NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Moody’s is a provider of (i) credit ratings, (ii) credit, capital markets and economic research, data and analytical tools, (iii) software solutions and related risk management services, (iv) quantitative credit risk measures, financial services training and certification services (v) analytical and research services and (vi) business intelligence and company information products. Moody’s has two reportable segments: MIS and MA.

MIS, the credit rating agency, publishes credit ratings on a wide range of debt obligations and the entities that issue such obligations in markets worldwide. Revenue is primarily derived from the originators and issuers of such transactions who use MIS ratings in the distribution of their debt issues to investors. Additionally, MIS earns revenue from certain non-ratings-related operations which consist primarily of the distribution of research and financial instrument pricing services in the Asia-Pacific region as well as revenue from ICRA’s non-ratings operations. The revenue from these operations is included in the MIS Other LOB and is not material to the results of the MIS segment.

The MA segment develops a wide range of products and services that support financial analysis and risk management activities of institutional participants in global financial markets. Within its RD&A business, MA distributes research and data developed by MIS as part of its ratings process, including in-depth research on major debt issuers, industry studies and commentary on topical credit-related events. The RD&A business also produces economic research and data and analytical tools such as quantitative credit risk scores as well as business intelligence and company information products. Within its ERS business, MA provides software solutions as well as related risk management services. The PS business provides analytical and research services along with financial training and certification programs.

These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Company’s 2016 annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2017. The results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any subsequent period. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included. The year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current presentation.

Adoption of New Accounting Standard

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-09 “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. As required by ASU 2016-09, Excess Tax Benefits or shortfalls recognized on stock-based compensation expense are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations as a component of the provision for income taxes on a prospective basis. Prior to the adoption of this ASU, Excess Tax Benefits and shortfalls were recorded to capital surplus within shareholders’ deficit. The impact of this adoption was an $7.7 million and $35.6 million benefit to the provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Additionally, in accordance with this ASU, Excess Tax Benefits or shortfalls recognized on stock-based compensation are classified as operating cash flows in the consolidated statement of cash flows, and the Company has applied this provision on a retrospective basis. Under previous accounting guidance, the Excess Tax Benefits or shortfalls were shown as a reduction to operating activity and an increase to financing activity. Furthermore, the Company has elected to continue to estimate the number of stock-based awards expected to vest, rather than accounting for award forfeitures as they occur, to determine the amount of stock-based compensation cost recognized in each period. The impact to the Company’s statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 relating to the adoption of this provision of the ASU is set forth in the table below: