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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                  FORM 10-K/A
(MARK ONE)
  /X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
      ACT OF 1934
 
                  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
                                       OR
 
  / / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                  FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM        TO
 
                           COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-15325
                            ------------------------
 
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
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<S>                              <C>
           DELAWARE                 94-3011736
 (State or other jurisdiction    (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation or          Identification
        organization)                  No.)
</TABLE>
 
                   4100 BOHANNON DRIVE, MENLO PARK, CA 94025
 
                    (Address of principal executive office)
 
                                  650-926-6300
 
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
                            ------------------------
 
        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
 
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
                         COMMON STOCK, $0.01 PAR VALUE
 
                             (Title of each class)
                            ------------------------
 
    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
the 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 /X/  No / /
 
    Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K/A.  /X/
 
    The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant as of February 28, 1997 was approximately $2,616,000,000. Shares of
Common Stock held by each officer and director have been excluded in that such
persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status
is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
 
    As of February 28, 1997, Registrant had outstanding 151,163,317 shares of
Common Stock.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
(to be deemed filed only to the extent specifically incorporated herein by
reference and not otherwise excluded by law):
 
       PART III: Parts of the Proxy Statement to be used in conjunction
       with Registrant's Annual Stockholders Meeting to be held May 22,
       1997.
 
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                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                       1996 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K/A
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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PART I                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                        ---------
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Item 1.           Business............................................................          4
 
Item 2.           Properties..........................................................         12
 
Item 3.           Legal Proceedings...................................................         12
 
Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.................         13
 
PART II
 
Item 5.           Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
                  Matters.............................................................         14
 
Item 6.           Selected Financial Data.............................................         15
 
Item 7.           Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                  Results of Operations...............................................         15
 
Item 8.           Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.........................         28
 
Item 9.           Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
                  Financial Disclosure................................................         52
 
PART III
 
Item 10.          Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant......................         53
 
Item 11.          Executive Compensation..............................................         53
 
Item 12.          Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management......         53
 
Item 13.          Certain Relationships and Related Transactions......................         53
 
PART IV
 
Item 14.          Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.....         54
 
SIGNATURES............................................................................         56
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                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of
certain factors described herein and in other documents. Readers should pay
particular attention to the risk factors described in the section of this Report
entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations." Readers should also carefully review the risk factors
described in the other documents the Company files from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q to be filed by the Company in 1997 and any Current Reports on Form 8-K
filed by the Company.
 
                      AMENDED FILING OF FORM 10-K FOR 1996
                      RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                       AND CHANGES TO CERTAIN INFORMATION
 
    On August 7, 1997 and again on September 22, 1997, the Company announced
that as a result of errors and irregularities discovered in the recording of
income in 1996 and 1995 the Company anticipated restating its financial
statements. The procedures undertaken by the Company to determine the extent of
the restatement (described in those announcements) have resulted in the
restatement of its financial statements for 1996, 1995 and 1994 (see Note 1 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements).
 
    General information in the originally filed Form 10-K was presented as of
the March 29, 1997 filing date or earlier, as indicated. Unless otherwise
stated, such information has not been updated in this amended filing.
 
    Financial statement and related disclosures contained in this amended filing
reflect, where appropriate, changes to conform to the restatement.
 
                                       3
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                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
 
                                   BACKGROUND
 
    The Company is a multinational supplier of high-performance, parallel
processing database technology for open systems. The Company's products also
include applications development tools for creating client/server production
applications, decision-support systems, ad-hoc query interfaces, and software
that allows information to be shared from personal computers to mainframes
within the corporate computing environment. In addition to software products,
the Company offers training, consulting, and post-contract support to its
customers. The principal geographic markets for the Company's products are in
North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Japan, and Latin America. Customers include
large-, medium- and small-sized corporations in the manufacturing, financial
services, telecommunications, retail/wholesale, hospitality and government
services sectors.
 
    The Company was initially incorporated in California in 1980 and was
reincorporated in Delaware in August 1986. Unless the context requires
otherwise, the terms "Company" and "Informix" refer to Informix Corporation and
its subsidiaries. The Company maintains its executive offices at 4100 Bohannon
Drive, Menlo Park, California 94025. Its telephone number is (650) 926-6300.
 
    All of the Company's database products developed since 1983 support
Structured Query Language ("SQL"), an industry standard created by IBM. The
Company's core database management software runs on the
UNIX-Registered Trademark-, Windows-TM- and Windows/NT-TM- operating systems,
and certain networks composed of computers running these operating systems.
 
    The Company's customers consist primarily of end-users, application vendors,
original computer equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and distributors. The Company
markets its products directly to end-users through its sales force and
indirectly to end-users through application vendors, OEMs and distributors. The
Company markets its products worldwide and has operating subsidiaries in 37
foreign countries.
 
    In February 1996, the Company acquired Illustra Information Technologies,
Inc. ("Illustra"), a United States based provider of object-relational database
systems and tools for managing complex data, such as audio, video, text and
images. Approximately 12,700,000 shares of the Company's common stock were
issued to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Illustra stock. An additional
2,300,000 shares were reserved by the Company for future issuance in connection
with the assumption of Illustra's outstanding stock options and warrants. The
transaction was accounted for as a pooling of interests. In December 1996, the
Company announced the availability of a new product based on the Illustra
technology named INFORMIX-Registered Trademark--Universal Server.
INFORMIX-Universal Server combines the object relational technology developed by
Illustra with the core database technology based on Informix's Dynamic Scalable
Architecture-TM- giving customers the ability to manage all kinds of data
throughout their enterprises.
 
                                    PRODUCTS
 
DATABASE SERVERS AND CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS
 
DATABASE SERVERS
 
    The Company offers a full line of relational database servers. The Company's
principal servers include:
 
       INFORMIX-Universal Server, a new, enterprise capable, fully-extensible
       object relational database server based on Informix's Dynamic Scalable
       Architecture. This product became available in December 1996.
       INFORMIX-Universal Server allows customers to intelligently manage
       traditional datatypes alongside new kinds of data, such as audio, video,
       text and images. This extensibility is obtained through the use of
       DataBlade-Registered Trademark- modules--reusable, plug-in object
 
                                       4
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       extensions--which expand the general purpose capabilities of
       INFORMIX-Universal Server to provide data storage and management
       functionality for non-traditional datatypes. Customers can select
       prebuilt DataBlade modules (available from the Company and many other
       companies) or design their own DataBlade modules with the
       INFORMIX-DataBlade Developer's Kit to accommodate their unique data
       management requirements. DataBlade modules available from the Company
       include: INFORMIX-Spatial, INFORMIX-TimeSeries, INFORMIX-Video Foundation
       and INFORMIX-Web.
 
       INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server-TM- , a high performance, enterprise
       capable online transaction processing database server. This product is
       based on the Company's Dynamic Scalable Architecture and features
       parallel data processing capability, replication and connectivity options
       built into its core.
 
       INFORMIX-OnLine Workgroup Server, a database management system designed
       specifically for workgroups. This product is based on the Company's
       Dynamic Scalable Architecture and comes bundled with Netscape FastTrack
       Server. This product became available in the third quarter of 1996.
 
       INFORMIX-OnLine Extended Parallel Server, a high-performance, scalable
       database server which extends the Company's Dynamic Scalable Architecture
       to loosely coupled, "shared nothing" computing architectures, including
       clusters of symmetric multiprocessing systems and massively parallel
       processing systems.
 
CONNECTIVITY PRODUCTS
 
    The Company's principal connectivity products include:
 
       INFORMIX-Enterprise Gateway-TM- Manager, a connectivity tool allowing
       applications running on UNIX, Microsoft Windows or Windows 95 to access
       data sources via loadable gateway drivers. The Company offers gateway
       drivers for Oracle and Sybase databases. Drivers for additional data
       sources are available from various third parties.
 
       INFORMIX-Enterprise Gateway with DRDA, a UNIX-based connectivity tool
       allowing interoperability to IBM databases such as DB2, DB2/VM and
       DB2/400 from Windows and UNIX clients. INFORMIX-Gateway with DRDA allows
       applications built with Informix application development tools to access
       and modify information in Distributed Relational Database
       Architecture-TM- -compliant database management systems.
 
       INFORMIX-ESQL for C and COBOL, embedded SQL products which permit
       developers to take advantage of SQL technology while building
       applications in C or COBOL.
 
       INFORMIX-CLI, a library of low level functions that provide high
       performance direct access to Informix databases from applications built
       in C or other third generation languages. INFORMIX-CLI is compliant with
       Microsoft's ODBC specifications.
 
       INFORMIX-Universal Web Connect-TM-, a tool that provides high performance
       connectivity between Web servers and databases. INFORMIX-Universal Web
       Connect enables Web developers to create "intelligent" web applications
       that dynamically deliver multimedia rich, tailored Web pages to users.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
DATABASE TOOLS
 
    The Company offers a variety of database application development tools
designed to allow users to build applications. The Company's principal database
tools include:
 
       INFORMIX-NewEra-TM-, a graphical, object-oriented development environment
       designed for creating enterprise-wide multi-tier client/server database
       applications. INFORMIX-NewEra features a fourth-generation
       object-oriented programming language, reusable class libraries,
       application partitioning, and flexible application deployment, and
       supports open connectivity to Informix and non-Informix databases.
       INFORMIX-NewEra is currently available for
       Microsoft-Registered Trademark- Windows-TM- and OSF Motif-TM-.
 
       INFORMIX-4GL, a character-based development environment, which includes a
       fourth-generation programming language with full screen-building, report
       entry and SQL database input/ output capabilities. The INFORMIX-4GL
       product family is comprised of three core products: INFORMIX-4GL
       Compiled, INFORMIX-4GL Rapid Development System and INFORMIX-4GL
       Interactive Debugger.
 
       INFORMIX-SQL, a package of five interactive tools for creating
       character-based applications. INFORMIX-SQL consists of a forms package, a
       report writer, an interactive SQL editor, a menu builder and an
       interactive schema editor.
 
       INFORMIX-MetaCube-TM-, a high-performance on-line analytical processing
       engine that automatically preconsolidates data and provides a
       multidimensional view of data without the constraints of a two
       dimensional (row and table) data model. The INFORMIX-MetaCube product
       family also includes MetaCube Explorer, an adhoc decision support tool
       for end users, MetaCube Warehouse Manager, a graphical tool for
       administering the "metadata" describing a database in a logical,
       user-friendly view, MetaCube Scheduler for batch processing, MetaCube
       Queryback for running queries in the background, MetaCube Aggregator for
       creating and maintaining aggregates in a data warehouse, MetaCube for
       Excel which enables data warehouse analysis in an Excel spreadsheet
       environment, and MetaCube for the Web which brings MetaCube analysis
       capabilities to intranets.
 
MAINTENANCE, CONSULTING AND SERVICES
 
    The Company maintains field-based and centralized corporate technical staffs
to provide a comprehensive range of assistance to its customers. These services
include pre- and post-sales technical assistance, consulting, product and sales
training and technical support services. Consultants and trainers provide
services to customers to assist them in the use of the Company's products and
the design and development of applications that utilize the Company's products.
 
    The Company provides post-sales support to its customers on an optional
basis for annual fees which generally range from 10% to 18% of the license fees
paid by the customer. These support services usually include product updates.
 
    During 1996 and the first half of 1997, Informix launched a series of
Information SuperStores worldwide which demonstrated and offered the most recent
Informix technology advances. Along with the core Informix product line, these
locations carried tools from leading third-party tools and application vendors
installed on a wide variety of hardware platforms, such as Data General, Hewlett
Packard, IBM, NCR, Pyramid, Sequent, Silicon Graphics, and Sun. The Company has
scaled back its original plans for the SuperStores and repositioned the
remaining sites as solution labs managed by the Company's consulting practice.
The Company's decision in 1997 to scale back resulted in charges to operations
in 1997.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                            MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS
 
    The Company distributes its products through the channels of direct end-user
licensing, OEMs, application vendors addressing specific markets and
distributors. The Company has chosen a multiple channel distribution strategy to
maintain broad market coverage and product availability. The Company, therefore,
has generally avoided exclusive relationships with its licensees and other
resellers of its products. Discount policies and reseller licensing programs are
intended to support each distribution channel with a minimum of channel
conflict. The Company also provides a financing option to customers in
connection with the license of software.
 
    At December 31, 1996, the Company's sales, marketing and support staff
totaled 1,427 regular employees in the North America region; 122 regular
employees in the Latin America region, 947 regular employees in the Europe,
Middle East and Africa regions, 344 regular employees in the Asia/Pacific region
and 99 regular employees in Japan.
 
                                   LICENSING
 
END-USER LICENSING
 
    The Company licenses its products to large companies and government entities
through its direct sales force, and to certain of these companies, as well as
smaller end-users, through its telemarketing sales force. The Company believes
that the common core technology of its database management system products,
based on standard operating systems and the SQL database language, helps it sell
into major corporations and government agencies that wish to standardize their
diverse computing environments. As a result, certain of these end-user
organizations have entered into general purchasing agreements with the Company
which offer volume discounts.
 
APPLICATION VENDOR LICENSING
 
    Since its inception, the Company has licensed application vendors to
distribute its products. A typical application vendor develops an application
product (e.g., an insurance agency management system) using one of the Company's
products and then licenses the resultant application software to its customers
in the target market. The application vendor customer purchases a license for
use of the Company's product to develop an applications program. Depending on
the application program developed, it may include a run-only license, a full
version license or even multiple product licenses.
 
    Application vendors develop applications using a wide array of application
development tools, including products from the Company, such as INFORMIX-NewEra,
INFORMIX-4GL and INFORMIX-SQL, as well as products offered by third parties.
Applications developed using the Company's products are generally portable
across various brands of computers and different operating systems.
 
    The Company has specialized programs to support the application vendor
distribution channel. Under these programs, the Company provides to selected
application vendors a combination of marketing development services, consulting
and technical marketing support and discounts.
 
OEM LICENSING
 
    The Company's products are also marketed with the assistance of the sales
forces of its OEM customers who have concluded that "solution selling" of a
combination of software and hardware to their respective customers enhances the
sales of their computer equipment. The Company believes that the compatibility
and range of applications for its products are significant to this distribution
channel.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTOR LICENSING
 
    The Company has established a network of full service international
distributors who provide local service and support, as well as the Company's
products, to their respective national markets. Distributors are used to
supplement the Company's direct sales force and enable the Company to sell its
products and services in countries where the Company has not established a
direct sales force.
 
                              PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
    The computer software industry is highly competitive and rapidly changing.
Consequently, the Company dedicates considerable resources to research and
development efforts to enhance its existing product lines and to develop new
products to meet new market opportunities. Most of the Company's current
software products and accompanying documentation have been developed internally;
however, the Company has acquired certain software products from others and
plans to do so again in the future.
 
    Major product releases resulting from research and development projects in
1996 included the release of INFORMIX-Universal Server, the release of
INFORMIX-OnLine WorkGroup Server and new releases of INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic
Server and INFORMIX-OnLine Extended Parallel Server.
 
    Current product development is focused toward:
 
       Improvement and enhancement of current products and new products, with
       particular emphasis on parallel computer architecture, user-defined
       database extensions, Web technology integration, graphical desk top and
       system administration.
 
       Improvements to the Company's products to provide greater speed and
       support for larger numbers of concurrent users.
 
       Adaptation of new products to the broad range of computer brands and
       operating systems the Company currently supports and adaptation of
       current products to new brands of computers and operating systems which
       represent attractive market opportunities for the Company's products.
 
    There can be no assurance that the Company's product development efforts
will be successful or that any new products will achieve significant market
acceptance.
 
    As of December 31, 1996, the Company had 967 regular employees engaged in
research and development.
 
    During 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Company expensed $64.3 million, $85.6
million and $120.2 million, respectively, on research and development,
representing approximately 14%, 14% and 16% of revenues for such periods. Also
during fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Company capitalized costs in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86 of $13.6 million, $17.5
million and $28.4 million, respectively. See Item 7 of this Annual Report
entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Research and Development Expenses."
 
                                  COMPETITION
 
    The Company faces intense competition in the market for relational database
management system software products. Companies in this market compete primarily
on the basis of price/performance characteristics, name recognition, and
technical support, training and consulting services.
 
    With respect to product performance, the Company believes that the principal
competitive factors include:
 
       Application development productivity (the speed with which applications
       can be built).
 
       Database performance (the speed at which database storage and retrieval
       functions are executed).
 
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       The ability to support large warehouses of information.
 
       Reliability, availability and serviceability.
 
       The distribution of software applications and data across networks of
       computers from multiple suppliers.
 
       Increasingly, the ability to manage complex data and solve more complex
       business problems based on such data.
 
    The Company believes that the technical advantages of its products, its
approach to sales and marketing, its relations with application vendors, OEMs
and distributors and its customer service and support contribute to its ability
to compete in this market.
 
    The chief competition faced by the Company is currently provided by Oracle
Corporation, Sybase, Inc., IBM Corporation and Microsoft Corporation. Several of
the Company's current competitors have greater financial, technical and
marketing resources than the Company.
 
    To the extent that market acceptance for personal computer oriented
technologies increases at the expense of UNIX or other non-PC platforms, this
could result in greater price pressure on certain of the Company's database
products and services. The availability and market acceptance of Microsoft
Corporation's Windows NT operating system may increase the competition faced by
the principal operating system platforms on which the Company's products operate
and may result in greater price pressure on certain of the Company's database
products and services. Also, new or enhanced products introduced by existing or
future competitors could have an adverse effect on the Company's business.
Existing and future competition or changes in the Company's product or service
pricing structure or product or service offerings could result in an immediate
reduction in the prices of the Company's products or services. If this were to
result in significant price declines, the effects of which were not offset by
any resulting increases in sales volume of the Company's products or services,
the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition would be
adversely affected.
 
                               PRODUCT PROTECTION
 
    The Company relies on a combination of trade secret, copyright and trademark
laws, license agreements and technical measures to protect its rights in its
software products. Like many software companies, the Company has no patents to
date, although it has several applications pending. The Company maintains
trademark and service mark registrations in the United States and numerous other
foreign jurisdictions.
 
    The Company's products are generally licensed to end-users on a
"right-to-use" basis pursuant to a license that restricts the use of the
products for the customer's internal business purposes. The Company also relies
on "shrink-wrap" licenses. The Company's "shrink-wrap" license includes a
prominently displayed notice informing the end-user that, by opening the product
packaging, the end-user agrees to be bound by the Company's license agreement
printed on the package. Copyright and trade secret protection for source and
object code version of software products may be unavailable in certain foreign
countries. In addition, "shrink-wrap" licenses may be wholly or partially
unenforceable under the laws of certain jurisdictions.
 
    The Company protects the human readable, source code version of its products
as a trade secret and an unpublished copyrighted work. The Company has licensed
the source code of its products to certain customers under certain
circumstances, and for restricted uses. In addition, the Company has entered
into source code escrow agreements with a number of its customers that generally
require release of source code to the customer in the event there is a
bankruptcy or similar proceeding by or against the Company, the Company ceases
to do business or the Company ceases to support the product. In the event of a
release of the source code to a customer, the customer is required to maintain
its confidentiality and, in general, to
 
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use the source code solely for internal business purposes or for the purpose of
providing maintenance and support to its customers, and, in certain
circumstances, to embedding it in customer products.
 
    The Company believes that, because of the rapid pace of technological change
in the computer software industry, patent, trade secret and copyright protection
are less significant than factors such as the knowledge, ability and experience
of the Company's personnel, new product introduction, frequent product
enhancement, name recognition and ongoing product maintenance.
 
                                   EMPLOYEES
 
    As of December 31, 1996, the Company and its subsidiaries had 4,491 regular
employees worldwide, including 2,939 in sales, marketing and support; 967 in
research and development; 89 in operations and 496 in administration and
finance.
 
    Competition in recruiting personnel in the database software industry is
intense. The Company believes that its future success will depend on its
continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled sales, consulting,
technical, marketing and management personnel.
 
    None of the Company's U.S. employees are represented by a labor union. A
small number of employees located outside of the United States are represented
by labor unions. The degree of this representation varies from country to
country. The Company has experienced no work stoppages.
 
                               EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    Set forth below in alphabetical order are biographical summaries of the
executive officers of the Company as of March 1997.
 
    Ronald M. Alvarez, 47, joined the Company in December 1991 as Director of
Latin America Operations. He was promoted to Executive Director, Latin America
Operations in March 1993, and to Vice President, Latin America in May 1995. He
was appointed to his current position of Vice President, Americas Sales in
January 1996.
 
    Karen Blasing, 40, joined the Company in November 1992 as Director of
Financial Planning and Analysis and became Controller in June 1996. From January
1989 to October 1992, Ms. Blasing was a Senior Financial Manager at Oracle
Corporation, a provider of information management software and services.
 
    Margaret R. Brauns, 42, became Vice President and Treasurer of the Company
in November 1992. Ms. Brauns joined the Company as Treasurer in May 1990.
 
    D. Kenneth Coulter, 52, joined the Company in February 1988 as Managing
Director, UK. From January 1990 to April 1992, Mr. Coulter was Vice President,
Europe. He became Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, in
April 1992 and was named Senior Vice President, International in January 1996.
Mr. Coulter became Executive Vice President, Worldwide Field Operations in
November 1996.
 
    Ira H. Dorf, 56, joined the Company as Vice President, Human Resources in
October 1989.
 
    Bruce Golden, 37, joined the Company in February 1996 as Vice President of
Business Units and became General Manager, Data Warehouse Business Development
Unit in September 1996. From June 1993 to February 1996, he was Vice President
of Marketing of Illustra Information Technologies, Inc., a supplier of
object-relational database management systems. Prior to Illustra, Mr. Golden was
employed by Sun Microsystems, Inc., a computer hardware and software company,
for eight years in a variety of positions, his last being Director of Commercial
Market Development.
 
    James F. Hendrickson, Jr., 57, joined the Company as Vice President,
Customer Services in July 1992. In February 1995, Mr. Hendrickson assumed the
additional responsibility of Lenexa Site Manager. From
 
                                       10
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1991 until the time he joined the Company, Mr. Hendrickson was Senior Vice
President of Marketing at Image Business Systems.
 
    Alan S. Henricks, 46, joined the Company as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer in January 1997. From May 1994 to December 1996, Mr.
Henricks was Vice President, Finance and Operations, and Chief Financial Officer
of Documentum, Inc., a provider of document management software and services,
where he was responsible for all financial functions, as well as MIS, legal and
operations. From February 1988 to April 1994, Mr. Henricks was Senior Vice
President, Finance and Operations, and Chief Financial Officer, of Borland
International, a provider of software development tools.
 
    Stephen E. Hill, 38, joined the Company in December 1985, and has served the
Company in a variety of strategic planning, development and marketing positions.
Mr. Hill currently serves as Vice President, Advanced Technology.
 
    Jeffrey V. Hudson, 44, joined the Company in June 1995 as Vice President,
Business Development and became Vice President, Business Development and Product
Marketing in May 1996. From December 1993 to January 1995, Mr. Hudson was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Visioneer Communications, Inc. From
June 1989 to December 1993, he was Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Service
for Netframe Systems, Inc.
 
    Mike Saranga, 59, joined the Company as Senior Vice President, Product
Management and Development in May 1993. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Saranga was employed by IBM for 30 years, most recently as Assistant General
Manager of Programming Systems, where Mr. Saranga developed IBM's technical and
business strategies for key technologies including client/server, distributed
systems and multimedia.
 
    David H. Stanley, 50, joined the Company as Vice President, Legal, General
Counsel and Assistant Secretary in July 1988. In August 1990, Mr. Stanley was
elected to the additional office of Secretary. In March 1995, Mr. Stanley
assumed the additional responsibility for corporate services and became Vice
President, Legal and Corporate Services, General Counsel and Secretary.
 
    Michael R. Stonebraker, 53, joined the Company as Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer in February 1996. Dr. Stonebraker cofounded Illustra
Information Technologies, Inc., a supplier of object-relational database
management systems, in July 1992, and served in a consulting capacity with
Illustra as Chief Technology Officer until February 1996. Dr. Stonebraker is
professor emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the
University of California, Berkeley, where he joined the faculty in 1971.
 
    Phillip E. White, 54, has been the Company's Chief Executive Officer and a
director since January 1989. He has held the additional office of President
since August 1990 and of Chairman since December 1992. Mr. White also serves as
a director of Adaptec, Inc., a computer input/output technology company, and of
Legato Systems, a manufacturer and developer of network storage management
software products.
 
    Edwin C. Winder, 47, joined the Company in February 1990. Since joining the
Company, Mr. Winder has held a variety of executive positions in sales,
marketing and customer service. He is currently the Company's Senior Vice
President, Japan Operations.
 
------------------------
 
Distributed Relational Database Architecture, Microsoft, Motif, UNIX, Windows
and Windows/NT are trademarks of their respective owners. All other names
indicated by -Registered Trademark- or -TM- are trademarks of the Company.
 
                                       11
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ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
    The Company's headquarters and its marketing, finance, Americas sales,
administration, customer service and research and development operations are
located in five modern buildings in a seven building office park in Menlo Park,
California, approximately 30 miles south of San Francisco. The Company leases
approximately 214,000 square feet of space in these buildings. The leases for
spaces in three of the buildings expire in March 1998. The Company has options
to renew each lease for up to two additional five year terms at 95% of the then
fair rental value. The leases for space in the other two buildings expire in
September 2001.
 
    In 1996, the Company planned on relocating its corporate headquarters to
Santa Clara, California, approximately 15 miles to the south of the Company's
current headquarters. To facilitate the move, in January 1997, the Company
entered into a two-year lease for 27 acres of undeveloped commercial real
estate. In order to secure performance of its obligation under the lease, the
Company was required to pledge certain cash collateral to the lessor throughout
the full term of the lease. Accordingly, in January 1997, the Company deposited
$61.5 million in cash into a non-interest bearing collateral account controlled
by an affiliate of the lessor. In April 1997, the Company exercised its option
to purchase the land for $61.5 million, with the intent to arrange for the sale
of the parcels to an unrelated third party. In October 1997, the Company entered
into agreements to sell the Santa Clara land in two separate transactions. Both
sales are expected to be consummated in the fourth quarter of 1997. See Note 13
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
    Some of the research and development for the Company's tools products, a
portion of the Company's customer service organization, the Company's principal
domestic manufacturing facility and the Company's telemarketing organization are
located in two modern buildings aggregating approximately 135,000 square feet in
Lenexa, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. The buildings are owned by a
partnership, of which the Company is a 50% partner, and leased by the
partnership to the Company under a lease with an initial ten-year term that
expires in March 1998. There are two five-year renewal options. Rental under
this lease remains fixed through 1998, and then adjusts to prevailing rates for
the renewal terms.
 
    The Company also leases office space in approximately 56 facilities in the
United States and Canada and approximately 60 facilities internationally.
 
    The Company believes that its facilities are adequate for its current needs
and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available as needed to
accommodate the expansion of the Company's operations.
 
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    Commencing in April 1997, a series of class action lawsuits and a separate
but related stockholder action were filed in federal court purportedly by or on
behalf of stockholders. These actions name as defendants the Company, certain of
its present and former officers and directors and its independent auditors. The
complaints allege various violations of the federal securities laws and seek
unspecified but potentially significant damages. Similar actions were also filed
in state court.
 
    Stockholder derivative actions, purportedly on behalf of the Company and
naming virtually the same individual defendants, were also filed in state court.
Any monetary judgments in the derivative actions would accrue to the benefit of
the Company.
 
    In addition, in July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a
formal order of investigation of the Company and certain unidentified
individuals associated with the Company with respect to non-specified accounting
matters, public disclosures and trading activity in the Company's securities.
The Company is cooperating with the investigation and is providing all
information subpoenaed by the Commission.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    The Company is not involved in any other legal proceedings, other than
ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business.
 
ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
    The Company did not submit any matters to a vote of security holders during
the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
         MATTERS.
 
MARKET INFORMATION
 
    The Company's common stock has been traded on the over-the-counter market
under the Nasdaq symbol IFMX since the Company's initial public offering on
September 24, 1986. The following table sets forth the range of high and low
closing prices as reported on the Nasdaq National Market for the periods
indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            HIGH        LOW
                                                                          ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>
Fiscal 1995*
 
First Quarter...........................................................  $   19.63  $   14.63
Second Quarter..........................................................      25.94      17.06
Third Quarter...........................................................      34.00      25.25
Fourth Quarter..........................................................      33.00      24.13
 
Fiscal 1996
 
First Quarter...........................................................      35.88      26.38
Second Quarter..........................................................      26.88      18.38
Third Quarter...........................................................      30.25      20.31
Fourth Quarter..........................................................      28.63      17.63
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
*   The prices shown reflect a two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a
    stock dividend in June 1995.
 
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD AND DIVIDENDS
 
    At December 31, 1996, there were approximately 3,400 stockholders of record
of the Company's common stock, as shown in the records of the Company's transfer
agent. The Company has never paid dividends on its common stock and its present
policy is to retain its earnings to finance anticipated future growth.
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
 
Five-Year Summary (1) (2)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1996        1995        1994        1993      1992(3)
                                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net revenues.........................................  $  727,849  $  632,770  $  451,969  $  353,115  $  283,594
Net income (loss)....................................     (73,565)     38,600      48,293      54,989      47,782
Net income (loss) per share (4)......................       (0.49)       0.26        0.34        0.40        0.38
Retained earnings....................................      78,723     154,098     115,668      86,484      34,980
Total assets.........................................     881,998     682,445     447,769     328,001     231,459
Long-Term obligations................................       2,359       2,846         892         451       1,797
</TABLE>
 
The Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its
common stock.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
(1) See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning
    the Company's restatement of its financial statements. All financial data in
    the table above as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
    1994 presented reflect such restatement.
 
(2) The above information has also been restated to reflect the Company's
    business combination with Illustra Information Technologies, Inc. from its
    inception date of July 31, 1992 through the merger date of February 16,
    1996, as a pooling of interests.
 
(3) In 1991, the Company was selected to provide the database component of a
    decision-support system for the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. In
    1992, the Company received $26.8 million for license fees and support as
    part of this Reserve Component Automation System (RCAS) contract and
    recorded $21.8 million as license revenue and incurred $3.2 million in
    operating expenses in 1992. The remaining $5.0 million of service revenue
    was recognized over the support period.
 
(4) Per-share information applicable to prior periods has been restated to
    reflect a two-for-one stock split (effected in the form of a stock dividend)
    which was effective June 1995.
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
  OPERATIONS
 
    The Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors
described herein and in other documents. Readers should carefully review the
risk factors described in the documents the Company files from time to time with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q to be filed by the Company in 1997 and any Current Reports on Form 8-K
filed by the Company.
 
    As a result of the restatement of the Company's financial statements for
1996, 1995 and 1994, certain information contained in this item has been changed
from that which appeared in the Company's originally filed Form 10-K for 1996.
Readers should carefully review the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and
"Business Risks" sections which have been substantially rewritten to reflect
current events.
 
    The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto. All information is based on the
Company's fiscal calendar.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    Selected elements of Informix's restated financial statements are shown
below for the last three years as a percentage of net revenues and as a
percentage change from year to year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PERCENT OF NET REVENUE
                                                                                            % INCREASE (DECREASE)
                                                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,         --------------------------
                                                                                             1996
                                                   -------------------------------------  COMPARED TO  1995 COMPARED
                                                      1996         1995         1994         1995         TO 1994
                                                      -----        -----        -----     -----------  -------------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Licenses.........................................          68           72           77            8            32
Services.........................................          32           28           23           33            65
                                                                                                                --
                                                          ---          ---          ---   -----------
Net revenues.....................................         100          100          100           15            40
 
Cost and Expenses:
  Cost of software distribution..................           6            6            6           24            53
  Cost of services...............................          20           14           10           58            96
  Sales and marketing............................          57           48           45           37            48
  Research and development.......................          16           14           14           40            33
  General and administrative.....................           9            8            8           26            45
  Merger expenses................................           1       --           --             N.M.        --
                                                                                                                --
                                                          ---          ---          ---   -----------
    Total costs and expenses.....................         109           90           83           41            51
                                                                                                                --
                                                          ---          ---          ---   -----------
Operating income (loss)..........................          (9)          10           17         N.M.           (16)
                                                                                                                --
                                                          ---          ---          ---   -----------
Net income (loss)................................         (10)           6           11         N.M.           (20)
</TABLE>
 
OPERATING RESULTS
 
    Informix's operating results were affected negatively in 1996 as a result of
operating expenses growing more rapidly than revenues. Informix continued to
invest heavily in personnel in the areas of sales, marketing and customer
service, and research and development and incurred integration expenses and fees
associated with the acquisition of Illustra Information Technologies, Inc.
(Illustra). This acquisition was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests in
February 1996. In December 1996, Informix began shipping the INFORMIX-Universal
Server, based on Informix's proven Dynamic Scaleable Architecture(tm) (DSA) and
providing extensibility to handle the broad range of datatypes not managed
effectively by traditional relational databases. This product merges the
technology of Illustra and Informix. Informix incurred significant marketing
expenses in connection with the initial announcement and launch of the Universal
Server in 1996. The Company expects selling and marketing expenses in 1997 to be
at a level comparable to 1996 both in support of INFORMIX-Universal Server and
as Informix continues developing specific market channels and specific products
for such channels. These development, integration and marketing expenses and the
relatively low operating margins of Illustra have adversely affected Informix's
operating margins in 1996. In the near term, these development and marketing
efforts will continue to negatively affect the Company's operating margins.
 
REVENUES
 
    The Company derives revenues principally from licensing its software and
from providing technical product services to customers. License revenues may
involve the shipment of product by the Company or the granting of a license to a
customer to manufacture products. Service revenue consists of customer telephone
or direct support, update rights for new product versions, consulting, and
training fees.
 
    The Company's products are sold directly to end-user customers or through
resellers, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and
value added resellers (VARs) including application vendors. In 1995 and in 1996,
the Company increased the focus on its reseller channels, particularly OEMs and
VARs, to obtain access to their installed bases in certain industries and to
benefit
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
from their consulting and systems integration organizations. This increased
focus on reseller channels resulted in a significant build-up of licenses that
had not been resold or utilized by such resellers. These unsold licenses have
not been recognized as earned revenue as of December 31, 1996.
 
    Principally during 1996, the Company entered into software license
agreements with certain computer and service vendors where the Company
concurrently committed to acquire goods and services in the aggregate of
approximately $130 million. If the agreement is with a reseller, revenue is
recognized as earned on these transactions as the licenses are resold by the
customer. If the agreement is with an end user, revenue is generally recognized
as earned upon delivery of software. The computer equipment and services are
recorded at their fair value. These concurrent transactions for 1996 included
license agreements of approximately $170 million, of which $31 million was
recognized as earned revenue by the Company in 1996. The Company disclosed in
its 1996 annual report that $55 million of revenue was recognized from
concurrent transactions in that year. This disclosure represented revenue
(before the restatement) arising from specific license agreements where the
Company acquired goods and services in approximately the same dollar amount and
is included in the $170 million of 1996 concurrent transactions. See Notes 1 and
3 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
    The Company's license sales transactions can be relatively large in size and
difficult to forecast both in timing and dollar value. As a result, these
transactions have caused fluctuations in net revenues and net income because of
the relatively high gross margin on such revenues. As is common in the industry,
a disproportional amount of the Company's license revenue is derived from
transactions that close in the last few weeks of a quarter. The timing of
closing large license agreements also increases the risk of quarter-to-quarter
fluctuations. The Company expects that these types of transactions and the
resulting fluctuations will continue.
 
    The overall revenue growth in 1996 compared to 1995 primarily reflects
continued acceptance of the Company's server products. The relational database
management systems industry has benefited from trends to downsize from large
proprietary computer systems and market acceptance of UNIX(R), Windows(TM),
Windows NT(TM) and other open operating environments.
 
    Informix's current server product line debuted in the fall of 1994 with
INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server for Sequent (DSA) and was expanded to a wide
array of Unix-based multi-processor systems in December 1994. This product
accounts for a majority of the Company's server sales and is now available on
Windows/NT operating systems. In the spring of 1996, the Company introduced a
workgroup version of this product named INFORMIX-OnLine Workgroup Server. In
fall 1996, the Company released INFORMIX-Online Extended Parallel Server 8.1,
designed for very high end use in "loosely-coupled" computer architectures. In
late 1996, the first version of INFORMIX-Universal Server was released which was
the combination of the INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server product with the Illustra
server product.
 
    The license revenue growth in 1996 compared to 1995 reflects increases in
the Company's server products, particularly the Company's flagship database
server, INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server. The Company believes that the license
revenues derived from its database tool products declined from 1995 to 1996
primarily as a result of competitive product offerings from other companies.
 
    The increase in service revenue was primarily attributable to the continued
growth of the Company's installed customer base, and resulting renewal of
maintenance contracts and increased consulting revenue. The Company continues to
emphasize support services as a source of revenue. As the Company's products
become more complex, more support services will be required. The Company intends
to satisfy this requirement through internal support, third-party services and
OEM support. The contribution margin on service revenue decreased from 48% in
1995 to 38% in 1996. The decrease resulted from increased costs incurred to
expand the support function due to sales increases and the continuing complexity
of the products.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    Approximately 54%, 55% and 43% of Informix's net revenues were derived from
sales to foreign customers in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Informix
expects that foreign revenues will continue to provide a significant portion of
total revenues. However, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the
strength of local economies, and the general volatility of software markets may
result in a higher or lower proportion of foreign revenues in the future. In
Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Japan, most revenues and expenses are now denominated
in local currencies. The U.S. dollar strengthened in the fourth quarter and for
the year against the major European and Asia/Pacific currencies, which resulted
in lower revenue and expenses recorded when translated into U.S. dollars,
compared with the prior year periods. The Company has also increased its direct
presence in Latin America, although a significant percentage of this region's
revenue is still denominated in U.S. dollars. Although the effect was not
significant in 1996, the Company has experienced significant currency
fluctuations in Mexico, and to a lesser extent, other Latin American countries,
and expects such fluctuations may occur in the future. The Company's operating
and pricing strategies take into account changes in exchange rates over time;
however, the Company's results of operations may be significantly affected in
the short term by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
 
    The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts primarily to
hedge the impact of fluctuations in exchange rates on accounts receivable or
accounts payable denominated in foreign currencies until such receivables are
collected or payables are disbursed. This program involves the use of forward
foreign exchange contracts in the primary European and Asian currencies. The
Company operates, on a limited basis, in certain countries in Latin America,
Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific where there are limited forward currency
exchange markets and thus the Company has limited unhedged transaction exposures
in these currencies. The Company does not attempt to hedge the translation to
U.S. dollars of foreign denominated revenues and expenses not yet earned or
incurred.
 
    Informix's distribution markets are organized into three general markets:
North America; Europe, which includes the Middle East and Africa; and the
Intercontinental Group, consisting of Latin America, Japan, and the Asia/Pacific
region. The North America, Europe, and Intercontinental Group organizations
contributed 46%, 34% and 20% of Informix's net revenues respectively, in 1996,
compared to 45%, 36% and 19%, respectively, in 1995, and 57%, 35% and 8%,
respectively, in 1994.
 
    In November 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2, "Software Revenue Recognition." The
Company will be required to adopt the provisions of the SOP as of January 1,
1998. The Company is evaluating the SOP in relation to its current revenue
recognition policy. Adoption of the SOP may affect the revenue recognition
practices of the Company.
 
COST OF SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1996        CHANGE        1995        CHANGE        1994
                                             -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Manufactured cost of software
  distribution.............................   $    32.2           26%   $    25.6           54%   $    16.7
Percentage of license revenue..............           6%                        6%                       5%
Amortization of capitalized software.......   $    14.6           21%   $    12.0           53%   $     7.8
Percentage of license revenue..............           3%                        3%                       2%
Cost of software distribution..............   $    46.8           24%   $    37.6           53%   $    24.5
Percentage of license revenue..............           9%                        8%                       7%
</TABLE>
 
    Software distribution costs consist primarily of: (1) manufacturing and
related costs such as media, documentation, product assembly and purchasing
costs, freight, customs, and third-party royalties, and (2) amortization of
previously capitalized software development costs and any write-offs of
previously capitalized software costs that are no longer realizable.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    Excluding amortization of previously capitalized software development costs,
cost of software distribution as a percentage of license revenue was 6% for both
1996 and 1995. In the future, the cost of software distribution as a percentage
of revenue may vary depending upon whether the product is reproduced by the
Company or by its customers.
 
    Amortization of capitalized software increased 21% in 1996 compared to 1995
due to the release of several products in the latter half of 1995 and 1996.
Amortization expense will continue to rise in absolute dollars in 1997 due to
1996 product releases including INFORMIX-Universal Server. The absolute value of
amortization of capitalized software will vary from quarter to quarter as new
products are released and other product development costs become fully
amortized.
 
COST OF SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1996       CHANGE       1995       CHANGE       1994
                                           ----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                        <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Cost of services.........................  $    144.9          58%  $    91.5          96%  $    46.8
Percentage of service revenue............          62%                     52%                     44%
</TABLE>
 
    Cost of services consists primarily of maintenance, consulting and training
expenses. The increase in cost of services in 1996 in absolute dollars and as a
percentage of net revenues compared to the prior year is primarily due to the
Company's expansion of consulting and support service capabilities as products
have become more complex. The increase in cost of services as a percentage of
net service revenue is due to increases in support personnel in anticipation of
additional consulting revenue as more customers utilize the Company's products
in more complex applications. The Company has also subcontracted certain service
projects which reduces margins.
 
SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1996       CHANGE        1995       CHANGE       1994
                                          ----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------
                                                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                       <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Sales and marketing.....................  $    413.7          37%  $    301.9          48%  $   203.8
Percentage of net revenue...............          57%                      48%                     45%
</TABLE>
 
    The increase in sales and marketing expenses in 1996 in absolute dollars
compared to 1995 was a result of the addition of new sales offices and sales
personnel worldwide as the Company expanded its worldwide direct sales
organizations, the opening of new subsidiaries, higher commission expense
associated with the increase in revenues, and increased marketing programs
associated with new product launches. As a percentage of net revenues, sales and
marketing expenses increased from 48% in 1995 to 57% in 1996.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
 
    Informix accounts for its software development expenses in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed." This statement
requires that, once technological feasibility of a developing product has been
established, all subsequent costs incurred in developing that product to a
commercially acceptable level be capitalized and amortized ratably over the
revenue life of the product. The following table summarizes research and
development costs for the prior three years:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1996       CHANGE       1995       CHANGE       1994
                                                ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                             <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Incurred product development expenditures.....  $   148.6          44%  $   103.1          32%  $    77.9
Expenditures capitalized......................       28.4          62%       17.5          29%       13.6
                                                ---------               ---------               ---------
Research and development expenses.............  $   120.2          40%  $    85.6          33%  $    64.3
Expenditures capitalized as percentage of
  incurred....................................         19%                     17%                     17%
</TABLE>
 
    The increase in research and development expenditures in absolute dollars
from year to year is attributed to an increase in staff working on new products
and product extensions, including the Company's latest product
INFORMIX-Universal Server.
 
    The higher capitalization in absolute dollars of product development
expenditures from year to year resulted from an increase in the work involved in
projects reaching technological feasibility as they neared their release dates.
 
    Significant programs currently under development include improvements and
enhancements of current products, with particular emphasis on parallel computer
architecture, user-defined database extensions, web technology integration, and
graphic desktop and systems administration. The Company believes that research
and development expenditures are essential to maintaining its competitive
position in its primary markets and expects the expenditure levels to continue
to constitute a significant percentage of revenues.
 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996       CHANGE       1995       CHANGE       1994
                                                    ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
General and administrative expenses...............  $    64.4          26%  $    51.1          45%  $    35.4
Percentage of net revenue.........................          9%                      8%                      8%
</TABLE>
 
    General and administrative expenses increased in absolute dollars in 1996
compared to 1995 as a result of the continued expansion of the Company's
international operations. General and administrative expenses in 1995 increased
in absolute dollars compared to 1994 as a result of the continued expansion in
international operations as well as the acquisition of several foreign
distributors.
 
MERGER EXPENSES
 
    In the first quarter of 1996, the Company recorded expenses of approximately
$5.9 million as a result of the acquisition of Illustra, which was accounted for
as a pooling of interests. These costs consisted primarily of investment
banking, legal and accounting fees.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
INTEREST INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996       CHANGE       1995       CHANGE       1994
                                                    ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Interest income...................................  $     9.9          21%  $     8.1         105%  $     4.0
Percentage of net revenue.........................          1%                      1%                      1%
</TABLE>
 
    The increase in absolute dollars from 1994 to 1995 and 1995 to 1996 results
from higher balances of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments,
offset by slightly lower interest rates.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996       CHANGE       1995       CHANGE       1994
                                                    ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Interest expense..................................  $     5.8         129%  $     2.5         358%  $      .6
Percentage of net revenue.........................          1%                 --                      --
</TABLE>
 
    Interest expense principally relates to interest charges incurred in
connection with financing of customer accounts receivable and has increased from
1994 to 1995 and 1995 to 1996 as the Company has increased its customer accounts
receivable financing activities. These financing costs are expensed ratably over
the term of the financing arrangement.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996       CHANGE       1995       CHANGE       1994
                                                 ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                              <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Income tax provision...........................  $    12.5         (61)% $    32.1          10%  $    29.3
Effective tax rate.............................       N.M.                      45%                     38%
</TABLE>
 
    In 1996, income tax expense resulted from an increase in the valuation
allowance for deferred tax assets attributable to foreign net operating loss
carryforwards, foreign withholding taxes and taxable earnings in certain foreign
jurisdictions. The Company has provided a valuation allowance for net deferred
tax assets in excess of amounts recoverable through carryback of net operating
losses. Accordingly, realization of the net deferred tax asset at December 31,
1996 of $26.9 million is not dependent on future taxable income.
 
FOREIGN EXCHANGE LOSSES
 
    The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts primarily to
hedge the value of accounts receivable or accounts payable denominated in
foreign currencies against fluctuation in exchange rates until such receivables
are collected or payables disbursed. The purpose of the Company's foreign
exchange exposure management policy and practices is to attempt to minimize the
impact of exchange rate fluctuation on the value of foreign currency denominated
assets and liabilities being hedged. The receivables and payables being hedged
are primarily intercompany transactions related to internal distribution of the
Company's product under formal agreements drafted between the Company's various
subsidiaries.
 
    The restatement of the 1996, 1995 and 1994 financial statements resulted in
a change in the Company's foreign currency denominated intercompany accounts
payable and accounts receivable balances. As a result, certain foreign currency
transaction gains and losses realized due to fluctuation in the related assets
and liabilities currency exchange rates were not offset by underlying gains and
losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts used to hedge these
foreign currency exposures.
 
IMPACT OF INFLATION
 
    The effect of inflation on the Company's financial position has not been
significant.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1996       1995       1994
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                     (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments.......................  $   261.0  $   253.2  $   194.2
Working capital...............................................        3.1      163.6      184.9
Cash provided by (used in) operations.........................      (29.4)      59.3       80.9
Cash used in investment activities, excluding investments of
  excess cash.................................................      145.3      157.7       40.6
Cash provided by financing activities.........................      228.7      136.8       26.6
</TABLE>
 
    Cash from operations did not provide sufficient resources to fund the
Company's headcount growth and capital asset needs in 1996 due to a significant
increase in the Company's operating expenses, in comparison to only moderate
increase in its revenue. Cash generated by operations provided sufficient
resources in the prior years.
 
    Net accounts receivable increased by $27.8 million in 1996 as compared to
December 1995. Days sales outstanding increased from approximately 79 days in
December 1995 to 83 days in December 1996. The days sales outstanding ratio is
dependent on many factors, including the mix of contract-based revenue with
significant OEMs and large corporate and government end-users versus revenue
recognized on shipments to application vendors and distributors and the success
of the Company's third-party accounts receivable financing programs.
 
    The Company's programs with third-party financing institutions provide
financing for extended credit terms instead of such financing being provided by
the Company. Cash received from customers and third-party financial institutions
in advance of revenue being recognized is reflected in the Statement of Cash
Flows under "Advances on Unearned Revenue" as a financing activity.
 
    Excluding investments of excess cash, net cash and cash equivalents used for
investing activities increased in 1996 compared with 1995, the decrease in
corporate acquisition activity (the Company acquired 90 percent of the database
division of ASCII Corporation in the first quarter of 1995) was offset by
investments in property and equipment and in software development costs. In
1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company acquired $148.3 million, $56.5 million and
$25.7 million, respectively, of capital equipment consisting primarily of
computer equipment, computer software and office equipment. The increase in
capital equipment purchases in 1996 resulted from the Company's investments in
capital equipment used in sales and product demonstration activities and an
effort to improve the level of consulting and support services provided to
customers, and to provide technology infrastructure for the Company's growing
employee headcount.
 
    During 1996 and the first half of 1997, Informix launched a series of
Information SuperStores worldwide which demonstrated and offered the most recent
Informix technology advances. Along with the core Informix product line, these
locations carried tools from leading third-party tools and application vendors
installed on a wide variety of hardware platforms, such as Data General, Hewlett
Packard, IBM, NCR, Pyramid, Sequent, Silicon Graphics, and Sun. The Company has
scaled back its original plans for the SuperStores and repositioned the
remaining sites as solution labs managed by the Company's consulting practice.
The Company's decision to scale back resulted in charges to operations in 1997
(see Note 13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
 
    The Company's investments in software costs were previously discussed under
"Results of Operations."
 
    In January 1995, the Company acquired a 90 percent interest in the database
division of ASCII Corporation, a distributor of its products in Japan. The
Company acquired the remaining 10 percent interest in January 1996. The
acquisition was recorded as a purchase. The purchase price of ASCII's
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
database division was approximately $46.0 million, of which approximately $35.4
million has been allocated to intangible assets acquired.
 
    In April 1995, the Company acquired an 80 percent interest in the database
division of Daou Corporation, a distributor of its products in Korea. The
Company acquired the remaining 20 percent in January 1997 for approximately $1
million. The acquisition was recorded as a purchase. The initial purchase price
of this business was approximately $4.6 million, and was increased by
approximately $3.0 million in January 1997 due to performance incentives
outlined in the agreement; a total of approximately $7.0 million has been
allocated to intangible assets acquired.
 
    The operating results of these distributors subsequent to the acquisition
dates have been included in the consolidated results of operations.
 
    In February 1996, the Company acquired Illustra, a U.S.-based company that
provides dynamic content management database software and tools for managing
complex data in the Internet, multimedia/ entertainment, financial services,
earth sciences, and other markets. Approximately 12.7 million shares of Informix
common stock were issued to acquire all outstanding shares of Illustra stock. An
additional 2.3 million shares of Informix common stock were reserved for
issuance in connection with the assumption of Illustra's outstanding stock
options and warrants. The transaction has been accounted for as a pooling of
interests and accordingly all of the accompanying financial statements have been
restated to reflect the merger as of the beginning of the earliest period
presented. Merger expenses of approximately $5.9 million were recorded in the
first quarter of 1996.
 
    Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities in 1996 and
1995 consisted primarily of proceeds from the sale of future payment streams and
the Company's common stock to employees, partially offset by payments on capital
leases, as well as extensive third-party non-recourse financing of certain
customer payments. Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities in
1994 included payments on capital leases and repurchases of the Company's common
stock, offset by proceeds from the sale of the Company's common stock to
employees.
 
    In 1993 and 1994, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to
8 million shares of the Company's common stock in the open market. As of
December 31, 1996, the Company had repurchased 3,580,000 shares with an
aggregate cost of approximately $32.1 million on the open market. All
repurchased shares were re-issued to partially satisfy requirements under Stock
Option and Stock Purchase Plans. In 1996, the Company rescinded the stock
repurchase authorization.
 
    RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES.  In 1996, the
Company planned on relocating its corporate headquarters to Santa Clara,
California, approximately 15 miles to the south of the Company's current
headquarters. To facilitate the move, in January 1997, the Company entered into
a two-year lease for 27 acres of undeveloped commercial real estate. In order to
secure performance of its obligation under the lease, the Company was required
to pledge certain cash collateral to the lessor throughout the full term of the
lease. Accordingly, in January 1997, the Company deposited $61.5 million in cash
into a non-interest bearing collateral account controlled by an affiliate of the
lessor. In April 1997, the Company exercised its option to purchase the land for
$61.5 million, with the intent to arrange for the sale of the parcels to an
unrelated third party. In October 1997, the Company entered into agreements to
sell the Santa Clara land in two separate transactions. Both sales are expected
to be consummated in the fourth quarter of 1997. See Note 13 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements. Such transactions should not result in further loss/write
down in the carrying value of this real estate asset.
 
    In addition, in November 1996, the Company leased approximately 200,000
square feet of office space in Santa Clara adjacent to the 27 acres described
above. The lease term is for 15 years and minimum lease payments amount to $96.0
million over the term. The minimum lease payments are scheduled to increase
within a contractual range based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. As a
result of the sale of the adjacent land, the Company does not intend to occupy
this office space. The Company is actively pursuing
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
solutions to sell its leasehold interest along with related obligations under
the lease to an unrelated third party.
 
    As a result of the operating losses incurred and restructurings taken by the
Company in 1997 and the prior capital equipment and real estate commitments made
by the Company in 1996, the Company's cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments declined in the first half of 1997 from $261.0 million to $104.4
million. In August 1997, the Company sold 160,000 shares of newly issued Series
A Convertible Stock, face value $250 per share, to a private investor for
aggregate net proceeds of $37.2 million (see Note 13 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements). Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
declined to $87.1 million in the third quarter of 1997.
 
    In order to continue as a going concern, the Company will need to raise
additional capital to offset expected future operating losses, to fund
restructuring programs, such as headcount reduction and elimination or
consolidation of administrative and sales offices worldwide, and to finance
necessary capital equipment additions and software development. The Company
intends to achieve this goal through a combination of (a) continued cost
containment measures to bring spending levels in line with planned revenue, (b)
sale of non-essential assets, including the undeveloped Santa Clara land site
described above, and (c) raising additional equity and debt financing (see Notes
2 and 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). There can be no assurance
that management will be successful in accomplishing these plans and objectives.
 
BUSINESS RISKS
 
    RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  As previously announced, the Company's
restatement of its consolidated financial statements for 1996 and 1995 reflects
significant reductions in reported earned revenue for all three years and
resulted in reporting a net loss for 1996 and a significant reduction in net
income for 1994 and 1995. The cumulative effect of the restatement negatively
impacts the Company's December 31, 1996 financial condition, most notably
evidenced by the reduction in retained earnings and working capital in the
consolidated balance sheet (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements).
 
    In October 1997, the Company's independent auditors reported to the
Company's Board of Directors that as a result of the findings and other relevant
information related to the restatement of the Company's 1996, 1995 and 1994
financial statements (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), they
concluded that a material weakness in internal accounting controls exists. In
conjunction with such findings, the independent auditors have also made a number
of recommendations to strengthen the Company's internal accounting controls. The
Company has reviewed the independent auditor's report and is in agreement with
the recommendations. The Company is taking action to implement such
recommendations. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has initiated a
plan to monitor the Company's implementation of these recommendations and will
consider other actions that might be undertaken by the Company to further
improve the accuracy and integrity of its financial reporting process.
 
    Further, as reported, the Company's restated first quarter and second
quarter 1997 revenues, operating results and net loss were not favorable when
compared to the same 1996 quarters, although the restatement has a positive
effect on first and second quarter 1997, as well as on anticipated third quarter
1997 revenue and operating results (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements). The Company anticipates reduced revenues, lower operating results
and a significant restructuring charge for the third quarter of 1997 when
compared to the third quarter of 1996.
 
    The Company's public announcement of the pending restatement of its
financial statements, the delay in reporting its second quarter results for 1997
while the restatement was being compiled and the related uncertainty regarding
the Company's financial condition have adversely affected the Company's ability
to sell its products.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    The Company is unable to estimate the amount of any additional financial
exposure from possible claims that might be asserted as a result of the
restatement of its 1994, 1995 and 1996 financial statements.
 
    These factors and other matters described under "Business Risks" have had,
and will continue to have, a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
including its financial condition and results of operations.
 
    LITIGATION.  Commencing in April 1997, a series of class action lawsuits and
a separate but related stockholder action were filed in federal court
purportedly by or on behalf of stockholders. These actions name as defendants
the Company, certain of its present and former officers and directors and its
independent auditors. The complaints allege various violations of the federal
securities laws and seek unspecified but potentially significant damages from
the Company. Similar actions were also filed in state court. While management
intends to contest these actions vigorously, the disposition of this litigation
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows.
 
    Stockholder derivative actions, purportedly on behalf of the Company and
naming virtually the same individual defendants, were also filed in state court.
Any monetary judgments in the derivative actions would accrue to the benefit of
the Company.
 
    In addition, in July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a
formal order of investigation of the Company and certain unidentified
individuals associated with the Company with respect to non-specified accounting
matters, public disclosures and trading activity in the Company's securities.
The Company is cooperating with the investigation and is providing all
information subpoenaed by the Commission.
 
    ADVANCES ON UNEARNED LICENSE REVENUE.  At December 31, 1996 and 1995,
"advances on unearned license revenue" in the Company's restated consolidated
balance sheet reflects amounts received from customers and third-party financial
institutions in advance of revenue being recognized. The Company's license
agreements with customers provide contractually for a non-refundable fee payable
by the customer in a single or multiple installment(s) at the initiation or over
the term of the license arrangement. If the Company fails to comply with the
contractual terms of a specific license agreement, the Company could be required
to refund to the customer or the financial institution the amount(s) received.
 
    CUSTOMER FINANCING.  In the normal course of business, the Company often
arranges for non-recourse financing through the sale of customer payment
streams. Such financing arrangements are offered by a number of financial
institutions. The Company has traditionally relied on a limited number of these
financing institutions for most of the customer financing it arranges. Future
cash flows of the Company would be negatively impacted if the Company's
financing resources were to discontinue their services for any reason.
 
    NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING.  In order to provide additional working
capital to fund its operating activities and restructuring costs, the Company
expects that it will be required to raise additional capital, which may be in
the form of equity or debt. There can be no assurance that additional debt or
equity financing will be available as needed or that, if available, such
financing could be completed on commercially favorable terms. Failure to obtain
additional capital as needed would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and financial condition. To the extent the terms of any
available financing are materially unfavorable to the Company, such a financing
could impair the Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the future
or to implement its business plan.
 
    VOLATILITY OF INFORMIX STOCK PRICE.  The market for the Company's common
stock is highly volatile. The trading price of the Company's common stock could
be subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarterly variations in operating
and financial results, announcements of technological innovations or new
products by the Company or its competitors, changes in prices of the Company's
or its competitors' products and services, changes in product mix, changes in
the Company's revenue and revenue growth
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
rates for the Company as a whole or for individual geographic areas, business
units, products or product categories, as well as other events or factors.
Statements or changes in opinions, ratings, or earnings estimates made by
brokerage firms or industry analysts relating to the market in which the Company
does business or relating to the Company specifically have resulted, and could
in the future result, in an immediate and adverse effect on the market price of
the Company's common stock. In addition, the stock market has from time to time
experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations which have particularly
affected the market price for the securities of many high technology companies
and which often have been unrelated to the operating performance of these
companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price
of the Company's common stock.
 
    PERSONNEL CHANGES.  The Company's future performance will depend to a
significant extent on its ability to attract and retain highly skilled sales,
consulting, technical, marketing and management personnel. Beginning in the
first part of 1997 and continuing until the present, a number of senior
management personnel and other key employees have departed the Company. The
Company has been successful to date in replacing only some of the positions that
have been vacated. The competition for employees in the database software
industry is intense, and the Company expects that such competition will continue
for the foreseeable future. From time to time the Company has experienced
difficulty in locating candidates with appropriate qualifications. The Company
also believes stock options are a critical component for motivating and
retaining its key employees. The recent decline in the price of the Company's
Common Stock has made stock options previously granted with higher exercise
prices less valuable to the Company's current employees and has consequently
made it more difficult for the Company to retain its key employees. The failure
of the Company to attract and retain key personnel could have an adverse effect
on the Company's business, results of operations, financial position and cash
flows.
 
    During 1997, the Company has experienced a significant number of voluntary
resignations and in addition has taken actions to selectively reduce the number
of employees in certain functional areas. At December 31, 1996, the Company had
4,491 regular employees worldwide. On or about September 28, 1997, regular
employees numbered approximately 3,745.
 
    COMPETITION.  The market for the Company's software products and services is
extremely competitive. Some of the Company's current competitors have greater
financial, technical and marketing resources than the Company. The industry
movement to new operating systems, like Windows NT, access through low-end
desktop machines, and access to data through the Internet may cause downward
pressure on prices of database and related products. If such downward pressure
on prices were to occur, margins would be adversely affected. Also, new or
enhanced products introduced by existing or future competitors could have an
adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial
condition. Existing and future competition or changes in the Company's product
or service pricing structure or product or service offerings could result in an
immediate reduction in the prices of the Company's products or services. If
significant price reductions in the Company's products or services were to occur
and not be offset by increases in sales volume, the Company's business, results
of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected. There can be
no assurance that the Company will continue to compete successfully with its
existing competitors or will be able to compete successfully with new
competitors.
 
    TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND NEW PRODUCTS.  In recent years, the relational
database management system (RDBMS) industry has expanded at significant growth
rates, due in part to the continuing development of new technologies and
products responsive to customer requirements. In the event the growth rates in
the RDBMS industry should decline for any reason, it is likely the markets for
the Company's products would be adversely affected, which would have a negative
impact on the Company's business, results of operations, financial position and
cash flows. In addition, the market for the Company's products and services is
characterized by rapidly changing technology and frequent new product
introductions. The Company's success will depend upon its ability to enhance its
existing products and to introduce new products on a timely and cost-effective
basis and that meet dynamic customer requirements. There can be
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
no assurance that the Company will be successful in developing new products or
enhancing its existing products or that such new or enhanced products will
receive market acceptance or be delivered timely to the market. The Company has
experienced product delays in the past and may experience delays in the future.
Delays in the scheduled availability or a lack of market acceptance of its
products or failure to accurately anticipate customer demand and meet customer
performance requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, products
as complex as those offered by the Company may contain undetected errors or bugs
when first introduced or as new versions are released. There can be no assurance
that, despite testing, new products or new versions of existing products will
not contain undetected errors or bugs that will delay the introduction or
commercial acceptance of such products. A key factor in determining the success
of the Company will continue to be the ability of the Company's products to
interoperate and perform well with existing and future leading,
industry-standard application software products intended to be used in
connection with relational database management systems. Failure to meet existing
or future interoperability and performance requirements of certain independent
vendors marketing such applications in a timely manner could adversely affect
the market for the Company's products. Commercial acceptance of the Company's
products and services could also be adversely affected by critical or negative
statements or reports by brokerage firms, industry and financial analysts and
industry periodicals concerning the Company, its products, business or
competitors or by the advertising or marketing efforts of competitors, or other
factors that could affect consumer perception.
 
    INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.  In 1995 and 1996, approximately 55 percent and 54
percent, respectively, of the Company's net revenues were derived from its
international operations. The Company's operations and financial results could
be significantly affected by factors associated with international operations
such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates and uncertainties relative to
regional political and economic circumstances, as well as by other factors
associated with international activities. Most of the Company's international
revenue and expenses are denominated in local currencies. Although the Company
takes into account changes in exchange rates over time in its pricing strategy,
the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition could be
materially and adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange
rates.
 
    INTEGRATION OF ACQUIRED COMPANIES.  The Company has completed several
acquisitions during the last two years, including the database division of ASCII
Corporation in Japan; distributors in Germany, Korea and Malaysia; Stanford
Technology Group; and, most recently, Illustra in the United States. The Company
may acquire other distributors, companies, products or technologies in the
future. There can be no assurance that these acquisitions can be effectively
integrated, that such acquisitions will not result in costs and liabilities that
could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and financial
condition, or that the Company will obtain the anticipated or desired benefits
of such acquisitions.
 
    INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS.  As the number of software products and software
patents in the industry increases, the Company believes that software developers
like the Company have and will become increasingly subject to infringement
claims with respect to patents, trademarks and other proprietary rights. Such
claims, with or without merit, can be time consuming and expensive to defend and
could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations,
financial position, and cash flows.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
                            CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       RESTATED--SEE NOTE 1
                                                                                    --------------------------
                                                                                    DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                        1996          1995
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                                                       SHARE AND PER-SHARE
                                                                                             AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                                                 <C>           <C>
                                                    ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................   $  226,508    $  164,305
  Short-term investments..........................................................       34,512        88,904
  Accounts receivable, less allowances for doubtful accounts of $21,429 in 1996
    and $12,854 in 1995...........................................................      194,499       166,716
  Deferred taxes..................................................................       42,133        24,536
  Other current assets............................................................       35,662        28,155
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
Total current assets..............................................................      533,314       472,616
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
Property and equipment, at cost
  Computer equipment..............................................................      225,336       103,650
  Office equipment and leasehold improvements.....................................       67,982        49,292
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..................................     (106,591)      (71,310)
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                                                        186,727        81,632
Software costs, less accumulated amortization of $41,559 in 1996 and $18,980 in
  1995............................................................................       54,486        36,866
Deferred taxes....................................................................       10,542        21,021
Long-term investments.............................................................        6,639         9,781
Intangible assets.................................................................       34,693        40,730
Other assets......................................................................       55,597        19,799
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
Total Assets......................................................................   $  881,998    $  682,445
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
 
                                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable................................................................   $   65,446    $   29,646
  Accrued expenses................................................................       59,723        35,480
  Accrued employee compensation...................................................       57,626        49,911
  Income tax payable..............................................................        5,757        32,780
  Deferred taxes..................................................................        1,612         1,612
  Deferred maintenance revenue....................................................       94,981        66,792
  Advances on unearned license revenue............................................      239,506        83,553
  Current portion of capital lease obligations....................................          866           769
  Other current liabilities.......................................................        4,660         8,479
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
Total current liabilities.........................................................      530,177       309,022
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
Capital lease obligations, less current portion...................................        1,462           890
Other noncurrent liabilities......................................................          897         1,956
Deferred taxes....................................................................       24,158        12,830
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share--5,000,000 shares authorized, none
    issued........................................................................       --            --
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share--500,000,000 shares authorized, issued
    150,782,000 and 147,984,000 in 1996 and 1995, respectively....................        1,508         1,480
  Additional paid-in capital......................................................      243,564       204,448
  Retained earnings...............................................................       78,723       154,098
  Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax....................       11,690         4,064
  Foreign currency translation adjustment.........................................      (10,181)       (6,343)
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
Total stockholders' equity........................................................      325,304       357,747
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity........................................   $  881,998    $  682,445
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                                                    ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      RESTATED--SEE NOTE 1
                                                                               ----------------------------------
                                                                                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                  1996        1995        1994
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
                                                                                             DATA)
<S>                                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
Net Revenues
  Licenses...................................................................  $  496,039  $  458,284  $  346,518
  Services...................................................................     231,810     174,486     105,451
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                  727,849     632,770     451,969
Costs and Expenses
  Cost of software distribution..............................................      46,786      37,593      24,494
  Cost of services...........................................................     144,850      91,540      46,798
  Sales and marketing........................................................     413,689     301,932     203,815
  Research and development...................................................     120,211      85,643      64,264
  General and administrative.................................................      64,416      51,114      35,369
  Expenses related to Illustra merger........................................       5,914      --          --
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                  795,866     567,822     374,740
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income (Loss)......................................................     (68,017)     64,948      77,229
  Interest income............................................................       9,868       8,148       3,970
  Interest expense...........................................................      (5,784)     (2,522)       (551)
  Other income (expense), net................................................       2,899         120      (3,105)
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes............................................     (61,034)     70,694      77,543
    Income taxes.............................................................      12,531      32,094      29,250
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income (loss)............................................................  $  (73,565) $   38,600  $   48,293
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income (loss) per common share...........................................  $    (0.49) $     0.26  $     0.34
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares
  outstanding:...............................................................     149,310     150,627     142,782
</TABLE>
 
                See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     RESTATED--SEE NOTE 1
                                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                1996         1995         1994
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
Operating Activities
Net income (loss)..........................................................  $   (73,565) $    38,600  $    48,293
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash and cash equivalents
  provided by (used in) operating activities:
  License revenue paid in advance (see contra).............................      (58,206)     (34,237)      (8,140)
  Depreciation and amortization............................................       47,207       28,949       16,575
  Amortization of capitalized software.....................................       14,626       12,041        7,848
  Deferred tax expense.....................................................       (3,965)     (16,577)      (4,103)
  Provisions for losses on accounts receivable.............................       14,983        8,508        3,837
  Foreign currency transaction gain........................................       (5,349)      (4,609)      (1,323)
  Gain on sales of strategic investments...................................       (3,856)     --           --
  Loss on disposal of property and equipment...............................        2,393          605      --
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable....................................................      (45,426)     (47,045)     (23,249)
    Other current assets...................................................           89       (8,441)      (2,025)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses..................................       52,077       64,294       31,528
    Deferred maintenance revenue...........................................       29,590       17,197       11,613
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) operating activities...      (29,402)     (59,285)      80,854
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Investing Activities
Investments of excess cash:
  Purchases of held-to-maturity securities.................................      --          (144,517)    (124,102)
  Purchases of available-for-sale securities...............................     (152,179)      (4,303)    (111,923)
  Maturities of held-to-maturity securities................................      --            83,159      106,513
  Maturities of available-for-sale securities..............................      126,137        6,104      --
  Sales of available-for-sale securities...................................       83,696       27,261      140,866
Purchases of strategic investments.........................................      (12,737)      (1,000)      (1,623)
Proceeds from sales of strategic investments...............................        7,299      --           --
Purchases of property and equipment........................................     (148,270)     (56,500)     (25,747)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment...........................        1,929          288      --
Additions to software costs................................................      (32,381)     (23,977)     (15,048)
Business combinations, net of cash acquired................................       (4,340)     (38,413)      (8,799)
Other......................................................................      (14,434)      (5,757)        (721)
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities.................     (145,280)    (157,655)     (40,584)
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Financing Activities
Advances on unearned license revenue (see contra)..........................      207,218      109,338       26,380
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net................................       24,357       27,898       15,836
Principal payments on capital leases.......................................       (1,025)        (442)      (1,342)
Acquisition of common stock................................................       (2,388)     --           (22,141)
Reissuance of treasury stock...............................................          578      --             7,915
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities.............      228,740      136,794       26,648
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents...............        8,145       (6,402)         554
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Increase in cash and cash equivalents......................................       62,203       32,022       67,472
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.............................      164,305      132,283       64,811
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year...................................  $   226,508  $   164,305  $   132,283
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                             (RESTATED--SEE NOTE 1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          UNREALIZED
                                                                                                            GAIN ON      FOREIGN
                                                        ADDITIONAL                                        AVAILABLE-    CURRENCY
                                     COMMON STOCK         PAID-IN        TREASURY STOCK       RETAINED     FOR-SALE    TRANSLATION
                                 SHARES      AMOUNT       CAPITAL      SHARES      AMOUNT     EARNINGS    SECURITIES   ADJUSTMENT
                                ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
Balances at December 31,
  1993........................    133,286   $   1,333    $ 127,176         (266)  $  (2,431)  $  84,030    $  --        $  (2,527)
Exercise of stock options.....      1,170          11        3,557
Sale of stock to employees
  under employee stock
  purchase plan...............         90           1        1,052
Issuance of stock, net of
  costs.......................      5,608          55       11,499
Tax benefits related to stock
  options.....................                              10,062
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..................                                                                                                850
Acquisition of treasury
  stock.......................                                  (3)      (2,723)    (22,139)
Reissuance of treasury
  stock.......................                                            2,989      24,570     (16,655)
Unrealized Gain on
  available-for-sale
  securities, net of tax                                                                                         665
Net income....................                                                                   48,293
                                ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Balances at December 31,
  1994........................    140,154       1,400      153,343       --          --         115,668          665       (1,676)
Exercise of stock options.....      4,377          44       13,712
Sale of stock to employees
  under employee stock
  purchase plan...............        349           3        6,603
Issuance of stock, net of
  costs.......................      2,571          28        7,508
Tax benefits related to stock
  options.....................                              21,291
Acquisition of STG............        533           5        1,991                                 (170)
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..................                                                                                             (4,667)
Unrealized Gain on
  available-for-sale
  securities, net of tax......                                                                                 3,399
Net income....................                                                                   38,600
                                ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Balances at December 31,
  1995........................    147,984       1,480      204,448       --          --         154,098        4,064       (6,343)
Exercise of stock options.....      2,182          22       13,343
Sale of stock to employees
  under employee stock
  purchase plan...............        616           6       10,986
Acquisition of treasury
  stock.......................                                             (100)     (2,388)
Reissuance of treasury
  stock.......................                                              100       2,388      (1,810)
Tax benefits related to stock
  options.....................                              14,787
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..................                                                                                             (3,838)
Unrealized Gain on
  available-for-sale
  securities, net of tax......                                                                                 7,626
Net loss......................                                                                  (73,565)
                                ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Balances at December 31,
  1996........................    150,782   $   1,508    $ 243,564       --       $  --       $  78,723    $  11,690    $ (10,181)
                                ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                 TOTALS
                                ---------
 
<S>                             <C>
Balances at December 31,
  1993........................  $ 207,581
Exercise of stock options.....      3,568
Sale of stock to employees
  under employee stock
  purchase plan...............      1,053
Issuance of stock, net of
  costs.......................     11,554
Tax benefits related to stock
  options.....................     10,062
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..................        850
Acquisition of treasury
  stock.......................    (22,142)
Reissuance of treasury
  stock.......................      7,915
Unrealized Gain on
  available-for-sale
  securities, net of tax              665
Net income....................     48,293
                                ---------
Balances at December 31,
  1994........................    269,400
Exercise of stock options.....     13,756
Sale of stock to employees
  under employee stock
  purchase plan...............      6,606
Issuance of stock, net of
  costs.......................      7,536
Tax benefits related to stock
  options.....................     21,291
Acquisition of STG............      1,826
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..................     (4,667)
Unrealized Gain on
  available-for-sale
  securities, net of tax......      3,399
Net income....................     38,600
                                ---------
Balances at December 31,
  1995........................    357,747
Exercise of stock options.....     13,365
Sale of stock to employees
  under employee stock
  purchase plan...............     10,992
Acquisition of treasury
  stock.......................     (2,388)
Reissuance of treasury
  stock.......................        578
Tax benefits related to stock
  options.....................     14,787
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment..................     (3,838)
Unrealized Gain on
  available-for-sale
  securities, net of tax......      7,626
Net loss......................    (73,565)
                                ---------
Balances at December 31,
  1996........................  $ 325,304
                                ---------
                                ---------
</TABLE>
 
                See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1--RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    Subsequent to the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company
became aware of errors and irregularities that ultimately affected the timing
and dollar amount of reported earned revenues from license transactions in 1996,
1995 and 1994. The irregularities took numerous forms and were primarily the
result of lack of compliance with or circumvention of the Company's procedures
and controls.
 
    The Company undertook and completed extended procedures related to license
transactions recorded in each year of the three-year period. As a result of
these findings and other relevant information now known or disclosed, the
Company has determined that a significant number and dollar amount of license
transactions were improperly reported as earned revenue in 1996, 1995 and 1994.
 
    Because of the pervasiveness of the aforementioned irregularities, the
Company has concluded that the earnings process for a significant number of
original license agreements with resellers (original equipment manufacturers,
distributors and value added resellers) was not complete at the time of delivery
of the master copy of the software to the reseller. Further, the Company has
learned that informal or otherwise undisclosed arrangements with a number of
resellers have resulted or could result in significant concessions or allowances
that were not accounted for when the revenue was originally reported as earned.
Accordingly, the Company has determined that this revenue is earned when the
licenses are resold or utilized by the reseller and after any related
obligations have been satisfied, i.e. when there are no longer any significant
remaining uncertainties related to the earnings process. This revised
application of accounting policy has been followed for all transactions with
resellers, other than those licenses sold and billed on a per-copy basis, for
1996, 1995 and 1994.
 
    Accordingly, such financial statements have been restated as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996                    1995                    1994
                                          ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------
                                              AS                      AS                      AS
                                           REPORTED    RESTATED    REPORTED    RESTATED    REPORTED    RESTATED
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net revenues
  Licenses..............................  $  708,035  $  496,039  $  539,733  $  458,284  $  364,661  $  346,518
  Services..............................     231,276     231,810     174,486     174,486     105,451     105,451
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                             939,311     727,849     714,219     632,770     470,112     451,969
Operating income (loss).................     137,344     (68,017)    145,826      64,948      95,091      77,229
Income taxes............................      50,391      12,531      55,164      32,094      34,074      29,250
Net income (loss).......................      97,818     (73,565)     97,644      38,600      61,948      48,293
Net income (loss) per share.............  $     0.63  $    (0.49) $     0.65  $     0.26  $     0.43  $     0.34
Retained earnings.......................  $  322,805  $   78,723  $  226,797  $  154,098  $  129,323  $  115,668
Advances on unearned license revenue....      --         239,506      --          83,553      --          18,556
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 2--MANAGEMENT PLANS TO ADDRESS OPERATIONAL ISSUES AND LIQUIDITY
 
    The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. The Company incurred losses in 1996
and anticipates that it will continue to incur losses and report reduced
revenues through at least 1997. In addition, the Company anticipates that its
cash and working capital requirements in the short term cannot be met entirely
from funds generated internally from operations.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 2--MANAGEMENT PLANS TO ADDRESS OPERATIONAL ISSUES AND LIQUIDITY (CONTINUED)
    Management's operational and financing plans to address the above issues
include (1) continued cost containment measures to bring spending levels in line
with planned revenue; (2) sale of non-essential assets including an undeveloped
land site (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements); (3) obtaining
additional equity and debt financing; (4) modifying long-term lease arrangements
for new offices; and (5) resolution of stockholder class action litigation (see
Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). There can be no assurance
that management will be successful in accomplishing these objectives. The 1996
consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might
result from the outcome of these liquidity uncertainties.
 
NOTE 3--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS.  The Company is a multinational supplier of
high-performance, parallel processing database technology for open systems. The
Company's products also include application development tools for creating
client/server production applications, decision-support systems, ad-hoc query
interfaces, and software that allows information to be shared transparently from
personal computers to mainframes within the corporate computing environment. In
addition to software products, the Company offers training, consulting, and
post-contract support to its customers.
 
    The principal geographic markets for the Company's products are North
America, Europe, Asia/ Pacific, Japan, and Latin America. Customers include
large-, medium- and small-sized corporations in the manufacturing, financial
services, telecommunications, retail/wholesale, hospitality, and government
services sectors.
 
    USE OF ESTIMATES.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with general accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION.  The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of Informix Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All
material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated
in consolidation.
 
    RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR YEAR DATA AS A RESULT OF A BUSINESS COMBINATION.  As
more fully described in Note 11, in February 1996, Illustra Information
Technologies, Inc. (Illustra) merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company. The merger has been accounted for as a pooling of interests and the
historical consolidated financial statements of the Company for all periods
prior to the merger have been restated to include the financial position,
results of operations, and cash flows of Illustra. Costs of the merger are
included in the consolidated results of operations in 1996.
 
    FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION.  For foreign operations with the local
currency as the functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated at
year-end exchange rates, and statements of operations are translated at the
average exchange rates during the year. Exchange gains or losses arising from
translation of foreign entity financial statements are included as a component
of stockholders' equity.
 
    For foreign operations with the U.S. dollar as the functional currency,
certain assets and liabilities are remeasured at the year-end or historical
exchange rates as appropriate. Statements of operations are
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 3--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
remeasured at the average exchange rates during the year. Gains and losses
resulting from the remeasurement of the entity's financial statements and other
foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other expense,
net.
 
    The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts primarily to
hedge the value of accounts receivable or accounts payable denominated in
foreign currencies (mainly European and Asian foreign currencies) against
fluctuations in exchange rates until such receivables are collected or such
payables are disbursed. The Company operates, on a limited basis, in certain
countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific where there are
limited forward currency exchange markets and thus the Company has limited
unhedged transaction exposures in these currencies. Gains and losses associated
with exchange rate fluctuations on forward foreign exchange contracts are
recorded currently as income or loss as they offset corresponding gains and
losses recorded on the foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities being
hedged. The costs of the forward foreign exchange contracts are recorded as
other expense, net (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    LICENSE REVENUE.  The Company recognizes revenue from sales of software
licenses to end-users upon delivery of the software product to a customer when
there are no significant post-delivery obligations and collection of the license
fee is considered probable. However, as previously discussed in Note 1, because
the Company is unable to estimate the amount of allowances for transactions
entered into with resellers, revenue from license agreements with resellers,
except for those licenses sold and billed on a per-copy basis, is recognized as
earned when the licenses are resold or utilized by the reseller and all related
obligations have been satisfied. The Company provides for all other sales
allowances on an estimated basis.
 
    SERVICE REVENUE.  Maintenance contracts generally call for the Company to
provide technical support and software updates to customers. Maintenance
contract revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance
contract, generally on a straight-line basis. Where maintenance revenue is not
separately invoiced, it is unbundled from license fees and deferred for revenue
recognition purposes. Other service revenue, primarily training and consulting,
is generally recognized at the time the service is performed.
 
    ADVANCES ON UNEARNED LICENSE REVENUE.  At December 31, 1996 and 1995,
"advances on unearned license revenue" in the Company's restated consolidated
balance sheets reflect amounts received from customers and third-party financial
institutions in advance of revenue being recognized. As a result of the
Company's aforementioned revised application of its revenue recognition
accounting policy for reseller transactions, the Company may receive cash,
either from the customer, or from a financing entity to whom the customer
payment streams are sold, prior to the time the license fee is recognized as
earned revenue.
 
    The Company's license agreements with customers provide contractually for a
non-refundable fee payable by the customer in single or multiple installment(s)
at the initiation or over the term of the license arrangement. If the Company
fails to comply with the contractual terms of a specific license agreement, the
Company could be required to refund to the customer or the financial institution
the amount(s) received.
 
    The Company's arrangements for financing of license contracts with customers
frequently take the form of a non-recourse sale of the future payment streams.
When such customer contracts are sold to a third-party financing entity, they
are typically sold at a discount which represents the financing cost. Such
discounts are charged to expense immediately in cases where the license has been
recorded as a sale. For
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 3--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
transactions where the financing is received prior to the recognition of
revenue, the financing discount has been charged to interest expense over the
financing period based on the contractual terms on a straight-line basis, which
approximates the "interest method."
 
    In 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2, "Software Revenue Recognition." The Company
will be required to adopt the provisions of the SOP as of January 1, 1998. The
Company is evaluating the SOP in relation to its current revenue recognition
policy. Adoption of the SOP may affect the revenue recognition practices of the
Company.
 
    CONCURRENT TRANSACTIONS.  Principally during 1996, the Company entered into
software license agreements with certain computer and service vendors where the
Company concurrently committed to acquire goods and services in the aggregate of
approximately $130 million. If the agreement is with a reseller, revenue is
recognized as earned on these transactions as the licenses are resold by the
customer. If the agreement is with an end user, revenue is generally recognized
as earned upon delivery of software. The computer equipment and services are
recorded at their fair value. These concurrent transactions for 1996 included
license agreements of approximately $170 million, of which $31 million was
recognized as earned revenue by the Company in 1996. The Company disclosed in
its 1996 annual report that $55 million of revenue was recognized from
concurrent transactions in that year. This disclosure represented revenue
(before the restatement) arising from specific license agreements where the
Company acquired goods and services in approximately the same dollar amount and
is included in the $170 million of 1996 concurrent transactions.
 
    INCOME TAXES.  The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the
provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109 (FAS
109) "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under FAS 109, the liability method is used
in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting
and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured by applying
enacted tax rates and laws to the taxable years in which such differences are
expected to reverse.
 
    INVENTORIES.  Inventories, which consist primarily of software product
components, finished software products, and marketing and promotional materials,
are carried at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or market value, and are
included in other current assets.
 
    SOFTWARE COSTS.  The Company capitalizes software development costs incurred
in developing a product once technological feasibility of the product has been
determined. Software costs also include amounts paid for purchased software and
outside development on products which have reached technological feasibility.
All software costs are amortized as a cost of software distribution either on a
straight-line basis over the remaining estimated economic life of the product or
on the basis of each product's projected revenues, whichever results in greater
amortization. The Company recorded amortization of $14.6 million, $12.0 million,
and $7.8 million of software costs in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, in cost
of software distribution.
 
    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT.  Depreciation of property and equipment is
calculated using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life,
generally the shorter of the applicable lease term or three-to-seven years for
financial reporting purposes.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 3--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    BUSINESSES ACQUIRED.  The purchase price of businesses acquired, accounted
for as purchased business combinations, is allocated to the tangible and
specifically identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their fair values
with any amount in excess of such allocations being designated as goodwill.
Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which to date
have been five to seven years. The carrying values of goodwill and specified
intangible assets are reviewed if the facts and circumstances suggest that they
may be impaired. If this review indicates that the asset will not be
recoverable, as determined based on the undiscounted cash flows of the acquired
business over the remaining amortization period, the Company's carrying value is
reduced to net realizable value. There were no writedowns of intangible assets
in 1996, 1995 or 1994. As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had $50.6
million and $48.4 million of intangible assets, with accumulated amortization of
$15.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively, as a result of these acquisitions.
 
    NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE.  Net income (loss) per common share is
based on the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent
shares outstanding during each year. All stock options are considered common
stock equivalents and are included in the weighted average computations when the
effect is dilutive.
 
    CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK.  The Company designs, develops, manufactures,
markets, and supports computer software systems to customers in diversified
industries and in diversified geographic locations. The Company performs ongoing
credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally requires
no collateral.
 
    In the normal course of business, the Company often arranges for
non-recourse financing through the sale of customer accounts receivable. Such
financing arrangements are offered by a number of financial institutions. The
Company has traditionally relied on a limited number of these financial
institutions for most of the customer financing it arranges. Future advances and
cash flows of the Company would be negatively impacted if the Company's
financing resources were to discontinue their services for any reason.
 
    No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the consolidated revenues of
the Company in 1996, 1995 or 1994.
 
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS, AND LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS.  The Company considers liquid investments purchased with a maturity
of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company considers
investments with a maturity of more than three months but less than one year to
be short-term investments. Investments with an original maturity of more than
one year are considered long-term investments. Short-term and long-term
investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.
Cash equivalents are carried at amortized cost.
 
    The Company invests its excess cash in accordance with its short-term and
long-term investments policy, which is approved by the Board of Directors. The
policy authorizes the investment of excess cash in government securities,
municipal bonds, time deposits, certificates of deposit with approved financial
institutions, commercial paper rated A-1/P-1 (a small portion of the portfolio
may consist of commercial paper rated A-2/P-2), and other specific money market
instruments of similar liquidity and credit quality. The Company has not
experienced any significant losses related to these investments.
 
    SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY AND AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE.  Management determines
the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of purchase and
re-evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Debt securities are
classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive intent and the
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 3--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
ability to hold the securities until maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are
stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of
discounts to maturity. Such amortization, as well as any interest on the
securities, is included in interest income.
 
    Marketable equity securities and debt securities not classified as
held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale
securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net
of tax, reported in a separate component of stockholders' equity. The amortized
cost of debt securities in this category is adjusted for amortization of
premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included
in interest income. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be
other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in other
expense, net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific
identification method. Interest on securities classified as available-for-sale
are included in interest income. There were no material gross realized gains or
losses from sales of securities during the year.
 
    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS.  Fair values of cash, cash equivalents,
short and long term investments, other assets, and currency forward contracts
are based on quoted market prices.
 
NOTE 4--FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The following is a summary of available-for-sale debt and equity securities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
                                                                   --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  GROSS         GROSS
                                                                               UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED    ESTIMATED
DECEMBER 31, 1996                                                     COST        GAINS        LOSSES      FAIR VALUE
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ----------
                                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>
U.S. treasury securities.........................................  $   61,308   $  --         $     (20)   $   61,288
Commercial paper.................................................      15,872          14            (2)       15,884
Municipal bonds..................................................      27,317          10           (48)       27,279
Auctioned preferred stock........................................       4,504      --                (4)        4,500
                                                                   ----------  -----------          ---    ----------
    Total debt securities........................................     109,001          24           (74)      108,951
U.S. equity securities...........................................      15,404      18,490            --        33,894
                                                                   ----------  -----------          ---    ----------
                                                                   $  124,405   $  18,514     $     (74)   $  142,845
                                                                   ----------  -----------          ---    ----------
                                                                   ----------  -----------          ---    ----------
Amounts included in cash and cash equivalents....................  $   67,806   $  --         $      (6)   $   67,800
Amounts included in short-term investments.......................      34,548          19           (55)       34,512
Amounts included in long-term investments........................       6,647           5           (13)        6,639
Amounts included in other assets.................................      15,404      18,490        --            33,894
                                                                   ----------  -----------          ---    ----------
                                                                   $  124,405   $  18,514     $     (74)   $  142,845
                                                                   ----------  -----------          ---    ----------
                                                                   ----------  -----------          ---    ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 4--FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
    The maturity dates of the financial instruments included in long-term
investments vary from 1998 to 2026.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  GROSS        GROSS
                                                                               UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED   ESTIMATED
DECEMBER 31, 1995                                                     COST        GAINS       LOSSES     FAIR VALUE
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
U.S. treasury securities.........................................  $    5,608   $  --        $  --       $    5,608
Commercial paper.................................................      51,288         146          (88)      51,346
Municipal bonds..................................................      82,096          71         (213)      81,954
Auctioned preferred stock........................................       2,506      --               (5)       2,501
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
    Total debt securities........................................     141,498         217         (306)     141,409
U.S. equity securities...........................................       6,110       7,500         (831)      12,779
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   $  147,608   $   7,717    $  (1,137)  $  154,188
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Amounts included in cash and cash equivalents....................  $   42,724   $  --        $  --       $   42,724
Amounts included in short-term investments.......................      89,072         137         (305)      88,904
Amounts included in long-term investments........................       9,702          80           (1)       9,781
Amounts included in other assets.................................       6,110       7,500         (831)      12,779
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   $  147,608   $   7,717    $  (1,137)  $  154,188
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                   ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    In the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company re-evaluated the initial
designation of certain of its investments in debt securities as held-to-maturity
based on the Company's current ability and intent to hold such securities to
their contractual maturity. As a result, in December 1995, these securities were
transferred from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale at their estimated fair
value of $125.7 million. The difference between amortized cost of $125.8 million
and estimated fair value of these securities at the date of transfer, $0.1
million, was charged to a separate component of stockholders' equity.
 
NOTE 5--DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts primarily to
hedge the value of accounts receivable or accounts payable denominated in
foreign currencies against fluctuations in exchange rates until such receivables
are collected or payables are disbursed. The purpose of the Company's foreign
exchange exposure management policy and practices is to attempt to minimize the
impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the value of the foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities being hedged. Substantially all forward
foreign exchange contracts entered into by the Company have maturities of 360
days or less. The Company's practice is to settle all foreign exchange contracts
within ten calendar days of year end and thus there is no material difference
between the contract value and the fair value of the contracts at December 31,
1996 and 1995. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had approximately
$168.6 million and $77.2 million of forward foreign currency exchange contracts
outstanding, respectively. The table below summarizes by currency the
contractual amounts of the Company's forward foreign exchange contracts at
December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 5--DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
    The restatement of the 1996, 1995 and 1994 financial statements resulted in
a change in the Company's foreign currency denominated intercompany accounts
payable and accounts receivable balances. As a result, certain foreign currency
transaction gains and losses realized due to fluctuation in the related asset
and liability currency exchange rates were not offset by underlying gains and
losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts used to hedge those
foreign currency exposures.
 
FORWARD CONTRACTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT DECEMBER 31, 1996                                                             FACE VALUE  UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------------------
                                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                              <C>         <C>
  Forward currency contracts sold:
    Deutsche Mark..............................................................  $   55,815         $     (24)
    Japanese Yen...............................................................      41,384              (143)
    British Pound..............................................................      16,051               (12)
    French Franc...............................................................       8,252            --
    Malaysian Ringgit..........................................................       5,914                 1
    Taiwanese NT...............................................................       5,609                (2)
    Italian Lira...............................................................       4,555                (9)
    Singapore Dollar...........................................................       3,600                (8)
    Dutch Guilder..............................................................       3,558                 1
    Sweden Krona...............................................................       2,246                 1
    Swiss Franc................................................................       1,622                 1
    Portuguese Escudo..........................................................       1,574            --
    Other (under $1 million)...................................................       2,240                (1)
                                                                                 ----------             -----
Total..........................................................................  $  152,420         $    (195)
                                                                                 ----------             -----
                                                                                 ----------             -----
 
Forward currency contracts purchased:
    British Pound..............................................................  $   10,501         $    (192)
    Deutsche Mark..............................................................       4,198                 6
    Other (under $1 million)...................................................       1,472                (7)
                                                                                 ----------             -----
Total..........................................................................  $   16,171         $    (193)
                                                                                 ----------             -----
                                                                                 ----------             -----
Grand Total....................................................................  $  168,591         $    (388)
                                                                                 ----------             -----
                                                                                 ----------             -----
</TABLE>
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 5--DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
FORWARD CONTRACTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT DECEMBER 31, 1995                                                             FACE VALUE   UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------------------
                                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>
  Forward currency contracts sold:
    Deutsche Mark..............................................................   $  25,356          $     (14)
    Japanese Yen...............................................................      21,817                (74)
    Spanish Peseta.............................................................       6,178                 (4)
    French Franc...............................................................       4,807                 (7)
    Singapore Dollars..........................................................       4,326                  6
    Italian Lira...............................................................       2,403                  4
    British Pound..............................................................       2,329                 22
    Malaysian Ringgit..........................................................       2,287                 (2)
    Dutch Guilder..............................................................       1,550                  1
    Portuguese Escudo..........................................................       1,369                 (1)
    Austrian Schilling.........................................................       1,361             --
    Other......................................................................       3,369                 (1)
                                                                                 -----------               ---
Total..........................................................................   $  77,152          $     (70)
                                                                                 -----------               ---
                                                                                 -----------               ---
</TABLE>
 
    Other than the use of forward foreign exchange contracts as discussed
immediately above as of December 31, 1996, the Company does not currently invest
in or hold any other financial instruments defined as derivative financial
instruments by FAS 119.
 
NOTE 6--STOCK-BASED BENEFIT PLANS
 
OPTION PLANS
 
    Under the Company's 1986 Employee Stock Option Plan, options are granted at
fair market value on the date of the grant. Options are generally exercisable in
cumulative annual installments over three to five years. Payment for shares
purchased upon exercise of options may be by cash or, with Board approval, by
full recourse promissory note or by exchange of shares of the Company's common
stock at fair market value on the exercise date. Options under the 1986 Plan
expired on July 29, 1996, which was 10 years after the date of grant.
 
    Additionally, 1,600,000 shares were authorized for issuance under the 1989
Outside Directors Stock Option Plan, whereby non-employee directors are
automatically granted non-qualified stock options upon election or re-election
to the Board of Directors. At December 31, 1996, 675,000 shares were available
for grant under this Plan.
 
    In April 1994, the Company adopted the 1994 Stock Option and Award Plan;
8,000,000 shares were authorized for grant under this Plan. Options can be
granted to employees on terms substantially equivalent to those described above.
The 1994 Stock Option and Award Plan also allows the Company to award
performance shares of the Company's common stock to be paid to recipients on the
achievement of certain performance goals set with respect to each recipient. At
December 31, 1996, 788,783 shares were available for grant under this Plan.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 6--STOCK-BASED BENEFIT PLANS
 
    In February 1996, on acquisition of Illustra, all of Illustra's outstanding
options were converted into options to purchase 2.3 million shares of Informix
common stock. All stock options were restated to include Illustra's options
under the pooling-of-interests method. There were 172,677 shares available for
grant under this Plan at December 31, 1996.
 
    Following is a summary of activity for all stock option plans for the three
years ended December 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NUMBER          OPTIONS
                                                                OF SHARES     PRICE PER SHARE
                                                               ------------  -----------------
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1993.............................    15,739,957  $0.06 to $13.13
Options granted..............................................     4,029,815  0.19 to 14.44
Options exercised............................................    (3,627,468) 0.06 to 12.75
Options canceled.............................................    (1,128,532) 0.06 to 11.88
                                                               ------------
 
Outstanding at December 31, 1994.............................    15,013,772  0.06 to 14.44
 
Options granted and assumed..................................     5,456,927  0.19 to 34.00
Options exercised............................................    (3,852,697) 0.19 to 13.88
Options canceled.............................................      (864,920) 0.06 to 32.75
                                                               ------------
 
Outstanding at December 31, 1995.............................    15,753,082  0.06 to 34.00
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               WEIGHTED
                                                                               AVERAGE
                                                                                PRICE
                                                                             ------------
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>
Options granted and assumed..................................     5,850,225   $  24.3456
Options exercised............................................    (2,927,260)      4.6069
Options canceled.............................................    (1,561,800)     17.1483
                                                               ------------
 
Outstanding at December 31, 1996.............................    17,114,247   $  13.4495
</TABLE>
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 6--STOCK-BASED BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at
December 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                       OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                  ------------------------------
                        --------------------------------------------------     NUMBER
                            NUMBER           WEIGHTED          WEIGHTED      EXERCISABLE      WEIGHTED
                        OUTSTANDING AT        AVERAGE           AVERAGE          AT            AVERAGE
       RANGE OF          DECEMBER 31,        REMAINING         EXERCISE     DECEMBER 31,      EXERCISE
   EXERCISE PRICES           1996        CONTRACTUAL LIFE        PRICE          1996            PRICE
----------------------  --------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------------
<S>                     <C>             <C>                  <C>            <C>            <C>
   $ 0.0700 - $ 0.6719      2,304,968             6.63        $    0.3911      2,304,968     $    0.3911
   $ 0.6875 - $ 0.7500        380,100             4.38        $    0.7447        380,100     $    0.7447
   $ 0.7656 - $ 3.5938      1,731,085             5.08        $    3.2936      1,730,236     $    3.2943
   $ 3.7188 - $ 7.5000      1,888,065             6.88        $    6.7008      1,087,165     $    6.1130
   $ 7.5938 - $ 8.6250      1,871,601             6.26        $    8.6012      1,286,801     $    8.6017
   $ 8.6875 - $10.7813        420,675             6.79        $   10.0854        184,300     $   10.1559
   $10.8750 - $18.2500      2,761,139             8.24        $   17.8675        723,415     $   17.6530
   $18.3750 - $23.1250      2,001,650             9.74        $   22.1668         37,750     $   20.9894
   $23.2500 - $24.1250      2,766,288             9.33        $   24.0838         59,116     $   23.8057
   $24.2500 - $34.7500        988,676             9.08        $   30.3152        194,325     $   28.4078
                        --------------             ---       -------------  -------------  ---------------
   $ 0.0700 - $34.7500     17,114,247             7.61        $   13.4495      7,988,176     $    5.8788
</TABLE>
 
    In connection with all stock option plans, 18,750,708 shares of common stock
were reserved for issuance as of December 31, 1996. At December 31, 1995,
4,898,537 options were exercisable.
 
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
    The Company also has a qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) under
which 7,600,000 shares of common stock, in the aggregate, have been authorized
for issuance. Under the terms of the Plan, employees may contribute, through
payroll deductions, up to 10 percent of their base pay and purchase up to 500
shares per quarter (with the limitation of purchases of $25,000 annually in fair
market value of the shares). Employees may elect to withdraw from the Plan
during any quarter and have their contributions for the period returned to them.
Also, employees may elect to reduce the rate of contribution one time in each
quarter. The price at which employees may purchase shares is 85 percent of the
lower of the fair market value of the stock at the beginning or end of the
quarter. The Plan is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. During 1996, 1995, and 1994 the Company issued 616,128 shares,
347,743 shares, and 484,756 shares, respectively, under this Plan. In connection
with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 650,587 shares were reserved for issuance
as of December 31, 1996.
 
STOCK REPURCHASE AUTHORIZATION
 
    The Board of Directors had authorized the purchase of up to 8 million shares
of the Company's common stock in the open market to satisfy requirements under
Stock Option and Stock Purchase Plans under a stock repurchase plan. In 1996,
the Company rescinded the stock repurchase authorization.
 
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
    As permitted under FASB Statement No.123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" (FASB 123), the Company has elected to continue to follow
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 6--STOCK-BASED BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25) in accounting for
stock-based awards to employees. Under APB 25, the Company generally recognizes
no compensation expense with respect to such awards.
 
    Pro forma information regarding the net income (loss) and earnings per share
(loss) is required by FASB 123 for awards granted or modified after December 31,
1994 as if the Company had accounted for its stock based awards to employees
under the fair value method of FASB 123. The fair value of the Company's
stock-based awards to employees was estimated using a Black-Scholes option
pricing model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in
estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions
and are fully transferable. In addition, the Black-Scholes model requires the
input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price
volatility. Because the Company's stock-based awards to employees have
characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and
because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the fair
value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily
provide a reasonable single measure of the fair value of its stock-based awards
to employees. The fair value of the Company's stock-based awards was estimated
assuming no expected dividends and the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  OPTIONS                           ESPP
                                       ------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                            1996            1995            1996            1995
                                       --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Expected life (years)................        4.5 year        4.5 year        .25 year        .25 year
Expected volatility (percent)........   .5822 - .6327   .5642 - .6239   .5765 - .9662   .4170 - .7295
Risk-free interest rate (percent)....     5.20 - 6.09     5.82 - 7.72     5.01 - 5.85     5.49 - 6.07
</TABLE>
 
    For pro forma purposes, the estimated fair value of the Company's stock
based awards is amortized over the award's vesting period (for options) and the
three month purchase period (for stock purchases under the ESPP). The Company's
pro forma information follows, (in thousands except for net income per share
information):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1996       1995
                                                  RESTATED   RESTATED
                                                 ----------  ---------
<S>                              <C>             <C>         <C>
Net income (loss)                   As reported  $  (73,565) $  38,600
                                      Pro forma     (94,196)    28,652
 
Net income (loss) per share         As reported  $    (0.49) $    0.26
                                      Pro forma       (0.63)      0.19
</TABLE>
 
    FASB 123 is applicable only to awards granted subsequent to December 31,
1994. Therefore, its pro forma effect will not be fully reflected until
approximately 1998.
 
    Calculated under FASB 123, the weighted-average fair value of the options
granted during 1996 and 1995 was $13.04 and $10.39 per share, respectively. The
weighted average fair value of employee stock purchase rights granted under the
ESPP during 1996 and 1995 were $7.47 and $5.27, respectively.
 
NOTE 7--401(K) PLAN
 
    The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all of its U.S.
employees. Under this plan, participating employees may defer up to 15 percent
of their pre-tax earnings, subject to the Internal Revenue Service annual
contribution limit ($9,500 for 1996). In 1996, the Company matched 50 percent of
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 7--401(K) PLAN (CONTINUED)
each employee's contribution up to a maximum of $2,000. The Company's matching
contributions to this 401(k) plan for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $3.8 million,
$2.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
 
NOTE 8--COMMITMENTS
 
    The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases having terms of three-to-five years. Amounts capitalized for such leases
are included on the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1996  DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                         -----------------  -----------------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                      <C>                <C>
Computer equipment.....................................      $   8,825          $   7,924
Office equipment.......................................          2,474              1,636
                                                                ------             ------
                                                                11,299              9,560
Less: accumulated amortization.........................          8,985              7,716
                                                                ------             ------
                                                             $   2,314          $   1,844
                                                                ------             ------
                                                                ------             ------
</TABLE>
 
    During 1996 and 1995, the Company financed approximately $1,800,000 and
$1,677,000, respectively, of equipment purchases under capital lease
arrangements. Amortization with respect to leased equipment is included in
depreciation expense.
 
    The Company leases certain of its office facilities and equipment under
non-cancelable operating leases and total rent expense was $42.4 million, $19.7
million and $17.3 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively (see Note 13 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements).
 
    The Company planned on relocating its corporate headquarters to Santa Clara,
California approximately 15 miles to the south of the Company's current
headquarters. To facilitate the move, in January 1997, the Company entered into
a two year lease for twenty seven acres of undeveloped commercial real estate.
Upon termination of the lease term, the Company would have had the option to
purchase the land, or if such purchase option was not exercised, arrange for the
sale of the parcels to an unrelated third party. In the event the later option
was exercised, the Company was required to pay the lessor any difference between
the net sales proceeds and the lessor's investment in the parcels, approximately
$61.5 million. In order to secure performance of its obligation under the lease,
the Company was required to pledge certain cash collateral to the lessor
throughout the full term of the lease. Accordingly, in January 1997, the Company
deposited $61.5 million in cash into a collateral account controlled by an
affiliate of the lessor. Interest on these deposits computed at market rates,
otherwise due to the Company, have been assigned by the Company to the lessor in
order to reduce the gross monthly lease payments due under the lease. The real
estate lease also included certain financial performance criteria which must be
met by the Company during the lease term. (See Note 13 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.)
 
    In addition, in November 1996, the Company leased approximately 200,000
square feet of office space in Santa Clara adjacent to the twenty seven acres
described above. The lease term is for fifteen years and minimum lease payments
amount to $96.0 million over the term. The minimum lease payments increase
within a contractual range based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
 
    As of December 31, 1996, the Company was contractually obligated to purchase
approximately $45 million of various computer equipment related to its
SuperStores.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 8--COMMITMENTS (CONTINUED)
    Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under the capital and
non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 1996, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL    NON-CANCELABLE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31                                              LEASES    OPERATING LEASES
------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------------
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>
1997..............................................................  $   1,265    $     45,941
1998..............................................................        803          44,591
1999..............................................................        386          41,244
2000..............................................................        153          23,438
2001..............................................................     --              16,396
Thereafter........................................................     --              88,904
                                                                    ---------        --------
Total payments....................................................      2,607    $    260,514
                                                                                     --------
                                                                                     --------
Less: amount representing interest................................        279
                                                                    ---------
Present value of minimum lease payments...........................      2,328
Less current portion                                                      866
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $   1,462
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 9--GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
 
    Net revenues, operating income, and identifiable assets for the Company's
U.S., European, Asia/ Pacific and other foreign operations are summarized below
by year:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 UNITED
                                                 STATES       EUROPE    INTERCONTINENTAL ELIMINATIONS    TOTAL
                                              ------------  ----------  ---------------  ------------  ----------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                           <C>           <C>         <C>              <C>           <C>
1996:
Net revenues................................   $  410,549   $  229,588    $   144,451     $  (56,741)  $  727,847
Operating income (loss).....................      (38,331)     (24,156)        (6,883)         1,353      (68,017)
Identifiable assets.........................      734,852      218,196        146,006       (217,058)     881,996
 
1995:
Net revenues................................   $  365,647   $  199,711    $   120,216     $  (52,804)  $  632,770
Operating income (loss).....................       69,245       (2,588)          (960)          (749)      64,948
Identifiable assets.........................      579,306      216,530        110,776       (224,699)     681,913
 
1994:
Net revenues................................   $  267,795   $  131,605    $    67,649     $  (15,079)  $  451,970
Operating income (loss).....................       85,224      (50,527)        41,637            895       77,229
Identifiable assets.........................      419,006      110,195         37,448       (118,880)     447,769
</TABLE>
 
    Sales and transfers between geographic areas are accounted for at prices
which the Company believes are arm's length prices, and which in general are in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the respective governing tax
authorities.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 9--GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
    Export revenues consisting of sales from the Company's U.S. operating
subsidiary to non-affiliated customers were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996       1995       1994
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Canada.......................................................  $   7,521  $   6,299  $   5,100
Latin America................................................      6,556      6,817      6,641
Asia/Pacific.................................................      3,391      5,887     32,820
Other........................................................      3,437      1,301      3,015
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
Total........................................................  $  20,905  $  20,304  $  47,576
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 10--INCOME TAXES
 
    The provision for income taxes applicable to income before income taxes
consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996        1995       1994
                                                              ---------  ----------  ---------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>         <C>
Currently payable:
  Federal...................................................  $   1,540  $   40,582  $  26,754
  State.....................................................        565       6,463      4,482
  Foreign...................................................      6,216       9,325      5,277
                                                              ---------  ----------  ---------
                                                                  8,321      56,370     36,513
Deferred:
  Federal...................................................     (1,748)    (13,747)    (2,736)
  State.....................................................     (2,983)     (1,204)       (61)
  Foreign...................................................      8,941      (9,325)    (4,466)
                                                              ---------  ----------  ---------
                                                                  4,210     (24,276)    (7,263)
                                                              ---------  ----------  ---------
                                                              $  12,531  $   32,094  $  29,250
                                                              ---------  ----------  ---------
                                                              ---------  ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    In 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company recognized tax benefits related to stock
option plans of $14.8 million, $21.3 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
Such benefits were recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital.
 
    Income before income taxes consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996        1995       1994
                                                             ----------  ----------  ---------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Domestic...................................................  $  (26,510) $   83,937  $  81,508
Foreign....................................................     (34,524)    (13,243)    (3,965)
                                                             ----------  ----------  ---------
                                                             $  (61,034) $   70,694  $  77,543
                                                             ----------  ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 10--INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying
the federal statutory income tax rate to income (loss) before income taxes. The
sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996                     1995                      1994
                                                       ----------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
                                                        AMOUNT      PERCENT      AMOUNT       PERCENT      AMOUNT       PERCENT
                                                       ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Computed tax at federal statutory rate...............  $ (21,362)      (35.0)%  $  24,743         35.0%   $  27,140         35.0%
Valuation allowance..................................     41,192        67.5%       4,239          6.0%         908          1.2%
Research and development credits.....................     (1,457)       (2.4)%       (935)        (1.3)%     (1,241)        (1.6)%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit.......     (1,572)       (2.6)%      3,418          4.8%       2,874          3.7%
Benefit from net earnings of foreign subsidiaries
  considered to be permanently reinvested in non-U.S.
  operations.........................................     --          --           --           --           --           --
Other, net...........................................     (4,270)       (7.0)%        629          0.9%        (431)        (0.6)%
                                                       ---------       -----   -----------       -----   -----------       -----
                                                       $  12,531        N.M.    $  32,094         45.4%   $  29,250         37.7%
</TABLE>
 
    Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial statement
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1996 and
1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1996       1995
                                                                             ---------  ---------
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS:
Reserves and accrued expenses..............................................  $   7,703  $   8,600
Deferred revenue...........................................................     33,875     15,290
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards...................................     38,067     11,701
Domestic net operating loss carryforwards..................................      9,800      7,984
Foreign taxes in excess of taxes at U.S. rate..............................      9,014      6,483
Other......................................................................        555        646
                                                                             ---------  ---------
Total deferred tax assets..................................................     99,014     50,704
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets................................    (46,339)    (5,147)
                                                                             ---------  ---------
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance............................     52,675     45,557
 
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES:
Capitalized software.......................................................     17,704     10,329
Revenue recognition........................................................      1,612      1,612
Taxes on unremitted foreign earnings Valuation of investment portfolio.....      6,454      2,501
                                                                             ---------  ---------
Total deferred tax liabilities.............................................     25,770     14,442
                                                                             ---------  ---------
Net deferred tax assets....................................................  $  26,905  $  31,115
                                                                             ---------  ---------
                                                                             ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    At December 31, 1996, the Company had approximately $98.1 million, $21.0
million and $10.5 million of foreign, federal and state net operating loss
carryforwards. The foreign and state net operating loss carryovers expire at
various dates beginning in 1998. The federal net operating loss carryovers
expire at various dates beginning in 2008. Income taxes paid amounted to $22.7
million, $18.6 million and $22.5 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets increased by $41.2 million, $4.2
million and $0.9 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 11--BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
    In January 1995, the Company acquired a 90 percent interest in the database
division of ASCII Corporation, a distributor of its products in Japan. The
Company acquired the remaining 10 percent interest in January 1996. The
acquisition was recorded as a purchase. The purchase price of ASCII's database
division was approximately $46.0 million, of which approximately $35.4 million
has been allocated to intangible assets acquired.
 
    In April 1995, the Company acquired an 80 percent interest in the database
division of Daou Corporation, a distributor of its products in Korea. The
acquisition was recorded as a purchase. The Company has acquired the remaining
20 percent in January 1997 for approximately $1 million. The initial purchase
price of this business was approximately $4.6 million, and was increased by
approximately $3.0 million in January 1997 due to performance incentives
outlined in the agreement, of which approximately $7.0 million has been
allocated to intangible assets acquired.
 
    The operating results of these businesses have not been material in relation
to those of the Company and are included in the Company's consolidated results
of operations from the date of acquisition.
 
    In February 1996, the Company acquired Illustra Information Technologies,
Inc. (Illustra), a company that provides dynamic content management database
software and tools for managing complex data in the Internet,
multimedia/entertainment, financial services, earth sciences and other markets.
Approximately 12.7 million shares of Informix common stock were issued to
acquire all outstanding shares of Illustra common stock. An additional 2.3
million shares of Informix common stock were reserved for issuance in connection
the assumption of Illustra's outstanding stock options and warrants. The
transaction has been accounted for as a pooling of interests, and accordingly,
the consolidated financial statements for all prior periods presented have been
restated to include the accounts and operations of Illustra as if the merger was
consummated at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Merger fees of
approximately $5.9 million were recorded in the first quarter of 1996. The
following table presents the separate operating results for Informix Corporation
and Illustra for the periods prior to the acquisition date (because the
operating results of Illustra for the period January 1, 1996 to the effective
date of the merger were immaterial to the combined Company, for the purposes of
this table an acquisition date of January 1, 1996 is assumed).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1995        1994
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>
Income Statement
 
Net revenues
  Informix............................................................  $  632,770  $  451,969
  Illustra............................................................       5,234       1,415
                                                                        ----------  ----------
  Combined............................................................  $  638,004  $  453,384
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        ----------  ----------
Net income (loss)
  Informix............................................................  $   38,600  $   48,293
  Illustra............................................................      (7,689)     (4,248)
                                                                        ----------  ----------
  Combined............................................................  $   30,911  $   44,045
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 12--LITIGATION
 
    Commencing in April 1997, a series of class action lawsuits and a separate
but related stockholder action were filed in federal court purportedly by or on
behalf of stockholders. These actions name as defendants the Company, certain of
its present and former officers and directors and its independent auditors. The
complaints allege various violations of the federal securities laws and seek
unspecified but potentially significant damages. Similar actions were also filed
in state court. While management intends to contest these actions vigorously,
the disposition of this litigation could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
    Stockholder derivative actions, purportedly on behalf of the Company and
naming virtually the same individual defendants, were also filed in state court.
Any monetary judgments in the derivative actions would accrue to the benefit of
the Company.
 
    In addition, in July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a
formal order of investigation of the Company and certain unidentified
individuals associated with the Company with respect to non-specified accounting
matters, public disclosures and trading activity in the Company's securities.
The Company is cooperating with the investigation and is providing all
information subpoenaed by the Commission.
 
    In the ordinary course of business, various other lawsuits and claims are
filed from time to time against the Company. It is the Company's opinion that
the resolution of such other litigation will not have a material effect on the
Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
NOTE 13--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
    In the first nine months of 1997, the Company's license revenue decreased
from the comparable period of the prior year. These lower revenues, combined
with an increase in operating expenses resulted in a significant operating loss
before restructuring charges. In response to the significant downturn in
operating results, the Company restructured its operations to reduce operating
expenses and recorded restructuring charges.
 
    BUSINESS COMBINATION.  In February 1997, the Company acquired all of the
outstanding capital stock of Centerview Software, Inc. ("Centerview"), a
privately-owned company which develops and sells software application
development tools. The aggregate purchase price paid was approximately $8.7
million, which included cash plus direct costs of acquisition. The transaction
has been accounted for as a purchase and, based on an independent appraisal of
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the purchase price has been
allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired including
approximately $7 million of research and development, which has been charged to
operations in the period the acquisition was consummated (the first quarter of
1997).
 
    PURCHASE AND SALE OF SANTA CLARA REAL ESTATE.  In April 1997, the Company
exercised its option to purchase the 27 acres of real estate in Santa Clara,
California, being leased under a two-year operating lease entered into in
January 1997 for $61.5 million, so that alternative financing or a third party
sale could be pursued. The Company had originally intended to lease the land for
purposes of arranging the construction of its new corporate headquarters. In the
second quarter of 1997, the Company wrote down the carrying value of this real
estate asset to its estimated fair market value (based on a current independent
appraisal) less estimated selling costs, of approximately $58 million. The
Company has entered into agreements to sell the land in two separate
transactions. Both sales are expected to be consummated in the fourth quarter of
1997.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 13--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
    WRITE-OFF OF LONG-TERM ASSETS.  In the first quarter of 1997, the Company's
Japanese subsidiary experienced a significant shortfall in business activity
compared to historical levels. This fact, coupled with continuing competitive
pressures in the Japanese market, resulted in the Company adjusting its
forecasts of future cash flows and further led the Company to evaluate the
recoverability of the subsidiary's long-lived assets, including computer and
other equipment and goodwill. As a result of this evaluation, the Company
determined that the carrying value of these long-lived assets had been impaired
and, accordingly, recorded a charge in the first quarter of $30.5 million to
write-down the assets' carrying value to their estimated fair value. Fair value
was determined using estimated future discounted cash flows of the subsidiary
and/or resale market quotes as appropriate.
 
    ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK.  In August 1997, the Company sold
160,000 shares of newly issued Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, face value
$250 per share, to a private investor for aggregate net proceeds of $37.2
million and issued a warrant to the same investor to purchase up to an
additional 140,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at an
aggregate purchase price of up to $35 million. In November 1997, the Company
canceled the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for the same
number of shares of a substantially identical Series A-1 Convertible Stock
issued to the same investor, with a corresponding change to the warrant shares.
The warrant may be exercised from August 13, 1997 through April 15, 1999.
 
    The Series A-1 Convertible Preferred shares are convertible into common
shares at any time, at the holder's option, at a per share price equal to 101%
of the average price of the Company's common stock for the 30 days ending five
trading days prior to conversion, but not greater than the lesser of (i) 105% of
the common stock's average price of the first five trading days of such thirty
day period, or (ii) $12 per share. If not converted prior, the Series A-1
Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert into common shares
eighteen months after their issuance, subject to extension of the automatic
conversion date in certain defined circumstances of default. However, if at the
time of conversion, the aggregate number of shares of common stock already
issued and to be issued as a result of the conversion of the shares of the
Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock were to exceed 19.9% of the total number
of shares of then outstanding common stock, then such excess does not convert
unless or until stockholder approval is obtained.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
                              INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                                  SCHEDULE II
 
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                   (RESTATED)
 
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          ADDITIONS
                                                                   ------------------------
                                                                                CHARGED TO
                                                      BALANCE AT   CHARGED TO      OTHER                  BALANCE AT
                                                       BEGINNING    COSTS AND    ACCOUNTS    DEDUCTIONS     END OF
                                                       OF PERIOD    EXPENSES        (1)          (2)        PERIOD
                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
 
Year ended December 31, 1996........................   $  12,854    $  15,329    $    (346)   $   6,408    $  21,429
 
Year ended December 31, 1995........................   $   6,049    $   8,247    $     261    $   1,703    $  12,854
 
Year ended December 31, 1994........................   $   3,181    $   1,937    $   1,900    $     969    $   6,049
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
(1) Charged to net revenues
 
(2) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors and Stockholders--Informix Corporation
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Informix
Corporation as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 (as restated). Our audits also
included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a).
These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    Since the date of completion of our audit of the accompanying financial
statements and initial issuance of our report thereon dated February 3, 1997,
the Company, as discussed in Note 2, has experienced a substantial reduction in
revenues and operating losses that adversely affect the Company's current
results of operations and liquidity. Note 2 describes management's plans to
address these issues.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Informix
Corporation at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered
in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
San Jose, California
 
February 3, 1997, except as to Notes 1, 2, 3 and 12,       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
as to which the date is November 16, 1997
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
 
    Not Applicable.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
    Information regarding directors is incorporated herein by reference from the
section entitled "Election of Directors" of the Company's proxy statement to be
filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for its Annual Stockholders Meeting held May
22, 1997. For information regarding executive officers of the Company, see the
information appearing under the caption "Executive Officers" in Part I, Item 1
of this Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated herein by
reference from the section entitled "Executive Compensation" of the Company's
proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for its Annual
Stockholders Meeting held May 22, 1997.
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
 
    Information regarding security ownership is incorporated herein by reference
from the section entitled "Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management" of the Company's proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation
14A for its Annual Stockholders Meeting held May 22, 1997.
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
    Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions is
incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled "Stock Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management", "Executive Compensation" and
"Transactions with Management" of the Company's proxy statement to be filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A for its Annual Stockholders Meeting held May 22,
1997.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
      The following are filed as a part of this Annual Report:
 
(a)1.  Financial Statements (Restated)
 
       Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
 
       Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
           Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995
 
           Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period
           ended December 31, 1996
 
           Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the three years in the
           period ended December 31, 1996
 
           Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period
           ended December 31, 1996
 
       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(a)2.  Financial Statement Schedule (Restated)
 
       Schedule as of and for the three years in the period ended December 31,
       1996, as applicable:
 
       Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
    All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are omitted because they
are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable.
 
(a)3.  Exhibits
 
<TABLE>
<C>    <S>
  3.1 (1) Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.
 
  3.2 (1) By-Laws, as amended.
 
  4.1 (2) Amended and Restated Preferred Share Rights Agreement.
 
 10.1 (3) Form of Indemnity Agreement.
 
 10.2 (4) Form of Amended Indemnity Agreement.
 
 10.3 (5) 1989 Directors Stock Option Plan.
 
 10.4 (6) Amendment to the 1989 Directors Stock Option Plan.
 
 10.5 (7) Purchase Agreement dated as of January 6, 1997 between the Company and BPN
         Leasing Corporation ("BPN").
 
 10.6 (7) Lease Agreement dated as of January 6, 1997 between the Company and BPN.
 
 10.7 (7) Pledge Agreement dated as of January 6, 1997 between the Company, BPN and
         Banque Nationale de Paris.
 
 11.1* Schedule re: Computation of Net Income (Loss) Per Share.
 
 21.1 (7) Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 
 23.1* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
</TABLE>
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>    <S>
 24.1* Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page).
 
 27.1* Financial Data Schedules.
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
 *  Filed herewith.
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form 10-Q of Informix
    Corporation for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 1995
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form 8-A/A Registration
    Statement filed on August 11, 1995.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form S-1 Registration Statement
    No. 33-8006.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form 10-K of Informix
    Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.
 
(5) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form S-8 Registration Statement
    No. 33-31116.
 
(6) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form S-8 Registration Statement
    No. 33-50608.
 
(7) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form 10-K of Informix
    Corporation, as originally filed March 31, 1997.
 
(b)   Reports on Form 8-K
 
      The Company filed no reports on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant, Informix Corporation, has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized,
on November 18, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                INFORMIX CORPORATION
 
                                By:         /s/ ROBERT J. FINOCCHIO, JR.
                                       --------------------------------------
                                              Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.
                                                      CHAIRMAN
</TABLE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Jean-Yves Dexmier and Karen Blasing, jointly and
severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution,
for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report
on Form 10-K/A, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her
substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.
 
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE                    DATE
------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------
 
                                Chairman, President, Chief
 /s/ ROBERT J. FINOCCHIO, JR.     Executive Officer and
------------------------------    Director (Principal        November 18, 1997
  (Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.)      Executive Officer)
 
                                Executive Vice President
    /s/ JEAN-YVES DEXMIER         and Chief Financial
------------------------------    Officer                    November 18, 1997
     (Jean-Yves Dexmier)          (Principal Financial
                                  Officer)
 
   /s/ ALBERT F. KNORP, JR.
------------------------------  Director                     November 18, 1997
    (Albert F. Knorp, Jr.)
 
      /s/ JAMES L. KOCH
------------------------------  Director                     November 18, 1997
       (James L. Koch)
 
   /s/ THOMAS A. MCDONNELL
------------------------------  Director                     November 18, 1997
    (Thomas A. McDonnell)
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
 
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE                    DATE
------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------
 
    /s/ CYRIL J. YANSOUNI
------------------------------  Director                     November 18, 1997
     (Cyril J. Yansouni)
 
                                Vice President and
      /s/ KAREN BLASING           Corporate Controller
------------------------------    (Principal Accounting      November 18, 1997
       (Karen Blasing)            Officer)
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<C>    <S>
  3.1 (1) Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.
 
  3.2 (1) By-Laws, as amended.
 
  4.1 (2) Amended and Restated Preferred Share Rights Agreement.
 
 10.1 (3) Form of Indemnity Agreement.
 
 10.2 (4) Form of Amended Indemnity Agreement.
 
 10.3 (5) 1989 Directors Stock Option Plan.
 
 10.4 (6) Amendment to the 1989 Directors Stock Option Plan.
 
 10.5 (7) Purchase Agreement dated as of January 6, 1997 between the Company and BPN
         Leasing Corporation ("BPN").
 
 10.6 (7) Lease Agreement dated as of January 6, 1997 between the Company and BPN.
 
 10.7 (7) Pledge Agreement dated as of January 6, 1997 between the Company, BPN and
         Banque Nationale de Paris.
 
 11.1* Schedule re: Computation of Net Income (Loss) Per Share.
 
 21.1 (7) Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 
 23.1* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
 
 24.1* Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page).
 
 27.1* Financial Data Schedules.
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
 *  Filed herewith.
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form 10-Q of Informix
    Corporation for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 1995
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form 8-A/A Registration
    Statement filed on August 11, 1995.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form S-1 Registration Statement
    No. 33-8006.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form 10-K of Informix
    Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.
 
(5) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form S-8 Registration Statement
    No. 33-31116.
 
(6) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form S-8 Registration Statement
    No. 33-50608.
 
(7) Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Form 10-K of Informix
    Corporation, as originally filed March 31, 1997.