Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

OR

 

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

Commission file number: 000-50726

Google Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   77-0493581

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1600 Amphitheatre Parkway

Mountain View, CA 94043

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(650) 253-0000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value  

Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

(Nasdaq Global Select Market)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Options to purchase Class A Common Stock

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    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  x

At June 30, 2012, the aggregate market value of shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based upon the closing sale price of such shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 29, 2012) was $134,705,433,770.

At January 23, 2013, there were 267,500,149 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock outstanding and 62,163,063 shares of the registrant’s Class B common stock outstanding.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Google Inc.

Form 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

Note About Forward-Looking Statements

     1   

PART I

     

Item 1.

   Business      3   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      10   

Item 1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments      25   

Item 2.

   Properties      25   

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings      25   

Item 4.

   Mine Safety Disclosures      25   

PART II

     

Item 5.

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      26   

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data      29   

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      30   

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      49   

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      51   

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      91   

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures      91   

Item 9B.

   Other Information      91   

PART III

     

Item 10.

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      92   

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation      92   

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters      92   

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      92   

Item 14.

   Principal Accounting Fees and Services      92   

PART IV

     

Item 15.

   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules      93   

 

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NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among other things, statements regarding:

 

   

the growth of our business and revenues and our expectations about the factors that influence our success and trends in our business;

 

   

seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and traditional retail seasonality, which are likely to cause fluctuations in our quarterly results;

 

   

our plans to continue to invest in systems, facilities, and infrastructure, to increase in our hiring and provide competitive compensation programs, as well as to continue our current pace of acquisitions;

 

   

the potential for declines in our revenue growth rate;

 

   

our expectation that growth in advertising revenues from our websites will continue to exceed that from our Google Network Members’ websites, which will have a positive impact on our operating margins;

 

   

our expectation that we will continue to pay most of the fees we receive from advertisers to our Google Network Members;

 

   

our expectations about the impact of our acquisition of Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (Motorola) on our results and business and our ability to realize the expected benefits from the acquisition and successfully implement our plans and expectations for Motorola’s business;

 

   

our expectation that we will continue to take steps to improve the relevance of the ads we deliver and to reduce the number of accidental clicks;

 

   

fluctuations in aggregate paid clicks and average cost-per-click;

 

   

our belief that our foreign exchange risk management program will not fully offset the exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

the increase of costs related to hedging activities under our foreign exchange risk management program;

 

   

our expectation that our cost of revenues, research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses will increase in dollars and may increase as a percentage of revenues;

 

   

our potential exposure in connection with pending investigations and proceedings;

 

   

our expectations about our board of directors’ intention to declare a dividend of shares of the new Class C capital stock, as well as the timing of that dividend, if declared and paid;

 

   

our expectation that our traffic acquisition costs will fluctuate in the future;

 

   

our continued investments in international markets;

 

   

estimates of our future compensation expenses;

 

   

fluctuations in our effective tax rate;

 

   

the sufficiency of our sources of funding;

 

   

our payment terms to certain advertisers, which may increase our working capital requirements;

 

   

fluctuations in our capital expenditures;

 

   

our expectations about the timing of disposition of the Home business;

as well as other statements regarding our future operations, financial condition and prospects, and business strategies. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report, including without limitation, the

 

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following sections: Item 1 “Business,” Item 1A “Risk Factors,” and Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in particular, the risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and those discussed in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

As used herein, “Google,” “we,” “our,” and similar terms include Google Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

“Google” and other trademarks of ours appearing in this report are our property. This report contains additional trade names and trademarks of other companies. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of us by such companies, or any relationship with any of these companies.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. We aspire to build products and provide services that improve the lives of billions of people globally. Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our innovations in web search and advertising have made our website a top internet property and our brand one of the most recognized in the world.

Our Motorola business is comprised of two operating segments. The Mobile segment is focused on mobile wireless devices and related products and services. The Home segment is focused on technologies and devices that provide video entertainment services to consumers by enabling subscribers to access a variety of interactive digital television services.

We generate revenue primarily by delivering relevant, cost-effective online advertising. Businesses use our AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising. In addition, the third parties that comprise the Google Network use our AdSense program to deliver relevant ads that generate revenues and enhance the user experience. We also generate revenues from Motorola by selling hardware products.

In December 2012, we entered into an agreement with Arris Group, Inc. (Arris) and certain other persons providing for the disposition of our Motorola Home segment. The transaction is expected to close in 2013.

Our business is primarily focused around the following key areas: search, advertising, operating systems and platforms, enterprise and hardware products.

We were incorporated in California in September 1998 and reincorporated in Delaware in August 2003. Our headquarters are located at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, California 94043, and our telephone number is (650) 253-0000. We completed our initial public offering in August 2004 and our Class A common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GOOG.”

2012 Corporate Highlights

 

   

Android—The growth of our Android operating system continues to impress with approximately half a billion Android devices activated globally through September 2012.

 

   

Google Play—We launched Google Play, an entirely cloud-based, digital entertainment destination with more than 700,000 apps and games plus music, movies and books that our users can find, enjoy and share on the web and on their Android phone or tablet.

 

   

Social—“Growing the + and shipping the Google.” In 2011, we launched Google+, a new way to share online just like users do in the real world, sharing different things with different people. In late 2011 and continuing in 2012, we have tightened integration between Google+ and our other Google properties, such as Gmail and YouTube and now have 235 million active users across our Google properties.

 

   

Nexus 7 Tablet—We launched a powerful new tablet in June 2012 with a vibrant, 7” high-definition display. The Tegra-3 chipset, with a quad-core CPU and 12-core GPU, makes everything, including games, extremely fast. And at only 340 grams, lighter than most tablets, Nexus 7 was built to bring users the best of Google that can be held in the palm of the user’s hand.

 

   

Google Now—We introduced Google Now, a predictive search feature that gets you just the right information at just the right time. It tells you the day’s weather before you start your day, how much traffic to expect before you leave for work or school, when the next train will arrive as you’re standing on the platform, or your favorite team’s score while they’re playing – all automatically with cards appearing throughout the day at the moment you need them.

 

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Knowledge Graph—Google’s Knowledge Graph, introduced in 2012, enables the user to search for things, people or places that Google knows about – landmarks, celebrities, cities, sports teams, buildings, geographical features, movies, works of arts and more – and enhances Google Search by understanding the ambiguities in language and by better understanding a user’s query.

On December 19, 2012, Google and Arris announced that Motorola Mobility had entered into an agreement (Motorola Agreement) with Arris and certain other persons providing for the disposition of the Home business for total consideration of approximately $2.35 billion in cash and common stock, subject to certain adjustments. Arris announced in January 2013 that it has agreed to sell approximately 10.6 million shares of its common stock, valued at $150.0 million, to Comcast Corporation with the closing of the Comcast investment and the Home business disposition expected to occur simultaneously. As provided for in the Motorola Agreement, the Comcast transaction will reduce the amount of stock consideration and increase the amount of cash consideration to be received by Google, but will not affect the total consideration. Specifically, the shares issued to Comcast will reduce, on a share-for-share basis, the number of shares of Arris common stock to be issued to Google and simultaneously increase the cash consideration to be received by Google by $150.0 million. Assuming the completion of the Comcast transaction, Comcast and Google will each own approximately 7.85% of the outstanding Arris common stock post-closing based on Arris’ capitalization as of the date of Arris’ announcement of the Comcast transaction. The disposition of the Home business to Arris is not contingent upon Arris’ sale of common stock to Comcast. In the event that Arris’ sale of common stock to Comcast does not close for any reason, there will be no reduction in the amount of shares of Arris common stock to be issued to Google and no corresponding increase in the amount of cash consideration. In that case, Google will own approximately 15.7% of the outstanding Arris common stock post-closing based on Arris’ capitalization as of the date of the Arris’ announced transaction with Google. The disposition of the Home business is expected to close in 2013.

In January 2013, the FTC closed its investigations into our business practices, including search and advertising. In connection with the closing of the investigation, we have voluntarily agreed to make certain product changes. In addition, we and Motorola have entered into a consent order with the FTC setting forth certain guidelines on our use of standards-essential patents in litigation.

Search

Our search technologies sort through an ever-growing amount of information to deliver relevant and useful search results in response to user queries. We integrate innovative features into our search service and offer specialized search services to help users tailor their search. In addition, we are constantly improving and adding to our products and services, to provide users with more relevant results so that users find what they are looking for faster. For instance, when users want to plan a trip, Flight Search is a feature that makes it easy for users to find flights that meet their needs. Whether they have a specific destination with dates in mind or not, Flight Search can help users quickly find the best options for their trips. We also offer Product Listing Ads, which include richer product information, such as product image, price, and merchant information, without requiring additional keywords or ad text.

In January 2012, we launched Search plus Your World. Now, when a user performs a signed-in search on Google, the user’s results page may include Google+ content from people that the user is close to (or might be interested in following). Relevant Google+ profiles and Google+ pages related to a specific topic or area of interest may also appear on a user’s results page.

In 2012, we also introduced Google Now and Google’s Knowledge Graph. Google Now is a predictive search feature that gets you just the right information at just the right time. It tells you the day’s weather before you start your day, how much traffic to expect before you leave for work or school, when the next train will arrive as you’re standing on the platform, or your favorite team’s score while they’re playing—all automatically with cards appearing throughout the day at the moment you need them. Google’s Knowledge Graph, introduced in 2012,

 

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enables the user to search for things, people or places that Google knows about – landmarks, celebrities, cities, sports teams, buildings, geographical features, movies, works of arts and more – and enhances Google Search in three main ways:

 

   

Find the Right Thing—By understanding the ambiguities and nuances in language the way users do, the Knowledge Graph makes Google Search more intelligent and relevant.

 

   

Get the Best Summary—With the Knowledge Graph, we can better understand a user’s query, so that we can summarize relevant content around that topic, including key facts users likely need for that particular query.

 

   

Go Deeper and Broader—The Knowledge Graph can help you make some unexpected discoveries. We’ve always believed that the perfect search engine should understand exactly what you mean and give you back exactly what you want. And we can sometimes help answer your next question before you’ve asked it, because the facts we show are informed by what other people have searched for.

Advertising

Google Search. The goal of AdWords, our primary auction-based advertising program, is to deliver ads that are so useful and relevant to search queries or web content that they are a form of information in their own right. With AdWords, advertisers create simple text-based ads that then appear beside related search results or web content on our websites and on thousands of partner websites in our Google Network, which is the network of third parties that use our advertising programs to deliver relevant ads with their search results and content. Most of our AdWords customers pay us on a cost-per-click basis, which means that an advertiser pays us only when a user clicks on one of its ads. We also offer AdWords on a cost-per-impression basis that enables advertisers to pay us based on the number of times their ads appear on our websites and our Google Network Members’ websites as specified by the advertiser.

Our AdSense program enables websites that are part of the Google Network to deliver ads from our AdWords advertisers that are relevant to the search results or content on their websites. We share the majority of the revenues generated from these ads with the Google Network Members that display the ads. The AdSense program enables advertisers to extend the reach of their ad campaigns, improves our partners’ ability to generate revenue from their content, and delivers relevant ads for their users.

To make mobile ad buying seamless and accessible for more than a million AdWords advertisers, we integrated our AdMob technology directly into our AdWords system in June 2012. This enables advertisers to run effective campaigns across the more than 300,000 mobile applications running ads by AdMob – all from within the AdWords interface. AdWords advertisers can now manage, measure and adjust search, display and video ads, reaching people on more than 2 million websites and hundreds of thousands of apps, across all screens.

Google Display. Display advertising comprises the videos, text, images, and other interactive ads that run across the web on computers and mobile devices, including smart phones and handheld computers such as netbooks and tablets. The Google Display Network provides advertisers services related to the delivery of display advertising across publishers participating in our AdSense program, publishers participating in the DoubleClick Ad Exchange, and Google-owned sites such as YouTube and Google Finance.

Through our DoubleClick advertising technology, we provide to publishers, agencies, and advertisers the ad serving technology, which is the infrastructure that enables billions of ads to be served each day across the web. Our DoubleClick Ad Exchange creates a real-time auction marketplace for the trading of display ad space. We aim to simplify display advertising so it is easier for advertisers and publishers to manage campaigns across different formats, on different websites, and for different devices.

In addition, YouTube provides a range of video, interactive, and other ad formats for advertisers to reach their intended audience. YouTube’s video advertising solutions give advertisers a way to promote their content to the

 

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YouTube community, as well as to associate with content being watched by their target audience. YouTube also offers analytic tools to help advertisers understand their audience and derive general business intelligence. In the past year, YouTube has experienced strong growth in mobile viewers and has established key partnerships with content companies to help monetize mobile video.

Google Mobile. Mobile advertising is still in early innings, though the mobile device is quickly becoming the world’s newest gateway to information. Google is focused on developing easy-to-use ad products to help advertisers extend their reach, help create revenue opportunities for our publisher partners, and deliver relevant and useful ads to users on the go.

Google Mobile extends our products and services by providing mobile-specific features to mobile device users. Our mobile-specific search technologies include search by voice, search by sight, and search by location. Google Mobile also optimizes a large number of Google’s applications for mobile devices in both browser and downloadable form. In addition, we offer advertisers the ability to run search ad campaigns on mobile devices with popular mobile-specific ad formats, such as click-to-call ads in which advertisers can include a phone number within ad text. AdMob also offers effective ad units and solutions for application developers and advertisers. We continue to invest in improving users’ access to Google services through their mobile devices.

Google Local. Google is committed to providing users with relevant local information. We’ve organized information around more than 80 million places globally from various sources across the web. Users can find addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, directions and more for millions of local queries like shops, restaurants, parks and landmarks right on Google.com, on Google Maps and on Google Maps for mobile. They can also discover more places that are right for them by rating the places they’ve been, and getting customized recommendations based on their tastes and those of their friends directly within Google Maps. Our products and services also help local business owners manage their online presence and connect with potential customers. Millions of business owners have verified their free business listings via Google Places to ensure that users have up-to-date information about their establishments, and to contribute additional details such as photos and products/services offered. Google Offers brings people daily deals from local and national businesses, redeemable for discounted goods or services. From restaurants to spa treatments to outdoor adventures, Google has deals from the best businesses a city has to offer as well as popular national brands.

Operating Systems and Platforms

Android. Working closely with the Open Handset Alliance, a business alliance of more than 75 technology and mobile companies, we developed Android, a free, fully open source mobile software platform that any developer can use to create applications for mobile devices and any handset manufacturer can install on a device. We believe Android will drive greater innovation and choice in the mobile device ecosystem, and provide consumers with a more powerful mobile experience.

Google Chrome OS and Google Chrome. Google Chrome OS is an open source operating system with the Google Chrome web browser as its foundation. Both the Google Chrome OS and the Google Chrome browser are built around the core tenets of speed, simplicity, and security. Designed for people who spend most of their time on the web, the Google Chrome OS is a new approach to operating systems. We are working with several original equipment manufacturers to bring computers running Google Chrome OS to users and businesses. The Chrome browser runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.

Google+. Google+ is a new way to share online just like users do in the real world, sharing different things with different people. In late 2011 and continuing in 2012, we have tightened integration between Google+ and our other Google properties, such as Gmail and YouTube and now have 235 million active users across our Google properties.

Google Play. Google Play is an entirely cloud-based, digital entertainment destination with more than 700,000 apps and games plus music, movies and books that our users can find, enjoy and share on the web and on their Android phone or tablet.

 

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Google Drive. Google Drive is a place where users can create, share, collaborate, and keep all of their stuff. Google Docs is built right into Google Drive so users can work with others in real time on documents, spreadsheets and presentations and users’ files go everywhere they do. When users change a file on the web, on their computer, or on their mobile device, the file updates on every device where users have installed Google Drive.

Google Wallet. Google Wallet is a virtual wallet that securely stores your credit and debit cards, offers, and rewards cards. Users can tap their phone to pay in-store using Google Wallet anywhere contactless payments are accepted – at over 200,000 merchants across the United States. Users can also pay online by signing into their Google Wallet account.

Google TV. Google TV is a platform that gives consumers the power to experience television and the internet on a single screen, with the ability to search and find the content they want to watch. The Google TV platform is based on the Android operating system and runs the Google Chrome browser.

Enterprise

Google’s enterprise products provide familiar, easy-to-use Google technology for business settings. Through Google Apps, which includes Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, and Google Sites, among other features, we provide hosted, web-based applications that people can use on any device with a browser and an internet connection. In addition, we provide our search technology for use within enterprises through the Google Search Appliance (real-time search of business applications, intranet applications, and public websites), on their public-facing sites with Google Site Search (custom search engine), and Google Commerce Search (for online retail enterprises). We also provide versions of our Google Maps Application Programming Interface (API) for businesses (including fully interactive Google Maps for public and internal websites), as well as Google Earth Enterprise (a behind-the-company-firewall software solution for imagery and data visualization). Our enterprise solutions have been adopted by a variety of businesses, governments, schools, and non-profit organizations. Google Apps is the first cloud computing suite of message and collaboration tools to receive U.S. government security certification.

Motorola

Our Motorola Mobility business is comprised of two operating segments. The Mobile segment is focused on mobile wireless devices and related products and services. The Home segment is focused on technologies and devices that provide video entertainment services to consumers by enabling subscribers to access a variety of interactive digital television services. In December 2012, we entered into an agreement with Arris Group, Inc. and certain other persons providing for the disposition of our Home segment. The transaction is expected to close in 2013.

Research

We continue to develop new products and services and to enhance our existing ones through research and product development and the licensing and acquisition of third-party businesses and technology. Our product development philosophy is to launch innovative products early and often, and then iterate rapidly to make those products even better. We often post early stage products at test locations online or directly on Google.com. We then use data and user feedback to decide if and how to invest further in those products.

Our research and development expenses were $3.8 billion, $5.2 billion, and $6.8 billion in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively, which included stock-based compensation expense of $861 million, $1.1 billion, and $1.3 billion, respectively. We expect to continue to invest in building the employee and systems infrastructures needed to support the development of new products and services and to improve existing ones.

 

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Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of intellectual property laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, to protect our proprietary technology and our brand. We have registered, and applied for the registration of, U.S. and international trademarks, service marks, domain names, and copyrights. Additionally, we have filed U.S. and international patent applications covering certain of our proprietary technology. Over time, we have assembled a portfolio of patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, domain names, and trade secrets covering our products and services. Our proprietary technology is not dependent on any single patent or copyright or groups of related patents or copyrights. We believe the duration of our patents is adequate relative to the expected lives of our products. Although we rigorously protect our proprietary technology, any significant impairment of, or third-party claim against, our intellectual property rights could harm our business or our ability to compete.

Sales and Support

We continue to develop and grow our sales and support infrastructure. We have over 85 offices in over 40 countries, the large majority of which include sales people. Our global sales and support infrastructure has specialized teams across vertical markets. We bring businesses into our advertising network through direct, remote, and online sales channels, using technology and automation wherever possible to improve our customers’ experience and to grow our business cost-effectively. Our direct advertising and sales teams focus on building relationships with the largest advertisers and leading internet companies. We have built a multi-product sales force, with teams selling campaigns that include search, display (including DoubleClick and YouTube), and mobile advertising.

We provide customer service to our advertiser base through our global support organization. Our global support organization concentrates on helping our advertisers and Google Network Members get the most out of their relationship with us.

No individual customer or groups of affiliated customers represented more than 10% of our revenues in 2010, 2011, or 2012.

Government Contracts

No material portion of our business is subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts or subcontracts at the election of the U.S. government.

Marketing

Google’s global brand is well known. We believe that building a trusted, highly recognized brand begins with providing high-quality products and services that make a notable difference in people’s lives. Marketing is responsible for generating advertiser revenue through marketing campaigns to small businesses, as well as providing thought leadership to chief marketing officers through industry insight, research, and analysis. Our marketing, promotional, and public relations activities are designed to promote Google’s brand image and differentiate it from competitors.

Competition

Our business is characterized by rapid change and converging, as well as new and disruptive, technologies. We face formidable competition in every aspect of our business, particularly from companies that seek to connect people with information on the web and provide them with relevant advertising. We face competition from:

 

   

General purpose search engines, such as Yahoo and Microsoft’s Bing.

 

   

Vertical search engines and e-commerce websites, such as Kayak (travel queries), Monster.com (job queries), WebMD (for health queries), and Amazon.com and eBay (e-commerce). Some users will navigate directly to such websites rather than go through Google.

 

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Social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. Some users are relying more on social networks for product or service referrals, rather than seeking information through general purpose search engines.

 

   

Other forms of advertising, such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, billboards, and yellow pages, for ad dollars. Our advertisers typically advertise in multiple media, both online and offline.

 

   

Mobile applications on iPhone and Android devices, which allow users to access information directly from a publisher without using search engines.

 

   

Providers of online products and services. A number of our online products and services, including Gmail, YouTube, and Google Docs, compete directly with new and established companies, which offer communication, information, and entertainment services integrated into their products or media properties.

We compete to attract and retain users, for whom other products and services are literally one click away, primarily on the basis of the relevance and usefulness of our search results and the features, availability, and ease of use of our products and services.

We also compete to attract and retain content providers (Google Network Members, as well as other content providers for whom we distribute or license content), primarily based on the size and quality of our advertiser base, our ability to help these partners generate revenues from advertising, and the terms of our agreements with them.

Government Regulation

We are subject to numerous domestic and foreign laws and regulations covering a wide variety of subject matter. New laws and regulations (or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations) may also impact our business. The costs of compliance with these laws and regulations are high and are likely to increase in the future and any failure on our part to comply with these laws may subject us to significant liabilities and other penalties.

Culture and Employees

We take great pride in our culture. We embrace collaboration and creativity, and encourage the iteration of ideas to address complex technical challenges. Transparency and open dialog are central to us, and we like to ensure that company news reaches our employees first through internal channels.

Despite our rapid growth, we still cherish our roots as a startup and give employees the freedom to act on their ideas regardless of role or function within the company. We strive to hire the best employees, with backgrounds and perspectives as diverse as our global users. We provide an environment where these talented people can have fulfilling careers working on some of the biggest challenges in technology, and have a huge, positive impact on the world.

At December 31, 2012, we had 53,861 full-time employees, consisting of 19,746 in research and development, 15,306 in sales and marketing, 6,214 in general and administrative, and 12,595 in operations. All of Google’s full-time employees are also equityholders, with significant collective employee ownership. Although we have works councils and statutory employee representation obligations in certain countries, our U.S. employees are not represented by a labor union and we consider our employee relations to be good. Competition for qualified personnel in our industry is intense, particularly for software engineers, computer scientists, and other technical staff.

Global Operations and Geographic Data

We provide our products and services in more than 100 languages and in more than 50 countries, regions, and territories. On www.google.com or one of our other Google domains, users can find information in many

 

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different languages and in many different formats. The United States accounted for approximately 47% of our revenues in 2012. Information regarding financial data by geographic areas is set forth in Item 7 and Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8.

Seasonality

Our business is affected by both seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and traditional retail seasonality. Internet usage generally slows during the summer months, and commercial queries typically increase significantly in the fourth quarter of each year. These seasonal trends have caused and will likely continue to cause, fluctuations in our quarterly results, including fluctuations in sequential revenue growth rates.

Available Information

Our website is located at www.google.com, and our investor relations website is located at http://investor.google.com. The following filings are available through our investor relations website after we file them with the SEC: Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Proxy Statements for our annual meetings of stockholders, for the last three years. These filings are also available for download free of charge on our investor relations website. We also provide a link to the section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov that has all of our public filings, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, all amendments to those reports, our Proxy Statements, and other ownership related filings. Further, a copy of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is located at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

We webcast our earnings calls and certain events we participate in or host with members of the investment community on our investor relations website. Additionally, we provide notifications of news or announcements regarding our financial performance, including SEC filings, investor events, press and earnings releases, and blogs as part of our investor relations website as well as on our investor relations Google+ page (https://plus.google.com/+GoogleInvestorRelations/posts). Investors and others can receive notifications of new information posted on our investor relations website in real time by signing up for email alerts and RSS feeds. Further corporate governance information, including our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, governance guidelines, board committee charters, and code of conduct, is also available on our investor relations website under the heading “Corporate Governance.” The contents of our websites are not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described below, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and the trading price of our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We face intense competition. If we do not continue to innovate and provide products and services that are useful to users, we may not remain competitive, and our revenues and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our business is rapidly evolving and intensely competitive, and is subject to changing technologies, shifting user needs, and frequent introductions of new products and services. Our ability to compete successfully depends heavily on providing products and services that make using the internet a more useful and enjoyable experience for our users and delivering innovative products and technologies to the marketplace. With our acquisition of Motorola, the competitive pressure to innovate will now encompass a wider range of products and services, including products and services that may be outside of our historical core business.

 

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We have many competitors in different industries, including general purpose search engines, vertical search engines and e-commerce sites, social networking sites, traditional media companies, wireless mobile device companies, and providers of online products and services. Our current and potential competitors range from large and established companies to emerging start-ups. Established companies have longer operating histories and more established relationships with customers and users, and they can use their experience and resources in ways that could affect our competitive position, including by making acquisitions, investing aggressively in research and development, aggressively initiating intellectual property claims (whether or not meritorious) and competing aggressively for advertisers and websites. Emerging start-ups may be able to innovate and provide products and services faster than we can.

Our competitors are constantly developing innovations in web search, online advertising, wireless mobile devices, and web-based products and services. The research and development of new, technologically advanced products is also a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation and investment, as well as the accurate anticipation of technology, market trends and consumer needs. As a result, we must continue to invest significant resources in research and development, including through acquisitions, in order to enhance our web search technology and our existing products and services, and introduce new products and services that people can easily and effectively use. If we are unable to provide quality products and services, then acceptance rates for our products and services could decline and affect consumer and advertiser perceptions of our brand. In addition, these new products and services may present new and difficult technological and legal challenges, and we may be subject to claims if users of these offerings experience service disruptions or failures or other issues. Our operating results would also suffer if our innovations are not responsive to the needs of our users, advertisers, and Google Network Members, are not appropriately timed with market opportunities, or are not effectively brought to market. As technology continues to develop, our competitors may be able to offer user experiences that are, or that are seen to be, substantially similar to or better than ours. This may force us to compete in different ways and expend significant resources in order to remain competitive. If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing compelling products or in attracting and retaining users, advertisers, and content providers, our revenues and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our ongoing investment in new business strategies and new products, services, and technologies is inherently risky, and could disrupt our ongoing businesses.

We have invested and expect to continue to invest in new business strategies, products, services, and technologies. Such endeavors may involve significant risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management from current operations, insufficient revenues to offset liabilities assumed and expenses associated with these new investments, inadequate return of capital on our investments, and unidentified issues not discovered in our due diligence of such strategies and offerings. Because these new ventures are inherently risky, no assurance can be given that such strategies and offerings will be successful and will not adversely affect our reputation, financial condition, and operating results.

Acquisitions and investments could result in operating difficulties, dilution, and other harmful consequences that may adversely impact our business and results of operations.

Acquisitions are an important element of our overall corporate strategy and use of capital, and we expect our current pace of acquisitions to continue. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations. We also expect to continue to evaluate and enter into discussions regarding a wide array of potential strategic transactions. The process of integrating an acquired company, business, or technology has created, and will continue to create, unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. The areas where we face risks include:

 

   

Diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to acquisition integration challenges.

 

   

Failure to successfully further develop the acquired business or technology.

 

   

Implementation or remediation of controls, procedures, and policies at the acquired company.

 

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Integration of the acquired company’s accounting, human resource, and other administrative systems, and coordination of product, engineering, and sales and marketing functions.

 

   

Transition of operations, users, and customers onto our existing platforms.

 

   

Failure to obtain required approvals on a timely basis, if at all, from governmental authorities, or conditions placed upon approval, under competition and antitrust laws which could, among other things, delay or prevent us from completing a transaction, or otherwise restrict our ability to realize the expected financial or strategic goals of an acquisition.

 

   

In the case of foreign acquisitions, the need to integrate operations across different cultures and languages and to address the particular economic, currency, political, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries.

 

   

Cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired company into our organization, and retention of employees from the businesses we acquire.

 

   

Liability for activities of the acquired company before the acquisition, including patent and trademark infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities, and other known and unknown liabilities.

 

   

Litigation or other claims in connection with the acquired company, including claims from terminated employees, customers, former stockholders, or other third parties.

Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions and investments could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions or investments, incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business generally.

Future acquisitions could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, or amortization expenses, or impairment of goodwill, and restructuring charges, any of which could harm our financial condition or results. Also, the anticipated benefit of many of our acquisitions may not materialize.

We generate a significant portion of our revenues from advertising, and a reduction in spending by or loss of advertisers could seriously harm our business.

We generated 95% of Google revenues from our advertisers in 2012. Following our acquisition of Motorola, we still expect a significant portion of our revenues to come from advertising. Our advertisers can generally terminate their contracts with us at any time. Advertisers will not continue to do business with us if their investment in advertising with us does not generate sales leads, and ultimately customers, or if we do not deliver their advertisements in an appropriate and effective manner. If we are unable to remain competitive and provide value to our advertisers, they may stop placing ads with us, which would adversely affect our revenues and business.

In addition, expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic conditions and budgeting and buying patterns. Adverse macroeconomic conditions can also have a material negative impact on the demand for advertising and cause our advertisers to reduce the amounts they spend on advertising, which could adversely affect our revenues and business.

Our revenue growth rate could decline over time, and we anticipate downward pressure on our operating margin in the future.

Our revenue growth rate could decline over time as a result of a number of factors, including increasing competition, changes in our product mix, including a significant increase in mobile search queries and a deceleration in the growth of desktop queries if monetization stays at current levels, and how users make queries

 

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and act on them, the challenges in maintaining our growth rate as our revenues increase to higher levels, the evolution of the online advertising market, including the increasing variety of online platforms for advertising, and the other markets in which we participate and the success of our investments in new business strategies, products, services, and technologies, such as our acquisition of Motorola.

The revenue growth rate of our Motorola business will also depend on a number of factors, including the success of the new products we plan to introduce, our reliance on several large customers, the absence of long-term exclusivity arrangements with such customers, our ability to gain significant market share in the mobile devices space, our reliance on third-party distributors, representatives and retailers to sell certain of its products and the successful implementation of our product and operating system strategies. Furthermore, industry consolidation in the telecommunications and cable industries could negatively impact Motorola’s business because there would be fewer network operators and it could be more difficult to replace any lost customers. Any of these factors could have a negative impact on Motorola’s business and have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial results.

We believe our operating margin will experience downward pressure as a result of increasing competition and increased expenditures for many aspects of our business, including Motorola. For instance, our operating margin will experience downward pressure if a greater percentage of our revenues comes from ads placed on our Google Network Members’ websites compared to revenues generated through ads placed on our own websites or if we spend a proportionately larger amount to promote the distribution of certain products, including Google Chrome. Both the margin on revenues we generate from our Google Network Members and the margin on revenues from our Motorola business are significantly less than the margin on revenues we generate from advertising on our websites. Also, the margins on advertising revenues from mobile devices and newer advertising formats are generally less than the margin on revenues we generate from advertising on our websites. Additionally, the margin we earn on revenues generated from our Google Network Members could decrease in the future if we pay an even larger percentage of advertising fees to our Google Network Members.

We are subject to increased regulatory scrutiny that may negatively impact our business.

The growth of our company and our expansion into a variety of new fields implicate a variety of new regulatory issues, and we have experienced increased regulatory scrutiny as we have grown. We continue to cooperate with the European Commission (EC), other international regulatory authorities, and several state attorneys general in investigations they are conducting with respect to our business and its impact on competition. Legislators and regulators, including those conducting investigations in the U.S. and Europe, may make legal and regulatory changes, or interpret and apply existing laws, in ways that make our products and services less useful to our users, require us to incur substantial costs, expose us to unanticipated civil or criminal liability, or cause us to change our business practices. These changes or increased costs could negatively impact our business and results of operations in material ways.

We are regularly subject to claims, suits, government investigations, and other proceedings that may result in adverse outcomes.

We are regularly subject to claims, suits, government investigations, and other proceedings involving competition and antitrust (such as the pending investigations by the EC), intellectual property, privacy, consumer protection, tax, labor and employment, commercial disputes, content generated by our users, goods and services offered by advertisers or publishers using our platforms, and other matters. Our acquisition of Motorola and our sale of hardware products also expose us to the risk of product liability and other litigation involving assertions about product defects, as well as health and safety, hazardous materials usage, and other environmental concerns. In addition, our businesses face intellectual property litigation, as further discussed later, that exposes us to the risk of exclusion and cease and desist orders, which could limit our ability to sell products and services.

Such claims, suits, government investigations, and proceedings are inherently uncertain and their results cannot be predicted with certainty. Regardless of the outcome, such legal proceedings can have an adverse

 

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impact on us because of legal costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors. Determining reserves for our pending litigation is a complex, fact-intensive process that requires significant judgment. It is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in substantial fines and penalties that could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in a particular period. These proceedings could also result in reputational harm, criminal sanctions, consent decrees, or orders preventing us from offering certain features, functionalities, products, or services, requiring a change in our business practices or product recalls or other field action, or requiring development of non-infringing or otherwise altered products or technologies. Any of these consequences could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

More people are using devices other than personal computers to access the internet and accessing new platforms to make search queries. If manufacturers and users do not widely adopt versions of our web search technology, products, or operating systems developed for these devices, our business could be adversely affected.

The number of people who access the internet through devices other than personal computers, including mobile phones, smartphones, handheld computers such as netbooks and tablets, video game consoles, and television set-top devices, has increased dramatically in the past few years. The lower resolution, functionality, and memory associated with some alternative devices make the use of our products and services through such devices more difficult and the versions of our products and services developed for these devices may not be compelling to users, manufacturers, or distributors of alternative devices. Each manufacturer or distributor may establish unique technical standards for its devices, and our products and services may not work or be viewable on these devices as a result. Some manufacturers may also elect not to include our products on their devices. In addition, search queries are increasingly being undertaken via “apps” tailored to particular devices or social media platforms, which could affect our share of the search market over time. As new devices and platforms are continually being released, it is difficult to predict the problems we may encounter in adapting our products and services and developing competitive new products and services. We expect to continue to devote significant resources to the creation, support, and maintenance of mobile products and services. If we are unable to attract and retain a substantial number of alternative device manufacturers, distributors, and users to our products and services, or if we are slow to develop products and technologies that are more compatible with alternative devices and platforms, we will fail to capture the opportunities available as consumers and advertisers transition to a dynamic, multi-screen environment.

Our business depends on a strong brand, and failing to maintain and enhance our brand would hurt our ability to expand our base of users, advertisers, Google Network Members, and other partners.

The brand identity that we have developed has significantly contributed to the success of our business. Maintaining and enhancing the “Google” brand is critical to expanding our base of users, advertisers, Google Network Members, and other partners. We believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase due to the relatively low barriers to entry in the internet market. Our brand may be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including data protection and security issues, service outages, and product malfunctions. If we fail to maintain and enhance the “Google” brand, or if we incur excessive expenses in this effort, our business, operating results, and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected. Maintaining and enhancing our brand will depend largely on our ability to be a technology leader and continue to provide high-quality innovative products and services, which we may not do successfully.

A variety of new and existing U.S. and foreign laws could subject us to claims or otherwise harm our business.

We are subject to numerous U.S. and foreign laws and regulations covering a wide variety of subject matters. New laws and regulations (or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations) may also impact our business. The costs of compliance with these laws and regulations are high and are likely to increase in the future. Any failure on our part to comply with these laws and regulations can result in negative publicity and diversion of management time and effort and may subject us to significant liabilities and other penalties.

 

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Furthermore, many of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the internet and related technologies and, as a result, do not contemplate or address the unique issues of the internet and related technologies. The laws that do reference the internet are being interpreted by the courts, but their applicability and scope remain uncertain. For example, the laws relating to the liability of providers of online services are currently unsettled both within the U.S. and abroad. Claims have also been, or may be, threatened and filed against us under both U.S. and foreign laws for defamation, invasion of privacy and other tort claims, unlawful activity, patent, copyright and trademark infringement, or other theories based on the nature and content of the materials searched and the ads posted by our users, our products and services, or content generated by our users. Moreover, recent amendments to U.S. patent laws may affect the ability of companies, including us, to protect their innovations and defend against claims of patent infringement.

In addition, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act has provisions that limit, but do not necessarily eliminate, our liability for caching or hosting, or for listing or linking to, third-party websites that include materials that infringe copyrights or other rights, so long as we comply with the statutory requirements of this act. Any future legislation impacting these safe harbors may adversely impact us. Various U.S. and international laws restrict the distribution of materials considered harmful to children and impose additional restrictions on the ability of online services to collect information from minors. In the area of data protection, many states have passed laws requiring notification to users when there is a security breach for personal data, such as California’s Information Practices Act. We face similar risks and costs as our products and services are offered in international markets and may be subject to additional regulations.

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

Internet, technology, and media companies own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets and frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. In addition, patent holding companies may continue to seek to monetize patents they have purchased or otherwise obtained. As we have grown, the intellectual property rights claims against us have increased and may continue to increase as we develop new products, services, and technologies.

We have had patent, copyright, and trademark infringement lawsuits filed against us claiming that certain of our products, services, and technologies, including Android, Google Search, Google AdWords, Google AdSense, Motorola products, Google Books, Google News, Google Image Search, Google Chrome, Google Talk, Google Voice, and YouTube, infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Third parties have also sought broad injunctive relief against us by filing claims in the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) for exclusion and cease and desist orders, which could limit our ability to sell our products or services in the U.S. or elsewhere if our products or services or those of our customers or suppliers are found to infringe the intellectual property subject to the claims. Adverse results in any of these lawsuits may include awards of substantial monetary damages, costly royalty or licensing agreements (if licenses are available at all), or orders preventing us from offering certain features, functionalities, products, or services, and may also cause us to change our business practices, and require development of non-infringing products or technologies, which could result in a loss of revenues for us and otherwise harm our business.

In addition, many of our agreements with our customers and partners, including certain suppliers, require us to indemnify them for certain intellectual property infringement claims against them, which could increase our costs as a result of defending such claims, and may require that we pay significant damages if there were an adverse ruling in any such claims. Such customers and partners may also discontinue the use of our products, services, and technologies, as a result of injunctions or otherwise, which could result in loss of revenues and adversely impact our business. Moreover, supplier provided intellectual property indemnities to us, when obtainable, may not cover all damages and losses suffered by us and our customers from covered products. In addition, in connection with the sale of Motorola’s Home business to Arris Group, Inc. (Arris), we agreed to

 

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indemnify Arris against certain intellectual property infringement litigation, including, among others, a patent infringement claim brought by TiVo relating to certain digital video recording equipment sold by Motorola Mobility.

Regardless of the merits of the claims, intellectual property claims are often time consuming, expensive to litigate or settle, and cause significant diversion of management attention. To the extent such intellectual property infringement claims are successful, they may have an adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect them could reduce the value of our products, services, and brand.

Our patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights are important assets for us. Various events outside of our control pose a threat to our intellectual property rights, as well as to our products, services and technologies. For example, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which our products and services are distributed or made available through the internet. Also, the efforts we have taken to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective.

Although we seek to obtain patent protection for our innovations, it is possible we may not be able to protect some of these innovations. Moreover, because of our long-term interests in open source, we may not have adequate patent protection for certain innovations that later turn out to be important. Furthermore, there is always the possibility, despite our efforts, that the scope of the protection gained will be insufficient or that an issued patent may be deemed invalid or unenforceable.

We also seek to maintain certain intellectual property as trade secrets. The secrecy could be compromised by outside parties, or by our employees, which could cause us to lose the competitive advantage resulting from these trade secrets.

We also face risks associated with our trademarks. For example, there is a risk that the word “Google” could become so commonly used that it becomes synonymous with the word “search.” If this happens, we could lose protection for this trademark, which could result in other people using the word “Google” to refer to their own products, thus diminishing our brand.

Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business and our ability to compete. Also, protecting our intellectual property rights is costly and time consuming. Any increase in the unauthorized use of our intellectual property could make it more expensive to do business and harm our operating results.

We may be subject to legal liability associated with providing online services or content.

We host and provide a wide variety of services and products that enable users to exchange information, advertise products and services, conduct business, and engage in various online activities both domestically and internationally. The law relating to the liability of providers of these online services and products for activities of their users is still somewhat unsettled both within the U.S. and internationally. Claims have been threatened and have been brought against us for defamation, negligence, breaches of contract, copyright or trademark infringement, unfair competition, unlawful activity, tort, including personal injury, fraud, or other theories based on the nature and content of information which we publish or to which we provide links or that may be posted online or generated by us or by third parties, including our users. In addition, we are and have been and may again in the future be subject to domestic or international actions alleging that certain content we have generated or third-party content that we have made available within our services violates laws in domestic and international jurisdictions.

We also arrange for the distribution of third-party advertisements to third-party publishers and advertising networks, and we offer third-party products, services, or content. We may be subject to claims concerning these

 

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products, services, or content by virtue of our involvement in marketing, branding, broadcasting, or providing access to them, even if we do not ourselves host, operate, provide, or provide access to these products, services, or content. Defense of any such actions could be costly and involve significant time and attention of our management and other resources, may result in monetary liabilities or penalties, and may require us to change our business in an adverse manner.

Privacy concerns relating to our technology could damage our reputation and deter current and potential users from using our products and services.

From time to time, concerns have been expressed by regulators and others about whether our products, services, or processes compromise the privacy of users and others. Concerns about, or regulatory actions involving our practices with regard to the collection, use, disclosure, or security of personal information or other privacy related matters, even if unfounded, could damage our reputation and adversely affect operating results. While we strive to comply with all applicable data protection laws and regulations, as well as our own posted privacy policies, the failure or perceived failure to comply may result, and in some cases has resulted, in inquiries and other proceedings or actions against us by government entities or others, or could cause us to lose users and customers, which could potentially have an adverse effect on our business.

In addition, as nearly all of our products and services are web-based, the amount of data we store for our users on our servers (including personal information) has been increasing. Any systems failure or compromise of our security that results in the release of our users’ data could seriously limit the adoption of our products and services, as well as harm our reputation and brand and, therefore, our business. We expect to continue to expend significant resources to protect against security breaches. The risk that these types of events could seriously harm our business is likely to increase as we expand the number of web-based products and services we offer, and operate in more countries.

Regulatory authorities around the world are considering a number of legislative and regulatory proposals concerning data protection. In addition, the interpretation and application of consumer and data protection laws in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere are often uncertain and in flux. It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our data practices. If so, in addition to the possibility of fines, this could result in an order requiring that we change our data practices, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Complying with these various laws could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

With our acquisition of Motorola, we face a number of manufacturing and supply chain risks that, if not properly managed, could adversely impact our financial results and prospects.

With our acquisition of Motorola, we face a number of risks related to manufacturing and supply chain management. For instance, the products we sell may have quality issues resulting from the design or manufacture of the product, or from the software used in the product. Sometimes, these issues may be caused by components we purchase from other manufacturers or suppliers. If the quality of our Motorola products does not meet our customers’ expectations or our products are found to be defective, then our sales and operating earnings, and ultimately our reputation, could be negatively impacted.

We rely on third parties to manufacture many of Motorola’s assemblies and finished products, and we have third-party arrangements for the design of some components and parts. Our Motorola business could be negatively affected if we are not able to engage third parties with the necessary capabilities or capacity on reasonable terms, or if those we engage fail to meet their obligations (whether due to financial difficulties or other reasons), or make adverse changes in the pricing or other materials terms of our arrangements with them.

Motorola, like many electronics manufacturers, has also experienced supply shortages and price increases in the past driven by raw material availability, manufacturing capacity, labor shortages, industry allocations, natural

 

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disasters and significant changes in the financial or business condition of its suppliers. Workaround plans to address shortages have entailed in the past, and could entail in the future, increased freight costs for expedited shipments. We cannot assure you that we will not experience shortages or other supply chain disruptions in the future or that they will not negatively impact our operations. In addition, some of the components we use in our Motorola products are available only from a single source or limited sources, and we cannot assure you that we would be able to find replacement vendors on favorable terms or at all in the event of a supply chain disruption.

Additionally, because many of our supply contracts have volume-based pricing or minimum purchase requirements, if the volume of our Motorola sales decreases or does not reach projected targets, we could face increased materials and manufacturing costs or other financial liabilities that could make our Motorola products more costly per unit to manufacture and therefore less competitive and negatively impact our financial results. Further, certain of our competitors may negotiate more favorable contractual terms based on volume and other commitments that may provide them with competitive advantages and may impact our supply.

We also require our suppliers and business partners to comply with law and company policies regarding workplace and employment practices, environmental compliance and intellectual property licensing, but we do not control them or their practices. If any of them violates laws or implements practices regarded as unethical, we could experience supply chain disruptions, canceled orders, terminations of or damage to key relationships, and damage to our reputation. If any of them fails to procure necessary license rights to third-party intellectual property, legal action could ensue that could impact the salability of our products and expose us to financial obligations to third parties.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act included disclosure requirements regarding the use of “conflict” minerals mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries (DRC) and procedures regarding a manufacturer’s efforts to prevent the sourcing of such “conflict” minerals. SEC rules implementing these requirements may have the effect of reducing the pool of suppliers who can supply DRC “conflict free” components and parts, and we may not be able to obtain DRC conflict free products or supplies in sufficient quantities for our operations. Also, since our supply chain is complex, we may face reputational challenges with our customers, stockholders and other stakeholders if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for the conflict minerals used in our products.

If our security measures are breached, or if our services are subject to attacks that degrade or deny the ability of users to access our products and services, our products and services may be perceived as not being secure, users and customers may curtail or stop using our products and services, and we may incur significant legal and financial exposure.

Our products and services involve the storage and transmission of users’ and customers’ proprietary information, and security breaches expose us to a risk of loss of this information, litigation, and potential liability. We experience cyber attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis, and as a result, unauthorized parties have obtained, and may in the future obtain, access to our data or our users’ or customers’ data. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or otherwise. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, users, or customers to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our users’ or customers’ data. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and a loss of confidence in the security of our products and services that could potentially have an adverse effect on our business. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of our security occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed and we could lose users and customers.

 

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Web spam and content farms could decrease our search quality, which could damage our reputation and deter our current and potential users from using our products and services.

“Web spam” refers to websites that attempt to violate a search engine’s quality guidelines or that otherwise seek to rank higher in search results than a search engine’s assessment of their relevance and utility would rank them. Although English-language web spam in our search results has been significantly reduced, and web spam in most other languages is limited, we expect web spammers will continue to seek ways to improve their rankings inappropriately. We continuously combat web spam, including through indexing technology that makes it harder for spam-like, less useful web content to rank highly. We face challenges from low-quality and irrelevant content websites, including “content farms,” which are websites that generate large quantities of low-quality content to help them improve their search rankings. We are continually launching algorithmic changes focused on low-quality websites. If web spam and content farms continue to increase on Google, this could hurt our reputation for delivering relevant information or reduce user traffic to our websites. In addition, as we continue to take actions to improve our search quality and reduce low-quality content, this may in the short run reduce our AdSense revenues, since some of these websites are AdSense partners.

Interruption or failure of our information technology and communications systems could hurt our ability to effectively provide our products and services, which could damage our reputation and harm our operating results.

The availability of our products and services depends on the continuing operation of our information technology and communications systems. Our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, terrorist attacks, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, computer denial of service attacks, or other attempts to harm our systems. Some of our data centers are located in areas with a high risk of major earthquakes. Our data centers are also subject to break-ins, sabotage, and intentional acts of vandalism, and to potential disruptions if the operators of these facilities have financial difficulties. Some of our systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. The occurrence of a natural disaster, a decision to close a facility we are using without adequate notice for financial reasons, or other unanticipated problems at our data centers could result in lengthy interruptions in our service. In addition, our products and services are highly technical and complex and may contain errors or vulnerabilities. Any errors or vulnerabilities in our products and services, or damage to or failure of our systems, could result in interruptions in our services, which could reduce our revenues and profits, and damage our brand.

Our international operations expose us to additional risks that could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Our international operations are significant to our revenues and net income, and we plan to further expand internationally. International revenues accounted for approximately 53% of our consolidated revenues in 2012, and more than half of our user traffic has been coming from outside the U.S. In certain international markets, we have limited operating experience and may not benefit from any first-to-market advantages or otherwise succeed.

Our Motorola business also has facilities outside the U.S., and nearly all of our Motorola products (other than some prototypes) are manufactured outside the U.S., primarily in China, Taiwan and Brazil. If our manufacturing in these countries is disrupted, our overall capacity could be reduced and sales or profitability could be negatively impacted. We require these suppliers and business partners to comply with law and company policies regarding workplace and employment practices, environmental compliance and intellectual property licensing, but we do not control them or their practices. If any of them violates laws or implements practices regarded as unethical, we could experience supply chain disruptions, canceled orders, terminations of or damage to key relationships, and damage to our reputation. If any of them fails to procure necessary license rights to third-party intellectual property, legal action could ensue that could impact the salability of our products and expose us to financial obligations to third parties.

Moreover, in connection with our operations in Brazil, we have had and continue to have legal disputes and controversies, including tax, labor and trade compliance controversies and other legal matters that take many

 

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years to resolve. We incur legal and other costs in managing and defending these matters and expect to continue to incur such costs. Based on our assessment of these matters, we have recorded reserves on only a small portion of the total potential exposure. It is, however, very difficult to predict the outcome of legal disputes and controversies, including litigation, in Brazil and our ultimate exposure may be greater than our current assessments and related reserves.

In addition to risks described elsewhere in this section, our international operations expose us to other risks, including the following:

 

   

Changes in local political, economic, social, and labor conditions, which may adversely harm our business.

 

   

Restrictions on foreign ownership and investments, and stringent foreign exchange controls that might prevent us from repatriating cash earned in countries outside the U.S.

 

   

Import and export requirements, tariffs, trade disputes and barriers, and customs classifications that may prevent us from offering products or providing services to a particular market and may increase our operating costs.

 

   

Potential injunctions from importation into the U.S. of our Motorola products manufactured outside the U.S. in an ITC matter.

 

   

Longer payment cycles in some countries, increased credit risk, and higher levels of payment fraud.

 

   

Still developing foreign laws and legal systems.

 

   

Uncertainty regarding liability for services and content, including uncertainty as a result of local laws and lack of legal precedent.

 

   

Different employee/employer relationships, existence of workers’ councils and labor unions, and other challenges caused by distance, language, and cultural differences, making it harder to do business in certain jurisdictions.

 

   

Natural disasters, military or political conflicts, including war and other hostilities, and public health issues and outbreaks.

In addition, compliance with complex foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to our international operations increases our cost of doing business. These numerous and sometimes conflicting laws and regulations include internal control and disclosure rules, data privacy and filtering requirements, anti-corruption laws, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to governmental officials, and antitrust and competition regulations, among others. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties, criminal sanctions against us, our officers, or our employees, prohibitions on the conduct of our business and on our ability to offer our products and services in one or more countries, and could also materially affect our brand, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, our business, and our operating results. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors, or agents will not violate our policies.

Finally, since we conduct business in currencies other than U.S. dollars but report our financial results in U.S. dollars, we face exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Although we hedge a portion of our international currency exposure, significant fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies may adversely affect our net income. Additionally, hedging programs are inherently risky and could expose us to additional risks that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results difficult to predict and could cause our results to fall short of expectations.

Our operating results may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, many outside of our control. As a result, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely

 

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on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Our quarterly, year-to-date, and annual expenses as a percentage of our revenues may differ significantly from our historical or projected rates. Our operating results in future quarters may fall below expectations. Any of these events could cause our stock price to fall. Each of the risk factors listed in this section in addition to the following factors may affect our operating results:

 

   

Our ability to continue to attract users to our websites and satisfy existing users on our websites.

 

   

Our ability to monetize (or generate revenues from) traffic on our websites and our Google Network Members’ websites.

 

   

Our ability to attract advertisers to our AdWords program, and our ability to attract websites to our AdSense program.

 

   

The mix in our revenues between those generated on our websites and those generated through our Google Network and other factors, such as changes in product mix, including a significant increase in mobile search queries and a deceleration in the growth of desktop queries if monetization stays at current levels, and the geographic mix of our revenues that can affect revenue growth rates and margins.

 

   

The amount of revenues and expenses generated and incurred in currencies other than U.S. dollars, and our ability to manage the resulting risk through our foreign exchange risk management program.

 

   

The amount and timing of operating costs and expenses and capital expenditures related to the maintenance and expansion of our businesses, operations, and infrastructure.

 

   

Our focus on long-term goals over short-term results.

 

   

The results of our investments in risky projects, including new business strategies and new products, services, technologies and acquisitions.

 

   

Our ability to keep our websites operational at a reasonable cost and without service interruptions.

 

   

Our ability to generate significant revenues from services in which we have invested considerable time and resources, such as Google Wallet.

Because our business is changing and evolving, our historical operating results may not be useful to you in predicting our future operating results. In addition, advertising spending has historically been cyclical in nature, reflecting overall economic conditions, as well as budgeting and buying patterns. Also, user traffic tends to be seasonal. Our rapid growth has tended to mask the cyclicality and seasonality of our business. As our growth rate has slowed, the cyclicality and seasonality in our business has become more pronounced and caused our operating results to fluctuate.

If we were to lose the services of Larry, Sergey, Eric, or other key personnel, we may not be able to execute our business strategy.

Our future success depends in a large part upon the continued service of key members of our senior management team. In particular, Larry Page and Sergey Brin are critical to the overall management of Google and the development of our technology. Along with our Executive Chairman Eric E. Schmidt, they also play a key role in maintaining our culture and setting our strategic direction. All of our executive officers and key employees are at-will employees, and we do not maintain any key-person life insurance policies. The loss of key personnel could seriously harm our business.

We rely on highly skilled personnel and, if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnel, hire qualified personnel, or maintain our corporate culture, we may not be able to grow effectively.

Our performance largely depends on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate, and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. Competition in our industry for qualified employees is intense, and certain of our competitors have directly targeted our employees. In addition, our compensation arrangements, such as our equity award

 

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programs, may not always be successful in attracting new employees and retaining and motivating our existing employees. Our continued ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate our existing employees.

In addition, we believe that our corporate culture fosters innovation, creativity, and teamwork. As our organization grows, and we are required to implement more complex organizational management structures, we may find it increasingly difficult to maintain the beneficial aspects of our corporate culture. This could negatively impact our future success.

Our business depends on continued and unimpeded access to the internet by us and our users. Internet access providers may be able to block, degrade, or charge for access to certain of our products and services, which could lead to additional expenses and the loss of users and advertisers.

Our products and services depend on the ability of our users to access the internet, and certain of our products require significant bandwidth to work effectively. Currently, this access is provided by companies that have significant market power in the broadband and internet access marketplace, including incumbent telephone companies, cable companies, mobile communications companies, and government-owned service providers. Some of these providers have taken, or have stated that they may take, measures that could degrade, disrupt, or increase the cost of user access to certain of our products by restricting or prohibiting the use of their infrastructure to support or facilitate our offerings, or by charging increased fees to us or our users to provide our offerings. Such interference could result in a loss of existing users and advertisers, and increased costs, and could impair our ability to attract new users and advertisers, thereby harming our revenues and growth.

New technologies could block our ads, which would harm our business.

Technologies have been developed (including by us) that can block the display of our ads and that provide tools to users to opt out of our advertising products. Most of our revenues are derived from fees paid to us by advertisers in connection with the display of ads on web pages for our users. As a result, such technologies and tools could adversely affect our operating results.

We are exposed to fluctuations in the market values of our investment portfolio.

Given the global nature of our business, we have investments both domestically and internationally. Credit ratings and pricing of these investments can be negatively impacted by liquidity, credit deterioration or losses, financial results, or other factors. As a result, the value or liquidity of our cash equivalents and marketable securities could decline and result in a material impairment, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.

Our future income taxes could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in jurisdictions that have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in jurisdictions that have higher statutory tax rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, as a result of gains on our foreign exchange risk management program, or changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, as well as certain discrete items. We are subject to regular review and audit by both domestic and foreign tax authorities. Any adverse outcome of such a review or audit could have a negative effect on our operating results and financial condition. In addition, the determination of our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant judgment, and there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made.

 

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Risks Related to Ownership of Our Stock

The trading price for our Class A common stock may continue to be volatile, and if the shares of the new class of non-voting Class C capital stock are distributed as expected, the trading price of that class may also be volatile and may affect the trading price for the Class A common stock.

The trading price of our Class A common stock has at times experienced substantial price volatility and may continue to be volatile. For example, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, the closing price of our Class A common stock ranged from $559.05 per share to $768.05 per share. The trading price of our Class A common stock may fluctuate widely in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among others:

 

   

Quarterly variations in our results of operations or those of our competitors.

 

   

Announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, new products, significant contracts, commercial relationships, or capital commitments.

 

   

Recommendations by securities analysts or changes in earnings estimates.

 

   

Announcements about our earnings that are not in line with analyst expectations, the risk of which is enhanced because it is our policy not to give guidance on earnings.

 

   

Announcements by our competitors of their earnings that are not in line with analyst expectations.

 

   

Commentary by industry and market professionals about our products, strategies, and other matters affecting our business and results, regardless of its accuracy.

 

   

The volume of shares of Class A common stock available for public sale.

 

   

Sales of Class A common stock by us or by our stockholders (including sales by our directors, executive officers, and other employees).

 

   

Short sales, hedging, and other derivative transactions on shares of our Class A common stock (including derivative transactions under our Transferable Stock Option program).

In addition, we have announced the intention of our board of directors to consider a distribution of shares of our non-voting Class C capital stock as a dividend to our holders of Class A and Class B common stock, pending resolution of litigation involving the authorization of that class.

Although we plan to list the Class C capital stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market, we cannot predict whether, or to what extent, a liquid trading market will develop for the Class C capital stock. If it does not or if the Class C capital stock is not attractive to targets as an acquisition currency or to our employees as an incentive, we may not achieve our objectives in creating this new class. As in the case of the Class A common stock, the trading price for the Class C capital stock may also be volatile and affected by the factors noted above, as well as by the difference in voting rights as between the Class A common stock and the Class C capital stock, the volume of Class C capital stock available for public sale and sales by us and our stockholders of Class C capital stock, including by institutional investors that may be unwilling, unable or choose not to hold non-voting shares they receive as part of the stock dividend, if it is declared and paid. Whether or not the Class C capital stock is included in stock indices in the future may also affect the trading prices of the Class A common stock and the Class C capital stock.

In addition, the stock market in general, and the market for technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry factors may harm the market price of our Class A common stock, and, if issued, our Class C capital Stock, regardless of our actual operating performance.

The concentration of our stock ownership limits our stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters.

Our Class B common stock has 10 votes per share and our Class A common stock has one vote per share. As of December 31, 2012, Larry, Sergey, and Eric beneficially owned approximately 92% of our outstanding Class B

 

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common stock, representing approximately 65% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. Larry, Sergey, and Eric therefore have significant influence over management and affairs and over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or our assets, for the foreseeable future. In addition, because our Class C capital stock carries no voting rights (except as required by applicable law), the issuance of the Class C capital stock, including in future stock-based acquisition transactions and to fund employee equity incentive programs, could prolong the duration of Larry and Sergey’s current relative ownership of our voting power and their ability to elect all of our directors and to determine the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Together with Eric, they would also continue to be able to control any required stockholder vote with respect to certain change in control transactions involving Google (including an acquisition of Google by another company).

This concentrated control limits or severely restricts our stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters and, as a result, we may take actions that our stockholders do not view as beneficial. As a result, the market price of our Class A common stock and, if issued, our Class C capital stock could be adversely affected.

Provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. These provisions include the following:

 

   

Our certificate of incorporation provides for a dual class common stock structure. As a result of this structure, Larry, Sergey, and Eric have significant influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or our assets. This concentrated control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover, or other change of control transaction that other stockholders may view as beneficial. As noted above, the issuance of the Class C capital stock could have the effect of prolonging the influence of Larry, Sergey, and Eric.

 

   

Our board of directors has the right to elect directors to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the Board of Directors or the resignation, death, or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors.

 

   

Our stockholders may not act by written consent. As a result, a holder, or holders, controlling a majority of our capital stock would not be able to take certain actions without holding a stockholders’ meeting.

 

   

Our certificate of incorporation prohibits cumulative voting in the election of directors. This limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates.

 

   

Stockholders must provide advance notice to nominate individuals for election to the Board of Directors or to propose matters that can be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.

 

   

Our board of directors may issue, without stockholder approval, shares of undesignated preferred stock. The ability to issue undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire us.

As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to certain Delaware anti-takeover provisions. Under Delaware law, a corporation may not engage in a business combination with any holder of 15% or more of its outstanding voting stock unless the holder has held the stock for three years or, among other things, the Board of Directors has approved the transaction. Our board of directors could rely on Delaware law to prevent or delay an acquisition of us.

 

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our headquarters are located in Mountain View, California, where we own approximately 3.5 million square feet of office and building space and approximately seven acres of developable land to accommodate anticipated future growth. We also own a 2.3 million square feet office building in New York, New York and 665,000 square feet of office and building space in Paris, France and Dublin, Ireland. We also operate and own data centers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia pursuant to various lease agreements and co-location arrangements.

In addition, we lease approximately 3.8 million square feet of office space and approximately 61 acres of undeveloped land in and near our headquarters in Mountain View, California. We also lease additional research and development, and sales and support offices throughout the United States and maintain leased facilities internationally in countries around the world. Larger leased sites include properties located in Dublin, Ireland; Zurich, Switzerland; London, UK; Hyderabad, India; San Francisco, CA; San Bruno, CA; Paris, France; Hamburg, Germany; Tel Aviv, Israel; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Ann Arbor, MI; Bothell, WA; Cambridge, MA; Chicago, IL; Kirkland, WA; Venice, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Seattle, WA; Sydney, Australia; Beijing, China; Shanghai, China; Bangalore, India; Gurgaon, India; Tokyo, Japan; and Singapore.

Motorola also operates manufacturing facilities, research and development, administrative and sales offices in various U.S. locations and in many foreign countries. Motorola owns eight facilities (manufacturing, sales, service and offices), five of which are located in the Americas Region (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America) and three of which are located in other countries. As of December 31, 2012, Motorola leased 97 facilities, 31 of which are located in the Americas Region and 66 of which are located in other countries. Motorola Mobility owns three major facilities for the manufacturing and distribution of its products. These facilities are located in Tianjin, China; Hsin Tien, Taiwan; and Jaguariuna, Brazil. As previously reported, Motorola is executing a significant consolidation of its portfolio, which will reduce the number of facilities worldwide, including manufacturing, sales and marketing, and research and development locations.

We believe our existing facilities, both owned and leased, are in good condition and suitable for the conduct of our business. Motorola generally considers the productive capacity of the plants operated by each of its business segments to be adequate and sufficient for the requirements of each business group. The extent of utilization of such manufacturing facilities varies from plant to plant and from time to time during the year.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a description of our material pending legal proceedings, please see Note 11 “Commitments and Contingencies—Legal Matters” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our Class A common stock has been listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GOOG” since August 19, 2004. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our stock. The following table sets forth for the indicated periods the high and low sales prices per share for our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

 

Fiscal Year 2012 Quarters Ended:

   High      Low  

March 31, 2012

   $ 670.25       $ 564.55   

June 30, 2012

     653.14         556.52   

September 30, 2012

     764.89         562.09   

December 31, 2012

     774.38         636.00   

 

Fiscal Year 2011 Quarters Ended:

   High      Low  

March 31, 2011

   $ 642.96       $ 551.28   

June 30, 2011

     595.19         473.02   

September 30, 2011

     627.50         490.86   

December 31, 2011

     646.76         480.60   

Our Class B common stock is neither listed nor traded.

Holders of Record

As of December 31, 2012, there were approximately, 2,689 stockholders of record of our Class A common stock, and the closing price of our Class A common stock was $707.38 per share as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Because many of our shares of Class A common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders. As of December 31, 2012, there were approximately 79 stockholders of record of our Class B common stock.

Dividend Policy

We have never declared or paid any cash dividend on our common stock. We intend to retain any future earnings and do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

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Stock Performance Graph

This performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or incorporated by reference into any filing of Google under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

The following graph compares the 5-year cumulative total return to shareholders on Google Inc.’s common stock relative to the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 index, the RDG Internet Composite index, and the NASDAQ Composite index. An investment of $100 (with reinvestment of all dividends) is assumed to have been made in the company’s common stock and in each index on December 31, 2007 and its relative performance is tracked through December 31, 2012. The returns shown are based on historical results and are not intended to suggest future performance.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

Among Google Inc., the S&P 500 Index, the

NASDAQ Composite Index, and the RDG Internet Composite Index

 

LOGO

*$100 invested on December 31, 2007 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31.

Copyright© 2013 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.

 

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Results of Google’s Transferable Stock Option (TSO) Program

Under our TSO program, eligible employees are able to sell vested stock options to participating financial institutions in an online auction as an alternative to exercising options in the traditional method and then selling the underlying shares. The following table provides information with respect to sales by our employees of TSOs during the three months ended December 31, 2012:

 

     Aggregate Amounts      Weighted-Average Per Share
Amounts
 

Period(1)

   Number of Shares
Underlying
TSOs Sold
     Sale
Price of
TSOs Sold
     TSO
Premium(2)
     Exercise
Price of
TSOs Sold
     Sale
Price of
TSOs Sold
     TSO
Premium(2)
 
            (in thousands)                       

October 1 – 31

     49,772       $ 15,307       $ 514       $ 381.19       $ 307.55       $ 10.34   

November 1 – 30

     190,351         66,001         1,153         338.77         346.73         6.06   

December 1 – 31

     0         0         0         0         0         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

          

Total (except weighted-average per share amounts)

     240,123       $ 81,308       $ 1,667       $ 347.56       $ 338.61       $ 6.95   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

          

 

(1)

The TSO program is generally active during regular trading hours for the Nasdaq Global Select Market when our trading window is open. However, we have the right to suspend the TSO program at any time for any reason, including for maintenance and other technical reasons.

 

(2)

TSO premium is calculated as the difference between (a) the sale price of the TSO and (b) the intrinsic value of the TSO, which we define as the excess, if any, of the price of our Class A common stock at the time of the sale over the exercise price of the TSO.

Our TSO program allows participation by executive officers (other than Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Eric E. Schmidt). The following table provides information with respect to sales by our executive officers of TSOs during the three months ended December 31, 2012:

 

     Aggregate Amounts  

Executive Officer

   Number of Shares
Underlying
TSOs Sold
     Sale
Price of
TSOs Sold
     TSO
Premium
 
            (in thousands)  

Nikesh Arora

     2,843       $ 999       $ 3   

Patrick Pichette

     9,291       $ 2,441       $ 177   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     12,134       $ 3,440       $ 180   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

You should read the following selected consolidated financial data in conjunction with Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The consolidated statements of income data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2011, and 2012 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated statements of income data for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, and the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2008      2009      2010      2011      2012  
     (in millions, except per share amounts)  

Consolidated Statements of Income Data:

              

Revenues

   $ 21,796       $ 23,651       $ 29,321       $ 37,905       $ 50,175   

Income from operations

     6,632         8,312         10,381         11,742         12,760   

Net income from continuing operations

     4,227         6,520         8,505         9,737         10,788   

Net loss from discontinued operations

     0         0         0         0         (51

Net income

     4,227         6,520         8,505         9,737         10,737   

Net income (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock—basic

              

Continuing operations

   $ 13.46       $ 20.62       $ 26.69       $ 30.17       $ 32.97   

Discontinued operations

     0         0         0         0       $ (0.16
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock—basic

   $ 13.46       $ 20.62       $ 26.69       $ 30.17       $ 32.81   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock—diluted

              

Continuing operations

   $ 13.31       $ 20.41       $ 26.31       $ 29.76       $ 32.46   

Discontinued operations

     0         0         0         0       $ (0.15
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock—diluted

   $ 13.31       $ 20.41       $ 26.31       $ 29.76       $ 32.31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of December 31,  
     2008      2009      2010      2011      2012  
     (in millions)  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

              

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities

   $ 15,846       $ 24,485       $ 34,975       $ 44,626       $ 48,088   

Total assets

     31,768         40,497         57,851         72,574         93,798   

Total long-term liabilities

     1,227         1,746         1,614         5,516         7,746   

Total stockholders’ equity

     28,239         36,004         46,241         58,145         71,715   

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. We aspire to build products and provide services that improve the lives of billions of people globally. Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our innovations in web search and advertising have made our website a top internet property and our brand one of the most recognized in the world.

Our Motorola business is comprised of two operating segments. The Mobile segment is focused on mobile wireless devices and related products and services. The Home segment is focused on technologies and devices that provide video entertainment services to consumers by enabling subscribers to access a variety of interactive digital television services.

We generate revenue primarily by delivering relevant, cost-effective online advertising. Businesses use our AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising. In addition, the third parties that comprise the Google Network use our AdSense program to deliver relevant ads that generate revenues and enhance the user experience. We also generate revenues from Motorola by selling hardware products.

In December 2012, we entered into an agreement with Arris and certain other persons providing for the disposition of our Motorola Home segment. The transaction is expected to close in 2013.

Trends in Our Businesses

Advertising transactions continue to shift from offline to online as the digital economy evolves. This has contributed to the rapid growth of our business since inception, resulting in substantially increased revenues, and we expect that our business will continue to grow. However, our revenue growth rate has generally declined over time, and it could do so in the future as a result of a number of factors, including increasing competition, our investments in new business strategies, products, services, and technologies, changes in our product mix, query growth rates and how users make queries, challenges in maintaining our growth rate as our revenues increase to higher levels, and the evolution of the online advertising market, including the increasing variety of online platforms for advertising, and other markets in which we participate.

Mobile search queries and mobile commerce are growing dramatically around the world, and consumers are using multiple devices to access information. Over time these trends have resulted in changes in our product mix, including a significant increase in mobile search queries and a deceleration in the growth of desktop queries. We expect that our revenue growth rate will continue to be affected by evolving consumer preferences, as well as by advertising trends, the acceptance by mobile users of our products and services, and our ability to create a seamless experience for both users and advertisers in a multi-screen environment. In addition, if there is a further general economic downturn, this may result in fewer commercial queries by our users and may cause advertisers to reduce the amount they spend on online advertising, including the amount they are willing to pay for each click or impression, which could negatively affect the growth rate of our revenues. We plan to continue to invest aggressively in our core areas of strategic focus.

The main focus of our advertising programs is to provide relevant and useful advertising to our users, reflecting our commitment to constantly improve their overall web experience. As a result, we expect to continue to take steps to improve the relevance of the ads displayed on our websites and our Google Network Members’ websites. These steps include not displaying ads that generate low click-through rates or that send users to irrelevant or otherwise low quality websites, updating our advertising policies and ensuring their compliance, and terminating our relationships with those Google Network Members whose websites do not meet our quality requirements. We may also continue to take steps to reduce the number of accidental clicks by our users. These steps could negatively affect the growth rate of our revenues.

 

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Both seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and traditional retail seasonality have affected, and are likely to continue to affect, our business. Internet usage generally slows during the summer months, and commercial queries typically increase significantly in the fourth quarter of each year. These seasonal trends have caused, and will likely continue to cause, fluctuations in our quarterly results, including fluctuations in sequential revenues, as well as aggregate paid click and average cost-per-click growth rates.

The operating margin we realize on revenues generated from ads placed on our Google Network Members’ websites through our AdSense program is significantly lower than the operating margin we realize from revenues generated from ads placed on our websites because most of the advertiser fees from ads served on Google Network Members’ websites are shared with our Google Network Members. For the past five years, growth in advertising revenues from our websites has generally exceeded that from our Google Network Members’ websites. This trend has had a positive impact on our operating margins, and we expect that this will continue for the foreseeable future, although the relative rate of growth in revenues from our websites compared to the rate of growth in revenues from our Google Network Members’ websites may vary over time. Also, the margins on advertising revenues from mobile devices and other newer advertising formats are generally lower than those from desktop computers and tablets. We expect this trend to continue to pressure our margins, particularly if we fail to realize the opportunities we anticipate with the transition to a dynamic multi-screen environment.

We conduct our Motorola business in highly competitive markets, facing both new and established competitors. The markets for many of our products are characterized by rapidly changing technologies, frequent new product introductions, changing consumer trends, short product life cycles, consumer loyalty and evolving industry standards. Market disruptions caused by new technologies, the entry of new competitors, consolidations among our customers and competitors, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in economic conditions, supply chain interruptions or other factors, can introduce volatility into our businesses. Meeting all of these challenges requires consistent operational planning and execution and investment in technology, resulting in innovative products that meet the needs of our customers around the world.

From an overall business perspective, we continue to invest aggressively in our systems, data centers, corporate facilities, information technology infrastructure, and employees. We increased our hiring in 2012, and we may continue to do so and to provide competitive compensation programs for our employees. Our full-time employee headcount was 32,467 at December 31, 2011 and 53,861 at December 31, 2012, which includes 16,317 headcount from Motorola. Acquisitions will also remain an important component of our strategy and use of capital, and we expect our current pace of acquisitions to continue. We expect our cost of revenues will increase in dollars and may increase as a percentage of revenues in future periods, primarily as a result of forecasted increases in traffic acquisition costs, manufacturing and inventory-related costs, data center costs, content acquisition costs, credit card and other transaction fees, and other costs. In particular, traffic acquisition costs as a percentage of advertising revenues may increase in the future if we are unable to continue to improve the monetization or generation of revenues from traffic on our websites and our Google Network Members’ websites.

As we expand our advertising programs and other products to international markets, we continue to increase our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency to U.S. dollar exchange rates. We have a foreign exchange risk management program that is designed to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. However, this program will not fully offset the effect of fluctuations on our revenues and earnings.

Results of Operations

We completed our acquisition of Motorola on May 22, 2012 (the acquisition date). The operating results of Motorola were included in our Consolidated Statements of Income from the acquisition date through December 31, 2012. In December 2012, we entered into an agreement for the disposition of the Motorola Home segment and the related financial results are presented as net loss from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

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Subsequent to the acquisition in May 2012, we initiated a restructuring plan in our Motorola business. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of this restructuring plan and the associated restructuring charges. We continue to evaluate our plans and further restructuring actions may occur, which may cause us to incur additional restructuring charges, some of which may be significant.

The following table presents our historical operating results as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
   2010     2011     2012  

Consolidated Statements of Income Data:

      

Revenues:

      

Google (advertising and other)

     100.0     100.0     91.8

Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

     0        0        8.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

      

Cost of revenues—Google (advertising and other)

     35.5        34.8        34.2   

Cost of revenues—Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

     0        0        6.9   

Research and development

     12.8        13.6        13.5   

Sales and marketing

     9.5        12.1        12.2   

General and administrative

     6.8        7.2        7.8   

Charge related to the resolution of Department of Justice investigation

     0        1.3        0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     64.6        69.0        74.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     35.4        31.0        25.4   

Interest and other income, net

     1.4        1.5        1.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     36.8        32.5        26.7   

Provision for income taxes

     7.8        6.8        5.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     29.0        25.7        21.5   

Net loss from discontinued operations

     0        0        (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     29.0     25.7     21.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenues

The following table presents our revenues, by revenue source, for the periods presented (in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010      2011      2012  

Google:

        

Advertising revenues:

        

Google websites

   $ 19,444       $ 26,145       $ 31,221   

Google Network Members’ websites

     8,792         10,386         12,465   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total advertising revenues

     28,236         36,531         43,686   

Other revenues

     1,085         1,374         2,353   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Google revenues (advertising and other)

   $ 29,321       $ 37,905       $ 46,039   

Motorola Mobile:

        

Total Motorola Mobile revenues (hardware and other)

     0         0         4,136   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 29,321       $ 37,905       $ 50,175   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table presents our revenues, by business, as a percentage of total revenues for the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Google (advertising and other)

     100     100     92

Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

     0     0     8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     100     100     100

The following table presents our Google revenues, by revenue source, as a percentage of total Google revenues for the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Advertising revenues:

      

Google websites

     66     69     68

Google Network Members’ websites

     30     27     27
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total advertising revenues

     96     96     95

Google websites as % of advertising revenues

     69     72     71

Google Network Members’ websites as % of advertising revenues

     31     28     29

Other revenues

     4     4     5

Our revenues increased $12,270 million from 2011 to 2012. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in advertising revenues generated by Google websites and Google Network Members’ websites and, to a lesser extent, an increase in other revenues driven by hardware product sales. The increase in advertising revenues for Google websites and Google Network Members’ websites resulted primarily from an increase in the number of paid clicks through our advertising programs, partially offset by a decrease in the average cost-per-click paid by our advertisers. The increase in the number of paid clicks generated through our advertising programs was due to an increase in aggregate traffic including mobile queries, certain monetization improvements including new ad formats, the continued global expansion of our products, advertisers, and user base, as well as an increase in the number of Google Network Members. The decrease in the average cost-per-click paid by our advertisers was driven by various factors, such as the general strengthening of the U.S dollar compared to certain foreign currencies (primarily the Euro), the revenue shift mix between Google websites and Google Network Members’ websites, the changes in platform mix due to traffic growth in mobile devices, where the average cost-per-click is typically lower compared to desktop computers and tablets, and the changes in geographical mix due to traffic growth in emerging markets, where the average cost-per-click is typically lower compared to more mature markets.

In addition, the increase in our revenues from 2011 to 2012 resulted from the inclusion of revenues from our Motorola Mobile business of $4,136 million.

Our revenues increased $8,584 million from 2010 to 2011. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in advertising revenues generated by Google websites and Google Network Members’ websites. The increase in advertising revenues for Google websites and Google Network Members’ websites resulted primarily from an increase in the number of paid clicks through our advertising programs and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the average cost-per-click paid by our advertisers. The increase in the number of paid clicks generated through our advertising programs was due to an increase in aggregate traffic, certain monetization improvements including new ad formats, and the continued global expansion of our products, and our advertiser and user base, as well as an increase in the number of Google Network Members. The increase in the average cost-per-click paid by our advertisers was primarily driven by the increased spending from advertisers and a general weakening of the U.S dollar compared to foreign currencies (primarily the Euro, Japanese yen, and British pound), partially offset by the

 

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changes in geographical mix due to traffic growth in emerging markets, where the average cost-per-click is typically lower, compared to more mature markets. In addition, the increase in advertising revenues for Google Network Members’ websites from 2010 to 2011 was partially offset by the loss of a search partnership and, to a lesser extent, by a search quality improvement made during the first quarter of 2011.

Improvements in our ability to ultimately monetize increased traffic primarily relate to enhancing the end user experience, including providing end users with ads that are more relevant to their search queries or to the content on the Google Network Members’ websites they visit. For instance, these improvements include increasing site links to be full size links with the URL (uniform resource locator), moving a portion of the first line of the ad to the heading to better promote the content of the ad, providing an option to preview the ad, and moving the ad’s URL to a separate line below the heading for greater page format consistency.

Aggregate paid clicks on Google websites and Google Network Members’ websites increased approximately 34% from 2011 to 2012 and approximately 25% from 2010 to 2011. Average cost-per-click on Google websites and Google Network Members’ websites decreased approximately 12% from 2011 to 2012 and increased approximately 3% from 2010 to 2011. The rate of change in aggregate paid clicks and average cost-per-click, and their correlation with the rate of change in revenues, has fluctuated and may fluctuate in the future because of various factors, including the revenue growth rates on our websites compared to those of our Google Network Members, advertiser competition for keywords, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, seasonality, the fees advertisers are willing to pay based on how they manage their advertising costs, changes in advertising quality or formats, and general economic conditions. In addition, traffic growth in emerging markets compared to more mature markets and across various advertising verticals and channels, including mobile devices, also contributes to these fluctuations. Changes in aggregate paid clicks and average cost-per-click may not be indicative of our performance or advertiser experiences in any specific geographic market, vertical, or industry.

We believe that the increase in the number of paid clicks on Google websites and Google Network Members’ websites is substantially the result of our commitment to improving the relevance and quality of both our search results and the advertisements displayed, which we believe results in a better user experience, which in turn results in more searches, advertisers, and Google Network Members and other partners.

Revenues by Geography

The following table presents our Google domestic and international revenues as a percentage of Google revenues, determined based on the billing addresses of our customers for our Google business:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

United States

     48     46     46

United Kingdom

     11     11     11

Rest of the world

     41     43     43

The following table presents our consolidated domestic and international revenues as a percentage of consolidated revenues, determined based on the billing addresses of our customers for our Google business, and shipping addresses of our customers for our Motorola Mobile business:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

United States

     48     46     47

United Kingdom

     11     11     10

Rest of the world

     41     43     43

The growth in revenues from the United States as a percentage of consolidated revenues from 2011 to 2012 was primarily as a result of the inclusion of Motorola Mobile revenues which were primarily generated in the United States.

 

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The general strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to certain foreign currencies (primarily the Euro) from 2011 to 2012 had an unfavorable impact on our international revenues. Had foreign exchange rates remained constant in these periods, our revenues from the United Kingdom would have been $68 million or 1.4% higher and our revenues from the rest of the world would have been approximately $1,211 million or 5.6% higher in 2012. This is before consideration of hedging gains of $18 million and $199 million recognized to revenues from the United Kingdom and the rest of the world in 2012.

The general weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to certain foreign currencies (primarily the Euro, Japanese yen, and British pound) from 2010 to 2011 had a favorable impact on our international revenues. Had foreign exchange rates remained constant in these periods, our revenues from the United Kingdom would have been $129 million, or 3.2%, lower and our revenues from the rest of the world would have been approximately $834 million, or 5.1%, lower in 2011. This is before consideration of hedging gains of $9 million and $34 million recognized to revenues from the United Kingdom and the rest of the world in 2011.

Although we expect to continue to make investments in international markets, these investments may not result in an increase in our international revenues as a percentage of total revenues in 2013 or thereafter. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information about geographic areas.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists primarily of traffic acquisition costs. Traffic acquisition costs consist of amounts ultimately paid to our Google Network Members under AdSense arrangements and to certain other partners (our distribution partners) who distribute our toolbar and other products (collectively referred to as access points) or otherwise direct search queries to our website (collectively referred to as distribution arrangements). These amounts are primarily based on the revenue share and fixed fee arrangements with our Google Network Members and distribution partners.

Certain distribution arrangements require us to pay our partners based on a fee per access point delivered and not exclusively—or at all—based on revenue share. These fees are non-refundable. Further, these arrangements are terminable at will, although under the terms of certain contracts we or our distribution partners may be subject to penalties in the event of early termination. We recognize fees under these arrangements over the estimated useful lives of the access points (approximately two years) to the extent we can reasonably estimate those lives and they are longer than one year, or based on any contractual revenue share, if greater. Otherwise, the fees are charged to expense as incurred. The estimated useful life of the access points is based on the historical average period of time they generate traffic and revenues.

Cost of revenues also includes the expenses associated with the operation of our data centers, including depreciation, labor, energy, and bandwidth costs, credit card and other transaction fees related to processing customer transactions, amortization of acquired intangible assets, as well as content acquisition costs. We have entered into arrangements with certain content providers under which we distribute or license their video and other content. In a number of these arrangements, we display ads on the pages of our websites from which the content is viewed and share most of the fees these ads generate with the content providers. We also license content on the pages of our web sites from which the content is sold and share most of the fees these sales generate with content providers. To the extent we are obligated to make guaranteed minimum revenue share payments to our content providers, we recognize as content acquisition costs the contractual revenue share amount or on a straight-line basis, whichever is greater, over the terms of the agreements.

In addition, cost of revenues includes manufacturing and inventory-related costs from our Motorola Mobile business.

 

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The following tables present our cost of revenues and cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues by business, and our traffic acquisition costs, and traffic acquisition costs as a percentage of advertising revenues in the Google business, for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Cost of revenues—Google (advertising and other)

   $ 10,417      $ 13,188      $ 17,176   

Cost of revenues—Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

     0        0        3,458   

Cost of revenues—Google (advertising and other) as a percentage of Google revenues

     35.5     34.8     37.3

Cost of revenues—Motorola Mobile (hardware and other) as a percentage of Motorola Mobile revenues

     0        0        83.6

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Traffic acquisition costs related to AdSense arrangements

   $ 6,162      $ 7,294      $ 8,791   

Traffic acquisition costs related to distribution arrangements

     1,155        1,517        2,165   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total traffic acquisition costs

   $ 7,317      $ 8,811      $ 10,956   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Traffic acquisition costs as a percentage of advertising revenues

     25.9     24.1     25.1

Cost of revenues increased $7,446 million from 2011 to 2012. The increase was primarily related to the inclusion of manufacturing and inventory-related costs from our Motorola Mobile business of $3,458 million. Additionally, there was an increase in traffic acquisition costs of $2,145 million resulting from more advertiser fees generated through our AdSense program, more traffic directed to our websites, as well as more distribution fees paid. The remaining increase was primarily driven by increase in data center costs, hardware product costs and content acquisition costs. The increase in traffic acquisition costs as a percentage of advertising revenues was primarily the result of a greater increase in traffic acquisition costs related to distribution arrangements compared to the increase in advertising revenues generated by Google websites. The increase in Google cost of revenues as a percentage of Google revenues was also driven by an increase in hardware product costs.

Cost of revenues increased $2,771 million from 2010 to 2011. The increase was primarily related to an increase in traffic acquisition costs of $1,132 million resulting from more advertiser fees generated through our AdSense program. The increase was also related to an increase in traffic acquisition costs of $362 million from our distribution arrangements as a result of more traffic directed to our websites, as well as more distribution fees paid. The decrease in traffic acquisition costs as a percentage of advertising revenues was primarily due to an increase in the proportion of advertising revenues from our websites compared to our Google Network Members’ websites, more revenues realized from Google Network Members to whom we pay less revenue share, and, to a lesser extent, expiration of an AdSense arrangement under which we paid guaranteed minimum revenue share. In addition, there was an increase in data center costs of $784 million, primarily resulting from the depreciation of additional information technology assets and data center buildings and an increase in labor, energy, and bandwidth costs, and an increase in content acquisition costs of $236 million, primarily related to content displayed on YouTube, partially offset by a decrease in mobile phone costs.

 

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We expect cost of revenues will increase in dollar amount and may increase as a percentage of total revenues in 2013 and in future periods, primarily as a result of increases in traffic acquisition costs, data center costs, manufacturing and inventory-related costs, content acquisition costs, credit card and other transaction fees, and other costs. Traffic acquisition costs as a percentage of advertising revenues may fluctuate in the future based on a number of factors, including the following:

 

   

The relative growth rates of revenues from our websites and from our Google Network Members’ websites.

 

   

Whether we are able to enter into more AdSense arrangements that provide for lower revenue share obligations or whether increased competition for arrangements with existing and potential Google Network Members results in less favorable revenue share arrangements.

 

   

Whether we are able to continue to improve the monetization of traffic on our websites and our Google Network Members’ websites.

 

   

The relative growth rates of expenses associated with distribution arrangements and the related revenues generated, including whether we share with certain existing and new distribution partners, including mobile distribution partners, proportionately more of the aggregate advertising fees that we earn from paid clicks derived from search queries these partners direct to our websites.

Research and Development

The following table presents our research and development expenses, and research and development expenses as a percentage of our revenues for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Research and development expenses

   $ 3,762      $ 5,162      $ 6,793   

Research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenues

     12.8     13.6     13.5

Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for personnel responsible for the research and development of new and existing products and services. We expense research and development costs as incurred.

Research and development expenses increased $1,631 million from 2011 to 2012, which includes $710 million related to Motorola Mobile. The remaining increase of $921 million was primarily due to an increase in labor and facilities-related costs of $359 million, largely as a result of a 15% increase in research and development headcount, an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $213 million, an increase in depreciation and equipment-related expenses of $147 million, and an increase in professional services expense of $66 million.

Research and development expenses increased $1,400 million from 2010 to 2011. This increase was primarily due to an increase in labor and facilities-related costs of $875 million, largely as a result of a 23% increase in research and development headcount, including headcount from acquisitions, as well as an increase in employee base salaries of approximately 10%. In addition, there was an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $200 million.

We expect that research and development expenses will increase in dollar amount and may increase as a percentage of total revenues in 2013 and future periods because we expect to continue to invest in building the necessary employee and system infrastructure required to support the development of new, and improve existing, products and services.

 

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Sales and Marketing

The following table presents our sales and marketing expenses, and sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Sales and marketing expenses

   $ 2,799      $ 4,589      $ 6,143   

Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues

     9.5     12.1     12.2

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for personnel engaged in customer service, sales, and sales support functions, as well as advertising and promotional expenditures.

Sales and marketing expenses increased $1,554 million from 2011 to 2012, which includes $678 million related to Motorola Mobile. The remaining increase of $876 million was primarily due to an increase in labor and facilities-related costs of $390 million, largely as a result of a 14% increase in sales and marketing headcount, as well as an increase in advertising and promotional expenses of $288 million. In addition, there was an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $87 million.

Sales and marketing expenses increased $1,790 million from 2010 to 2011. This increase was primarily due to an increase in labor and facilities-related costs of $787 million, largely as a result of a 36% increase in sales and marketing headcount, including headcount from acquisitions, as well as an increase in employee base salaries of approximately 10%. In addition, there was an increase in advertising and promotional expenses of $700 million.

We expect that sales and marketing expenses will increase in dollar amount and may increase as a percentage of total revenues in 2013 and future periods, as we expand our business globally, increase advertising and promotional expenditures in connection with new and existing products, and increase the level of service we provide to our advertisers, Google Network Members, and other partners.

General and Administrative

The following table presents our general and administrative expenses, and general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

General and administrative expenses

   $ 1,962      $ 2,724      $ 3,845   

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues

     6.8     7.2     7.8

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for personnel and facilities, and include costs related to our facilities, finance, human resources, information technology, and legal organizations, and fees for professional services. Professional services are principally comprised of outside legal, audit, information technology consulting, and outsourcing services. General and administrative expenses also include amortization of certain acquired intangible assets.

General and administrative expenses increased $1,121 million from 2011 to 2012, which includes $364 million related to Motorola Mobile. The remaining increase of $757 million was primarily due to an increase in amortization of acquired intangible assets of $274 million, an increase in professional services expense of $147 million, the majority of which was related to legal costs, an increase in labor and facilities-related costs of $122 million, primarily as a result of a 11% increase in general and administrative headcount, as well as an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $89 million.

General and administrative expenses increased $762 million from 2010 to 2011. This increase was primarily due to an increase in labor and facilities-related costs of $350 million, primarily as a result of a 37% increase in general and administrative headcount and an increase in employee base salaries of approximately 10%, as well as an increase in expense related to professional services of $260 million, the majority of which were related to consulting services and legal costs. In addition, there was an increase in stock-based compensation of $116 million.

 

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As we expand our business and incur additional expenses, we expect general and administrative expenses will increase in dollar amount and may increase as a percentage of total revenues in 2013 and future periods.

Charge Related to the Resolution of Department of Justice Investigation

In connection with a resolution of an investigation by the United States Department of Justice into the use of Google advertising by certain advertisers, we accrued $500 million during the first quarter of 2011, which was paid in August 2011 upon final resolution of that matter.

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table presents our stock-based compensation, and stock-based compensation as a percentage of revenues for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Stock-based compensation

   $ 1,376      $ 1,974      $ 2,649   

Stock-based compensation as a percentage of total revenues

     4.7     5.2     5.3

Stock-based compensation increased $675 million from 2011 to 2012. This increase was primarily due to additional stock awards issued to existing and new employees, awards issued in connection with the acquisition of Motorola, and acceleration of certain awards resulting from Motorola restructuring. Additionally, stock-based compensation expense for the Motorola Home segment was included in net loss from discontinued operations.

Stock-based compensation increased $598 million from 2010 to 2011. This increase was largely due to additional stock awards issued to existing and new employees.

We estimate stock-based compensation to be approximately $2.5 billion in 2013 and $2.7 billion thereafter. This estimate does not include expenses to be recognized related to employee stock awards that are granted after December 31, 2012 or non-employee stock awards that have been or may be granted. In addition, to the extent forfeiture rates are different from what we have anticipated, stock-based compensation related to these awards will be different from our expectations.

Interest and Other Income, Net

Interest and other income, net, increased $42 million from 2011 to 2012. This increase was primarily driven by a gain on divestiture of business of $188 million in 2012, an impairment charge related to equity investments of $110 million in 2011, partially offset by an increase in foreign currency exchange loss of $152 million and a decrease in interest income of $99 million.

Interest and other income, net increased $169 million from 2010 to 2011. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in interest income of $233 million due to an increase in our cash and investment balances and higher yields, as well as an increase in net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale investments of $69 million, partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $53 million primarily related to our long-term debt program. In addition, we recorded an impairment charge of $110 million related to certain equity investments during the year ended December 31, 2011.

The costs of our foreign exchange hedging activities that we recognized to interest and other income, net are primarily a function of the notional amount of the option and forward contracts and their related duration, the movement of the foreign exchange rates relative to the strike prices of the contracts, as well as the volatility of the foreign exchange rates.

As we expand our international business, we believe costs related to hedging activities under our foreign exchange risk management program may increase in dollar amount in 2013 and future periods.

 

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Provision for Income Taxes

The following table presents our provision for income taxes, and effective tax rate for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Provision for income taxes

   $ 2,291      $ 2,589      $ 2,598   

Effective tax rate

     21.2     21.0     19.4

Our provision for income taxes increased from 2011 to 2012, primarily as a result of increases in federal income taxes, driven by higher taxable income year over year and expiration of the federal research and development credit, partially offset by proportionately more earnings realized in countries that have lower statutory tax rates. Our effective tax rate decreased from 2011 to 2012, primarily as a result of proportionately more earnings realized in countries that have lower statutory tax rates as well as a discrete item related to an investigation by the Department of Justice recognized in 2011, which was not deductible for income tax purposes.

Our provision for income taxes increased from 2010 to 2011, primarily as a result of increases in federal income taxes, driven by higher taxable income year over year, partially offset by proportionately more earnings realized in countries that have lower statutory tax rates. Our effective tax rate decreased from 2010 to 2011, primarily as a result of proportionately more earnings realized in countries that have lower statutory tax rates, a decrease in state income taxes, and an increase in federal research and development credits recognized in 2011, partially offset by recognition of a charge related to the resolution of an investigation by the Department of Justice which is not deductible for tax purposes.

The federal research and development credit expired on December 31, 2011. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law. Under this act, the federal research and development credit was retroactively extended for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2011 and before January 1, 2014. The effects of these changes in the tax law will result in a tax benefit which will be recognized in the first quarter of 2013, which is the quarter in which the law was enacted.

Our effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis and could be adversely affected to the extent earnings are lower than anticipated in countries that have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries that have higher statutory rates. Our effective tax rate could also fluctuate due to the net gains and losses recognized by legal entities on certain hedges and related hedged intercompany and other transactions under our foreign exchange risk management program, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets or liabilities, or by changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, as well as certain discrete items. In addition, we are subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.

See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates below for additional information about our provision for income taxes.

A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to our effective tax rate is set forth in Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Net Loss from Discontinued Operations

In December 2012, we entered into an agreement with Arris and certain other persons providing for the disposition of the Motorola Home business for total consideration of approximately $2.35 billion in cash and common stock, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in 2013. As a result, the

 

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following financial information of Motorola Home was presented as net loss from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2012
 
     (In millions)  

Revenues

   $ 2,028   

Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes

     (22

Provision for income taxes

     (29

Net loss from discontinued operations

   $ (51

Quarterly Results of Operations

You should read the following tables presenting our quarterly results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have prepared the unaudited information on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. You should also keep in mind that our operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future quarters or for a full year. Please note that previously reported quarters have been adjusted to show discontinued operations for the disposition of the Motorola Home business.

 

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The following table presents our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the eight quarters ended December 31, 2012. This table includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for fair presentation of our consolidated financial position and operating results for the quarters presented. Both seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and traditional retail seasonality have affected, and are likely to continue to affect, our business. Internet usage generally slows during the summer months, and commercial queries typically increase significantly in the fourth quarter of each year. These seasonal trends have caused and will likely continue to cause, fluctuations in our quarterly results, including fluctuations in sequential revenue growth rates.

 

    Quarter Ended  
    Mar 31,
2011
    Jun 30,
2011
    Sep 30,
2011
    Dec 31,
2011
    Mar 31,
2012
    Jun 30,
2012
    Sep 30,
2012
    Dec 31,
2012
 
    (In millions, except per share amounts)  
    (unaudited)  

Consolidated Statements of Income Data:

               

Revenues:

               

Google (advertising and other)

  $ 8,575      $ 9,026      $ 9,720      $ 10,584      $ 10,645      $ 10,964      $ 11,526      $ 12,905   

Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

    0        0        0        0        0        843        1,778        1,514   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    8,575        9,026        9,720        10,584        10,645        11,807        13,304        14,419   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

               

Cost of revenues—Google (advertising and other)

    2,936        3,172        3,378        3,702        3,789        3,984        4,440        4,963   

Cost of revenues—Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

    0        0        0        0        0        693        1,515        1,250   

Research and development

    1,226        1,234        1,404        1,298        1,441        1,538        1,879        1,935   

Sales and marketing

    1,026        1,091        1,204        1,268        1,269        1,413        1,710        1,751   

General and administrative

    591        648        676        809        757        942        1,020        1,126   

Charge related to the resolution of Department of Justice investigation

    500        0        0        0        0        0        0        0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

    6,279        6,145        6,662        7,077        7,256        8,570        10,564        11,025   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

    2,296        2,881        3,058        3,507        3,389        3,237        2,740        3,394   

Interest and other income (expense), net

    96        204        302        (18     156        253        65        152   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    2,392        3,085        3,360        3,489        3,545        3,490        2,805        3,546   

Provision for income taxes

    594        580        631        784        655        657        647        639   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

  $ 1,798      $ 2,505      $ 2,729      $ 2,705      $ 2,890      $ 2,833      $ 2,158      $ 2,907   

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

    0        0        0        0        0        (48     18        (21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 1,798      $ 2,505      $ 2,729      $ 2,705      $ 2,890      $ 2,785      $ 2,176      $ 2,886   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share—basic:

               

Continuing operations

  $ 5.59      $ 7.77      $ 8.44      $ 8.34      $ 8.88      $ 8.68      $ 6.59      $ 8.83   

Discontinued operations

    0        0        0        0        0        (0.14     0.05      $ (0.06
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share—basic

  $ 5.59      $ 7.77      $ 8.44      $ 8.34      $ 8.88      $ 8.54      $ 6.64      $ 8.77   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share—diluted:

               

Continuing operations

  $ 5.51      $ 7.68      $ 8.33      $ 8.22      $ 8.75      $ 8.56      $ 6.48      $ 8.68   

Discontinued operations

    0        0        0        0        0        (0.14     0.05        (0.06
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share—diluted

  $ 5.51      $ 7.68      $ 8.33      $ 8.22      $ 8.75      $ 8.42      $ 6.53      $ 8.62   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The following table presents our unaudited quarterly results of operations as a percentage of revenues for the eight quarters ended December 31, 2012:

 

     Quarter Ended  
     Mar 31,
2011
    Jun 30,
2011
    Sep 30,
2011
    Dec 31,
2011
    Mar 31,
2012
    Jun 30,
2012
    Sep 30,
2012
    Dec 31,
2012
 

Revenues:

                

Google (advertising and other)

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     92.9     86.6     89.5

Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

     0        0        0        0        0        7.1        13.4        10.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

                

Cost of revenues—Google (advertising and other)

     34.2        35.1        34.8        35.0        35.6        33.7        33.4        34.4   

Cost of revenues—Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

     0        0        0        0        0        5.9        11.3        8.7   

Research and development

     14.3        13.7        14.4        12.3        13.5        13.0        14.1        13.4   

Sales and marketing

     12.0        12.1        12.4        12.0        11.9        12.0        12.9        12.2   

General and administrative

     6.9        7.2        6.9        7.6        7.2        8.0        7.7        7.8   

Charge related to the resolution of Department of Justice investigation

     5.8        0        0        0        0        0        0        0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     73.2        68.1        68.5        66.9        68.2        72.6        79.4        76.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     26.8        31.9        31.5        33.1        31.8        27.4        20.6        23.5   

Interest and other income (expense), net

     1.1        2.3        3.1        (0.1     1.5        2.1        0.5        1.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     27.9        34.2        34.6        33.0        33.3        29.5        21.1        24.6   

Provision for income taxes

     6.9        6.4        6.5        7.4        6.2        5.5        4.9        4.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     21.0     27.8     28.1     25.6     27.1     24.0     16.2     20.2

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

     0     0     0     0     0     (0.4 %)      0.1     (0.2 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     21.0     27.8     28.1     25.6     27.1     23.6     16.3     20.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In summary, our cash flows are as follows (in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 11,081      $ 14,565      $ 16,619   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,680     (19,041     (13,056

Net cash provided by financing activities

     3,050        807        1,229   

At December 31, 2012, we had $48.1 billion of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are comprised of time deposits, money market and other funds, including cash collateral received related to our securities lending program, highly liquid debt instruments of the U.S. government and its agencies, debt instruments issued by foreign governments, and municipalities in the U.S., corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities.

As of December 31, 2012, $31.4 billion of the $48.1 billion of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities was held by our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds are needed for our operations in the U.S., we would be required to

 

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accrue and pay U.S. taxes to repatriate these funds. However, our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to fund our U.S. operations.

Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, as well as the cash flow that we generate from our operations. At December 31, 2012, we had unused letters of credit for approximately $89 million. We believe that our sources of funding will be sufficient to satisfy our currently anticipated cash requirements through at least the next 12 months. Our liquidity could be negatively affected by a decrease in demand for our products and services. In addition, we may make acquisitions or license products and technologies complementary to our business and may need to raise additional capital through future debt or equity financing to provide for greater flexibility to fund any such acquisitions and licensing activities. Additional financing may not be available at all or on terms favorable to us.

We have a debt financing program of up to $3.0 billion through the issuance of commercial paper. Net proceeds from this program are used for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2012, we had $2.5 billion of commercial paper outstanding recorded as short-term debt, with a weighted-average interest rate of 0.2% that mature at various dates through 2013. Average commercial paper borrowings during the year were $2.2 billion and the maximum amount outstanding during the year was $2.7 billion. In conjunction with this program, we have a $3.0 billion revolving credit facility expiring in July 2016. The interest rate for the credit facility is determined based on a formula using certain market rates. As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with the financial covenant in the credit facility and no amounts were outstanding.

In May 2011, we issued $3.0 billion of unsecured senior notes in three equal tranches, due in 2014, 2016, and 2021, with stated interest rates of 1.25%, 2.125%, and 3.625%. The net proceeds from the sale of the notes were used to repay a portion of our outstanding commercial paper and for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2012, the total carrying value and estimated fair value of these notes were $3.0 billion and $3.2 billion. The estimated fair value was based on quoted prices for our publicly-traded debt as of December 31, 2012. We are not subject to any financial covenants under the notes.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities consist of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items, including amortization, depreciation, deferred income taxes, excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities, stock-based compensation expense, as well as the effect of changes in working capital and other activities.

Cash provided by operating activities in 2012 was $16,619 million and consisted of net income of $10,737 million, adjustments for non-cash items of $5,172 million, a gain on divestiture of business of $188 million and increase in cash from changes in working capital and other activities of $898 million. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $2,692 million of stock-based compensation expense, $1,988 million of depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment, $974 million of amortization of intangible and other assets, and $188 million of excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities, partially offset by $266 million of deferred income taxes. In addition, the increase in cash from changes in working capital activities primarily consisted of an increase in income taxes, net, of $1,492 million including additional tax obligations accrued, partially offset by an increase in the amount of estimated income taxes we paid during the year, an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $762 million, a decrease in inventories of $301 million, an increase accrued revenue share of $299 million, and an increase in deferred revenue of $163 million. These changes were partially offset by an increase in prepaid revenue share, expenses, and other assets of $833 million including prepayments for certain content arrangements, an increase of accounts receivable of $787 million due to growth in fees billed to our customers, and a decrease in accounts payable of $499 million due to the timing of invoice processing and payments.

Cash provided by operating activities in 2011 was $14,565 million and consisted of net income of $9,737 million, adjustments for non-cash items of $4,198 million, and increase in cash from changes in working capital and other activities of $630 million. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $1,974 million of stock-

 

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based compensation expense, $1,396 million of depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment, $455 million of amortization of intangible and other assets, $343 million of deferred income taxes, and $110

million related to impairment of equity investments. In addition, the increase in cash from changes in working capital activities primarily consisted of an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $795 million, a net increase in income taxes payable and deferred income taxes of $731 million, an increase in accrued revenue share of $259 million, an increase of $162 million in deferred revenue, and an increase of $101 million in accounts payable. These increases were partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $1,156 million due to the growth in fees billed to our advertisers, and an increase in prepaid revenue share, expenses and other assets of $262 million. The increase in income taxes payable and deferred income taxes reflected primarily additional tax obligations accrued, partially offset by estimated income taxes paid during 2011. In addition, we paid $500 million related to the resolution of a Department of Justice investigation during the year.

Cash provided by operating activities in 2010 was $11,081 million, and consisted of net income of $8,505 million, adjustments for non-cash items of $2,675 million, and decrease in cash from changes in working capital and other activities of $99 million. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $1,376 million of stock-based compensation expense, $1,067 million of depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment, and $329 million of amortization of intangible and other assets, partially offset by $94 million of excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities. In addition, the decrease in cash from changes in working capital activities primarily consisted of an increase of $1,129 million in accounts receivable due to the growth in fees billed to our advertisers and an increase of $414 million in prepaid revenue share, expenses and other assets. These increases were partially offset by an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $745 million, an increase in accounts payable of $272 million, an increase in accrued revenue share of $214 million, an increase in deferred revenue of $111 million, and a net increase in income tax payable and deferred income taxes of $102 million, which includes the same $94 million of excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities included under adjustments for non-cash items. The increase in accrued expense and other liabilities, accounts payable, accrued revenue share, and deferred revenues are primarily a result of the growth in our business and headcount. The increase in net income taxes payable and deferred income taxes was primarily a result of additional tax obligations accrued, partially offset by the release of certain tax reserves as a result of the settlement of our tax audits for our 2005 and 2006 tax years.

As we expand our business internationally, we have offered payment terms to certain advertisers that are standard in their locales but longer than terms we would generally offer to our domestic advertisers. In addition, we continue to evaluate our Motorola restructuring plan, and may incur additional charges, some of which may be significant. This may increase our working capital requirements and may have a negative effect on cash provided by our operating activities.

Cash Used In Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities in 2012 of $13,056 million was primarily attributable to cash used in acquisitions and other investments of $11,264 million, including $9,518 million net cash paid in connection with the acquisition of Motorola, and capital expenditures of $3,273 million related primarily to our facilities, data centers, and related equipment. These decreases were partially offset by net maturities and sales of marketable securities of $1,770 million. Also, in connection with our securities lending program, we returned cash collateral of $334 million. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information about our securities lending program.

Cash used in investing activities in 2011 of $19,041 million was primarily attributable to net purchases of marketable securities of $12,926 million, capital expenditures of $3,438 million related principally to our facilities, data centers, and related equipment, and cash used in acquisitions and other investments of $2,328 million, including $676 million paid in connection with the acquisition of ITA Software, Inc. Also, in connection with our securities lending program, we returned $354 million of cash collateral.

Cash used in investing activities in 2010 of $10,680 million was primarily attributable to net purchases of marketable securities of $6,886 million, capital expenditures of $4,018 million of which $1.8 billion was for the

 

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purchase of an office building in New York City in December 2010, and remaining amounts related principally to our data centers and related equipment, and cash consideration used in acquisitions and other investments of $1,067 million. Also, in connection with our securities lending program, we received $2,361 million of cash collateral which was invested in reverse repurchase agreements.

In order to manage expected increases in internet traffic, advertising transactions, and new products and services, and to support our overall global business expansion, we expect to make significant investments in our systems, data centers, corporate facilities, information technology infrastructure, and employees in 2013 and thereafter. However, the amount of our capital expenditures has fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate on a quarterly basis.

In addition, we expect to spend a significant amount of cash on acquisitions and other investments from time to time. These acquisitions generally enhance the breadth and depth of our expertise in engineering and other functional areas, our technologies, and our product offerings.

In December 2012, we signed an agreement for the disposition of Motorola Home business for total consideration of approximately $2.35 billion in cash and stock subject to certain adjustments. We expect the transaction to close in 2013.

Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities in 2012 of $1,229 million was primarily driven by net proceeds of $1,328 million from short-term debt issued under our commercial paper program and excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities of $188 million. This was partially offset by net payments for stock-based award activities of $287 million.

Cash provided by financing activities in 2011 of $807 million was primarily driven by net proceeds of $726 million of debt issued and excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities of $86 million.

Cash provided by financing activities in 2010 of $3,050 million was primarily driven by $3,463 million of net cash proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper and a promissory note. This was partially offset by $801 million in stock repurchases in connection with our acquisitions of AdMob, Inc. and On2 Technologies, Inc., as well as net proceeds from stock-based award activities of $294 million, and excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities of $94 million.

Contractual Obligations as of December 31, 2012

 

     Payments due by period  
     Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3
years
     3-5
years
     More than
5 years
 
     (in millions)  

Operating lease obligations, net of sublease income amounts

   $ 3,619       $ 466       $ 870       $ 688       $ 1,595   

Purchase obligations

     2,123         942         943         119         119   

Long-term debt obligations

     3,401         70         1,121         1,083         1,127   

Other long-term liabilities reflected on our balance sheet

     236         41         119         40         36   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 9,379       $ 1,519       $ 3,053       $ 1,930       $ 2,877   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The above table does not include future rental income of $649 million related to the leases that we assumed in connection with our building purchases.

 

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Operating Leases

We have entered into various non-cancelable operating lease agreements for certain of our offices, land, and data centers throughout the world with original lease periods expiring primarily between 2013 and 2063. We are committed to pay a portion of the related operating expenses under certain of these lease agreements. These operating expenses are not included in the above table. Certain of these leases have free or escalating rent payment provisions. We recognize rent expense under such leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Certain leases have adjustments for market provisions.

Purchase Obligations

Purchase obligations represent non-cancelable contractual obligations at December 31, 2012. These contracts are primarily related to distribution arrangements, video and other content licensing revenue sharing arrangements, data center operations and facility build-outs, as well as purchase of inventory.

Long-term Debt Obligations

Long-term debt obligations represent principal and interest payments to be made over the life of our unsecured senior notes issued in May 2011. Please see Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consist of cash obligations, primarily the legal settlement with the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers (AAP), asset retirement obligations, and milestone and royalty payments owed in connection with certain acquisitions and licensing agreements.

In addition to the amounts above, we had long-term taxes payable of $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2012 related to tax positions for which the timing of the ultimate resolution is uncertain. At this time, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments in individual years beyond 12 months due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes. As a result, this amount is not included in the above table.

Off-Balance Sheet Entities

At December 31, 2012, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, revenues, or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that is material to investors.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP). In doing so, we have to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, as well as related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. In some cases, we could reasonably have used different accounting policies and estimates. In some cases, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from our estimates. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations will be affected. We base our estimates on past experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, and we evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis. We refer to accounting estimates of this type as critical accounting policies and estimates, which we discuss further below. We have reviewed our critical accounting policies and estimates with the audit committee of our board of directors.

 

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Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes.

Although we believe we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest.

Our effective tax rates have differed from the statutory rate primarily due to the tax impact of foreign operations, state taxes, certain benefits realized related to stock-based award activities, and research and experimentation tax credits. The effective tax rates were 21.2%, 21.0%, and 19.4% for 2010, 2011, and 2012. Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in countries that have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries that have higher statutory rates, the net gains and losses recognized by legal entities on certain hedges and related hedged intercompany and other transactions under our foreign exchange risk management program, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets or liabilities, or changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, as well as certain discrete items. In addition, we are subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.

Loss Contingencies

We are regularly subject to claims, suits, government investigations, and other proceedings involving competition and antitrust, intellectual property, privacy, tax, labor and employment, commercial disputes, content generated by our users, goods and services offered by advertisers or publishers using our platforms, and other matters. Certain of these matters include speculative claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts of damages. We record a liability when we believe that it is both probable that a loss has been incurred, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, on a monthly basis, developments in our legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued, and make adjustments as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both likelihood of there being and the estimated amount of a loss related to such matters. Until the final resolution of such matters, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of the amount recorded, and such amounts could be material. Should any of our estimates and assumptions change or prove to have been incorrect, it could have a material impact on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding contingencies.

Business Combinations

We allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. When determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management makes significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets.

Critical estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include but are not limited to future expected cash flows from customer relationships and acquired patents and developed technology; and discount rates. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates.

 

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Other estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as additional information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as more fully discussed in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Impairment of Marketable and Non-Marketable Securities

We periodically review our marketable and non-marketable securities for impairment. If we conclude that any of these investments are impaired, we determine whether such impairment is other-than-temporary. Factors we consider to make such determination include the duration and severity of the impairment, the reason for the decline in value and the potential recovery period and our intent to sell. For marketable debt securities, we also consider whether (1) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, and (2) the amortized cost basis cannot be recovered as a result of credit losses. If any impairment is considered other-than-temporary, we will write down the asset to its fair value and record the corresponding charge as interest and other income, net.

Prior period reclassification

Prior period balance related to inventories has been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Economic Exposure

We transact business in various foreign currencies and have significant international revenues, as well as costs denominated in foreign currencies. This exposes us to the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We purchase foreign exchange option contracts to reduce the volatility of cash flows related to forecasted revenues denominated in certain foreign currencies. The objective of the foreign exchange contracts is to better ensure that the U.S. dollar-equivalent cash flows are not adversely affected by changes in the U.S. dollar/foreign currency exchange rates. These contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. The gain on the effective portion of a cash flow hedge is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and subsequently reclassified into revenues when the hedged revenues are recorded or as interest and other income, net, if the hedged transaction becomes probable of not occurring. The notional principal of these contracts was approximately $6.5 billion and $9.5 billion as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012. These foreign exchange contracts have maturities of 36 months or less.

We considered the historical trends in currency exchange rates and determined that it was reasonably possible that changes in exchange rates of 20% for our foreign currencies instruments could be experienced in the near term. If the U.S. dollar weakened by 20%, the amount recorded in AOCI before tax effect would have been approximately $132 million and $9 million lower at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012, and the total amount of expense recorded as interest and other income, net, would have been approximately $138 million and $140 million higher in the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012. If the U.S. dollar strengthened by 20%, the amount recorded in accumulated AOCI before tax effect would have been approximately $1.2 billion and $1.7 billion higher at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012, and the total amount of expense recorded as interest and other income, net, would have been approximately $202 million and $159 million higher in the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012.

 

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Transaction Exposure

Our exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses is the result of certain net receivables due from our foreign subsidiaries and customers being denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the subsidiary, primarily the Euro and the British pound. Our foreign subsidiaries conduct their businesses in local currency. We have entered into foreign exchange contracts to offset the foreign exchange risk on certain monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the local currency of the subsidiary. The notional principal of foreign exchange contracts outstanding was $3.7 billion and $6.6 billion at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012.

We considered the historical trends in currency exchange rates and determined that it was reasonably possible that adverse changes in exchange rates of 20% for all currencies could be experienced in the near term. These changes would have resulted in an adverse impact on income before income taxes of approximately $27 million and $9 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012. The adverse impact at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012 is after consideration of the offsetting effect of approximately $503 million and $731 million from foreign exchange contracts in place for the months of December 2011 and December 2012. These reasonably possible adverse changes in exchange rates of 20% were applied to total monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the local currencies at the balance sheet dates to compute the adverse impact these changes would have had on our income before income taxes in the near term.

Interest Rate Risk

We invest our excess cash primarily in U.S. government and its agency securities, money market and other funds, corporate debt securities, mortgage-backed securities, debt instruments issued by foreign governments, municipal securities, time deposits, and asset backed securities. By policy, we limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.

Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning securities carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than predicted if interest rates fall. Due in part to these factors, our income from investments may decrease in the future. However, we use certain interest rate derivative contracts to hedge interest rate risk of our fixed income securities.

During the second quarter of 2012, we began to hedge the variability of forecasted interest payments using forward-starting interest swaps. The total notional amount of these swaps was $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2012, with terms calling for us to receive interest at a variable rate and to pay interest at a fixed rate. These forward-starting interest swaps effectively fix the benchmark interest rate on an anticipated debt issuance of $1.0 billion in 2014, and they will be terminated upon issuance of the debt.

When entering into forward-starting interest rate swaps, we are subject to market risk with respect to changes in the underlying benchmark interest rate that impacts the fair value of the forward-starting interest swaps. We manage market risk by matching the terms of the swaps with the critical terms of the expected debt issuance.

We considered the historical volatility of short-term interest rates and determined that it was reasonably possible that an adverse change of 100 basis points could be experienced in the near term. A hypothetical 1.00% (100 basis points) increase in interest rates would have resulted in a decrease in the fair values of our marketable securities of approximately $934 million and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2011 and 2012, after taking into consideration the offsetting effect from interest rate derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2012. A hypothetical 1.00% (100 basis points) decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a decrease in the fair values of our forward-starting interest swaps of approximately $107 million at December 31, 2012.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Google Inc.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     52   

Financial Statements:

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     54   

Consolidated Statements of Income

     55   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

     56   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

     57   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     58   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     59   

The supplementary financial information required by this Item 8 is included in Item 7 under the caption “Quarterly Results of Operations.”

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Google Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Google Inc. as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Google Inc. at December 31, 2011 and 2012, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Google Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated January 29, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

   /s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP        
San Jose, California   
January 29, 2013   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Google Inc.

We have audited Google Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Google Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Google Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Google Inc. as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 of Google Inc. and our report dated January 29, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

   /s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP        
San Jose, California   
January 29, 2013   

 

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Google Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share and par value amounts which are reflected in thousands,

and par value per share amounts)

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
     As of
December 31,
2012
 

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9,983       $ 14,778   

Marketable securities

     34,643         33,310   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (including securities loaned of $2,778 and $3,160)

     44,626         48,088   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $133 and $581

     5,427         7,885   

Inventories

     35         505   

Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements

     745         700   

Deferred income taxes, net

     215         1,144   

Prepaid revenue share, expenses and other assets

     1,710         2,132   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     52,758         60,454   

Prepaid revenue share, expenses and other assets, non-current

     499         2,011   

Non-marketable equity securities

     790         1,469   

Property and equipment, net

     9,603         11,854   

Intangible assets, net

     1,578         7,473   

Goodwill

     7,346         10,537   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 72,574       $ 93,798   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 588       $ 2,012   

Short-term debt

     1,218         2,549   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     1,818         2,239   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     1,370         3,258   

Accrued revenue share

     1,168         1,471   

Securities lending payable

     2,007         1,673   

Deferred revenue

     547         895   

Income taxes payable, net

     197         240   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     8,913         14,337   

Long-term debt

     2,986         2,988   

Deferred revenue, non-current

     44         100   

Income taxes payable, non-current

     1,693         2,046   

Deferred income taxes, net, non-current

     287         1,872   

Other long-term liabilities

     506         740   

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 100,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

     0         0   

Class A and Class B common stock and additional paid-in capital, $0.001 par value per share: 9,000,000 shares authorized (Class A 6,000,000, Class B 3,000,000) and 12,000,000 shares authorized (Class A 9,000,000, Class B 3,000,000); 324,895 (Class A 257,553, Class B 67,342) and par value of $325 (Class A $258, Class B $67) and 329,979 (Class A 267,448, Class B 62,531) and par value of $330 (Class A $267, Class B $63) shares issued and outstanding

     20,264         22,835   

Class C capital stock, $0.001 par value per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

     0         0   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     276         538   

Retained earnings

     37,605         48,342   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     58,145         71,715   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 72,574       $ 93,798   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Google Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010      2011      2012  

Revenues:

        

Google (advertising and other)

   $ 29,321       $ 37,905       $ 46,039   

Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

     0         0         4,136   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 29,321       $ 37,905       $ 50,175   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of revenues—Google (advertising and other)(1)

     10,417         13,188         17,176   

Cost of revenues—Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)(1)

     0         0         3,458   

Research and development(1)

     3,762         5,162         6,793   

Sales and marketing(1)

     2,799         4,589         6,143   

General and administrative(1)

     1,962         2,724         3,845   

Charge related to the resolution of Department of Justice investigation

     0         500         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     18,940         26,163         37,415   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations

     10,381         11,742         12,760   

Interest and other income, net

     415         584         626   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     10,796         12,326         13,386   

Provision for income taxes

     2,291         2,589         2,598   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

   $ 8,505       $ 9,737       $ 10,788   

Net loss from discontinued operations

     0         0         (51
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 8,505       $ 9,737       $ 10,737   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock—basic:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 26.69       $ 30.17       $ 32.97   

Discontinued operations

     0.00         0.00         (0.16
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock—basic

   $ 26.69       $ 30.17       $ 32.81   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock—diluted:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 26.31       $ 29.76       $ 32.46   

Discontinued operations

     0.00         0.00         (0.15
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock—diluted

   $ 26.31       $ 29.76       $ 32.31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)        Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:

        

Cost of revenues—Google (advertising and other)

   $ 67       $ 249       $ 359   

Cost of revenues—Motorola Mobile (hardware and other)

     0         0         14   

Research and development

     861         1,061         1,325   

Sales and marketing

     261         361         498   

General and administrative

     187         303         453   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,376       $ 1,974       $ 2,649   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Google Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Net income

   $ 8,505      $ 9,737      $ 10,737   

Other comprehensive income:

      

Change in foreign currency translation adjustment

     (124     (107     75   

Available-for-sale investments:

      

Change in net unrealized gains

     232        348        493   

Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income

     (151     (115     (216
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change (net of tax effect of $52, $54, $68)

     81        233        277   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges:

      

Change in unrealized gains

     196        39        47   

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

     (120     (27     (137
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change (net of tax effect of $52, $2, $53)

     76        12        (90
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     33        138        262   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 8,538      $ 9,875      $ 10,999   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Google Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In millions, except for share amounts which are reflected in thousands)

 

     Class A and Class B
Common Stock and
Additional Paid-In Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Retained
Earnings
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
         Shares             Amount            

Balance at January 1, 2010

     317,772      $ 15,817      $ 105      $ 20,082      $ 36,004   

Common stock issued

     5,126        1,412        0        0        1,412   

Common stock repurchased

     (1,597     (82     0        (719     (801

Stock-based compensation expense

       1,376        0        0        1,376   

Stock-based compensation tax benefits

       72        0        0        72   

Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock units

       (360     0        0        (360

Net income

       0        0        8,505        8,505   

Other comprehensive income

       0        33        0        33   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

     321,301        18,235        138        27,868        46,241   

Common stock issued

     3,594        621        0        0        621   

Stock-based compensation expense

       1,974        0        0        1,974   

Stock-based compensation tax benefits

       60        0        0        60   

Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock units

       (626     0        0        (626

Net income

       0        0        9,737        9,737   

Other comprehensive income

       0        138        0        138   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

     324,895        20,264        276        37,605        58,145   

Common stock issued

     5,084        736        0        0        736   

Stock-based compensation expense

       2,692        0        0        2,692   

Stock-based compensation tax benefits

       166        0        0        166   

Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock units

       (1,023     0        0        (1,023

Net income

       0        0        10,737        10,737   

Other comprehensive income

       0        262        0        262   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

     329,979      $ 22,835      $ 538      $ 48,342      $ 71,715   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Google Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012  

Operating activities

      

Net income

   $ 8,505      $ 9,737      $ 10,737   

Adjustments:

      

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

     1,067        1,396        1,988   

Amortization of intangible and other assets

     329        455        974   

Stock-based compensation expense

     1,376        1,974        2,692   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities

     (94     (86     (188

Deferred income taxes

     9        343        (266

Impairment of equity investments

     0        110        0   

Gain on divestiture of business

     0        0        (188

Other

     (12     6        (28

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

      

Accounts receivable

     (1,129     (1,156     (787

Income taxes, net

     102        731        1,492   

Inventories

     0        (30     301   

Prepaid revenue share, expenses and other assets

     (414     (232     (833

Accounts payable

     272        101        (499

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     745        795        762   

Accrued revenue share

     214        259        299   

Deferred revenue

     111        162        163   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     11,081        14,565        16,619   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities

      

Purchases of property and equipment

     (4,018     (3,438     (3,273

Purchases of marketable securities

     (43,985     (61,672     (33,410

Maturities and sales of marketable securities

     37,099        48,746        35,180   

Investments in non-marketable equity securities

     (320     (428     (696

Cash collateral related to securities lending

     2,361        (354     (334

Investments in reverse repurchase agreements

     (750     5        45   

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired and proceeds received from divestiture, and purchases of intangible and other assets

     (1,067     (1,900     (10,568
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,680     (19,041     (13,056
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities

      

Net proceeds (payments) from stock-based award activities

     294        (5     (287

Excess tax benefits from stock-based award activities

     94        86        188   

Repurchase of common stock in connection with acquisitions

     (801     0        0   

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of costs

     5,246        10,905        16,109   

Repayment of debt

     (1,783     (10,179     (14,781
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     3,050        807        1,229   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (19     22        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     3,432        (3,647     4,795   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     10,198        13,630        9,983   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 13,630      $ 9,983      $ 14,778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

      

Cash paid for interest

   $ 0      $ 40      $ 74   

Cash paid for taxes

   $ 2,175      $ 1,471      $ 2,034   

Non-cash financing activity:

      

Fair value of stock-based awards assumed in connection with acquisitions

   $ 750      $ 0      $ 41   

See accompanying notes.

 

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Google Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1.    Google Inc. and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

We were incorporated in California in September 1998. We were re-incorporated in the State of Delaware in August 2003. We generate revenues primarily by delivering relevant, cost-effective online advertising in our Google segment. In addition, as a result of our acquisition of Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (Motorola) on May 22, 2012, we generate revenues from sales of mobile devices in our Motorola Mobile (Mobile) segment and digital set-top boxes in our Motorola Home (Home) segment. In December 2012, we entered into an agreement to dispose Home, and the related financial results are presented as net loss from discontinued operations on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Assets and liabilities of Motorola Home are not presented as held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets because they are not material.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Google Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the accounts receivable and sales allowances, fair values of financial instruments, intangible assets and goodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of stock-based awards, inventory valuations, income taxes, and contingent liabilities, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.

Revenue Recognition

The following table presents our revenues by revenue source (in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010      2011      2012  

Google:

        

Advertising revenues:

        

Google websites

   $ 19,444       $ 26,145       $ 31,221   

Google Network Members’ websites

     8,792         10,386         12,465   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total advertising revenues

     28,236         36,531         43,686   

Other revenues

     1,085         1,374         2,353   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Google revenues (advertising and other)

     29,321         37,905         46,039   

Motorola Mobile:

        

Total Motorola Mobile revenues (hardware and other)

     0         0         4,136   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 29,321       $ 37,905       $ 50,175   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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We recognize revenues when the services or products have been provided or delivered, the fees we charge are fixed or determinable, we and our advertisers or other customers understand the specific nature and terms of the agreed upon transactions, and collectability is reasonably assured.

Google

Google AdWords is our auction-based advertising program that enables advertisers to place text-based and display ads on our websites and our Google Network Members’ websites. Display advertising comprises the videos, text, images, and other interactive ads that run across the web on computers and mobile devices, including smart phones and handheld computers such as netbooks and tablets. Most of our customers pay us on a cost-per-click basis, which means that an advertiser pays us only when a user clicks on one of its ads. We also offer advertising on a cost-per-impression basis that enables advertisers to pay us based on the number of times their ads display on our websites and our Google Network Members’ websites as specified by the advertisers.

Google AdSense refers to the online programs through which we distribute our advertisers’ AdWords ads for display on our Google Network Members’ websites.

We recognize as revenues the fees charged to advertisers each time a user clicks on one of the ads that appears next to the search results or content on our websites or our Google Network Members’ websites. For those advertisers using our cost-per-impression pricing, we recognize as revenues the fees charged to advertisers each time their ads are displayed on our websites or our Google Network Members’ websites. We report our Google AdSense revenues on a gross basis principally because we are the primary obligor to our advertisers.

We record deferred revenues upon invoicing or when cash payments are received in advance of our performance in the underlying agreement on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Motorola

For hardware product sales, where we sell directly to end customers or through distribution channels, revenue recognition generally occurs when products have been shipped, risk of loss has transferred to the customer, objective evidence exists that customer acceptance provisions have been met, no significant obligations remain and allowances for discounts, price protection, returns and customer incentives can be reasonably and reliably estimated. Recorded revenues are reduced by these allowances. Where these allowances cannot be reasonably and reliably estimated, we recognize revenue at the time the product sells through the distribution channel to the end customer.

For arrangements that include multiple deliverables, primarily for products that contain software essential to the hardware products’ functionality and services, we allocate revenue to each unit of accounting based on their relative selling prices. In such circumstances, we use a hierarchy to determine the selling prices to be used for allocating revenue: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (VSOE), (ii) third-party evidence of selling price, and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (ESP). VSOE generally exists only when we sell the deliverable separately and is the price actually charged by us for that deliverable. ESPs reflect our best estimates of what the selling prices of elements would be if they were sold regularly on a stand-alone basis.

Revenues from Home are included in net loss from discontinued operations.

Cost of Revenues

Google

Cost of revenues consists primarily of traffic acquisition costs. Traffic acquisition costs consist of amounts ultimately paid to our Google Network members under AdSense arrangements and to certain other partners (our distribution partners) who distribute our toolbar and other products (collectively referred to as access points) or

 

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otherwise direct search queries to our website (collectively referred to as distribution arrangements). These amounts are primarily based on the revenue share and fixed fee arrangements with our Google Network Members and distribution partners.

Certain distribution arrangements require us to pay our partners based on a fee per access point delivered and not exclusively—or at all—based on revenue share. These fees are non-refundable. Further, these arrangements are terminable at will, although under the terms of certain contracts we or our distribution partners may be subject to penalties in the event of early termination. We recognize fees under these arrangements over the estimated useful lives of the access points (approximately two years) to the extent we can reasonably estimate those lives and they are longer than one year, or based on any contractual revenue share, if greater. Otherwise, the fees are charged to expense as incurred. The estimated useful life of the access points is based on the historical average period of time they generate traffic and revenues. Further, we review the access points for impairment by distribution partner, type, and geography, and we have not made any impairment to date.

Cost of revenues also includes the expenses associated with the operation of our data centers, including depreciation, labor, energy, and bandwidth costs, credit card and other transaction fees related to processing customer transactions, amortization of acquired intangible assets, as well as content acquisition costs. We have entered into arrangements with certain content providers under which we distribute or license their video and other content. In a number of these arrangements, we display ads on the pages of our web sites from which the content is viewed and share most of the fees these ads generate with the content providers. To the extent we are obligated to make guaranteed minimum revenue share payments to our content providers, we recognize as content acquisition costs the contractual revenue share amount or the minimum guarantee on a straight-line basis, whichever is greater, over the terms of the agreements.

Prepaid revenue share and distribution fees are included in prepaid revenue share, expenses, and other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Motorola

Cost of revenues from our Motorola business related to delivered hardware, including estimated warranty costs, are recognized at the time of sale. Cost of revenues from Home are included in net loss from discontinued operations.

Stock-based Compensation

We have elected to use the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the dates of grant. Restricted stock units (RSUs) are measured based on the fair market values of the underlying stock on the dates of grant. Shares are issued on the vesting dates net of the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements to be paid by us on behalf of our employees. As a result, the actual number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number of RSUs outstanding. Furthermore, we record the liability for withholding amounts to be paid by us as a reduction to additional paid-in capital when paid. Also, we recognize stock-based compensation using the straight-line method.

We include as part of cash flows from financing activities the benefits of tax deductions in excess of the tax-effected compensation of the related stock-based awards for options exercised and RSUs vested during the period. During the years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $656 million, $621 million, and $736 million, and the total direct tax benefit realized, including the excess tax benefit, from stock-based award activities was $355 million, $451 million, and $747 million. We have elected to account for the indirect effects of stock-based awards—primarily the research and development tax credit—through the Consolidated Statements of Income.

For the years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012, we recognized stock-based compensation expense and related tax benefits of $1,376 million and $314 million, $1,974 million and $413 million, and $2,649 million and $591 million. Additionally, net loss from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes stock-based compensation expense and related tax benefits of $43 million and $11 million.

 

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Certain Risks and Concentrations

Our revenues are primarily derived from online advertising, the market for which is highly competitive and rapidly changing. In addition, our revenues are generated from a multitude of vertical market segments in countries around the world. Significant changes in this industry or changes in customer buying or advertiser spending behavior could adversely affect our operating results. In addition, for our Motorola business, nearly all of our Motorola products (other than some prototypes) are manufactured outside the U.S., primarily in China, Taiwan and Brazil.

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, marketable securities, foreign exchange contracts, and accounts receivable. Cash equivalents and marketable securities consist primarily of time deposits, money market and other funds, including cash collateral received related to our securities lending program, highly liquid debt instruments of the U.S. government and its agencies, debt instruments issued by foreign governments and municipalities in the U.S., corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities. Foreign exchange contracts are transacted with various financial institutions with high credit standing. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenues earned from customers located around the world. In 2010, 2011, and 2012, we generated approximately 48%, 46%, and 47% of our revenues from customers based in the U.S., with the majority of customers outside of the U.S. located in Europe and Japan. Many of our Google Network Members are in the internet industry. We perform ongoing evaluations to determine customer credit and we limit the amount of credit we extend, but generally we do not require collateral from our customers. We maintain reserves for estimated credit losses and these losses have generally been within our expectations.

No individual customer or groups of affiliated customers represented more than 10% of our revenues in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial assets and financial liabilities that include cash equivalents, marketable securities, and foreign currency and interest rate derivative contracts are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. We measure certain other assets including our non-marketable equity securities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. Our other current financial assets and our other current financial liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying value and are therefore not recorded at fair value.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities

We invest our excess cash primarily in time deposits, money market and other funds, including cash collateral received related to our securities lending program, highly liquid debt instruments of the U.S. government and its agencies, debt instruments issued by foreign governments and municipalities in the U.S., corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities.

We classify all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase as cash equivalents and all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of greater than three months as marketable securities.

We determine the appropriate classification of our investments in marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluate such designation at each balance sheet date. We have classified and accounted for our marketable securities as available-for-sale. We may or may not hold securities with stated maturities greater than 12 months until maturity. After consideration of our risk versus reward objectives, as well as our liquidity requirements, we may sell these securities prior to their stated maturities. As we view these securities as available to support current operations, we classify securities with maturities beyond 12 months as current assets under the caption marketable securities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. We carry these securities at fair value, and report the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, as a component of stockholders’ equity, except for unrealized losses determined to be other-than-temporary, which we record as interest and other income, net. We determine any realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities on a specific identification method, and we record such gains and losses as a component of interest and other income, net.

 

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Non-Marketable Equity Securities

We have accounted for non-marketable equity securities either under the equity or cost method. Investments through which we exercise significant influence but do not have control over the investee are accounted for under the equity method. Investments through which we are not able to exercise significant influence over the investee are accounted for under the cost method.

Impairment of Marketable and Non-Marketable Securities

We periodically review our marketable and non-marketable securities for impairment. If we conclude that any of these investments are impaired, we determine whether such impairment is other-than-temporary. Factors we consider to make such determination include the duration and severity of the impairment, the reason for the decline in value and the potential recovery period and our intent to sell. For marketable debt securities, we also consider whether (1) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, and (2) the amortized cost basis cannot be recovered as a result of credit losses. If any impairment is considered other-than-temporary, we will write down the asset to its fair value and record the corresponding charge as interest and other income, net.

Accounts Receivable

We record accounts receivable at the invoiced amount and we do not charge interest. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for potentially uncollectible receivables. We review the accounts receivable by amounts due by customers which are past due to identify specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In determining the amount of the reserve, we make judgments about the creditworthiness of significant customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. We also maintain a sales allowance to reserve for potential credits issued to customers. We determine the amount of the reserve based on historical credits issued.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, computed using the first-in, first-out method.

Property and Equipment

We account for property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally two to five years. We depreciate buildings over periods up to 25 years. We amortize leasehold improvements over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Construction in progress is related to the construction or development of property (including land) and equipment that have not yet been placed in service for our intended use. Depreciation for equipment commences once it is placed in service and depreciation for buildings and leasehold improvements commences once they are ready for our intended use. Land is not depreciated.

Software Development Costs

We expense software development costs, including costs to develop software products or the software component of products to be marketed to external users, before technological feasibility of such products is reached. We have determined that technological feasibility was reached shortly before the release of those products and as a result, the development costs incurred after the establishment of technological feasibility and before the release of those products were not material, and accordingly, were expensed as incurred. Software development costs also include costs to develop software programs to be used solely to meet our internal needs. The costs we incurred during the application development stage for these software programs were not material in the years presented.

 

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Business Combinations

We include the results of operations of the businesses that we acquire as of the respective dates of acquisition. We allocate the fair value of the purchase price of our acquisitions to the tangible assets acquired, and liabilities assumed and intangible assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

Long-Lived Assets Including Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets

We review property and equipment, long-term prepayments and intangible assets, excluding goodwill, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability of these assets by comparing the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If property and equipment and intangible assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair market value. We have made no material adjustments to our long-lived assets in any of the years presented. In addition, we test our goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that this asset may be impaired. We found no goodwill impairment in any of the years presented.

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. We amortize our acquired intangible assets on a straight-line basis with definite lives over periods ranging from one to 12 years.

Income Taxes

We recognize income taxes under the liability method. We recognize deferred income taxes for differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the years in which differences are expected to reverse. We recognize the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Foreign Currency

Generally, the functional currency of our international subsidiaries is the local currency. We translate the financial statements of these subsidiaries to U.S. dollars using month-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for revenues, costs, and expenses. We record translation gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity. We recorded $124 million of net translation losses in 2010, $107 million of net translation losses in 2011, and $75 million of net translation gains in 2012. We record net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions as a component of foreign currency exchange losses in interest and other income, net. These gains and losses are net of those recognized on foreign exchange contracts. We recorded $29 million of net losses in 2010, $38 million of net losses in 2011, and $78 million of net losses in 2012.

Advertising and Promotional Expenses

We expense advertising and promotional costs in the period in which they are incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, advertising and promotional expenses totaled approximately $772 million, $1,544 million, and $2,332 million.

Prior Period Reclassification

Prior period balance related to inventories has been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

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Note 2.    Net Income Per Share of Class A and Class B Common Stock

We compute net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock using the two-class method. Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and the effect of potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities consist of stock options, warrants issued under the TSO program, and restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, warrants, and restricted stock units is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. The computation of the diluted net income per share of Class A common stock assumes the conversion of Class B common stock, while the diluted net income per share of Class B common stock does not assume the conversion of those shares.

The rights, including the liquidation and dividend rights, of the holders of our Class A and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting. Further, there are a number of safeguards built into our certificate of incorporation, as well as Delaware law, which preclude our board of directors from declaring or paying unequal per share dividends on our Class A and Class B common stock. Specifically, Delaware law provides that amendments to our certificate of incorporation which would have the effect of adversely altering the rights, powers, or preferences of a given class of stock (in this case the right of our Class A common stock to receive an equal dividend to any declared on our Class B common stock) must be approved by the class of stock adversely affected by the proposed amendment. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that before any such amendment may be put to a stockholder vote, it must be approved by the unanimous consent of our board of directors. As a result, the undistributed earnings for each year are allocated based on the contractual participation rights of the Class A and Class B common shares as if the earnings for the year had been distributed. As the liquidation and dividend rights are identical, the undistributed earnings are allocated on a proportionate basis. Further, as we assume the conversion of Class B common stock in the computation of the diluted net income per share of Class A common stock, the undistributed earnings are equal to net income for that computation.

 

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The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock (in millions, except share amounts which are reflected in thousands and per share amounts):

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2011     2012  
    Class A     Class B     Class A     Class B     Class A     Class B  

Basic net income (loss) per share:

           

Numerator

           

Allocation of undistributed earnings—continuing operations

  $ 6,569      $ 1,936      $ 7,658      $ 2,079      $ 8,641      $ 2,147   

Allocation of undistributed earnings—discontinued operations

    0        0        0        0        (41     (10

Total

  $ 6,569      $ 1,936      $ 7,658      $ 2,079      $ 8,600      $ 2,137   

Denominator

           

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

    246,168        72,534        253,862        68,916        262,078        65,135   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of shares used in per share computation

    246,168        72,534        253,862        68,916        262,078        65,135   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share

           

Continuing operations

  $ 26.69      $ 26.69      $ 30.17      $ 30.17      $ 32.97      $ 32.97   

Discontinued operations

    0        0        0        0        (0.16     (0.16
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per share

  $ 26.69      $ 26.69      $ 30.17      $ 30.17      $ 32.81      $ 32.81   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share:

           

Numerator

           

Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation—continuing operations

  $ 6,569      $ 1,936      $ 7,658      $ 2,079      $ 8,641      $ 2,147   

Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares

    1,936        0        2,079        0        2,147        0   

Reallocation of undistributed earnings to Class B shares

    0        (26     0        (27     0        (31
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allocation of undistributed earnings—continuing operations

  $ 8,505      $ 1,910      $ 9,737      $ 2,052      $ 10,788      $ 2,116   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation—discontinued operations

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ (41   $ (10

Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares

    0        0        0        0        (10     0   

Reallocation of undistributed earnings to Class B shares

    0        0        0        0        0        0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allocation of undistributed earnings—discontinued operations

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ (51   $ (10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator

           

Number of shares used in basic computation

    246,168        72,534        253,862        68,916        262,078        65,135   

Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities

           

Add:

           

Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding

    72,534        0        68,916        0        65,135        0   

Employee stock options, including warrants issued under Transferable Stock Option program

    3,410        71        2,958        46        2,944        34   

Restricted stock units

    1,139        0        1,478        0        2,148        0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of shares used in per share computation

    323,251        72,605        327,214        68,962        332,305        65,169   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share:

           

Continuing operations

    26.31        26.31        29.76        29.76        32.46        32.46   

Discontinued operations

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        (0.15     (0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share

  $ 26.31      $ 26.31      $ 29.76      $ 29.76      $ 32.31      $ 32.31   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The net income per share amounts are the same for Class A and Class B common stock because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share distributions whether through dividends or in liquidation.

Note 3.    Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

We measure our cash equivalents, marketable securities, and foreign currency and interest rate derivative contracts at fair value. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is established as a basis for considering such assumptions and for inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Include other inputs that are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be derived from observable market data. Where applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs including interest rate curves, foreign exchange rates, and credit ratings.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activities.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

Based on the fair value hierarchy, we classify our cash equivalents and marketable securities within Level 1 or Level 2. This is because we value our cash equivalents and marketable securities using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs. We classify our foreign currency and interest rate derivative contracts primarily within Level 2 as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments.

 

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Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The following tables summarize our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities measured at adjusted cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value by significant investment categories as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012 (in millions):

 

     As of December 31, 2011  
     Adjusted
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
     Marketable
Securities
 

Cash

   $ 4,712       $ 0       $ 0      $ 4,712       $ 4,712       $ 0   

Level 1:

                

Money market and other funds

     3,202         0         0        3,202         3,202         0   

U.S. government notes

     11,475         104         0        11,579         0         11,579   

Marketable equity securities

     228         79         0        307         0         307