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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from     to     

 

Commission File Number 0-28018

 


 

YAHOO! INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

77-0398689

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94089

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (408) 349-3300

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ý                                                             Accelerated filer o                                                                                                                                          Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o  No ý

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding at May 2, 2006

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value

 

1,408,803,494

 

 

 



 

YAHOO! INC.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

 

 

 

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2005 and 2006

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006

5

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

Item 2.

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

21

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

33

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

34

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

35

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

35

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

36

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

47

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

47

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

47

Item 5.

Other Information

47

Item 6.

Exhibits

48

 

Signatures

49

 

2



 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

YAHOO! INC.

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

1,173,742

 

$

1,567,055

 

Cost of revenues (*)

 

466,924

 

657,943

 

Gross profit

 

706,818

 

909,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and marketing (*)

 

232,009

 

331,160

 

Product development (*)

 

122,611

 

217,577

 

General and administrative (*)

 

78,259

 

128,305

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

26,576

 

30,858

 

Total operating expenses

 

459,455

 

707,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

247,363

 

201,212

 

Other income, net

 

49,994

 

35,436

 

Income before income taxes, earnings in equity interests and minority interests

 

297,357

 

236,648

 

Provision for income taxes

 

(120,435

)

(102,932

)

Earnings in equity interests

 

29,378

 

26,437

 

Minority interests in operations of consolidated subsidiaries

 

(1,740

)

(294

)

Net income

 

$

204,560

 

$

159,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share—basic

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share—diluted

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used in per share calculation—basic

 

1,384,958

 

1,417,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used in per share calculation—diluted

 

1,477,811

 

1,493,307

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense by function (*):

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

$

—

 

$

1,685

 

Sales and marketing

 

1,490

 

38,867

 

Product development

 

3,262

 

37,717

 

General and administrative

 

4,714

 

30,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

9,466

 

$

108,641

 

 

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

 

(*)  Cost of revenues and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 include stock-based compensation expense in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, which the Company adopted on January 1, 2006.  See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

3



 

YAHOO! INC.

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited, in thousands, except par values)

 

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,429,693

 

$

1,362,095

 

Marketable debt securities

 

1,131,141

 

1,066,396

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

721,723

 

766,511

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

166,976

 

171,855

 

Total current assets

 

3,449,533

 

3,366,857

 

Long-term marketable debt securities

 

1,439,014

 

1,404,990

 

Property and equipment, net

 

697,522

 

774,952

 

Goodwill

 

2,895,557

 

2,925,909

 

Intangible assets, net

 

534,615

 

501,396

 

Other assets

 

57,192

 

66,364

 

Investment in equity interests

 

1,758,401

 

1,784,940

 

Total assets

 

$

10,831,834

 

$

10,825,408

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

70,291

 

$

107,689

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

827,589

 

877,997

 

Deferred revenue

 

306,172

 

323,743

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,204,052

 

1,309,429

 

Long-term deferred revenue

 

67,792

 

66,404

 

Long-term debt

 

749,995

 

749,993

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

243,580

 

246,842

 

Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries

 

—

 

7,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,430,162 and 1,414,422 issued and outstanding, respectively

 

1,470

 

1,476

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

6,417,858

 

6,622,578

 

Deferred stock-based compensation

 

(235,394

)

—

 

Treasury stock

 

(547,723

)

(1,296,621

)

Retained earnings

 

2,966,169

 

3,126,028

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(35,965

)

(8,359

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

8,566,415

 

8,445,102

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

10,831,834

 

$

10,825,408

 

 

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

 

4



 

YAHOO! INC.

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

204,560

 

$

159,859

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

48,030

 

68,614

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

40,203

 

56,465

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

9,466

 

108,641

 

Tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

107,527

 

79,745

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

—

 

(99,812

)

Earnings in equity interests

 

(29,378

)

(26,437

)

Minority interests in operations of consolidated subsidiaries

 

1,740

 

294

 

Gains from sales of investments, assets, and other, net

 

(14,268

)

(7,277

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

(30,417

)

(40,101

)

Prepaid expenses and other

 

19,108

 

(11,359

)

Accounts payable

 

(24,626

)

35,653

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

45,219

 

46,269

 

Deferred revenue

 

8,551

 

14,327

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

385,715

 

384,881

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of property and equipment, net

 

(68,149

)

(141,747

)

Purchases of marketable debt securities

 

(1,636,760

)

(334,762

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable debt securities

 

1,777,385

 

435,995

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(53,970

)

5,504

 

Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities

 

11,382

 

—

 

Other investing activities, net

 

11,318

 

(345

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

41,206

 

(35,355

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net

 

90,304

 

87,519

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(164,895

)

(638,898

)

Structured stock repurchases, net

 

(96,202

)

22,295

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

—

 

99,812

 

Other financing activities, net

 

800

 

—

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(169,993

)

(429,272

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

10,259

 

12,148

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

267,187

 

(67,598

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

823,723

 

1,429,693

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

1,090,910

 

$

1,362,095

 

 

5



 

YAHOO! INC.

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. (Continued)

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

 

Acquisition-related activities:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for acquisitions

 

$

53,997

 

$

2,023

 

Cash acquired in acquisitions

 

(27

)

(7,527

)

 

 

$

53,970

 

$

(5,504

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of common stock, restricted stock and stock options issued in connection with acquisitions

 

$

37,766

 

$

—

 

 

See Note 3—“Acquisitions” for additional information.

 

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

 

6



 

YAHOO! INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Note 1 THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Company.  Yahoo! Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries (“Yahoo!” or the “Company”) is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide.  Yahoo! seeks to provide Internet services that are essential and relevant to users and businesses through the provision of online properties (collectively referred to as the “Yahoo! Properties”) to Internet users and a range of tools and marketing solutions for businesses to market to that community of users.

 

Basis of Presentation.  The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Yahoo! and its majority-owned or otherwise controlled subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence, but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control, are accounted for using the equity method and are included as Investments in equity interests on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The Company has included the results of operations of acquired companies from the closing date of the acquisition.

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  The Company has changed the classification of amortization expense related to developed technology and patents in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  Amortization expense of $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, was previously included as part of operating expenses and has been reclassified to cost of revenues.  Amortization expense included in cost of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $26 million.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring items, which in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the periods shown.  The results of operations for such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or for any future period.

 

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to uncollectible receivables, the useful lives of long-lived assets including property and equipment, investment fair values, goodwill and other intangible assets, investments in equity interests, income taxes, and contingencies.  In addition, the Company uses assumptions when employing the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock options granted.  The Company bases its estimates of the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, when these carrying values are not readily available from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  The December 31, 2005 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  However, the Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  Effective January 1, 2006 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), and the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 reflect the impact of SFAS 123R.  For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $109 million which reduced gross profit by $2 million, income from operations by $109 million, and net income by $71 million.  The impact on basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $0.05 and $0.04 respectively.  The Company also capitalized $2 million of stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2006 which is now part of property and equipment, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  For the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company recognized $9 million of stock-based compensation expense under the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”).  In addition, prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company presented tax benefits from stock-based compensation as cash flow from operating activities.  Upon the adoption of SFAS 123R,

 

7



 

the benefit of tax deductions related to stock-based compensation in excess of the grant date fair value of the related stock-based awards are now classified as cash flows from financing activities.  See Note 10—“Stock-Based Compensation” for further information.

 

Note 2 BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding any unvested restricted stock that is subject to repurchase.  Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period.  Potential common shares consist of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, collectively referred to as “restricted stock awards” (using the treasury stock method), the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options (using the treasury stock method) and the conversion of the Company’s zero coupon senior convertible notes (using the if-converted method).  For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, approximately 61 million and 83 million options to purchase common stock, respectively were excluded from the calculation, as they were anti-dilutive.  See Note 9—“Long-Term Debt” for additional information related to the Company’s zero coupon senior convertible notes.  

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

204,560

 

$

159,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares

 

1,387,051

 

1,422,786

 

Weighted average unvested restricted stock subject to repurchase

 

(2,093

)

(4,869

)

Denominator for basic calculation

 

1,384,958

 

1,417,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Employee stock options

 

54,910

 

37,351

 

Convertible notes

 

36,585

 

36,585

 

Restricted stock awards

 

1,358

 

1,454

 

Denominator for diluted calculation

 

1,477,811

 

1,493,307

 

Net income per share – basic

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.11

 

Net income per share – diluted

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.11

 

 

Note 3 ACQUISITIONS

 

Transactions completed in 2005

 

Verdisoft Corporation.   On February 11, 2005, the Company acquired Verdisoft Corporation (“Verdisoft”), a software development company.  The acquisition of Verdisoft enhanced the Company’s platform for delivering content and services to mobile devices as part of the Company’s strategy to provide users with seamless access to its network.  The transaction was treated as an asset acquisition for accounting purposes and therefore no goodwill was recorded.  The purchase price was $58 million and consisted of $54 million in cash consideration, $3 million related to stock options exchanged and $1 million of direct transaction costs.  In connection with the acquisition, the Company also issued approximately 1 million shares of restricted stock valued at $35 million that will be recognized as expense over three years as the Company’s right to repurchase these shares lapses on the third anniversary of the date of grant.  For accounting purposes,  $93 million was allocated to amortizable intangible assets, $37 million to liabilities, primarily deferred income tax liabilities, and $2 million to deferred stock-based compensation (which has been netted against additional paid in-capital upon the adoption of SFAS 123R).  The amortizable intangible assets have useful lives not exceeding four years and a weighted average useful life of approximately 3 years.

 

8



 

Yahoo! Europe and Yahoo! Korea.   In November 1996, the Company entered into joint ventures with  SOFTBANK Corp., including its consolidated affiliates (“SOFTBANK”) whereby separate companies were formed in the United Kingdom, France and Germany, (collectively “Yahoo! Europe”) which established and managed local versions of Yahoo! in those countries.  In August 1997, the Company entered into a similar joint venture with SOFTBANK in Korea.  Prior to November 2005, the Company had a majority share of approximately 70 percent in each of the Yahoo! Europe entities and 67 percent in Yahoo! Korea and therefore the results of these entities were included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, with minority interests separately presented on the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets.  On November 23, 2005, the Company purchased SOFTBANK’s remaining shares in the joint ventures giving the Company 100 percent ownership in these entities.

 

The total purchase price of $501 million consisted of $500 million in cash consideration and direct transaction costs of $1 million.

 

The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values was as follows (in thousands):

 

Net tangible assets acquired

 

$

52,484

 

Amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

Customer contracts and related relationships

 

30,561

 

Developed technology and patents

 

6,570

 

Trade name, trademark and domain name

 

50,121

 

Goodwill

 

387,771

 

Total assets acquired

 

527,507

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(26,633

)

Total

 

$

500,874

 

 

The amortizable intangible assets have useful lives not exceeding five years and a weighted average life of approximately 4 years.  No amount has been allocated to in-process research and development and $388 million has been allocated to goodwill.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

Other Acquisitions—Business Combinations.   During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company acquired four other companies which were accounted for as business combinations.  The total purchase price for these four acquisitions was $79 million and consisted of $73 million in cash consideration, $3 million related to stock options exchanged and $3 million of direct transaction costs.  The total cash consideration of $73 million less cash acquired of $3 million resulted in net cash outlay of $70 million.  Of the purchase price, $58 million was allocated to goodwill, $32 million to amortizable intangible assets and $11 million to net assumed liabilities.  Approximately $1 million was allocated to in-process research and development and expensed in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

The purchase price allocations for these acquisitions are preliminary and subject to revision as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information on the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available.  Any change in the fair value of the net assets of the acquired companies will change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill.

 

During 2005, the Company also made a strategic investment in Alibaba.com Corporation (“Alibaba”)—see Note 4—“Investments in Equity Interests” and completed immaterial asset acquisitions that did not qualify as business combinations.

 

Transactions completed in 2006

 

Seven Networks Limited.  On January 29, 2006, the Company and Seven Network Limited (“Seven”), a leading Australian media company, completed a strategic partnership in which the Company contributed its Australian Internet business, Yahoo! Australia and New Zealand (“Yahoo! Australia”), and Seven contributed its online assets, television and magazine content, an option to purchase its 33 percent ownership interest in mobile solutions provider m.Net Corporation Ltd, and cash of AUD $10 million.  The Company believes this strategic partnership and the contribution of the respective businesses with their rich media and entertainment content will create a comprehensive and engaging online experience for local users and advertisers.  The Company obtained a 50 percent equity ownership interest in the newly formed entity, which operates as “Yahoo!7.”  Pursuant to a shareholders agreement and a power of attorney granted by Seven to vote certain of its shares, the Company has the right to vote 50.1 percent of the outstanding voting interests in Yahoo!7 and control over the day-to-day operations and therefore consolidates Yahoo!7, which includes the operations of Yahoo! Australia.  For accounting purposes, Yahoo! is considered to have acquired the assets contributed by Seven in exchange for 50 percent of the

 

9



 

ownership of Yahoo! Australia.  Accordingly, the Company will account for this transaction in accordance with SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations.”  The total estimated purchase price was $34 million including direct transaction costs of $2 million.

 

The preliminary allocation of the purchase price of the Company's share of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values was as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash acquired

 

$

3,763

 

Other tangible assets acquired

 

2,400

 

Amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

Customer contracts, related relationships and developed technology and patents

 

18,600

 

Goodwill

 

15,034

 

Total assets acquired

 

39,797

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(5,580

)

Total

 

$

34,217

 

 

The amortizable intangible assets have useful lives not exceeding seven years and a weighted average useful life of seven years.  No amounts have been allocated to in-process research and development and approximately $15 million has been allocated to goodwill.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is not deductible for tax purposes.  The preliminary allocation of the purchase price is subject to revision as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information on the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available.  Any change in the fair value of the net assets acquired will change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill.

 

As a result of this transaction, the Company’s ownership in Yahoo! Australia, which is now part of Yahoo!7, decreased to 50 percent.  The Company effectively recognized a non-cash gain of approximately $30 million representing the difference between the fair value of Yahoo! Australia and its carrying value adjusted for the Company’s continued ownership in Yahoo!7.  This non-cash gain was treated as a capital transaction and recorded as additional paid-in capital because of certain future events that could affect actual realization of the gain.  The Company also recorded a minority interest of $8 million related to its reduced ownership of Yahoo! Australia and Seven’s retained interest in their contributed assets.

 

Note 4 INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY INTERESTS

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s investment in equity interests (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

Percent
Ownership

 

Alibaba

 

$

1,408,716

 

$

1,399,160

 

46

%

Yahoo! Japan

 

349,685

 

385,780

 

34

%

Total

 

$

1,758,401

 

$

1,784,940

 

 

 

 

Equity Investment in Alibaba.   On October 23, 2005, the Company acquired approximately 46 percent of  the outstanding common stock of Alibaba, which represents approximately 40 percent on a fully diluted basis, in exchange for $1.0 billion in cash, the contribution of the Company’s China based businesses, including 3721 (“Yahoo China”) and direct transaction costs of $8 million.  Pursuant to the terms of a shareholder agreement, the Company has an approximate 35 percent voting interest in Alibaba, with the remainder of its voting rights subject to a voting agreement with Alibaba management.  Other investors in Alibaba include SOFTBANK.

 

Through this transaction, the Company has combined its leading search capabilities with Alibaba’s leading online marketplace and online payment system and Alibaba’s strong local presence, expertise and vision in the China market.  These factors contributed to a purchase price in excess of the Company’s share of the fair value of Alibaba’s net tangible and intangible assets acquired resulting in goodwill.

 

The purchase price was based on acquiring a 40 percent equity interest in Alibaba on a fully diluted basis.  The Company’s equity interest in Alibaba may be diluted from approximately 46 percent to 40 percent upon the conversion of Alibaba’s outstanding convertible debt and exercises of Alibaba’s employee stock options.  In allocating the excess of the carrying value of its investment in Alibaba over its proportionate share of the net assets of Alibaba, the Company allocated a portion of the excess to goodwill to account for the estimated reductions in the carrying value of the investment in Alibaba that may occur as the Company’s equity interest is diluted from approximately 46 percent to 40 percent.

 

10



 

As of March 31, 2006, the difference between the Company’s carrying value of its investment in Alibaba and its proportionate share of the net assets of Alibaba is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Carrying value of investment in Alibaba

 

$

1,399,160

 

Proportionate share of net assets of Alibaba

 

881,268

 

Excess of carrying value of investment over proportionate share of net assets

 

$

517,892

 

 

 

 

 

The excess carrying value has been primarily assigned to:

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

437,261

 

Amortizable intangible assets

 

83,547

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(2,916

)

Total

 

$

517,892

 

 

The amortizable intangible assets have useful lives not exceeding seven years and a weighted average useful life of approximately 5 years.  No amount has been allocated to in-process research and development.  The preliminary allocation is subject to revision as more detailed analysis is completed and additional information on the assets and liabilities of Alibaba as of the closing date becomes available.  Any change in the net assets of Alibaba will change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill.  Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

The investment in Alibaba is being accounted for using the equity method and the total investment, including net tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill are classified as part of the Investment in equity interests balance on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The Company records its share of the results of Alibaba and any related amortization expense, one quarter in arrears within earnings in equity interests.  Following the acquisition date, Yahoo! China has not been included in the Company’s consolidated results but has been included within earnings in equity interests to the extent of the Company’s continued ownership in Alibaba.  The results and operations of Yahoo! China were not material to the consolidated results of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2005.  In connection with the transaction, in the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company also recorded a non-cash gain of $338 million in other income, net based on the difference between the fair value of Yahoo! China and its carrying value adjusted for the Company’s continued ownership in the newly combined entity.  As described above, the Company’s interest in Alibaba may be diluted from approximately 46 percent to 40 percent.  The Company will recognize further non-cash gains as such dilution occurs.

 

The Company also has commercial arrangements with Alibaba to provide technical and development services. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, these transactions were not material.

 

Equity Investment in Yahoo! Japan.   During April 1996, the Company signed a joint venture agreement with SOFTBANK, which was amended in September 1997, whereby Yahoo! Japan Corporation (“Yahoo! Japan”) was formed.  Yahoo! Japan was formed to establish and manage a local version of Yahoo! in Japan.  The Company also has commercial arrangements with Yahoo! Japan, consisting of services, including algorithmic search services and sponsored search services and the related traffic acquisition costs and license fees.  The net cost of these arrangements was approximately $34 million and $60 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

The Company records its share of the results of Yahoo! Japan one quarter in arrears within earnings in equity interests.  The following table presents Yahoo! Japan’s condensed operating financial information, as derived from the Yahoo! Japan income statements for the three months ended December 31, 2004, and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,
2004

 

December 31,
2005

 

Operating data

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

293,035

 

$

397,519

 

Gross profit

 

$

271,903

 

$

361,272

 

Income from operations

 

$

146,286

 

$

180,107

 

Net income

 

$

87,556

 

$

107,827

 

 

The differences between United States and Japanese generally accepted accounting principles did not materially impact the amounts reflected in the Company’s financial statements.

 

11



 

Note 5 GOODWILL

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

United States

 

International

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2006

 

$

1,720,752

 

$

1,174,805

 

$

2,895,557

 

Acquisitions and other*

 

1,284

 

13,870

 

15,154

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

—

 

15,198

 

15,198

 

Balance as of March 31, 2006

 

$

1,722,036

 

$

1,203,873

 

$

2,925,909

 

 

*                               Other primarily includes certain purchase price adjustments that affect existing goodwill.

 

Note 6 INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s intangible assets, net (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2005

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

Net

 

Gross carrying
amount

 

Accumulated
amortization*

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademark, trade name and domain name

 

$

122,657

 

$

185,657

 

$

(66,236

)

$

119,421

 

Customer, affiliate, and advertiser related relationships

 

159,442

 

367,339

 

(211,672

)

155,667

 

Developed technology and patents

 

252,516

 

370,807

 

(144,499

)

226,308

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

$

534,615

 

$

923,803

 

$

(422,407

)

$

501,396

 

 

*                               Foreign currency translation adjustments, reflecting movement in the currencies of the underlying entities, totaled approximately $4 million as of March 31, 2006.

 

The Company recognized amortization expense for intangible assets of approximately $40 million and $56 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.  Based on the current amount of intangibles subject to amortization, the estimated amortization expense for each of the succeeding five years is as follows: nine months ending December 31, 2006: $160 million; 2007: $171 million; 2008: $116 million; 2009: $35 million 2010: $10 million, and thereafter: $9 million.

 

Note 7 OTHER INCOME, NET

 

Other income, net is comprised of (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and investment income

 

$

23,772

 

$

35,477

 

Investment gains (losses), net

 

19,134

 

771

 

Other

 

7,088

 

(812

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other income, net

 

$

49,994

 

$

35,436

 

 

Investment gains (losses), net include realized investment gains, realized investment losses, realized gains on derivatives, and impairment charges related to declines in values of publicly traded and privately held companies judged to be other than temporary.  Investment gains (losses) include gains in the amounts of $19 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005 related to the sale of non-strategic marketable equity security investments.

 

12



 

Note 8 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Comprehensive income, net of taxes, is comprised of (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

204,560

 

$

159,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in net unrealized gains /losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax and reclassification adjustments

 

(44,695

)

12,869

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(2,925

)

14,737

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(47,620

)

27,606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

156,940

 

$

187,465

 

 

The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

 

$

(16,218

)

$

(3,349

)

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(19,747

)

(5,010

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(35,965

)

$

(8,359

)

 

Note 9 LONG-TERM DEBT

 

In April 2003, the Company issued $750 million of zero coupon senior convertible notes (the “Notes”) due April 2008, which resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $733 million after transaction fees of $17 million, which have been deferred and are included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets in other assets.  As of  March 31, 2006, $7 million of the transaction fees remain to be amortized.  The Notes were issued at par and bear no interest.  The Notes are convertible into Yahoo! common stock at a conversion price of $20.50 per share, which would result in the issuance of an aggregate of approximately 37 million shares, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specified events.  Each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes will initially be convertible into 48.78 shares of Yahoo! common stock.

 

The Notes are convertible prior to the final maturity date (1) during any fiscal quarter if the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter exceeded 110 percent of the conversion price on that 30th trading day, (2) during the period beginning January 1, 2008 through the maturity date, if the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock on the previous trading day was 110 percent or more of the then current conversion price, and (3) upon specified corporate transactions.  Upon conversion, the Company has the right to deliver cash in lieu of common stock.  The Company may be required to repurchase all of the Notes following a fundamental change of the Company, such as a change of control, prior to maturity at face value.  The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to their maturity.

 

As of March 31, 2006, the market price condition for convertibility of the Notes was satisfied with respect to the fiscal quarter beginning on April 1, 2006 and ending on June 30, 2006.  During this period holders of the Notes will be able to convert their Notes into shares of Yahoo! common stock at the rate of 48.78 shares of Yahoo! common stock for each Note.  The Notes will also be convertible into shares of Yahoo! common stock in subsequent fiscal quarters, if any, with respect to which the market price condition for convertibility is met.

 

As of March 31, 2006 the fair value of the Notes was approximately $1.2 billion based on quoted market prices.  The shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes have been included in the computation of diluted net income per share since the Notes were issued.

 

13



 

Note 10 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for employee stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method supplemented by pro forma disclosures in accordance with APB 25 and SFAS 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), as amended by SFAS No.148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosures.”  Under the intrinsic value method, the recorded stock-based compensation expense was related to the amortization of the intrinsic value of Yahoo! stock options issued and assumed in connection with business combinations and other equity-based awards issued by the Company.  Options granted with exercise prices equal to the grant date fair value of the Company’s stock have no intrinsic value and therefore no expense was recorded for these options under APB 25.  For stock options whose exercise price was below the grant date fair value of the Company’s stock (principally options assumed in business combinations), the difference between the exercise price and the grant date fair value of the Company’s stock was expensed over the service period (generally the vesting period) using an accelerated amortization approach in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 28 “Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans.”  Other equity-based awards for which stock-based compensation expense was recorded were generally grants of restricted stock awards which were measured at fair value on the date of grant based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock.  Such value was recognized as an expense over the corresponding service period.

 

Effective January 1, 2006 the Company adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective approach and accordingly prior periods have not been restated to reflect the impact of SFAS 123R.  Under SFAS 123R, stock-based awards granted prior to its adoption will be expensed over the remaining portion of their vesting period.  These awards will be expensed under the accelerated amortization method using the same fair value measurements which were used in calculating pro forma stock-based compensation expense under SFAS 123.  For stock-based awards granted on or after January 1, 2006, the Company will amortize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally a four year vesting period.  SFAS 123R requires that the deferred stock-based compensation on the condensed consolidated balance sheet on the date of adoption be netted against additional paid-in capital.  As of December 31, 2005, there was a balance of $235 million of deferred stock-based compensation that was netted against additional paid-in capital on January 1, 2006.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $109 million which reduced gross profit by $2 million, income from operations by $109 million, and net income by $71 million.  The Company also capitalized $2 million of stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2006 which is now part of property and equipment, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  The impact on basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $0.05 and $0.04 respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company recognized $9 million of stock-based compensation expense under the intrinsic value method.

 

SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates.  Stock-based compensation expense was recorded net of estimated forfeitures for the three months ended March 31, 2006 such that expense was recorded only for those stock-based awards that are expected to vest.  Previously under APB 25 to the extent awards were forfeited prior to vesting, the corresponding previously recognized expense was reversed in the period of forfeiture.  Upon adoption of FAS 123R for the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company recorded a cumulative adjustment to account for the expected forfeitures of stock-based awards granted prior to January 1, 2006, for which the Company previously recorded an expense.  This adjustment was not material and was recorded as a reduction to the current period stock-based compensation expense.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company has included as part of cash flows from financing activities the gross benefit of tax deductions related to stock-based compensation in excess of the grant date fair value of the related stock-based awards for the options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2006.  This amount is shown as a reduction to cash flow from operating activities and an increase to cash flow from financing activities.  Total cash flows remain unchanged from what would have been reported prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R.

 

Stock Plans.   The Company’s 1995 Stock Plan and stock option plans assumed through acquisitions are collectively referred to as the “Plans.”  The 1995 Stock Plan provides for the issuance of equity-based awards to employees, including executive officers and consultants.  The 1995 Stock Plan permits the granting of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, indexed options, and dividend equivalents.

 

Options granted under the 1995 Stock Plan before May 19, 2005 generally expire ten years after the grant date and options granted after May 19, 2005 generally expire seven years after the grant date.  Options generally become exercisable over a four-year period based on continued employment and vest either monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

 

14



 

Restricted stock awards generally vest upon meeting certain performance-based milestones or the passage of time, or a combination of both, and continued employment through the vesting period.  Restricted stock award grants are generally measured at fair value on the date of grant based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock.  Such value is recognized as an expense over the corresponding service period.

 

The Plans provide for the issuance of a maximum of approximately 654 million shares of which 88 million were still available for issuance as of March 31, 2006.

 

The 1996 Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”) provides for the issuance of up to approximately 9 million non-statutory stock options to non-employee directors of the Company of which approximately 5 million were still available for issuance as of March 31, 2006.  Options granted under the Directors’ Plan vest in equal monthly installments over four years for initial grants to new directors and over four years for annual grants, with 25 percent of such options vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining options vesting in equal monthly installments over the 36-month period thereafter.  Options under this plan generally expire ten years after the grant date.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan.   The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”), which allows employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock through payroll deductions of up to 15 percent of their annual compensation subject to certain Internal Revenue Code limitations.  The price of common stock purchased under the Purchase Plan is equal to 85 percent of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock on the commencement date of each 24-month offering period or the specified purchase date.  The Purchase Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of approximately 30 million shares of common stock of which 15 million shares were still available as at March 31, 2006.  For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the stock-based compensation expense related to the activity under the Purchase Plan was $14 million.  As of March 31, 2006, there was $34 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the Purchase Plan which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years.

 

Stock option activity under the Company’s stock option plans for the three months ended March 31, 2006 is summarized as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts and as noted):

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price per
Share

 

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

182,694

 

$

28.11

 

 

 

 

 

Options granted

 

3,391

 

$

39.02

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercised

 

(6,522

)

$

13.67

 

 

 

 

 

Options cancelled/forfeited/expired

 

(4,020

)

$

38.28

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2006

 

175,543

 

$

28.63

 

6.2

 

$

1,474,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2006(1)

 

168,215

 

$

28.41

 

6.1

 

$

1,456,821

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2006

 

109,574

 

$

27.70

 

5.4

 

$

1,146,104

 

 

(1)

The expected to vest options are the result of applying the pre-vesting forfeiture rate assumptions to total outstanding options.

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on March 31, 2006 and the exercise price for in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders if all options had been exercised on March 31, 2006.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised in the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $144 million.  The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006 was $12.73 and $9.66, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2006, there was $377 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.  The Company’s current practice is to issue new shares to satisfy share option exercise.

 

Cash received from option exercises and purchases under the Purchase Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $88 million.

 

Total tax benefit attributable to options exercised in the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $52 million.

 

The tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $80 million as reported on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows represents the total amount of income tax benefit in the current period related to options exercised in current and prior periods, net of deferred tax benefits related to our current period stock-based compensation expense.

 

The excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $100 million as reported on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows in financing activities represents the reduction, in income taxes otherwise payable during the period, attributable to the actual gross tax benefits in excess of the expected tax benefits for options exercised in current and prior periods.  The excess tax benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were comprised of $40 million related to options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and $60 million related to options exercised in prior periods.

 

15



 

The fair value of option grants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

 

Stock Options

 

Purchase Plan (5)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

Expected dividend yield (1)

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

Risk-free interest rate (2)

 

3.7

%

4.6

%

1.6

%

4.6

%

Expected volatility (3)

 

42

%

32

%

39

%

30

%

Expected life (in years) (4)

 

3.95

 

3.75

 

0.5-1.0

 

0.5-2.0

 

 

(1)

The Company has no history or expectation of paying dividends on its common stock.

(2)

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a term consistent with the expected life of the awards in effect at the time of grant.

(3)

The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on the implied volatility of publicly traded options on its common stock, with a term of one year or greater.  Up to September 30, 2005 including for the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company used an equally weighted average of trailing volatility and market based implied volatility for the computation.

(4)

The expected life of stock options granted under the Plans is based on historical exercise patterns, which the Company believes are representative of future behavior.  The expected life of options granted under the Purchase Plan represents the amount of time remaining in the 24-month offering period.

(5)

Assumptions for the Purchase Plan relate to the most recent enrollment period.  Enrollment is currently permitted in May and November of each year.

 

Restricted stock award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2006 is summarized as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

 

Unvested at December 31, 2005

 

7,666

 

$

36.13

 

Granted

 

178

 

$

34.98

 

Vested

 

(165

)

$

30.10

 

Forfeited

 

(169

)

$

29.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested at March 31, 2006

 

7,510

 

$

36.39

 

 

As of March 31, 2006, there was $174 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.  The total fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $6 million and $5 million, respectively.

 

 

16



 

If the fair value based method under FAS 123, had been applied in measuring stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005, the pro forma effect on net income and net income per share would have been as follows, as previously disclosed (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

Net income:

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

204,560

 

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax

 

5,680

 

Less: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax

 

(57,046

)

Pro forma net income

 

$

153,194

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

As reported—basic

 

$

0.15

 

As reported—diluted

 

$

0.14

 

Pro forma—basic

 

$

0.11

 

Pro forma—diluted

 

$

0.10

 

 

Note 11 STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAMS

 

In March 2001, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $500 million of its outstanding shares of common stock over the following two years, depending on market conditions, share price and other factors.  In March 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a two-year extension of this stock repurchase program until March 2005.  Under this program, from March 2001 through December 31, 2004, the Company repurchased 32.9 million shares of common stock at an average price of $4.86 per share for total consideration of $160 million.  During this period, of the shares repurchased, 32.1 million shares were purchased from SOFTBANK at an average price of $4.84 per share.  During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company repurchased an additional 4.9 million shares in the open market, at an average price of $33.60 per share, for total consideration of $165 million.  This stock repurchase program has expired.

 

In March 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program for the Company to repurchase up to $3.0 billion of its outstanding shares of common stock over the next five years, depending on market conditions, share price and other factors.  Under this program in the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company repurchased 6.8 million shares of common stock at an average price of $32.90 per share, for total consideration of $223 million.

 

In the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company repurchased 22.1 million shares of common stock including 3 million shares received upon the maturity of a structured stock repurchase transaction.  The Company repurchased the shares at an average price of $33.93 per share.  Total cash consideration for the repurchased stock was $749 million including cash consideration of $639 million paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and $110 million invested in a structured stock repurchase transaction entered into during the fourth quarter of 2005.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company received $272 million in cash upon the settlement of a $250 million structured stock repurchase transaction entered into in 2005.  These shares are recorded as part of treasury stock.  Treasury stock is accounted for under the cost method.

 

In the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company entered into $250 million in structured stock repurchase transactions in two tranches of $200 million and $50 million respectively, which settle in cash or stock depending on the market price of Yahoo!’s common stock on the date of maturity.  These transactions will settle in the third quarter of 2006.  For the $200 million tranche, if the market price of Yahoo! common stock is at or above $34.50 the Company will have its investment returned with a premium.  If the market price is below $34.50, the Company will repurchase 6.4 million shares of its common stock.  For the $50 million tranche, if the market price of Yahoo! common stock is above $33.90 the Company will have its investment returned with a premium.  If the market price is at or below $33.90, the Company will repurchase 1.6 million shares of its common stock.

 

In aggregate as of March 31, 2006, there were outstanding structured stock repurchase transactions totaling $635 million which will mature in the second and third quarters of 2006 and could result in the repurchase of up to 20.1 million shares.  These outstanding transactions are recorded in stockholders’ equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  See Note 14—“Subsequent Event” for additional information.

 

Note 12 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Operating Lease Commitments.   The Company leases office space and data centers under operating lease agreements with original lease periods of up to 23 years, expiring between 2006 and 2027.

 

 

17



 

A summary of net lease commitments as of March 31, 2006 follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Gross lease
commitments

 

Sublease
income

 

Net lease
Commitments

 

Nine months ending December 31,2006

 

$

63

 

$

(3

)

$

60

 

Years ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

95

 

(1

)

94

 

2008

 

100

 

(1

)

99

 

2009

 

95

 

(1

)

94

 

2010

 

85

 

(1

)

84

 

2011

 

71

 

—

 

71

 

Due after 5 years

 

358

 

—

 

358

 

Total net lease commitments

 

$

867

 

$

(7

)

$

860

 

 

Affiliate Commitments.  In connection with contracts to provide sponsored search services to affiliates, the Company is obligated to make payments, which represent traffic acquisition costs, to its affiliates.  As of March 31, 2006, these commitments total $173 million, of which $161 million will be payable in the remainder of 2006 and $12 million will be payable in 2007.  The Company also has obligations to make payments with respect to other distribution arrangements totaling $4 million which are all payable in the remainder of 2006.

 

Other Commitments.  In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnifications of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of agreements, services to be provided by the Company, or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties.  In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers.  The Company has also agreed to indemnify certain former officers, directors and employees of acquired companies in connection with the acquisition of such companies.  The Company maintains director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from its obligation to indemnify its directors and officers, and former directors and officers of acquired companies, in certain circumstances.

 

It is not possible to determine the aggregate maximum potential loss under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement.  Such indemnification agreements may not be subject to maximum loss clauses.  Historically, the Company has not incurred material costs as a result of obligations under these agreements and it has not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

On April 21, 2003, Overture Services Inc. (“Overture”) completed its purchase of the Web Search unit of Fast Search and Transfer ASA, a Norway based developer of search and real-time filtering technologies, for $70 million in cash, plus a contingent earn-out payment of up to $30 million over three years based on specified operating criteria.

 

As of March 31, 2006, the Company did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.  As such, the Company is not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if the Company had engaged in such relationships.

 

Contingencies.  From time to time, third parties assert patent infringement claims against the Company.  Currently, the Company is engaged in several lawsuits regarding patent issues and has been notified of a number of other potential patent disputes.  In addition, from time to time the Company is subject to other legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights, claims related to employment matters, and a variety of claims, including claims alleging defamation or invasion of privacy, arising in connection with our e-mail, message boards, auction sites, shopping services and other communications and community features.

 

On May 24, 2001, Arista Records, Inc., Bad Boy Records, BMG Music d/b/a The RCA Records Label, Capitol Records, Inc., Virgin Records America, Inc., Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., UMG Recordings, Inc., Interscope Records, Motown Record Company, L.P., and Zomba Recording Corporation filed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement against LAUNCH in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.  The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the consumer-influenced portion of LAUNCH’s LAUNCHcast service is “interactive” within the meaning of Section 114 of the Copyright Act and therefore does not qualify for the compulsory license provided for by the Copyright Act.  The Complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and damages for the alleged infringement.  After the lawsuit was commenced, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire LAUNCH.  In June 2001,  LAUNCH settled the LAUNCH litigation as to UMG

 

18



 

Recordings, Inc. The Company’s acquisition of LAUNCH closed in August 2001, and since that time LAUNCH has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  The Company and LAUNCH do not believe that LAUNCH has infringed any rights of plaintiffs and intend to vigorously contest the lawsuit.  In January 2003, LAUNCH settled the LAUNCH litigation as to Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.  In October 2003, LAUNCH settled the litigation as to Capitol Records, Inc. and Virgin Records America, Inc. Accordingly, BMG Music d/b/a/ The RCA Records Label is the sole remaining plaintiff in this proceeding.  On March 16, 2004, the plaintiff filed motions for partial summary judgment on the issues of willful infringement and whether the consumer-influenced portion of LAUNCH’S LAUNCHcast service is “interactive” within the meaning of Section 114 of the Copyright Act and therefore does not qualify for the compulsory license provided for by the Copyright Act.  LAUNCH filed its opposition to the motions for partial summary judgment on April 30, 2004, and a hearing on the motions was held on June 18, 2004.  On November 4, 2005, the Court issued an order denying the plaintiff’s summary judgment motions as to interactivity and willful infringement.  A trial date is currently set for June 2006.  The Company does not believe it is feasible to predict or determine the outcome or resolution of the remaining LAUNCH litigation at this time.  The range of possible resolutions of such LAUNCH litigation could include judgments against LAUNCH or settlements that could require substantial payments by LAUNCH.

 

On July 12, 2001, the first of several purported securities class action lawsuits was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against certain underwriters involved in Overture’s initial public offering, Overture, and certain of Overture’s current and former officers and directors.  The Court consolidated the cases against Overture.  Plaintiffs allege, among other things, violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 involving undisclosed compensation to the underwriters, and improper practices by the underwriters, and seek unspecified damages.  Similar complaints were filed in the same court against numerous public companies that conducted initial public offerings of their common stock since the mid-1990s.  All of these lawsuits were consolidated for pretrial purposes before Judge Shira Scheindlin.  On April 19, 2002, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, alleging Rule 10b-5 claims of fraud.  On July 15, 2002, the issuers filed a motion to dismiss for failure to comply with applicable pleading standards.  On October 8, 2002, the Court entered an Order of Dismissal as to all of the individual defendants in the Overture IPO litigation, without prejudice.  On February 19, 2003, the Court denied the motion to dismiss the Rule 10b-5 claims against certain defendants, including Overture.  On August 31, 2005, the Court entered an order confirming its preliminary approval of a settlement proposal made by plaintiffs, which includes settlement of, and release of claims against, the issuer defendants, including Overture.  A hearing on the fairness of the settlement to the shareholder class is currently set for April 24, 2006.  If the settlement does not occur, and litigation against Overture continues, the Company and Overture believe that Overture has meritorious defenses to liability and damages and will continue to defend the case vigorously.

 

The Company does not believe, based on current knowledge, that any of the foregoing legal proceedings or claims are likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  However, the Company may incur substantial expenses in defending against third party claims.  In the event of a determination adverse to the Company or its subsidiaries, the Company may incur substantial monetary liability, and be required to change our business practices.  Either of these could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Note 13 SEGMENTS

 

The Company manages its business geographically.  The primary areas of measurement and decision-making are the United States and International.  Management relies on an internal management reporting process that provides revenue and segment operating income before depreciation and amortization for making financial decisions and allocating resources.  Segment operating income before depreciation and amortization includes income from operations before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and amortization of stock-based compensation amounts.  Management believes that segment operating income before depreciation and amortization is an appropriate measure of evaluating the operational performance of the Company’s segments.  However, this measure should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, income from operations or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

19



 

The following tables present summarized information by segment (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2005

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues by segment:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

818,726

 

$

1,097,038

 

International

 

355,016

 

470,017

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,173,742

 

$

1,567,055

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment operating income before depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

270,415

 

$

335,269

 

International

 

74,647

 

99,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment operating income before depreciation and amortization

 

345,062

 

434,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(88,233

)

(125,079

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(9,466

)

(108,641

)

Income from operations

 

$

247,363

 

$

201,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures, net:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

59,015

 

$

125,770

 

International

 

9,134

 

15,977

 

Total capital expenditures, net

 

$

68,149

 

$

141,747

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

Property and equipment, net:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

613,426

 

$

684,636

 

International

 

84,096

 

90,316

 

Total property and equipment, net

 

$

697,522

 

$

774,952

 

 

Revenue is attributed to individual countries according to the international online property that generated the revenue.  No single foreign country accounted for more than 10 percent of revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006.

 

The following table presents revenues for groups of similar services (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2005

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing services

 

$

1,024,796

 

$

1,380,854

 

Fees

 

148,946

 

186,201

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,173,742

 

$

1,567,055

 

 

Note 14 SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

Structured Stock Repurchase.  Subsequent to March 31, 2006, the Company repurchased 8.3 million of its common shares at an average repurchase price of $30.30 as a result of the settlement of a $250 million structured stock repurchase transaction entered into in July 2005.   Additionally subsequent to March 31, 2006, the Company entered into a $250 million structured stock repurchase transaction which will mature in October 2006.  If the market price of Yahoo! common stock is above $32.53 on the maturity date, the Company will have its investment returned with a premium, otherwise the Company will repurchase 8.5 million shares.

 

20



 

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

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

In addition to current and historical information, this Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements relate to our future operations, prospects, potential products, services, developments and business strategies.  These statements can, in some cases, be identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.  This Report includes, among others, forward-looking statements regarding our:

 

•       expectations about revenues for marketing services and fees;

 

•       expectations cost of revenues and operating expenses;

 

•       expectations about growth in users;

 

•       anticipated capital expenditures;

 

•       evaluation of possible acquisitions of, or investments in, businesses, products and technologies; and

 

•       expectations about positive cash flow generation and existing cash and investments being sufficient to meet normal operating requirements.

 

These statements involve certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those listed in Part II Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Report.  We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this Report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide.  We seek to provide Internet services that are essential and relevant to users and businesses.  To users, we provide our owned and operated online properties and services (the “Yahoo! Properties”).  To businesses, we provide a range of tools and marketing solutions designed to enable businesses to reach our community of users.

 

We offer a broad range and deep array of innovative products and services that are designed to provide our users with the power to connect, communicate, create, access, and share information online.  We seek to provide efficient and effective marketing services for businesses to reach our community of users.  Our focus is on engaging more deeply with users and increasing the user base on the Yahoo! Properties, thereby enhancing value for our advertisers.  We believe that we can increase our existing and potential user base and our users’ engagement on the Yahoo! Properties not only by offering compelling Internet services, but also by effectively integrating search, community, personalization and content to create a more powerful user experience.

 

We also focus on extending our marketing platform and access to Internet users beyond the Yahoo! Properties through our distribution network of third party entities (referred to as “affiliates”) who have integrated our search offerings into their websites.

 

Many of our services are free to users.  We generate revenues by providing marketing services to businesses across a majority of our properties and by charging our users for premium services.  We classify these revenues as either marketing services or fees.  Our offerings to users and businesses currently fall into four categories—Search; Marketplace; Information and Entertainment; and Communications and Connected Life.  The majority of our offerings are available globally in more than 15 languages.  We manage and measure our business geographically.  Our principal geographies are the United States and International.

 

21



 

First Quarter Performance Highlights

 

Revenues

 

Our revenues increased 34 percent year over year to $1.6 billion, with unique users up 8 percent year over year (or up 27 percent excluding Yahoo! China as of March 31, 2005), fee paying users up 49 percent year over year, and page views up 18 percent (or up 24 percent excluding Yahoo! China as of March 31, 2005).  We divested Yahoo! China in October 2005 in connection with our strategic investment in Alibaba and accordingly have recalculated our unique user growth rates as if the unique users of Yahoo! China had been excluded as of March 31, 2005 to allow for comparison between the two periods.

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

Our income from operations declined year over year primarily due to the adoption, on a modified prospective basis of SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment” on January 1, 2006 which resulted in stock-based compensation expense of $109 million in the first quarter of 2006, compared to $9 million in the first quarter of 2005.

 

 

 

Stock repurchases

 

We repurchased 22.1 million shares of our common stock in the first quarter of 2006 at an average price of $33.93 per share.

 

Operating Highlights

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

2005-2006

 

(in thousands)

 

2005

 

2006

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

1,173,742

 

$

1,567,055

 

$

393,313

 

Income from operations

 

$

247,363

 

$

201,212

 

$

(46,151

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

385,715

 

$

384,881

 

$

(834

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

$

41,206

 

$

(35,355

)

$

(76,561

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

$

(169,993

)

$

(429,272

)

$

(259,279

)

 

We believe the search queries, page views, click-throughs and the related marketing services and fees revenues that we generate are correlated to the number and activity level of users across our offerings on the Yahoo! Properties.  By providing a platform for our users that brings together our search technology, content, and community while allowing for personalization and integration across devices, we seek to become more essential to, increase our share of, and deepen the engagement of, our users with our products and services.  We continue to believe this deeper engagement of new and existing users, coupled with the growth of the Internet as an advertising medium will increase our revenues for the remainder of 2006 over 2005.

 

22



 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth selected information on our results of operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

100

%

100

%

Cost of revenues

 

40

 

42

 

Gross profit

 

60

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

20

 

21

 

Product development

 

10

 

14

 

General and administrative

 

7

 

8

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

2

 

2

 

Total operating expenses

 

39

 

45

 

Income from operations

 

21

 

13

 

Other income, net

 

4

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes, earnings in equity interests and minority interests

 

25

 

15

 

Provision for income taxes

 

(10

)

(7

)

Earnings in equity interests

 

2

 

2

 

Minority interests in operations of consolidated subsidiaries

 

0

 

0

 

Net income

 

17

%

10

%

 

Revenues.  Revenues by groups of similar services were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2005-2006

 

 

 

2005

 

(1)

 

2006

 

(1)

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing services

 

$

1,024,796

 

87

%

$

1,380,854

 

88

%

35

%

Fees

 

148,946

 

13

%

186,201

 

12

%

25

%

Total revenues

 

$

1,173,742

 

100

%

$

1,567,055

 

100

%

34

%

 

(1)                                  Percent of total revenues.

 

Marketing Services Revenue.  Marketing Services revenue for the first quarter of 2006 increased by $356 million, or 35 percent, as compared to the same period in 2005.  The year over year growth in our marketing services revenue can be attributed to a combination of factors that are driving increased advertising revenue across the entire Yahoo! Properties.  These include an increase in our user base and activity levels on the Yahoo! Properties, which resulted in a higher volume of search queries, page views and click-throughs.  We believe our increased user audience has attracted new advertisers to our portfolio of marketing solutions and contributed to the increase in our marketing services revenue over the prior year period.

 

On the Yahoo! Properties, our number of unique users worldwide as of March 31, 2006 was approximately 8 percent higher than the number of unique users as of March 31, 2005.  Unique users are the estimated number of people who visited the Yahoo! Properties in a given month.  If the unique users of Yahoo! China had been excluded as of March 31, 2005, our estimated unique users as of March 31, 2006 would have been 27 percent higher than as of March 31, 2005.

 

The combined number of page views and searches, including those from our affiliate network, increased by approximately 42 percent in the first quarter of 2006 as compared to the prior year.  The increases in the volume of page views and searches can be attributed to an increased number of users, an increased number of affiliates, an expanded offering of properties which increased our inventory of page views, and greater market acceptance of our search offerings.  The combined average revenue per page view and search decreased by approximately 5 percent in the first quarter of 2006 compared to 2005.  Our combined revenue per page view and search was impacted by sales mix changes from period to period as we expanded our offerings on the Yahoo! Properties and introduced new inventory with different yields.

 

23



 

We believe our growing number of users, advertisers and inventory has been driving this growth in our marketing services revenues. We believe our expanding offerings as well as our enhanced algorithmic search technology, which provides a new level of personalization to the search experience, contribute to our growing number of users.  As our user base increases, we generate a higher number of page views, which we view as inventory, and process a higher number of search queries which potentially result in a higher number of impressions and paid clicks.  We also believe that our growing user base makes the Yahoo! Properties more attractive to advertisers and increases their spending on marketing solutions.  Further, we believe the growth in users on the Yahoo! Properties and on the Internet overall reflects the increasing acceptance, importance and dependence of users on the Internet.  As a result of the increasing online audience, we believe advertisers are shifting a greater percentage of their spending from traditional media to the Internet to reach this growing audience.

 

Fees Revenue.  Fees revenue for the first quarter of 2006 increased $37 million, or 25 percent, as compared to the same period in 2005.  The year over year growth is associated with an increase in the number of paying users for our fee-based services, which numbered 13.3 million as of March 31, 2006 compared to 8.9 million as of March 31, 2005, an increase of 49 percent.  Our increased base of paying users was due to growth in users across most of our offerings, with the largest growth generated from new Internet broadband users.  Our fee-based services include Internet broadband services, sports, music, personals, and premium mail offerings, as well as our services for small businesses.  Average monthly revenue per paying user has remained consistent at approximately $4 in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005.

 

Costs and Expenses:  Operating costs and expenses were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2005-2006

 

 

 

2005

 

(1)

 

2006 (2)

 

(1)

 

% Change (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues (3)

 

$

466,924

 

40

%

$

657,943

 

42

%

41

%

Sales and marketing

 

$

232,009

 

20

%

$

331,160

 

21

%

43

%

Product development

 

$

122,611

 

10

%

$

217,577

 

14

%

77

%

General and administrative

 

$

78,259

 

7

%

$

128,305

 

8

%

64

%

Amortization of intangibles

 

$

26,576

 

2

%

$

30,858

 

2

%

16

%

 

(1)

Percent of total revenues.

(2)

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS 123R and recorded stock-based compensation expense under the fair value method.  Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for stock-based compensation under APB 25 and used the intrinsic value method.  In the first quarter of 2006, we recorded $109 million of stock-based compensation expense compared to $9 million for the first quarter of 2005.  This stock-based compensation expense has been included in the same income statement category as the cash compensation paid to the recipient of the stock-based compensation.

(3)

For the three months ended March 31, 2005, we have reclassified amortization expense of $14 million relating to developed technology and patents in the condensed consolidated statements of operations from operating expenses to cost of revenues to conform with the classification for the three months ended March 31, 2006.  For the three months ended March 31, 2006, cost of revenues include amortization expense of $26 million relating to developed technology and patents.

 

24



 

Stock-based compensation expense was allocated as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

$

—

 

$

1,685

 

Sales and marketing

 

1,490

 

38,867

 

Product development

 

3,262

 

37,717

 

General and administrative

 

4,714

 

30,372

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

9,466

 

$

108,641

 

 

See Note 10—“Stock-Based Compensation” of the condensed consolidated financial statements as well as our Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates for additional information about stock-based compensation.

 

Cost of Revenues.  Cost of revenues consists of traffic acquisition costs (“TAC”) and other expenses associated with the production and usage of the Yahoo! Properties.  TAC consists of payments made to affiliates that have integrated our search offerings into their websites and payments made to companies that direct consumer and business traffic to the Yahoo! Properties.  Other cost of revenues consists of fees paid to third parties for content included on our online media properties, Internet connection charges, data center costs, server equipment depreciation, technology license fees, amortization of developed technology and patents, and compensation related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense).

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2005-2006

 

 

 

2005

 

(1)

 

2006

 

(1)

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAC

 

$

352,987

 

30

%

$

479,357

 

31

%

36

%

Other cost of revenues

 

113,937

 

10

%

178,586

 

11

%

57

%

Cost of revenues

 

$

466,924

 

40

%

$

657,943

 

42

%

41

%

 

(1)                                  Percent of total revenues.

 

Cost of revenues for the first quarter of 2006 increased $191 million, or 41 percent, as compared to the same period of 2005.  The increase included $126 million of additional TAC which represents the largest component of cost of revenues, as well as an increase of $15 million in server equipment depreciation and $12 million in amortization of developed technology and patents.  Additionally,  content costs and Internet connection charges and data center costs increased $22 million in the first quarter of 2006, compared to the same period of 2005.  The year over year increase in TAC of 36 percent was driven by our 35 percent growth in marketing services revenues.  The increase in depreciation expense resulted from the depreciation of additional information technology assets.  The increase in the amortization of developed technology and patents resulted from our continued acquisition activity.  The increase in content costs was primarily from our expanded offerings some of which required content for new and enhanced services on the Yahoo! Properties including our new music offerings that were launched in 2005.  Internet connection charges and data center costs increased to allow us to continue to manage our increasing user base, traffic, and new offerings on Yahoo! Properties.

 

Sales and Marketing.  Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising and other marketing related expenses, compensation related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense), sales commissions and travel costs.

 

Sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2006 increased $99 million, or 43 percent, as compared to the same period of 2005.  Approximately $76 million of the increase was related to compensation expense, including an additional $37 million of stock-based compensation expense, as we increased our sales and marketing headcount to expand our presence in certain territories to service our expanding advertising business as well as support our growing advertiser base in existing regions.  The increase in stock-based compensation expense was due to our adoption of SFAS 123R.  Additionally, year over year spending on marketing and distribution increased by $13 million, as we continued to invest in product branding and further develop our distribution channels.

 

Sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 as a percentage of revenues were 21 percent (including 2 percent related to stock-based compensation expense) and 20 percent, respectively.

 

Product Development.  Product development expenses consist primarily of compensation related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense) incurred for enhancements to and maintenance of the Yahoo! Properties, classification and

 

25



 

organization of listings within the Yahoo! Properties and research and development, as well as depreciation expense and other operating costs.

 

Product development expenses for the first quarter of 2006 increased $95 million, or 77 percent, as compared to the same period of 2005.  Approximately $81 million of the increase was related to compensation expense including an additional $34 million of stock-based compensation expense, as we continued to hire engineers to further develop and create new offerings and services on the Yahoo! Properties. The increase in stock-based compensation expense was due to our adoption of SFAS 123R.

 

Product development expenses in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 as a percentage of revenues were 14 percent (including 2 percent related to stock-based compensation expense) and 10 percent, respectively.

 

General and Administrative.  General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense) and fees for professional services.

 

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2006 increased $50 million, or 64 percent, as compared to the same period of 2005.  The increase was primarily due to a $26 million increase in stock-based compensation expense as a result of the adoption of SFAS 123R and a $13 million increase in fees for professional services.

 

General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 as a percentage of revenues were 8 percent (including 2 percent related to stock-based compensation expense) and 7 percent, respectively.

 

Amortization of Intangibles.  We have purchased, and expect to continue purchasing, assets or businesses, which may include the purchase of intangible assets.  Amortization of developed technology and patents is included in the cost of revenues.

 

Amortization of other intangibles was approximately $31 million, or 2 percent of revenues for the first quarter of 2006, compared to $27 million or 2 percent of revenues for the same period of 2005.  The year over year increase in amortization of intangibles was the result of existing and additional intangible assets acquired through acquisitions.

 

Other Income, Net.  Other income, net was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and investment income

 

$

23,772

 

$

35,477

 

Investment gains (losses), net

 

19,134

 

771

 

Other

 

7,088

 

(812

)

Total other income, net

 

$

49,994

 

$

35,436

 

 

Other income, net decreased in the first quarter of 2006, compared to the same period in 2005 due to investments gains of $19 million from sales of non-strategic marketable equity securities recorded in the first quarter of 2005 with no comparable transactions during the first quarter of 2006.  The decrease in investment gains in the first quarter of 2006 was partially offset by the increase in interest and investment income as a result of larger average invested balances and higher average interest rates.  Average interest rates were approximately 3.6 percent in the first quarter of 2006, compared to 2.5 percent in the same period of 2005.  Other income, net may fluctuate in future periods due to realized gains and losses on investments, impairments of investments, changes in our average investment balances, and changes in interest and foreign exchange rates.

 

Income Taxes.  The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2006 was 43 percent, compared to 41 percent for the same period in 2005.  The provision for income taxes for the first quarter of 2006 differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate primarily due to state taxes, foreign income taxed at different rates, and nondeductible stock-based compensation expense.  For the first quarter of 2005, the provision differed from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate principally due to state taxes and foreign losses for which no tax benefit is provided.  The tax rate for the first quarter of 2006 was higher than the rate for the first quarter of 2005 primarily due to the adoption of SFAS 123R and the impact of a global reorganization intended to streamline our operational structure.

 

Earnings in Equity Interests.  Earnings in equity interests for the first quarter of 2006 was $26 million, compared to $29 million for the same period of 2005.  Earnings in equity interests consists of our share of the net income or loss of our equity investments in Yahoo! Japan and Alibaba.  During the first quarter of 2006, we started recording, one quarter in arrears, our share of the results of Alibaba and the related amortization expense of the intangible assets we acquired.   See Note 4—“Investments in Equity Interests” of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.

 

26



 

Minority Interests in Operations of Consolidated Subsidiaries.  Minority interests in operations of consolidated subsidiaries represents the minority holders’ percentage share of income or losses from such subsidiaries in which we hold a majority ownership interest, but less than 100 percent, and consolidate the subsidiaries’ results in our consolidated financial statements.  Minority interests in income from operations of consolidated subsidiaries were less than $1 million in the first quarter of 2006, compared to $2 million for the same period in 2005.  Minority interests recorded in the first quarter of 2006 were related to our Yahoo!7 joint venture arrangement completed in the first quarter of 2006.  Our minority interests in the first quarter of 2005 were related to Yahoo! Europe and Yahoo! Korea.  We acquired the remaining outstanding shares of Yahoo! Europe and Yahoo! Korea and accordingly, these entities became our wholly owned subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of 2005.  See Note 3 — “Acquisitions” of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.

 

Business Segment Results

 

We manage our business geographically.  Our primary areas of measurement and decision-making are the United States and International.  Management relies on an internal management reporting process that provides revenue and segment operating income before depreciation and amortization for making financial decisions and allocating resources.  Segment operating income before depreciation and amortization, includes income from operations before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and amortization of stock-based compensation expense.  Management believes that segment operating income before depreciation and amortization is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operational performance of our segments.  However, this measure should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, income from operations or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Summarized information by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2005-2006

 

 

 

2005

 

(1)

 

2006

 

(1)

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues by segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

818,726

 

70

%

$

1,097,038

 

70

%

34

%

International

 

355,016

 

30

%

470,017

 

30

%

32

%

Total revenues

 

$

1,173,742

 

100

%

$

1,567,055

 

100

%

34

%

 

(1)           Percent of total revenues.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2005-2006

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

%Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment operating income before depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

270,415

 

$

335,269

 

24

%

International

 

74,647

 

99,663

 

34

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment operating income before depreciation and amortization

 

345,062

 

434,932

 

26

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

(88,233

)

(125,079

)

42

%

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(9,466

)

(108,641

)

N/A

 

Income from operations

 

$

247,363

 

$

201,212

 

(19

)%

 

Revenue is attributed to individual countries according to the international online property that generated the revenue.  No single foreign country accounted for more than 10 percent of revenues in the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 or 2005.

 

United States.  United States revenues in the first quarter of 2006 increased $278 million, or 34 percent as compared to the same period in 2005.  The increase is a result of strong growth in advertising across the Yahoo! Properties as well as growth from our fee-based services.  Approximately 88 percent of the increase, or $245 million, came from marketing services revenue.  The advertising growth can be attributed to our expanding user base which has been attracting more advertisers and has led to increases in our marketing services revenue.  The growth in our fee-based services is due to the increase in our paying users for both existing and expanded offerings.

 

27



 

International.  International revenues in the first quarter of 2006 increased $115 million, or 32 percent, compared to the same period in 2005.  More than 95 percent of the international revenue increase came from marketing services revenue.  The year over year growth in international marketing services revenue can be attributed to our increased penetration into existing markets, coupled with continued growth of the global online advertising marketplace and our affiliate network.

 

International revenues accounted for approximately 30 percent of total revenues in the first quarter of 2006 which was consistent with the same period in 2005.  Our strong presence in our international operations has increased our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.  Revenues and related expenses generated from our international subsidiaries are generally denominated in the functional currencies of the local countries.  Primary currencies include Euros, British Pounds, Japanese Yen, Korean Won, and Australian Dollars.  The statements of operations of our international operations are translated into United States dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period.  To the extent the United States dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in reduced revenues, operating expenses and net income for our International segment.  Similarly, our revenues, operating expenses and net income will increase for our International segment if the United States dollar weakens against foreign currencies.  Using the average foreign currency exchange rates from the three months ended March 31 2005, our international revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2006 would have been higher than we reported by approximately $27 million.

 

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimates are made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur, could materially impact the consolidated financial statements.  We believe that the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition.   Our revenues are generated from marketing services and fees.  Marketing services revenue is generated from several offerings including: the display of textual, rich media advertisements, display of text based links to the advertiser’s websites, listing based services, and commerce based transactions.  Fees revenue includes revenue from a variety of consumer and business fee-based services.  While the majority of our revenue transactions contain standard business terms and conditions, there are certain transactions that contain non-standard business terms and conditions.  In addition, we may enter into certain sales transactions that involve multiple element arrangements (arrangements with more than one deliverable).  We also enter into arrangements to purchase goods and/or services from certain customers.  As a result, significant contract interpretation is sometimes required to determine the appropriate accounting for these transactions including: (1) whether an arrangement exists; (2) how the arrangement consideration should be allocated among potential multiple elements; (3) when to recognize revenue on the deliverables; (4) whether all elements of the arrangement have been delivered; (5) whether the arrangements should be reported gross as a principal versus net as an agent; and (6) whether we receive a separately identifiable benefit from purchase arrangements with our customers for which we can reasonably estimate fair value.  In addition, our revenue recognition policy requires an assessment as to whether collection is reasonably assured, which inherently requires us to evaluate the creditworthiness of our customers.  Changes in judgments on these assumptions and estimates could materially impact the timing or amount of revenue recognition.

 

Deferred Income Tax Asset Valuation Allowance.   We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred income tax assets we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis.  In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would likely increase stockholders’ equity as substantially all of our net operating losses result from employee stock option deductions.

 

28



 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.   Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances.  Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit.  Significant judgments required to estimate the fair value of reporting units include estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates, growth rates and other assumptions.  Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value for each reporting unit which could trigger impairment.  See Note 5—“Goodwill” in the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.  Based on our 2005 impairment test, there would have to be a significant unfavorable change to our assumptions used in such calculations for an impairment to exist.

 

We amortize other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives.  We record an impairment charge on these assets when we determine that their carrying value may not be recoverable.  The carrying value is not recoverable if it exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition.  Based on the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we measure any impairment of intangible assets based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by our management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in our business model.  Our estimates of future cash flows attributable to our other intangible assets require significant judgment based on our historical and anticipated results and are subject to many factors.  Different assumptions and judgments could materially affect the calculation of the fair value of our other intangible assets which could trigger impairment.

 

Investments in Equity Interests.   We account for investments in entities in which we can exercise significant influence but do not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control using the equity method.  In accounting for these investments we record our proportionate share of these companies’ net income or loss, one quarter in arrears.

 

We review all of our investments in equity interests for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be fully recoverable.  The impairment review requires significant judgment to identify events or circumstances that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.  Investments identified as having an indication of impairment are subject to further analysis to determine if the impairment is other-than-temporary and this analysis requires estimating the fair value of the investment.  The determination of the fair value of the investment involves considering the following factors: the stock prices of public companies in which we have an equity investment, current economic and market conditions, the operating performance of the companies including current earnings trends and undiscounted cash flows, quoted stock prices of comparable public companies, and other company specific information including recent financing rounds.  The fair value determination, particularly for investments in privately-held companies, requires significant judgment to determine appropriate estimates and assumptions.  Changes in these estimates and assumptions could affect the calculation of the fair value of the investments and the determination of whether any identified impairment is other-than-temporary.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense.  Effective January 1, 2006 we adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective method and therefore have not restated prior periods’ results.  Under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123R, we recognize stock-based compensation net of an estimated forfeiture rate and therefore only recognize compensation cost for those shares expected to vest over the service period of the award.  Prior to SFAS 123R adoption, we accounted for share-based payments under APB 25 and accordingly, generally recognized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards and stock options with intrinsic value that we exchanged in connection with acquisitions and accounted for forfeitures as they occurred.

 

Calculating stock-based compensation expense requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the stock-based awards, stock price volatility, and pre-vesting option forfeitures.  We estimate the expected life of options granted based on historical exercise patterns, which we believe are representative of future behavior.  We estimate the volatility of our common stock at the date of grant based on the implied volatility of publicly traded options on our common stock, with a term of one year or greater.  We consider that implied volatility calculated based on actively traded options on our common stock is a better indicator of expected volatility and future stock price trends than historical volatility.  Therefore, expected volatility for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was based on a market-based implied volatility.  The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment.  As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.  In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest.  We estimate the forfeiture rate based on historical experience of our stock-based awards that are granted, exercised and cancelled.  If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period.  See Note 10—“Stock-Based Compensation” in the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

29



 

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  Effective January 1, 2006 we adopted SFAS 123R and our condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 reflect the impact of SFAS 123R.  For the three months ended March 31, 2006, we recorded stock-based compensation expense of $109 million which reduced gross profit by $2 million, income from operations by $109 million and net income by $71 million.  The impact on basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $0.05 and $0.04 respectively.  We also capitalized $2 million of stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2006 which is now part of property and equipment, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  For the three months ended March 31, 2005, we recognized $9 million of stock-based compensation expense under the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25.  In addition, prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, we presented tax benefits from stock-based compensation as cash flow from operating activities.  Upon the adoption of SFAS 123R, the benefit of tax deductions related to stock-based compensation in excess of the grant date fair value of the related stock-based awards are now classified as cash flows from financing activities.  See Note 10—“Stock-Based Compensation” of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

As of
December 31,
2005

 

As of
March 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,429,693

 

$

1,362,095

 

Marketable debt securities

 

2,570,155

 

2,471,386

 

Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable debt securities

 

$

3,999,848

 

$

3,833,481

 

Percentage of total assets

 

37

%

35

%

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

385,715

 

$

384,881

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

$

41,206

 

$

(35,355

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

$

(169,993

)

$

(429,272

)

 

Our operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 generated adequate cash to meet our operating needs.  As of March 31, 2006, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities totaling $3.8 billion, slightly decreased from $4.0 billion as of December 31, 2005.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, we invested $639 million in direct stock repurchases and $142 million in net capital expenditures.  The cash used for these investments was offset by $385 million in cash generated from operating activities, $88 million from the issuance of common stock as a result of the exercise of employee stock options, and a net $22 million generated from structured stock repurchase transactions.

 

We expect to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations for the remainder of 2006.  We use cash generated by operations as our primary source of liquidity, since we believe that internally generated cash flows are sufficient to support our business operations and capital expenditures.  We believe that existing cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable debt securities, together with any cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet normal operating requirements including capital expenditures for the next twelve months.  However, we may sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities to further enhance our liquidity position, and the sale of additional equity securities could result in dilution to our stockholders.

 

Cash flow changes

 

Cash provided by operating activities was greater than net income in the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 mainly due to the net impact of non-cash adjustments to income.  Non-cash adjustments include depreciation, and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, tax benefits from stock options, and earnings in equity interests.  In the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, operating cash flows were positively impacted by changes in working capital balances.

 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities was primarily attributable to capital expenditures, purchases and sales of marketable debt and equity securities, as well as acquisitions.  In the quarter ended March 31, 2006, we invested $142 million in net capital expenditures, offset by $101 million of cash generated from the net sales of marketable debt securities as well as a net $6 million of cash acquired from acquisitions.  Our net cash acquired from acquisitions included approximately $8 million of cash acquired as a part of our joint venture partnership with Seven, offset by $2 million of cash paid for other acquisitions.  In the

 

30



 

quarter ended March 31, 2005, we generated cash in the amount of $141 million from the net sales of marketable debt securities, offset by our net investment of $68 million in capital expenditures as well as our net usage of $54 million of cash for acquisitions.

 

Cash used in financing activities was driven primarily by stock repurchases offset by the proceeds from employee option exercises.  In the quarter ended March 31, 2006, we used $639 million in the direct repurchase of 19.1 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $33.51 per share.  In addition, 3.0 million shares were repurchased during the first quarter of 2006 as a result of the settlement of a $110 million structured stock transaction we entered into in 2005.  We also entered into structured stock repurchase transactions resulting in a total cash outlay of $250 million, which was offset by cash proceeds of $272 million from the settlement of a structured stock transaction resulting in a net cash receipt of $22 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2006.  Additionally, we generated cash proceeds of $88 million from employee option exercises.  In the quarter ended March 31, 2005, we used $165 million in the direct repurchase of 4.9 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $33.60 per share.  In the quarter, we also used $150 million to enter into structured stock repurchase transactions, which was offset by the proceeds of $54 million from the settlement of structured stock repurchase transactions, totaling a net cash usage of $96 million for these transactions.  These cash outlays were offset by the proceeds of $90 million from employee option exercises in the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006, we are including as part of our cash flows from financing activities, the benefit of tax deductions related to stock-based awards in excess of the gross tax benefits expected at the grant date of the related stock-based awards.  This amount is shown as a reduction to cash flow from operating activities and an increase to cash flow from financing activities.  Total cash flows remain unchanged from what would have been reported prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R.

 

Financing

 

In April 2003, we issued $750 million of zero coupon senior convertible notes (the “Notes”) which are due in April 2008.  These Notes are convertible into Yahoo! common stock at a conversion price of $20.50 per share, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.  Each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes will be convertible prior to April 2008 if the market price of our common stock reaches a specified threshold for a defined period of time or specified corporate transactions occur.  Upon conversion, we have the right to deliver cash in lieu of common stock.  As of March 31, 2006, the market price condition for convertibility of the Notes was satisfied with respect to the fiscal quarter beginning April 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2006.  We may be required to repurchase all of the Notes following a fundamental change of the Company, such as a change of control, prior to maturity at face value.  We may not redeem the Notes prior to their maturity.  See Note 9—“Long-Term Debt” in the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the long-term debt.

 

Stock repurchases

 

In March 2005, following the expiration of the $500 million share repurchase program that was authorized in 2001 and extended in 2003, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3 billion of our outstanding shares of common stock over the next five years, depending on market conditions, share price and other factors.  Repurchases may take place in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan.  We believe that additional repurchases made under appropriate market conditions are a prudent use of cash currently available to us in order to enhance long-term stockholder value.  Under this program, during the quarter ended March 31, 2006, we repurchased 22.1 million shares of common stock at an average price of $33.93 per share.

 

As of March 31, 2006, we had unsettled structured stock transactions in the amount of $635 million of which transactions totaling $250 million were settled in April 2006 resulting in our repurchase of 8.3 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $30.30 per share.  The remaining tranches totaling $385 million will mature in May and July 2006.  On each of the maturity dates, if the market price of Yahoo! common stock is above $38.66 for the $135 million tranche maturing in May and $33.90 for the $50 million tranche maturing in July and at or above $34.50 for the $200 million tranche maturing in July, we will have our investment returned with a premium, otherwise we will repurchase up to an aggregate of 11.9 million shares.

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2006, we entered into a $250 million structured stock repurchase transaction which will mature in October 2006.  If the market price of Yahoo! common stock is above $32.53 on the maturity date, we will have our investment returned with a premium, otherwise we will repurchase 8.5 million shares.  See Note14—“Subsequent Event” in the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

Capital expenditures

 

Capital expenditures have generally comprised purchases of computer hardware, software, server equipment, and furniture and fixtures.  Capital expenditures, net were $142 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and are expected to continue to increase

 

31



 

in the rest of 2006 compared to 2005 as we invest in the expansion of the Yahoo! Properties and their offerings.  This continued increase in capital expenditures and operating lease commitments is consistent with our increased headcount and operational expansion, and we anticipate that this will continue in the future as business conditions merit.

 

Contractual obligations and commitments

 

Operating Leases.  We have entered into various non-cancelable operating lease agreements for office space and data centers globally for original lease periods up to 23 years, expiring between 2006 and 2027.

 

A summary of gross lease commitments as of March 31, 2006, follows (in millions):

 

 

Gross lease
commitments

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ending December 31, 2006

 

$

63

 

Years ending December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

95

 

2008

 

100

 

2009

 

95

 

2010

 

85

 

2011

 

71

 

Due after 5 years

 

358

 

Total gross lease commitments

 

$

867

 

 

Affiliate Commitments.  In connection with our contracts to provide sponsored search services to affiliates, we are obligated to make payments, which represent traffic acquisition costs, to our affiliates.  As of March 31, 2006, the commitments total $173 million, of which $161 million will be payable in the remainder of 2006 and $12 million will be payable in 2007.  We also have obligations to make payments with respect to other distribution arrangements totaling $4 million which are all payable in the remainder of 2006.

 

Other Commitments

 

In the ordinary course of business, we may provide indemnifications of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of our breach of agreements, services to be provided by us, or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties.  In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers.  We have also agreed to indemnify certain former officers, directors and employees of acquired companies in connection with the acquisition of such companies.  We maintain director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from our obligation to indemnify our directors and officers, and former directors and officers of acquired companies, in certain circumstances.

 

It is not possible to determine the maximum potential loss under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement.  Such indemnification agreements may not be subject to maximum loss clauses.  Historically, we have not incurred material costs as a result of obligations under these agreements and we have not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

On April 21, 2003, Overture completed its purchase of the Web Search unit of Fast Search and Transfer ASA, a Norway based developer of search and real-time filtering technologies, for $70 million in cash, plus a contingent earn-out payment of up to $30 million over three years based on specified operating criteria.

 

As of March 31, 2006, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.  As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations, and changes in the market values of our investments.

 

Interest Rate Risk.   Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio.  We invest excess cash in marketable debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies, and in high-quality corporate issuers and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.  We protect and preserve invested funds by limiting default, market and reinvestment risk.

 

Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk.  Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.  Due in part to these factors, our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if forced to sell securities which have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates.  As of March 31, 2006 and 2005, we had investments in debt securities with effective maturities between three months and one year of approximately $1.1 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively.  Such investments had a weighted-average yield of approximately 3.5 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively.  As of March 31, 2006 and 2005, we had investments in debt securities with effective maturities between one and five years of approximately $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively.  Such investments had a weighted average yield of approximately 4.0 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.  A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates would result in an approximate $25 million and $29 million decrease (approximately 1 percent), respectively, in the fair value of our available-for-sale debt securities as of March 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

The fair market value of the zero coupon senior convertible notes (the “Notes”) is subject to interest rate risk and market risk due to the convertible feature of the Notes.  Generally, the fair market value of fixed interest rate debt will increase as interest rates all and decrease as interest rates rise.  The fair market value of the Notes will also increase as the market price of the Yahoo! stock increases and decrease as the market price falls.  The interest and market value changes affect the fair market value of the Notes but do not impact our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.  As of March 31, 2006 and 2005, the fair value of the Notes was approximately $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion based on quoted market prices.

 

Foreign Currency Risk.  International revenues accounted for approximately 30 percent of total revenues both in the quarters ended March 31 of both 2006 and 2005.  International revenues in the first quarter of 2006 increased $115 million, or 32 percent as compared to the same period in 2005.  The growth in our international operations has increased our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.  Revenues and related expenses generated from our international subsidiaries are generally denominated in the functional currencies of the local countries.  Primary currencies include Euros, British Pounds, Japanese Yen, Korean Won and Australian Dollars.  The statements of operations of our international operations are translated into United States dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period.  To the extent the United States dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in reduced revenues, operating expenses and net income for our International segment.  Similarly, our revenues, operating expenses and net income will increase for our International segment, if the United States dollar weakens against foreign currencies.  Using the average foreign currency exchange rates from the quarter ended March 31, 2005, our international revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 would have been higher than we reported by approximately $27 million.

 

We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries and our investments in equity interests into United States dollars in consolidation.  If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into United States dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.  In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency.  Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss.  During  the quarter ended March 31, 2006, we recorded  net foreign currency transaction losses, realized and unrealized, of approximately $1 million as compared to net gains of $1 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2005, which were recorded in other income, net on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

Investment Risk.  The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk.  To achieve this objective, we maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and current and long-term investments in a variety of securities, including both government and corporate obligations and money market funds.  As of March 31, 2006 and 2005, net unrealized losses on these investments were not material.

 

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We are exposed to market risk as it relates to changes in the market value of our investments.  We invest in equity instruments of public companies for business and strategic purposes and have classified these securities as available-for-sale.  These available-for-sale equity investments are subject to significant fluctuations in fair value due to the volatility of the stock market and the industries in which these companies participate.  We have realized gains and losses from the sale of investments, as well as impairment charges on some of our investments.  Our investments in available-for-sale equity securities were not material as of March 31, 2006.  As of March 31, 2005, we had available-for-sale equity investments with a fair value of approximately $751 million, classified as current assets and included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as marketable equity securities.  These equity investments were sold during 2005.  Our objective in managing exposure to stock market fluctuations is to minimize the impact of stock market declines to earnings and cash flows.  Using a hypothetical reduction of 10 percent in the stock price of these equity securities, the fair value of our equity investments would decrease by approximately $3 million and $75 million as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, third parties assert patent infringement claims against Yahoo!.  Currently, we are engaged in several lawsuits regarding patent issues and have been notified of a number of other potential patent disputes.  In addition, from time to time we are subject to other legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights, claims related to employment matters, and a variety of claims, including claims alleging defamation or invasion of privacy, arising in connection with our e-mail, message boards, auction sites, shopping services and other communications and community features.

 

On May 24, 2001, Arista Records, Inc., Bad Boy Records, BMG Music d/b/a The RCA Records Label, Capitol Records, Inc., Virgin Records America, Inc., Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., UMG Recordings, Inc., Interscope Records, Motown Record Company, L.P., and Zomba Recording Corporation filed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement against LAUNCH in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.  The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the consumer-influenced portion of LAUNCH’s LAUNCHcast service is “interactive” within the meaning of Section 114 of the Copyright Act and therefore does not qualify for the compulsory license provided for by the Copyright Act.  The Complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and damages for the alleged infringement.  After the lawsuit was commenced, Yahoo! entered into an agreement to acquire LAUNCH.  In June 2001,  LAUNCH settled the LAUNCH litigation as to UMG Recordings, Inc.  Our acquisition of LAUNCH closed in August 2001, and since that time LAUNCH has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Yahoo!.  Yahoo! and LAUNCH do not believe that LAUNCH has infringed any rights of plaintiffs and intend to vigorously contest the lawsuit.  In January 2003, LAUNCH settled the LAUNCH litigation as to Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.  In October 2003, LAUNCH settled the litigation as to Capitol Records, Inc. and Virgin Records America, Inc.  Accordingly, BMG Music d/b/a/ The RCA Records Label is the sole remaining plaintiff in this proceeding.  On March 16, 2004, the plaintiff filed motions for partial summary judgment on the issues of willful infringement and whether the consumer-influenced portion of LAUNCH’S LAUNCHcast service is “interactive” within the meaning of Section 114 of the Copyright Act and therefore does not qualify for the compulsory license provided for by the Copyright Act.  LAUNCH filed its opposition to the motions for partial summary judgment on April 30, 2004, and a hearing on the motions was held on June 18, 2004.  On November 4, 2005, the Court issued an order denying the plaintiff’s summary judgment motions as to interactivity and willful infringement.  We do not believe it is feasible to predict or determine the outcome or resolution of the remaining LAUNCH litigation at this time.  The range of possible resolutions of such LAUNCH litigation could include judgments against LAUNCH or settlements that could require substantial payments by LAUNCH.

 

On July 12, 2001, the first of several purported securities class action lawsuits was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against certain underwriters involved in Overture’s initial public offering, Overture, and certain of Overture’s current and former officers and directors.  The Court consolidated the cases against Overture.  Plaintiffs allege, among other things, violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 involving undisclosed compensation to the underwriters, and improper practices by the underwriters, and seek unspecified damages.  Similar complaints were filed in the same court against numerous public companies that conducted initial public offerings of their common stock since the mid-1990s.  All of these lawsuits were consolidated for pretrial purposes before Judge Shira Scheindlin.  On April 19, 2002, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, alleging Rule 10b-5 claims of fraud.  On July 15, 2002, the issuers filed a motion to dismiss for failure to comply with applicable pleading standards.  On October 8, 2002, the Court entered an Order of Dismissal as to all of the individual defendants in the Overture IPO litigation, without prejudice.  On February 19, 2003, the Court denied the motion to dismiss the Rule 10b-5 claims against certain defendants, including Overture.  On August 31, 2005, the Court entered an order confirming its preliminary approval of a settlement proposal made by plaintiffs, which includes settlement of, and release of claims against, the issuer defendants, including Overture.  A hearing on the fairness of the settlement to the shareholder class is currently set for April 24, 2006.  If the settlement does not occur, and litigation against Overture continues, Yahoo! and Overture believe that Overture has meritorious defenses to liability and damages and will continue to defend the case vigorously.

 

We do not believe, based on current knowledge, that any of the foregoing legal proceedings or claims are likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  However, we may incur substantial expenses in defending against third party claims.  In the event of a determination adverse to Yahoo! or its subsidiaries, we may incur substantial monetary liability, and be required to change our business practices.  Either of these could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

We have updated the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2006, as set forth below.  We do not believe any of the changes constitute material changes to the risk factors.

 

We face significant competition from large-scale Internet content, product and service aggregators, principally Time Warner’s AOL, Google and Microsoft.

 

We face significant competition from companies, principally AOL, Google, and Microsoft, that have aggregated a variety of Internet products, services and content in a manner similar to Yahoo!.  AOL has access to content from Time Warner’s movie, television, music, book, periodical, news, sports and other media holdings; access to a network of cable and other broadband users and delivery technologies; and considerable resources for future growth and expansion.  Google, in addition to an Internet search service, offers many other services that directly compete with our services, including a consumer e-mail service, desktop search, local search, instant messaging, photos, maps, shopping services and advertising solutions.  Microsoft has introduced its own Internet search service and has announced plans to develop both paid search and features that may make Internet searching capabilities a more integrated part of its Windows operating system.  We expect these competitors increasingly to use their financial and engineering resources to compete with us, individually, and potentially in combination with each other.  In certain of these cases, most notably AOL, our competition has a direct billing relationship with a greater number of their users through Internet access and other services than we have with our users through our premium services.  This relationship may permit these competitors to be more effective than us in targeting services and advertisements to the specific preferences of their users thereby giving them a competitive advantage.  If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing compelling products or attracting and retaining users or advertisers, then our revenues and growth rates could decline.

 

We also face competition from other Internet service companies, including Internet access providers, device manufacturers offering online services and destination websites.

 

Our users must access our services through Internet access providers, including wireless providers and providers of cable and broadband Internet access.  To the extent that an access provider or device manufacturer offers online services competitive with those of Yahoo!, the user may elect to use the services or properties of that access provider or manufacturer.  In addition, the access provider or manufacturer may make it difficult to access our services by not listing them in the access provider’s or manufacturer’s own directory or by providing Yahoo! with less prominent listings than the access provider, manufacturer, or a competitor’s offerings.  Such access providers and manufacturers may prove better able to target services and advertisements to the preferences of their users.  If such access providers and device manufacturers are more successful than we are in developing compelling products or attracting and retaining customers, users or advertisers, then our revenues could decline.  Further, to the extent that Internet access providers, mobile service providers or network providers increase the costs of service to users or restrict Yahoo!’s ability to deliver products, services and content to end users or increase our costs of doing so, our revenues could decline.

 

We also compete for customers, users and advertisers with many other providers of online services, including destination websites.  Some of these competitors may have more expertise in a particular segment of the market, and within such segment, have longer operating histories, larger advertiser or user bases, and more brand recognition or technological features than we offer.

 

In the future, competitors may acquire additional competitive offerings or consolidate with each other to become more competitive, and new competitors may enter the market.  If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing compelling products or attracting and retaining users, advertisers or customers, then our revenues and growth rates could decline.

 

We face competition from other providers of search marketing that could affect our operating results.

 

We compete directly with other providers of search marketing, including Google, LookSmart, Ltd., Lycos Inc., Microsoft, and MIVA (formerly FindWhat.com).  In addition, we believe it is likely that there will be additional entrants to this advertising market.  Some of the existing competitors and possible additional entrants may have greater operational, strategic, financial, personnel or other resources than we do, as well as greater brand recognition.  These competitors compete against us for affiliate and advertiser arrangements and could cause us to have to enter into such arrangements with less favorable terms, to lose current affiliates or advertisers or to fail to acquire new affiliates or advertisers.  The loss of affiliates or advertisers or a reduction in the revenue from such arrangements could harm our business and operating results.

 

We face significant competition from traditional media companies which could adversely affect our future operating results.

 

We also compete with traditional media companies for advertising.  Most advertisers currently spend only a small portion of their advertising budgets on Internet advertising.  If we fail to persuade existing advertisers to retain and increase their spending with us and if we fail to persuade new advertisers to spend a portion of their budget on advertising with us, our revenues could decline and our future operating results could be adversely affected.

 

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If we are unable to provide search technologies and other services which generate significant traffic to our websites, or we are unable to enter into distribution relationships which drive significant traffic to our websites, our business could be harmed, causing our revenues to decline.

 

We have deployed our own Internet search technology to provide search results on our network.  We have more limited experience in operating our own search service than do some of our competitors.  Internet search is characterized by rapidly changing technology, significant competition, evolving industry standards and frequent product and service enhancements.  We must continually invest in improving our users’ experience, including search relevance, speed and services responsive to their needs and preferences, to continue to attract, retain and expand our user base.  If we are unable to provide search technologies and other services which generate significant traffic to our websites, or if we are unable to enter into distribution relationships that continue to drive significant traffic to our websites, our business could be harmed, causing our revenues to decline.

 

The majority of our revenues are derived from marketing services, and the reduction in spending by or loss of current or potential advertisers would cause our revenues and operating results to decline.

 

For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, 88 percent of our total revenues came from marketing services.  Our ability to continue to retain and grow marketing services revenue depends upon:

 

•       maintaining our user base;

 

•       broadening our relationships with advertisers to small and medium size businesses;

 

•       attracting advertisers to our user base;

 

•       increasing demand for our marketing services by advertisers, users, businesses and affiliates, including prices paid by advertisers, the number of searches performed by users, the rate at which users click-through to commercial search results and advertiser perception of the quality of leads generated by our marketing services;

 

•       the effectiveness, and acceptance by advertisers and affiliates of our systems improvements to increase monetization of our search marketing;

 

•       maintaining our affiliate program for our search marketing;

 

•       deriving better demographic and other information from our users; and

 

•       driving acceptance of the web by advertisers as an advertising medium.

 

In many cases, our agreements with advertisers have terms of one year or less, or, in the case of search marketing, may be terminated at any time by the advertiser.  Search marketing agreements often have payments dependent upon usage or click-through levels.  Accordingly, it is difficult to forecast marketing services revenues accurately.  However, our expense levels are based in part on expectations of future revenues, including occasional guaranteed minimum payments to our affiliates in connection with search marketing, and are fixed over the short-term with respect to certain categories.  Any reduction in spending by or loss of existing or potential future advertisers would cause our revenues to decline.  Further, we may be unable to adjust spending quickly enough to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall.

 

In certain markets, we depend on a limited number of sources to direct a significant percentage of users and businesses to our service to conduct searches and a loss of any of these sources could harm our operating results.

 

A significant percentage of users and businesses that conduct searches and access our search marketing listings comes from a limited number of sources in certain markets.  In addition to the Yahoo! Properties, sources for users are members of our affiliate network, including portals, browsers and other affiliates.  Our agreements with affiliates vary in duration, and depending on the agreement, provide varying levels of discretion to the affiliate in the implementation of search marketing, including the degree to which affiliates can modify the presentation of the search marketing listings on their websites or integrate search marketing with their own services.  The agreements may be terminable upon the occurrence of certain events, including failure to meet certain service levels, material breaches of agreement terms, changes in control or in some instances, at will.  We may not be successful in renewing our affiliate agreements on as favorable terms or at all.  The loss of affiliates providing significant users or businesses or an adverse change in implementation of search marketing by any of these affiliates could harm our ability to generate revenue, our operating results and cash flows from operations.

 

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We may not be able to generate substantial revenues from our alliances with Internet access providers.

 

Through alliances with Internet access providers, we offer access services that combine customized content and services from Yahoo! (including browser and other communications services) and Internet access from the third party access providers.  We may not be able to retain the alliances with our existing Internet access providers or to obtain new alliances with Internet access providers on terms that are reasonable.  In addition, these Internet access services compete with many large companies such as AOL, Microsoft, Comcast Corporation and other established Internet access providers.  In certain of these cases, our competition has substantially greater market presence (including an existing user base) and greater financial, technical, marketing or other resources.  As a result of these and other competitive factors, the Internet access providers with which we have formed alliances may not be able to attract, grow or retain their customer bases, which would negatively impact our ability to sell customized content and services through this channel and, in turn, reduce our anticipated revenues from our alliances.

 

Some of our shared revenue arrangements may not generate anticipated revenues.

 

We typically receive co-branded revenue through revenue sharing arrangements or a portion of transactions revenue.  In some cases, our revenue arrangements require that minimum levels of user impressions be provided by us.  These arrangements expose us to potentially significant financial risks in the event our usage levels decrease, including the following:

 

•       the revenue we are entitled to receive may be adjusted downwards;

 

•       we may be required to “make good” on our obligations by providing additional advertising or alternative services;

 

•       the partners or co-brand services may not renew the arrangements or may renew at lower rates; and

 

•       the arrangements may not generate anticipated levels of shared transactions revenue, or partners may default on the payment commitments in such agreements as has occurred in the past.

 

Accordingly, any leveling off or decrease of our user base (or usage by our existing base) or the failure to generate anticipated levels of shared transactions revenue could result in a significant decrease in our revenues.

 

Decreases or delays in advertising spending by our advertisers due to general economic conditions could harm our ability to generate advertising revenue.

 

Expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic conditions and budgeting and buying patterns.  Since we derive the majority of our revenues from advertising, any decreases in or delays in advertising spending due to general economic conditions could reduce our revenues or negatively impact our ability to grow our revenues.

 

Financial results for any particular period do not predict results for future periods.

 

There can be no assurance that the purchasing pattern of advertisers on the Yahoo! Properties will not fluctuate, that advertisers will not make smaller and shorter-term purchases, or that market prices for online advertising will not decrease due to competitive or other factors.  In addition, there can be no assurance that the volume of searches conducted, the amounts bid by advertisers for search marketing listings or the number of advertisers that bid in our search marketing marketplace will not vary widely from period to period.  As revenues from new sources increase, it may become more difficult to predict our financial results based on historical performance.  You should not rely on the results for any period as an indication of future performance.

 

We rely on the value of the Yahoo! brands, and a failure to maintain or enhance the Yahoo! brands in a cost-effective manner could harm our operating results.

 

We believe that maintaining and enhancing the Yahoo! brands is an important aspect of our efforts to attract and expand our user and advertiser base.  We also believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase due to the relatively low barriers to entry in the Internet market.  We have spent considerable money and resources to date on the establishment and maintenance of the Yahoo! brands, and we anticipate spending increasing amounts of money on, and devoting greater resources to, advertising, marketing and other brand-building efforts to preserve and enhance consumer awareness of the Yahoo! brands.  We may not be able to successfully maintain or enhance consumer awareness of the Yahoo! brands and, even if we are successful in our branding efforts, these efforts may not be cost-effective.  If we are unable to maintain or enhance customer awareness of the Yahoo! brands in a cost-effective manner, our business, operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

 

If we are unable to license or acquire compelling content at reasonable costs or if we do not develop compelling content, the number of users of our services may not grow as anticipated, or may decline, which could harm our operating results.

 

Our future success depends in part upon our ability to aggregate compelling content and deliver that content through our online properties.  We license much of the content on our online properties, such as news items, stock quotes, weather reports, maps

 

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and audio and video content from third parties.  We have been providing increasing amounts of audio and video content to our users, and we believe that users will increasingly demand high-quality audio and video content, such as music, film, speeches, news footage, concerts and other special events.  Such content may require us to make substantial payments to third parties from whom we license or acquire such content.  For example, our music and entertainment properties rely on major sports organizations, radio and television stations, record labels, music publishers, cable networks, businesses, colleges and universities, film producers and distributors, and other organizations for a large portion of the content available on our properties.  Our ability to maintain and build relationships with third-party content providers will be critical to our success.  In addition, as new methods for accessing the Internet become available, including through alternative devices, we may need to enter into amended content agreements with existing third-party content providers to cover the new devices.  Also, to the extent that Yahoo! develops content of its own, Yahoo!’s current and potential third-party content providers may view our services as competitive with their own, and this may adversely affect their willingness to contract with us.  We may be unable to enter into new, or preserve existing, relationships with the third parties whose content we seek to obtain.  In addition, as competition for compelling content increases both domestically and internationally, our content providers may increase the prices at which they offer their content to us, and potential content providers may not offer their content on terms agreeable to us.  An increase in the prices charged to us by third-party content providers could harm our operating results and financial condition.  Further, many of our content licenses with third parties are non-exclusive.  Accordingly, other webcasters and other media such as radio or television may be able to offer similar or identical content.  This increases the importance of our ability to deliver compelling editorial content and personalization of this content for users in order to differentiate Yahoo! from other businesses.  If we are unable to license or acquire compelling content at reasonable prices, if other companies broadcast content that is similar to or the same as that provided by Yahoo!, or if we do not develop compelling editorial content or personalization services, the number of users of our services may not grow as anticipated, or may decline, which could harm our operating results.

 

Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect them could reduce the value of our brand image and harm our business and our operating results.

 

We create, own and maintain a wide array of intellectual property assets, including copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets and rights to certain domain names, which we believe are among our most valuable assets.  We seek to protect our intellectual property assets through patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark and other laws of the United States and other countries of the world, and through contractual provisions.  The efforts we have taken to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective at stopping unauthorized use of those rights.  In addition, effective trademark, patent, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available or cost-effective in every country in which our products and media properties are distributed or made available through the Internet.  There may be instances where we are not able to fully protect or utilize our intellectual property assets in a manner to maximize competitive advantages.  Further, while we attempt to ensure that the quality of our brand is maintained by our licensees, our licensees may take actions that could impair the value of our brand, our proprietary rights or the reputation of our products and media properties.  We are aware that third parties have, from time to time, copied significant content available on Yahoo! for use in competitive Internet services.  Protection of the distinctive elements of Yahoo! may not be available under copyright law.  If we are unable to protect our proprietary rights from unauthorized use, the value of our brand image may be reduced.  Any impairment of our brand could negatively impact our business.  In addition, protecting our intellectual property and other proprietary rights is expensive and time consuming.  Any increase in the unauthorized use of our intellectual property could make it more expensive to do business and consequently harm our operating results.

 

We are, and may in the future be, subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which are costly to defend, could result in significant damage awards, and could limit our ability to provide certain content or use certain technologies in the future.

 

Internet, technology, media companies and patent holding companies often possess a significant number of patents.  Further, many of these companies and other parties are actively developing or purchasing search, indexing, electronic commerce and other Internet-related technologies, as well as a variety of online business models and methods.  We believe that these parties will continue to take steps to protect these technologies, including, but not limited to, seeking patent protection.  As a result, disputes regarding the ownership of technologies and rights associated with online business are likely to continue to arise in the future.  From time to time, parties assert patent infringement claims against us.  Currently, we are engaged in several lawsuits regarding patent issues and have been notified of a number of other potential disputes.

 

In addition to patent claims, third parties have asserted, and are likely in the future to assert, claims against us alleging infringement of copyrights, trademark rights, trade secret rights or other proprietary rights, or alleging unfair competition or violations of privacy rights or failure to maintain confidentiality of user data.  Currently, our subsidiary LAUNCH Media, Inc. (“LAUNCH”) is engaged in a lawsuit regarding copyright issues that commenced prior to our acquisition of LAUNCH.  In addition, third parties have made, and may continue to make, trademark infringement and related claims against us over the display of search results triggered by search terms that include trademark terms.  A court in France has held us liable for displaying search results triggered by certain trademarked terms, and we are appealing that decision.

 

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As we expand our business and develop new technologies, products and services, we may become increasingly subject to intellectual property infringement claims.  In the event that there is a determination that we have infringed third-party proprietary rights such as patents, copyrights, trademark rights, trade secret rights or other third party rights such as publicity and privacy rights, we could incur substantial monetary liability, be required to enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements or be prevented from using the rights, which could require us to change our business practices in the future and limit our ability to compete effectively.  We may also incur substantial expenses in defending against third-party infringement claims regardless of the merit of such claims.  In addition, many of our agreements with our customers or affiliates require us to indemnify them for certain third-party intellectual property infringement claims, which could increase our costs in defending such claims and our damages.  The occurrence of any of these results could harm our brand and negatively impact our operating results.

 

We are subject to United States and foreign government regulation of the Internet and Voice over Internet Protocol services which could subject us to claims and remedies including monetary liabilities and limitations on our business practices.

 

We are subject to regulations and laws directly applicable to providers of Internet and Voice over Internet Protocol services both domestically and internationally.  The application of existing domestic and international laws and regulations to Yahoo! relating to issues such as user privacy and data protection, defamation, pricing, advertising, taxation, gambling, sweepstakes, promotions, electronic payments, real estate, consumer protection, content regulation, quality of services, telecommunications and intellectual property ownership and infringement in many instances is unclear or unsettled.  In addition, we will also be subject to any new laws and regulations directly applicable to our domestic and international activities.  Further, the application of existing laws to Yahoo! or our subsidiaries regulating or requiring licenses for certain businesses of our advertisers including, for example, distribution of pharmaceuticals, alcohol, adult content, tobacco or firearms, as well as insurance and securities brokerage and legal services, can be unclear.  Internationally, we may also be subject to domestic laws regulating our activities in foreign countries and to foreign laws and regulations that are inconsistent from country to country.  We may incur substantial liabilities for expenses necessary to comply with these laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply.  Compliance with these laws and regulations may also cause us to change or limit our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

 

A number of U.S. federal laws, including those referenced below, impact our business.  The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) is intended, in part, to limit the liability of eligible online service providers for listing or linking to third-party websites that include materials that infringe copyrights or other rights of others.  Portions of the Communications Decency Act (“CDA”) are intended to provide statutory protections to online service providers who distribute third party content.  Yahoo! relies on the protections provided by both the DMCA and CDA in conducting its business.  Any changes in these laws or judicial interpretations narrowing their protections will subject us to greater risk of liability and may increase our costs of compliance with these regulations or limit our ability to operate certain lines of business.  The Children’s Online Protection Act and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act are intended to restrict the distribution of certain materials deemed harmful to children and impose additional restrictions on the ability of online services to collect user information from minors.  In addition, the Protection of Children From Sexual Predators Act of 1998 requires online service providers to report evidence of violations of federal child pornography laws under certain circumstances.  The costs of compliance with these regulations may increase in the future as a result of changes in the regulations or the interpretation of them.  Further, any failures on our part to comply with these regulations may subject us to significant liabilities.

 

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

 

Federal, state and international laws and regulations may govern the collection, use, sharing and security of data that we receive from our users and partners.  In addition, we have and post on our website our own privacy policies and practices concerning the collection, use and disclosure of user data.  Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any data-related consent orders, Federal Trade Commission requirements or other federal, state or international privacy-related laws and regulations could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, which could potentially have an adverse effect on our business.

 

Further, failure or perceived failure to comply with our policies or applicable requirements related to the collection, use, sharing or security of personal information or other privacy-related matters could result in a loss of user confidence in us and ultimately in a loss of users, partners or advertisers, which could adversely affect our business.

 

There are a large number of legislative proposals pending before the United States Congress, various state legislative bodies and foreign governments concerning privacy issues related to our business.  It is not possible to predict whether or when such legislation may be adopted.  Certain proposals, if adopted, could impose requirements that may result in a decrease in our user registrations and revenues.  In addition, the interpretation and application of user data protection laws are in a state of flux.  These laws may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our current data protection policies and practices.  Complying with these varying international requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

 

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Acquisitions and strategic investments could result in adverse impacts on our operations and in unanticipated liabilities.

 

We have acquired, and made strategic investments in, a number of companies (including through joint ventures) in the past and expect to make additional acquisitions and strategic investments in the future.  Such transactions may result in dilutive issuances of equity securities, use of our cash resources, incurrence of debt and amortization of expenses related to intangible assets.  Our acquisitions and strategic investments to date were accompanied by a number of risks, including:

 

•       the difficulty of assimilating the operations and personnel of our acquired companies into our operations;

 

•       the potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management;

 

•       additional operating losses and expenses of the businesses we acquired or in which we invested;

 

•       the difficulty of integrating acquired technology and rights into our services and unanticipated expenses related to such integration;

 

•       the failure to successfully further develop acquired technology resulting in the impairment of amounts currently capitalized as intangible assets;

 

•       the potential for patent and trademark infringement claims against the acquired company;

 

•       the impairment of relationships with customers and partners of the companies we acquired or in which we invested or our customers and partners as a result of the integration of acquired operations;

 

•       the impairment of relationships with employees of the acquired companies or our employees as a result of integration of new management personnel;

 

•       the difficulty of integrating the acquired company’s accounting, management information, human resources and other administrative systems;

 

•       our lack of, or limitations on, our control over the operations of our joint venture companies;

 

•       in the case of foreign acquisitions, uncertainty regarding foreign laws and regulations and difficulty integrating operations and systems as a result of cultural, systems and operational differences; and

 

•       the impact of known potential liabilities or unknown liabilities associated with the companies we acquired or in which we invested.

 

We are likely to experience similar risks in connection with our future acquisitions and strategic investments.  Our failure to be successful in addressing these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions and strategic investments could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions or investments, incur unanticipated liabilities and harm our business generally.

 

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

 

We are continuing to grow and diversify our business both in the United States and internationally.  As a result, we must expand and adapt our operational infrastructure and increase the number of our personnel in certain areas.  Our business relies on our data systems, billing systems for our fee based and other services, and other operational and financial reporting and control systems.  All of these systems have become increasingly complex in the recent past due to the growing diversification and complexity of our business and to acquisitions of new businesses with different systems.  To effectively manage this growth, we will need to continue to upgrade and improve our data systems, billing systems, and other operational and financial systems, procedures and controls.  In particular, as our premium and other services for which we bill users grow, any failure of our billing systems to accommodate the increasing number of transactions and accurately bill users could adversely affect our business and ability to collect revenue.  These upgrades and improvements will require a dedication of resources and in some cases are likely to be complex.  If we are unable to adapt our systems in a timely manner to accommodate our growth, our business may be adversely affected.

 

Additionally, we have experienced recent growth in personnel numbers and expect to continue to hire additional personnel in selected areas.  This growth requires significant time and resource commitments from our senior management.  Further, as a result of recent acquisitions and international expansion, more than one-half of our employees are based outside of our Sunnyvale, California headquarters.  If we are unable to effectively manage a large and geographically dispersed group of employees or to anticipate our future growth and personnel needs, our business may be adversely affected.

 

41



 

We have dedicated considerable resources to provide a variety of premium services, which may not prove to be successful in generating significant revenue for us.

 

We offer fee-based enhancements to many of our free services, including e-mail, personals, finance, games, music and sports.  The development cycles for these technologies are long and generally require significant investment by us.  We have previously discontinued certain non-profitable premium services.  We must however continue to provide new services that are compelling to our users while continuing to develop an effective method for generating revenues for such services.  General economic conditions may affect users’ willingness to pay for such services.  If we cannot generate revenues from these services that are greater than the cost of providing such services, our operating results could be harmed.

 

We expect our operating expenses to continue to increase as we attempt to expand the Yahoo! brand, fund product development, develop media properties and acquire other businesses or technologies, which could harm our operating results.

 

We currently expect that our operating expenses will continue to increase as we expand our operations in areas of expected growth, continue to develop and extend the Yahoo! brand, fund greater levels of product development, develop and commercialize additional media properties and premium services, and acquire and integrate complementary businesses and technologies.  If our expenses increase at a greater pace than our revenues, our operating results could be harmed.

 

If we are unable to retain our existing senior management and key personnel and hire new highly skilled personnel, we may not be able to execute our business plan.

 

We are substantially dependent on the continued services of our senior management, including our two founders, our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief technical officer, and our executive and senior vice presidents.  These individuals have acquired specialized knowledge and skills with respect to Yahoo! and its operations.  The loss of any of these individuals could harm our business.  Our business is also dependent on our ability to retain, hire and motivate talented, highly skilled personnel.  The competition for such highly skilled personnel can be intense, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, where our corporate headquarters is located.  Many of our management and key personnel have reached or will soon reach the four-year anniversary of their Yahoo! hiring date and, as a result, have become or will shortly become fully vested in their initial stock option grants.  Although employees receive additional grants, an employee may be more likely to leave Yahoo! upon completion of the vesting period for the initial option grant, which is generally the largest option grant an employee receives.  If we do not succeed in retaining and motivating our existing key employees and in attracting new key personnel, we may be unable to meet our business plan and as a result, our stock price may decline

 

More individuals are utilizing non-PC devices to access the Internet, and versions of our service developed or optimized for these devices may not gain widespread adoption by users, manufacturers or distributors of such devices.

 

The number of individuals who access the Internet through devices other than a personal computer, such as personal digital assistants, mobile telephones and television set-top devices, has increased dramatically.  Our services were originally designed for rich, graphical environments such as those available on desktop and laptop computers.  The lower resolution, functionality and memory associated with alternative devices currently available may make the use of our services through such devices difficult, and the versions of our service developed for these devices may not be compelling to users, manufacturers or distributors of alternative devices.  As we have limited experience to date in operating versions of our service developed or optimized for users of alternative devices, and as new devices and new platforms are continually being released, it is difficult to predict the problems we may encounter in doing so, and we may need to devote significant resources to the creation, support and maintenance of such versions.  If we are unable to attract and retain a substantial number of alternative device users to our online services, we may fail to capture a sufficient share of an increasingly important portion of the market for online services and may fail to attract both advertisers and premium service subscribers.

 

We plan to expand operations in international markets in which we may have limited experience or rely on business partners, and in which we are faced with relatively higher costs.

 

We plan to expand Yahoo! branded online properties and search offerings in international markets.  We have currently developed, through joint ventures, strategic investments, subsidiaries and branch offices, localized offerings in over 20 countries outside of the United States.  As we expand into new international markets, we will have only limited experience in marketing and operating our products and services in such markets.  In other instances, including our strategic investment in Alibaba, we may rely on the efforts and abilities of foreign business partners in such markets.  We have experienced and expect to continue to experience higher costs as a percentage of revenues in connection with the development and maintenance of our international online properties relative to our domestic experience.  Certain international markets may be slower than domestic markets in adopting the Internet as an advertising and commerce medium and so our operations in international markets may not develop at a rate that supports our level of investment.

 

42



 

In international markets we compete with local Internet service providers that may have competitive advantages.

 

In a number of international markets, especially those in Asia, Europe and Latin America, we face substantial competition from local Internet service providers and other portals that offer search, communications and other commercial services.  Many of these companies have a dominant market share in their territories and are owned by local telecommunications providers which give them a competitive advantage.  Local providers of competing online services may also have a substantial advantage over us in attracting users in their country due to more established branding in that country, greater knowledge with respect to the tastes and preferences of users residing in that country and/or their focus on a single market.  Further, the local providers may have greater regulatory and operational flexibility than Yahoo! due to the fact that we are subject to both United States and foreign regulatory requirements.  We must continue to improve our local offerings, become more knowledgeable about our local users and their preferences, deepen our relationships with our local users as well as increase our branding and other marketing activities in order to remain competitive and strengthen our international market position.

 

Our international operations are subject to increased risks which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

In addition to uncertainty about our ability to continue to generate revenues from our foreign operations and expand our international market position, there are certain risks inherent in doing business internationally, including:

 

•       trade barriers and changes in trade regulations;

 

•       difficulties in developing, staffing and simultaneously managing a large number of varying foreign operations as a result of distance, language and cultural differences;

 

•       stringent local labor laws and regulations;

 

•       longer payment cycles;

 

•       currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

•       political or social unrest or economic instability;

 

•       import or export restrictions;

 

•       seasonal volatility in business activity;

 

•       risks related to government regulation or required compliance with local laws in certain jurisdictions, including those more fully described above; and

 

•       potentially adverse tax consequences.

 

One or more of these factors could harm our future international operations and consequently, could harm our brand, business, operating results and financial condition.

 

We may be subject to legal liability for online services.

 

We host a wide variety of services that enable individuals and businesses to exchange information, generate content, advertise products and services, conduct business and engage in various online activities on an international basis.  The law relating to the liability of providers of these online services for activities of their users is currently unsettled both within the United States and internationally.  Claims have been threatened and have been brought against us for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, unlawful activity, tort, including personal injury, fraud, or other theories based on the nature and content of information that we provide links to or that may be posted online or generated by our users or with respect to auctioned materials.  In addition, Yahoo! was the subject of a claim brought by certain entities in a French court regarding, among other things, the availability of certain content within our services which was alleged to violate French law.  We may be subject to similar actions in domestic or other international jurisdictions in the future.  Our defense of any such actions could be costly and involve significant time and attention of our management and other resources.

 

We also periodically enter into arrangements to offer third-party products, services or content under the Yahoo! brand or via distribution on the Yahoo! Properties, including stock quotes and trading information.  We may be subject to claims concerning these products, services or content by virtue of our involvement in marketing, branding, broadcasting or providing access to them, even if we do not ourselves host, operate, provide, or provide access to these products, services or content.  While our agreements with respect to these products, services and content, often provide that we will be indemnified against such liabilities, the ability to receive such indemnification depends on the financial resources of the other party to the agreement and any amounts received may not be adequate to cover our liabilities.

 

43



 

It is also possible that, if any information provided directly by us contains errors or is otherwise negligently provided to users, third parties could make claims against us.  For example, we offer web-based e-mail services, which expose us to potential risks, such as liabilities or claims resulting from unsolicited e-mail, lost or misdirected messages, illegal or fraudulent use of e-mail, or interruptions or delays in e-mail service.  Investigating and defending any of these types of claims is expensive, even to the extent that the claims are without merit or do not ultimately result in liability.

 

We may have difficulty scaling and adapting our existing technology architecture to accommodate increased traffic and technology advances or requirements of our users and advertisers.

 

As one of the most highly trafficked websites on the Internet, Yahoo! delivers a growing number of products, services and page views to an increasing number of users around the world.  In addition, the products and services offered by Yahoo! have expanded and changed significantly and are expected to continue to expand and change rapidly in the future to accommodate new technologies and new means of content delivery, such as rich media audio and video.  Our future success will depend on our ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, to adapt our products and services to evolving industry standards and to improve the performance and reliability of our products and services.  Rapid increases in the levels or types of use of our online properties and services could result in delays or interruptions in our service.

 

Widespread adoption of new Internet, networking or telecommunications technologies or other technological changes could require substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our services or infrastructure.  The technology architectures utilized for our services are highly complex and may not provide satisfactory support in the future, as usage increases and products and services expand, change and become more complex.  In the future, we may make significant changes to our architectures, including moving to completely new architectures and systems.  Such changes may be technologically challenging to develop and implement, may cause us to incur substantial costs or data loss, and may cause users, advertisers, and affiliates to experience delays or interruptions in our service.  These changes, delays or interruptions in our service may cause users, advertisers and affiliates to become dissatisfied with our service and move to competing providers of online services.  Further, to the extent that demands for our services increase, we will need to expand our infrastructure, including the capacity of our hardware servers and the sophistication of our software.  This expansion is likely to be expensive and complex and require additional technical expertise.  As we acquire users who rely upon us for a wide variety of services, it becomes more technologically complex and costly to retrieve, store and integrate data that will enable us to track each user’s preferences.  Any difficulties experienced in adapting our architectures and infrastructure to accommodate increased traffic, to store user data and track user preferences, together with the associated costs and potential loss of traffic, could harm our operating results, cash flows from operations and financial condition.

 

Our business depends on the continued growth and maintenance of the Internet infrastructure.

 

The success and the availability of our Internet-based products and services depends in part upon the continued growth and maintenance of the Internet infrastructure itself, including its protocols, architecture, network backbone, data capacity and security.  Spam, viruses, worms, spyware, denial of service attacks and other acts of malice may affect not only the Internet’s speed, reliability and availability but also its continued desirability as a vehicle for commerce, information and user engagement.  If the Internet proves unable to meet the new threats and increased demands placed upon it, our business plans, user and advertiser relationships, site traffic and revenues could be adversely affected.

 

New technologies could block our advertisements or our search marketing listings, which would harm our operating results.

 

Technologies have been developed and are likely to continue to be developed that can block the display of our advertisements or our search marketing listings.  Most of our revenues are derived from fees paid to us by advertisers in connection with the display of advertisements or our search marketing listings on web pages.  As a result, advertisement-blocking technology could reduce the number of advertisements and search results that we are able to deliver and, in turn, our advertising revenues and operating results.

 

44



 

We rely on third party providers for our principal Internet connections and technologies, databases and services critical to our properties and services, and any errors, failures or disruption in the services provided by these third parties could significantly harm our business and operating results.

 

We rely on private third-party providers for our principal Internet connections, co-location of a significant portion of our data servers and network access.  Any disruption, from natural disasters, technology malfunctions, sabotage or other factors, in the Internet or network access or co-location services provided by these third-party providers or any failure of these third-party providers to handle current or higher volumes of use could significantly harm our business, operating results and financial condition.  We have little control over these third-party providers, which increases our vulnerability to disruptions or problems with their services.  Any financial difficulties experienced by our providers may have negative effects on our business, the nature and extent of which we cannot predict.  We license technology and related databases from third parties for certain elements of our properties, including, among others, technology underlying the delivery of news, stock quotes and current financial information, chat services, street mapping and telephone listings, streaming capabilities and similar services.  We have experienced and expect to continue to experience interruptions and delays in service and availability for such elements.  We also rely on a third-party provider for key components of our e-mail service.  Furthermore, we depend on hardware and software suppliers for prompt delivery, installation and service of servers and other equipment to deliver our services.  Any errors, failures, interruptions or delays experienced in connection with these third-party technologies and information services could negatively impact our relationship with users and adversely affect our brand, our business and operating results.

 

We rely on distribution agreements and relationships with various third parties, and any failure to obtain or maintain such distribution relationships on reasonable terms could impair our ability to fully execute our business plan.

 

In addition to our relationships with Internet access providers, to increase traffic for our offerings and make them more available and attractive to advertisers and users, we have certain distribution agreements and informal relationships with operators of online networks and leading websites, software companies, electronics companies, and computer manufacturers.  Depending on the distributor and the agreement, these distribution arrangements may not be exclusive and may only have a short term.  Some of our distributors, particularly distributors who are also competitors or potential competitors, may not renew their distribution agreements with us.  In addition, as new methods for accessing the Internet become available, including through alternative devices, we may need to enter into amended distributions agreements with existing distributors to cover the new devices and agreements with additional distributors.  In the future, existing and potential distributors may not offer distribution of our properties and services to us on reasonable terms, or at all.  If we fail to obtain distribution or to obtain distribution on terms that are reasonable, we may not be able to fully execute our business plan.

 

We rely on third party providers of streaming media products to stream audio and video content to our users, and any change in the licensing terms, costs, availability or user acceptance of these products could adversely affect our business.

 

We rely on leading providers of streaming media products to license the software necessary to stream audio and video content to our users.  There can be no assurance that these providers will continue to license these products to us on reasonable terms, or at all.  Our users are currently able to electronically download copies of the software to play streaming media free of charge, but providers of streaming media products may begin charging users for copies of their player software or otherwise change their business model in a manner that slows the widespread acceptance of these products.  In order for our rich media services to be successful, there must be a large base of users of these streaming media products.  We have limited or no control over the availability or acceptance of streaming media software, and to the extent that any of these circumstances occur, our business may be adversely affected.

 

If we fail to detect click spam, we could lose the confidence of our advertisers, thereby causing a loss of advertisers and revenue.

 

We are exposed to the risk of clicks on our advertisements by persons seeking to increase the fees paid by our advertisers.  Click spam may occur when a click is generated on one of our advertiser’s listings displayed on a website in order to generate a payment rather than to view the underlying content.  This type of activity could damage our brand.  If click spam is not detected, the affected advertisers may perceive a reduced return on their investment in our advertising programs because those clicks will not lead to potential revenue for the advertisers.  This could lead the advertisers to become dissatisfied with our advertising programs, which could lead to loss of advertisers and revenue.  If this activity occurs and we are unable to stop it, we may have to provide refunds of revenue that our advertisers have paid to us and that was later attributed to click spam, in order to prevent damage to our brand.

 

45



 

Interruptions, delays or failures in the provision of our services could damage our brand and harm our operating results.

 

Our operations are susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorist attacks and similar events.  In addition, a significant portion of our network infrastructure is located in Northern California, an area subject to earthquakes.  Despite our implementation of network security measures, our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, worms, physical and electronic break-ins, sabotage and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems.  For example, we are vulnerable to coordinated attempts to overload our systems with data, resulting in denial or reduction of service to some or all of our users for a period of time.  We have experienced a coordinated denial of service attack in the past, and may experience such attempts in the future.  We do not have multiple site capacity for all of our services and some of our systems are not fully redundant in the event of any such occurrence.  In an effort to reduce the likelihood of a geographical or other disaster impacting our business, we have distributed and intend to continue distributing our servers among additional data centers located around the world.  Failure to execute these changes properly or in a timely manner could result in delays or interruptions to our service, which could result in a loss of users and damage to our brand, and harm our operating results.  We may not carry sufficient business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result of any events, which cause interruptions in our service.

 

We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings if our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets become impaired.

 

We are required under generally accepted accounting principles to review our amortizable intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.  Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at least annually.  Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable include a decline in stock price and market capitalization, and slower growth rates in our industry.  We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our consolidated financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets is determined.  This may adversely impact our results of operations.

 

Our stock price has been volatile historically and may continue to be volatile regardless of our operating performance.

 

The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations.  During the quarter ended March 31 2006, the closing sale prices of our common stock on the Nasdaq ranged from $30.07 to $43.42 per share and the closing sale price on May 2, 2006 was $31.85 per share.  Our stock price may fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, such as quarterly variations in operating results; announcements of technological innovations or new services and media properties by us or our competitors; changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts; the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us; the operating performance of companies in which we have an equity investment, including Yahoo! Japan and Alibaba; the stock price of companies in which we have an equity investment, including Yahoo! Japan; and news reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions.

 

In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for Internet-related companies in particular, have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies.  These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our stock, regardless of our operating performance.  Additionally, volatility or a lack of positive performance in our stock price may adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, all of whom have been granted stock options or other equity-based awards.

 

Anti-takeover provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us.

 

We have adopted a stockholder rights plan and initially declared a dividend distribution of one right for each outstanding share of common stock to stockholders of record as of March 20, 2001.  As a result of our two-for-one stock split effective May 11, 2004, each share of common stock is now associated with one-half of one right.  Each right entitles the holder to purchase one unit consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for $250 per unit.  Under certain circumstances, if a person or group acquires 15 percent or more of our outstanding common stock, holders of the rights (other than the person or group triggering their exercise) will be able to purchase, in exchange for the $250 exercise price, shares of our common stock or of any company into which we are merged having a value of $500.  The rights expire on March 1, 2011, unless extended by our Board of Directors.  Because the rights may substantially dilute the stock ownership of a person or group attempting to take us over without the approval of our Board of Directors, our rights plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us (or a significant percentage of our outstanding capital stock) without first negotiating with our Board of Directors regarding that acquisition.

 

In addition, our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (of which 2,000,000 shares have been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock) and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders.

 

46



 

The rights of the holders of our common stock may be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future.  The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change of control of Yahoo! without further action by the stockholders and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.  Further, certain provisions of our charter documents, including provisions eliminating the ability of stockholders to take action by written consent and limiting the ability of stockholders to raise matters at a meeting of stockholders without giving advance notice, may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control or management of Yahoo!, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.  In addition, our charter documents do not permit cumulative voting, which may make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of our Board of Directors.  Further, we are subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which will prohibit us from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, even if such combination is favored by a majority of stockholders, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.  The application of Section 203 also could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or management.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Share repurchase activity during the three months ended March 31, 2006 was as follows:

 

Period

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)

 

Average
Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number
of Shares Purchased as
Part of a
Publicly Announced
Program

 

Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased Under
the Programs
(in 000s) (1) (2)

 

January 1 - January 31, 2006

 

509,400

 

$

35.15

 

509,400

 

$

2,759,253

 

February 1 - February 28, 2006

 

17,462,767

 

$

34.34

 

17,462,767

 

$

2,159,580

 

March 1 - March 31, 2006

 

4,100,000

 

$

32.03

 

4,100,000

 

$

2,028,262

 

Total

 

22,072,167

 

$

33.93

 

22,072,167

 

 

 

 

(1)             The shares repurchased in the three months ended March 31,2006 were under our stock repurchase program that was announced in March 2005 with an authorized level of $3 billion.  This program will expire in March 2010.

 

(2)             As of March 31, 2006 we had unsettled structured stock transactions in the amount of $635 million.  These transactions will mature in separate tranches in April, May, and July 2006.  On each of the maturity dates, if the market price of Yahoo! common stock is above $33.99 for the $250 million tranche maturing in April 2006, $38.66 for the $135 million tranche maturing in May 2006, and $33.90 for the $50 million tranche maturing in July 2006, and at or above $34.50 for the $200 million tranche maturing in July 2006, we will have our investments returned with a premium.  On each of the remaining maturity dates, if the market price of our common stock is at or below such pre-determined prices, (with the exception of the $200 million tranche where if the market price of our common stock at maturity is below such pre-determined price), we will repurchase our common stock, up to an aggregate of 20.1 million shares.  Any repurchases under these structured stock repurchase transactions will be reported in the quarter or quarters in which they occur.  While outstanding, these structured stock repurchase transactions reduce the dollar value of additional shares that may be repurchased under our current program to approximately $1.4 billion as of March 31, 2006.

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

Item 5.  Other Information

 

None.

 

47



 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

a.               Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed with this report as indicated below (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on From 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2006 [the March 22, 2006 Form 8-K] and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1

 

Form of Senior Indenture (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-46458, filed September 22, 2000 [the September 22, 2000 Form S-3] and incorporated herein by reference).

4.2

 

Form of Subordinated Indenture (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the September 22, 2000 Form S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.3**

 

Form of Senior Note.

4.4**

 

Form of Subordinated Note.

4.5**

 

Form of Certificate of Designation for preferred stock (together with preferred stock certificate).

4.6

 

Form of Deposit Agreement (together with Depository Receipt) (Filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the September 22, 2000 Form S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.7**

 

Form of Warrant Agreement (together with form of Warrant Certificate).

4.8

 

Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2005, between the Registrant and Equiserve Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent, including the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B and the summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 4, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.9

 

Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2003 by and between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 10, 2003 [the April 10, 2003 Form 8-K] and incorporated herein by reference).

4.10

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2003, among the Registrant and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the April 10, 2003 Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1+

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement with certain of the Registrant’s officers and directors (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the March 22, 2006 Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference)

10.22+*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Yahoo! Inc. Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan.

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 5, 2006.

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 5, 2006.

32*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 5, 2006.

 


*                 Filed herewith.

 

**          To be filed by a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K or, where applicable, incorporated herein by reference from a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

+                 Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

48



 

Signatures

 

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

 

 

 

YAHOO! INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ SUSAN DECKER

Dated: May 5, 2006

 

Susan Decker
Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration,
and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer)

 

By:

/s/ MICHAEL MURRAY

Dated: May 5, 2006

 

Michael Murray
Senior Vice President, Finance (Principal Accounting
Officer)

 

49



 

YAHOO! INC.

Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on From 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2006 [the March 22, 2006 Form 8-K] and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1

 

Form of Senior Indenture (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-46458, filed September 22, 2000 [the September 22, 2000 Form S-3] and incorporated herein by reference).

4.2

 

Form of Subordinated Indenture (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the September 22, 2000 Form S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.3**

 

Form of Senior Note.

4.4**

 

Form of Subordinated Note.

4.5**

 

Form of Certificate of Designation for preferred stock (together with preferred stock certificate).

4.6

 

Form of Deposit Agreement (together with Depository Receipt) (Filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the September 22, 2000 Form S-3 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.7**

 

Form of Warrant Agreement (together with form of Warrant Certificate).

4.8

 

Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2005, between the Registrant and Equiserve Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent, including the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B and the summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 4, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.9

 

Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2003 by and between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 10, 2003 [the April 10, 2003 Form 8-K] and incorporated herein by reference).

4.10

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2003, among the Registrant and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the April 10, 2003 Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1+

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement with certain of the Registrant’s officers and directors (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the March 22, 2006 Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference) 

10.22+*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Yahoo! Inc. Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan.

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 5, 2006.

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 5, 2006.

32*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 5, 2006.

 


*                 Filed herewith.

 

**          To be filed by a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K or, where applicable, incorporated herein by reference from a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

+                 Indicates a management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

50


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