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
In connection with the departure of certain executives during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022, and 2023, we accelerated vesting of options and restricted stock for awards with service-only vesting conditions and extended the post termination option exercise period. These modifications resulted in incremental expense of $0.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 and a reduction in expense of $2.0 million and $0.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Total share-based compensation expense is comprised of the following equity and liability classified award amounts:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Equity classified awards | $ | 75.4 | | | $ | 69.5 | | | $ | 64.6 | |
Liability classified awards | — | | | — | | | 0.8 | |
Total share-based compensation expense | $ | 75.4 | | | $ | 69.5 | | | $ | 65.4 | |
Share-based compensation expense recognized was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Cost of revenue | $ | 16.7 | | | $ | 11.6 | | | $ | 9.1 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 58.7 | | | 57.9 | | | 56.3 | |
Pre-tax share-based compensation expense | 75.4 | | | 69.5 | | | 65.4 | |
Less: Income tax benefit | (15.8) | | | (14.6) | | | (13.7) | |
Total share-based compensation expense, net of tax | $ | 59.6 | | | $ | 54.9 | | | $ | 51.7 | |
Employee Benefit Plans
We sponsor defined contribution plans whereby employees may elect to contribute a portion of their annual compensation to the plans, after complying with certain limitations. The plans also include a discretionary employer contribution. Contribution expense recognized for these plans was $15.2 million, $15.7 million and $16.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
14. Taxes
The benefit for income taxes consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Federal | $ | (0.3) | | | $ | 0.2 | | | $ | 0.2 | |
Foreign | 5.6 | | | 11.4 | | | 18.1 | |
State | 5.4 | | | 4.3 | | | 7.0 | |
Total current | 10.7 | | | 15.9 | | | 25.3 | |
Deferred: | | | | | |
Federal | (26.1) | | | (81.7) | | | (34.3) | |
Foreign | (14.3) | | | (6.7) | | | (8.4) | |
State | (1.1) | | | (20.4) | | | 0.8 | |
Total deferred | (41.5) | | | (108.8) | | | (41.9) | |
Total benefit for income taxes | $ | (30.8) | | | $ | (92.9) | | | $ | (16.6) | |
Loss before income taxes from U.S. and foreign operations were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
U.S. | $ | (204.9) | | | $ | (819.6) | | | $ | (678.4) | |
Foreign | (44.2) | | | (78.1) | | | (176.0) | |
Total loss before income taxes | $ | (249.1) | | | $ | (897.7) | | | $ | (854.4) | |
A reconciliation of the statutory federal tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Statutory federal tax rate | 21.0 | % | | 21.0 | % | | 21.0 | % |
State taxes, net of federal benefit | (0.3) | % | | 1.6 | % | | 0.3 | % |
Tax rate differentials for international jurisdictions | 0.4 | % | | (1.1) | % | | 2.5 | % |
Research and development credit | (0.4) | % | | — | % | | — | % |
| | | | | |
Effects of other enacted tax law and rate changes | (0.3) | % | | 0.1 | % | | (3.0) | % |
Valuation allowance | (0.7) | % | | (0.1) | % | | (0.8) | % |
Share-based compensation | 0.1 | % | | (0.6) | % | | (1.1) | % |
Nondeductible compensation | (2.5) | % | | (0.7) | % | | (0.8) | % |
Tax impact of goodwill impairment | (4.4) | % | | (9.9) | % | | (15.9) | % |
Other, net | (0.5) | % | | — | % | | (0.3) | % |
Effective tax rate | 12.4 | % | | 10.3 | % | | 1.9 | % |
Deferred Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reversed. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
Deferred tax assets: | | | |
Share-based compensation | $ | 15.3 | | | $ | 13.9 | |
Accruals not currently deductible | 17.4 | | | 13.3 | |
| | | |
Finance lease liabilities | 64.7 | | | 90.4 | |
Net operating loss carryforwards | 56.8 | | | 31.3 | |
Foreign tax credit | 33.7 | | | 16.9 | |
Research and development credits | 29.4 | | | 30.5 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 4.2 | | | 4.0 | |
Disallowed interest carryforward | 43.8 | | | 77.4 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 35.5 | | | 28.6 | |
Other | 20.2 | | | 19.1 | |
Total gross deferred tax assets | 321.0 | | | 325.4 | |
Valuation allowance | (58.5) | | | (66.1) | |
Total net deferred tax assets | 262.5 | | | 259.3 | |
Deferred tax liabilities: | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 294.9 | | | 265.1 | |
| | | |
Finance lease liabilities | 7.2 | | | 6.6 | |
| | | |
Capitalized costs | 11.7 | | | 8.7 | |
Interest rate swaps | 32.2 | | | 21.8 | |
| | | |
Operating right-of-use assets | 31.8 | | | 22.7 | |
Other | 5.4 | | | 6.9 | |
Total gross deferred tax liabilities | 383.2 | | | 331.8 | |
Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | 120.7 | | | $ | 72.5 | |
As of December 31, 2023, we have $3.8 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards, all of which have an indefinite carryforward period. Additionally, we have $58.0 million of federal tax credit carryforwards expiring at various dates through 2041. We have $111.7 million of foreign net operating losses, $13.5 million of which have carryforward periods ranging from 5 to 20 years, and $98.2 million of which have an indefinite carryforward period. Certain federal and foreign net operating loss carryforwards are subject to various limitations under Section 382 of the IRC and the applicable statutory foreign tax laws. We have disallowed interest expense carryforwards in the U.S. of $312.6 million that can be carried forward indefinitely.
We’ve recorded a valuation allowance with respect to certain of our deferred tax assets relating primarily to operating losses in certain U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions and federal foreign tax credits that we believe are not likely to be realized. Additionally, we’ve recorded a valuation allowance with respect to disallowed interest that we do not expect to be realizable in the future. For the rest of the deferred tax assets, valuation allowances were not deemed necessary based upon the determination that income created by reversing deferred tax liabilities will be sufficient to utilize deferred tax assets prior to the expiration of any applicable carryforward periods. Changes to valuation allowances consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Balance at January 1, | $ | 54.4 | | | $ | 58.3 | | | $ | 58.5 | |
Additions charged to income tax expense | 3.9 | | | 1.6 | | | 39.2 | |
Reductions credited to income tax expense | — | | | (1.4) | | | (31.6) | |
Balance at December 31, | $ | 58.3 | | | $ | 58.5 | | | $ | 66.1 | |
The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was impacted by deductions disallowed by Section 162(m) of the IRC, changes in valuation allowances, the tax impact associated with a goodwill impairment, changes to income tax reserves and other permanently nondeductible items. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily impacted by the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments, the geographic distribution of profits, tax effects from share-based compensation and executive compensation that in nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m) of the IRC. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was impacted by the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments recorded in the first and third quarters of 2023, the majority of which were nondeductible for income tax purposes, executive compensation that is nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m), the net impact of the geographic distribution of our earnings, tax effects from nondeductible share-based compensation as well as changes in our valuation allowance.
We do not permanently reinvest our foreign earnings due to the debt service requirements of our capital structure. Due to historic, internal tax restructurings, we have effectively recognized any tax impact of the repatriation of foreign earnings. Thus, as of December 31, 2023, there is no deferred tax liability for undistributed foreign earnings.
Uncertain Tax Positions
We file income tax returns in each jurisdiction in which we operate, both domestically and internationally. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, we have considered all relevant facts and circumstances for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. We believe that there are no other jurisdictions in which the outcome of uncertain tax matters is likely to be material to our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We further believe that we have made adequate provision for all income tax uncertainties.
A rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued penalties and interest, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 51.0 | | | $ | 52.4 | | | $ | 57.0 | |
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year | 9.0 | | | 10.9 | | | 12.6 | |
| | | | | |
Additions for tax positions of prior years | 15.9 | | | 0.3 | | | 0.9 | |
Reduction for statute expiration | (16.7) | | | (4.7) | | | (4.8) | |
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | (6.2) | | | (1.9) | | | (2.1) | |
Settlements | (0.6) | | | — | | | — | |
Balance, end of period (1) | $ | 52.4 | | | $ | 57.0 | | | $ | 63.6 | |
(1) Included within non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, $37.8 million, $41.6 million and $47.0 million, respectively, if recognized, would favorably impact our effective tax rate. We do not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits disclosed above to change significantly over the next 12 months.
We recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters within “Benefit for income taxes” on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Accrued interest and penalties as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were $3.5 million, $4.4 million and $6.6 million, respectively.
We are subject to U.S. federal income tax and various state, local, and international income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Our domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of revenue and expenses in different jurisdictions and the timing of recognizing revenue and expenses. As such, our effective tax rate is impacted by the geographical distribution of income and mix of profits in the various jurisdictions. Additionally, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to our interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we file.
We currently file income tax returns in the U.S. and all foreign jurisdictions in which we have entities, which are periodically under audit by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. These audits can involve complex matters that may require an extended period of time for resolution. We remain subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations for the tax years 2018 through 2023 and in the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate for varying periods from 2010 through 2023. We currently have income tax examinations open in Texas for tax years 2014 through 2021 and New York City for 2017 through 2019. Additionally, we are currently under tax audit in India for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.
Although the outcome of open tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Differences between actual results and assumptions or changes in assumptions in future periods are recorded in the period they become known. To the extent additional information becomes available prior to resolution, such accruals are adjusted to reflect probable outcomes.
15. Derivatives
Prior to January 9, 2020, none of our floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk for accounting purposes, therefore, all changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements were recorded to "Interest expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. On January 9, 2020, we designated certain of our swaps as cash flow hedges. On the designation date, the cash flow hedges were in a $39.9 million liability position. The cash flow hedges were expected to be highly effective on the designation date and, on a quarterly basis, we performed retrospective and prospective regression assessments to determine whether the cash flow hedges continue to be highly effective. As long as the cash flow hedges are highly effective, changes in fair value are recorded to "Accumulated other comprehensive income" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified to "Interest expense" in the period when the underlying transaction affects earnings. The income tax effects of cash flow hedges are released from "Accumulated other comprehensive income" in the period when the underlying transaction affects earnings. Any stranded income tax effects are released from "Accumulated other comprehensive income" into "Benefit for income taxes" under the portfolio approach.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we completed a series of transactions to modify our interest rate swap positions as follows: (i) All the interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2020, with the exception of the agreement that matured on February 3, 2021, were de-designated as cash flow hedges on January 31, 2021, (ii) on February 12, 2021, we entered into a $900.0 million receive-fixed interest rate swap which was designed to offset the terms of two December 2016 swaps, and (iii) on February 12, 2021, we terminated all December 2018 swaps and entered into a $1.35 billion pay-fixed interest rate swap, effectively blending the liability position of our existing interest rate swap agreements into the new swap and extending the term of our hedged position to February 2026.
The amount remaining in “Accumulated other comprehensive income" for the de-designated December 2016 and December 2018 swaps at the de-designation date was approximately $51.6 million, and is being amortized as an increase to "Interest expense" over the effective period of the original swap agreements.
The new receive-fixed interest rate swap qualifies as a hybrid instrument in accordance with ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, consisting of a loan and an embedded derivative for which the fair value option has been elected. This $900.0 million swap remained undesignated to economically offset the undesignated December 2016 swaps. This new swap and the December 2016 swaps matured on February 3, 2022. Cash settlements related to this receive-fixed interest rate swap offset and are classified as operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The new pay-fixed interest rate swap also qualifies as a hybrid instrument in accordance with ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, consisting of a loan and an embedded at-market derivative that was designated as a cash flow hedge. The loan is accounted for at amortized cost over the life of the swap while the embedded at-market derivative is accounted for at fair value. The $1.35 billion swap was originally indexed to three-month LIBOR and net settled on a quarterly basis with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate of 2.3820% and the variable rate based upon three-month LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.75%) as applied to the notional amount of the swap. In connection with the transactions discussed above, no cash was exchanged between us and the counterparty. The liability of the terminated interest rate swaps as well as the inception value of the receive-fixed interest rate swap was blended into the new pay-fixed interest rate swap. The cash flows related to the portion treated as debt is classified as financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows while the portion treated as an at-market derivative is classified as operating activities.
As discussed in Note 7, “Debt”, on April 26, 2023 we executed an amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement, which governs borrowings under our Term Loan Facility. This amendment established Term SOFR as the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate, replacing LIBOR. To continue to manage our exposure to interest rate risk associated with our Term Loan Facility, effective May 9, 2023, we amended our remaining swap agreement to change the index from three-month LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.75%) to one-month Term SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.75%). The fixed rate also changed from 2.3820% to 2.34150% as a result of the swap agreement amendment. As described in Note 1, “Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” we elected to apply certain practical expedients under GAAP to allow for this transition without any interruptions to hedge accounting treatment.
On a monthly basis, we net settle with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate of 2.34150% and the variable rate based upon the one-month Term SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.75%) as applied to the notional amount of the swap.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the cash flow hedge was highly effective.
The key terms of interest rate swaps are presented below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Effective Date | | Fixed Rate Paid (Received) | | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 | | |
Notional Amount (in millions) | | Status | | Notional Amount (in millions) | | Status | | Maturity Date |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Entered into December 2016: | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
February 3, 2017 | | 1.9040% | | $ | — | | | Matured | | $ | — | | | Matured | | February 3, 2022 |
February 3, 2017 | | 1.9040% | | — | | | Matured | | — | | | Matured | | February 3, 2022 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Entered into December 2018: | | | | | | | | | | |
February 3, 2019 | | 2.7490% | | — | | | Terminated | | — | | | Matured | | November 3, 2023 |
February 3, 2020 | | 2.7350% | | — | | | Terminated | | — | | | Matured | | November 3, 2023 |
February 3, 2021 | | 2.7360% | | — | | | Terminated | | — | | | Matured | | November 3, 2023 |
February 3, 2022 | | 2.7800% | | — | | | Terminated | | — | | | Matured | | November 3, 2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Entered into February 2021: | | | | | | | | | | |
February 3, 2021 | | (1.9040)% | | — | | | Matured | | — | | | Matured | | February 3, 2022 |
February 9, 2021 | | 2.34150% (1) | | 1,350.0 | | | Active | | 1,350.0 | | | Active | | February 9, 2026 |
Total | | | | $ | 1,350.0 | | | | | $ | 1,350.0 | | | | | |
(1) Fixed rate paid prior to the May 9, 2023 amendment was 2.3820%.
Fair Values of Derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
The fair values of our derivatives and their location on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
(In millions) | | Assets | | Liabilities | | Assets | | Liabilities |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Location | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps | Other current assets | $ | 44.3 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 47.0 | | | $ | — | |
Interest rate swaps | Other non-current assets | 80.5 | | | — | | | 36.8 | | | — | |
Interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities (1) | — | | | 17.3 | | | — | | | 17.3 | |
Interest rate swaps | Other non-current liabilities (1) | — | | | 39.1 | | | — | | | 20.3 | |
Total | | $ | 124.8 | | | $ | 56.4 | | | $ | 83.8 | | | $ | 37.6 | |
(1) The entire balance is comprised of the financing component of the pay-fixed interest rate swap.
For financial statement presentation purposes, we do not offset assets and liabilities under master netting arrangements and all amounts above are presented on a gross basis. The following table, however, is presented on a net asset and net liability basis:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
(In millions) | Gross Amounts on Balance Sheet | | Effects of Counterparty Netting | | Net Amounts | | Gross Amounts on Balance Sheet | | Effects of Counterparty Netting | | Net Amounts |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps | $ | 124.8 | | | $ | (56.4) | | | $ | 68.4 | | | $ | 83.8 | | | $ | (37.6) | | | $ | 46.2 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps | $ | 56.4 | | | $ | (56.4) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 37.6 | | | $ | (37.6) | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
The effect of our derivatives and their location on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Location | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps | Interest income (expense) | $ | (19.1) | | | $ | (18.5) | | | $ | (15.5) | |
| | | | | | |
Foreign currency contracts (1) | Other income (expense), net | $ | 2.1 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | |
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Location | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps | Interest income (expense) | $ | (6.2) | | | $ | 11.9 | | | $ | 55.5 | |
(1) Relates to two foreign currency forward contracts settled on November 30, 2021. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, we do not have any outstanding foreign currency hedging contracts.
Interest expense was $205.1 million, $208.5 million and $221.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the amount of cash flow hedge gain included within "Accumulated other comprehensive income" that is expected to be reclassified as a reduction to "Interest expense" over the next 12 months is approximately $49.3 million. See Note 16, "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)," for information regarding changes in fair value of our derivatives designated as hedging instruments.
Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
We have agreements with interest rate swap counterparties that contain a provision whereby if we default on any of our material indebtedness, then we could also be declared in default of our interest rate swap agreements. As of December 31, 2023, our outstanding interest rate swap agreement was in a net asset position.
16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | | Accumulated Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | $ | 20.8 | | | $ | (39.4) | | | $ | (18.6) | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $0.6 million | (3.6) | | | — | | | (3.6) | |
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net of expense of $3.9 million | — | | | 11.5 | | | 11.5 | |
Amount reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, net of tax benefit of $6.0 million (1) | — | | | 17.6 | | | 17.6 | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | 17.2 | | | $ | (10.3) | | | $ | 6.9 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $2.3 million | (27.2) | | | — | | | (27.2) | |
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net of tax expense of $30.0 million | — | | | 86.9 | | | 86.9 | |
Amount reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, net of tax benefit of $1.6 million (2) | — | | | 4.8 | | | 4.8 | |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | (10.0) | | | $ | 81.4 | | | $ | 71.4 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense of $1.0 million | 8.0 | | | — | | | 8.0 | |
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net of tax expense of $3.8 million | — | | | 10.8 | | | 10.8 | |
Amount reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, net of tax expense of $10.3 million (3) | — | | | (29.9) | | | (29.9) | |
Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | (2.0) | | | $ | 62.3 | | | $ | 60.3 | |
(1) Includes interest expense recognized of $6.4 million and amortization of off-market swap value and accumulated loss at hedge de-designation of $17.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
(2) Includes amortization of off-market swap value and accumulated loss at hedge de-designation of $18.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, partially offset by a reduction to interest expense recognized of $12.1 million.
(3) Includes a reduction to interest expense recognized of $55.6 million related to the cash flow hedge gain for the year ended December 31, 2023, partially offset by an increase to interest expense for the amortization of off-market swap value and accumulated loss at hedge de-designation of $15.5 million.
17. Related Party Transactions
Apollo Global Securities, an affiliate of Apollo, received $0.6 million in connection with their role as an initial purchaser of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes issued on February 9, 2021, and $2.3 million in arranger fees in connection with the entry into the Term Loan Facility on February 9, 2021.
On February 2, 2021, we issued 2,665,935 shares of common stock to DPH 123, LLC, an ABRY affiliate, for no additional consideration pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 6, 2017, in connection with our November 15, 2017 acquisition of Datapipe.
18. Segment Reporting
Effective on January 1, 2023, we reorganized around a two-business unit operating model, Public Cloud and Private Cloud. This two-business unit operating model ensures increased focus, delivery, and service quality for our customers. We have changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two operating segments, which correspond directly to our reportable segments: Public Cloud, a services-centric, capital-light model providing value-added cloud solutions through managed services, Elastic Engineering and professional services offerings for customer environments hosted on the AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud public cloud platforms; and Private Cloud, a technology-forward, capital-intensive model providing managed service offerings for customer environments hosted in one of our data centers as well as in those owned by customers or by third parties such as colocation providers. Private Cloud also includes our legacy OpenStack Public Cloud business that we ceased to actively market to customers in 2017.
Our prior Multicloud Services segment has been separated into its public and private cloud components and the offerings previously reported in our Apps & Cross Platform segment have been reassigned to either the Public Cloud or Private Cloud segment based on the nature of the offering.
Our segments are based upon a number of factors, including, the basis for our budgets and forecasts, organizational and management structure and the financial information regularly used by our Chief Operating Decision Maker to make key decisions and to assess performance. We assess financial performance of our segments on the basis of revenue and segment operating profit. Segment operating profit includes expenses directly attributable to running the respective segments' business. This excludes any corporate overhead expenses. We have centralized corporate functions that provide services to the segments in areas such as accounting, information technology, marketing, legal and human resources. Corporate function costs that are not allocated to the segments are included in the row labeled "Corporate functions" in the table below.
The table below presents a reconciliation of revenue by reportable segment to consolidated revenue and a reconciliation of consolidated segment operating profit to consolidated loss before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 | |
Revenue by segment: | | | | | | |
Public Cloud | $ | 1,471.3 | | | $ | 1,740.8 | | | $ | 1,747.4 | | |
Private Cloud | 1,538.2 | | | 1,381.5 | | | 1,209.7 | | |
Total consolidated revenue | $ | 3,009.5 | | | $ | 3,122.3 | | | $ | 2,957.1 | | |
| | | | | | |
Segment operating profit: | | | | | | |
Public Cloud | $ | 120.1 | | | $ | 124.9 | | | $ | 90.4 | | |
Private Cloud | 604.3 | | | 493.9 | | | 340.8 | | |
Total consolidated segment operating profit | 724.4 | | | 618.8 | | | 431.2 | | |
Corporate functions | (240.3) | | | (255.0) | | | (247.8) | | |
Share-based compensation expense | (75.4) | | | (69.5) | | | (65.4) | | |
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (1) | (11.8) | | | (10.0) | | | (12.1) | | |
Transaction related adjustments, net (2) | (25.7) | | | (11.0) | | | (5.2) | | |
Restructuring and transformation expenses (3) | (161.5) | | | (99.0) | | | (70.8) | | |
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage | — | | | (5.9) | | | 4.8 | | |
Amortization of intangible assets (4) | (179.7) | | | (166.8) | | | (161.0) | | |
Impairment of goodwill | (52.4) | | | (534.5) | | | (708.8) | | |
UK office closure (5) | — | | | — | | | (12.1) | | |
Impairment of assets, net | — | | | (146.1) | | | (52.2) | | |
| | | | | | |
Gain on sale of land | 19.9 | | | — | | | — | | |
Interest expense | (205.1) | | | (208.5) | | | (221.6) | | |
Gain (loss) on investments, net | (3.0) | | | (0.2) | | | 0.3 | | |
Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment | (37.5) | | | — | | | 271.3 | | |
Other expense, net | (1.0) | | | (10.0) | | | (5.0) | | |
Total consolidated loss before income taxes | $ | (249.1) | | | $ | (897.7) | | | $ | (854.4) | | |
| | | | | |
(1) | Includes expense related to retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and the related payroll tax, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes expense related to the one-time grant of long-term incentive bonuses as a component of our annual compensation award process. |
(2) | Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to acquisitions, certain one-time compliance costs related to being a public company, integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities. |
(3) | Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs, and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes employee related costs and other costs related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan of $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420. In addition, it includes total charges of $25.1 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs. |
(4) | All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016. |
(5) | Expense recognized related to the closure of a UK office that we exited in the second quarter of 2023 prior to the lease end date. |
The table below presents depreciation expense included in segment operating profit above for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Public Cloud | $ | 8.4 | | | $ | 8.2 | | | $ | 9.2 | |
Private Cloud | 189.9 | | | 170.2 | | | 171.3 | |
Corporate functions | 46.8 | | | 42.5 | | | 28.2 | |
Total depreciation expense | $ | 245.1 | | | $ | 220.9 | | | $ | 208.7 | |
Management does not use total assets by segment to evaluate segment performance or allocate resources. As such, total assets by segment are not disclosed.
Geographic Information
The tables below present revenue by geographic region and by country for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Revenue amounts are based upon the location of the support function servicing the customer.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Americas | $ | 2,253.4 | | | $ | 2,341.7 | | | $ | 2,181.4 | |
EMEA | 632.9 | | | 626.6 | | | 620.0 | |
APJ | 123.2 | | | 154.0 | | | 155.7 | |
Total revenue | $ | 3,009.5 | | | $ | 3,122.3 | | | $ | 2,957.1 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
United States | $ | 2,157.0 | | | $ | 2,209.2 | | | $ | 2,035.6 | |
United Kingdom | 542.3 | | | 521.6 | | | 484.5 | |
Other foreign countries (1) | 310.2 | | | 391.5 | | | 437.0 | |
Total revenue | $ | 3,009.5 | | | $ | 3,122.3 | | | $ | 2,957.1 | |
(1) No other foreign country had revenue that exceeded 10% of total consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The table below presents property, equipment and software, net by country, based on the physical location of the assets, as of December 31, 2022 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions) | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
United States | $ | 487.9 | | | $ | 478.4 | |
United Kingdom | 116.7 | | | 109.0 | |
Other foreign countries (1) | 23.7 | | | 21.4 | |
Total property, equipment and software, net | $ | 628.3 | | | $ | 608.8 | |
(1) No other foreign country had property, equipment and software, net that exceeded 10% of total consolidated property, equipment and software, net as of December 31, 2022 and 2023.
19. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only)
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Parent Company Only)
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(In millions, except per share data) | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2023 |
ASSETS | | | |
Investment in subsidiaries of Parent | $ | 629.5 | | | $ | (154.5) | |
Total assets | $ | 629.5 | | | $ | (154.5) | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) | | | |
Stockholders' equity (deficit): | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share: 5.0 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding | — | | | — | |
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 1,495.0 shares authorized; 215.7 and 220.5 shares issued; 212.6 and 217.4 shares outstanding, respectively | 2.2 | | | 2.2 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 2,573.3 | | | 2,638.2 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 71.4 | | | 60.3 | |
Accumulated deficit | (1,986.4) | | | (2,824.2) | |
Treasury stock, at cost; 3.1 shares held | (31.0) | | | (31.0) | |
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) | 629.5 | | | (154.5) | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) | $ | 629.5 | | | $ | (154.5) | |
The accompanying note is an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Parent Company Only)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
(In millions, except per share data) | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 |
Equity in net losses in Parent's subsidiaries | $ | (218.3) | | | $ | (804.8) | | | $ | (837.8) | |
Net loss and total comprehensive loss | $ | (218.3) | | | $ | (804.8) | | | $ | (837.8) | |
Net loss per share | | | | | |
Basic and diluted | $ | (1.05) | | | $ | (3.81) | | | $ | (3.89) | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | | | | | |
Basic and diluted | 208.0 | | 211.2 | | 215.3 |
| | | | | |
The accompanying note is an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
A condensed statement of cash flows has not been presented as Rackspace Technology did not have any cash as of, or at any point in time during, the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF REGISTRANT (Parent Company Only)
Basis of Presentation
These condensed parent company-only financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X, as the restricted net assets of the subsidiaries of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (“Parent”) (as defined in Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X) exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Parent. The ability of Parent’s operating subsidiaries to pay dividends may be restricted due to the terms of the subsidiaries’ First Lien Credit Agreement and the Indentures, as described in Note 7, “Debt” to the audited consolidated financial statements.
These condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting principles and policies described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, with the only exception being that the parent company accounts for its subsidiaries using the equity method. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
ITEM 9 – CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of December 31, 2023 that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that the information relating to the company, including our consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023. Our independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, as stated in their report which appears in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations of Internal Controls
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
ITEM 9B – OTHER INFORMATION
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements
During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023, none of the company’s directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted, modified or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or a "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" (as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).
ITEM 9C – DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10 – DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
We have adopted the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Code of Conduct and Business Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including, without limitation, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other finance organization employees. The Code of Conduct, as well as any waiver of a provision of the Code of Conduct granted to any senior officer or director or material amendment to the Code of Conduct, if any, may be found on our website at ir.rackspace.com under "Corporate Governance."
ITEM 11 – EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 12 – SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 13 – CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 14 – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
PART IV
ITEM 15 – EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements filed as part of this report are listed on the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted because they are not required or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
See the accompanying Index to Exhibits, which is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 16 – 10-K SUMMARY
None.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exhibit Number | | Exhibit Description | | |
3.1 | | | | | |
3.2 | | | | | |
4.1 | | | Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2020, among Rackspace Technology Global, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Form 8-K, filed on December 1, 2020) | | |
4.2 | | | | | |
4.3 | | | Indenture, dated as of February 9, 2021, among Rackspace Technology Global, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.'s Form 8-K, filed on February 9, 2021) | | |
4.4 | | | | | |
10.1 | | | First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016, among Inception Parent, Inc., Inception Merger Sub, Inc., the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on July 10, 2020) | | |
10.2 | | | | | |
10.3 | | | Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2016, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on July 10, 2020) | | |
10.4 | | | Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 2, dated as of June 21, 2017, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on July 10, 2020) | | |
10.5 | | | Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 3, dated as of November 15, 2017, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on July 10, 2020) | | |
10.6 | | | Incremental Assumption Agreement No. 4, dated as of July 20, 2020, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology Global Inc., the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2020) | | |
10.7 | | | Incremental Assumption Agreement No. 5, dated as of February 9, 2021, among Rackspace Technology Global, Inc., the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Form 8-K, filed on February 9, 2021) | | |
10.8 | | | First Lien Credit Agreement, dated March 12, 2024, among Rackspace Finance Holdings, LLC, Rackspace Finance, LLC, the lenders and issuing banks party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and Citibank, N.A., acting through its agency & trust business, as collateral agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2024) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
10.9 | | | Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 1, dated March 12, 2024, among Rackspace Finance Holdings, LLC, Rackspace Finance, LLC, the subsidiary loan parties party thereto, the lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2024) | | |
10.10 | | | Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2020, among Rackspace Technology, Inc., Searchlight Capital II, L.P., Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P. and AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2020) | | |
10.11 | | | Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2020, among Rackspace Technology, Inc., DPH 123, LLC, ACE Investment Holdings, LLC, AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P. and solely for purposes of Section 4.1 thereof, ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Rackspace Technology Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2020) | | |
10.12 | | | | | |
10.13 | | | | | |
10.14 | | | | | |
10.15 | | | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 6, 2017, among Rackspace Technology, Inc. (f.k.a. Inception Topco, Inc.), Drake Merger Sub I, Inc., Drake Merger Sub II, LLC, Inception Intermediate, Inc., Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), Datapipe Holdings, LLC, Datapipe Parent, Inc. and the key stockholders party thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.9 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on July 10, 2020) | | |
10.16 | | | Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated September 29, 2023, by and among Rackspace Receivables II LLC, the persons from time to time party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, Rackspace US, Inc. and PNC Capital Markets LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Rackspace Technology, Inc.’s Form 8-K, filed on October 4, 2023) | | |
10.17 | *+ | | Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2023, by and among Rackspace Receivables II LLC, Rackspace Receivables Canada Limited, the persons from time to time party thereto as purchasers, PNC Bank, National Association, Rackspace US, Inc., Rackspace International GmbH, Rackspace Limited and Onica Technologies Canada Inc. and PNC Capital Markets LLC as structuring agent | | |
10.18 | † | | | | |
10.19 | † | | | | |
10.20 | † | | | | |
10.21 | † | | | | |
10.22 | † | | | | |
10.23 | † | | | | |
10.24 | † | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
10.25 | † | | | | |
10.26 | † | | | | |
10.27 | † | | | | |
10.28 | †* | | | | |
10.29 | † | | | | |
10.30 | † | | | | |
10.31 | † | | | | |
10.32 | † | | | | |
10.33 | † | | | | |
10.34 | † | | | | |
10.35 | † | | | | |
10.36 | † | | | | |
10.37 | † | | | | |
10.38 | † | | | | |
10.39 | † | | | | |
10.40 | † | | | | |
10.41 | † | | | | |
10.42 | † | | | | |
10.43 | † | | | | |
10.44 | † | | | | |
21.1 | * | | | | |
23.1 | * | | | | |
31.1 | * | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
31.2 | * | | | | |
32.1 | ** | | | | |
32.2 | ** | | | | |
97 | †* | | | | |
101.INS | * | | Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | | |
101.SCH | * | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | | |
101.CAL | * | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | | |
101.DEF | * | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | | |
101.LAB | * | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | | |
101.PRE | * | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | | |
104 | * | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | | |
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
+ Certain schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted schedules to the SEC upon request.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC. |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Date: | March 15, 2024 | | By: | /s/ Mark Marino |
| | | | Mark Marino |
| | | | Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Amar Maletira | | Chief Executive Officer; Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Amar Maletira | | (Principal Executive Officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Mark Marino | | Chief Financial Officer | | March 15, 2024 |
Mark Marino | | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Susan Arthur | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Susan Arthur | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Betsy Atkins | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Betsy Atkins | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Jeffrey Benjamin | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Jeffrey Benjamin | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Mitch Garber | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Mitch Garber | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Mark Gross | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Mark Gross | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Anthony Roberts | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Anthony Roberts | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Shashank Samant | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Shashank Samant | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ David Sambur | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
David Sambur | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Anthony Scott | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Anthony Scott | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Aaron Sobel | | Director | | March 15, 2024 |
Aaron Sobel | | | | |
DocumentRECEIVABLES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated as of September 29, 2023
by and among
RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES II LLC,
as Seller,
RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES CANADA LIMITED
as Canadian Guarantor
THE PERSONS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,
as Purchasers,
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent,
RACKSPACE US, INC, RACKSPACE INTERNATIONAL GMBH, RACKSPACE LIMITED and ONICA TECHNOLOGIES CANADA INC.
as Servicers,
and
PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC,
as Structuring Agent
| | | | | | | | |
ARTICLE I | DEFINITIONS | 2 |
SECTION 1.01 | Certain Defined Terms | 2 |
SECTION 1.02 | Construction | 43 |
SECTION 1.03 | Accounting Principles; Changes in GAAP | 43 |
SECTION 1.04 | Benchmark Replacement Notification | 44 |
ARTICLE II | TERMS OF THE INVESTMENTS | 44 |
SECTION 2.01 | Purchase Facility | 44 |
SECTION 2.02 | Making Investments; Repayment of Investments | 46 |
SECTION 2.03 | Yield and Fees | 48 |
SECTION 2.04 | Rate Unascertainable; Increased Costs; Illegality; Benchmark Replacement Setting | 50 |
SECTION 2.05 | Records of Investments | 56 |
SECTION 2.06 | Defaulting Purchasers | 56 |
SECTION 2.07 | Security Interest | 57 |
SECTION 2.08 | SPV Entity Guaranty | 58 |
SECTION 2.09 | Authorization to File Financing Statements; Further Assurances | 63 |
SECTION 2.10 | Data Protection | 63 |
ARTICLE III | SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES AND PAYMENT PROVISIONS | 64 |
SECTION 3.01 | Settlement Procedures | 64 |
SECTION 3.02 | Payments and Computations, Etc | 67 |
SECTION 3.03 | Sharing of Payments by Purchasers | 69 |
SECTION 3.04 | Administrative Agent’s Clawback | 69 |
ARTICLE IV | INCREASED COSTS; FUNDING LOSSES; TAXES; ILLEGALITY AND SECURITY INTEREST | 70 |
SECTION 4.01 | Increased Costs | 70 |
SECTION 4.02 | Indemnity for Funding Losses | 71 |
SECTION 4.03 | Taxes | 72 |
SECTION 4.04 | Replacement of a Purchaser | 77 |
SECTION 4.05 | Designation of a Different Lending Office | 77 |
ARTICLE V | CONDITIONS to Effectiveness and INVESTMENTS | 78 |
SECTION 5.01 | Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness and the Initial Investment | 78 |
SECTION 5.02 | Conditions Precedent to All Investments | 78 |
SECTION 5.03 | Conditions Precedent to All Releases | 79 |
ARTICLE VI | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 79 |
SECTION 6.01 | Representations and Warranties of the SPV Entities | 79 |
SECTION 6.02 | Representations and Warranties of the Servicers | 87 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
| | | | | | | | |
ARTICLE VII | COVENANTS | 93 |
SECTION 7.01 | Covenants of the SPV Entities | 93 |
SECTION 7.02 | Covenants of the Servicers | 103 |
SECTION 7.03 | Separate Existence of the SPV Entities | 109 |
SECTION 7.04 | Post-Closing Covenant Regarding Foreign Accounts | 113 |
ARTICLE VIII | ADMINISTRATION AND COLLECTION OF RECEIVABLES | 114 |
SECTION 8.01 | Appointment of the Servicers | 114 |
SECTION 8.02 | Duties of the Servicers | 115 |
SECTION 8.03 | Collection Account Arrangements | 116 |
SECTION 8.04 | Enforcement Rights | 117 |
SECTION 8.05 | Responsibilities of the SPV Entities | 119 |
SECTION 8.06 | Servicing Fee | 119 |
ARTICLE IX | EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 120 |
SECTION 9.01 | Events of Default | 120 |
SECTION 9.02 | Consequences of an Event of Default | 123 |
ARTICLE X | THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | 125 |
SECTION 10.01 | Appointment and Authority | 125 |
SECTION 10.02 | Rights as a Purchaser | 126 |
SECTION 10.03 | Exculpatory Provisions | 126 |
SECTION 10.04 | Reliance by Administrative Agent | 127 |
SECTION 10.05 | Delegation of Duties | 127 |
SECTION 10.06 | Resignation of Administrative Agent | 128 |
SECTION 10.07 | Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Purchasers | 129 |
SECTION 10.08 | No Other Duties, Etc | 129 |
SECTION 10.09 | Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 129 |
SECTION 10.10 | Collateral and Guaranty Matters | 130 |
SECTION 10.11 | No Reliance on Administrative Agent’s Customer Identification Program | 130 |
SECTION 10.12 | Certain ERISA Matters | 131 |
SECTION 10.13 | Erroneous Payments | 132 |
SECTION 10.14 | UK Security Agreement | 134 |
ARTICLE XI | Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 135 |
SECTION 11.01 | Costs and Expenses | 135 |
SECTION 11.02 | Indemnification by the SPV Entities | 135 |
SECTION 11.03 | Indemnification by the Servicers | 138 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
| | | | | | | | |
SECTION 11.04 | Reimbursement by Purchasers | 140 |
SECTION 11.05 | Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc | 140 |
SECTION 11.06 | Payments | 140 |
SECTION 11.07 | Survival | 140 |
ARTICLE XII | MISCELLANEOUS | 140 |
SECTION 12.01 | Amendments, Etc | 140 |
SECTION 12.02 | No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies | 142 |
SECTION 12.03 | Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication | 142 |
SECTION 12.04 | Severability | 143 |
SECTION 12.05 | Duration; Survival | 144 |
SECTION 12.06 | Successors and Assigns | 144 |
SECTION 12.07 | No Proceedings | 148 |
SECTION 12.08 | Confidentiality | 148 |
SECTION 12.09 | Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution | 150 |
SECTION 12.10 | CHOICE OF LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 150 |
SECTION 12.11 | Intent of the Parties | 152 |
SECTION 12.12 | Mutual Negotiations | 152 |
SECTION 12.13 | Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions | 153 |
SECTION 12.14 | USA PATRIOT Act Notice | 153 |
SECTION 12.15 | Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs | 153 |
SECTION 12.16 | Limited Recourse | 154 |
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EXHIBITS | | |
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EXHIBIT A | – | Form of Investment Request |
EXHIBIT B | – | Form of Reduction Notice |
EXHIBIT C | – | Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement |
EXHIBIT D | – | [Reserved] |
EXHIBIT E | – | Forms of Pool Reports |
EXHIBIT F | – | Form of Compliance Certificate |
EXHIBIT G | – | Closing Memorandum |
EXHIBIT H | – | Forms of Tax Compliance Certificates |
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SCHEDULES | | |
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SCHEDULE I | – | Purchasers & Commitments |
SCHEDULE II | – | Account Details |
SCHEDULE III | – | Notice Addresses |
This RECEIVABLES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of September 29, 2023, by and among the following parties:
(i) RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”);
(ii) RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES CANADA LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, as a guarantor (the “Canadian Guarantor”; together with the Seller, collectively, the “SPV Entities”, and each an “SPV Entity”);
(iii) the Persons from time to time party hereto as Purchasers;
(iv) PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“PNC”), as Administrative Agent;
(v) RACKSPACE US, INC., a Delaware corporation in its individual capacity (“Rackspace”) and as a Servicer (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “U.S Servicer”);
(vi) RACKSPACE LIMITED, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, in its individual capacity (“Rackspace UK”) and as a Servicer (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “UK Servicer”);
(vii) ONICA TECHNOLOGIES CANADA INC., a company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, in its individual capacity (“Rackspace CA”) and as a Servicer (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Canadian Servicer”);
(viii) RACKSPACE INTERNATIONAL GMBH, a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) incorporated and organized under the laws of Switzerland, with registered offices at Baslerstrasse 30, 8048 Zurich, Switzerland, registered with the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich under company registration no. CHE-418.096.119, in its individual capacity (“Rackspace Swiss”) and as a Servicer (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Swiss Servicer”, together with the U.S. Servicer, the UK Servicer and the Canadian Servicer, collectively the “Servicers” and each a “Servicer”); and
(ix) PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, as Structuring Agent.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
Pursuant to the First Tier Transfer Agreement, the Aggregator has acquired, and will acquire from time to time, U.S. Receivables from the U.S. Originators.
Pursuant to the Second Tier Transfer Agreement, the Seller has acquired, and will acquire from time to time, the U.S. Receivables acquired by the Aggregator from the U.S. Originators and Receivables originated by the Aggregator.
Pursuant to the Canadian Transfer Agreement, the Canadian Guarantor has acquired, and will acquire from time to time, the Canadian Receivables from the Canadian Originators.
Pursuant to the UK Transfer Agreement, the Seller has acquired, and will acquire from time to time, the UK Receivables from the UK Originator.
Pursuant to the Swiss Transfer Agreement, the Seller has acquired, and will acquire from time to time, the Swiss Receivables from the Swiss Originator.
The Seller has requested that the Purchasers make Investments from time to time on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
In connection with the Investments made hereunder, the parties hereto have requested that the Canadian Guarantor act as a guarantor hereunder and the Canadian Guarantor has agreed to act as a guarantor hereunder.
In consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
“Account Control Agreement” means each agreement among the Seller, a Servicer (if applicable), the Administrative Agent and a Collection Account Bank, governing the terms of one or more Collection Accounts that (i) provides the Administrative Agent with the right to assume exclusive operational control of such Collection Accounts, (ii) with respect to any such U.S. Collection Accounts, provides the Administrative Agent with “control” (within the meaning of the UCC) over such Collection Account(s) and (iii) is in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
“Administrative Agent” means PNC, in its capacity as contractual representative for the Purchaser Parties, and any successor thereto in such capacity appointed in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“Adverse Claim” means any Lien, other than a Lien in favor of or assigned to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties).
“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affected Person” means each Purchaser Party and each of their respective Affiliates.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. With respect to the SPV Entity-Related Parties, this definition shall exclude the Sponsor or any funds or accounts managed by the Sponsor and any of such managed funds’ or accounts’ portfolio companies; provided, that no such Person shall constitute an Eligible Assignee hereunder.
“Agent Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.03.
“Aggregate Capital” means, at any time, the aggregate outstanding Capital of all Purchasers at such time.
“Aggregate Yield” means, at any time, the aggregate accrued and unpaid Yield on the outstanding Investments of all Purchasers at such time.
“Aggregator” means Rackspace.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Alternative Currency” means Sterling, Euro, Canadian Dollars and Australian Dollars.
“Anti-Corruption Laws” means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada), the Criminal Code (Canada), and any other similar anti-corruption Laws or regulations administered or enforced in any jurisdiction in which any SPV Entity-Related Party or any of its Subsidiaries conduct business, in each case, as amended.
“Anti-Terrorism Law” means any Law in force or hereinafter enacted related to terrorism, money laundering, or economic sanctions, including the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. § 5311 et seq., the USA PATRIOT Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1701, et seq., the Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 1, et seq., 18 U.S.C. § 2332d, and 18 U.S.C. § 2339B, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada) and any regulations or directives promulgated under these provisions, in each case, as amended.
“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Purchaser, (b) an Affiliate of a Purchaser or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Purchaser.
“Assignment and Assumption Agreement” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Purchaser and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 12.06), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit C or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Attorney Costs” means and includes all reasonable and documented fees, costs, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel but excludes all disbursements of internal counsel.
“Australian Dollar” means the lawful currency of Australia.
“Authorized Officer” means, with respect to any SPV Entity-Related Party, the Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of such SPV Entity-Related Party, any manager, director or the members (as applicable) in the case of any SPV Entity-Related Party which is a limited liability company, or such other individuals, designated by written notice to the Administrative Agent from the Seller, authorized to execute notices, reports and other documents on behalf of such SPV Entity-Related Party required hereunder. The Seller may amend such list of individuals from time to time by giving written notice of such amendment to the Administrative Agent.
“AWS Days Payable Outstanding” means, at any time, the quotient (calculated as of the last day of the most recently ended calendar month) of:
(a) the sum of the following amounts calculated for each of the AWS Payables that were paid by or on behalf of the SPV Entity-Related Parties and their respective Subsidiaries during such Fiscal Month or that remain outstanding at the end of such Fiscal Month: an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of days between the invoice or billing date of such AWS Payable and the date on which such AWS Payable was paid or, if such payment was not made during such Fiscal Month, the later of the due date of such payment and the last day of such Fiscal Month, and (y) the original outstanding amount of such AWS Payable; divided by
(b) the aggregate outstanding amount of all AWS Payables as of the last day of such Fiscal Month.
“AWS Past-Due Payable Amount” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) if no DPO Event is continuing, zero ($0), and (b) if a DPO Event is continuing, the aggregate outstanding amount, determined as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Month, of all AWS Payables that remained unpaid (in whole or in part) as of the last day of such Fiscal Month for more than 60 days after the original due dates thereof.
“AWS Payable” means any account payable or other payment obligation owing by the SPV Entity-Related Parties and their respective Subsidiaries to Amazon Web Services Inc. or any of its Affiliates.
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada)” means the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, RSC 1985, c B-3.
Bankruptcy Code” means the United States Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C. § 101, et seq.).
“Base Rate” means, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (i) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 0.50%, (ii) the Prime Rate, and (iii) Daily Simple SOFR, plus 1.00%, so long as Daily Simple SOFR is offered, ascertainable and not unlawful; provided, however, if the Base Rate as determined above would be less than zero, then such rate shall be deemed to be zero. Any change in the Base Rate (or any component thereof) shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change occurs. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the case of any event specified in Section 2.04(a) or Section 2.04(b), to the extent any such determination affects the calculation of Base Rate, the definition hereof shall be calculated without reference to clause (iii) above until the circumstances giving rise to such event no longer exist.
“Base Rate Capital” means, at any time, any Capital on which Yield accrues by reference to the Base Rate.
“Benchmark Replacement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(d).
“Beneficial Owner” means, for the Seller, each of the following: (a) each individual, if any, who, directly or indirectly, owns 25.00% or more of the Seller’s Equity Interests; and (b) a single individual with significant responsibility to control, manage, or direct the Seller.
“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed, or are in fact closed, for business in New York, New York, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (or, if otherwise, the Lending Office of the Administrative Agent) or Toronto, Ontario; provided that, when used in connection with an amount that bears interest at a rate based on SOFR or any direct or indirect calculation or determination of SOFR, the term “Business Day” means any such day that is also a U.S. Government Securities Business Day.
“Canadian Collection Account” means each account listed as a Canadian Collection Account on Schedule II to this Agreement (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the closing or opening of any Collection Account in accordance with the terms hereof) (in each case, in the name of the Person specified as the account holder at the Collection Account Bank specified on Schedule II) and maintained at a bank or other financial institution acting as a Collection Account Bank pursuant to an Account Control Agreement for the purpose of receiving Collections.
“Canadian Defined Benefit Plan” means a pension plan registered under the ITA or any other applicable pension standards legislation which contains a “defined benefit provision”, as such term is defined in subsection 147.1(1) of the ITA.
“Canadian Dollar” means the lawful currency of Canada.
“Canadian Guarantor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Canadian Originator” means any Person organized in Canada (or any province, territory or political subdivision thereof) from time to time a party to the Canadian Transfer Agreement as an “Originator” thereunder, and “Canadian Originators” means all of them collectively.
“Canadian Receivable” means each Pool Receivable originated by a Canadian Originator.
“Canadian Sales Tax” means, collectively, GST, PST and any other value added sales, provincial sales, use, transfer and other similar taxes now or hereafter imposed by any Governmental Authority in Canada and all interest, penalties, addition to tax and any similar liabilities with respect thereto.
“Canadian Servicer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Canadian Servicing Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.06(a).
“Canadian Transfer Agreement” means (i) the Ontario-law governed Canadian purchase and sale agreement, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, among the Canadian Servicer, the Canadian Originators, as originators and the Canadian Guarantor, as buyer, and (ii) any other transfer agreement governed by Canadian law and entered into from time to time among the Canadian Servicer, an affiliate of Rackspace Canada incorporated in Canada as an originator and the Canadian Guarantor as purchaser.
“Capital” means, with respect to any Purchaser, the aggregate amounts paid to, or on behalf of, the Seller in connection with all Investments made by such Purchaser pursuant to Article II, as reduced from time to time by Collections or other funds of the Seller that have been distributed to such Purchaser and applied as a repayment of Capital in accordance with this Agreement; provided, that if such Capital shall have been reduced by any distribution and thereafter all or a portion of such distribution is rescinded or must otherwise be returned for any reason, such Capital shall be increased by the amount of such rescinded or returned distribution as though it had not been made.
“Capital Coverage Amount” means, at any time, the amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Facility Limit and (b) the amount equal to (i) the Net Receivables Pool Balance at such time, minus (ii) the Total Reserves at such time.
“Capital Coverage Amount Deficit” means, at any time, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Aggregate Capital at such time, exceeds (b) the Capital Coverage Amount at such time.
“Capital Tranche” means specified portions of Capital outstanding as follows: (a) all Capital (or portions thereof) for which the applicable Yield Rate is determined by reference to Daily 1M SOFR shall constitute one Borrowing Tranche, (b) all Capital (or portions thereof) for which the applicable Yield Rate is determined by reference to Base Rate shall constitute one Borrowing Tranche, and (c) all Capital for which the applicable Yield Rate is determined by reference to the Term SOFR Rate with the same Yield Period shall constitute one Capital Tranche.
“Cash Dominion Administration Account” means one or more deposit accounts established at PNC and at any time designated as a Cash Dominion Administration Account by the Administrative Agent.
“Certificate of Beneficial Ownership” means, for the Seller, a certificate in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent (as such form may be amended or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its sole discretion), certifying, among other things, the Beneficial Owner of the Seller.
“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) Rackspace ceases to own, directly, 100.00% of the Equity Interests of the Seller free and clear of all Adverse Claims;
(b) the Parent ceases to own, directly or indirectly, 100.00% of the Equity Interests of Rackspace, any Originator or the Canadian Guarantor;
(c) the Canadian Servicer cease to own, directly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Canadian Guarantor free and clear of all Adverse Claims;
(d) the Originators cease to own, directly, 100% of the Subordinated Notes or the Subordinated Loan Agreements (as applicable) free and clear of all Adverse Claims; or
(c) a “Change in Control” (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, as in effect on the Closing Date without giving effect to any amendment or modification thereto or any termination thereof) shall occur with respect to the Parent (other than under clause (a) of the definition thereof).
“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Official Body or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Official Body; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith (whether or not having the force of Law) and (y) all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities (whether or not having the force of Law), in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented.
“CIP Regulations” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.11.
“Closing Date” means September 29, 2023.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect.
“Collection Account” means each U.S. Collection Account, Canadian Collection Account and UK Collection Account, as applicable.
“Collection Account Bank” means any of the banks or other financial institutions holding one or more Collection Accounts.
“Collections” means, with respect to any Pool Receivable: (a) all funds that are received by any SPV Entity-Related Party or any other Person on their behalf in payment of any amounts owed in respect of such Pool Receivable (including purchase price, service charges, finance charges, interest, fees and all other charges and (i) in the case of any Pool Receivables purchased by the Canadian Guarantor from a Canadian Originator, any amounts received on account of Canadian Sales Taxes and (ii) in the case of any Pool Receivables purchased by the Seller from any other Originator, any amounts received on account of VAT where such VAT was included in the Outstanding Balance for the relevant Pool Receivables), or applied to amounts owed in respect of such Pool Receivable (including insurance payments, proceeds of drawings under supporting letters of credit and net proceeds of the sale or other disposition of repossessed goods or other collateral or property of the related Obligor or any other Person directly or indirectly liable for the payment of such Pool Receivable and available to be applied thereon), (b) all Deemed Collections, (c) all proceeds of all Related Security with respect to such Pool Receivable, (d) all other proceeds of such Pool Receivable, and (e) the amount of any refund or credit for the VAT component of any Pool Receivable obtained by any Person pursuant to a claim for bad debt relief in respect of the relevant Pool Receivable.
“Commitment” means, with respect to any Purchaser, the maximum aggregate amount of Capital which such Person is obligated to pay hereunder on account of all Investments, on a combined basis, as set forth on Schedule I, as such Commitment is thereafter assigned or modified. If the context so requires, “Commitment” also refers to a Purchaser’s obligation to make Investments hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.
“Communications” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.03(d).
“Concentration Percentage” means (a) for any Group A Obligor, 12.50%, (b) for any Group B Obligor, 10.00%, (c) for any Group C Obligor, 7.50%, and (d) for any Group D Obligor, 5.00%.
“Concentration Reserve Percentage” means, at any time, the largest of: (a) the sum of the five largest Obligor Percentages of the Group D Obligors, (b) the sum of the three largest Obligor Percentages of the Group C Obligors, (c) the sum of the two largest Obligor Percentages of the Group B Obligors and (d) the largest Obligor Percentage of the Group A Obligors.
“Conforming Changes” means, with respect to Daily 1M SOFR, the Term SOFR Rate or any Benchmark Replacement in relation thereto, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “Yield Period,” the definition of “U.S. Governmental Securities Business Day,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of yield, timing of investment requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of Daily 1M SOFR, the Term SOFR Rate or such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of Daily 1M SOFR, the Term SOFR Rate or the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents).
“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“Contract” means, with respect to any Receivable, any and all contracts, instruments, agreements, leases, invoices, notes or other writings pursuant to which such Receivable arises or that evidence such Receivable or under which an Obligor becomes or is obligated to make payment in respect of such Receivable.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Covered Entity” means (a) each SPV Entity-Related Party and its respective Subsidiaries, and (b) each Person that, directly or indirectly, controls a Person described in clause (a) above. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means the direct or indirect (x) ownership of, or power to vote, 25.00% or more of the issued and outstanding equity interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or other Persons performing similar functions for such Person, or (y) power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such Person whether by ownership of equity interests, contract or otherwise.
“Credit and Collection Policy” means the receivables credit and collection policies and practices of the SPV Entity-Related Parties as in effect on the Closing Date as provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date, as modified in compliance with this Agreement.
“Daily 1M SOFR” means, for any day, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (rounded upwards, at the Administrative Agent’s discretion, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such day for a one (1) month period, as published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, that if Daily 1M SOFR, determined as provided above, would be less than the SOFR Floor, then Daily 1M SOFR shall be deemed to be the SOFR Floor. Such rate of interest will be adjusted automatically as of each Business Day based on changes in Daily 1M SOFR without notice to the Seller.
“Daily Report” means a report regarding the Pool Receivables and the transactions contemplated hereby, substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2.
“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (rounded upwards, at the Administrative Agent’s discretion, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to SOFR for the day (the “SOFR Determination Date”) that is 2 Business Days prior to (i) such SOFR Rate Day if such SOFR Rate Day is a Business Day or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day if such SOFR Rate Day is not a Business Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate) on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source identified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or its successor administrator for the secured overnight financing rate from time to time. If Daily Simple SOFR as determined above would be less than the SOFR Floor, then Daily Simple SOFR shall be deemed to be the SOFR Floor. If SOFR for any SOFR Determination Date has not been published or replaced with a Benchmark Replacement by 5:00 p.m. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania time) on the second Business Day immediately following such SOFR Determination Date, then SOFR for such SOFR Determination Date will be SOFR for the first Business Day preceding such SOFR Determination Date for which SOFR was published in accordance with the definition of “SOFR”; provided that SOFR determined pursuant to this sentence shall be used for purposes of calculating Daily Simple SOFR for no more than 3 consecutive SOFR Rate Days. If and when Daily Simple SOFR as determined above changes, any applicable rate of interest based on Daily Simple SOFR will change automatically without notice to the Seller, effective on the date of any such change.
“Data Protection Laws” means (a) in relation to the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679) (“GDPR”), national legislation implementing and supplementing the GDPR and implementing the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications (2002/58/EC), the GDPR as it forms part of the laws of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland by virtue of section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and any supplementary legislation as the same may be amended, superseded or replaced from time to time; and (b) in relation to other applicable jurisdictions, all laws and regulations in those jurisdictions relating to the processing of personal data and/or protection of privacy as the same may be amended, superseded or replaced from time to time.
“Days’ Sales Outstanding” means, for any Fiscal Month, an amount computed as of the last day of such Fiscal Month equal to: (a) the average of the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables (other than Unbilled Receivables) as of the last day of each of the three
most recent Fiscal Months ended on the last day of such Fiscal Month, divided by (b) (i) the aggregate initial Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables (other than Unbilled Receivables) generated by the Originators during the three most recent Fiscal Months ended on the last day of such Fiscal Month, divided by (ii) 90.
“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada), the UK Insolvency Act, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States, Canada or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect, including, for greater certainty, any applicable corporations legislation relating to the compromise, settlement, adjustment or arrangement of debt.
“Deemed Collections” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(d).
“Default Ratio” means the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed as of the last day of each Fiscal Month by dividing: (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables during such Fiscal Month, by (b) the aggregate initial Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables generated by the Originators during the month that is six (6) Fiscal Months before such Fiscal Month.
“Defaulted Receivable” means a Receivable (without duplication):
(a) as to which any payment, or part thereof, remains unpaid for more than 150 days from the original due date for such payment;
(b) as to which a Relief Proceeding shall have occurred with respect to the Obligor thereof or any other Person obligated thereon or owning any Related Security with respect thereto;
(c) that has been written off the applicable Originator’s, Canadian Guarantor’s or the Seller’s books as uncollectible; or
(d) that, consistent with the Credit and Collection Policy, should be written off the applicable Originator’s, the Canadian Guarantor’s or the Seller’s books as uncollectible;
provided, however, that in each case above such amount shall be calculated without giving effect to any netting of credits that have not been matched to a particular Receivable for the purposes of aged trial balance reporting.
“Defaulting Purchaser” means, subject to Section 2.06(b), any Purchaser that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Investments within two Business Days of the date such Investments were required to be funded hereunder unless such Purchaser notifies the Administrative Agent and the Seller in writing that such failure is the result of such Purchaser’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Seller or the Administrative Agent in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Purchaser’s obligation to fund an Investment
hereunder and states that such position is based on such Purchaser’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Seller, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Seller that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Purchaser shall cease to be a Defaulting Purchaser pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Seller), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Purchaser shall not be a Defaulting Purchaser solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Purchaser or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by an Official Body so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Purchaser with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Purchaser (or such Official Body) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Purchaser. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Purchaser is a Defaulting Purchaser under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Purchaser shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Purchaser (subject to Section 2.06(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Seller and each Purchaser.
“Delinquency Ratio” means the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed as of the last day of each Fiscal Month by dividing: (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables that were Delinquent Receivables on such day, by (b) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables on such day.
“Delinquent Receivable” means a Receivable as to which any payment, or part thereof, remains unpaid for more than 90 days from the original due date for such payment; provided, however, that such amount shall be calculated without giving effect to any netting of credits that have not been matched to a particular Receivable for the purposes of aged trial balance reporting.
“Dilution” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(d)(i).
“Dilution Horizon Ratio” means, for any Fiscal Month, the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed as of the last day of such Fiscal Month by dividing: (a) the sum of (i) the aggregate initial Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables generated by the Originators during such Fiscal Month, plus (ii) the aggregate initial Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables generated by the Originators during the preceding Fiscal Month, by (b) the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of the last day of such Fiscal Month. Within thirty (30) days of the completion and the receipt by the Administrative Agent of the results of any annual audit or field exam of the Receivables and the servicing and origination practices of the Servicers and the Originators, the numerator of the Dilution Horizon Ratio may be adjusted by the Administrative Agent upon not less than ten (10) Business Days’ notice to the Seller to reflect such number of Fiscal Months as the Administrative Agent reasonably believes best reflects the business practices of the Servicers and the Originators and the actual amount of Dilution and Deemed Collections that occur with respect to Pool Receivables based on the weighted average dilution lag calculation completed as part of such audit or field exam.
“Dilution Ratio” means, for any Fiscal Month, the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward), computed as of the last day of each Fiscal Month by dividing: (a) the aggregate amount of Dilution during the Fiscal Month that is two (2) Fiscal Months before such Fiscal Month, by (b) the aggregate initial Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables generated by the Originators during the prior Fiscal Month.
“Dilution Reserve Percentage” means, at any time, the product (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) of (a) the Dilution Horizon Ratio, multiplied by (b) the sum of (x) 2.25 times the average of the Dilution Ratios for the twelve (12) most recent Fiscal Months and (y) the Dilution Volatility Component.
“Dilution Volatility Component” means, for any Fiscal Month, the product (expressed as a percentage) and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) of:
(a) the positive difference, if any, between: (i) the highest Dilution Ratio for any Fiscal Month during the twelve (12) most recent Fiscal Months and (ii) the average of the Dilution Ratios for such twelve (12) Fiscal Months; multiplied by
(b) the quotient of (i) the highest Dilution Ratio for any Fiscal Month during the twelve (12) most recent Fiscal Months divided by (ii) the average of the Dilution Ratios for such twelve (12) Fiscal Months.
“Dollar Equivalent” means, for any amount, at the time of determination thereof, (a) if such amount is expressed in Dollars, such amount, (b) if such amount is expressed in an Alternative Currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars determined by using the rate of exchange for the purchase of Dollars with the Alternative Currency last provided (either by publication or otherwise provided to the Administrative Agent) by Bloomberg (or such other publicly available source for displaying exchange rates as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its commercially reasonable discretion) on the date which is one (1) Business Day immediately preceding the date of determination (or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide such rate of exchange and no reasonably equivalent source is publicly available, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion) and (c) if such amount is denominated in any other currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (b) or (c) above shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
“Dollars” and “$” each mean the lawful money of the United States of America.
“DPO Event” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred and to be continuing at any time if, the AWS Days Payable Outstanding is greater than 60.
“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Effective Federal Funds Rate” means for any day the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1% announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor) on such day as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions arranged by federal funds brokers on the previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it refers to as the “Effective Federal Funds Rate” as of the date of this Agreement; provided that if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its successor) does not announce such rate on any day, the “Effective Federal Funds Rate” for such day shall be the Effective Federal Funds Rate for the last day on which such rate was announced. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Effective Federal Funds Rate as determined under any method above would be less than zero percent (0.00%), such rate shall be deemed to be zero percent (0.00%) for purposes of this Agreement.
“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 12.06(b)(iv), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 12.06(b)(iii)).
“Eligible Currency” means each of Dollars, Euro, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars and Sterling.
“Eligible Foreign Obligor” means an Obligor that is organized in or that has a head office (domicile), registered office, and chief executive office located in a country other than the United States of America that is not a Sanctioned Jurisdiction.
“Eligible Receivable” means, at any time, a Pool Receivable:
(a) the Obligor of which is: (i) a U.S. Obligor or an Eligible Foreign Obligor; (ii) not an Official Body (other than a U.S. federal, state or local Official Body); (iii) not a Sanctioned Person; (iv) not an Affiliate of any SPV Entity-Related Party; (v) not the Obligor with respect to Delinquent Receivables with an aggregate Outstanding Balance exceeding 50.00% of the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all such Obligor’s Pool Receivables; (vi) not a natural person and (vii) not a material supplier to any Originator or an Affiliate of a material supplier;
(b) for which a Relief Proceeding shall not have occurred with respect to the Obligor thereof or any other Person obligated thereon or owning any Related Security with respect thereto;
(c) that is denominated and payable only in Dollars in the United States of America or an Alternative Currency in the United Kingdom, Canada or Switzerland, and the Obligor with respect to which has been instructed to remit Collections in respect thereof directly to a Lock-Box or Collection Account in the applicable currency, and if such Receivable is a Canadian Receivable, such Receivable is not payable into a bank account located in the Province of Quebec;
(d) that does not have a due date which is more than 120 days after the original invoice date of such Receivable;
(e) that (i) arises under a Contract for the sale of goods or services in the ordinary course of the applicable Originator’s business and (ii) does not constitute a loan or other similar financial accommodation being provided by the applicable Originator;
(f) that arises under a duly authorized Contract that (i) is in full force and effect, (ii) is governed by the law of the United States of America or of any State thereof (in the case of a U.S. Receivable), of England and Wales (in the case of a UK Receivable or a Swiss Receivable), of Canada or any province or territory thereof (in the case of a Canadian Receivable) or of Switzerland (in the case of a Swiss Receivable), (iii) is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the related Obligor, enforceable against such Obligor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, restructuring, arrangement or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law and (iv) the payments thereunder are free and clear of any withholding Taxes; provided, however, that in the case of a Receivable of a U.S. Obligor (other than an Obligor located in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands) or a Canadian bank if any withholding Taxes affect only a portion of the Outstanding Balance of such Receivable, then such Receivable may be deemed an Eligible Receivable to the extent of the portion of such Outstanding Balance which is not so affected;
(g) that has either (x) been first transferred by a U.S. Originator to the Aggregator pursuant to the First Tier Transfer Agreement, (y) originated by the Aggregator and, in either case, is then transferred by the Aggregator to the Seller pursuant to the Second Tier Transfer Agreement, or (z) (i) originated by a Canadian Originator and transferred to the Canadian Guarantor pursuant to the Canadian Transfer Agreement, (ii) originated by a UK Originator and transferred to the Seller pursuant to the UK Transfer Agreement, or (iii) originated by a Swiss Originator and transferred to the Seller pursuant to the Swiss Transfer Agreement, and with respect to which transfer all conditions precedent under the applicable Transfer Agreement have been met;
(h) that, together with the Contract related thereto, conforms in all material respects with all applicable Laws (including any applicable laws relating to usury, truth in lending, fair credit billing, fair credit reporting, equal credit opportunity, fair debt collection practices and privacy);
(i) with respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations or declarations with or notices to, any Official Body or other Person required to be obtained, effected or given by an Originator in connection with the creation of such Receivable, the execution, delivery and performance by such Originator of the related Contract or the assignment thereof under the applicable Transfer Agreement have been duly obtained, effected or given and are in full force and effect, and, if required by the applicable Contract giving rise to such Receivable, the consent of the applicable Obligor under such Contract (such consent, “Foreign Obligor Consent”);
(j) that is not subject to any existing dispute, claim, litigation, right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim, any other defense against the applicable Originator (or any assignee of such Originator) or Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims, and the Obligor of which holds no right as against the applicable Originator to cause such Originator to repurchase the goods or merchandise, the sale of which shall have given rise to such Receivable; provided, however, that if such dispute, offset, counterclaim or defense affects only a portion of the Outstanding Balance of such Receivable, then such Receivable may be deemed an Eligible Receivable to the extent of the portion of such Outstanding Balance which is not so affected;
(k) that satisfies all applicable requirements of the Credit and Collection Policy;
(l) that, together with the Contract related thereto, has not been modified, waived or restructured since its creation, except as permitted pursuant to Section 8.02;
(m) in which the Seller, or the Canadian Guarantor with respect to Canadian Receivables, owns good and marketable title, free and clear of any Adverse Claims other than Permitted Adverse Claims, and that is freely assignable (including without any consent of the related Obligor or any Official Body unless such consent has been obtained); provided that where the applicable Law renders any prohibition on assignment unenforceable, no such consent/notice will be required;
(n) for which the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) shall have a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest therein and in the Related Security and Collections with respect thereto, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims;
(o) if such Receivable is (i) a U.S. Receivable, that (x) constitutes an “account” or “general intangible” (as defined in the UCC), (y) is not evidenced by instruments or chattel paper and (z) does not constitute, or arise from the sale of, as-extracted collateral (as defined in the UCC) and (ii) a Canadian Receivable, (x) constitutes an “account” (as defined in the PPSA), (y) is not evidenced by an “instrument” or “chattel paper” (each as defined it the PPSA) and (z) does not arise from the sale of “minerals” (as defined in the PPSA);
(p) that is neither a Defaulted Receivable nor a Delinquent Receivable;
(q) for which no SPV Entity-Related Party has established any offset or netting arrangements (including customer deposits and advance payments (including payments relating to unearned revenues)) with the related Obligor in connection with the ordinary course of payment of such Receivable;
(r) that represents amounts earned and payable by the Obligor that are not subject to the performance of additional services by the Originator thereof or by the Seller and the related goods or merchandise shall have been shipped and/or services performed; provided that only the portion of such Pool Receivable subject to the performance of additional services by the Originator or by the Seller shall be ineligible;
(s) which (i) does not arise from a sale of accounts made as part of a sale of a business or constitute an assignment for the purpose of collection only, (ii) is not a transfer of a single account made in whole or partial satisfaction of a preexisting indebtedness or an assignment of a right to payment under a contract to an assignee that is also obligated to perform under the contract and (iii) is not a transfer of an interest in or an assignment of a claim under a policy of insurance;
(t) which does not relate to the sale of any consigned goods or finished goods which have incorporated any consigned goods into such finished goods;
(u) for which the related Originator has recognized the related revenue on its financial books and records in accordance with GAAP;
(v) for which neither the related Originator nor any Affiliate thereof is holding any deposits received by or on behalf of the related Obligor; provided that only the portion of such Pool Receivable in an amount equal to such deposits shall be ineligible;
(w) that, if such Receivable is an Unbilled Receivable, it is an Eligible Unbilled Receivable; and
(x) that, if such Receivable is a Foreign Originator Pool Receivable, (i) that is a UK Receivable, the conditions set forth in Section 7.04(a)(i) and (ii) have been satisfied or (ii) that is a Swiss Receivable, the conditions set forth in Section 7.04(a)(i) and (iii) have been satisfied.
“Eligible Unbilled Receivable” means, at any time, any Unbilled Receivable if (a) the related Originator has recognized the related revenue on its financial books and records under GAAP, and (b) not more than (i) 30 days have expired since such Unbilled Receivable arose with respect to Unbilled Receivables originated by any Obligor other than Texas DIR or (ii) 60 days have expired since such Unbilled Receivable arose with respect to Unbilled Receivables originated by Texas DIR.
“Embargoed Property” means any property; (a) beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a Sanctioned Person; (b) that is due to or from a Sanctioned Person; (c) in which a Sanctioned Person otherwise holds any interest; (d) that is located in a Sanctioned Jurisdiction; or (e) that otherwise would cause any actual or possible violation by any Purchaser Party of any applicable Anti-Terrorism Law if the Purchasers or the Administrative Agent were to obtain an encumbrance on, lien on, pledge of, or security interest in such property, or provide services in consideration of such property.
“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares or units of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests or units therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect.
“ERISA Event” means (a) with respect to a Pension Plan, a reportable event under Section 4043 of ERISA as to which event (after taking into account notice waivers provided for in the regulations) there is a duty to give notice to the PBGC; (b) a withdrawal by the Seller or any member of the ERISA Group from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Seller or any member of the ERISA Group from a Multiemployer Plan, notification that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent, or occurrence of an event described in Section 4041A(a) of ERISA that results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041(e) of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan; (e) an event or condition which
constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) the determination that any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (g) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Seller or any member of the ERISA Group.
“ERISA Group” means, at any time, the Seller and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control and all other entities which, together with the Seller, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA.
“Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.13.
“Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.13.
“Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.13.
“Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.13.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
“Euro” or “€” mean the lawful currency of the Participating Member States.
“Event of Default” means any of the events described in Section 9.01. For the avoidance of doubt, any Event of Default that occurs shall be deemed to be continuing at all times thereafter unless and until waived in accordance with Section 12.01.
“Excess Concentration” means the sum of the following amounts, without duplication:
(i) the sum of the amounts calculated for each of the Obligors equal to the excess (if any) of (x) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Eligible Receivables of such Obligor, over (y) the product of (A) such Obligor’s Concentration Percentage, multiplied by (B) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus
(ii) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Canadian Dollars denominated Receivables, over (b) the product of (x) 5.00%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus
(iii) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all GBP denominated Receivables, over (b) the product of (x) 15.00%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus
(iv) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Euro denominated Receivables, over (b) the product of (x) 5.00%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus;
(v) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Australian Dollars denominated Receivables, over (b) the product of (x) 2.50%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus
(vi) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Unbilled Receivables (excluding Eligible Unbilled Receivables the Obligor of which is Texas DIR) over (b) the product of (x) 45.00%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus
(vii) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables the Obligors of which are U.S. federal, state and local government entities, over (b) the product of (x) 15.00%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus
(viii) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables with payment terms from 91 days to 120 days, over (b) the product of (x) 2.50%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus
(ix) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables the Obligors of which are Eligible Foreign Obligors domiciled in a country with a credit rating below “BBB-“ or “Baa3”, by S&P and Moody’s, respectively, over (b) the product of (x) 2.00%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus
(x) the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables the Obligors of which are Eligible Foreign Obligors domiciled in a country with a credit rating of at least “BBB-“ or “Baa3”, by S&P and Moody’s, respectively, over (b) the product of (x) 35.00%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool.
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the Laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Purchaser, its applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Purchaser, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Purchaser with respect to an applicable interest in an Investment or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Purchaser acquires such interest in such Investment or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Seller under Section 4.04) or (ii) such Purchaser changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 4.03(g), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Purchaser’s assignor immediately before such Purchaser became a party hereto or to such Purchaser immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 4.03(g), (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, and (e) Canadian federal Tax required to be deducted or withheld under Part XIII of the ITA on payments to or for the account of a Recipient as a result of (at the time of such payment): (i) the Recipient not dealing at arm’s length with a Canadian Originator within the meaning of the ITA, (ii) the Recipient being a “specified non-resident shareholder” of a Canadian Originator or not dealing at arm’s length with a “specified shareholder” of a Canadian Originator as defined in subsection 18(5) of the ITA, or (iii) the Recipient being a “specified entity” (as defined in
subsection 18.4(1) of the ITA, as it is proposed to be amended by a certain Notice of Ways and Means Motion tabled in the Canadian federal Parliament on November 28, 2023) in respect of a Canadian Originator (in respect of (i) through (iii) other than where the non-arm’s length relationship arises, or where the Recipient is a “specified non-resident shareholder”, does not deal at arm’s length with a “specified shareholder”, or is a “specified entity”, as a result of an Affected Person having become party to, received or perfected a security interest under or received or enforced any rights, under, any Transaction Document).
“Facility Limit” means $300,000,000 as reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.02(e). References to the unused portion of the Facility Limit mean, at any time, an amount equal to (x) the Facility Limit at such time, minus (y) the Aggregate Capital at such time.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
“Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any entity succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Fee Letter” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(a).
“Fees” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(a).
“Final Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of (a) the date that is 60 days following the Scheduled Termination Date, and (b) the Termination Date unless such Termination Date occurs solely as a result of the Scheduled Termination Date’s occurrence.
“Final Payout Date” means the date on or after the Termination Date when (i) the Aggregate Capital and Aggregate Yield have been paid in full, (ii) all Seller Obligations shall have been paid in full and (iii) all other amounts owing to the Secured Parties and any other SPV Entity Indemnified Party or Affected Person hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents have been paid in full.
“First Amendment Effective Date” means February 12, 2024.
“First Lien Credit Agreement” means the Third Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2021, among Inception Parent, Inc., as holdings., Rackspace Technology Global, Inc., as borrower, the lenders and issuing banks party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.
“First Tier Transfer Agreement” means that certain Sale Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the U.S. Servicer, the U.S. Originators and the Aggregator, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Fiscal Month” means each calendar month.
“Foreign Currency Reserve Percentage” means, at any time of determination, the sum for each Alternative Currency of the quotient, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the product of (i) the Outstanding Balance of all Receivables denominated in such Alternative Currency multiplied by (ii) the VaR Percentage for such Alternative Currency, divided by (b) the Net Receivables Pool Balance.
“Foreign Obligor Consent” has the meaning set forth in clause (i) of the term “Eligible Receivable”.
“Foreign Originator Account” means each of the accounts (and any related lock-box or post office box) specified in Schedule II as a “Foreign Originator Account” in the name of the UK Originator, a Swiss Originator or a Canadian Originator, as applicable, and maintained at a Foreign Originator Account Bank.
“Foreign Originator Account Bank” means any bank at which the UK Originator, a Swiss Originator or a Canadian Originator, as applicable, maintains one or more Foreign Originator Accounts.
“Foreign Originator Pool Receivable” means a Pool Receivable that is a Canadian Receivable, a Swiss Receivable, or UK Receivable.
“Foreign Purchaser” means a Purchaser that is not a U.S. Person.
“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as are in effect from time to time, subject to the provisions of Section 1.03, and applied on a consistent basis both as to classification of items and amounts.
“Group A Obligor,” “Group B Obligor” or “Group C Obligor” means any Obligor (or its parent or majority owner, as applicable, if such Obligor is not rated) with:
(a) a short-term rating of at least “A-1” (in the case of a Group A Obligor), “A-2” (in the case of a Group B Obligor) or “A-3” (in the case of a Group C Obligor), in any case, by S&P, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from S&P, a rating of at least “A+” (in the case of a Group A Obligor), “BBB+” (in the case of a Group B Obligor) or “BBB-” (in the case of a Group C Obligor), in any case, or better by S&P on such Obligor’s, its parent’s, or its majority owner’s (as applicable) long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities, and
(b) a short-term rating of at least “P-1” (in the case of a Group A Obligor), “P-2” (in the case of a Group B Obligor) or “P-3” (in the case of a Group C Obligor), in any case, by Moody’s, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from Moody’s, a rating of at least “A1” (in the case of a Group A Obligor), “Baa1” (in the case of a Group B Obligor) or “Baa3” (in the case of a Group C Obligor), in any case, or better by Moody’s on such Obligor’s, its parent’s or its majority owner’s (as applicable) long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities;
provided, however, if such Obligor is rated by only one of S&P or Moody’s, then such Obligor will be a Group A Obligor, Group B Obligor or Group C Obligor (as the case may be) if it satisfies either clause (a) or clause (b) above; provided, further, that if such Obligor (or its parent or majority owner, as applicable, if such Obligor is not rated) has split ratings from S&P and Moody’s, then such Obligor (or its parent or majority owner, as applicable) shall be deemed to have only the higher of the two ratings for the purpose of determining whether such Obligor satisfies clause (a) or (b) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Obligor that is a Subsidiary of an Obligor that satisfies the definition of Group A Obligor, Group B Obligor or Group C Obligor (as the case may be) shall be deemed to be a Group A Obligor, Group B Obligor or Group C Obligor (as the case may be) and shall be aggregated with its parent Obligor that
satisfies such definition for the purposes of determining the “Concentration Reserve Percentage” unless such Subsidiary Obligor separately satisfies the definition of Group A Obligor, Group B Obligor or Group C Obligor (as the case may be), in which case such Obligor shall be separately treated as a Group A Obligor, Group B Obligor or Group C Obligor (as the case may be), as the case may be, and shall be aggregated and combined for such purposes with any of its Subsidiaries that are also Obligors.
“Group D Obligor” means any Obligor that is not a Group A Obligor, Group B Obligor or Group C Obligor; provided, that any Obligor (or its parent or majority owner, as applicable, if such Obligor is unrated) that is unrated by both Moody’s and S&P shall be a Group D Obligor.
“GST” means, collectively, (i) all goods and services tax payable under Part IX of the Excise Tax Act (Canada), (ii) all harmonized sales tax in the Provinces of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and any other province or territory of Canada payable under Part IX of the Excise Tax Act (Canada), and (iii) all QST.
“Guarantee Fee” means the guarantee fee payable by the Seller to the Canadian Guarantor under the SPV Reimbursement and Contribution Agreement.
“Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(a).
“Guaranty” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any liability or obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly. The amount of obligations under a Guaranty shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guaranty is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Administrative Agent in good faith.
“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at any time, any and all indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or joint or several) of such Person for or in respect of (a) borrowed money, (b) obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) obligations (contingent or otherwise) under any acceptance, letter of credit or similar facilities, (d) obligations under any currency swap agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar or floor agreement or other interest rate or currency risk management device, (e) any other transaction (including forward sale or purchase agreements, capitalized leases and conditional sales agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing of money entered into by such Person to finance its operations or capital requirements (but not including trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not represented by a promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness and which are not more than sixty (60) days past due), (f) any Guaranty of Indebtedness of a type referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above, and (g) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
“Indemnified Taxes” means (i) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of SPV Entity-Related Party
under any Transaction Document and (ii) to the extent not otherwise described in the preceding clause (i), Other Taxes.
“Independent Manager” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03(c).
“Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.08.
“Initial Schedule of Sold Receivables” means the schedule identifying all Sold Receivables as of (i) with respect to U.S. Receivables, the Closing Date, and (ii) with respect to UK Receivables, Swiss Receivables and Canadian Receivables, the First Amendment Effective Date, which list the Seller delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers on or prior to the Closing Date, or the First Amendment Effective Date, as applicable.
“Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.11.
“Investment” means any payment of Capital by a Purchaser to the Seller pursuant to Section 2.02.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940.
“Investment Request” means a letter in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto delivered by the Seller to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers pursuant to Section 2.02(a).
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“ITA” means the Income Tax Act (Canada), and the regulations thereunder, as amended.
“JPMorgan US Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04.
“Law” means any law(s) (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, opinion, issued guidance, release, ruling, order, executive order, injunction, writ, decree, bond, judgment, authorization or approval, lien or award of or any settlement arrangement, by agreement, consent or otherwise, with any Official Body, foreign or domestic.
“LCR Security” means any commercial paper or security (other than equity securities issued to any Person that is a consolidated subsidiary of Parent under GAAP) within the meaning of Paragraph __.32(e)(viii) of the final rules titled Liquidity Coverage Ratio: Liquidity Risk Measurement Standards, 79 Fed. Reg. 197, 61440 et seq. (October 10, 2014).
“Lending Office” means, as to the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser, the office or offices of such Person described as such in such Purchaser’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as such Person may from time to time notify the Seller and the Administrative Agent.
“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, assignment by way of security, hypothec, deemed trust, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security and any filed financing statement or other notice of any of the foregoing (whether or not a lien or other encumbrance is created or exists at the time of the filing).
“Linked Account” means any controlled disbursement account, controlled balance account or other deposit account maintained by a Collection Account Bank for any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliate thereof and linked to any Collection Account by a zero balance account connection or other automated funding mechanism or controlled balance arrangement.
“LLC Division” means, in the event a Person is a limited liability company, (a) the division of such Person into two or more newly formed limited liability companies (whether or not such Person is a surviving entity following any such division) pursuant to Section 18-217 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act or any similar provision under any similar act governing limited liability companies organized under the Laws of any other State or Commonwealth or of the District of Columbia, or (b) the adoption of a plan contemplating, or the filing of any certificate with any applicable Official Body that results or may result in, any such division.
“Lock-Box” means each locked postal box with respect to any Collection Account for the purpose of retrieving and processing payments made on the Receivables and which is listed on Schedule II (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the addition or removal of any Lock-Box in accordance with the terms hereof).
“Loss Horizon Ratio” means, at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed by dividing:
(a) the aggregate initial Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables (other than Unbilled Receivables) generated by the Originators during the number of most recently ended Fiscal Months equal to the sum of 3.6 plus the Weighted Average Payment Terms; by
(b) the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of such date.
“Loss Reserve Percentage” means, at any time, the product (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) of (a) 2.25, multiplied by (b) the highest average of the Default Ratios for any three (3) consecutive Fiscal Months during the twelve (12) most recent Fiscal Months, multiplied by (c) the Loss Horizon Ratio.
“Material Adverse Effect” means relative to any Person (provided that if no particular Person is specified, “Material Adverse Effect” shall be deemed to be relative to all SPV Entity-Related Parties, individually and in the aggregate) with respect to any event or circumstance, a material adverse effect on any of the following:
(a) the assets, operations, business or financial condition of the Seller, individually, or the SPV Entity-Related Parties, in the aggregate;
(b) the ability of such Person to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party;
(c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;
(d) the validity, enforceability, value or collectability of any material portion of the Supporting Assets;
(e) the status, perfection, enforceability or priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Supporting Assets; or
(f) the rights and remedies of any Purchaser Party under the Transaction Documents taken as a whole or associated with its respective interests in the Supporting Assets.
“Maximum Release Amount” means, on any day of determination, the positive excess, if any, of (a) the amount of Collections on deposit in the Cash Dominion Administration Account over (b) the amount of Collections required to be on deposit in the Cash Dominion Administration Account on such day pursuant to Section 5.03(a) (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent).
“Minimum Dilution Reserve Percentage” means, at any time, the product (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) of (a) the average of the Dilution Ratios for the twelve (12) most recent Fiscal Months, multiplied by (b) the Dilution Horizon Ratio.
“Minimum Funding Threshold” means, on any day, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the product of (i) 80.00%, times (ii) the Facility Limit at such time and (b) the Capital Coverage Amount at such time; provided, that (x) the Minimum Funding Threshold shall not apply if and for so long the Seller’s inability to comply with such obligation is caused by the failure of any Purchaser to fund its share of requested Investment and (y) until such time as Receivables originated or purchased from non-U.S. Subsidiaries of the Parent are included in the Receivables Pool, the Minimum Funding Threshold shall be equal to 80.00% times the Capital Coverage Amount.
“Monthly Report” means a report regarding the Pool Receivables and the transactions contemplated hereby, substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1.
“Monthly Settlement Date” means the 20th day of each calendar month (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next occurring Business Day).
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan which is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Seller or any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or, within the preceding five (5) plan years, has made or had an obligation to make such contributions, or to which the Seller or any member of the ERISA Group has any liability (contingent or otherwise).
“Net Receivables Pool Balance” means, at any time: (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool, minus (b) the Excess Concentration, minus (c) the AWS Past-Due Payable Amount.
“Non-Consenting Purchaser” means any Purchaser that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all or all affected Purchasers in accordance with the terms of Section 12.01 and (b) has been approved by the Required Purchasers.
“Non-Defaulting Purchaser” means, at any time, each Purchaser that is not a Defaulting Purchaser at such time.
“Obligor” means, with respect to any Receivable, the Person obligated to make payments pursuant to the Contract relating to such Receivable.
“Obligor Percentage” means, at any time, for each Obligor, a fraction, expressed as a percentage, (a) the numerator of which is the aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Eligible Receivables of such Obligor and its Affiliates less the amount (if any) then included in the calculation of the Excess Concentration with respect to such Obligor and its Affiliates and (b) the denominator of which is the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables at such time.
“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Official Body” means the government of the United States of America, Canada or any other nation, or any political subdivision thereof, whether state, provincial, territorial or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank) and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).
“Originator” and “Originators” means the U.S. Originators, the UK Originators, the Swiss Originators and the Canadian Originators.
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Transaction Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Investment or Transaction Document).
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Transaction Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 4.04).
“Outstanding Balance” means, at any time, with respect to any Receivable, the then outstanding principal balance thereof; provided, with respect to any Receivable denominated or payable in an Alternative Currency, references to the “Outstanding Balance” shall mean the Dollar Equivalent thereof, including for greater certainty, in the case of any Canadian Receivable, any outstanding Canadian Sales Taxes, and in the case of any UK Receivable or Swiss Receivable, any VAT, sales or other similar taxes.
“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurocurrency borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as set forth on its public website from time to time, and as published on the next succeeding Business Day as the overnight bank funding rate by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or by such other recognized electronic source (such as Bloomberg) selected by the
Administrative Agent for the purpose of displaying such rate); provided, that if such day is not a Business Day, the Overnight Bank Funding Rate for such day shall be such rate on the immediately preceding Business Day; provided, further, that if such rate shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Administrative Agent at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error). If the Overnight Bank Funding Rate determined as above would be less than zero, then such rate shall be deemed to be zero. The rate of interest charged shall be adjusted as of each Business Day based on changes in the Overnight Bank Funding Rate without notice to the Seller.
“Parent” means Rackspace Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Parent Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03(c).
“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.06(d).
“Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.06(d).
“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that has the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
“Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.13.
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA or any successor.
“Pension Plan” means at any time an “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) (including a “multiple employer plan” as described in Sections 4063 and 4064 of ERISA, but not a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 or Section 430 of the Code and either (a) is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group, (b) has at any time within the preceding five years been sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any entity which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any entity which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group, or in the case of a “multiple employer” or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years or (c) or to which the Seller or any member of the ERISA Group may have any liability (contingent or otherwise).
“Performance Guarantor” means Parent.
“Performance Guaranty” means the Amended and Restated Performance Guaranty, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, by the Performance Guarantor in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
“Permitted Adverse Claim” means (a) any bankers’ liens, rights of setoff and other similar liens existing solely with respect to cash on deposit in a Collection Account and (b) any liens for Taxes (i) not yet due and payable or (ii) if the obligations with respect to such Taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP.
“Permitted Linked Account” means each account listed as a “Linked Account” on Schedule II to this Agreement (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) (in each case, in the name of the Seller) and maintained at a
bank or other financial institution acting as a Collection Account Bank pursuant to an Account Control Agreement.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, company, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Official Body or other entity.
“PINACLE” means PNC’s PINACLE® auto-advance service or any similar or replacement electronic loan administration service implemented by PNC.
“PINACLE Agreement” means a separate written agreement between Seller and PNC regarding PINACLE, and any amendments, modifications or replacements thereof.
“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Seller or any member of the ERISA Group or any such Plan to which the Seller or any member of the ERISA Group is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
“Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.
“Pledge Agreement” means that certain Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Pledgor and the Administrative Agent.
“Pledged Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(i)(i).
“Pledgor” means Rackspace.
“PNC” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Pool Receivable” means a Receivable in the Receivables Pool.
“Pool Report” means each Monthly Report and Daily Report.
“Post-Closing Foreign Originator Account Compliance Date” means, with respect to each Receivable for which a Foreign Obligor Consent was required to be consented to by the applicable Obligor, the date that is sixty (60) days after the date upon which the applicable Obligor consented under the related Foreign Obligor Consent, (or such later date (if any) consented to in writing by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion).
“Potential Default” means any event or condition which with notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“PPSA” means in respect of each province and territory in Canada (other than the Province of Québec), the Personal Property Security Act as from time to time in effect in such province or territory and, in the Province of Québec, the Civil Code of Quebec as from time to time in effect in such province.
“Prime Rate” means the interest rate per annum announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent at its main offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as its then prime rate, which rate may not be the lowest or most favorable rate then being charged to commercial borrowers or others by the Administrative Agent and may not be tied to any external rate of interest or index. Any change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change is announced.
“PST” means all taxes payable under any provincial sales or use tax or social services tax statute of any jurisdiction of Canada, other than the Province of Québec, but in any event, excluding any GST.
“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
“Purchaser Party” means each Purchaser, the Structuring Agent and the Administrative Agent.
“Purchasers” means the financial institutions named on Schedule I and their respective successors and assigns as permitted hereunder, each of which is referred to herein as a Purchaser.
“QST” means the tax payable under the Act Respecting the Québec Sales Tax, R.S.Q. c.T-01, as such statute may be amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time, including any successor statute, and any other tax from time to time replacing the same or of a similar fiscal nature.
“Quebec Assignment Agreement” has the meaning given to it in the Canadian Transfer Agreement.
“Quebec Receivable” has the meaning given to it in the Canadian Transfer Agreement.
“Receivable” means any right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, owed to any Originator, the Aggregator (including as assignee of an Originator), the Seller (as assignee of the Aggregator) or the Canadian Guarantor, whether constituting an account, chattel paper, payment intangible, instrument or general intangible, in each instance arising in connection with the sale of goods that have been or are to be sold or for services rendered or to be rendered, and includes the obligation to pay the service charges, finance charges, interest, fees and other charges and any value added Taxes or sales Taxes (including all Canadian Sales Taxes and VAT) with respect thereto. Any such right to payment arising from any one transaction, including any such right to payment represented by an individual invoice or agreement, shall constitute a Receivable separate from a Receivable consisting of any such right to payment arising from any other transaction.
“Receivables Pool” means, at any time, all of the then outstanding Receivables transferred (or purported to be transferred) pursuant to the Transfer Agreements, including both Sold Receivables and Unsold Receivables, (i) first by a U.S. Originator to the Aggregator and subsequently by the Aggregator to the Seller, (ii) by a UK Originator or Swiss Originator to the Seller, or (iii) by a Canadian Originator to the Canadian Guarantor, as applicable.
“Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) any Purchaser, as applicable.
“Reduction Notice” means a letter in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto delivered by the Seller to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers pursuant to Section 2.02(d).
“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.06(c).
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Related Rights” has the meaning set forth in the applicable Transfer Agreement.
“Related Security” means, with respect to any Receivable:
(a) all of each SPV Entity’s, the Aggregator’s and each Originator’s interest in any goods (including Returned Goods), and documentation of title evidencing the shipment or storage of any goods (including Returned Goods), the sale of which gave rise to such Receivable; provided, however, that if such Receivable is subject to Dilution arising from the return or repossession of, or foreclosure on, related Returned Goods and the SPV Entity-Related Parties have made all related payments of Deemed Collections in accordance with the Transaction Documents, then Related Security with respect to such Receivable shall exclude such Returned Goods;
(b) all instruments and chattel paper that may evidence such Receivable;
(c) all letter of credit rights, other security interests or liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise, together with all UCC and PPSA financing statements, financing change statements, amendments or similar filings relating thereto;
(d) all of each SPV Entity’s, the Aggregator’s and each Originator’s rights, interests and claims under the related Contracts and all guaranties, indemnities, insurance and other agreements (including the related Contract) or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable or otherwise relating to such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise;
(e) all books and records of each SPV Entity, the Aggregator and each Originator to the extent related to any of the foregoing, and all rights, remedies, powers, privileges, title and interest (but not obligations) in and to each Lock-Box, Collection Account and Cash Dominion Administration Account, into which any Collections or other proceeds with respect to such Receivables may be deposited, and any related investment property acquired with any such Collections or other proceeds (as such term is defined in the UCC or PPSA, as applicable);
(f) all of the applicable SPV Entity’s rights, interests and claims under the Second Tier Transfer Agreement, the Canadian Transfer Agreement, the UK Transfer Agreement, the Swiss Transfer Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;
(g) all of the Aggregator’s rights, interests and claims under the First Tier Transfer Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; and
(h) all Collections and other proceeds (as defined in the UCC or PPSA, as applicable) of such Receivable or any of the foregoing.
“Release” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).
“Relief Proceeding” means any proceeding seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of any SPV Entity-Related Party or Subsidiary of a SPV Entity-Related Party in a voluntary or involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, administration, liquidation, arrangement, restructuring or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or for the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, manager, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, administrator, monitor, conservator (or similar official) of any SPV Entity-Related Party or Subsidiary of a SPV Entity-Related Party for any substantial part of
its property, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, or an assignment for the benefit of its creditors.
“Removal Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(b).
“Reportable Compliance Event” means that: (a) any Covered Entity becomes a Sanctioned Person, or is charged by indictment, criminal complaint, or similar charging instrument, arraigned, custodially detained, penalized or the subject of an assessment for a penalty, or enters into a settlement with an Official Body in connection with any economic sanctions or other Anti-Terrorism Law or Anti-Corruption Law, or any predicate crime to any Anti-Terrorism Law or Anti-Corruption Law, or has knowledge of facts or circumstances to the effect that it is reasonably likely that any aspect of its operations represents a violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Anti-Corruption Law; (b) any Covered Entity engages in a transaction that has caused or may cause the Purchasers or Administrative Agent to be in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Laws, including a Covered Entity’s use of any proceeds of the Investments to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, directly or indirectly, a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Jurisdiction; (c) any Supporting Assets become Embargoed Property; or (d) any Covered Entity otherwise violates, or reasonably believes that it will violate, any of the representations or covenant (including any negative covenant) of this Agreement related to Anti-Terrorism Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws.
“Required Purchasers” means Purchasers (other than any Defaulting Purchaser) having more than 50.00% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Purchasers (excluding any Defaulting Purchaser) or, after termination of the Commitments, the outstanding Capital of the Purchasers (excluding any Defaulting Purchaser).
“Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(a).
“Restricted Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(r).
“Returned Goods” means all right, title and interest in and to returned, repossessed or foreclosed goods and/or merchandise the sale of which gave rise to a Receivable.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
“Sanctioned Jurisdiction” means any country, territory, or region that is the subject of sanctions administered by OFAC.
“Sanctioned Person” means (a) a Person that is the target of sanctions administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, including by virtue of being (i) named on OFAC’s list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons”; (ii) organized under the Laws of, ordinarily resident in, or physically located in a Sanctioned Jurisdiction; (iii) owned or controlled 50.00% or more in the aggregate, by one or more Persons that are the subject of sanctions administered by OFAC; (b) a Person that is the target of sanctions maintained by the European Union (“E.U.”), including by virtue of being named on the E.U.’s “Consolidated list of persons, groups and entities subject to E.U. financial sanctions” or other, similar lists; (c) a Person that is the target of sanctions maintained by the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), including by virtue of being named on the “Consolidated List Of Financial Sanctions Targets in the U.K.” or other, similar lists; (d) a Person that is the target of sanctions maintained by Canada, including by virtue of being named on a list maintained by Global Affairs Canada and any other applicable Canadian Governmental Authority; or (e) a Person that is the target of sanctions imposed by any Official Body of a jurisdiction whose Laws apply to this Agreement.
“Scheduled Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (a) September 29, 2026 and (b) the “Revolving Facility Maturity Date” under and as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement (as amended from time to time), provided that such “Revolving Facility Maturity Date” is not extended 90 days prior to such “Revolving Facility Maturity Date”.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental agencies substituted therefor.
“Second Tier Transfer Agreement” means that certain Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the U.S. Servicer, the Aggregator and the Seller, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Secured Parties” means each Purchaser Party, each SPV Entity Indemnified Party and each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 10.05.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.
“Seller” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Seller Guaranty” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(a).
“Seller Obligations” means all present and future indebtedness, reimbursement obligations, and other liabilities and obligations (howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or due or to become due) of the Seller to any Secured Party, arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and shall include all Capital and Yield, all Fees and all other amounts due or to become due under the Transaction Documents (whether in respect of fees, costs, expenses, indemnifications or otherwise), including interest, yield, fees and other obligations that accrue after the commencement of any Relief Proceeding with respect to the Seller (in each case whether or not allowed as a claim in such proceeding).
“Servicer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Servicer Indemnified Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03.
“Servicer Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03.
“Servicing Fee” means, collectively, the U.S. Servicing Fee, the UK Servicing Fee, the Swiss Servicing Fee and the Canadian Servicing Fee.
“Servicing Fee Rate” means 1.00% per annum.
“Settlement Date” means (i) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Termination Date has not occurred, each Monthly Settlement Date and (ii) on and after the Termination Date or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, each day selected from time to time by the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent may select such Settlement Date to occur as frequently as daily), or, in the absence of such selection, the Monthly Settlement Date.
“SOFR” means, for any day, a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Floor” means a rate of interest per annum equal to zero basis points (0.00%).
“Sold Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).
“Sold Receivables” means, collectively, (i) the Pool Receivables specified as “Sold Receivables” on the Initial Schedule of Sold Receivables, (ii) all additional Pool Receivables specified as “Sold Receivables” on the Investment Requests delivered with respect to all subsequent Investments made hereunder and (iii) all additional Pool Receivables designated as “Sold Receivables” and transferred by the Seller pursuant to Section 2.01(b) in connection with a Release as contemplated by the first paragraph in Section 3.01(a).
“Sold Swiss Assets” means, collectively, all Sold Assets subject to Swiss substantive laws.
“Sold Swiss Receivables” means, collectively, all Sold Receivables subject to Swiss substantive laws.
“Solvent” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, taking into account any right of reimbursement, contribution or similar right available to such Person from other Persons, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) such Person does not incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged and (f) such Person is not an “insolvent person” within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada). In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
“Sponsor” means, collectively, investment funds, separate accounts or other entities advised, managed or controlled by Athene Holding Ltd., Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. or their respective affiliates (including affiliated investment managers or advisers).
“SPV Entity” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.
“SPV Entity Guaranty” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(a).
“SPV Entity Indemnified Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02.
“SPV Entity Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02.
“SPV Entity-Related Party” means each of the Seller, the Canadian Guarantor, the Servicers, the Performance Guarantor, the Parent, the Originators, the Aggregator and any other Affiliate of the Parent from time to time party to any Transaction Document.
“SPV Reimbursement and Contribution Agreement” means the SPV Reimbursement and Contribution Agreement dated on or about the Closing Date, between the SPV Entities, as such
agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (in its reasonable discretion).
“SPV Reimbursement Obligation” means the obligation of the Seller to repay Inter-Company Advances (as such term in defined in the SPV Reimbursement and Contribution Agreement) to the Canadian Guarantor together with interest thereon as set forth in the SPV Reimbursement and Contribution Agreement.
“Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(ee).
“Sterling”, “GBP” or “£” mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
“Structuring Agent” means PNC Capital Markets LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company.
“Sub-Servicer” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(d).
“Subordinated Note”, “Subordinated Loan” and “Subordinated Loan Agreement” have the meaning set forth in the applicable Transfer Agreement.
“Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, any corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity (a) of which more than 50.00% of the outstanding voting securities or other interests normally entitled to vote for the election of one or more directors or trustees (regardless of any contingency which does or may suspend or dilute the voting rights) is at such time owned directly or indirectly by such Person or one or more of such Person’s Subsidiaries, or (b) which is Controlled or capable of being Controlled by such Person or one or more of such Person’s Subsidiaries.
“Supporting Assets” means all Sold Assets and all Pledged Collateral.
“Swiss Originator” means, initially Rackspace International GmbH and thereafter any Person organized in Switzerland (or any political subdivision thereof) from time to time a party to a Swiss Transfer Agreement as an “Originator” thereunder.
“Swiss Receivables” means each Receivable acquired pursuant to a Swiss Transfer Agreement from a Swiss Originator.
“Swiss Servicer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Swiss Servicing Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.06(a).
“Swiss Transfer Agreement” means (i) the English and Swiss law governed transfer agreement, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, among the Swiss Servicer, the Swiss Originator and the Seller, and (ii) any other transfer agreement entered into from time to time among, among the Swiss Servicer, an affiliate of Rackspace Swiss incorporated in Switzerland as an originator and the Seller.
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Official Body, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (a) the Scheduled Termination Date, (b) the date on which the Facility Limit is terminated in whole pursuant to Section 2.02(e), (c)
the date on which the “Termination Date” is declared or deemed to have occurred under Section 9.02 and (d) the date on which all Commitments have been reduced to zero.
“Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).
“Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any amount for which the Term SOFR Reference Rate applies, for any day in any Yield Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent rounded upwards, at the Administrative Agent’s discretion, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a term of one month, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator, on the day (the “Term SOFR Determination Date”) that is two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Yield Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator. If the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published or replaced with a Benchmark Replacement by 5:00 p.m. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania time) on the Term SOFR Determination Date, then the Term SOFR Reference Rate shall be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor on the first Business Day preceding such Term SOFR Determination Date for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published in accordance herewith, so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than three (3) Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Date. If the Term SOFR Rate, determined as provided above, would be less than the SOFR Floor, then the Term SOFR Rate shall be deemed to be the SOFR Floor.
“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.
“Texas DIR” means the Texas Department of Information Resources.
“Threshold Amount” means $100,000,000.
“Total Reserves” means, at any time, an amount equal to the product of (a) the sum of: (i) the Yield Reserve Percentage, plus (ii) the Foreign Currency Reserve Percentage, plus (iii) the greater of (x) the sum of the Concentration Reserve Percentage, plus the Minimum Dilution Reserve Percentage and (y) the sum of the Loss Reserve Percentage, plus the Dilution Reserve Percentage, times (b) the Net Receivables Pool Balance at such time.
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, each Transfer Agreement, the Quebec Assignment Agreement, each Account Control Agreement, each Fee Letter, each Subordinated Note, each Subordinated Loan Agreement, the Performance Guaranty, the Pledge Agreement, the UK Risk Retention Letter Agreement, the UK Security Agreement, each UK Power of Attorney, each UK Declaration of Trust, and all other certificates, instruments, UCC and PPSA financing statements, financing change statements, amendments, reports, notices, agreements and documents executed or delivered under or in connection with this Agreement.
“Transfer Agreement” means each of the First Tier Transfer Agreement, the Second Tier Transfer Agreement, the Canadian Transfer Agreement, the Swiss Transfer Agreement and the UK Transfer Agreement.
“Transfer Termination Event” means the occurrence of any event or circumstance (including the occurrence of the “Sale Termination Date” under the First Tier Sale Agreement, the UK Transfer Agreement or the Swiss Transfer Agreement or the “Sale and Contribution Termination Date” under the Second Tier Transfer Agreement and the Canadian Transfer Agreement) that causes: (i) any U.S. Originator to cease selling or contributing Receivables to the Aggregator, (ii) the Aggregator to cease selling and contributing Receivables to the Seller, (iii) any Canadian Originator to cease contributing Receivables to the Canadian Guarantor, or
(iv) any UK Originator or Swiss Originator, as applicable, to cease selling Receivables to the Seller; provided, however, that an Originator ceasing to be a party to a Transfer Agreement with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent shall not constitute a Transfer Termination Event.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the applicable jurisdiction.
“UK Collection Account” means each account listed as a UK Collection Account on Schedule II to this Agreement (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the closing or opening of any UK Collection Account in accordance with the terms hereof) (in each case, in the name of the Person specified as the account holder at the Collection Account Bank specified on Schedule II) and maintained at a bank or other financial institution acting as a Collection Account Bank pursuant to an Account Control Agreement for the purpose of receiving Collections.
“UK Declaration of Trust” means (i) an English law declaration of trust, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date between Rackspace Limited and the Seller, (ii) an English law declaration of trust, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, between Rackspace International GMBH and the Seller and (iii) any other declaration of trust governed by English law and entered into between any UK Originator and/or any Swiss Originator and the Seller in connection with the UK Transfer Agreement or the Swiss Transfer Agreement, as applicable.
“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Insolvency Act” means the Insolvency Act 1986, (c 45).
“UK Originator” means, initially Rackspace Limited and thereafter any Person organized in England and Wales (or any political subdivision thereof) from time to time a party to a UK Transfer Agreement as an “Originator” thereunder.
“UK Power of Attorney” means (i) an English law power of attorney, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, granted by the Seller to the Administrative Agent; (ii) an English law power of attorney, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, granted by Rackspace Limited to the Seller, (iii) an English law power of attorney, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, granted by Rackspace International GMBH to the Seller and (iv) any other power of attorney governed by English law and granted from time to time among by any UK Originator and/or any Swiss Originator to the Seller in connection with the UK Transfer Agreement or the Swiss Transfer Agreement, as applicable.
“UK Receivables” means each Receivable acquired pursuant to a UK Transfer Agreement from a UK Originator.
“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
“UK Risk Retention Letter Agreement” means the letter agreement relating to certain risk retention matters, to be dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, among Rackspace US, Inc. and the Administrative Agent.
“UK Security Agreement” means the English law Security Agreement, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, between the Seller, as chargor, and the Administrative Agent.
“UK Servicer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“UK Servicing Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.06(a).
“UK Transfer Agreement” means (i) the English law transfer agreement, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, among the UK Servicer, the UK Originator and the Seller, and (ii) any other transfer agreement governed by English law and entered into from time to time among the UK Servicer, an affiliate of Rackspace UK incorporated in England & Wales as an originator and the Seller.
“Unbilled Receivable” means, at any time, any Receivable as to which the invoice or bill with respect thereto has not yet been sent to the Obligor thereof and the Contract relating thereto obligates the Obligor thereof to pay for the related services.
“Undrawn Fee” has the meaning set forth in the Fee Letters.
“Unsold Receivables” means, at any time, all Pool Receivables that are not then Sold Receivables.
“USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.
“U.S.-Canada Tax Treaty” means the Convention between the United States of America and Canada with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, as amended.
“U.S. Collection Account” means each account listed as a U.S. Collection Account on Schedule II to this Agreement (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the closing or opening of any Collection Account in accordance with the terms hereof) (in each case, in the name of the Person specified as the account holder at the Collection Account Bank specified on Schedule II) and maintained at a bank or other financial institution acting as a Collection Account Bank pursuant to an Account Control Agreement for the purpose of receiving Collections.
“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday or Sunday or (b) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
“U.S. Obligor” means an Obligor that is a corporation or other business organization and is organized under the laws of the United States of America (or of a United States of America territory, district, state, commonwealth, or possession, including, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) or any political subdivision thereof.
“U.S. Originator” means any Person organized in the United States of America (or any political subdivision thereof) from time to time a party to the First Tier Transfer Agreement as an “Originator” thereunder.
“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Receivable” means each Pool Receivable originated by a U.S. Originator or the Aggregator.
“U.S. Servicer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“U.S. Servicing Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.06(a).
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(g)(ii)(2)(III).
“VaR Percentage” means (a) with respect to Sterling, 6.00%, (b) with respect to Euro, 5.00%, (c) with respect to Australian Dollar, 7.00%, and (d) with respect to Canadian Dollar, 4.00%; or such other value-at-risk percentage with respect any Alternative Currency designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time upon fifteen (15) Business Days’ prior notice to the Seller.
“VAT” means (i) any value added tax imposed by the Value Added Tax Act 1994 in the United Kingdom; (ii) any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and (iii) any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in the United Kingdom or in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) above, or imposed elsewhere (other than Canadian Sales Tax).
“Volcker Rule” means Section 13 of the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder.
“Weighted Average Payment Terms” means, on any date, the weighted average payment terms (computed in days and calculated based on the difference between the original invoice date and the stated maturity date) of invoices for the Receivables in the Receivables Pool, divided by 30; provided such weighting shall be based on the Outstanding Balance on such date of such Receivables.
“Withholding Agent” means any SPV Entity-Related Party and the Administrative Agent.
“Write-down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
“Yield” means, for any Capital, the amount of interest or yield accrued on such Capital in accordance with this Agreement.
“Yield Period” means, with respect to any Capital, (a) before the Termination Date: (i) initially, the period commencing on the date such Capital is funded through an Investment hereunder (or in the case of any fees payable hereunder, commencing on the Closing Date) and ending on (but not including) the next Monthly Settlement Date and (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on a Monthly Settlement Date and ending on (but not including) the next Monthly
Settlement Date and (b) on and after the Termination Date, such period (including a period of one day) as shall be selected from time to time by the Administrative Agent or, in the absence of any such selection, each period commencing on a Monthly Settlement Date and ending on (but not including) the next Monthly Settlement Date.
“Yield Rate” means, subject to Sections 2.03 and 2.04, for any day in any Yield Period for any Capital (or portion thereof):
(a) if no Event of Default is then continuing and the Administrative Agent has not elected (in its sole discretion) for the Interest Rate for such Loan (or all Loans) to be determined pursuant to clause (b) below, either (i) if the Seller has elected for such Capital to accrue interest by reference to the Term SOFR Rate during such Yield Period in accordance with Section 2.03(d)(i), the Term SOFR Rate for such Yield Period, or (ii) in any other case (including if no such election has been made), Daily 1M SOFR; or
(b) if an Event of Default is then continuing and the Administrative Agent elects (in its sole discretion) for the Interest Rate for such Loan (or all Loans) to be determined pursuant to this clause (b), the greater of (x) Daily 1M SOFR and (y) the Base Rate (in either case, plus any additional margin or spread imposed pursuant to Section 2.03(f)).
For the avoidance of doubt, any election by the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (b) above shall have immediate effect, and if any Capital is converted to, or deemed to be, a Base Rate Capital pursuant to the terms hereof, the Yield Rate for such Capital shall be the Base Rate as in effect from time to time (plus any additional margin or spread imposed pursuant to Section 2.03(f)).
“Yield Reserve Percentage” means at any time:
1.50 x DSO x (BR + SFR)
360
where:
BR = the Base Rate at such time;
DSO = the Days’ Sales Outstanding for the most recently ended Fiscal Month; and
SFR = the Servicing Fee Rate.
SECTION 1.02 Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the following rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents: (a) references to the plural include the singular, the plural, the part and the whole and the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; (b) the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”; (c) the words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereto” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document refer to this Agreement or such other Transaction Document as a whole; (d) article, section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or other Transaction Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise specified; (e) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns; (f) reference to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, means this Agreement or such other Transaction Document, together with the schedules and exhibits hereto or thereto, as amended, modified, replaced, substituted for, superseded or restated from time to
time (subject to any restrictions thereon specified in this Agreement or the other applicable Transaction Document); (g) relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,” “to” means “to but excluding,” and “through” means “through and including”; (h) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; (i) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights; (j) whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms; (k) section headings herein and in each other Transaction Document are included for convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or such Transaction Document; and (l) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall constitute references to Eastern Time.
SECTION 1.03 Accounting Principles; Changes in GAAP. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date applied on a basis consistent with those used in preparing the Statements referred to in Section 6.01(ee). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Transaction Document, and either the Seller or the Required Purchasers shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Purchasers and the Seller shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Purchasers); provided that, until so amended, (a) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (b) the Seller shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 1.03 and any changes in GAAP or other accounting principles contemplated by this Section shall not affect or modify any computation or determination of the Days’ Sales Outstanding, Default Ratio, Delinquency Ratio, Dilution Ratio, Total Reserves or any input to, or component of, any of the foregoing. All terms used in Article 9 of the UCC in the State of New York and not specifically defined herein, are used herein as defined in such Article 9. All terms used in the PPSA in the Province of Ontario in relation to the Canadian Guarantor or the Canadian Receivables or any Related Security with respect thereto, and not specifically defined herein, are used herein as defined in such PPSA.
SECTION 1.04 Benchmark Replacement Notification. Section 2.04(d) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest in the event that Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate is no longer available or in certain other circumstances. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate therefor.
ARTICLE II
TERMS OF THE INVESTMENTS
SECTION 2.01 Purchase Facility.
(a) Investments. Upon a request by the Seller pursuant to Section 2.02, and on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, the Purchasers shall, ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments, severally and not jointly, make payments of Capital to the Seller from time to time during the period from the Closing Date to the Termination Date. Each such payment of Capital by a Purchaser to the Seller shall constitute an Investment hereunder for all purposes. Under no circumstances shall any Purchaser be obligated to make any such Investment if any applicable condition precedent set forth in Section 5.02 is not satisfied with respect to such Investment.
(b) Sale of Receivables and Other Sold Assets.
(i) Subject to sub-paragraph (ii) below, in consideration of the Purchasers’ respective agreements to make Investments in accordance with the terms hereof, the Seller, on the Closing Date and each date on which an Investment or Release occurs, hereby sells, assigns and transfers to the Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Purchasers according to their Capital as increased or reduced from time to time hereunder), all of the Seller’s right, title and interest in, to and under all of the following, whether now or hereafter owned, existing or arising (collectively, the “Sold Assets”): (i) all Sold Receivables, (ii) all Related Security with respect to the Sold Receivables and (iii) all proceeds of the foregoing. Such sales, assignments and transfers by the Seller shall, in each case, occur and be deemed to occur for all purposes in accordance with the terms hereof automatically without further action, notice or consent of any party.
(ii) Sale, Transfer and Assignment of Sold Swiss Receivables. In consideration of the Purchasers’ respective agreements to make Investments in accordance with the terms hereof, the Seller, on the First Amendment Effective Date and each date on which an Investment or Release occurs, hereby agrees to sell, assign and transfer and hereby sells, assigns and transfers to the Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Purchasers according to their Capital as increased or reduced from time to time hereunder), all of the Seller’s right, title and interest in, to and under all of the following, whether now or hereafter owned, existing or arising (collectively, the “Sold Swiss Assets”): (i) all Sold Swiss Receivables, (ii) all Related Security with respect to the Sold Swiss Receivables and (iii) all proceeds of the foregoing. Such sales, assignments and transfers by the Seller shall, in each case, occur and be deemed to occur for all purposes in accordance with the terms hereof automatically without further action, notice or consent of any party.
(c) Intended Characterization as a Purchase and Sale. It is the intention of the parties to this Agreement that each transfer and conveyance of the Seller’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Sold Assets to the Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Purchasers according to their Capital as increased or reduced from time to time hereunder) pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute a purchase and sale (and not only a pledge for collateral security), and such purchase and sale of the Sold Assets hereunder shall be treated as a sale for all purposes (except as provided in Sections 2.01(d), 2.02(d) and 12.11). For the avoidance of doubt, this clause (c) shall not be construed to limit or otherwise modify Section 2.02(d), 2.07 or 2.08 or any rights, interests, liabilities or obligations of any party hereunder or under any other Transaction Document.
(d) Obligations Not Assumed. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the foregoing sale, assignment, transfer and conveyance set forth in Section 2.01(b) does not constitute, and is not intended to result in, the creation or an assumption by the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser of any obligation or liability of the Seller, any Originator, any Servicer, or any other Person under or in connection with all, or any portion of, any Sold Assets, all of which shall remain the obligations and liabilities of the Seller, the Originators, the Servicers and such other Persons, as applicable.
(e) Selection, Designation and Reporting of Sold Receivables. The Seller (or a Servicer on its behalf) shall select and identify from the Pool Receivables (other than Canadian Receivables) all Sold Receivables to be sold pursuant to Section 2.01(b) in its sole discretion; provided, however, that (i) the Seller shall select Sold Receivables from the Pool Receivables and the Seller shall transfer pursuant to Section 2.01(b) 100.00% of its interest in such Sold Receivables, and (ii) the Seller shall not select Sold Receivables in a manner that results in the aggregate Outstanding Balance of Sold Receivables exceeding the Aggregate Capital. The Seller shall maintain (or cause a Servicer to maintain) books and records sufficient to readily identify the Sold Receivables. The Seller and Servicers shall cause (i) all Sold Receivables to be identified on each Investment Request in accordance with Section 2.02(a) and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of each Obligor’s Sold Receivables to be identified on each Monthly Report delivered hereunder.
SECTION 2.02 Making Investments; Repayment of Investments. (a) Each Investment hereunder shall be made at the written request of the Seller delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser in the form of an Investment Request attached hereto as Exhibit A; provided that, at any time when PNC (or an Affiliate thereof) is both the Administrative Agent and the sole Purchaser hereunder and the Seller has entered into a PINACLE Agreement, then any request for an Investment made by the Seller using PINACLE shall constitute an Investment Request.
Each Investment Request (1) shall be made by Seller no later than (x) in the case of a Investment Request made pursuant to PINACLE, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the proposed date of such Investment, or (y) in the case of any other Investment Request, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the proposed date of such Investment; provided that any Investment Request made after such applicable time shall be deemed to have been made on the following Business Day, and (2) shall specify (i) the amount of Capital requested (which shall not be less than $1,000,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000), (ii) other than for an Investment Request made pursuant to PINACLE, the allocation of such amount among the Purchasers, which shall be ratable based on the Commitments, (iii) the account to which the proceeds of such Investment shall be distributed and (iv) the date such requested Investment is to be made, which shall be a Business Day. If an Investment Request is deemed to have been made on the following Business Day pursuant to the parentheticals above and such Investment Request requests an Investment to be made prior to such following Business Day, such Investment Request shall be deemed to request that such Investment be made on such following Business Day.
(b) On the date of each Investment specified in the applicable Investment Request, the Purchasers (ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments) shall, upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 5.02 and pursuant to the other conditions set forth herein, make available to the Seller in same day funds an aggregate amount (which shall constitute the Capital of such Investment) equal to the amount of such Investment requested, at the account set forth in the related Investment Request.
(c) Each Purchaser’s obligation shall be several, such that the failure of any Purchaser to make available to the Seller any funds in connection with any Investment shall not
relieve any other Purchaser of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make funds available on the date such Investment is requested (it being understood, that no Purchaser shall be responsible for the failure of any other Purchaser to make funds available to the Seller in connection with any Investment hereunder).
(d) The Seller shall repay in full the outstanding Capital, together with all accrued and unpaid Yield, Fees and other Seller Obligations on the Final Maturity Date. Prior thereto, the Seller shall, on each Settlement Date and not later than two (2) Business Days after delivery of any Pool Report that demonstrates the existence of a Capital Coverage Amount Deficit, make a prepayment of the outstanding Capital of the Purchasers to the extent required to eliminate any Capital Coverage Amount Deficit and as otherwise required under Section 3.01. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller, in its discretion, shall have the right to make a prepayment, in whole or in part, of the outstanding Capital of the Purchasers (i) on any Business Day if, at such time (A) PNC (or an Affiliate thereof) is both the Administrative Agent and the sole Purchaser hereunder, (B) the Seller has entered into a PINACLE Agreement and (C) such prepayment is made with PINACLE; provided, that any such prepayment made with PINACLE after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any day shall be deemed to have been made on the next occurring Business Day, or (ii) upon same-day written notice by delivering to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser a Reduction Notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the proposed Business Day of such prepayment (it being understood that any such request made after such time shall be deemed to have been made on the next occurring Business Day); provided, however, that (i) each such prepayment shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $1,000,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000, (ii) the Seller shall not provide any Reduction Notice, and no such Reduction Notice shall be effective, if after giving effect thereto, the Aggregate Capital at such time would be less than an amount equal to the Minimum Funding Threshold and (iii) any accrued Yield and Fees in respect of such prepaid Capital shall be paid on the immediately following Settlement Date; provided, however that notwithstanding the foregoing, a prepayment may be in an amount necessary to reduce any Capital Coverage Amount Deficit existing at such time to zero. All prepayments pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by any associated indemnity payments due under Section 4.02.
(e) The Seller may, at any time upon at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser, terminate the Facility Limit in whole or ratably reduce the Facility Limit in part. Each partial reduction in the Facility Limit shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and no such partial reduction shall reduce the Facility Limit to an amount less than $75,000,000. In connection with any partial reduction in the Facility Limit, the Commitment of each Purchaser shall be ratably reduced. If the Facility Limit is terminated in whole, the Commitment of each Purchaser shall be reduced to zero. All prepayments pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by any associated indemnity payments due under Section 4.02.
(f) In connection with any reduction of the Commitments, the Seller shall remit to the Administrative Agent (i) instructions regarding such reduction and (ii) for payment to the Purchasers, cash in an amount sufficient to pay (A) Capital of each Purchaser in excess of the Commitment of such Purchaser and (B) all other outstanding Seller Obligations with respect to such reduction (determined based on the ratio of the reduction of the Commitments being effected to the amount of the Commitments prior to such reduction or, if the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that any portion of the outstanding Seller Obligations is allocable solely to that portion of the Commitments being reduced or has arisen solely as a result of such reduction, all of such portion) including, without duplication, any associated indemnity payments due under Section 4.02. Upon receipt of any such amounts, the Administrative Agent shall apply such amounts first to the reduction of the outstanding Capital, and second to the payment of the remaining outstanding Seller Obligations with respect to such reduction, including any
associated indemnity payments due under Section 4.02, by paying such amounts to the Purchasers.
(g) For the avoidance of doubt, no repayment or prepayment of outstanding Capital by the Seller pursuant to this Section 2.02 shall require the Purchaser to transfer its right, title and interest in, to and under any of the Sold Assets back to the Seller.
SECTION 2.03 Yield and Fees.
(a) Fees. On each Settlement Date, the Seller shall, in accordance with the terms and priorities for payment set forth in Section 3.01(a), pay to each Purchaser, the Administrative Agent, the Structuring Agent certain fees (collectively, the “Fees”) in the amounts set forth in the fee letter agreements from time to time entered into, among the Seller, the Purchasers and/or the Administrative Agent, the Structuring Agent (each such fee letter agreement is collectively referred to herein as the “Fee Letter”); provided, however, that any Defaulting Purchaser’s right to receive Undrawn Fees shall be subject to the terms of Section 2.06.
All computations of Yield, Fees and other amounts hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days (or, in the case of amounts determined by reference to the Base Rate, 365 or 366 days, as applicable) for the actual number of days (including the first but excluding the last day) elapsed.
(b) Yield and Fees. The Capital of each Purchaser shall accrue Yield on each day when such Capital remains outstanding at the then-applicable Yield Rate for such Capital. The Seller shall pay all Yield and Fees accrued during each Yield Period on the first Settlement Date occurring after the end of such Yield Period in accordance with the terms and priorities for payment set forth in Section 3.01(a). For the avoidance of doubt, Yield accrued during each Yield Period shall be due and payable on the first Settlement Date after such Yield Period without regard to the availability of Collections for payment thereof.
(c) Highest Lawful Rate. If at any time the designated rate of interest (including the Yield Rate for such purpose) applicable to any Purchaser’s Capital exceeds such Purchaser’s highest lawful rate, the rate of interest (including the Yield Rate for such purpose) on such Purchaser’s Capital shall be limited to such Purchaser’s highest lawful rate.
(d) Selection of Term SOFR Rate; Rate Quotations.
(i) So long as no Event of Default is continuing, the Seller may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, elect for all or any portion of the Aggregate Capital to accrue yield or interest by reference to the Term SOFR Rate (rather than Daily 1M SOFR) during any Yield Period; provided, however, that no such election shall be made for any Yield Period that does not commence on a Monthly Settlement Date or for less than a full Yield Period. Any such notice must specify the amount of the Aggregate Capital subject of such election and must be delivered not later than three (3) Business Days prior to the first day of the affected Yield Period. Any such portion of the Aggregate Capital that is subject to such an election shall be apportioned among the respective Purchasers’ Capital ratably. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) the Seller shall not make such an election if, as a result thereof, more than five (5) Capital Tranches would exist and (y) each Capital Tranche accruing interest by reference to the Term SOFR Rate shall be not be less than $1,000,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict between the Seller’s election pursuant to this clause (i) and rate of interest applied pursuant to the definition of “Yield Rate,” the definition of “Yield Rate” shall control.
(ii) The Seller may call the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which an Investment Request is to be delivered to receive an indication of the rates then in effect, but it is acknowledged that such projection shall not be binding on the Administrative Agent or the Purchasers nor affect the rate of interest which thereafter is actually in effect when the election is made.
(e) Conforming Changes Relating to Daily 1M SOFR and the Term SOFR Rate. With respect to Daily 1M SOFR and the Term SOFR Rate, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; provided that, the Administrative Agent shall provide notice to the Seller and the Purchasers each such amendment implementing such Conforming Changes reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.
(f) Yield and Interest After Default. To the extent permitted by Law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and until such time such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived, at the discretion of the Administrative Agent or upon written demand by the Required Purchasers to the Administrative Agent:
(i) Yield Rate. The Yield Rate applicable to any Capital shall be increased by 2.00% per annum;
(ii) Other Obligations. Each other obligation (other than payments in respect of the Subordinated Note or Subordinated Loans (as applicable)) of any SPV Entity-Related Party hereunder if not paid when due shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus an additional 2.00% per annum from the time such obligation becomes due and payable until the time such obligation is paid in full; and
(iii) Acknowledgment. The Seller acknowledges that the increase in rates referred to in this Section 2.03(f) reflects, among other things, the fact that such Capital or other amounts have become a substantially greater risk given their default status and that the Purchasers are entitled to additional compensation for such risk; and all such interest or yield shall be payable upon demand by Administrative Agent or (if earlier) on the first Settlement Date occurring after such interest or yield accrues.
SECTION 2.04 Rate Unascertainable; Increased Costs; Illegality; Benchmark Replacement Setting.
(a) Unascertainable; Increased Costs. If, at any time:
(i) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Term SOFR Rate or Daily 1M SOFR, as applicable, cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof; or
(ii) the Required Purchasers determine that for any reason Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Purchasers of funding, establishing or maintaining such Purchasers’ Capital during the applicable Yield Period or that Daily 1M SOFR does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Purchasers of funding, establishing or maintaining such Purchasers’ Capital, and such Purchasers have provided notice of such determination to the Administrative Agent;
then the Administrative Agent shall have the rights specified in Section 2.04(c).
(b) Illegality. If at any time any Purchaser shall have determined or any Official Body shall have asserted that the making, maintenance or funding of any Capital (or an Investment thereof) accruing interest by reference to Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate or the determination or charging of yield or interest by reference to Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate has been made impracticable or unlawful, by compliance by such Purchaser in good faith with any Law or any interpretation or application thereof by any Official Body or with any request or directive of any such Official Body (whether or not having the force of Law), then the Administrative Agent shall have the rights specified in Section 2.04(c).
(c) Administrative Agent’s and Purchaser’s Rights. In the case of any event specified in Section 2.04(a), the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Purchasers and the Seller thereof, and in the case of an event specified in Section 2.04(b), such Purchaser shall promptly so notify the Administrative Agent and endorse a certificate to such notice as to the specific circumstances of such notice, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly send copies of such notice and certificate to the other Purchasers and the Seller.
Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice (which shall not be earlier than the date such notice is given), the obligation of (i) the Purchasers, in the case of such notice given by the Administrative Agent, or (ii) such Purchaser, in the case of such notice given by such Purchaser, to allow the Seller to select, convert to, renew or continue any Capital accruing Yield by reference to Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate, as applicable, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Yield Rate or Yield Period) until the Administrative Agent shall have later notified the Seller, or such Purchaser shall have later notified the Administrative Agent, of the Administrative Agent’s or such Purchaser’s, as the case may be, determination that the circumstances giving rise to such previous determination no longer exist.
Upon a determination by the Administrative Agent under Section 2.04(a), (A) if the Seller has previously delivered an Investment Request for an affected Investment that has not yet been made, such Investment Request shall be deemed to request an Investment of Base Rate Capital, and (B) any outstanding affected Capital accruing yield or interest by reference to Daily 1M SOFR shall automatically be converted into Base Rate Capital and (C) any outstanding affected Capital accruing yield or interest by reference to the Term SOFR Rate shall be deemed to have been converted into Base Rate Capital at the end of the applicable Yield Period.
If any Purchaser notifies the Administrative Agent of a determination under Section 2.04(b) above, the Seller shall, subject to the Seller’s indemnification obligations under Section 4.02, as to any Capital of the Purchaser to which Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate applies, on the date specified in such notice either convert such Capital to Base Rate Capital or prepay such Capital. Absent due notice from the Seller of conversion or prepayment, such Capital shall automatically be converted to Base Rate Capital upon such specified date.
(d) Benchmark Replacement Setting.
(i) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (A) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Transaction Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Transaction
Document and (B) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Transaction Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Purchasers without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Purchasers comprising the Required Purchasers.
(ii) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
(iii) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Seller and the Purchasers of (A) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, and (B) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption, or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement. The Administrative Agent will notify the Seller of (x) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to paragraph (iv) below and (y) the commencement of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Purchaser (or group of Purchasers) pursuant to this Section 2.04(d), including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.04(d).
(iv) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (A) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate or based on a term rate and either (I) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (II) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Yield Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor; and (B) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (A) above either (I) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (II) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Yield Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(v) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Seller’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate, the Seller may revoke any pending request for an Investment of Capital accruing Yield based on such rate or conversion to or continuation of Capital accruing Yield based on such rate to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Seller will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for Base Rate Capital or conversion to Base Rate Capital. During a Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Base Rate.
(vi) Definitions. As used in this Section 2.04(d):
“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, if such Benchmark (a) is Daily 1M SOFR, one month, and (b) is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the Term SOFR Rate applicable to any Capital or the length of a yield or interest period pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor of such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Yield Period” pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.04(d).
“Benchmark” means, initially, SOFR, Daily 1M SOFR and the Term SOFR Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to this Section.
“Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:
(1) Daily Simple SOFR; and
(2) the sum of (A) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Seller, giving due consideration to (x) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (y) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement to the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time and (B) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
provided, that if the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; and provided further, that any Benchmark Replacement shall be administratively feasible as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Seller, giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement Date” means a date and time determined by the Administrative Agent, which date shall be no later than the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (A) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (B) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof), or, if such Benchmark is a term rate or is based on a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date determined by the Administrative Agent, which date shall promptly follow the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein;
For the avoidance of doubt, if such Benchmark is a term rate or is based on a term rate, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Event” means, the occurrence of one or more of the following events, with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate or based on a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(2) a public statement or publication of information by a Official Body having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent, the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate or based on a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate or based on a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) or a Official Body having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent announcing that such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate or based on a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, if such Benchmark is a term rate or a rate based on a term rate, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Transaction Document in accordance with this Section 2.04(d) and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Transaction Document in accordance with this Section 2.04(d).
“Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to Daily 1M SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate, as applicable, or, if no floor is specified, zero.
“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
SECTION 2.05 Records of Investments. Each Purchaser shall record in its records, the date and amount of each Investment made by such the Purchaser hereunder, the interest or yield rate with respect thereto, the Yield accrued thereon and each repayment and payment thereof. Subject to Section 12.03(c), such records shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error. The failure to so record any such information or any error in so recording any such information shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Seller hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to repay the Capital of each Purchaser, together with all Yield accruing thereon and all other Seller Obligations.
SECTION 2.06 Defaulting Purchasers.
(a) Defaulting Purchaser Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Purchaser becomes a Defaulting Purchaser, then, until such time as such Purchaser is no longer a Defaulting Purchaser, to the extent permitted by applicable law:
(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Purchaser’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as specified in the definition of Required Purchasers.
(ii) Defaulting Purchaser Waterfall. Any payment of capital, principal, interest, yield, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Purchaser (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 3.01(a) or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Purchaser pursuant to Section 9.02(b) shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Purchaser to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the Seller may request (so long as no Potential Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Investment in respect of which such Defaulting Purchaser has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Seller, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to satisfy such Defaulting Purchaser’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Investments under this Agreement; fourth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Purchasers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Purchaser against such Defaulting Purchaser as a result of such Defaulting Purchaser’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Potential Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Seller as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Seller against such Defaulting Purchaser as a result of such Defaulting Purchaser's breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to such Defaulting Purchaser or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of Capital of any Investments in respect of which such Defaulting Purchaser has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Investments were made at a time when the conditions specified in Section 5.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Investments of all Non-Defaulting Purchasers on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Investments of such Defaulting Purchaser until such time as all Investments are held by the Purchasers pro rata in accordance with the Commitments. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Purchaser that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Purchaser pursuant to this
Section 2.06(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Purchaser, and each Purchaser irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii) Certain Fees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable Fee Letter, no Defaulting Purchaser shall be entitled to receive any Undrawn Fee accrued for any period during which that Purchaser is a Defaulting Purchaser (and the Seller shall not be required to pay any such Undrawn Fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Purchaser).
(b) Defaulting Purchaser Cure. If the Seller and the Administrative Agent agree in writing that a Purchaser is no longer a Defaulting Purchaser, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions specified therein, that Purchaser will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Investments of the other Purchasers or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Investments to be held pro rata by the Purchasers in accordance with the Commitments, whereupon such Purchaser will cease to be a Defaulting Purchaser; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Seller while that Purchaser was a Defaulting Purchaser; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Purchaser to Purchaser will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Purchaser’s having been a Defaulting Purchaser.
(c) Termination of Defaulting Purchaser. The Seller may terminate the unused amount of the Commitment of any Defaulting Purchaser upon not less than five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Purchasers thereof), and in such event the provisions of Section 2.06(a)(ii) will apply to all amounts thereafter paid by the Seller for the account of such Defaulting Purchaser under this Agreement (whether on account of Capital, principal, interest, Yield, fees, indemnity or other amounts); provided that (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) such termination shall not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim the Seller, the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser may have against such Defaulting Purchaser.
SECTION 2.07 Security Interest.
(a) If, notwithstanding the intent of the parties stated in Section 2.01(c), the sale, assignment and transfer of any Sold Assets to the Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Purchasers) hereunder (including pursuant to Section 2.01(b)) is not treated as a sale for all purposes (except as provided in Sections 2.01(d) and 12.11), then such sale, assignment and transfer of such Sold Assets shall be treated as the grant of a security interest by the Seller to the Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Purchasers) to secure the payment and performance of all the Seller’s obligations to the Administrative Agent, the Purchasers and the other Secured Parties hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents (including all Seller Obligations). Therefore, as security for the performance by the Seller of all the terms, covenants and agreements on the part of the Seller to be performed under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including the punctual payment when due of the Aggregate Capital and all Yield and all other Seller Obligations, the Seller hereby grants to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing first priority security interest in, all of the Seller’s right, title and interest in, to and under all of the Sold Assets, whether now or hereafter owned, existing or arising.
(b) The Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have, with respect to all the Sold Assets, and in addition to all the other rights and remedies
available to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), all the rights and remedies of a secured party under any applicable UCC.
(c) For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the grant of security interest pursuant to this Section 2.07 shall be in addition to, and shall not be construed to limit or modify, the sale of Sold Assets pursuant to Section 2.01(b) or the Seller’s grant of security interest pursuant to Section 2.08, (ii) nothing in Section 2.01 shall be construed as limiting the rights, interests (including any security interest), obligations or liabilities of any party under this Section 2.07, and (iii) subject to the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), this Section 2.07 shall not be construed to contradict the intentions of the parties set forth in Section 2.01(c).
SECTION 2.08 SPV Entity Guaranty.
(a) Guaranty of Payment. The Seller hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Purchaser, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties the prompt payment of the Sold Receivables by the related Obligors and all other payment obligations included in the Sold Assets (collectively, the “Seller Guaranteed Obligations”), in each case, in full when due, whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise (such guaranty, the “Seller Guaranty”). The Canadian Guarantor hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Purchaser, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties the prompt payment of the Seller Obligations (collectively, the “Canadian Guarantor Guaranteed Obligations”; together with the Seller Guaranteed Obligations, the “Guaranteed Obligations”), in each case, in full when due, whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise (such guaranty, the “Canadian Guarantor Guaranty”; together with the Seller Guaranty, the “SPV Entity Guarantees”). Each SPV Entity Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and performance and not of collection and is a continuing irrevocable guaranty and shall apply to all Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising. To the extent the obligations of any SPV Entity hereunder in respect to its SPV Entity Guaranty shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason (including because of any applicable state, provincial or federal Law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers) then such obligations of such SPV Entity shall be limited to the maximum amount that is permissible under applicable Law (whether federal, provincial or state or otherwise and including Debtor Relief Laws).
(b) Unconditional Guaranty. The obligations of each SPV Entity under its SPV Entity Guaranty are absolute, irrevocable, and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the related Guaranteed Obligations, any Contract, any Transaction Document or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor. Each SPV Entity agrees that its SPV Entity Guaranty may be enforced by the Administrative Agent or the Purchasers without the necessity at any time of resorting to or exhausting any other security or collateral and without the necessity at any time of having recourse to any of the other Transaction Documents or any collateral, including the Sold Assets and Pledged Collateral, hereafter securing the Guaranteed Obligations, the Seller Obligations or otherwise, and each SPV Entity hereby waives the right to require the Administrative Agent or the Purchasers to make demand on or proceed against any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any other Person or to require the Administrative Agent or the Purchasers to pursue any other remedy or enforce any other right. Each SPV Entity further agrees that no Person or Official Body shall have any right to request any return or reimbursement of funds from the Administrative Agent or the Purchasers in connection with monies received under or in respect of any SPV Entity Guaranty. Each SPV Entity further agrees that nothing contained herein shall prevent the Administrative Agent or the Purchasers from suing on any of the other Transaction Documents or foreclosing its or their, as applicable,
security interest in or lien on the Sold Assets, the Pledged Collateral or any other collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or the Seller Obligations or from exercising any other rights available to it or them, as applicable, under any Transaction Document, or any other instrument of security and the exercise of any of the aforesaid rights and the completion of any foreclosure proceedings shall not constitute a discharge of such SPV Entity’s obligations under its SPV Entity Guaranty; it being the purpose and intent of each SPV Entity that its obligations under its SPV Entity Guaranty shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Neither any SPV Entity Guaranty nor any remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed or released in any manner whatsoever by an impairment, modification, change, release, increase or limitation of the liability of any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer or the Performance Guarantor or by reason of the bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution or winding-up of any Obligor, any Originator, any SPV Entity, the Performance Guarantor or any Servicer. Each SPV Entity hereby waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension, accrual, or increase of any of its Guaranteed Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser on its SPV Entity Guaranty or acceptance of its SPV Entity Guaranty. All dealings between any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer or any SPV Entity, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers, on the other hand, shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon its SPV Entity Guaranty. Each SPV Entity hereby represents and warrants that it is, and immediately after giving effect to its SPV Entity Guaranty and the obligation evidenced hereby, will be, solvent. Each SPV Entity Guaranty and the obligations of the respective SPV Entity thereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any limitation, impairment or discharge for any reason (other than payment in full of all related Guaranteed Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser shall have had notice or knowledge of any of them: (A) any failure to assert or enforce or agreement not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power or remedy with respect to the Sold Assets, the Pledged Collateral or the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any guaranty of or other security for the payment of the Sold Assets or the Guaranteed Obligations, (B) any waiver, amendment or modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions (including provisions relating to any Event of Default) of any Transaction Document or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any guaranty or other security for the Sold Assets or the Guaranteed Obligations, (C) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect, (D) the application of payments received from any source to the payment of Debt other than the Guaranteed Obligations, even though the Administrative Agent might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations, (E) any failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any of the Sold Assets or other Pledged Collateral, (F) any defenses, set-offs or counterclaims which any SPV Entity, any Originator, any Servicer or any Obligor may allege or assert against the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser in respect of the Sold Assets or the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury, and (G) any other act or thing or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any SPV Entity as an obligor in respect of the Sold Assets or the Guaranteed Obligations.
(c) Modifications. Each SPV Entity agrees that: (i) all or any part of any security interest, lien, collateral security or supporting obligation now or hereafter held for any Guaranteed Obligation may be exchanged, compromised or surrendered from time to time; (ii) none of the Purchasers or the Administrative Agent shall have any obligation to protect, perfect, secure or insure any security interest or lien now or hereafter held, if any, for the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) the time or place of payment of any Guaranteed Obligation may be
changed or extended, in whole or in part, to a time certain or otherwise, and may be renewed or accelerated, in whole or in part; (iv) any Obligor, any Originator, any SPV Entity or any Servicer and any other party (including any co-guarantor) liable for payment of any Guaranteed Obligation may be granted indulgences generally; (v) any of the provisions of Contracts or any other agreements or documents governing or giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligation may be modified, amended or waived; and (vi) any deposit balance for the credit of any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer or any SPV Entity or any other party (including any co-guarantor) liable for the payment of any Guaranteed Obligation or liable upon any security therefor may be released, in whole or in part, at, before or after the stated, extended or accelerated maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations, all without notice to or further assent by any SPV Entity, which shall remain bound thereon, notwithstanding any such exchange, compromise, surrender, extension, renewal, acceleration, modification, indulgence or release.
(d) Waiver of Rights. Each SPV Entity expressly waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law: (i) notice of acceptance of its SPV Entity Guaranty by the Purchasers and the Administrative Agent; (ii) presentment and demand for payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) protest and notice of dishonor or of default (except as specifically required in this Agreement) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or with respect to any security therefor; (iv) notice of the Purchasers or the Administrative Agent obtaining, amending, substituting for, releasing, waiving or modifying any security interest or lien, if any, hereafter securing the Guaranteed Obligations, or the Purchasers or the Administrative Agent subordinating, compromising, discharging or releasing such security interests or liens, if any; (v) all other notices, demands, presentments, protests or any agreement or instrument related to the Sold Assets or the Guaranteed Obligations to which such SPV Entity might otherwise be entitled; (vi) any right to require the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser as a condition of payment or performance by such SPV Entity, to (A) proceed against any Obligor, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor any Servicer or any other Person, (B) proceed against or exhaust any other security held from any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any other Person, (C) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any deposit account, securities account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent, the Purchasers or any other Person, or (D) pursue any other remedy in the power of the Administrative Agent or the Purchasers whatsoever; (vii) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any other Person including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Sold Assets or the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any other Person from any cause other than payment in full of the Sold Assets and the Guaranteed Obligations; (viii) any defense based upon any applicable Law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (ix) any defense based upon the Administrative Agent’s or any Purchaser’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Sold Assets or the Guaranteed Obligations; (x) (A) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms of this Agreement and any legal or equitable discharge of the Sold Assets or the Guaranteed Obligations, (B) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such SPV Entity’s liability under its SPV Entity Guaranty or the enforcement of its SPV Entity Guaranty, (C) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims, and (D) promptness, diligence and any requirement that the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers protect, secure, perfect or insure any other security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; and (xi) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable Law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms of this Agreement and its SPV Entity Guaranty.
(e) Reinstatement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, the obligations of each SPV Entity under this Section 2.08 shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and each SPV Entity agrees that it will indemnify Administrative Agent and each Purchaser on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel) incurred by such Person in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.
(f) Remedies. Each SPV Entity agrees that, as between the Seller, on the one hand, and Administrative Agent and the Purchasers, on the other hand, the Guaranteed Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 9.02 (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in Section 9.02) notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing such Guaranteed Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or such Guaranteed Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the SPV Entities.
(g) Subrogation. Each SPV Entity hereby waives all rights of subrogation (whether contractual or otherwise) to the claims of the Administrative Agent, the Purchasers and the other Secured Parties against any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any other Person in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations until such time as all Guaranteed Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash and the Final Payout Date has occurred. Each SPV Entity further agrees that, to the extent such waiver of its rights of subrogation is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation shall be junior and subordinate to any rights the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser may have against any Obligor, any Originator, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any other Person in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.
(h) Inducement. The Purchasers have been induced to make the Investments and Releases under this Agreement in part based upon the SPV Entities Guarantees, and each SPV Entity desires that its SPV Entity Guaranty be honored and enforced as separate obligations of such SPV Entity, should Administrative Agent and the Purchasers desire to do so.
(i) Security Interest.
(i) To secure the prompt payment and performance of its Guaranteed Obligations, each SPV Entity hereby pledges, mortgages, charges and assigns (by way of security) to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Purchasers and the other Secured Parties, and grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Purchasers and the other Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in and lien upon, all of the undertaking, property and assets of such SPV Entity, whether now or hereafter owned, existing or arising and wherever located, including the following (collectively, the “Pledged Collateral”): (A) all Unsold Receivables; (B) all Related Security with respect to such Unsold Receivables; (C) the Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts and all amounts on deposit therein, and all certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time evidencing such Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts and amounts on deposit therein; (D) all rights of such SPV Entity under the applicable Transfer Agreement; (E) all other personal and fixture property or assets of such SPV Entity of every kind and nature
including all goods (including inventory, equipment and any accessions thereto), instruments (including promissory notes), documents, accounts, chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), deposit accounts, securities accounts, securities entitlements, letter-of-credit rights, commercial tort claims, securities and all other investment property, supporting obligations, money, any other contract rights or rights to the payment of money, insurance claims and proceeds, and all general intangibles (including all payment intangibles) (each as defined in the UCC or the PPSA, as applicable); and (F) all proceeds of, and all amounts received or receivable under any or all of, the foregoing.
(ii) Each SPV Entity confirms that value has been given by the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties to such SPV Entity, that such SPV Entity has rights in its Pledged Collateral existing at the date of this Agreement, and that such SPV Entity and the Administrative Agent have not agreed to postpone the time for attachment of the security interests granted hereunder to any of the Pledged Collateral of such SPV Entity. The security interests granted hereunder with respect to the Pledged Collateral of each SPV Entity created by this Agreement shall have effect and be deemed to be effective whether or not the related Guaranteed Obligations of such SPV Entity under its SPV Entity Guaranty or any part thereof are owing or in existence before or after or upon the date of this Agreement. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the provision of any financial accommodation by any Secured Party shall oblige any Secured Party to make any financial accommodation or further financial accommodation available to either SPV Entity or any other Person.
(iii) The Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have, with respect to all the Pledged Collateral, and in addition to all the other rights and remedies available to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), all the rights and remedies of a secured party under any applicable UCC or PPSA or under this Agreement, including Section 9.01.
(iv) For the avoidance of doubt, the grant of security interest pursuant to this Section 2.08(i) shall be in addition to, and shall not be construed to limit or modify, the sale of Sold Assets pursuant to Section 2.01(b) or the Seller’s grant of security interest pursuant to Section 2.07.
SECTION 2.09 Authorization to File Financing Statements; Further Assurances. Each SPV Entity hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file financing statements describing as the collateral covered thereby as “all of the debtor’s personal property or assets” or words to that effect, notwithstanding that such wording may be broader in scope than the collateral described in this Agreement. Promptly upon request, each SPV Entity shall deliver such instruments, assignments or other documents or agreements, and shall take such actions, as the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser deems appropriate to evidence or perfect its ownership or security interest and lien on any of the Supporting Assets, or otherwise to give effect to the intent of Sections 2.01, 2.07 and 2.08.
SECTION 2.10 Data Protection. Each Purchaser shall, where the Seller, the Canadian Guarantor or a Servicer has provided personal data (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) with respect to the Pool Receivables to the Administrative Agent and/or the Purchasers, only use such personal data for the purpose of performing their obligations under, and the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents.
ARTICLE III
SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES AND PAYMENT PROVISIONS
SECTION 3.01 Settlement Procedures.
(a) So long as the Administrative Agent has not taken dominion and control of the Collection Accounts, the Servicers shall set aside and hold in trust for the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (or, if so requested by the Administrative Agent, segregate in a separate account designated by the Administrative Agent, which shall be an account maintained and/or controlled by the Administrative Agent unless the Administrative Agent otherwise instructs in its sole discretion), for application in accordance with the priority of payments set forth below, all Collections on Pool Receivables that are actually received by a Servicer or any SPV Entity or received in any Lock-Box or Collection Account; provided, however, (A) if the Administrative Agent has not taken dominion of the Collection Accounts, that so long as each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.03 are satisfied on such date, the applicable Servicer may (x) release to the applicable SPV Entity from Collections received on Pledged Collateral the amount (if any) necessary to pay the purchase price for Receivables purchased by such SPV Entity on such date in accordance with the terms of the First Tier Transfer Agreement, the Canadian Transfer Agreement, the UK Transfer Agreement or the Swiss Transfer Agreement, as applicable and (y) release to the Seller all or a portion of Collections received on Sold Assets in exchange for the Seller designating an equivalent amount (based on aggregate Outstanding Balances) of Unsold Receivables as new Sold Receivables on Seller’s books and records pursuant to Section 2.01(e), which new Sold Receivables will be automatically and immediately sold by the Seller to the Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Purchasers) pursuant to Section 2.01(b) upon such release (each such release of Collections described in clauses (x) and (y) above, a “Release”) and (B) if the Administrative Agent has taken dominion of the Collection Accounts in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, any such Release shall be made only in accordance with Section 8.03(c). On each Settlement Date, the Servicers (or, following its assumption of control of the Collection Accounts, the Administrative Agent) shall distribute such Collections in the following order of priority:
(i) first, to the Servicers (ratably, based on the amount then due and owing) for the payment of all unpaid Servicing Fees accrued up to (but not including) such Settlement Date;
(ii) second, to each Purchaser and other Purchaser Party (ratably, based on the amount then due and owing), (w) all unpaid Yield accrued on such Purchaser’s Capital up to (but not including) such Settlement Date, (x) all unpaid Fees accrued up to (but not including) such Settlement Date, (y) any indemnity payments under Section 4.02 due to such Purchaser and other Purchaser Party, and (z) any additional amounts or indemnified amounts payable under Sections 4.03 and 11.01 in respect of such payments;
(iii) third, as set forth in clause (A) or (B) below, as applicable:
(A) prior to the occurrence of the Termination Date, to the extent that a Capital Coverage Amount Deficit exists on such date, to the Purchasers (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Purchaser at such time) for the payment of a portion of the outstanding Aggregate Capital at such time, in an aggregate amount equal to the amount necessary to reduce the Capital Coverage Amount Deficit to zero ($0); or
(B) on and after the occurrence of the Termination Date, to each Purchaser (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Purchaser at such time) for the payment in full of the aggregate outstanding Capital of such Purchaser at such time; or
(iv) fourth, to the Secured Parties (ratably, based on the amount due and owing at such time), for the payment of all other Seller Obligations then due and owing by any SPV Entity to the Secured Parties;
(v) fifth, to each SPV Entity, the amount of any accrued and unpaid interest on the Subordinated Notes or the Subordinated Loans (as applicable), which amount the applicable SPV Entity shall pay to the applicable originator(s);
(vi) sixth, prior to the occurrence of the Termination Date, at the election of the Seller and in accordance with Section 2.02(d), to the payment of all or any portion of the outstanding Capital of the Purchasers at such time (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Purchaser at such time);
(vii) seventh, to the applicable SPV Entity, the amount of any unpaid purchase price payable by such SPV Entity to the Originators for Pool Receivables under the applicable Transfer Agreement to the extent required to be paid in cash on such Settlement Date, which amount the applicable SPV Entity shall pay to the applicable Originator(s);
(viii) eighth, from Collections allocable to the Seller, to the Canadian Guarantor the amount of (A) any Guarantee Fee due and payable on such Monthly Settlement Date in accordance with the terms of the SPV Reimbursement and Contribution Agreement and (B) any outstanding SPV Reimbursement Obligation owed to the Canadian SPV; provided that such Collections shall be applied to pay any outstanding SPV Reimbursement Obligation before any Guarantee Fee if failure to apply such Collections to the payment of such SPV Reimbursement Obligation would cause such SPV Reimbursement Obligation to remain unpaid for more than 12 months;
(ix) ninth, to each SPV Entity, the amount of any principal then due and payable on the Subordinated Notes or the Subordinated Loans (as applicable), which amount such SPV Entity shall pay to the applicable Originator(s); and
(x) tenth, the balance, if any, to be paid to each SPV Entity for its own account.
Amounts payable pursuant to each of clauses first through fourth above shall be paid (at each level of priority) first from available Collections on Sold Receivables and other Sold Assets, second, to the extent necessary in order to make all such payments at such level of priority in full, from Collections on Unsold Receivables relating to U.S. Receivables, UK Receivables and Swiss Receivables and other Pledged Collateral relating to U.S. Receivables, UK Receivables and Swiss Receivables, and third to the extent necessary in order to make all such payments in full, from Collections on Unsold Receivables that are Canadian Receivables and other Pledged Collateral relating to Canadian Receivables, which Collections on Unsold Receivables that are Canadian Receivables and other Pledged Collateral relating to Canadian Receivables shall be applied in satisfaction of the Canadian Guarantor’s obligations under its SPV Entity Guaranty. The Seller’s right to receive payments (if any) from time to time pursuant to clause fifth above shall, to the extent arising from Collections on Sold Receivables, constitute compensation to the Seller for the Seller’s provision of the Seller Guaranty and the Purchaser Parties’ interests in the Sold Asset and the Pledged Collateral.
(b) All payments or distributions to be made by the Servicers, the Seller and any other Person to any Purchaser Party (or its respective related Secured Parties), shall be paid or distributed to such Purchaser Party.
(c) If and to the extent the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party shall be required for any reason to pay over to any Person (including any Obligor or any trustee, receiver, custodian or similar official in any Relief Proceeding) any amount received on its behalf hereunder, such amount shall be deemed not to have been so received but rather to have been retained by the Seller and, accordingly, the Administrative Agent or such other Secured Party, as the case may be, shall have a claim against the Seller for such amount.
(d) For the purposes of this Section 3.01:
(i) if on any day the Outstanding Balance of any Pool Receivable is reduced or cancelled as a result of (A) any defective, rejected, returned, repossessed or foreclosed goods or services, (B) any revision, cancellation, allowance, rebate, credit memo, discount or other adjustment made by any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliate thereof or (C) any setoff, counterclaim or dispute between any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliate thereof, and an Obligor, the applicable SPV Entity shall be deemed to have received on such day a Collection of such Pool Receivable in an amount equal to the positive difference between (A) such Pool Receivable’s Outstanding Balance prior to such reduction and (B) its Outstanding Balance after such reduction, and such SPV Entity shall within two (2) Business Days pay to a Collection Account or as otherwise directed by the Administrative Agent at such time, for the benefit of the Purchaser Parties for application pursuant to Section 3.01(a), an amount equal to (x) if such reduction occurs prior to the Termination Date and no Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing, the lesser of (I) the sum of all deemed Collections with respect to such reduction and (II) an amount necessary to eliminate any Capital Coverage Amount Deficit that exists at such time and (y) if such reduction occurs on or after the Termination Date or at any time when an Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing, the sum of all deemed Collections with respect to such reduction (Collections deemed to have been received pursuant to this Section 3.01(d)(i) are hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Dilution”);
(ii) if (A) any representation or warranty in Section 6.01 is not true with respect to any Pool Receivable at the time made or (B) any Receivable included in any Pool Report as an Eligible Receivable or in any calculation of the Net Receivables Pool Balance as an Eligible Receivable fails to be an Eligible Receivable at the time of such inclusion, then, in either case, the SPV Entity, as applicable, shall be deemed to have received on such day a Collection of such Pool Receivable’s Outstanding Balance in full, and such SPV Entity shall within two (2) Business Days pay to a Collection Account or as otherwise directed by the Administrative Agent at such time, for the benefit of the Purchaser Parties for application pursuant to Section 3.01(a), an amount equal to (x) if such breach occurs prior to the Termination Date and no Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing, the lesser of (I) the sum of all deemed Collections with respect to such breach and (II) an amount necessary to eliminate any Capital Coverage Amount Deficit that exists at such time and (y) if such breach occurs on or after the Termination Date or at any time when an Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing, the sum of all deemed Collections with respect to such breach (Collections deemed to have been received pursuant to Sections 3.01(d)(i) and 3.01(d)(ii), including any Dilution, are hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Deemed Collections”);
(iii) except as provided in clauses (i) or (ii) above or otherwise required by applicable Law or the relevant Contract, all Collections received from an Obligor of
any Receivable shall be applied to the Receivables of such Obligor in the order of the age of such Receivables, starting with the oldest such Receivable, unless such Obligor designates in writing its payment for application to specific Receivables; and
(iv) if and to the extent the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party shall be required for any reason to pay over to an Obligor (or any trustee, receiver, custodian or similar official in any Relief Proceeding) any amount received by it hereunder, such amount shall be deemed not to have been so received by such Person but rather to have been retained by the Seller and, accordingly, such Person shall have a claim against the Seller for such amount, payable when and to the extent that any distribution from or on behalf of such Obligor is made in respect thereof.
SECTION 3.02 Payments and Computations, Etc. (a) All amounts to be paid by any SPV Entity or a Servicer to any Secured Party hereunder shall be paid no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day when due in same day funds to the applicable party to which such amounts are due.
(b) Each of the SPV Entities and the Servicers shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, pay interest on any amount not paid or deposited by it when due hereunder, at an interest rate per annum equal to 2.00% per annum above the Base Rate, payable on demand.
(c) Whenever any payment or deposit to be made hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment or deposit shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of such payment or deposit.
(d) All Capital, Yield, Fees and other amounts from time to time payable to the Purchaser Parties hereunder shall be paid to the applicable Purchaser Parties from time to time in Dollars.
(e) In making the distributions and payments out of Collections hereunder and in setting aside and reserving Collections for future distributions and payments hereunder (including, without limitation, the distribution of Collections pursuant to Section 3.01(a)), the Servicers shall, to the extent Collections are available therefor and subject to any applicable priorities of payment set forth herein (including under Section 3.01(a)), (i) first, apply available Collections in a particular Eligible Currency to amounts distributable or payable in such Eligible Currency, and (ii) second, to the extent that available Collections in a particular Eligible Currency are not sufficient to distribute, pay, set aside or reserve for amounts distributable or payable in such Eligible Currency, apply any excess Collections received in another Eligible Currency to such amounts after converting such Collections to the applicable Eligible Currency pursuant to clause (f) below.
(f) If on any Settlement Date or any other day a payment is due and payable hereunder it is necessary for funds in one currency to be converted into any other currency in order to make any payment or distribution required to be made hereunder, the applicable SPV Entity (or the Servicers on its behalf) shall solicit offer quotations from at least two (2) foreign exchange dealers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent for effecting such exchange and shall select the quotation which provides for the best exchange rate. The applicable SPV Entity (or the Servicers on its behalf) shall effect such exchange on such Settlement Date or other day, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has obtained exclusive control of any Collection Accounts or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to convert Collections denominated in any currency in order to make such payments of distributions due in another currency in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s customary practices for currency conversions. Any
loss, cost or expense incurred in connection with any such conversion shall be for the account of the applicable SPV Entity.
(g) Interest Act (Canada). For the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada) and disclosure thereunder, whenever any yield, interest or fee to be paid under any Transaction Document is to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, the yearly rate of interest to which the rate used in such calculation is equivalent is the rate so used multiplied by the actual number of days in the calendar year in which the same is to be ascertained and divided by 360. The rates of interest under this Agreement are nominal rates, and not effective rates or yields. The principle of deemed reinvestment of interest does not apply to any interest calculation under this Agreement.
(h) Criminal Interest. If any provision of this Agreement would oblige the Canadian Guarantor to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to any Purchaser in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by applicable Law or would result in a receipt by that Purchaser of “interest” at a “criminal rate” (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)), then, notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by applicable Law or so result in a receipt by that Purchaser of “interest” at a “criminal rate”.
SECTION 3.03 Sharing of Payments by Purchasers. If any Purchaser shall, by exercising any right of setoff, counterclaim or banker’s lien or any other right, by receipt of voluntary payment, by realization upon security, or by any other non-pro rata source, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Investments or Capital or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Purchaser’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Capital and accrued Yield thereon or other such obligations greater than the pro-rata share of the amount such Purchaser is entitled thereto, then the Purchaser receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Investments (and related Capital) and such other obligations of the other Purchasers, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Purchasers ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of Capital of and accrued Yield on their respective Investments and other amounts owing them, provided that:
(a) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, together with interest or other amounts, if any, required by Law (including court order) to be paid by the Purchaser or the holder making such purchase; and
(b) the provisions of this Section 3.03 shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the SPV Entity-Related Parties pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of the Transaction Documents (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Purchaser) or (y) any payment obtained by a Purchaser as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Capital.
Each SPV Entity-Related Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Purchaser acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each SPV Entity-Related Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Purchaser were a direct creditor of each SPV Entity-Related Party in the amount of such participation.
SECTION 3.04 Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
(a) Funding by Purchasers; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Purchaser prior to the proposed date of any Investment, that such Purchaser will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Purchaser’s share of such Investment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Purchaser has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Seller a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Purchaser has not in fact made its share of the applicable Investment available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Purchaser and the Seller severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Seller to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Purchaser, the greater of the Effective Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Seller, the Yield Rate applicable to Base Rate Capitals. If the Seller and such Purchaser shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Seller the amount of such interest paid by the Seller for such period. If such Purchaser pays its share of the applicable Investment to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Purchaser’s share included in such Investment. Any payment by the Seller shall be without prejudice to any claim the Seller may have against a Purchaser that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(b) Payments by an SPV Entity; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from an SPV Entity prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Purchasers hereunder that such SPV Entity will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such SPV Entity has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Purchasers the amount due. In such event, if such SPV Entity has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Purchasers severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Purchaser, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Effective Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
ARTICLE IV
INCREASED COSTS; FUNDING LOSSES; TAXES; ILLEGALITY AND
SECURITY INTEREST
SECTION 4.01 Increased Costs.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Purchaser;
(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital
attributable thereto or change the basis of taxation of payments to the Recipient in respect thereof; or
(iii) impose on any Purchaser or the relevant market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Investments made by such Purchaser or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Purchaser or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Investment or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Investment, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Purchaser or other Recipient hereunder (whether of Capital, principal, interest, Yield or any other amount) then, upon request of such Purchaser or other Recipient, the Seller will pay to such Purchaser or other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Purchaser or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered; provided that upon the occurrence of any Change in Law imposing a reserve percentage on any interest rate based on SOFR, the Administrative Agent, in its reasonable discretion, may modify the calculation of each such SOFR-based yield or interest rate to add (or otherwise account for) such reserve percentage. The obligations of the Seller under this Section 4.01(a)(iii) shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment of any Investment.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Purchaser determines that any Change in Law affecting such Purchaser or any Lending Office of such Purchaser or such Purchaser’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Purchaser’s capital or on the capital of such Purchaser’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Purchaser or the Investments made by such Purchaser, to a level below that which such Purchaser or such Purchaser’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Purchaser’s policies and the policies of such Purchaser’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Seller will pay to such Purchaser such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Purchaser or such Purchaser’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Purchaser setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Purchaser or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in clause (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Seller shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Seller shall pay such Purchaser the amount shown as due on any such certificate on the first Settlement Date occurring ten (10) or more days after receipt thereof; provided, that any such certificate shall state the basis upon which such amount has been calculated.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Purchaser to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Purchaser’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Seller shall not be required to compensate a Purchaser pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine (9) months prior to the date that such Purchaser notifies the Seller of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Purchaser’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine (9) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
SECTION 4.02 Indemnity for Funding Losses. In addition to the compensation or payments required by Section 4.01 or Section 4.03, the Seller shall indemnify each Purchaser against all liabilities, losses or expenses (including loss of anticipated profits, any foreign
exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain any Capital, from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract) which such Purchaser sustains or incurs as a consequence of any:
(a) payment, prepayment, conversion or renewal of any Capital to which the Term SOFR Rate applies on a day other than a Monthly Settlement Date (whether or not any such payment or prepayment is mandatory, voluntary, or automatic and whether or not any such payment or prepayment is then due);
(b) attempt by the Seller to revoke (expressly, by later inconsistent notices or otherwise) in whole or part any Investment Request or notice relating to prepayments under Section 2.02(d) or failure by the Seller (for a reason other than the failure of such Purchaser to fund an Investment) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Capital on the date or in the amount notified by the Seller; or
(c) any assignment of Capital then accruing Yield based on the Term SOFR Rate on a day other than the last day of the Yield Period therefor as a result of a request by the Seller pursuant to Section 4.04.
If any Purchaser sustains or incurs any such loss or expense, it shall from time to time notify the Seller of the amount determined in good faith by such Purchaser (which determination may include such assumptions, allocations of costs and expenses and averaging or attribution methods as such Purchaser shall deem reasonable) to be necessary to indemnify such Purchaser for such loss or expense. Such notice shall specify in reasonable detail the basis for such determination. Such amount shall be due and payable by the Seller to such Purchaser on the first Settlement Date occurring after such notice is given or, if such amount is payable due to clause (a) or (c) above, then on the date of such payment, prepayment, conversion, renewal or assignment so long as such notice has been given on or prior to such date.
SECTION 4.03 Taxes.
(a) [Reserved].
(b) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Seller under any Transaction Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Law. If any applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Seller shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.03) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(c) Payment of Other Taxes by the SPV Entities. Each SPV Entity shall timely pay to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable Law, or, at the option of the Administrative Agent, timely reimburse the Administrative Agent for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(d) Indemnification by the Seller. The Seller shall indemnify each Recipient, on the next Settlement Date occurring ten (10) or more days after demand therefor, for the full
amount of any (i) Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 4.03) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Official Body and (ii) incremental Taxes that arise because an Investment or any Capital is not treated consistently with the Intended Tax Treatment (such indemnification will include any U.S. federal, state or local income and franchise Taxes necessary to make such Recipient whole on an after-tax basis such that the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had the Investment or Capital been treated consistently with the Intended Tax Treatment taking into account the taxability of receipt of payments under this clause (ii) and any reasonable expenses arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the foregoing). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Seller by a Purchaser (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Purchaser, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e) Indemnification by the Purchasers. Each Purchaser shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Purchaser (but only to the extent that the SPV Entity-Related Parties have not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting any obligation of any SPV Entity-Related Party to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Purchaser’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 12.06(a) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register, and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Purchaser, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Transaction Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Official Body. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Purchaser by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Purchaser hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Purchaser under any Transaction Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Purchaser from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 4.03(e).
(f) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Seller to an Official Body pursuant to this Section 4.03, the Seller shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Official Body evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(g) Status of Purchasers.
(i) Any Purchaser that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Transaction Document shall deliver to the Seller and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Seller or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Seller or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Purchaser, if reasonably requested by the Seller or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Seller or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Seller or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Purchaser is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Sections 4.03(g)(ii)(1),
4.03(g)(ii)(2) and 4.03(h)) shall not be required if, in the Purchaser’s reasonable judgment, such completion, execution or submission would subject such Purchaser to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Purchaser.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Seller is a U.S. Person:
(1) any Purchaser that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Seller and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Purchaser becomes a Purchaser under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Seller or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Purchaser is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(2) any Foreign Purchaser shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Seller and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Purchaser becomes a Purchaser under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Seller or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(I) in the case of a Foreign Purchaser claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Transaction Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN if applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Transaction Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN if applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(II) executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(III) in the case of a Foreign Purchaser claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 to the effect that such Foreign Purchaser is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Seller within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN if applicable); or
(iv) to the extent a Foreign Purchaser is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN if applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or Exhibit H-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial
owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Purchaser is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Purchaser are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Purchaser may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(3) any Foreign Purchaser shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Seller and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Purchaser becomes a Purchaser under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Seller or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Seller or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(4) if a payment made to a Purchaser under any Transaction Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Purchaser were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Purchaser shall deliver to the Seller and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Seller or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Seller or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Seller and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Purchaser has complied with such Purchaser’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Purchaser agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Seller and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(h) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 4.03 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 4.03), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 4.03 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Official Body with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 4.03(h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Official Body) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Official Body. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.03(h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this
Section 4.03(h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(i) VAT. Unless expressly stated otherwise, all sums payable under this Agreement are stated exclusive of VAT unless they are payable by the Seller, in which case they are stated inclusive of VAT. If (i) VAT is payable on any supply made under this Agreement and (ii) according to this Agreement the consideration for such supply is stated exclusive of VAT, the recipient will pay to the supplier an amount equal to the VAT payable on the supply at the same time as it makes the relevant payment to the supplier, unless the recipient is itself obliged to account for VAT directly to the relevant tax authority under any reverse charge mechanism. In each case where payment under this Agreement is made in consideration for a supply for VAT purposes, the supplier must promptly provide the recipient with a VAT invoice in respect of the relevant supply (unless the relevant VAT legislation does not require any such invoice to be issued).
(j) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 4.03 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Purchaser, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Seller Obligations.
SECTION 4.04 Replacement of a Purchaser. If any Purchaser requests compensation under Section 4.01, or if the Seller is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Purchaser or any Official Body for the account of any Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.03 and, in each case, such Purchaser has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 4.05, or if any Purchaser is a Defaulting Purchaser or a Non-Consenting Purchaser, then the Seller may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Purchaser and the Administrative Agent, require such Purchaser to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 12.06), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section 4.03) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Transaction Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Purchaser, if a Purchaser accepts such assignment); provided that:
(a) the Seller shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 12.06;
(b) such Purchaser shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding Capital of its Investments, accrued Yield thereon, accrued Fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents (including any amounts under Section 4.02) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding Capital, principal and accrued interest, Yield and fees) or the Seller (in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 4.01 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 4.03, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Law; and
(e) in the case of any assignment resulting from a Purchaser becoming a Non-Consenting Purchaser, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.
A Purchaser shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Purchaser or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Seller to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
SECTION 4.05 Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Purchaser requests compensation under Section 4.01, or the Seller is or will be required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Purchaser or any Official Body for the account of any Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.03, then such Purchaser shall (at the request of the Seller) use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Investments hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Purchaser, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section 4.03, as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Purchaser to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Purchaser. The Seller hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Purchaser in connection with any such designation or assignment.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND INVESTMENTS
SECTION 5.01 Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness and the Initial Investment. This Agreement shall become effective as of the Closing Date when (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the documents, agreements (in fully executed form), opinions of counsel, lien search results, UCC filings, PPSA filings, certificates and other deliverables listed on the closing memorandum attached as Exhibit G hereto, in each case, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (b) all fees and expenses payable by any SPV Entity on the Closing Date to the Purchaser Parties have been paid in full in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents.
SECTION 5.02 Conditions Precedent to All Investments. Each Investment hereunder on or after the Closing Date shall be subject to the conditions precedent that:
(a) the Seller shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser an Investment Request for such Investment, in accordance with Section 2.02(a);
(b) the Servicers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser all Pool Reports required to be delivered hereunder;
(c) on the date of such Investment the following statements shall be true and correct (and upon the occurrence of such Investment, each SPV Entity and the Servicers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such statements are then true and correct):
(i) the representations and warranties of each SPV Entity and the Servicers contained in Sections 6.01 and 6.02 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Investment as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;
(ii) no Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing, and no Event of Default or Potential Default would result from such Investment;
(iii) no Capital Coverage Amount Deficit exists or would exist after giving effect to such Investment;
(iv) immediately after giving effect to such Investment, no Purchaser’s aggregate outstanding Capital will exceed such Purchaser’s Commitment;
(v) the Termination Date has not occurred; and
(vi) the Aggregate Capital equals or exceeds the Minimum Funding Threshold; and
(vii) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Sold Receivables does not exceed the Aggregate Capital; and
(d) if the Administrative Agent has taken exclusive dominion and control of the Collection Accounts, the Seller shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent by not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of such Release, a Daily Report with data as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Business Day.
SECTION 5.03 Conditions Precedent to All Releases. Each Release hereunder on or after the Closing Date shall be subject to the conditions precedent that:
(a) after giving effect to such Release, the Servicers shall be holding in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties an amount of Collections sufficient to pay the sum of (x) all accrued and unpaid Servicing Fees, Yield, Fees and indemnification payments under Section 4.02, in each case, through the date of such Release, (y) the amount of any Capital Coverage Amount Deficit and (z) the amount of all other accrued and unpaid Seller Obligations through the date of such Release;
(b) each SPV Entity shall use the proceeds of such Release solely to pay the purchase price for Receivables purchased by such SPV Entity in accordance with the terms of the Second Tier Transfer Agreement, the Canadian Transfer Agreement, the UK Transfer Agreement and the Swiss Transfer Agreement (as applicable); and
(c) on the date of such Release the following statements shall be true and correct (and upon the occurrence of such Release, each SPV Entity and each Servicer shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such statements are then true and correct):
(i) the representations and warranties of such SPV Entity and such Servicer contained in Sections 6.01 and 6.02 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Release as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;
(ii) no Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing, and no Event of Default or Potential Default would result from such Release;
(iii) no Capital Coverage Amount Deficit exists or would exist after giving effect to such Release; and
(iv) the Termination Date has not occurred.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 6.01 Representations and Warranties of the SPV Entities. Each SPV Entity represents and warrants with respect to itself to each Purchaser Party as of the Closing Date, on each Settlement Date and on each day that an Investment or Release shall have occurred:
(a) Organization and Good Standing. The Seller is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power and authority under its constitutional documents and under the laws of its jurisdiction to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted. The Canadian Guarantor is a company duly formed and validly existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, and has full power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted.
(b) Due Qualification. Such Person is duly qualified to do business as a limited liability company, company, or corporation, as applicable, is in good standing as a foreign limited liability company, company, or corporation, as applicable, and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business requires such qualification, licenses or approvals, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Power and Authority; Due Authorization. Such Person (i) has all necessary power and authority to (A) execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, (B) perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (C) grant a security interest in the Supporting Assets to the Administrative Agent on the terms and subject to the conditions herein provided and (ii) has duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company, limited partnership or corporate action, as applicable, such grant and the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions provided for in, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.
(d) Binding Obligations. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which such Person is a party has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by such Person and, when executed and delivered by each other party thereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Person, enforceable against such Person in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
(e) No Conflict or Violation. The execution, delivery and performance and consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Person is a party, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof and thereof, will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under its organizational documents or any indenture, sale agreement, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims upon any of the Supporting Assets pursuant to the terms of any
such indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument other than this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) conflict with or violate any applicable Law, except to the extent that any such conflict, breach, default, Adverse Claim or violation could not reasonably be expected to a have a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Litigation and Other Proceedings. (i) There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of such Person, threatened in writing, against such Person before any Official Body and (ii) such Person is not subject to any order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation or consent order of or with any Official Body that, in the case of either of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), (A) asserts the invalidity of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (B) seeks to prevent the grant of a security interest in any Supporting Assets by such Person to the Administrative Agent, the ownership or acquisition by such Person of any Pool Receivable or other Supporting Assets or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (C) seeks any determination or ruling that could materially and adversely affect the performance by such Person of its obligations under, or the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or (D) individually or in the aggregate for all such actions, suits, proceedings and investigations could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Governmental Approvals. Except where the failure to obtain or make such authorization, consent, order, approval or action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of, or other actions by, any Official Body that are required to be obtained by such Person in connection with the sale and/or grant of a security interest in the Supporting Assets to the Administrative Agent hereunder or the due execution, delivery and performance by such Person of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party and the consummation by such Person of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.
(h) Margin Regulations. Such Person is not engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meanings of Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).
(i) Solvency. After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, such Person is Solvent.
(j) Offices; Legal Name. The Seller’s sole jurisdiction of organization is the State of Delaware and such jurisdiction has not changed within four months prior to the date of this Agreement. The office of the Seller is located at 1718 Dry Creek Way, Suite #115, San Antonio, TX 78259. The legal name of the Seller is Rackspace Receivables II LLC. The sole jurisdiction of organization of the Canadian Guarantor is the Province of British Columbia.
(k) Investment Company Act; Volcker Rule. Such Person (i) is not, and is not controlled by, an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act and (ii) is not a “covered fund” under the Volcker Rule. In determining that such Person is not a “covered fund” under the Volcker Rule, such Person relies on, and is entitled to rely on, the exemption from the definition of “investment company” set forth in Section 3(c)(5) of the Investment Company Act.
(l) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of formation of such Person there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to such Person.
(m) Accuracy of Information. All written information (including Pool Reports, Investment Requests, certificates, reports, statements, documents and other information) (other than forward looking information and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature) furnished to the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser Party by or on behalf of such Person pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in connection with or pursuant to any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, are, at the time the same are so furnished (or as of any other date specified therein), when taken as a whole, complete and correct in all material respects on the date the same are furnished to the Administrative Agent or such other Purchaser Party, and do not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
(n) Sanctions and other Anti-Terrorism Laws. In the past three (3) years, no: (a) Covered Entity, nor any employees, officers, directors, affiliates, consultants, brokers, or agents acting on a Covered Entity’s behalf in connection with this Agreement: (i) is a Sanctioned Person; or (ii) directly, or indirectly through any third party, is engaged in any transactions or other dealings with or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Jurisdiction, or any transactions or other dealings that otherwise are prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Laws; and (b) Supporting Assets are Embargoed Property.
(o) Anti-Corruption Laws. Each Covered Entity has (a) conducted its business in compliance with all Anti-Corruption Laws and (b) has instituted and maintains policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with such Laws.
(p) Perfection Representations.
(i) This Agreement creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the applicable UCC or PPSA) in such Person’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Supporting Assets which (A) security interest has been perfected and is enforceable against creditors of and purchasers from such Person and (B) will be free of all Adverse Claims other than Permitted Adverse Claims in any Supporting Assets.
(ii) The U.S. Receivables, UK Receivables and Swiss Receivables constitute “accounts” or “general intangibles” within the meaning of Section 9-102 of the UCC. The Canadian Receivables constitute “accounts” within the meaning of the PPSA.
(iii) The Seller owns and has good and marketable title to the U.S. Receivables, the Swiss Receivables and the UK Receivables and their Related Security free and clear of any Adverse Claim of any Person. The Canadian Guarantor owns and has good and marketable equitable title to the Canadian Receivables and all Related Security with respect to the Canadian Receivables, free and clear of any Adverse Claim of any Person.
(iv) All appropriate financing statements, financing statement amendments and continuation statements have been filed in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable Law in order to perfect (and continue the perfection of) (A) the sale and contribution of the Receivables and Related Security from each Originator to the Aggregator Seller pursuant to the First Tier Transfer Agreement, (B) the sale or contribution of the Receivables and Related Security from the Aggregator and the Originators to the Seller or the Canadian Guarantor, as applicable, pursuant to the Transfer Agreements and, subject to Section 1.6 of the Canadian Transfer Agreement, the Quebec Assignment Agreement (C) the Seller’s sale and grant of a security interest in the Supporting Assets to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement and the UK Security Agreement and (D) the Canadian Guarantor’s grant of a security interest in the
Canadian Receivables and Related Security with respect to the Canadian Receivables to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
(v) Other than the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement, such Person has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed any of the Supporting Assets except as permitted by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Such Person has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any financing statements filed against such Person that include a description of collateral covering any Supporting Assets other than any financing statement (i) in favor of the Administrative Agent or (ii) that has been terminated. Such Person is not aware of any judgment lien, ERISA lien or tax lien filings against such Person.
(vi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the representations contained in this Section 6.01(p) shall be continuing and remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date.
(q) The Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts.
(i) Nature of Collection Accounts. Each Collection Account constitutes a “deposit account” within the meaning of the applicable UCC.
(ii) Ownership. Each Lock-Box and Collection Account (other than the Canadian Collection Account and associated Lock-Box) is in the name of the Seller, and the Seller owns and has good and marketable title to the Collection Accounts free and clear of any Adverse Claim. Each Canadian Collection Account and associated Lock-Box is in the name of the Canadian Guarantor, and the Canadian Guarantor owns and will have or has good and marketable title to the Canadian Collection Accounts free and clear of any Adverse Claim. Each of the UK Originator, the Swiss Originator and the Canadian Originators owns and has good and marketable title to its applicable Foreign Originator Account free and clear of any Adverse Claim.
(iii) Perfection. Such Person has delivered to the Administrative Agent a fully executed Account Control Agreement (except as otherwise permitted by Section 7.04) relating to each Lock-Box and Collection Account, pursuant to which each applicable Collection Account Bank has agreed to comply with the instructions originated by the Administrative Agent directing the disposition of funds in such Lock-Box and Collection Account without further consent by such Person, the Servicers or any other Person. The Administrative Agent has (i) the right to assume exclusive operational control over the Collection Accounts and (ii) has “control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC) over each U.S. Collection Account (except as otherwise permitted by Section 7.04).
(iv) Instructions. Neither the Lock-Boxes nor the Collection Accounts are in the name of any Person other than the Seller or the Canadian Guarantor, as applicable. Neither the Seller, the Canadian Guarantor nor the Servicers have consented to the applicable Collection Account Bank complying with instructions of any Person other than the Administrative Agent. None of the Foreign Originator Accounts are in the name of any Person other than the UK Originator, the Swiss Originator or the Canadian Originators, as applicable.
(r) Ordinary Course of Business. Each remittance of Collections by or on behalf of such Person to the Purchaser Parties under this Agreement will have been (i) in payment of a debt incurred by such Person in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs
of such Person and (ii) made in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of such Person.
(s) Compliance with Law. Such Person has complied in all material respects with all Laws to which it or its properties may be subject, except in such instances in which the failure to so comply, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(t) Bulk Sales Act. No transaction contemplated by this Agreement requires compliance by it with any bulk sales act or similar law.
(u) Eligible Receivables. Each Receivable included as an Eligible Receivable in the calculation of the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of any date is an Eligible Receivable as of such date.
(v) Taxes. Such Person has (i) timely filed all tax returns required to be filed by it and (ii) paid, or caused to be paid, all Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP.
(w) Tax Status.
(i) The Seller (i) is, and shall at all relevant times continue to be, a “disregarded entity” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned by a “United States person” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) and (ii) is not and will not at any relevant time become an association (or publicly traded partnership) taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Seller is not subject to any Tax in any jurisdiction outside the United States. The Seller is not subject to material Taxes based on net income or gross receipts imposed by a state or local taxing authority.
(ii) The Canadian Guarantor is, and at all relevant times has been since formation, a “Canadian corporation” for the purposes of the ITA. The Canadian Guarantor is not subject to (i) any Tax in any jurisdiction outside Canada, and (ii) any withholding Tax in Canada.
(iii) The Canadian Guarantor is eligible for the benefits of the US-Canada Tax Treaty, in particular, but not limited to, with regards to any fees it receives under the Transaction Documents.
(x) Opinions. The facts regarding such Person, each Servicer, each Originator, the Performance Guarantor, the Receivables, the Related Security and the related matters set forth or assumed in each of the opinions of counsel delivered in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects.
(y) Other Transaction Documents. Each representation and warranty made by such Person under each other Transaction Document to which it is a party is true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made, unless such representation and warranty by its terms refer to an earlier date, in which case it is true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date.
(z) No Linked Accounts. Except for any Permitted Linked Account, there are no Linked Accounts with respect to any Collection Account.
(aa) Liquidity Coverage Ratio. Such Person has not, does not and will not during this Agreement issue any LCR Security. The Seller further represents and warrants that its assets and liabilities are consolidated with the assets and liabilities of the Parent for purposes of GAAP.
(bb) Certificate of Beneficial Ownership. The Certificate of Beneficial Ownership executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers for such Person on or prior to the Closing Date, as updated from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, is accurate, complete and correct as of the Closing Date and as of the date any such update is delivered.
(cc) Plan Assets. The assets of such Person do not constitute “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) and such Person is not subject to any applicable law that is similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code that would be violated by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents.
(dd) ERISA.
(i) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Laws. Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received from the IRS a favorable determination or opinion letter, which has not by its terms expired, that such Plan is so qualified, or such Plan is entitled to rely on an IRS advisory or opinion letter with respect to an IRS-approved master and prototype or volume submitter plan, or a timely application for such a determination or opinion letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto; and, to the best knowledge of such Person, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification. Seller and each member of the ERISA Group have made all required contributions to each Pension Plan subject to Sections 412 or 430 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Sections 412 or 430 of the Code has been made with respect to any Pension Plan.
(ii) Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (B) no Pension Plan has any unfunded pension liability (i.e., excess of benefit liabilities over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined pursuant to the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan for the applicable plan year in accordance with Section 430 of the Code); (C) neither such Person nor any member of the ERISA Group has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (D) neither such Person nor any member of the ERISA Group has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Section 4201 of ERISA, with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; (E) neither such Person nor any member of the ERISA Group has received notice that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent; (F) neither such Person nor any member of the ERISA Group has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; and (G) no Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan.
(ee) Historical Statements.
(i) The SPV Entity-Related Parties have delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of the Parent’s audited consolidated year-end balance sheet, statement of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for and as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. In addition, the SPV Entity-Related Parties have delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of the Parent’s unaudited consolidated interim balance sheet, statement of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for the fiscal year to date and as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023 (all such annual and interim statements being collectively referred to as the “Statements”). The Statements (A) were compiled from the books and records maintained by the Parent’s management, (B) are correct and complete, (C) and fairly represent the consolidated financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the results of operations for the fiscal periods then ended in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, subject (in the case of the interim statements) to normal year-end audit adjustments utilized on a consistent basis, and (D) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, subject (in the case of the interim statements) to normal year-end audit adjustments utilized on a consistent basis.
(ii) Financial Projections. The Seller has delivered to the Administrative Agent a summary of projected financial statements (including statements of operations and cash flow together with a detailed explanation of the assumptions used in preparing such projected financial statements) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the period from the Closing Date through December 21, 2027 derived from various assumptions of the SPV Entity-Related Parties’ management (the “Projections”). The Projections represent a reasonable range of possible results in light of the history of the business, present and foreseeable conditions and the intentions of the SPV Entity-Related Parties’ management, it being understood that (A) such Projections as to future events and not to be viewed as facts, (B) such Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the SPV Entity-Related Parties’ control, and (C) no assurance can be given that the Projections will be realized.
(ff) Permitted Securitization Financing. The facility established by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitutes a “Permitted Securitization Financing” under and as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the relevant date of determination, and such facility is permitted by the First Lien Credit Agreement.
(gg) Data Protection. If and to the extent Data Protection Laws apply to personal data processed (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) by any party in connection with the performance of their obligations under, or in connection with, the Transaction Documents, where such Person has provided personal data (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) to the Administrative Agent and/or the Purchasers, it has provided all notices required to, and obtained all consents (if required) from, data subjects (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) to enable the use, disclosure and processing of such personal data (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) by such Person, the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers in accordance with their respective obligations under applicable Data Protection Laws for the purposes contemplated under the Transaction Documents.
SECTION 6.02 Representations and Warranties of the Servicers. Each Servicer represents and warrants to each Purchaser Party as of the Closing Date, on each Settlement Date and on each day that an Investment or Release shall have occurred:
(a) Organization and Good Standing. In the case of the U.S. Servicer, it is a duly organized and validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with the power and authority under its organizational documents and under the laws of Delaware to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted. In the case of the UK Servicer, it is a duly organized and validly existing private limited company registered under the laws of England and Wales, with the power and authority under its organizational documents and under the laws of England and Wales to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted. In the case of the Swiss Servicer, it is a duly organized and validly existing limited liability company registered under the laws of Switzerland, with the power and authority under its organizational documents and under the laws of Switzerland to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted. In the case of the Canadian Servicer, it is a duly organized and validly existing company registered under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, with the power and authority under its organizational documents and under the laws of the Province of British Columbia to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted.
(b) Due Qualification. Such Servicer is duly qualified to do business, is in good standing as a foreign entity and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business or the servicing of the Pool Receivables as required by this Agreement requires such qualification, licenses or approvals, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Power and Authority; Due Authorization. Such Servicer has all necessary power and authority to (i) execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (ii) perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions provided for in, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by such Servicer by all necessary action.
(d) Binding Obligations. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by such Servicer and, when executed and delivered by each other party thereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Servicer, enforceable against such Servicer in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
(e) No Conflict or Violation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which such Servicer is a party, the performance and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the fulfillment of the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by such Servicer will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, the organizational documents of such Servicer or any indenture, sale agreement, credit agreement (including the First Lien Credit Agreement), loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which such Servicer is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claim upon any of its properties pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument, other than this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) conflict
with or violate any applicable Law, except to the extent that any such conflict, breach, default, Adverse Claim or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to such Servicer.
(f) Litigation and Other Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending, or to such Servicer’s knowledge threatened in writing, against such Servicer before any Official Body: (i) asserting the invalidity of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents; (ii) seeking to prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; or (iii) seeking any determination or ruling that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the performance by such Servicer of its obligations under, or the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents.
(g) No Consents. Such Servicer is not required to obtain the consent of any other party or any consent, license, approval, registration, authorization or declaration of or with any Official Body in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party that has not already been obtained, except where the failure to obtain such consent, license, approval, registration, authorization or declaration could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to such Servicer.
(h) Compliance with Law. Such Servicer (i) shall duly satisfy all obligations on its part to be fulfilled under or in connection with the Pool Receivables and the related Contracts, (ii) has maintained in effect all qualifications required under applicable Law in order to properly service the Pool Receivables and (iii) has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws in connection with servicing the Pool Receivables.
(i) Accuracy of Information. All written information (including Pool Reports, Investment Requests, certificates, reports, statements, documents and other information) (other than forward looking information and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature) furnished to the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser Party by such Servicer pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in connection with or pursuant to any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, are, at the time the same are so furnished (or as of any other date specified therein), when taken as a whole, complete and correct in all material respects on the date the same are furnished to the Administrative Agent or such other Purchaser Party, and do not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
(j) Location of Records. (i) The offices where the U.S. Servicer keeps all of its records relating to the servicing of the Pool Receivables are located at 1718 Dry Creek Way, Suite #115, San Antonio, TX 78259; (ii) the offices where the UK Servicer keeps all of its records relating to the servicing of the Pool Receivables are located at Unit 2, 6 Millington Road, Hyde Park Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 4AZ, United Kingdom; (iii) the offices where the Swiss Servicer keeps all of its records relating to the servicing of the Pool Receivables are located at Baslerstrasse 30, 8048 Zurich, Switzerland; and (iv) the offices where the Canadian Servicer keeps all of its records relating to the servicing of the Pool Receivables are located at C/O LABARGE WEINSTEIN LLP, 501-321 Water Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B8, Canada.
(k) Credit and Collection Policy. Such Servicer has complied in all material respects with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contracts.
(l) Eligible Receivables. Each Receivable included as an Eligible Receivable in the calculation of the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of any date is an Eligible Receivable as of such date.
(m) Servicing Programs. No license or approval is required for the Administrative Agent’s use of any software or other computer program used by such Servicer, any Originator or any Sub-Servicer in the servicing of the Pool Receivables, other than those which have been obtained and are in full force and effect.
(n) Servicing of Pool Receivables. Since the Closing Date there has been no material adverse change in the ability of such Servicer (whether directly or through a Sub-Servicer) to service and collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security.
(o) Other Transaction Documents. Each representation and warranty made by such Servicer under each other Transaction Document to which it is a party (including each Transfer Agreement) is true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made, unless such representation and warranty by its terms refer to an earlier date, in which case it is terms refer to an earlier date, in which case.
(p) No Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2022 there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to such Servicer.
(q) Investment Company Act. Such Servicer is not an “investment company,” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.
(r) Sanctions and other Anti-Terrorism Laws. In the past three (3) years no: (a) Covered Entity, nor any employees, officers, directors, affiliates, consultants, brokers, or agents acting on a Covered Entity’s behalf in connection with this Agreement: (i) is a Sanctioned Person; or (ii) directly, or indirectly through any third party, is engaged in any transactions or other dealings with or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Jurisdiction, or any transactions or other dealings that otherwise are prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Laws; and (b) Supporting Assets are Embargoed Property.
(s) Anti-Corruption Laws. Each Covered Entity has (a) conducted its business in compliance with all Anti-Corruption Laws and (b) has instituted and maintains policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with such Laws.
(t) Bulk Sales Act. No transaction contemplated by this Agreement requires compliance by it with any bulk sales act or similar law.
(u) Taxes. Such Servicer has (i) timely filed all federal income and other material tax returns required to be filed by it and (ii) paid, or caused to be paid, all material Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP.
(v) No Linked Accounts. Except for any Permitted Linked Account, there are no Linked Accounts with respect to any Collection Account.
(w) Opinions. The facts regarding the Seller, the Canadian Guarantor, such Servicer, each Originator, the Performance Guarantor, the Receivables, the Related Security and the related matters set forth or assumed in each of the opinions of counsel delivered in
connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects.
(x) ERISA.
(i) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Laws. Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received from the IRS a favorable determination or opinion letter, which has not by its terms expired, that such Plan is so qualified, or such Plan is entitled to rely on an IRS advisory or opinion letter with respect to an IRS-approved master and prototype or volume submitter plan, or a timely application for such a determination or opinion letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto; and, to the best knowledge of Seller, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification. Seller and each member of the ERISA Group have made all required contributions to each Pension Plan subject to Sections 412 or 430 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Sections 412 or 430 of the Code has been made with respect to any Pension Plan.
(ii) Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (B) no Pension Plan has any unfunded pension liability (i.e., excess of benefit liabilities over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined pursuant to the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan for the applicable plan year in accordance with Section 430 of the Code); (C) neither Seller nor any member of the ERISA Group has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (D) neither Seller nor any member of the ERISA Group has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Section 4201 of ERISA, with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; (E) neither Seller nor any member of the ERISA Group has received notice that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent; (F) neither Seller nor any member of the ERISA Group has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; and (G) no Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan.
(y) Historical Statements.
(i) The Seller has delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of the Parent’s Statements. The Statements (A) were compiled from the books and records maintained by the Parent’s management, (B) are correct and complete, (C) and fairly represent the consolidated financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the results of operations for the fiscal periods then ended in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, subject (in the case of the interim statements) to normal year-end audit adjustments utilized on a consistent basis, and (D) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, subject (in the case of the interim statements) to normal year-end audit adjustments utilized on a consistent basis.
(ii) Financial Projections. The SPV Entity-Related Parties have delivered to the Administrative Agent the Projections. The Projections represent a reasonable range of possible results in light of the history of the business, present and foreseeable conditions and the intentions of SPV Entity-Related Parties’ management, it being understood that (A) such Projections are as to future events and not to be viewed as facts, (B) such Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the SPV Entity-Related Parties’ control, and (C) no assurance can be given that the Projections will be realized.
(z) Permitted Securitization Financing. The facility established by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitutes a “Permitted Securitization Financing” under and as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the relevant date of determination, and such facility is permitted by the First Lien Credit Agreement.
(aa) Canadian Defined Benefit Plan. No Canadian Originator has sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or otherwise incurred liability under any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan.
(bb) Canadian Tax Residency. No Canadian Originator is a non-resident of Canada for purposes of the ITA.
(cc) Service of Process. Solely with respect to the Canadian Servicer, under the applicable Laws of Canada, neither the Canadian Servicer, nor any of its revenues, assets or properties has any right of immunity from service of process or from the jurisdiction of competent courts of Canada or the United States or the State of New York in connection with any suit, action, litigation, arbitration or proceeding, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment or execution of a judgment or from any other legal process with respect to its obligations under this Agreement.
(dd) VAT. No Servicer, in its capacity as Servicer, is required to account to any Official Body for any VAT or similar Tax or any sales Tax in respect of the transactions contemplated hereunder and no withholding or other Tax (including VAT or any equivalent Tax) is deductible or payable from any payment made by any Servicer hereunder.
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS
SECTION 7.01 Covenants of the SPV Entities. At all times from the Closing Date until the Final Payout Date:
(a) Payment of Capital and Yield. The Seller shall duly and punctually pay Capital, Yield, Fees and all other amounts payable by the Seller hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(b) Existence. The Seller shall keep in full force and effect its existence and rights as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Canadian Guarantor shall keep in full force and effect its existence and rights as a company under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Each SPV Entity shall obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the Supporting Assets.
(c) Financial Reporting. Each SPV Entity will maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and each SPV Entity (or a Servicer on its behalf) shall furnish to the Administrative Agent (who shall reasonably promptly forward to each Purchaser):
(i) Annual Financial Statements of each SPV Entity. Promptly upon completion and in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of each SPV Entity, annual unaudited trial balance sheet and income statement of such SPV Entity certified by an Authorized Officer of such SPV Entity that they fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of such SPV Entity as of the date indicated and the results of its operations for the periods indicated.
(ii) Pool Reports. (A) not later than two Business Days before the related Monthly Settlement Date, a Monthly Report as of the as of the most recently completed Fiscal Month, and (B) on each Business Day, a Daily Report as of the close of business on the preceding Business Day; provided that, (x) the first Daily Report shall be delivered on the Closing Date and shall include reporting regarding the Pool Receivables as of September 27, 2023 and the second Daily Report shall be delivered on October 2, 2023 and include reporting regarding the Pool Receivables from September 29, 2023 through October 1, 2023; and (y) for the period from the First Amendment Effective Date through the day upon which the February 2024 Monthly Report is due (March 18, 2024), (I) for each Daily Report and the February 2024 Monthly Report to be delivered during such period, such reports shall not include reporting with respect to the Foreign Originator Pool Receivables consistent with the reporting required to be delivered with respect to U.S. Receivables; and (II) for purposes of calculating the Capital Coverage Amount and the Net Receivables Pool Balance, the calculations thereof shall not include any Foreign Originator Pool Receivables.
(iii) Quarterly Financial Statements of Parent. Within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows showing the financial position of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the consolidated results of their operations during such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year, all of which shall be in reasonable detail, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and certified by a Financial Officer of the Rackspace Technology Global Inc. as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes) (it being understood that the delivery by the Parent of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) of the Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.01(c) to the extent such quarterly reports include the information specified herein);
(iv) Annual Financial Statements of Parent. Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity showing the financial position of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the consolidated results of their operations during such year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the prior fiscal year, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and audited by independent public accountants of
recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (it being understood that the delivery by the Parent of annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) of the Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.01(c)(iv) to the extent such annual reports include the information specified herein);
(v) Compliance Certificate. Concurrently with the financial statements furnished to the Administrative Agent and to the Purchasers pursuant to Sections 7.01(c)(iii) and 7.01(c)(iv), a certificate (each, a “Compliance Certificate”) of Rackspace Technology Global Inc. signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of Rackspace Technology Global Inc. in the form of Exhibit F.
(vi) SEC Filings and other Material Reports. Promptly upon their becoming available to an SPV Entity, public SEC filings and other material reports, including SEC Form 8-K, registration statements, proxies, prospectuses, financial statements and other shareholder communications, filed by the SPV Entity-Related Parties with the SEC (all of which may be provided by means of delivery of the applicable SEC Form or filing, and which will be deemed delivered upon (i) the posting of such information on the Parent’s website with written notice of such posting to the Administrative Agent or (ii) the making of such information available on any Platform).
(vii) Other Information. Such other customary information (including non-financial information) regarding operations, business affairs and financial condition of the SPV Entities, as the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser may from time to time reasonably request.
(d) Notices. Each SPV Entity (or a Servicer on its behalf) will notify the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent shall reasonably promptly forward such notice to each Purchaser) in writing of any of the following events promptly upon (but in no event later than three (3) Business Days after, unless otherwise specified below) an Authorized Officer or other officer learning of the occurrence thereof, with such notice describing the same, and if applicable, the steps being taken by the Person(s) affected with respect thereto (with such notice requirement being deemed to be satisfied if such notice is delivered by a Servicer pursuant to Section 7.02(c)):
(i) Notice of Events of Default or Potential Defaults. A statement of an Authorized Officer of each SPV Entity setting forth details of any Event of Default or Potential Default that has occurred and is continuing and the action which each SPV Entity proposes to take with respect thereto.
(ii) Representations and Warranties. The failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made an SPV Entity under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be true and correct in any material respect when made (or, if such representation and warranty by its terms refer to an earlier date, as of such earlier date).
(iii) Litigation. The institution of any litigation, arbitration proceeding or governmental proceeding with respect to any SPV Entity, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any Originator, which with respect to any Person other than the Seller, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iv) Adverse Claim. (A) Any Person shall obtain an Adverse Claim other than a Permitted Adverse Claim upon any Supporting Assets, (B) any Person other than an SPV Entity, a Servicer or the Administrative Agent shall obtain any rights or direct any action with respect to any Collection Account (or related Lock-Box) or (C) any Obligor shall receive any change in payment instructions with respect to Pool Receivable(s) from a Person other than a Servicer or the Administrative Agent.
(v) Name/Organization Changes. At least thirty (30) days before any change in any Originator’s or any SPV Entity’s name, jurisdiction of organization or any other change requiring the amendment of UCC financing statements or PPSA financing statements or the filing of any PPSA financing change statements.
(vi) Change in Accountants or Accounting Policy. Any change in (A) the external accountants of any SPV Entity-Related Party, (B) any accounting policy of an SPV Entity or (C) any material accounting policy of any Originator that is relevant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (it being understood that any change to the manner in which any Originator accounts for the Pool Receivables shall be deemed “material” for such purpose).
(vii) Transfer Termination Event. The occurrence of any Transfer Termination Event.
(viii) Material Adverse Change. Promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of any material adverse change in the business, operations, property or financial or other condition of any SPV Entity, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any Originator.
(ix) ERISA Event. Promptly upon the occurrence of any ERISA Event, notice in writing setting forth the details thereof and the action which the SPV Entity-Related Parties propose to take with respect thereto.
(e) Conduct of Business. Each SPV Entity will carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted and will do all things necessary to remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a domestic organization in its jurisdiction of organization and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted.
(f) Compliance with Laws. Each SPV Entity will comply with all applicable Laws to which it may be subject if the failure to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Receivables. Each SPV Entity will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and each of the Purchasers from time to time such information with respect to the Pool Receivables and the other Supporting Assets as the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser may reasonably request. Each SPV Entity will, at such SPV Entity ’s expense, during regular business hours with prior written notice (i) permit the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser or their respective agents or representatives to (A) examine and make copies of and abstracts from all books and records relating to the Pool Receivables or other Supporting Assets, (B) visit the offices and properties of such SPV Entity for the purpose of examining such books and records and (C) discuss matters relating to the Pool Receivables, the other Supporting Assets or such SPV Entity’s performance hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party with any of the officers, directors, employees or independent public accountants of such SPV Entity having
knowledge of such matters and (ii) without limiting the provisions of clause (i) above, during regular business hours, at such SPV Entity’s expense, upon at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice from the Administrative Agent, permit certified public accountants or other auditors acceptable to the Administrative Agent to conduct a review of its books and records with respect to such Pool Receivables and other Supporting Assets; provided, that the Seller shall be required to reimburse the Administrative Agent for only one (1) such review pursuant to clause (ii) above (inclusive of any review under Section 7.02(f)(ii)) and two (2) such reviews pursuant to clause (i) above in any twelve-month period unless an Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing.
(h) Payments on Receivables, Collection Accounts. Each SPV Entity (or a Servicer on its behalf) will, and will cause each Originator to, at all times, instruct all Obligors to deliver payments on the Pool Receivables to a Collection Account or a Lock-Box. Each SPV Entity (or a Servicer on its behalf) will, and will cause each Originator to, at all times, maintain such books and records necessary to identify Collections received from time to time on Pool Receivables and to segregate such Collections from other property of the Servicers and the Originators. If any payments on the Pool Receivables or other Collections are received by such SPV Entity, a Servicer, the Aggregator or an Originator, (i) each such party shall hold such payments in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Purchasers and the other Secured Parties, and (ii)(A) with respect to funds being remitted to an account other than the Foreign Originator Accounts, each such party will promptly (but in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt) remit such funds into a Collection Account, and (B) with respect to funds being remitted to a Foreign Originator Account, the UK Originator, a Swiss Originator or a Canadian Originator, as applicable, shall sweep all Collections corresponding to Eligible Receivables to the applicable Collection Account promptly but in any event no later than one week after receipt. Each SPV Entity (or a Servicer on its behalf) will cause each Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of each applicable Account Control Agreement. No SPV Entity and no Servicer shall permit funds other than Collections on Pool Receivables and other Supporting Assets to be deposited into any Collection Account. If any funds that are not Collections on Pool Receivables or other Supporting Assets are deposited into any Collection Account, such SPV Entity (or a Servicer on its behalf) will within two (2) Business Days of an SPV Entity or Servicer obtaining knowledge thereof and, in any case, not later than one week after receipt thereof, identify and transfer such funds to the appropriate Person entitled to such funds. No SPV Entity will, or will permit any Servicer, any Originator or any other Person to, commingle Collections or other funds to which the Administrative Agent, any Purchaser or any other Secured Party is entitled, with any other funds, except as expressly permitted hereby. Each SPV Entity, the UK Servicer, the Swiss Servicer and the Canadian Servicer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that on and after each Post-Closing Foreign Originator Account Compliance Date, all Collections with respect to each Receivable for which a Foreign Obligor Consent was obtained are being paid directly to a Collection Account and not paid to a Foreign Originator Account or any other deposit account. If for any reason, on and after a Post-Closing Foreign Originator Account Compliance Date, such Collections are received in a Foreign Originator Account and not received in a Collection Account during any Fiscal Month, then the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion) may by written notice to the SPV Entities, the UK Servicer, the Swiss Servicer and the Canadian Servicer, as applicable, deem such Receivables for which a Foreign Obligor Consent was obtained and for which any or all Obligors made such payments into a Foreign Originator Account (or an associated Lock-box) and not a Collection Account during such Fiscal Month to not constitute Eligible Receivables, and such Receivables shall not constitute Eligible Receivables for any purpose of the Transaction Documents. The SPV Entities shall only add a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) or a Collection Account Bank to those listed on Schedule II to this Agreement, if the Administrative Agent has received notice of such addition and an executed and acknowledged copy of an Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent from the applicable Collection Account Bank. The SPV Entities shall only
terminate a Collection Account Bank or close a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. Each SPV Entity shall ensure that no disbursements are made from any Collection Account, other than such disbursements that are made at the direction and for the account of such SPV Entity.
(i) Sales, Liens, etc. Except as otherwise provided herein, no SPV Entity will sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or create or suffer to exist any Adverse Claim other than a Permitted Adverse Claim upon (including the filing of any financing statement) or with respect to, any Pool Receivable or other Supporting Assets, or assign any right to receive income in respect thereof.
(j) Extension or Amendment of Pool Receivables. Except as otherwise permitted in Section 8.02, no SPV Entity will, and will not permit any Servicer to, alter the delinquency status or adjust the Outstanding Balance or otherwise modify the terms of any Pool Receivable in any material respect, or amend, modify or waive, in any material respect, any term or condition of any related Contract. Each SPV Entity shall at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables, and timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contract.
(k) Change in Credit and Collection Policy. No SPV Entity will make any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the value, validity, collectability or enforceability of the Receivables or decrease the credit quality of the Receivables (in each case, taken as a whole) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Purchasers. Promptly following any change in the Credit and Collection Policy, such SPV Entity will deliver a copy of the updated Credit and Collection Policy to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser.
(l) Fundamental Changes. Such SPV Entity shall not, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, permit itself (i) to merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to, any Person, (ii) undertake any LLC Division or any other division of its rights, assets, obligations, or liabilities pursuant to a plan of division or otherwise pursuant to Law or (iii) to be directly owned by any Person other than an Originator. No SPV Entity shall, without at least 10 days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent, make any change in its name, identity, corporate structure or location or make any other change in its identity or corporate structure that could impair or otherwise render any UCC or PPSA financing statement or financing change statement filed in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document “seriously misleading” as such term (or similar term) is used in the applicable UCC or impair or render effective any PPSA financing statement, financing change statement or other similar filing made pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
(m) Books and Records. Each SPV Entity shall maintain and implement (or cause a Servicer to maintain and implement) administrative and operating procedures (including an ability to recreate records evidencing Pool Receivables and related Contracts in the event of the destruction of the originals thereof), and keep and maintain (or cause a Servicer to keep and maintain) all documents, books, records, computer tapes and disks and other information reasonably necessary or advisable for the collection of all Pool Receivables (including records adequate to permit the daily identification of each Pool Receivable and all Collections of and adjustments to each existing Pool Receivable).
(n) Identifying of Records. Each SPV Entity shall: (i) identify (or cause a Servicer to identify) its master data processing records relating to Pool Receivables and related Contracts indicating that the Pool Receivables have been pledged in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) cause each Originator and the Aggregator so to identify its master data processing.
(o) Change in Payment Instructions to Obligors. No SPV Entity shall (and shall not permit any Servicer or any Sub-Servicer to) add, replace or terminate any Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box) or make any change in its (or their) instructions to the Obligors regarding payments to be made to the Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box), other than any instruction to remit payments to a different Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box), unless the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) prior written notice of such addition, termination or change and (ii) a signed and acknowledged Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) with respect to such new Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box), and the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such change in writing.
(p) Security Interest, Etc. Each SPV Entity shall (and shall cause the Servicers to), at its expense, take all action necessary or reasonably desirable to establish and maintain a valid and enforceable first priority perfected ownership or security interest in the Supporting Assets, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims in favor of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), including taking such action to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) as the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party may reasonably request. In order to evidence the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, each SPV Entity shall, from time to time take such action, or execute and deliver such instruments as may be necessary (including such actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent) to maintain and perfect, as a first-priority interest, the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Receivables, Related Security and Collections. Each SPV Entity shall, from time to time and within the time limits established by law, prepare and present to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent’s authorization and approval, all financing statements, amendments, continuations or initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation statement, or other filings necessary to continue, maintain and perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest as a first-priority interest. The Administrative Agent’s approval of such filings shall authorize each SPV Entity to file such financing statements or financing change statements under the UCC or PPSA without the signature of any SPV Entity, any Originator or the Administrative Agent where allowed by applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything else in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, no SPV Entity shall have any authority to file a termination, partial termination, release, partial release, or any amendment that deletes the name of a debtor or excludes collateral of any such financing statements filed in connection with the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.
(q) Certain Agreements. Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Purchasers, no SPV Entity will (and will not permit any Originator, the Aggregator or any Servicer to) amend, modify, waive, revoke or terminate any Transaction Document to which it is a party or any provision of such SPV Entity’s organizational documents which requires the consent of the “Independent Manager” or “Independent Director”.
(r) Restricted Payments.
(i) Except pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) below, no SPV Entity will: (A) purchase or redeem any of its membership interests, (B) declare or pay any dividend or set aside any funds for any such purpose, (C) prepay, purchase or redeem any Indebtedness, (D) lend or advance any funds or (E) repay any loans or advances to, for or
from any of its Affiliates (the amounts described in clauses (A) through (E) being referred to as “Restricted Payments”).
(ii) On any Settlement Date, any SPV Entity may make Restricted Payments so long as (A) such Restricted Payments are made only in one or more of the following ways: (1) from amounts paid to such SPV Entity for its own account pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ix) after all payments and allocations required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01(a) have been made on such Settlement Date, (2) cash payments (including prepayments) on the Subordinated Notes or the Subordinated Loan Agreements in accordance with their respective terms, (3) distribution of the Guarantee Fee by the Canadian Guarantor to the Canadian Originator or (4) payment by the Seller of an SPV Reimbursement Obligation that is owing to the Canadian Guarantor and (B) no Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom.
(iii) The Seller may apply funds received by the Seller through a voluntary contribution from an Originator (which funds in respect of any such voluntary contribution are not Collections, Pool Receivables or payment of any other amount due hereunder and are contributed by such Originator to the Seller for the sole purpose of immediately funding SPV Reimbursement Obligations of an equal amount) to pay the Canadian Guarantor any outstanding SPV Reimbursement Obligation owed to the Canadian Guarantor.
(s) Other Business. No SPV Entity will: (i) engage in any business other than the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (ii) create, incur or permit to exist any Indebtedness of any kind (or cause or permit to be issued for its account any letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances) other than pursuant to this Agreement, the Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Loan Agreements or the SPV Reimbursement and Contribution Agreement or (iii) form any Subsidiary or make any investments in any other Person.
(t) Use of Collections Available to such SPV Entity. Each SPV Entity shall apply Collections available to such SPV Entity to make payments in accordance with Section 3.01(a) or as otherwise permitted under the terms of this Agreement.
(u) Further Assurances; Change in Name or Jurisdiction of Origination, etc. (i) Each SPV Entity hereby authorizes and hereby agrees from time to time, at its own expense, promptly to execute (if necessary) and deliver all further instruments and documents, and to take all further actions, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or to enable the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) to exercise and enforce their respective rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Without limiting the foregoing, each SPV Entity hereby authorizes, and will, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, at such SPV Entity ’s own expense, execute (if necessary) and file such financing statements or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments and documents, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or evidence any of the foregoing.
(ii) Each SPV Entity authorizes the Administrative Agent to file financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto and assignments thereof, relating to the Receivables, the Related Security, the related Contracts, Collections with respect thereto and the other Supporting Assets without the signature of such SPV Entity. A photocopy or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.
(iii) The Seller shall at all times be organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and shall not take any action to change its jurisdiction of organization.
(iv) The Canadian Guarantor shall at all times be organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, and shall not take any action to change its jurisdiction of organization without thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Canadian Guarantor, at its own expense, shall have taken all action necessary or appropriate to perfect or maintain the perfection of the security interest under this Agreement (including the filing of all financing statements and the taking of such other action as the Administrative Agent may request in connection with such change).
(v) No SPV Entity will change its name, location, identity or corporate structure unless (x) the Administrative Agent has consented thereto in writing, (y) each SPV Entity, at its own expense, shall have taken all action necessary or appropriate to perfect or maintain the perfection of the security interest under this Agreement (including the filing of all financing statements and the taking of such other action as the Administrative Agent may request in connection with such change or relocation) and (z) if requested by the Administrative Agent, each SPV Entity shall cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, an opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to such UCC or PPSA perfection and priority matters as the Administrative Agent may request at such time.
(v) Sanctions and other Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws. Each SPV Entity covenants and agrees that:
(i) it shall immediately notify each Purchaser Party in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event;
(ii) if, at any time, any Supporting Assets becomes Embargoed Property, then, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to any Purchaser Party, upon request by any Purchaser Party, such SPV Entity shall provide substitute Supporting Assets acceptable to the Administrative Agent that is not Embargoed Property;
(iii) it shall, and shall require each other Covered Entity to, conduct its business in compliance with all Anti-Corruption Laws and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with such Laws;
(iv) it and its Subsidiaries will not: (A) become a Sanctioned Person or allow any employees, officers, directors, or, to the knowledge of such SPV Entity, any affiliates, consultants, brokers, or agents acting on its behalf in connection with this Agreement to become a Sanctioned Person; (B) directly, or indirectly through a third party, engage in any transactions or other dealings with or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Jurisdiction, including any use of the proceeds of the Investments to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Jurisdiction; (C) pay or repay any Seller Obligations with Embargoed Property or funds derived from any unlawful activity; (D) permit any Supporting Assets to become Embargoed Property; or (E) cause any Purchaser Party to violate any Anti-Terrorism Law; and
(v) it will not, and will not permit any its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, use the Investments or any proceeds thereof for any purpose which would
breach any Anti-Corruption Laws in any jurisdiction in which any Covered Entity conducts business.
(w) [Reserved].
(x) Taxes. Each SPV Entity will (i) timely file all tax returns required to be filed by it and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP.
(y) SPV Entities’ Tax Status. The Seller will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of a United States person (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) and not be subject to withholding under Section 1446 of the Code. The Seller shall not (i) be treated other than as a “disregarded entity” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 that is wholly owned by a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) become an association taxable as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (iii) become subject to any Tax in any jurisdiction outside the United States or (iv) become subject to any material tax imposed by a state or local taxing authority.
(z) Minimum Funding Threshold. The SPV Entities shall cause the Aggregate Capital to equal or exceed the Minimum Funding Threshold at all times unless and until the Termination Date occurs.
(aa) Liquidity Coverage Ratio. No SPV Entity shall issue a LCR Security.
(bb) Certificate of Beneficial Ownership and Other Additional Information. Each SPV Entity shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers: (i) confirmation of the accuracy of the information set forth in the most recent Certificate of Beneficial Ownership provided to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers; (ii) a new Certificate of Beneficial Ownership, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser, when the individual(s) to be identified as a Beneficial Owner have changed; and (iii) such other information and documentation as may reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser from time to time for purposes of compliance by the Administrative Agent or such Purchaser with applicable Laws (including the USA PATRIOT Act and other “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations), and any policy or procedure implemented by the Administrative Agent or such Purchaser to comply therewith.
(cc) Linked Accounts. Except for any Permitted Linked Account, no SPV Entity shall permit any Linked Account to exist with respect to any Collection Account; provided, however, that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, any SPV Entity shall, if so instructed by the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion), cause each Permitted Linked Account to cease being a “Linked Account” promptly, but not later than two (2) Business Days following such SPV Entity’s or the Servicers’ receipt of such instruction.
(dd) Data Protection. If and to the extent, Data Protection Laws apply to personal data processed (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) by any party in connection with the performance of their obligations under, or in connection with, the Transaction Documents, where any SPV Entity provides personal data (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) to the Administrative Agent and/or the Purchasers, it shall provide all notices required to, and obtain all consents (if required) from, data subjects (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) to enable the use, disclosure and processing of such personal data (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) by any SPV Entity, the Administrative Agent
and the Purchasers in accordance with their respective obligations under applicable Data Protection Laws for the purposes contemplated under the Transaction Documents.
SECTION 7.02 Covenants of the Servicers. At all times from the Closing Date until the Final Payout Date:
(a) Existence. Each Servicer shall keep in full force and effect its existence and rights (i) in the case of the U.S. Servicer, as a corporation or other entity under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) in the case of the UK Servicer, as a private limited company or other entity under the laws of England and Wales, (iii) in the case of the Swiss Servicer, as a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) or other entity under the laws of Switzerland, and (iv) in the case of the Canadian Servicer, as a company or other entity under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Each Servicer shall obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the servicing of the Pool Receivables as required by this Agreement requires such qualification, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Financial Reporting. Each Servicer will maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and each Servicer shall furnish to the Administrative Agent (who shall reasonably promptly forward to each Purchaser) each of the financial statements, certifications, reports (including Pool Reports), filings and other documents and information required to be delivered by the Seller pursuant to Section 7.01(c) when due to be delivered by the Seller thereunder.
(c) Notices. Each Servicer will notify the Administrative Agent (who shall reasonably promptly forward to each Purchaser) in writing of any of the following events promptly upon (but in no event later than three (3) Business Days after, unless otherwise specified below) an Authorized Officer or other officer learning of the occurrence thereof, with such notice describing the same, and if applicable, the steps being taken by the Person(s) affected with respect thereto:
(i) Notice of Events of Default or Potential Defaults. A statement of an Authorized Officer of such Servicer setting forth details of any Event of Default or Potential Default that has occurred and is continuing and the action which such Servicer proposes to take with respect thereto.
(ii) Representations and Warranties. The failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed made by such Servicer under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be true and correct in any material respect when made (or, if such representation and warranty by its terms refer to an earlier date, as of such earlier date).
(iii) Litigation. The institution of any litigation, arbitration proceeding or governmental proceeding with respect to any SPV Entity-Related Party that, with respect to any Person other than the Seller, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iv) Adverse Claim. (A) Any Person shall obtain an Adverse Claim other than a Permitted Averse Claim upon the Supporting Assets or any portion thereof, (B) any Person other than the Seller, any Servicer or the Administrative Agent shall obtain any rights or direct any action with respect to any Collection Account (or related Lock-Box) or (C) any Obligor shall receive any change in payment instructions with
respect to Pool Receivable(s) from a Person other than a Servicer or the Administrative Agent.
(v) Name/Organization Changes. At least thirty (30) days before any change in any Originator’s or any SPV Entity’s name, jurisdiction of organization or any other change requiring the amendment of UCC financing statements or PPSA financing statements.
(vi) Change in Accountants or Accounting Policy. Any change in (A) the external accountants of any SPV Entity-Related Party, (B) any accounting policy of any SPV Entity or (C) any material accounting policy of any Originator that is relevant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (it being understood that any change to the manner in which any Originator accounts for the Pool Receivables shall be deemed “material” for such purpose).
(vii) Transfer Termination Event. The occurrence of any Transfer Termination Event.
(viii) Material Adverse Change. Promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of any material adverse change in the business, operations, property or financial or other condition of any SPV Entity, any Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any Originator.
(ix) ERISA Event. Promptly upon the occurrence of any ERISA Event, notice in writing setting forth the details thereof and the action which the SPV Entity-Related Parties propose to take with respect thereto.
(d) Conduct of Business. Each Servicer will carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted, and will do all things necessary to remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a domestic corporation in its jurisdiction of organization and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted if the failure to have such authority could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Compliance with Laws. Each Servicer will comply with all applicable Laws to which it may be subject if the failure to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Receivables. Each Servicer will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser from time to time such information with respect to the Pool Receivables and the other Supporting Assets as the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser may reasonably request. Each Servicer will, at the Servicer’s expense, during regular business hours with prior written notice, (i) permit the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser or their respective agents or representatives to (A) examine and make copies of and abstracts from all books and records relating to the Pool Receivables or other Supporting Assets, (B) visit the offices and properties of such Servicer for the purpose of examining such books and records and (C) discuss matters relating to the Pool Receivables, the other Supporting Assets or such Servicer’s performance hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party with any of the officers, directors, employees or independent public accountants of such Servicer (provided that representatives of such Servicer are present during such discussions) having knowledge of such matters and (ii) without limiting the provisions of clause (i) above, during regular business hours, at such Servicer’s expense, upon at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice from the Administrative
Agent, permit certified public accountants or other auditors acceptable to the Administrative Agent to conduct a review of its books and records with respect to the Pool Receivables and other Supporting Assets; provided, that such Servicer shall be required to reimburse the Administrative Agent for only one (1) such review pursuant to clause (ii) above (inclusive of any review under Section 7.01(g)) and two (2) such reviews pursuant to clause (i) above in any twelve-month period unless an Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing.
(g) Payments on Receivables, Collection Accounts. Each Servicer will at all times instruct all Obligors to deliver payments on the Pool Receivables to a Collection Account or a Lock-Box. Each Servicer will, at all times, maintain such books and records necessary to identify Collections received from time to time on Pool Receivables and to segregate such Collections from other property of such Servicer and the Originators. If any payments on the Pool Receivables or other Collections are received by an SPV Entity, such Servicer or an Originator, (i) each Servicer shall cause each such party to hold such payments in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Purchasers and the other Secured Parties, and (ii)(A) with respect to funds being remitted to an account other than the Foreign Originator Accounts, it shall cause each such party to promptly (but in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt) remit such funds into a Collection Account and (B) with respect to funds being remitted to a Foreign Originator Account, the UK Servicer, the Swiss Servicer and the Canadian Servicer shall cause the UK Originator, a Swiss Originator or a Canadian Originator, as applicable, to sweep all Collections corresponding to Eligible Receivables to the applicable Collection Account promptly but in any event no later than one week after receipt. Each Servicer will cause each Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of each applicable Account Control Agreement. No Servicer shall permit funds other than Collections on Pool Receivables and other Supporting Assets to be deposited into any Collection Account. If any funds that are not Collections on Pool Receivables or other Supporting Assets are deposited into any Collection Account, the applicable Servicer will within two (2) Business Days of an SPV Entity or Servicer obtaining knowledge thereof and, in any case, not later than one week after receipt thereof, identify and transfer such funds to the appropriate Person entitled to such funds. No Servicer will, or will permit an SPV Entity, an Originator or any other Person to commingle Collections or other funds to which the Administrative Agent, any Purchaser or any other Secured Party is entitled, with any other funds, except as expressly permitted herein. The UK Servicer, the Swiss Servicer and the Canadian Servicer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that on and after each Post-Closing Foreign Originator Account Compliance Date, all Collections with respect to each Receivable for which a Foreign Obligor Consent was obtained are being paid directly to a Collection Account and not paid to a Foreign Originator Account or any other deposit account. If for any reason, on and after a Post-Closing Foreign Originator Account Compliance Date, such Collections are received in a Foreign Originator Account and not received in a Collection Account during any Fiscal Month, then the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion) may by written notice to the UK Servicer, the Swiss Servicer and the Canadian Servicer, as applicable, deem such Receivables for which a Foreign Obligor Consent was obtained and for which any or all Obligors made such payments into a Foreign Originator Account (or an associated Lock-box) and not a Collection Account during such Fiscal Month to not constitute Eligible Receivables, and such Receivables shall not constitute Eligible Receivables for any purpose of the Transaction Documents. The Servicers shall only add a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box), or a Collection Account Bank to those listed on Schedule II to this Agreement, if the Administrative Agent has received notice of such addition and an executed and acknowledged copy of an Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent from the applicable Collection Account Bank. The Servicers shall only terminate a Collection Account Bank or close a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. Each Servicer shall ensure that no disbursements are made from any
Collection Account, other than such disbursements that are made at the direction and for the account of an SPV Entity.
(h) Extension or Amendment of Pool Receivables. Except as otherwise permitted in Section 8.02, no Servicer will alter the delinquency status or adjust the Outstanding Balance or otherwise modify the terms of any Pool Receivable in any material respect, or amend, modify or waive, in any material respect, any term or condition of any related Contract. Each Servicer shall at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables, and timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contract.
(i) Change in Credit and Collection Policy. No Servicer will make any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the value, validity, collectability or enforceability of the Receivables or decrease the credit quality of the Receivables (in each case, taken as a whole) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Purchasers. Promptly following any change in the Credit and Collection Policy, the applicable Servicer will deliver a copy of the updated Credit and Collection Policy to the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser.
(j) Records. Each Servicer will maintain and implement administrative and operating procedures (including an ability to recreate records evidencing Pool Receivables and related Contracts in the event of the destruction of the originals thereof), and keep and maintain all documents, books, records, computer tapes and disks and other information reasonably necessary or advisable for the collection of all Pool Receivables (including records adequate to permit the daily identification of each Pool Receivable and all Collections of and adjustments to each existing Pool Receivable).
(k) Identifying of Records. Each Servicer shall cause its master data processing records relating to Pool Receivables and related Contracts to clearly and unambiguously indicate that the Pool Receivables have been sold or contributed by the Originators to the Aggregator or the Canadian Guarantor, as applicable, by the Aggregator to the Seller and sold or pledged by the Seller pursuant this Agreement.
(l) Change in Payment Instructions to Obligors. No Servicer shall (or shall permit any Sub-Servicer to) add, replace or terminate any Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box) or make any change in its instructions to the Obligors regarding payments to be made to the Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box), other than any instruction to remit payments to a different Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box), unless the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) prior written notice of such addition, termination or change and (ii) a signed and acknowledged Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) with respect to such new Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box) and the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such change in writing.
(m) Security Interest, Etc. Each Servicer shall, at its expense, take all action necessary or reasonably desirable to establish and maintain a valid and enforceable first priority perfected ownership or security interest in the Supporting Assets, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims in favor of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), including taking such action to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) as the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party may reasonably request. In order to evidence the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Servicers shall, from time to time take such action, or execute and deliver such instruments as may be necessary
(including such actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent) to maintain and perfect, as a first-priority interest, the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Receivables, Related Security and Collections. Each Servicer shall, from time to time and within the time limits established by law, prepare and present to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent’s authorization and approval, all financing statements, amendments, continuations or initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation statement, or other filings necessary to continue, maintain and perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest as a first-priority interest. The Administrative Agent’s approval of such filings shall authorize the U.S. Servicer to file such financing statements, amendments and continuations under the UCC and the Canadian Servicer to file such financing statements and financing change statements under the PPSA without the signature of any SPV Entity, any Originator or the Administrative Agent where allowed by applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything else in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, no Servicer shall have any authority to file a termination, partial termination, release, partial release, or any amendment that deletes the name of a debtor or excludes collateral of any such financing statements filed in connection with the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.
(n) Further Assurances; Change in Name or Jurisdiction of Origination, etc. Each Servicer hereby authorizes and hereby agrees from time to time, at its own expense, promptly to execute (if necessary) and deliver all further instruments and documents, and to take all further actions, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or to enable the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) to exercise and enforce their respective rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Without limiting the foregoing, each Servicer hereby authorizes, and will, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, at such Servicer’s own expense, execute (if necessary) and file such financing statements or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments and documents, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or evidence any of the foregoing.
(o) Sanctions and other Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws. Each Servicer covenants and agrees that:
(i) it shall immediately notify each Purchaser Party in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event;
(ii) if, at any time, any Supporting Assets becomes Embargoed Property, then, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to any Purchaser Party, upon request by any Purchaser Party, it shall cause any SPV Entity to provide substitute Supporting Assets acceptable to the Administrative Agent that is not Embargoed Property;
(iii) it shall, and shall require each other Covered Entity to, conduct its business in compliance with all Anti-Corruption Laws and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with such Laws;
(iv) it and its Subsidiaries will not: (A) become a Sanctioned Person or allow any employees, officers, directors, affiliates, consultants, brokers, or agents acting on its behalf in connection with this Agreement to become a Sanctioned Person; (B) directly, or indirectly through a third party, engage in any transactions or other dealings with or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Jurisdiction, including any use of the proceeds of the Investments to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned
Jurisdiction; (C) pay or repay any Seller Obligations with Embargoed Property or funds derived from any unlawful activity; (D) permit any Supporting Assets to become Embargoed Property; or (E) cause any Purchaser Party to violate any Anti-Terrorism Law; and
(v) it will not, and will not permit any its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, use the Investments or any proceeds thereof for any purpose which would breach any Anti-Corruption Laws in any jurisdiction in which any Covered Entity conducts business.
(p) Taxes. Each Servicer will (i) timely file all federal, state, and other material tax returns required to be filed by it and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, all federal, state, and other material Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP, except in each case to the extent that such failure to file or pay could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Seller’s Tax Status. No Servicer shall take or cause any action to be taken that could result in the Seller (i) being treated other than as a “disregarded entity” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) becoming an association taxable as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (iii) being subject to any Tax in any jurisdiction outside the United States or (iv) being subject to any Tax imposed by a state or local taxing authority.
(r) Linked Accounts. Except for any Permitted Linked Account, no Servicer shall permit any Linked Account to exist with respect to any Collection Account; provided, however, that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, a Servicer shall, if so instructed by the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion), cause each Permitted Linked Account to cease being a “Linked Account” promptly, but not later than two (2) Business Days following any SPV Entity’s or a Servicer’s receipt of such instruction.
(s) Data Protection. If and to the extent, Data Protection Laws apply to personal data processed (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) by any party in connection with the performance of their obligations under, or in connection with, the Transaction Documents, where any Servicer provides personal data (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) to the Administrative Agent and/or the Purchasers, it shall provide all notices required to, and obtain all consents (if required) from, data subjects (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) to enable the use, disclosure and processing of such personal data (as defined in the relevant Data Protection Laws) by such Servicer, the Administrative Agent and the purchasers in accordance with their respective obligations under applicable Data Protection Laws for the purposes contemplated under the Transaction Documents.
SECTION 7.03 Separate Existence of the SPV Entities. Each SPV Entity and each Servicer hereby acknowledges that the Purchaser Parties are entering into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents in reliance upon each SPV Entity’s identity as a legal entity separate from each other SPV Entity-Related Party and their Affiliates. Therefore, each SPV Entity and each Servicer shall take all steps specifically required by this Agreement or reasonably required by any Purchaser Party to continue such SPV Entity’s identity as a separate legal entity and to make it apparent to third Persons that such SPV Entity is an entity with assets and liabilities distinct from those of each other SPV Entity-Related Party and any other Person, and is not a division of any other SPV Entity-Related Party or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and in addition to and consistent
with the other covenants set forth herein, each SPV Entity and each Servicer shall take such actions as shall be required in order in order that:
(a) Special Purpose Entity. The Seller will be a special purpose company whose primary activities are restricted in its limited liability company agreement to: (i) purchasing or otherwise acquiring, owning, holding, collecting, granting security interests or selling interests in the Supporting Assets, (ii) entering into agreements for the selling, servicing and financing of the Receivables Pool (including the Transaction Documents) and (iii) conducting such other activities as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its primary activities. The Canadian Guarantor shall comply with applicable provisions set forth in Section 26.5 of its articles.
(b) No Other Business or Indebtedness. No SPV Entity shall (i) engage in any business or activity except as set forth in this Agreement or (ii) incur any indebtedness or liability other than as expressly permitted by the Transaction Documents.
(c) Independent Manager. Each SPV Entity (other than the Canadian Guarantor) shall at all times have at least one independent manager (the “Independent Manager”) who shall be (i) with respect to the Seller, a natural person who has prior experience as an independent director, independent manager or independent member with at least three years of employment experience and who is provided by Citadel SPV (USA) LLC, Corporation Service Company, Corporate Creations Network Inc., CT Corporation, Lord Securities Corporation, National Registered Agents, Inc., Stewart Management Company, Wilmington Trust, National Association, Wilmington Trust SP Services, Inc., or, if none of those companies is then providing professional independent managers, another nationally-recognized company and (ii) in the case of the Canadian Guarantor, a natural person appointed as an independent director (the “Independent Director”) in accordance with and as defined in the articles of the Canadian Guarantor; in each case that is not an Affiliate of any SPV Entity-Related Party and that provides professional independent managers or independent directors and other corporate services in the ordinary course of its business, and which individual is duly appointed as an independent manager or independent director, as applicable, and is not, and has never been, and will not while serving as independent manager or independent director be, any of the following (i) a member (other than as a “special member”), partner, equityholder, manager (other than as an Independent Manager), director, officer or employee of any SPV Entity-Related Party of their respective equityholders or Affiliates (other than as an independent manager or special member of the such SPV Entity, any other securitization entity or any other Affiliate of the such SPV Entity that is not in the direct chain of ownership of such SPV Entity and that is required by a creditor to be a single purpose bankruptcy remote entity, provided that such independent manager is employed by a company that routinely provides professional independent managers in the ordinary course of its business), (ii) a creditor, supplier or service provider (including provider of professional services) to such SPV Entity, or any of its equityholders or Affiliates (other than a nationally-recognized company that routinely provides professional independent managers and other corporate services to such SPV Entity or any of its equityholders or Affiliates in the ordinary course of its business), (iii) a family member of any such member, partner, equityholder, manager, director, officer, employee, creditor, supplier or service provider or (iv) a Person that controls (whether directly, indirectly or otherwise) any Person described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above; provided that the fees that such individual earns from serving as independent manager of any Affiliate of such SPV Entity in any given year constitute in the aggregate less than 5.00% of such individual’s annual income for that year.
The Seller and the Canadian Guarantor shall (A) give written notice to the Administrative Agent of the election or appointment, or proposed election or appointment, of a new Independent Manager of the Seller or Independent Director of the Canadian Guarantor, as applicable, which notice shall be given not later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the date such appointment or
election would be effective (except when such election or appointment is necessary to fill a vacancy caused by the death, disability, or incapacity of the existing Independent Manager or Independent Director, or the failure of such Independent Manager or Independent Director to satisfy the criteria for an Independent Manager or Independent Director set forth in this clause (c), in which case the Seller or the Canadian Guarantor, as applicable, shall provide written notice of such election or appointment within one (1) Business Day) and (B) with any such written notice, certify to the Administrative Agent that the Independent Manager or Independent Director satisfies the criteria for an Independent Manager or Independent Director set forth in this clause (c).
The Seller’s limited liability company agreement shall provide that: (A) the Seller’s member shall not approve, or take any other action to cause the filing of, a voluntary bankruptcy petition with respect to the Seller unless the Independent Manager shall approve the taking of such action in writing before the taking of such action and (B) such provision and each other provision requiring an Independent Manager cannot be amended without the prior written consent of the Independent Manager.
The Canadian Guarantor’s articles shall include provisions to the effect that: (A) the Canadian Guarantor’s board of directors shall not approve, or take any other action to cause the filing of, a voluntary bankruptcy petition with respect to the Canadian Guarantor unless the Independent Director shall approve the taking of such action in writing before the taking of such action and (B) such provision and each other provision requiring an Independent Director cannot be amended without the prior written consent of the Independent Director.
The Seller’s or the Canadian Guarantor’s Independent Manager or Independent Director, as applicable, shall not at any time serve as a trustee in bankruptcy for any SPV Entity-Related Party or any of their respective Affiliates.
(d) Organizational Documents. Each SPV Entity shall maintain its organizational documents in conformity with this Agreement, such that it does not amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify its ability to comply with the terms and provisions of any of the Transaction Documents, including Section 7.01(p).
(e) Conduct of Business. Each SPV Entity shall conduct its affairs strictly in accordance with its organizational documents and observe all necessary, appropriate and customary company formalities, including holding all regular and special members’ and board of directors’ meetings appropriate to authorize all company action, keeping separate and accurate minutes of its meetings, passing all resolutions or consents necessary to authorize actions taken or to be taken, and maintaining accurate and separate books, records and accounts, including payroll and intercompany transaction accounts.
(f) Compensation. Any employee, consultant or agent of any SPV Entity will be compensated from such SPV Entity’s funds for services provided to such SPV Entity, and to the extent that an SPV Entity shares the same officers or other employees as the Servicers (or any other Affiliate thereof), the salaries and expenses relating to providing benefits to such officers and other employees shall be fairly allocated among such entities, and each such entity shall bear its fair share of the salary and benefit costs associated with such common officers and employees. No SPV Entity will engage any agents other than its attorneys, auditors and other professionals, and a servicer and any other agent contemplated by the Transaction Documents for the Receivables Pool, which servicer will be fully compensated for its services by payment of the Servicing Fee.
(g) Servicing and Costs. Each SPV Entity will contract with the Servicers to perform for such SPV Entity all operations required on a daily basis to service the Receivables
Pool. No SPV Entity will incur any indirect or overhead expenses for items shared with the Servicers (or any other Affiliate thereof) that are not reflected in the Servicing Fee. To the extent, if any, that any SPV Entity (or any Affiliate thereof) shares items of expenses not reflected in the Servicing Fee, such as legal, auditing and other professional services, such expenses will be allocated to the extent practical on the basis of actual use or the value of services rendered, and otherwise on a basis reasonably related to the actual use or the value of services rendered.
(h) Operating Expenses. No SPV Entity’s operating expenses will be paid by any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliate thereof.
(i) Books and Records. Each SPV Entity’s books and records will be maintained separately from those of any other SPV Entity-Related Party and any of their Affiliates and in a manner such that it will not be difficult or costly to segregate, ascertain or otherwise identify the assets and liabilities of such SPV Entity.
(j) Disclosure of Transactions. All financial statements of any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliate thereof that are consolidated to include any SPV Entity will disclose that (i) such SPV Entity is a separate legal entity with its own separate creditors who will be entitled, upon its liquidation, to be satisfied out of such SPV Entity’s assets prior to any assets or value in such SPV Entity becoming available to such SPV Entity’s equity holders and (ii) the assets of such SPV Entity are not available to pay creditors of any other SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliate thereof.
(k) Segregation of Assets. Each SPV Entity’s assets will be maintained in a manner that facilitates their identification and segregation from those of any other SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliates thereof.
(l) Corporate Formalities. Each SPV Entity will strictly observe limited liability company or business corporation, as applicable, formalities in its dealings with any other SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliates thereof, and funds or other assets of such SPV Entity will not be commingled with those of any other SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliates thereof except as permitted by the Transaction Documents in connection with servicing the Pool Receivables. No SPV Entity shall maintain joint bank accounts or other depository accounts to which any other SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliate thereof (other than the Servicers solely in their capacity as such) has independent access.
(m) Arm’s-Length Relationships. Each SPV Entity will maintain arm’s-length relationships with any other SPV Entity-Related Party and any Affiliates thereof. Any Person that renders or otherwise furnishes services to any SPV Entity will be compensated by such SPV Entity at market rates for such services it renders or otherwise furnishes to such SPV Entity. Neither SPV Entity on the one hand, nor any other SPV Entity-Related Party or any Affiliate thereof, on the other hand, will be or will hold itself out to be responsible for the debts of the other or the decisions or actions respecting the daily business and affairs of the other. The SPV Entity-Related Parties and their respective Affiliates will immediately correct any known misrepresentation with respect to the foregoing, and they will not operate or purport to operate as an integrated single economic unit with respect to each other or in their dealing with any other entity.
SECTION 7.04 Post-Closing Covenant Regarding Foreign Accounts.
(a) Notwithstanding any requirement under the UK Security Agreement or any UK Declaration of Trust, as applicable, to provide any of the following documentation prior
to the date hereof, on or prior to March 29, 2024 (or such later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion):
(i) the Seller shall deliver a fully executed Notice of Security (as defined in the UK Security Agreement) and related acknowledgment (or an Account Control Agreement, as applicable) in relation to the UK Collection Accounts, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(ii) the UK Servicer shall deliver a fully executed notice of the creation of trust under the UK Declaration of Trust entered into by the UK Originator and related acknowledgment (or an Account Control Agreement, as applicable) in relation to the Originator Collection Accounts (as defined in the UK Sale Agreement), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(iii) the Swiss Servicer shall deliver the following to the Administrative Agent, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(A) with respect to the deposit account (the “JPMorgan US Account”) maintained as of the First Amendment Effective Date with JPMorgan Bank, N.A., in the name of Rackspace Swiss, as specified on Schedule II, a fully executed Account Control Agreement covering such JPMorgan US Account;
(B) opinions of counsel to the Swiss Originator covering general corporate, enforceability, security interest and perfection-by-control matters with respect to the Account Control Agreement covering the JPMorgan US Account; and
(C) a fully executed notice of the creation of trust under the UK Declaration of Trust entered into by the Swiss Originator and related acknowledgment (or an Account Control Agreement, as applicable) in relation to the Originator Collection Accounts (as defined in the Swiss Sale Agreement) (other than the JPMorgan US Account), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE VIII
ADMINISTRATION AND COLLECTION
OF RECEIVABLES
SECTION 8.01 Appointment of the Servicers.
(a) The servicing, administering and collection of the Pool Receivables shall be conducted by the Person so designated from time to time as the Servicer in accordance with this Section 8.01. Until the Administrative Agent gives notice to the SPV Entities and the Servicers (in accordance with this Section 8.01) of the designation of a new Servicer, each SPV Entity-Related Party named in the preamble to this Agreement as a U.S. Servicer, UK Servicer, Canadian Servicer or Swiss Servicer (as the case may be) is hereby designated as, and hereby agrees to perform the duties and obligations of, a Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may (with the consent of the Required Purchasers) and shall (at the direction of the Required Purchasers) designate as U.S. Servicer, UK Servicer, Canadian Servicer or Swiss Servicer (as the case may be) any Person (including itself) to succeed the applicable SPV Entity-Related Party or any successor Servicer, on such terms and conditions as the Administrative Agent may agree in its discretion. The
applicable Servicer shall be entitled to payment of all Servicing Fees and reimbursable expenses accrued prior to the date on which such Servicer is replaced (including following termination) pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) Upon the designation of a successor Servicer as set forth in clause (a) above, the applicable Servicer being replaced agrees that it will terminate its activities as Servicer hereunder in a manner that the Administrative Agent reasonably determines will facilitate the transition of the performance of such activities to the new Servicer, and the applicable Servicer shall cooperate with and assist such new Servicer. Such cooperation shall include access to and transfer of records (including all Contracts) related to Pool Receivables and use by the new Servicer of all licenses (or the obtaining of new licenses), hardware or software necessary or reasonably desirable to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security.
(c) Each SPV Entity-Related Party named in the preamble to this Agreement as a U.S. Servicer, UK Servicer, Canadian Servicer or Swiss Servicer (as the case may be) acknowledges that, in making its decision to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser have relied on such SPV Entity-Related Party’s agreement to act as a Servicer hereunder. Accordingly, such SPV Entity-Related Party agrees that it will not voluntarily resign as Servicer without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Purchasers, except upon a determination that (i) the performance of its duties hereunder is no longer permissible under applicable Law and (ii) there is no reasonable action which the Servicer could take to make the performance of its duties hereunder permissible under applicable Law. Any such determination permitting the resignation of the Servicer shall be evidenced as to clause (i) above by an opinion of a nationally recognized external counsel to the Servicer and as to clause (ii) above by an officer’s certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Servicer, each to such effect delivered, and reasonably satisfactory in form and substance, to the Administrative Agent.
(d) Each Servicer may delegate its duties and obligations hereunder to any subservicer (each a “Sub-Servicer”); provided, that, in each such delegation: (i) such Sub-Servicer shall agree in writing to perform the delegated duties and obligations of such Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof, (ii) such Servicer shall remain liable for the performance of the duties and obligations so delegated, (iii) each SPV Entity, the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser shall have the right to look solely to such Servicer for performance, (iv) the terms of any agreement with any Sub-Servicer shall provide that the Administrative Agent may terminate such agreement upon the termination of such Servicer hereunder by giving notice of its desire to terminate such agreement to such Servicer (and such Servicer shall provide appropriate notice to each such Sub-Servicer), (v) if such Sub-Servicer is not an Affiliate of Parent, the Administrative Agent and the Required Purchasers shall have consented in writing in advance to such delegation (unless such Sub-Servicer is only servicing Receivables that have been, consistent with past practices, been written off as uncollectible, in which case such consent is not required) and (vi) any Sub-Servicer appointed by the Canadian Servicer shall either be a resident of Canada for purposes of the ITA or shall carry on all of its servicing activities in respect of the Canadian Receivables from outside Canada.
SECTION 8.02 Duties of the Servicers.
(a) The Servicers shall take or cause to be taken all such action as may be necessary or reasonably advisable to service, administer and collect each Pool Receivable from time to time, all in accordance with this Agreement and all applicable Laws, with reasonable care and diligence, and in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy and consistent with the past practices of the Servicers. The Servicers shall set aside, for the accounts of each Purchaser Party, the amount of Collections it or its Affiliates actually receive to which each such Purchaser Party is entitled in accordance with Article III hereof. The Servicers may, in accordance with the
Credit and Collection Policy and consistent with past practices of the Originators, take such action, including modifications, waivers or restructurings of Pool Receivables and related Contracts, as the Servicers may reasonably determine to be appropriate to maximize Collections thereof or reflect adjustments expressly permitted under the Credit and Collection Policy or as expressly required under applicable Laws or the applicable Contract; provided, that for purposes of this Agreement: (i) such action shall not, and shall not be deemed to, change the number of days such Pool Receivable has remained unpaid from the date of the original due date related to such Pool Receivable, (ii) such action shall not alter the status of such Pool Receivable as a Delinquent Receivable or a Defaulted Receivable or limit the rights of any Secured Party under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (iii) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Servicers may take such action only upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. Each SPV Entity shall deliver to the applicable Servicer and the applicable Servicer shall hold for the benefit of the Administrative Agent (individually and for the benefit of each Purchaser Party), in accordance with their respective interests, all records and documents (including computer tapes or disks) with respect to each Pool Receivable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may direct the Servicers to commence or settle any legal action to enforce collection of any Pool Receivable that is a Defaulted Receivable or to foreclose upon or repossess any Related Security with respect to any such Defaulted Receivable.
(b) The Servicers shall, as soon as practicable following actual receipt of collected funds, turn over to the Seller the collections of any indebtedness that is not a Pool Receivable, less, if such Servicer is not a SPV Entity-Related Party or an Affiliate thereof, all reasonable and appropriate out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such Servicer of servicing, collecting and administering such collections. Each Servicer, if other than a SPV Entity-Related Party or an Affiliate thereof, shall, as soon as practicable upon demand, deliver to the Seller or the Canadian Guarantor, as applicable, all records in its possession that evidence or relate to any indebtedness that is not a Pool Receivable, and copies of records in its possession that evidence or relate to any indebtedness that is a Pool Receivable.
(c) Each Servicer’s obligations hereunder shall terminate on the Final Payout Date. Promptly following the Final Payout Date, each Servicer shall deliver to each SPV Entity, as applicable, all books, records and related materials that each SPV Entity previously provided to the Servicers, or that have been obtained by the Servicers, in connection with this Agreement.
(d) For the avoidance of doubt, each Servicer shall only service and comply with all Servicer’s duties under this Section 8.02 with respect to (i) the UK Servicer, Receivables originated by UK Originators, (ii) the U.S. Servicer, Receivables originated by U.S. Originators, (iii) the Swiss Servicer, Receivables originated by Swiss Originators and (iv) the Canadian Servicer, Receivables originated by Canadian Originators.
SECTION 8.03 Collection Account Arrangements.
(a) Prior to the Closing Date, each SPV Entity shall have entered into Account Control Agreements with a Collection Account Bank, as applicable and delivered executed counterparts of each to the Administrative Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Potential Default or Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may (with the consent of the Required Purchasers) and shall (upon the direction of the Required Purchasers) at any time thereafter give notice to each Collection Account Bank that the Administrative Agent is exercising its rights under the Account Control Agreements to do any or all of the following: (a) to have the exclusive dominion and control of the Collection Accounts transferred to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) and to exercise exclusive dominion and control over the funds deposited therein (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), (b) to have the proceeds that are sent to the respective Collection Accounts redirected pursuant to the
Administrative Agent’s instructions rather than deposited in the applicable Collection Account and (c) to take any or all other actions permitted under the applicable Account Control Agreement; provided, that unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (x) the Administrative Agent shall give such SPV Entity five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to take exclusive control of the Collection Accounts before such SPV Entity’s access to any Collection Account shall be terminated and be available to discuss with the Servicers or their designee(s) during such five (5) Business Day period and prior to taking exclusive control and (y) any funds received in the Collection Account shall be swept daily (or as soon as otherwise practicable) to Cash Dominion Administration Account (or, if not yet established, such other deposit account designated by the Administrative Agent). Each SPV Entity hereby agrees that if the Administrative Agent at any time takes any action set forth in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall have exclusive control (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) of the proceeds (including Collections) of all Pool Receivables and each SPV Entity hereby further agrees to take any other action that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to transfer such control. Any proceeds of Pool Receivables received by any SPV Entity or the Servicers thereafter shall be sent immediately to, or as otherwise instructed by, the Administrative Agent. Prior to giving notice exercising its rights under the Account Control Agreements, the Administrative Agent shall use reasonable efforts to arrange a call with the such SPV Entity and communicate its intent.
(b) Cash Dominion Administration Account. If the Administrative Agent shall deliver notice of its intent to take exclusive control of the Collection Accounts pursuant to clause (a) above, each SPV Entity, the Servicers and the Administrative Agent shall cause the Cash Dominion Administration Account to be established at PNC and subject to an Account Control Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) over each Cash Dominion Administration Account and the funds deposited therein, and none of the SPV Entities, the Servicers or their Affiliates shall have any rights to access or direct the disposition of any funds therein. Funds on deposit in the Cash Dominion Administration Account may be applied by the Administrative Agent for the repayment of the Seller Obligations in accordance with the priority of payments set forth in Section 3.01(a). Amounts, if any, on deposit in the Cash Dominion Administration Account on the Final Payout Date shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Seller.
(c) Release of Collections. On any Business Day after the Administrative Agent has taken exclusive dominion and control of the Collection Accounts, so long as each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.03 are satisfied (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent shall release to the SPV Entities from Collections on deposit in the Cash Dominion Administration Account an amount equal to the Maximum Release Amount on such day. The proceeds of each Release shall be applied by the SPV Entities to pay (x) the purchase price for Receivables purchased by the Seller or the Canadian Guarantor on such date in accordance with the terms of the Transfer Agreement, (y) any accrued and unpaid Servicing Fees owing to Rackspace or (z) the deferred purchase price for any previously purchased Receivables. Each SPV Entity shall notify the Administrative Agent if any of the conditions for a Release set forth in Section 5.03 are not satisfied on such day. If the Administrative Agent has not taken exclusive dominion and control of the Collection Accounts, any Releases shall be made in accordance with Section 3.01(a).
SECTION 8.04 Enforcement Rights.
(a) At any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:
(i) the Administrative Agent (at the SPV Entities’ expense) may direct the Obligors that payment of all amounts payable under any Pool Receivable is to be made directly to the Administrative Agent or its designee;
(ii) the Administrative Agent may instruct any SPV Entity or the Servicers to give notice of the Secured Parties’ interest in Pool Receivables to each Obligor, which notice shall direct that payments be made directly to the Administrative Agent or its designee (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and such SPV Entity or such Servicer, as the case may be, shall give such notice at the expense of such SPV Entity or Servicer, as the case may be; provided, that if such SPV Entity or such Servicer, as the case may be, fails to so notify each Obligor within two (2) Business Days following instruction by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent (at such SPV Entity’s or Servicer’s, as the case may be, expense) may so notify the Obligors;
(iii) the Administrative Agent may request a Servicer to, and upon such request such Servicer shall: (A) assemble all of the records necessary or desirable to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security, and transfer or license to a successor Servicer the use of all software necessary or desirable to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security, and make the same available to the Administrative Agent or its designee (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) at a place selected by the Administrative Agent and (B) segregate all cash, checks and other instruments received by it from time to time constituting Collections in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, promptly upon receipt, remit all such cash, checks and instruments, duly endorsed or with duly executed instruments of transfer, to the Administrative Agent or its designee;
(iv) the Administrative Agent may notify the Collection Account Banks that the applicable SPV Entity and such Servicer will no longer have any access to the Collection Accounts;
(v) the Administrative Agent may (or, at the direction of the Required Purchasers shall) replace the Person then acting as Servicer; and
(vi) the Administrative Agent may collect any amounts due from an Originator or the Aggregator under a Transfer Agreement or the Performance Guarantor under the Performance Guaranty.
For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default are in addition to and not exclusive of the rights and remedies contained herein and under the other Transaction Documents.
(b) Each SPV Entity hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution and with full authority in the place and stead of such SPV Entity, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to take any and all steps in the name of such SPV Entity and on behalf of such SPV Entity necessary or desirable, in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent, after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, to collect any and all amounts or portions thereof due under any and all Supporting Assets, including endorsing the name of such SPV Entity on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Supporting Assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection, none of the powers conferred upon such attorney-in-fact pursuant to the preceding sentence shall subject such attorney-in-fact to any liability if any action
taken by it shall prove to be inadequate or invalid, nor shall they confer any obligations upon such attorney-in-fact in any manner whatsoever.
(c) Each Servicer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution and with full authority in the place and stead of such Servicer, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to take any and all steps in the name of such Servicer and on behalf of such Servicer necessary or desirable, in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent, after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, to collect any and all amounts or portions thereof due under any and all Supporting Assets, including endorsing the name of such Servicer on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Supporting Assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection, none of the powers conferred upon such attorney-in-fact pursuant to the preceding sentence shall subject such attorney-in-fact to any liability if any action taken by it shall prove to be inadequate or invalid, nor shall they confer any obligations upon such attorney-in-fact in any manner whatsoever.
SECTION 8.05 Responsibilities of the SPV Entities.
(a) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each SPV Entity shall: (i) perform all of its obligations, if any, under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables to the same extent as if interests in such Pool Receivables had not been transferred hereunder, and the exercise by the Administrative Agent, or any other Purchaser Party of their respective rights hereunder shall not relieve such SPV Entity from such obligations and (ii) pay when due any Taxes, including any sales Taxes payable in connection with the Pool Receivables and their creation and satisfaction. None of the Purchaser Parties shall have any obligation or liability with respect to any Supporting Assets, nor shall any of them be obligated to perform any of the obligations of any SPV Entity, the Servicers, the Aggregator or any Originator thereunder.
(b) Each SPV Entity-Related Party that is a party to this Agreement as a Servicer hereby irrevocably agrees that if at any time it shall cease to be the Servicer hereunder, it shall act (if the then-current Servicer so requests) as the data-processing agent of the Servicer and, in such capacity, such SPV Entity-Related Party shall conduct the data-processing functions of the administration of the Receivables and the Collections thereon in substantially the same way that it conducted such data-processing functions while it acted as the Servicer. In connection with any such processing functions, the applicable SPV Entity shall pay to the applicable SPV Entity-Related Party its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses from such SPV Entity’s own funds (subject to the priority of payments set forth in Section 3.01(a)).
SECTION 8.06 Servicing Fee.
(a) Subject to clause (b) below, the Seller shall pay (i) the U.S. Servicer a fee (the “U.S. Servicing Fee”) equal to the product of the Servicing Fee Rate multiplied by the daily average aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Pool Receivables originated by the U.S. Originators, (ii) the UK Servicer a fee (the “UK Servicing Fee”) equal to the product of the Servicing Fee Rate multiplied by the daily average aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Pool Receivables originated by the UK Originators, (iii) the Swiss Servicer a fee (the “Swiss Servicing Fee”) equal to the product of the Servicing Fee Rate multiplied by the daily average aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Pool Receivables originated by the Swiss Originators, and (iv) the Canadian Servicer a fee (the “Canadian Servicing Fee”) equal to the product of the Servicing Fee Rate multiplied by the daily average aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Pool Receivables originated by the Canadian Originators. Accrued Servicing Fees shall be payable from Collections to the extent of available funds in accordance with Section 3.01(a).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing and for greater certainty, no Canadian Servicing Fee or other consideration with respect to the servicing of Pool Receivables shall be payable to the Canadian Servicer as long as the Canadian Servicer is Rackspace Canada or an Affiliate thereof.
(c) If the Servicer ceases to be a SPV Entity-Related Party or an Affiliate thereof, the Servicing Fee shall be the greater of: (i) the amount calculated pursuant to clause (a) above and (ii) an alternative amount agreed between the Administrative Agent and the successor Servicer in connection with the performance of its obligations as Servicer hereunder.
ARTICLE IX
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 9.01 Events of Default. An “Event of Default” means the occurrence or existence of any one or more of the following events or conditions (whatever the reason therefor and whether voluntary, involuntary or effected by operation of applicable Law):
(a) any SPV Entity-Related Party shall fail to make when due any payment or deposit to be made by it under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and such failure shall continue unremedied for two (2) Business Days;
(b) any SPV Entity-Related Party shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be performed or observed by such SPV Entity-Related Party (other than any such failure which would constitute an Event of Default under any other paragraph, clause or sub-clause of this Section 9.01), and such failure, solely to the extent capable of cure, shall continue for fifteen (15) Business Days following the earlier of (x) any SPV Entity-Related Party’s actual knowledge of such failure and (y) the Administrative Agent’s written notice to any Seller -Related Party of such failure;
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any SPV Entity-Related Party (or any of its respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any information or report delivered by any SPV Entity-Related Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, shall prove to have been incorrect or untrue in any material respect when made or deemed made or delivered, which, solely to the extent capable of cure, remains unremedied for fifteen (15) Business Days following the earlier of (x) any SPV Entity-Related Party’s actual knowledge of such breach and (y) the Administrative Agent’s written notice to any SPV Entity-Related Party of such breach; provided, however, that any incorrect or untrue statement with respect to any Pool Receivable set forth in Section 6.01 is not true, such incorrect or untrue statement shall not result in an Even of Default if a Deemed Collection payment is timely and fully made in connection therewith in accordance with Section 3.01(d);
(d) Any SPV Entity or a Servicer shall fail to deliver any Pool Report pursuant to this Agreement, and such failure shall remain unremedied for two (2) Business Days;
(e) Any of the U.S. Servicer, the UK Servicer, the Canadian Servicer or the Swiss Servicer shall resign, or shall take any material action in furtherance of resigning, from its role or obligations as a Servicer hereunder, except as permitted by this Agreement;
(f) Any SPV Entity or a Servicer shall breach Section 6.01(n), 6.02(r), 7.01(v) or 7.02(o);
(g) this Agreement or any sale made or security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall for any reason cease to create, or for any reason (other than solely through an action of the Administrative Agent) cease to be, a valid and enforceable first priority perfected ownership or security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Supporting Assets, free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than any Permitted Adverse Claim;
(h) any of (i) a Relief Proceeding shall have been instituted against any SPV Entity-Related Party or Subsidiary of a SPV Entity-Related Party or a substantial part of the assets of any SPV Entity-Related Party or Subsidiary and such Relief Proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or such court shall enter a decree or order granting any of the relief sought in such Relief Proceeding, (ii) any SPV Entity-Related Party or Subsidiary of a SPV Entity-Related Party institutes, or takes any action in furtherance of, a Relief Proceeding, (iii) any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Subsidiary of a SPV Entity-Related Party ceases to be Solvent or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature or (iv) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Subsidiary of any SPV Entity-Related Party and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty (30) days after its issue or levy;
(i) (A) the average of the Default Ratios for any three consecutive Fiscal Months shall exceed 3.50%, (B) the average of the Delinquency Ratios for any three consecutive Fiscal Months shall exceed 10.00%, (C) the average of the Dilution Ratios for any three consecutive Fiscal Months shall exceed 5.50%, or (D) the average of the Days’ Sales Outstanding for any three consecutive Fiscal Months shall exceed 50 days;
(j) a Change in Control shall occur;
(k) a Capital Coverage Amount Deficit shall occur and shall not have been cured within two (2) Business Days;
(l) (i) any SPV Entity shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any of its Indebtedness when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement, mortgage, indenture or instrument relating to such Indebtedness (whether or not such failure shall have been waived under the related agreement) or (ii) any SPV Entity shall fail to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any of its Indebtedness, or any other event shall occur, the effect of which failure or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity;
(m) any of the SPV Entity-Related Parties (other than an SPV Entity) or any of their respective Subsidiaries (other than an SPV Entity), individually or in the aggregate, (i) fails to make any payment beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any, (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness having an outstanding aggregate principal amount of not less than the Threshold Amount, or (ii) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness having an outstanding aggregate principal amount of not less than the Threshold Amount, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event described in this clause (ii) is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause,
with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity;
(n) any “Event of Default” shall occur under and as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement;
(o) any SPV Entity shall fail (x) at any time (other than for ten (10) Business Days following notice of the death or resignation of any Independent Manager) to have an Independent Manager who satisfies each requirement and qualification specified in Section 7.03(c) for Independent Managers, on the SPV Entity’s board of directors or (y) to timely notify the Administrative Agent of any replacement or appointment of any director that is to serve as an Independent Manager on the SPV Entity’s board of directors as required pursuant to Section 7.03(c);
(p) there shall have occurred any event which materially and adversely impairs, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, the collectability of the Pool Receivables or any material portion thereof;
(q) either (i) the Internal Revenue Service shall file notice of a lien pursuant to Section 6323 of the Code with regard to any assets of any SPV Entity-Related Party or (ii) the PBGC shall, or shall indicate its intention to, file notice of a lien pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA with regard to any of the assets of any SPV Entity-Related Party;
(r) an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of an SPV Entity or any member of the ERISA Group under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or Seller or any member of the ERISA Group fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan, where the aggregate amount of unamortized withdrawal liability could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(s) there shall have occurred any event which materially adversely impairs, in the reasonable discretion of Administrative Agent, the collectability of the Pool Receivables generally or any material portion thereof;
(t) a Transfer Termination Event shall occur;
(u) any SPV Entity shall (i) be required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act or (ii) become a “covered fund” within the meaning of the Volcker Rule;
(v) any material provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall cease to be in full force and effect or any SPV Entity-Related Party (or any Affiliate thereof) shall so state in writing;
(w) the “Net First Lien Leverage Ratio” (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, as in effect on the Closing Date without giving effect to any amendment or modification thereto or any termination thereof) as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, is greater than 5.00 to 1.00; provided that on such date the “Testing Condition” (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, as in effect on the Closing Date without giving effect to any amendment or modification thereto or any termination thereof) is satisfied;
(x) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Subsidiary thereof involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or to the extent not covered by a reputable and solvent insurance company) and such judgments and decrees either shall be final and non-appealable or shall not be vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal for any period of 30 consecutive days, and the aggregate amount of all such judgments equals or exceeds the Threshold Amount (or solely with respect to any SPV Entity, $18,600); or
(y) the assets of any SPV Entity are deemed to constitute “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) or any SPV Entity is or becomes subject to any applicable law that is similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code and that would be violated by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
SECTION 9.02 Consequences of an Event of Default.
(a) Generally. If any Event of Default occurs, the Administrative Agent may (or, at the direction of the Required Purchasers shall) by notice to the Seller:
(i) declare the Termination Date to have occurred (in which case the Termination Date shall be deemed to have occurred)
(ii) declare the Final Maturity Date to have occurred (in which case the Final Maturity Date shall be deemed to have occurred); or
(iii) declare the Aggregate Capital and all other Seller Obligations and Guaranteed Obligations to be immediately due and payable (in which case the Aggregate Capital and all other Seller Obligations and Guaranteed Obligations shall be immediately due and payable);
provided that, automatically and immediately (without any requirement for the giving of notice) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 9.01(h) with respect to the Seller, the Termination Date shall occur and the Aggregate Capital and all other Seller Obligations and Guaranteed Obligations shall be immediately due and payable.
Upon any such declaration or designation or upon such automatic termination, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall have, in addition to the rights and remedies which they may have under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, all other rights and remedies provided after default under the UCC, PPSA and under other applicable Law, which rights and remedies shall be cumulative. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may obtain from any court of competent jurisdiction an order for the appointment of an interim receiver, a receiver, a manager or a receiver and manager of the Canadian Guarantor or of any or all of its Pledged Collateral and, by instrument in writing appoint one or more interim receiver, a receiver, a manager or a receiver and manager of the Canadian Guarantor or any or all of its Pledged Collateral with such rights, powers and authority as may be provided for in the instrument of appointment or any supplemental instrument, and remove and replace any such interim receiver, receiver, manager or receiver and manager from time to time. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, any such interim receiver, receiver, manager or receiver and manager appointed by the Administrative Agent shall (for purposes relating to responsibility for acts or omissions) be considered to be the agent of the Canadian Guarantor and not of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Secured Parties. Any proceeds from liquidation of the Sold Assets and Pledged Collateral shall be applied in the order of priority set forth in Section 3.01.
(b) Set-off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Purchaser and each of their respective Affiliates and any participant of such Purchaser or Affiliate which has agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of Section 3.03, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Purchaser or any such Affiliate or participant to or for the credit or the account of the Seller against any and all of the Seller Obligations now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to such Purchaser, Affiliate or participant, irrespective of whether or not such Purchaser, Affiliate or participant shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and although such Seller Obligations may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Purchaser different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness, provided that in the event that any Defaulting Purchaser shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.06 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Purchaser from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers, and (y) the Defaulting Purchaser shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Seller Obligations owing to such Defaulting Purchaser as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Purchaser and their respective Affiliates and participants under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Purchaser or its respective Affiliates and participants may have. Each Purchaser agrees to notify the Seller and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
(c) Enforcement of Rights and Remedies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents against the SPV Entity-Related Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at Law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement for the benefit of all the Purchasers and the other Secured Parties; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents, (ii) any Purchaser from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.02(b) (subject to the terms of Section 3.03), or (iii) any Purchaser from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any SPV Entity-Related Party under any Relief Proceeding; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents, then (A) the Required Purchasers shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.02(c), and (B) in addition to the matters specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 3.03), any Purchaser may, with the consent of the Required Purchasers, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Purchasers.
(d) Application of Proceeds. From and after the date on which the Administrative Agent has taken any action pursuant to Section 9.02 (or after the Seller Obligations have automatically become immediately due and payable as specified in the proviso to Section 9.02(a)) and until the Final Payout Date, any and all proceeds received on account of the Seller Obligations shall (subject to Sections 2.06) be applied in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 3.01(a).
ARTICLE X
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION 10.01 Appointment and Authority. Each Purchaser Party hereby irrevocably appoints PNC Bank, National Association to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Purchaser Parties, and the SPV Entity-Related Parties shall not have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Transaction Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
SECTION 10.02 Rights as a Purchaser. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Purchaser as any other Purchaser and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the term “Purchaser” or “Purchasers” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for, and generally engage in any kind of business with, any SPV Entity-Related Party or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Purchasers.
SECTION 10.03 Exculpatory Provisions.
(a) The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly specified herein and in the other Transaction Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Transaction Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Purchasers (or such other number or percentage of the Purchasers as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Transaction Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Transaction Document or applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Purchaser in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
(iii) shall not, except as expressly specified herein and in the other Transaction Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any SPV Entity-Related Party or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Purchasers (or such other number or percentage of the Purchasers as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 12.01, 8.04 and 9.02), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Potential Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Potential Default or Event of Default is given to the Administrative Agent in writing by any SPV Entity-Related Party or a Purchaser.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions specified herein or therein or the occurrence of any Potential Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition precedent to an Investment, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 10.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of an Investment, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Purchaser Party, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Purchaser Party unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Purchaser Party prior to the making of such Investment. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the SPV Entities), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
SECTION 10.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Transaction Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the financing or purchase facility contemplated hereby as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent
jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
SECTION 10.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent.
(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Purchaser Parties and the SPV Entities. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Purchasers shall have the right, in consultation with the Seller (so long as no Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in New York, New York. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Purchasers and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Purchasers) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Purchaser Parties, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications specified above; provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Purchaser. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Purchaser pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Purchasers may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, by notice in writing to the SPV Entities and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Seller, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Purchasers and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Purchasers) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.
(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties under any of the Transaction Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Purchaser Party directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Purchasers appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent (other than any rights to indemnity payments owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents. The fees payable by the SPV Entities to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the SPV Entities and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents, the provisions of this Article X and Article XI shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
SECTION 10.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Purchasers. Each Purchaser Party acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Purchaser also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Each Purchaser represents and warrants that (i) the Transaction Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending or purchase facility and certain other facilities as set forth herein and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans or providing other similar facilities in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Purchaser for the purpose of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities as set forth herein and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Purchaser agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Purchaser represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Purchaser, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans or providing such other facilities.
SECTION 10.08 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the bookrunners or arrangers listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Purchaser hereunder.
SECTION 10.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any SPV Entity-Related Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether any Capital or other Seller Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Seller) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the Capital, principal, interest and Yield owing and unpaid in respect of any Investment and all other Seller Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Purchaser Parties and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Purchaser Parties and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Purchaser Parties and the Administrative Agent) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Purchaser Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Purchaser Party, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements
and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 10.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters.
(a) Each of the Secured Parties irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion to release any Lien on any Supporting Assets or other property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Transaction Document (x) upon the Final Payout Date, (y) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted under the Transaction Documents, or (z) subject to Section 12.01, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Purchasers.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Purchasers will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of Supporting Assets or other property pursuant to this Section.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Supporting Assets, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any SPV Entity-Related Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Purchasers for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Supporting Assets.
SECTION 10.11 No Reliance on Administrative Agent’s Customer Identification Program. Each Purchaser Party acknowledges and agrees that neither such Purchaser Party, nor any of its Affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on the Administrative Agent to carry out such Purchaser Party’s, Affiliate’s, participant’s or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “CIP Regulations”), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law or any Anti-Corruption Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any of the SPV Entity-Related Parties, their Affiliates or their agents, the Transaction Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (i) any identity verification procedures, (ii) any recordkeeping, (iii) comparisons with government lists, (iv) customer notices or (v) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other applicable Laws.
SECTION 10.12 Certain ERISA Matters.
(a) Each Purchaser (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Purchaser party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Purchaser party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Purchaser party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and the Structuring Agent and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any SPV Entity-Related Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i) such Purchaser is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Purchaser’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Investments, the Commitments or this Agreement,
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent
qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Purchaser’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Investments, the Commitments and this Agreement,
(iii) (A) such Purchaser is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Purchaser to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Investments, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Investments, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Purchaser, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Purchaser’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Investments, the Commitments and this Agreement, or
(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Purchaser.
(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause(a) is true with respect to a Purchaser or (2) a Purchaser has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Purchaser further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Purchaser party hereto, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Purchaser party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and the Structuring Agent and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any SPV Entity-Related Party, that none of the Administrative Agent or the Structuring Agent or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Purchaser involved in such Purchaser’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Investments, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Transaction Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).
SECTION 10.13 Erroneous Payments.
(a) If the Administrative Agent notifies a Purchaser Party or other Secured Party, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Purchaser Party or other Secured Party (any Purchaser Party, Secured Party or other recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Purchaser Party, other Secured Party or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of Capital, principal, interest, Yield, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and demands the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent and shall be segregated by the Payment Recipient and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative
Agent, and such Purchaser Party or other Secured Party shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Overnight Bank Funding Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Purchaser Party or other Secured Party, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Purchaser Party or other Secured Party, hereby further agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of Capital, principal, interest, Yield, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Purchaser Party or other Secured Party, or other such recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part) in each case:
(i) (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and
(ii) such Purchaser Party or other Secured Party shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge of such error) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 10.12(b).
(c) Each Purchaser Party or other Secured Party hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Purchaser Party or other Secured Party under any Transaction Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Purchaser Party or other Secured Party from any source, against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under immediately preceding clause (a) or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement.
(d) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor by the Administrative Agent in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Purchaser that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (and/or from any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) on its respective behalf) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon the Administrative Agent’s notice to such Purchaser at any time, (i) such Purchaser shall be deemed to have assigned its Investments (but not its Commitments) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify)
(such assignment of the Investments (but not Commitments), the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by the Administrative Agent in such instance), and is hereby (together with the Seller) deemed to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (ii) the Administrative Agent as the assignee Purchaser shall be deemed to acquire the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (iii) upon such deemed acquisition, the Administrative Agent as the assignee Purchaser shall become a Purchaser hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Purchaser shall cease to be a Purchaser hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement and its applicable Commitments which shall survive as to such assigning Purchaser and (iv) the Administrative Agent may reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Investments subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. The Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Investments acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Purchaser shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Investment (or portion thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Purchaser (and/or against any recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitments of any Purchaser and such Commitments shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In addition, each party hereto agrees that, except to the extent that the Administrative Agent has sold an Investment (or portion thereof) acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, the Administrative Agent shall be contractually subrogated to all the rights and interests of the applicable Purchaser or other Secured Party under the Transaction Documents with respect to each Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”).
(e) The parties hereto agree that an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Seller Obligations or any other obligations owed by any SPV Entity-Related Party, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from any SPV Entity-Related Party for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.
(f) To the extent permitted by applicable Law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.
(g) Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 10.13 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Seller Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Transaction Document.
SECTION 10.14 UK Security Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each Secured Party irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent to act as its trustee under and in connection with the UK Security Agreement on the terms and conditions set out in the UK Security Agreement to hold the assets subject to the security thereby created as trustee for the Secured Parties on the trusts and other terms contained in the UK Security Agreement. Each of the Secured Parties authorizes the Administrative Agent to exercise the rights, remedies, power and discretions, specifically given to the Administrative Agent under or
in respect of the UK Security Agreement, together with any rights, remedies, power and discretions, incidental thereto. In addition, when acting in the capacity of trustee for the Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent shall have all the rights, remedies and benefits of and in favor of the Administrative Agent contained in this Article X.
ARTICLE XI
EXPENSES; INDEMNITY; DAMAGE WAIVER
SECTION 11.01 Costs and Expenses. Each SPV Entity shall pay (i) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), and shall pay all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the purchase or financing facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser Party (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser Party), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser Party, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Investments made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of any Investment, and (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent’s regular employees and agents engaged periodically to perform audits of the SPV Entity-Related Parties’ books, records and business properties.
SECTION 11.02 Indemnification by the SPV Entities. Without limiting any other rights that the Administrative Agent, the Purchaser Parties, the other Secured Parties and their respective assigns, officers, directors, agents and employees (each, a “SPV Entity Indemnified Party”) may have hereunder or under applicable Law, each SPV Entity hereby agrees to indemnify each SPV Entity Indemnified Party from and against any and all claims, losses and liabilities (including Attorney Costs; provided that, so long as no Event of Default is continuing, such Attorney Costs shall be limited to those of not more than one firm of counsel for all such SPV Entity Indemnified Parties, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, a single local firm of counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such SPV Entity Indemnified Parties, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, of another firm of counsel for such affected SPV Entity Indemnified Party)) (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to as “SPV Entity Indemnified Amounts”) arising out of or resulting from this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the use of proceeds of the Investments or the ownership or security interest in respect of any Pool Receivable or any other Supporting Assets; excluding, however, (a) SPV Entity Indemnified Amounts to the extent a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holds that such SPV Entity Indemnified Amounts resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct by the SPV Entity Indemnified Party seeking indemnification and (b) Taxes (other than (x) Taxes enumerated in clause (xiv) below, (y) any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim and (z) SPV Entity Indemnified Amounts to the extent arising from a material breach of such SPV Entity Indemnified Party’s obligations under any Transaction Document (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment)). Without limiting or being limited by the foregoing, the SPV Entity shall pay on demand (it being understood that if any portion of such payment obligation is made from Collections, such payment will be made at the time and in the order of priority set forth in Section 3.01(a)), to each SPV Entity Indemnified Party any and
all amounts necessary to indemnify such SPV Entity Indemnified Party from and against any and all SPV Entity Indemnified Amounts relating to or resulting from any of the following (excluding SPV Entity Indemnified Amounts set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above):
(i) any Pool Receivable which each SPV Entity or the Servicers include as an Eligible Receivable as part of the Net Receivables Pool Balance but which is not an Eligible Receivable at such time;
(ii) any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by such SPV Entity (or any of its respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents, any Pool Report or any other information or report delivered by or on behalf of such SPV Entity pursuant hereto which shall have been untrue or incorrect when made or deemed made;
(iii) the failure by such SPV Entity to comply with any applicable Law with respect to any Pool Receivable or the related Contract; or the failure of any Pool Receivable or the related Contract to conform to any such applicable Law;
(iv) the failure to vest in the Administrative Agent a first priority perfected ownership or security interest in all or any portion of the Supporting Assets, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim;
(v) the failure to have filed, or any delay in filing, financing statements, financing statement amendments, financing change statements, amendments, continuation statements or other similar instruments or documents under the UCC or PPSA of any applicable jurisdiction or other applicable Laws with respect to any Pool Receivable and the other Supporting Assets and Collections in respect thereof, whether at the time of any Investment or at any subsequent time;
(vi) any dispute, claim or defense (other than discharge in bankruptcy) of an Obligor to the payment of any Pool Receivable (including a defense based on such Pool Receivable or the related Contract not being a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms), or any other claim resulting from or relating to collection activities with respect to such Pool Receivable;
(vii) any failure of such SPV Entity to perform any of its duties or obligations in accordance with the provisions hereof and of each other Transaction Document related to Pool Receivables or to timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy in regard to each Pool Receivable;
(viii) any products liability, environmental or other claim arising out of or in connection with any Pool Receivable or other merchandise, goods or services which are the subject of or related to any Pool Receivable;
(ix) the misdirection of Collections or the commingling of Collections of Pool Receivables at any time with other funds;
(x) any investigation, litigation or proceeding (actual or threatened) related to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the use of proceeds of any Investments or in respect of any Pool Receivable or other Supporting Assets or any related Contract;
(xi) any failure of such SPV Entity to comply with its covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;
(xii) any setoff with respect to any Pool Receivable;
(xiii) any claim brought by any Person other than an SPV Entity Indemnified Party arising from any activity by such SPV Entity or any Affiliate of such SPV Entity in servicing, administering or collecting any Pool Receivable;
(xiv) the failure by such SPV Entity to pay when due any Taxes, including sales, excise or personal property taxes;
(xv) any failure of a Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of the applicable Account Control Agreement, the termination by a Collection Account Bank of any Account Control Agreement or any amounts (including in respect of an indemnity) payable by the Administrative Agent to a Collection Account Bank under any Account Control Agreement;
(xvi) the use of, or receipt of Collections in, any Foreign Originator Account;
(xvii) any dispute, claim, offset or defense (other than discharge in bankruptcy of the Obligor) of the Obligor to the payment of any Pool Receivable (including a defense based on such Pool Receivable or the related Contract not being a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms), or any other claim resulting from the sale of goods or the rendering of services related to such Pool Receivable or the furnishing or failure to furnish any such goods or services or other similar claim or defense not arising from the financial inability of any Obligor to pay undisputed indebtedness;
(xviii) any action taken by the Administrative Agent as attorney-in-fact for any SPV Entity-Related Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;
(xix) the failure or delay to provide any Obligor with an invoice or other evidence of indebtedness;
(xx) the maintenance of any Linked Account with respect to any Collection Account or the debiting against any Collection Account of amounts as a result of any “Settlement Item” (as defined in the related Account Control Agreement) that originated in any Linked Account or any other account other than a Collection Account;
(xxi) the use of proceeds of any Investment; or
(xxii) any reduction in Capital as a result of the distribution of Collections if all or a portion of such distributions shall thereafter be rescinded or otherwise must be returned for any reason.
For the avoidance of doubt but without limiting any of the SPV Entity-Related Party’s express obligations (including indemnification obligations) under any Transaction Document to which it is a party, there shall be no recourse to any SPV Entity-Related Party (other than the SPV Entities) for such SPV Entity’s indemnification obligations hereunder other than to the extent expressly provided for in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document.
SECTION 11.03 Indemnification by the Servicers. Each Servicer, jointly and severally, hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each SPV Entity, the Administrative Agent, the Purchaser Parties, the other Secured Parties and their respective assigns, officers, directors, agents and employees (each, a “Servicer Indemnified Party”), from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or injury suffered or sustained by reason of any acts, omissions or alleged acts or omissions arising out of activities of such Servicer pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including any judgment, award, settlement, Attorney Costs; provided that, so long as no Event of Termination or Unmatured Event of Termination is continuing, such Attorney Costs shall be limited to those of not more than one firm of counsel for all such Servicer Indemnified Parties, taken as a whole (but excluding the SPV Entities), and, if necessary, a single local firm of counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such Servicer Indemnified Parties (excluding the SPV Entities), taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, of another firm of counsel for such affected Servicer Indemnified Party) and other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened action, proceeding or claim (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to as, “Servicer Indemnified Amounts”); excluding (a) Servicer Indemnified Amounts to the extent a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holds that such Servicer Indemnified Amounts resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct by such Servicer Indemnified Party seeking indemnification, (b) Taxes that are covered by Section 4.03 (other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim), (c) Servicer Indemnified Amounts to the extent arising from a material breach of such Servicer Indemnified Party’s obligations under any Transaction Document (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment), and (d) Servicer Indemnified Amounts to the extent the same includes losses in respect of Pool Receivables that are uncollectible solely on account of the insolvency, bankruptcy, lack of creditworthiness or other financial inability to pay of the related Obligor. Without limiting or being limited by the foregoing, such Servicer shall pay on demand, to each Servicer Indemnified Party any and all amounts necessary to indemnify such Servicer Indemnified Party from and against any and all Servicer Indemnified Amounts relating to or resulting from any of the following (excluding Servicer Indemnified Amounts set forth in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above):
(i) any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by such Servicer (or any of its respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents, any Pool Report or any other information or report delivered by or on behalf of such Servicer pursuant hereto which shall have been untrue or incorrect when made or deemed made;
(ii) the failure by such Servicer to comply with any applicable Law with respect to any Pool Receivable or the related Contract; or the failure of any Pool Receivable or the related Contract to conform to any such applicable Law;
(iii) the misdirection of Collections or the commingling of Collections of Pool Receivables at any time with other funds;
(iv) any failure of a Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of the applicable Account Control Agreement, the termination by a Collection Account Bank of any Account Control Agreement or any amounts (including in respect of an indemnity) payable by the Administrative Agent to a Collection Account Bank under any Account Control Agreement;
(v) the failure or delay to provide any Obligor with an invoice or other evidence of indebtedness;
(vi) the maintenance of any Linked Account with respect to any Collection Account or the debiting against any Collection Account of amounts as a result of any “Settlement Item” (as defined in the related Account Control Agreement) that originated in any Linked Account or any other account other than a Collection Account; or
(vii) any failure of such Servicer to comply with its covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
For the avoidance of doubt but without limiting any of any of each SPV Entity’s express obligations (including indemnification obligations) under any Transaction Document to which it is a party, there shall be no recourse to such SPV Entity for such Servicer’s indemnification obligations hereunder other than to the extent expressly provided for in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document.
If and to the extent the Swiss Servicer becomes liable under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, be it under the indemnity, security given or otherwise, for obligations of any of its (direct or indirect) parent companies, sister companies or subsidiaries (other than its wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiaries, the “Upstream or Cross-Stream Obligations”) and if and to the extent complying with such liability or using the proceeds from the enforcement of the indemnity or security interest granted by an Originator to discharge the Upstream or Cross-Stream Obligations would constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr/Kapitalrückzahlung), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) or would otherwise be restricted under Swiss law and practice then applicable, such Swiss Servicer's aggregate liability for the Upstream or Cross-Stream Obligations, including the proceeds from the enforcement of the indemnity or security interest to be used to discharge the same, shall be limited to the maximum amount of such Originator’s freely disposable shareholder equity at the time of enforcement (the “Maximum Amount”) in accordance with, and mutatis mutandis subject to the further provisions of, Section 10.2 of the Swiss Transfer Agreement.
SECTION 11.04 Reimbursement by Purchasers. To the extent that any SPV Entity or a Servicer for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 11.01, 11.02 or 11.03 (as the case may be) to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any of their respective Related Parties, each Purchaser severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Purchaser’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on the Purchasers’ respective Commitments at such time, or if all Commitments have been terminated, based on the Purchasers’ respective Capital at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Purchaser).
SECTION 11.05 Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, each party hereto agrees not to assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any other party, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Investment or the use of the proceeds thereof. No party hereto shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except to the extent such liability or damages are determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such party.
SECTION 11.06 Payments. All amounts due under this Article XI shall be payable not later than (i) in the case of such amounts due from any SPV Entity, the first Settlement Date that occurs ten (10) or more days after demand therefor, or (ii) in any other case, ten (10) days after demand therefor.
SECTION 11.07 Survival. This Article XI and the parties’ respective rights and obligations hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 12.01 Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any SPV Entity or any Affiliate thereof shall be effective unless in a writing signed by the Administrative Agent and the Required Purchasers (and, in the case of any amendment, also signed by each SPV Entity), and then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Servicers, affect the rights or duties of the Servicers under this Agreement; and (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser:
(i) change (directly or indirectly) the definitions of, Capital Coverage Amount Deficit, Defaulted Receivable, Delinquent Receivable, Eligible Receivable, Facility Limit, Final Maturity Date, Net Receivables Pool Balance or Total Reserves contained in this Agreement, or increase the then existing Concentration Percentage for any Obligor or change the calculation of the Capital Coverage Amount;
(ii) reduce the amount of Capital or Yield that is payable on account of any Investment or with respect to any other Investment or delay any scheduled date for payment thereof;
(iii) change any Event of Default;
(iv) release all or a material portion of the Supporting Assets from the Administrative Agent’s security interest created hereunder or under the UK Security Agreement;
(v) release the Performance Guarantor from any of its obligations under the Performance Guaranty or terminate the Performance Guaranty;
(vi) change any of the provisions of this Section 12.01 or the definition of “Required Purchasers”; or
(vii) change the order of priority in which Collections are applied pursuant to Section 3.01(a).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall increase any Purchaser’s Commitment hereunder without the consent of such Purchaser, (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall reduce any Fees payable by each SPV Entity to any Purchaser or delay the dates on which any such Fees are payable, in either case, without the consent of such
Purchaser, and (C) no Defaulting Purchaser shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Purchasers or each affected Purchaser may be effected with the consent of the applicable Purchasers other than Defaulting Purchasers), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Purchaser may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Defaulting Purchaser and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Purchasers or each affected Purchaser that by its terms affects any Defaulting Purchaser disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Purchasers shall require the consent of such Defaulting Purchaser.
In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) with the consent of each SPV Entity , the Administrative Agent may amend, modify or supplement this Agreement without the consent of any Purchaser or the Required Purchasers in order to correct or cure any ambiguity, inconsistency or defect or correct any typographical or ministerial error in this Agreement (provided that any such amendment, modification or supplement shall not be materially adverse to the interests of the Purchasers taken as a whole), and (b) without the consent of any Purchaser or SPV Entity, within a reasonable time after (x) the effective date of any increase or addition to, extension of or decrease from, the Facility Limit, or (y) any assignment by any Purchaser of some or all of its Commitment, the Administrative Agent shall, and is hereby authorized to, revise Schedule I to reflect such change, whereupon such revised Schedule I shall replace the old Schedule I and become part of this Agreement.
SECTION 12.02 No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies. No course of dealing and no delay or failure of the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser Party in exercising any right, power, remedy or privilege under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power, remedy or privilege. The enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the other Purchaser Parties specified in this Agreement is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Purchaser Parties of any right or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies, all of which shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other right or remedy given hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents or that may now or hereafter exist at law or in equity or by suit or otherwise. No reasonable delay or failure to take action on the part of the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser Party in exercising any right, power or privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or shall be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default.
SECTION 12.03 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile to the relevant party as specified on Schedule III hereto. Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such paragraph (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Purchaser Parties hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent or any SPV Entity may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.
(c) Change of Address, etc. Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
(d) Platform.
(i) Each SPV Entity and each Servicer agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Communications (as defined below) available to the Purchaser Parties by posting the Communications on the Platform.
(ii) The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or the Platform. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to any SPV Entity-Related Party, any Purchaser Party or any other Person for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any SPV Entity-Related Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform. “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any SPV Entity-Related Party pursuant to any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser Party by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through the Platform.
SECTION 12.04 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Purchasers shall be
limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
SECTION 12.05 Duration; Survival. All representations and warranties of the SPV Entity-Related Parties contained herein or made in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the completion of the transactions hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date. All covenants and agreements of the SPV Entity-Related Parties contained herein relating to the payment of Capital, principal, interest, Yield, premiums, additional compensation or expenses and indemnification, or that are otherwise specified as surviving termination of this Agreement, in each case, shall survive the Final Payout Date and any termination of this Agreement. All other covenants and agreements of the SPV Entity-Related Parties shall continue in full force and effect from and after the Closing Date and until the Final Payout Date
SECTION 12.06 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither SPV Entity nor any other SPV Entity-Related Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder (including, in each case, by way of an LLC Division) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser and no Purchaser may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (e) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Purchasers. Any Purchaser may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Investments at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(1) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Purchaser’s Commitment and the Investments at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after giving effect to such assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(2) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Purchaser, an Affiliate of a Purchaser or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(2) in any case not described in clause (i)(1) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Investments outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the outstanding Capital of the Investments of the assigning Purchaser subject to each such assignment
(determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, as of such Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, each SPV Entity otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Purchaser’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Investment or the Commitment assigned.
(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(2) of this Section and, in addition:
(1) The consent of each SPV Entity (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Purchaser, an Affiliate of a Purchaser or an Approved Fund; provided that the SPV Entities shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof; and
(2) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments to a Person that is not a Purchaser with a Commitment, an Affiliate of such Purchaser or an Approved Fund with respect to such Purchaser.
(iv) Assignment and Assumption Agreement. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500. The assignee, if it is not a Purchaser, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to any SPV Entity-Related Party or any SPV Entity-Related Party’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (B) to any Defaulting Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Purchaser hereunder, would constitute a Defaulting Purchaser or a Subsidiary thereof.
(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person).
(vii) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Purchaser hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto specified herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations,
or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of each SPV Entity and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Investments previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Purchaser, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Purchaser to the Administrative Agent and each other Purchaser hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Investments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Purchaser hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Purchaser for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
(viii) Effectiveness; Release. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Purchaser under this Agreement, and the assigning Purchaser thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement covering all of the assigning Purchaser’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Purchaser shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.04, Section 4.01, and Article 11 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Purchaser will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Purchaser’s having been a Defaulting Purchaser. Any assignment or transfer by a Purchaser of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Purchaser of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Seller, shall maintain at one of its offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a copy of each Assignment and Assumption Agreement delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Purchasers, and the Commitments of, and outstanding Capital (and stated Yield or interest) of the Investments owing to, each Purchaser pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Seller, the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Purchaser hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Seller and any Purchaser, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Purchaser may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Seller or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person, or the Seller or any of the Seller’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Purchaser’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Investments owing to it); provided that (i) such Purchaser’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Purchaser shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Seller, the Administrative Agent and
the other Purchaser Parties shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Purchaser in connection with such Purchaser’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Purchaser shall be responsible for any indemnity under Article XI with respect to any payments made by such Purchaser to its Participant(s).
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Purchaser sells such a participation shall provide that such Purchaser shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Purchaser will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree (other than as is already provided for herein) to any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to any matter specified in clause (i) through (vii) of Section 12.01 that affects such Participant. The Seller agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.04, 4.01, 4.02 and 4.03 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 4.03(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 4.03(g) shall be delivered to the participating Purchaser)) to the same extent as if it were a Purchaser and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 4.04 as if it were an assignee under to paragraph (b) of this Section 12.06; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 4.01 or 4.03, with respect to any participation, than its participating Purchaser would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Purchaser that sells a participation agrees, at the Seller’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Seller to effectuate the provisions of Section 4.04 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.02(b) as though it were a Purchaser; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 3.03 as though it were a Purchaser. Each Purchaser that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Seller, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the Capital or principal amounts (and stated interest or Yield) of each Participant’s interest in the Investments or other obligations under the Transaction Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Purchaser shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Transaction Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Purchaser shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(e) Certain Pledges; Successors and Assigns Generally. Any Purchaser may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Purchaser, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Purchaser from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Purchaser as a party hereto.
(f) Cashless Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Purchaser may exchange, continue or rollover all or a portion of its Investments in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Seller, the Administrative Agent and such Purchaser.
(g) Arrangers/Bookrunners. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the name of any arranger and/or bookrunner listed on the cover page of this Agreement may be changed by the Administrative Agent to the name of any Purchaser or Purchaser’s broker-dealer Affiliate, upon written request to the Administrative Agent by any such arranger and/or bookrunner and the applicable Purchaser or Purchaser’s broker-deal Affiliate.
SECTION 12.07 No Proceedings. Each of the Servicers, the Purchasers and each assignee of an Investment or any interest therein, hereby covenants and agrees that it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, any SPV Entity any Relief Proceeding until one year and one day after the Final Payout Date; provided, that the Administrative Agent may take any such action in its sole discretion following the occurrence of an Event of Default. The provisions of this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 12.08 Confidentiality.
(a) General. Each Purchaser Party agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (ii) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners); (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (iv) to any other party hereto; (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Transaction Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (B) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to any SPV Entity and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder; (vii) to (A) any rating agency in connection with rating any SPV Entity or its Subsidiaries or the Investments or (B) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby; (viii) with the consent of any SPV Entity; or (ix) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this clause (a), or (B) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any other Purchaser Party or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than any SPV Entity. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the other Purchaser Parties may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Purchaser Parties in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the Commitments.
For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the SPV Entity-Related Parties or any of their Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents relating to the SPV Entity-Related Parties or any of their Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser Party on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the SPV Entity-Related Parties or any of their Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from the SPV Entity-Related Parties or any of their Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any
Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
(b) Sharing Information With Affiliates of the Purchasers. Each SPV Entity and each Servicer acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to any SPV Entity or one or more of its Affiliates (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Purchaser or by one or more Subsidiaries or Affiliates of such Purchaser and each of the SPV Entity-Related Parties hereby authorizes each Purchaser to share any information delivered to such Purchaser by such SPV Entity-Related Party and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement with any such Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Purchaser subject to the provisions of Section 12.08(a).
(c) By SPV Entities and Servicers. Each SPV Entity and each Servicer covenants and agrees to hold in confidence, and not disclose to any Person, the terms of this Agreement or the Fee Letter (including any fees payable in connection with this Agreement, the Fee Letter or any other Transaction Document or the identity of the Administrative Agent or any other Purchaser Party); provided, however, that it may disclose such information (i) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such information and instructed to keep such information confidential); (ii) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties; (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (iv) to any other party hereto; (v) with the consent of the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser; or (vi) to the extent such information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this clause (c).
SECTION 12.09 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.
(a) Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof, including any prior confidentiality agreements and commitments. Except as provided in Article V, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or e-mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
(b) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Transaction Document shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state Laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
SECTION 12.10 CHOICE OF LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
(a) Governing Law. Subject to paragraph (b) below, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and any claims, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (except, as to any other Transaction Document, as expressly specified therein) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Law of the State of New York.
Each SPV Entity , each Servicer and each other SPV Entity-Related Party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Administrative Agent, any Purchaser or any Related Party of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document against any SPV Entity , any Servicer or any other SPV Entity-Related Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, Section 2.01(b)(ii) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of Switzerland (excluding its conflict of laws principles) and place of performance as well as exclusive place of jurisdiction for any dispute arising out of or in connection with the sale, assignment and transfer of the Sold Swiss Receivables and the Sold Swiss Assets in accordance with Section 2.01(b)(ii) shall be the City of Zurich, venue being Zurich 1.
(c) Waiver of Venue. Each SPV Entity , each Servicer and each other SPV Entity-Related Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document in any court referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Service of Process. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, EACH OF THE CANADIAN GUARANTOR, THE CANADIAN SERVICER, THE UK SERVICER AND THE SWISS SERVICER (COLLECTIVELY, THE “FOREIGN ENTITIES”) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES, APPOINTS AND EMPOWERS THE U.S. SERVICER AS ITS DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT TO RECEIVE, ACCEPT AND ACKNOWLEDGE FOR AND ON ITS BEHALF, AND ITS PROPERTIES, ASSETS AND REVENUES, SERVICE FOR ANY AND ALL LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 12.10 WHICH MAY BE MADE ON SUCH DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH LEGAL PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED FOR SUCH COURTS, WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT. IF FOR ANY REASON SUCH DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT HEREUNDER SHALL CEASE TO BE AVAILABLE TO ACT AS SUCH, EACH FOREIGN ENTITY AGREES TO DESIGNATE A NEW DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK ON THE TERMS AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION 12 SATISFACTORY TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. EACH FOREIGN ENTITY FURTHER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS AND AGREES TO THE SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BY SERVING A COPY THEREOF UPON THE AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 12.10 (WHETHER OR NOT THE APPOINTMENT OF SUCH AGENT SHALL FOR ANY REASON PROVE TO BE INEFFECTIVE OR SUCH AGENT SHALL ACCEPT OR ACKNOWLEDGE SUCH SERVICE) OR BY MAILING COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED AIRMAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO IT AT ITS ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 12.03 OR OTHERWISE DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH FOREIGN ENTITY AGREES THAT THE FAILURE OF ANY SUCH DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT TO GIVE ANY NOTICE OF SUCH SERVICE TO IT SHALL NOT IMPAIR OR AFFECT IN ANY WAY THE VALIDITY OF SUCH SERVICE OR ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED THEREON. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL IN ANY WAY BE DEEMED TO LIMIT THE ABILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OTHER SECURED PARTIES TO SERVE ANY SUCH LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR TO OBTAIN JURISDICTION OVER THE UNDERSIGNED OR BRING ACTIONS, SUITS OR PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE UNDERSIGNED IN SUCH OTHER JURISDICTIONS, AND IN MANNER, AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
(e) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION 12.11 Intent of the Parties. Each SPV Entity has structured this Agreement with the intention that the Investments and the obligations of each SPV Entity hereunder will be treated under United States federal, and applicable state, local and foreign tax law as debt (the “Intended Tax Treatment”). Each SPV Entity, each Servicer, the Administrative Agent and the other Purchaser Parties agree to file no tax return, or take any action, inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment unless required by law. Each assignee and each Participant acquiring an interest in an Investment, by its acceptance of such assignment or participation, agrees to comply with the immediately preceding sentence.
SECTION 12.12 Mutual Negotiations. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are the product of mutual negotiations by the parties thereto and their counsel, and no party shall be deemed the draftsperson of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any provision hereof or thereof or to have provided the same. Accordingly, in the event of any inconsistency or ambiguity of any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, such inconsistency or ambiguity shall not be interpreted against any party because of such party’s involvement in the drafting thereof.
SECTION 12.13 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Transaction Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Transaction Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; or
(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
SECTION 12.14 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Purchaser that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Purchaser) hereby notifies SPV Entity-Related Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the SPV Entity-Related Parties, which information includes the name and address of SPV Entity-Related Parties and other information that will allow such Purchaser or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the SPV Entity-Related Parties in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act. Each SPV Entity shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Purchaser requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.
SECTION 12.15 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Transaction Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and
Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Transaction Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the Laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
(a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the Laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Transaction Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Transaction Documents were governed by the Laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Purchaser shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
(b) As used in this Section, the following terms have the following meanings:
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
“Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b), (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
SECTION 12.16 Limited Recourse.
The obligations of each SPV Entity under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party shall be payable solely out of the assets of such SPV Entity and shall be obligations of such SPV Entity. No recourse shall be had for the payment of any amount owing by such SPV Entity in respect of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or for the payment of any fee hereunder or for any other obligation or claim arising out of or based upon this Agreement against a Servicer or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing (other than the SPV Entities), or any stockholder, employee, officer, director, incorporator or beneficial owner of any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not in any manner affect,
limit or waive any of the obligations of a Servicer or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that such Person may have under any Transaction Document.
[Signature Pages Follow]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written
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. | RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES II LLC, as Seller
By: Name: Title:
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| RACKSPACE US, INC., as Servicer
By: ________________________________________ Name: Title: |
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S-1 Receivables Purchase Agreement
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| PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent
By: Name: Title: |
| PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Purchaser
By: Name: Title: |
| PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC, as Structuring Agent
By: Name: Title: |
S-2 Receivables Purchase Agreement
DocumentSEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is between Naushaza Molu (“Employee” or “You”) and Rackspace US, Inc. (“Rackspace” or the “Company”), each a “Party” and together the “Parties”.
1.End of Employment. You and the Company agree that your last day as Chief Financial Officer of the Company will be January 12, 2024 and you will continue serving the Company as an employee in an advisory role through February 23, 2024 (the “Employment End Date”).
2.Bonus for 2023. Rackspace will pay you £275,044, less applicable federal and state withholding and other ordinary payroll deductions, which represents the annual bonus for 2023, (the “2023 Bonus Payment”). This 2023 Bonus Payment will be paid in a lump sum no later than March 25, 2024.
3.No Other Payments. After the Company pays you the 2023 Bonus Payment, Rackspace is not obligated to make any additional severance, bonus or wage-related payments to you in any amount or for any purpose, other than any unpaid wages through your Employment End Date, as required by applicable law.
4.Release by Employee. In exchange for the promises in this Agreement, you agree to irrevocably and unconditionally release all Claims you may now have or that you could have asserted against the Released Parties as set forth in this section. The “Released Parties” are Rackspace US, Inc., Rackspace Hosting, Inc., Datapipe, Inc. and all of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, related companies, partnerships, or joint ventures, and, with respect to each of them, their predecessors and successors; and with respect to each entity, all of its past and present employees, officers, directors, fiduciaries, agents, administrators, stockholders, owners, investors, and representatives, assigns, attorneys, agents, both in their individual and corporate capacities, and any other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of the persons or entities listed in this subsection.
You understand and agree that you are waiving and releasing all claims against the Released Parties, of any known claims, promises, causes of action, including but not limited to breach of contract, conversion, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, promissory estoppel, equitable estoppel, assault, battery, defamation, disparagement, negligence, fraud, torts, and any and all similar rights of any type (“Released Claims” or “Claim(s)”) that you may have against any Released Party. You further understand that the Claims that you are releasing may arise under many different laws (including statutes, regulations, other administrative guidance, and common law doctrines), including, but not limited to: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act; Executive Order 11246; the Equal Pay Act; Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act; Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act; the
Defend Trade Secrets Act; any federal, state, or local laws restricting an employer’s right to terminate employees, or otherwise regulating employment; any federal, state, or local law enforcing express or implied employment contracts or requiring an employer to deal with employees fairly or in good faith; Claims for physical or personal injury (including, but not limited to, Claims based on the negligence of the Released Parties), wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, fraud in the inducement, negligent misrepresentation, negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation, invasion of privacy, conversion, theft, interference with contract or with prospective economic advantage,
negligent investigation, claims for wages, severance, bonus, salary, commission and/or benefits, breach of express or implied contract, and breach of covenants of good faith and fair dealing, and similar or related Claims. Nothing in this section is intended to limit or restrict any rights that cannot, by express and unequivocal terms of law, be limited, waived, or extinguished.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF CLAIMS FOR NEGLIGENCE AND GROSS NEGLIGENCE. THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS.
You understand that you are releasing Claims up to and including the date you sign this Agreement,. You affirm that this is your knowing and voluntary intent, even though you recognize that someday you might learn that some or all of the facts you currently believe to be true are untrue, and even though you might then regret having signed this Release. Nevertheless, you are assuming that risk, and you agree that this Release will remain effective in all respects in any such case.
Certain Actions Not Prohibited. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to interfere with Employee’s right to report possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any governmental or law enforcement agency or entity, to respond to law enforcement inquiries or to make other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal or state law or regulation. By signing this Agreement, Employee acknowledges that nothing in this Agreement shall affect any eligibility that Employee may have to receive a whistleblower award or bounty for information provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any other government agency or official. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to affect the rights and responsibilities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB”), the Occupational Safety and Health Commission (“OSHA”) or any other federal, state or local agency with similar responsibilities. Likewise, this waiver will not be used to justify interfering with the protected right of any employee to file a charge or participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, the NLRB, OSHA or any similar agency. However, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Employee waives the right to receive or participate in any payment or benefits arising out of any such proceeding.
Future Claims; Counsel. This Agreement does not release any claims or causes of action that accrue or arise after the date you sign this Agreement. You are advised to review this Agreement with an attorney, at your expense, concerning its effect prior to signing it.
5.Release by Company. The Company agrees to irrevocably and unconditionally release all claims that Company may now have or that Company could have asserted against you, other than claims for willful misconduct.
6.Confidential Information, Company Property.
a.You will not, directly or indirectly, for your own benefit or for the benefit of another, reveal, use or disclose to any other person, firm, corporation, or other party, or make, directly or indirectly, any commercial or other use of any information not publicly known about Rackspace or its prospects, services, suppliers, products, customers, finances, data processing, purchasing, accounting or marketing systems, whether current or in development, such information being privileged, confidential business and/or trade secret information of Rackspace (“Confidential Information”).
b.As a result of your employment by Rackspace, you may have had access to, or knowledge of, confidential business information or trade secrets of third parties. You also agree to preserve and protect the confidentiality of such third-party confidential
information and trade secrets to the same extent, and on the same basis, as the privileged confidential business and/or trade secret information of Rackspace.
c.All written materials, records, and other documents made by, or coming into the possession of, you during the period of your employment by Rackspace which contain or disclose Confidential Information will be and remain the property of Rackspace. Upon termination of your employment with Rackspace, you will promptly deliver the same, and all copies thereof, to Rackspace.
d.On or before the Employment End Date, you will return to the Company all property belonging to the Company that you possess or possessed but provided to a third party, including but not limited to, all equipment or other materials and all originals and copies of Company documents, files, memoranda, notes, computer-readable information (maintained on a removable drive, home computer, or in any other form) and video or tape recordings of any kind other than personal materials relating solely to you. You warrant and represent that you have not retained, distributed or caused to be distributed, and will not retain, distribute or cause to be distributed, any original or duplicates of any such Company property specified in this section.
e.You are hereby notified in accordance with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 that you will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. You are further notified that if you file a lawsuit for retaliation against the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, you may disclose the Company’s trade secrets to your attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if you: (a) file any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (b) do not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
7.Continuation of Directors and Officers Insurance Coverage: The Company hereby agrees and acknowledges that Employee shall continue to be covered by Company’s Directors and Officers insurance policies for any claims made against the Employee that arise out of acts or omissions occurring during the Employee’s tenure with the Company. This coverage will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the respective policies in place at the time a claim is made, and the provision of such coverage shall not be contingent upon the Employee’s continued employment with the Company.
8.Litigation and Regulatory Cooperation. You agree to reasonably cooperate in the defense or prosecution of claims, investigations, or other actions which relate to events or occurrences during employment. Employee agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if you are asked to participate (or otherwise become involved) in any such claim, investigation or action. Your cooperation shall include being available to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness. Company will pay an hourly rate (based on base salary as of the last day of employment) for cooperation that occurs after employment, and reimburse for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
9.Non-Disparagement. The Parties will not, directly or indirectly, make false, misleading or disparaging statements or representations, or statements or representations that could be interpreted as such, whether written or oral, regarding the other Party, including untrue statements. However, this prohibition should not be construed as preventing a Party from
complying with any legal subpoena or communicating with any governmental agency when required by law. The non- disparagement obligation of Rackspace is limited to its Executive Leadership Team.
10.Non-Hire of Company Employees. To further preserve the Confidential Information, for 12 months after your Employment End Date, you will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire or engage any current employee of Company; (ii) solicit or encourage any employee to terminate employment or services with Company; or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with or provide services to you or any business associated with you.
11.Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers. To further preserve the Confidential Information, for 12 months your Employment End Date, you agree not to directly or indirectly, on your own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any customer or supplier of the Company, to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or establish any relationship with you or any of your affiliates for any business purpose deemed competitive with the business of the Company.
12.Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision will be read in such a manner so that no payments due under this Agreement will be subject to an “additional tax” as defined in Section 409(a)(1)(B) of the Code. If the Company determines in good faith that any provision of this Agreement would cause you to incur an additional tax, penalty, or interest under Section 409A of the Code, you and the Company will use reasonable efforts to reform such provision, if possible, in a mutually agreeable fashion to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the Code or causing the imposition of such additional tax, penalty, or interest under Section 409A of the Code. The preceding provisions, however, will not be construed as a guarantee by the Company of any particular tax effect to you under this Agreement.
13.Tax Consequences. You acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for the tax consequences to you of any benefits conferred on you, or any payments made to you or on your behalf, under the terms of this Agreement. Rackspace has not made any representations to you concerning any possible tax consequences of any payments made pursuant to this Agreement.
14.Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement by and between the parties and there are no other agreements or understandings related to your employment with any of the Released Parties or the subject matter of this Agreement other than your equity grant agreement(s), if any, and your Confidentiality Agreement, which survive the end of your employment and continue in effect. You represent and acknowledge that: (a) in executing this Agreement, you are not relying, and have not relied, on any representation(s) by any of the Released Parties, except as expressly contained in this Agreement and that you relied on your own judgment; and (b) you have not transferred or assigned, to any person or entity, any claim involving any of the Released Parties or any portion thereof or interest therein. This Agreement may not be changed except by written agreement signed by the parties.
15.Binding Heirs, Successors and Assigns. Except as herein expressly provided, the terms and provisions of this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, successors, assigns and legal representatives of the parties.
16.Arbitration. All claims and matters in question arising out of this Agreement or the relationship between the Parties, whether sounding in contract, tort, a statutory cause of action or otherwise, will be resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act. Either Party, however, may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel arbitration under this Agreement; enforce or vacate an arbitration award; or seek injunctive relief. This arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“National Rules”) in effect at the time the dispute arose. There will be one arbitrator selected pursuant to the National Rules, unless the Parties agree on a different arbitration service. The arbitrator will issue a reasoned award within six (6) months of the filing of the arbitration notice. The Company will pay for your initial filing fee to the extent that it is more than a court filing.
17.Jurisdiction. The substantive laws of Texas govern this Agreement, and exclusive venue for any dispute will be Bexar County, Texas or in San Antonio, Texas.
18.Headings. The headings in this Agreement were used for administrative convenience only and will not be used in interpreting or construing the meaning of any provision.
19.Invalid Provision. If any provision of this Agreement is or may be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable to any extent, the validity of the remaining parts, terms or provision of this Agreement will not be affected thereby, and such illegal or invalid part, term, or provision will be deemed not to be part of this Agreement. The remaining provisions will nevertheless survive and continue in full force and effect.
20.Interpretation. This Agreement will be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It will not be construed strictly for or against you. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the singular or plural number will be deemed to include the other. Captions are intended solely for the convenience of reference and will not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement.
21.Consideration of Agreement. You are advised that you should consult an attorney before accepting this Agreement. You understand that you have twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date this Agreement is provided to you to decide whether to sign it. If you fail to sign and return this Agreement within twenty-one (21) days from the date that it was provided to you, all payment amounts offered in this Agreement are withdrawn and revoked automatically, and you will not be entitled to any payment or benefits that you are not otherwise entitled to under law. You may decide to sign and return this Agreement prior to the expiration of the twenty-one (21) day period. However, if you choose to do so, then you affirm that this is your voluntary choice.
22.Revocation Period. You understand and acknowledge that you have seven (7) calendar days following the date that you sign this Agreement to revoke your acceptance of the Agreement. This Agreement will not become effective and enforceable and the payment amounts offered in this Agreement will not become payable until after this revocation period has expired without revocation.
23.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which for all purposes is deemed an original and all of which constitute collectively one Agreement.
24.Effective Date. This Agreement, if signed and returned to the Company, is effective and enforceable the later of: (i) your Employment End Date or (ii) seven (7) calendar days following the date it is signed and returned, if not revoked during the seven-day period (the “Effective Date”).
25.Review by Employee. You acknowledge the following:
a.That you carefully read this Agreement, and that you understand it;
b.That you were advised and have had the opportunity to consult an attorney, at your expense, regarding the terms and meaning of this Agreement;
c.That you understand your deadline of twenty-one (21) days to consider whether to agree to and accept this Agreement;
d.That you understand that the Agreement is effective and enforceable on the Effective Date as defined above.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND CONSIDER ALL OF ITS PROVISIONS BEFORE SIGNING IT. IT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS, INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED ON NEGLIGENCE. IF YOU WISH, YOU SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FULL REVIEW PERIOD AFFORDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOOSING.
Employee:
By:/s/ Naushaza Molu Date: 19 January 2024
Naushaza Molu
Rackspace:
By: /s/ Kellie Teal-Guess Date: 19 January 2024
Kellie Teal-Guess
IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE ELECTRONICALLY SIGN THIS AGREEMENT THROUGH DOCUSIGN PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE.
Document
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Subsidiaries of Rackspace Technology, Inc. as of March 12, 2024 | | |
Name of Subsidiary | | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Adapt Services Limited | | United Kingdom |
Centric Telecom Limited | | United Kingdom |
Datapipe Asia Limited | | Hong Kong |
Datapipe Europe Limited | | United Kingdom |
Datapipe Israel Limited | | Israel |
Datapipe Singapore Pte Ltd | | Singapore |
Datapipe, Inc. | | Delaware |
Drake Merger Sub II, LLC | | Delaware |
Elinia Webservices Limited | | United Kingdom |
Elinia Limited | | United Kingdom |
GoGrid, LLC | | Delaware |
Inception Intermediate, Inc. | | Delaware |
Inception Parent, Inc. | | Delaware |
JA Vietnam Co., Ltd | | Vietnam |
Just Analytics Pte. Ltd | | Singapore |
ObjectRocket, LLC | | Delaware |
Onica Egypt LLC | | Egypt |
Onica Group LLC | | Delaware |
Onica Holdings LLC | | Delaware |
Onica Technologies Canada, Inc. | | Canada |
Rackspace Arabia for Information Technology Single LLC | | Saudi Arabia |
Rackspace Asia (Shanghai) Limited | | China |
Rackspace Asia Limited | | Hong Kong |
Rackspace Benelux BV | | Netherlands |
Rackspace Canada, Inc. | | Canada |
Rackspace Finance, LLC | | Delaware |
Rackspace Finance Holdings, LLC | | Delaware |
Rackspace Finance Holdings II, LLC | | Delaware |
Rackspace Finance (UK) Holdings Ltd | | United Kingdom |
Rackspace Germany GmbH | | Germany |
Rackspace Government Solutions, Inc. | | Delaware |
Rackspace Holdings LLC | | Delaware |
Rackspace Hosting Australia Pty Ltd | | Australia |
Rackspace India Private Limited | | India |
Rackspace International GmbH | | Switzerland |
Rackspace International Holdings, Inc. | | Delaware |
Rackspace International Mobility GmbH | | Switzerland |
Rackspace Israel Holdings Ltd | | Israel |
Rackspace Limited | | United Kingdom |
| | | | | | | | |
Rackspace Mexico s.de R.L. de C.V. | | Mexico |
Rackspace New Zealand Limited | | New Zealand |
Rackspace Professional Services Japan GK | | Japan |
Rackspace Receivables II, LLC | | Delaware |
Rackspace Receivables Canada Limited | | Canada |
Rackspace Singapore Pte. Ltd. | | Singapore |
Rackspace Technology Belgium B.V. | | Belgium |
Rackspace Technology Brazil LTDA | | Brazil |
Rackspace Technology Colombia S.A.S. | | Colombia |
Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. | | Delaware |
Rackspace Technology Hungary Kft. | | Hungary |
Rackspace Technology Malaysia SDN. BHD. | | Malaysia |
Rackspace Technology Poland sp. z o.o. (Yocarnim Investments Sp. z o.o) | | Poland |
Rackspace US, Inc. | | Delaware |
RelationEdge, LLC | | Delaware |
RSUS4, LLC | | Delaware |
RXT Sweden AB | | Sweden |
Sleek Networks Limited | | United Kingdom |
Tricore Solutions Private Limited | | India |
Tricore Solutions, LLC | | Massachusetts |
DocumentCONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-240498, 333-268641, and 333-273850) of Rackspace Technology, Inc. of our report dated March 15, 2024 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Austin, Texas
March 15, 2024
DocumentCERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Amar Maletira, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Rackspace Technology, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Date: | March 15, 2024 | | By: | /s/ Amar Maletira |
| | | | Amar Maletira |
| | | | Chief Executive Officer; Director |
| | | | |
DocumentCERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Mark Marino, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Rackspace Technology, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
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Date: | March 15, 2024 | | By: | /s/ Mark Marino |
| | | | Mark Marino |
| | | | Chief Financial Officer |
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DocumentCERTIFICATION 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
I, Amar Maletira, Chief Executive Officer of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (the “Company”), certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:
1.The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Rackspace Technology, Inc.
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Date: | March 15, 2024 | | By: | /s/ Amar Maletira |
| | | | Amar Maletira |
| | | | Chief Executive Officer; Director |
| | | | |
| | | | |
DocumentCERTIFICATION 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
I, Mark Marino, Chief Financial Officer of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (the “Company”), certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:
1.The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Rackspace Technology, Inc.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Date: | March 15, 2024 | | By: | /s/ Mark Marino |
| | | | Mark Marino |
| | | | Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Document | | | | | |
| Exhibit 97
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC. EXECUTIVE OFFICER INCENTIVE COMPENSATION CLAWBACK POLICY |
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Effective Date: | August 17, 2023 |
Document Owner: | Compensation Committee |
I.Purpose
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Rackspace Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) has adopted this policy (this “Policy”) which provides for the recoupment of certain executive compensation in the event that the Company is required to prepare an Accounting Restatement (as defined below). This Policy is designed to comply with Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Rule 10D-1 thereunder, and Listing Rule 5608 (“Rule 5608”) of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) and will be interpreted and applied accordingly.
II.Administration
This Policy will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”). Any determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding on all affected individuals.
III.Covered Executives
This Policy applies to the Company’s current and former executive officers, including officers determined pursuant to Rule 16a-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act and executive officers identified under Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K (“Executive Officers,” and together with any former Executive Officer, the “Covered Executives”).
IV.Recoupment Upon an Accounting Restatement
In the event that the Company is required to prepare an Accounting Restatement, the Company will recover reasonably promptly all Erroneously Awarded Compensation from each Covered Executive, unless the Committee determines that such recovery is Impracticable.
For purposes of the foregoing:
•“Accounting Restatement” means an accounting restatement of any of the Company’s financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or to correct an error that is not material to previously issued financial statements, but would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period, within the meaning of Rule 10D-1 and Rule 5608.
•“Covered Incentive Compensation” means Incentive Compensation that is Received on or after October 2, 2023 by a person: (i) after beginning service as an Executive Officer, (ii) who served as an Executive Officer at any time during the performance period for that Incentive Compensation, (iii) while the Company has a class of securities listed on a
national securities exchange or a national securities association, and (iv) during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date that the Company is required to prepare the Accounting Restatement (or such longer period as required under Rule 5608 in the event the Company changes its fiscal year). The date that the Company is required to prepare the Accounting Restatement will be the earlier of (x) the date the Board concluded or reasonably should have concluded that the Accounting Restatement is required and (y) the date a court, regulator or other authorized body directs the Company to prepare the Accounting Restatement.
•“Erroneously Awarded Compensation” means the amount of Covered Incentive Compensation that was Received by each Covered Executive in excess of the Covered Incentive Compensation that would have been Received by the Covered Executive had such Covered Incentive Compensation been determined based on the restated Financial Reporting Measure following an Accounting Restatement, computed without regard to taxes paid. For this purpose, if the amount of Covered Incentive Compensation that is Received by a Covered Executive was based on the Company’s stock price or total shareholder return and is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the Accounting Restatement, the amount to be recovered as Erroneously Awarded Compensation shall be based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the Accounting Restatement on the Financial Reporting Measure upon which the Covered Incentive Compensation was Received. The Company’s Corporate Secretary shall, on behalf of the Committee, obtain and maintain all documentation of the determination of any such reasonable estimate and provide such documentation to Nasdaq when required or requested.
•“Financial Reporting Measure” means (i) any measure that is determined and presented in accordance with the accounting principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements and any measure that is derived wholly or in part from any such measure, and (ii) the Company’s stock price and the total shareholder return of the Company. A measure, however, need not be presented within the financial statements or included in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to constitute a Financial Reporting Measure.
•“Impracticable” means that (i) the direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing the Policy would exceed the amount to be recovered, (ii) recovery would violate an applicable home country law adopted prior to November 28, 2022, or (iii) recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified, broad-based retirement plan of the Company to fail to meet the requirements of 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(13) or 26 U.S.C. 411(a) and regulations thereunder. Before concluding that it would be Impracticable to recover any Erroneously Awarded Compensation based on the expense of enforcement, the Company shall make a reasonable attempt to recover such Erroneously Awarded Compensation, and the Company’s Corporate Secretary, on behalf of the Committee, shall document such reasonable attempt(s) to recover and provide that documentation to Nasdaq when required or requested. Before concluding that it would be Impracticable to recover any amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation based on violation of law, the Committee shall engage legal counsel experienced and qualified to practice law in the applicable jurisdiction (if such counsel is acceptable to Nasdaq) to render an opinion that recovery would result in a violation of law and shall provide such opinion to Nasdaq.
•“Incentive Compensation” means any compensation that is granted, earned, or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of a Financial Reporting Measure. For the avoidance of doubt, Incentive Compensation shall also be deemed to include any amounts which were determined based on (or were otherwise calculated by reference to) Incentive Compensation (including, without limitation, any amounts under any long-term disability, life insurance or supplemental retirement plan or any notional account that is based on Incentive Compensation, as well as any earnings accrued thereon).
•“Received.” Incentive Compensation is deemed “received” in the Company’s fiscal period during which the Financial Reporting Measure specified in such Incentive Compensation is attained.
Recoupment of Erroneously Awarded Compensation pursuant to this Policy is made on a “no fault” basis, without regard to whether any misconduct occurred or whether any Covered Executive has responsibility for the noncompliance that resulted in the Accounting Restatement.
V.Method of Recoupment
The Committee will determine, in its sole discretion, the method for recouping Erroneously Awarded Compensation hereunder, which may include, without limitation, any of the following:
•Requiring reimbursement of cash Incentive Compensation previously paid;
•Seeking recovery of any gain or value realized on or since the vesting, exercise, settlement, sale, transfer, or other disposition of any equity-based awards;
•Offsetting the recouped amount from any compensation otherwise owed by the Company to the Covered Executive (including, without limitation, any severance otherwise payable by the Company to the Covered Executive);
•Making a deduction from the Covered Executive’s salary;
•Requiring the Covered Executive to transfer back to the Company any shares he or she received pursuant to an equity award;
•Cancelling, or reducing the number of shares subject to, or the value of, outstanding vested or unvested equity awards; and/or
•Taking any other remedial and recovery action permitted by law, as determined by the Committee.
The Committee shall consider Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, prior to offsetting recouped amounts against future payments of deferred compensation.
VI.No Indemnification or Insurance
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall indemnify any Covered Executive against the loss of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation. Further, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall pay or reimburse any Covered Executive for any insurance policy entered into by a Covered Executive that provides for full or partial coverage of any recoupment obligation under this Policy.
VII.Interpretation
The Committee is authorized to interpret and construe this Policy and to make all determinations necessary, appropriate, or advisable for the administration of this Policy. It is intended that this Policy be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with Section 10D of the Exchange Act, Rule 10D-1 thereunder, Rule 5608 and any other applicable rules or standards adopted by the SEC or any national securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed.
VIII.Effective Date
This Policy shall be effective as of its adoption by the Board (the “Effective Date”) and shall apply to Covered Incentive Compensation that is Received by a Covered Executive on or after October 2, 2023.
IX.Amendment; Termination
The Board and/or the Committee may amend this Policy from time to time in its discretion in any manner consistent with applicable law and regulation. The Board and/or the Committee may terminate this Policy at any time when it does not have a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or national securities association.
X.Other Recoupment Rights
This Policy will be applied to the fullest extent of the law. Any right of recoupment under this Policy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies or rights of recoupment that may be available to the Company pursuant to the terms of any similar policy in any employment agreement, equity award agreement, or similar agreement and any other legal remedies available to the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, the provisions of this Policy are in addition to (and not in lieu of) any rights to repayment the Company may have under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other applicable laws.
XI.Successors
This Policy shall be binding and enforceable against all Covered Executives and their beneficiaries, heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives.
XII.Disclosure
The circumstances of any recoupment pursuant to this Policy will be publicly disclosed where required by Rule 10D-1, Item 402 of Regulation S-K and Rule 5608. In accordance with Rule 10D-1, the Policy shall be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K, as provided in Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K.
XIII.Change of Listing
In the event that the Company lists its securities on any national securities exchange or national securities association other than Nasdaq, all references to “Nasdaq” in this Policy shall mean each national securities exchange or national securities association upon which the Company has a class of securities then listed and “Rule 5608” shall mean the rule(s) relating to recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation under the listing rules of such other applicable exchange or association.