Moody's Corporation Reports Results for Second Quarter 2020

Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO) today announced results for the second quarter of 2020, as well as updated its outlook for full year 2020.

“The strength of Moody's is in our people, and I would like to thank our employees around the world for their dedication during this challenging time in support of Moody’s stakeholders. Our mission, to provide trusted insights and standards that help decision makers act with confidence, has never been more relevant, and our operating results reflect that,” said Raymond McDaniel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Moody’s. “Moody's Investors Service exhibited robust top-line growth as issuers continued to seek liquidity amid broadly receptive credit market conditions. Furthermore, Moody's Analytics growth remained resilient as its transition to subscription-based products progressed. As the second quarter exceeded our expectations, we are raising and narrowing our full year 2020 adjusted diluted EPS guidance range to $8.80 to $9.20, while still expecting debt issuance to taper in the second half of the year.”

Moody's Corporation reported revenue of $1.4 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2020, up 18% from the prior-year period. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted Moody's revenue by 1%.

Moody's Investors Service (MIS) Second Quarter Revenue Up 27%

Revenue for MIS for the second quarter of 2020 was a record $938 million, up 27% from the prior-year period. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted MIS revenue by 1%. The MIS adjusted operating margin was 64.0%.

Corporate finance revenue was $572 million, up 47% from the prior-year period. This reflected record investment grade supply in the quarter as spreads tightened and issuers looked to ensure sufficient liquidity amid economic uncertainty. Additionally, as market sentiment improved, high yield issuers took advantage of receptive issuance conditions. The strength in bond activity was partially offset by a decline in bank loan issuance given lack of investor demand.

Financial institutions revenue was $142 million, up 14% from the prior-year period. This largely reflected U.S. insurance companies and banks seeking opportunistic funding.

Public, project and infrastructure finance revenue was $133 million, up 23% from the prior-year period. This was driven by the U.S., where investment grade infrastructure issuers sought liquidity and public finance issuers took advantage of low rates, including refinancing by way of taxable transactions.

Structured finance revenue was $81 million, down 28% from the prior-year period. This was primarily driven by a decline in U.S. and EMEA collateralized loan obligation (CLO) activity, as well as weakness within U.S. CMBS. Other major asset classes also experienced issuance declines in the quarter due to limited new asset creation.

Moody's Analytics (MA) Second Quarter Revenue Up 5%

Revenue for MA for the second quarter of 2020 was $497 million, up 5% from the prior-year period. Organic MA revenue1 was $475 million, up 6% and excluded the impact of the Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services (MAKS) divestiture and acquisitions completed in the past twelve months. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted total MA revenue by 2%. The MA adjusted operating margin was 28.7%.

Research, Data and Analytics (RD&A) revenue was $366 million, up 16% from the prior-year period. Organic RD&A revenue1 was $338 million, up 7% and excluded revenue from the reclassification of Moody’s Analytics Learnings Solutions (MALS), and the acquisitions of Regulatory DataCorp and ABS Suite. This reflected robust growth in know-your-customer (KYC) and compliance solutions, as well as research and data feeds.

Enterprise Risk Solutions (ERS) revenue was $131 million, up 12% from the prior-year period. Organic ERS revenue1 was $125 million, up 7% and excluded revenue from the acquisition of RiskFirst. This was driven by strong demand for IFRS17 products along with subscription sales of credit assessment and loan origination solutions.

Second quarter 2020 operating expenses for Moody's Corporation totaled $725 million, down 1% from the prior-year period. The decrease was driven by ongoing discipline in expense management and a $53 million restructuring charge in the prior-year period. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted operating expenses by 1%.

Operating income of $710 million was up 47% from the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted operating income of $766 million was up 28% from the prior-year period, and primarily excluded the restructuring charge in the prior-year period, as well as depreciation and amortization. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted both operating income and adjusted operating income by 1%. Moody's operating margin was 49.5% and the adjusted operating margin was 53.4%.

Moody’s effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2020 was 23.6%, down from 28.0% in the prior-year period. This decrease was principally due to taxes in the prior-year period related to the divestiture of MAKS.

Moody’s Corporation reported revenue of $2.7 billion for the first half of 2020, up 16% from the prior-year period. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted Moody’s revenue by 1%.

MIS revenue totaled $1.7 billion, up 23% from the prior-year period. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted MIS revenue by 1%. The MIS adjusted operating margin was 62.4%.

MA revenue totaled $993 million, up 5% from the prior-year period. Organic MA revenue1 was $959 million, up 8% and excluded the impact of the MAKS divestiture and acquisitions completed in the past twelve months. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted total MA revenue by 1%. The MA adjusted operating margin was 29.0%.

Operating expenses for Moody’s Corporation in the first half of 2020 totaled $1.4 billion, approximately flat compared to the prior-year period. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted Moody’s operating expenses by 1%.

Operating income of $1.3 billion was up 38% as compared to the first half of 2019. Adjusted operating income of $1.4 billion was up 27% from the prior-year period. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted Moody’s operating income and adjusted operating income by 1% each. Moody’s operating margin was 47.8% and the adjusted operating margin was 51.9%.

The effective tax rate for the first half of 2020 was 19.0%, approximately flat compared to the prior-year period effective tax rate of 18.8%.

Diluted EPS of $5.27 was up 48% from the first half of 2019. Adjusted diluted EPS of $5.55 was up 34%. Both first half 2020 diluted EPS and adjusted diluted EPS included a $0.24 per share tax benefit related to employee share-based compensation, compared to a $0.20 per share tax benefit in the first half of 2019.

Capital Returned to Shareholders

During the second quarter of 2020, Moody's did not repurchase any shares, and issued net 0.2 million shares as part of its employee stock-based compensation plans. The net amount includes shares withheld for employee payroll taxes. Moody's returned $105 million to its shareholders via dividend payments during the second quarter of 2020.

Over the first half of 2020, Moody's repurchased 1.1 million shares at a total cost of $253 million, or an average cost of $236.67 per share, and issued net 1.1 million shares as part of its employee stock-based compensation plans.

Moody's returned $210 million to its shareholders via dividend payments during the first half of 2020 and on July 28, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.56 per share of MCO Common Stock. The dividend will be payable on September 10, 2020 to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2020.

Outstanding shares as of June 30, 2020 totaled 188 million, down 1% from June 30, 2019. As of June 30, 2020, Moody's had approximately $1.1 billion of share repurchase authority remaining.

Sources of Capital and Cash Flow Generation

At quarter-end, Moody's had $6.3 billion of outstanding debt and an undrawn $1.0 billion revolving credit facility. Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at quarter-end were $2.2 billion, up from $1.9 billion on December 31, 2019.

Cash flow from operations for the first half of 2020 was $977 million and free cash flow was $915 million.

Moody’s updated outlook for 2020 reflects numerous assumptions about many factors that could affect its business based on information reviewed by management through and as of today’s date, including observations and assumptions regarding the impact of COVID-19, the responses to the pandemic by governments, businesses and individuals, as well as the effects on interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, capital markets’ liquidity, and activity in different sectors of the debt markets. The outlook also reflects assumptions about general economic conditions and GDP growth in the U.S. and worldwide, and on the company’s own operations and personnel. The outlook as of July 30, 2020 assumes a continuing economic recovery in the second half of 2020 and incorporates numerous macroeconomic assumptions including: approximately 6% and 9% declines in 2020 U.S. and Euro Zone GDPs, respectively, high yield interest rate spreads peaking in excess of 650 bps, U.S. unemployment ending 2020 at approximately 10% and the high yield default rate rising to approximately 9% by the end of 2020.

While the duration and severity of the COVID-19 crisis are unknown, the company has operated effectively to date and Moody’s outlook assumes that the company does not experience any material negative impact on its ability to conduct its operations as a result of COVID-19. The implications of COVID-19 or other situations or developments could affect these and many other factors that also could cause actual results to differ materially from Moody’s outlook. Moody's ratings revenue guidance assumes MIS's global rated issuance increases in the low-double-digit percent range.

These assumptions are subject to uncertainty, and results for the year could differ materially from Moody’s current outlook. In addition, Moody’s guidance assumes foreign currency translation at end-of-quarter exchange rates. Specifically, our forecast for the remainder of 2020 reflects exchange rates for the British pound (£) of $1.24 to £1 and for the euro (€) of $1.12 to €1.

The guidance assumes an anticipated restructuring program in the second half of 2020 around the rationalization and exit of certain real estate leases estimated to result in total pre-tax charges of $25 to $35 million and estimated annualized savings of $5 to $6 million.

Full year 2020 diluted EPS is expected to be $8.15 to $8.55. The company expects full year 2020 adjusted diluted EPS to be $8.80 to $9.20.

A full summary of Moody's guidance as of July 30, 2020, is included in Table 12 - 2020 Outlook table at the end of this press release.

Moody's will hold a conference call to discuss second quarter 2020 results as well as its 2020 outlook on July 30, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time ("ET"). Individuals within the U.S. and Canada can access the call by dialing +1-877-400-0505. Other callers should dial +1-720-452-9084. Please dial into the call by 11:20 a.m. ET. The passcode for the call is 7108503.

The teleconference will also be webcast with an accompanying slide presentation which can be accessed through Moody's Investor Relations website, ir.moodys.com under "Featured and Upcoming" within "Events & Presentations". The webcast will be available until 3:30 p.m. ET on August 28, 2020.

A replay of the teleconference will be available from 3:30 p.m. ET, July 30, 2020 until 3:30 p.m. ET, August 28, 2020. The replay can be accessed from within the United States and Canada by dialing +1-888-203-1112. Other callers can access the replay at +1-719-457-0820. The replay confirmation code is 7108503.

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Moody’s (NYSE: MCO) is a global integrated risk assessment firm that empowers organizations to make better decisions. Our data, analytical solutions and insights help decision-makers identify opportunities and manage the risks of doing business with others. We believe that greater transparency, more informed decisions, and fair access to information open the door to shared progress. With over 11,200 employees in more than 40 countries, Moody’s combines international presence with local expertise and over a century of experience in financial markets. Learn more at moodys.com/about.

Moody’s recently published its annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report which includes its updated SASB Index and TCFD Report on moodys.com/csr.

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements and are based on future expectations, plans and prospects for the business and operations of Moody’s Corporation (the “Company”) that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, among other words, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue”, “strategy”, “aspire”, “target”, “forecast”, “project”, “estimate”, “should”, “could”, “may” and similar expressions or words and variations thereof that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicative of forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other information in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation (nor does it intend) to publicly supplement, update or revise such statements on a going-forward basis, whether as a result of subsequent developments, changed expectations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company is identifying examples of factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. Those factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of COVID-19 on volatility in the U.S. and world financial markets, on general economic conditions and GDP growth in the U.S. and worldwide, and on the company’s own operations and personnel. Many other factors could cause actual results to differ from Moody’s outlook, including credit market disruptions or economic slowdowns, which could affect the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets; other matters that could affect the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets, including regulation, credit quality concerns, changes in interest rates and other volatility in the financial markets such as that due to uncertainty as companies transition away from LIBOR and Brexit; the level of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. and abroad; the uncertain effectiveness and possible collateral consequences of U.S. and foreign government actions affecting credit markets, international trade and economic policy, including those related to tariffs and trade barriers; concerns in the marketplace affecting our credibility or otherwise affecting market perceptions of the integrity or utility of independent credit agency ratings; the introduction of competing products or technologies by other companies; pricing pressure from competitors and/or customers; the level of success of new product development and global expansion; the impact of regulation as an NRSRO, the potential for new U.S., state and local legislation and regulations, including provisions in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) and regulations resulting from Dodd-Frank; the potential for increased competition and regulation in the EU and other foreign jurisdictions; exposure to litigation related to Moody’s Investors Service’s rating opinions, as well as any other litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries to which the Company may be subject from time to time; provisions in the Dodd-Frank legislation modifying the pleading standards, and EU regulations modifying the liability standards, applicable to credit rating agencies in a manner adverse to credit rating agencies; provisions of EU regulations imposing additional procedural and substantive requirements on the pricing of services and the expansion of supervisory remit to include non-EU ratings used for regulatory purposes; the possible loss of key employees; failures or malfunctions of our operations and infrastructure; any vulnerabilities to cyber threats or other cybersecurity concerns; the outcome of any review by controlling tax authorities of the Company’s global tax planning initiatives; exposure to potential criminal sanctions or civil remedies if the Company fails to comply with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including data protection and privacy laws, sanctions laws, anti-corruption laws, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials; the impact of mergers, acquisitions or other business combinations and the ability of the Company to successfully integrate such acquired businesses; currency and foreign exchange volatility; the level of future cash flows; the levels of capital investments; and a decline in the demand for credit risk management tools by financial institutions. These factors, risks and uncertainties as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause Moody’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements are currently, or in the future could be, amplified by the COVID-19 outbreak and are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and in other filings made by the Company from time to time with the SEC or in materials incorporated herein or therein. Stockholders and investors are cautioned that the occurrence of any of these factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. New factors may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict new factors, nor can the Company assess the potential effect of any new factors on it.

1 Refer to tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation between all adjusted and organic measures mentioned throughout this press release and GAAP.

The table below presents revenue, operating income and adjusted operating income by reportable segment. The Company defines adjusted operating income as operating income excluding: i) depreciation and amortization; ii) a loss pursuant to the divestiture of MAKS; iii) restructuring; and iv) Acquisition-Related Expenses.

The tables below summarize the split between transaction and relationship revenue. In the MIS segment, excluding MIS Other, transaction revenue represents the initial rating of a new debt issuance as well as other one-time fees while relationship revenue represents the recurring monitoring of a rated debt obligation and/or entities that issue such obligations, as well as revenue from programs such as commercial paper, medium-term notes and shelf registrations. In MIS Other, transaction revenue represents revenue from professional services and outsourcing engagements and relationship revenue represents subscription-based revenues. In the MA segment, transaction revenue represents perpetual software license fees and revenue from software implementation services, risk management advisory projects, training and certification services, and research and analytical engagements. Relationship revenue in MA represents subscription-based revenues and software maintenance revenue.

The Company presents Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin because management deems these metrics to be useful measures to provide additional perspective on the operating performance of Moody’s. Adjusted Operating Income excludes the impact of: i) depreciation and amortization; ii) loss pursuant to the divestiture of MAKS; iii) restructuring charges; and iv) Acquisition-Related Expenses. Restructuring charges are excluded as the frequency and magnitude of these charges may vary widely across periods and companies. Depreciation and amortization are excluded because companies utilize productive assets of different ages and use different methods of acquiring and depreciating productive assets. The loss pursuant to the divestiture of MAKS is excluded as the frequency and magnitude of divestiture activity may vary widely from period to period and across companies. Acquisition-Related Expenses consist of expenses incurred to complete and integrate the acquisition of Bureau van Dijk. These expenses were excluded in prior years due to the material nature of the cumulative costs incurred over the multi-year integration effort. Acquisition-related expenses from other acquisitions were not material.

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

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