Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Jan. 29, 2022

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during fiscal 2022. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during fiscal 2021 were as follows (dollars in thousands):


	Goodwill		Accumulated Impairment Losses		Total
Balance as of January 25, 2020	$	521,516	$	(195,767)	$	325,749
Fiscal 2021 Goodwill impairment charge	—		(53,264)		(53,264)
Balance as of January 30, 2021	$	521,516	$	(249,031)	$	272,485

The Company’s goodwill resides in multiple reporting units and primarily consists of expected synergies, together with the expansion of our geographic presence and strengthening of our customer base from acquisitions. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed annually for impairment as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of each year, or more frequently if events occur that would indicate a potential reduction in the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The profitability of individual reporting units may suffer periodically due to downturns in customer demand, increased costs of providing services, and the level of overall economic activity. Our customers may reduce capital expenditures and defer or cancel pending projects due to changes in technology, a slowing or uncertain economy, merger or acquisition activity, a

decision to allocate resources to other areas of their business, or other reasons. The profitability of reporting units may also suffer if actual costs of providing services exceed the costs anticipated when the Company enters into contracts. Additionally, adverse conditions in the economy and future volatility in the equity and credit markets could impact the valuation of our reporting units. The cyclical nature of our business, the high level of competition existing within our industry, and the concentration of our revenues from a limited number of customers may also cause results to vary. These factors may affect individual reporting units disproportionately, relative to the Company as a whole. As a result, the performance of one or more of the reporting units could decline, resulting in an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets.

We evaluate current operating results, including any losses, in the assessment of goodwill and other intangible assets. The estimates and assumptions used in assessing the fair value of the reporting units and the valuation of the underlying assets and liabilities are inherently subject to significant uncertainties. Changes in judgments and estimates could result in significantly different estimates of the fair value of the reporting units and could result in impairments of goodwill or intangible assets of the reporting units. In addition, adverse changes to the key valuation assumptions contributing to the fair value of our reporting units could result in an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets.

The Company performs its annual goodwill assessment as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of each fiscal year. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are required to be tested for impairment between annual tests if events occur that would indicate a potential reduction in the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

We performed our annual impairment assessment for fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021, and fiscal 2020, and concluded that no impairment of goodwill or the indefinite-lived intangible asset was indicated at any reporting unit for any of the periods other than the first quarter of fiscal 2021 as described below. In each of these periods, qualitative assessments were performed on reporting units that comprise a significant portion of our consolidated goodwill balance. A qualitative assessment includes evaluating all identified events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset for the purpose of determining whether it is more likely than not that these assets are impaired. We consider various factors while performing qualitative assessments, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, financial performance of the reporting units, changes in market capitalization, and any other specific reporting unit considerations. These qualitative assessments indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value exceeded carrying value for those reporting units. For the remaining reporting units, we performed the quantitative analysis described in ASC Topic 350 in each of these periods. When performing the quantitative analysis, we determine the fair value of our reporting units using a weighing of fair values derived in equal proportions from the income approach and market approach valuation methodologies. Under the income approach, the key valuation assumptions used in determining the fair value estimates of our reporting units for each annual test were: (a) a discount rate based on our best estimate of the weighted average cost of capital adjusted for certain risks for the reporting units; (b) terminal value based on our best estimate of terminal growth rates; and (c) seven expected years of cash flow before the terminal value based on our best estimate of the revenue growth rate and projected operating margin.

The table below outlines certain assumptions used in our annual quantitative impairment analyses for fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021, and fiscal 2020:


	Fiscal Year Ended
	January 29, 2022	January 30, 2021	January 25, 2020
Terminal Growth Rate	2% - 3%	3.0%	3.0%
Discount Rate	10.5%	10.0%	10.0%

The discount rate reflects risks inherent within each reporting unit operating individually. These risks are greater than the risks inherent in the Company as a whole. Determination of discount rates included consideration of market inputs such as the risk-free rate, equity risk premium, industry premium, and cost of debt, among other assumptions. The discount rate was consistent for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020. The increase in the discount rate for fiscal 2022 from fiscal 2021 was mainly a result of a heavier weighting of the cost of equity versus debt in the current year as a result of recent market trends for capital structure. We believe the assumptions used in the impairment analysis each year are reflective of the risks inherent in the business models of our reporting units and our industry. Under the market approach, the guideline company method develops valuation multiples by comparing our reporting units to similar publicly traded companies. Key valuation assumptions used in determining the fair value estimates of our reporting units rely on: (a) the selection of similar companies and (b) the selection of valuation multiples as they apply to the reporting unit characteristics.

We determined that the fair values of each of the reporting units and the indefinite-lived intangible asset were in excess of their carrying values in the fiscal 2022 assessment. Management determined that significant changes were not likely in the

factors considered to estimate fair value, and analyzed the impact of such changes were they to occur. Specifically, if the discount rate applied in the fiscal 2022 impairment analysis had been 100 basis points higher than estimated for each of the reporting units, and all other assumptions were held constant, the conclusion of the assessment would remain unchanged and there would be no impairment of goodwill. Additionally, if there was a 25% decrease in the fair value of any of the reporting units due to a decline in their discounted cash flows resulting from lower operating performance, the conclusion of the assessment would remain unchanged for all reporting units except for one. For this reporting unit with goodwill of $5.7 million, the excess of fair value above its carrying value was approximately 10% of the fair value. Recent operating performance, along with assumptions for specific customer and industry opportunities, were considered in the key assumptions used during the fiscal 2022 impairment analysis. Management has determined the goodwill of the Company may have an increased likelihood of impairment if a prolonged downturn in customer demand were to occur, or if the reporting units was not able to execute against customer opportunities, and the long-term outlook for their cash flows were adversely impacted. Furthermore, changes in the long-term outlook may result in a change to other valuation assumptions. Factors monitored by management which could result in a change to the reporting units’ estimates include the outcome of customer requests for proposals and subsequent awards, strategies of competitors, labor market conditions and levels of overall economic activity.

The Company determined that there were no events or changes in circumstances for the other reporting units or indefinite lived intangible assets during fiscal 2022 that would indicate a potential reduction in their fair value below their carrying amounts. As of January 29, 2022, the Company continues to believe the remaining goodwill and the indefinite-lived intangible asset are recoverable for all of its reporting units. However, if adverse events were to occur or circumstances were to change indicating that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable, the assets would be reviewed for impairment and could be impaired. There can be no assurances that goodwill or the indefinite-lived intangible asset may not be impaired in future periods.

During fiscal 2021 and 2022, the economy of the United States was severely impacted by the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures taken included travel restrictions, social distancing requirements, quarantines, and shelter in place orders. As a result, businesses had been closed and certain business activities curtailed or modified. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our services have generally been considered essential in nature and have not been materially interrupted. However, certain customers of one of the Company’s reporting units (“Broadband”) had decided to restrict our technicians from entering third party premises. Furthermore, customers have modified their protocols to increase the self-installation of customer premise equipment by their subscribers.

Broadband generates a substantial portion of its revenue and operating results from installation services inside third party premises. The events following the onset of COVID-19 were expected to result in a prolonged downturn in customer demand for installation services from Broadband. This was expected to have a direct, adverse impact on its revenue, operating results and cash flows. These indicators represented a triggering event that warranted impairment testing of Broadband during the three months ended April 25, 2020.

The Broadband reporting unit includes the operations of Broadband Installation Services, Prince Telecom and certain other operations and generated revenue of less than 4% of the consolidated contract revenue of Dycom in fiscal 2020. The Broadband reporting unit did not incur losses in fiscal 2020.

The fiscal 2021 interim impairment analysis for Broadband utilized the same valuation techniques used in the Company’s annual fiscal 2020 impairment analysis. The key assumptions used to determine the fair value of the Company’s reporting units during this interim impairment analysis were: (a) expected cash flow for a period of seven years; (b) terminal value based upon terminal growth rates; and (c) a discount rate based on the Company’s best estimate of the weighted average cost of capital adjusted for risks associated with Broadband. Recent operating performance, along with key assumptions for specific customer and industry opportunities, were used during the fiscal 2021 interim impairment analysis. The terminal growth rate used in the fiscal 2021 interim assessment was 1.5% as compared to 3.0% in the fiscal 2020 assessment reflecting lower long-term demand levels. The discount rate used in the fiscal 2021 interim assessment was 12% compared to 10% in the fiscal 2020 assessment reflecting increased risk associated with the outlook of Broadband.

The combination of lower expected operating results and cash flows from the reduction in revenue, as well as changes in valuation assumptions in the fiscal 2021 interim analysis resulted in a substantial decline in the fair value of the Broadband reporting unit. In accordance with ASU 2017-04, the Company compared the estimated fair value of Broadband to its carrying amount. As a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $53.3 million which is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit’s fair value. After the impairment charge, Broadband has $10.1 million of remaining goodwill. The goodwill impairment charge did not affect the Company’s compliance with its financial covenants and conditions under its revolving credit agreement.

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):


	January 29, 2022							January 30, 2021
	Weighted Average Remaining Useful Lives (Years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Intangible Assets, Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Intangible Assets, Net
Customer relationships	8.5	$	312,017	$	215,806	$	96,211	$	312,017	$	198,604	$	113,413
Trade names, finite	8.4	9,250		8,329		921		10,350		9,141		1,209
Trade name, indefinite	—	4,700		—		4,700		4,700		—		4,700

		$	325,967	$	224,135	$	101,832	$	327,067	$	207,745	$	119,322

Amortization of our customer relationship intangibles is recognized on an accelerated basis as a function of the expected economic benefit. Amortization of our other finite-lived intangibles is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was $17.5 million, $20.6 million, and $21.2 million for fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021, and fiscal 2020.

As of January 29, 2022, total amortization expense for existing finite-lived intangible assets for the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows (dollars in thousands):


	Amount
2023	$	15,332
2024	13,901
2025	13,717
2026	13,411
2027	11,271
Thereafter	29,500
Total	$	97,132

As of January 29, 2022, we believe that the carrying amounts of our intangible assets are recoverable. However, if adverse events were to occur or circumstances were to change indicating that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable, the assets would be reviewed for impairment and the assets could be impaired.