10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended February 28, 2017

OR

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

For the transition period from ______to ______

Commission File Number: 1-11869

FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	13-3362547
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

601 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut	06851
(Address of principal executive office)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 810-1000

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐Smaller reporting company ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐   No ☒

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value, as of March 31, 2017 was 39,458,289.

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended February 28, 2017

Index

		Page
Part I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016	3
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016	4
	Consolidated Balance Sheets at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016	6
	Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	31
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	44
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	46
Part II	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	47
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	47
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	47
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	47
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	47
Item 5.	Other Information	47
Item 6.	Exhibits	48
	Signatures	48
For additional information about FactSet Research Systems Inc. and access to its Annual Reports to Stockholders and Securities and Exchange Commission filings, free of charge, please visit the website at http://investor.factset.com. Any information on or linked from the website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q.

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME – Unaudited

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016			February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Revenues	$	294,354		$	281,796		$	582,417		$	552,300
Operating expenses
Cost of services		131,635			123,911			258,885			238,647
Selling, general and administrative		70,973			72,541			141,467			141,001
Total operating expenses		202,608			196,452			400,352			379,648
Operating income		91,746			85,344			182,065			172,652
Other expense
Loss on sale of business		(1,208	)		—			(1,223	)		—
Interest expense, net of interest income		(1,048	)		(424	)		(1,532	)		(331	)
Total other expense		(2,256	)		(424	)		(2,755	)		(331	)
Income before income taxes		89,490			84,920			179,310			172,321
Provision for income taxes		22,780			17,157			46,017			44,594
Net income	$	66,710		$	67,763		$	133,293		$	127,727
Basic earnings per common share	$	1.69		$	1.65		$	3.36		$	3.10
Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.68		$	1.63		$	3.34		$	3.06
Basic weighted average common shares		39,489			41,117			39,659			41,252
Diluted weighted average common shares		39,700			41,536			39,900			41,799

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

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FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – Unaudited

	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
(In thousands)	February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016			February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Net income	$	66,710	$	67,763		$	133,293		$	127,727
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges*		1,401		(1,819	)		1,848			(2,236	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		861		(10,364	)		(10,636	)		(16,750	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,262		(12,183	)		(8,788	)		(18,986	)
Comprehensive income	$	68,972	$	55,580		$	124,505		$	108,741

*For the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, the unrealized gain on cash flow hedges was net of tax expense of $817 and $1,078, respectively. For the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, the unrealized loss on cash flow hedges was net of tax benefits of $1,068 and $1,311 respectively.

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

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FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
(In thousands, except share data)	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	155,351		$	228,407
Investments		30,003			24,217
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $1,692 at February 28, 2017 and $1,521 at August 31, 2016		130,825			97,797
Prepaid taxes		4,760			—
Deferred taxes		2,693			3,158
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		20,408			15,697
Total current assets		344,040			369,276
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost		268,795			253,274
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(179,345	)		(168,652	)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		89,450			84,622
Goodwill		506,832			452,915
Intangible assets, net		104,695			93,161
Deferred taxes		8,862			13,406
Other assets		7,950			5,781
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,061,829		$	1,019,161
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	51,121		$	45,836
Accrued compensation		33,183			51,036
Deferred fees		37,252			33,247
Deferred taxes		767			291
Taxes payable		13,056			7,781
Dividends payable		19,709			20,019
Total current liabilities		155,088			158,210
Long-term debt		365,000			300,000
Deferred taxes		2,947			1,708
Taxes payable		10,029			8,782
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities		35,535			33,080
TOTAL LIABILITIES	$	568,599		$	501,780
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 18)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued	$	—		$	—
Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 51,658,197 and 51,150,978 shares issued; 39,418,826 and 40,038,225 shares outstanding at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively		517			512
Additional paid-in capital		704,522			623,195
Treasury stock, at cost: 12,239,371 and 11,112,753 shares at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively		(1,512,127	)		(1,321,700	)
Retained earnings		1,377,659			1,283,927
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(77,341	)		(68,553	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	493,230		$	517,381
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,061,829		$	1,019,161

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

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FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – Unaudited

	Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	133,293		$	127,727
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		20,649			18,260
Stock-based compensation expense		13,611			15,027
Loss on sale of business		1,223			—
Deferred income taxes		3,032			732
Loss on disposition of assets		142			—
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		(8,995	)		(10,804	)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
Accounts receivable, net of reserves		(30,998	)		(5,683	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		3,352			1,930
Accrued compensation		(17,699	)		(10,180	)
Deferred fees		1,152			913
Taxes payable, net of prepaid taxes		10,561			15,138
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(3,982	)		1,816
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities		2,774			9,372
Other working capital accounts, net		(57	)		(22	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		128,058			164,226
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(71,689	)		(264,087	)
Purchases of investments		(25,149	)		(12,530	)
Proceeds from sales of investments		19,501			12,423
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		(18,046	)		(26,438	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(95,383	)		(290,632	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividend payments		(39,568	)		(36,132	)
Repurchases of common stock		(166,427	)		(115,695	)
Proceeds from debt		65,000			265,000
Sale of business		(1,223	)		—
Debt issuance costs		—			(12	)
Proceeds from employee stock plans		34,725			26,848
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		8,995			10,804
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(98,498	)		150,813
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(7,233	)		(8,151	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(73,056	)		16,256
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		228,407			158,914
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	155,351		$	175,170

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

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

February 28, 2017

(Unaudited)

1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company” or “FactSet”) is a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications and industry-leading service for the global investment community. The Company delivers insight and information to investment professionals through its analytics, service, content, and technology. By integrating comprehensive datasets and analytics across asset classes with client data, FactSet supports the workflow of both the buy-side and sell-side. These professionals include portfolio managers, wealth managers, research and performance analysts, risk managers, sell-side equity research professionals, investment bankers, and fixed income professionals. From streaming real-time data to historical information, including quotes, estimates, news and commentary, FactSet offers unique and third-party content through desktop, wireless and off-platform solutions. The Company’s wide application suite offers tools and resources including company and industry analyses, full screening tools, portfolio analysis, risk profiles, alpha-testing, portfolio optimization and research management solutions. The Company’s revenues are derived from subscriptions to products and services such as workstations, analytics, enterprise data, research management, and trade execution.

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

FactSet conducts business globally and is managed on a geographic basis. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany activity and balances have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying financial data as of February 28, 2017 and for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 has been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The August 31, 2016 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 that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The information in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows include all normal adjustments in order to present fairly the results of the Company’s operations for the periods presented in conformity with GAAP.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date that the financial statements were issued.

3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

As of the beginning of fiscal 2017, FactSet implemented all applicable new accounting standards and updates issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that were in effect. There were no new standards or updates adopted during the first six months of fiscal 2017 that had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014 and July 2015, the FASB issued accounting standard updates which provide clarified principles for recognizing revenue arising from contracts with clients and supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. These accounting standard updates will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption in fiscal 2018 permitted and allow for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these accounting standard updates on its consolidated financial statements and the method of adoption.

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Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

In November 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to simplify the presentation of deferred taxes on the balance sheet. The accounting standard update will require an entity to present all deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as non-current on the balance sheet. Under the current guidance, entities are required to separately present deferred taxes as current or non-current. Netting deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities by tax jurisdiction will still be required under the new guidance. This guidance will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, with early adoption in fiscal 2017 permitted. The accounting standard update is a change in balance sheet presentation only and, as such, the Company does not believe this new accounting standard update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to amend its current guidance on the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments. The accounting standard update significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. This guidance also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. This guidance will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update related to accounting for leases. The guidance introduces a lessee model that requires most leases to be reported on the balance sheet. The accounting standard update aligns many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in the FASB’s new revenue recognition standard. The guidance also eliminates the requirement in current U.S. GAAP for an entity to use bright-line tests in determining lease classification. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, with early adoption in fiscal 2019 permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Payments

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flow. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Cash Flow Simplification

In August 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which simplifies how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This includes revised guidance on the cash flow classification of debt prepayments and debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination and distributions received from equity method investments. The guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice across all industries. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes on Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets

In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which removes the prohibition against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice related to the tax consequences of certain types of intra-entity asset transfers, particularly those involving intellectual property. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill Impairment Test

In January 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which removes the requirement for companies to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective as of February 28, 2017 have had or are expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

8

4. FAIR VALUE MEASURES

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the use of various valuation methodologies, including market, income and cost approaches is permissible. The Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. 

Fair Value Hierarchy

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value based on the reliability of inputs. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. FactSet has categorized its cash equivalents, investments and derivatives within the fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level 1 – applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These Level 1 assets and liabilities include the Company’s corporate money market funds that are classified as cash equivalents.

Level 2 – applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. The Company’s certificates of deposit, mutual funds and derivative instruments are classified as Level 2.

Level 3 – applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. There were no Level 3 assets or liabilities held by the Company as of February 28, 2017 or August 31, 2016.

(a) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables shows by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016:

	Fair Value Measurements at February 28, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Corporate money market funds (1)	$	15,355	$	—	$	—	$	15,355
Mutual funds (2)		—		11,240		—		11,240
Certificates of deposit (3)		—		18,763		—		18,763
Derivative instruments (4)		—		2,817		—		2,817
Total assets measured at fair value	$	15,355	$	32,820	$	—	$	48,175
Liabilities
Derivative instruments (4)	$	—	$	1,813	$	—	$	1,813
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	1,813	$	—	$	1,813

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	Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Corporate money market funds (1)	$	92,765	$	—	$	—	$	92,765
Certificates of deposit (3)		—		24,217		—		24,217
Derivative instruments (4)		—		869		—		869
Total assets measured at fair value	$	92,765	$	25,086	$	—	$	117,851
Liabilities
Derivative instruments (4)	$	—	$	2,791	$	—	$	2,791
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	2,791	$	—	$	2,791

⁽¹⁾ The Company’s corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value. As such, the Company’s corporate money market funds are classified as Level 1 and included in cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽²⁾ The Company’s mutual funds have a fair value based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the mutual funds allocated to each share of the mutual fund using a net asset value approach. The fair value of the underlying investments is based on observable inputs. As such, the Company’s mutual funds are classified as Level 2 and are classified as investments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽³⁾ The Company’s certificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽⁴⁾ The Company utilizes the income approach to measure fair value for its derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). The income approach uses pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as spot, forward and interest rates, as well as credit default swap spreads and therefore are classified as Level 2.

The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the periods presented.

(b) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets, including goodwill and intangible assets, and liabilities, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances such as when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The fair values of these non-financial assets and liabilities are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available, and may include quoted market prices, market comparables, and discounted cash flow projections. An impairment charge is recorded when the cost exceeds its fair value, based upon the results of such valuations. During the six months ended February 28, 2017, no fair value adjustments or material fair value measurements were required for the Company’s non-financial assets or liabilities.

(c) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for Disclosure Purposes only

As of February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was $365.0 million and $300.0 million, respectively, which approximated its carrying amount given its floating interest rate basis. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was determined based on quoted market prices for debt with a similar maturity, and thus categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Cash Flow Hedges

FactSet conducts business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen and Philippine Peso. As such, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar. The Company utilizes derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts) to manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations and reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The Company does not enter into foreign currency forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes. In designing a specific hedging approach, FactSet considered several factors, including offsetting exposures, the significance of exposures, the forecasting of risk and the potential effectiveness of the hedge. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts offset the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings. There was no discontinuance of cash flow hedges during the first six months of fiscal 2017 and 2016, and as such, no corresponding gains or losses related to changes in the value of the Company’s contracts were reclassified into earnings prior to settlement.

As of February 28, 2017, FactSet maintained the following foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposures:

● British Pound Sterling - foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 50% of its British Pound Sterling exposure through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

● Indian Rupee - foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 75% of its Indian Rupee exposure through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

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The following is a summary of all hedging positions and corresponding fair values:

(in thousands)	Gross Notional Value				Fair Value (Liability) Asset
Currency Hedged (in U.S. dollars)	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016		February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
British Pound Sterling	$	16,369	$	33,280	$	(1,813	)	$	(2,791	)
Indian Rupee		62,960		58,410		2,817			869
Total	$	79,329	$	91,690	$	1,004		$	(1,922	)

As of February 28, 2017, the gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase British Pound Sterling with U.S. dollars was £11.7 million. The gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs. 4.6 billion.

Counterparty Credit Risk

As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk. FactSet has incorporated counterparty risk into the fair value of its derivative assets and its own credit risk into the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities. FactSet calculates credit risk from observable data related to credit default swaps (“CDS”) as quoted by publicly available information. Counterparty risk is represented by CDS spreads related to the senior secured debt of the respective bank with whom FactSet has executed these derivative transactions. Because CDS spread information is not available for FactSet, the Company’s credit risk is determined based on using a simple average of CDS spreads for peer companies. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, FactSet enters into contracts with large financial institutions and regularly reviews its credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparties. The Company does not expect any losses as a result of default of its counterparties.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments 

The following table provides the fair value of derivative instruments:

(in thousands) Designation of Derivatives	Balance Sheet Location	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	Assets: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,103	$	163
	Other assets	$	1,714	$	706
	Liabilities: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	1,813	$	2,791

All derivatives were designated as hedging instruments as of February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively.

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

The following table provides the pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:

(in thousands)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL on Derivatives (Effective Portion)					Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)	Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	2017		2016				2017			2016
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	1,188	$	(2,891	)	SG&A	$	(1,030	)	$	(4	)

The following table provides the pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:

(in thousands)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL on Derivatives (Effective Portion)					Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)	(Loss) Gain Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	2017		2016				2017			2016
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	539	$	(3,496	)	SG&A	$	(2,387	)	$	52

No amount of ineffectiveness was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for these designated cash flow hedges and all components of each derivative’s gain or loss was included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. As of February 28, 2017, FactSet estimates that approximately $0.7 million of net derivative losses related to its cash flow hedges included in AOCL will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

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Offsetting of Derivative Instruments

FactSet’s master netting and other similar arrangements with its respective counterparties allow for net settlement under certain conditions. As of February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, there were no net settlements recorded on Consolidated Balance Sheets.

6. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and amounts reclassified out of AOCL into earnings during the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 are as follows:

	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
(in thousands)	Pre-tax		Net of tax		Pre-tax			Net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	861	$	861	$	(10,364	)	$	(10,364	)
Realized loss on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings (1)		1,030		651		4			3
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		1,188		750		(2,891	)		(1,822	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	3,081	$	2,262	$	(13,251	)	$	(12,183	)

⁽¹⁾ Reclassified to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The components of other comprehensive loss and amounts reclassified out of AOCL into earnings during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 are as follows:

	February 28, 2017						February 29, 2016
(in thousands)	Pre-tax			Net of tax			Pre-tax			Net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(10,636	)	$	(10,636	)	$	(16,750	)	$	(16,750	)
Realized loss (gain) on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings (1)		2,387			1,508			(52	)		(32	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		539			340			(3,496	)		(2,204	)
Other comprehensive loss	$	(7,708	)	$	(8,788	)	$	(20,298	)	$	(18,986	)

⁽¹⁾ Reclassified to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The components of AOCL are as follows:

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax	$	633		$	(1,215	)
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments		(77,974	)		(67,338	)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(77,341	)	$	(68,553	)

7. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. Financial information at the operating segment level is reviewed jointly by the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and senior management. Senior management consists of executives who directly report to the CEO, consisting of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Global Head of Sales, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer. Senior management, along with the CEO, constitute FactSet’s chief operating decision making group (“CODMG”) and is responsible for making decisions about resources allocated amongst the operating segments based on actual results.

FactSet’s operating segments are aligned with how the Company, including its CODMG, manages the business and the demographic markets in which FactSet serves. The Company’s internal financial reporting structure is based on three segments; the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. FactSet believes this alignment helps it better manage the business and view the markets the Company serves, which are centered on providing integrated global financial and economic information. Sales, consulting, data collection, product development and software engineering are the primary functional groups within the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific segments that provide global financial and economic information to investment managers, investment banks and other financial services professionals. Effective September 1, 2016, FactSet realigned certain aspects of its global operations from its U.S. parent company to FactSet UK Limited, a U.K. operating company, to better position FactSet to serve its growing client base outside the U.S. While this realignment allows the Company to further implement strategic corporate objectives and helps achieve operational and financial efficiencies, it does not impact how the CODMG analyzes business performance within the segments.

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The U.S. segment services finance professionals including financial institutions throughout the Americas, while the European and Asia Pacific segments service investment professionals located throughout Europe and the Asia Pacific region, respectively. The European segment is headquartered in London, England and maintains office locations in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Sweden and Dubai. The Asia Pacific segment is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with office locations in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and India. Segment revenues reflect direct sales to clients based in their respective geographic locations. There are no intersegment or intercompany sales of FactSet services. Each segment records compensation expense, including stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, marketing, office and other direct expenses. Expenditures associated with the Company’s data centers, third party data costs and corporate charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the other segments. The content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of the Company’s operating segments and thus the expenses incurred at these locations are allocated to each segment based on a percentage of revenues. Of the total $506.8 million of goodwill reported by the Company at February 28, 2017, 72% was recorded in the U.S. segment, 27% in the European segment and the remaining 1% in the Asia Pacific segment.

The following reflects the results of operations of the segments consistent with the Company’s management system. These results are used by management, both in evaluating the performance of, and in allocating resources to, each of the segments.

(in thousands)

For the three months ended February 28, 2017	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	191,629	$	76,273	$	26,452	$	294,354
Segment operating profit		36,188		39,932		15,625		91,746
Total assets		675,830		291,643		94,356		1,061,829
Capital expenditures		3,976		170		1,363		5,509

For the three months ended February 29, 2016	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	189,653	$	68,976	$	23,167	$	281,796
Segment operating profit		40,297		31,450		13,597		85,344
Total assets		705,898		239,687		76,120		1,021,705
Capital expenditures		10,180		483		1,390		12,053

For the six months ended February 28, 2017	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	382,256	$	148,136	$	52,025	$	582,417
Segment operating profit		76,192		76,516		29,355		182,065
Capital expenditures		15,100		661		2,285		18,046

For the six months ended February 29, 2016	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	371,897	$	135,955	$	44,448	$	552,300
Segment operating profit		85,459		62,232		24,961		172,652
Capital expenditures		23,072		1,268		2,098		26,438

8. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Vermilion

On November 8, 2016, FactSet acquired Vermilion Holdings Limited (“Vermilion”) for a total purchase price of $67.9 million. Vermilion is a global provider of client reporting and communications software and services to the financial services industry. Client reporting is a growing area of the market as regulatory requirements rise and with the acquisition of Vermilion and its Vermilion Reporting Suite (“VRS”), FactSet now offers a workflow around all elements of the client reporting process that it expects will expand as investors grow increasingly sophisticated. This factor contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of Vermilion’s net tangible and intangible assets, leading to the recognition of goodwill. At the time of acquisition, Vermilion employed 59 individuals in its London, Boston and Singapore offices. Total transaction costs related to the acquisition were $0.7 million and recorded within Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the first six months of fiscal 2017.

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The total purchase price was allocated to Vermilion’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition. Based upon the purchase price and the valuation, the allocation is as follows:

(in thousands)
Tangible assets acquired	$	8,242
Amortizable intangible assets
Software technology		10,916
Client relationships		5,954
Non-compete agreements		806
Trade name		571
Goodwill		50,832
Total assets acquired	$	77,321
Liabilities assumed		(9,434	)
Net assets acquired	$	67,887

Intangible assets of $18.2 million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of client relationships, amortized over 15 years using an accelerated amortization method; software technology, amortized over six years using a straight-line amortization method; non-compete agreements, amortized over three years using a straight-line amortization method; and a trade name, amortized over four years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling $50.8 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill generated from the Vermilion acquisition is included in the European segment and is not deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations of Vermilion have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since the completion of the acquisition on November 8, 2016. Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of the Vermilion acquisition is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

Portware

On October 16, 2015, FactSet acquired Portware LLC (“Portware”) for a total purchase price of $263.6 million. Portware is a global provider of multi-asset trade automation solutions for mega and large asset managers. With the acquisition of Portware, FactSet now offers a platform that it expects will increase value to global asset managers by expanding its capabilities to include multi-asset trade automation. This factor contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of Portware’s net tangible and intangible assets, leading to the recognition of goodwill. At the time of acquisition, Portware employed 166 individuals in its New York, London, Hong Kong, and Hyderabad, India offices. Total transaction costs related to the acquisition were $0.7 million in fiscal 2016 and were recorded within SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The total purchase price was allocated to Portware’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition. Based upon the purchase price and the valuation, the allocation is as follows:

(in thousands)
Tangible assets acquired	$	9,656
Amortizable intangible assets
Software technology		43,000
Client relationships		27,000
Non-compete agreements		3,500
Trade name		2,000
Goodwill		187,378
Total assets acquired	$	272,534
Liabilities assumed		(8,951	)
Net assets acquired	$	263,583

Intangible assets of $75.5 million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of client relationships, amortized over 16 years using an accelerated amortization method; software technology, amortized over eight years using a straight-line amortization method; non-compete agreements, amortized over seven years using a straight-line amortization method; and a trade name, amortized over five years using a straight-line amortization method.

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Goodwill totaling $187.4 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is included in the U.S. segment. Approximately 77% of the total goodwill generated from the Portware acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations of Portware have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since the completion of the acquisition on October 16, 2015. Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of the Portware acquisition is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

9. DISPOSITIONS

During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell its market research business, consisting of Market Metrics LLC and Matrix-Data Limited (collectively “Market Metrics” or the “disposal group”) and associated assets (the “Transaction”). On July 1, 2016, FactSet completed the Transaction and received $165.0 million in cash, less estimated working capital and certain adjustments set forth in the Purchase Agreement, including a $9.7 million bonus adjustment amount. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of $112.5 million in fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company finalized the working capital adjustment and recognized a pre-tax loss of $1.2 million in Other Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company assessed the Transaction and the disposal group and determined that the sale did not represent a strategic shift in its business that has a major effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Accordingly, the disposal group was not presented in the consolidated financial statements as a discontinued operation. The results of the disposal group through the date the Transaction closed were reported within the U.S. segment (for Market Metrics LLC) and the European segment (for Matrix-Data Limited).

10. GOODWILL

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the six months ended February 28, 2017 are as follows:

(in thousands)	U.S.		Europe			Asia Pacific			Total
Balance at August 31, 2016	$	367,480	$	82,280		$	3,155		$	452,915
Goodwill acquired during the period		—		57,023			—			57,023
Foreign currency translations		—		(2,867	)		(239	)		(3,106	)
Balance at February 28, 2017	$	367,480	$	136,436		$	2,916		$	506,832

Goodwill is not amortized as it is estimated to have an indefinite life. At least annually, the Company is required to test goodwill at the reporting unit level for potential impairment, and, if impaired, write down to fair value based on the present value of discounted cash flows. The Company’s reporting units evaluated for potential impairment were the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which reflect the level of internal reporting the Company uses to manage its business and operations. The three reporting units are consistent with the operating segments reported as there is no discrete financial information available for the subsidiaries within each operating segment. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, consistent with the timing of previous years, at which time it was determined that there was no impairment, with the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units significantly exceeding carrying value. During the first six months of fiscal 2017 the Company acquired goodwill of $57.0 million representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets from acquisitions.

11. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

FactSet’s identifiable intangible assets consist of acquired content databases, client relationships, software technology, non-compete agreements and trade names resulting from acquisitions, which have been fully integrated into the Company’s operations. The weighted average useful life of FactSet’s acquired identifiable intangible assets at February 28, 2017 was 10.9 years. The Company amortizes intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which are evaluated quarterly to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. There have been no changes to the estimate of the remaining useful lives during the first six months of fiscal 2017. Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment, if indicators of impairment are present, based on undiscounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on discounted cash flows. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periods presented. The intangible assets have no assigned residual values.

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During the six months ended February 28, 2017, $20.3 million of intangible assets were acquired with a weighted average useful life of 8.7 years. The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization totals related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

At February 28, 2017 (in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Data content	$	32,691	$	17,168	$	15,523
Client relationships		51,455		18,352		33,103
Software technology		74,826		24,519		50,307
Non-compete agreements		5,153		1,490		3,663
Trade names		3,337		1,238		2,099
Total	$	167,462	$	62,767	$	104,695

At August 31, 2016 (in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Data content	$	34,167	$	16,758	$	17,409
Client relationships		45,185		16,480		28,705
Software technology		62,560		20,545		42,015
Non-compete agreements		4,344		1,118		3,226
Trade names		2,728		922		1,806
Total	$	148,984	$	55,823	$	93,161

Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets was $4.2 million and $4.1 million for the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively. Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets was $8.0 million and $7.0 million for the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively. As of February 28, 2017, estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:

Fiscal Year (in thousands)	Estimated Amortization Expense
2017 (remaining six months)	$	8,352
2018		15,960
2019		15,043
2020		14,389
2021		12,921
Thereafter		38,030
Total	$	104,695

12. COMMON STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

On February 3, 2017, FactSet’s Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, or $2.00 per share per annum. The cash dividend of $19.7 million was paid on March 21, 2017 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2017.

Shares of common stock outstanding were as follows:

	Six Months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Balance at September 1		40,038			41,317
Common stock issued for employee stock plans		506			420
Repurchase of common stock from employees(1)		(37	)		(14	)
Repurchase of common stock under the share repurchase program		(985	)		(715	)
Repurchase of common stock under accelerated share repurchase agreement		(103	)		—
Balance at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively		39,419			41,008

⁽¹⁾ For the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, the Company repurchased 37,042 and 13,831 shares, or $5.7 million and $2.4 million, of common stock, respectively, in settlement of employee tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.

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A reconciliation of the weighted average shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) computations is as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Net Income (Numerator)		Weighted Average Common Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
For the three months ended February 28, 2017
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	66,710		39,489	$	1.69
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				211
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	66,710		39,700	$	1.68
For the three months ended February 29, 2016
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	67,763		41,117	$	1.65
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				419
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	67,763		41,536	$	1.63
For the six months ended February 28, 2017
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	133,293		39,659	$	3.36
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				241
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	133,293		39,900	$	3.34
For the six months ended February 29, 2016
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	127,727		41,252	$	3.10
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				547
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	127,727		41,799	$	3.06

Dilutive potential common shares consist of stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. The number of stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 was 487,023, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The number of stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 was 692,297, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, the number of performance-based stock option grants excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS was 754,561. For the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, the number of performance-based stock option grants excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share was 937,089. Performance-based stock options are omitted from the calculation of diluted EPS until the performance criteria are probable of being achieved.

13. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock

At February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, there were 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock ($0.01 par value per share) authorized, of which no shares were issued and outstanding. FactSet’s Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock and, in connection with the creation of such series, determine the characteristics of each such series including, without limitation, the preference and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the series.     

Common Stock

At February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, there were 150,000,000 shares of common stock ($.01 par value per share) authorized, of which 51,658,197 and 51,150,978 shares were issued, respectively. The authorized shares of common stock are issuable for any proper corporate purpose, including future stock splits, stock dividends, acquisitions, raising equity capital or to adopt additional employee benefit plans.

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Treasury Stock

At February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, there were 12,239,371 and 11,112,753 shares of treasury stock (at cost) outstanding, respectively. As a result, 39,418,826 and 40,038,225 shares of FactSet common stock were outstanding at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. During the first six months of fiscal 2017, the Company repurchased 984,822 shares for $160.4 million compared to 715,000 shares for $113.3 million in the prior year comparable period. As of February 28, 2017, $36.5 million remains authorized for future share repurchases. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations. On March 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of FactSet approved a $300.0 million expansion of to the existing share repurchase program. Including this expansion, $336.5 million is currently available for future share repurchases.

On July 1, 2016 FactSet entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) to repurchase $120.0 million of FactSet common stock. The Company received 595,607 shares of common stock on July 5, 2016, which was approximately 80% of the total number of shares of common stock expected to be repurchased under the ASR Agreement. The final settlement of the ASR Agreement occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 with FactSet receiving an additional 102,916 shares of its common stock.

Restricted Stock Vesting

Restricted stock awards entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest over time. During the first six months of fiscal 2017, 101,234 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of February 28, 2017 (less 37,042 shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock). During the same period a year ago, 37,079 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of February 29, 2016 (less 13,831 shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock).

Dividends

The Company’s Board of Directors declared the following historical dividends:

Declaration Date	Dividends Per Share of Common Stock		Type	Record Date	Total $ Amount (in thousands)		Payment Date
February 6, 2017	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	February 28, 2017	$	19,709	March 21, 2017
November 10, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2016	$	19,852	December 20, 2016
August 5, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2016	$	20,019	September 20, 2016
May 6, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	May 31, 2016	$	20,171	June 21, 2016
February 5, 2016	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	February 29, 2016	$	18,044	March 15, 2016
November 6, 2015	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2015	$	18,208	December 15, 2015
August 10, 2015	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2015	$	18,179	September 15, 2015

All of the above cash dividends were paid from existing cash resources. Future dividend payments will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by the Company and is subject to final determination by the Company’s Board of Directors.

14. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION AND RETIREMENT PLANS

Stock Option Awards

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan, as Amended and Restated (the “Option Plan”) provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards to employees of FactSet. The expiration date of the Option Plan is December 14, 2020. Stock options granted under the Option Plan expire either seven or ten years from the date of grant and the majority vest ratably over a period of five years. Options become vested and exercisable provided the employee continues employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date and remain exercisable until expiration or cancellation. Options are not transferable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During the grantee’s lifetime, the options may be exercised only by the grantee.

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Stock Option Activity

During the first six months of fiscal 2017, FactSet granted 755,467 stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $153.87 to existing employees of the Company. As of February 28, 2017, a total of 3,698,917 stock options were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $139.27. Unamortized stock-based compensation of $63.9 million is expected to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining vesting period of 3.6 years.

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Balance at August 31, 2016		3,364		$	129.54
Granted – non performance-based		671		$	152.28
Granted – performance-based		23		$	159.45
Exercised		(199	)	$	74.56
Forfeited		(26	)	$	147.22
Balance at November 30, 2016		3,833		$	136.43
Granted – performance-based		62		$	169.16
Granted – non-employee Directors grant		24		$	170.24
Exercised		(170	)	$	89.62
Forfeited		(50	)	$	141.50
Balance at February 28, 2017		3,699		$	139.27

The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of February 28, 2017 was 0.9 million with a weighted average exercise price of $103.43. As of August 31, 2016, 1.0 million in-the-money outstanding options were exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $89.42. The aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money stock options exercisable at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016 was $68.5 million and $86.0 million, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock prices of $177.90 and $178.03 on February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options exercisable as of that date. The total pre-tax intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 was $30.5 million and $33.7 million, respectively.

Performance-based Stock Options

Performance-based stock options require management to make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving Company performance targets. The number of performance-based options that vest will be predicated on the Company achieving performance levels during the measurement period subsequent to the date of grant. Dependent on the financial performance levels attained by FactSet, a percentage of the performance-based stock options will vest to the grantees of those stock options. However, there is no current guarantee that such options will vest in whole or in part.

July 2012 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In July 2012, FactSet granted 241,546 performance-based employee stock options, which are eligible to vest in 20% tranches depending upon future StreetAccount user growth through August 31, 2017. Through the second quarter of fiscal 2017, four of the growth targets as outlined within the terms of the grant were achieved. As such, 80%, or 193,256, of the options granted have vested. As of February 28, 2017, the fifth tranche is expected to vest on August 31, 2017, resulting in unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $0.2 million to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of 0.5years. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by StreetAccount in the remaining six months of fiscal 2017 could cause the fifth tranche to no longer be probable of vesting. As of February 28, 2017, a change in the vesting probability would result in a cumulative catch-up adjustment (benefit to FactSet) of $1.4 million.

February 2015 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of Code Red, FactSet granted 137,522 performance-based stock options during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Of the total amount granted, 68,761 performance-based options were eligible to vest if certain Code Red ASV and operating margin targets were achieved over a two-year measurement period ending February 28, 2017. At the conclusion of the measurement period, 70% of the options were deemed eligible to vest, with the remaining options being forfeited. The option holders must remain employed by FactSet through February 28, 2019 in order for the options to vest. As of February 28, 2017, total unamortized stock-based compensation of $1.0 million will be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period of 2.0 years.

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The remaining 68,761 options granted in February 2015 are eligible to cliff vest based on a four-year measurement period ending February 28, 2019. As of February 28, 2017, total unamortized stock-based compensation of $0.6 million will be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period of 2.0 years. A change, up or down, in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Code Red in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*			Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0%	$	(619	)		—
10%	$	(464	)	$	145
40% (current expectation)		—		$	581
70%	$	464		$	1,017
100%	$	928		$	1,453

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of February 28, 2017.

October 2015 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of Portware during the first quarter of fiscal 2016, FactSet granted 530,418 performance-based stock options. These performance-based options will vest 40% on the second anniversary date of the grant and 20% on each subsequent anniversary date if certain Portware revenue and operating income targets are achieved by October 16, 2017. The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet for the options to be eligible to vest. As of February 28, 2017, FactSet does not believe these growth targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized in connection with these performance-based options. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Portware in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
50%	$	3,369	$	8,881
70%	$	4,716	$	12,434
100%	$	6,738	$	17,762

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of February 28, 2017. 

FactSet granted 20,911 additional performance-based stock options to Portware employees in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Similar to the October 2015 grant, these performance-based options will vest 40% on the second anniversary date of the grant and 20% on each subsequent anniversary date if certain Portware revenue and operating income targets are achieved by October 16, 2017. The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet for the options to be eligible to vest. As of February 28, 2017, FactSet does not believe these growth targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized in connection with these performance-based options. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Portware in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
50%	$	58	$	442
70%	$	82	$	618
100%	$	116	$	884

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of February 28, 2017. 

January 2017 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of Vermilion, FactSet granted 61,744 performance-based stock options in January 2017. These performance-based options will vest 40% on the second anniversary date of the grant and 20% on each subsequent anniversary date if certain Vermilion revenue and operating income targets are achieved by November 30, 2018. The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet for the options to be eligible to vest. As of February 28, 2017, FactSet does not believe these growth targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized in connection with these performance-based options. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Vermilion in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
100%	$	68	$	2,637

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of February 28, 2017. 

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Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Awards

The Company’s Option Plan permits the issuance of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards are subject to continued employment over a specified period.

Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Awards Activity

During the first six months of fiscal 2017, FactSet granted 12,927 restricted stock awards to employees of the Company at a weighted average grant date fair value of $157.50. These restricted stock awards vest over a weighted average period of 5.0 years from grant date.

As of February 28, 2017, a total of 170,607 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units were unvested and outstanding, which results in unamortized stock-based compensation of $19.3 million to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 3.1 years.

A summary of restricted stock award activity is as follows:

(in thousands, except per award data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award
Balance at August 31, 2016		262		$	126.27
Granted		5		$	151.63
Vested(1)		(95	)	$	112.70
Balance at November 30, 2016		172		$	134.02
Granted		8		$	161.31
Forfeited		(3	)	$	114.42
Vested(2)		(6	)	$	105.91
Balance at February 28, 2017		171		$	136.65

⁽¹⁾ Of the 94,877 restricted stock awards that vested during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, 73,522 related to awards granted on November 1, 2013. The remaining 40% of these restricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on November 1, 2018 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related primarily to awards granted in November 2015, which vest 20% per year on the anniversary date of the award.

⁽²⁾ Of the 6,357 restricted stock awards that vested during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, 5,150 related to awards granted on February 3, 2014. The remaining 40% of these restricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on February 3, 2019 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related to awards granted in February 2015 in connection with the Code Red acquisition, which vested 100% on February 9, 2017.

Share-based Awards Available for Grant

A summary of share-based awards available for grant is as follows:

(in thousands)	Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Employee Option Plan			Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Non-Employee Directors Plan
Balance at August 31, 2016		1,491			66
Granted – non performance-based options		(671	)		—
Granted – performance-based options		(23	)		—
Granted – restricted stock awards(1)		(12	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited(2)		29			—
Balance at November 30, 2016		814			66
Granted – non performance-based options		—			(24	)
Granted – performance-based options		(62	)		—
Granted – restricted stock awards(1)		(20	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited(2)		56			—
Balance at February 28, 2017		788			42

⁽¹⁾ Each restricted stock award granted is equivalent to 2.5 shares granted under the Company’s Option Plan.

⁽²⁾ Under the Company’s Option Plan, for each restricted stock award canceled/forfeited, an equivalent of 2.5 shares is added back to the available share-based awards balance.

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Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Shares of FactSet common stock may be purchased by eligible employees under the Amended and Restated FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) in three-month intervals at a purchase price equal to at least 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on either the first day or the last day of each three-month offering period. Employee purchases may not exceed 10% of their gross compensation during an offering period.

During the three months ended February 28, 2017, employees purchased 20,744 shares at a weighted average price of $135.48 as compared to 20,338 shares at a weighted average price of $127.92 for the three months ended February 29, 2016. During the six months ended February 28, 2017, employees purchased 37,240 shares at a weighted average price of $135.77 as compared to 36,173 shares at a weighted average price of $128.99 for the six months ended February 29, 2016. At February 28, 2017, 371,304 shares were reserved for future issuance under the ESPP.

401(k) Plan

The Company established it 401(k) Plan in fiscal 1993. The 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all full-time, U.S. employees of the Company and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“IRC”). Each year, participants may contribute up to 60% of their eligible annual compensation, subject to annual limitations established by the IRC. The Company matches up to 4% of employees’ earnings, capped at the Internal Revenue Service annual maximum. Company matching contributions are subject to a five year graduated vesting schedule. All full-time, U.S. employees are eligible for the matching contribution by the Company. The Company contributed $4.6 million and $4.5 million in matching contributions to employee 401(k) accounts during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively.

15. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $7.2 million and $13.6 million during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively. Similarly, the Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $8.6 million and $15.0 million during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. As of February 28, 2017, $83.3 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested equity awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.5 years. There was no stock-based compensation capitalized as of February 28, 2017 or August 31, 2016, respectively.

Employee Stock Option Fair Value Determinations

The Company utilizes the lattice-binomial option-pricing model (“binomial model”) to estimate the fair value of new employee stock option grants. The Company’s determination of fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using the binomial model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeitures and employee stock option exercise behaviors.

Q1 2017	671,263 non performance-based employee stock options and 22,460 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $152.51 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $39.60 per share.
Q2 2017	61,744 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $169.16 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $43.81 per share.
Q1 2016	513,785 non performance-based employee stock options and 530,418 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $170.21 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $46.62 per share.
Q2 2016	4,073 non performance-based employee stock options were granted at an exercise price of $150.81 and an estimated fair value of $40.51 per share.

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The weighted average estimated fair value of employee stock options granted was determined using the binomial model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Three months ended	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
Term structure of risk-free interest rate		0.49%	-	1.89%		0.16%	-	2.12%
Expected life (years)			7.4				7.4
Term structure of volatility		21%	-	29%		21%	-	30%
Dividend yield			1.18%				1.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value			$43.81				$40.51
Weighted average exercise price			$169.16				$150.81
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price			25.9%				26.9%

Six months ended	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
Term structure of risk-free interest rate		0.07%	-	2.09%		0.07%	-	2.12%
Expected life (years)			7.4				7.8
Term structure of volatility		21%	-	30%		21%	-	30%
Dividend yield			1.18%				1.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value			$39.95				$46.59
Weighted average exercise price			$153.87				$170.13
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price			26.0%				27.4%

The risk-free interest rate assumption for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility is based on a combination of historical volatility of the Company’s stock and implied volatilities of publicly traded options to buy FactSet common stock with contractual terms closest to the expected life of options granted to employees. The approach to utilize a mix of historical and implied volatility was based upon the availability of actively traded options on the Company’s stock and the Company’s assessment that a combination of implied volatility and historical volatility is best representative of future stock price trends. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee termination within the valuation model. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is a derived output of the binomial model. The binomial model estimates employees exercise behavior based on the option’s remaining vested life and the extent to which the option is in-the-money. The binomial model estimates the probability of exercise as a function of these two variables based on the entire history of exercises and cancellations of all past option grants made by the Company.

Non-Employee Director Stock Option Fair Value Determinations

The 2008 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”) provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options, to non-employee directors of FactSet. An initial 250,000 shares of FactSet common stock were reserved for issuance under the Directors’ Plan, of which 42,185 remain available for future grant as of February 28, 2017. The expiration date of the Directors’ Plan is December 1, 2018.

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of non-employee Director stock option grants. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeitures and employee stock option exercise behaviors.

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Fiscal 2017

On January 13, 2017, FactSet granted 23,846 stock options to the Company’s non-employee Directors, including one-time new Director grants of 2,417 stock options each for Malcolm Frank and Sheila B. Jordan, who were elected to FactSet’s Board of Directors on December 20, 2016. All of the options granted on January 13, 2017 have a weighted average estimated fair value of $35.65 per share, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate	1.95	%
Expected life (years)	5.4
Expected volatility	22.7	%
Dividend yield	1.24	%

Fiscal 2016

On January 15, 2016, FactSet granted 22,559 stock options to the Company’s non-employee Directors, including a one-time new Director grant of 2,417 for Laurie Siegel, who was elected to FactSet’s Board of Directors on December 15, 2015. All of the options granted on January 15, 2016 have a weighted average estimated fair value of $31.03 per share, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate	1.62	%
Expected life (years)	5.4
Expected volatility	23.0	%
Dividend yield	1.05	%

Restricted Stock Fair Value Determinations

Restricted stock granted to employees entitles the holder to shares of common stock as the award vests over time, but not to dividends declared on the underlying shares while the restricted stock is unvested. The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is measured by reducing the grant date price of FactSet’s share by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying stock during the requisite service period, discounted at the appropriate risk-free interest rate. Restricted stock awards are amortized to expense over the vesting period. During the first six months of fiscal 2017, there were 12,927 restricted stock awards granted with a weighted average grant date fair value of $157.50. During the first six months of fiscal 2016, FactSet granted 93,120 restricted stock awards at a weighted average grant date fair value of $159.46.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan Fair Value Determinations

During the three months ended February 28, 2017, employees purchased 20,744 shares at a weighted average price of $135.48 as compared to 20,338 shares at a weighted average price of $127.92 for the three months ended February 29, 2016. During the six months ended February 28, 2017, employees purchased 37,240 shares at a weighted average price of $135.77 as compared to 36,173 shares at a weighted average price of $128.99 for the six months ended February 29, 2016. Stock-based compensation expense recorded for each of the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, relating to the ESPP was $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense recorded for each of the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, relating to the ESPP was $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively.   

The weighted average estimated fair value for the ESPP was calculated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:

Three months ended	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Risk-free interest rate		0.51	%		0.26	%
Expected life (months)		3			3
Expected volatility		7.8	%		12.5	%
Dividend yield		1.25	%		1.03	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	25.88		$	29.54

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Six months ended	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Risk-free interest rate		0.44	%		0.17	%
Expected life (months)		3			3
Expected volatility		8.9	%		11.4	%
Dividend yield		1.19	%		1.08	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	27.85		$	27.73

Accuracy of Fair Value Estimates

The Company is responsible for determining the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of its share-based payment awards. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeiture rates and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable.

16. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense is based on taxable income determined in accordance with current enacted laws and tax rates. Deferred income taxes are recorded for the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is as follows:

	Three months ended						Six months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016			February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
U.S. operations	$	34,661		$	66,375		$	94,863		$	137,274
Non-U.S. operations		54,829			18,544			84,447			35,047
Income before income taxes	$	89,490		$	84,919		$	179,310		$	172,321
U.S. operations	$	12,545		$	13,704		$	30,598		$	37,776
Non-U.S. operations		10,235			3,453			15,419			6,818
Total provision for income taxes	$	22,780		$	17,157		$	46,017		$	44,594
Effective tax rate		25.5	%		20.2%	(1)		25.7	%		25.9	%

(1) In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (the “2016 ACT”) was signed into law. The ACT reinstated and made permanent the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit (the “R&D tax credit”), which had previously expired on December 31, 2014. The reenactment of the R&D tax credit was retroactive to January 1, 2015 and by providing for a permanent R&D tax credit, the 2016 ACT eliminates the yearly uncertainty surrounding the extension of the credit. Prior to the reenactment of the R&D tax credit, FactSet had not been permitted to factor it into its effective tax rate as it was not currently enacted tax law. The reenactment resulted in a discrete income tax benefit of $7.3 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and reduced the Company’s effective tax rate for the quarter to 20.2%.

FactSet’s effective tax rate is based on recurring factors and nonrecurring events, including the taxation of foreign income. The Company’s effective tax rate will vary based on, among other things, changes in levels of foreign income, as well as discrete and other nonrecurring events that may not be predictable. The effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0% in both periods presented above primarily due to foreign income, which is subject to lower statutory tax rates than in the U.S., benefits from foreign tax credits and deductions due to U.S. production activities partially offset by additional state and local income taxes.

FactSet Operational Realignment

Effective September 1, 2016, FactSet realigned certain aspects of its global operations from FactSet Research Systems Inc., its U.S. parent company, to FactSet UK Limited, a U.K. operating company, to better position the Company to serve its growing client base outside the U.S. This realignment allows the Company to further implement strategic corporate objectives and helps achieve operational and financial efficiencies, while complementing FactSet’s increasing global growth and reach. As a result of the realignment, the Company expects an approximate benefit of 250 basis points to its fiscal 2017 annual effective tax rate.

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Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The significant components of deferred tax assets that are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Current
Receivable reserve	$	575		$	531
Deferred rent		973			1,022
Other		1,145			1,605
Net current deferred tax assets	$	2,693		$	3,158
Non-current
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements	$	6,747		$	5,194
Deferred rent		10,462			9,626
Stock-based compensation		16,156			19,927
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology		(27,472	)		(24,645	)
Other		2,969			3,304
Net non-current deferred tax assets	$	8,862		$	13,406
Total deferred tax assets	$	11,555		$	16,564

The significant components of deferred tax liabilities that are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Current
Other	$	767		$	291
Net current deferred tax liabilities	$	767		$	291
Non-current
Stock-based compensation	$	(592	)	$	—
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements		(388	)		—
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology		4,031			1,666
Other		(104	)		42
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$	2,947		$	1,708
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	3,714		$	1,999

No U.S. income taxes have been provided on filing-basis undistributed foreign earnings and profits as of February 28, 2017, as FactSet plans to permanently reinvest these amounts and use the earnings to fund non-U.S. operations and working capital needs as well as facilities overseas. This includes, but is not limited to, capital expenditures and acquisitions intended to further FactSet’s global growth strategy. At each reporting period, FactSet assesses its position with regard to undistributed foreign earnings of its subsidiaries. To the extent that earnings can no longer be indefinitely reinvested, the Company will accrue the tax impact, if any, attributable to those earnings, including the impact of foreign tax credits, at such time. If such earnings are repatriated, additional tax expense may result, although the flexibility inherent in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code may permit the ultimate distribution to be tax-free depending on the nature of the distribution. Therefore the Company does not believe it is practicable to estimate, with reasonable accuracy, the hypothetical amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability on its undistributed foreign earnings given the many factors and assumptions necessary to estimate the amount of the federal income tax that may be payable in the future on the undistributed earnings..

Unrecognized Tax Positions

Applicable accounting guidance prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification and disclosure of uncertain tax positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. A company can recognize the financial effect of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the tax position will prevail upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit or expense can be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, companies are required to accrue interest on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws.

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As of February 28, 2017, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling $10.0 million, including $1.7 million of accrued interest, recorded as Non-current taxes payable within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax positions taken on tax returns but not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statements. When applicable, the Company adjusts the previously recorded tax expense to reflect examination results when the position is ultimately settled. The Company regularly engages in discussions and negotiations with tax authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that certain federal, foreign, and state tax matters may be concluded in the next 12 months. However, FactSet has no reason to believe that such audits will result in the payment of additional taxes and/or penalties that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position, beyond current estimates. Any changes in accounting estimates resulting from new developments with respect to uncertain tax positions will be recorded as appropriate. The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next 12 months.

The following table summarizes the changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits during the first six months of fiscal 2017:

(in thousands)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2016	$	8,782
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		903
Additions for tax positions of prior years		344
Statute of limitations lapse		—
Unrecognized income tax benefits at February 28, 2017	$	10,029

In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax filings are subject to audit by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. At February 28, 2017, the Company remained subject to examination in the following major tax jurisdictions:

Major Tax Jurisdictions	Open Tax Years
U.S.
Federal		2013	through	2017
State (various)		2010	through	2017
Europe
France		2013	through	2017
United Kingdom		2012	through	2017

17. LONG-TERM DEBT

FactSet’s debt obligations consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016
2015 Revolving Credit Facility	$	365,000	$	300,000
Total Outstanding Debt	$	365,000	$	300,000

On February 6, 2015, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2015 Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and Bank of America, N.A. (“BofA”), as the lender. At that date, the 2015 Credit Agreement provided for a $35.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2015 Revolving Credit Facility”), under which the Company could request borrowings. The 2015 Credit Agreement also allowed FactSet to arrange for additional borrowings for an aggregate amount of up to $265.0 million provided that any such request for additional borrowings was in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. For purposes of funding its acquisition of Code Red on February 6, 2015, FactSet borrowed $35.0 million in the form of a Eurodollar rate loan (the “Loan”) under the Revolving Credit Facility. The proceeds of the Loan made under the 2015 Credit Agreement could be used for permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the outstanding principal amount was equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.50%.

On September 21, 2015, the Company amended the 2015 Credit Agreement to borrow an additional $265.0 million (the “Second Amendment”) in order to fund FactSet’s acquisition of Portware which closed on October 16, 2015. The Second Amendment allowed FactSet, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with BofA for an aggregate amount of up to $400.0 million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings is in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. The Second Amendment also adjusted the interest rate on the total outstanding principal debt to a rate equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.75%.

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On October 26, 2016, the Company again amended the 2015 Credit Agreement to borrow an additional $65.0 million (the “Third Amendment”) for general corporate purposes. The interest rate for the borrowing under the Third Amendment was equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.75%. The Eurodollar rate is defined in the 2015 Credit Agreement as the rate per annum equal to one-month LIBOR. The maturity date on all outstanding loan amounts (which totaled $365.0 million as of February 28, 2017) was September 21, 2018.

On March 17, 2017, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as the administrative agent and lender. In conjunction with FactSet’s entrance into the 2017 Credit Agreement, FactSet retired its outstanding debt under the 2015 Credit Agreement on March 17, 2017. The total principal amount of the Loan outstanding at the time of retirement was $365.0 million. See Note 19, Subsequent Events, for further discussion of the 2017 Credit Agreement.

All outstanding loan amounts are reported as Long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet at February 28, 2017.   During the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, the Company paid approximately $1.3 million and $0.9 million in interest on its outstanding debt amounts, respectively. During the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, the Company paid approximately $2.4 million and $1.3 million in interest on its outstanding debt amounts, respectively.

As of February 28, 2017, no commitment fee was owed by FactSet since it borrowed the full amount under the 2015 Credit Agreement. Other fees incurred by the Company, such as legal costs to draft and review the 2015 Credit Agreement, totaled less than $0.1 million and were capitalized as loan origination fees. Loan origination fees are amortized into interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method.

The 2015 Credit Agreement contained covenants restricting certain FactSet activities, which are usual and customary for this type of loan. In addition, the 2015 Credit Agreement required that FactSet maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, as measured by total funded debt/EBITDA below a specified level as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of the 2015 Credit Agreement as of February 28, 2017.

18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments represent obligations, such as those for future purchases of goods or services that are not yet recorded on the balance sheet as liabilities. FactSet records liabilities for commitments when incurred (i.e., when the goods or services are received).

Lease Commitments

At February 28, 2017, the Company leased approximately 202,000 square feet of office space at its headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. Including new lease agreements executed during fiscal 2017, the Company’s worldwide leased office space increased to approximately 1,142,000 square feet at February 28, 2017, up 70,000 square feet, or 6.5%, from August 31, 2016. This increase was primarily due to expanded office space in India, offset by the consolidation of certain other office spaces. The Company’s significant locations are listed under Item 2, Properties, within the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. The non-cancelable operating leases expire on various dates through 2031. The Company believes the amount of leased office space as of February 28, 2017 is adequate for its current needs and that additional space is available for lease to meet any future needs.

Total minimum rental payments associated with the leases are recorded as rent expense (a component of SG&A expense) on a straight-line basis over the periods of the respective non-cancelable lease terms. Future minimum commitments for the Company’s operating leases in place as of February 28, 2017 are as follows:

Years ended August 31, (in thousands)	Minimum Lease Payments
2017 (remaining six months)	$	16,857
2018		34,912
2019		32,665
2020		26,362
2021		20,533
Thereafter		153,874
Total	$	285,203

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Rent expense (including operating costs) for all operating leases amounted to $11.5 million and $10.6 million during the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively. Rent expense for all operating leases amounted to $22.9 million and $20.9 million during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively. At February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, deferred rent reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $36.6 million and $34.4 million, of which $33.8 million and $31.2 million, respectively, and was reported as a non-current liability within the line item Deferred Rent and Other Non-Current Liabilities.

Approximately $1.9 million of standby letters of credit have been issued during the ordinary course of business in connection with the Company’s current leased office space as of February 28, 2017. These standby letters of credit contain covenants that, among other things, require FactSet to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. As of February 28, 2017, FactSet was in compliance with all covenants contained in the standby letters of credit.

Purchase Commitments with Suppliers

Purchase obligations represent payments due in future periods in respect of commitments to the Company’s various data vendors as well as commitments to purchase goods and services such as telecommunication and computer maintenance services. These purchase commitments are agreements that are enforceable and legally binding on FactSet and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. At August 31, 2016, the Company had total purchase commitments of $67.5 million. There were no material changes in the Company’s purchase commitments during the first six months of fiscal 2017.

Contingencies

Income Taxes

Uncertain income tax positions are accounted for in accordance with applicable accounting guidance (see Note 16). FactSet is currently under audit by tax authorities and has reserved for potential adjustments to its provision for income taxes that may result from examinations by, or any negotiated settlements with, these tax authorities. The Company believes that the final outcome of these examinations or settlements will not have a material effect on its results of operations. If events occur which indicate payment of these amounts is unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in the recognition of tax benefits in the period FactSet determines the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the Company’s estimates of the federal, state, and foreign income tax liabilities are less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result.

Legal Matters

FactSet accrues non income-tax liabilities for contingencies when management believes that a loss is probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, while contingent gains are recognized only when realized. The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, including intellectual property litigation. Based on information available at February 28, 2017, FactSet’s management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these unresolved matters against the Company, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, its results of operations or its cash flows.

Indemnifications

As permitted or required under Delaware law and to the maximum extent allowable under that law, FactSet has certain obligations to indemnify its current and former officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was serving, at FactSet’s request in such capacity. These indemnification obligations are valid as long as the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The maximum potential amount of future payments FactSet could be required to make under these indemnification obligations is unlimited; however, FactSet has a director and officer insurance policy that it believes mitigates FactSet's exposure and may enable FactSet to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. The Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification obligations is immaterial.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained primarily with four financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. These deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate its credit risks by spreading such risks across multiple counterparties and monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties.

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Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are unsecured and derived from revenues earned from clients located around the globe. FactSet does not require collateral from its clients but performs credit evaluations on an ongoing basis. The Company maintains reserves for potential write-offs and evaluates the adequacy of the reserves periodically. These losses have historically been within expectations. No single client represented 10% or more of FactSet’s total revenues in any period presented. At February 28, 2017, the Company’s largest individual client accounted for 2% of total annual subscriptions and subscriptions from the ten largest clients did not surpass 15% of total annual subscriptions, consistent with August 31, 2016. As of February 28, 2017 the receivable reserve was $1.7 million compared to a reserve of $1.5 million as of August 31, 2016.

Derivative Instruments

As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk. FactSet has incorporated counterparty risk into the fair value of its derivative assets and its own credit risk into the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities. FactSet calculates credit risk from observable data related to CDS as quoted by publicly available information. Counterparty risk is represented by CDS spreads related to the senior secured debt of the respective bank with whom FactSet has executed these derivative transactions. Because CDS spread information is not available for FactSet, the Company’s credit risk is determined based on using a simple average of CDS spreads for peer companies as determined by FactSet. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, FactSet enters into contracts with large financial institutions and regularly reviews credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparties.

19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

BI-SAM Technologies

On March 17, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of BI-SAM Technologies (“BISAM”) for cash consideration of $205.2 million. With more than 160 employees worldwide, BISAM is a global provider of portfolio performance and attribution, multi-asset risk, GIPS composites management and reporting. B-One, BISAM’s cross-asset solution, is a complement to both FactSet’s portfolio analytics suite and client reporting solutions. Its Cognity product should enhance FactSet’s risk analysis for derivatives and quantitative portfolio construction.

The Company expects the majority of the purchase price to be allocated to goodwill and acquired intangible assets. The pro forma financials that may be required in connection with the BISAM acquisition have not been included as the valuation of certain assets and liabilities is ongoing as of the date of this Form 10-Q.  Revenue from BISAM will be recognized based on geographic business activities in accordance with how the Company’s operating segments are currently aligned. 

2017 Credit Agreement

On March 17, 2017, the Company entered into the 2017 Credit Agreement between FactSet, as the borrower, and PNC, as the administrative agent and lender. The 2017 Credit Agreement provides for a $575.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). FactSet may request borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility until its maturity date of March 17, 2020. The 2017 Credit Agreement also allows FactSet, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with PNC for an aggregate amount of up to $225.0 million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings must be in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. Borrowings under the Loan bear interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. Interest on the loan outstanding is payable quarterly in arrears and on the maturity date. In conjunction with FactSet’s entrance into the 2017 Credit Agreement, FactSet borrowed $575.0 million in the form of a LIBOR rate loan under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility. Proceeds from the borrowing were used to fund FactSet’s acquisition of BISAM and retire all outstanding debt under the 2015 Credit Agreement.

Departure of Executive Vice President, Global Director of Sales

On April 7, 2017, the Company announced that it had accepted the resignation of Scott G. Miller from his position as Executive Vice President, Global Director of Sales. In connection with his departure from the Company, to be effective on April 21, 2017, Mr. Miller and the Company entered into a separation agreement on April 9, 2017 (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Miller will receive: (i) a payment equal to six months’ base salary and a portion of his estimated bonus for the 2017 fiscal year; (ii) continued healthcare coverage for Mr. Miller and his dependents for the period until December 31, 2017; (iii) accelerated vesting of certain stock options that otherwise would have vested on or prior to January 21, 2018; and (iv) certain other ancillary benefits. The foregoing description of the Separation Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 2.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of our management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Our MD&A is presented in the following sections:

• Executive Overview

• Key Metrics 

• Results of Operations

• Liquidity

• Capital Resources

• Foreign Currency 

• Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

• Share Repurchase Program

• Contractual Obligations

• Dividends

• Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates 

• New Accounting Pronouncements

• Market Trends

• Forward-Looking Factors

Executive Overview

FactSet is a leading provider of integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community. We deliver insight and information to investment professionals through our analytics, service, content, and technology. By integrating comprehensive datasets and analytics across asset classes with client data, we support the workflow of both the buy-side and sell-side. These professionals include portfolio managers, wealth managers, research and performance analysts, risk managers, sell-side equity research professionals, investment bankers and fixed income professionals. From streaming real-time data to historical information, including quotes, estimates, news and commentary, FactSet offers unique and third-party content through desktop, wireless, and off-platform solutions. Our wide application suite offers tools and resources including company and industry analyses, full screening tools, portfolio analysis, risk profiles, alpha-testing, portfolio optimization and research management solutions. Our revenues are derived from subscriptions to products and services such as workstations, analytics, enterprise data and content, research management and trade execution. Investment management (buy-side) clients account for 83.2% of our annual subscription value and the remainder is derived from investment banking firms (sell-side) that perform mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) advisory work, capital markets services and equity research.

Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter in Review

Revenues in the second quarter were $294.4 million and excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months and foreign currency, organic revenues grew 7.0% over the previous year. Annual subscription value (“ASV”) during the quarter grew 6.5% organically and totaled $1.19 billion as of February 28, 2017. Operating income and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) grew 7.5% and 3.1%, respectively. The Vermilion Holdings Limited (“Vermilion”) acquisition was completed and our wealth management business has been growing. Our recent acquisitions have provided us with a greater footprint in Europe and open up more market share opportunities for us in the Asia Pacific region. While this growth represented positive results in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, our organic ASV and revenue growth rates were below the growth experienced in the previous year. These metrics were impacted by cost pressures across the financial industry, driven in part by the shift from active to passive investing. An increase in sales was offset by a higher number of cancelations from the same quarter a year ago.

In March 2017, we unveiled our new brand campaign, See the Advantage, which identifies FactSet as a premier business partner for our clients.

As of February 28, 2017, our employee headcount was 8,592, up 6.2% from a year ago. Excluding acquired headcount in the last 12 month and employees of the sold Market Metrics business, headcount increased 7.0% from a year ago. Of our total employees, 2,429 were located in the U.S., 887 in Europe and 5,276 in the Asia Pacific region. Approximately 53% of our employees are involved with content collection, 26% work in product development, software and systems engineering, 18% in sales and consulting services and the remaining 3% provide administrative support.

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Key Metrics

The following is a review of our key metrics:

	As of and for the Three months ended
(in millions, except client and user counts)	February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016		Change
Revenues	$	294.4	$	281.8		4.5	%
Operating income	$	91.7	$	85.3		7.5	%
Net income	$	66.7	$	67.8		(1.6	)%
Diluted EPS	$	1.68	$	1.63		3.1	%
Free cash flow(1)	$	71.4	$	81.1		(11.9	)%
ASV	$	1,186.9	$	1,139.2		4.2	% (2)
Clients		4,404		3,954		11.4	% (3)
Users		85,788		81,301		5.5	% (4)

⁽¹⁾ We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, which includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures. The presentation of free cash flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, both in presenting our results to stockholders and the investment community, and in our internal evaluation and management of the business. Management believes that this financial measure and the information we provide are useful to investors because they permit investors to view our performance using the same metric that we use to gauge progress in achieving our goals. Free cash flow is also an indication of cash flow that may be available to fund further investments in future growth initiatives.

⁽²⁾ ASV grew 6.5% organically year over year.

⁽³⁾ In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet changed its client count definition to capture clients with ASV greater than $10,000 versus the previous metric of clients with ASV greater than $24,000. The prior year client count was restated to reflect this change for comparison purposes.

⁽⁴⁾ In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet changed its user count definition to account for users from workstations previously not captured due to certain product bundling and also users of the StreetAccount web product. The prior year user count was restated to reflect this change for comparison purposes.

Annual Subscription Value

Annual subscription value at any given point in time represents the forward-looking revenues for the next twelve months from all subscription services currently being supplied to clients. With proper notice to us, our clients are able to add to, delete portions of, or terminate service at any time, subject to certain contractual limitations. ASV totaled $1.19 billion at February 28, 2017, an increase of $16.5 million over the first quarter of fiscal 2017. We have achieved organic ASV growth of $71.1 million, or 6.5%, over the last 12 months. Organic ASV excludes ASV from acquisitions and dispositions completed within the past 12 months and the effects of foreign currency.

Buy-side and sell-side ASV growth rates for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 were 6.8% and 4.9%, respectively. Buy-side clients account for 83.2% of ASV while the remainder is derived from sell-side firms that perform mergers and acquisitions advisory work, capital markets services and equity research. ASV benefited from our annual price increase for select U.S. investment management clients which occurred during the second quarter, similar to prior years, and contributed $9.5 million to ASV. The decrease in our buy and sell-side growth rates year over year can be attributed to cost pressure within our client base and the consolidation of firms and the services they are purchasing.

ASV from our U.S. operations was $773.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2017, up 5.4% organically from a year ago. International ASV totaled $413.2 million, up 8.4% organically from a year ago. ASV from our international operations represented 34.8% of our Company-wide total, up from 32.7% a year ago. Our European organic ASV achieved a growth rate of 7.7% over the last 12 months while Asia Pacific organic ASV grew by 11.0%.

Client and User Additions

Our total client count was 4,404 as of February 28, 2017. In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet changed its client count definition to capture clients with ASV greater than $10,000 versus the previous metric of clients with ASV greater than $24,000. The prior year client count was restated to reflect this change for comparison purposes. During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we added 143 net new clients. Client count has increased by 450, or 11.4% in the last 12 months. We continue to focus on expanding our current client base as it is essential to our long-term growth strategy and encourages incremental sales growth of workstations, applications and content at our existing clients.

As of February 28, 2017, there were 85,788 professionals using FactSet. In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, FactSet changed its user count definition to account for users from workstations previously not captured due to certain product bundling and also users of the StreetAccount web product. The prior year user count was restated to reflect this change for comparison purposes. Using the new definition, user count increased 1,503 in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. We have increased users by 4,487, or 5.5% in the last 12 months.

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Annual client retention as of February 28, 2017 was greater than 95% of ASV and 93% when expressed as a percentage of clients. Our retention success, demonstrating a majority of our clients maintain their subscriptions to FactSet year over year, highlights the strength of our business model. At February 28, 2017, our largest individual client accounted for 2% of total subscriptions and annual subscriptions from our ten largest clients did not surpass 15% of total client subscriptions, consistent with August 31, 2016.

Returning Value to Stockholders

On February 3, 2017, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share, or $2.00 per share per annum. In the second quarter of 2017, we repurchased 479,822 shares for $81.1 million under the existing share repurchase program compared to 465,000 shares for $71.4 million in the same period a year ago. By combining our dividends and share repurchases, we have returned $485.2 million to stockholders in the last 12 months. As of February 28, 2017, $36.5 million remained available for future share repurchases.

On March 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of FactSet approved a $300.0 million expansion of to the existing share repurchase program. Including this expansion, $336.5 million is currently available for future share repurchases

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $5.5 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to $12.1 million in the same period a year ago. Approximately $3.6 million, or 65%, of capital expenditures related to upgrades to existing computer systems and improvements to our telecommunication equipment primarily at our corporate headquarters in Norwalk, laptop computers and peripherals for new employees, and additional servers for our existing data centers in New Jersey and Virginia. The remainder of our capital expenditures was primarily for the build out of office space which included $1.1 million in India and $0.6 million in New York.

Results of Operations

For an understanding of the significant factors that influenced our performance for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

	Three months ended							Six months ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016		Change			February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016		Change
Revenues	$	294,354	$	281,796		4.5	%	$	582,417	$	552,300		5.5	%
Cost of services	$	131,635	$	123,911		6.2	%	$	258,885	$	238,647		8.5	%
Selling, general and administrative	$	70,973	$	72,541		(2.2	)%	$	141,467	$	141,001		0.3	%
Operating income	$	91,746	$	85,344		7.5	%	$	182,065	$	172,652		5.5	%
Net income	$	66,710	$	67,763		(1.6	)%	$	133,293	$	127,727		4.4	%
Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.68	$	1.63		3.1	%	$	3.34	$	3.06		9.2	%
Diluted weighted average common shares		39,700		41,536					39,900		41,799

Revenues

Three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

Revenues for the three months ended February 28, 2017 were $294.4 million, up 4.5% compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue was driven by organic ASV growth, including continued growth from Portware, and the addition of Vermilion to our product offerings in fiscal 2017, partially offset by the sale of the Market Metrics business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months and foreign currency, our organic revenue growth rate for the quarter was 7.0%.

Six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

Revenues for the six months ended February 28, 2017 were $582.4 million, up 5.5% compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue was driven by organic ASV growth of 4.2%, continued momentum for our multi-asset class analytic solutions,healthy deployment across Wealth Management and increased sales of our Portware product with accelerated client trading volumes.

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Revenues by Geographic Region

	Three months ended									Six months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016			Change			February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016			Change
U.S.	$	191,629		$	189,653			1.0	%	$	382,256		$	371,897			2.8	%
% of revenues		65.1	%		67.3	%					65.6	%		67.3	%
Europe	$	76,273		$	68,976			10.6	%	$	148,136		$	135,955			9.0	%
Asia Pacific		26,452			23,167			14.2	%		52,025			44,448			17.0	%
International	$	102,725		$	92,143			11.5	%	$	200,161		$	180,403			11.0	%
% of revenues		34.9	%		32.7	%					34.4	%		32.7	%
Consolidated	$	294,354		$	281,796			4.5	%	$	582,417		$	552,300			5.5	%

Three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

Revenues from our U.S. segment increased 1.0% to $191.6 million during the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago. Our fiscal 2017 second quarter U.S. revenue growth was primarily due to our annual price increase for select U.S. investment management clients which occurred during the second quarter, similar to prior years. Sales were also helped by continued growth in our Portfolio Analytics (“PA”) and Portware product offerings. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months, organic revenues in the U.S. were up 5.9% compared to the year ago second quarter. Revenues from our U.S. operations accounted for 65.1% of our consolidated revenues during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, a decrease from the prior year as U.S. sales growth was outpaced by international growth.

European revenues grew 10.6% attributable to growth in our content, PA and Portware product offerings and resulted in an organic ASV increase of 7.7%. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations reduced our European growth rate by 60 basis points. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months and foreign currency, European revenues grew 7.8% year over year.

Asia Pacific revenue growth of 14.2% was primarily due to growth in our content, PA and core workstation product offerings. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months and foreign currency, Asia Pacific revenues grew 12.5% year over year.

Six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

Revenues from our U.S. segment increased 2.8% to $382.3 million during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago. Our U.S. revenue growth rate of 2.8% for the first six months of fiscal 2017 reflects the performance of our PA, Estimates, content and Portware product offerings. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months, organic revenues in the U.S. were up 7.3% compared to the prior year period. Revenues from our U.S. operations accounted for 65.6% of our consolidated revenues during the first six months of fiscal 2017, a decrease from 67.3% in the prior year as U.S. sales growth was outpaced by international growth.

European revenues grew 9.0% during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago attributable to solid growth in our content, PA and Portware product offerings. This growth resulted in an organic ASV increase of 7.8%. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations reduced our European revenue growth rate by 40 basis points. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months and foreign currency, European revenues grew 9.5% year over year.

Asia Pacific revenue growth of 17.0% during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago was due primarily to increased subscriptions to our PA and core workstation product offerings. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions completed in the last 12 months and foreign currency, Asia Pacific revenues grew 14.5% year over year.

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Operating Expenses

	Three months ended									Six months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016			Change			February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016			Change
Cost of services	$	131,635		$	123,911			6.2	%	$	258,885		$	238,647			8.5	%
SG&A		70,973			72,541			(2.2	)%		141,467			141,001			0.3	%
Total operating expenses	$	202,608		$	196,452			3.1	%	$	400,352		$	379,648			5.5	%
Operating Income	$	91,746		$	85,344			7.5	%	$	182,065		$	172,652			5.5	%
Operating Margin		31.2	%		30.3	%					31.3	%		31.3	%

Cost of Services

Three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

For the three months ended February 28, 2017, cost of services increased 6.2% to $131.6 million compared to $123.9 million in the same period a year ago. Cost of services, expressed as a percentage of revenues, was 44.7% during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, an increase of 70 basis points over the prior year period due to higher employee compensation and computer-related expenses partially offset by lower data costs and stock-based compensation.

Employee compensation when expressed as a percentage of revenues increased 110 basis points in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the same period a year ago due to new employees hired in the past year. Over the last 12 months, we have added 120 net new employees involved with content collection and 263 net new engineering and product development employees, as we continue to focus on servicing our existing client base, expanding our content and improving our applications. We have seen significant headcount expansion in India and the Philippines as well as the additions of employees from our recent acquisitions (primarily in the European segment). Computer-related expenses, which include depreciation, maintenance, software and other fees, increased 20 basis points when expressed as a percentage of revenues. This increase was due to additional computer hardware and peripherals for new employees, upgrades to existing computer systems and the development of new internal systems to support our growing infrastructure.

Data costs decreased 20 basis points when expressed as a percentage of revenues due primarily to the sale of the Market Metrics business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Stock-based compensation expense decreased 40 basis points when expressed as a percentage of revenues. This decrease was due primarily to the second quarter of fiscal 2016 including approximately $1.4 million in additional expense due to a change in the vesting of performance-based stock options. Additionally, we recorded a $0.3 million benefit in cost of services related to the vesting of certain equity based awards in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

For the six months ended February 28, 2017, cost of services increased 8.5% to $258.9 million compared to $238.6 million in the same period a year ago. Cost of services, expressed as a percentage of revenues, was 44.5% during the first six months of fiscal 2017, an increase of 120 basis points over the prior year period due to higher employee compensation and computer-related expenses, partially offset by lower data costs.

Selling, General and Administrative

Three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

For the three months ended February 28, 2017, SG&A expenses decreased to $71.0 million, down 2.2% from $72.5 million in the same period a year ago. SG&A expenses, expressed as a percentage of revenues, decreased from 25.7% to 24.1% during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to lower compensation expense attributable to employees performing SG&A related roles, partially offset by a realized loss on cash flow hedges and higher rent expense.

Employee compensation, including stock-based compensation, when expressed as a percentage of revenues decreased 260 basis points from a year ago due to a higher percentage of our employee base working in a cost of services capacity compared to an SG&A role. Of our total employee headcount increase in the last 12 months, only 24% were in SG&A related roles. The loss on derivatives, expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased 30 basis points year over year primarily due to a decrease in the value of the British Pound Sterling. Rent expense, expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased 20 basis points year over year driven by an increase in our worldwide leased office space by approximately 140,000 square feet, or 14.0%, from February 29, 2016. This increased expense reflects the expansion of office space in New York and India and the addition of three offices related to the Vermilion acquisition.

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Six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

For the six months ended February 28, 2017, SG&A expenses increased to $141.5 million, up 0.3% from $141.0 million in the same period a year ago. SG&A expenses, expressed as a percentage of revenues, decreased from 25.5% to 24.3% during the first six months of fiscal 2017 compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to compensation expense from employees performing SG&A related roles, partially offset by higher marketing costs and rent expense and a loss on derivatives. The higher marketing costs were due to our new brand campaign.

Operating Income and Operating Margin

Three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

Operating income increased 7.5% to $91.7 million for the three months February 28, 2017 compared to the prior year period. Our operating margin during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 was 31.2%, up from 30.3% a year ago. The higher operating margin was primarily due to an increase in revenue of approximately $12.6 million and foreign currency benefits totaling $2.1 million. These positive drivers were partially offset by increases in employee compensation costs, higher rent expense and a loss on derivatives.

Six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

Operating income increased 5.5% to $182.1 million for the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the prior year period. Our operating margin during the first six months of fiscal 2017 remained steady at 31.3%, consistent with the year ago period. The increase in operating income was primarily due to revenue growth of 5.5%, foreign currency benefits totaling $3.9 million and lower data costs. These positive drivers were partially offset by increases in employee compensation costs and higher rent, marketing and computer-related expenses.

Operating Income by Segment

	Three months ended							Six months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016		Change			February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016		Change
U.S.	$	36,188	$	40,297		(10.2	)%	$	76,192	$	85,459		(10.8	)%
Europe		39,932		31,450		27.0	%		76,516		62,232		23.0	%
Asia Pacific		15,626		13,597		14.9	%		29,357		24,961		17.6	%
Consolidated	$	91,746	$	85,344		7.5	%	$	182,065	$	172,652		5.5	%

Our operating segments are aligned with how we manage the business and the demographic markets in which we serve. Our internal financial reporting structure is based on three reportable segments, the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which we believe helps us better manage the business and view the markets we serve. Sales, consulting, data collection, product development and software engineering are the primary functional groups within each segment. Each segment records compensation expense, including stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, marketing, office and other direct expenses. Expenditures associated with our data centers, third party data costs and corporate headquarters charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the other segments. The content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of our segments and thus the expenses incurred at these locations are allocated to each segment based on a percentage of revenues.

Three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

U.S. operating income decreased 10.2% to $36.2 million during the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $40.3 million in the same period a year ago. The decrease in U.S. operating income is primarily due to increases in expenses related to employee compensation, computer equipment and occupancy costs partially offset by revenue growth of 1.0%. Excluding the effect of acquisitions and dispositions in the last 12 months, U.S. employee headcount grew 3.7% year over year leading to an increase in compensation expense and related benefits. Computer-related expenses, which include depreciation, maintenance, software and other fees, increased 14% year over year. This increase was due to additional computer hardware and peripherals for new employees and the development of new internal systems to support our growing infrastructure. Occupancy costs increased due primarily to an increase in rent expense at our New York location. U.S. revenue growth was driven by U.S. organic ASV growth of 5.4% and strong performances in our PA and Portware product offerings.

European operating income increased 27.0% to $39.9 million during the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $31.5 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in European operating income was due to revenue growth of 10.6% and benefits from a stronger U.S. dollar. European revenues grew due to solid growth in the PA, Portware and Vermilion product offerings. The impact of foreign currency increased European operating income by $2.1 million year over year primarily due to a decrease in the value of the British Pound Sterling.

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Asia Pacific operating income increased 14.9% to $15.6 million during the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $13.6 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in the Asia Pacific operating income was due to revenue growth of 14.2%, partially offset by increases in employee compensation and occupancy costs.

Six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to six months ended February 29, 2016

U.S. operating income decreased 10.8% to $76.2 million during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $85.5 million in the same period a year ago. The decrease in U.S. operating income is primarily due to increases in expenses related to employee compensation, computer equipment and occupancy costs partially offset by revenue growth of 2.8% and lower data costs. Computer related expenses, which include depreciation, maintenance, software and other fees, increased 17% year over year. Occupancy costs increased due primarily to an increase in rent expense at our New York location. U.S. revenue growth was driven by U.S. organic ASV growth of 5.4% and strong performances in our PA and Portware product offerings. The lower data costs year over year were primarily due to the sale of the Market Metrics business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

European operating income increased 23.0% to $76.5 million during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $62.2 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in European operating income was due to revenue growth of 9.0% and benefits from a stronger U.S. dollar. European revenues grew due to solid growth in PA, Portware and Vermilion product offerings. The impact of foreign currency increased European operating income by $3.8 million year over year primarily due to a decrease in the value of the British Pound Sterling.

Asia Pacific operating income increased 17.6% to $29.4 million during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $25.0 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in the Asia Pacific operating income was due to revenue growth of 17.0%, partially offset by increases in employee compensation and occupancy costs.

Income Taxes, Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share 

	Three months ended							Six months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016		Change			February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016		Change
Provision for income taxes	$	22,780	$	17,157		32.8	%	$	46,017	$	44,594		3.2	%
Net income	$	66,710	$	67,763		(1.6	)%	$	133,293	$	127,727		4.4	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.68	$	1.63		3.1	%	$	3.34		3.06		9.2	%

Income Taxes

Three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

For the three months ended February 28, 2017, the provision for income taxes was $22.8 million, up 32.8% from the same period a year ago. This was primarily due to the Company recognizing a $7.3 million tax benefit in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 related to the reenactment of the US. Federal R&D tax credit (the “R&D tax credit”) in December 2015. The reenactment of the R&D tax credit was retroactive to January 1, 2015 thus resulting in a large benefit in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Offsetting the increase in the current year was our organizational realignment which was effective September 1, 2016. We realigned certain aspects of our global operations from FactSet Research Systems Inc., our U.S. parent company, to FactSet UK Limited, a U.K. operating company, to better position us to serve our growing client base outside the U.S. As a result of the realignment, we expect an approximate benefit of 250 basis point to our fiscal 2017 annual effective tax rate.

Six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to six months ended February 29, 2016

For the six months ended February 28, 2017, the provision for income taxes was $46.0 million, up 3.2% from the same period a year ago. This was primarily due to taxable income increasing by $7.0 million and the prior year provision being impacted by income tax benefits for the R&D tax credit, offset by benefits from the operational realignment in fiscal 2017 previously discussed.

Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share

Three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to three months ended February 29, 2016

Net income decreased 1.6% to $66.7 million while diluted earnings per share increased 3.1% to $1.68 for the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the three months ended February 29, 2016. Net income decreased due to an increase in the tax provision year over year related primarily to the R&D tax credit recognized in the prior year period, an after-tax loss of $0.9 million from the final working capital adjustment related to sale of the Market Metrics business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and higher interest expense due to an increase in debt outstanding year over year. These expenses were offset by revenue growth of 4.5% and foreign currency benefits totaling $2.1 million. The increase in diluted earnings per share was driven by a decrease in diluted shares outstanding due to share repurchases in the quarter.

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Six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to six months ended February 29, 2016

Net income increased 4.4% to $133.3 million and diluted earnings per share increased 9.2% to $3.34 for the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the six months ended February 29, 2016. Drivers of net income and earnings per share during the first six months of fiscal 2016 included organic ASV growth of 6.5%, foreign currency benefits of $3.9 million and tax benefits related to the operational realignment. These increases were partially offset by incremental employee compensation expense due to the hiring of 499 net new employees (including 70 employees from acquisitions completed in the last 12 months), higher rent, marketing and computer-related expenses. The increase in diluted earnings per share was also driven by a decrease in diluted shares outstanding due to share repurchases in the first six months of fiscal 2017.

Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share (non-GAAP)

Financial measures in accordance with U.S. GAAP including operating income and margin, net income and diluted EPS have been adjusted below. These adjusted financial measures are used both in presenting our results to stockholders and the investment community, and also in our internal evaluation and management of the business. We believe that these adjusted financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors because they permit investors to view the Company’s performance using the same tools that we uses to gauge progress in achieving our goals. Adjusted measures may also facilitate comparisons to FactSet’s historical performance.

Adjusted net income for the three months ended February 28, 2017 was $71.8 million, an increase of 8.7% from the prior year period. As presented in the table below, adjusted net income for the quarter ended February 28, 2017 excludes $3.2 million of after-tax intangible asset amortization and $1.1 million of after-tax non-recurring acquisition costs andan after-tax loss of $0.9 million from the final working capital adjustment related to sale of the Market Metrics business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted net income for the three months ended February 29, 2016 excludes $2.9 million of after-tax intangible asset amortization, $1.7 million of after-tax charges from restructuring actions initiated by the Company and $1.0 million of after-tax expense related to a change in the vesting of performance-based stock options. The prior year net income was also adjusted to exclude discrete income tax benefits of $7.3 million related to the reenactment of the R&D tax credit in December 2015.

Fiscal 2017 second quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $1.81 excludes a $0.13 detriment from the intangible asset amortization, non-recurring acquisition costs and the loss on the working capital adjustment. Fiscal 2016 second quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $1.59 excludes a $0.13 detriment from the intangible asset amortization and other non-recurring costs and a $0.17 benefit from theU.S. Federal R&D tax credit.

	Three Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)	February 28, 2017		February 29, 2016			Change
GAAP Net income	$	66,710	$	67,763
Intangible asset amortization		3,156		2,903
Other non-recurring items		1,978		2,732
Income tax benefits	─			(7,317	)
Adjusted net income	$	71,844	$	66,081			8.7	%
GAAP Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.68	$	1.63
Intangible asset amortization		0.08		0.07
Other non-recurring items		0.05		0.06
Income tax benefits	─			(0.17	)
Adjusted Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.81	$	1.59			13.8	%
Weighted average common shares (Diluted)		39,700		41,536

The presentation of the financial information above is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

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Liquidity

The table below, for the periods indicated, provides selected cash flow information:

	Six months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	128,058		$	164,226
Capital expenditures (1)		(18,046	)		(26,438	)
Free cash flow (2)	$	110,012		$	137,788
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(95,383	)	$	(290,632	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	$	(98,497	)	$	150,813
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	155,351		$	175,170

⁽¹⁾ Included in net cash used in investing activities during each fiscal year reported.

⁽²⁾ We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, which includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures.

Cash and cash equivalents aggregated to $155.4 million, or 14.6% of our total assets at February 28, 2017, compared with $175.2 million, or 17.1% of our total assets at February 29, 2016. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased $73.1 million during the first half of fiscal 2017 due to $160.4 million in share repurchases under the existing share repurchase program, $71.7 million in cash paid for acquisitions (net of cash acquired), dividend payments of $39.6 million, capital expenditures of $18.0 million, $7.2 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuation and $5.6 million from the purchase of investments (net of proceeds). In addition, we also had cash outflow of $1.2 million related to the finalization of the working capital adjustment from the sale of the Market Metrics business. These cash outflows were partially offset by cash provided by operations of $128.1 million, $65.0 million in proceeds from long-term debt, $34.7 million in proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options and $9.0 million in tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements.

Free cash flow generated in the six months ended February 28, 2017 was $110.0 million, down 20.2% compared to a year ago. The free cash flow was attributable to $133.3 million of net income, $34.9 million of negative working capital changes and adjusted for $29.7 million of non-cash items, less $18.0 million in capital expenditures. The year over year free cash flow decrease was driven primarily by a negative working capital fluctuation of $48.2 million partially offset by an increase in net income of $5.6 million and lower capital expenditures of $8.3 million. The negative working capital was the result of higher client receivables and the timing of the U.S. payroll processed during the period. Our days sales outstanding (“DSO”) was 40 days as of February 28, 2017, representing an increase from 31 days at August 31, 2016 and 34 days at February 29, 2016. As part of the operational realignment, the majority of our international clients are now invoiced through our U.K. entity. This change delayed payments from some clients. Our recent acquisitions also contributed to the increase in DSO. Free cash flow generated over the last twelve months was $255.6 million. Included in the twelve-month calculation of free cash flow was $294.9 million of net cash provided by operations less $39.3 million of capital expenditures.

Net cash used in investing activities was $95.4 million in the first six months of fiscal 2017, representing a $195.2 million decrease from the same period a year ago. This was due primarily to our acquisition of Portware in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 which resulted in a net cash outflow of $264.1 million compared to a net cash outflow of $71.7 million for acquisitions completed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. Additionally, cash used in investing activities decreased year over year due to lower capital expenditures.

During the first six months of fiscal 2017, net cash used in financing activities was $98.5 million, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $150.8 million in the first six months of fiscal 2016. The year over year fluctuation was due primarily to lower proceeds from long-term debt of $200.0 million and an increase in share repurchases and dividend payments of $54.2 million, partially offset by higher proceeds from stock options exercised of $7.9 million. Refer to the Capital Resources section of the MD&A for a discussion of our long-term debt borrowings.

We expect that for at least the next 12 months, our operating expenses will continue to constitute a significant use of our cash. As of February 28, 2017, our total cash and cash equivalents worldwide was $155.4 million with $365.0 million in outstanding borrowings. Approximately $24.4 million of our total available cash and cash equivalents is held in bank accounts located within the U.S., $93.7 million in Europe (predominantly within the UK and France) and the remaining $37.3 million is held in the Asia Pacific region. As of February 28, 2017, we believe our liquidity (including cash on hand, cash from operating activities and other cash flows that we expect to generate) within each geographic segment will be sufficient to meet our short-term and long-term operating requirements, as they occur, including working capital needs, capital expenditures, dividend payments, stock repurchases, growth objectives and other financing activities. In addition, we expect existing foreign cash, cash equivalents and cash flows from operations to continue to be sufficient to fund our foreign operating activities and cash commitments for investing activities, such as capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future.

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Capital Resources

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $5.5 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to $12.1 million in the same period a year ago. Approximately $3.6 million, or 65%, of capital expenditures related to upgrades to existing computer systems and improvements to our telecommunication equipment primarily at our corporate headquarters in Norwalk, laptop computers and peripherals for new employees and additional servers for our existing data centers in New Jersey and Virginia. The remainder of our capital expenditures was primarily for the build out of office space including $1.1 million in India and $0.6 million in New York.

Capital expenditures were $18.0 million during the first six months of fiscal 2017, down from $26.4 million in the same period a year ago. Approximately $10.0 million, or 55%, of capital expenditures related to upgrades to existing computer systems and improvements to our telecommunication equipment primarily at our corporate headquarters in Norwalk, laptop computers and peripherals for new employees and additional servers for our existing data centers in New Jersey and Virginia. The remainder of our capital expenditures was primarily for the build out of office space including $4.4 million at our Chicago location, $1.3 million in India, $1.2 million in New York and $0.7 million in London.

Capital Needs

Long-Term Debt

2015 Credit Agreement

On February 6, 2015, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2015 Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and Bank of America, N.A. (“BofA”), as the lender. At that date, the 2015 Credit Agreement provided for a $35.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2015 Revolving Credit Facility”), under which we could request borrowings. The 2015 Credit Agreement also allowed us to arrange for additional borrowings for an aggregate amount of up to $265.0 million provided that any such request for additional borrowings was in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. For purposes of funding our acquisition of Code Red on February 6, 2015, we borrowed $35.0 million in the form of a Eurodollar rate loan (the “Loan”) under the Revolving Credit Facility. The proceeds of the Loan made under the 2015 Credit Agreement could be used for permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the outstanding principal amount was equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.50%.

On September 21, 2015, we amended the 2015 Credit Agreement to borrow an additional $265.0 million (the “Second Amendment”) in order to fund our acquisition of Portware which closed on October 16, 2015. The Second Amendment allowed us, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with BofA for an aggregate amount of up to $400.0 million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings is in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. The Second Amendment also adjusted the interest rate on the total outstanding principal debt to a rate equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.75%.

On October 26, 2016, we again amended the 2015 Credit Agreement to borrow an additional $65.0 million (the “Third Amendment”) for general corporate purposes. The interest rate for the borrowing under the Third Amendment was equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.75%. The Eurodollar rate is defined in the 2015 Credit Agreement as the rate per annum equal to one-month LIBOR. The maturity date on all outstanding loan amounts (which totaled $365.0 million as of February 28, 2017) was September 21, 2018.

2017 Credit Agreement

On March 17, 2017, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as the administrative agent and lender. The 2017 Credit Agreement provides for a $575.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). We may request borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility until its maturity date of March 17, 2020. The 2017 Credit Agreement also allows us, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with PNC for an aggregate amount of up to $225.0 million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings must be in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. At our option, a borrowing may be in the form of a base rate loan or a LIBOR rate loan. Borrowings under the loan bear interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. Interest on the loan outstanding is payable quarterly in arrears and on the maturity date.

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In conjunction with our entrance into the 2017 Credit Agreement, we borrowed $575.0 million in the form of a LIBOR rate loan (the “2017 Loan”) under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility and retired our outstanding debt under the 2015 Credit Agreement. The total principal amount of the Loan outstanding at the time of retirement was $365.0 million. Proceeds from the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility were also used for purposes of funding our acquisition of BI-SAM Technologies.

All outstanding loan amounts are reported as Long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet at February 28, 2017.   During the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, we paid approximately $1.3 million and $0.9 million in interest on our outstanding debt amounts, respectively. During the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, we paid approximately $2.4 million and $1.3 million in interest on our outstanding debt amounts, respectively.

As of February 28, 2017, no commitment fee was owed by us since we borrowed the full amount under the 2015 Credit Agreement. Other fees incurred by us, such as legal costs to draft and review the 2015 Credit Agreement, totaled less than $0.1 million and were capitalized as loan origination fees. Loan origination fees are amortized into interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method.

The 2015 Credit Agreement contained covenants restricting certain FactSet activities, which are usual and customary for this type of loan.

In addition, the 2015 Credit Agreement required that we maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, as measured by total funded debt/EBITDA below a specified level as of the end of each fiscal quarter. We were in compliance with all of the covenants of the 2015 Credit Agreement as of February 28, 2017.

As of February 28, 2017, the fair value of our long-term debt was $365.0 million, which we believe approximates carrying amount as the terms and interest rates approximate market rates given its floating interest rate basis.

Letters of Credit

From time to time, we are required to obtain letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. Approximately $1.9 million of standby letters of credit have been issued in connection with our current leased office space as of February 28, 2017. These standby letters of credit contain covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. As of February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all covenants contained in the standby letters of credit.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency Exposure

Certain wholly owned subsidiaries within the European and Asia Pacific segments operate under a functional currency different from the U.S. dollar. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Translation gains and losses that arise from translating assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of foreign operations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of stockholders’ equity.

As of February 28, 2017, our annualized non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues are estimated to be $29.7 million while our non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are estimated to be $221.7 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $192.0 million. Our foreign currency exchange exposure is related to our operating expense base in countries outside the U.S., where 71% of our employees were located as of February 28, 2017. During the first six months of fiscal 2017, foreign currency movements increased operating income by $3.9 million, compared to $6.9 million a year ago.

Foreign Currency Hedges

As of February 28, 2017, we maintained the following foreign currency forward contracts to hedge our foreign currency exposure:

● British Pound Sterling - foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 50% of our British Pound Sterling exposure through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

● Indian Rupee - foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 75% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

As of February 28, 2017, the gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase British Pound Sterling with U.S. dollars was £11.7 million. The gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs. 4.6 billion.

There were no other outstanding foreign currency forward contracts as of February 28, 2017. A loss on derivatives of $1.0 million was recorded into operating income during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to a gain of less than $0.1 million in the year ago second quarter. During the first half of fiscal 2017, a loss on derivatives of $2.4 million was recorded into operating income, compared to a gain on derivatives of $0.1 million a year ago.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, we had no off-balance sheet financing or other arrangements with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships (such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities) established for purposes of facilitating off-balance sheet financing or other debt arrangements or for other contractually limited purposes.

Share Repurchase Program

In the second quarter of 2017, we repurchased 479,822 shares for $81.1 million under the existing share repurchase program compared to 465,000 shares for $71.4 million in the same period a year ago. During the first six months of fiscal 2017, we repurchased 984,822 shares for $160.4 million under the existing share repurchase program compared to 715,000 shares for $113.3 million a year ago. As of February 28, 2017, $36.5 million remained available for future share repurchases. On March 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of FactSet approved a $300.0 million expansion of to the existing share repurchase program. Including this expansion, $336.5 million is currently available for future share repurchases

On July 1, 2016, we entered into an ASR Agreement to repurchase $120.0 million of our common stock. We received 595,607 shares of common stock on July 5, 2016, which was approximately 80% of the total number of shares of common stock expected to be repurchased under the ASR Agreement. The final settlement of the ASR Agreement occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 with us receiving an additional 102,916 shares of our common stock.

Contractual Obligations

Fluctuations in our operating results, the degree of success of our accounts receivable collection efforts, the timing of tax and other payments as well as necessary capital expenditures to support growth of our operations will impact our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. The effect of our contractual obligations on our liquidity and capital resources in future periods should be considered in conjunction with the factors mentioned here. As of August 31, 2016, we had total purchase commitments of $67.5 million. There were no material changes in our purchase commitments during the first six months of fiscal 2017.

At February 28, 2017, FactSet leased approximately 1,142,000 square feet of office space, which we believe is adequate for our current needs and that additional space is available for lease to meet any future needs. Including new lease agreements executed during fiscal 2017, our worldwide leased office space increased by approximately 70,000 square feet, or 6.5%, from August 31, 2016. This increase was primarily due to expanded office space in India, offset by the consolidation of certain other office spaces.

As disclosed earlier in the Capital Needs section of this MD&A, through the second quarter of fiscal 2017 we have $365.0 million outstanding in the form of a Eurodollar rate loan. The maturity date on the outstanding loan amount was September 21, 2018. The amount borrowed bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.75% and was reported as Long-term debt within our Consolidated Balance Sheet at February 28, 2017. As disclosed in the Capital Resources section of the MD&A, FactSet entered into the 2017 Credit Agreement on March 17, 2017 and borrowed $575.0 million. In conjunction with the 2017 Credit Agreement, FactSet retired its previous outstanding loan amount under the 2015 Credit Agreement.

With the exception of the new leases entered into in the ordinary course of business, there were no other significant changes to our contractual obligations during the first six months of fiscal 2017.

Dividends

On February 3, 2017, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share, or $2.00 per share per annum. The cash dividend of $19.7 million was paid on March 21, 2017, to common stockholders of record on February 28, 2017. With our dividends and our share repurchases, in the aggregate, we have returned $485.2 million to stockholders in the last 12 months. Future cash dividends will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by us and is subject to final determination by our Board of Directors.

Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates

We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.

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We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. There were no significant changes in our accounting policies or critical accounting estimates during the first six months of fiscal 2017.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption, which we include herein by reference.

Market Trends

In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to financial risks involving the volatility of equity markets as well as foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations.

Approximately 83.2% of our ASV is derived from our investment management clients. The prosperity of these clients is tied to equity assets under management. An equity market decline not only depresses assets under management but could cause a significant increase in redemption requests to move money out of equities and into other asset classes. Moreover, a shift from active investment management to passive investment management can result in lower demand for our services. Our investment banking clients that perform M&A advisory work, provide capital markets services and equity research, account for approximately 16.8% of our ASV. A significant portion of these revenues relate to services deployed by large, bulge bracket banks. Credit continues to impact many of the large banking clients due to the amount of leverage deployed in past operations. Clients could encounter similar problems. A lack of confidence in the global banking system could cause declines in M&A funded by debt. Additional uncertainty, consolidation and business failures in the global investment banking sector could adversely affect our financial results and future growth. Regardless, the size of banks in general is shrinking as they deleverage their balance sheets and adjust their expense bases to future revenue opportunities. Our revenues may decline if banks, including those involved in recent merger activity, significantly reduce headcount in the areas of corporate M&A, capital markets and equity research to compensate for the issues created by other departments.

Due to the global nature of our operations, we conduct business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen and Philippine Peso. To the extent that our international activities increase in the future, our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will correspondingly increase. To manage this exposure, we utilize derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). By their nature, all derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and credit risk. The market risk associated with these instruments resulting from currency exchange movements is expected to offset the market risk of the underlying transactions, assets and liabilities being hedged. Credit risk is managed through the continuous monitoring of exposure to the counterparties associated with these instruments. Our primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings associated with changes in foreign currency.

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom (“UK”) held a referendum in which British citizens approved an exit from the European Union (“EU”), commonly referred to as “Brexit.” As a result of the referendum, the global markets and currencies have been adversely impacted, including a sharp decline in the value of the British Pound Sterling as compared to the U.S. dollar. Volatility in exchange rates is expected to continue as the UK negotiates its exit from the EU. More recently, on February 1, 2017, the British Parliament voted in favor of allowing the U.K. government to begin the formal process of Brexit and discussions with the EU began on March 29, 2017. We currently hedge approximately 50% of our British Pound Sterling exposure through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, thus reducing our currency risk. In the longer term, any impact from Brexit on us will depend, in part, on the outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory and other negotiations. Although it is unknown what the result of those negotiations will be, it is possible that new terms may adversely affect our operations and financial results.

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Forward-Looking Factors

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to current and historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, forecast and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These include statements about our strategy for growth, product development, market position, subscriptions and expected expenditures and financial results. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “should,” “indicates,” “continues,” “ASV,” “subscriptions,” “believes,” “estimates,” “may” and similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth, trends in our business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We will publicly update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

We intend that all forward-looking statements we make will be subject to safe harbor protection of the federal securities laws as found in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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 below. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Business Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of April 3, 2017. Given the risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed above, actual results may differ materially. We do not intend to update our forward-looking statements until our next quarterly results announcement, other than in publicly available statements.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2017 Expectations:

- GAAP Revenues are expected to be in the range of $311 million and $317 million.

- GAAP operating margin is expected to be in the range of 29.0% and 30.0%. Adjusted operating margin is expected to be in the range of 31.0% and 32.0%.

- The annual effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 25.0% and 26.0%.

- GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.68 and $1.74. Adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.81 and $1.87. The midpoint of the adjusted EPS range represents 12% growth over the prior year.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk that could impact our financial position and results of operations.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We conduct business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen and Philippine Peso. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Over the next 12 months, our non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues expected to be recognized are estimated to be $29.7 million while our non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are estimated to be $221.7 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $192.0 million. To the extent that our international activities recorded in local currencies increase in the future, our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will correspondingly increase. To manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we utilize derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). By their nature, all derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and credit risk. The market risk associated with these instruments resulting from currency exchange movements is expected to offset the market risk of the underlying transactions, assets and liabilities being hedged. We do not believe there is significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties associated with these instruments because these transactions are executed with a major financial institution. Further, our policy is to deal with counterparties having a minimum investment grade or better credit rating. Credit risk is managed through the continuous monitoring of exposures to such counterparties. Our primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings associated with changes in foreign currency.

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As of February 28, 2017, we maintained the following foreign currency forward contracts to hedge our foreign currency exposure:

● British Pound Sterling - foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 50% of our British Pound Sterling exposure through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

● Indian Rupee - foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 75% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

As of February 28, 2017, the gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase British Pound Sterling with U.S. dollars was £11.7 million. The gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs. 4.6 billion.

A loss on derivatives of $1.0 million was recorded into operating income during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to a gain of less than $0.1 million in the year ago second quarter. During the first half of fiscal 2017, a loss on derivatives of $2.4 million was recorded into operating income, compared to a gain on derivatives of $0.1 million a year ago. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts mitigate the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. These transactions are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The related cash flow impacts of all of our derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities.

A sensitivity analysis was performed based on the estimated fair value of all foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at February 28, 2017. If the U.S. dollar had been 10% weaker, the fair value of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts would have increased by $9.5 million, which would have had an immaterial impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Such a change in fair value of our financial instruments would be substantially offset by changes in our expense base. Had we not had any hedges in place as of February 28, 2017, a hypothetical 10% weaker U.S. dollar against all foreign currencies from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at February 28, 2017, would result in a decrease in operating income by $18.8 million over the next 12 months. A hypothetical 10% weaker U.S. dollar against all foreign currencies at February 28, 2017 would increase the fair value of total assets by $30.6 million and equity by $28.4 million.

On June 23, 2016, the UK held a referendum in which British citizens approved an exit from the EU, commonly referred to as “Brexit.” The U.K. Parliament voted in favor of allowing the U.K. government to begin the formal process of Brexit on February 1, 2017 and discussions with the EU began on March 29, 2017. As a result of the referendum, the global markets and currencies have been adversely impacted, including a sharp decline in the value of the British Pound Sterling as compared to the U.S. dollar. Volatility in exchange rates is expected to continue in the short term as the UK negotiates its exit from the EU. We hedge approximately 50% of our British Pound Sterling exposure through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, thus reducing our currency risk. In the longer term, any impact from Brexit on us will depend, in part, on the outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory and other negotiations. Although it is unknown what the result of those negotiations will be, it is possible that new terms may adversely affect our operations and financial results.

Interest Rate Risk

Cash and Cash Equivalents - The fair market value of our cash and investments at February 28, 2017 was $185.4 million. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less and are reported at fair value. Our investments consist of certificates of deposits with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as Investments within our Consolidated Balance Sheet. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our cash and investments will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates. Preservation of principal is the primary goal of our cash and investment policy. Pursuant to our established investment guidelines, we try to achieve high levels of credit quality, liquidity and diversification. Our investment guidelines do not permit us to invest in puts, calls, strips, short sales, straddles, options, commodities, precious metals, futures or investments on margin. Because we have a restrictive investment policy, our financial exposure to fluctuations in interest rates is expected to remain low. We do not believe that the value or liquidity of our cash and investments have been significantly impacted by current market events.

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Debt - As of February 28, 2017, the fair value of our long-term debt was $365.0 million, which approximated its carrying amount and was determined based on quoted market prices for debt with a similar maturity. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our debt will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates and we do not believe that the value of our debt has been significantly impacted by current market events. The debt bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to 0.75% plus the Eurodollar rate, which is equal to one-month LIBOR. During the three months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, we paid approximately $1.3 million and $0.9 million in interest on our outstanding debt amounts, respectively. During the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, we paid approximately $2.4 million and $1.3 million in interest on our outstanding debt amounts, respectively. Assuming all terms of our outstanding long-term debt remained the same, a hypothetical 25 basis point change (up or down) in the one-month LIBOR rate would result in a $0.9 million change in our annual interest expense.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no 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 Company’s second quarter of fiscal 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we acquired Vermilion Holdings Limited (“Vermilion”). Refer to Note 8, Business Combinations, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the acquisition. We are currently in the process of integrating the internal controls and procedures of Vermilion into our internal controls over financial reporting. As provided under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we will include the internal controls and procedures of Vermilion in our annual assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for our 2018 fiscal year.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information set forth under Note 18, Commitments and Contingencies, contained in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is incorporated by reference in answer to this Item.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes during the first six months of fiscal 2017 to the risk factors identified in the Company’s fiscal 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Items 2(a) and (b) are not applicable as there have been no unregistered sales of equity securities.

(c)    Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (in thousands, except per share data)

The following table provides a month-to-month summary of the share repurchase activity under the current stock repurchase program during the three months ended February 28, 2017:

Period	Total number of shares purchased		Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs		Maximum number of shares (or approximate dollar value) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in US$)
December 2016		140,000	$	163.70		140,000	$	94,759
January 2017		219,822	$	169.23		219,822	$	57,559
February 2017*		120,000	$	175.21		120,000	$	36,534
Total		479,822				479,822

*On March 27, 2017, FactSet’s Board of Directors approved a $300.0 million expansion to the existing share repurchase program. Including the approved $300.0 million expansion to the program, $336.5 million remains authorized for future share repurchases. Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On April 7, 2017, the Company announced that it had accepted the resignation of Scott G. Miller from his position as Executive Vice President, Global Director of Sales. In connection with his departure from the Company, to be effective on April 21, 2017, Mr. Miller and the Company entered into a separation agreement on April 9, 2017 (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Miller will receive: (i) a payment equal to six months’ base salary and a portion of his estimated bonus for the 2017 fiscal year; (ii) continued healthcare coverage for Mr. Miller and his dependents for the period until December 31, 2017; (iii) accelerated vesting of certain stock options that otherwise would have vested on or prior to January 21, 2018; and (iv) certain other ancillary benefits. The foregoing description of the Separation Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) EXHIBITS:

EXBHIT NUMBER	DESCRIPTION
10.1	Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims, dated April 9, 2017
31.1	Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2	Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1	Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
32.2	Section 906 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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.

	FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.
	(Registrant)
Date: April 10, 2017	/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI
	Maurizio Nicolelli
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ MATTHEW J. MCNULTY

Matthew J. McNulty

Vice President, Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

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 EXHIBIT INDEX

EXBHIT NUMBER	DESCRIPTION
10.1	Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims, dated April 9, 2017
31.1	Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2	Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1	Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
32.2	Section 906 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE of claims

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (“the Company”) and I, Scott Miller (“Employee”), have entered into this Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims (“Agreement”) to settle all known and unknown claims I might have against Company and all related parties. Except to the extent governed by federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by the statutes and common law of Connecticut, excluding any that mandate the use of another jurisdiction’s laws.

The Company and I agree as follows:

Section 1 -- Benefits

(a)     In General: The Company promises that I will receive the benefits set forth in this section that are conditioned on my execution of this Agreement. I understand and agree that I am not otherwise entitled to receive the benefits provided to me under this Agreement. I may not sign this Agreement until after my Termination Date, defined below. I understand that I may revoke this Agreement within 7 days after I sign it, in which case I will not receive the amounts or benefits that are being paid to me under it, and this Agreement will never go into effect.

(b)          Salary Continuation: Although I will not be required to report to work at the Company and I will not be required to perform regular work assignments after April 6, 2017, (“Last Working Day”), whether I sign this Agreement or not, I will continue to receive my regular pay, less all applicable federal, state and local taxes and withholdings, for the period from now through the effective date of my termination on April 21, 2017 (“Termination Date”). During this period, I will remain on active payroll and retain all salary, compensation and employment benefits that I previously enjoyed, including Company medical benefits. I agree, however, to provide information and guidance, as necessary, to assist in the transition of my workload and responsibilities.

(c)           Separation Payment: In exchange for signing this Agreement, I will receive a lump sum separation payment of $300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents), less all applicable federal, state and local taxes and withholdings. Payment will be made within 15 days after expiration of the revocation period described in Section 5 below.

(d)            Equity Awards: The Company will accelerate the vesting of the following outstanding equity awards such that the shares subject to such awards as specified here shall be deemed vested and exercisable as of the Termination Date, subject to the standard terms of the Company’s option agreement: (i) 15,045 of the options granted to you on January 21, 2015; and (ii) 2,029 of the options granted to you on November 1, 2016.

(e)             Compensation and Benefit Programs: I waive coverage and benefits under all Company disability programs, but this Agreement does not affect my eligibility for other Company stock option, bonus, incentive compensation, commission, medical, dental, life insurance, retirement and other compensation or benefit plans of the Company or any affiliate. Whether I sign this Agreement or not, I understand that my rights and continued participation in those plans will be governed by their existing terms. After my Termination Date, the Company shall make monthly premium payments of $2,541.51 to be made on my behalf for continuation of health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended (COBRA) through December 31, 2017, totaling $22,873.53. Thereafter, I may be able to purchase continued health plan coverage under the normal COBRA health care continuation rules. I understand and acknowledge that it is my responsibility to enroll in COBRA coverage if I elect to do so, and I shall be responsible for all premium payments.

Payments made under this Agreement will not be included in my compensation for purposes of calculating the benefits to which I am entitled under any employee benefit program, notwithstanding anything in it to the contrary.

(f)          Outplacement Assistance: I will receive outplacement assistance services, for which the Company will be invoiced directly. For these outplacement services, the Company will pay a total amount not to exceed $25,000.

Section 2 -- Complete General Release of Claims

(a)     Claims Released: Except for the claims identified in Section 2(b), I irrevocably and unconditionally release (i.e., give up) all known and unknown claims, promises, causes of action, or similar rights of any type that I currently may have (“Claims”) with respect to any Released Party listed in Section 2(c). I understand that I am not releasing future rights or claims, meaning rights or claims that arise after the date I execute this Agreement. I understand that the Claims I am releasing might arise under many different foreign, domestic, national, state, or local laws (including statutes, regulations, other administrative guidance, and common law doctrines), such as the following:

Anti-discrimination statutes, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Sections 1981 and 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and Executive Order 11,246, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, or sex; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) and Executive Order 11,141, which prohibit age discrimination in employment; the Equal Pay Act, which prohibits paying men and women unequal pay for equal work; the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination based on disability; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (“GINA”), which prohibits discrimination based on genetic information; and any other federal, state, or local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on a protected category, such as actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.

Federal employment statutes, such as the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN Act”), which requires that advance notice be given of certain work force reductions; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), which, among other things, protects employee benefits; and any other federal laws relating to employment, such as veterans’ reemployment rights laws.

Other laws, such as any federal, state, or local laws mandating leaves of absence, restricting an employer’s right to terminate employees, or otherwise regulating employment; any federal, state, or local law enforcing express or implied employment contracts or requiring an employer to deal with employees fairly or in good faith; any other federal, state, or local laws providing recourse for alleged wrongful discharge, tort, physical or personal injury, emotional distress, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, defamation, and similar or related claims; any other law relating to salary, commission, compensation, benefits, and other matters; and family and medical leave laws.

Examples of released Claims include, but are not limited to the following (except to the extent explicitly preserved by Section 1 or 2(b) of this Agreement): (i) Claims that in any way relate to or arose during my employment with the Company, or the termination of that employment, such as Claims for compensation, bonuses, commissions, lost wages, or unused accrued vacation or sick pay; (ii) Claims that in any way relate to the design or administration of any employee benefit program; (iii) Claims that I have irrevocable or vested rights to severance or similar benefits or to post-employment health or group insurance benefits; (iv) any Claims to attorneys’ fees or other indemnities (such as under the Civil Rights Attorneys’ Fees Act), with respect to Claims I am releasing; or (v) claims under the Connecticut Human Rights and Opportunities Law, the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Law, the Connecticut Age Discrimination and Employee Insurance Benefits Law, and the Connecticut Smokers’ Rights Law.

If, despite this Agreement, I sue or bring an arbitration action asserting any Claim that I have released, I will be liable to the Released Party (as defined below) for its attorneys’ fees, other defense costs, and any other damages that my suit or arbitration causes, except those attributable to ADEA claims. I promise not to accept any relief or remedies not set forth in this Agreement as to any Claim I have released by signing it.

(b)     Claims Not Released: This Agreement does not release any claims that the law does not permit me to release. Nothing herein affects my rights to indemnification, reimbursement for business expenses incurred through the Termination Date in accordance with Company policy, payment for accrued but unused vacation in accordance with Company policy, and vested benefits under the Company’s 401(k) plan, subject to the terms of such plan.

(c)     Released Parties: The Released Parties are the Company, all current and former parents, subsidiaries, related companies, partnerships, or joint ventures, and, with respect to each of them, their predecessors and successors; and, with respect to each such entity, all of its past, present, and future employees, officers, directors, stockholders, owners, representatives, assigns, attorneys, agents, insurers, employee benefit programs (and the trustees, administrators, fiduciaries, and insurers of such programs), and any other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of the persons or entities listed in this subsection, and their successors.

Section 3 -- Promises

(a)     Employment Termination: I agree that my employment with the Company and its affiliates has ended or is ending as of my Termination Date, and that I am accepting payments and benefits under this Agreement in lieu of any such other rights or benefits to which I possibly could be or become entitled. I have not been told that the Company or any Released Party will rehire me. I promise not to seek employment with them unless they personally ask me to do so.

(b)     Resignation of All Other Positions: Upon termination of my employment, I agree to resign, effective on the Termination Date from all positions that I hold as an officer or member of the Board (or a committee thereof) of the Company or any of its affiliates.

(c)           Company Property and Debts: I have returned to the Company all files, memoranda, documents, records, copies of the foregoing, Company-provided credit cards, keys, building passes, security passes, access or identification cards, devices and equipment belonging to the Company (including computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, handheld electronic devices, telephone equipment, and other electronic devices, including PDAs), and any other property of the Company or any Released Party in my possession or control, other than my car, all with the Company’s consent. The Company will promptly transfer the title of the car to me. I have cooperated with the Company and will cooperate with the Company regarding the proper handling of any digital property of the Company that may be retained in mobile phone or related digital storage devices, media or accounts. I have cleared all expense accounts, repaid everything I owe to the Company or any Released Party, paid all amounts I owe on Company-provided credit cards or accounts (such as mobile or smart phone accounts), and canceled or personally assumed any such credit cards or accounts.

(d)     Taxes: I am responsible for paying any taxes on amounts I receive because I signed this Agreement. I agree that the Company is to withhold all taxes it determines it is legally required to withhold. I agree not to make any claim against the Company or any other person based on how the Company reports amounts paid under this Agreement to tax authorities.

(e)     Ownership of Claims: I have not assigned or transferred any Claim I am purporting to release, nor have I attempted to do so.

(f)            Communication with Government Agency; Immunity: This Agreement does not preclude me from filing an administrative charge or otherwise communicating with any federal, state or local government office, official or agency. I promise never to seek or accept any damages, remedies or other relief for myself personally with respect to any Claim released by Paragraph 2(a) of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is designed to interfere with, restrain, restrict, or prevent communications protected by state or federal law, including as protected by (a) Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (“NLRA”) (or court order), regarding wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment or (b) Exchange Act Rule 21F-17, addressing communications (including by my attorney) with, or testimony before, the SEC, FINRA, or other regulatory authority regarding possible securities law violations. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement prohibits me from communicating with or reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any federal, state, or local governmental office, official, agency, or entity.  Notwithstanding my confidentiality obligations set forth in this Agreement, I understand that, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, I will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any U.S. Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (A) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. I also understand that if I file a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, I may disclose the trade secret to my attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if I (A) file any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (B) do not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.  I understand that if a disclosure of trade secrets was not done in good faith pursuant to the above, then I may be subject to liability, including, without limitation, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

(g)     Mutual Agreement Not to Disparage or Harm: Subject to Section 3(f), I agree not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage any Released Party and, in particular, not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage any current or former employee of the Company. I understand and agree that breach of this provision will result in damages that are difficult to quantify. The Company likewise agrees not to criticize, denigrate, or disparage me or my work in any communication to a third party. I agree not to incur any expenses, obligations, or liabilities on behalf of the Company.

(h)     Confidential and Proprietary Information and Existing Obligations: Subject to Section 3(f), I understand that, at all times in the future, I will remain bound by any Company or Company affiliate agreement or policy relating to confidential information, proprietary information, invention, or similar matters to which I am now subject, including but not limited to any FactSet Research Systems Inc. Intellectual Property Agreement which I previously signed, and which is expressly incorporated by reference herein, and I agree that to the extent any provision in such agreement or policy conflicts with any provision in this Agreement, the provision or interpretation affording the greater protection to the Company shall govern. In particular, I acknowledge that my employment by the Company created a relationship of confidence and trust with respect to any information of a confidential or secret nature disclosed to me by the Company or a third party that (i) related to the business of the Company or to the business of any parent, subsidiary, affiliate, customer or supplier of the Company or any other party with whom the Company agreed to hold information of such party in confidence, (ii) was not generally known to the public or to other persons in the industry, or if generally known, was used, selected or arranged by the Company in a manner not generally known and was made the property of the Company by mutual agreement of the parties, including by the Invention Assignment and Proprietary Information Agreement, and/or similar agreement, and (iii) that the Company has taken reasonable measures under the circumstances to protect from unauthorized use or disclosure (the “Confidential Information”). I agree and represent that I have not disclosed, copied, disseminated, shared or transmitted any Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation or entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except in the course of carrying out my duties and responsibilities of employment with the Company. I also agree, at all times in the future, not to make use of any Confidential Information for my own purposes or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation or other entity. I further warrant and represent that all Confidential Information in my possession, custody or control that is or was a property of the Company has been or shall be returned to the Company by the date I sign this Agreement.

(i)     Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation of Employees and Customers:

i. Noncompetition.  Effective from my Termination Date with the Company and its subsidiaries and for one year thereafter, I shall not, directly or indirectly, knowingly own, manage, operate, join or control, be employed by or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be a consultant to or connected in any other manner with, any business, firm or corporation which competes with a principal business of the Company or its affiliates (a “Competitive Activity”) in North America.  For these purposes, my passive ownership of securities of a public company not in excess of five (5) percent of any class of such securities shall not be considered to be a Competitive Activity with the Company or its affiliates.

ii. Nonsolicitation of Employees.  Effective from my Termination Date with the Company and its subsidiaries and for one year thereafter, I shall not for myself or any person or business entity, knowingly induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or an affiliate to terminate employment with the Company or an affiliate or solicit, entice, take away or employ any person employed by the Company or an affiliate.

iii. Nonsolicitation of Customers. I understand and acknowledge that because of my experience with and relationship to the Company, I had access to and learned about much or all of the Company’s customer information. “Customer Information” includes, but is not limited to, names, phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, order history, order preferences, chain of command, pricing information, and other information identifying facts and circumstances specific to the customer and relevant to sales/services.

I understand and acknowledge that loss of this customer relationship and/or goodwill will cause significant and irreparable harm.

I agree and covenant, during a period of one year, to run consecutively, beginning on my Termination Date, not to directly or indirectly solicit, contact (including but not limited to e-mail, regular mail, express mail, telephone, fax, and instant message), attempt to contact, or meet with the Company's current, former or prospective customers for purposes of offering or accepting goods or services similar to or competitive with those offered by the Company.

This restriction shall only apply to:

iv. Customers or prospective customers I contacted in any way during the past 12 months;

v. Customers about whom I have trade secret or confidential information;

vi. Customers who became customers during my employment with the Company; and

vii. Customers about whom I have information that is not available publicly.

(j)     Implementation: I agree to sign any documents and do anything else that in the future is needed to implement this Agreement.

(k)     Other Representations: In addition to my other representations in this Agreement, I have made the following representations to the Company, on which I acknowledge it also has relied in entering into this Agreement with me:

i. I have not suffered any job-related wrongs or injuries, such as any type of discrimination, for which I might still be entitled to compensation or relief in the future. I have properly reported any and all job-related wrongs or injuries for which I might still be entitled to compensation or relief, such as an injury for which I might receive a workers’ compensation award in the future. I have properly reported all hours that I have worked and I have been paid all wages, overtime, commissions, compensation, benefits, and other amounts that the Company or any Released Party should have paid me in the past.

ii. This Agreement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the Company or any other Released Party.

iii. I am intentionally releasing claims that I do not know I might have and that, with hindsight, I might regret having released.

iv. If the Company or I successfully assert that any provision in this Release is void, the rest of the Agreement shall remain valid and enforceable.

(l)     False Claims Representations and Promises: I have disclosed to the Company any information I have concerning any conduct involving the Company or any affiliate that I have any reason to believe may be unlawful or that involves any false claims to the United States. I promise to cooperate fully in any investigation the Company or any affiliate undertakes into matters occurring during my employment with the Company or any affiliate. I understand that nothing in this Agreement prevents me from cooperating with any U.S. government investigation. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, I hereby irrevocably assign to the U.S. government any right I might have to any proceeds or awards in connection with any false claims proceedings against the Company or any affiliate.

(m)           Cooperation Required: I agree that when requested by the Company, I will promptly and fully respond to all inquiries from the Company or any affiliate and its representatives relating to any lawsuit in which I am identified as having factual information needed by the Company. To the extent I incur reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (such as postage costs or telephone charges) in assisting the Company or any affiliate at its request, the Company will mail me a reimbursement check for those expenses within 15 days after it receives my request for payment, along with satisfactory written substantiation of the claimed expenses.

(n)           Disclosure:   Nothing herein shall prevent the Company or the Executive from disclosing the terms of this Agreement if required to do so under applicable law or by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 4 -- Consequences of Violating Promises

I agree that the Company would be irreparably harmed by any actual or threatened violation of Section 3 that involves disclosure or use of confidential information, proprietary information, or trade secrets, and that the Company will be entitled to an injunction prohibiting me from committing any such violation.

Section 5 -- Consideration of Agreement

I acknowledge that, before signing this Agreement, I was given at least 21 days in which to consider this Agreement. I waive any right I might have to additional time within which to consider this Agreement. I further acknowledge that: (1) I took advantage of the time I was given to consider this Agreement before signing it; (2) I carefully read this Agreement; (3) I fully understand it; (4) I am entering into it voluntarily; (5) I am receiving valuable consideration in exchange for my execution of this Agreement that I would not otherwise be entitled to receive; (6) the Company, by this writing, encouraged me to discuss this Agreement with my attorney (at my own expense) before signing it, and that I did so to the extent I deemed appropriate; and (7) any changes made to this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, will not restart the 21 day consideration period. I understand that I am entitled to revoke this Agreement, in writing, within 7 days once I sign it. Such revocation must be delivered to the Company as provided herein within the 7 day period, in which case I will receive no benefits and this Agreement will not go into effect. If I do not revoke this Agreement, it will become enforceable on the eighth day after I sign it. The Company need not sign this Agreement for it to become effective.

Section 6 -- Miscellaneous

(a)          Entire Agreement: In addition to any Company or Company affiliate agreement or policy relating to the confidentiality of Proprietary Information, inventions, or similar matters referenced in Section 3 above, this Agreement is the entire agreement between me and the Company relating to my termination of employment or the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified or canceled in any manner, nor may any provision of it or any legal remedy with respect to it be waived, except by a writing signed by both me and an authorized Company official. I acknowledge that the Company has made no representations or promises to me (such as that my former position will remain vacant), other than those in or referred to by this Agreement. If any provision in this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, all other provisions will remain fully enforceable.

(b)     Successors: This Agreement binds my heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of all Released Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns.

(c)     Interpretation: This Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It shall not be construed strictly for or against me or any Released Party. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term “or” shall be deemed to include the term “and” and the singular or plural number shall be deemed to include the other. Captions are intended solely for convenience of reference and shall not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 7 -- Arbitration of Disputes

The Company and I agree to resolve any disputes we may have with each other through final, binding and confidential arbitration consistent with applicable law. For example, I am agreeing to arbitrate any dispute about the validity of this Agreement or any discrimination claim. I also agree to resolve through final, binding and confidential arbitration any disputes I have with any other Released Party who elects to arbitrate those disputes under this subsection. Arbitration shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its employment dispute resolution rules which can be found at www.adr.org/employment, and consistent with state law. A neutral arbitrator will preside over the arbitration and issue a written decision subject to limited judicial review. The decision shall remain confidential between the parties and shall not be published by the arbitrator or the AAA. All remedies available under law will be available in the Arbitration. The Arbitration proceedings will allow for adequate discovery. Commencement of the Arbitration will be at a minimal cost to me. This agreement to arbitrate does not apply to government agency proceedings. By agreeing to this Agreement, I understand that I am waiving my right to a jury trial.

(remainder of page left intentionally blank)

You may not make any changes to the terms of this agreement and you may not sign it until the end of your work day on your termination date.

Before signing this agreement, take it home, read it, and carefully consider it. If you choose, discuss it with your attorney (at your own expense). You have 21 days to consider this agreement. If you do not sign and return this agreement within this 21-day period, it automatically expires.

Once you sign this agreement, you will have an additional 7 days to revoke it. If you choose to revoke this agreement, you must deliver a written notice of revocation to:

Rachel Stern, General Counsel

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

601 Merritt 7, Norwalk, CT 06851

BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU WILL BE WAIVING YOUR KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

Executed at Norwalk, Connecticut, this ninth day of April, 2017, and signed under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Connecticut.

/s/ Scott G. Miller

Signature

Executed at Norwalk, CT this ninth day of April, 2017.

/s/ F. Philip Snow

For FactSet Research Systems Inc.

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, F. Philip Snow, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of FactSet Research Systems Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have any significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 10, 2017
	/s/ F. PHILIP SNOW
	F. Philip Snow
	Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Maurizio Nicolelli, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of FactSet Research Systems Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have any significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 10, 2017
	/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI
	Maurizio Nicolelli
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, F. Philip Snow, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ F. PHILIP SNOW

F. Philip Snow

Chief Executive Officer

April 10, 2017

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Maurizio Nicolelli, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI

Maurizio Nicolelli

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

April 10, 2017

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001013237
Trading Symbol	fds
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		39,458,289
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Feb. 28, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false

XML

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Revenues from clients	$ 294,354	$ 281,796	$ 582,417	$ 552,300
Operating expenses
Cost of services	131,635	123,911	258,885	238,647
Selling, general and administrative	70,973	72,541	141,467	141,001
Total operating expenses	202,608	196,452	400,352	379,648
Operating income	91,746	85,344	182,065	172,652
Other expense
Loss on sale of business	(1,208)		(1,223)
Interest expense, net of interest income	(1,048)	(424)	(1,532)	(331)
Total other expense	(2,256)	(424)	(2,755)	(331)
Income before income taxes	89,490	84,919	179,310	172,321
Provision for income taxes	22,780	17,157	46,017	44,594
Net income	$ 66,710	$ 67,763	$ 133,293	$ 127,727
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69	$ 1.65	$ 3.36	$ 3.10
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 1.63	$ 3.34	$ 3.06
Basic weighted average common shares (in shares)	39,489	41,117	39,659	41,252
Diluted weighted average common shares (in shares)	39,700	41,536	39,900	41,799

XML

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Net income		$ 66,710	$ 67,763	$ 133,293	$ 127,727
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges*	[1]	1,401	(1,819)	1,848	(2,236)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		861	(10,364)	(10,636)	(16,750)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,262	(12,183)	(8,788)	(18,986)
Comprehensive income		$ 68,972	$ 55,580	$ 124,505	$ 108,741

[1] For the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, the unrealized gain on cash flow hedges was net of tax expense of $817 and $1,078, respectively. For the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, the unrealized loss on cash flow hedges was net of tax benefits of $1,068 and $1,311 respectively

XML

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	$ 817	$ 1,068	$ 1,078	$ 1,311

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 155,351	$ 228,407
Investments	30,003	24,217
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $1,692 at February 28, 2017 and $1,521 at August 31, 2016	130,825	97,797
Prepaid taxes	4,760
Deferred taxes	2,693	3,158
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	20,408	15,697
Total current assets	344,040	369,276
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost	268,795	253,274
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(179,345)	(168,652)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	89,450	84,622
Goodwill	506,832	452,915
Net Carrying Amount	104,695	93,161
Deferred taxes	8,862	13,406
Other assets	7,950	5,781
TOTAL ASSETS	1,061,829	1,019,161
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	51,121	45,836
Accrued compensation	33,183	51,036
Deferred fees	37,252	33,247
Deferred taxes	767	291
Taxes payable	13,056	7,781
Dividends payable	19,709	20,019
Total current liabilities	155,088	158,210
Long-term debt	365,000	300,000
Deferred taxes	2,947	1,708
Taxes payable	10,029	8,782
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities	35,535	33,080
TOTAL LIABILITIES	568,599	501,780
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 18)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 51,658,197 and 51,150,978 shares issued; 39,418,826 and 40,038,225 shares outstanding at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively	517	512
Additional paid-in capital	704,522	623,195
Treasury stock, at cost: 12,239,371 and 11,112,753 shares at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively	(1,512,127)	(1,321,700)
Retained earnings	1,377,659	1,283,927
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(77,341)	(68,553)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	493,230	517,381
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$ 1,061,829	$ 1,019,161

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Accounts receivable, reserves	$ 1,692	$ 1,521
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	12,239,371	11,112,753

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 133,293	$ 127,727
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	20,649	18,260
Stock-based compensation expense	13,611	15,027
Loss on sale of business	1,223
Deferred income taxes	3,032	732
Loss on disposition of assets	142
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	(8,995)	(10,804)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
Accounts receivable, net of reserves	(30,998)	(5,683)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,352	1,930
Accrued compensation	(17,699)	(10,180)
Deferred fees	1,152	913
Taxes payable, net of prepaid taxes	10,561	15,138
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,982)	1,816
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities	2,774	9,372
Other working capital accounts, net	(57)	(22)
Net cash provided by operating activities	128,058	164,226
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(71,689)	(264,087)
Purchases of investments	(25,149)	(12,530)
Proceeds from sales of investments	19,501	12,423
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	(18,046)	(26,438)
Net cash used in investing activities	(95,383)	(290,632)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividend payments	(39,568)	(36,132)
Repurchases of common stock	(166,427)	(115,695)
Proceeds from debt	65,000	265,000
Sale of business	(1,223)
Debt issuance costs		(12)
Proceeds from employee stock plans	34,725	26,848
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	8,995	10,804
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(98,498)	150,813
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7,233)	(8,151)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(73,056)	16,256
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	228,407	158,914
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 155,351	$ 175,170

XML

Note 1 - Organization and Nature of Business

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Nature of Operations [Text Block]

1.

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company” or “FactSet”) is a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications and industry-leading service for the global investment community. The Company delivers insight and information to investment professionals through its analytics, service, content, and technology. By integrating comprehensive datasets and analytics across asset classes with client data, FactSet supports the workflow of both the buy-side and sell-side. These professionals include portfolio managers, wealth managers, research and performance analysts, risk managers, sell-side equity research professionals, investment bankers, and fixed income professionals. From streaming real-time data to historical information, including quotes, estimates, news and commentary, FactSet offers unique and

third

-party content through desktop, wireless and off-platform solutions. The Company’s wide application suite offers tools and resources including company and industry analyses, full screening tools, portfolio analysis, risk profiles, alpha-testing, portfolio optimization and research management solutions. The Company’s revenues are derived from subscriptions to products and services such as workstations, analytics, enterprise data, research management, and trade execution.

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Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

FactSet conducts business globally and is managed on a geographic basis. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany activity and balances have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying financial data as of

February

28,

2017

and for the

three

and

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016

has been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The

August

31,

2016

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 that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The information in this Form

10

-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form

10

-K for the fiscal year ended

August

31,

2016.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows include all normal adjustments in order to present fairly the results of the Company’s operations for the periods presented in conformity with GAAP.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date that the financial statements were issued.

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Note 3 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]

3

.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

As of the beginning of fiscal

2017,

FactSet implemented all applicable new accounting standards and updates issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that were in effect. There were no new standards or updates adopted during the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017

that had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

In

May

2014

and

July

2015,

the FASB issued accounting standard updates which provide clarified principles for recognizing revenue arising from contracts with clients and supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. These accounting standard updates will be effective for FactSet beginning in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2019,

with early adoption in fiscal

2018

permitted and allow for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these accounting standard updates on its consolidated financial statements and the method of adoption.

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

In

November

2015,

the FASB issued an accounting standard update to simplify the presentation of deferred taxes on the balance sheet. The accounting standard update will require an entity to present all deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as non-current on the balance sheet. Under the current guidance, entities are required to separately present deferred taxes as current or non-current. Netting deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities by tax jurisdiction will still be required under the new guidance. This guidance will be effective for FactSet beginning in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2018,

with early adoption in fiscal

2017

permitted. The accounting standard update is a change in balance sheet presentation only and, as such, the Company does not believe this new accounting standard update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In

January

2016,

the FASB issued an accounting standard update to amend its current guidance on the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments. The accounting standard update significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. This guidance also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. This guidance will be effective for FactSet beginning in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2019.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In

February

2016,

the FASB issued an accounting standard update related to accounting for leases. The guidance introduces a lessee model that requires most leases to be reported on the balance sheet. The accounting standard update aligns many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in the FASB’s new revenue recognition standard. The guidance also eliminates the requirement in current U.S. GAAP for an entity to use bright-line tests in determining lease classification. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2020,

with early adoption in fiscal

2019

permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Payments

In

March

2016,

the FASB issued an accounting standard update which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flow. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2018.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Cash Flow Simplification

In

August

2016,

the FASB issued an accounting standard update which simplifies how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This includes revised guidance on the cash flow classification of debt prepayments and debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination and distributions received from equity method investments. The guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice across all industries. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2019.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes on

Intra-Entity Transfer

s of Asset

s

In

October

2016,

the FASB issued an accounting standard update which removes the prohibition against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice related to the tax consequences of certain types of intra-entity asset transfers, particularly those involving intellectual property. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2019.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill Impairment Test

In

January

2017,

the FASB issued an accounting standard update which removes the requirement for companies to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step

2

of the goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2021,

with early adoption permitted for any impairment tests performed after

January

1,

2017.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective as of

February

28,

2017

have had or are expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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Note 4 - Fair Value Measures

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]

4

.

FAIR VALUE MEASURES

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the use of various valuation methodologies, including market, income and cost approaches is permissible. The Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

Fair Value Hierarchy

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are

three

levels of inputs that

may

be used to measure fair value based on the reliability of inputs. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and

may

affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. FactSet has categorized its cash equivalents, investments and derivatives within the fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level

1

– applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These Level

1

assets and liabilities include the Company’s corporate money market funds that are classified as cash equivalents.

Level

2

– applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. The Company’s certificates of deposit, mutual funds and derivative instruments are classified as Level

2.

Level

3

– applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. There were no Level

3

assets or liabilities held by the Company as of

February

28,

2017

or

August

31,

2016.

(

a

) Asse

ts

and Liabilities Measured at

Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables shows by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016:

	Fair Value Measurements at February 28, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Corporate money market funds (1)	$	15,355	$	—	$	—	$	15,355
Mutual funds (2)		—		11,240		—		11,240
Certificates of deposit ( 3 )		—		18,763		—		18,763
Derivative instruments (4 )		—		2,817		—		2,817
Total assets measured at fair value	$	15,355	$	32,820	$	—	$	48,175
Liabilities
Derivative instruments ( 4 )	$	—	$	1,813	$	—	$	1,813
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	1,813	$	—	$	1,813

	Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Corporate money market funds (1)	$	92,765	$	—	$	—	$	92,765
Certificates of deposit ( 3 )		—		24,217		—		24,217
Derivative instruments ( 4 )		—		869		—		869
Total assets measured at fair value	$	92,765	$	25,086	$	—	$	117,851
Liabilities
Derivative instruments ( 4 )	$	—	$	2,791	$	—	$	2,791
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	2,791	$	—	$	2,791

(1) The Company’s corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value. As such, the Company’s corporate money market funds are classified as Level 1 and included in cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2) The Company’s mutual funds have a fair value based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the mutual funds allocated to each share of the mutual fund using a net asset value approach . The fair value of the underlying investments is based on observable inputs . As such, the Company’s mutual funds are classified as Level 2 and are classified as i nvestments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance S heet s .

(3) The Company’s certificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as i nvestments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance S heet s .

(4) The Company utilizes the income approach to measure fair value for its derivative instruments ( foreign currency forward contracts ). The income approach uses pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as spot, forward and interest rates, as well as credit default swap spreads and therefore are classified as Level 2.

The Company did not have any transfers between Level

1

and Level

2

fair value measurements during the periods presented.

(b) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets, including goodwill and intangible assets, and liabilities, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances such as when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The fair values of these non-financial assets and liabilities are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available, and

may

include quoted market prices, market comparables, and discounted cash flow projections. An impairment charge is recorded when the cost exceeds its fair value, based upon the results of such valuations. During the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017,

no fair value adjustments or material fair value measurements were required for the Company’s non-financial assets or liabilities.

(c)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for Disclosure Purposes only

As of

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was

$365.0

million and

$300.0

million, respectively, which approximated its carrying amount given its floating interest rate basis. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was determined based on quoted market prices for debt with a similar maturity, and thus categorized as Level

2

in the fair value hierarchy.

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Note 5 - Derivative Instruments

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

5

. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Cash Flow Hedges

FactSet conducts business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen and Philippine Peso. As such, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar. The Company utilizes derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts) to manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations and reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The Company does not enter into foreign currency forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes. In designing a specific hedging approach, FactSet considered several factors, including offsetting exposures, the significance of exposures, the forecasting of risk and the potential effectiveness of the hedge. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts offset the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings. There was no discontinuance of cash flow hedges during the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017

and

2016,

and as such, no corresponding gains or losses related to changes in the value of the Company’s contracts were reclassified into earnings prior to settlement.

As of

February

28,

2017,

FactSet maintained the following foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposures:

● British Pound Sterling - foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 50% of its British Pound Sterling exposure through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

● Indian Rupee - foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 75% of its Indian Rupee exposure through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

The following is a summary of all hedging positions and corresponding fair values:

(in thousands)	Gross Notional Value				Fair Value (Liability) Asset
Currency Hedged (in U.S. dollars)	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016		February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
British Pound Sterling	$	16,369	$	33,280	$	(1,813	)	$	(2,791	)
Indian Rupee		62,960		58,410		2,817			869
Total	$	79,329	$	91,690	$	1,004		$	(1,922	)

As of

February

28,

2017,

the gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase British Pound Sterling with U.S. dollars was

£11.7

million. The gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs.

4.6

billion.

Counterparty Credit Risk

As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk. FactSet has incorporated counterparty risk into the fair value of its derivative assets and its own credit risk into the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities. FactSet calculates credit risk from observable data related to credit default swaps (“CDS”) as quoted by publicly available information. Counterparty risk is represented by CDS spreads related to the senior secured debt of the respective bank with whom FactSet has executed these derivative transactions. Because CDS spread information is not available for FactSet, the Company’s credit risk is determined based on using a simple average of CDS spreads for peer companies. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, FactSet enters into contracts with large financial institutions and regularly reviews its credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparties. The Company does not expect any losses as a result of default of its counterparties.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

 

The following table provides the fair value of derivative instruments:

(in thousands) Designation of Derivatives	Balance Sheet Location	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	Assets: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,103	$	163
	Other assets	$	1,714	$	706
	Liabilities: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	1,813	$	2,791

All derivatives were designated as hedging instruments as of

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

respectively.

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

The following table provides the pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the

three

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016:

(in thousands)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL on Derivatives (Effective Portion)					Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)	Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	2017		2016				2017			2016
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	1,188	$	(2,891	)	SG&A	$	(1,030	)	$	(4	)

The following table provides the pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016:

(in thousands)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL on Derivatives (Effective Portion)					Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)	(Loss) Gain Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	2017		2016				2017			2016
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	539	$	(3,496	)	SG&A	$	(2,387	)	$	52

No amount of ineffectiveness was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for these designated cash flow hedges and all components of each derivative’s gain or loss was included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. As of

February

28,

2017,

FactSet estimates that approximately

$0.7

million of net derivative losses related to its cash flow hedges included in AOCL will be reclassified into earnings within the next

12

months.

Offsetting of Derivative Instruments

FactSet’s master netting and other similar arrangements with its respective counterparties allow for net settlement under certain conditions. As of

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

there were no net settlements recorded on Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Note 6 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]

6.

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and amounts reclassified out of AOCL into earnings during the

three

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016

are as follows:

	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
(in thousands)	Pre-tax		Net of tax		Pre-tax			Net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	861	$	861	$	(10,364	)	$	(10,364	)
Realized loss on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings (1)		1,030		651		4			3
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		1,188		750		(2,891	)		(1,822	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	3,081	$	2,262	$	(13,251	)	$	(12,183	)

(1) Reclassified to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The components of other comprehensive loss and amounts reclassified out of AOCL into earnings during the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016

are as follows:

	February 28, 2017						February 29, 2016
(in thousands)	Pre-tax			Net of tax			Pre-tax			Net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(10,636	)	$	(10,636	)	$	(16,750	)	$	(16,750	)
Realized loss (gain) on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings (1)		2,387			1,508			(52	)		(32	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		539			340			(3,496	)		(2,204	)
Other comprehensive loss	$	(7,708	)	$	(8,788	)	$	(20,298	)	$	(18,986	)

(1) Reclassified to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The components of AOCL are as follows:

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax	$	633		$	(1,215	)
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments		(77,974	)		(67,338	)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(77,341	)	$	(68,553	)

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Note 7 - Segment Information

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

7

. SEGMENT

INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which they

may

earn revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. Financial information at the operating segment level is reviewed jointly by the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and senior management. Senior management consists of executives who directly report to the CEO, consisting of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Global Head of Sales, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer. Senior management, along with the CEO, constitute FactSet’s chief operating decision making group (“CODMG”) and is responsible for making decisions about resources allocated amongst the operating segments based on actual results.

FactSet’s operating segments are aligned with how the Company, including its CODMG, manages the business and the demographic markets in which FactSet serves. The Company’s internal financial reporting structure is based on

three

segments; the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. FactSet believes this alignment helps it better manage the business and view the markets the Company serves, which are centered on providing integrated global financial and economic information. Sales, consulting, data collection, product development and software engineering are the primary functional groups within the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific segments that provide global financial and economic information to investment managers, investment banks and other financial services professionals. Effective

September

1,

2016,

FactSet realigned certain aspects of its global operations from its U.S. parent company to FactSet UK Limited, a U.K. operating company, to better position FactSet to serve its growing client base outside the U.S. While this realignment allows the Company to further implement strategic corporate objectives and helps achieve operational and financial efficiencies, it does not impact how the CODMG analyzes business performance within the segments.

The U.S. segment services finance professionals including financial institutions throughout the Americas, while the European and Asia Pacific segments service investment professionals located throughout Europe and the Asia Pacific region, respectively. The European segment is headquartered in London, England and maintains office locations in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Sweden and Dubai. The Asia Pacific segment is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with office locations in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and India. Segment revenues reflect direct sales to clients based in their respective geographic locations. There are no intersegment or intercompany sales of FactSet services. Each segment records compensation expense, including stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, marketing, office and other direct expenses. Expenditures associated with the Company’s data centers,

third

party data costs and corporate charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the other segments. The content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of the Company’s operating segments and thus the expenses incurred at these locations are allocated to each segment based on a percentage of revenues. Of the total

$506.8

million of goodwill reported by the Company at

February

28,

2017,

72%

was recorded in the U.S. segment,

27%

in the European segment and the remaining

1%

in the Asia Pacific segment.

The following reflects the results of operations of the segments consistent with the Company’s management system. These results are used by management, both in evaluating the performance of, and in allocating resources to, each of the segments.

(in thousands)

For the three months ended February 28, 2017	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	191,629	$	76,273	$	26,452	$	294,354
Segment operating profit		36,188		39,932		15,625		91,746
Total assets		675,830		291,643		94,356		1,061,829
Capital expenditures		3,976		170		1,363		5,509

For the three months ended February 29, 2016	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	189,653	$	68,976	$	23,167	$	281,796
Segment operating profit		40,297		31,450		13,597		85,344
Total assets		705,898		239,687		76,120		1,021,705
Capital expenditures		10,180		483		1,390		12,053

For the six months ended February 28, 2017	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	382,256	$	148,136	$	52,025	$	582,417
Segment operating profit		76,192		76,516		29,355		182,065
Capital expenditures		15,100		661		2,285		18,046

For the six months ended February 29, 2016	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	371,897	$	135,955	$	44,448	$	552,300
Segment operating profit		85,459		62,232		24,961		172,652
Capital expenditures		23,072		1,268		2,098		26,438

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Note 8 - Business Combinations

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

8.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Vermilion

On

November

8,

2016,

FactSet acquired Vermilion Holdings Limited (“Vermilion”) for a total purchase price of

$67.9

million. Vermilion is a global provider of client reporting and communications software and services to the financial services industry. Client reporting is a growing area of the market as regulatory requirements rise and with the acquisition of Vermilion and its Vermilion Reporting Suite (“VRS”), FactSet now offers a workflow around all elements of the client reporting process that it expects will expand as investors grow increasingly sophisticated. This factor contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of Vermilion’s net tangible and intangible assets, leading to the recognition of goodwill. At the time of acquisition, Vermilion employed

59

individuals in its London, Boston and Singapore offices. Total transaction costs related to the acquisition were

$0.7

million and recorded within Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017.

The total purchase price was allocated to Vermilion’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition. Based upon the purchase price and the valuation, the allocation is as follows:

(i n thousands )
Tangible assets acquired	$	8,242
Amortizable intangible assets
Software technology		10,916
Client relationships		5,954
Non-compete agreements		806
Trade name		571
Goodwill		50,832
Total assets acquired	$	77,321
Liabilities assumed		(9,434	)
Net assets acquired	$	67,887

Intangible assets of

$18.2

million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of client relationships, amortized over

15

years using an accelerated amortization method; software technology, amortized over

six

years using a straight-line amortization method; non-compete agreements, amortized over

three

years using a straight-line amortization method; and a trade name, amortized over

four

years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling

$50.8

million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill generated from the Vermilion acquisition is included in the European segment and is not deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations of Vermilion have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since the completion of the acquisition on

November

8,

2016.

Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of the Vermilion acquisition is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

Portware

On

October

16,

2015,

FactSet acquired Portware LLC (“Portware”) for a total purchase price of

$263.6

million. Portware is a global provider of multi-asset trade automation solutions for mega and large asset managers. With the acquisition of Portware, FactSet now offers a platform that it expects will increase value to global asset managers by expanding its capabilities to include multi-asset trade automation. This factor contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of Portware’s net tangible and intangible assets, leading to the recognition of goodwill. At the time of acquisition, Portware employed

166

individuals in its New York, London, Hong Kong, and Hyderabad, India offices. Total transaction costs related to the acquisition were

$0.7

million in fiscal

2016

and were recorded within SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The total purchase price was allocated to Portware’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition. Based upon the purchase price and the valuation, the allocation is as follows:

(i n thousands )
Tangible assets acquired	$	9,656
Amortizable intangible assets
Software technology		43,000
Client relationships		27,000
Non-compete agreements		3,500
Trade name		2,000
Goodwill		187,378
Total assets acquired	$	272,534
Liabilities assumed		(8,951	)
Net assets acquired	$	263,583

Intangible assets of

$75.5

million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of client relationships, amortized over

16

years using an accelerated amortization method; software technology, amortized over

eight

years using a straight-line amortization method; non-compete agreements, amortized over

seven

years using a straight-line amortization method; and a trade name, amortized over

five

years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling

$187.4

million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is included in the U.S. segment. Approximately

77%

of the total goodwill generated from the Portware acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations of Portware have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since the completion of the acquisition on

October

16,

2015.

Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of the Portware acquisition is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

XML

Note 9 - Dispositions

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]

9

.

DISPOSITIONS

During the

third

quarter of fiscal

2016,

the Company entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell its market research business, consisting of Market Metrics LLC and Matrix-Data Limited (collectively “Market Metrics” or the “disposal group”) and associated assets (the “Transaction”). On

July

1,

2016,

FactSet completed the Transaction and received

$165.0

million in cash, less estimated working capital and certain adjustments set forth in the Purchase Agreement, including a

$9.7

million bonus adjustment amount. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of

$112.5

million in

fourth

quarter of fiscal

2016.

In the

second

quarter of fiscal

2017,

the Company finalized the working capital adjustment and recognized a pre-tax loss of

$1.2

million in

Other Expense

in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company assessed the Transaction and the disposal group and determined that the sale did not represent a strategic shift in its business that has a major effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Accordingly, the disposal group was not presented in the consolidated financial statements as a discontinued operation. The results of the disposal group through the date the Transaction closed were reported within the U.S. segment (for Market Metrics LLC) and the European segment (for Matrix-Data Limited).

XML

Note 10 - Goodwill

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]

10

. GOODWILL

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

are as follows:

(i n thousands )	U.S.		Europe			Asia Pacific			Total
Balance at August 31, 2016	$	367,480	$	82,280		$	3,155		$	452,915
Goodwill acquired during the period		—		57,023			—			57,023
Foreign currency translations		—		(2,867	)		(239	)		(3,106	)
Balance at February 28, 2017	$	367,480	$	136,436		$	2,916		$	506,832

Goodwill is not amortized as it is estimated to have an indefinite life. At least annually, the Company is required to test goodwill at the reporting unit level for potential impairment, and, if impaired, write down to fair value based on the present value of discounted cash flows. The Company’s reporting units evaluated for potential impairment were the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which reflect the level of internal reporting the Company uses to manage its business and operations. The

three

reporting units are consistent with the operating segments reported as there is no discrete financial information available for the subsidiaries within each operating segment. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the

fourth

quarter of fiscal

2016,

consistent with the timing of previous years, at which time it was determined that there was

no

impairment, with the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units significantly exceeding carrying value. During the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017

the Company acquired goodwill of

$57.0

million representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets from acquisitions.

XML

Note 11 - Intangible Assets

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

1

1

. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

FactSet’s identifiable intangible assets consist of acquired content databases, client relationships, software technology, non-compete agreements and trade names resulting from acquisitions, which have been fully integrated into the Company’s operations. The weighted average useful life of FactSet’s acquired identifiable intangible assets at

February

28,

2017

was

10.9

years. The Company amortizes intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which are evaluated quarterly to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. There have been no changes to the estimate of the remaining useful lives during the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017.

Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment, if indicators of impairment are present, based on undiscounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on discounted cash flows. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periods presented. The intangible assets have no assigned residual values.

During the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017,

$20.3

million of intangible assets were acquired with a weighted average useful life of

8.7

years. The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization totals related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

At February 28, 2017 (in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Data content	$	32,691	$	17,168	$	15,523
Client relationships		51,455		18,352		33,103
Software technology		74,826		24,519		50,307
Non-compete agreements		5,153		1,490		3,663
Trade names		3,337		1,238		2,099
Total	$	167,462	$	62,767	$	104,695

At August 31, 2016 (in thousands)	Gross Carrying  Amount		Accumulated  Amortization		Net Carrying  Amount
Data content	$	34,167	$	16,758	$	17,409
Client relationships		45,185		16,480		28,705
Software technology		62,560		20,545		42,015
Non-compete agreements		4,344		1,118		3,226
Trade names		2,728		922		1,806
Total	$	148,984	$	55,823	$	93,161

Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets was

$4.2

million and

$4.1

million for the

three

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

respectively. Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets was

$8.0

million and

$7.0

million for the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

respectively. As of

February

28,

2017,

estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the next

five

years and thereafter is as follows:

Fiscal Year (in thousands)	Estimated Amortization Expense
2017 (remaining six months)	$	8,352
2018		15,960
2019		15,043
2020		14,389
2021		12,921
Thereafter		38,030
Total	$	104,695

XML

Note 12 - Common Stock and Earnings Per Share

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

12

. COMMON STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

On

February

3,

2017,

FactSet’s Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly dividend of

$0.50

per share, or

$2.00

per share per annum. The cash dividend of

$19.7

million was paid on

March

21,

2017

to common stockholders of record at the close of business on

February

28,

2017.

Shares of common stock outstanding were as follows:

	Six Months ended
(i n thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Balance at September 1		40,038			41,317
Common stock issued for employee stock plans		506			420
Repurchase of common stock from employees (1)		(37	)		(14	)
Repurchase of common stock under the share repurchase program		(985	)		(715	)
Repurchase of common stock under accelerated share repurchase agreement		(103	)		—
Balance at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively		39,419			41,008

(1) For the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 , the Company repurchased 37,042 and 13,831 shares, or $ 5.7 million and $2.4 million, of common stock, respectively, in settlement of employee tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.

A reconciliation of the weighted average shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) computations is as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Net Income (Numerator)		Weighted Average Common Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
For the three months ended February 28, 2017
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	66,710		39,489	$	1.69
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				211
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	66,710		39,700	$	1.68
For the three months ended February 29, 2016
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	67,763		41,117	$	1.65
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				419
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	67,763		41,536	$	1.63
For the six months ended February 28, 2017
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	133,293		39,659	$	3.36
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				241
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	133,293		39,900	$	3.34
For the six months ended February 29, 2016
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	127,727		41,252	$	3.10
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				547
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	127,727		41,799	$	3.06

Dilutive potential common shares consist of stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. The number of stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the

three

and

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

was

487,023

,

because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The number of stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the

three

and

six

months ended

February

29,

2016

was

692,297

,

because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

For the

three

and

six

months ended

February

28,

2017,

the number of performance-based stock option grants excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS was

754,561

.

For the

three

and

six

months ended

February

29,

2016,

the number of performance-based stock option grants excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share was

937,089

.

Performance-based stock options are omitted from the calculation of diluted EPS until the performance criteria are probable of being achieved.

XML

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

1

3

. STOCKHOLDERS’

EQUITY

Preferred Stock

At

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

there were

10,000,000

shares of preferred stock

(

$0.01

par value per share) authorized, of which

no

shares were issued and outstanding. FactSet’s Board of Directors

may

from time to time authorize the issuance of

one

or more series of preferred stock and, in connection with the creation of such series, determine the characteristics of each such series including, without limitation, the preference and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the series.     

Common Stock

At

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

there were

150,000,000

shares of common stock

(

$.01

par value per share) authorized, of which

51,658,197

and

51,150,978

shares were issued, respectively. The authorized shares of common stock are issuable for any proper corporate purpose, including future stock splits, stock dividends, acquisitions, raising equity capital or to adopt additional employee benefit plans.

Treasury Stock

At

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

there were

12,239,371

and

11,112,753

shares of treasury stock (at cost) outstanding, respectively. As a result,

39,418,826

and

40,038,225

shares of FactSet common stock were outstanding at

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. During the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017,

the Company repurchased

984,822

shares for

$160.4

million compared to

715,000

shares for

$113.3

million in the prior year comparable period. As of

February

28,

2017,

$36.5

million remains authorized for future share repurchases. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations. On

March

27,

2017,

the Board of Directors of FactSet approved a

$300.0

million expansion of to the existing share repurchase program. Including this expansion,

$336.5

million is currently available for future share repurchases.

On

July

1,

2016

FactSet entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) to repurchase

$120.0

million of FactSet common stock. The Company received

595,607

shares of common stock on

July

5,

2016,

which was approximately

80%

of the total number of shares of common stock expected to be repurchased under the ASR Agreement. The final settlement of the ASR Agreement occurred in the

first

quarter of fiscal

2017

with FactSet receiving an additional

102,916

shares of its common stock.

Restricted Stock

Vesting

Restricted stock awards entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest over time. During the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017,

101,234

of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of

February

28,

2017

(less

37,042

shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock). During the same period a year ago,

37,079

of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of

February

29,

2016

(less

13,831

shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock).

Dividends

The Company’s Board of Directors declared the following historical dividends:

Declaration Date	Dividends Per Share of Common Stock		Type	Record Date	Total $ Amount (in thousands)		Payment Date
February 6, 2017	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	February 28, 2017	$	19,709	March 21, 2017
November 10, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2016	$	19,852	December 20, 2016
August 5, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2016	$	20,019	September 20, 2016
May 6, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	May 31, 2016	$	20,171	June 21, 2016
February 5, 2016	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	February 29, 2016	$	18,044	March 15, 2016
November 6, 2015	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2015	$	18,208	December 15, 2015
August 10, 2015	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2015	$	18,179	September 15, 2015

All of the above cash dividends were paid from existing cash resources. Future dividend payments will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by the Company and is subject to final determination by the Company’s Board of Directors.

XML

Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

1

4

. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION AND RETIREMENT PLANS

Stock Option Awards

The FactSet Research Systems Inc.

2004

Stock Option and Award Plan, as Amended and Restated (the “Option Plan”) provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards to employees of FactSet. The expiration date of the Option Plan is

December

14,

2020.

Stock options granted under the Option Plan expire either

seven

or

ten

years from the date of grant and the majority vest ratably over a period of

five

years. Options become vested and exercisable provided the employee continues employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date and remain exercisable until expiration or cancellation. Options are not transferable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During the grantee’s lifetime, the options

may

be exercised only by the grantee.

Stock Option Activity

During the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017,

FactSet granted

755,467

stock options at a weighted average exercise price of

$153.87

to existing employees of the Company. As of

February

28,

2017,

a total of

3,698,917

stock options were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of

$139.27.

Unamortized stock-based compensation of

$63.9

million is expected to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining vesting period of

3.6

years.

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Balance at August 31, 2016		3,364		$	129.54
Granted – non performance-based		671		$	152.28
Granted – performance-based		23		$	159.45
Exercised		(199	)	$	74.56
Forfeited		(26	)	$	147.22
Balance at November 30, 2016		3,833		$	136.43
Granted – performance-based		62		$	169.16
Granted – non-employee Directors grant		24		$	170.24
Exercised		(170	)	$	89.62
Forfeited		(50	)	$	141.50
Balance at February 28, 2017		3,699		$	139.27

The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of

February

28,

2017

was

0.9

million with a weighted average exercise price of

$103.43.

As of

August

31,

2016,

1.0

million in-the-money outstanding options were exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of

$89.42.

The aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money stock options exercisable at

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016

was

$68.5

million and

$86.0

million, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock prices of

$177.90

and

$178.03

on

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

respectively, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options exercisable as of that date. The total pre-tax intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016

was

$30.5

million and

$33.7

million, respectively.

Performance-based Stock Options

Performance-based stock options require management to make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving Company performance targets. The number of performance-based options that vest will be predicated on the Company achieving performance levels during the measurement period subsequent to the date of grant. Dependent on the financial performance levels attained by FactSet, a percentage of the performance-based stock options will vest to the grantees of those stock options. However, there is no current guarantee that such options will vest in whole or in part.

July

2012

Performance-based Option Grant Review

In

July

2012,

FactSet granted

241,546

performance-based employee stock options, which are eligible to vest in

20%

tranches depending upon future StreetAccount user growth through

August

31,

2017.

Through the

second

quarter of fiscal

2017,

four

of the growth targets as outlined within the terms of the grant were achieved. As such,

80%,

or

193,256,

of the options granted have vested. As of

February

28,

2017,

the

fifth

tranche is expected to vest on

August

31,

2017,

resulting in unamortized stock-based compensation expense of

$0.2

million to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of

0.5years.

A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by StreetAccount in the remaining

six

months of fiscal

2017

could cause the

fifth

tranche to no longer be probable of vesting. As of

February

28,

2017,

a change in the vesting probability would result in a cumulative catch-up adjustment (benefit to FactSet) of

$1.4

million.

February

2015

Performance-based Option Grant Revie

w

In connection with the acquisition of Code Red, FactSet granted

137,522

performance-based stock options during the

second

quarter of fiscal

2015.

Of the total amount granted,

68,761

performance-based options were eligible to vest if certain Code Red ASV and operating margin targets were achieved over a

two

-year measurement period ending

February

28,

2017.

At the conclusion of the measurement period,

70%

of the options were deemed eligible to vest, with the remaining options being forfeited. The option holders must remain employed by FactSet through

February

28,

2019

in order for the options to vest. As of

February

28,

2017,

total unamortized stock-based compensation of

$1.0

million will be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period of

2.0

years.

The remaining

68,761

options granted in

February

2015

are eligible to cliff vest based on a

four

-year measurement period ending

February

28,

2019.

As of

February

28,

2017,

total unamortized stock-based compensation of

$0.6

million will be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period of

2.0

years. A change, up or down, in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Code Red in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*			Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0%	$	(619	)		—
10%	$	(464	)	$	145
40% (current expectation)		—		$	581
70%	$	464		$	1,017
100%	$	928		$	1,453

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of

February

28,

2017.

October

2015

Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of Portware during the

first

quarter of fiscal

2016,

FactSet granted

530,418

performance-based stock options. These performance-based options will vest

40%

on the

second

anniversary date of the grant and

20%

on each subsequent anniversary date if certain Portware revenue and operating income targets are achieved by

October

16,

2017.

The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet for the options to be eligible to vest. As of

February

28,

2017,

FactSet does not believe these growth targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized in connection with these performance-based options. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Portware in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
50%	$	3,369	$	8,881
70%	$	4,716	$	12,434
100%	$	6,738	$	17,762

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of

February

28,

2017

. 

FactSet granted

20,911

additional performance-based stock options to Portware employees in the

fourth

quarter of fiscal

2016.

Similar to the

October

2015

grant, these performance-based options will vest

40%

on the

second

anniversary date of the grant and

20%

on each subsequent anniversary date if certain Portware revenue and operating income targets are achieved by

October

16,

2017.

The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet for the options to be eligible to vest. As of

February

28,

2017,

FactSet does not believe these growth targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized in connection with these performance-based options. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Portware in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
50%	$	58	$	442
70%	$	82	$	618
100%	$	116	$	884

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of

February

28,

2017

. 

January

2017

Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of Vermilion, FactSet granted

61,744

performance-based stock options in

January

2017.

These performance-based options will vest

40%

on the

second

anniversary date of the grant and

20%

on each subsequent anniversary date if certain Vermilion revenue and operating income targets are achieved by

November

30,

2018.

The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet for the options to be eligible to vest. As of

February

28,

2017,

FactSet does not believe these growth targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized in connection with these performance-based options. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Vermilion in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense:

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
100%	$	68	$	2,637

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of

February

28,

2017

. 

Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Awards

The Company’s Option Plan permits the issuance of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards are subject to continued employment over a specified period.

Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Awards Activity

During the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017,

FactSet granted

12,927

restricted stock awards to employees of the Company at a weighted average grant date fair value of

$157.50.

These restricted stock awards vest over a weighted average period of

5.0

years from grant date.

As of

February

28,

2017,

a total of

170,607

shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units were unvested and outstanding, which results in unamortized stock-based compensation of

$19.3

million to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining weighted average vesting period of

3.1

years.

A summary of restricted stock award activity is as follows:

(in thousands, except per award data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award
Balance at August 31, 2016		262		$	126.27
Granted		5		$	151.63
Vested (1)		(95	)	$	112.70
Balance at November 30, 2016		172		$	134.02
Granted		8		$	161.31
Forfeited		(3	)	$	114.42
Vested (2)		(6	)	$	105.91
Balance at February 28, 2017		171		$	136.65

(1) Of the 94,877 restricted stock awards that vested during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, 73,522 related to awards granted on November 1, 2013. The remaining 40%  of these res tricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on November 1, 2018 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the st raight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related primarily to awards granted in November 2015, which vest 20% per year on the anniversary date of the award.

(2) Of the 6,357 restricted stock awards that vested during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, 5,150 related to awards granted on February 3, 2014 . The remaining 40%  of these res tricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on February 3, 2019 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the st raight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related to awards granted in February 2015 in connection with the Code Red acquisition, which vested 100% on February 9, 2017.

Share-based Awards Available for Grant

A summary of share-based awards available for grant is as follows:

(in thousands)	Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Employee Option Plan			Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Non-Employee Directors Plan
Balance at August 31, 2016		1,491			66
Granted – non performance-based options		(671	)		—
Granted – performance-based options		(23	)		—
Granted – restricted stock awards (1)		(12	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		29			—
Balance at November 30, 2016		814			66
Granted – non performance-based options		—			(24	)
Granted – performance-based options		(62	)		—
Granted – restricted stock awards (1)		(20	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		56			—
Balance at February 28, 2017		788			42

(1) Each restricted stock award granted is equivalent to 2.5 shares granted under the Company’s Option Plan .

(2) Under the Company’s Option Plan, for each restricted stock award canceled/forfeited, an equivalent of 2.5 shares is added back to the available share-based awards balance.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Shares of FactSet common stock

may

be purchased by eligible employees under the Amended and Restated FactSet Research Systems Inc.

2008

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) in

three

-month intervals at a purchase price equal to at least

85%

of the lesser of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on either the

first

day or the last day of each

three

-month offering period. Employee purchases

may

not exceed

10%

of their gross compensation during an offering period.

During the

three

months ended

February

28,

2017,

employees purchased

20,744

shares at a weighted average price of

$135.48

as compared to

20,338

shares at a weighted average price of

$127.92

for the

three

months ended

February

29,

2016.

During the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017,

employees purchased

37,240

shares at a weighted average price of

$135.77

as compared to

36,173

shares at a weighted average price of

$128.99

for the

six

months ended

February

29,

2016.

At

February

28,

2017,

371,304

shares were reserved for future issuance under the ESPP.

401(k)

Plan

The Company established it

401(k)

Plan in fiscal

1993.

The

401(k)

Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all full-time, U.S. employees of the Company and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of

1974

and the Internal Revenue Code of

1986

(“IRC”). Each year, participants

may

contribute up to

60%

of their eligible annual compensation, subject to annual limitations established by the IRC. The Company matches up to

4%

of employees’ earnings, capped at the Internal Revenue Service annual maximum. Company matching contributions are subject to a

five

year graduated vesting schedule. All full-time, U.S. employees are eligible for the matching contribution by the Company. The Company contributed

$4.6

million and

$4.5

million in matching contributions to employee

401(k)

accounts during the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

respectively.

XML

Note 15 - Stock-based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

1

5

. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of

$7.2

million and

$13.6

million during the

three

and

six

months ended

February

28,

2017,

respectively. Similarly, the Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of

$8.6

million and

$15.0

million during the

three

and

six

months ended

February

29,

2016,

respectively. As of

February

28,

2017,

$83.3

million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested equity awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of

3.5

years. There was

no

stock-based compensation capitalized as of

February

28,

2017

or

August

31,

2016,

respectively.

Employee Stock Option Fair Value Determinations

The Company utilizes the lattice-binomial option-pricing model (“binomial model”) to estimate the fair value of new employee stock option grants. The Company’s determination of fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using the binomial model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeitures and employee stock option exercise behaviors.

Q1 2017	671,263 non performance-based employee stock options and 22,460 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $152.51 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $39.60 per share.
Q2 2017	61,744  performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $169.16 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $43.81 per share.
Q1 2016	513,785 non performance-based employee stock options and 530,418 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $170.21 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $46.62 per share.
Q2 2016	4,073 non performance-based employee stock options were granted at an exercise price of $150.81 and an estimated fair value of $40.51 per share.

The weighted average estimated fair value of employee stock options granted was determined using the binomial model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Three months ended	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
Term structure of risk-free interest rate		0.49%	-	1.89%		0.16%	-	2.12%
Expected life (years)			7.4				7.4
Term structure of volatility		21%	-	29%		21%	-	30%
Dividend yield			1.18%				1.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value			$43.81				$40.51
Weighted average exercise price			$169.16				$150.81
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price			25.9%				26.9%

Six months ended	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
Term structure of risk-free interest rate		0.07%	-	2.09%		0.07%	-	2.12%
Expected life (years)			7.4				7.8
Term structure of volatility		21%	-	30%		21%	-	30%
Dividend yield			1.18%				1.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value			$39.95				$46.59
Weighted average exercise price			$153.87				$170.13
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price			26.0%				27.4%

The risk-free interest rate assumption for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility is based on a combination of historical volatility of the Company’s stock and implied volatilities of publicly traded options to buy FactSet common stock with contractual terms closest to the expected life of options granted to employees. The approach to utilize a mix of historical and implied volatility was based upon the availability of actively traded options on the Company’s stock and the Company’s assessment that a combination of implied volatility and historical volatility is best representative of future stock price trends. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee termination within the valuation model. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is a derived output of the binomial model. The binomial model estimates employees exercise behavior based on the option’s remaining vested life and the extent to which the option is in-the-money. The binomial model estimates the probability of exercise as a function of these

two

variables based on the entire history of exercises and cancellations of all past option grants made by the Company.

Non-Employee Director Stock Option Fair Value Determinations

The

2008

Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”) provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options, to non-employee directors of FactSet. An initial

250,000

shares of FactSet common stock were reserved for issuance under the Directors’ Plan, of which

42,185

remain available for future grant as of

February

28,

2017.

The expiration date of the Directors’ Plan is

December

1,

2018.

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of non-employee Director stock option grants. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeitures and employee stock option exercise behaviors.

Fiscal

201

7

On

January

13,

2017,

FactSet granted

23,846

stock options to the Company’s non-employee Directors, including

one

-time new Director grants of

2,417

stock options each for Malcolm Frank and Sheila B. Jordan, who were elected to FactSet’s Board of Directors on

December

20,

2016.

All of the options granted on

January

13,

2017

have a weighted average estimated fair value of

$35.65

per share, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate	1.95	%
Expected life (years)	5.4
Expected volatility	22.7	%
Dividend yield	1.24	%

Fiscal

2016

On

January

15,

2016,

FactSet granted

22,559

stock options to the Company’s non-employee Directors, including a

one

-time new Director grant of

2,417

for Laurie Siegel, who was elected to FactSet’s Board of Directors on

December

15,

2015.

All of the options granted on

January

15,

2016

have a weighted average estimated fair value of

$31.03

per share, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate	1.62	%
Expected life (years)	5.4
Expected volatility	23.0	%
Dividend yield	1.05	%

Restricted Stock

Fair Value Determinations

Restricted stock granted to employees entitles the holder to shares of common stock as the award vests over time, but not to dividends declared on the underlying shares while the restricted stock is unvested. The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is measured by reducing the grant date price of FactSet’s share by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying stock during the requisite service period, discounted at the appropriate risk-free interest rate. Restricted stock awards are amortized to expense over the vesting period. During the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017,

there were

12,927

restricted stock awards granted with a weighted average grant date fair value of

$157.50.

During the

first

six

months of fiscal

2016,

FactSet granted

93,120

restricted stock awards at a weighted average grant date fair value of

$159.46.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan Fair Value Determinations

During the

three

months ended

February

28,

2017,

employees purchased

20,744

shares at a weighted average price of

$135.48

as compared to

20,338

shares at a weighted average price of

$127.92

for the

three

months ended

February

29,

2016.

During the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017,

employees purchased

37,240

shares at a weighted average price of

$135.77

as compared to

36,173

shares at a weighted average price of

$128.99

for the

six

months ended

February

29,

2016.

Stock-based compensation expense recorded for each of the

three

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

relating to the ESPP was

$0.6

million and

$0.5

million, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense recorded for each of the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

relating to the ESPP was

$1.0

million and

$0.9

million, respectively.   

The weighted average estimated fair value for the ESPP was calculated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:

Three months ended	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Risk-free interest rate		0.51	%		0.26	%
Expected life (months)		3			3
Expected volatility		7.8	%		12.5	%
Dividend yield		1.25	%		1.03	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	25.88		$	29.54

Six months ended	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Risk-free interest rate		0.44	%		0.17	%
Expected life (months)		3			3
Expected volatility		8.9	%		11.4	%
Dividend yield		1.19	%		1.08	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	27.85		$	27.73

Accuracy of Fair Value Estimates

The Company is responsible for determining the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of its share-based payment awards. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeiture rates and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable.

XML

Note 16 - Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

1

6

. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense is based on taxable income determined in accordance with current enacted laws and tax rates. Deferred income taxes are recorded for the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is as follows:

	Three months ended						Six months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016			February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
U.S. operations	$	34,661		$	66,375		$	94,863		$	137,274
Non-U.S. operations		54,829			18,544			84,447			35,047
Income before income taxes	$	89,490		$	84,919		$	179,310		$	172,321
U.S. operations	$	12,545		$	13,704		$	30,598		$	37,776
Non-U.S. operations		10,235			3,453			15,419			6,818
Total provision for income taxes	$	22,780		$	17,157		$	46,017		$	44,594
Effective tax rate		25.5	%		20.2%	(1)		25.7	%		25.9	%

(1) In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (the “2016 ACT”) was signed into law. The ACT reinstated and made permanent the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit (the “R&D tax credit”), which had previously expired on December 31, 2014. The reenactment of the R&D tax credit was retroactive to January 1, 2015 and by providing for a permanent R&D tax credit, the 2016 ACT eliminates the yearly uncertainty surrounding the extension of the credit. Prior to the reenactment of the R&D tax credit, FactSet had not been permitted to factor it into its effective tax rate as it was not currently enacted tax law. The reenactment resulted in a discrete income tax benefit of $7.3 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and reduced the Company’s effective tax rate for the quarter to 20.2%.

FactSet’s effective tax rate is based on recurring factors and nonrecurring events, including the taxation of foreign income. The Company’s effective tax rate will vary based on, among other things, changes in levels of foreign income, as well as discrete and other nonrecurring events that

may

not be predictable. The effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of

35.0%

in both periods presented above primarily due to foreign income, which is subject to lower statutory tax rates than in the U.S., benefits from foreign tax credits and deductions due to U.S. production activities partially offset by additional state and local income taxes.

FactSet Operational Realignment

Effective

September

1,

2016,

FactSet realigned certain aspects of its global operations from FactSet Research Systems Inc., its U.S. parent company, to FactSet UK Limited, a U.K. operating company, to better position the Company to serve its growing client base outside the U.S. This realignment allows the Company to further implement strategic corporate objectives and helps achieve operational and financial efficiencies, while complementing FactSet’s increasing global growth and reach. As a result of the realignment, the Company expects an approximate benefit of

250

basis points to its fiscal

2017

annual effective tax rate.

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The significant components of deferred tax assets that are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Current
Receivable reserve	$	575		$	531
Deferred rent		973			1,022
Other		1,145			1,605
Net current deferred tax assets	$	2,693		$	3,158
Non-current
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements	$	6,747		$	5,194
Deferred rent		10,462			9,626
Stock-based compensation		16,156			19,927
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology		(27,472	)		(24,645	)
Other		2,969			3,304
Net non-current deferred tax assets	$	8,862		$	13,406
Total deferred tax assets	$	11,555		$	16,564

The significant components of deferred tax liabilities that are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Current
Other	$	767		$	291
Net current deferred tax liabilities	$	767		$	291
Non-current
Stock-based compensation	$	(592	)	$	—
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements		(388	)		—
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology		4,031			1,666
Other		(104	)		42
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$	2,947		$	1,708
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	3,714		$	1,999

No U.S. income taxes have been provided on filing-basis undistributed foreign earnings and profits as of

February

28,

2017,

as FactSet plans to permanently reinvest these amounts and use the earnings to fund non-U.S. operations and working capital needs as well as facilities overseas. This includes, but is not limited to, capital expenditures and acquisitions intended to further FactSet’s global growth strategy. At each reporting period, FactSet assesses its position with regard to undistributed foreign earnings of its subsidiaries. To the extent that earnings can no longer be indefinitely reinvested, the Company will accrue the tax impact, if any, attributable to those earnings, including the impact of foreign tax credits, at such time. If such earnings are repatriated, additional tax expense

may

result, although the flexibility inherent in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code

may

permit the ultimate distribution to be tax-free depending on the nature of the distribution. Therefore the Company does not believe it is practicable to estimate, with reasonable accuracy, the hypothetical amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability on its undistributed foreign earnings given the many factors and assumptions necessary to estimate the amount of the federal income tax that

may

be payable in the future on the undistributed earnings..

Unrecognized Tax Positions

Applicable accounting guidance prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification and disclosure of uncertain tax positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. A company can recognize the financial effect of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than

50%)

that the tax position will prevail upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit or expense can be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than

fifty

percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, companies are required to accrue interest on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws.

As of

February

28,

2017,

the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling

$10.0

million, including

$1.7

million of accrued interest, recorded as

N

on-current taxes payable

within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax positions taken on tax returns but not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statements. When applicable, the Company adjusts the previously recorded tax expense to reflect examination results when the position is ultimately settled. The Company regularly engages in discussions and negotiations with tax authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that certain federal, foreign, and state tax matters

may

be concluded in the next

12

months. However, FactSet has no reason to believe that such audits will result in the payment of additional taxes and/or penalties that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position, beyond current estimates. Any changes in accounting estimates resulting from new developments with respect to uncertain tax positions will be recorded as appropriate. The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next

12

months.

The following table summarizes the changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits during the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017:

(in thousands)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2016	$	8,782
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		903
Additions for tax positions of prior years		344
Statute of limitations lapse		—
Unrecognized income tax benefits at February 28, 2017	$	10,029

In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax filings are subject to audit by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. At

February

28,

2017,

the Company remained subject to examination in the following major tax jurisdictions:

Major Tax Jurisdictions	Open Tax Years
U.S.
Federal		2013	through	2017
State (various)		2010	through	2017
Europe
France		2013	through	2017
United Kingdom		2012	through	2017

XML

Note 17 - Long-term Debt

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Long-term Debt [Text Block]

17.

LONG-TERM DEBT

FactSet’s debt obligations consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016
2015 Revolving Credit Facility	$	365,000	$	300,000
Total Outstanding Debt	$	365,000	$	300,000

On

February

6,

2015,

the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the

“2015

Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and Bank of America, N.A. (“BofA”), as the lender. At that date, the

2015

Credit Agreement provided for a

$35.0

million revolving credit facility (the

“2015

Revolving Credit Facility”), under which the Company could request borrowings. The

2015

Credit Agreement also allowed FactSet to arrange for additional borrowings for an aggregate amount of up to

$265.0

million provided that any such request for additional borrowings was in a minimum amount of

$25.0

million. For purposes of funding its acquisition of Code Red on

February

6,

2015,

FactSet borrowed

$35.0

million in the form of a Eurodollar rate loan (the “Loan”) under the Revolving Credit Facility. The proceeds of the Loan made under the

2015

Credit Agreement could be used for permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the outstanding principal amount was equal to the Eurodollar rate plus

0.50%.

On

September

21,

2015,

the Company amended the

2015

Credit Agreement to borrow an additional

$265.0

million (the “Second Amendment”) in order to fund FactSet’s acquisition of Portware which closed on

October

16,

2015.

The Second Amendment allowed FactSet, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with BofA for an aggregate amount of up to

$400.0

million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings is in a minimum amount of

$25.0

million. The Second Amendment also adjusted the interest rate on the total outstanding principal debt to a rate equal to the Eurodollar rate plus

0.75%.

On

October

26,

2016,

the Company again amended the

2015

Credit Agreement to borrow an additional

$65.0

million (the “Third Amendment”) for general corporate purposes. The interest rate for the borrowing under the Third Amendment was equal to the Eurodollar rate plus

0.75%.

The Eurodollar rate is defined in the

2015

Credit Agreement as the rate per annum equal to

one

-month LIBOR. The maturity date on all outstanding loan amounts (which totaled

$365.0

million as of

February

28,

2017)

was

September

21,

2018.

On

March

17,

2017,

the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the

“2017

Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as the administrative agent and lender. In conjunction with FactSet’s entrance into the

2017

Credit Agreement, FactSet retired its outstanding debt under the

2015

Credit Agreement on

March

17,

2017.

The total principal amount of the Loan outstanding at the time of retirement was

$365.0

million. See Note

19,

Subsequent Events

, for further discussion of the

2017

Credit Agreement.

All outstanding loan amounts are reported as

Long-term debt

within the Consolidated Balance Sheet at

February

28,

2017.

   During the

three

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

the Company paid approximately

$1.3

million and

$0.9

million in interest on its outstanding debt amounts, respectively. During the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

the Company paid approximately

$2.4

million and

$1.3

million in interest on its outstanding debt amounts, respectively.

As of

February

28,

2017,

no

commitment fee was owed by FactSet since it borrowed the full amount under the

2015

Credit Agreement. Other fees incurred by the Company, such as legal costs to draft and review the

2015

Credit Agreement, totaled less than

$0.1

million and were capitalized as loan origination fees. Loan origination fees are amortized into interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method.

The

2015

Credit Agreement contained covenants restricting certain FactSet activities, which are usual and customary for this type of loan. 

In addition, the

2015

Credit Agreement required that FactSet maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, as measured by total funded debt/EBITDA below a specified level as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of the

2015

Credit Agreement as of

February

28,

2017.

XML

Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

18

. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments represent obligations, such as those for future purchases of goods or services that are not yet recorded on the balance sheet as liabilities. FactSet records liabilities for commitments when incurred (

i.e.

, when the goods or services are received).

Lease Commitments

At

February

28,

2017,

the Company leased approximately

202,000

square feet of office space at its headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. Including new lease agreements executed during fiscal

2017,

the Company’s worldwide leased office space increased to approximately

1,142,000

square feet at

February

28,

2017,

up

70,000

square feet, or

6.5%,

from

August

31,

2016.

This increase was primarily due to expanded office space in India, offset by the consolidation of certain other office spaces. The Company’s significant locations are listed under Item

2,

Properties

, within the Annual Report on Form

10

-K for the fiscal year ended

August

31,

2016.

The non-cancelable operating leases expire on various dates through

2031.

The Company believes the amount of leased office space as of

February

28,

2017

is adequate for its current needs and that additional space is available for lease to meet any future needs.

Total minimum rental payments associated with the leases are recorded as rent expense (a component of

SG&A

expense) on a straight-line basis over the periods of the respective non-cancelable lease terms. Future minimum commitments for the Company’s operating leases in place as of

February

28,

2017

are as follows:

Years ended August 31, (in thousands)	Minimum Lease Payments
2017 (remaining six months)	$	16,857
2018		34,912
2019		32,665
2020		26,362
2021		20,533
Thereafter		153,874
Total	$	285,203

Rent expense (including operating costs) for all operating leases amounted to

$11.5

million and

$10.6

million during the

three

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

respectively. Rent expense for all operating leases amounted to

$22.9

million and

$20.9

million during the

six

months ended

February

28,

2017

and

February

29,

2016,

respectively. At

February

28,

2017

and

August

31,

2016,

deferred rent reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled

$36.6

million and

$34.4

million, of which

$33.8

million and

$31.2

million, respectively, and was reported as a non-current liability within the line item

Deferred Rent and Other Non-Current Liabilities

.

Approximately

$1.9

million of standby letters of credit have been issued during the ordinary course of business in connection with the Company’s current leased office space as of

February

28,

2017

. These standby letters of credit contain covenants that, among other things, require FactSet to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. As of

February

28,

2017

, FactSet was in compliance with all covenants contained in the standby letters of credit.

Purchase Commitments with Suppliers

Purchase obligations represent payments due in future periods in respect of commitments to the Company’s various data vendors as well as commitments to purchase goods and services such as telecommunication and computer maintenance services. These purchase commitments are agreements that are enforceable and legally binding on FactSet and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. At

August

31,

2016,

the Company had total purchase commitments of

$67.5

million. There were no material changes in the Company’s purchase commitments during the

first

six

months of fiscal

2017.

Contingencies

Income Taxes

Uncertain income tax positions are accounted for in accordance with applicable accounting guidance (see Note

16).

FactSet is currently under audit by tax authorities and has reserved for potential adjustments to its provision for income taxes that

may

result from examinations by, or any negotiated settlements with, these tax authorities. The Company believes that the final outcome of these examinations or settlements will not have a material effect on its results of operations. If events occur which indicate payment of these amounts is unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in the recognition of tax benefits in the period FactSet determines the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the Company’s estimates of the federal, state, and foreign income tax liabilities are less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result.

Legal Matters

FactSet accrues non income-tax liabilities for contingencies when management believes that a loss is probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, while contingent gains are recognized only when realized. The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, including intellectual property litigation. Based on information available at

February

28,

2017,

FactSet’s management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these unresolved matters against the Company, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, its results of operations or its cash flows.

Indemnifications

As permitted or required under Delaware law and to the maximum extent allowable under that law, FactSet has certain obligations to indemnify its current and former officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was serving, at FactSet’s request in such capacity. These indemnification obligations are valid as long as the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The maximum potential amount of future payments FactSet could be required to make under these indemnification obligations is unlimited; however, FactSet has a director and officer insurance policy that it believes mitigates FactSet's exposure and

may

enable FactSet to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. The Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification obligations is immaterial.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained primarily with

four

financial institutions. Deposits held with banks

may

exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. These deposits

may

be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate its credit risks by spreading such risks across multiple counterparties and monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are unsecured and derived from revenues earned from clients located around the globe. FactSet does not require collateral from its clients but performs credit evaluations on an ongoing basis. The Company maintains reserves for potential write-offs and evaluates the adequacy of the reserves periodically. These losses have historically been within expectations. No single client represented

10%

or more of FactSet’s total revenues in any period presented. At

February

28,

2017,

the Company’s largest individual client accounted for

2%

of total annual subscriptions and subscriptions from the

ten

largest clients did not surpass

15%

of total annual subscriptions, consistent with

August

31,

2016.

As of

February

28,

2017

the receivable reserve was

$1.7

million compared to a reserve of

$1.5

million as of

August

31,

2016

.

Derivative Instruments

As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk. FactSet has incorporated counterparty risk into the fair value of its derivative assets and its own credit risk into the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities. FactSet calculates credit risk from observable data related to CDS as quoted by publicly available information. Counterparty risk is represented by CDS spreads related to the senior secured debt of the respective bank with whom FactSet has executed these derivative transactions. Because CDS spread information is not available for FactSet, the Company’s credit risk is determined based on using a simple average of CDS spreads for peer companies as determined by FactSet. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, FactSet enters into contracts with large financial institutions and regularly reviews credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparties.

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Note 19 - Subsequent Events

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

19

.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

BI-SAM Technologies

On

March

17,

2017,

the Company completed the acquisition of BI-SAM Technologies (“BISAM”) for cash consideration of

$205.2

million. With more than

160

employees worldwide, BISAM is a global provider of portfolio performance and attribution, multi-asset risk, GIPS composites management and reporting. B-One, BISAM’s cross-asset solution, is a complement to both FactSet’s portfolio analytics suite and client reporting solutions. Its Cognity product should enhance FactSet’s risk analysis for derivatives and quantitative portfolio construction.

The Company expects the majority of the purchase price to be allocated to goodwill and acquired intangible assets. The pro forma financials that

may

be required in connection with the BISAM acquisition have not been included as the valuation of certain assets and liabilities is ongoing as of the date of this Form

10

-Q.  Revenue from BISAM will be recognized based on geographic business activities in accordance with how the Company’s operating segments are currently aligned. 

201

7

Credit Agreement

On

March

17,

2017,

the Company entered into the

2017

Credit Agreement between FactSet, as the borrower, and PNC, as the administrative agent and lender. The

2017

Credit Agreement provides for a

$575.0

million revolving credit facility (the

“2017

Revolving Credit Facility”). FactSet

may

request borrowings under the

2017

Revolving Credit Facility until its maturity date of

March

17,

2020.

The

2017

Credit Agreement also allows FactSet, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with PNC for an aggregate amount of up to

$225.0

million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings must be in a minimum amount of

$25.0

million. Borrowings under the Loan bear interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the daily LIBOR rate plus

1.00%.

Interest on the loan outstanding is payable quarterly in arrears and on the maturity date.

In conjunction with FactSet’s entrance into the

2017

Credit Agreement, FactSet borrowed

$575.0

million in the form of a LIBOR rate loan under the

2017

Revolving Credit Facility.

Proceeds from the borrowing were used to fund FactSet’s acquisition of BISAM and

retire all outstanding debt under the

2015

Credit Agreement.

Departure of Executive Vice President, Global Director of Sales

On

April

7,

2017,

the Company announced that it had accepted the resignation of Scott G. Miller from his position as Executive Vice President, Global Director of Sales. In connection with his departure

from the Company, to be effective on

April

21,

2017,

Mr. Miller and the Company entered into a separation agreement on

April

9,

2017

(the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Miller will receive: (i) a payment equal to

six

months’ base salary and a portion of his estimated bonus for the

2017

fiscal year; (ii) continued healthcare coverage for Mr. Miller and his dependents for the period until

December

31,

2017;

(iii) accelerated vesting of certain stock options that otherwise would have vested on or prior to

January

21,

2018;

and (iv) certain other ancillary benefits. The foregoing description of the Separation Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement which is attached hereto as Exhibit

10.1

to this Quarterly Report on Form

10

-Q and incorporated herein by reference.

XML

Note 4 - Fair Value Measures (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

	Fair Value Measurements at February 28, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Corporate money market funds (1)	$	15,355	$	—	$	—	$	15,355
Mutual funds (2)		—		11,240		—		11,240
Certificates of deposit ( 3 )		—		18,763		—		18,763
Derivative instruments (4 )		—		2,817		—		2,817
Total assets measured at fair value	$	15,355	$	32,820	$	—	$	48,175
Liabilities
Derivative instruments ( 4 )	$	—	$	1,813	$	—	$	1,813
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	1,813	$	—	$	1,813

	Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Corporate money market funds (1)	$	92,765	$	—	$	—	$	92,765
Certificates of deposit ( 3 )		—		24,217		—		24,217
Derivative instruments ( 4 )		—		869		—		869
Total assets measured at fair value	$	92,765	$	25,086	$	—	$	117,851
Liabilities
Derivative instruments ( 4 )	$	—	$	2,791	$	—	$	2,791
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	2,791	$	—	$	2,791

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Note 5 - Derivative Instruments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Foreign Exchange Contracts, Statement of Financial Position [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	Gross Notional Value				Fair Value (Liability) Asset
Currency Hedged (in U.S. dollars)	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016		February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
British Pound Sterling	$	16,369	$	33,280	$	(1,813	)	$	(2,791	)
Indian Rupee		62,960		58,410		2,817			869
Total	$	79,329	$	91,690	$	1,004		$	(1,922	)

Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]

(in thousands) Designation of Derivatives	Balance Sheet Location	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	Assets: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,103	$	163
	Other assets	$	1,714	$	706
	Liabilities: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	1,813	$	2,791

Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL on Derivatives (Effective Portion)					Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)	Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	2017		2016				2017			2016
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	1,188	$	(2,891	)	SG&A	$	(1,030	)	$	(4	)

(in thousands)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL on Derivatives (Effective Portion)					Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)	(Loss) Gain Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	2017		2016				2017			2016
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	539	$	(3,496	)	SG&A	$	(2,387	)	$	52

XML

Note 6 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]

	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
(in thousands)	Pre-tax		Net of tax		Pre-tax			Net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	861	$	861	$	(10,364	)	$	(10,364	)
Realized loss on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings (1)		1,030		651		4			3
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		1,188		750		(2,891	)		(1,822	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	3,081	$	2,262	$	(13,251	)	$	(12,183	)

	February 28, 2017						February 29, 2016
(in thousands)	Pre-tax			Net of tax			Pre-tax			Net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(10,636	)	$	(10,636	)	$	(16,750	)	$	(16,750	)
Realized loss (gain) on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings (1)		2,387			1,508			(52	)		(32	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		539			340			(3,496	)		(2,204	)
Other comprehensive loss	$	(7,708	)	$	(8,788	)	$	(20,298	)	$	(18,986	)

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax	$	633		$	(1,215	)
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments		(77,974	)		(67,338	)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(77,341	)	$	(68,553	)

XML

Note 7 - Segment Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

For the three months ended February 28, 2017	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	191,629	$	76,273	$	26,452	$	294,354
Segment operating profit		36,188		39,932		15,625		91,746
Total assets		675,830		291,643		94,356		1,061,829
Capital expenditures		3,976		170		1,363		5,509

For the three months ended February 29, 2016	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	189,653	$	68,976	$	23,167	$	281,796
Segment operating profit		40,297		31,450		13,597		85,344
Total assets		705,898		239,687		76,120		1,021,705
Capital expenditures		10,180		483		1,390		12,053

For the six months ended February 28, 2017	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	382,256	$	148,136	$	52,025	$	582,417
Segment operating profit		76,192		76,516		29,355		182,065
Capital expenditures		15,100		661		2,285		18,046

For the six months ended February 29, 2016	U.S.		Europe		Asia Pacific		Total
Revenues from clients	$	371,897	$	135,955	$	44,448	$	552,300
Segment operating profit		85,459		62,232		24,961		172,652
Capital expenditures		23,072		1,268		2,098		26,438

XML

Note 8 - Business Combinations (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

(i n thousands )
Tangible assets acquired	$	8,242
Amortizable intangible assets
Software technology		10,916
Client relationships		5,954
Non-compete agreements		806
Trade name		571
Goodwill		50,832
Total assets acquired	$	77,321
Liabilities assumed		(9,434	)
Net assets acquired	$	67,887

(i n thousands )
Tangible assets acquired	$	9,656
Amortizable intangible assets
Software technology		43,000
Client relationships		27,000
Non-compete agreements		3,500
Trade name		2,000
Goodwill		187,378
Total assets acquired	$	272,534
Liabilities assumed		(8,951	)
Net assets acquired	$	263,583

XML

Note 10 - Goodwill (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

(i n thousands )	U.S.		Europe			Asia Pacific			Total
Balance at August 31, 2016	$	367,480	$	82,280		$	3,155		$	452,915
Goodwill acquired during the period		—		57,023			—			57,023
Foreign currency translations		—		(2,867	)		(239	)		(3,106	)
Balance at February 28, 2017	$	367,480	$	136,436		$	2,916		$	506,832

XML

Note 11 - Intangible Assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

At February 28, 2017 (in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Data content	$	32,691	$	17,168	$	15,523
Client relationships		51,455		18,352		33,103
Software technology		74,826		24,519		50,307
Non-compete agreements		5,153		1,490		3,663
Trade names		3,337		1,238		2,099
Total	$	167,462	$	62,767	$	104,695

At August 31, 2016 (in thousands)	Gross Carrying  Amount		Accumulated  Amortization		Net Carrying  Amount
Data content	$	34,167	$	16,758	$	17,409
Client relationships		45,185		16,480		28,705
Software technology		62,560		20,545		42,015
Non-compete agreements		4,344		1,118		3,226
Trade names		2,728		922		1,806
Total	$	148,984	$	55,823	$	93,161

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

Fiscal Year (in thousands)	Estimated Amortization Expense
2017 (remaining six months)	$	8,352
2018		15,960
2019		15,043
2020		14,389
2021		12,921
Thereafter		38,030
Total	$	104,695

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Note 12 - Common Stock and Earnings Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]

	Six Months ended
(i n thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Balance at September 1		40,038			41,317
Common stock issued for employee stock plans		506			420
Repurchase of common stock from employees (1)		(37	)		(14	)
Repurchase of common stock under the share repurchase program		(985	)		(715	)
Repurchase of common stock under accelerated share repurchase agreement		(103	)		—
Balance at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively		39,419			41,008

Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]

(in thousands, except per share data)	Net Income (Numerator)		Weighted Average Common Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
For the three months ended February 28, 2017
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	66,710		39,489	$	1.69
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				211
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	66,710		39,700	$	1.68
For the three months ended February 29, 2016
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	67,763		41,117	$	1.65
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				419
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	67,763		41,536	$	1.63
For the six months ended February 28, 2017
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	133,293		39,659	$	3.36
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				241
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	133,293		39,900	$	3.34
For the six months ended February 29, 2016
Basic EPS
Income available to common stockholders	$	127,727		41,252	$	3.10
Diluted EPS
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock				547
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions	$	127,727		41,799	$	3.06

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Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]

Declaration Date	Dividends Per Share of Common Stock		Type	Record Date	Total $ Amount (in thousands)		Payment Date
February 6, 2017	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	February 28, 2017	$	19,709	March 21, 2017
November 10, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2016	$	19,852	December 20, 2016
August 5, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2016	$	20,019	September 20, 2016
May 6, 2016	$	0.50	Regular (cash)	May 31, 2016	$	20,171	June 21, 2016
February 5, 2016	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	February 29, 2016	$	18,044	March 15, 2016
November 6, 2015	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2015	$	18,208	December 15, 2015
August 10, 2015	$	0.44	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2015	$	18,179	September 15, 2015

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Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity [Table Text Block]

(in thousands, except per share data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Balance at August 31, 2016		3,364		$	129.54
Granted – non performance-based		671		$	152.28
Granted – performance-based		23		$	159.45
Exercised		(199	)	$	74.56
Forfeited		(26	)	$	147.22
Balance at November 30, 2016		3,833		$	136.43
Granted – performance-based		62		$	169.16
Granted – non-employee Directors grant		24		$	170.24
Exercised		(170	)	$	89.62
Forfeited		(50	)	$	141.50
Balance at February 28, 2017		3,699		$	139.27

Schedule of Share-based Compensation Vesting Percentage and Related Expenses [Table Text Block]

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*			Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0%	$	(619	)		—
10%	$	(464	)	$	145
40% (current expectation)		—		$	581
70%	$	464		$	1,017
100%	$	928		$	1,453

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
50%	$	3,369	$	8,881
70%	$	4,716	$	12,434
100%	$	6,738	$	17,762

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
50%	$	58	$	442
70%	$	82	$	618
100%	$	116	$	884

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
100%	$	68	$	2,637

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]

(in thousands, except per award data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award
Balance at August 31, 2016		262		$	126.27
Granted		5		$	151.63
Vested (1)		(95	)	$	112.70
Balance at November 30, 2016		172		$	134.02
Granted		8		$	161.31
Forfeited		(3	)	$	114.42
Vested (2)		(6	)	$	105.91
Balance at February 28, 2017		171		$	136.65

Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Employee Option Plan			Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Non-Employee Directors Plan
Balance at August 31, 2016		1,491			66
Granted – non performance-based options		(671	)		—
Granted – performance-based options		(23	)		—
Granted – restricted stock awards (1)		(12	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		29			—
Balance at November 30, 2016		814			66
Granted – non performance-based options		—			(24	)
Granted – performance-based options		(62	)		—
Granted – restricted stock awards (1)		(20	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		56			—
Balance at February 28, 2017		788			42

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Note 15 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

Three months ended	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
Term structure of risk-free interest rate		0.49%	-	1.89%		0.16%	-	2.12%
Expected life (years)			7.4				7.4
Term structure of volatility		21%	-	29%		21%	-	30%
Dividend yield			1.18%				1.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value			$43.81				$40.51
Weighted average exercise price			$169.16				$150.81
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price			25.9%				26.9%

Six months ended	February 28, 2017				February 29, 2016
Term structure of risk-free interest rate		0.07%	-	2.09%		0.07%	-	2.12%
Expected life (years)			7.4				7.8
Term structure of volatility		21%	-	30%		21%	-	30%
Dividend yield			1.18%				1.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value			$39.95				$46.59
Weighted average exercise price			$153.87				$170.13
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price			26.0%				27.4%

The 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Notes Tables

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

Three months ended	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Risk-free interest rate		0.51	%		0.26	%
Expected life (months)		3			3
Expected volatility		7.8	%		12.5	%
Dividend yield		1.25	%		1.03	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	25.88		$	29.54

Six months ended	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
Risk-free interest rate		0.44	%		0.17	%
Expected life (months)		3			3
Expected volatility		8.9	%		11.4	%
Dividend yield		1.19	%		1.08	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	27.85		$	27.73

Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member]

Notes Tables

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

Risk-free interest rate	1.95	%
Expected life (years)	5.4
Expected volatility	22.7	%
Dividend yield	1.24	%

Risk-free interest rate	1.62	%
Expected life (years)	5.4
Expected volatility	23.0	%
Dividend yield	1.05	%

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Note 16 - Income Taxes (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]

	Three months ended						Six months ended
(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016			February 28, 2017			February 29, 2016
U.S. operations	$	34,661		$	66,375		$	94,863		$	137,274
Non-U.S. operations		54,829			18,544			84,447			35,047
Income before income taxes	$	89,490		$	84,919		$	179,310		$	172,321
U.S. operations	$	12,545		$	13,704		$	30,598		$	37,776
Non-U.S. operations		10,235			3,453			15,419			6,818
Total provision for income taxes	$	22,780		$	17,157		$	46,017		$	44,594
Effective tax rate		25.5	%		20.2%	(1)		25.7	%		25.9	%

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Current
Receivable reserve	$	575		$	531
Deferred rent		973			1,022
Other		1,145			1,605
Net current deferred tax assets	$	2,693		$	3,158
Non-current
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements	$	6,747		$	5,194
Deferred rent		10,462			9,626
Stock-based compensation		16,156			19,927
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology		(27,472	)		(24,645	)
Other		2,969			3,304
Net non-current deferred tax assets	$	8,862		$	13,406
Total deferred tax assets	$	11,555		$	16,564

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017			August 31, 2016
Current
Other	$	767		$	291
Net current deferred tax liabilities	$	767		$	291
Non-current
Stock-based compensation	$	(592	)	$	—
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements		(388	)		—
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology		4,031			1,666
Other		(104	)		42
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$	2,947		$	1,708
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	3,714		$	1,999

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2016	$	8,782
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		903
Additions for tax positions of prior years		344
Statute of limitations lapse		—
Unrecognized income tax benefits at February 28, 2017	$	10,029

Summary of Income Tax Examinations [Table Text Block]

Major Tax Jurisdictions	Open Tax Years
U.S.
Federal		2013	through	2017
State (various)		2010	through	2017
Europe
France		2013	through	2017
United Kingdom		2012	through	2017

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Note 17 - Long-term Debt (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	February 28, 2017		August 31, 2016
2015 Revolving Credit Facility	$	365,000	$	300,000
Total Outstanding Debt	$	365,000	$	300,000

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Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

Years ended August 31, (in thousands)	Minimum Lease Payments
2017 (remaining six months)	$	16,857
2018		34,912
2019		32,665
2020		26,362
2021		20,533
Thereafter		153,874
Total	$	285,203

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Note 4 - Fair Value Measures (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 365	$ 300

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Note 4 - Fair Value Measures - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Derivative instruments	[1]	$ 2,817	$ 869
Total assets measured at fair value		48,175	117,851
Derivative instruments	[1]	1,813	2,791
Total liabilities measured at fair value		1,813	2,791
Money Market Funds [Member]
Corporate money market funds	[2]	15,355	92,765
Mutual Funds [Member]
Mutual funds (2)	[3]	11,240
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Mutual funds (2)	[4]	18,763
Certificates of deposit	[4]		24,217
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Derivative instruments	[1]
Total assets measured at fair value		15,355	92,765
Derivative instruments	[1]
Total liabilities measured at fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Corporate money market funds	[2]	15,355	92,765
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Mutual funds (2)	[3]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Mutual funds (2)	[4]
Certificates of deposit	[4]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Derivative instruments	[1]	2,817	869
Total assets measured at fair value		32,820	25,086
Derivative instruments	[1]	1,813	2,791
Total liabilities measured at fair value		1,813	2,791
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Corporate money market funds	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Mutual funds (2)	[3]	11,240
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Mutual funds (2)	[4]	18,763
Certificates of deposit	[4]		24,217
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Derivative instruments	[1]
Total assets measured at fair value
Derivative instruments	[1]
Total liabilities measured at fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Corporate money market funds	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Mutual funds (2)	[3]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Mutual funds (2)	[4]
Certificates of deposit	[4]

[1] The Company utilizes the income approach to measure fair value for its derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). The income approach uses pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as spot, forward and interest rates, as well as credit default swap spreads and therefore are classified as Level 2.

[2] The Company's corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value. As such, the Company's corporate money market funds are classified as Level 1 and included in cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[3] The Company's mutual funds have a fair value based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the mutual funds allocated to each share of the mutual fund using a net asset value approach. The fair value of the underlying investments is based on observable inputs. As such, the Company's mutual funds are classified as Level 2 and are classified as investments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[4] The Company's certificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Note 5 - Derivative Instruments (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions, ₨ in Billions	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 GBP (£)	Feb. 28, 2017 INR (₨)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	$ 79,329	£ 11.7	₨ 4.6	$ 91,690
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassification from Accumulated OCI to Income, Estimated Net Amount to be Transferred	$ 700
United Kingdom, Pounds
Percent of Foreign Exchange Contracts Hedged	50.00%
United Kingdom, Pounds | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	$ 16,369			33,280
India, Rupees
Percent of Foreign Exchange Contracts Hedged	75.00%
India, Rupees | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	$ 62,960			$ 58,410

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Note 5 - Derivative Instruments - Hedging Positions and Corresponding Fair Values (Details) - Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] - Cash Flow Hedging [Member] $ in Thousands, £ in Millions, ₨ in Billions	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 GBP (£)	Feb. 28, 2017 INR (₨)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Gross Notional Value	$ 79,329	£ 11.7	₨ 4.6	$ 91,690
Fair Value Asset (Liability)	1,004			(1,922)
United Kingdom, Pounds
Gross Notional Value	16,369			33,280
Fair Value Asset (Liability)	(1,813)			(2,791)
India, Rupees
Gross Notional Value	62,960			58,410
Fair Value Asset (Liability)	$ 2,817			$ 869

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Note 5 - Derivative Instruments - Fair Value Amounts of Derivative Instruments and Gains (Details) - Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] - Cash Flow Hedging [Member] - Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative assets	$ 1,103	$ 163
Other Assets [Member]
Derivative assets	1,714	706
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivative liabilities	$ 1,813	$ 2,791

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Note 5 - Derivative Instruments - Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging [Member] - Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] - Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Foreign currency forward contracts	$ 1,188	$ (2,891)	$ 539	$ (3,496)
Foreign currency forward contracts	$ (1,030)	$ (4)	$ (2,387)	$ 52

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Note 6 - Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Foreign currency translation adjustments		$ 861	$ (10,364)	$ (10,636)	$ (16,750)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		861	(10,364)	(10,636)	(16,750)
Realized loss (gain) on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings	[1]	1,030	4	2,387	(52)
Realized loss (gain) on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings	[1]	651	3	1,508	(32)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		1,188	(2,891)	539	(3,496)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL		750	(1,822)	340	(2,204)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		3,081	(13,251)	(7,708)	(20,298)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		$ 2,262	$ (12,183)	$ (8,788)	$ (18,986)

[1] Reclassified to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

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Note 6 - Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Components of Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax	$ 633	$ (1,215)
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments	(77,974)	(67,338)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (77,341)	$ (68,553)

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Note 7 - Segment Information (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Goodwill	$ 506,832	$ 452,915
UNITED STATES
Goodwill	$ 367,480	367,480
Goodwill Percentage Per Segment	72.00%
Europe [Member]
Goodwill	$ 136,436	82,280
Goodwill Percentage Per Segment	27.00%
Asia Pacific [Member]
Goodwill	$ 2,916	$ 3,155
Goodwill Percentage Per Segment	1.00%

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Note 7 - Segment Information - Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Revenues from clients	$ 294,354	$ 281,796	$ 582,417	$ 552,300
Segment operating profit	91,746	85,344	182,065	172,652
Total assets	1,061,829	1,021,705	1,061,829	1,021,705	$ 1,019,161
Capital expenditures	5,509	12,053	18,046	26,438
UNITED STATES
Revenues from clients	191,629	189,653	382,256	371,897
Segment operating profit	36,188	40,297	76,192	85,459
Total assets	675,830	705,898	675,830	705,898
Capital expenditures	3,976	10,180	15,100	23,072
Europe [Member]
Revenues from clients	76,273	68,976	148,136	135,955
Segment operating profit	39,932	31,450	76,516	62,232
Total assets	291,643	239,687	291,643	239,687
Capital expenditures	170	483	661	1,268
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenues from clients	26,452	23,167	52,025	44,448
Segment operating profit	15,625	13,597	29,355	24,961
Total assets	94,356	76,120	94,356	76,120
Capital expenditures	$ 1,363	$ 1,390	$ 2,285	$ 2,098

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Note 8 - Business Combinations (Details Textual) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 08, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 16, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period				$ 57,023
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 67,900
Entity Number of Employees	59
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 18,200
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 50,800
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	6 years
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	4 years
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs			$ 700
Portware LLC [Member]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$ 263,600
Entity Number of Employees		166
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs					$ 700
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired		$ 75,500
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		$ 187,400
Goodwill Percentage Per Segment		77.00%
Portware LLC [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		16 years
Portware LLC [Member] | Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		8 years
Portware LLC [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		7 years
Portware LLC [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		5 years

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Note 8 - Business Combinations - Business Acquired (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 08, 2016	Sep. 23, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Goodwill	$ 506,832			$ 452,915
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Tangible assets acquired		$ 8,242
Goodwill		50,832
Total assets acquired		77,321
Liabilities assumed		(9,434)
Net assets acquired		67,887
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets		10,916
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets		5,954
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets		806
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets		$ 571
Portware LLC [Member]
Tangible assets acquired			$ 9,656
Goodwill			187,378
Total assets acquired			272,534
Liabilities assumed			(8,951)
Net assets acquired			263,583
Portware LLC [Member] | Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets			43,000
Portware LLC [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets			27,000
Portware LLC [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets			3,500
Portware LLC [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets			$ 2,000

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Note 9 - Dispositions (Details Textual) - Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] - Market Research Business [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	$ 165.0
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Bonus Adjustment	$ 9.7
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business, Net of Tax		$ 112.5
Other Expense [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business, Net of Tax			$ (1.2)

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Note 10 - Goodwill (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)
Number of Reporting Units		3
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		$ 57,023

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Note 10 - Goodwill - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)
Begining Balance	$ 452,915
Goodwill acquired during the period	57,023
Foreign currency translations	(3,106)
Ending Balance	506,832
UNITED STATES
Begining Balance	367,480
Goodwill acquired during the period
Foreign currency translations
Ending Balance	367,480
Europe [Member]
Begining Balance	82,280
Goodwill acquired during the period	57,023
Foreign currency translations	(2,867)
Ending Balance	136,436
Asia Pacific [Member]
Begining Balance	3,155
Goodwill acquired during the period
Foreign currency translations	(239)
Ending Balance	$ 2,916

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Note 11 - Intangible Assets (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			10 years 328 days
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 4.2	$ 4.1	$ 8.0	$ 7.0
CYMBA Technologies and Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	8 years 255 days
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 20.3

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Note 11 - Intangible Assets - Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 167,462	$ 148,984
Accumulated Amortization	62,767	55,823
Net Carrying Amount	104,695	93,161
Data Content [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	32,691	34,167
Accumulated Amortization	17,168	16,758
Net Carrying Amount	15,523	17,409
Customer Relationships [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	51,455	45,185
Accumulated Amortization	18,352	16,480
Net Carrying Amount	33,103	28,705
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	74,826	62,560
Accumulated Amortization	24,519	20,545
Net Carrying Amount	50,307	42,015
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	5,153	4,344
Accumulated Amortization	1,490	1,118
Net Carrying Amount	3,663	3,226
Trade Names [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,337	2,728
Accumulated Amortization	1,238	922
Net Carrying Amount	$ 2,099	$ 1,806

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Note 11 - Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)
2017 (remaining six months)	$ 8,352
2018	15,960
2019	15,043
2020	14,389
2021	12,921
Thereafter	38,030
Total	$ 104,695

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Note 12 - Common Stock and Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands									3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 20, 2017	Feb. 03, 2017	Nov. 10, 2016	Aug. 05, 2016	May 06, 2016	Feb. 05, 2016	Nov. 06, 2015	Aug. 10, 2015	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 0.50
Dividends, Cash	$ 19,700	$ 19,709	$ 19,852	$ 20,019	$ 20,171	$ 18,044	$ 18,208	$ 18,179
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation											37,042	13,831
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation											$ 5,700	$ 2,400
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									487,023	692,297	487,023	692,297
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									754,561	937,089	754,561	937,089
Per Annum [Member]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 2

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Note 12 - Common Stock and Earnings Per Share - Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (Details) - shares			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
		Jul. 05, 2016	Nov. 30, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Balance (in shares)			40,038,225	40,038,225	41,317,000
Common stock issued for employee stock plans (in shares)				506,000	420,000
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)				(984,822)	(715,000)
Balanc (in shares)				39,418,826	41,008,000
Repurchase of Common Stock from Employees [Member]
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)	[1]			(37,000)	(14,000)
Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)				(985,000)	(715,000)
ASR Agreement [Member]
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(595,607)	(102,916)	(103,000)

[1] For the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, the Company repurchased 37,042 and 13,831 shares, or $5.7 million and $2.4 million, of common stock, respectively, in settlement of employee tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.

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Note 12 - Common Stock and Earnings Per Share - Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Income available to common stockholders, net income (numerator)	$ 66,710	$ 67,763	$ 133,293	$ 127,727
Basic weighted average common shares (in shares)	39,489	41,117	39,659	41,252
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69	$ 1.65	$ 3.36	$ 3.10
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock, weighted average common share (denominator) (in shares)	211	419	241	547
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions, net income (numerator)	$ 66,710	$ 67,763	$ 133,293	$ 127,727
Diluted weighted average common shares (in shares)	39,700	41,536	39,900	41,799
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 1.63	$ 3.34	$ 3.06

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Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions				3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2017	Jul. 05, 2016	Jul. 01, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017		Nov. 30, 2016		Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized				10,000,000				10,000,000		10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share				$ 0.01				$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized				150,000,000				150,000,000		150,000,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share				$ 0.01				$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares, Issued				51,658,197				51,658,197		51,150,978
Treasury Stock, Shares				12,239,371				12,239,371		11,112,753
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding				39,418,826				39,418,826	41,008,000	40,038,225	41,317,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired								984,822	715,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method								$ 160.4	$ 113.3
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount				$ 36.5				$ 36.5
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation								37,042	13,831
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued				0				0		0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding				0				0		0
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period				6,000	[1]	95,000	[2]	101,234	37,079
ASR Agreement [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		595,607				102,916		103,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method			$ 120.0
Percent of Common Stock to Be Repurchased at Closing Price		80.00%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Increase in Authorized Amount	$ 300.0
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 336.5

[1] Of the 6,357 restricted stock awards that vested during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, 5,150 related to awards granted on February 3, 2014. The remaining 40% of these restricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on February 3, 2019 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related to awards granted in February 2015 in connection with the Code Red acquisition, which vested 100% on February 9, 2017.

[2] Of the 94,877 restricted stock awards that vested during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, 73,522 related to awards granted on November 1, 2013. The remaining 40% of these restricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on November 1, 2018 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related primarily to awards granted in November 2015, which vest 20% per year on the anniversary date of the award.

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Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity - Dividends Declared (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Mar. 20, 2017	Feb. 03, 2017	Nov. 10, 2016	Aug. 05, 2016	May 06, 2016	Feb. 05, 2016	Nov. 06, 2015	Aug. 10, 2015
Dividends Per Share of Common Stock (in dollars per share)		$ 0.50	$ 0.50	$ 0.50	$ 0.50	$ 0.44	$ 0.44	$ 0.44
Record Date		Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015
Total $ Amount	$ 19,700	$ 19,709	$ 19,852	$ 20,019	$ 20,171	$ 18,044	$ 18,208	$ 18,179
Payment Date		Mar. 21, 2017	Dec. 20, 2016	Sep. 20, 2016	Jun. 21, 2016	Mar. 15, 2016	Dec. 15, 2015	Sep. 15, 2015

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Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands				1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended									6 Months Ended		56 Months Ended
		Feb. 03, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013	Jan. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Jul. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2017		Nov. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price								$ 169.16						$ 150.81			$ 153.87	$ 170.13
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number								3,699,000		3,833,000			3,364,000				3,699,000		3,699,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price								$ 139.27		$ 136.43			$ 129.54				$ 139.27		$ 139.27
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized								$ 83,300									$ 83,300		$ 83,300
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition																	3 years 182 days
Share Price								$ 177.90					$ 178.03				$ 177.90		$ 177.90
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent																	85.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate								10.00%									10.00%		10.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans								20,744						20,338			37,240	36,173
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share								$ 135.48						$ 127.92			$ 135.77	$ 128.99
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance								371,304									371,304		371,304
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent										60.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay										4.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Vesting Period										5 years
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount																	$ 4,600	$ 4,500
The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value																	$ 30,500	$ 33,700
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price								$ 169.16		$ 152.51				$ 150.81
Employee Stock Option [Member] | The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period																	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross																	755,467
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price																	$ 153.87
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number								3,698,917									3,698,917		3,698,917
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price								$ 139.27									$ 139.27		$ 139.27
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized								$ 63,900									$ 63,900		$ 63,900
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition																	3 years 219 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number								900,000					1,000,000				900,000		900,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price								$ 103.43					$ 89.42				$ 103.43		$ 103.43
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value								$ 68,500					$ 86,000				$ 68,500		$ 68,500
Employee Stock Option [Member] | The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period																	7 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period																	10 years
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross							241,546	61,744		22,460					530,418
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price								$ 169.16		$ 159.45
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized								$ 200									$ 200		$ 200
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition																	182 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage							20.00%												80.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested, Number of Shares																			193,256
Performance Shares [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross																137,522
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross													20,911		530,418
Performance Shares [Member] | Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross				61,744
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member]
One-time Cumulative Adjustment to Stock-based Compensation Upon Change in Vesting Percentage																	$ 1,400
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period																2 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross																68,761
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized								1,000									$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition																	2 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage																70.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] | Portware LLC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage												40.00%			40.00%		0.00%
One-time Cumulative Adjustment to Stock-based Compensation Upon Change in Vesting Percentage	[1]
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] | Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				40.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period																4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross																68,761
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized								$ 600									$ 600		$ 600
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition																	2 years
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] | Portware LLC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage												20.00%			20.00%		50.00%
One-time Cumulative Adjustment to Stock-based Compensation Upon Change in Vesting Percentage	[1]																$ 58
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] | Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				20.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] | Portware LLC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage																	70.00%
One-time Cumulative Adjustment to Stock-based Compensation Upon Change in Vesting Percentage	[1]																$ 82
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] | Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				20.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member] | Portware LLC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage																	100.00%
One-time Cumulative Adjustment to Stock-based Compensation Upon Change in Vesting Percentage	[1]																$ 116
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member] | Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				20.00%
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period								8,000		5,000							12,927	93,120
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value								$ 161.31		$ 151.63							$ 157.50	$ 159.46
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number								171,000		172,000			262,000				171,000		171,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period								6,000	[2]	95,000	[3]						101,234	37,079
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Share Equivalent								2.5									2.5		2.5
Restricted Stock [Member] | The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		5 years															5 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized								$ 19,300									$ 19,300		$ 19,300
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition																	3 years 36 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		40.00%				100.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		5,150	73,522														12,927
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value																	$ 157.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number								170,607									170,607		170,607
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period								6,357		94,877
Restricted Stock [Member] | The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage			40.00%
Restricted Stock [Member] | The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage					20.00%

[1] Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of February 28, 2017.

[2] Of the 6,357 restricted stock awards that vested during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, 5,150 related to awards granted on February 3, 2014. The remaining 40% of these restricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on February 3, 2019 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related to awards granted in February 2015 in connection with the Code Red acquisition, which vested 100% on February 9, 2017.

[3] Of the 94,877 restricted stock awards that vested during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, 73,522 related to awards granted on November 1, 2013. The remaining 40% of these restricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on November 1, 2018 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related primarily to awards granted in November 2015, which vest 20% per year on the anniversary date of the award.

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Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - $ / shares	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Balance (in shares)		3,833,000	3,364,000			3,364,000
Balance (in dollars per share)		$ 136.43	$ 129.54			$ 129.54
Granted (in dollars per share)		$ 169.16		$ 150.81		$ 153.87	$ 170.13
Exercised (in shares)		(170,000)	(199,000)
Exercised (in dollars per share)		$ 89.62	$ 74.56
Forfeited (in shares)		(50,000)	(26,000)
Forfeited (in dollars per share)		$ 141.50	$ 147.22
Balance (in shares)		3,699,000	3,833,000			3,699,000
Balance (in dollars per share)		$ 139.27	$ 136.43			$ 139.27
Non Performance Based [Member]
Granted (in shares)			671,263	4,073	513,785
Granted (in dollars per share)			$ 152.28
Performance Shares [Member]
Granted (in shares)	241,546	61,744	22,460		530,418
Granted (in dollars per share)		$ 169.16	$ 159.45
Non-Employee Director Grant [Member]
Granted (in shares)		24,000
Granted (in dollars per share)		$ 170.24

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Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Changes to the Current Estimate of the Vesting Percentage and Related Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	$ (619)	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	(464)	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	145
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment		[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	581
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	464	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	1,017
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	928	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	1,453
Performance-based Options, Four Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment		[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized
Performance-based Options, Four Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	3,369	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	8,881
Performance-based Options, Four Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	4,716	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	12,434
Performance-based Options, Four Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	6,738	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	17,762
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	1,400
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment		[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	58	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	442
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	82	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	618
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	116	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	884
Performance Shares, Additional Granted [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment		[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized
Performance Shares, Additional Granted [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment	68	[1]
Remaining Expense to be Recognized	$ 2,637

[1] Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of February 28, 2017.

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Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Changes to the Current Estimate of the Vesting Percentage and Related Expense (Details) (Parentheticals)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	56 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017
Performance Shares, Additional Granted [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Vesting percentage					0.00%
Performance Shares, Additional Granted [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Vesting percentage					100.00%
Performance-based Options, Four Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Vesting percentage					0.00%
Performance-based Options, Four Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Vesting percentage					50.00%
Performance-based Options, Four Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Vesting percentage					70.00%
Performance-based Options, Four Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member]
Vesting percentage					100.00%
Performance Shares [Member]
Vesting percentage	20.00%					80.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Vesting percentage		40.00%	40.00%		0.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Vesting percentage		20.00%	20.00%		50.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Vesting percentage					70.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Portware LLC [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member]
Vesting percentage					100.00%
Performance Shares [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Vesting percentage				70.00%
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Vesting percentage					0.00%
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Vesting percentage					10.00%
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Vesting percentage					40.00%
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member]
Vesting percentage					70.00%
Performance-based Options, Two Year Measurement Period [Member] | Code Red, Inc. [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member]
Vesting percentage					100.00%

XML

Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirment Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Award (Details) - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017		Nov. 30, 2016		Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Balance (in shares)	172,000		262,000		262,000
Balance (in dollars per share)	$ 134.02		$ 126.27		$ 126.27
Granted (in shares)	8,000		5,000		12,927	93,120
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 161.31		$ 151.63		$ 157.50	$ 159.46
Vested (in shares)	(6,000)	[1]	(95,000)	[2]	(101,234)	(37,079)
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 105.91	[1]	$ 112.70	[2]
Balance (in shares)	171,000		172,000		171,000
Balance (in dollars per share)	$ 136.65		$ 134.02		$ 136.65
Forfeited (in shares)	(3,000)
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 114.42

[1] Of the 6,357 restricted stock awards that vested during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, 5,150 related to awards granted on February 3, 2014. The remaining 40% of these restricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on February 3, 2019 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related to awards granted in February 2015 in connection with the Code Red acquisition, which vested 100% on February 9, 2017.

[2] Of the 94,877 restricted stock awards that vested during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, 73,522 related to awards granted on November 1, 2013. The remaining 40% of these restricted stock awards cliff vest after five years on November 1, 2018 and are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The other restricted stock awards that vested related primarily to awards granted in November 2015, which vest 20% per year on the anniversary date of the award.

XML

Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Summary of Share-based Awards Available for Grant (Details) - shares		3 Months Ended
		Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016
The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member]
Balance (in shares)		814,000	1,491,000
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (in shares)	[1]	56,000	29,000
Balance (in shares)		788,000	814,000
The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member] | Non Performance Based [Member]
Granted (in shares)			(671,000)
The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Granted (in shares)		(62,000)	(23,000)
The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Granted (in shares)	[2]	(20,000)	(12,000)
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member]
Balance (in shares)		66,000	66,000
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (in shares)	[1]
Balance (in shares)		42,185	66,000
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | Non Performance Based [Member]
Granted (in shares)		(24,000)
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Granted (in shares)
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Granted (in shares)	[2]

[1] Under the Company's Option Plan, for each restricted stock award canceled/forfeited, an equivalent of 2.5 shares is added back to the available share-based awards balance.

[2] Each restricted stock award granted is equivalent to 2.5 shares granted under the Company's Option Plan.

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Note 15 - Stock-based Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 13, 2017	Jan. 15, 2016	Jul. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2008
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense				$ 7,200		$ 8,600		$ 13,600	$ 15,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized				$ 83,300				$ 83,300
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition								3 years 182 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price				$ 169.16		$ 150.81		$ 153.87	$ 170.13
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				$ 43.81		$ 40.51		$ 39.95	$ 46.59
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance				371,304				371,304
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans				20,744		20,338		37,240	36,173
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount								$ 0		$ 0
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	23,846	22,559
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 35.65	$ 31.03
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance											250,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant				42,185	66,000			42,185		66,000
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | Malcolm Frank [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	2,417
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | Laurie Siegel [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		2,417
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | Sheila B. Jordan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	2,417
The 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense				$ 600		$ 500		$ 1,000	$ 900
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price				$ 135.48		$ 127.92		$ 135.77	$ 128.99
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				$ 25.88		$ 29.54		$ 27.85	$ 27.73
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans				20,744		20,338		37,240	36,173
Non Performance Based [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross					671,263	4,073	513,785
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price					$ 152.28
Performance Shares [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized				$ 200				$ 200
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition								182 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			241,546	61,744	22,460		530,418
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price				$ 169.16	$ 159.45
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price				169.16	152.51	$ 150.81
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				$ 43.81	$ 39.60	$ 40.51
Performance and Non Performance [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price							$ 170.21
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value							$ 46.62
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				8,000	5,000			12,927	93,120
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				$ 161.31	$ 151.63			$ 157.50	$ 159.46

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Note 15 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Weighted Average Assumptions of Employee Stock Options (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Expected life (years) (Year)	7 years 146 days	7 years 146 days	7 years 146 days	7 years 292 days
Expected volatility
Dividend yield	1.18%	1.07%	1.18%	1.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 43.81	$ 40.51	$ 39.95	$ 46.59
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 169.16	$ 150.81	$ 153.87	$ 170.13
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price	25.90%	26.90%	26.00%	27.40%
Minimum [Member]
Risk-free interest rate	0.49%	0.16%	0.07%	0.07%
Expected volatility	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
Maximum [Member]
Risk-free interest rate	1.89%	2.12%	2.09%	2.12%
Expected volatility	29.00%	30.00%	30.00%	30.00%

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Note 15 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Weighted Average Assumptions of Non-employee Director Stock Options (Details)			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 13, 2017	Jan. 15, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Expected life (years) (Year)			7 years 146 days	7 years 146 days	7 years 146 days	7 years 292 days
Expected volatility
Dividend yield			1.18%	1.07%	1.18%	1.07%
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Risk-free interest rate	1.95%	1.62%
Expected life (years) (Year)	5 years 146 days	5 years 146 days
Expected volatility	22.70%	23.00%
Dividend yield	1.24%	1.05%

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Note 15 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Weighted Average Assumptions, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Expected life (Month)	7 years 146 days	7 years 146 days	7 years 146 days	7 years 292 days
Expected volatility
Dividend yield	1.18%	1.07%	1.18%	1.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 43.81	$ 40.51	$ 39.95	$ 46.59
The 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Risk-free interest rate	0.51%	0.26%	0.44%	0.17%
Expected life (Month)	90 days	90 days	90 days	90 days
Expected volatility	7.80%	12.50%	8.90%	11.40%
Dividend yield	1.25%	1.03%	1.19%	1.08%
Weighted average estimated fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 25.88	$ 29.54	$ 27.85	$ 27.73

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Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Research, Amount	$ 7,300
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	20.20%	35.00%	35.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits		$ 10,029			$ 8,782
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued		$ 1,700
Maximum [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Operational Realignment, Basis Point				2.50%

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Note 16 - Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016		Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
U.S. operations	$ 34,661	$ 66,375		$ 94,863	$ 137,274
Non-U.S. operations	54,829	18,544		84,447	35,047
Income before income taxes	89,490	84,919		179,310	172,321
U.S. operations	12,545	13,704		30,598	37,776
Non-U.S. operations	10,235	3,453		15,419	6,818
Total provision for income taxes	$ 22,780	$ 17,157		$ 46,017	$ 44,594
Effective tax rate	25.50%	20.20%	[1]	25.70%	25.90%

[1] In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (the "2016 ACT") was signed into law. The ACT reinstated and made permanent the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit (the "R&D tax credit"), which had previously expired on December 31, 2014. The reenactment of the R&D tax credit was retroactive to January 1, 2015 and by providing for a permanent R&D tax credit, the 2016 ACT eliminates the yearly uncertainty surrounding the extension of the credit. Prior to the reenactment of the R&D tax credit, FactSet had not been permitted to factor it into its effective tax rate as it was not currently enacted tax law. The reenactment resulted in a discrete income tax benefit of $7.3 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and reduced the Company's effective tax rate for the quarter to 20.2%.

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Note 16 - Income Taxes - Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Receivable reserve	$ 575	$ 531
Deferred rent	973	1,022
Other	1,145	1,605
Net current deferred tax assets	2,693	3,158
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements	6,747	5,194
Deferred rent	10,462	9,626
Stock-based compensation	16,156	19,927
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology	(27,472)	(24,645)
Other	2,969	3,304
Net non-current deferred tax assets	8,862	13,406
Total deferred tax assets	11,555	16,564
Current
Other	767	291
Net current deferred tax liabilities	767	291
Non-current
Stock-based compensation	(592)
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements	(388)
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology	4,031	1,666
Other	(104)	42
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	2,947	1,708
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ 3,714	$ 1,999

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Note 16 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)
Unrecognized income tax benefits	$ 8,782
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	903
Additions for tax positions of prior years	344
Statute of limitations lapse
Unrecognized income tax benefits	$ 10,029

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Note 16 - Income Taxes - Major Tax Jurisdictions in Which the Company and Affiliates Operate and the Earliest Tax Year Subject to Examination (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Open tax years	2013
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Open tax years	2017
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Open tax years	2010
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Open tax years	2017
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry, France [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Open tax years	2013
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry, France [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Open tax years	2017
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Open tax years	2012
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Open tax years	2017

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Note 17 - Long-term Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands					3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 17, 2017	Oct. 26, 2016	Sep. 21, 2015	Feb. 06, 2015	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Interest Paid					$ 1,300	$ 900	$ 2,400	$ 1,300
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 35,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Of Additional Borrowings				265,000
Line of Credit Facility, Minimum Borrowing Amount Required for Additional Borrowings				25,000
Long-term Line of Credit					365,000		365,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Bank of America, N.A. [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 365,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | The Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity					365,000		365,000		$ 300,000
Long-term Line of Credit				$ 35,000	$ 365,000		365,000		$ 300,000
Additional Long-Term Line of Credit		$ 65,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount							0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | The Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs							$ 100
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | The Loan [Member] | Eurodollar [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.75%		0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Second Amendment, Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Of Additional Borrowings			$ 400,000
Line of Credit Facility, Minimum Borrowing Amount Required for Additional Borrowings			25,000
Additional Long-Term Line of Credit			$ 265,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Second Amendment, Loan [Member] | Eurodollar [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.75%

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Note 17 - Long-term Debt - Debt Obligations (Details) - Revolving Credit Facility [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Feb. 06, 2015
2015 Revolving Credit Facility			$ 35,000
Total Outstanding Debt	$ 365,000
The Loan [Member]
2015 Revolving Credit Facility	365,000	$ 300,000
Total Outstanding Debt	$ 365,000	$ 300,000	$ 35,000

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Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($) ft²	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($) ft²	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($) ft²
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 11,500	$ 10,600	$ 22,900	$ 20,900
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	35,535		35,535		$ 33,080
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 1,900		$ 1,900
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed					67,500
Largest Individual Client Percent Of Total Subscriptions	2.00%		2.00%
Percentage of Subscription from Ten Largest Clients	15.00%		15.00%
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 1,700		$ 1,700		1,500
Deferred Rent [Member]
Other Liabilities	36,600		36,600		34,400
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	$ 33,800		$ 33,800		$ 31,200
Norwalk Connecticut [Member]
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	1,142,000		1,142,000		202,000
Increase (Decrease) in Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	70,000		70,000
Increase (Decrease) in Area of Real Estate Property, Percent			6.50%

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Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Lease Commitments (Details) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)
2017 (remaining six months)	$ 16,857
2018	34,912
2019	32,665
2020	26,362
2021	20,533
Thereafter	153,874
Total	$ 285,203

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Note 19 - Subsequent Events (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 17, 2017	Feb. 06, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 35,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Of Additional Borrowings		265,000
Line of Credit Facility, Minimum Borrowing Amount Required for Additional Borrowings		$ 25,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 575,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Of Additional Borrowings	225,000
Line of Credit Facility, Minimum Borrowing Amount Required for Additional Borrowings	25,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	575,000
BI-SAM Technologies [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 205,200