EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1810019
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1810019_10-K_2024_0001810019-24-000042.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1 - BUSINESS
Overview
Rackspace Technology is a leading end-to-end, hybrid, multicloud and AI solutions company. We design, build, and operate our customers’ cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products and adopt innovative technologies.
Cloud technology is reinventing how companies store, process and manage their data.
Businesses have accelerated their adoption of cloud technologies in recent years due to:
•Strong growth in highly variable, high-scale workloads (a computing task performed by a business application) such as mobile applications, device telemetry and associated marketing, tracking and data. Those workloads have also driven an explosion of data volumes. All of these workloads run more efficiently in the flexible, agile, variable-cost environment of cloud technologies with its associated highly scaled data storage.
•The need to compete with “digital natives” (technology companies that began their existence online in the digital age and do not have legacy infrastructure or technology to maintain and support).
•The emergence of cloud-based business tools, such as data analytics, machine learning and AI, that help companies optimize business performance.
•A global pandemic that challenged companies to accommodate an increasingly remote workforce.
In addition, the cost to maintain a company-owned data center (known in industry parlance as “on-premises” or “on-prem” data centers) has become cost prohibitive since companies must constantly upgrade hardware, maintain physical infrastructure and constantly apply security patches to counteract emerging security threats. Companies are also looking to reduce their on-premises operations budgets to fund the build-out of their cloud management operations and skill base.
At the same time, several dominant players have emerged in the cloud computing industry: the “hyperscalers” - AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure, which are the leading public cloud providers; as well as VMware by Broadcom, which is a leading provider of private cloud technology. These technology providers operate cloud environments at a massive scale and have a significant cost-benefit advantage compared to a company-owned on-prem data center. They can also easily invest billions of dollars in product development and innovation, maintenance of the physical infrastructure and upkeep of important security protocols and technology.
As a result of these developments, most companies will become increasingly dependent on cloud technologies for most of their new workloads, as well as a portion of existing workloads, over the coming years.
The multicloud paradigm brings additional complexity for businesses moving to the cloud.
Moving to the cloud is not as simple as selecting a single platform and migrating data. The cloud is taking market share because it is a structurally different platform with structurally different cost dynamics. Oftentimes, new code must be written, or existing code must be re-written, to take full advantage of cloud capabilities. Likewise, simply moving existing code to the cloud (known as “lifting and shifting”) can often result in high or unforeseen cost over-runs. The efficiencies of cloud are real, but it takes substantial effort to realize them.
Companies also face the challenge of managing multiple clouds. They often employ more than one cloud solution for several business reasons:
•to prevent lock-in with any one cloud provider;
•to ensure data storage redundancy and protect against business interruption;
•to provide for enhanced security, compliance and governance;
•to access business tools that may run better on one cloud platform versus another; or
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•to accommodate past decisions related to prior deployments and/or acquisitions, both of which can force most large companies into managing workloads situated on multiple clouds.
In addition, some business applications cannot migrate to the cloud and must remain on mature cloud platforms like private cloud, or even on-prem data centers, for various reasons:
•Corporate governance requires data sovereignty for sensitive data such as financial or health information.
•Older applications, often built in-house on older code, are not cloud-ready, and the cost of modernizing or replacing them outweighs the benefits of moving to the cloud.
•Data egress fees (fees charged by the hyperscalers for moving data out of their storage environment) have highlighted the need to keep frequently-accessed data on non-hyperscaler platforms.
As a result, businesses quickly find themselves in a multicloud paradigm that includes two or more hyperscaler platforms, private cloud and data and applications that are hosted on-premises or in a colocation or managed hosting facility. In such a complex environment, even the most sophisticated IT organizations at the largest multinational companies require outside resources to manage their multicloud strategy.
Rackspace Technology is a leading pure-play hybrid, multicloud and AI solutions company.
We help companies of all sizes manage their transition to the cloud, make sense of their IT infrastructure, migrate their data to the cloud, optimize their cloud presence on an ongoing basis, accelerate the responsible adoption of AI and manage the workloads best left to managed hosting or other mature platforms.
Few companies have the internal resources required to effectively manage a transition to the cloud. Building a well-rounded and capable in-house team would require hiring experts on all three hyperscaler platforms as well as private cloud, colocation and managed hosting. We believe professionals with these skill sets are challenging for companies to source and hire because they generally prefer to work at a technology company. We believe this creates an opportunity for a service partner like Rackspace Technology which enables businesses to fully embrace the power of all cloud technologies.
Our team of 5,800 highly skilled Rackers, including consultants and engineers, partners with companies at every stage of their cloud transformation journey and helps them:
•select the right platforms for their business needs;
•manage the movement of applications and data to the cloud and re-hosting of applications best suited for managed hosting;
•strategically locate and manage growing volumes of associated data storage to minimize cost and business risk;
•optimize their cloud footprint by leveraging new offerings and new pricing models from the hyperscalers, as well as new cloud computing technologies;
•operate their cloud environment;
•monitor security and ensure the security infrastructure is kept up to date;
•modernize their legacy business applications so they are optimized to run in the cloud;
•accelerate the responsible adoption of AI in their organization; and
•mine their business data for actionable insights using cloud data analytics tools.
We aim to be our customers’ most trusted advisor and services partner in their path to cloud transformation and to accelerate the value of their cloud investments. We give customers the ability to make informed decisions when choosing the right technologies, and we recommend solutions based on each customer’s unique objectives. In this way, we empower our customers to harness the full benefits of cloud adoption.
We differentiate ourselves from other service providers by:
•focusing solely on the cloud as the only pure play cloud solutions company;
•automating much of the manual labor to reduce cost for our customers;
•providing our renowned Fanatical Experience for our customers;
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•maintaining close relationships with the major cloud providers - AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and VMware by Broadcom; and
•providing a full suite of cloud services across public and private cloud, as well as managed hosting and colocation services, so that enterprises can cost-effectively maintain legacy applications that are not cloud-ready while migrating their business to the cloud gradually.
We have a culture of innovation that permeates all that we do. Our Rackers gather insights from customers, cloud partners and each other to design, implement and operate advanced cloud environments. With our deep technical expertise, we build solutions alongside our customers to solve their most complex business challenges and explore their most promising business opportunities. Our tight-knit relationships with leading cloud partners enable Rackers to be on the front lines of cloud technology and among the first to utilize the latest capabilities of the cloud when our cloud partners launch new solutions. Our partnerships, Rackers and culture combine to ensure that we are at the forefront of major trends in technology, including cloud native application development, Internet of Things, AI and containers. We believe this expertise - and our ability to deliver it effectively - enables our customers to achieve their desired business outcomes, innovate faster and stay ahead of their competition.
Rackspace Fabric, our proprietary cloud software, is a significant differentiator.
Rackspace Fabric is the proprietary software that underpins our industry-leading automation. It includes over 200 unique tools and components to deliver our services and represents an investment of over $1 billion and 12 million hours of highly skilled professionals' time. We believe it gives us a sustainable competitive advantage that would be difficult, if not impossible, for a competitor to replicate. Rackspace Fabric serves as a single pane of glass through which customers can manage their entire cloud presence and delivers automation, AI, predictive analytics and proprietary tools that make our services even more reliable and easier to use.
Rackspace Fabric was built over the course of our two decades of experience in the cloud business. We leverage automation to reduce the amount of manual labor associated with serving our customers, as well as to improve efficiency. Whenever there is repetitive, manual labor associated with customer-related tasks, we automate the task. We also use advanced machine learning tools to identify additional work that can be automated. This has provided Rackspace Technology with a critical mass of automation, based upon institutional knowledge and know-how, that we continue to grow incrementally every year.
This is in direct contrast to our competition, many of whom charge for their services on a markup over labor costs, and therefore are not incentivized to employ automation in order to reduce customer costs.
Approximately 75% of our workloads are automated today, an industry leading figure that increased dramatically in recent years. We continually strive to optimize our automation to drive further efficiency gains in our business.
Rackspace Fabric includes automation that ranges from service delivery to self-healing infrastructure, giving us the ability to anticipate and proactively respond to opportunities and threats. It ensures consistency in our customers’ experiences and allows our Rackers to automate key service and application management processes, freeing up resources to focus on strategic, high-value business opportunities. This drives an efficient business model that has generated revenue per employee of over $450,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022 and over $500,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, which we believe is ahead of our competitors and in-line with leading SaaS companies.
Our go-to-market and service-delivery strategy.
Our business benefits from a highly efficient go-to-market strategy. Our sales efforts are led primarily by a team of over 700 quota-bearing representatives and customer success managers. Our ecosystem of partners serves as an extension of our direct sales force, providing a source of additional new business opportunities. Our customer engagement model begins with our professional services, where we partner with a customer to assess its objectives and design the best cloud strategy to meet its needs, and continues with our flexible recurring service offerings.
We deliver our services to a global customer base through an integrated service delivery model. We have a presence in more than 60 cities around the world. This footprint allows us to better serve customers based in various countries, especially multinational companies requiring cross-border solutions.
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Our success has been recognized by third parties and customers alike. We served over 95,000 customers across 120 countries as of December 31, 2023. We are recognized in leading analyst firm reports, including the Gartner Magic Quadrant and Critical Capabilities for Public Cloud IT Transformation Services, the Forrester Wave: Multicloud Managed Services Providers, IDC Worldwide Managed Multicloud Services Marketscape, IDC Worldwide Managed Public Cloud Services Marketscape and multiple ISG Provider Lens reports focused on Public Cloud and Private/Hybrid Cloud and Data Center Solutions. In 2023 we received the following Provider Lens Leader designations for reports by ISG, a leading global technology research and advisory firm: Multi Public Cloud Services and Solutions, Cybersecurity Solutions and Services, Google Cloud Partner Ecosystem, AWS Partner Ecosystem, Microsoft Partner Ecosystem and Private/Hybrid Cloud - Data Center Services.
In addition, we have also received several industry partner awards including being awarded 3x Partner of the Year for Google- including the 2020 Google Cloud Breakthrough North America Partner of the Year Award, 2021, AWS Migration Partner of the Year (US), 2021, Kubernetes on Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization, and Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization, 2021, VMware CloudHealth Global Partner of the Year, 2021, and Dell Technologies Global Alliances - Excellence in Expansion, EMEA Award 2021. In 2023 we received several industry partner awards including AWS SI Partner of the Year - NAMER, AWS Sustainability Partner of the Year - NAMER and AWS Education Partner of the Year - EMEA and VMware 2023 Lifecycle Services Award for the Americas Region, Dell Technologies Excellence in Server and Storage Sales, Americas and 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Azure Intelligent Data Platform, Data & AI- Singapore.
Our History
Rackspace Technology’s predecessor company was founded in 1998, and was focused primarily on providing outsourced, dedicated IT infrastructure, primarily for small and mid-sized businesses. The predecessor company was publicly traded from its initial public offering in August 2008 until it was taken private in a leveraged buyout in November 2016. Rackspace Technology subsequently returned to the public markets through an initial public offering in August 2020.
During the time that Rackspace Technology was a private company from 2016 to 2020, management focused on transforming the business to serve companies that were migrating to the cloud. This included forging and strengthening partnerships with the major infrastructure providers such as AWS, Google, Microsoft and VMware by Broadcom; enhancing the company’s service offerings, including professional services, managed security and data services; building an enterprise sales force and professional services-driven sales approach to penetrate a broader market opportunity; and expanding the company’s geographic presence.
Today, we are a trusted partner to the global cloud ecosystem. We maintain close relationships with major cloud infrastructure and application vendors, enabling us to provide our customers with complete, unbiased hybrid and multicloud services, all through our single customer interface.
Our Integrated Services Portfolio
Effective on January 1, 2023, Rackspace Technology reorganized around a two-business unit operating model, Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Public Cloud and Private Cloud have very different business dynamics and require different skill sets and levels of investment to manage. This two-business unit operating model ensures increased focus, delivery and service quality for our customers. Beginning in 2023, we changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two reporting segments: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. The services across these two segments are described in more detail below:
•Private Cloud: Rackspace Private Cloud enables our customers to achieve their business outcomes at our world class data centers or in a colocation or edge facility strategic to our customers’ success and connected by our RackConnectTM Global network service, virtual backbone, or provider-based network services. The Private Cloud product portfolio includes:
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•Programmatic Infrastructure: Programmatic Infrastructure is the foundation of Private Cloud and includes hardware and services for compute, network, storage, and data protection services. We partner with OEMs like Dell, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, and NetApp to provide standard offers at scale or solutions tailored to our customers’ specific needs.
•Cloud Operating Systems: These services provide the operating layer for physical devices with a software defined data center from VMware by Broadcom or OpenStack. These offers include Enterprise, Business, Flex, and Anywhere packages to match our customers’ needs and locations.
•Platform-as-a-Service: Our PaaS offers include RMPK (a managed Kubernetes service), RXDB (a privately hosted Database-as-a-Service solution specializing in High Availability NoSQL databases), RSDM (a team of database experts to manage and optimize your database estate), and SPOT (a unique cloud infrastructure offer auctioned in an open market as turnkey fully managed Kubernetes clusters).
•Private Cloud Solutions: These solutions are specific to certain customer use cases including AI, ERP services like SAP and Oracle, Epic workloads for customers in our healthcare vertical, and Sovereign and Government compliant services.
•Private Cloud Services: To solve our customers’ challenges and meet them where they are in their digital transformation, we provide managed services, professional services, Elastic Engineering services, and security services. Additionally, our Rackspace Email service provides a fully managed email platform for customers and carriers.
•Public Cloud: These offerings address the challenges of managing applications and data on the AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud public clouds. We bundle the underlying public cloud infrastructure with our expertise and experience, managed services and proprietary tools. While the infrastructure providers are responsible for their data centers, servers, storage, networking and operating system software, we help customers navigate, migrate, modernize, architect and deploy their applications on those leading public cloud platforms. After a migration, we manage, secure and optimize the customer’s environments on an ongoing basis using our tools, automation and expertise, while supporting the customer with robust service level agreements. These offerings do not require us to commit significant capital expenditures given that third parties provide the infrastructure.
Within Public Cloud, we deliver innovative Cloud Offerings (pre-defined playbooks) that are delivered using services (Professional Services, Elastic Engineering, and Managed Services) to provide solutions to customer problems across all three public clouds (AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud). These solutions accelerate a "Do With" approach to cloud transformation and are enabled by Rackspace assets and accelerators. We take these solutions to our customers through four service lines - Cloud Platform, Cloud Apps, Cloud Security and Cloud Data.
•Cloud Platform: The Cloud Platform Service Line focuses on providing platform-related services such as cloud strategy and architecture, platform and infrastructure migrations, and modern cloud infrastructure. The outcomes are to have a well-architected, optimized sustainable workloads on a cloud platform.
•Cloud Apps: The application service line is focused on building and managing applications within a cloud technology stack. It involves building new cloud-native applications on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as modernizing legacy applications through methods like re-platforming, container adoption, refactoring, and rewriting.
•Cloud Security: We provide fully-integrated security solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with our in-house Security Operations Center to provide customers with threat detection, analysis and remediation capabilities. Additionally, we have integrated security platforms into our management tools to give our customers one view of their organization’s vulnerability and threats.
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We offer additional managed security services to customers in the areas of (i) security threat assessment and prevention, (ii) proactive threat detection and response, (iii) rapid remediation, (iv) governance, risk and compliance assistance across multiple cloud platforms and (v) Privacy and Data Protection services, including detailed access restrictions and reporting. Our 24x7x365 Customer Security Operations Center is staffed by experienced Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) security analysts.
•Cloud Data: Cloud Data Services are dedicated to helping customers accelerate the adoption of modern data solutions while enabling their business transformation. Leveraging our IP, delivery frameworks, and reference architectures, we provide professional services and managed services across Data Modernization, Cloud Native Data Platforms, Self Service Analytics, AI, and Machine Learning across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
In June 2023, we launched Foundry for Artificial Intelligence (FAIRTM), a groundbreaking practice dedicated to helping organizations accelerate the responsible and sustainable adoption of AI solutions across all industries. FAIR offers three service offerings designed to meet the needs of every industry and organizational requirement. FAIR Ideate is an interactive and collaborative ideation workshop that helps organizations uncover actionable use cases for generative AI with defined business impacts. AI readiness diagnostics provide critical considerations for successful AI adoption. FAIR Incubate is an agile and iterative program that co-creates an enterprise's first generative AI solution. It establishes the technology stack and assesses the viability of AI, ensuring seamless integration into organizational processes. FAIR Industrialize is a systematic effort to transform the AI solution into a product, implementing governance, defining metrics, and optimizing the AI model and Distributed Cloud Infrastructure for continuous improvement.
We offer professional services across our entire portfolio, including hybrid, multicloud solutions, applications, security and data. As part of our professional services process, we meet customers at every stage of their cloud journey and design solutions focused on modernizing their infrastructure and applications to enhance the value of their cloud technologies. This process often serves as the starting point for new business opportunities; following our initial professional services engagement, a customer will typically use any combination of our managed services under long-term contracts, and will often use our professional services multiple times as their technology needs continue to evolve. For some new customer relationships, the early stages of the relationship can be weighted toward infrastructure revenue; in these cases, our customer success sales team is tasked with up-selling and cross-selling additional services, including professional services, to enhance the overall customer relationship.
Our Technology Platform
Our technology platform is at the center of the Fanatical Experience that we deliver to customers. Our technologies focus on removing the complexities of multicloud deployments, unifying compelling aspects of the experience for our customers and enabling us to deliver scalable solutions.
•Innovative automation drives efficiency for us and our customers, enabling us to rapidly and consistently deliver our solutions across multiple products and clouds at scale. Rackspace Business Automation is a custom platform developed to handle over 12 million events and over 1 billion actions per month across physical devices, virtual devices, systems and tools. Data center automation provides services and applications to automate provisioning, configuring and the decommissioning of data center infrastructure. UIPath Robotic Process Automation is deployed across our business to automate repetitive tasks. We can automate 75% of customer support workloads based upon the automation of thousands of unique processes across our support organization.
•AIOps is a new field of software that combines monitoring, machine learning and automation to enhance IT operations. Our AIOps platform correlates monitoring events across our customers’ physical and virtual devices into a single incident or problem, significantly reducing the time to resolution for complex incidents. We developed a first-of-its-kind multi-tenant AIOps solution that processes millions of compliance-related events each month.
•Predictive operations enables our data scientists to build sophisticated models to provide actionable insights to our business leaders, increasing our agility and ability to identify opportunities that enhance our customer relationships.
•Self-service APIs enable our customers to access data and resources programmatically, extending our automation and service delivery into their native tools and processes. We support integration with our ticketing systems to enable two-way integrated support workflows and billing system integration to enable access to consolidated billing data in multicloud environments. Additionally, our pre-built integration with ServiceNow enables enterprise customers to simplify connectivity between our tools and ServiceNow.
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•MyRackspace and other portals and associated mobile apps service over 550,000 active monthly users and support product specific self-service, insights, account management, security management, ticketing and billing. These portals are unified with our custom framework and design language, Pilot and Helix, providing a consistent experience and integrated navigation between our product lines and features. Our custom identity management system authenticates access to our user interfaces and APIs. This includes federation capabilities to integrate with our customers’ identity providers.
•Unified billing enables us to deliver an integrated single invoice for customers across all multicloud deployments. Our systems extract and rerate bills from public cloud hyperscalers and merge data from our products and services to generate a single invoice each month, while applying sophisticated billing and discount models.
•Service management applications ensure scale, speed, quality and consistency in our service delivery. These applications, including our custom CORE and Encore tools, support configurable rules and routing engines, integrated escalation management, detailed queue management and management visibility and reporting. These tools are augmented with sophisticated workforce management solutions to manage work shifts by utilizing historical data and trends across ticketing, chat and telephony, to maintain and appropriately staff our 24x7x365 operations.
Our Growth Strategies
In order to continue to drive growth and capture our large market opportunity, key elements of our growth strategies include:
•growing our private cloud business with new solutions, such as Rackspace Software Defined Datacenter, Industry Cloud, Sovereign Cloud, Private AI Cloud and Edge;
•building innovative solutions to broaden our portfolio, including scaled cloud-native solutions on our public cloud platforms and full-stack cloud offerings for infrastructure, applications and data;
•accelerating sales motions to defend our commercial business, expanding into mid-market and selectively targeting enterprise customers with our differentiated solutions both horizontally and vertically;
•identifying new areas with unmet needs and making smart technology bets to capture those opportunities ahead of the trend. For example, new product offerings such as Rackspace Data Freedom and Managed Kubernetes introduced to claim previously-unfilled white space in the cloud market;
•igniting the Racker Culture of innovation and Fanatical Experience for our customers and building on our unique culture by living our core values, embracing a growth mindset and operating with speed while celebrating accomplishments; and
•expanding automation to drive operational effectiveness and continuous process improvement for ourselves and our customers while remaining ahead of the competition in automation and building on our advantage.
Our Competition
We believe our technology and services expertise positions us well to compete with other technology and services providers. We face competition primarily from:
•In-house IT departments of our customers and potential customers provide services for their respective organizations, but typically need help scaling large technology environments and maximizing the value from their cloud investments, especially when speed, cost and innovation are key constraints.
•Traditional global IT systems integrators, such as Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Cognizant, Deloitte, DXC Technology and IBM, offer consulting and outsourcing, in a labor-intensive model, for large enterprise customers. Many of these businesses largely support legacy technologies and, where cloud capabilities exist, legacy revenue streams disincentivize these companies from fully embracing cloud technologies.
•Cloud service providers and digital systems integrators provide either consultation and implementation services for digital workflows or cloud services for a single cloud vendor. The solutions offered by these companies are often narrow in scope and are not well-suited for companies with complex hybrid, multicloud objectives.
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•Regional managed services providers use a local go-to-market approach, and provide cloud services within a single region or few regions. These companies are unable to serve the full needs of multinational customers.
•Colocation providers, such as Equinix, CyrusOne and QTS, provide secure environments for hardware and access to network connectivity. We believe that these companies provide limited services differentiation, and their customers do not benefit from the economics of cloud-based technologies.
We believe the principal competitive factors in our market include, but are not limited to:
•Focus on the cloud
•Technology and services expertise
•Customer experience
•Speed of innovation
•Strength of relationships with technology partners
•Automation and scalability
•Standardized operational processes
•Geographic reach
•Brand recognition and reputation
•Price
We believe that we compare favorably on the basis of the factors listed above. However, many of our competitors have: substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources; relationships with large vendor partners; larger global presence; larger customer bases; longer operating histories; greater brand recognition; and more established relationships in the industry than we do. Furthermore, new entrants not currently considered to be competitors may enter the market through acquisitions, partnerships or strategic relationships.
Our Customers
We serve a wide range of customers across geography, size and industry.
•Geography. We serve a global customer base. As of December 31, 2023, we served over 95,000 customers in over 120 countries.
•Size. We have a strong presence with customers of all sizes, including enterprise businesses (revenue in excess of $3 billion), mid-market businesses (revenue of $300 million to $3 billion) and commercial customers (revenue less than $300 million).
•Industry. We serve customers across all sectors, including highly regulated industries with complex security, compliance and governance requirements.
We have low customer concentration; no customer represented 4% or more of our total revenue in 2023.
Our Approach to Partnerships
We benefit from differentiated partnerships with all major public and private cloud vendors, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud and VMware by Broadcom. These partnerships provide us with a competitive advantage unmatched by our competitors, spanning across multiple disciplines, including:
•Comprehensive alignment: We work with major technology partners through a systematic engagement model across six key areas of our business: executive, alliances, solutions, marketing, sales, and service delivery to ensure alignment on key initiatives. We operate strategic programs that include solutions milestones, performance reviews and long-term strategic initiatives.
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•New business opportunities: Our sales teams and pre-sales engineering experts work with sales teams at technology partners to offer bundled solutions through a combined go-to-market effort. This results in a more compelling value proposition and greater value for our mutual customer. We believe our partners view us as a top services partner for their cloud technologies, as we are often cited as a ‘go-to’ services vendor for new business opportunities.
•Innovative solutions: We work closely with our partners’ product engineering teams as the baseline for our roadmap development and to provide input into our partners’ development plan. This critical input allows us and our partners to develop complementary services and technology. This has helped us arrive and stay at the forefront of innovation well before our competitors, and develop services and tools related to emerging technologies such as cloud-native application development, machine learning and AI.
We believe these relationships are beneficial to us, our partners and our customers. We and our partners both receive critical inputs for further innovation and benefit from joint go-to-market initiatives, while our customers are able to maximize their use of innovative technologies more efficiently, reduce time-to-market and remain competitive.
Sales and Delivery
Our services are sold via a global direct sales team of over 220 sales representatives and over 520 service delivery managers as of December 31, 2023, through third-party channel partners and through online orders on our website. Our sales model is based on both distributed and centralized sales teams with leads generated from customer referrals, channel partners and corporate marketing efforts.
Professional services are at the core of our consultative sales model and often serve as the gateway to our platform. For new business opportunities, our professional services organization engages closely with a customer to assess and design the best cloud solution for that customer. This is often the first step toward a long-term services agreement with a customer where we manage a customer’s cloud operations and give them the flexibility to evolve their spend with us as their needs change over time.
Our network of channel and technology partners also plays an important role in our sales efforts. Our channel partners - including management and technical consultancies, technology integrators, software application providers, value-added resellers and web developers - serve as a source of new business opportunities, primarily for small and medium-sized customers. Our technology partners serve as an extension of our sales force, often leading to new business opportunities as their customers recognize the need for a services partner to make the best use of their technology investments. In some cases, we collaborate directly with these partners on go-to-market efforts.
Our Customer Success team includes over 520 Rackers and engages in client relationship, contract management, managing deliverables, client retention and growth of our install base. This team is responsible for understanding the existing customers’ changing business needs and translating them into IT requirements, resulting in successful project execution or alignment of our other service offerings.
Our Culture
At the heart of Fanatical Experience is our unique culture. We invest in the recruitment, development and retention of our Rackers. Inclusion and diversity are top priorities for our company; we attract and cultivate top talent from around the world with diverse backgrounds and a range of expertise. We are highly selective. In our quest to hire the best talent, less than 1% of all applicants are offered positions. We strive to ensure our employees are not just technical experts, but also obsessed with customer outcomes and delivering Fanatical Experience.
We offer Rackers various professional development opportunities through Rackspace University, along with award-winning onboarding and leadership development programs, enabling them to enhance their capabilities across technologies and further their professional growth.
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Additionally, in 2023 we were recognized with several workplace-related awards:
•#1 Most Inspiring Workplace - Global, published by Inspiring Workplaces
•Top 50 Most Inspiring Workplaces - EMEA, published by Inspiring Workplaces
•Top 50 Most Inspiring Workplaces - North America, published by Inspiring Workplaces
•Top 10 Most Inspiring Workplaces - Australasia, published by Inspiring Workplace
•Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces, published by Achievers Workforce Institute
•Best Places to Work for Women, published by Great Place to Work Institute - Mexico
•Top 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the U.S., published by Latina Style Magazine
•Tech Cares Awardee, published by Trust Radius
•Great Place to Work-certified by Great Place to Work Mexico
•Corporate University Team of the Year Finalist, published by Corporate Learning Network
Our Rackers are passionate about serving our communities as well. Rackspace Technology provides a minimum of 40 hours of paid time for each Racker to volunteer annually, with over 20,000 volunteer hours logged for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Rackspace Foundation, a Racker-funded nonprofit organization, has been supporting underserved San Antonio-area schools through charitable grants since 2008.
Our Employees
As of December 31, 2023, we employed approximately 5,800 Rackers in 22 countries, including 2,300 Rackers in North America, 1,000 Rackers in EMEA, 2,400 in APJ and 100 Rackers in Australia and New Zealand. Of our North American Rackers, approximately 500 work from our corporate headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 70% of all Rackers were classified as work-from-home. None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining agreement, nor have we experienced any work stoppages.
Seasonality
Our business is not materially affected by seasonal trends.
Other Information
Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements for our annual stockholders’ meetings and amendments to those reports are available free of charge on our website, www.rackspace.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this Annual Report. In addition, we will provide electronic or paper copies of our filings free of charge upon request.
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. You can review copies of these documents on the SEC's website. The SEC’s website address is www.sec.gov.
Any references to websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS
Summary
Our ability to execute our strategies is subject to certain risks. The risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” immediately following this summary may cause us not to realize the full benefits of our competitive strengths or may cause us to be unable to successfully execute all or part of our strategies. Some of the more significant challenges and risks we face include the following:
•attracting new customers, retaining existing customers and selling additional services and comparable gross margin services to our customers;
•risks associated with general economic conditions and uncertainties affecting markets in which we operate and economic volatility that could adversely impact our business, including fluctuating interest rates;
•our ability to successfully execute our strategies and adapt to evolving customer demands, including the trend to lower-gross margin offerings;
•risk associated with impairment of goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets;
•risks associated with our substantial indebtedness and our obligations to repay such indebtedness;
•the loss of, and our reliance on, third-party providers, vendors, consultants and software;
•competing successfully against current and future competitors;
•security breaches, cyber-attacks and other interruptions to our and our third-party service providers’ technological and physical infrastructures; and
•our ability to meet our service level commitments to customers, including network uptime requirements.
Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends may not predict results or trends in future periods.
Risks Related to Our Business
If we are unable to attract new customers, retain existing customers and sell additional services at comparable gross margins to customers, our revenue and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our ability to maintain or increase our revenues and profit may be impacted by a number of factors, including our ability to attract new customers, retain existing customers and sell additional services at comparable gross margins to our customers. In addition, as we seek to grow our customer base increasingly through outbound sales, we expect to incur higher customer acquisition costs and, to the extent we are unable to retain and sell additional services to existing customers, our revenue and results of operations may decrease.
Growth in the demand for our services may be inhibited and we may be unable to profitably maintain or grow our customer base for a number of reasons, such as:
•our inability to provide compelling services or effectively market them to new and existing customers;
•loss of our favorable relationships with our third-party cloud service providers;
•customer migration to platforms that we do not have expertise in managing;
•the inability of customers to differentiate our services from those of our competitors or our inability to effectively communicate such distinctions;
•the decision of customers to host internally, in third-party cloud infrastructure, or in third-party colocation facilities as an alternative to the use of our services;
•the decision of customers to use internal or other third-party resources to manage their platforms and applications;
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•reductions in IT spending by customers or potential customers;
•our inability to penetrate international markets;
•a reduction in the demand for our services due to macroeconomic factors in the markets in which we operate;
•our inability to strengthen awareness of our brand;
•past or future cybersecurity-related incidents; and
•reliability, quality or compatibility problems with our services.
Moreover, we may face difficulty retaining existing customers over the long term. Certain customer contracts, particularly within our Private Cloud segment, frequently have initial terms (typically from 12 to 36 months) and, unless terminated, may be renewed or automatically extended for shorter, rolling periods after the initial term. Our customers have no obligation to renew their services after their initial contract periods expire and any termination fees associated with an early termination may not be sufficient to recover our costs associated with such contracts. In addition, most of our services within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business are based on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty. As a result, we may face high rates of customer churn if we are unable to meet our customer needs, requirements and preferences.
Our costs associated with generating revenue from existing customers are generally lower than costs associated with generating revenue from new customers, and depending on the customer and the service offering, there may be substantial variation in the gross margins associated with existing and new customers. Any failure by us in continuing to attract new customers or grow our revenue from existing customers could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is affected by general economic conditions and uncertainties affecting markets in which we operate and economic volatility could adversely impact our business.
Our overall performance depends in part on worldwide economic and geopolitical conditions. The U.S., the U.K. and other key international economies have experienced cyclical downturns from time to time in which economic activity was impacted by falling demand for a variety of goods and services, restricted credit, poor liquidity, reduced corporate profitability, volatility in credit and fluctuating interest rates, equity and foreign exchange markets, bankruptcies and overall uncertainty with respect to the economy. These economic conditions can arise suddenly and the full impact of such conditions can remain uncertain. In addition, geopolitical developments, such as existing and potential wars, trade wars or other conflicts, and other events beyond our control. Any form of civil unrest or other conflict can increase levels of political and economic unpredictability regionally or globally and has the potential to increase the volatility of global financial markets. Any of these effects could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to successfully execute our strategies and continue to develop and sell the services and solutions our customers demand, our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.
We must adapt to rapidly changing customer demands and preferences in order to successfully execute our strategies. This requires us to anticipate and respond to customer demands and preferences, address business model shifts, optimize our go-to-market execution by improving our cost structure, align sales coverage with strategic goals, improve channel execution and strengthen our services and capabilities in our areas of strategic focus. Any failure to successfully execute our strategies, including any failure to invest in strategic growth areas, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our strategies require significant investments that may adversely affect our near-term revenue growth and results of operations.
We expect the implementation of our strategies to require significant investments, and the investments we must make could result in lower gross margins and raise our operating expenses and capital expenditures. The risks and challenges we face in connection with our strategies include upgrading and integrating our service offerings, expanding our professional services capability, expanding into new geographies, growing in geographies where we currently have an existing presence and ensuring that the performance, features and reliability of our service offerings and our customer service remain competitive in a rapidly changing technological environment. These investments may adversely affect our near-term revenue growth and results of operations, and we cannot assure that they will ultimately be successful.
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We have a history of losses and may not be able to achieve profitability in the future.
We incurred net losses of $218.3 million, $804.8 million and $837.8 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. We may not be able to achieve profitability in the future or on a consistent basis. We have incurred substantial expenses and expended significant resources to market, promote, and sell our services, and we have substantial debt service payments. Our ability to achieve or maintain profitability will depend on our ability to increase our revenue, manage our cost structure, and avoid significant liabilities. Revenue growth may slow or revenue may decline for a number of reasons, including general macroeconomic conditions, increasing competition, or a decrease in the growth of the markets in which we operate. Additionally, we may encounter unforeseen operating expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may result in losses in future periods. Any failure to increase our revenue or manage our expenses could prevent us from achieving profitability at all or on a consistent basis, which would cause our business, financial condition and results of operations to suffer.
We may be required to recognize goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived asset impairment charges.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized and are subject to impairment testing at least annually. Future events may cause impairments of our goodwill or long-lived assets based on factors such as the price of our common stock, projected cash flows, assumptions used or other variables.
In addition, if we divest long-lived assets at prices below their asset value, we must write them down to fair value resulting in long-lived asset impairment charges, which could adversely affect our financial position or results of operations. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets. We have recognized, and we may be required to recognize additional goodwill or other asset impairment charges which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for further discussion.
Our results of operations have historically varied and may fluctuate significantly, which could make our future results difficult to predict and could cause our results of operations to fall below investor or analyst expectations.
Our results of operations may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including many of the risks described in this section, many of which are outside of our control. Many of these factors outside our control could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenue and diversion of management’s time and energy, which could materially and adversely impact our business. Our period-to-period results of operations are not necessarily an indication of our future operating performance. In addition, in calculating Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), we utilize estimates of our net effective tax rate, which may fluctuate based on a number of factors, including tax law changes and the geographic distribution of our profits and losses. As a result, our calculation of Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) could change from period to period, including due to factors not tied to our financial performance. Furthermore, our revenue, gross margins and profitability in any given period are dependent partially on the service, customer and geographic mix reflected in the respective period. Variations in cost structure and gross margins across business units and services may lead to operating profit volatility on an annual and quarterly basis. Fluctuations in our revenue can lead to even greater fluctuations in our results of operations. Our budgeted expense levels depend in part on our expectations of long-term future revenue. Given the fixed nature of certain operating costs related to our personnel and facilities, any substantial adjustment to our expenses to account for lower than expected levels of revenue will be difficult. Consequently, if our revenue does not meet projected levels, our operating expenses would be high relative to our revenue, which would negatively affect our operating performance. If our revenue or operating results do not meet or exceed the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock may decline.
We may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors.
The market for our services is highly competitive, quickly evolving and subject to rapid changes in technology. We expect to continue to face intense competition from our existing competitors as well as additional competition from new market entrants in the future as the market for our services continues to grow.
Our current and potential competitors vary by size, service offerings and geographic region. These competitors may elect to partner with each other or with focused companies to grow their businesses. They include:
•in-house IT departments of our customers and potential customers;
•traditional global IT systems integrators, including large multi-national providers, such as Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Cognizant, Deloitte, DXC Technology and IBM;
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•cloud service providers and digital systems integrators;
•regional managed services providers; and
•colocation solutions providers, such as Equinix, CyrusOne and QTS.
The primary competitive factors in our market are: focus on the cloud, technology and service expertise, customer experience, speed of innovation, strength of relationships with technology partners, automation and scalability, standardized operational processes, geographic reach, brand recognition and reputation and price.
Many of our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources; relationships with large vendor partners; larger global presence; larger customer bases; longer operating histories; greater brand recognition; and more established relationships in the industry than we do. As a result, some of these competitors may be able to:
•develop superior products or services, gain greater market acceptance and expand their service offerings more efficiently or more rapidly;
•adapt to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements more quickly;
•bundle their offerings, including hosting services, with other services they provide at reduced prices;
•streamline their operational structure, obtain better pricing or secure more favorable contractual terms, allowing them to deliver services and products at a lower cost;
•take advantage of acquisition, joint venture and other opportunities more readily;
•adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote greater resources to the promotion, marketing and sales of their services, which could cause us to have to lower prices for certain services to remain competitive in the market; and
•devote greater resources to the R&D of their products and services.
To the extent we face increased price competition, we may have to lower the prices of certain of our services in the future to stay competitive, while simultaneously seeking to maintain or improve our revenue and gross margin.
In addition, consolidation activity through strategic mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures may result in new competitors that can offer a broader range of products and services, may have greater scale or a lower cost structure. To the extent such consolidation results in the ability of vertically-integrated companies to offer more integrated services to customers than we can, customers may prefer the single-source approach and direct more business to such competitors, thereby impairing our competitive position. Furthermore, new entrants not currently considered to be competitors may enter the market through acquisitions, partnerships or strategic relationships. As we look to market and sell our services to potential customers, we must convince their internal stakeholders that our services are superior to their current solutions. If we are unable to anticipate or react to these competitive challenges, our competitive position would weaken, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may from time to time enter into strategic relationships with one or more of our competitors. By way of example, we have non-exclusive managed service provider relationships with AWS, Microsoft and Google and have entered into agreements with colocation service providers to provide us with colocation space.
Our business is highly dependent on our ability to maintain favorable relationships with our third-party cloud infrastructure providers and the ability of those third-party cloud infrastructure providers to provide the services and features that our customers desire.
We have non-exclusive managed service provider relationships with AWS, Microsoft and Google. Some of our customers first select their cloud infrastructure platform provider and then engage us to provide the managed services for the selected platform and, more often than not, we resell the cloud infrastructure to the customer (although some customers may elect to purchase the cloud infrastructure directly from the providers). Our agreements with AWS, Microsoft and Google may be terminated at will by the counterparty. If we are unable to maintain these relationships on favorable terms, or at all, we may not be able to retain our current customers or attract new customers, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, if our cloud infrastructure providers are unable to provide the types of services and features that meet customer needs, our customers may migrate to alternative cloud infrastructure providers that we may not have the ability to resell and/or support or may not be able to support on a competitive cost structure, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We rely on our relationships with third-party cloud infrastructure providers to help drive revenue to our business. Most of these providers offer services that are complementary to our services; however, some may compete with us in one or more of our service offerings. These providers may decide in the future to terminate their agreements with us and/or to market and sell a competitor’s or their own services rather than ours, which could cause our revenue to decline. Also, we derive tangible and intangible benefits from our association with some of these providers, particularly high-profile providers that reach a large number of companies through the Internet. If a substantial number of these providers terminate their relationship with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our referral and reseller partners provide revenue to our business, and we benefit from our association with them. The loss of these participants could adversely affect our business.
Our referral and reseller partners drive revenue to our business. Most of these partners offer services that are complementary to our services; however, some may actually compete with us in one or more of our service offerings. These referral and reseller partners may decide in the future to terminate their agreements with us and/or to market and sell a competitor’s or their own services rather than ours, which could cause our revenue to decline. Also, we derive tangible and intangible benefits from our association with some of our referral and reseller partners, particularly high-profile partners that reach a large number of companies through the Internet. If a substantial number of these partners terminate their relationships with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We also receive payments and credits from some of our referral and reseller partners, including consideration under volume incentive programs and shared marketing expense programs. Our referral and reseller partners may decide to terminate or reduce the benefits under their incentive programs, or change the conditions under which we may obtain such benefits, and we may fail to achieve the volumes on which our forecasts for incentive payments and credits are based. Any sizable reduction, termination or significant delay in receiving benefits under these programs could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to timely react to any changes in our referral and reseller partners’ programs, such as the elimination of funding for some of the activities for which we have been compensated in the past, such changes could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to hire and retain qualified employees and management personnel, our strategies and our business could be harmed.
Our ability to be successful and to execute on our strategies depends on our ability to identify, hire, train and retain qualified executives, IT professionals, technical engineers, software developers, operations employees and sales and senior management personnel who maintain relationships with our customers and who can provide the technical, strategic and marketing skills required for our company to grow. Our ability to execute on our sales strategy is also dependent on our ability to identify, hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified sales personnel. There is a shortage of qualified personnel in these fields, and like many other companies we have recently encountered additional challenges in hiring and retaining qualified personnel. We compete with other companies for this limited pool of potential employees. Furthermore, the implementation of our strategies will result in changes throughout our business, which may create uncertainty for our employees. Such uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel and could cause customers, suppliers and others who deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships. In addition, the industry in which we operate is generally characterized by significant competition for skilled personnel, and as our industry becomes more competitive, it could become especially difficult to retain personnel with unique in-demand skills and knowledge, whom we would expect to become recruiting targets for our competitors. There is no assurance that we will be able to recruit or retain qualified personnel or successfully transition knowledge from departing employees, and this failure could cause a dilution of our service-oriented culture and our inability to develop and deliver existing or new operations and services, which could cause our business to be negatively impacted.
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Security breaches, cyber-attacks and other interruptions to our or our third-party service providers’ infrastructure have disrupted and may continue to disrupt our internal operations and we may be exposed to claims and liability, lose customers, suffer harm to our reputation, lose business-critical compliance certifications and incur additional costs.
We are materially dependent upon our networks, information technology infrastructure and related technology systems to provide services to our customers, manage our internal operations and support our strategic objectives. Many of our customers require access to our services on a continuous basis and may be materially impaired by interruptions in our or our third-party service providers’ infrastructure. The services we offer also involve the transmission of large amounts of sensitive and proprietary information over public communications networks, as well as the processing and storage of confidential customer information, which may include information subject to stringent domestic and foreign data protection laws, including those governing personally identifiable information, protected health information or other types of sensitive data. We also process, store and transmit our own data as part of our business and operations, which may include personally identifiable, confidential or proprietary information.
Cyber-attacks have become more prevalent in our industry, and the techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems are constantly expanding and evolving. Malicious actors are increasingly sophisticated in their methods, tactics, techniques and procedures, seeking to steal money, gain unauthorized access to, destroy or manipulate data, and disrupt operations, and some of their attacks may not be recognized or discovered until launched or after initial entry into the environment, such as novel or zero-day attacks that are launched before patches are available and defenses can be readied. Malicious actors are also increasingly developing methods to avoid prevention, detection and alerting capabilities, including employing counter-forensic tactics, making response activities more difficult. Like many companies, we have experienced these attacks, including a ransomware incident that caused service disruptions for our Hosted Exchange customers, as previously disclosed in December 2022. When these cyber-attacks occur, we respond to these incidents pursuant to our cybersecurity policies and procedures and in accordance with the law. Our cybersecurity policies and procedures are designed to protect against and mitigate harm from unauthorized access, infrastructure attacks, malicious file attacks, ransomware, data theft, bugs, worms, malicious software programs, remnant data exposure, computer viruses, denial-of-service attacks, accidents, employee error or malfeasance, intentional misconduct by computer “hackers,” state-sponsored cyber-attacks and attempts by outside parties to fraudulently induce our employees or customers to disclose or grant access to our data or our customers’ data. Our current cybersecurity framework is governed and overseen by the Chief Security Officer. The audit committee of our board of directors receives regular cybersecurity updates. When necessary, our internal incident response team engages with external advisors, including outside counsel or outside cybersecurity firms to investigate and remediate.
Our current security measures are monitored and periodically reviewed. Nevertheless, our security measures have in the past and may continue to be circumvented or fail to defeat or mitigate cybersecurity attacks. Additionally, other disruptions can occur, such as infrastructure gaps, hardware and software vulnerabilities, inadequate or missing security controls, exposed or unprotected customer data and the accidental or intentional disclosure of source code or other confidential information by former or current employees. Any such incidents could (i) interfere with the delivery of services to our customers, (ii) impede our customers’ ability to do business, (iii) compromise the security of infrastructure, systems and data, (iv) lead to the dissemination to third parties of proprietary information or sensitive, personal, or confidential data about us, our employees or our customers, including personally identifiable information of individuals involved with our customers and their end users and (v) impact our ability to do business in the ordinary course. Each of these risks could further intensify as we maintain information in digital form stored on servers connected to the Internet, especially in light of the growing frequency, scope and well-documented sophistication of cyber-attacks and intrusions. Some of our systems or vendors’ systems have experienced past security breaches, and, although they did not have a material adverse effect on our operating results, there can be no assurance of a similar result in the future. Cyber breaches and other security incidents may expose us to increased risk of claims and liability, including litigation, regulatory enforcement, notification obligations and indemnity obligations, as well as loss of existing or potential customers, harm to our reputation, increases in our security costs (including spending material resources to investigate or correct the breach or incident and to prevent future security breaches and incidents), disruption of normal business operations, the impairment or loss of industry certifications and government sanctions (including debarment), all of which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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The security of our services is important in our customers’ decisions to purchase or use our services. Threats to our infrastructure may not only affect the data that we own but also the data belonging to our customers. When customers use our services, they rely on the security of our infrastructure, including hardware and other elements provided by third parties, to ensure the reliability of our services and the protection of their data. We also offer professional services to our customers where we consult on data center solutions and assist with implementations. We offer managed services domestically and in some jurisdictions outside of the U.S. An actual or perceived breach of, or other security incident relating to, our cloud storage systems and networks could result in significant loss. In the event of a claim, we could be liable for substantial damage awards that may significantly exceed our liability insurance coverage by unknown but significant amounts, which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, we cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will cover any claims against us relating to any such incident, will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or that our insurers will not deny coverage as to any such claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, or the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. The costs could be exacerbated by regulatory fines and penalties, notification costs and the loss of revenue due to brand and reputational harm.
Similar security risks exist with respect to our business partners and the third-party vendors that we rely on for aspects of our IT support services and administrative functions, including the systems owned, operated or controlled by other unaffiliated operators to the extent we rely on such other systems to deliver services to our customers. Our cybersecurity policies and procedures are designed to vet third-party providers and provide for adequate oversight and cooperation regarding cybersecurity incidents with respect to our third-party vendors, but our ability to monitor our third-party service providers’ data security is limited. As a result, we are subject to the risk that cyber-attacks on, or other security incidents affecting, our business partners and third-party vendors may adversely affect our business even if an attack or breach does not directly impact our systems. It is also possible that security breaches sustained by, or other security incidents affecting, our competitors could result in negative publicity for our entire industry that indirectly harms our reputation and diminishes demand for our services.
In addition, our customers require and expect that we maintain industry-related compliance certifications, such as International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") 27001, Service Organization Controls ("SOC 1, 2, 3") and Payment Card Industry ("PCI"), Federal Information Security Management Act ("FISMA"), Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program ("FedRAMP") and Health Information Trust Alliance (“HITRUST”) in the U.S., Information Security Registered Assessors Program ("IRAP") in Australia and Public Services Network ("PSN") in the U.K. There are significant costs associated with maintaining existing and implementing any newly-adopted industry-related compliance certifications, including costs associated with retroactively building security controls into services which may involve re-engineering technology, processes and staffing. The inability to maintain applicable compliance certifications could result in monetary fines, disruptive participation in forensic audits due to a breach, security-related control failures, customer contract breaches, customer churn and brand and reputational harm.
See Item 1C - “Cybersecurity” for additional information.
Our inability to prevent service disruptions and ensure network uptime could lead to significant costs and could harm our business reputation and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our value proposition to customers is highly dependent on the ability of our existing and potential customers to access our services and platform capabilities at any time and within an acceptable amount of time. We have experienced interruptions in service in the past and may in the future experience service interruptions due to such things as power outages, power equipment failures, cooling equipment failures, network connectivity downtime, routing problems, security issues, hard drive failures, database corruption, system failures, natural disasters, software failures, human and software errors, denial-of-service attacks and other computer failures. Because our ability to attract and retain customers depends on our ability to provide customers with highly reliable service, even minor interruptions in our service could harm our reputation.
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Because our service offerings do not require geographic proximity of our data centers to our customers, our infrastructure is consolidated into a few large facilities. Accordingly, any failure or downtime in one of our data center facilities could affect a significant percentage of our customers. The total destruction or severe impairment of any of our data center facilities could result in significant downtime of our services and the loss of customer data. In addition, it may become increasingly difficult to maintain and improve our performance, especially during peak usage times and as our services and platform capabilities become more complex and our user traffic increases. To the extent that our facilities fail or experience downtime or we do not effectively upgrade our systems as needed or continually develop our technology and network architecture to accommodate actual and anticipated changes in technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Service interruptions continue to be a significant risk for us and could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any future service interruptions could:
•cause our customers to seek damages for losses incurred;
•delay payment to us by customers;
•result in legal claims against us;
•divert our resources;
•require us to replace existing equipment or add redundant facilities;
•affect our reputation as a reliable provider of hosting services;
•cause existing customers to cancel or elect to not renew their contracts; or
•make it more difficult for us to attract new customers.
Our customer agreements include certain service level commitments to our customers relating primarily to network uptime, critical infrastructure availability and hardware replacement. If we are unable to meet the stated service level commitments, we may be contractually obligated to provide these customers with service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers. As a result, a failure to deliver services for a relatively short duration could cause us to issue these credits to a large number of affected customers. In addition, we cannot be assured that our customers will accept these credits in lieu of other legal remedies that may be available to them. Our failure to meet our commitments could also result in substantial customer dissatisfaction or loss. Our failure to meet our service level commitments to our customers could lead to future loss of revenues and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to operate our data centers relies on access to sufficient and reliable electric power.
Since our data centers rely on third parties to provide power sufficient to meet operational needs, our data centers could have a limited or inadequate amount of electrical resources necessary to meet our customer requirements. We and other data center operators attempt to limit exposure to system downtime due to power outages by using backup generators and power supplies. However, these protections may not limit our exposure to power shortages or outages entirely. Any system downtime resulting from insufficient power resources or power outages could cause physical damage to equipment, increase our susceptibility to security breaches, damage our reputation and lead us to lose current and potential customers, which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to have reliable Internet, telecommunications and fiber optic network connectivity and capacity may adversely affect our results of operations.
Our success depends in part upon the capacity, reliability and performance of our network infrastructure, including our Internet, telecommunications and fiber optic network connectivity providers. We depend on these companies to provide uninterrupted and error-free service through their telecommunications networks. Some of these providers are also our competitors. We exercise little control over these providers, which increases our vulnerability to problems with the services they provide. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience interruptions or delays in network service. Any failure on our part or the part of our third-party suppliers to achieve or maintain high data transmission capacity, reliability or performance could significantly reduce customer demand for our services and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also can provide no assurances that our redundancy planning will be effective.
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As our customers’ usage of telecommunications capacity increases, we will be required to make additional investments in our capacity to maintain adequate data transmission speeds, the availability of which may be limited or the cost of which may be on terms unacceptable to us. If adequate capacity is not available to us as our customers’ usage increases, our network may be unable to achieve or maintain sufficiently high data transmission capacity, reliability or performance. In addition, our business and results of operations would suffer if our network suppliers increased the prices for their services and we were unable to successfully pass along the increased costs to our customers.
We have overestimated our data center capacity requirements in the past. If we overestimate or underestimate our data center capacity requirements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
The costs of building out, leasing and maintaining our data centers constitute a significant portion of our capital and operating expenses. To manage our capacity while minimizing unnecessary excess capacity costs, we continuously evaluate our short and long-term data center capacity requirements, and we have overestimated our data center capacity requirements in the past. However, many of the data center sites that we lease are subject to long-term leases. If our capacity needs are reduced, or if we decide to close a data center, we may nonetheless be committed to perform our obligations under the applicable leases including, among other things, paying the base rent for the balance of the lease term. Moreover, as a result of changing technological trends, we have seen customer demand shift towards our offerings provided on the infrastructure of a third-party cloud infrastructure provider, which reduces our data center capacity needs. In addition, the solutions we offer and our customer-based approach may encourage our customers to move to the public cloud, which may reduce our data center capacity needs. If we overestimate our data center capacity requirements and therefore secure excess data center capacity, our operating margins could be materially reduced. If we underestimate our data center capacity requirements, we may not be able to service the expanding needs of our existing customers and may be required to limit new customer acquisition or enter into leases that are not optimal, both of which may materially and adversely impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Real or perceived errors, failures or bugs in our customer solutions, software or technology could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Undetected real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects may be present or occur in the future in our customer solutions, software or technology or the technology or software we license from third parties, including open source software. Despite testing by us, real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects may not be found until our customers use our services. Real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects in our customer solutions could result in negative publicity, loss of or delay in market acceptance of our services and harm to our brand, weakening of our competitive position, claims by customers for losses sustained by them or failure to meet the stated service level commitments in our customer agreements. In such an event, we may be required, or may choose, for customer relations or other reasons, to expend significant additional resources in order to help correct the problem. Any real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects in our customer solutions could also impair our ability to attract new customers, retain existing customers or expand their use of our services, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on third-party software that may be difficult to replace, or which could cause errors or failures of our service that could lead to lost customers or harm to our reputation.
We rely on software licensed from third parties to offer our services. This software may not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of this software could result in delays in the provisioning of our services until equivalent technology is either developed by us, or, if available, is identified, obtained and integrated, which could harm our business, and there is no guarantee that we would be successful in developing, identifying, obtaining or integrating equivalent or similar technology, which could result in the loss or limiting of our services or features available in our services. Any errors or defects in third-party software or inadequate or delayed support by our third-party licensors could result in errors or a failure of our service, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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If our third-party vendors, including our third-party software licensors, increase their prices and we are unable to pass those increased costs to our customers, it could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.
If third-party vendors increase their prices and we are unable to successfully pass those costs on to our customers, it could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations. Many of our contracts with our customers give us the flexibility to increase our prices from time to time; however, notwithstanding our contractual right to do so, raising prices may decrease the demand for our services, cause customers to terminate their existing relationships with us or limit our ability to attract new customers. Our attempts to otherwise mitigate cost increases or achieve cost reductions can also cause disruptions and operational impacts in the near- and medium-term, including increased costs and distraction of management attention.
Our services depend in part on intellectual property and proprietary rights and technology licensed from third parties.
Much of our business and many of our services rely on key technologies developed or licensed by third parties. For example, we sell or otherwise provide licenses to use third-party software in connection with the sale of some of our managed service partner offerings. These third-party software components may become obsolete, defective or incompatible with future versions of our services, or relationships with the third-party licensors may deteriorate, or our agreements with the third-party licensors may expire or be terminated. Additionally, some of these licenses may not be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable or that allow our service offerings to remain competitive. Our inability to obtain licenses or rights on favorable terms could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Furthermore, incorporating intellectual property or proprietary rights licensed from third parties on a non-exclusive basis in our services could limit our ability to protect the intellectual property and proprietary rights in our services and our ability to restrict third parties from developing, selling or otherwise providing similar or competitive technology using the same third-party intellectual property or proprietary rights.
Sales to enterprise customers involve risks that may not be present in or that are present to a greater extent than sales to smaller entities.
We continue to focus a significant portion of our sales efforts on enterprise customers. Sales to such customers generally have longer sales cycles, more complex customer requirements, substantial upfront sales costs and contract terms that are less favorable to us, including as it relates to pricing and limitations on liability. A number of factors influence the length and variability of our sales cycle, including the need to educate potential customers about the uses and benefits of our solutions, the discretionary nature of purchasing and budget cycles and the competitive nature of evaluation and purchasing approval processes. As a result, the length of our sales cycle, from identification of the opportunity to deal closure, may vary significantly from customer to customer, with sales to large enterprises typically taking longer to complete.
Some of our professional services engagements with our clients are based on estimated pricing terms. If our estimates are incorrect, these terms could become unprofitable.
Some of our customer contracts for professional services are fixed-price contracts to which we commit before we provide services to these clients. In pricing such fixed-price client contracts, we are required to make estimates and assumptions at the time we enter into these contracts that could differ from actual results. As a result, the profit that is anticipated at a contract’s inception is not guaranteed. Our estimates reflect our best judgments about the nature of the engagement and our expected costs in providing the contracted services. However, any increased or unexpected costs or any unanticipated delays in connection with our performance of these engagements, including delays caused by our third-party providers or by factors outside our control, could make these contracts less profitable or unprofitable and could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
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If we fail to maintain, enhance and protect our brand, our ability to expand our customer base will be impaired and our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.
We believe that maintaining, enhancing and protecting our brand is important to support the marketing and sale of our existing and future services to new customers and expand sales of our services to existing customers. We also believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our market increases. Successfully maintaining, enhancing and protecting our brand will depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts, our ability to provide reliable services that continue to meet the needs of our customers at competitive prices, our ability to maintain our customers’ trust, our ability to successfully differentiate our services and platform capabilities from competitive services and our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce trademark and other intellectual property protection for our brand. Our brand promotion activities may not generate customer awareness or yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses incurred in building and maintaining our brand. If we fail to successfully promote, maintain and protect our brand, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our ability to operate and expand our business is susceptible to risks associated with international sales and operations.
We have operations across the globe. We anticipate that a significant portion of our revenue will continue to be derived from sources outside of the U.S. A key element of our strategy is to further expand our customer base internationally and successfully operate data centers in foreign markets. Managing a global organization is difficult, time consuming and expensive. If we are unable to manage the risks of our global operations and geographic expansion strategy, our business, results of operations and ability to grow could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, conducting international operations subjects us to new risks that we have not generally faced. These risks include:
•localization of our services, including translation into foreign languages and adapting to local practices and regulatory requirements and differing technology standards or customer requirements;
•lack of familiarity with and unexpected changes in foreign regulatory requirements;
•longer accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;
•difficulties in managing and staffing international operations;
•fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
•restrictions on the ability to move cash;
•potentially adverse tax consequences, including the complexities of transfer pricing and foreign value added tax systems;
•challenges associated with repatriating earnings generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner and changes in tax laws;
•dependence on certain third parties, including channel partners with whom we do not have extensive experience;
•the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and legal standards;
•increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;
•trade regulations and procedures and actions affecting production, pricing and marketing of services, including policies adopted by countries that may champion or otherwise favor domestic companies and technologies over foreign competitors;
•political, social and economic instability and corruption abroad, terrorist attacks, civil unrest and security concerns in general;
•pandemics and public health emergencies; and
•reduced or varied protection for intellectual property and proprietary rights in some countries.
Operating in international markets also requires significant management attention and financial resources. The investment and additional resources required to establish operations and manage growth in other countries may not produce desired levels of revenue or profitability.
Failure to develop and maintain adequate internal systems could cause us to be unable to properly provide service to our customers, causing us to lose customers, suffer harm to our reputation and incur additional costs.
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Some of our enterprise systems have been designed to support individual service offerings, resulting in a lack of standardization among various internal systems, tools and processes across products, platforms, services, functions and geographies, making it difficult to serve customers who use multiple service offerings. This lack of standardization causes us to implement manual processes to overcome the fragmentation, which can result in increased expense and manual errors.
We continually seek to drive efficiencies in our infrastructure and business processes. Our inability to manage competing priorities, execute multiple concurrent projects, plan and manage resources effectively and meet deadlines and budgets could result in us not being able to implement the systems needed to speed up implementation of customer solutions and deliver our services in a compelling manner to our customers. If we are unable to drive efficiencies in our infrastructure and business processes, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We may not be able to renew the leases on our existing facilities on terms acceptable to us, if at all, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We do not own the facilities occupied by our current data centers but occupy them pursuant to commercial leasing arrangements. The initial terms of our main existing data center leases expire over the next 15 years. Upon the expiration or termination of our data center facility leases, we may not be able to renew these leases on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Even if we are able to renew the leases on our existing data centers, we expect that rental rates, which will be determined based on then-prevailing market rates with respect to the renewal option periods and which will be determined by negotiation with the landlord after the renewal option periods, will be higher than rates we currently pay under our existing lease agreements. Migrations to new facilities could also be expensive and present technical challenges that may result in downtime for our affected customers or loss of data. There can also be no assurances that our plans to mitigate customer downtime for affected customers will be successful. This could damage our reputation and lead us to lose current and potential customers, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on a number of third-party providers for data center space, equipment, maintenance and other services, and the loss of, or problems with, one or more of these providers may impede our growth or cause us to lose customers.
We rely on third-party providers to supply data center space, equipment and maintenance. For example, we lease data center space from third-party landlords, purchase equipment from equipment providers and source equipment maintenance through third parties. While we have entered into various agreements for the lease of data center space, equipment, maintenance and other services, a third-party could fail to comply with their contractual obligations under those agreements. For example, a data center landlord may fail to adequately maintain its facilities or provide an appropriate data center infrastructure for which it is responsible. If that were to happen, we would not likely be able to deliver the services to our customers that we have agreed to provide according to our standards or at all. Additionally, if the third parties that we rely on fail to deliver on their obligations, our customers may lose confidence in our company, which would make it likely that we would not be able to retain those customers, and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to various laws, directives, regulations, contractual obligations and policies regarding the protection of confidentiality and appropriate use of personal information.
We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international laws, directives and regulations, as well as contractual obligations and policies, relating to the collection, use, retention, security, disclosure, transfer and other processing of information, including sensitive, proprietary, healthcare, financial and personal information. The regulatory framework for privacy and security issues worldwide is complex and rapidly evolving and as a result, implementation standards and enforcement practices are likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Any failure by us, our suppliers or other parties with whom we do business to comply with our contractual commitments, policies or with federal, state, local or international regulations could result in proceedings against us by governmental entities or others. In many jurisdictions, enforcement actions and consequences for noncompliance are rising. In the U.S., these include enforcement actions in response to rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of federal agencies, state attorneys general and legislatures and consumer protection agencies. In addition, security advocates and industry groups have regularly proposed, and may propose in the future, self-regulatory standards with which we must legally comply or that contractually apply to us. If we fail to follow these security standards even if no personal information is compromised, we may incur significant fines or experience a significant increase in costs.
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Internationally, virtually every jurisdiction in which we operate has established its own data security and privacy legal framework with which we or our customers must comply, including but not limited to the U.K. and the E.U. The E.U. has adopted the General Data Protection Regulation ("E.U. GDPR"), which went into effect in May 2018, and together with national legislation, regulations and guidelines of the E.U. member states, contains numerous requirements and changes from previously existing E.U. law, including the increased jurisdictional reach of the European Commission, more robust obligations on data processors and additional requirements for data protection compliance programs by companies. E.U. member states are tasked under the E.U. GDPR to enact, and have enacted, certain legislation that adds to and/or further interprets the E.U. GDPR requirements and potentially extends our obligations and potential liability for failing to meet such obligations. Among other requirements, the E.U. GDPR regulates transfers of personal data subject to the E.U. GDPR to the U.S. as well as other third countries that have not been found to provide adequate protection to such personal data. While we have taken steps to mitigate the impact on us with respect to transfers of data, such as implementing standard contractual clauses, the efficacy and longevity of these transfer mechanisms remains uncertain. Following Brexit, the U.K. enacted a Data Protection Act substantially implementing the GDPR and amended to align with the E.U. GDPR. It is unclear how U.K. data protection laws or regulations will develop in the medium to longer term. We must comply with the E.U. GDPR and the U.K. GDPR, with each regime having the ability to fine up to the greater of €20 million (in the case of the E.U. GDPR) or £17 million (in the case of the U.K. GDPR) and 4% of total annual revenue. Such penalties are in addition to any civil litigation claims by customers and data subjects. The GDPR requirements apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between us and our subsidiaries, including employee information.
Non-compliance with relevant data privacy laws, directives and regulations, such as the E.U. or U.K. GDPR, could result in proceedings against us by governmental entities, customers, data subjects or others. We may also experience difficulty retaining or obtaining new European or multi-national customers due to the legal requirements, compliance cost, potential risk exposure and uncertainty for these entities, and we may experience significantly increased liability with respect to these customers pursuant to the terms set forth in our engagements with them.
Domestic laws in this area are also complex and developing rapidly. Many state legislatures have adopted legislation that regulates how businesses operate online, including measures relating to privacy, data security and data breaches, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, have adopted, or are considering adopting, laws and regulations concerning personal information and data security. In addition, laws in all 50 states require businesses to provide notice to customers whose personally identifiable information has been disclosed as a result of a data breach. The laws are not consistent, and compliance in the event of a widespread data breach is costly. States are also constantly amending existing laws, requiring attention to frequently changing regulatory requirements.
Because the interpretation and application of many privacy and data protection laws along with contractually imposed industry standards are uncertain, it is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our existing data management practices or the features of our services and platform capabilities. If so, in addition to the possibility of fines, lawsuits, regulatory investigations, imprisonment of company officials and public censure, other claims and penalties, significant costs for remediation and damage to our reputation, we could be required to fundamentally change our business activities and practices or modify our services and platform capabilities, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business.
In addition, our board of directors has adopted a code of conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees which, among other things, sets forth our policies regarding the protection of customer, third party, proprietary and confidential information. We also make public statements about our use and disclosure of personal information through information provided on our website, press statements and our privacy policies, and we have a Chief Privacy Officer that oversees our compliance with these policies. Although we endeavor to comply with our public statements and documentation, including our code of conduct and privacy policies, we may at times fail to do so or be alleged to have failed to do so. The publication of our privacy policies and other statements that provide promises and assurances about data privacy and security can subject us to potential government or legal action if they are found to be deceptive, unfair or misrepresentative of our actual practices.
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Any inability to adequately address privacy and security concerns, even if unfounded, or comply with applicable privacy and data security laws, regulations, contractual obligations and policies, could result in additional cost and liability to us, damage our reputation, inhibit sales and have a material and adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations, contractual obligations and policies that are applicable to the businesses of our customers may limit the use and adoption of, and reduce the overall demand for, our services. Privacy and data security concerns, whether valid or not valid, may inhibit market adoption of our services, particularly in certain industries and foreign countries. If we are not able to adjust to changing laws, regulations and standards related to the Internet, our business may be harmed.
Customers could potentially expose us to lawsuits for their lost profits or damages, which could impair our results of operations.
Because our services are critical to many of our customers’ businesses, any significant disruption in our services could result in lost profits or other indirect or consequential damages to our customers. Although we generally require our customers to sign agreements that contain provisions attempting to limit our liability for service outages, we cannot be assured that a court would enforce any contractual limitations on our liability in the event that one of our customers brings a lawsuit against us as the result of a service interruption or other Internet site or application problems that they may ascribe to us. The outcome of any such lawsuit would depend on the specific facts of the case and any legal and policy considerations that we may not be able to mitigate. In such cases, we could be liable for substantial damage awards that may exceed our insurance coverage by unknown but significant amounts, which could materially and adversely impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our clients include national, provincial, state and local governmental entities.
Our government work carries various risks inherent in the government contracting process. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Government entities typically fund projects through appropriated monies and demand is affected by public sector budgetary cycles and funding authorizations. While these projects are often planned and executed as multi-year projects, government entities usually reserve the right to change the scope of or terminate these projects for lack of approved funding and/or at their convenience, which also could limit our recovery of incurred costs, reimbursable expenses and profits on work completed prior to the termination.
•Government contracts are subject to heightened reputational and contractual risks compared to contracts with commercial clients. For example, government contracts and the proceedings surrounding them are often subject to more extensive scrutiny and publicity. Negative publicity, including an allegation of improper or illegal activity, regardless of its accuracy, or challenges to government contracts awarded to us, may adversely affect our reputation.
•Government contracts can be challenged by other interested parties and such challenges, even if unsuccessful, can increase costs, cause delays and defer project implementation and revenue recognition.
•Terms and conditions of government contracts also tend to be more onerous and are often more difficult to negotiate. For example, these contracts often contain high liability for breaches and feature less favorable payment terms and sometimes require us to take on liability for the performance of third parties.
•Political and economic factors such as pending elections, the outcome of elections, changes in leadership among key executive or legislative decision makers, revisions to governmental tax or other policies and reduced tax revenues can affect the number and terms of new government contracts signed or the speed at which new contracts are signed, decrease future levels of spending and authorizations for programs that we bid, shift spending priorities to programs in areas for which we do not provide services and/or lead to changes in enforcement or how compliance with relevant rules or laws is assessed.
•If a government client discovers improper or illegal activities during audits or investigations, we may become subject to various civil and criminal penalties, including those under the civil U.S. False Claims Act and administrative sanctions, which may include termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspensions or debarment from doing business with other agencies of that government. The inherent limitations of internal controls may not prevent or detect all improper or illegal activities.
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•U.S. government contracting regulations impose strict compliance and disclosure obligations. Disclosure is required if certain company personnel have knowledge of “credible evidence” of a violation of federal criminal laws involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery or improper gratuity, a violation of the civil U.S. False Claims Act or receipt of a significant overpayment from the government. Failure to make required disclosures could be a basis for suspension and/or debarment from federal government contracting in addition to breach of the specific contract and could also impact contracting beyond the U.S. federal level. Reported matters also could lead to audits or investigations and other civil, criminal or administrative sanctions. In addition, contracting with Federal government bodies may subject us to operational requirements or prohibitions which would increase our compliance costs or increase the risk of non-compliance.
The occurrences or conditions described above could affect not only our business with the government entities involved, but also our business with other entities of the same or other governmental bodies or with certain commercial clients and could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.
In addition, the success of our government solutions business is highly dependent on our FISMA and FedRAMP certifications which evidence our ability to meet certain federal government security compliance requirements. Failure to maintain the FedRAMP certification would result in a breach in many of our government contracts, which in turn, could subject us to liability and result in reputational harm and customer and employee attrition. Further, government contracts are increasingly requiring that FedRAMP-authorized service offerings be hosted on public cloud infrastructure. In the event that we are unable to expand the scope of our FedRAMP-authorized service offerings accordingly, it may impair our ability to successfully bid on government contracts.
Our operations and operations of our third-party channel partners in countries outside of the U.S. are subject to a number of anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and similar laws, and non-compliance with such laws can subject us to criminal or civil liability and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We operate internationally and must comply with complex foreign and U.S. laws including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which prohibit engaging in certain activities to obtain or retain business or to influence a person working in an official capacity. We must also comply with economic and trade sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and the U.S. Commerce Department based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign states, organizations and individuals, as well as other anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in the countries in which we conduct activities. We do business and may in the future do additional business in countries and regions in which we may face, directly or indirectly, corrupt demands by officials or by private entities in which corrupt offers are expected. Furthermore, many of our operations require us to use third parties to conduct business or to interact with people who are deemed to be governmental officials under the FCPA. Thus, we face the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments or other things of value by our employees, contractors or agents. While it is our policy to implement compliance procedures to prohibit these practices, our due diligence policy and the procedures we undertake may not sufficiently vet our third-party channel partners for these risks prior to entering into a contractual relationship with them. As a result, despite our policies and any safeguards and any future improvements made to them, our employees, contractors, third-party channel partners and agents may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible, regardless of whether such conduct occurs within or outside the U.S. We may also be held responsible for any violations by an acquired company that occurs prior to an acquisition, or subsequent to the acquisition but before we are able to institute our compliance procedures. A violation of any of these laws, even if prohibited by our policies, may result in severe criminal and/or civil sanctions and other penalties and could have a material and adverse effect on our business.
Compliance with U.S. regulations on trade sanctions and embargoes administered by OFAC and the U.S. Commerce Department also poses a risk to us. We cannot provide services to certain countries subject to U.S. trade sanctions. Furthermore, the laws and regulations concerning import activity, export recordkeeping and reporting, export control and economic sanctions are complex and constantly changing. Any failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory trading obligations could result in criminal and civil penalties and sanctions, such as fines, imprisonment, debarment from governmental contracts, seizure of shipments and loss of import and export privileges. For example, in 2017, prior to our acquisition of Datapipe, one of Datapipe’s European subsidiaries provided network interconnectivity and distributed denial of attack protection service to an Iranian entity subject to OFAC sanctions. Datapipe self-reported the instance to OFAC and we have taken remedial measures to safeguard against re-occurrence. If we provide services to sanctioned targets in the future in violation of applicable export laws or economic sanctions, we could be subject to government investigations, penalties and reputational harm.
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Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations of anti-corruption laws can require a significant diversion of time, resources and attention from senior management. In addition, noncompliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-money laundering laws could subject us to whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, enforcement actions, fines, damages, other civil or criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension or debarment from contracting with certain persons, reputational harm, adverse media coverage and other collateral consequences. If any subpoenas or investigations are launched, or governmental or other sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal proceeding, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a materially significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees.
Certain of our international operations are conducted in countries or regions experiencing corruption or instability, which subjects us to heightened legal and economic risks.
We do business and may in the future do additional business in certain countries or regions in which corruption is a serious problem. Moreover, to effectively compete in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions, it is frequently necessary or required to establish joint ventures, strategic alliances or marketing arrangements with local operators, partners or agents. In certain instances, these local operators, partners or agents may have interests that are not always aligned with ours. Reliance on local operators, partners or agents could expose us to the risk of being unable to control the scope or quality of our overseas services or being held liable under any anti-corruption laws for actions taken by our strategic or local partners or agents even though these partners or agents may not themselves be subject to such anti-corruption laws. Any determination that we have violated anti-corruption laws could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations, reputation or prospects.
We may be liable for the material that content providers distribute over our network, and we may have to terminate customers that provide content that is determined to be illegal, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
The laws relating to the liability of private network operators for information carried on, stored on, or disseminated through their networks are unsettled or evolving in many jurisdictions. We have been and expect to continue to be subject to legal claims relating to the content disseminated on our network, including claims under The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, other similar legislation, regulation and common law. In addition, there are other potential customer activities, such as online gambling and pornography, where we, in our role as a hosting provider, may be held liable as an aider or abettor of our customers. If we need to take costly measures to reduce our exposure to these risks, terminate customer relationships and the associated revenue or defend ourselves against such claims, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected.
Government regulation is continuously evolving and, depending on its evolution, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to varying degrees of regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide services. Local laws and regulations, and their interpretation and enforcement, differ significantly among those jurisdictions. These regulations and laws may cover taxation, privacy, data protection, pricing, content, intellectual property and proprietary rights, distribution, mobile communications, electronic device certification, electronic waste, electronic contracts and other communications, consumer protection, web services, the provision of online payment services, unencumbered Internet access to our services, the design and operation of websites and the characteristics and quality of services. These laws can be costly to comply with, can be a significant diversion to management’s time and effort and can subject us to claims or other remedies, as well as negative publicity. Many of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and related technologies and, as a result, do not contemplate or address the unique issues that the Internet and related technologies currently produce. Some of the laws that do reference the Internet and related technologies have been and continue to be interpreted by the courts, but their applicability and scope remain largely uncertain.
Any failure by us to identify, manage, complete and integrate acquisitions and other significant transactions, including dispositions, successfully could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As part of our strategy, we expect to continue to acquire companies or businesses, enter into strategic alliances and joint ventures and make investments to further our business, both domestically and globally (“Strategic Transactions”). Risks associated with these Strategic Transactions include the following, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations:
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•If we fail to identify and successfully complete and integrate Strategic Transactions that further our strategic objectives, we may be required to expend resources to develop services and technology internally, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage.
•Due to the inherent limitations in the due diligence process, we may not identify all events and circumstances that could impact the valuation or performance of a Strategic Transaction and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating and pursuing suitable opportunities, whether or not the transactions are completed.
•Managing Strategic Transactions requires varying levels of management resources, which may divert our attention from other business operations.
•We have not realized all anticipated benefits, synergies and cost-savings initiatives from certain previous Strategic Transactions, and in the future, we may not fully realize all or any of the anticipated benefits of any particular Strategic Transaction.
•We may be adversely impacted by liabilities that we assume from a company we acquire or in which we invest, whether known or unknown.
•Our organizational structure could make it difficult for us to efficiently integrate the Strategic Transactions into our on-going operations and retain and assimilate employees of our organization or those of the acquired business. If key employees depart because of integration issues, or if customers, suppliers or others seek to change their dealings with us because of these changes, our business could be negatively impacted.
•Certain previous Strategic Transactions have resulted, and in the future any such Strategic Transactions by us may result, in significant costs and expenses, including those related to severance pay, early retirement costs, employee benefit costs, charges from the elimination of duplicative facilities, other liabilities, legal, accounting and financial advisory fees and required payments to executive officers and key employees under retention plans.
•We may issue equity or equity-linked securities or borrow to finance Strategic Transactions, and the amount and terms of any potential future acquisition-related or other dilutive issuance of equity or borrowings, as well as other factors, could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we may divest assets or businesses that are no longer a part of our strategy. These divestitures similarly require significant investment of time and resources, may disrupt our business and distract management from other responsibilities and may result in losses on disposition or continued financial involvement in the divested business, including through indemnification or other financial arrangements, for a period following the transaction, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Although we report our results of operations in U.S. dollars, a significant portion of our revenue and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Further, the majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in the functional currency of our company or our subsidiaries, respectively. However, some of our customers are currently invoiced in currencies other than the applicable functional currency. As a result, we may incur foreign currency losses based on changes in exchange rates between the date of the invoice and the date of collection. In addition, large changes in foreign exchange rates relative to our functional currencies could increase the costs of our services to non-U.S. customers relative to local competitors, thereby causing us to lose existing or potential customers to these local competitors. Thus, our results of operations are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Further, as we grow our international operations, our exposure to foreign currency risk could become more significant. We have entered into, and in the future we may enter into, foreign currency hedging contracts to reduce foreign currency volatility. However, we currently do not maintain foreign currency hedging contracts with respect to all our foreign currencies, and any contracts we have or may enter into may not fully mitigate our foreign currency risk, may prove disadvantageous or may create additional risks.
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We are exposed to commodity and market price risks that affect our results of operations.
We consume a large quantity of power to operate our data centers and as such are exposed to risk associated with fluctuations in the price of power. During 2023, we incurred approximately $47 million in costs to power our data centers. We anticipate an increase in our consumption of power in the future if our private cloud sales grow. Power costs vary by locality and are subject to substantial seasonal fluctuations and changes in energy prices. Certain of our data centers are located within deregulated energy markets. Power costs have historically tracked the general costs of energy and continued increases in electricity costs may negatively impact our gross margins. We periodically evaluate the advisability of entering into fixed-price utilities contracts and have entered into certain fixed-price utilities contracts for some of our power consumption. If we choose not to enter into a fixed-price contract, we expose our cost structure to this commodity price risk. If we do choose to enter into a fixed-price contract, we lose the opportunity to reduce our power costs if the price for power falls below the fixed cost. Therefore, increases in our power costs could result in lower gross margins and materially and adversely impact our results of operations.
Concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change may result in environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties, resulting in increased electricity prices.
The effects of human activity on the global climate change have attracted considerable public and scientific attention, as well as the attention of the U.S. government. Efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse emissions, particularly those from coal combustion by power plants, some of which we rely upon for power. The added cost of any environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties levied on these power plants could be passed on to us, increasing the cost to run our data centers. Additionally, environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties could be levied directly on us in proportion to our carbon footprint. Any enactment of laws or passage of regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions by the U.S., or any domestic or foreign jurisdiction we perform business in, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We utilize open source software in providing a substantial portion of our services. Our use of open source software, and our contributions to open source projects, could impose limitations on our ability to provide our services, expose us to litigation, cause us to impair our assets and allow third parties to access and use software and technology that we use in our business, all of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We utilize open source software, including Linux-based software, in providing a substantial portion of our services and we expect to continue to incorporate open source software in a substantial portion of our services in the future. The terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. courts, and there is a risk that such licenses could be construed in a manner that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to offer our services. Moreover, we cannot ensure that we have not incorporated additional open source software in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms of the applicable license. If we fail to comply with these licenses, or if we combine our proprietary software with open source software in a certain manner, we may be subject to certain requirements, including requirements that we offer our solutions that incorporate the open source software for no cost, that we make available the source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon, incorporating or using the open source software, and that we license such modifications or derivative works under the terms of applicable open source licenses.
Additionally, the use and distribution of open source software can lead to greater risks than the use of third-party commercial software, as some open source projects have known vulnerabilities and open source software does not come with warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. From time to time parties have asserted claims against companies that distribute or use open source software in their products and services, asserting that open source software infringes their intellectual property rights. We have been subject to suits, and could be subject to suits in the future, by parties claiming infringement of intellectual property rights with respect to what we believe to be open source software. Litigation could be costly for us to defend, and in such an event, we could be required to seek licenses from third parties to continue using such software or offering certain of our services. If we are unable to obtain a required license, we may have to discontinue the use of such software or the sale of our affected services, which could cause us to breach customer agreements and incur liability to customers. The cost of obtaining such licenses, or the consequences of failing to obtain them, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We also participate in open source projects, including contributing portions of our proprietary software code to such open source projects. Our participation in open source projects, and our use of open source solutions in a substantial portion of our services, could result in an impairment of design and development assets. In addition, our activities with these open source projects could subject us to additional risks of litigation, including indirect infringement claims based on third-party contributors because of our participation in these projects. Furthermore, our participation in open source projects may allow third parties, including our competitors, to have access to software that we use in our business, which could limit our ability to restrict third parties from developing, selling or otherwise providing similar or competitive technology or services, and which may enable our competitors to provide similar services with lower development effort and time, which could ultimately result in a loss of sales for us. While we may be able to claim protection of our intellectual property under other rights, such as trade secrets or contractual rights, our participation in open source projects limits our ability to assert certain of our patent rights against third parties (even if we were to conclude that their use infringes our patents with competing offerings), unless such third parties assert patent rights against us. This limitation on our ability to assert our patent rights against others could harm our business and ability to compete.
Our business is dependent on our ability to continue to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce the intellectual property and proprietary rights on which our business relies. If we are not successful in obtaining, maintaining, protecting and enforcing our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition to our use of open source software, we rely on patent, copyright, trademark, service mark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual restrictions, to establish and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, all of which provide only limited protection. For example, we do not have any patent rights related to our proprietary tools, technology, processes and systems, including Rackspace Fabric, and rely on confidentiality agreements to protect such proprietary rights. We cannot assure you that any future patent, copyright, trademark or service mark registrations will be issued for pending or future applications or that any registered or unregistered copyrights, trademarks or service marks will be enforceable or provide adequate protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Furthermore, the legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property and proprietary rights are uncertain.
We regard our trademarks, trade names and service marks as having significant value, and our brand is an important factor in the marketing of our services. We intend to rely on both registration and common law protection for our trademarks. However, we may be unable to prevent competitors from acquiring trademarks or service marks and other intellectual property and proprietary rights that are similar to, infringe upon, misappropriate, violate or diminish the value of our trademarks and service marks and our other intellectual property and proprietary rights. The value of our intellectual property and proprietary rights could diminish if others assert rights in or ownership of our intellectual property or proprietary rights, or in trademarks that are similar to our trademarks.
We also endeavor to enter into agreements with our employees, contractors and parties with whom we do business to limit access to and disclosure of our proprietary information. However, we cannot guarantee that we have entered into such agreements with each party that has or may have had access to our proprietary information, including our know-how and trade secrets. Additionally, we currently have patents issued and patent applications pending in the U.S. and the E.U., primarily related to our legacy OpenStack business. However, our patent applications may be challenged and/or ultimately rejected, and our issued patents may be contested, circumvented, found unenforceable or invalidated. Even if we continue to seek patent protection in the future, we may be unable to obtain or maintain patent protection for our technology. In addition, any patents issued from pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us in the future may not provide us with competitive advantages, or may be circumvented or successfully challenged, invalidated or held unenforceable through administrative process, including re-examination, inter partes review, interference and derivation proceedings and equivalent proceedings in foreign jurisdictions (e.g., opposition proceedings) or litigation. There may be issued patents, or pending patent applications that may result in issued patents, of which we are not aware held by third parties that, if found to be valid and enforceable, could be alleged to be infringed by our current or future technologies or services.
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Third parties may independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent, superior to, or otherwise competitive to the technologies we employ in our services or that infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate our intellectual property and proprietary rights. If we fail to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights adequately, our competitors may gain access to our proprietary technology and develop and commercialize substantially identical services or technologies, and the steps we have taken may not prevent unauthorized use, access, distribution, misappropriation, reverse engineering or disclosure of our intellectual property and proprietary information, including our know-how and trade secrets. Enforcement of our intellectual property and proprietary rights also depends on successful legal actions against infringers and parties who misappropriate or otherwise violate our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including our proprietary information and trade secrets, but these actions may not be successful, even when our rights have been infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S., and patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available to us in every country in which our services are available.
Despite the measures taken by us, it may be possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including our technology and information, without authorization. Policing unauthorized use of our proprietary technologies and other intellectual property and our services is difficult, time-consuming and costly, and litigation could become necessary in the future to protect or enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Any such litigation could be time consuming and expensive to prosecute or resolve, result in substantial diversion of management attention and resources and harm our business and results of operations. Furthermore, any such litigation may ultimately be unsuccessful and could result in the impairment or loss of portions of our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Additionally, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims and countersuits attacking the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property and proprietary rights, and if such defenses, counterclaims or countersuits are successful, we could lose valuable intellectual property and proprietary rights.
Third-party claims of intellectual property or proprietary right infringement, misappropriation or other violation may be costly to defend and may limit or disrupt our ability to sell our services.
Third-party claims of intellectual property or proprietary right infringement, misappropriation or other violation are commonplace in technology-related industries. Companies in the technology industry, holding companies, non-practicing entities and other adverse intellectual property owners who may or may not have relevant service revenue, but are seeking to profit from royalties in connection with grants of licenses, own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks and trade secrets and frequently make claims of allegations of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of intellectual property and proprietary rights and may pursue litigation against us. These or other parties have claimed in the past, and could claim in the future, that we have misappropriated, violated, infringed or misused intellectual property proprietary rights. We could incur substantial costs in defending any such litigation, and any such litigation, regardless of merit or outcome, could be time consuming and expensive to settle or litigate and could divert the attention of our technical and management personnel and could harm our business, results of operations and reputation. An adverse determination in any such litigation could prevent us from offering our services to our customers and may require that we procure or develop substitute services that do not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate, which could be costly, time-consuming or impossible, or require us to obtain a costly and/or unfavorable license. Certain of our agreements with our customers and other third parties include indemnification provisions under which we agree to indemnify or otherwise be liable to them for losses suffered or incurred as a result of claims of infringement, misappropriation or other violation of intellectual property rights. For any intellectual property or proprietary right claim against us or our customers or such other third parties, we may also have to pay damages (including treble damages and attorneys’ fees if we are found to have willfully infringed a party’s rights), indemnify our customers or such other third parties against damages or stop using technology or intellectual property found to be in violation of a third party’s rights, which could harm our business. We may be unable to replace or obtain a license for those technologies with technologies that have the same features or functionality and that are of equal quality and performance standards on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Licensing replacement technologies and intellectual property may significantly increase our operating expenses or may require us to restrict our business activities in one or more respects. We may also be required to develop alternative technology and intellectual property that is non-infringing, misappropriating or violating, which could require significant effort, time and expense and ultimately may not be an alternative that functions as well as the original or is accepted in the marketplace.
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We may have additional tax liabilities.
We are subject to a variety of taxes and tax collection obligations in the U.S. (federal and state) and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. We may recognize additional tax expense and be subject to additional tax liabilities, including other liabilities for tax collection obligations due to changes in laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations related to tax, including changes to the global tax framework, competition and other laws and accounting rules in various jurisdictions. Such changes could come about as a result of economic, political and other conditions, or certain jurisdictions aggressively interpreting their laws in an effort to raise additional tax revenue. An increasing number of jurisdictions are considering or have unilaterally adopted laws or country-by-country reporting requirements that could adversely affect our effective tax rates or result in other costs to us which could adversely affect our operating results.
We are also currently subject to tax audits in various jurisdictions, and these jurisdictions may assess additional tax liabilities against us. Developments in an audit, investigation or other tax controversy could have a material and adverse effect on our operating results or cash flows in the period or periods for which that development occurs, as well as for prior and subsequent periods. We regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these proceedings to determine the adequacy of our tax accruals. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of audits, investigations and any other tax controversies could be materially different from our historical tax accruals.
Changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs and the resulting consequences, may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The U.S. government has adopted a new approach to trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements. It has also imposed tariffs on certain foreign goods, including information and communication technology products. These measures may materially increase costs for goods imported into the U.S. This in turn could mean that a larger portion of our customer’s IT spending will be made on hardware costs and less will be available to spend on our services, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
Our substantial indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments.
We are a highly leveraged company. As of December 31, 2023, we had $2,892.5 million face value of outstanding indebtedness, in addition to $375.0 million of undrawn commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and $3.5 million of letters of credit issued thereunder. Our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2023 included $2,181.2 million of borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, $197.6 million of 5.375% Senior Notes and $513.7 million of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, we made total debt service payments, consisting of required principal and interest payments, of approximately $166.3 million and $200.7 million, respectively, which represented 67.4% and 53.5%, respectively, of our cash flow from operations (or 42.6% and 36.3%, respectively, of our cash flow from operations calculated prior to any deductions for cash interest payments).
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:
•limit our ability to borrow money for our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, strategic initiatives or other purposes;
•make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including restrictive covenants and borrowing conditions, could result in an event of default under the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture, the New First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Credit Agreement and agreements governing other indebtedness;
•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and the repayment of our indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available to us for other purposes;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our operations or business;
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•make us more highly leveraged than some of our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;
•impact our rent expense on leased space and interest expense from financing leases, which could be significant;
•make us more vulnerable to downturns in our business, our industry or the economy;
•restrict us from making strategic acquisitions, engaging in development activities, introducing new technologies or exploiting business opportunities;
•cause us to make non-strategic divestitures;
•limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds or dispose of assets;
•prevent us from raising the funds necessary to repurchase all 3.50% FLSO Notes, 5.375% Senior Notes or 3.50% Senior Secured Notes tendered to us upon the occurrence of certain changes of control, which failure to repurchase would constitute an event of default under the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, 5.375% Notes Indenture or the 3.50% Notes Indenture, or refinance the New Senior Facilities or the Senior Facilities upon a change of control, which is an event of default under the New First Lien Credit Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement; or
•expose us to the risk of increased interest rates, as certain of our borrowings, including borrowings under the New Senior Facilities and Senior Facilities, are at variable rates of interest.
In addition, the New First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Credit Agreement, the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture and the 3.50% Notes Indenture contain restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interest. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of substantially all of our indebtedness. See Note 1, “Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Subsequent Events,” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the public and private debt exchange and related transactions that impacted or are expected to impact the Senior Facilities, the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Despite our substantial indebtedness, we may still be able to incur significantly more debt, including secured debt, which could intensify the risks associated with our indebtedness.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial indebtedness in the future. Although the terms of the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture, the New First Lien Credit Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement contain restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions do not prevent us from incurring indebtedness or our subsidiaries from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness under the terms of the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture, the New First Lien Credit Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement. To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness or such other obligations, the risk associated with our substantial indebtedness as described above under the risk factor “Our substantial indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments,” including our potential inability to service our debt, will increase.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $375.0 million available for additional borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility portion of our Senior Facilities (with $3.5 million of letters of credit issued thereunder), all of which would be secured. In addition to the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes, the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and our borrowings under the New Senior Facilities and the Senior Facilities, the covenants under the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture, the New First Lien Credit Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement and the covenants under any other of our existing or future debt instruments allow us to incur a significant amount of additional indebtedness and, subject to certain limitations, such additional indebtedness could be secured.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and to fund our working capital and capital expenditures and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness that may not be successful.
Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations will depend upon, among other things:
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•our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic, industry and competitive conditions and financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control;
•our future ability to refinance or restructure our existing debt obligations, which depends on among other things, the condition of the capital markets, our financial condition and the terms of existing or future debt agreements; and
•our future ability to borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, the availability of which depends on, among other things, our compliance with the covenants in the First Lien Credit Agreement.
We cannot be certain that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that we will be able to draw under our Revolving Credit Facility or otherwise, in an amount sufficient to fund our liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to service our indebtedness and other liquidity needs, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. We cannot be certain that we will be able to restructure or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements, including the New First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Credit Agreement and the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture and the 3.50% Notes Indenture, may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions for fair market value or at all. Furthermore, any proceeds that we could realize from any such dispositions may not be adequate to meet our debt service obligations when due. Our equityholders, including Apollo and its affiliates, have no continuing obligation to provide us with debt or equity financing. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would result in a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If we cannot make scheduled payments on our indebtedness, we will be in default, and holders of the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the lenders under the New Senior Facilities and the Senior Facilities could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under the New Senior Facilities and the Senior Facilities could terminate their commitments to loan money, our secured lenders (including the lenders under the Senior Facilities) and holders of the 3.50% FLSO Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes could foreclose against the assets securing their indebtedness and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.
The First Lien Credit Agreement and the Indentures contain, and any other existing or future indebtedness of ours would likely contain, a number of covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:
•incur additional debt, guarantee indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares;
•pay dividends on or make distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, our capital stock or make other restricted payments;
•prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt;
•make loans or certain investments;
•sell certain assets;
•create liens on certain assets;
•consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;
•enter into certain transactions with our affiliates;
•substantially alter the businesses we conduct;
•enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; and
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•designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.
In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility requires us to comply with a net first lien leverage ratio under certain circumstances.
As a result of these covenants, we are limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs. A failure to comply with the covenants in the New First Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien Credit Agreement, the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, the 5.375% Notes Indenture, the 3.50% Notes Indenture or any of our other existing or future indebtedness could result in an event of default under the applicable agreements governing such indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In the event of any such event of default, the lenders under the Senior Facilities, as applicable:
•will not be required to lend any additional amounts to us;
•could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit;
•could require us to apply our available cash to repay these borrowings; or
•could effectively prevent us from making debt service payments on the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes;
any of which could result in an event of default under the 3.50% FLSO Notes Indenture, 5.375% Notes Indenture and the 3.50% Notes Indenture.
Such actions by the lenders could cause cross defaults under our other indebtedness. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under the Senior Facilities and any of our other existing or future secured indebtedness could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure the Senior Facilities or such other indebtedness. We have pledged substantially all of our assets as collateral under the Senior Facilities.
If any of our outstanding indebtedness under the Senior Facilities or our other indebtedness, including the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full.
Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.
Borrowings under the Senior Facilities are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2023, assuming the Revolving Credit Facility was fully drawn, each 0.125% change in assumed blended interest rates would result in a $3 million change in annual interest expense on indebtedness under the Senior Facilities. We have entered into, and in the future we may enter into, interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments to reduce interest rate volatility. However, we currently do not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all our variable rate indebtedness, and any swaps we have or may enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk, may prove disadvantageous or may create additional risks.
The Senior Facilities carry floating interest rates that are tied to SOFR. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as administrator of SOFR, may make methodological or other changes that could change the value of SOFR, including changes related to the method by which SOFR is calculated, eligibility criteria applicable to the transactions used to calculate SOFR or timing related to the publication of SOFR. If the manner in which SOFR is calculated is changed, that change may result in a change in the amount of our annual interest expense on our indebtedness under the Senior Facilities.
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Any downgrade in our credit ratings could limit our ability to obtain future financing, increase our borrowing costs and adversely affect the market price of our existing debt securities or otherwise impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Nationally recognized credit rating organizations have issued credit ratings relating to our long-term debt. Our outstanding debt under the New Senior Facilities, the Senior Facilities, the 3.50% FLSO Notes, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes currently has non-investment grade ratings. Certain of these organizations have downgraded our credit ratings in the past. There can be no assurance that any rating assigned to any of our debt securities or loans will remain in effect for any given period or that any such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant.
Any additional actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade, could:
•adversely affect the market price of some or all our outstanding debt securities or loans;
•limit our access to the capital markets or otherwise adversely affect the availability of other new financing on favorable terms, if at all;
•result in new or more restrictive covenants in agreements governing the terms of any future indebtedness that we may incur;
•increase our cost of borrowing; and
•impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
Our stock price may fluctuate significantly.
The market price of our common stock could vary significantly as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. The following factors could affect our stock price:
•our operating and financial performance and prospects;
•quarterly variations in the rate of growth (if any) of our financial or operational indicators, such as EPS, net income, revenues, Non-GAAP Net Income, Non-GAAP Operating Profit, and Adjusted EBITDA;
•the public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;
•strategic actions by our competitors;
•changes in operating performance and the stock market valuations of other companies;
•announcements related to litigation;
•our failure to meet revenue or earnings estimates made by research analysts or other investors;
•changes in revenue or earnings estimates, or changes in recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage, by equity research analysts;
•speculation in the press or investment community;
•sales of our common stock by us or our stockholders, or the perception that such sales may occur;
•changes in accounting principles, policies, guidance, interpretations or standards;
•additions or departures of key management personnel;
•actions by our stockholders;
•general market conditions;
•domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance;
•material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting; and
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•the realization of any risks described under this “Risk Factors” section, or other risks that may materialize in the future.
The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in very substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception in the public market that such sales may occur, could reduce our stock price.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 220.5 million shares of common stock issued and approximately 38.3 million shares of common stock underlying outstanding options and restricted stock under the 2017 Incentive Plan and the 2020 Incentive Plan, and we have reserved an additional 14.1 million shares of common stock for issuance under the 2020 Incentive Plan and 8.9 million shares of common stock for issuance under the ESPP and we may be required to issue additional shares of common stock to an affiliate of ABRY under the merger agreement related to the acquisition of Datapipe. In addition, certain of our existing stockholders, including Apollo and ABRY, have certain rights to require us to register the sale of common stock held by them including in connection with underwritten offerings. Additionally, we filed a registration statement in respect of all shares of common stock that we may issue under the 2017 Incentive Plan, the 2020 Incentive Plan and the ESPP. After registration, these shares can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance. Sales of significant amounts of stock in the public market upon expiration of applicable lock-up agreements, the perception that such sales may occur, or early release of any lock-up agreements, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock or make it more difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.
If we do not maintain effective internal controls, our financial statements may be inaccurate and the value of your investment in our common stock could decrease.
We expect to continue incurring significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including with respect to compliance with the requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and fail in meeting our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the Nasdaq, regulatory investigations, civil or criminal sanctions and litigation, any of which would have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our common stock.
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We continue to be controlled by Apollo, and Apollo’s interests may conflict with our interests and the interests of other stockholders.
As of December 31, 2023, Apollo beneficially owned approximately 59% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Therefore, individuals affiliated with Apollo will have effective control over the outcome of votes on all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, entering into significant corporate transactions such as mergers, tender offers, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets and issuance of additional debt or equity. The interests of Apollo and its affiliates could conflict with or differ from our interests or the interests of our other stockholders. For example, the concentration of ownership held by Apollo could delay, defer or prevent a change in control of our company or impede a merger, takeover or other business combination which may otherwise be favorable for us. Additionally, Apollo and its affiliates are in the business of making investments in companies and may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in or provide advice to businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us, or are suppliers or customers of ours. Apollo and its affiliates may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. Any such investment may increase the potential for the conflicts of interest discussed in this risk factor. So long as Apollo continues to directly or indirectly beneficially own a significant amount of our equity, even if such amount is less than 50%, Apollo will continue to be able to substantially influence or effectively control our ability to enter into corporate transactions. Apollo also has a right to nominate a number of directors comprising a percentage of our board of directors in accordance with their beneficial ownership of the voting power of our outstanding common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole number), which currently represents at least a majority of our board of directors. In addition, we have an executive committee that serves at the discretion of our board of directors and includes two members nominated by Apollo, who are authorized to take actions (subject to certain exceptions) that they reasonably determine are appropriate.
We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq’s rules and, as a result, qualify for and intend to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
Apollo controls a majority of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock, and as a result we are a controlled company within the meaning of the Nasdaq’s corporate governance standards. Under the Nasdaq rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another person or group of persons acting together is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that:
•a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors;
•the nominating and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors or otherwise require that the nominees for directors are determined or recommended to our board of directors by the independent members of our board of directors pursuant to a formal resolution addressing the nominations process and such related matters as may be required under the federal securities laws; and
•the compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors.
We intend to utilize these exemptions as long as we remain a controlled company. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq. There can be no assurances that we will remain a “controlled company” and, following the loss of such status, we may need to modify our board and committee compositions in order to be in compliance with applicable Nasdaq rules.
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We are a holding company and rely on dividends, distributions and other payments, advances and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.
We are a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of our own. As a result, we are largely dependent upon cash dividends and distributions and other transfers, including for payments in respect of our indebtedness, from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations. The agreements governing the indebtedness of our subsidiaries impose restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us. See Item 7 of Part II, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - "Liquidity and Capital Resources." Each of our subsidiaries is a distinct legal entity, and under certain circumstances legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from them and we may be limited in our ability to cause any future joint ventures to distribute their earnings to us. The deterioration of the earnings from, or other available assets of, our subsidiaries for any reason could also limit or impair their ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us.
We do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future on our common stock. We intend to retain all future earnings for the operation and expansion of our business and the repayment of outstanding debt. Our Senior Facilities and the Indentures contain, and any future indebtedness likely will contain, restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and make other restricted payments.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish negative reports, our stock price could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrades our common stock, publishes unfavorable research about our business or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
Office Space
Our corporate headquarters facility is in Windcrest, Texas, which is in the San Antonio, Texas area and consists of a 1.2 million square foot facility located on 67 acres of land. In addition to our corporate headquarters, we lease office locations throughout the U.S., Europe, the Asia Pacific Region, Mexico and other locations throughout the world. To retain operational flexibility, we are increasingly utilizing shorter-term shared office facilities rather than entering into traditional longer-term office leases.
In February 2023, we signed an agreement to lease approximately 93,000 square feet of office space in San Antonio, Texas, which will serve as our new corporate headquarters. The initial lease term is 11 years, with three 5-year renewal options. As of December 31, 2023, we have access to the space for build out purposes, but we do not expect to begin occupying the space until the build out is complete.
In July 2023, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a potential buyer of our current corporate headquarters. An amended purchase and sale agreement was executed in December 2023 and the sale is currently expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.
Data Centers
As of December 31, 2023, we leased data centers located across the U.S., the U.K., Hong Kong, Australia and other locations throughout the world.
We believe that our existing office space and data center facilities are adequate for our current needs and that suitable additional or alternative space will be available in the future to meet our anticipated needs.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We have contingencies resulting from various litigation, claims and commitments. We record accruals for loss contingencies when losses are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. The amount that will ultimately be paid related to these matters may differ from the recorded accruals, and the timing of such payments is uncertain.
From time to time we may be subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, from time to time, third parties may bring intellectual property claims against us asserting that certain of our offerings, services and technologies infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property or proprietary rights of others.
We are not party to any litigation, the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Hosted Exchange Incident
We were named in several lawsuits in connection with a previously disclosed ransomware incident which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business. The lawsuits sought, among other things, equitable and compensatory relief. We vigorously defended these matters and do not expect any of these claims, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We maintain insurance, including coverage for cyber-attacks, subject to certain deductibles and policy limitations, in an amount that we believe appropriate.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information for Common Stock
Our common stock has been listed on the Nasdaq, under the symbol "RXT" since August 5, 2020. Prior to that date, there was no public market for our common stock.
Holders of Record
As of March 7, 2024, there were 22 registered stockholders of record of our common stock. Because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these stockholders of record.
Dividend Policy
We have not to date paid any cash dividends on our common stock and we currently do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, we may, in the future, decide to pay dividends on our common stock. Any declaration and payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, cash flows, capital requirements, levels of indebtedness, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating subsidiaries. Our ability to pay dividends will therefore be restricted as a result of restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to us under our Senior Facilities, the Indentures and under other current and future indebtedness that we or they may incur. See Item 1A of Part I “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock” and Item 7 of Part II “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, see Part III, Item 12 - "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters."
Stock Performance Graph
The graph set forth below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock between August 5, 2020 (the date our common stock commenced trading on the Nasdaq) and December 31, 2023 with the cumulative total return of (i) the Standard & Poor's ("S&P") 500 Index and (ii) the S&P 500 Information Technology Index over the same period. All values assume the investment of $100 in our common stock and both of the other indices on August 5, 2020 and assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The graph uses the closing market price on August 5, 2020 of $16.39 per share as the initial value of our common stock. The comparisons shown below are based upon historical data. We caution that the stock price performance shown is not necessarily indicative of, nor is it intended to forecast, the potential future performance of our common stock.
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Company/Index August 5, 2020 December 31, 2020 June 30, 2021 December 31, 2021 June 30, 2022 December 31, 2022 June 30, 2023 December 31, 2023
Rackspace Technology, Inc. $ 100.00 $ 116.29 $ 119.65 $ 82.18 $ 43.75 $ 18.00 $ 16.60 $ 12.20
S&P 500 Index $ 100.00 $ 112.87 $ 129.14 $ 143.22 $ 113.75 $ 115.38 $ 133.73 $ 143.33
S&P 500 Information Technology Index $ 100.00 $ 114.45 $ 129.59 $ 152.62 $ 111.04 $ 108.50 $ 154.14 $ 169.69
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Not Applicable.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6 - [RESERVED]
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following MD&A is intended to help readers understand our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. References to “Rackspace Technology,” “we,” “our company,” “the company,” “us,” or “our” refer to Rackspace Technology and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risk, assumptions and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and forecasts. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under the section of this Annual Report titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Please also see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” contained elsewhere in this Annual Report.
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Overview
We are a leading end-to-end, hybrid, multicloud, and AI solutions company. We design, build and operate our customers’ cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products and adopt innovative technologies. We serve our customers with a unique combination of proprietary technology resulting from over $1 billion of investment and services expertise from a team of highly skilled consultants and engineers. And we provide our customers with unbiased expertise and technology solutions, delivered over the world’s leading cloud services, all wrapped in Fanatical Experience.
We aim to be our customers’ most trusted advisor and services partner in their path to cloud transformation and to accelerate the value of their cloud investments. We give customers the ability to make fluid decisions when choosing the right technologies, and we recommend solutions based on customers’ unique objectives. In this way, we empower our customers to harness the full benefits of cloud adoption.
Our team of 5,800 highly skilled Rackers, including consultants and engineers, partners with companies at every stage of their cloud transformation journey
We deliver our services to a global customer base through an integrated service delivery model. We have a presence in more than 60 cities around the world. This footprint allows us to better serve customers based in various countries, especially multinational companies requiring cross-border solutions. We have a strong presence with customers of all sizes, including enterprise businesses (revenue in excess of $3 billion), mid-market businesses (revenue of $300 million to $3 billion) and commercial customers (revenue less than $300 million).
Effective on January 1, 2023, we reorganized around a two-business unit operating model, Public Cloud and Private Cloud. This two-business unit operating model ensures increased focus, delivery, and service quality for our customers. Beginning in 2023, we changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two reportable segments: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. We have reflected this change in all historical comparative periods presented within this MD&A.
Our Public Cloud segment is a services-centric, capital-light model providing value-added cloud solutions through managed services, Elastic Engineering and professional services offerings for customer environments hosted on the AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud public cloud platforms. Our Private Cloud segment is a technology-forward, capital-intensive model providing managed service offerings for customer environments hosted in one of our data centers as well as in those owned by customers or by third parties such as colocation providers. Private Cloud also includes our legacy OpenStack Public Cloud business that we ceased to actively market to customers in 2017. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 18, "Segment Reporting" for additional information about our segments.
We generate revenue primarily through the sale of consumption-based contracts for our services offerings, which are recurring in nature. We also generate revenue from the sale of professional services related to designing and building customer solutions, which are non-recurring in nature. Arrangements within our Private Cloud segment generally have a fixed term, typically from 12 to 36 months, with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources provided to and utilized by the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Our other primary sources of revenue are for services within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business. Contracts for these arrangements typically operate on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty.
We sell our services through direct sales teams, third-party channel partners and via online orders. Our sales model is based on both distributed and centralized sales teams with leads generated from technology partners, customer referrals, channel partners and corporate marketing efforts. We offer customers the flexibility to select the best combination of resources in order to meet the requirements of their unique applications and provide the technology to seamlessly operate and manage multiple cloud computing environments.
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On July 21, 2021, we committed to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan to drive a change in the type and location of certain positions that was expected to result in the termination of approximately 10% of our workforce. We recorded total charges of $50.5 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, related to this restructuring plan. The 2021 charges included $25.4 million for employee related costs and other costs accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420 as described in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 11, "July 2021 Restructuring Plan." Employee related costs consisted of one-time termination benefits and certain contractual termination benefits with executives. Other costs consisted of professional fees and non-cash charges related to a contract termination with a third-party. The remaining $25.1 million of 2021 charges and total 2022 charges consisted primarily of one-time offshore build out costs which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420.
In December 2022, we experienced a ransomware incident which caused service disruptions for our Hosted Exchange customers. The Hosted Exchange email business, reported in our Private Cloud segment, is a managed email solution provided to small and medium businesses and represented approximately 1% of our total annual revenue. Following discovery of the incident, we engaged an industry-leading global cybersecurity firm to help investigate the incident and remediate as necessary. The firm confirmed that the incident was quickly contained and limited solely to the Hosted Exchange email business. We have sunset the on-premises Hosted Exchange platform and have transitioned many customers from the Hosted Exchange platform to Microsoft 365 through our reseller agreement with Microsoft. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, we recorded $5.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of expenses related to the Hosted Exchange incident, including costs to investigate and remediate, legal and other professional services, and supplemental staff resources that were deployed to provide support to customers. We maintain cybersecurity insurance commensurate with the size of our business, and a significant portion of the incremental costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident have been covered by insurance. However, the timing of insurance reimbursements have differed from the timing of recognition of the related expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded $10.0 million of loss recovery insurance proceeds received or expected to be received related to the Hosted Exchange incident.
Subsequent Events
For a description of subsequent events, see "Subsequent Events" in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
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Key Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe our combination of proprietary technology, automation capabilities and technical expertise creates a value proposition for our customers that is hard to replicate for both competitors and in-house IT departments. Our continued success depends to a significant extent on our ability to meet the challenges presented by our highly competitive and dynamic market, including the following key factors:
Differentiating Our Service Offerings in a Competitive Market Environment
Our success depends to a significant extent on our ability to continue to differentiate, expand and upgrade our service offerings in line with developing customer needs, while deepening our relationships with leading public cloud service providers and establishing new relationships, including with sales partners. We are a certified premier consulting and managed services partner to some of the largest cloud computing platforms, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, SAP and VMware by Broadcom. We believe we are unique in our ability to serve customers across major technology stacks and deployment options, all while delivering Fanatical Experience. Our existing and prospective customers are also under increasing pressure to move from on-premise or self-managed IT to the cloud to compete effectively in a digital economy and maximize the value of their cloud investments, which we believe presents an opportunity for professional services projects as well as new recurring business.
Customer Relationships and Retention
Our success greatly depends on our ability to retain and develop opportunities with our existing customers and to attract new customers. We operate in a growing but competitive and evolving market environment, requiring innovation to differentiate us from our competitors. We believe that our integrated cloud service portfolio and our differentiated customer experience and technology are keys to retaining and growing revenue from existing customers as well as acquiring new customers. For example, we believe that Rackspace Fabric provides customers a unified experience across their entire cloud and security footprint, and that our Rackspace Elastic Engineering model helps customers embrace a cloud native approach with on-demand access to a dedicated team of highly skilled cloud architects and engineers. These offerings differentiate us from legacy IT service providers that operate under long-term fixed and project-based fee structures often tethered to their existing technologies with less automation.
Business Mix Shift
The mix of revenue has shifted in recent years, from our Private Cloud offerings to infrastructure resale and services within Public Cloud. Private Cloud offerings are generally hosted on our own infrastructure and deliver higher segment operating margins, but also require a higher level of capital expenditures. Conversely, Public Cloud segment operating margins are lower, driven by high volumes of infrastructure resale revenue which come at significantly lower margins. However, Public Cloud requires significantly less capital expenditures. Going forward, we will continue to take a workload-centric approach and both Public and Private Cloud will be the net recipients of the workloads. The focus in Private Cloud will be to defend and expand our revenue with new solutions. The focus in Public Cloud is on expanding segment operating margins by driving cost efficiencies and growing higher-margin services revenue.
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Key Components of Statement of Operations
Revenue
A substantial amount of our revenue, particularly within our Private Cloud segment, is generated pursuant to contracts that typically have a fixed term (typically from 12 to 36 months). Our customers generally have the right to cancel their contracts by providing us with written notice prior to the end of the fixed term, though most of our contracts provide for termination fees in the event of cancellation prior to the end of their term, typically amounting to the outstanding value of the contract. These contracts include a monthly recurring fee, which is determined based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Most of our services within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business generate usage-based revenue invoiced on a monthly basis and can be canceled at any time without penalty. We also generate revenue from usage-based fees and fees from professional services earned from customers using our hosting and other services. We typically recognize revenue on a daily basis, as services are provided, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for our services. Our usage-based arrangements generally include a variable consideration component, consisting of monthly utility fees, with a defined price and undefined quantity. Our customer contracts also typically contain service level guarantees, including with respect to network uptime requirements, that provide discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and, with respect to certain products, we may offer volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for all of them as services are provided and earned.
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue consists primarily of usage charges for third-party infrastructure and personnel costs (including salaries, bonuses, benefits and share-based compensation) for engineers, developers and other employees involved in the delivery of services to our customers. Cost of revenue also includes depreciation of servers, software and other systems infrastructure, data center rent and other infrastructure maintenance and support costs, including software license costs and utilities. Cost of revenue is driven mainly by demand for our services, our service mix and the cost of labor in a given geography.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses consist primarily of personnel costs (including salaries, bonuses, commissions, benefits and share-based compensation) for our sales force, executive team and corporate administrative and support employees, including our human resources, finance, accounting and legal functions. SG&A also includes R&D costs, repair and maintenance of corporate infrastructure, facilities rent, third-party advisory fees (including audit, legal and management consulting costs), marketing and advertising costs and insurance, as well as the amortization of related intangible assets and certain depreciation of fixed assets.
SG&A also includes transaction costs related to acquisitions and financings along with costs related to integration and business transformation initiatives which may impact the comparability of SG&A between periods. Employee related costs and other costs incurred, as discussed in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 11, "July 2021 Restructuring Plan," are also included within SG&A.
Income taxes
Our income tax benefit and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect management’s best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. To date, we have recorded consolidated tax benefits, reflecting our net losses, though certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries have incurred corporate tax expense according to the relevant taxing jurisdictions. We are under certain domestic and foreign tax audits. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, there is the possibility that the various taxing authorities may disagree with certain tax positions filed on our income tax returns. We believe we have made adequate provision for all uncertain tax positions. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 14, "Taxes."
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Results of Operations
We discuss our historical results of operations, and the key components of those results, below. Past financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the specified periods, as well as changes between periods and as a percentage of revenue for those same periods (totals in table may not foot due to rounding):
Year Ended December 31, Year-Over-Year Comparison
2022 2023
(In millions, except %) Amount % Revenue Amount % Revenue Amount % Change
Revenue $ 3,122.3 100.0 % $ 2,957.1 100.0 % $ (165.2) (5.3) %
Cost of revenue (2,265.4) (72.6) % (2,328.3) (78.7) % (62.9) 2.8 %
Gross profit 856.9 27.4 % 628.8 21.3 % (228.1) (26.6) %
Selling, general and administrative expenses (855.3) (27.4) % (767.2) (25.9) % 88.1 (10.3) %
Impairment of goodwill (534.5) (17.1) % (708.8) (24.0) % (174.3) 32.6 %
Impairment of assets, net (146.1) (4.7) % (52.2) (1.8) % 93.9 (64.3) %
Loss from operations (679.0) (21.7) % (899.4) (30.4) % (220.4) 32.5 %
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (208.5) (6.7) % (221.6) (7.5) % (13.1) 6.3 %
Gain (loss) on investments, net
(0.2) (0.0) % 0.3 0.0 % 0.5 NM
Gain on debt extinguishment
- - % 271.3 9.2 % 271.3 100.0 %
Other expense, net (10.0) (0.3) % (5.0) (0.2) % 5.0 (50.0) %
Total other income (expense) (218.7) (7.0) % 45.0 1.5 % 263.7 NM
Loss before income taxes (897.7) (28.8) % (854.4) (28.9) % 43.3 (4.8) %
Benefit for income taxes 92.9 3.0 % 16.6 0.6 % (76.3) (82.1) %
Net loss $ (804.8) (25.8) % $ (837.8) (28.3) % $ (33.0) 4.1 %
NM = not meaningful.
Revenue
Revenue decreased $165 million, or 5.3%, to $2,957 million in 2023 from $3,122 million in 2022. Revenue declined primarily due to Private Cloud, partially offset by growth in Public Cloud, as discussed below.
Revenue was not materially impacted by foreign currency fluctuations as revenue on a constant currency basis also declined 5.3%. The following table presents revenue growth by segment:
Year Ended December 31, % Change
(In millions, except %) 2022 2023 Actual Constant Currency (1)
Public Cloud
$ 1,740.8 $ 1,747.4 0.4 % 0.4 %
Private Cloud
1,381.5 1,209.7 (12.4) % (12.5) %
Total $ 3,122.3 $ 2,957.1 (5.3) % (5.3) %
(1) Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this section for further explanation and reconciliation.
Public Cloud revenue in 2023 increased 0.4% on an actual and constant currency basis, from 2022. Underlying growth was driven by both the acquisition of new customers and increased spend by existing customers, partially offset by cancellations by existing customers. Offerings in this segment with the strongest growth include infrastructure resale on AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
Private Cloud revenue in 2023 decreased 12.4% on an actual basis, and 12.5% on a constant currency basis, from 2022, due to customers rolling off old generation private cloud offerings, expected decline in legacy OpenStack offerings, and the impact from the December 2022 Hosted Exchange ransomware incident.
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Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue increased $63 million, or 3%, to $2,328 million in 2023 from $2,265 million in 2022, primarily due to an increase in usage charges for third-party infrastructure associated with growth in these offerings. Consulting professional fees and data center costs increased primarily to support growth for certain large customers. Personnel costs declined between periods due to lower headcount and a decrease in non-equity incentive compensation, partially offset by higher severance expense in 2023.
As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue increased 610 basis points in 2023 to 78.7% from 72.6% in 2022, primarily driven by a 440 basis point increase in usage charges for third-party infrastructure. Higher data center and professional fees also contributed to the increase in basis points between periods.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit was $629 million in 2023, a decrease of $228 million from $857 million in 2022. Our gross margin was 21.3% in 2023, a decrease of 610 basis points from 27.4% in 2022.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses decreased $88 million, or 10%, to $767 million in 2023 from $855 million in 2022. Contributing to the reduction in expense was a wind down of certain business optimization initiatives between periods. In addition, personnel costs declined between periods due to lower headcount and decreases in non-equity incentive compensation and commissions, partially offset by higher severance expense. Other non-personnel costs fluctuations include lower marketing spend, professional fees, and depreciation and amortization expense, offset by higher office rent. The increase in office rent includes $12 million of expense recognized for a UK office that we exited in the second quarter of 2023, prior to the lease end date.
As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses decreased 150 basis points, to 25.9% in 2023 from 27.4% in 2022, for the reasons discussed above.
Loss from Operations, Segment Operating Profit, and Non-GAAP Operating Profit
Our loss from operations was $899 million in 2023 compared to $679 million in 2022. Our Non-GAAP Operating Profit was $183 million in 2023, a decrease of $180 million from $364 million in 2022. Non-GAAP Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information.
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The table below presents a reconciliation of loss from operations to Non-GAAP Operating Profit.
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2022 2023
Loss from operations $ (679.0) $ (899.4)
Share-based compensation expense 69.5 65.4
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a)
10.0 12.1
Transaction-related adjustments, net (b)
11.0 5.2
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c)
99.0 70.8
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage 5.9 (4.8)
Impairment of goodwill 534.5 708.8
UK office closure (d)
- 12.1
Impairment of assets, net 146.1 52.2
Amortization of intangible assets (e)
166.8 161.0
Non-GAAP Operating Profit $ 363.8 $ 183.4
(a) Includes expense related to retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and the related payroll tax, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes expense related to the one-time grant of long-term incentive bonuses as a component of our annual compensation award process.
(b) Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to acquisitions, certain one-time compliance costs related to being a public company, integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities.
(c) Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs, and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes total charges of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs.
(d) Expense recognized related to the closure of a UK office that we exited in the second quarter of 2023 prior to the lease end date.
(e)
All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016.
Our segment operating profit and segment operating margin for the periods indicated, and the change between periods is shown in the table below:
Year Ended December 31, Year-Over-Year Comparison
(In millions, except %) 2022 2023
Segment operating profit:
Amount % of Segment Revenue Amount % of Segment Revenue Amount % Change
Public Cloud
$ 124.9 7.2 % $ 90.4 5.2 % $ (34.5) (27.6) %
Private Cloud
493.9 35.8 % 340.8 28.2 % (153.1) (31.0) %
Total consolidated segment operating profit 618.8 431.2 (187.6) (30.3) %
Corporate functions
(255.0) (247.8) 7.2 (2.8) %
Non-GAAP Operating Profit
$ 363.8 $ 183.4 $ (180.4) (49.6) %
Public Cloud operating profit decreased 28% in 2023 from 2022. Segment operating profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 200 basis points, reflecting a 3% increase in segment operating expenses as segment revenue growth remained relatively flat. The increase in costs was mainly driven by higher third-party infrastructure costs due to the increase in revenue, partially offset by a decrease in personnel costs.
Private Cloud operating profit decreased 31% in 2023 from 2022. Segment operating profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 760 basis points, due to a 12% decrease in segment revenue, partially offset by a 2% decrease in segment operating expenses. The decrease in costs was mainly driven by a reduction in personnel costs.
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Centralized corporate functions that provide services to the segments in areas such as accounting, information technology, marketing, legal and human resources are not allocated to the segments and are included in "corporate functions" in the table above. This expense decreased 3% in 2023 primarily due to a decline in depreciation expense as certain property, equipment, and software reached the end of its useful life.
For more information about our segment operating profit, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 18, "Segment Reporting."
Impairment of Goodwill
We recorded a total of $709 million and $535 million in non-cash goodwill impairment charges in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Due to the change in our segment reporting as a result of the business reorganization as of January 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis both prior and subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of January 1, 2023, subsequent to the change, indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $271 million in the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of March 31, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first three months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of March 31, 2023. The results of this quantitative goodwill impairment analysis indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge of $272 million in the first quarter of 2023.
We performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2023 based on our assessment of several events and circumstances that affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, market capitalization and earnings quality and sustainability. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our Private Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a non-cash impairment of goodwill of $166 million in the third quarter of 2023.
As of October 1, 2023, we reassessed our reporting units and combined our Private Cloud and OpenStack Public Cloud reporting units into a new Private Cloud reporting unit. We completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1, 2023, subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis indicated no impairment to goodwill.
During the third quarter of 2022, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. We performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis as of September 1, 2022 based on our assessment of several events and circumstances that affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance from prior year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. In addition, as of September 1, 2022, we lowered our projected operating results primarily due to product mix shifts and market concerns related to inflation and other macroeconomic factors. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our former Multicloud Services reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $405 million during the third quarter of 2022.
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The results of our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we experienced a decline in our market capitalization following a ransomware incident in early December which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business. We therefore determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $129 million during the fourth quarter of 2022.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for further discussion.
Impairment of Assets, Net
We recorded a total of $52 million and $146 million in net asset impairment charges in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
We evaluated our indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment as of September 30, 2023. As a result of this evaluation, we recorded a $57 million impairment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset in the third quarter of 2023.
Similarly, we evaluated our indefinite-lived intangible asset and long-lived assets for impairment as of September 1, 2022. As a result of these evaluations, we recorded total impairment charges of $59 million in the third quarter of 2022, consisting of a $21 million impairment of our indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset and a $38 million impairment of OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets.
As of December 31, 2022, we recorded an additional $12 million impairment of our indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset.
Additionally, as of December 31, 2022, our corporate headquarters property was classified as held for sale. The property's previous carrying amount of $83 million was written down to its estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of $12 million, resulting in a $71 million impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022. We also wrote-off the remaining $5 million net book value of the related property tax abatement asset in connection with the held for sale classification.
During 2023, we recorded a $5 million net increase in the estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of our corporate headquarters.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net" and Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for further discussion.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $13 million, or 6%, to $222 million in 2023 from $209 million in 2022, due primarily to rising interest rates and the impact on our variable-rate Term Loan Facility, partially offset by debt repurchases during 2023, as discussed below.
Gain on Debt Extinguishment
We recorded a $228 million gain on debt extinguishment in 2023 related to repurchases of $352 million principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes. In addition, we repurchased $36 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and $56 million principal amount of the Term Loan Facility, which resulted in an $18 million and $26 million gain on debt extinguishment, respectively.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 7, "Debt" for further discussion.
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Other Expense, Net
The decrease in other expense, net to $5 million in 2023 from $10 million in 2022 is primarily related to foreign currency transaction gains, partially offset by costs incurred in 2023 related to the Receivables Purchase Facility entered into in September 2023.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 3, "Sale of Receivables" for further discussion regarding the Receivables Purchase Facility.
Benefit for Income Taxes
Our income tax benefit decreased by $76 million to $17 million in 2023 from $93 million in 2022. Our effective tax rate decreased from 10.3% in 2022 to 1.9% in 2023. The decrease in the effective tax rate year-over-year is primarily due to the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments recorded in 2023 as well as changes in the valuation allowance. The majority of the goodwill impairments recorded in 2023 were nondeductible for income tax purposes. The difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory rate in 2023 is primarily due to the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments recorded during the year, executive compensation that is nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m), the geographic distribution of profits, tax effects from nondeductible share-based compensation as well as changes in the valuation allowance.
For a full reconciliation of our effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate and further explanation of our benefit for income taxes, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 14, "Taxes."
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Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the specified periods, as well as changes between periods and as a percentage of revenue for those same periods (totals in table may not foot due to rounding):
Year Ended December 31, Year-Over-Year Comparison
2021 2022
(In millions, except %) Amount % Revenue Amount % Revenue Amount % Change
Revenue $ 3,009.5 100.0 % $ 3,122.3 100.0 % $ 112.8 3.7 %
Cost of revenue (2,072.7) (68.9) % (2,265.4) (72.6) % (192.7) 9.3 %
Gross profit 936.8 31.1 % 856.9 27.4 % (79.9) (8.5) %
Selling, general and administrative expenses (906.8) (30.1) % (855.3) (27.4) % 51.5 (5.7) %
Impairment of goodwill (52.4) (1.7) % (534.5) (17.1) % (482.1) NM
Impairment of assets, net
- - % (146.1) (4.7) % (146.1) 100.0 %
Gain on sale of land 19.9 0.7 % - - % (19.9) (100.0) %
Loss from operations
(2.5) (0.1) % (679.0) (21.7) % (676.5) NM
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (205.1) (6.8) % (208.5) (6.7) % (3.4) 1.7 %
Loss on investments, net
(3.0) (0.1) % (0.2) (0.0) % 2.8 (93.3) %
Debt modification costs and loss on debt extinguishment
(37.5) (1.2) % - - % 37.5 (100.0) %
Other expense, net
(1.0) (0.0) % (10.0) (0.3) % (9.0) NM
Total other income (expense) (246.6) (8.2) % (218.7) (7.0) % 27.9 (11.3) %
Loss before income taxes (249.1) (8.3) % (897.7) (28.8) % (648.6) NM
Benefit for income taxes 30.8 1.0 % 92.9 3.0 % 62.1 NM
Net loss $ (218.3) (7.3) % $ (804.8) (25.8) % $ (586.5) NM
NM = not meaningful.
Revenue
Revenue increased $113 million, or 3.7%, to $3,122 million in 2022 from $3,010 million in 2021 primarily due to growth in Public Cloud, partially offset by a decline in Private Cloud, as discussed below.
After removing the impact from foreign currency fluctuations, on a constant currency basis, revenue increased 5.2% year-over-year. The following table presents revenue growth by segment:
Year Ended December 31, % Change
(In millions, except %) 2021 2022 Actual Constant Currency (1)
Public Cloud
$ 1,471.3 $ 1,740.8 18.3 % 19.2 %
Private Cloud
1,538.2 1,381.5 (10.2) % (8.2) %
Total $ 3,009.5 $ 3,122.3 3.7 % 5.2 %
(1) Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this section for further explanation and reconciliation.
Public Cloud revenue in 2022 increased 18% on an actual basis and 19% on a constant currency basis, from 2021. Underlying growth was driven by both the acquisition of new customers and increased spend by existing customers, partially offset by cancellations by existing customers. Offerings in this segment with the strongest growth include infrastructure resale on AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
Private Cloud revenue in 2022 decreased 10% on an actual basis and 8% on a constant currency basis, from 2021, due to customers rolling off old generation private cloud offerings and expected decline in legacy OpenStack offerings.
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Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue increased $193 million, or 9%, to $2,265 million in 2022 from $2,073 million in 2021, primarily due to an increase in usage charges for third-party infrastructure associated with growth in these offerings. The increase in expense was partially offset by a decline in personnel costs primarily due to cost savings as a result of shifting roles to lower-cost locations as part of our continued focus on business optimization initiatives, including the July 2021 Restructuring Plan. We also had higher severance in the prior period. In addition, there were year-over-year data center expense reductions as a result of initiatives to lower our cost structure, which included the consolidation of data center facilities. Depreciation expense also decreased between periods primarily due to certain property, equipment and software reaching the end of its useful life for depreciation purposes as we shift towards faster-growing, value-added service offerings which have significantly lower capital requirements than our legacy capital-intensive revenue streams.
As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue increased 370 basis points in 2022 to 72.6% from 68.9% in 2021, primarily driven by a 640 basis point increase in usage charges for third-party infrastructure, partially offset by a decrease related to personnel costs, data center, and depreciation expense.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit was $857 million in 2022, a decrease of $80 million from $937 million in 2021. Our gross margin was 27.4% in 2022, a decrease of 370 basis points from 31.1% in 2021.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses decreased $52 million, or 6%, to $855 million in 2022 from $907 million in 2021, due to a decline in personnel costs from cost savings as a result of shifting roles to lower-cost locations as part of our continued focus on business optimization initiatives. We also had lower severance expense between periods. The prior period included $25 million of restructuring charges related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, of which $14 million were personnel related costs. There were also reductions in costs related to other business optimization and integration initiatives compared to the prior period, as well as lower amortization expense related to certain intangible assets reaching the end of their useful life. These reductions in expense were partially offset by an increase in travel expense as a result of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and costs incurred in 2022 related to the Hosted Exchange incident.
As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses decreased 270 basis points, to 27.4% in 2022 from 30.1% in 2021, for the reasons discussed above.
Loss from Operations, Segment Operating Profit, and Non-GAAP Operating Profit
Our loss from operations was $679 million in 2022 compared to $3 million in 2021. Our Non-GAAP Operating Profit was $364 million in 2022, a decrease of $120 million from $484 million in 2021. Non-GAAP Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information.
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The table below presents a reconciliation of loss from operations to Non-GAAP Operating Profit.
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022
Loss from operations $ (2.5) $ (679.0)
Share-based compensation expense 75.4 69.5
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a)
11.8 10.0
Transaction-related adjustments, net (b)
25.7 11.0
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c)
161.5 99.0
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage - 5.9
Impairment of goodwill 52.4 534.5
Impairment of assets, net - 146.1
Gain on sale of land (19.9) -
Amortization of intangible assets (d)
179.7 166.8
Non-GAAP Operating Profit $ 484.1 $ 363.8
(a) Includes expense related to retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and the related payroll tax, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock.
(b) Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to acquisitions, certain one-time compliance costs related to being a public company, integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities.
(c) Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs, and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes employee related costs and other costs related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan of $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420. In addition, it includes total charges of $25.1 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs.
(d)
All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016.
Our segment operating profit and segment operating margin for the periods indicated, and the change between periods is shown in the table below:
Year Ended December 31, Year-Over-Year Comparison
(In millions, except %) 2021 2022
Segment operating profit:
Amount % of Segment Revenue Amount % of Segment Revenue Amount % Change
Public Cloud
$ 120.1 8.2 % $ 124.9 7.2 % $ 4.8 4.0 %
Private Cloud
604.3 39.3 % 493.9 35.8 % (110.4) (18.3) %
Total consolidated segment operating profit 724.4 618.8 (105.6) (14.6) %
Corporate functions (240.3) (255.0) (14.7) 6.1 %
Non-GAAP Operating Profit
$ 484.1 $ 363.8 $ (120.3) (24.9) %
Public Cloud operating profit increased by 4% in 2022 from 2021. Segment operating profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 100 basis points, reflecting a 20% increase in segment operating expenses, partially offset by an 18% increase in segment revenue. The increase in costs was mainly driven by higher third-party infrastructure costs due to the increase in revenue.
Private Cloud operating profit decreased 18% in 2022 from 2021. Segment operating profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 350 basis points, due to a 10% decrease in segment revenue, partially offset by a 5% reduction in segment operating expenses. The decrease in costs was mainly driven by declines in personnel costs from cost savings as a result of shifting roles to lower-cost locations as part of our continued focus on business optimization initiatives.
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Centralized corporate functions that provide services to the segments in areas such as accounting, information technology, marketing, legal and human resources are not allocated to the segments and are included in "corporate functions" in the table above. This expense increased 6% in 2022 primarily due to costs incurred in 2022 related to the Hosted Exchange incident and an increase in travel expense as a result of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
For more information about our segment operating profit, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 18, "Segment Reporting."
Impairment of Goodwill
During the third quarter of 2022, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. We performed an interim goodwill impairment analysis as of September 1, 2022 based on our assessment of several events and circumstances that affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance from prior year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. In addition, as of September 1, 2022, we lowered our projected operating results primarily due to product mix shifts and market concerns related to inflation and other macroeconomic factors. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our former Multicloud Services reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $405 million during the third quarter of 2022.
The results of our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we experienced a decline in our market capitalization following a ransomware incident in early December which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business. We therefore determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $129 million during the fourth quarter of 2022.
As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2021, we determined that the carrying amount of our OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and fully impaired its goodwill by recording a goodwill impairment charge of $52 million. The impairment was driven by deteriorating forecasted margins and cash flows within the reporting unit primarily due to operating costs declining at a slower rate than previously anticipated even after factoring in the long term impacts of the July 2021 Restructuring Plan.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for further discussion.
Impairment of Assets, Net
We also evaluated our indefinite-lived intangible asset and long-lived assets for impairment as of September 1, 2022. As a result of these evaluations, we recorded total impairment charges of $59 million during the third quarter of 2022, consisting of a $21 million impairment of our indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset and a $38 million impairment of OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets.
As of December 31, 2022, we recorded an additional $12 million impairment of our indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset.
In addition, as of December 31, 2022, our corporate headquarters property was classified as held for sale. The property's previous carrying amount of $83 million was written down to its estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of $12 million, resulting in a $71 million impairment charge. We also wrote-off the remaining $5 million net book value of the related property tax abatement asset in connection with the held for sale classification.
There were no such impairments in 2021.
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See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net" and Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for further discussion.
Gain on Sale of Land
In January 2021, we recorded a $20 million gain related to the sale of a parcel of undeveloped land in the United Kingdom adjacent to one of our existing data centers, as further discussed in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net."
Debt Modification Costs and Loss on Debt Extinguishment
In 2021, we recorded $37 million and $0.5 million of debt modification costs and loss on debt extinguishment related to the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction and termination of the Receivables Financing Facility, respectively. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 7, "Debt" for further discussion.
Other Expense, Net
The increase in other expense, net to $10 million in 2022 from $1 million in 2021 is primarily related to foreign currency transaction losses.
Benefit for Income Taxes
Our income tax benefit increased by $62 million to $93 million in 2022 from $31 million in 2021. Our effective tax rate decreased from 12.4% in 2021 to 10.3% in 2022. The decrease in the effective tax rate year-over-year is primarily due to the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments, the geographic distribution of profits and tax effects from nondeductible share-based compensation. The difference between the effective tax rate for 2022 and the statutory tax rate is primarily due to the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments, the geographic distribution of profits, executive compensation that is nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m) and tax effects from nondeductible share-based compensation.
For a full reconciliation of our effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate and further explanation of our benefit for income taxes, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 14, "Taxes."
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We track several non-GAAP financial measures to monitor and manage our underlying financial performance. The following discussion includes the presentation of constant currency revenue, Non-GAAP Gross Profit, Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit, Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share, which are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of certain costs, losses and gains that are required to be included in our profit and loss measures under GAAP. Although we believe these measures are useful to investors and analysts for the same reasons they are useful to management, as discussed below, these measures are not a substitute for, or superior to, U.S. GAAP financial measures or disclosures. Other companies may calculate similarly-titled non-GAAP measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. We have reconciled each of these non-GAAP measures to the applicable most comparable GAAP measure throughout this MD&A.
Constant Currency Revenue
We use constant currency revenue as an additional metric for understanding and assessing our growth excluding the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations on our international business operations. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period and is calculated by translating the non-U.S. dollar income statement balances for the most current period to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate from the comparative period rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the respective period. We also believe this is an important metric to help investors evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods.
The following tables present, by segment, actual and constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth rates, for and between the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Year Ended December 31, 2023 % Change
(In millions, except %) Revenue Revenue Foreign Currency Translation (a)
Revenue in Constant Currency Actual Constant Currency
Public Cloud
$ 1,740.8 $ 1,747.4 $ 0.4 $ 1,747.8 0.4 % 0.4 %
Private Cloud
1,381.5 1,209.7 (1.2) 1,208.5 (12.4) % (12.5) %
Total $ 3,122.3 $ 2,957.1 $ (0.8) $ 2,956.3 (5.3) % (5.3) %
(a) The effect of foreign currency is calculated by translating current period results using the average exchange rate from the prior comparative period.
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Year Ended December 31, 2022 % Change
(In millions, except %) Revenue Revenue Foreign Currency Translation (a)
Revenue in Constant Currency Actual Constant Currency
Public Cloud $ 1,471.3 $ 1,740.8 $ 13.0 $ 1,753.8 18.3 % 19.2 %
Private Cloud 1,538.2 1,381.5 30.6 1,412.1 (10.2) % (8.2) %
Total $ 3,009.5 $ 3,122.3 $ 43.6 $ 3,165.9 3.7 % 5.2 %
(a) The effect of foreign currency is calculated by translating current period results using the average exchange rate from the prior comparative period.
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Non-GAAP Gross Profit
We present Non-GAAP Gross Profit in this MD&A because we believe the measure is useful in analyzing trends in our underlying, recurring gross margins. We define Non-GAAP Gross Profit as gross profit, adjusted to exclude the impact of share-based compensation expense and other non-recurring or unusual compensation items, purchase accounting-related effects, certain business transformation-related costs, and costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident.
The table below presents a reconciliation of gross profit to Non-GAAP Gross Profit:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Gross profit $ 936.8 $ 856.9 $ 628.8
Share-based compensation expense 16.7 11.6 9.1
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a)
2.7 1.9 4.0
Purchase accounting impact on expense (b)
4.7 2.7 2.6
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c)
35.5 10.9 16.9
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage - 0.2 0.3
Non-GAAP Gross Profit $ 996.4 $ 884.2 $ 661.7
(a)
Adjustments for retention bonuses, mainly in connection with restructuring and transformation projects, and the related payroll tax, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes expense related to the one-time grant of long-term incentive bonuses as a component of our annual compensation award process.
(b)
Adjustment for the impact of purchase accounting from the Rackspace Acquisition on expenses.
(c)
Adjustment for the impact of business transformation and optimization activities, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes certain costs associated with the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs.
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA
We present Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA because they are a basis upon which management assesses our performance and we believe they are useful to evaluating our financial performance. We believe that excluding items from net income that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and that may vary in frequency or magnitude, enhances the comparability of our results and provides a better baseline for analyzing trends in our business.
The Rackspace Acquisition was structured as a leveraged buyout of Rackspace Technology Global, our predecessor, and resulted in several accounting and capital structure impacts. For example, the revaluation of our assets and liabilities resulted in a significant increase in our amortizable intangible assets and goodwill, the incurrence of a significant amount of debt to partially finance the Rackspace Acquisition resulted in interest payments that reflect our high leverage and cost of debt capital, and the conversion of Rackspace Technology Global’s unvested equity compensation into a cash-settled bonus plan and obligation to pay management fees to our equityholders resulted in new cash commitments. In addition, the change in ownership and management resulting from the Rackspace Acquisition led to a strategic realignment in our operations that had a significant impact on our financial results. Following the Rackspace Acquisition, we acquired several businesses, sold businesses and investments that we deemed to be non-core and launched multiple integration and business transformation initiatives intended to improve the efficiency of people and operations and identify recurring cost savings and new revenue growth opportunities. We believe that these transactions and activities resulted in costs, which have historically been substantial, and that may not be indicative of, or are not related to, our core operating results, including interest related to the incurrence of additional debt to finance acquisitions and third party legal, advisory and consulting fees and severance, retention bonus and other internal costs that we believe would not have been incurred in the absence of these transactions and activities and also may not be indicative of, or related to, our core operating results.
We define Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation, special bonuses and other compensation expense, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident, the amortization of acquired intangible assets, goodwill and asset impairment charges, costs related to the closure of a UK office, and certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses, as well as the tax effects of these non-GAAP adjustments.
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We define Non-GAAP Operating Profit as income (loss) from operations adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation, special bonuses and other compensation expense, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident, the amortization of acquired intangible assets, goodwill and asset impairment charges, costs related to the closure of a UK office, and certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation, special bonuses and other compensation expense, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, costs related to the Hosted Exchange incident, costs related to the closure of a UK office, certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses, interest expense, expenses for our Receivables Purchase Facility, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and goodwill and asset impairment charges.
Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are management’s principal metrics for measuring our underlying financial performance. Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA, along with other quantitative and qualitative information, are also the principal financial measures used by management and our board of directors in determining performance-based compensation for our management and key employees.
These non-GAAP measures are not intended to imply that we would have generated higher income or avoided net losses if the Rackspace Acquisition and the subsequent transactions and initiatives had not occurred. In the future we may incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit or Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these items. Other companies, including our peer companies, may calculate similarly-titled measures in a different manner from us, and therefore, our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-tiled measures of other companies. Investors are cautioned against using these measures to the exclusion of our results in accordance with GAAP.
The following tables present a reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of income (loss) from operations to Non-GAAP Operating Profit, see “Loss from Operations, Segment Operating Profit, and Non-GAAP Operating Profit” in the year-over-year comparisons under "Results of Operations" above.
Net loss reconciliation to Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Net loss $ (218.3) $ (804.8) $ (837.8)
Share-based compensation expense 75.4 69.5 65.4
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a)
11.8 10.0 12.1
Transaction-related adjustments, net (b)
25.7 11.0 5.2
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c)
161.5 99.0 70.8
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage - 5.9 (4.8)
Impairment of goodwill 52.4 534.5 708.8
UK office closure (d)
- - 12.1
Impairment of assets, net - 146.1 52.2
Gain on sale of land (19.9) - -
Net (gain) loss on divestiture and investments (e)
3.0 0.2 (0.3)
Debt modification costs and (gain) loss on debt extinguishment (f)
37.5 - (271.3)
Other adjustments (g)
1.0 10.0 (1.0)
Amortization of intangible assets (h)
179.7 166.8 161.0
Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (i)
(103.3) (133.3) (5.1)
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) $ 206.5 $ 114.9 $ (32.7)
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Net loss reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Net loss $ (218.3) $ (804.8) $ (837.8)
Share-based compensation expense 75.4 69.5 65.4
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (a)
11.8 10.0 12.1
Transaction-related adjustments, net (b)
25.7 11.0 5.2
Restructuring and transformation expenses (c)
161.5 99.0 70.8
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage - 5.9 (4.8)
Impairment of goodwill 52.4 534.5 708.8
UK office closure (d)
- - 12.1
Impairment of assets, net - 146.1 52.2
Gain on sale of land (19.9) - -
Net (gain) loss on divestiture and investments (e)
3.0 0.2 (0.3)
Debt modification costs and (gain) loss on debt extinguishment (f)
37.5 - (271.3)
Other expense, net (j)
1.0 10.0 5.0
Interest expense 205.1 208.5 221.6
Benefit for income taxes (30.8) (92.9) (16.6)
Depreciation and amortization (k)
421.4 387.5 366.4
Adjusted EBITDA $ 725.8 $ 584.5 $ 388.8
(a) Includes expense related to retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and the related payroll tax, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes expense related to the one-time grant of long-term incentive bonuses as a component of our annual compensation award process.
(b) Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to acquisitions, certain one-time compliance costs related to being a public company, integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities.
(c) Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs, and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes employee related costs and other costs related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan of $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420. In addition, it includes total charges of $25.1 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs.
(d) Expense recognized related to the closure of a UK office that we exited in the second quarter of 2023 prior to the lease end date.
(e) Includes gains and losses on investment and from dispositions.
(f) Includes gains and losses related to repurchases of 5.375% Senior Notes, 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the Term Loan Facility, the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction and termination of the Receivables Financing Facility.
(g) Primarily consists of foreign currency gains and losses.
(h) All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016.
(i) We utilize an estimated structural long-term non-GAAP tax rate in order to provide consistency across reporting periods, removing the effect of non-recurring tax adjustments, which include but are not limited to tax rate changes, U.S. tax reform, share-based compensation, audit conclusions and changes to valuation allowances. We used a structural non-GAAP tax rate of 26% for all periods which reflects the removal of the tax effect of non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments and non-recurring tax adjustments on a year-over-year basis. The non-GAAP tax rate could be subject to change for a variety of reasons, including the rapidly evolving global tax environment, significant changes in our geographic earnings mix including due to acquisition activity, or other changes to our strategy or business operations. We will re-evaluate our long-term non-GAAP tax rate as appropriate. We believe that making these adjustments facilitates a better evaluation of our current operating performance and comparisons to prior periods.
(j) Primarily consists of foreign currency gains and losses and expense related to our Receivables Purchase Facility.
(k) Excludes accelerated depreciation expense related to facility closures.
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Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share
We define Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share as Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) divided by our GAAP weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period on a diluted basis and further adjusted for the weighted average number of shares associated with securities which are anti-dilutive to GAAP loss per share but dilutive to Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share. Management uses Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share to evaluate the performance of our business on a comparable basis from period to period, including by adjusting for the impact of the issuance of shares that would be dilutive to Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share. The following table reconciles Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share to our GAAP net loss per share on a diluted basis:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share amounts) 2021 2022 2023
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (218.3) $ (804.8) $ (837.8)
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) $ 206.5 $ 114.9 $ (32.7)
Weighted average number of shares - Diluted 208.0 211.2 215.3
Effect of dilutive securities (a)
4.2 1.3 3.1
Non-GAAP weighted average number of shares - Diluted 212.2 212.5 218.4
Net loss per share - Diluted $ (1.05) $ (3.81) $ (3.89)
Per share impacts of adjustments to net loss (b)
2.04 4.35 3.74
Per share impacts of shares dilutive after adjustments to net loss (a)
(0.02) 0.00 0.00
Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share
$ 0.97 $ 0.54 $ (0.15)
(a) Reflects impact of awards that would have been anti-dilutive to net loss per share, and therefore not included in the calculation, but would be dilutive to Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share and are therefore included in the share count for purposes of this non-GAAP measure. Potential common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units) or purchases under the ESPP, as well as contingent shares associated with our acquisition of Datapipe. Certain of our potential common share equivalents are contingent on Apollo achieving pre-established performance targets based on a MOIC, which are included in the denominator for the entire period if such shares would be issuable as of the end of the reporting period assuming the end of the reporting period was the end of the contingency period.
(b) Reflects the aggregate adjustments made to reconcile Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) to our net loss, as noted in the above table, divided by the GAAP diluted number of shares outstanding for the relevant period.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
We primarily finance our operations and capital expenditures with internally-generated cash from operations and hardware leases, and if necessary, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, the Revolving Credit Facility provided for up to $375 million of borrowings, none of which was drawn and outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Our primary uses of cash are working capital requirements, debt service requirements and capital expenditures. Based on our current level of operations and available cash, we believe our sources will provide sufficient liquidity over at least the next twelve months. We cannot provide assurance, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under the Revolving Credit Facility or from other sources in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Our ability to do so depends on prevailing economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change of control, we could be required to repay or refinance our indebtedness. We cannot assure that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the Senior Facilities, the 5.375% Senior Notes and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions will likely require additional capital, and there can be no assurance that any such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
From time to time, depending upon market and other conditions, as well as upon our cash balances and liquidity, we, our subsidiaries or our affiliates may acquire (and have acquired) our outstanding debt securities or our other indebtedness through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, redemption or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we, our subsidiaries or our affiliates may determine (or as may be provided for in the Indentures, if applicable), for cash or other consideration.
On February 2, 2021, we issued 2,665,935 shares of common stock to DPH 123, LLC, an ABRY affiliate, for no additional consideration pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 6, 2017, (the "Datapipe Merger Agreement") in connection with our November 15, 2017 acquisition of Datapipe. We will be required to issue additional shares of our common stock to DPH 123, LLC based on the MOIC exceeding certain thresholds as defined in the Datapipe Merger Agreement. If the MOIC exceeds 3.0x, which is indicated by a volume weighted average trading price of our common stock over 30 consecutive trading days of more than $25.00, we will be required to issue an additional 2,665,935 shares.
On March 3, 2022, our board of directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $75 million of shares of our common stock from time to time through open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share repurchases and other transactions in accordance with applicable security laws. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we repurchased $31 million, or 3.1 million shares, of our common stock on the open market under this program. No shares were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2023 and the program authorization expired on September 30, 2023.
On September 29, 2023, indirect subsidiaries of the company entered into a revolving agreement where a bankruptcy-remote SPV can sell accounts receivable, based upon the face amount of eligible receivables in the collateral pool, up to an aggregate maximum limit of $300 million to a financial institution on a recurring basis in exchange for cash.
At December 31, 2023, we held $197 million in cash and cash equivalents (not including $3 million in restricted cash, which is included in "Other non-current assets"), of which $117 million was held by foreign entities.
We have entered into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors, along with sale-leaseback arrangements for equipment and certain property leases that are considered financing obligations. We had $66 million outstanding with respect to these arrangements as of December 31, 2023. We may choose to utilize these various sources of funding in future periods. Refer to Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 9, "Financing Obligations" for more information regarding financing obligations.
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We also lease certain equipment and real estate under operating and finance lease agreements. We had $504 million outstanding with respect to operating and finance lease agreements as of December 31, 2023. We may choose to utilize such leasing arrangements in future periods. Refer to Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 8, "Leases" for more information regarding our operating and finance leases.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $2,893 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Term Loan Facility, 5.375% Senior Notes, and 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, with $375 million of borrowing capacity available under the Revolving Credit Facility. Our liquidity requirements are significant, primarily due to debt service requirements.
Debt
Senior Facilities
On February 9, 2021, we amended and restated the First Lien Credit Agreement, which included a new seven-year $2,300 million senior secured first lien term loan facility (the Term Loan Facility) and our existing Revolving Credit Facility, which we refer to together as the Senior Facilities. We used the borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes described below, to repay all borrowings under the Prior Term Loan Facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. The Term Loan Facility will mature on February 15, 2028 and the Revolving Credit Facility will mature on August 7, 2025. We may request one or more incremental term loan facilities, one or more incremental revolving credit facilities and/or increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility in an amount equal to the greater of $860 million and 1.0x Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the amended First Lien Credit Agreement), plus additional amounts, subject to compliance with applicable leverage ratios and certain terms and conditions.
On April 26, 2023, we executed an amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement to establish Term SOFR as the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate, replacing LIBOR.
As a result of the amendment, borrowings under the Senior Facilities bear interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) Term SOFR equal to the forward-looking term rate, based on the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, for the interest period relevant to such borrowing, plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.11% for an interest period of one-month's duration, 0.26% for an interest period of three-months' duration, and 0.43% for an interest period of six-months' duration, subject to a 0.75% floor, in the case of the Term Loan Facility, and a 1.00% floor, in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate of Citi and (iii) adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor plus 1.00%.
The applicable margin for the Term Loan Facility is 2.75% for SOFR loans and 1.75% for base rate loans and the applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility is 3.00% for SOFR loans and 2.00% for base rate loans. Interest is due at the end of each interest period elected, not exceeding 90 days, for SOFR loans and at the end of every calendar quarter for base rate loans.
The Revolving Credit Facility also includes a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum in respect of the unused commitments that is due quarterly. This fee is subject to one step-down based on the net first lien leverage ratio.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $56 million aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan Facility for $30 million, excluding related fees and expenses.
As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 8.23% and the outstanding principal balance was $2,181 million. We are required to make quarterly principal payments in the amount equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan Facility, or $5.8 million, which began on June 30, 2021, with the balance due at maturity on February 15, 2028.
We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage the interest rate risk associated with interest payments on the Term Loan Facility that result from fluctuations in Term SOFR. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 15, "Derivatives" for more information on the interest rate swap agreements.
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In addition to the quarterly amortization payments discussed above, our Senior Facilities require us to make certain mandatory prepayments, including using (i) a portion of annual excess cash flow, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, to prepay the Term Loan Facility, (ii) net cash proceeds of certain non-ordinary assets sales or dispositions of property to prepay the Term Loan Facility and (iii) net cash proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of debt not permitted under the Senior Facilities to prepay the Term Loan Facility. We can make voluntary prepayments at any time without penalty, except in connection with a repricing event, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement.
Rackspace Technology Global, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is the borrower under the Senior Facilities, and all obligations under the Senior Facilities are (i) guaranteed by Inception Parent, Rackspace Technology Global’s immediate parent company, on a limited recourse basis and secured by the equity interests of Rackspace Technology Global held by Inception Parent and (ii) guaranteed by Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries and secured by substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interests held by each, in each case subject to certain exceptions.
During 2023, we borrowed and fully repaid $50 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, we had total commitments of $375 million, no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and $3.5 million of letters of credit issued thereunder. As such, as of December 31, 2023, we had $375 million of available commitments remaining.
3.50% Senior Secured Notes
On February 9, 2021, Rackspace Technology Global issued $550 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes will mature on February 15, 2028 and bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 3.50%. Interest is payable semiannually on each February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2021. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are not subject to registration rights. As noted above, we used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with borrowings under the Term Loan Facility described above, to repay all borrowings outstanding under the Prior Term Loan Facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, and obligations under the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interest held by each, subject to certain exceptions, which assets also secure the Senior Facilities. The 3.50% Notes Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes.
Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: from February 15, 2024 to February 14, 2025, at a redemption price equal to 101.750% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from February 15, 2025 to February 14, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from February 15, 2026 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Rackspace Technology Global may redeem during each twelve-month period, commencing with February 9, 2021, up to 10.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price of 103.000%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $36 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes for $18 million, including accrued interest of $0.3 million and excluding related fees and expenses.
As of December 31, 2023, $514 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes remained outstanding.
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5.375% Senior Notes
Rackspace Technology Global issued $550 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes on December 1, 2020. The 5.375% Senior Notes will mature on December 1, 2028 and bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.375% per year, payable semi-annually on each June 1 and December 1, commencing on June 1, 2021 through maturity. The 5.375% Senior Notes are not subject to registration rights.
Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 5.375% Senior Notes, and obligations under the 5.375% Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 5.375% Senior Notes are effectively junior to the indebtedness under the Senior Facilities and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, to the extent of the collateral securing the Senior Facilities and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. The 5.375% Notes Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 5.375% Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, at a redemption price equal to 102.688% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025, at a redemption price equal to 101.344% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from December 1, 2025 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $352 million principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes for $124 million, including accrued interest of $3 million and excluding related fees and expenses.
As of December 31, 2023, $198 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes remained outstanding.
Debt covenants
Our Term Loan Facility is not subject to a financial maintenance covenant. The Revolving Credit Facility included a financial maintenance covenant that limits the borrower's net first lien leverage ratio to a maximum of 5.00 to 1.00. The net first lien leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of (x) the total amount of the borrower’s first lien debt for borrowed money (which is currently identical to the total amount outstanding under the Senior Facilities), less the borrower’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, to (y) consolidated EBITDA (as defined under the First Lien Credit Agreement governing the Senior Facilities). However, this financial maintenance covenant will only be applicable and tested if the aggregate amount of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and letters of credit issued thereunder (excluding $25 million of undrawn letters of credit and cash collateralized letters of credit) as of the last day of a fiscal quarter is equal to or greater than 35% of the Revolving Credit Facility commitments as of the last day of such fiscal quarter. Additional covenants in the Senior Facilities limit our subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur certain additional debt and liens, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates.
The Indentures contains covenants that, among other things, limit our subsidiaries' ability to incur certain additional debt, incur certain liens securing debt, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the Indentures. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the Indentures), we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes and 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at a price in cash equal to 101.000% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the purchase date.
Our “consolidated EBITDA,” as defined under our debt instruments, is calculated in the same manner as our Adjusted EBITDA, presented elsewhere in this report, except that our debt instruments allow us to adjust for additional items, including certain start-up costs, and to give pro forma effect to acquisitions, including resulting synergies, and internal cost savings initiatives. In addition, under the Indentures, the calculation of consolidated EBITDA does not take into account substantially any changes in GAAP subsequent to the date of issuance, whereas under the Senior Facilities, the calculation of consolidated EBITDA takes into account the impact of certain changes in GAAP subsequent to the original closing date other than with respect to capital leases.
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As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Facilities and the Indentures.
March 2024 Refinancing Transactions
See "Subsequent Events" in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for a discussion of the public and private debt exchange and related transactions that impacted or are expected to impact the Senior Facilities, the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Capital Expenditures
The following table sets forth a summary of our total capital expenditures for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Customer gear (1)
$ 116.1 $ 83.7 $ 115.3
Data center build outs (2)
12.5 4.2 2.9
Office build outs (3)
2.0 0.1 1.8
Capitalized software and other projects (4)
72.3 53.8 61.3
Total capital expenditures $ 202.9 $ 141.8 $ 181.3
(1) Includes servers, firewalls, load balancers, cabinets, backup libraries, storage arrays and drives and certain software that is essential to the functionality of customer gear, which we provide.
(2) Includes generators, uninterruptible power supplies, power distribution units, mechanical and electrical plants, chillers, raised floor, network cabling, other infrastructure gear and other data center building improvements.
(3) Includes building improvements, raised floor, furniture and equipment.
(4) Includes salaries and payroll-related costs of employees and consultants who devote time to the development of certain internal-use software projects, purchased software licenses and other projects that meet the criteria for capitalization.
The $40 million increase in capital expenditures from 2022 to 2023 was primarily driven by purchases of customer gear originally intended to support a specific new customer. This new customer did not materialize as expected; however, the gear is fungible and has been redeployed to support other business requirements. This gear was acquired through a finance lease.
The $61 million reduction in capital expenditures from 2021 to 2022 was due to the continued mix shift of our revenues from high capital intensity service offerings to low capital intensity service offerings. Additionally, the shift of internal software development work to lower cost geographies has also contributed to the decrease in capital expenditures between periods.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth a summary of certain cash flow information for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Cash provided by operating activities
$ 370.8 $ 246.7 $ 374.9
Cash used in investing activities $ (69.0) $ (97.9) $ (96.0)
Cash used in financing activities
$ (132.2) $ (187.0) $ (312.8)
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities results primarily from cash received from customers, offset by cash payments made for employee and consultant compensation (less amounts capitalized related to internal-use software that are reflected as cash used in investing activities), data center costs, license costs, third-party infrastructure costs, marketing programs, interest, taxes, and other general corporate expenditures.
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Net cash provided by operating activities for 2023 increased $128 million, or 52%, from 2022. The increase in operating cash was primarily driven by $209 million of cash proceeds related to the initial sale of a portion of our receivables upon execution of the Receivables Purchase Facility in September 2023 and a $58 million decrease in payroll and payroll taxes due to lower levels of severance payouts in 2023 compared to 2022. Partially offsetting this increase in cash was a $103 million increase in operating expense payments, largely for third-party infrastructure costs, and a $38 million increase in interest payments on debt.
Net cash provided by operating activities for 2022 decreased $124 million, or 33%, from 2021. This decrease was primarily driven by an increase in operating expense payments of $317 million, largely for third-party infrastructure costs, partially offset by an increase in cash collections of $115 million and a decrease in employee-related payments of $56 million mainly due to a shift in headcount to our offshore service centers.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities primarily consists of capital expenditures to meet the demands of our customer base and our strategic initiatives. The largest outlays of cash are for purchases of customer gear, data center and office build-outs, and capitalized payroll costs related to internal-use software development.
Net cash used in investing activities for 2023 decreased $2 million, or 2%, from 2022. During 2022, we made an $8 million cash payment in connection with the acquisition of Just Analytics and a $15 million payment for the purchase of a convertible promissory note. These cash outflows were partially offset by a $17 million increase in cash purchases of property, equipment, and software year-over-year. Other investing activities comprised the remainder of the variance in cash used between periods.
Net cash used in investing activities for 2022 increased $29 million, or 42%, from 2021. This was mainly due to the receipt of net proceeds of $31 million in the prior year from the January 2021 sale of a parcel of undeveloped land in the United Kingdom adjacent to one of our existing data centers. During 2022, we made an $8 million cash payment in connection with the acquisition of Just Analytics and a $15 million payment for the purchase of a convertible promissory note that matures in 2027. These outflows in the current year period were offset by a $28 million reduction in cash purchases of property, equipment, and software year-over-year.
Cash Used in Financing Activities
Financing activities generally include cash activity related to debt and other long-term financing arrangements (for example, finance lease obligations and financing obligations), including proceeds from and repayments of borrowings, and cash activity related to the issuance and repurchase of equity.
Net cash used in financing activities for 2023 increased $126 million, or 67% from 2022. The change was driven by a $169 million increase in net payments related to long-term debt between periods as the current period includes $121 million of 5.375% Senior Note repurchases, $18 million of 3.50% Senior Secured Note repurchases, and $30 million of Term Loan Facility repurchases, while the prior period only includes quarterly principal payments on our Term Loan Facility. In addition, there was a $13 million increase in finance lease principal payments between periods. Partially offsetting these drivers was $31 million in common stock share repurchases during 2022 as part of the program authorized in March 2022 and a $26 million reduction in principal payments of financing obligations.
Net cash used in financing activities for 2022 increased $55 million, or 41% from 2021. The change was primarily driven by a $57 million reduction in proceeds from employee stock plans year-over-year. The remaining variance includes $31 million in common stock share repurchases as part of the program authorized in March 2022, a $17 million increase in finance lease principal payments, and a $4 million increase in payments on the financing component of our interest rate swap during 2022. These drivers were partially offset by a $51 million reduction in net payments related to long-term debt activity between periods, including debt issuance costs. The prior year included the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction and a $65 million repayment on the now terminated Receivables Financing Facility, while the current period only includes quarterly principal payments on our Term Loan Facility. In addition, there was a $7 million decrease in principal payments for financing obligations between period
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
On September 29, 2023, Rackspace US and Rackspace Receivables II, LLC, a bankruptcy-remote SPV, each an indirect subsidiary of the company, entered into the Receivables Purchase Facility with PNC. The Receivables Purchase Facility allows the SPV to sell and/or contribute accounts receivable up an aggregate maximum limit of $300 million to PNC on a revolving basis.
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 3, "Sale of Receivables" for more information regarding this off-balance sheet transaction.
We have entered into various indemnification arrangements with third parties, including vendors, customers, landlords, our officers and directors, stockholders of acquired companies and third parties to whom and from whom we license technology. Generally, these indemnification agreements require us to reimburse losses suffered by third parties due to various events, such as lawsuits arising from patent or copyright infringement or our negligence. Certain of these agreements require us to indemnify the other party against certain claims relating to property damage, personal injury or the acts or omissions by us, our employees, agents or representatives. These indemnification obligations are considered off-balance sheet arrangements. To date, we have not incurred material costs as a result of such obligations and have not accrued any material liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our consolidated financial statements. See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 10, "Commitments and Contingencies" for more information related to these indemnification arrangements.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We consider accounting estimates that require significant management judgment to be critical accounting estimates. We review our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for credit losses, property, equipment and software and definite-lived intangible assets, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, contingencies, share-based compensation and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances to determine the carrying values of assets and liabilities. In many instances, we could have reasonably used different accounting estimates, and in other instances, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period-to-period. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates made by our management. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be affected.
Revenue Recognition
We provide cloud computing to customers, which is broadly defined as the delivery of computing, storage and applications over the Internet. Cloud computing is a service transaction under which the services we provide vary on a daily basis. The totality of services provided represent a single integrated solution tailored to the customer’s specific needs. As such, our performance obligations to our customers consist of a single integrated solution delivered as a series of distinct daily services delivered over the same period of time. We recognize revenue on a daily basis as services are provided in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for the services.
Our usage-based arrangements generally include variable consideration components consisting of monthly utility fees with a defined price and undefined quantity. Additionally, our contracts contain service level guarantees that provide discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and certain products may include volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for this consideration as services are provided and earned.
A substantial amount of revenue, particularly within our Private Cloud segment, relates to fees associated with offerings that generally have a fixed term, typically from 12 to 36 months, with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Contracts for our service offerings falling within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business typically operate on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty.
We also provide customers with professional services for the design and implementation of application, security and data services. Professional service contracts are either fixed-fee or time-and-materials based. We typically consider our professional services to be a separate performance obligation from other integrated solutions being provided to the same customer. Our performance obligations under these arrangements are typically to provide the services on a daily basis over a period of time and we recognize revenue as the services are performed.
We offer customers the flexibility to select the best combination of resources in order to meet the requirements of their unique applications and provide the technology to seamlessly operate and manage multiple cloud computing environments. Judgment is required in assessing whether a service is distinct, including determination of whether the customer could benefit from the service on its own or in conjunction with other readily available resources and whether certain services are highly integrated into a bundle of services that represent the combined output specified by the customer. Arrangements can contain multiple performance obligations that are distinct, which are accounted for separately. Each performance obligation is recognized as services are provided based on their SSP. Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each of our distinct performance obligations. We utilize a range of prices when developing our estimates of SSP. We determine the range of prices for estimating SSP for all our performance obligations using observable inputs, such as standalone sales and historical contract pricing. Our estimates of SSP are updated quarterly.
In addition, our customer agreements provide that we will achieve certain service levels related primarily to network uptime, critical infrastructure availability and hardware replacement. We may be obligated to provide service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers to the extent that such service levels are not achieved or are otherwise disputed. Credit memos are recognized in the period of service to which they relate.
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Revenue recognition for revenue generated from arrangements in which we resell third-party infrastructure bundled with our managed services, requires judgment to determine whether revenue can be recorded at the gross sales price or net of third-party fees. Typically, revenue is recognized on a gross basis when it is determined that we are the principal in the relationship. We are considered the principal in the relationship when we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the contract and obtain control of the third-party infrastructure before transferring it as an integral part of our performance obligation to provide services to the customer. Revenue is recognized net of third-party fees when we determine that our obligation is only to facilitate the customers’ purchase of third-party infrastructure.
Valuation of Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses
We record an allowance for credit losses on trade accounts receivable for estimated losses resulting from uncollectible receivables. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, we consider historical bad debt write-offs and all known facts and circumstances such as current economic conditions and trends, customer creditworthiness and specifically identified customer risks. If actual collections of customer receivables differ from our estimates, additional allowances may be required which could have an impact on our results of operations.
Property, Equipment and Software and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
In providing services to our customers, we utilize significant amounts of property, equipment and software, which we depreciate on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Definite-lived intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and are stated at their acquisition-date fair value less accumulated amortization. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Property and equipment under operating and finance leases are included within “Operating right-of-use assets” and “Property, equipment and software, net,” respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating right-of-use assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term whereas finance lease assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. We routinely review the estimated useful lives of our property, equipment and software and definite-lived intangible assets (“long-lived assets”). A change in the useful life of a long-lived asset is treated as a change in accounting estimate in the period of change and future periods.
Long-lived assets, including operating right-of-use assets and finance lease assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured at the asset group level and if the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value.
As of September 1, 2022, due to the factors discussed below, we performed an interim impairment review of the recoverability of our long-lived assets by asset group. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that, as of September 1, 2022, the carrying amount of the OpenStack Public Cloud asset group’s long-lived assets exceeded the sum of the undiscounted cash flows. Fair values of the OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets were determined using a combination of the income approach and the cost approach. The income approach utilized assumptions including management’s best estimates of the expected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rate, and the estimated useful life of the asset group. The cost approach utilized assumptions for the current replacement costs of similar assets adjusted for estimated depreciation and deterioration of the existing equipment and economic obsolescence. Estimates of floor values for the property, equipment and software, net, were considered relative to potential economic support for the assets such that the concluded value did not fall below the estimated floor value of these assets. We concluded that the carrying value of the OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets, including customer relationship intangibles and property, equipment and software, net, were impaired and recorded non-cash impairment charges of $38 million during the third quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
We also performed recoverability tests of our long-lived assets in conjunction with the goodwill impairment analyses performed subsequent to September 1, 2022 which did not result in any impairment charges.
We capitalize the salaries and related compensation costs of employees and consultants who devote time to the development of certain internal-use software projects. Judgment is required in determining whether an enhancement to previously developed software is significant and creates additional functionality to the software, thus resulting in capitalization. All other software development costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software development costs are amortized over the expected useful life of the software, which is generally three years; however, we evaluate the nature and utility of each project which can result in a useful life ranging between one and five years on certain projects.
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Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of our Rackspace trade name, which was recorded at fair value on our balance sheet at the date of the Rackspace Acquisition.
Application of the goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to reporting units and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. We test goodwill and our indefinite-lived intangible asset, the Rackspace trade name, for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, regulatory environment, established business plans, operating performance indicators or competition. Potential impairment indicators may also include, but are not limited to, (i) the results of our most recent annual or interim impairment testing, (ii) downward revisions to internal forecasts, and the magnitude thereof, if any, (iii) declines in our market capitalization below our book value, and the magnitude and duration of those declines, if any, (iv) a reorganization resulting in a change to our operating segments, and (v) other macroeconomic factors, such as increases in interest rates that may affect the weighted average cost of capital, volatility in the equity and debt markets, or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may negatively impact our reported results of operations.
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). We allocate goodwill to reporting units based on the reporting unit expected to benefit from the business combination. Assets and liabilities are assigned to each of our reporting units if they are employed by a reporting unit and are considered in the determination of the reporting unit fair value. Certain assets and liabilities are shared by multiple reporting units, and thus, are allocated to each reporting unit based on the relative size of a reporting unit, primarily based on revenue. Subsequent to the January 1, 2023 business reorganization, we have two reporting units with goodwill: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Goodwill allocated to our third reporting unit, OpenStack Public Cloud, was fully impaired during the fourth quarter of 2021.
We estimate the fair values of our reporting units and the Rackspace trade name using the discounted cash flow method and relief-from-royalty method, respectively. These calculations require the use of significant estimates and assumptions, such as: (i) the royalty rate; (ii) the estimation of future revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, and projected capital expenditures, which are dependent on internal cash flow forecasts; (iii) estimation of the terminal growth rates; and (iv) determination of the risk-adjusted discount rates. The discount rates used are based on our weighted average cost of capital and are adjusted for risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and in our estimation of future cash flows. As part of the goodwill impairment test, we also consider our market capitalization in assessing the reasonableness of the combined fair values estimated for our reporting units, including OpenStack Public Cloud. The estimates and assumptions used to calculate the fair value of our reporting units and the Rackspace trade name from year to year are based on operating results, market conditions, and other factors. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could produce materially different results.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis, we utilized the income approach to determine the fair value of our reporting units. The income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow method which is based on the present value of projected cash flows. The discounted cash flow models reflect our assumptions and considerations regarding revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, risk-adjusted discount rates, terminal period growth rates, and economic market trends. The terminal period growth rate is selected based on economic conditions and consideration of growth rates used in the forecast period and historical performance of the reporting unit.
Due to the change in our segment reporting as a result of the business reorganization as of January 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis both prior and subsequent to the aforementioned change. We reassigned goodwill to the updated reporting units using a relative fair value approach. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of January 1, 2023, subsequent to the change, indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $271 million in the first quarter of 2023.
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For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of January 1, 2023, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.5% to 12.0% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of January 1, 2023. As a result, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $271 million during the first quarter of 2023, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment primarily resulted from the reallocation of certain costs between the three reporting units to reflect the going-forward operating model following the business reorganization. The Public Cloud reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 20% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units of approximately $175 million and $67 million, respectively.
During the first quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of March 31, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first three months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of March 31, 2023.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2023, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.0% to 11.5% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of March 31, 2023. As a result, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $272 million during the first quarter of 2023, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment was driven by the company's most recent cash flow projections as revised in the first quarter of 2023 which reflected current market conditions and current trends in business performance, including slower than anticipated actualization of bookings. The Public Cloud reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 14% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units of approximately $80 million and $65 million, respectively.
During the third quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of September 30, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first nine months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of September 30, 2023.
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For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of September 30, 2023, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 11.0% to 12.5% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of September 30, 2023. As a result, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $166 million during the third quarter of 2023, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment was driven by the company's cash flow projections as revised in the third quarter of 2023 to reflect current market conditions and business mix shifts. The Public Cloud reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 17% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units of approximately $65 million and $52 million, respectively.
As of October 1, 2023, we reassessed our reporting unit structure and aggregated the OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit into our Private Cloud reporting unit. We currently have two reporting units: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Due to the change in our reporting units as of October 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis. As the Private Cloud and OpenStack Public Cloud reporting units are being combined into the new Private Cloud reporting unit, the goodwill of the reporting units has been combined rather than reassigned based on the relative fair values of the reporting units. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of October 1, 2023, subsequent to the change, indicated no impairment charges to our Private Cloud or Public Cloud reporting units.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of October 1, 2023, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 11.0% to 12.5% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of October 1, 2023. The Private and Public Cloud reporting units were determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 3% and 17%, respectively and, therefore, no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units of approximately $67 million and $52 million, respectively.
As of September 1, 2022, after considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting unit as of September 1, 2022.
For the interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of September 1, 2022, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.0% to 12.0% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of September 1, 2022. As a result of our interim goodwill impairment test performed as of September 1, 2022, we determined that the carrying amount of our former Multicloud Services reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $405 million during the third quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment was driven by deteriorating forecasted margins and cash flows within this reporting unit primarily due to slower than anticipated product mix shifts. Our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 15% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
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We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting unit by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reporting units of approximately $235 million and $33 million, respectively.
We performed our annual quantitative goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022. For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of October 1, 2022, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.0% to 12.0% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of October 1, 2022. As a result of our goodwill impairment test performed as of October 1, 2022, we determined that the fair value exceeded the carrying amounts for each of our reporting units. The fair value exceeded the carrying value for the former Multicloud Services reporting unit by 1% and the former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit by 15%. Therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting unit by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reporting units of approximately $236 million and $38 million, respectively.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we experienced decline in our market capitalization following a ransomware incident in early December which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business which was included in our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, including our lowered projected operating results within this reporting unit, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022.
For the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of December 31, 2022, we utilized a range of our weighted-average cost of capital of 10.5% to 12.0% as our discount rate, which was risk-adjusted for each reporting unit. After determining the fair value of our reporting units, we reconciled the combined fair value of the reporting units to the company's market capitalization as of December 31, 2022. As a result of our goodwill impairment test performed as of December 31, 2022, we determined that the carrying amount of our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $129 million during the fourth quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The impairment was driven by a decrease in forecasted revenues, margins, and cash flows within the reporting unit primarily due to the Hosted Exchange incident and other macroeconomic factors. The former Multicloud Services reporting unit was determined to have a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 1% and therefore no impairment was recognized.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting unit by utilizing changes in assumptions that reflect reasonably likely future changes in the discount rate used in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation and the terminal growth rate. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the discounted cash flow analysis are held constant, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption would result in decreases in fair value of our former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reporting units of approximately $218 million and $22 million, respectively.
As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2021, we determined that the carrying amount of our OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and fully impaired its goodwill by recording a goodwill impairment charge of $52 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The impairment was driven by deteriorating forecasted margins and cash flows within the reporting unit primarily due to operating costs declining at a slower rate than previously anticipated even after factoring in the long term impacts of the July 2021 Restructuring Plan.
As of December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of goodwill was $1,452.4 million.
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Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
As of January 1, 2023, March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, due to the factors discussed above, we performed a quantitative assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset utilizing a relief from royalty method. Significant estimates and assumptions included in the relief from royalty method are expectations of revenue growth rates, and selection of royalty rate and discount rate. We utilized a royalty rate of 0.5% for all periods and a discount rate of 11.0% as of January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023, and a discount rate of 11.9% as of September 30, 2023. We completed the quantitative assessments of our indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to testing our goodwill for impairment as of January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023 which did not indicate any impairment of the Rackspace trade name.
The quantitative test as of September 30, 2023 indicated that the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a $57 million non-cash impairment charge during the third quarter of 2023 which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
We completed the quantitative assessments of our indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to testing our goodwill for impairment as of October 1, 2023 which did not indicate any impairment of the Rackspace trade name.
As of September 1, 2022, October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, due to the factors discussed above, we performed a quantitative assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset utilizing a relief from royalty method. Significant estimates and assumptions included in the relief from royalty method are expectations of revenue growth rates, and selection of royalty rate and discount rate. We utilized a royalty rate of 0.5% for all periods and a discount rate of 10.7% as of September 1, 2022 and October 1, 2022, and a discount rate of 11.0% as of December 31, 2022. We completed the quantitative assessments of our indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to testing our goodwill for impairment.
As of September 1, 2022, we determined the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a $21 million non-cash impairment charge during the third quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
As of October 1, 2022, we determined the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was greater than its carrying value, and therefore no impairment was recognized.
As of December 31, 2022, we determined the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a $12 million non-cash impairment charge during the fourth quarter of 2022, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
The fair value determination of our reporting units and our indefinite-lived intangible asset is judgmental in nature and requires the use of estimates and assumptions that are sensitive to changes. Assumptions include estimation of the royalty rate for the trade name, estimation of future revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, which are dependent on internal cash flow forecasts, estimation of the terminal growth rates and determination of risk-adjusted discount rates. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the quantitative goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment tests will prove to be an accurate prediction of future results. Examples of events or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the underlying key assumptions and ultimately impact the estimated fair value of our reporting units may include such items as: (i) volatility in the equity and debt markets or other macroeconomic factors, (ii) an increase in the weighted-average cost of capital due to further increases in interest rates, (iii) decrease in future cash flows due to lower than expected sales, or (iv) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may negatively impact our reported results of operations. Accordingly, if our current cash flow assumptions are not realized, we experience further sustained declines in our stock price or market capitalization, or increases in costs of capital, it is possible that an additional impairment charge may be recorded in the future, which could be material.
We are currently evaluating the impact of the subsequent events described in Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and the company’s most recently approved internal forecasts on the significant estimates and assumptions used in our most recent annual impairment testing. After considering all available evidence in evaluating potential impairment indicators, we may determine it is appropriate to perform an interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis during the first quarter of 2024. It is possible that impairment charges may be recorded, which could be material.
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Contingencies
We accrue for contingent obligations when the obligation is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. As facts concerning contingencies become known, we reassess our position and make appropriate adjustments to the recorded accrual. Estimates that are particularly sensitive to future changes include those related to tax, legal and other regulatory matters, changes in the interpretation and enforcement of international laws, and the impact of local economic conditions and practices, which are all subject to change as events evolve and as additional information becomes available during the administrative and litigation process. Changes in our estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Share-Based Compensation
We account for share-based awards under the recognition and measurement provisions of ASC No. 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the underlying common stock and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The fair value of stock options with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Determining the grant date fair value of share-based awards with performance vesting conditions and the probability of such awards vesting requires judgment.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. Although we believe we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.
Our effective tax rates may differ from the statutory rate for various reasons, including differences due to the tax impact of foreign operations, R&D tax credits, state taxes, contingency reserves for uncertain tax positions, certain benefits realized related to share-based compensation, executive compensation that is nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m), changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets or liabilities, goodwill impairments, or from changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof. In addition, we are periodically subject to examination of our income tax returns in the U.S., U.K., India, and other countries. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.
Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of recent operations. The assumptions about future taxable income require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses.
In December 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (the “OECD”) issued model rules for a new global minimum tax framework (Pillar Two). Governments in many of the countries where we operate have issued, or are in the process of issuing, legislation on this rule. We are currently evaluating, but do not expect this rule to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
For a description of accounting pronouncements recently adopted and issued, see Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rates
We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates on our floating-rate debt under our Senior Facilities, which includes our $375 million Revolving Credit Facility and $2,181 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. As of December 31, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and therefore our only variable-rate debt outstanding was the $2,181 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. As of December 31, 2023, assuming the Revolving Credit Facility was fully drawn, each 0.125% change in assumed blended interest rates would result in a $3 million change in annual interest expense on indebtedness under the Senior Facilities.
Our Term Loan Facility bears interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus one-month Term SOFR, subject to a 0.75% floor. Prior to the April 26, 2023 amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement, three-month LIBOR was the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate. As such, we have historically entered into interest rate swap agreements indexed to three-month LIBOR in order to manage our risk from fluctuations in three-month LIBOR above the 0.75% floor. During 2022, three of these swap agreements matured.
To continue to manage our exposure to interest rate risk associated with our Term Loan Facility, in May 2023 we amended our remaining swap agreement to change the index from three-month LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.75%) to one-month Term SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.75%); consistent with the First Lien Credit Agreement amendment in April 2023. The fixed rate for this swap agreement is presented in the table below. As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 8.23%, equal to an applicable margin of 2.86% (including the credit spread adjustment of 0.11%) plus one-month Term SOFR for the interest period of 5.37%.
The key terms of the swap outstanding as of December 31, 2023 are presented below:
Transaction Date Effective Date Notional Amount (in millions) Fixed Rate Paid Maturity Date
February 2021 February 9, 2021 $ 1,350.0 2.34150% February 9, 2026
See Item 8 of Part II, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 15, "Derivatives," for more information on interest rate swaps.
Foreign Currencies
We are subject to foreign currency translation risk due to the translation of the results of our subsidiaries from their respective functional currencies to the U.S. dollar, our functional currency. As a result, we discuss our revenue on a constant currency as well as actual basis, highlighting our sensitivity to changes in foreign exchange rates. See “Constant Currency Revenue.” While the majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in their respective functional currencies, we also have exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses as the result of certain receivables due from our foreign subsidiaries. As such, the results of operations and cash flows of our foreign subsidiaries are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. During 2023, we recognized foreign currency transaction gains of $4 million within "Other expense, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. As we grow our international operations, our exposure to foreign currency translation and transaction risk could become more significant.
We have in the past and may in the future enter into foreign currency hedging instruments to limit our exposure to foreign currency risk.
Power Prices
We are a large consumer of power. During 2023, we expensed approximately $47 million for utility companies to power our data centers, representing approximately 2% of our revenue. Power costs vary by geography, the source of power generation and seasonal fluctuations and are subject to certain proposed legislation that may increase our exposure to increased power costs. We have power contracts for data centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Jose, Somerset, New Jersey and London areas that allow us to procure power either on a fixed price or on a variable price basis.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 238)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Rackspace Technology, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Rackspace Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, of stockholders’ equity (deficit) and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Interim Goodwill Impairment Assessments - Private Cloud and Public Cloud Reporting Units
As described in Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated net goodwill balance was $1,452.4 million as of December 31, 2023, and the goodwill associated with the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units was $854.7 million and $597.7 million, respectively. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. Management conducts impairment testing on an annual basis as of October 1st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. On January 1, 2023, as a result of a reorganization of the Company’s business around a two-business unit operating model, the Company changed its reportable segments to Private Cloud and Public Cloud. As a result of this change, goodwill was allocated from the former reporting units to the Public Cloud and Private Cloud reporting units based on their relative fair value and a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis was performed both prior and subsequent to the change. The results of the quantitative impairment analysis performed as of January 1, subsequent to the change, indicated an impairment within the Private Cloud reporting unit resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $270.8 million. During the first and third quarters of 2023, the Company experienced a sustained decline in its stock price resulting in the market capitalization being less than the carrying value of the combined reporting units. After considering all available evidence in the evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, management determined it appropriate to perform interim quantitative assessments of the reporting units as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023. As a result of the quantitative assessments performed as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, management recorded non-cash impairment charges of $272.3 million and $165.7 million, respectively, for the Private Cloud reporting unit. Management estimated the fair values of each of the reporting units using the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method. The discounted cash flow models reflect management’s assumptions and considerations regarding revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, risk-adjusted discount rates, terminal period growth rates, and economic market trends.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the interim goodwill impairment assessments of the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value estimates of the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing audit procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, risk-adjusted discount rate and terminal period growth rate for the Private Cloud reporting unit and revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, risk-adjusted discount rate, and terminal period growth rate, for the Public Cloud reporting unit; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
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Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessments, including controls over the valuation of the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units. These procedures also included, among others, (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimates of the Private Cloud and Public Cloud reporting units, (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow models used by management, (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the discounted cash flow models, and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management related to revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures and risk-adjusted discount rates for the Private Cloud reporting unit and revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs and risk-adjusted discount rates for the Public Cloud reporting unit. Evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs and projected capital expenditures for the Private Cloud reporting unit and revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins and projected operating costs for the Public Cloud reporting unit involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting units; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating (i) the appropriateness of the Company’s discounted cash flow models and (ii) the reasonableness of the terminal period growth rate and risk-adjusted discount rate assumptions.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Austin, Texas
March 15, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.
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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except per share data) December 31,
2022 December 31,
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 228.4 $ 196.8
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses and accrued customer credits of $24.6 and $20.1, respectively
622.2 339.7
Prepaid expenses 97.3 87.4
Other current assets 125.3 114.2
Total current assets 1,073.2 738.1
Property, equipment and software, net 628.3 608.8
Goodwill, net 2,155.1 1,452.4
Intangible assets, net 1,236.0 1,019.0
Operating right-of-use assets 138.0 126.3
Other non-current assets 226.1 151.6
Total assets $ 5,456.7 $ 4,096.2
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 447.3 $ 432.7
Accrued compensation and benefits 95.3 72.2
Deferred revenue 80.9 78.8
Debt 23.0 23.0
Accrued interest 36.3 20.5
Operating lease liabilities 60.0 66.0
Finance lease liabilities 61.7 55.8
Financing obligations 16.7 14.0
Other current liabilities 35.3 36.5
Total current liabilities 856.5 799.5
Non-current liabilities:
Debt 3,295.4 2,839.6
Operating lease liabilities 84.8 74.6
Finance lease liabilities 310.5 308.0
Financing obligations 47.6 52.4
Deferred income taxes 126.7 79.2
Other non-current liabilities 105.7 97.4
Total liabilities 4,827.2 4,250.7
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share: 5.0 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
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Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 1,495.0 shares authorized; 215.7 and 220.5 shares issued; 212.6 and 217.4 shares outstanding, respectively
2.2 2.2
Additional paid-in capital 2,573.3 2,638.2
Accumulated other comprehensive income 71.4 60.3
Accumulated deficit (1,986.4) (2,824.2)
Treasury stock, at cost; 3.1 shares held
(31.0) (31.0)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) 629.5 (154.5)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) $ 5,456.7 $ 4,096.2
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data) 2021 2022 2023
Revenue $ 3,009.5 $ 3,122.3 $ 2,957.1
Cost of revenue (2,072.7) (2,265.4) (2,328.3)
Gross profit 936.8 856.9 628.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses (906.8) (855.3) (767.2)
Impairment of goodwill (52.4) (534.5) (708.8)
Impairment of assets, net - (146.1) (52.2)
Gain on sale of land 19.9 - -
Loss from operations (2.5) (679.0) (899.4)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (205.1) (208.5) (221.6)
Gain (loss) on investments, net (3.0) (0.2) 0.3
Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment (37.5) - 271.3
Other expense, net
(1.0) (10.0) (5.0)
Total other income (expense) (246.6) (218.7) 45.0
Loss before income taxes (249.1) (897.7) (854.4)
Benefit for income taxes 30.8 92.9 16.6
Net loss $ (218.3) $ (804.8) $ (837.8)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (3.6) $ (27.2) $ 8.0
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts 11.5 86.9 10.8
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings 17.6 4.8 (29.9)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 25.5 64.5 (11.1)
Comprehensive loss $ (192.8) $ (740.3) $ (848.9)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted $ (1.05) $ (3.81) $ (3.89)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted 208.0 211.2 215.3
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss $ (218.3) $ (804.8) $ (837.8)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 424.8 387.8 369.7
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets 65.9 59.8 73.2
Deferred income taxes (41.5) (108.8) (41.9)
Share-based compensation expense 75.4 69.5 65.4
Impairment of goodwill 52.4 534.5 708.8
Impairment of assets, net - 146.1 52.2
Gain on sale of land (19.9) - -
Debt modification costs and (gain) loss on debt extinguishment 37.5 - (271.3)
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts 16.8 18.5 15.5
(Gain) loss on investments, net 3.0 0.2 (0.3)
Provision for bad debts and accrued customer credits (2.0) 12.4 9.0
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount 8.8 8.0 7.9
Non-cash fair value adjustments - 3.2 (1.0)
Other operating activities (2.1) (0.2) 0.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (69.5) (82.4) 275.1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 9.5 (7.1) 24.6
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities 88.1 69.8 (44.2)
Deferred revenue 21.6 (21.6) (5.8)
Operating lease liabilities (61.4) (65.5) (65.6)
Other non-current assets and liabilities (18.3) 27.3 41.0
Net cash provided by operating activities 370.8 246.7 374.9
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchases of property, equipment and software (108.4) (80.4) (96.9)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired - (7.7) -
Proceeds from sale of land 31.3 - -
Purchase of convertible promissory note - (15.0) -
Other investing activities 8.1 5.2 0.9
Net cash used in investing activities (69.0) (97.9) (96.0)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from employee stock plans 61.1 3.7 1.3
Shares of common stock withheld for employee taxes - - (1.0)
Shares of common stock repurchased - (31.0) -
Proceeds from borrowings under long-term debt arrangements 2,838.5 - 50.0
Payments on long-term debt (2,877.9) (23.0) (241.9)
Payments for debt issuance costs (34.5) - -
Payments on financing component of interest rate swap (12.9) (17.2) (18.8)
Principal payments of finance lease liabilities (50.6) (67.2) (79.7)
Principal payments of financing obligations (55.9) (49.0) (22.7)
Other financing activities - (3.3) -
Net cash used in financing activities (132.2) (187.0) (312.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (2.3) (5.8) 2.2
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 167.3 (44.0) (31.7)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 108.1 275.4 231.4
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 275.4 $ 231.4 $ 199.7
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Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash payments for interest, net of amount capitalized $ 178.5 $ 177.9 $ 213.9
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds $ 5.5 $ 10.5 $ 11.9
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Acquisition of property, equipment and software by finance leases $ 60.4 $ 36.7 $ 67.7
Acquisition of property, equipment and software by financing obligations 44.7 7.1 25.0
Other non-cash additions - - 5.3
Increase (decrease) in property, equipment and software accrued in liabilities (10.6) 17.6 (13.6)
Non-cash purchases of property, equipment and software $ 94.5 $ 61.4 $ 84.4
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash to the total of such amounts shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Cash and cash equivalents $ 272.8 $ 228.4 $ 196.8
Restricted cash included in other non-current assets 2.6 3.0 2.9
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 275.4 $ 231.4 $ 199.7
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In millions) Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Deficit Treasury Stock, at Cost Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Shares Amount Shares Amount
Balance at December 31, 2020 201.8 $ 2.0 $ 2,363.6 $ (18.6) $ (963.3) - $ - $ 1,383.7
Issuance of common stock 2.7 - - - - - - -
Exercise of stock options and release of stock awards 6.0 0.1 50.7 - - - - 50.8
Issuance of shares from Employee Stock Purchase Plan 0.7 - 10.3 - - - - 10.3
Share-based compensation expense - - 75.4 - - - - 75.4
Net loss - - - - (218.3) - - (218.3)
Other comprehensive income - - - 25.5 - - - 25.5
Balance at December 31, 2021 211.2 $ 2.1 $ 2,500.0 $ 6.9 $ (1,181.6) - $ - $ 1,327.4
Exercise of stock options and release of stock awards 3.7 0.1 0.7 - - - - 0.8
Issuance of shares from Employee Stock Purchase Plan 0.8 - 3.1 - - - - 3.1
Share-based compensation expense - - 69.5 - - - - 69.5
Net loss - - - - (804.8) - - (804.8)
Other comprehensive income - - - 64.5 - - - 64.5
Repurchase of common stock - - - - - 3.1 (31.0) (31.0)
Balance at December 31, 2022 215.7 $ 2.2 $ 2,573.3 $ 71.4 $ (1,986.4) 3.1 $ (31.0) $ 629.5
Exercise of stock options and release of stock awards, net of shares withheld 4.1 - (1.0) - - - - (1.0)
Issuance of shares from Employee Stock Purchase Plan 0.7 - 1.3 - - - - 1.3
Share-based compensation expense for equity classified awards - - 64.6 - - - - 64.6
Net loss - - - - (837.8) - - (837.8)
Other comprehensive loss - - - (11.1) - - - (11.1)
Balance at December 31, 2023 220.5 $ 2.2 $ 2,638.2 $ 60.3 $ (2,824.2) 3.1 $ (31.0) $ (154.5)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Rackspace Technology is a Delaware corporation controlled by investment funds affiliated with Apollo. Rackspace Technology was formed on July 21, 2016 but had no assets, liabilities or operating results until November 3, 2016 when Rackspace Hosting (now named Rackspace Technology Global), a global provider of modern information technology-as-a-service, was acquired by Inception Parent, a wholly-owned entity indirectly owned by Rackspace Technology.
Rackspace Technology Global commenced operations in 1998 as a limited partnership, and was incorporated in Delaware in March 2000. Rackspace Technology serves as the holding company for Rackspace Technology Global and does not engage in any material business or operations other than those related to its indirect ownership of the capital stock of Rackspace Technology Global and its subsidiaries or business or operations otherwise customarily undertaken by a holding company.
For ease of reference, the terms "we," "our company," "the company," "us," or "our" as used in this report refer to Rackspace Technology and its consolidated subsidiaries.
On January 18, 2022, we acquired 100% of Just Analytics, a leading provider of cloud-based data, analytics, and AI services based in the APJ region. The acquisition was completed for $7.7 million in cash consideration, net of cash acquired, together with future deferred payments that are considered post-combination compensation costs and will be recognized over the next three years. The acquisition of Just Analytics was not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Effective on January 1, 2023, we reorganized around a two-business unit operating model, Public Cloud and Private Cloud. This two-business unit operating model ensures increased focus, delivery, and service quality for our customers. Beginning in 2023, we changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two reportable segments: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. See Note 18, "Segment Reporting" for more information.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rackspace Technology and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the allowance for credit losses, useful lives of property, equipment and software, software capitalization, incremental borrowing rates for lease liability measurement, fair values of intangible assets and reporting units, useful lives of intangible assets, share-based compensation, contingencies, and income taxes, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
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Liquidity Overview
We are a highly leveraged company. As of December 31, 2023, we had $2,892.5 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Term Loan Facility, 5.375% Senior Notes, and 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. We primarily finance our operations and capital expenditures with internally-generated cash from operations and hardware leases, and if necessary, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, the Revolving Credit Facility provided for up to $375.0 million of borrowings, none of which was drawn and outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Our primary uses of cash are working capital requirements, debt service requirements and capital expenditures. Based on our current level of operations and available cash and cash equivalents of $196.8 million as of December 31, 2023, we believe our sources will provide sufficient liquidity over at least the next twelve months. We cannot provide assurance, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under the Revolving Credit Facility or from other sources in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Our ability to do so depends on prevailing economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Subsequent Events
Private Exchange
On March 12, 2024, we (together with certain of our subsidiaries) closed a private debt exchange (the “Private Exchange”) with (i) certain holders of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes (the “Existing Secured Notes”) issued by Rackspace Technology Global (the “Existing Borrower”), representing more than 64% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Existing Secured Notes, and (ii) lenders representing more than 72% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding term loans (the “Existing Term Loans”) under the First Lien Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the Private Exchange, (i) $331.4 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Secured Notes and $1,588.8 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Term Loans were exchanged or purchased for cancellation and (ii) $267.3 million aggregate principal amount of new 3.50% FLSO Notes and $1,312.0 million aggregate principal amount of new first lien second out term loans (the “New FLSO Term Loans”) were issued by Rackspace Finance, LLC, a new subsidiary of the company (the “New Borrower”).
As a result of the Private Exchange, the company eliminated more than $375.0 million of its debt and extended the maturity of $1,579.4 million of its debt until May 2028. In addition, the New Borrower issued $275.0 million in aggregate principal amount of first lien first out senior secured term loans and the company repurchased and cancelled $69.3 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Senior Notes.
Public Exchanges
On March 13, 2024, the company launched an offer to all of the holders of the Existing Borrower’s remaining Existing Term Loans (the “Public Term Loan Exchange”). Assuming full participation in the Public Term Loan Exchange, the company expects that (i) $592.3 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Term Loans will be exchanged or purchased for cancellation and (ii) $418.8 million aggregate principal amount of New FLSO Term Loans will be issued by the New Borrower.
On March 14, 2024, the company launched an offer to all of the holders of the Existing Borrower’s remaining Existing Secured Notes (the “Public Note Exchange” and, together with the Public Term Loan Exchange, the “Public Exchanges”). Assuming full participation in the Public Note Exchange, the company expects that (i) $182.3 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Secured Notes will be exchanged or purchased for cancellation and (ii) $127.6 million aggregate principal amount of New Secured Notes will be issued by the New Borrower.
The Public Exchanges are subject to certain customary closing conditions and termination provisions and may not be consummated.
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These disclosures are for informational purposes only and shall not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase or sell, or any solicitation of any offer to sell or purchase, notes or any other securities or debt instruments, and neither this report nor any part of it, nor the fact of its release, shall form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract therefor. The Public Note Exchange is made only by and pursuant to the terms and conditions of a confidential offering memorandum that will only be made available to eligible holders of the Existing Secured Notes. The complete terms and conditions of the Public Note Exchange for the Existing Secured Notes are set forth in such confidential offering memorandum. The Public Term Loan Exchange is made only by and pursuant to the terms and conditions of an exchange agreement that will only be made available to holders of the Existing Term Loans. The complete terms and conditions of the Public Term Loan Exchange for the Existing Term Loans are set forth in such exchange agreement. None of the company, the Existing Borrower, the New Borrower or any of their affiliates takes any position or makes any recommendation as to whether or not eligible holders should participate in the Public Note Exchange or the Public Term Loan Exchange.
New Revolving Credit Facility
On March 12, 2024, the New Borrower also established the New Revolving Credit Facility consisting of new first out first lien revolving credit commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $375.0 million. All revolving lenders under the company’s prior Revolving Credit Facility agreed to exchange their revolving loan commitments for commitments in respect of the New Revolving Credit Facility, which replaces in full the company’s prior Revolving Credit Facility. The New Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of May 15, 2028.
Accounting and Tax Impacts
We are evaluating the accounting impacts of the Private Exchange, Public Exchanges and New Revolving Credit Facility which are currently not estimable.
In addition, the tax consequences of debt exchanges are reasonably complex and could result in both the recognition of taxable income and/or the reduction of the tax basis of our assets. We are in the process of evaluating these matters and expect that a portion of any income resulting from the Private Exchange and Public Exchanges could be taxable. Any additional taxable income arising from these transactions could be substantially offset by tax attributes currently reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, which may also include attributes that have a valuation allowance against resulting in reversals of such valuation allowances.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
Our cash is comprised of bank deposits, overnight sweep accounts and money market funds and is held with high-credit quality U.S. and foreign financial institutions. We consider all highly liquid investments, such as money market funds, with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.
Restricted cash, included in "Other non-current assets" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, represents collateral for letters of credit. Restricted cash was $3.0 million and $2.9 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Property, Equipment and Software and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
Property, equipment and software is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Included in property, equipment and software are capitalized costs related to computer software developed or acquired for internal use. Capitalized computer software costs consist of purchased software licenses, implementation costs, and salaries and related compensation costs of employees and consultants for certain projects that qualify for capitalization. For cloud computing arrangements that include a software license, the software license element of the arrangement is accounted for in a manner consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. For cloud computing arrangements that do not include a software license, the arrangement is accounted for as a service contract and is expensed as the services are provided.
Replacements and major improvements to property, equipment and software are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. We also capitalize interest costs incurred during the acquisition, development and construction of certain assets until the asset is ready for its intended use. We capitalized interest of $0.6 million, $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
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Property, equipment and software is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term. Depreciation expense is recorded within "Cost of revenue" and "Selling, general and administrative expenses" on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
The following table shows the estimated useful lives used for property, equipment and software:
Classification Estimated Useful Lives
Computers and equipment 3 to 5 years
Software 3 years
Furniture and fixtures 7 years
Buildings and leasehold improvements 2 to 39 years
Assets classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or its estimated fair value, less costs to sell, and no depreciation and amortization is recorded after the held for sale classification is met. As of December 31, 2022, our corporate headquarters property was classified as held for sale. See Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net" and Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for more information.
The cost of assets and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are written off upon retirement or disposal and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income or expense.
Definite-lived intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and are stated at their acquisition date fair value less accumulated amortization. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as this method best approximates the economic benefit derived from such assets. Amortization expense is recorded within "Selling, general and administrative expenses" on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
Long-lived assets, including operating and finance lease assets (see "Leases" below for more information) are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured at the asset group level. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized in the amount that an asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
As of September 1, 2022, prior to performing the goodwill impairment analysis discussed below, we performed a recoverability test of our long-lived assets by asset group, including finite-lived intangible assets, in which we estimated the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that, as of September 1, 2022, the carrying amount of the OpenStack Public Cloud asset group’s underlying assets exceeded the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, and therefore is subject to the fair value test. Fair values of the OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets were determined using a combination of the income approach and the cost approach. The income approach utilized assumptions including management’s best estimates of the expected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rate, and the estimated useful life of the asset group. The cost approach utilized assumptions for the current replacement costs of similar assets adjusted for estimated depreciation and deterioration of the existing equipment and economic obsolescence. Estimates of floor values for the property, equipment and software, net, were considered relative to potential economic support for the assets such that the concluded value did not fall below the estimated floor value of these assets. As a result of the fair value test, we recorded non-cash impairment charges totaling $37.7 million related to property, equipment and software, net and intangible assets, which are included in "Impairment of assets, net" on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
We also performed recoverability tests of our long-lived assets in conjunction with the goodwill impairment analyses performed subsequent to September 1, 2022 which did not result in any impairment charges.
See Note 5, "Property, Equipment and Software, net," and Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets," for more information.
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Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset consists of our Rackspace trade name, which was recorded at fair value on our balance sheet at the date of the Rackspace Acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to impairment testing on an annual basis as of October 1st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, regulatory environment, established business plans, operating performance indicators or competition. Potential impairment indicators may also include, but are not limited to, (i) significant changes to estimates and assumptions used in the most recent annual or interim impairment testing, (ii) downward revisions to internal forecasts, and the magnitude thereof, (iii) declines in our market capitalization below our book value, and the magnitude and duration of those declines, (iv) a reorganization resulting in a change to our operating segments, and (v) other macroeconomic factors, such as increases in interest rates that may affect the weighted average cost of capital, volatility in the equity and debt markets, or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may negatively impact our reported results of operations.
On January 1, 2023, as a result of the reorganization of our business around a two-business unit operating model, we changed our operating and reportable segments to Private Cloud and Public Cloud. Our prior Multicloud Services segment has been separated into its public and private cloud components and the offerings previously reported in our Apps & Cross Platform segment have been reassigned to either the Public Cloud or Private Cloud segment based on the nature of the offering. Our prior OpenStack Public Cloud segment is included in Private Cloud. As a result of the segment change, we allocated the goodwill of our former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reporting units to the Public Cloud and Private Cloud reporting units based on their relative fair value. OpenStack Public Cloud remains a separate reporting unit for goodwill purposes. Due to the change in our segment reporting and the allocation of goodwill, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis both prior and subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of December 31, 2022, prior to the change, indicated an impairment within our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $129.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, as further discussed below. We reassigned goodwill to the updated reporting units using a relative fair value approach. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of January 1, 2023, subsequent to the reorganization, indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $270.8 million in the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of March 31, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first three months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of March 31, 2023.
During the third quarter of 2023, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of September 30, 2023, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount, if any, of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance for the first nine months of the year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of September 30, 2023.
Prior to October 1, 2023, we had two reporting units with goodwill: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Goodwill allocated to our third reporting unit, OpenStack Public Cloud, was fully impaired during the fourth quarter of 2021. As of October 1, 2023, we reassessed our reporting unit structure and aggregated the OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit into our Private Cloud reporting unit. We currently have two reporting units: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Due to the change in our reporting units as of October 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis.
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Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). We allocate goodwill to reporting units based on the reporting unit expected to benefit from the business combination. Assets and liabilities are assigned to each of our reporting units if they are employed by a reporting unit and are considered in the determination of the reporting unit fair value. Certain assets and liabilities are shared by multiple reporting units, and thus, are allocated to each reporting unit based on the relative size of a reporting unit, primarily based on revenue.
For the goodwill impairment tests completed during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, including the interim quantitative analyses, we compared the fair values of each of our reporting units to their respective carrying amounts. The fair values of each of our reporting units were derived using the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method. The discounted cash flow models reflect our assumptions and considerations regarding revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures, risk-adjusted discount rates, terminal period growth rates, and economic market trends. As part of the goodwill impairment test, we also consider our market capitalization in assessing the reasonableness of the combined fair values estimated for our reporting units, including OpenStack Public Cloud. Goodwill impairment is measured as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill for that reporting unit.
The results of our quantitative goodwill impairment analyses as of January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $270.8 million and $272.3 million, respectively, within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the first quarter of 2023.
The results of our quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2023 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $165.7 million, within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the third quarter of 2023. The results of our quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1, 2023 indicated no impairment of goodwill
During the third quarter of 2022, we experienced a sustained decline in our stock price resulting in our market capitalization being less than the carrying value of our combined reporting units. As of September 1, 2022, we assessed several events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the significance of the amount of excess carrying value over fair value, consistency of operating margins and cash flows, budgeted-to-actual performance from prior year, overall change in economic climate, changes in the industry and competitive environment, and earnings quality and sustainability. In addition, as of September 1, 2022, we lowered our projected operating results primarily due to product mix shifts and market concerns related to inflation and other macroeconomic factors. As such, as of September 1, 2022, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units, which indicated an impairment of goodwill within the former Multicloud Services reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $405.2 million within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the third quarter of 2022.
The results of our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we experienced a decline in our market capitalization following a ransomware incident in early December which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business which was included in the former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit. After considering all available evidence in our evaluation of goodwill impairment indicators, including our lowered projected operating results within this reporting unit, we determined it appropriate to perform an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022, which indicated an impairment of goodwill within our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $129.3 million within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The results of our annual goodwill impairment test for the year ended December 31, 2021 indicated a full impairment of goodwill within our OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $52.4 million within "Impairment of goodwill" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
See Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for more information.
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Our indefinite-lived intangible asset is tested for impairment at the consolidated level. In evaluating the recoverability of the Rackspace trade name, we compare the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount to determine potential impairment. Our estimate of the fair value of the Rackspace trade name is derived using the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty method.
We performed a quantitative assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to testing our goodwill for impairment as of January 1, 2023, March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2023 which did not indicate any impairment of the Rackspace trade name.
Due to the factors discussed in the goodwill analyses above and prior to testing our goodwill for impairment, we performed a quantitative assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible asset as of September 1, 2022, December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023. The quantitative assessment performed as of those dates indicated the estimated fair value of the Rackspace trade name was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a $21.0 million, $12.0 million, and $57.0 million non-cash impairment charge as of September 1, 2022, December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively. These charges are included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in the third quarter of 2022, fourth quarter of 2022, and third quarter of 2023, respectively.
The results of our annual indefinite-lived asset impairment test as of October 1, 2022 did not indicate any impairment of the Rackspace trade name.
The results of our indefinite-lived asset impairment test for the year ended December 31, 2021 did not indicate any impairments of the Rackspace trade name.
The fair value determination of our reporting units and our indefinite-lived intangible asset is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions that are sensitive to changes. Assumptions include estimation of the royalty rate for the trade name, estimation of future revenue and projected margins, which are dependent on internal cash flow forecasts, estimation of the terminal growth rates and capital spending, and determination of discount rates. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the quantitative goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment tests will prove to be an accurate prediction of future results. Examples of events or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the underlying key assumptions and ultimately impact the estimated fair value of our reporting units may include such items as: (i) volatility in the equity and debt markets or other macroeconomic factors, (ii) an increase in the weighted-average cost of capital due to further increases in interest rates, (iii) decrease in future cash flows due to lower than expected sales, or (iv) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may negatively impact our reported results of operations. Accordingly, if our current cash flow assumptions are not realized, we experience further sustained declines in our stock price or market capitalization, or increases in costs of capital, it is possible that an additional impairment charge may be recorded in the future, which could be material.
Business Combinations
Mergers and acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method, in accordance with accounting guidance for business combinations. Under the acquisition method, we allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets ("identifiable assets") acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. When determining the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration when applicable, we make significant estimates and assumptions based on historical data, estimated discounted future cash flows, expected royalty rates for trade names, as well as certain other information. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.
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Investments
We have equity investments in entities in which we do not exercise significant influence. Investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net loss. Investments in equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are measured at cost less any impairments, adjusted for observable pricing changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. We perform a qualitative assessment on these investments at each reporting period to determine whether any indicators of impairment exist. If an impairment exists, we recognize an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the investment.
The aggregate carrying value of equity investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value was $5.1 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2023.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. This determination depends on whether the arrangement conveys to us the right to control the use of an explicitly or implicitly identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control of an underlying asset is conveyed to us if we obtain the rights to direct the use of and to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from using the underlying asset.
We classify leases with contractual terms greater than 12 months as either operating or finance. Finance leases are generally those leases that allow us to substantially utilize an asset over its estimated life. Our finance leases primarily consist of equipment and certain data center facilities. All other leases are categorized as operating leases, which primarily consist of certain data centers and office space. Our leases generally have terms ranging from 1 to 20 years for data centers, 3 to 5 years for equipment and 1 to 10 years for office space.
Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments, reduced by lease incentives, at the lease commencement date. For finance leases, we use the rate implicit in the lease to determine the present value of lease payments where available. For operating leases, we use an incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments as the interest rate implicit in most of our operating leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments, on a collateralized basis and in a similar economic environment over a similar term. The rate is dependent on several factors, including the lease term, currency of the lease payments and the company’s credit rating. Operating and finance lease liabilities are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as current and non-current liabilities.
Lease assets are recognized based on the related lease liabilities, plus any prepaid lease payments and initial direct costs from executing the leasing arrangement. Operating and finance lease assets are included in "Operating right-of-use assets" and "Property, equipment and software, net," respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Our lease terms include the base, non-cancelable lease term, and any options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain at commencement that we will exercise such options. Some of our data center and office space leases contain such extension and termination options. We will remeasure our lease liability and adjust the related right-of-use asset upon the occurrence of the following: lease modifications not accounted for as a separate contract; a triggering event that changes the certainty of the lessee exercising an option to renew or terminate the lease, or purchase the underlying asset; or the resolution of a contingency upon which any variable lease payments are based such that those payments become fixed.
Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance lease assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. The interest component of a finance lease is included in "Interest expense" and recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term. Leases with terms of less than 12 months at commencement are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term in accordance with the short-term lease practical expedient under ASC 842. We have also elected the practical expedient under ASC 842 to not separate lease and non-lease components within a leasing arrangement. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. We have elected to apply both of these practical expedients to all classes of underlying assets.
Variable payments related to a lease are expensed as incurred. These costs often relate to payments for a proportionate share of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, and other operating costs in addition to base rent.
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We are the intermediate lessor in certain sublease arrangements and account for both the head lease and the associated sublease as separate operating leases. We offset rental income against head lease operating costs within "Cost of revenue" or "Selling, general and administrative expenses," depending on whether the head lease is a data center or office space lease.
We are deemed a lessor in certain hosting arrangements where our equipment is located in a customer’s data center. We account for these arrangements as either sales-type or direct finance leases.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs such as underwriting, financial advisory, professional fees and other similar fees are deferred and recognized in interest expense over the estimated life of the related debt instrument using the effective interest method or the straight-line method, as applicable. Debt issuance costs related to our debt instruments are classified as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the long-term debt liability or as an asset within "Other non-current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Financing Obligations
From time to time, we enter into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors. These arrangements are generally non-interest bearing, and require the calculation of an imputed interest rate.
We also may enter into sale-leaseback arrangements for certain equipment in which we sell the assets to a third party and concurrently lease the assets back for a specified term. These arrangements generally do not qualify as asset sales because they include a purchase option that we are reasonably certain to exercise and therefore they are accounted for as failed sale-leasebacks. In addition, we lease properties that were deemed failed sale-leasebacks upon the adoption of ASC 842 due to options to purchase the underlying assets at an exercise price that is not at fair value or due to the present value of the future minimum lease payments exceeding the fair value of the underlying assets.
See Note 9, "Financing Obligations" for disclosure of future minimum payments under vendor financing and failed sale-leaseback arrangements.
Restructuring Activities
We record restructuring activities including costs for one-time termination benefits in accordance with ASC 420. The timing of recognition for severance costs accounted for under ASC 420 depends on whether employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits. If employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits, a liability is recognized ratably over the future service period. Otherwise, a liability is recognized when management has committed to a restructuring plan and has communicated those actions to employees.
Under ASC 420-10, we establish a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity, including severance and non-lease contract termination obligations, and other related costs, when the liability is incurred, rather than at the date that we commit to an exit plan. We reassess the expected cost to complete the exit or disposal activities at the end of each reporting period and adjust our remaining estimated liabilities, if necessary.
See Note 11, "July 2021 Restructuring Plan," for additional information.
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Revenue Recognition
All of our revenue is from contracts with customers. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from all parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable. We provide cloud computing to customers, which is broadly defined as the delivery of computing, storage and applications over the Internet. Cloud computing is a service transaction under which the services we provide vary on a daily basis. The totality of services provided represent a single integrated solution tailored to the customer’s specific needs. As such, our performance obligations to our customers consist of a single integrated solution delivered as a series of distinct daily services. We recognize revenue on a daily basis as services are provided in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for the services. Our usage-based arrangements generally include variable consideration components consisting of monthly utility fees with a defined price and undefined quantity. Additionally, our contracts contain service level guarantees that provide discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and certain services may include volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for this consideration as services are provided and earned. In accordance with the series guidance within ASC 606, regarding modification to a single performance obligation, when contracts are modified to add, remove or change existing services, the modification will only affect the accounting for the remaining distinct goods and services provided. As such, our contract modifications are accounted for prospectively.
A substantial amount of revenue, particularly within our Private Cloud segment, relates to fees associated with offerings that generally have a fixed term, typically from 12 to 36 months, with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure, and the level of support we provide. Customers generally have the right to cancel their contracts by providing prior written notice to us of their intent to cancel the remainder of the contract term. Many of our contracts require our customers to pay early termination fees in the event they cancel a contract prior to the end of its term, typically amounting to the outstanding value of the contract. These fees are recognized as revenue in the period of contract termination as we have no further obligation to perform.
Our other primary sources of revenue are for services within our Public Cloud segment and legacy OpenStack business. Customers are generally invoiced monthly based on usage. Contracts for these arrangements typically operate on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty. We also provide customers with professional services for the design and implementation of application, security and data services. Professional service contracts are either fixed-fee or time-and-materials based. We typically consider these services to be a separate performance obligation from other integrated solutions being provided to the same customer. Our performance obligations under these arrangements are typically to provide the services on a daily basis over a period of time and therefore we recognize revenue as the services are performed.
We also offer customers the flexibility to select the best combination of offerings in order to meet the requirements of their unique applications and provide the technology to seamlessly operate and manage multiple cloud computing environments. Judgment is required in assessing whether a service is distinct, including determination of whether the customer could benefit from the service on its own or in conjunction with other readily available resources and whether certain services are highly integrated into a bundle of services that represent the combined output specified by the customer. Arrangements can contain multiple performance obligations that are distinct, which are accounted for separately. Each performance obligation is recognized as services are provided based on their SSP. Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each of our distinct performance obligations. We utilize a range of prices when developing our estimates of SSP.
Revenue recognition for revenue generated from arrangements in which we resell third party infrastructure bundled with our managed services, requires judgment to determine whether revenue can be recorded at the gross sales price or net of third party fees. Typically, revenue is recognized on a gross basis when it is determined that we are the principal in the relationship. We are considered the principal in the relationship when we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the contract and obtain control of the third party infrastructure before transferring it as an integral part of our performance obligation to provide services to the customer. Revenue is recognized net of third party fees when we determine that our obligation is only to facilitate the customers’ purchase of third party infrastructure.
Revenue is reported net of customer credits and sales and use tax.
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Contract Balances
Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Invoiced amounts and accrued unbilled usage are recorded in accounts receivable and either deferred revenue or revenue.
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. Our accounts receivable balance also includes unbilled amounts representing revenue recorded for usage-based services provided in the period but which are invoiced in arrears. We record an allowance for credit losses for estimated losses resulting from uncollectible receivables. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, we consider historical bad debt write-offs and all known facts and circumstances such as current economic conditions and trends, customer creditworthiness, and specifically identified customer risks.
Our arrangements contain service level commitments with our customers. To the extent that such service levels are not achieved or are otherwise disputed, we are required to issue service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers. At each reporting period, we accrue for credits which are due to customers, but not yet issued.
We recognize revenue for certain fixed term contracts in which services are provided in advance of the first invoice. This revenue is recognized as a contract asset, separate from accounts receivable. A contract liability, presented as deferred revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, is recognized when services are invoiced prior to being provided.
Cost Incurred to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract
We recognize assets for the incremental costs to obtain and fulfill a contract with a customer. Incremental costs to obtain a contract include sales commissions on the initial contract while costs to fulfill a contract include implementation and set-up related expenses. These costs are capitalized within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are recognized as expense over the period the related services are expected to be delivered to the customer, which is approximately 30 months including expected renewals. If such period is less than 12 months, we have elected to apply the practical expedient under ASC 606 and expense costs as incurred. We include expected renewals in the period over which related services are expected to be delivered because sales commissions paid on renewals are not material and not commensurate with sales commissions paid on the initial contract. Sales commissions expense is recorded within "Selling, general and administrative expenses" and implementation and amortization of set-up costs are recorded within "Cost of revenue" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. These capitalized costs are included in "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue primarily consists of expenses related to personnel, software licenses, the costs to operate our data center facilities, including depreciation expense, and infrastructure expense related to our service offerings bundled with third party clouds. Personnel expenses include the salaries, share-based compensation, non-equity incentive compensation and related expenses of our support teams and data center employees. Data center facility costs include rent, utility costs, maintenance fees, and bandwidth.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses primarily consist of: (i) employee-related costs for functions such as executive management, sales and marketing, R&D, finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, and legal; (ii) costs for advertising and promoting our services and to generate customer demand; (iii) general costs such as professional fees, office facilities, software, and equipment expenses, including the related depreciation, and other overhead costs; and (iv) definite-lived intangibles amortization expense.
Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expense was $33.6 million, $34.4 million and $27.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
R&D expense was $28.3 million, $24.5 million and $43.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
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Share-Based Compensation
We grant equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock, to eligible participants. Share-based compensation expense for equity awards is measured at fair value on the grant date. The fair value of stock options with either solely a service requirement or with the combination of service and performance requirements is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires us to make assumptions and judgments about variables related to our common stock and the related awards. The fair value of restricted stock with either solely a service requirement or with the combination of service and performance requirements is based on the closing fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of awards with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the awards requisite service period. For awards with graded vesting that are subject only to a service condition, the expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award. Expense for awards with a performance condition is recognized over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met. Forfeitures are recognized as incurred, rather than estimated.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in recognizing certain income, expense, and credit items for financial reporting purposes and tax reporting purposes. Such deferred income taxes primarily relate to the difference between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to the future years in which deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
We are under certain domestic and foreign tax audits. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, there is the possibility that the various taxing authorities may disagree with certain tax positions filed on our income tax returns. We have considered all relevant facts and circumstances and believe that we have made adequate provision for all uncertain tax positions.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy below prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three categories:
Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, which require management judgment or estimation. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques, including discounted cash flow models.
Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily consist of money market funds and derivative instruments. The fair values of money market funds are measured using Level 1 inputs, which are based on a market approach using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. The fair values of derivative instruments are measured using Level 2 inputs. See "Derivative Instruments" below for more information on the inputs used to fair value our derivative instruments.
The fair values of our long-term debt instruments are measured using Level 2 inputs. See Note 7, "Debt" for more information on the inputs used to fair value our long-term debt instruments.
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The fair values of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities assumed in acquisitions accounted for as business combinations are measured using Level 3 inputs. Refer to "Business Combinations" above for more information on the inputs used to fair value our identifiable assets and liabilities assumed in acquisitions.
The fair values of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets are measured using Level 3 inputs. See "Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets" above for more information on the inputs used to fair value our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
The fair value of the convertible promissory note described in Note 2, "Customer Contracts" is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy due to the use of unobservable inputs such as the issuer's credit risk and probabilities of various settlement scenarios.
Foreign Currency
We have assessed the functional currency of each of our international subsidiaries and have generally designated the local currency to be their respective functional currencies. The assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries are translated to the U.S. dollar at the end-of-period exchange rates. Capital accounts are determined to be of a permanent nature and are therefore translated using historical exchange rates. Revenue and expenses are translated using average exchange rates.
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising from differences in exchange rates from period to period are recorded within "Accumulated other comprehensive income" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Transaction gains or losses in currencies other than the functional currency are included as a component of "Other expense, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. We recorded transaction losses of $3.3 million, losses of $10.1 million, and gains of $3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Derivative Instruments
We utilize derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency hedging contracts and fixed price power contracts, to manage our exposure to interest rate risk, foreign currency fluctuations and commodity price risk. We only hold such instruments for economic hedging purposes, not for speculative or trading purposes. Our derivative instruments are transacted only with highly-rated institutions, which reduces our exposure to credit risk in the event of nonperformance.
Interest Rate Swaps
We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates on the floating-rate Term Loan Facility. The objective in using interest rate derivatives is to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
Our interest rate swaps, excluding the portion treated as debt, are recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as yield curve data, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
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Foreign Currency Hedging Contracts
The majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in the functional currency of our company or our subsidiaries, respectively. We also have exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses as the result of certain receivables due from our foreign subsidiaries. As such, the results of operations and cash flows of our foreign subsidiaries are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The objective of our foreign currency hedging contracts is to manage our exposure to foreign currency movements. To accomplish this objective, we may enter into foreign currency forward contracts and collars. A forward contract is an agreement to buy or sell a quantity of a currency at a predetermined future date and at a predetermined exchange rate. A collar is a strategy that uses a combination of a purchased put option and a sold call option with equal premiums to hedge a portion of anticipated cash flows, or to limit possible gains or losses on an underlying asset or liability to a specific range. The put and call options have identical notional amounts and settlement dates.
These contracts are recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as current exchange rates, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. We have not designated these contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, therefore, all changes in the fair value are recorded in "Other expense, net."
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, we do not have any outstanding foreign currency hedging contracts.
Fixed Price Power Contracts
We consume a large quantity of power to operate our data centers and as such are exposed to risk associated with fluctuations in the price of power. The objective of our fixed price power contracts is to manage our exposure to the price of power. The fixed price power contracts, which we enter into from time to time to manage the risk related to the uncertainty of future power prices, allow for the purchase of a set volume of power at a fixed rate.
We evaluate every fixed price power contract to determine if the contract meets the definition of a derivative, which requires recognizing the contract at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in the fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. If a contract is deemed to be a derivative, we also determine if it qualifies for the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception to derivative accounting, which would result in expensing electricity usage as incurred. Power contracts accounted for as derivatives are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as current power prices, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, we do not have any power contracts recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as we have applied the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception to derivative accounting for all fixed priced power contracts.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted
Reference Rate Reform
The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will not compel panel banks to contribute to the overnight 1, 3, 6 and 12 months U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors after June 30, 2023 and all other tenors after December 31, 2021. U.S. dollar LIBOR may be replaced by SOFR or other benchmark rates over the next several years. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting containing practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848) - Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which extended the date to apply the practical expedients outlined in ASU No. 2020-04 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The guidance in these ASUs is optional and may be applied from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024 as reference rate reform activities occur.
During the second quarter of 2023, we elected to apply certain practical expedients in connection with the execution of amendments to our affected contracts that referenced LIBOR. On April 26, 2023, we executed an amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement, which governs our Senior Facilities borrowings, to establish Term SOFR as the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate, replacing LIBOR. In addition, effective May 9, 2023, we amended our interest rate swap agreement to change the index from three-month LIBOR to one-month Term SOFR. See Note 7, Debt" and Note 15, "Derivatives" for more information. We continue to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections prior to December 31, 2024, as applicable, as additional changes in the market occur.
Not Yet Adopted
Segment Disclosures
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 requires disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis, including significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. Additionally, the ASU requires disclosure of the title and position of our CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. This guidance is effective for Rackspace beginning with our 2024 Form 10-K for annual disclosures and the Q1 2025 Form 10-Q for interim disclosures, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The guidance, once adopted, will result in increased reportable segment disclosures.
Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 expands the existing disclosure requirements for the annual rate reconciliation between the effective tax rate and the statutory federal tax rate by requiring reconciliation items to be disaggregated by defined categories and disclosed as both percentages and amounts. The ASU also requires the disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction for each annual period presented. This guidance is effective for Rackspace beginning with our 2025 Form 10-K annual disclosures, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied on a prospective basis, but retrospective application is permitted. The guidance, once adopted, will result in increased income tax disclosures.
SEC Rule Changes
In March 2024, the SEC adopted new rules that will require registrants to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports. The rules require information about a registrant's climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on its business, results of operations, or financial condition. The required information about climate-related risks will also include disclosure of a registrant's greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the rules will require registrants to present certain climate-related financial metrics in their audited financial statements. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of these rules on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
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2. Customer Contracts
The following table presents the balances related to customer contracts:
(In millions) Consolidated Balance Sheets Account December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
Accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable, net (1)
$ 554.3 $ 622.2 $ 339.7
Current portion of contract assets Other current assets $ 15.2 $ 16.0 $ 10.7
Non-current portion of contract assets Other non-current assets $ 13.1 $ 10.4 $ 8.6
Current portion of deferred revenue Deferred revenue $ 98.6 $ 80.9 $ 78.8
Non-current portion of deferred revenue Other non-current liabilities $ 13.6 $ 8.6 $ 5.3
(1) Allowance for credit losses and accrued customer credits was $18.4 million, $24.6 million and $20.1 million as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The following table sets forth the changes in the allowance for credit losses during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023:
(In millions) Beginning Balance Additions (1)
Write-offs of Accounts Receivables, Net of Recoveries Ending Balance
For the years ending December 31,
2021 $ 16.2 $ 5.4 $ (7.9) $ 13.7
2022 $ 13.7 $ 11.0 $ (6.3) $ 18.4
2023 $ 18.4 $ 9.2 $ (13.4) $ 14.2
(1) Additions to the allowance for credit losses are charged to bad debt within "Selling, general and administrative expenses."
Amounts recognized in revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, which were included in deferred revenue as of the beginning of the period totaled $76.7 million, $98.6 million and $80.9 million, respectively.
Cost Incurred to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the balances of capitalized costs to obtain a contract were $55.8 million and $42.0 million, respectively, and the balances of capitalized costs to fulfill a contract were $17.7 million and $13.4 million, respectively. These capitalized costs are included in "Other non-current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Amortization of capitalized sales commissions and implementation costs were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Amortization of capitalized sales commissions $ 43.7 $ 43.7 $ 38.1
Amortization of capitalized implementation costs $ 18.1 $ 16.4 $ 13.0
Remaining Performance Obligations
As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $448.9 million, of which approximately 69% is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2024 and the remainder thereafter. These remaining performance obligations primarily relate to our fixed-term arrangements. The aggregate amount of transaction price excludes variable consideration related to our usage-based arrangements for which we recognize revenue based on the right to invoice for the services performed.
Convertible Promissory Note
On September 27, 2022, we entered into a convertible note purchase agreement with a private company that is also a customer and a vendor. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, we purchased an unsecured convertible promissory note (the "Note") in an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million. The Note accrues simple interest at a rate of 6% per annum and matures on September 27, 2027, unless earlier converted per the terms of the agreement. Principal and accrued interest are due and payable on the maturity date. We have elected to apply the fair value option under ASC No. 825, Financial Instruments, to account for the Note. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the fair value of the Note was $11.8 million and $12.8 million, respectively, and is included in "Other non-current assets" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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3. Sale of Receivables
On September 29, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), Rackspace US and Rackspace Receivables II, LLC, a bankruptcy-remote SPV, each an indirect subsidiary of the company, entered into the Receivables Purchase Facility with PNC and other parties thereto. On February 12, 2024, the Receivables Purchase Facility was amended to include certain international subsidiaries of the company as parties to the agreement.
Under the Receivables Purchase Facility, certain indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the company have sold and/or contributed, and may continue to sell and/or contribute on a revolving basis, their current and future accounts receivable to the SPV, which, in turn, will sell and transfer, and may continue to sell and transfer, certain of the accounts receivable to PNC in exchange for cash. The Receivables Purchase Facility will terminate on September 29, 2026 unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms and the SPV can sell accounts receivable based upon the face amount of eligible receivables in the collateral pool up to an aggregate maximum limit of $300.0 million. The purpose of this arrangement is to enhance the company's financial flexibility by providing additional liquidity.
The Receivables Purchase Facility is subject to yield charges based upon a rate as specified in the agreement. The SPV is also required to pay certain customary fees on a monthly basis in addition to an upfront fee and a commitment fee. The Receivables Purchase Facility contains certain customary termination events, as well as customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, indemnification provisions, and events of default, including those providing for the acceleration of amounts owed by the SPV to PNC upon the occurrence of certain events.
The transfers of accounts receivable to PNC are accounted for as sales in accordance with ASC 860 because effective control and risk associated with the transferred accounts receivable is passed to PNC. As these transfers represent true sales, we derecognize the sold accounts receivable from our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cash proceeds related to the accounts receivable sold are included in cash from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Yield charges and fees recorded in connection with the sales are recorded within “Other expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The company maintains continuing involvement with the sold accounts receivable by providing collection services in exchange for a servicing fee. Servicing fees are immaterial and no servicing asset or liability has been recognized. The company may incur a recourse obligation on the sold accounts receivable in limited circumstances. Separate accruals have been established for recourse obligations and are immaterial as of December 31, 2023. Cash collected on pledged accounts receivable, which have not been sold, are included in cash from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
In connection with accounts receivable sold during 2023, we recorded $10.6 million of expense, consisting of $6.0 million of yield charges and fees and $4.6 million of upfront transaction costs associated with the execution of the agreement, within “Other expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023. The outstanding portfolio of sold accounts receivable derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023 was $223.8 million. The SPV holds unsold accounts receivable of $125.6 million as of December 31, 2023 that are pledged as collateral to PNC.
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4. Net Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data) 2021 2022 2023
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (218.3) $ (804.8) $ (837.8)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Common stock 208.0 211.2 215.3
Number of shares used in per share computations 208.0 211.2 215.3
Net loss per share $ (1.05) $ (3.81) $ (3.89)
Potential common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock or purchase under the ESPP, as well as contingent shares associated with our acquisition of Datapipe. Since we were in a net loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share is the same as diluted net loss per share for all periods as the inclusion of all potential common shares outstanding would have been anti-dilutive. We excluded 19.2 million, 23.3 million and 38.6 million potential common shares from the computation of dilutive loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively, because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
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5. Property, Equipment and Software, net
Property, equipment and software, net, consisted of the following:
(In millions) December 31,
2022 December 31,
Computers and equipment $ 1,131.2 $ 1,154.9
Software 464.2 452.8
Furniture and fixtures 15.8 14.5
Buildings and leasehold improvements 402.2 411.8
Property, equipment and software, at cost 2,013.4 2,034.0
Less: Accumulated depreciation (1,400.3) (1,442.1)
Work in process 15.2 16.9
Property, equipment and software, net $ 628.3 $ 608.8
On January 15, 2021, we completed the sale of a parcel of undeveloped land in the United Kingdom adjacent to one of our existing data centers. The net book value of the land prior to the sale was $11.4 million and we received cash proceeds of $32.2 million, less brokerage and professional fees of $0.9 million, resulting in net cash proceeds of $31.3 million. Therefore, we recorded a gain on sale of land of $19.9 million to "Gain on sale of land" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2021.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized property, equipment and software impairment charges of $15.3 million, included in "Impairment of assets, net", related to the OpenStack Public Cloud long-lived assets. See Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," for discussion of the long-lived asset impairment charges.
In October 2022, we announced our intention to sell our current corporate headquarters facility located in Windcrest, Texas and relocate our corporate headquarters to leased office space in San Antonio, Texas. As of December 31, 2022, this property met the criteria to be classified as held for sale under GAAP. The property's previous carrying amount of $82.7 million was written down to its estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of $12.1 million, resulting in a $70.6 million impairment charge which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2022. The property's estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, of $12.1 million was recorded in "Other current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022. We recorded this impairment charge prior to performing the December 31, 2022 goodwill impairment test. See Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for more information.
In July 2023, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a potential buyer of the property for $21.5 million. Under held for sale accounting, the carrying amount of the property held for sale should be remeasured each reporting period for changes in fair value less cost to sell. As such, we increased the property’s estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, to $20.7 million as of September 30, 2023, resulting in an $8.6 million gain, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023.
In December 2023, we entered into an amendment to the purchase and sale agreement originally executed in July 2023. This amendment lowered the original purchase price of $21.5 million to $17.5 million. As such, we reduced the property’s estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, to $16.9 million as of December 31, 2023, resulting in a $3.8 million loss, which is included in "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We are currently in negotiations with certain local governments and other parties to terminate the Master Economic Incentives Agreement associated with the property which could require us to pay a termination fee upon completion of the sale.
Depreciation expense related to property, equipment and software was $245.1 million, $220.9 million and $208.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Included in the balance of property, equipment and software as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 are assets recorded under finance leases. See Note 8, "Leases" for a discussion of the lease arrangements and the amounts within property, equipment and software as of December 31, 2022 and 2023.
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6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by reportable segment during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. As a result of the January 1, 2023 reorganization, we changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two reportable segments: Public Cloud and Private Cloud. Accordingly, we reallocated the total consolidated net balance of goodwill as of January 1, 2023 under the new segments, shown below:
(In millions) Public Cloud Private Cloud Multicloud Services Apps & Cross Platform OpenStack Public Cloud Total Consolidated
Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2021
$ - $ - $ 2,679.3 $ 322.5 $ 52.4 $ 3,054.2
Less: Accumulated impairment charges - - (295.0) - (52.4) (347.4)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2021
- - 2,384.3 322.5 - 2,706.8
Just Analytics acquisition - - - 5.9 - 5.9
Impairment of goodwill - - (405.2) (129.3) - (534.5)
Foreign currency translation - - (22.7) (0.4) - (23.1)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2022
$ - $ - $ 1,956.4 $ 198.7 $ - $ 2,155.1
Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2022
$ - $ - $ 2,656.6 $ 328.0 $ 52.4 $ 3,037.0
Less: Accumulated impairment charges - - (700.2) (129.3) (52.4) (881.9)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2022
- - 1,956.4 198.7 - 2,155.1
Reallocation adjustment (1)
594.7 1,560.4 (1,956.4) (198.7) - -
Impairment of goodwill - (708.8) - - - (708.8)
Foreign currency translation 3.0 3.1 - - - 6.1
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2023
$ 597.7 $ 854.7 $ - $ - $ - $ 1,452.4
Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2023
$ 597.7 $ 1,563.5 $ - $ - $ - $ 2,161.2
Less: impairment charges (2)
- (708.8) - - - (708.8)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2023
$ 597.7 $ 854.7 $ - $ - $ - $ 1,452.4
(1) Represents the adjustment to reallocate goodwill of the former Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform reportable segments to Public Cloud and Private Cloud reportable segments, using the relative fair value basis, as a result of the January 1, 2023 reorganization.
(2) On a consolidated basis, gross and net goodwill as of December 31, 2023 was $3,043.1 million and $1,452.4 million, respectively. This includes $1,590.7 million of accumulated impairment charges as of December 31, 2023.
Management exercised significant judgment related to the determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit was estimated using the discounted cash flow method. The discounted cash flow methodology requires significant judgment, including estimation of our assumptions and considerations regarding future revenue growth rates, projected gross profit margins, projected operating costs, projected capital expenditures which are dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the risk-adjusted discount rates, and economic and market trends. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the fair value of the reporting unit, potentially resulting in an impairment charge.
Due to the change in our segment reporting as a result of the business reorganization as of January 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of January 1, 2023, subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis indicated an impairment within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $270.8 million in the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2023, we performed an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of March 31, 2023. The results of our interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2023 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge of $272.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. The impairment was driven by the company's most recent cash flow projections as revised in the first quarter of 2023 which reflected current market conditions and current trends in business performance, including slower than anticipated actualization of bookings.
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During the third quarter of 2023, we performed an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of September 30, 2023. The results of our interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of September 30, 2023 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $165.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. The impairment was driven by the company's cash flow projections as revised in the third quarter of 2023 to reflect current market conditions and business mix shifts.
As of October 1, 2023, we reassessed our reporting units and combined our Private Cloud and OpenStack Public Cloud reporting units into a new Private Cloud reporting unit. We completed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1, 2023, subsequent to the aforementioned change. The results of the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis indicated no impairment to goodwill.
During the third quarter of 2022, we performed an interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of September 1, 2022. The results of our interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of September 1, 2022 indicated an impairment of goodwill within our former Multicloud Services reporting unit, and we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $405.2 million. The impairment was driven by lowered projected operating results primarily due to product mix shifts and market concerns related to inflation and other macroeconomic factors.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 and the results of our test did not indicate any further impairment of goodwill.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we performed an additional interim quantitative assessment of our reporting units as of December 31, 2022. We determined that the carrying amount of our former Apps & Cross Platform reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $129.3 million. The impairment was driven by a decrease in forecasted revenues, margins, and cash flows within the reporting unit, primarily due to the Hosted Exchange incident and other macroeconomic factors.
During the fourth quarter of 2021, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test. We determined that the carrying amount of our OpenStack Public Cloud reporting unit exceeded its fair value and fully impaired its goodwill by recording a goodwill impairment charge of $52.4 million. The impairment was driven by deteriorating forecasted margins and cash flows within the reporting unit primarily due to operating costs declining at a slower rate than previously anticipated even after factoring in the long term impacts of the July 2021 Restructuring Plan.
See Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," for additional discussion of the goodwill impairment charges recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, our accumulated goodwill impairment charges totaled $708.8 million.
The following table provides information regarding our intangible assets other than goodwill:
December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
(In millions) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount
Customer relationships $ 1,928.5 $ (914.9) $ 1,013.6 $ 1,932.0 $ (1,073.9) $ 858.1
Other 27.7 (22.3) 5.4 27.8 (26.9) 0.9
Total definite-lived intangible assets 1,956.2 (937.2) 1,019.0 1,959.8 (1,100.8) 859.0
Trade name (indefinite-lived) 217.0 - 217.0 160.0 - 160.0
Total intangible assets other than goodwill $ 2,173.2 $ (937.2) $ 1,236.0 $ 2,119.8 $ (1,100.8) $ 1,019.0
During the year ended December 31, 2023 we recognized impairment charges of $57.0 million related to our trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset.
Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2022 we recognized impairment charges of $33.0 million and $22.4 million related to our trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset and the OpenStack Public Cloud definite-lived intangible assets, respectively.
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These impairment charges are recorded in “Impairment of assets, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023.
In connection with the classification of our corporate headquarters facility as held for sale as of December 31, 2022, we wrote-off the remaining $4.8 million net book value of the related property tax abatement asset to "Impairment of assets, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
For additional information, see the discussion of our impairment charges in Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
Amortization expense related to intangibles was $179.7 million, $166.8 million and $161.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, amortization of intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter is expected to be as follows:
(In millions) Intangible Assets
Year ending:
2024 $ 154.4
2025 146.8
2026 123.9
2027 117.3
2028 117.3
Thereafter 199.3
Total $ 859.0
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7. Debt
Debt consisted of the following:
(In millions, except %) December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
Debt Instrument Maturity Date Interest Rate (1)
Amount Interest Rate (1)
Amount
Term Loan Facility February 15, 2028 7.38% $ 2,259.8 8.23% $ 2,181.2
Revolving Credit Facility August 7, 2025 -% - -% -
3.50% Senior Secured Notes
February 15, 2028 3.50% 550.0 3.50% 513.7
5.375% Senior Notes
December 1, 2028 5.375% 550.0 5.375% 197.6
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs (30.7) (21.4)
Less: unamortized debt discount (10.7) (8.5)
Total debt 3,318.4 2,862.6
Less: current portion of debt (23.0) (23.0)
Debt, excluding current portion $ 3,295.4 $ 2,839.6
(1) Interest rates are as of each respective balance sheet date.
Senior Facilities
The Senior Facilities include the Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility, and is governed by the First Lien Credit Agreement with Citi as the administrative agent.
On February 9, 2021, we amended and restated the First Lien Credit Agreement, which included a new seven-year $2,300.0 million senior secured first lien term loan facility due on February 15, 2028 (the Term Loan Facility) and our existing $375.0 million Revolving Credit Facility. We used the borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes described below (together, the February 2021 Refinancing Transaction), to repay all borrowings under the Prior Term Loan Facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
On April 26, 2023, we executed an amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement to establish Term SOFR as the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate, replacing LIBOR.
As a result of the amendment, borrowings under the Senior Facilities bear interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) Term SOFR equal to the forward-looking term rate, based on the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, for the interest period relevant to such borrowing, plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.11% for an interest period of one-month's duration, 0.26% for an interest period of three-months' duration, and 0.43% for an interest period of six-months' duration, subject to a 0.75% floor, in the case of the Term Loan Facility, and a 1.00% floor, in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate of Citi and (iii) adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor plus 1.00%.
The applicable margin for the Term Loan Facility is 2.75% for SOFR loans and 1.75% for base rate loans and the applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility is 3.00% for SOFR loans and 2.00% for base rate loans. Interest is due at the end of each interest period elected, not exceeding 90 days, for SOFR loans and at the end of every calendar quarter for base rate loans.
All other material terms and conditions of the First Lien Credit Agreement were unchanged.
In addition to paying interest on the outstanding principal under the Senior Facilities, the Revolving Credit Facility also includes a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum in respect of the unused commitments that is due quarterly. This commitment fee is subject to one step-down based on the net first lien leverage ratio.
As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 8.23%. We are required to make quarterly principal payments of $5.8 million, which began on June 30, 2021. See Note 15, "Derivatives" for information on interest rate swap agreements we utilize to manage the interest rate risk on the Term Loan Facility.
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Affiliates of ABRY are Term Loan Facility lenders under the First Lien Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility was $2,181.2 million, of which $58.4 million, or 2.7%, is due to ABRY affiliates. Investment funds affiliated with ABRY are also co-investors in Rackspace Technology.
As of December 31, 2023, Apollo also held $24.2 million, or 1.1%, of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility.
In addition to the quarterly amortization payments discussed above, the Senior Facilities require us to make certain mandatory prepayments, including using (i) a portion of annual excess cash flow, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, to prepay the Term Loan Facility, (ii) net cash proceeds of certain non-ordinary assets sales or dispositions of property to prepay the Term Loan Facility, and (iii) net cash proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of debt not permitted under the Senior Facilities to prepay the Term Loan Facility. We may make voluntary prepayments at any time without penalty, except in connection with a repricing event, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $55.6 million principal amount of the Term Loan Facility for $29.5 million. In connection with this repurchase, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $25.5 million included in “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, which includes $0.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount write-offs.
The fair value of the Term Loan Facility as of December 31, 2023 was $935.3 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the Term Loan Facility is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Rackspace Technology Global is the borrower under the Senior Facilities, and all obligations under the Senior Facilities are (i) guaranteed by Inception Parent, Rackspace Technology Global’s immediate parent company, on a limited recourse basis and secured by the equity interests of Rackspace Technology Global held by Inception Parent, and (ii) guaranteed by Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries and secured by substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interests held by each, in each case subject to certain exceptions. The only financial covenant is with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility which limits the net first lien leverage ratio to a maximum of 5.00 to 1.00; however, this covenant is only applicable and tested if the aggregate amount of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and letters of credit issued thereunder (excluding $25.0 million of undrawn letters of credit and cash collateralized letters of credit) is equal to or greater than 35% of the Revolving Credit Facility commitments at the end of a fiscal quarter. Other covenants include limitations on restricted payments, indebtedness, investments, liens, asset sales and transactions with affiliates.
As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Facilities.
The Revolving Credit Facility matures on August 7, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we borrowed and fully repaid $50.0 million. As of December 31, 2023, we had total commitments of $375.0 million, no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and $3.5 million of letters of credit issued thereunder. As such, as of December 31, 2023, we had $375.0 million of available commitments remaining.
3.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
On February 9, 2021, Rackspace Technology Global issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes will mature on February 15, 2028 and bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 3.50%. Interest is payable semiannually on each February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2021. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are not subject to registration rights. As noted above, we used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with borrowings under the Term Loan Facility described above, to repay all borrowings outstanding under the Prior Term Loan Facility, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
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Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, and obligations under the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interest held by each, subject to certain exceptions, which assets also secure the Senior Facilities. The 3.50% Notes Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes.
Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: from February 15, 2024 to February 14, 2025, at a redemption price equal to 101.750% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from February 15, 2025 to February 14, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from February 15, 2026 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Rackspace Technology Global may redeem during each twelve-month period, commencing with February 9, 2021, up to 10.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price of 103.000%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $36.3 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Secured Notes for $18.4 million, including accrued interest of $0.3 million. In connection with this repurchase, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $17.9 million included in “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, which includes $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs write-offs.
The 3.50% Notes Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain additional debt, incur certain liens securing debt, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the 3.50% Notes Indenture. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the 3.50% Notes Indenture), we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the outstanding 3.50% Senior Secured Notes at a price in cash equal to 101.000% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the purchase date.
As of December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global was in compliance with all covenants under the 3.50% Notes Indenture.
The fair value of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes as of December 31, 2023 was $204.2 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
5.375% Senior Notes due 2028
Rackspace Technology Global issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes on December 1, 2020. The 5.375% Senior Notes will mature on December 1, 2028 and bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 5.375%. Interest is payable semiannually on each June 1 and December 1, commencing on June 1, 2021. The 5.375% Senior Notes are not subject to registration rights.
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Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 5.375% Senior Notes, and obligations under the 5.375% Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 5.375% Senior Notes are effectively junior to the indebtedness under the Senior Facilities and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes, to the extent of the collateral securing the Senior Facilities and the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes. The 5.375% Notes Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 5.375% Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, at a redemption price equal to 102.688% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025, at a redemption price equal to 101.344% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from December 1, 2025 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $352.4 million principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes for $124.1 million, including accrued interest of $2.8 million. In connection with these repurchases, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $227.9 million included in “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, which includes $3.2 million of unamortized debt issuance costs write-offs.
The 5.375% Notes Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain additional debt, incur certain liens securing debt, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the 5.375% Notes Indenture. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the 5.375% Notes Indenture), we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes at a price in cash equal to 101.000% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the purchase date.
As of December 31, 2023, Rackspace Technology Global was in compliance with all covenants under the 5.375% Notes Indenture.
The fair value of the 5.375% Senior Notes as of December 31, 2023 was $68.9 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the 5.375% Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Accounts Receivable Financing Agreement
Under the Receivables Financing Facility entered into in 2020, a bankruptcy-remote SPV indirectly wholly owned by Rackspace Technology Global granted a security interest in all of its current and future receivables and related assets in exchange for a credit facility permitting borrowings of up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100.0 million from time to time. Rackspace Technology Global was the primary beneficiary of the SPV.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the SPV repaid $15.0 million to cover a borrowing base deficit, repaid the outstanding balance of $50.0 million and terminated the Receivables Financing Facility. The termination resulted in expense of $0.5 million recorded within “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2021. The expense was comprised of the write-off of the unamortized debt issuance costs, as well as third party fees associated with the termination.
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February 2021 Refinancing Transaction
The February 2021 Refinancing Transaction represented an extinguishment and modification of debt. We derecognized $2,795.6 million of the Prior Term Loan Facility and wrote off $9.4 million in unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount associated with the portion of the Prior Term Loan Facility that was deemed extinguished. We recognized $2,300.0 million borrowed under the Term Loan Facility and $41.0 million of associated debt issuance costs and debt discount, including amounts allocated from the Prior Term Loan Facility, both classified as a direct deduction from the carrying value of non-current debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognized $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 and $6.8 million of associated debt issuance costs, including amounts allocated from the Prior Term Loan Facility. The February 2021 Refinancing Transaction resulted in expense of $37.0 million recorded within “Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2021. The expense was comprised of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount associated with the portion of the Prior Term Loan Facility that was deemed extinguished, as well as $27.6 million in third party fees associated with the modification.
Debt Maturities
The maturities of debt obligations for the next five years at December 31, 2023 are as follows:
(In millions) Amount
Year ending:
2024 $ 23.0
2025 23.0
2026 23.0
2027 23.0
2028 2,800.5
Thereafter -
Total $ 2,892.5
March 2024 Refinancing Transactions
See Note 1, "Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Subsequent Events," for a discussion of the public and private debt exchange and related transactions that impacted or are expected to impact the Senior Facilities, the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes.
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8. Leases
Assets recorded as property and equipment under finance leases, and the related accumulated depreciation balances as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:
December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Computers and equipment $ 192.5 $ 159.7
Buildings 285.9 290.3
Less: Accumulated depreciation (140.0) (124.2)
Net book value of property and equipment under finance leases $ 338.4 $ 325.8
The components of operating and finance lease expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Operating lease expense:
Fixed lease expense $ 62.2 $ 58.1 $ 63.3
Variable lease expense 18.8 17.9 21.7
Short-term lease expense 0.4 0.7 1.2
Sublease income (2.6) (2.4) (0.8)
Total operating lease expense $ 78.8 $ 74.3 $ 85.4
Finance lease expense:
Depreciation of finance lease assets $ 46.3 $ 51.2 $ 55.8
Interest expense on finance lease liabilities 28.2 23.5 26.6
Total finance lease expense $ 74.5 $ 74.7 $ 82.4
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Supplemental operating cash flow information related to operating and finance leases for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Cash payments for lease liabilities included within operating activities:
Operating leases $ (78.4) $ (73.3) $ (80.2)
Finance leases (26.9) (26.7) (29.2)
Operating leases:
New lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities $ 18.6 $ 17.3 $ 43.1
Modified/renewed lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
38.5 23.2 15.5
Total lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities $ 57.1 $ 40.5 $ 58.6
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate of our operating and finance leases, respectively, were as follows:
December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
Operating leases 3 4
Finance leases 12 11
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases 6.3 % 6.5 %
Finance leases 7.0 % 7.2 %
Future lease payments under operating and finance leases as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:
(In millions) Operating leases Finance leases (1)
Year ending:
2024 $ 73.8 $ 78.3
2025 31.3 61.0
2026 19.2 32.1
2027 13.8 30.9
2028 6.0 31.6
Thereafter 11.8 306.7
Total future lease payments 155.9 540.6
Less amount representing interest (15.3) (176.8)
Total lease liability $ 140.6 $ 363.8
(1) We excluded a $38.3 million finance lease, on an undiscounted basis, that has not yet commenced. The lease, which is for our new corporate headquarter building, will commence in 2024 and has a lease term of approximately eleven years.
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9. Financing Obligations
We have entered into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors. In addition, we have entered into certain sale-leaseback agreements that do not qualify as asset sales and are accounted for as failed sale-leasebacks. These arrangements include the sale and leaseback of equipment with third party financial institutions and certain property leases we assumed upon the acquisition of Datapipe.
The weighted average imputed interest rate for our financing obligations was 7.9% as of December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, future payments under financing obligations were as follows:
(In millions) Amount
Year ending:
2024 $ 17.5
2025 18.6
2026 12.5
2027 3.5
2028 3.1
Thereafter 18.2
Total future payments 73.4
Plus amount representing residual asset balance 12.8
Less amount representing interest (19.8)
Total financing obligations $ 66.4
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase Commitments
Non-cancelable purchase commitments primarily consist of commitments for certain software licenses, hardware purchases, third party infrastructure purchases, and costs associated with our data centers, such as bandwidth and electricity. The agreements provide for either penalties for early termination or may require minimum commitments for the remaining term. The minimum commitments for all of these agreements, as of December 31, 2023, are approximated as follows:
(In millions) Amount
Year ending:
2024 $ 617.9
2025 409.7
2026 316.7
2027 76.2
2028 23.1
Thereafter 51.6
Total $ 1,495.2
We also have purchase orders and construction contracts primarily related to data center equipment and facility build-outs. We generally have the right to cancel these open purchase orders prior to delivery or terminate the contracts without cause.
Contingencies
We have contingencies that arise from various litigation, claims and commitments, none of which we consider to be material.
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From time to time, we are a party to various claims asserting that certain of our services and technologies infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Adverse results in these lawsuits may include awards of substantial monetary damages, costly royalty or licensing agreements, or orders preventing us from offering certain features, products, or services, and may also cause us to change our business practices and require development of non-infringing products or technologies, which could result in a loss of revenue for us or otherwise harm our business.
We record an accrual for a loss contingency when a loss is considered probable and reasonably estimable. As additional facts concerning a loss contingency become known, we reassess our position and make appropriate adjustments to a recorded accrual. The amount that will ultimately be paid related to a matter may differ from the recorded accrual, and the timing of such payments, if any, may be uncertain.
We are not a party to any litigation, the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Hosted Exchange Incident
We were named in several lawsuits in connection with a previously disclosed ransomware incident which caused service disruptions on our Hosted Exchange email business. The lawsuits sought, among other things, equitable and compensatory relief. We vigorously defended these matters and do not expect any of these claims, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We maintain insurance, including coverage for cyber-attacks, subject to certain deductibles and policy limitations, in an amount that we believe appropriate. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, we recorded $5.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of expenses related to the Hosted Exchange incident, including costs to investigate and remediate, legal and other professional services, and supplemental staff resources that were deployed to provide support to customers. We recorded $10.0 million of loss recovery insurance proceeds received or expected to be received during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, $3.3 million of proceeds were recorded as a receivable and the payment was subsequently received on January 8, 2024.
Indemnifications
As permitted under Delaware law, we have agreements whereby we indemnify our officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at our request in such capacity. In addition, from time to time we may enter into indemnification agreements with certain of our employees so that such employees will agree to serve as directors or officers of our foreign subsidiaries. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have a director and officer insurance policy that limits our exposure and enables us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of the insurance policy coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. We had no material liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2022 or 2023.
Additionally, in the normal course of business, we indemnify certain parties, including customers, vendors and lessors, with respect to certain matters. We have agreed to hold certain parties harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants or out of intellectual property infringement or other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. We had no material liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2022 or 2023.
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11. July 2021 Restructuring Plan
On July 21, 2021, we committed to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan to drive a change in the type and location of certain positions that was expected to result in the termination of approximately 10% of our workforce. Substantially all of the employees impacted by the reduction in workforce were notified of the reduction on July 22, 2021 and have since exited the company.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we incurred employee related costs, which consisted of one-time termination benefits and certain contractual termination benefits with executives, and other costs, which are accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420. Other costs consisted of professional fees and non-cash charges related to a contract termination with a third-party. These costs are recorded within "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, the components of which were as follows:
(In millions) Year Ended December 31, 2021
Employee related costs $ 13.8
Other 11.6
Total restructuring charges $ 25.4
A portion of the other costs are non-cash charges, representing $5.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2021. This amount is related to a contract termination with a third party.
Liability activity for restructuring costs that are expected to be settled in cash are presented in the table below.
(In millions) Employee Related Other Total
Liability as of December 31, 2020 $ - $ - $ -
Charges 13.8 6.0 19.8
Cash payments (6.7) (5.4) (12.1)
Liability as of December 31, 2021
7.1 0.6 7.7
Charges - - -
Cash payments (7.1) (0.6) (7.7)
Liability as of December 31, 2022
$ - $ - $ -
Total cumulative costs incurred as of December 31, 2022
$ 13.8 $ 6.0 $ 19.8
We did not incur any additional ASC 420 exit and disposal costs related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2023.
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12. Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, we had 215.7 million and 220.5 million shares of our common stock legally issued and 212.6 million and 217.4 million common stock outstanding, respectively.
We have one class of authorized common stock. The rights and privileges provided to our common stockholders are as follows:
•Voting Rights-The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted for action by the stockholders generally.
•Dividend Rights-Subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding preferred stock, all shares of our common stock are entitled to share equally in any dividends our board of directors may declare from legally available sources.
•Liquidation Rights-Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment in full of the amounts required to be paid to holders of any then outstanding preferred stock, all shares of our common stock are entitled to share equally in the assets available for distribution to stockholders after payment of all of our prior obligations.
Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, there were 5.0 million authorized shares of preferred stock, of which none was issued or outstanding.
Share Repurchase Program
On March 3, 2022, our board of directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $75.0 million of shares of our common stock from time to time through open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share repurchases and other transactions in accordance with applicable security laws. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we repurchased $31.0 million, or 3.1 million shares, of our common stock on the open market under this program. No shares were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2023. Shares purchased pursuant to the program are recorded as treasury stock at cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The program expired on September 30, 2023.
Datapipe Contingent Shares
On September 6, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Datapipe Merger Agreement") pursuant to which we acquired Datapipe. In addition, the Datapipe Merger Agreement provides that we will be required to issue additional shares of our common stock to an affiliate of ABRY based on a MOIC on any “Measurement Date,” as defined in the Datapipe Merger Agreement. The maximum number of shares of common stock issuable will not exceed 10,663,741 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recombinations, reclassifications and similar equitable adjustments.
On February 2, 2021, we issued 2,665,935 shares of common stock for no additional consideration pursuant to the Datapipe Merger Agreement. If the MOIC exceeds 3.0x, which is indicated by a volume weighted average trading price of our common stock over 30 consecutive trading days of more than $25.00, we will be required to issue an additional 2,665,935 shares. No shares were issued under the Datapipe Merger Agreement during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2023.
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13. Share-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans
Stock Plans
In April 2017, the Executive Committee of the board of directors authorized the company to adopt the 2017 Incentive Plan. On July 24, 2020, the board of directors approved, effective on August 7, 2020, the 2020 Incentive Plan and amendments to the 2017 Incentive Plan which, among other things, resulted in the termination of the 2017 Incentive Plan, except as it relates to outstanding awards, and any remaining shares reserved for future grants under the 2017 Incentive Plan were released.
The 2020 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including incentive stock options, and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, other stock-based incentive awards, dividend equivalents and cash-based awards (collectively, "awards"). Incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees or an employee of a parent or subsidiary. All other awards may be granted to employees and consultants of the company and its parents and subsidiaries, as well as all non-employee members of our board of directors.
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the company granted RSU's (including performance-based RSUs) and restricted stock (collectively "restricted stock") under the Incentive Plans. The company issues new shares of its common stock to satisfy vesting of restricted stock and exercise of stock options under the Incentive Plans. All awards deduct one share from the Incentive Plans shares available for issuance for each share granted. The 2017 Incentive Plan began with 12.2 million shares authorized for grant and contained an evergreen feature whereby shares available increased each grant date based on the quantity of certain types of awards granted. Upon the approval of the 2020 Incentive Plan, the 2017 Incentive Plan was terminated, except as it relates to outstanding awards.
The maximum number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2020 Incentive Plan was originally 25.0 million shares. In 2022, our board of directors and our stockholders voted to approve the maximum number of shares from 25.0 million shares to 50.0 million shares. On April 21, 2023 the board approved a proposed amendment to increase the maximum number of shares to 57.9 million shares, which was subsequently approved by our stockholders as part of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 16, 2023. To the extent awards granted under the 2020 Incentive Plan terminate, expire or lapse, shares subject to such awards generally will again be available for future grant.
As of December 31, 2023, the total number of shares outstanding and the total number of shares available for future grants under the Incentive Plans was 38.3 million and 14.1 million, respectively.
The composition of the equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 was as follows:
December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Restricted stock 13.7 34.5
Stock options 9.3 3.8
Total outstanding awards 23.0 38.3
Stock Options
Stock options have been granted for a term of 10 years and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, subject to continued service. Certain executives have received stock options that vest in part subject to continued service ratably over a five-year period and in part based upon the attainment of performance and market conditions.
In 2021, we shifted away from granting stock options as we had in previous years, to granting restricted stock. As such, there were no stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 or 2023.
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The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Number of Shares (in millions) Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average-Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2022
9.3 $ 12.65 3.85 $ -
Granted - $ -
Exercised - $ -
Forfeited (1.5) $ 12.06
Expired (4.0) $ 12.51
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
3.8 $ 13.04 5.21 $ -
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2023
3.6 $ 13.07 5.18 $ -
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2023 and expected to vest thereafter (1)
3.8 $ 13.04 5.21 $ -
(1) Forfeitures are recognized as they occur, rather than estimated.
The total pre-tax intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 was $35.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the awards requisite service period or over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met, as applicable. As of December 31, 2023, there was $0.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 year.
Restricted Stock
In 2021, we shifted away from granting stock options as we had in previous years, to granting restricted stock. The majority of our restricted stock grants were made as part of our annual compensation award process and vest ratably over a three-year period, subject to continued service. Restricted stock has also been granted to certain executives that vest in part subject to continued service ratably over a three or five-year period and in part based upon the attainment of performance and market conditions. The fair value of the service-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. The fair value of restricted stock with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period or over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met, as applicable.
Certain non-executive board members elected to receive a portion of their annual compensation in the form of restricted stock. The fair value of these service-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the one-year service period.
In August 2021, we granted certain awards, 0.6 million shares in total, to a participant with vesting dependent upon the attainment of predetermined financial performance results over the next three years. The performance metric that will determine vesting of these awards is Non-GAAP Operating Profit (as defined in the applicable award agreement) measured over a trailing four-quarter period. The fair value of these performance-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and share-based compensation expense is recognized when it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. Probability is based upon probable achievement of the various targets in management's internal forecasts. These awards were forfeited upon the participant's separation from the company.
During 2022 and 2023, we granted 11.1 million and 28.5 million RSUs, respectively, under the 2020 Incentive Plan with a weighted average grant date fair value of $8.68 and $2.17, respectively. The majority of the RSUs were granted as part of our annual compensation award process and vest ratable over a three-year period, subject to continued service.
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In addition, during 2022 and 2023, 2.6 million and 2.8 million PSUs were granted, respectively, and in 2023, 5.5 million long-term incentive cash units (“LTIC units”) were granted under the 2020 Incentive Plan with a weighted-average fair value as of December 31, 2023 of $0.61. Both the PSUs and LTIC units represent the target amount of grants, and the actual number of shares or units awarded upon vesting may vary depending upon the achievement of the relevant market condition which is based on Rackspace’s Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative to the TSR of a comparator group of IT and Cloud Services Companies. The awards are eligible to vest in equal annual installments over three years based on the attainment of the market condition and the employee’s continued service through the end of the applicable measurement period and were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. As the company intends to settle the LTIC units in cash, they are classified as a liability within "Other current liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table presents the assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the PSUs granted in the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2023
Expected stock volatility (1)
54% - 63%
69% - 72%
Expected dividend yield (2)
- % - %
Risk-free interest rate (3)
2.32% - 4.34%
3.76% - 3.78%
(1) Management estimates volatility based on the historical trading volatility of a public company peer group and the implied volatility of our assets and current leverage.
(2) We have not issued dividends to date and do not anticipate issuing dividends.
(3) Based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent expected term.
The following table summarizes our restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Number of Units or Shares (in millions) Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2022
13.7 $ 9.96
Granted 31.3 $ 2.15
Released (4.6) $ 11.07
Cancelled (5.9) $ 5.09
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
34.5 $ 3.57
Expected to vest after at December 31, 2023 (1)
34.5 $ 3.57
(1) Forfeitures are recognized as they occur, rather than estimated.
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock granted during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 was $17.80 and $8.70, respectively.
The total pre-tax intrinsic value of the restricted stock released during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 was $35.2 million, $30.7 million and $9.5 million, respectively.
Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the awards requisite service period or over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met, as applicable. As of December 31, 2023, there was $74.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
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Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The ESPP was approved by the company's board of directors on July 24, 2020 and became effective on August 7, 2020. Under the ESPP, eligible employees may purchase a limited number of shares of our common stock at the lesser of 85% of the market value on the enrollment date or 85% of the market value on the purchase date. The fair value on each enrollment date is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the offering period. We issued 0.7 million, 0.8 million and 0.7 million shares through the ESPP during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The share-based compensation expense recognized for the ESPP was $4.5 million, $1.9 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to the ESPP. The shares available for issuance under the ESPP is 8.9 million shares as of December 31, 2023.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
In connection with the departure of certain executives during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022, and 2023, we accelerated vesting of options and restricted stock for awards with service-only vesting conditions and extended the post termination option exercise period. These modifications resulted in incremental expense of $0.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 and a reduction in expense of $2.0 million and $0.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Total share-based compensation expense is comprised of the following equity and liability classified award amounts:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Equity classified awards
$ 75.4 $ 69.5 $ 64.6
Liability classified awards
- - 0.8
Total share-based compensation expense
$ 75.4 $ 69.5 $ 65.4
Share-based compensation expense recognized was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Cost of revenue $ 16.7 $ 11.6 $ 9.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses 58.7 57.9 56.3
Pre-tax share-based compensation expense 75.4 69.5 65.4
Less: Income tax benefit (15.8) (14.6) (13.7)
Total share-based compensation expense, net of tax $ 59.6 $ 54.9 $ 51.7
Employee Benefit Plans
We sponsor defined contribution plans whereby employees may elect to contribute a portion of their annual compensation to the plans, after complying with certain limitations. The plans also include a discretionary employer contribution. Contribution expense recognized for these plans was $15.2 million, $15.7 million and $16.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
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14. Taxes
The benefit for income taxes consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Federal $ (0.3) $ 0.2 $ 0.2
Foreign 5.6 11.4 18.1
State 5.4 4.3 7.0
Total current 10.7 15.9 25.3
Deferred:
Federal (26.1) (81.7) (34.3)
Foreign (14.3) (6.7) (8.4)
State (1.1) (20.4) 0.8
Total deferred (41.5) (108.8) (41.9)
Total benefit for income taxes
$ (30.8) $ (92.9) $ (16.6)
Loss before income taxes from U.S. and foreign operations were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
U.S. $ (204.9) $ (819.6) $ (678.4)
Foreign (44.2) (78.1) (176.0)
Total loss before income taxes $ (249.1) $ (897.7) $ (854.4)
A reconciliation of the statutory federal tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2022 2023
Statutory federal tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit (0.3) % 1.6 % 0.3 %
Tax rate differentials for international jurisdictions 0.4 % (1.1) % 2.5 %
Research and development credit (0.4) % - % - %
Effects of other enacted tax law and rate changes (0.3) % 0.1 % (3.0) %
Valuation allowance (0.7) % (0.1) % (0.8) %
Share-based compensation 0.1 % (0.6) % (1.1) %
Nondeductible compensation (2.5) % (0.7) % (0.8) %
Tax impact of goodwill impairment (4.4) % (9.9) % (15.9) %
Other, net (0.5) % - % (0.3) %
Effective tax rate 12.4 % 10.3 % 1.9 %
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Deferred Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reversed. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
(In millions) December 31,
2022 December 31,
Deferred tax assets:
Share-based compensation $ 15.3 $ 13.9
Accruals not currently deductible 17.4 13.3
Finance lease liabilities 64.7 90.4
Net operating loss carryforwards 56.8 31.3
Foreign tax credit 33.7 16.9
Research and development credits 29.4 30.5
Depreciation and amortization 4.2 4.0
Disallowed interest carryforward 43.8 77.4
Operating lease liabilities 35.5 28.6
Other 20.2 19.1
Total gross deferred tax assets 321.0 325.4
Valuation allowance (58.5) (66.1)
Total net deferred tax assets 262.5 259.3
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization 294.9 265.1
Finance lease liabilities 7.2 6.6
Capitalized costs 11.7 8.7
Interest rate swaps 32.2 21.8
Operating right-of-use assets 31.8 22.7
Other 5.4 6.9
Total gross deferred tax liabilities 383.2 331.8
Net deferred tax liabilities $ 120.7 $ 72.5
As of December 31, 2023, we have $3.8 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards, all of which have an indefinite carryforward period. Additionally, we have $58.0 million of federal tax credit carryforwards expiring at various dates through 2041. We have $111.7 million of foreign net operating losses, $13.5 million of which have carryforward periods ranging from 5 to 20 years, and $98.2 million of which have an indefinite carryforward period. Certain federal and foreign net operating loss carryforwards are subject to various limitations under Section 382 of the IRC and the applicable statutory foreign tax laws. We have disallowed interest expense carryforwards in the U.S. of $312.6 million that can be carried forward indefinitely.
We’ve recorded a valuation allowance with respect to certain of our deferred tax assets relating primarily to operating losses in certain U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions and federal foreign tax credits that we believe are not likely to be realized. Additionally, we’ve recorded a valuation allowance with respect to disallowed interest that we do not expect to be realizable in the future. For the rest of the deferred tax assets, valuation allowances were not deemed necessary based upon the determination that income created by reversing deferred tax liabilities will be sufficient to utilize deferred tax assets prior to the expiration of any applicable carryforward periods. Changes to valuation allowances consisted of the following:
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Balance at January 1, $ 54.4 $ 58.3 $ 58.5
Additions charged to income tax expense 3.9 1.6 39.2
Reductions credited to income tax expense - (1.4) (31.6)
Balance at December 31, $ 58.3 $ 58.5 $ 66.1
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The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was impacted by deductions disallowed by Section 162(m) of the IRC, changes in valuation allowances, the tax impact associated with a goodwill impairment, changes to income tax reserves and other permanently nondeductible items. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily impacted by the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments, the geographic distribution of profits, tax effects from share-based compensation and executive compensation that in nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m) of the IRC. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was impacted by the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairments recorded in the first and third quarters of 2023, the majority of which were nondeductible for income tax purposes, executive compensation that is nondeductible under IRC Section 162(m), the net impact of the geographic distribution of our earnings, tax effects from nondeductible share-based compensation as well as changes in our valuation allowance.
We do not permanently reinvest our foreign earnings due to the debt service requirements of our capital structure. Due to historic, internal tax restructurings, we have effectively recognized any tax impact of the repatriation of foreign earnings. Thus, as of December 31, 2023, there is no deferred tax liability for undistributed foreign earnings.
Uncertain Tax Positions
We file income tax returns in each jurisdiction in which we operate, both domestically and internationally. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, we have considered all relevant facts and circumstances for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. We believe that there are no other jurisdictions in which the outcome of uncertain tax matters is likely to be material to our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We further believe that we have made adequate provision for all income tax uncertainties.
A rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued penalties and interest, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Balance, beginning of period $ 51.0 $ 52.4 $ 57.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 9.0 10.9 12.6
Additions for tax positions of prior years 15.9 0.3 0.9
Reduction for statute expiration (16.7) (4.7) (4.8)
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (6.2) (1.9) (2.1)
Settlements (0.6) - -
Balance, end of period (1)
$ 52.4 $ 57.0 $ 63.6
(1) Included within non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, $37.8 million, $41.6 million and $47.0 million, respectively, if recognized, would favorably impact our effective tax rate. We do not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits disclosed above to change significantly over the next 12 months.
We recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters within “Benefit for income taxes” on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Accrued interest and penalties as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were $3.5 million, $4.4 million and $6.6 million, respectively.
We are subject to U.S. federal income tax and various state, local, and international income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Our domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of revenue and expenses in different jurisdictions and the timing of recognizing revenue and expenses. As such, our effective tax rate is impacted by the geographical distribution of income and mix of profits in the various jurisdictions. Additionally, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to our interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we file.
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We currently file income tax returns in the U.S. and all foreign jurisdictions in which we have entities, which are periodically under audit by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. These audits can involve complex matters that may require an extended period of time for resolution. We remain subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations for the tax years 2018 through 2023 and in the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate for varying periods from 2010 through 2023. We currently have income tax examinations open in Texas for tax years 2014 through 2021 and New York City for 2017 through 2019. Additionally, we are currently under tax audit in India for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.
Although the outcome of open tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Differences between actual results and assumptions or changes in assumptions in future periods are recorded in the period they become known. To the extent additional information becomes available prior to resolution, such accruals are adjusted to reflect probable outcomes.
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15. Derivatives
Prior to January 9, 2020, none of our floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk for accounting purposes, therefore, all changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements were recorded to "Interest expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. On January 9, 2020, we designated certain of our swaps as cash flow hedges. On the designation date, the cash flow hedges were in a $39.9 million liability position. The cash flow hedges were expected to be highly effective on the designation date and, on a quarterly basis, we performed retrospective and prospective regression assessments to determine whether the cash flow hedges continue to be highly effective. As long as the cash flow hedges are highly effective, changes in fair value are recorded to "Accumulated other comprehensive income" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified to "Interest expense" in the period when the underlying transaction affects earnings. The income tax effects of cash flow hedges are released from "Accumulated other comprehensive income" in the period when the underlying transaction affects earnings. Any stranded income tax effects are released from "Accumulated other comprehensive income" into "Benefit for income taxes" under the portfolio approach.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we completed a series of transactions to modify our interest rate swap positions as follows: (i) All the interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2020, with the exception of the agreement that matured on February 3, 2021, were de-designated as cash flow hedges on January 31, 2021, (ii) on February 12, 2021, we entered into a $900.0 million receive-fixed interest rate swap which was designed to offset the terms of two December 2016 swaps, and (iii) on February 12, 2021, we terminated all December 2018 swaps and entered into a $1.35 billion pay-fixed interest rate swap, effectively blending the liability position of our existing interest rate swap agreements into the new swap and extending the term of our hedged position to February 2026.
The amount remaining in “Accumulated other comprehensive income" for the de-designated December 2016 and December 2018 swaps at the de-designation date was approximately $51.6 million, and is being amortized as an increase to "Interest expense" over the effective period of the original swap agreements.
The new receive-fixed interest rate swap qualifies as a hybrid instrument in accordance with ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, consisting of a loan and an embedded derivative for which the fair value option has been elected. This $900.0 million swap remained undesignated to economically offset the undesignated December 2016 swaps. This new swap and the December 2016 swaps matured on February 3, 2022. Cash settlements related to this receive-fixed interest rate swap offset and are classified as operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The new pay-fixed interest rate swap also qualifies as a hybrid instrument in accordance with ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, consisting of a loan and an embedded at-market derivative that was designated as a cash flow hedge. The loan is accounted for at amortized cost over the life of the swap while the embedded at-market derivative is accounted for at fair value. The $1.35 billion swap was originally indexed to three-month LIBOR and net settled on a quarterly basis with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate of 2.3820% and the variable rate based upon three-month LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.75%) as applied to the notional amount of the swap. In connection with the transactions discussed above, no cash was exchanged between us and the counterparty. The liability of the terminated interest rate swaps as well as the inception value of the receive-fixed interest rate swap was blended into the new pay-fixed interest rate swap. The cash flows related to the portion treated as debt is classified as financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows while the portion treated as an at-market derivative is classified as operating activities.
As discussed in Note 7, “Debt”, on April 26, 2023 we executed an amendment to our First Lien Credit Agreement, which governs borrowings under our Term Loan Facility. This amendment established Term SOFR as the benchmark rate for determining the applicable interest rate, replacing LIBOR. To continue to manage our exposure to interest rate risk associated with our Term Loan Facility, effective May 9, 2023, we amended our remaining swap agreement to change the index from three-month LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.75%) to one-month Term SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.75%). The fixed rate also changed from 2.3820% to 2.34150% as a result of the swap agreement amendment. As described in Note 1, “Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” we elected to apply certain practical expedients under GAAP to allow for this transition without any interruptions to hedge accounting treatment.
On a monthly basis, we net settle with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate of 2.34150% and the variable rate based upon the one-month Term SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.75%) as applied to the notional amount of the swap.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the cash flow hedge was highly effective.
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The key terms of interest rate swaps are presented below:
Effective Date Fixed Rate Paid (Received) December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
Notional Amount (in millions) Status Notional Amount (in millions) Status Maturity Date
Entered into December 2016:
February 3, 2017 1.9040% $ - Matured $ - Matured February 3, 2022
February 3, 2017 1.9040% - Matured - Matured February 3, 2022
Entered into December 2018:
February 3, 2019 2.7490% - Terminated - Matured November 3, 2023
February 3, 2020 2.7350% - Terminated - Matured November 3, 2023
February 3, 2021 2.7360% - Terminated - Matured November 3, 2023
February 3, 2022 2.7800% - Terminated - Matured November 3, 2023
Entered into February 2021:
February 3, 2021 (1.9040)% - Matured - Matured February 3, 2022
February 9, 2021 2.34150% (1)
1,350.0 Active 1,350.0 Active February 9, 2026
Total $ 1,350.0 $ 1,350.0
(1) Fixed rate paid prior to the May 9, 2023 amendment was 2.3820%.
Fair Values of Derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
The fair values of our derivatives and their location on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:
December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
(In millions) Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments Location
Interest rate swaps Other current assets $ 44.3 $ - $ 47.0 $ -
Interest rate swaps Other non-current assets 80.5 - 36.8 -
Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities (1)
- 17.3 - 17.3
Interest rate swaps Other non-current liabilities (1)
- 39.1 - 20.3
Total $ 124.8 $ 56.4 $ 83.8 $ 37.6
(1) The entire balance is comprised of the financing component of the pay-fixed interest rate swap.
For financial statement presentation purposes, we do not offset assets and liabilities under master netting arrangements and all amounts above are presented on a gross basis. The following table, however, is presented on a net asset and net liability basis:
December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
(In millions) Gross Amounts on Balance Sheet Effects of Counterparty Netting
Net Amounts Gross Amounts on Balance Sheet Effects of Counterparty Netting
Net Amounts
Assets
Interest rate swaps $ 124.8 $ (56.4) $ 68.4 $ 83.8 $ (37.6) $ 46.2
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps $ 56.4 $ (56.4) $ - $ 37.6 $ (37.6) $ -
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Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
The effect of our derivatives and their location on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Location
Interest rate swaps Interest income (expense)
$ (19.1) $ (18.5) $ (15.5)
Foreign currency contracts (1)
Other income (expense), net
$ 2.1 $ - $ -
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments Location
Interest rate swaps Interest income (expense)
$ (6.2) $ 11.9 $ 55.5
(1) Relates to two foreign currency forward contracts settled on November 30, 2021. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, we do not have any outstanding foreign currency hedging contracts.
Interest expense was $205.1 million, $208.5 million and $221.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the amount of cash flow hedge gain included within "Accumulated other comprehensive income" that is expected to be reclassified as a reduction to "Interest expense" over the next 12 months is approximately $49.3 million. See Note 16, "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)," for information regarding changes in fair value of our derivatives designated as hedging instruments.
Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
We have agreements with interest rate swap counterparties that contain a provision whereby if we default on any of our material indebtedness, then we could also be declared in default of our interest rate swap agreements. As of December 31, 2023, our outstanding interest rate swap agreement was in a net asset position.
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16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:
(In millions) Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Accumulated Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 20.8 $ (39.4) $ (18.6)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $0.6 million
(3.6) - (3.6)
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net of expense of $3.9 million
- 11.5 11.5
Amount reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, net of tax benefit of $6.0 million (1)
- 17.6 17.6
Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 17.2 $ (10.3) $ 6.9
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $2.3 million
(27.2) - (27.2)
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net of tax expense of $30.0 million
- 86.9 86.9
Amount reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, net of tax benefit of $1.6 million (2)
- 4.8 4.8
Balance at December 31, 2022 $ (10.0) $ 81.4 $ 71.4
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense of $1.0 million
8.0 - 8.0
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net of tax expense of $3.8 million
- 10.8 10.8
Amount reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, net of tax expense of $10.3 million (3)
- (29.9) (29.9)
Balance at December 31, 2023 $ (2.0) $ 62.3 $ 60.3
(1) Includes interest expense recognized of $6.4 million and amortization of off-market swap value and accumulated loss at hedge de-designation of $17.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
(2) Includes amortization of off-market swap value and accumulated loss at hedge de-designation of $18.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, partially offset by a reduction to interest expense recognized of $12.1 million.
(3) Includes a reduction to interest expense recognized of $55.6 million related to the cash flow hedge gain for the year ended December 31, 2023, partially offset by an increase to interest expense for the amortization of off-market swap value and accumulated loss at hedge de-designation of $15.5 million.
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17. Related Party Transactions
Apollo Global Securities, an affiliate of Apollo, received $0.6 million in connection with their role as an initial purchaser of the 3.50% Senior Secured Notes issued on February 9, 2021, and $2.3 million in arranger fees in connection with the entry into the Term Loan Facility on February 9, 2021.
On February 2, 2021, we issued 2,665,935 shares of common stock to DPH 123, LLC, an ABRY affiliate, for no additional consideration pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 6, 2017, in connection with our November 15, 2017 acquisition of Datapipe.
18. Segment Reporting
Effective on January 1, 2023, we reorganized around a two-business unit operating model, Public Cloud and Private Cloud. This two-business unit operating model ensures increased focus, delivery, and service quality for our customers. We have changed our segment reporting to reflect this reorganization under two operating segments, which correspond directly to our reportable segments: Public Cloud, a services-centric, capital-light model providing value-added cloud solutions through managed services, Elastic Engineering and professional services offerings for customer environments hosted on the AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud public cloud platforms; and Private Cloud, a technology-forward, capital-intensive model providing managed service offerings for customer environments hosted in one of our data centers as well as in those owned by customers or by third parties such as colocation providers. Private Cloud also includes our legacy OpenStack Public Cloud business that we ceased to actively market to customers in 2017.
Our prior Multicloud Services segment has been separated into its public and private cloud components and the offerings previously reported in our Apps & Cross Platform segment have been reassigned to either the Public Cloud or Private Cloud segment based on the nature of the offering.
Our segments are based upon a number of factors, including, the basis for our budgets and forecasts, organizational and management structure and the financial information regularly used by our Chief Operating Decision Maker to make key decisions and to assess performance. We assess financial performance of our segments on the basis of revenue and segment operating profit. Segment operating profit includes expenses directly attributable to running the respective segments' business. This excludes any corporate overhead expenses. We have centralized corporate functions that provide services to the segments in areas such as accounting, information technology, marketing, legal and human resources. Corporate function costs that are not allocated to the segments are included in the row labeled "Corporate functions" in the table below.
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The table below presents a reconciliation of revenue by reportable segment to consolidated revenue and a reconciliation of consolidated segment operating profit to consolidated loss before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Revenue by segment:
Public Cloud $ 1,471.3 $ 1,740.8 $ 1,747.4
Private Cloud 1,538.2 1,381.5 1,209.7
Total consolidated revenue $ 3,009.5 $ 3,122.3 $ 2,957.1
Segment operating profit:
Public Cloud $ 120.1 $ 124.9 $ 90.4
Private Cloud 604.3 493.9 340.8
Total consolidated segment operating profit 724.4 618.8 431.2
Corporate functions (240.3) (255.0) (247.8)
Share-based compensation expense (75.4) (69.5) (65.4)
Special bonuses and other compensation expense (1)
(11.8) (10.0) (12.1)
Transaction related adjustments, net (2)
(25.7) (11.0) (5.2)
Restructuring and transformation expenses (3)
(161.5) (99.0) (70.8)
Hosted Exchange incident expenses, net of proceeds received or expected to be received under our insurance coverage - (5.9) 4.8
Amortization of intangible assets (4)
(179.7) (166.8) (161.0)
Impairment of goodwill (52.4) (534.5) (708.8)
UK office closure (5)
- - (12.1)
Impairment of assets, net - (146.1) (52.2)
Gain on sale of land 19.9 - -
Interest expense (205.1) (208.5) (221.6)
Gain (loss) on investments, net (3.0) (0.2) 0.3
Debt modification costs and gain (loss) on debt extinguishment (37.5) - 271.3
Other expense, net (1.0) (10.0) (5.0)
Total consolidated loss before income taxes $ (249.1) $ (897.7) $ (854.4)
(1) Includes expense related to retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and the related payroll tax, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs, and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes expense related to the one-time grant of long-term incentive bonuses as a component of our annual compensation award process.
(2) Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to acquisitions, certain one-time compliance costs related to being a public company, integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities.
(3) Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, certain facility closure costs, and lease termination expenses. This amount also includes employee related costs and other costs related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan of $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420. In addition, it includes total charges of $25.1 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, related to the July 2021 Restructuring Plan which are not accounted for as exit and disposal costs under ASC 420, including one-time offshore build out costs.
(4) All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016.
(5) Expense recognized related to the closure of a UK office that we exited in the second quarter of 2023 prior to the lease end date.
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The table below presents depreciation expense included in segment operating profit above for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Public Cloud $ 8.4 $ 8.2 $ 9.2
Private Cloud 189.9 170.2 171.3
Corporate functions 46.8 42.5 28.2
Total depreciation expense $ 245.1 $ 220.9 $ 208.7
Management does not use total assets by segment to evaluate segment performance or allocate resources. As such, total assets by segment are not disclosed.
Geographic Information
The tables below present revenue by geographic region and by country for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Revenue amounts are based upon the location of the support function servicing the customer.
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
Americas $ 2,253.4 $ 2,341.7 $ 2,181.4
EMEA 632.9 626.6 620.0
APJ 123.2 154.0 155.7
Total revenue $ 3,009.5 $ 3,122.3 $ 2,957.1
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions) 2021 2022 2023
United States $ 2,157.0 $ 2,209.2 $ 2,035.6
United Kingdom 542.3 521.6 484.5
Other foreign countries (1)
310.2 391.5 437.0
Total revenue $ 3,009.5 $ 3,122.3 $ 2,957.1
(1) No other foreign country had revenue that exceeded 10% of total consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The table below presents property, equipment and software, net by country, based on the physical location of the assets, as of December 31, 2022 and 2023:
(In millions) December 31,
2022 December 31,
United States $ 487.9 $ 478.4
United Kingdom 116.7 109.0
Other foreign countries (1)
23.7 21.4
Total property, equipment and software, net $ 628.3 $ 608.8
(1) No other foreign country had property, equipment and software, net that exceeded 10% of total consolidated property, equipment and software, net as of December 31, 2022 and 2023.
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19. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only)
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Parent Company Only)
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except per share data) December 31,
2022 December 31,
ASSETS
Investment in subsidiaries of Parent $ 629.5 $ (154.5)
Total assets $ 629.5 $ (154.5)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share: 5.0 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
- -
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 1,495.0 shares authorized; 215.7 and 220.5 shares issued; 212.6 and 217.4 shares outstanding, respectively
2.2 2.2
Additional paid-in capital 2,573.3 2,638.2
Accumulated other comprehensive income 71.4 60.3
Accumulated deficit (1,986.4) (2,824.2)
Treasury stock, at cost; 3.1 shares held
(31.0) (31.0)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)
629.5 (154.5)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)
$ 629.5 $ (154.5)
The accompanying note is an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Parent Company Only)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data) 2021 2022 2023
Equity in net losses in Parent's subsidiaries $ (218.3) $ (804.8) $ (837.8)
Net loss and total comprehensive loss $ (218.3) $ (804.8) $ (837.8)
Net loss per share
Basic and diluted $ (1.05) $ (3.81) $ (3.89)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted 208.0 211.2 215.3
The accompanying note is an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
A condensed statement of cash flows has not been presented as Rackspace Technology did not have any cash as of, or at any point in time during, the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF REGISTRANT (Parent Company Only)
Basis of Presentation
These condensed parent company-only financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X, as the restricted net assets of the subsidiaries of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (“Parent”) (as defined in Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X) exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Parent. The ability of Parent’s operating subsidiaries to pay dividends may be restricted due to the terms of the subsidiaries’ First Lien Credit Agreement and the Indentures, as described in Note 7, “Debt” to the audited consolidated financial statements.
These condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting principles and policies described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, with the only exception being that the parent company accounts for its subsidiaries using the equity method. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of December 31, 2023 that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that the information relating to the company, including our consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023. Our independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, as stated in their report which appears in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations of Internal Controls
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B - OTHER INFORMATION
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements
During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023, none of the company’s directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted, modified or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or a "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" (as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
We have adopted the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Code of Conduct and Business Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including, without limitation, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other finance organization employees. The Code of Conduct, as well as any waiver of a provision of the Code of Conduct granted to any senior officer or director or material amendment to the Code of Conduct, if any, may be found on our website at ir.rackspace.com under "Corporate Governance."

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14 - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Rackspace Technology’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
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PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15 - EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements filed as part of this report are listed on the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted because they are not required or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
See the accompanying Index to Exhibits, which is incorporated by reference.