ITEM 1. BUSINESS
OUR COMPANY
We operate our car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands, as of December 31, 2015, from approximately 9,980 corporate and franchisee locations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and New Zealand. We are one of the largest worldwide airport general use car rental companies and our Hertz brand has approximately 8,510 corporate and franchisee locations in the U.S. and approximately 150 countries internationally. Our Dollar and Thrifty brands combined have approximately 1,345 corporate and franchisee locations in approximately 75 countries and our Firefly brand has more than 100 corporate and franchisee locations in approximately 20 countries. Our Hertz brand name is one of the most recognized in the world, signifying leadership in quality rental services and products. We have an extensive network of rental locations in the United States ("U.S.") and in all major European markets. We believe that we maintain one of the leading airport car rental brand market shares, by overall reported revenues, in the U.S. and at approximately 125 major airports in Europe where data regarding car rental concessionaire activity is available. Our equipment rental business is operated through the Hertz Equipment Rental brand from approximately 280 company-operated branches, of which approximately 270 are in the U.S. and Canada, and the remainder are located in the United Kingdom, China and through joint venture arrangements in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We also operate our equipment rental business through franchisee owned branches in Greece, Iceland, Portugal and Corsica in Europe, in Afghanistan in the Middle East, in Panama in Central America and in Chile in South America. In addition to car rental and equipment rental businesses, we are a leading provider of comprehensive, integrated fleet leasing and fleet management solutions through our Donlen subsidiary.
CORPORATE HISTORY
Hertz was incorporated in Delaware in 1967. Hertz is a successor to corporations that have been engaged in the car and truck rental and leasing business since 1918 and the equipment rental business since 1965. Ford Motor Company acquired an ownership interest in Hertz in 1987. Prior to this, Hertz was a subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc., which acquired Hertz's outstanding capital stock from RCA Corporation in 1985.
In December 2005, certain private investment funds (collectively, the "Sponsors,"), through Hertz Investors, Inc., acquired all of Hertz's common stock from Ford Holdings LLC. Hertz Investors Inc. continues to own 100% of the Company. Hertz Holdings was incorporated in Delaware in 2005 to serve as the top-level holding company for the consolidated Hertz business.
In March 2014, Hertz Holdings announced that its Board of Directors approved plans to separate Hertz Holdings into two independent, publicly traded companies. One of the companies, Hertz Rental Car Holding Company, Inc. ("HRCHC") will continue to operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly car rental businesses as well as Donlen; and the other, HERC Holdings, Inc. ("HERC Holdings") will operate the Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation ("HERC"). The Company expects to separate the businesses in a tax-efficient manner. In December 2015, HRCHC filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC in respect of the separation.
In November 2015, the Company completed the relocation of its worldwide headquarters to Estero, Florida from Park Ridge, New Jersey.
OUR BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We have identified four reportable segments, which are organized based on the products and services provided by our operating segments and the geographic areas in which our operating segments conduct business, as follows:
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U.S. Car Rental - Rental of cars, crossovers and light trucks, as well as ancillary products and services, in the U.S. We maintain a substantial network of company-operated car rental locations in the U.S., enabling us to provide consistent quality and service. We also have franchisees and associates that operate rental locations under our brands throughout the U.S.
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International Car Rental - Rental and leasing of cars, crossovers and light trucks, as well as ancillary products and services, internationally. We maintain a substantial network of company-operated car rental locations internationally, a majority of which are in Europe. Our franchisees and associates also operate rental locations in approximately 150 countries and jurisdictions, including many of the countries in which we also have company-operated rental locations.
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Worldwide Equipment Rental - Rental of industrial, construction, material handling and other equipment. We believe that HERC is one of the largest equipment rental companies in North America. HERC has a broad portfolio of equipment for rent, including aerial, earthmoving, material handling and specialty equipment such as air compressors, compaction equipment, construction-related trucks, electrical equipment, power generators, contractor tools, pumps, and lighting, studio and production equipment. HERC also derives revenues from the sale of new and used equipment and contractor supplies.
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All Other Operations - Comprised of our Donlen business, which provides fleet leasing and fleet management services, and other business activities. Donlen is a leading provider of fleet leasing and fleet management services for corporate fleets. Donlen's fleet management programs provide outsourcing solutions to reduce fleet operating costs and improve driver productivity. These programs include administration of preventive maintenance, advisory services, and fuel and accident management along with other complementary services. Additionally, Donlen provides a specialized consulting and technology expertise that allows us to model, measure and manage fleet performance more effectively and efficiently.
Set forth below are charts showing revenues by reportable segment and revenues by geographic area for the year ended December 31, 2015, and revenue earning equipment at net book value as of December 31, 2015:
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For further financial information on our segments for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, see (i) Note 19, "Segment Information," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and (ii) Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment" included in this Annual Report.
U.S. and International Car Rental Segments
Our U.S. and international car rental segments generated $6,286 million and $2,148 million, respectively, in revenues during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Markets
We believe that the global car rental industry is approximately $55 billion in estimated annual revenues for 2015. Of this amount, North America represents approximately $23 billion. The average fleet in the U.S. car rental industry grew 5% in 2015 to a high of over 2 million vehicles (revenue per unit of approximately $1,035 was slightly lower than the past five years). Rentals by airline travelers at or near airports (‘‘airport rentals’’) are influenced by developments in the travel industry and particularly in airline passenger traffic (‘‘enplanements’’) as well as the Gross Domestic Product (‘‘GDP’’). The off airport portion of the industry has rental volume primarily driven by local business use, such as vehicle repair shops, leisure travel and insurance replacements.
Europe represents approximately $14 billion in annual revenues. Because Europe has generally demonstrated a lower historical reliance on air travel, the European off airport car rental market has been significantly more developed than it is in the U.S. Within Europe, the largest markets are France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Throughout Europe we do business through company-operated rental locations as well as through our partners or franchisees to whom we have licensed use of our brands.
Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, represent approximately $12 billion in annual revenues. Within Asia Pacific, the largest markets in which we do business are Australia, China, Japan and South Korea. In each of these markets we have company-operated rental locations or our Hertz brand is present through our partners, franchisees or companies in which we own an equity interest and to whom we have licensed the Hertz brand.
The Middle East and Africa represent approximately $3 billion in annual revenues. Within these regions, the largest markets in which we do business are United Arab Emirates and South Africa. In each of these markets we do business through our franchisees to whom we have licensed use of our brands.
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The Latin America markets represent approximately $3 billion in annual revenues. Within Latin America the largest markets in which we do business are Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico and Aruba. In each of these markets we have company-operated rental locations or our Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands are present through our partners or franchisees to whom we have licensed use of the brand. Our newest brand, Firefly, is also currently represented in Costa Rica, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Panama.
Brands
Our U.S. and international car rental businesses are primarily operated through four brands - Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly. We offer multiple brands in order to provide customers a full range of rental services at different price points, levels of service, offerings and products. Each of our brands generally maintains separate airport counters, reservations, marketing and all other customer contact activities. We achieve synergies across our brands, particularly since the completion of the integration of Dollar Thrifty, by utilizing a single fleet management team and combined maintenance, cleaning and back office functions.
Our top tier brand, Hertz, is one of the most recognized brands in the world, offering premium services that redefine the industry. This is consistent with numerous published best-in-class car rental awards that we have won, both in the U.S. and internationally, over many years. We have sought to support our reputation for quality and customer service in car rental through a variety of innovative service offerings, such as our customer loyalty program and our global expedited rental program (“Gold Plus Rewards”), our one-way rental program (“Rent-it-Here/Leave-it-There”), our national-scale luxury rental program (“Prestige Collection”), our sports car rental program (“Adrenaline Collection”), our environmentally friendly rental program (“Green Traveler Collection”), and our elite sports and luxury car rental program (“Dream Cars”). We intend to maintain our position as a premier provider of rental services through an intense focus on service, quality and product innovation.
Our smart value brand, Dollar, is the go-to choice for the discerning value seeker with elevated expectations. The Dollar brand's main focus is serving the airport vehicle rental market, which is comprised of business and leisure travelers. The majority of its locations are on or near airport facilities. Dollar operates primarily through company-owned locations in the U.S. and Canada, and also licenses to independent franchisees which operate as a part of the Dollar brand system. Recently, we have been expanding the brand offering internationally, primarily in Europe.
Our experiential value brand, Thrifty, is the go-to brand for vacationers, tourists and those who see life as the ultimate adventure. Thrifty serves both the airport and off airport markets through company-owned locations in the U.S. and Canada and licenses to independent franchisees which operate as part of the Thrifty brand system. Recently, we have been expanding the brand offering internationally, primarily in Europe.
Our Firefly brand is a deep value brand for price conscious leisure travelers, providing everything the shopper is seeking with a focus on low price. We have Firefly locations servicing local area airports in select U.S. and international leisure markets where other deep value brands have a significant presence.
Operations
Locations
We operate both airport and off airport locations which utilize common car fleets, are supervised by common country, regional and local area management, use many common systems and rely on common maintenance and administrative centers. Additionally, our airport and off airport locations utilize common marketing activities and have many of the same customers. We regard both types of locations as aspects of a single, unitary, car rental business. Off airport revenues comprised approximately 30% of our worldwide rental car revenues in both 2015 and 2014.
Airport
We have approximately 1,635 airport rental locations in the U.S. and approximately 1,320 airport rental locations internationally. Our international car rental operations have company-operated locations in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We believe that our extensive U.S. and international
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network of company-operated locations contributes to the consistency of our service, cost control, fleet utilization, yield management, competitive pricing and our ability to offer one-way rentals.
For our airport company-operated rental locations, we have obtained concessions or similar leasing, licensing or permitting agreements or arrangements (collectively, “concessions”) granting us the right to conduct a car rental business at the respective airport. Our concessions were obtained from the airports' operators, which are typically governmental bodies or authorities, following either negotiation or bidding for the right to operate a car rental business. The terms of an airport concession typically require us to pay the airport's operator concession fees based upon a specified percentage of the revenues we generate at the airport, subject to a minimum annual guarantee. Under most concessions, we must also pay fixed rent for terminal counters or other leased properties and facilities. Most concessions are for a fixed length of time, while others create operating rights and payment obligations that are terminable at any time.
The terms of our concessions typically do not forbid us from seeking, and in a few instances actually require us to seek, reimbursement from customers of concession fees we pay; however, in certain jurisdictions the law limits or forbids our doing so. Where we are required or permitted to seek such reimbursement, it is our general practice to do so. Certain of our concession agreements require the consent of the airport's operator in connection with material changes in our ownership. A growing number of larger airports are building consolidated airport car rental facilities to alleviate congestion at the airport. These consolidated rental facilities provide a more common customer experience and may eliminate certain competitive advantages among the brands as competitors operate out of one centralized facility for both customer rental and return operations, share consolidated busing operations and maintain image standards mandated by the airports. See Item 1A, "Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.
Off Airport
We have approximately 2,800 off airport locations in the U.S. and approximately 4,225 off airport rental locations internationally. Our off airport rental customers include people who prefer to rent cars closer to their home or place of work for business or leisure purposes, as well as those needing to travel to or from airports. Our off airport customers also include people who have been referred by, or whose rental costs are being wholly or partially reimbursed by, insurance companies following accidents in which their cars were damaged, those expecting to lease cars that are not yet available from their leasing companies and those needing cars while their vehicle is being repaired or is temporarily unavailable for other reasons (“replacement renters”).
When compared to our airport rental locations, an off airport rental location typically uses smaller rental facilities with fewer employees, conducts pick-up and delivery services and serves replacement renters using specialized systems and processes. On average, off airport locations generate fewer transactions per period than airport locations.
Our off airport locations offer us the following benefits:
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Provide customers a more convenient and geographically extensive network of rental locations, thereby creating revenue opportunities from replacement renters, non-airline travel renters and airline travelers with local rental needs;
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Provide a more balanced revenue mix by reducing our reliance on air travel and therefore limiting our exposure to external events that may disrupt airline travel trends;
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Contribute to higher fleet utilization as a result of the longer average rental periods associated with off airport business, compared to those of airport rentals;
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Insurance replacement rental volume is less seasonal than that of other business and leisure rentals, which permits efficiencies in both fleet and labor planning; and
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Cross-selling opportunities exist for us to promote off airport rentals among frequent airport Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program renters and, conversely, to promote airport rentals to off airport renters. In view of those benefits, we intend to seek profitable growth in the off airport rental market, both in the U.S. and internationally.
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Rates
We rent a wide variety of makes and models of cars. We rent cars on an hourly (in select markets), daily, weekend, weekly, monthly or multi-month basis, with rental charges computed on a limited or unlimited mileage rate, or on a time rate plus a mileage charge. Our rates vary by brand and at different locations depending on local market conditions and other competitive and cost factors. While cars are usually returned to the locations from which they are rented, we also allow one-way rentals from and to certain locations. In addition to car rentals and franchisee fees, we generate revenues from reimbursements by customers of airport concession fees and vehicle licensing costs, fueling charges, and charges for ancillary customer products and services such as supplemental equipment (child seats and ski racks), loss or collision damage waiver, theft protection, liability and personal accident/effects insurance coverage, premium emergency roadside service, navigation systems and satellite radio services.
Reservations
We accept reservations for our cars on a brand-by-brand basis, with each of our brands maintaining, and accepting reservations through, an independent internet site. Our brands generally accept reservations only for a class of vehicles, although Hertz accepts reservations for specific makes and models of vehicles in our Prestige Collection, our Adrenaline Collection, our Green Traveler Collection and our Dream Cars collection with a limited number of models in high-volume, leisure-oriented destinations.
When customers reserve cars for rental from us and our franchisees, they may seek to do so through travel agents or third-party travel websites. In many of those cases, the travel agent or website will utilize a third-party operated computerized reservation system, also known as a Global Distribution System (“GDS”) to contact us and make the reservation.
In major countries, including the U.S. and all other countries with company-operated locations, customers may also reserve cars for rental from us and our franchisees worldwide through local, national or toll-free telephone calls to our reservations center, directly through our rental locations or, in the case of replacement rentals, through proprietary automated systems serving the insurance industry. Additionally, we accept reservations for rentals worldwide through our websites, for us and our franchisees. We also offer the ability to reserve cars through our smartphone apps for the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands.
Customer Service Offerings
At our major airport rental locations, as well as at some smaller airport and off airport locations, customers participating in our Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program are able to rent vehicles in an expedited manner. Participants in our Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program often bypass the rental counter entirely and proceed directly to their vehicles upon arrival at our facility. Participants in our Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program are also eligible to earn Gold Plus Rewards points that may be redeemed for free rental days or converted to awards of other companies' loyalty programs. For the year ended December 31, 2015, rentals by Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members accounted for approximately 40% of our worldwide rental transactions. We believe the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program provides a significant competitive advantage to us, particularly among frequent travelers, and we have targeted such travelers for participation in the program.
Hertz Gold Choice offers Gold Plus Rewards members an option to choose the car they drive. Members' cars are still preassigned but Gold Choice allows the member the option to choose a different model and color from those cars available at the new Gold Choice area. This service is free of charge to Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members who book a midsize class or above. The Gold Choice program is offered at 57 U.S. airport locations and 8 locations in Europe.
Hertz also offers a Mobile Gold Alerts service, also known as "Carfirmations™," through which an SMS text message and/or email is sent with the vehicle information and location, with the option to choose another vehicle from their smart phone prior to arrival. It is available to participating Gold Plus Rewards customers approximately 30 minutes prior to their arrival. We also offer Hertz e-Return, which allows customers to drop off their car and go at the time of rental return. Additionally, in select locations customers can bypass the rental line through our ExpressRent Kiosks.
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Car-Sharing
We offer a car-sharing membership service, referred to as Hertz 24/7TM, which rents cars by the hour and/or by the day, at various locations internationally, primarily in Europe and Australia. Members reserve vehicles online, then pick up the vehicles at various locations, such as a university, corporate campus or a retailer, without the need to visit a Hertz rental office. Members are charged an hourly or daily car-rental fee which includes fuel, insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance and in-car customer service.
Customers and Business Mix
We conduct active sales and marketing programs to attract and retain customers. Our sales force calls on companies and other organizations whose employees and associates need to rent cars for business purposes. In addition, our sales force works with membership associations, tour operators, travel companies and other groups whose members, participants and customers rent cars for either business or leisure purposes. Our specialized sales force calls on companies with replacement rental needs, including insurance and leasing companies, automobile repair companies, and car dealers. We also advertise our car rental offerings through a variety of traditional media channels, such as television and newspapers, direct mail and the internet. In addition to advertising, we conduct a variety of other forms of marketing and promotion, including travel industry business partnerships and press and public relations activities.
We categorize our car rental business based on (i) the purpose for which customers rent from us (business or leisure) and (ii) the type of location from which they rent (airport or off airport). The table below sets forth the percentages of rental revenues and rental transactions in our U.S. and international operations based on these categories.
Customers who rent from us for “business” purposes include those who require cars in connection with commercial activities, the activities of governments and other organizations or for temporary vehicle replacement purposes. Most business customers rent cars from us on terms that we have negotiated with their employers or other entities with which they are associated, and those terms can differ substantially from the terms on which we rent cars to the general public. We have negotiated arrangements relating to car rental with many large businesses, governments and other organizations, including most Fortune 500 companies.
Customers who rent from us for “leisure” purposes include not only individual travelers booking vacation travel rentals with us but also people renting to meet other personal needs. Leisure rentals, generally, are longer in duration and generate more revenue per transaction than business rentals. Leisure rentals also include rentals by customers of U.S. and international tour operators, which are usually a part of tour packages that can include air travel and hotel accommodations.
Our business and leisure customers rent from both our airport and off airport locations. Demand for airport rentals is correlated with airline travel patterns, and transaction volumes generally follow enplanement and GDP trends on a global basis. Customers often make reservations for airport rentals when they book their flight plans, which make our strong relationships with travel agents, associations and other partners (e.g., airlines) a key competitive advantage in generating consistent and recurring revenue streams.
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Off airport rentals include insurance replacements, therefore, we must establish agreements with the referring insurers establishing the relevant rental terms, including the arrangements made for billing and payment. We have identified approximately 192 insurance companies, ranging from local or regional carriers to large, national companies, as our target insurance replacement market. As of December 31, 2015, we were a preferred or recognized supplier of 179 of these insurance companies and a co-primary for 39 of them.
Fleet
We believe we are one of the largest private sector purchasers of new cars in the world. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we operated a peak rental fleet in the U.S. of approximately 514,000 cars and a peak rental fleet in our international operations of approximately 189,000 cars, and in each case exclusive of our franchisees' fleet and Donlen's leasing fleet. During the year ended December 31, 2015, our approximate average holding period for a rental car was 20 months in the U.S. and 15 months in our international operations.
A significant percentage of our car rental fleet is purchased from the following vehicle manufacturers:
Purchases of cars are financed through cash from operations and by active and ongoing global borrowing programs. See Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources,” in this Annual Report.
The cars we purchase are either program cars or non-program cars. We periodically review the efficiencies of an optimal mix between program and non-program cars in our fleet and adjust the ratio of program and non-program cars in our fleet as needed based on contract negotiations and the economic environment pertaining to our industry.
For program cars, under our repurchase programs, the manufacturers agree to repurchase cars at a specified price or guarantee the depreciation rate on the cars during established repurchase or auction periods, subject to, among other things, certain car condition, mileage and holding period requirements. Repurchase prices under repurchase programs are based on either a predetermined percentage of original car cost and the month in which the car is returned or the original capitalized cost less a set daily depreciation amount. Guaranteed depreciation programs guarantee on an aggregate basis the residual value of the cars covered by the programs upon sale according to certain parameters which include the holding period, mileage and condition of the cars. These repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs limit our residual risk with respect to cars purchased under the programs and allow us to determine depreciation expense in advance.
Program cars as a percentage of all cars purchased within each of our U.S. and International car rental segments were as follows:
Non-program cars are not purchased under repurchase or guaranteed depreciation programs. Rather, we dispose of non-program cars, as well as program cars that become ineligible for manufacturer repurchase or guaranteed depreciation programs, through a variety of disposition channels, including auctions, brokered sales, sales to wholesalers and dealers and, to a lesser extent and primarily in the U.S., sales at retail through a network of 77
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company-operated car sales locations, as of December 31, 2015, dedicated to the sale of used cars from our rental fleet.
We also offer Rent2Buy in 35 states and several European countries, an innovative program designed to sell used rental cars. Customers have an opportunity for a test rental of a competitively priced car from our rental fleet. If the customer purchases the car, he or she is credited with a portion of their rental charges, and the purchase transaction is completed through the internet and by mail in those states where permitted.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, of the cars sold in our U.S. car rental operations that were not repurchased by manufacturers, we sold approximately 42% at auction, 36% through dealer direct and 22% through our Rent2Buy program or at retail locations. During the year ended December 31, 2015, of the cars sold in our international car rental operations that were not repurchased by manufacturers, we sold approximately 38% at auction, 55% through dealer direct and 7% through our Rent2Buy program or at retail locations.
We maintain automobile maintenance centers at or near certain airports and in certain urban and off airport areas, which provide maintenance facilities for our car rental fleet. Many of these facilities include sophisticated car diagnostic and repair equipment and are accepted by automobile manufacturers as eligible to perform and receive reimbursement for warranty work. Collision damage and major repairs are generally performed by independent contractors.
Franchisees
In certain U.S. and international markets, we have found it efficient to utilize independent franchisees, which rent cars that they own, under our Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty or Firefly brands. In certain markets and under certain circumstances, franchisees are given the opportunity to acquire franchises for multiple brands.
We believe that our franchisee arrangements are important to our business because they enable us to offer expanded national and international service and a broader one-way rental program. Licenses are issued principally by our wholly-owned subsidiaries, under franchise arrangements to independent franchisees and affiliates who are engaged in the car rental business in the U.S. and in many other countries.
Franchisees generally pay fees based on a percentage of their revenues or the number of cars they operate. The operations of all franchisees, including the purchase and ownership of vehicles, are financed independently by the franchisees, and we do not have any investment interest in the franchisees or their fleets. Fees from franchisees are used to, among other things, generally support the cost of our brand awareness programs, reservations system, sales and marketing efforts and certain other services. In return, franchisees are provided the use of the applicable brand name, certain operational support and training, reservations through our reservations channels, and other services. In addition to car rental, certain franchisees outside the U.S. engage in car leasing, chauffeur-driven rentals and renting camper vans.
U.S. franchisees ordinarily are limited as to transferability without our consent and are terminable by us only for cause or after a fixed term. Franchisees in the U.S. may generally terminate for any reason on 90 days' notice. In Europe and certain other international jurisdictions, franchisees typically do not have early termination rights. Initial license fees or the price for the sale to a franchisee of a company-owned location may be payable over a term of several years. We continue to issue new licenses and, from time to time, purchase franchisee businesses.
Competition
In the U.S. and Canada, in addition to local and regional vehicle rental companies, our principal car rental industry competitors are Avis Budget Group, Inc. (“ABG”) which currently operates the Avis, Budget, ZipCar and Payless brands and Enterprise Holdings, which operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company ("Enterprise"), National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.
In Europe, the principal pan-European participants in the car rental industry are ABG, operating the Avis, Budget and Zipcar brands, and Europcar, operating the Europcar, Interrent, Keddy and Car2Go brands. In certain European countries, there are also other companies and brands with substantial market shares, including Sixt AG (operating the Sixt brand and DriveNow) in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; and Enterprise (operating the Enterprise brand) in France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
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In Asia Pacific, the principal participants in the market place throughout the region are ABG, operating the Avis, Budget and Zipcar brands, and Europcar, operating the Europcar and Keddy brands.
In Latin America, the principal participants are ABG, operating the Avis, Budget and Zipcar brands, and Enterprise Holdings, which operates the Alamo Rent A Car brand in the region. Other key players in the region are Localiza, Unidas and Movida.
Competition among car rental industry participants is intense and is primarily based on price, vehicle availability and quality, service, reliability, rental locations, product innovation, competition from on-line travel agents and car rental brokers. We believe that the prominence and service reputation of the Hertz brand, our extensive worldwide ownership of car rental operations and our commitment to innovation and service provide us with a competitive advantage. Additionally, our Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands enable us to compete across multiple market segments.
Seasonality
Our car rental operations are a seasonal business, with decreased levels of business in the winter months and heightened activity during spring and summer for the majority of countries where we generate our revenues. To accommodate increased demand, we increase our available fleet and staff during the second and third quarters of the year. As business demand declines, fleet and staff are decreased accordingly. Certain operating expenses, including real estate taxes, rent, insurance, utilities, maintenance and other facility-related expenses, the costs of operating our information technology systems and minimum staffing costs, remain fixed and cannot be adjusted for seasonal demand.
The following chart sets forth this seasonal effect of our car rental operations by presenting quarterly revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Amounts are computed independently each quarter, therefore, the sum of the quarterly amounts may not equal the total amount for the respective year due to rounding.
Worldwide Equipment Rental
Our worldwide equipment rental segment generated $1,518 million in revenues during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Markets
Through HERC, we operate the Hertz Equipment Rental brand business in the U.S., Canada, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, as well as through its international franchises. In October 2015, we finalized the sale of our operations in France (other than Corsica) and Spain. Subsequent to the sale of these operations, we generate
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almost all of our equipment rental revenue in North America with approximately 1% of our equipment rental revenue driven by our remaining international operations.
The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented with few national competitors and many regional and local operators. We believe, based on market and industry revenue data, that we are one of the leading companies (together with United Rentals, Inc. and Ashtead Group plc’s Sunbelt Rentals brand) in the North American equipment rental industry. A number of the industry's competitors focus on a subset of equipment rental offerings, making the overall industry fragmented with respect to types of equipment offered, services provided and geographic locations from which such equipment is offered.
The principal end markets we serve, based on our customers’ Standard Industrial Classification (“SIC”) codes, consist of the following:
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Construction - Our construction rental operations serve large and small companies in the construction industry, and principally the non-residential construction industry. Non-residential construction consists primarily of private sector rentals relating to the construction, maintenance, and remodeling of commercial facilities. According to Dodge Data & Analytics, U.S. non-residential construction spending remained flat in 2015 and is estimated to grow at an annual rate of 9% in 2016.
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Industrial - Our industrial rental operations serve renters across a broad range of industries, including large industrial plants, refineries and petrochemical operations, industrial manufacturing, power, pulp, paper and wood and other industrial verticals. According to Industrial Info Resources, spending in the U.S. industrial sector grew at an annual rate of approximately 7% in 2015 and is estimated to grow at an annual rate of 5% in 2016.
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Other Customers - In addition to the specific markets cited above, we service a variety of other customers across a diverse group of industries, including governmental entities and government contractors, disaster recovery and remediation firms, utility operators, infrastructure, railroad, individual homeowners, entertainment production companies, agricultural producers and special event management firms.
Operations
Product Offerings
Equipment Rental
We offer equipment for rent, including aerial, earthmoving, material handling, and specialty equipment, such as air compressors, compaction equipment, construction-related trucks, electrical equipment, power generators, contractor tools, pumps, and lighting, studio and production equipment. This equipment is available for rent by our customers on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis and we provide a suite of comprehensive services to support, maintain and service the equipment we rent to our customers.
Equipment Re-Rental
In the event that a customer has a rental need that is not contained within our diversified fleet or an unexpected request, our experienced staff can provide re-rental options to meet that customer’s needs. In this instance, we will rent a piece of equipment from another company and then provide it to our customer. Our re-rental capabilities help us expand the portfolio of solutions available to our customers, particularly within our national and industrial accounts programs.
Sales of Rental Equipment
We routinely sell our used rental equipment through a variety of channels, including retail sales to customers and other third parties, sales to wholesalers, brokered sales and auctions. Our website includes a catalog of equipment for sale to third parties. We also provide a source of potential financing to buyers of our rental equipment, which is designed to promote sales of used equipment to private parties.
We also sell new equipment for many leading equipment manufacturers in the United States and Canada.
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Contractor Tools and Supplies Sales
We sell a variety of contractor tools and supplies to our customers, including tools (including hand and power tools), small equipment (such as work lighting, generators, pumps, compaction equipment and power trowels), safety supplies and expendables.
Service and Support
We provide repair, maintenance and equipment management services to certain of our customers across a number of industries, but particularly in the industrial sector, including through the sale of parts to customers for use with their equipment. We provide maintenance capabilities for our rental equipment that are available on-site at the customer’s location or within our operations at the customer’s direction. We further provide support functions through our dedicated in-plant operations, tool trailers and plant management systems, particularly for industrial customers and those customers who request such services. These support functions include a variety of performance measurement tools that allow our customers to consider key performance indicators in their operations, which we believe enables our customers to reduce their cost and improve overall equipment utilization.
We also offer a loss damage waiver product for many classes of equipment, which for a fee allows our customers to limit the risk of financial loss in the event our equipment is damaged or lost.
Locations
HERC has approximately 280 company-operated branches, of which approximately 270 are in the United States and Canada, and the remainder are located in the United Kingdom, China and through joint venture arrangements in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We also operate our equipment rental business through franchisee owned branches in Greece, Iceland, Portugal and Corsica in Europe, in Afghanistan in the Middle East, in Panama in Central America and in Chile in South America.
Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and Divestitures
In addition to our organic growth, we have grown HERC through strategic acquisitions. In recent years, we took certain steps to diversify our portfolio and increase exposure to a variety of niche markets which experience business cycles that may vary in intensity and duration from that of the general economy and that we believe will enable HERC to experience higher levels of growth than the economy in general. Since 2009, we have completed 11 acquisitions to strengthen our position in a variety of specialty rental markets, including the broader industrial market (DW Pumps, Forces, Western Machinery, Pioneer, Delta Rigging & Tools and We Got it Rental) and the motion picture and television production industries (Cinelease, 24/7 and 1st Call Studio Equipment). We also have expanded internationally, including opening company-operated locations in China in 2008, as well as the establishment of joint ventures with Saudi Arabia-based Dayim Holdings Company, Ltd. in February 2010, eventually extending into Qatar in 2014. In October 2015, we sold our operations in France and Spain, which represented approximately $63 million in revenues and $6 million in income before income taxes in 2015.
Customers
HERC serves a wide range of customers across the construction, infrastructure, industrial and specialty verticals. Key areas that we serve under these verticals include building services, commercial, engineering, hospitality, oil and gas, petrochemical, railroads and entertainment. We also serve other customers across a fragmented group of industries (such as governmental entities and government contractors, disaster recovery and remediation firms, utility operators, individual homeowners and agricultural producers). Serving a wide range of industries enables us to reduce dependency on a single or limited number of customers and assists in reducing the seasonality of our revenues and its impact from any one segment's cycle. We operate in mid-size and large urban markets which enables us to reduce exposure to any single customer or market, with no single customer making up more than 3% of our worldwide rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015. Of our rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015 (excluding France and Spain which were sold in October 2015), approximately 38% of equipment rental revenues were derived from construction activity and 23% were derived from industrial activity, while the remaining revenues were generated by rentals to government, railroad, entertainment and other types of customers.
We enter into rental agreements with companies, governmental entities and agencies or other organizations seeking
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to rent our equipment. We deliver much of our equipment directly to customer job sites and retrieve the equipment from the customer site upon conclusion of the rental. We extend credit terms to many of our customers to pay for rentals.
Our comprehensive fleet enables us to supply equipment to a wide variety of customers, from individual homeowners to local contractors to large national accounts or industrial plants. Our equipment rental business has a large base of local small to mid-size customers as well as customers looking for specialty solutions or equipment. Many larger companies, particularly those with industrial plant operations, now require single source vendors to manage their total equipment needs, and this fits well within our core competencies. Arrangements with these large national companies include the provision of our repair, maintenance and customized equipment management services.
Fleet
HERC acquires its equipment from a variety of original equipment manufacturers, with which we maintain strong relationships. The equipment is typically new at the time of acquisition and is not subject to any repurchase program. The actual per-unit acquisition cost of rental equipment in our equipment rental fleet varies from under $100 to over $200,000. As of December 31, 2015, the average per-unit acquisition cost (excluding small equipment purchased for less than $5,000 per unit) for our equipment rental fleet was approximately $38,000 and the average age of our equipment fleet was 46 months.
The following table provides a breakdown of the composition of our equipment rental fleet based on original equipment fleet cost, as of December 31, 2015:
We have made meaningful investments in our equipment rental fleet resulting in an average fleet age of 46 months as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, our equipment rental fleet portfolio consisted of equipment with a total original equipment cost of approximately $4 billion.
We routinely sell our used rental equipment in order to manage repair and maintenance costs, as well as the composition and size, of our fleet. We dispose of our used equipment through a variety of channels, including retail sales to customers and other third parties, sales to wholesalers, brokered sales and auctions. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we sold our used rental equipment as follows: approximately 54% through private sales, 27% through sales at auction and 19% through sales to wholesalers.
Franchisees
HERC licenses the Hertz name through franchisee owned branches in Greece, Iceland, Portugal and Corsica in Europe, in Afghanistan in the Middle East, in Panama in Central America and in Chile in South America. The terms of those licenses are broadly similar to those we grant to our international car rental franchisees.
Competition
Our competitors in the equipment rental industry range from other large national companies to regional and local businesses. In each of the countries where we maintain company-operated locations, the equipment rental industry
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is often highly fragmented, with large numbers of companies operating on a regional or local scale and dealing in a limited number of products. The number of industry participants operating on a national scale is comparatively much smaller, although national participants often have significant breadth in the categories of equipment they rent. We believe, based on market and industry data, that we are one of the leading participants (together with United Rentals, Inc. and Ashtead Group plc’s Sunbelt Rentals brand) in the North American equipment rental industry, with the remainder comprising a small number of multi-location regional or national operators and a large number of relatively small, independent businesses serving discrete local markets and specialty rental segments. Subsequent to the sale of our operations in France and Spain, we generated almost all of our equipment rental revenue in North America with approximately 1% of our equipment rental revenue generated through our international operations. In North America, the other top national-scale industry participants are United Rentals, Inc., H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and the Ashtead Group plc’s Sunbelt Rentals brand. Aggreko is a global competitor in the power generation rental markets in the same markets in which we participate. In the United Kingdom, the other principal national-scale industry participant is the Ashtead Group plc’s A-Plant brand. In China, the other principal national-scale industry participants are Far East Rental and LiLuo. In Saudi Arabia, the other principal national-scale industry participants are Zahid Tractor (CAT Dealer) and Rapid Access Gulf (Lavendon Group). In Qatar, the other principal national-scale industry participants are Byrne Equipment Rental Solutions and Rapid Access Gulf (Lavendon Group).
Competition in the equipment rental industry is intense, often taking the form of aggressive price competition. Among other factors, we believe that our competitive success is the result of 50 years of experience in the equipment rental industry, our systems and procedures for monitoring, controlling and developing our branch network, our capacity to maintain a comprehensive rental fleet, the reliability and safety of our equipment, the quality and experience of our sales team, our innovative customized rental solutions and our established national and industrial accounts programs. In addition to our historical profile, we believe continued diversification of our customer base and products will provide strategic competitive advantages in the rental industry.
Seasonality
Our worldwide equipment rental operation is a seasonal business, with demand for our rental equipment tending to be lower in the winter months. We have the ability to manage fleet capacity, the most significant portion of our cost structure, to meet market demand. For instance, to accommodate increased demand, we increase our available fleet and staff during the second and third quarters of the year. A number of our other major operating costs vary directly with revenues or transaction volumes; however, certain operating expenses, including rent, insurance, and administrative overhead, remain fixed and cannot be adjusted for seasonal demand. Seasonal changes in our revenues do not alter those fixed expenses, typically resulting in higher profitability in periods when our revenues are higher, and lower profitability in periods when our revenues are lower. Our equipment rental business, especially in the construction industry, has historically experienced decreased levels of business from December until late spring and heightened activity during our third and fourth quarter until December. Additionally, in an effort to reduce the impacts of seasonality, we are focused on expanding our customer base through specialty products that have less seasonality and complement other cycles.
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The following chart sets forth this seasonal effect of our equipment rental operations by providing quarterly revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Amounts are computed independently each quarter, therefore, the sum of the quarterly amounts may not equal the total amount for the respective year due to rounding.
All Other Operations
Through our Donlen subsidiary, we are a leading provider of comprehensive, integrated fleet leasing and fleet management solutions for corporate fleets. Our All Other Operations segment generated $583 million in revenues during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Donlen
Donlen provides a comprehensive array of fleet leasing, financing, telematics, and fleet management services to commercial fleets in the U.S. and Canada. Products offered by Donlen include:
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Vehicle financing, acquisition and remarketing;
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License, title and registration;
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Maintenance consultation;
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Fuel management;
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Accident management;
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Toll management;
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Telematics-based location, driver performance and scorecard reporting; and
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Lease financing.
Donlen’s leased fleet consists primarily of passenger cars, cargo vans and light-duty trucks. Vehicles are acquired directly from domestic and foreign manufacturers, as well as dealers. As of December 31, 2015, more than half of Donlen’s leased fleet is 2014 model year or newer.
Donlen’s primary product for car and light to medium truck fleets is an open-ended terminal rental adjustment clause ("TRAC") lease. For most customers, the vehicle must be leased for a minimum of 12 months, after which the lease converts to a month-to-month lease allowing the vehicle to be surrendered any time thereafter. Our sale of the vehicle following the termination of the lease may result in a TRAC adjustment, through which the customer is credited or charged with the surplus or loss on the vehicle. Approximately 80% of Donlen’s lease portfolio consists of floating-rate leases which allow lease charges to be adjusted based on benchmark indices.
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Donlen offers financing solutions for heavier-duty trucks and equipment. Lease financing is provided through syndication arrangements with lending institutions. Donlen originates the leases, acquires the assets, and services the lease throughout the term.
Donlen provides services to leased and non-leased fleets consisting of fuel purchasing and management, preventive maintenance, repair consultation, toll management and accident management. Additionally, Donlen manages license and title, vehicle registration, and regulatory compliance. Donlen’s telematics products provide enhanced visibility and reporting over driver and vehicle performance.
The commercial fleet market is one of the largest segments of the U.S. automotive industry, primarily consisting of vehicles utilized in a sales, service, or delivery application. The fleet management industry has experienced significant consolidation over the years and today our principal fleet management competitors in the U.S. and Canada are Enterprise, GE Capital, Automotive Resources International, Element Financial Corporation, Wheels, Inc. and LeasePlan Corporation N.V.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2015, we employed approximately 30,000 persons (approximately 4,000 of which are HERC employees), consisting of approximately 23,000 persons in our U.S. operations and approximately 7,000 persons in our international operations. International employees are covered by a wide variety of union contracts and governmental regulations affecting, among other things, compensation, job retention rights and pensions. Labor contracts covering the terms of employment of approximately 6,200 employees in the U.S. (including those in the U.S. territories) are presently in effect under approximately 130 active contracts with local unions, affiliated primarily with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Association of Machinists. Labor contracts covering approximately 1,100 of these employees will expire during 2016. We have had no material work stoppage as a result of labor problems during the last ten years, and we believe our labor relations to be good. Nevertheless, we may be unable to negotiate new labor contracts on terms advantageous to us, or without labor interruption.
In addition to the employees referred to above, we employ a substantial number of temporary workers, and engage outside services, as is customary in the industry, principally for the non-revenue movement of rental cars and equipment between rental locations and the movement of rental equipment to and from customers' job sites.
INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
There are three types of generally insurable risks that arise in our operations:
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legal liability arising from the operation of our cars and on-road equipment (vehicle liability);
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legal liability to members of the public and employees from other causes (general liability/workers' compensation); and
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risk of property damage and/or business interruption and/or increased cost of operating as a consequence of property damage.
In addition, we offer optional liability insurance and other products providing insurance coverage, which create additional risk exposures for us. Our risk of property damage is also increased when we waive the provisions in our rental contracts that hold a renter responsible for damage or loss under an optional loss or damage waiver that we offer. We bear these and other risks, except to the extent the risks are transferred through insurance or contractual arrangements.
In many cases we self-insure our risks or insure risks through wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries. We mitigate our exposure to large liability losses by maintaining excess insurance coverage, subject to deductibles and caps, through unaffiliated carriers. For our international operations outside of Europe, and for our long-term fleet leasing operations, we maintain some liability insurance coverage with unaffiliated carriers.
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Third-Party Liability
In our U.S. operations, we are required by applicable financial responsibility laws to maintain insurance against legal liability for bodily injury (including death) or property damage to third parties arising from the operation of our cars and on-road equipment, sometimes called “vehicle liability,” in stipulated amounts. In most places, we satisfy those requirements by qualifying as a self-insurer, a process that typically involves governmental filings and demonstration of financial responsibility, which sometimes requires the posting of a bond or other security. In the remaining places, we obtain an insurance policy from an unaffiliated insurance carrier and indemnify the carrier for any amounts paid under the policy. As a result of such arrangements, we bear economic responsibility for U.S. vehicle liability, except to the extent we successfully transfer such liability to others through insurance or contractual arrangements.
For our car and equipment rental operations in Europe, we have established a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, Probus Insurance Company Europe Limited (“Probus”), a direct writer of insurance domiciled in Ireland. In European countries with company-operated locations, we have purchased from Probus the vehicle liability insurance required by law, and Probus reinsured the risks under such insurance with Hertz International RE, a wholly-owned reinsurer organized in Ireland (“HIRE”) and / or HIRE Bermuda Limited, a wholly-owned reinsurance company domiciled in Bermuda. This coverage is purchased from unaffiliated carriers for Spain. We also insure a portion of our European property risk through Probus. Thus, as with our U.S. operations, we bear economic responsibility for vehicle liability in our European car and equipment rental operations, except to the extent that we transfer such liability to others through insurance or contractual arrangements. For our international operations outside of Europe, we maintain some form of vehicle liability insurance coverage with unaffiliated carriers. The nature of such coverage, and our economic responsibility for covered losses, varies considerably. In all cases, though, we believe the amounts and nature of the coverage we obtain is adequate in light of the respective potential hazards.
In our U.S. and international operations, from time to time in the course of our business, we become legally responsible to members of the public for bodily injury (including death) or property damage arising from causes other than the operation of our cars and on-road equipment, sometimes known as “general liability.” As with vehicle liability, we bear economic responsibility for general liability losses, except to the extent we transfer such losses to others through insurance or contractual arrangements. In addition, to mitigate these exposures, we maintain excess liability insurance coverage with unaffiliated insurance carriers.
In our U.S. car rental operations, we offer an optional liability insurance product, Liability Insurance Supplement (“LIS”) that provides vehicle liability insurance coverage substantially higher than state minimum levels to the renter and other authorized operators of a rented vehicle. LIS coverage is primarily provided under excess liability insurance policies issued by an unaffiliated insurance carrier, the risks under which are reinsured with a wholly-owned subsidiary, HIRE Bermuda Limited.
In our U.S. car rental operations and our company-operated international car rental operations in many countries, we offer optional products providing Personal Accident Insurance / Personal Effects Coverage (“PAI/PEC”) and Emergency Sickness Protection ("ESP") insurance coverage to the renter and the renter's immediate family members traveling with the renter for accidental death or accidental medical expenses arising during the rental period or for damage or loss of their property during the rental period. PAI/PEC and ESP coverage is provided under insurance policies issued by unaffiliated carriers or, in Europe, by Probus, and the risks under such policies either are reinsured with HIRE Bermuda Limited or are the subject of indemnification arrangements between us and the carriers.
Our offering of LIS, PAI/PEC and ESP coverage in our U.S. car rental operations is conducted pursuant to limited licenses or exemptions under state laws governing the licensing of insurance producers.
Provisions on our books for self-insured public liability and property damage vehicle liability losses are made by charges to expense based upon evaluations of estimated ultimate liabilities on reported and unreported claims. As of December 31, 2015, this liability was estimated at $402 million for our combined U.S. and international operations.
Damage to Our Property
We bear the risk of damage to our property, unless such risk is transferred through insurance or contractual arrangements.
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To mitigate our risk of large, single-site property damage losses globally, we maintain property insurance with unaffiliated insurance carriers in such amounts as we deem adequate in light of the respective hazards, where such insurance is available on commercially reasonable terms.
Our rental contracts typically provide that the renter is responsible for damage to or loss (including loss through theft) of rented vehicles or equipment. We generally offer an optional rental product, known in various countries as “loss damage waiver,” “collision damage waiver” or “theft protection,” under which we waive or limit our right to make a claim for such damage or loss.
Collision damage costs and the costs of stolen or unaccounted-for vehicles and equipment, along with other damage to our property, are charged to expense as incurred.
Other Risks
To manage other risks associated with our businesses, or to comply with applicable law, we purchase other types of insurance carried by business organizations, such as worker's compensation and employer's liability, commercial crime and fidelity, performance bonds, directors' and officers' liability insurance and cyber security coverage from unaffiliated insurance companies in amounts deemed by us to be adequate in light of the respective hazards, where such coverage is obtainable on commercially reasonable terms.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Throughout the world, we are subject to numerous types of governmental controls, including those relating to prices and advertising, privacy and data protection, currency controls, labor matters, credit and charge card operations, insurance, environmental protection, used car sales and licensing.
Environmental
We are subject to extensive federal, state, local, and foreign environmental and safety laws, regulations, directives, rules and ordinances concerning, among other things, the operation and maintenance of cars, trucks and other vehicles, such as heavy equipment, buses and vans; the ownership and operation of tanks for the storage of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel and oil; and the generation, storage, transportation and disposal of waste materials, including oil, vehicle wash sludge and waste water.
As of December 31, 2015, we have accrued an amount we deem appropriate for environmental remediation. The accrual generally represents the estimated cost to study potential environmental issues at sites deemed to require investigation or clean-up activities, and the estimated cost to implement remediation actions, including ongoing maintenance, as required. Based on information currently available, we believe that the ultimate resolution of existing environmental remediation actions and our compliance in general with environmental laws and regulations will not have a material effect on our earnings or financial condition. However, it is difficult to predict with certainty the potential impact of future compliance efforts and environmental remedial actions and thus future costs associated with such matters may exceed the amount of the current accrual.
Dealings with Renters
In the U.S., car and equipment rental transactions are generally subject to Article 2A of the Uniform Commercial Code, which governs “leases” of tangible personal property. Car rental is also specifically regulated in more than half of the states of the U.S. and many other international jurisdictions. The subjects of these regulations include the methods by which we advertise, quote and charge prices, the consequences of failing to honor reservations, the terms on which we deal with vehicle loss or damage (including the protections we provide to renters purchasing loss or damage waivers) and the terms and method of sale of the optional insurance coverage that we offer. Some states (including California, New York, Nevada and Illinois) regulate the price at which we may sell loss or damage waivers, and many state insurance regulators have authority over the prices and terms of the optional insurance coverage we offer. See “Insurance and Risk Management-Damage to Our Property” above for further discussion regarding the loss or damage waivers and optional insurance coverages that we offer renters. In addition, various consumer protection laws and regulations may generally apply to our business operations. Internationally, regulatory regimes vary greatly by
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jurisdiction, but they do not generally prevent us from dealing with customers in a manner similar to that employed in the U.S.
Both in the U.S. and internationally, we are subject to increasing regulation relating to customer privacy and data protection. In general, we are limited in the uses to which we may put data that we collect about renters, including the circumstances in which we may communicate with them. In addition, we are generally obligated to take reasonable steps to protect customer data while it is in our possession. Our failure to do so could subject us to substantial legal liability or seriously damage our reputation.
Changes in Regulation
Changes in government regulation of our businesses have the potential to materially alter our business practices, or our profitability. Depending on the jurisdiction, those changes may come about through new legislation, the issuance of new laws and regulations or changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations by a court, regulatory body or governmental official. Sometimes those changes may have not just prospective but also retroactive effect; this is particularly true when a change is made through reinterpretation of laws or regulations that have been in effect for some time. Moreover, changes in regulation that may seem neutral on their face may have either more or less impact on us than on our competitors, depending on the circumstances. Several U.S. State Attorneys General have taken the position that car rental companies either may not pass through to customers, by means of separate charges, expenses such as vehicle licensing and concession fees or may do so only in certain limited circumstances. Recent or potential changes in law or regulation that affect us relate to insurance intermediaries, customer privacy, data security and rate regulation and our retail car sales operations.
In addition, our operations, as well as those of our competitors, also could be affected by any limitation in the fuel supply or by any imposition of mandatory allocation or rationing regulations. We are not aware of any current proposal to impose such a regime in the U.S. or internationally. Such a regime could, however, be quickly imposed if there was a serious disruption in supply for any reason, including an act of war, terrorist incident or other problem affecting petroleum supply, refining, distribution or pricing.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any documents that we file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 to obtain further information about the public reference room. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Hertz. You may also access, free of charge, our reports filed with the SEC (for example, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those forms) indirectly through our internet website (www.hertz.com). Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information found on our website is not part of this or any other report filed with or furnished to the SEC.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to a number of important risks and uncertainties, some of which are described below. The risks and uncertainties described below, however, are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also significantly impact us. Any of these risks and uncertainties may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, liquidity and cash flows. In such a case, you may lose all or part of your investment in our common stock. You should carefully consider each of the following risks and uncertainties. Any of the following risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow and we believe that the following information identifies the material risks and uncertainties affecting our company; however, the following risks and uncertainties are not the only risks and uncertainties facing us and it is possible that other risks and uncertainties might significantly impact us.
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RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Our car rental business, which provides the majority of our revenues, is particularly sensitive to reductions in the levels of airline passenger travel, and reductions in air travel could materially adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.
Our results of operations are affected by many economic factors, including the level of economic activity in the markets in which we operate. At times in the past, the United States and international markets have experienced declines in economic activity that have affected the car rental market, including a tightening of the credit markets, reduced business and leisure travel, reduced government and consumer spending and volatile fuel prices. The car rental industry is particularly affected by reductions in business and leisure travel, especially with respect to levels of airline passenger traffic. Reductions in levels of air travel, whether caused by general economic conditions, airfare increases (such as due to capacity reductions or increases in fuel costs borne by commercial airlines) or other events (such as work stoppages, military conflicts, terrorist incidents, natural disasters, epidemic diseases, or the response of governments to any of these events) could materially adversely affect us. In particular, we derive a substantial proportion of our revenues from key leisure destinations, including Florida, Hawaii, California, New York and Texas and the level of travel to these destinations is dependent upon the ability and willingness of consumers to travel on vacation and the effect of economic cycles on consumers' discretionary travel. To the extent travel to these destinations is adversely affected, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
We face intense competition that may lead to downward pricing or an inability to increase prices.
The markets in which we operate are highly competitive. We believe that price is one of the primary competitive factors in the car and equipment rental markets and that the internet has enabled cost-conscious customers, including business travelers, to more easily compare rates available from rental companies. If we try to increase our pricing, our competitors, some of whom may have greater resources and better access to capital than us, may seek to compete aggressively on the basis of pricing. In addition, our competitors may reduce prices in order to attempt to gain a competitive advantage, capture market share, or to compensate for declines in rental activity. To the extent we do not match or remain within a reasonable competitive margin of our competitors’ pricing, our revenues and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. If competitive pressures lead us to match any of our competitors’ downward pricing and we are not able to reduce our operating costs, then our margins, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely impacted. See Item 1, ‘‘Business-U.S. and International Car Rental Operations-Competition’’ and ‘‘Business-Worldwide Equipment Rental-Competition’’ in this Annual Report.
Our business is highly seasonal and any occurrence that disrupts rental activity during our peak periods could materially adversely affect our liquidity, cash flows and results of operations.
Certain significant components of our expenses are fixed in the short-term, including minimum concession fees, real estate taxes, rent, insurance, utilities, maintenance and other facility-related expenses, the costs of operating our information technology systems and minimum staffing costs. Seasonal changes in our revenues do not alter those fixed expenses, typically resulting in higher profitability in periods when our revenues are higher. The second and third quarters of the year have historically been the strongest quarters for our car rental business due to increased levels of leisure travel and our equipment rental business, especially in the construction industry, has historically experienced decreased levels of business from December until late spring and heightened activity during our third and fourth quarter until December. Any occurrence that disrupts rental activity during these periods could have a disproportionately material adverse effect on our liquidity, cash flows and results of operations.
If our management is unable to accurately estimate future levels of rental activity and adjust the size and mix of our fleet accordingly, our results of operations could suffer.
Because fleet costs typically represent our single largest expense and fleet purchases are typically made weeks or months in advance of the expected use of the fleet, our business is dependent upon the ability of our management to accurately estimate future levels of rental activity and consumer preferences with respect to the mix of vehicles in our fleet. To the extent we do not purchase sufficient numbers of vehicles, or the right types of vehicles, to meet consumer demand, we may lose revenue to our competitors. If we purchase too many vehicles, our fleet utilization could be adversely affected and we may not be able to dispose of excess vehicles in a timely and cost effective manner. While
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purchasing program cars is useful in managing our seasonal peak demand for fleet, program cars typically cost more than non-program cars. As a result, if our management is unable to accurately estimate future levels of rental activity and determine the appropriate mix of vehicles in our fleet, including because of changes in the competitive environment or economic factors outside of our control, our results of operations could suffer.
Increased fleet cost due to declines in the value of the non-program cars in our fleet could materially adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, 35% and 49%, respectively, of the vehicles purchased for our U.S. car rental fleet were program cars and 59% and 59%, respectively, of the vehicles purchased for our International car rental fleet were program cars.
Manufacturers agree to repurchase program cars at a specified price or guarantee the depreciation rate on the cars during a specified time period. To the extent the vehicles in our fleet are non-program cars, we have an increased risk that the market value of a car at the time of its disposition will be less than its estimated residual value at such time. Any decrease in residual values with respect to our non-program cars and equipment could also materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.
The use of program cars enables us to determine our depreciation expense in advance and this is useful to us because depreciation is a significant cost factor in our operations. Using program cars is also useful in managing our seasonal peak demand for fleet, because in certain cases we can sell certain program cars shortly after having acquired them at a higher value than what we could for a similar non-program car at that time. If there were fewer program cars in our fleet, these benefits would diminish and we would bear increased risk related to residual value. In addition, the related depreciation on our car rental fleet and our flexibility to reduce the size of our fleet by returning cars sooner than originally expected without the risk of loss in the event of an economic downturn or to respond to changes in rental demand would be reduced.
We may fail to respond adequately to changes in technology and customer demands.
In recent years our industry has been characterized by rapid changes in technology and customer demands. For example, in recent years, industry participants have taken advantage of new technologies to improve fleet efficiency, decrease customer wait times and improve customer satisfaction. Many industries have also seen the entry of new competitors whose businesses are based on emerging mobile platforms. Our ability to continually improve our current processes and products in response to changes in technology is essential in maintaining our competitive position and maintaining current levels of customer satisfaction. We may experience technical or other difficulties that could delay or prevent the development, introduction or marketing of new products or enhanced product offerings.
If we are unable to purchase adequate supplies of competitively priced cars or equipment and the cost of the cars or equipment we purchase increases, our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.
The price and other terms at which we can acquire cars vary based on market and other conditions. For example, certain car manufacturers have in the past, and may in the future, utilize strategies to de-emphasize sales to the car rental industry, which can negatively impact our ability to obtain cars on competitive terms and conditions. Consequently, there is no guarantee that we can purchase a sufficient number of vehicles at competitive prices and on competitive terms and conditions. Reduced or limited supplies of equipment together with increased prices are risks that we also face in our equipment rental business. If we are unable to obtain an adequate supply of cars or equipment, or if we obtain less favorable pricing and other terms when we acquire cars or equipment and are unable to pass on any increased costs to our customers, then our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.
A material downsizing of our rental car fleet could require us to make additional cash payments for tax liabilities, which could be material.
We have maintained like-kind exchange programs for our U.S. car rental business, HERC and Donlen for a number of years. Our like-kind exchange programs allow tax gains on the disposition of vehicles in our car rental fleet to be deferred and have resulted in deferrals of federal and state income taxes for prior years. If a qualified replacement
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
vehicle is not purchased within a specific time period after vehicle disposal, then taxable gain is recognized. A material reduction in the net book value of our car rental fleet, a material and extended reduction in vehicle purchases and/or a material downsizing of our car rental fleet, for any reason, could result in reduced tax deferrals in the future, which in turn could require us to make material cash payments for U.S. federal and state income tax liabilities.
The failure of a manufacturer of our program cars to fulfill its obligations under a repurchase or guaranteed depreciation program could expose us to loss on those program cars and materially adversely affect certain of our financing arrangements, which could in turn materially adversely affect our liquidity, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
If any manufacturer of our program cars does not fulfill its obligations under its repurchase or guaranteed depreciation agreement with us, whether due to default, reorganization, bankruptcy or otherwise, then we would have to dispose of those program cars without receiving the benefits of the associated programs and we would also be exposed to residual risk with respect to these cars. In addition, we could be left with a substantial unpaid claim against the manufacturer with respect to program cars that were sold and returned to the manufacturer but not paid for, or that were sold for less than their agreed repurchase price or guaranteed value.
The failure by a manufacturer to pay such amounts could cause a credit enhancement deficiency with respect to our asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements, requiring us to either reduce the outstanding principal amount of debt or provide more collateral (in the form of cash, vehicles and/or certain other contractual rights) to the creditors under any such affected arrangement.
If one or more manufacturers were to adversely modify or eliminate repurchase or guaranteed depreciation programs in the future, our access to and the terms of asset-backed and asset-based debt financing could be adversely affected, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on third-party distribution channels for a significant amount of our revenues.
Third-party distribution channels accounted for a significant amount of our car rental reservations for the year ended December 31, 2015. These third-party distribution channels include traditional and online travel agencies, third-party internet sites, airlines and hotel companies, marketing partners such as credit card companies and membership organizations and global distribution systems that allow travel agents, travel service providers and customers to connect directly to our reservations systems. Loss of access to any of these channels, changes in pricing or commission structures or a reduction in transaction volume could have an adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations, particularly if our customers are unable to access our reservation systems through alternate channels.
Our equipment rental fleet is subject to residual value risk upon disposition, and may not sell at the prices we expect.
The market value of our equipment at the time of its disposition could be less than its estimated residual value or its depreciated value at such time. A number of factors could affect the value received upon disposition of our equipment, including:
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the market price for similar new equipment;
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wear and tear on the equipment relative to its age and the performance of preventive maintenance;
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the time of year that it is sold;
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the supply of used equipment relative to the demand for used equipment, including as a result of changes in economic conditions or conditions in the markets that we serve; and
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the existence and capacities of different sales outlets and our ability to develop and maintain different types of sales outlets.
Since we include in income from operations the difference between the sales price and the depreciated value of an item of equipment sold, a sale of equipment below its depreciated value could adversely affect our income from operations. Accordingly, our ability to reduce the size of our equipment rental fleet in the event of an economic downturn or to respond to changes in rental demand is subject to the risk of loss based on the residual value of rental equipment.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
We incur maintenance and repair costs associated with our equipment rental fleet that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows in the event these costs are greater than anticipated.
As our fleet of rental equipment ages, the cost of maintaining such equipment, if not replaced within a certain period of time, generally increases. Determining the optimal age at disposition for our rental equipment is subjective and requires considerable estimates by management. We have made estimates regarding the relationship between the age of our rental equipment, the maintenance and repair costs and the market value of used equipment, the availability of our fleet and the market value of used equipment. If maintenance and repair costs are higher than estimated or in-service times or market values of used equipment are lower than estimated, our future financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Our HERC business is cyclical and a slowdown in economic conditions or adverse changes in the economic factors specific to the industries in which HERC operates, such as a decrease in the expected levels of infrastructure spending or the expected levels of rental versus ownership of equipment, could have adverse effects on our liquidity, cash flows and results of operation.
A substantial portion of HERC’s revenues are derived from the rental of equipment in the non-residential construction and industrial end markets, which are cyclical in nature. The equipment rental industry experienced a decline in construction and industrial activity as a result of the economic downturn that commenced in the latter part of 2008 and continued through 2010. The weakness in HERC’s end markets led to a decrease in the demand for rental equipment and intensifying price competition from other equipment rental industry participants. In addition, other industries in which HERC operates, such as the oil and gas industry and the entertainment industry, may be subject to different factors and economic cycles that could have an effect on demand for our products and services within those industries. Recently, declines in oil prices have led to a significant slowdown in activity in the oil and gas industry, which has negatively affected our rentals to participants in this industry. While many areas of the global economy are improving, a slowdown in the economic recovery or worsening of economic conditions, in particular with respect to North American construction and industrial activities, could have an effect on demand for our products and services within those industries and ultimately could adversely affect our revenues and operating results.
The following factors, among others, may cause weakness in our end markets, either temporarily or long-term:
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a decrease in expected levels of infrastructure spending;
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a decrease in the expected levels of rental versus ownership of equipment;
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a lack of availability of credit;
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an increase in the cost of construction materials;
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an increase in interest rates;
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adverse weather conditions, which may temporarily affect a particular region; or
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terrorism or hostilities involving the United States, Canada or international markets.
We may not be successful in implementing our strategy of further reducing operating costs and our cost reduction initiatives may have adverse consequences.
We are continuing to implement initiatives to reduce our operating expenses. These initiatives may include headcount reductions, business process outsourcing, business process re-engineering, internal reorganization and other expense controls. We cannot assure you that our cost reduction initiatives will achieve any further success. Whether or not successful, our cost reduction initiatives involve significant expenses and we expect to incur further expenses associated with these initiatives, some of which may be material in the period in which they are incurred.
Even if we achieve further success with our cost reduction initiatives, we face risks associated with our initiatives, including declines in employee morale or the level of customer service we provide, the efficiency of our operations or the effectiveness of our internal controls. Any of these risks could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
If our new initiatives to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and increase customer loyalty are not successful, our margins may suffer.
We have moved aggressively to pursue opportunities to deliver cost savings, increase our efficiency and regain customer loyalty. If we are unsuccessful in taking advantage of these opportunities, we may be unable to align our cost structure to lower levels of demand, which could depress our margins and negatively impact our ability to effectively compete. In addition, some internet travel intermediaries use generic indicators of the type of vehicle (such as “standard” or “compact”) at the expense of brand identification and some intermediaries have launched their own loyalty programs to develop loyalties to their reservation system rather than to our brands. If the volume of sales made through internet travel intermediaries increases significantly and consumers develop stronger loyalties to these intermediaries rather than to our brands, our business and revenues could be harmed. If our market share suffers due to lower levels of customer loyalty, our financial results could suffer.
An impairment of our goodwill or our indefinite lived intangible assets could have a material non-cash adverse impact on our results of operations.
We review our goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable and at least annually. If economic deterioration occurs, then we may be required to record charges for goodwill or indefinite lived intangible asset impairments in the future, which could have a material adverse non-cash impact on our results of operations.
Our foreign operations expose us to risks that may materially adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.
A significant portion of our annual revenues are generated outside the U.S., and we intend to pursue additional international growth opportunities. Operating in many different countries exposes us to varying risks, which include: (i) multiple, and sometimes conflicting, foreign regulatory requirements and laws that are subject to change and are often much different than the domestic laws in the U.S., including laws relating to taxes, automobile-related liability, insurance rates, insurance products, consumer privacy, data security, employment matters, cost and fee recovery, and the protection of our trademarks and other intellectual property; (ii) the effect of foreign currency translation risk, as well as limitations on our ability to repatriate income; (iii) varying tax regimes, including consequences from changes in applicable tax laws; (iv) local ownership or investment requirements, as well as difficulties in obtaining financing in foreign countries for local operations; and (v) political and economic instability, natural calamities, war, and terrorism. Operating in many different countries also increases the risk of a violation, or alleged violation, of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The effects of these risks may, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity, cash flows and ability to diversify internationally.
Manufacturer safety recalls could create risks to our business.
Our cars may be subject to safety recalls by their manufacturers. A recall may cause us to retrieve cars from renters and decline to rent recalled cars until we can arrange for the steps described in the recall to be taken. If a large number of cars are the subject of a recall or if needed replacement parts are not in adequate supply, we may not be able to rent recalled cars for a significant period of time. Those types of disruptions could jeopardize our ability to fulfill existing contractual commitments or satisfy demand for our vehicles, and could also result in the loss of business to our competitors. Depending on the severity of any recall, it could materially adversely affect our revenues, create customer service problems, reduce the residual value of the recalled cars and harm our general reputation.
Our business is heavily reliant upon communications networks and centralized information technology systems and the concentration of our systems creates risks for us.
We rely heavily on communication networks and information technology systems to accept reservations, process rental and sales transactions, manage our pricing, manage our fleets of cars and equipment, manage our financing arrangements, account for our activities and otherwise conduct our business. Our reliance on these networks and systems exposes us to various risks that could cause a loss of reservations, interfere with our ability to manage our fleet, slow rental and sales processes, adversely affect our ability to comply with our financing arrangements and otherwise materially adversely affect our ability to manage our business effectively. Our major information technology systems, reservations and accounting functions are centralized in a few locations worldwide. Any disruption, termination
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
or substandard provision of these services, whether as the result of localized conditions (such as a fire, explosion or hacking), failure of our systems to function as designed, or as the result of events or circumstances of broader geographic impact (such as an earthquake, storm, flood, epidemic, strike, act of war, civil unrest or terrorist act), could materially adversely affect our business by disrupting normal reservations, customer service, accounting and information technology functions or by eliminating access to financing arrangements. Any disruption or poor performance of our systems could lead to lower revenues, increased costs or other material adverse effects on our results of operations.
Failure to maintain, upgrade and consolidate our information technology networks could adversely affect us.
We are continuously upgrading and consolidating our systems, including making changes to legacy systems, replacing legacy systems with successor systems with new functionality and acquiring new systems with new functionality. In particular, we currently have a material weakness in our internal control due, in part, to the weakness in our accounting system. In addition, we have decided to outsource a significant portion of our information technology services. These types of activities subject us to additional costs and inherent risks associated with outsourcing, replacing and changing these systems, including impairment of our ability to manage our business, potential disruption of our internal control structure, substantial capital expenditures, additional administration and operating expenses, retention of sufficiently skilled personnel to implement and operate the new systems, demands on management time, and other risks and costs of delays or difficulties in transitioning to outsourcing alternatives, new systems or of integrating new systems into our current systems. Our outsourcing initiatives and system implementations may not result in productivity improvements at a level that outweighs the costs of implementation, or at all. In addition, the implementation of our outsourcing initiatives and new technology systems may cause disruptions in our business operations and have an adverse effect on our business and operations, if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated and our competitive position may be adversely affected if we are unable to maintain systems that allow us to manage our business in a competitive manner.
The misuse or theft of information we possess, including as a result of cyber security breaches, could harm our brand, reputation or competitive position and give rise to material liabilities.
We regularly possess, store and handle non-public information about millions of individuals and businesses, including both credit and debit card information and other sensitive and confidential personal information. In addition, our customers regularly transmit confidential information to us via the internet and through other electronic means. Despite the security measures we currently have in place, our facilities and systems and those of our third-party service providers may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to gain access to our systems or facilities, or those of third parties with whom we do business, through fraud, trickery, or other forms of deception of our employees or contractors. Many of the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, including viruses, worms and other malicious software programs, are difficult to anticipate until launched against a target and we may be unable to implement adequate preventative measures. Our failure to maintain the security of that data, whether as the result of our own error or the malfeasance or errors of others, could harm our reputation, interrupt our operations, result in governmental investigations and give rise to a host of civil or criminal liabilities. Any such failure could lead to lower revenues, increased remediation, prevention and other costs and other material adverse effects on our results of operations.
Our leases and vehicle rental concessions expose us to risks.
We maintain a substantial network of car rental locations at a number of airports in the U.S. and internationally. Many of these locations are leased and, in the case of airport car rental locations, the subject of vehicle rental concessions where vehicle rental companies are frequently required to bid periodically for the available locations. If we are unable to continue operating these facilities at their current locations due to the termination of leases or vehicle rental concessions, particularly at airports, which comprise a majority of our revenues, our operating results could be adversely affected.
Maintaining favorable brand recognition is essential to our success, and failure to do so could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Our business is heavily dependent upon the favorable brand recognition that our "Hertz'', "Dollar", "Thrifty", and "Firefly" brand names have in the markets in which they participate. Factors affecting brand recognition are often outside our control, and our efforts to maintain or enhance favorable brand recognition, such as marketing and advertising
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
campaigns, may not have their desired effects. In addition, although our licensing partners are subject to contractual requirements to protect our brands, it may be difficult to monitor or enforce such requirements, particularly in foreign jurisdictions. Any decline in perceived favorable recognition of our brands could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Our business operations are dependent upon our new senior management team and the ability of our other new employees to learn their new roles.
Within the past three years, we have substantially changed our senior management team and have replaced many of the other employees performing key functions at our corporate headquarters. We have a new Chief Executive Officer who started on November 20, 2014, a new Chief Financial Officer who started on December 9, 2013 and many other new members of our senior management team. In addition, in connection with the transition of our corporate headquarters from Park Ridge, New Jersey to Estero, Florida, we have replaced many other employees in other key functions. As new employees gain experience in their roles, we could experience inefficiencies or a lack of business continuity due to loss of historical knowledge and a lack of familiarity of new employees with business processes, operating requirements, policies and procedures, some of which are new, and key information technologies and related infrastructure used in our day-to-day operations and financial reporting and we may experience additional costs as new employees learn their roles and gain necessary experience. It is important to our success that these key employees quickly adapt to and excel in their new roles. If they are unable to do so, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected. In addition, if we were to lose the services of any one or more key employees, whether due to death, disability or termination of employment, our ability to successfully implement our business strategy, financial plans, marketing and other objectives, could be significantly impaired.
We may face issues with our union employees.
Labor contracts covering the terms of employment of approximately 6,200 employees in the U.S. (including those in the U.S. territories) are presently in effect under approximately 130 active contracts with local unions, affiliated primarily with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Association of Machinists. These contracts are renegotiated periodically. Failure to negotiate a new labor agreement when required could result in a work stoppage. Although we believe that our labor relations have generally been good, it is possible that we could become subject to additional work rules imposed by agreements with labor unions, or that work stoppages or other labor disturbances could occur in the future. In addition, our non-union workforce has been subject to unionization efforts in the past, and we could be subject to future unionization, which could lead to increases in our operating costs and/or constraints on our operating flexibility.
The restatement of our previously issued financial statements has been time-consuming and expensive and could expose us to additional risks that could materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We have incurred significant expenses, including audit, legal, consulting and other professional fees and lender and noteholder consent fees, in connection with the restatement of our previously issued financial statements and the ongoing remediation of weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. We have taken a number of steps, including adding significant internal resources and implemented a number of additional procedures, in order to strengthen our accounting function and attempt to reduce the risk of additional misstatements in our financial statements. To the extent these steps are not successful, we could be forced to incur additional time and expense. Our management’s attention has also been diverted from the operation of our business in connection with the restatements and ongoing remediation of material weaknesses in our internal controls.
We are also subject to a number of claims, investigations and proceedings arising out of the misstatements in our financial statements, including investigations by the New York Regional Office of the SEC and a state securities regulator. See below under “The restatement of our previously issued financial results has resulted in government investigations and could result in government enforcement actions and private litigation that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.”
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which could, if not remediated, adversely affect our ability to report our financial condition and results of operations in a timely
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
and accurate manner, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our common stock.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. In Item 9A, "Controls and Procedures” of this Annual Report, management identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
As a result of the material weaknesses, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2015. The assessment was based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. We are actively engaged in remediation activities designed to address the material weaknesses, but our remediation efforts are not complete and are ongoing. If our remedial measures are insufficient to address the material weaknesses, or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control are discovered or occur in the future, it may materially adversely affect our ability to report our financial condition and results of operations in a timely and accurate manner. If we are unable to report our results in a timely and accurate manner, we may not be able to comply with the applicable covenants in our financing arrangements, and may be required to seek additional waivers or repay amounts under these financing arrangements earlier than anticipated, which could adversely impact our liquidity and financial condition. Although we continually review and evaluate internal control systems to allow management to report on the sufficiency of our internal controls, we cannot assure you that we will not discover additional weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. The next time we evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, if we identify one or more new material weaknesses or are unable to timely remediate our existing weaknesses, we may be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock and possibly impact our ability to obtain future financing on acceptable terms. We may also lose assets if we do not maintain adequate internal controls.
The restatement of our previously issued financial results has resulted in government investigations and could result in government enforcement actions and private litigation that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
We are subject to securities class action litigation relating to our previous public disclosures. In addition, the New York Regional Office of the SEC and a state securities regulator are currently investigating the events disclosed in certain of our filings with the SEC. For additional discussion of these matters, see Note 16, "Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Commitments," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” We could also become subject to private litigation or investigations, or one or more government enforcement actions, arising out of the misstatements in our previously issued financial statements. Our management may be required to devote significant time and attention to these matters, and these and any additional matters that arise could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows. While we cannot estimate our potential exposure in these matters at this time, we have already expended significant amounts investigating the claims underlying and defending this litigation and expect to continue to need to expend significant amounts to defend this litigation.
We may pursue strategic transactions which could be difficult to implement, disrupt our business or change our business profile significantly.
Any future strategic acquisition or disposition of assets or a business could involve numerous risks, including: (i) potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; (ii) difficulty integrating the acquired business or segregating assets and operations to be disposed of; (iii) exposure to unknown, contingent or other liabilities, including litigation arising in connection with the acquisition or disposition or against any business we may acquire; (iv) changing our business profile in ways that could have unintended negative consequences; and (v) the failure to achieve anticipated synergies.
If we enter into significant strategic transactions, the related accounting charges may affect our financial condition and results of operations, particularly in the case of an acquisition. The financing of any significant acquisition may result
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
in changes in our capital structure, including the incurrence of additional indebtedness. A material disposition could require the amendment or refinancing of our outstanding indebtedness or a portion thereof.
The separation of our car and equipment rental businesses into two independent, publicly traded companies will require significant time, resources and attention from management and may not be completed.
In March 2014, we announced our intention to separate our car and equipment rental businesses into two independent, publicly traded companies. This separation has been delayed by our thorough review of our historical financial statements and other unanticipated developments could result in further delays. Completing the separation will require significant time, resources and attention from management, which could distract management from the operation of our business and the execution of our other initiatives and we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the separation. If we are unable to complete the separation, we will have incurred costs without realizing the benefits of such transaction and if we complete the separation, such transaction may not achieve the intended results. Our employees may also be distracted due to uncertainty about their future roles pending the completion of the separation. Any such difficulties could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Some or all of our deferred tax assets could expire if we experience an "ownership change" as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
An "ownership change" could limit our ability to utilize tax attributes, including net operating losses, capital loss carryovers, excess foreign tax carry forwards, and credit carryforwards, to offset future taxable income. As of December 31, 2015, we had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $3.9 billion (which begin to expire in 2029). Our ability to use such tax attributes to offset future taxable income and tax liabilities may be significantly limited if we experience an "ownership change" as defined in Section 382(g) of the Code. In general, an ownership change will occur when the percentage of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.’s ownership (by value) of one or more "5-percent shareholders" (as defined in the Code) has increased by more than 50 percentage points over the lowest percentage of stock owned by such shareholders at any time during the prior three years (calculated on a rolling basis). An entity that experiences an ownership change generally should be subject to an annual limitation on its pre-ownership change tax loss carryforward equal to the equity value of the corporation immediately before the ownership change, multiplied by the long-term, tax-exempt rate posted monthly by the IRS (subject to certain adjustments). The annual limitation accumulates each year to the extent that there is any unused limitation from a prior year. The limitation on our ability to utilize tax losses and credit carryforwards arising from an ownership change under Section 382 depends on the value of our equity at the time of any ownership change. If we were to experience an "ownership change", it is possible that a significant portion of our tax loss carryforwards could expire before we would be able to use them to offset future taxable income. Many states adopt the federal section 382 rules and therefore have similar limitations with respect to state tax attributes.
We face risks related to liabilities and insurance.
Our businesses expose us to claims for personal injury, death and property damage resulting from the use of the cars and equipment rented or sold by us, and for employment-related injury claims by our employees. The Company is currently a defendant in numerous actions and has received numerous claims on which actions have not yet been commenced for public liability and property damage arising from the operation of motor vehicles and equipment rented from the Company. Currently, we generally self-insure up to $10 million per occurrence in the U.S. and up to $5 million in Europe for vehicle and general liability exposures, $5 million for employment-related injury claims, and we also maintain insurance with unaffiliated carriers in excess of such levels up to $200 million per occurrence for the current policy year, or in the case of international operations outside of Europe, in such lower amounts as we deem adequate given the risks. We cannot assure you that we will not be exposed to uninsured liability at levels in excess of our historical levels resulting from multiple payouts or otherwise, that liabilities in respect of existing or future claims will not exceed the level of our insurance, that we will have sufficient capital available to pay any uninsured claims or that insurance with unaffiliated carriers will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms or at all. See Item 1, ‘‘Business-Insurance and Risk Management’’ and Note 16, "Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Commitments," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
We could face a significant withdrawal liability if we withdraw from participation in multiemployer pension plans or in the event other employers in such plans become insolvent and certain multiemployer plans in
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
which we participate are reported to have underfunded liabilities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We could face a significant withdrawal liability if we withdraw from participation in one or more multiemployer pension plans in which we participate or in the event other employers in such plans become insolvent, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We participate in various "multiemployer" pension plans. In the event that we withdraw from participation in one of these plans, then applicable law could require us to make an additional lump-sum contribution to the plan, and we would have to reflect that as an expense in our consolidated statement of operations and as a liability on our consolidated balance sheet. Our withdrawal liability for any multiemployer plan would depend on the extent of the plan's funding of vested benefits. Our multiemployer plans could have significant underfunded liabilities. Such underfunding may increase in the event other employers become insolvent or withdraw from the applicable plan or upon the inability or failure of withdrawing employers to pay their withdrawal liability. In addition, such underfunding may increase as a result of lower than expected returns on pension fund assets or other funding deficiencies. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 7, "Employee Retirement Benefits," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Environmental laws and regulations and the costs of complying with them, or any liability or obligation imposed under them, could materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations in connection with our operations, including with respect to the ownership and operation of tanks for the storage of petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel and motor and waste oils. We cannot assure you that our tanks will at all times remain free from leaks or that the use of these tanks will not result in significant spills or leakage. If leakage or a spill occurs, it is possible that the resulting costs of cleanup, investigation and remediation, as well as any resulting fines, could be significant. We cannot assure you that compliance with existing or future environmental laws and regulations will not require material expenditures by us or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Item 1, ‘‘Business-Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters’’ in this Annual Report.
The U.S. Congress and other legislative and regulatory authorities in the U.S. and internationally have considered, and will likely continue to consider, numerous measures related to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Should rules establishing limitations on greenhouse gas emissions or rules imposing fees on entities deemed to be responsible for greenhouse gas emissions become effective, demand for our services could be affected, our fleet and/or other costs could increase, and our business could be adversely affected.
Changes in the U.S. legal and regulatory environment that affect our operations, including laws and regulations relating to taxes, automobile-related liability, insurance rates, insurance products, consumer privacy, data security, employment matters, licensing and franchising, automotive retail sales, cost and fee recovery and the banking and financing industry could disrupt our business, increase our expenses or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We are subject to a wide variety of U.S. laws and regulations and changes in the level of government regulation of our business have the potential to materially alter our business practices and materially adversely affect our financial position and results of operations, including our profitability. Those changes may come about through new laws and regulations or changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations.
Any new, or change in existing, U.S. law and regulation with respect to optional insurance products or policies could increase our costs of compliance or make it uneconomical to offer such products, which would lead to a reduction in revenue and profitability. For further discussion regarding how changes in the regulation of insurance intermediaries may affect us, see Item 1, ‘‘Business-Insurance and Risk Management’’ in this Annual Report. If customers decline to purchase supplemental liability insurance products from us as a result of any changes in these laws or otherwise, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
Changes in the U.S. legal and regulatory environment in the areas of customer privacy, data security and cross-border data flow could have a material adverse effect on our business, primarily through the impairment of our marketing and transaction processing activities, and the resulting costs of complying with such legal and regulatory requirements. It is also possible that we could face significant liability for failing to comply with any such requirements.
We derive revenue through rental activities of the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands under franchise and license arrangements. These arrangements are subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations that impose limitations on our interactions with counter-parties. In addition, the automotive retail industry, including our network of company-operated car sales locations, is subject to a wide range of federal, state and local laws and regulations, such as those relating to motor vehicle sales, retail installment sales and related finance and insurance matters, advertising, licensing, consumer protection and consumer privacy. Changes in these laws and regulations that impact our franchising arrangements or our automotive retail sales could adversely impact our results.
In most places where we operate, we pass through various expenses, including the recovery of vehicle licensing costs and airport concession fees, to our rental customers as separate charges. We believe that our expense pass throughs, where imposed, are properly disclosed and are lawful. However, in the event of incorrect calculations or disclosures with respect to expense pass throughs, or a successful challenge to the methodology we have used for determining our expense pass through treatment, we could be subject to fines or other liabilities. In addition, we may in the future be subject to potential legislative, regulatory or administrative changes or actions which could limit, restrict or prohibit our ability to separately state, charge and recover vehicle licensing costs and airport concession fees, which could result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations
Certain new or proposed laws and regulations with respect to the banking and finance industries, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and amendments to Regulation AB, could restrict our access to certain financing arrangements and increase our financing costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS
Our substantial level of indebtedness could materially adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and ability to compete in our industry.
As of December 31, 2015, we had debt outstanding of $15.9 billion. Our substantial indebtedness could materially adversely affect us. For example, it could: (i) make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to the holders of our outstanding debt securities and to the lenders under our various credit facilities, resulting in possible defaults on, and acceleration or early amortization of, such indebtedness; (ii) be difficult to refinance or borrow additional funds in the future; (iii) require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations and investing activities to make payments on our debt, which would reduce our ability to fund working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate purposes; (iv) increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions (such as credit-related disruptions), including interest rate fluctuations, because a portion of our borrowings are at floating rates of interest and are not hedged against rising interest rates, and the risk that one or more of the financial institutions providing commitments under our revolving credit facilities fails to fund an extension of credit under any such facility, due to insolvency or otherwise, leaving us with less liquidity than expected; (v) place us at a competitive disadvantage to our competitors that have proportionately less debt or comparable debt at more favorable interest rates or on better terms; and (vi) limit our ability to react to competitive pressures, or make it difficult for us to carry out capital spending that is necessary or important to our growth strategy and our efforts to improve operating margins. While the terms of the agreements and instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness contain certain restrictions upon our ability to incur additional indebtedness, they do not fully prohibit us from incurring substantial additional indebtedness and do not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness. If new debt or other obligations are added to our current liability levels without a corresponding refinancing or redemption of our existing indebtedness and obligations, these risks would increase. For a description of the amounts we have available under certain of our debt facilities, see Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Borrowing Capacity and Availability” included in this Annual Report and Note 6, "Debt," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
Our ability to manage these risks depends on financial market conditions as well as our financial and operating performance, which, in turn, is subject to a wide range of risks, including those described under “Risks Related to Our Business” included above in this Annual Report.
If our capital resources (including borrowings under our revolving credit facilities and access to other refinancing indebtedness) and operating cash flows are not sufficient to pay our obligations as they mature or to fund our liquidity needs, we may be forced to do, among other things, one or more of the following: (i) sell certain of our assets; (ii) reduce the size of our rental fleet; (iii) reduce or delay capital expenditures; (iv) obtain additional equity capital; (v) forgo business opportunities, including acquisitions and joint ventures; or (vi) restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity.
We cannot assure you that we would be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms, if at all. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that we will maintain financing activities and cash flows sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness. If we cannot refinance or otherwise pay our obligations as they mature and fund our liquidity needs, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, ability to obtain financing and ability to compete in our industry could be materially adversely affected.
Our reliance on asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements to purchase cars subjects us to a number of risks, many of which are beyond our control.
We rely significantly on asset-backed and asset-based financing to purchase cars. If we are unable to refinance or replace our existing asset-backed and asset-based financing or continue to finance new car acquisitions through asset- backed or asset-based financing on favorable terms, on a timely basis, or at all, then our costs of financing could increase significantly and have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, interest costs, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Our asset-backed and asset-based financing capacity could be decreased, our financing costs and interest rates could be increased, or our future access to the financial markets could be limited, as a result of risks and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, including: (i) the acceptance by credit markets of the structures and structural risks associated with our asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements; (ii) the credit ratings provided by credit rating agencies for our asset-backed indebtedness; (iii) third parties requiring changes in the terms and structure of our asset-backed or asset-based financing arrangements, including increased credit enhancement or required cash collateral and/or other liquid reserves; (iv) the insolvency or deterioration of the financial condition of one or more of our principal car manufacturers; or (v) changes in laws or regulations, including judicial review of issues of first impression, that negatively impact any of our asset-backed or asset-based financing arrangements.
Any reduction in the value of certain cars in our fleet could effectively increase our car fleet costs, adversely impact our profitability and potentially lead to decreased borrowing base availability in our asset-backed and certain asset-based vehicle financing facilities due to the credit enhancement requirements for such facilities, which could increase if market values for vehicles decrease below net book values for those vehicles. In addition, if disposal of vehicles in the used vehicle marketplace were to become severely limited at a time when required collateral levels were rising and as a result we failed to meet the minimum required collateral levels, the principal under our asset-backed and certain asset-based financing arrangements may be required to be repaid sooner than anticipated with vehicle disposition proceeds and lease payments we make to our special purpose financing subsidiaries. If that were to occur, the holders of our asset-backed and certain asset-based debt may have the ability to exercise their right to direct the trustee or other secured party to foreclose on and sell vehicles to generate proceeds sufficient to repay such debt.
The occurrence of certain events, including those described in the paragraph above, could result in the occurrence of an amortization event pursuant to which the proceeds of sales of cars that collateralize the affected asset-backed financing arrangement would be required to be applied to the payment of principal and interest on the affected facility or series, rather than being reinvested in our car rental fleet. In the case of our asset-backed financing arrangements, certain other events, including defaults by us and our affiliates in the performance of covenants set forth in the agreements governing certain fleet debt, could result in the occurrence of a liquidation event with the passing of time or immediately pursuant to which the trustee or holders of the affected asset-backed financing arrangement would be permitted to require the sale of the assets collateralizing that series. Any of these consequences could affect our liquidity
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
and our ability to maintain sufficient fleet levels to meet customer demands and could trigger cross-defaults under certain of our other financing arrangements.
Any reduction in the value of the equipment rental fleet of HERC (which could occur due to a reduction in the size of the fleet or the value of the assets within the fleet) could not only effectively increase our equipment rental fleet costs and adversely impact our profitability, but would result in decreased borrowing base availability under certain of our asset-based financing arrangements, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, cash flows and results of operations.
Substantially all of our consolidated assets secure certain of our outstanding indebtedness, which could materially adversely affect our debt and equity holders and our business.
Substantially all of our consolidated assets, including our car and equipment rental fleets and Donlen's lease portfolio, are subject to security interests or are otherwise encumbered for the lenders under our asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements. As a result, the lenders under those facilities would have a prior claim on such assets in the event of our bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or reorganization, and we may not have sufficient funds to pay in full, or at all, all of our creditors or make any amount available to holders of our equity. The same is true with respect to structurally senior obligations: in general, all liabilities and other obligations of a subsidiary must be satisfied before the assets of such subsidiary can be made available to the creditors (or equity holders) of the parent entity.
Because substantially all of our assets are encumbered under financing arrangements, our ability to incur additional secured indebtedness or to sell or dispose of assets to raise capital may be impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial flexibility and force us to attempt to incur additional unsecured indebtedness, which may not be available to us.
Restrictive covenants in certain of the agreements and instruments governing our indebtedness may materially adversely affect our financial flexibility or may have other material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Certain of our credit facilities and other asset-based and asset-backed financing arrangements contain covenants that, among other things, restrict Hertz and its subsidiaries' ability to: (i) dispose of assets; (ii) incur additional indebtedness; (iii) incur guarantee obligations; (iv) prepay other indebtedness or amend other financing arrangements; (v) pay dividends; (vi) create liens on assets; (vii) sell assets; (viii) make investments, loans, advances or capital expenditures; (ix) make acquisitions; (x) engage in mergers or consolidations; (xi) change the business conducted by us; and (xii) engage in certain transactions with affiliates.
Our Senior ABL Facility (as defined in Note 6, "Debt," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”) contains a financial covenant that obligates us to maintain a specified fixed charge coverage ratio if we fail to maintain a specified minimum level of liquidity. Our ability to comply with this covenant will depend on our ongoing financial and operating performance, which in turn are subject to, among other things, the risks identified in “Risks Related to Our Business.”
Additionally, the documentation of various of our (and/or our special purpose subsidiaries') financing facilities require us to file certain quarterly and annual reports and certain of our subsidiaries to file statutory financial statements within certain time periods.
The agreements governing our financing arrangements contain numerous covenants. The breach of any of these covenants or restrictions could result in a default under the relevant agreement, which could, in turn, cause cross- defaults under our other financing arrangements. In such event, we may be unable to borrow under the Senior ABL Facility and certain of our other financing arrangements and may not be able to repay the amounts due under such arrangements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
An increase in interest rates or in our borrowing margin would increase the cost of servicing our debt and could reduce our profitability.
A significant portion of our outstanding debt bears interest at floating rates. As a result, to the extent we have not
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
hedged against rising interest rates, an increase in the applicable benchmark interest rates would increase our cost of servicing our debt and could materially adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.
In addition, we regularly refinance our indebtedness. If interest rates or our borrowing margins increase between the time an existing financing arrangement was consummated and the time such financing arrangement is refinanced, the cost of servicing our debt would increase and our liquidity and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
RISKS RELATING TO HERTZ HOLDINGS' COMMON STOCK
Hertz Holdings is a holding company with no operations of its own and depends on its subsidiaries for cash.
The operations of Hertz Holdings are conducted nearly entirely through its subsidiaries and its ability to generate cash to meet its debt service obligations or to pay dividends on its common stock is dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from its subsidiaries via dividends or intercompany loans. However, none of the subsidiaries of Hertz Holdings are obligated to make funds available to Hertz Holdings for the payment of dividends or the service of its debt. In addition, certain states' laws and the terms of certain of our debt agreements significantly restrict, or prohibit, the ability of Hertz and its subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or otherwise transfer assets to Hertz Holdings, including state laws that require dividends to be paid only from surplus. If Hertz Holdings does not receive cash from its subsidiaries, then Hertz Holdings' financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Hertz Holdings' share price may decline if they issue a large number of new shares or if a holder of a substantial number of shares sells their stock.
Hertz Holdings has a significant number of authorized but unissued shares, including shares available for issuance pursuant to various equity plans. In addition, in recent years, several shareholders, most notably affiliates of Carl Icahn, have accumulated significant amounts of Hertz Holdings' common stock. A sale of a substantial number of Hertz Holdings' shares or other equity-related securities in the public market pursuant to new issuances or by these significant shareholders could depress the market price of the stock and impair Hertz Holdings' ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. Any such sale or issuance would dilute the ownership interests of the then-existing stockholders, and could have material adverse effect on the market price of Hertz Holdings' common stock.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We operate car rental locations at or near airports and in central business districts and suburban areas of major cities in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as retail used car sales locations in the U.S., Australia and France. We operate equipment rental locations in the U.S., Canada, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. We also operate headquarters, sales offices and service facilities in the foregoing countries in support of our car rental and equipment rental operations, as well as small car rental sales offices and service facilities in a select number of other countries in Europe and Asia.
We own approximately 5% of the locations from which we operate our car and equipment rental businesses and in some cases own real property that we lease to franchisees or other third parties. The remaining locations from which we operate our car and equipment rental businesses are leased or operated under concessions from governmental authorities and private entities. Those leases and concession agreements typically require the payment of minimum rents or minimum concession fees and often also require us to pay or reimburse operating expenses; to pay additional rent, or concession fees above guaranteed minimums, based on a percentage of revenues or sales arising at the relevant premises; or to do both. See Note 10, "Lease and Concession Agreements," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Due to the anticipated HERC spin-off transaction, we have entered into a lease for office space in Bonita Springs,
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Florida. This leased office space is used to house the HERC headquarters.
Donlen's headquarters is in Northbrook, Illinois. Donlen also leases office space in Darien, Illinois and Buffalo Grove, Illinois for its fleet management services, consultation call center staff and certain financial systems functions. Donlen has other sales offices located throughout the U.S.
In November 2015, the Company completed the relocation of its worldwide headquarters to Estero, Florida from Park Ridge, New Jersey. We also own a major facility in the vicinity of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at which reservations for our car rental operations are processed, global information technology systems are serviced and finance and accounting functions are performed. We also have a long-term lease for a reservation and financial center near Dublin, Ireland, at which we have centralized our European car rental reservation, customer relations, accounting and human resource functions. We lease a European headquarters office in Uxbridge, England.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 16, "Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Commitments,"
to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
There is no established public trading market for the common stock of Hertz. Hertz Investors, Inc., which is wholly-owned by Hertz Holdings, owns all of the outstanding common stock of Hertz. Hertz has not sold or repurchased any equity securities in the last three fiscal years.
There was $365 million in non-cash dividends paid to our stockholder in 2015 and no dividends paid in 2014. The agreements governing our indebtedness restrict our ability to pay dividends. See Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing,” in this Annual Report.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
We derived the selected statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” We derived the selected statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 from our audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." We derived the selected statement of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 from our unaudited consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption Item 6, "Selected Financial Data."
The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of results of future operations, and should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” to fully understand factors that may affect the comparability of the information presented below. The selected consolidated financial data in this section is not intended to replace the consolidated financial statements.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Continued)
(a)
Includes U.S. Car Rental and International Car Rental segments.
(b)
Our results for 2011 and the period from January 1, 2012 through November 18, 2012 exclude the results of Dollar Thrifty which we acquired in 2012.
(c)
Our results from January 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011 exclude the results of Donlen, our fleet leasing and fleet management services subsidiary which we acquired in 2011.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The statements in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") regarding industry outlook, our expectations regarding the performance of our business and the other non-historical statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A, "Risk Factors.” The following MD&A provides information that we believe to be relevant to an understanding of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. You should read the following MD&A together with the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” Item 1A, "Risk Factors,” Item 6, "Selected Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
In this MD&A we refer to certain Non-GAAP measures, including the following:
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
•
Adjusted Pre-Tax Income - important to management because it allows management to assess the operational performance of our business, exclusive of certain items and allows management to assess the performance of the entire business on the same basis as the segment measure of profitability. Management believes that it is important to investors for the same reasons it is important to management and because it allows them to assess our operational performance on the same basis that management uses internally.
•
Total Revenue Per Day ("Total RPD") - important to management and investors as it represents a measurement of the changes in underlying pricing in the car rental business and encompasses the elements in car rental pricing that management has the ability to control.
•
Revenue Per Available Car Day ("RACD") - important to management and investors as it represents a measurement of the changes in underlying pricing in the car rental business and encompasses the elements in car rental pricing that management has the ability to control and provides a measure of revenue production relative to overall capacity.
•
Transaction Days - important to management and investors as it represents the number of revenue generating days. It is used as a component to measure Total RPD and fleet efficiency. Transaction days represent the total number of 24-hour periods, with any partial period counted as one transaction day, that vehicles were on rent (the period between when a rental contract is opened and closed) in a given period. Thus, it is possible for a vehicle to attain more than one transaction day in a 24-hour period. Late in the third quarter of 2015 we fully integrated the Dollar Thrifty and Hertz counter systems and as a result aligned the transaction day calculation in the Hertz system. As a result of this alignment, we determined that there was an impact to the calculation. The impact on the third quarter 2015 was negligible. We estimate that transaction days for the US RAC segment will increase by approximately 1% prospectively relative to historical calculations. This will also prospectively impact key metrics calculations that utilize transaction days, although to a lesser extent.
•
Fleet Efficiency - important to management and investors because it is the measurement of the proportion of our car rental fleet that is being used to generate revenues relative to the total amount of available fleet capacity. Higher fleet efficiency means more of the fleet is being utilized to generate revenue.
•
Net Depreciation Per Unit Per Month - important to management and investors as depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, is one of our largest expenses for the car rental business and is driven by the number of vehicles, expected residual values at the time of disposal and expected hold period of the vehicles. Net depreciation per unit per month is reflective of how we are managing the costs of our fleet and facilitates comparison with other participants in the car rental industry.
•
Dollar Utilization - important to management and investors because it is the measurement of the proportion of our equipment rental revenue earning equipment, including additional capitalized refurbishment costs (with the basis for refurbished assets reset at the refurbishment date), that is being used to generate revenues relative to the total amount of available equipment fleet capacity.
•
Time Utilization - important to management and investors as it measures the extent to which the equipment rental fleet is on rent compared to total operated fleet and is an efficiency measurement utilized by participants in the equipment rental industry.
Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation and should not be considered superior to, or a substitute for, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The above Non-GAAP measures are defined and reconciled to their most comparable U.S. GAAP measure in the "Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data" section of this MD&A.
OVERVIEW OF OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
We are engaged principally in the business of renting and leasing of cars through our Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands and equipment through our Hertz Equipment Rental brand. In addition to car rental and equipment rental businesses, we provide comprehensive, integrated fleet leasing and fleet management solutions through our Donlen subsidiary. We have a diversified revenue base and a highly variable cost structure and are able to dynamically manage fleet capacity, the most significant determinant of our costs. Our profitability is primarily a function of the volume, mix and pricing of rental transactions and the utilization of cars and equipment, the related ownership cost of equipment and other operating costs. Significant changes in the purchase price or residual values of cars and equipment or interest rates can have a significant effect on our profitability depending on our ability to adjust pricing for these changes. We
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
continue to balance our mix of non-program and program vehicles based on market conditions. Our business requires significant expenditures for cars and equipment, and consequently we require substantial liquidity to finance such expenditures. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below.
Our strategy includes optimization of our on airport operations, selected openings of new off airport locations, the disciplined evaluation of existing locations and the pursuit of same-store sales growth.
Our total revenues primarily are derived from rental and related charges and consist of:
•
Car rental revenues - revenues from all company-operated car rental operations, including charges to customers for the reimbursement of costs incurred relating to airport concession fees and vehicle license fees, the fueling of vehicles and revenues associated with ancillary products associated with car rentals, including the sale of loss or collision damage waivers, liability insurance coverage, parking and other products and fees, ancillary products associated with the retail car sales channel and certain royalty fees from our franchisees;
•
Equipment rental revenues - revenues from all company-operated equipment rental operations, including amounts charged to customers for the fueling and delivery of equipment and sale of loss damage waivers, as well as revenues from the sale of new equipment, used revenue earning equipment, parts and supplies; and
•
All other operations revenues - revenues from fleet leasing and fleet management services and other business activities.
Our expenses primarily consist of:
•
Direct operating expenses (primarily wages and related benefits; commissions and concession fees paid to airport authorities, travel agents and others; facility, self-insurance and reservation costs; the cost of new equipment and consumables purchased for resale; and other costs relating to the operation and rental of revenue earning equipment, such as damage, maintenance and fuel costs);
•
Depreciation expense and lease charges, net relating to revenue earning equipment (including net gains or losses on the disposal of such equipment). Revenue earning equipment includes cars and rental equipment;
•
Selling, general and administrative expenses; and
•
Interest expense, net.
Our Business Segments
We have identified four reportable segments, which are organized based on the products and services provided by our operating segments and the geographic areas in which our operating segments conduct business, as follows:
•
U.S. Car Rental - Rental of cars, crossovers and light trucks, as well as sales of ancillary products and services, in the U.S.;
•
International Car Rental - Rental and leasing of cars, crossovers and light trucks, as well as sales of ancillary products and services, internationally;
•
Worldwide Equipment Rental - Rental of industrial, construction, material handling and other equipment; and
•
All Other Operations - Comprised of our Donlen business, which provides fleet leasing and fleet management services, and other business activities.
In addition to the above reportable segments, we have corporate operations ("Corporate") which includes general corporate assets and expenses and certain interest expense (including net interest on corporate debt). We assess performance and allocate resources based upon the financial information for our operating segments.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Seasonality
Our car rental and equipment rental operations are seasonal businesses, with decreased levels of business in the winter months and heightened activity during the spring and summer. We have the ability to dynamically manage fleet capacity, the most significant portion of our cost structure, to meet market demand. For instance, to accommodate increased demand, we increase our available fleet and staff during the second and third quarters of the year. As business demand declines, fleet and staff are decreased accordingly. A number of our other major operating costs, including airport concession fees, commissions and vehicle liability expenses, are directly related to revenues or transaction volumes. In addition, our management expects to utilize enhanced process improvements, including efficiency initiatives and the use of our information technology systems, to help manage our variable costs. More than half of our typical annual operating costs represent variable costs, while the remaining costs are fixed or semi-fixed. We also maintain a flexible workforce, with a significant number of part time and seasonal workers. However, certain operating expenses, including real estate taxes, rent, insurance, utilities, maintenance and other facility-related expenses, the costs of operating our information technology systems and minimum staffing costs, remain fixed and cannot be adjusted for seasonal demand. Revenues related to our fleet leasing and fleet management services are generally not seasonal.
2015 Highlights
Highlights of our business and financial performance in 2015 and key factors influencing our GAAP results include:
•
During 2015, we achieved annualized cost savings of approximately $229 million under our previously announced initiatives, in line with our targets;
•
Total revenue for the U.S. Car Rental segment for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased by 3%. This decline was driven primarily by a 1% reduction in transaction days and a 2% reduction in Total RPD, predominantly driven by lower rental rates resulting from competitive pressure in the industry and lower fuel revenues;
•
Net depreciation per unit per month in the U.S. Car Rental segment was down 9% to $267 from $294 for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 2014 due to higher residual values on certain vehicles, the mix between program and non-program cars year over year, and due to the impact on the prior year amount resulting from our reduction in the planned hold period of vehicles as we implemented our new fleet strategy in the fourth quarter of 2014;
•
During 2015, our U.S. Car Rental segment incurred approximately $13 million in pre-tax expenses that relate to prior years comprised of adjustments of $4 million related to the accounting for the post-acquisition sale of land that was revalued as part of the December 2005 acquisition of the Company, $4 million of additional accruals for the periods 2009 through 2014 resulting from concession audits at certain airport locations, a $4 million obligation to a jurisdiction for customer transaction fees and $1 million of additional write-offs of assets that were incorrectly capitalized;
•
Completed our previously announced fleet refresh. We sold 46% more non-program cars in our U.S. Car Rental segment for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 2014;
•
Completed the integration of Dollar Thrifty, incurring approximately $5 million in integration costs in 2015 as compared to $9 million in 2014;
•
Excluding the impact of foreign currency, results in the International Car Rental segment were strong for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014, with a 4% increase in revenues, increases in transactions days and Total RPD and a decrease in direct operating expense of 2%. Net depreciation per unit per month decreased 7% to $211 from $226 year over year, on a constant currency basis, due to improved fleet procurement and higher residual values on certain vehicles;
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
•
During 2015, following an adverse decision against another industry participant in a similar action, we recorded charges with respect to a French road tax matter of approximately $23 million;
•
Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Worldwide Equipment Rental segment revenues decreased $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014. Revenue growth was negatively affected by continuing weakness in major upstream oil and gas markets but was favorably impacted by a 2% increase in worldwide equipment rental volumes. The increase in volume was driven by new account growth, which is predominantly derived from small local contractors and specialty segments as we diversify our business. As a result of this new account growth, rental and rental-related revenue in non-oil and gas markets increased approximately 10% in 2015;
•
Excluding the impact of foreign currency, direct operating expenses for our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment increased $17 million, or 2%, primarily due to increases in salary related expenses due to costs associated with a rise in the headcount for mechanics to reduce the fleet unavailable for rent, reinvestment in branch management to drive operational processes and an increase in bad debt expense;
•
On October 30, 2015, the Company sold its HERC France and Spain businesses comprised of 60 locations in France and two in Spain and realized a gain on the sale in the amount of $51 million;
•
During 2015, we incurred approximately $35 million in costs associated with the anticipated separation of the Worldwide Equipment Rental business, as compared to $39 million in 2014;
•
We recorded $70 million in impairments and asset write-downs during the year ended December 31, 2015, the largest of which was $40 million related to the HERC trade name;
•
We recorded $96 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $159 million in 2014, including $38 million in consulting, audit and legal costs associated with the restatement, investigation and remediation activities in 2015, as compared to $30 million in 2014; and
•
During 2015, we monetized a portion of our investment in the common stock of CAR Inc., a publicly traded company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, by selling approximately 138 million shares for net proceeds of $236 million which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $133 million. The sale of the shares reduced the Company's ownership interest to 10.2%.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Footnotes to the table above are shown at the end of the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment section of this MD&A.
NM - Not meaningful
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014
Total revenues decreased $511 million, or 5%, due primarily to decreases in our U.S. and International Car Rental segments of $185 million and $288 million, respectively and a decrease of $53 million in our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment, partially offset by a $15 million increase in our All Other Operations segment due to the performance of the Donlen business. Lower revenue in our U.S. Car Rental segment was driven by lower rental rates due to competitive pressure and lower ancillary fuel sales, as well as a decline in transaction days, which were driven by lower off airport volume due in part to the impact of off airport store closures in the second quarter of 2015. Lower revenues for our International Car Rental segment were driven by the $367 million impact of foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenues for our International Car Rental segment increased $79 million, or 4% in 2015, driven by a 2% increase in transaction days resulting from the multi-brand expansion. Lower revenues for our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment were driven by the $47 million impact of foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenues for our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment decreased $6 million in 2015 largely due to the decline in upstream oil and gas, partially offset by increases in volume in non-oil and gas markets. Rental and rental-related revenue in non-oil and gas markets increased approximately 10% in 2015.
The decrease in direct operating expenses of $418 million, or 7%, was primarily comprised of decreases in our U.S. and International Car Rental segments of $162 million and $240 million, respectively. The decrease in our U.S. Car Rental segment is primarily comprised of $84 million in decreased fleet related expenses and a $71 million decrease in other direct operating costs, partially offset by the impact of $9 million related to certain adjustments recorded in the third quarter of 2015 that relate to prior periods as further disclosed in Note 2, "Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies." The decrease in our International Car Rental segment is primarily attributable to the $219 million favorable impact of foreign currency and the remainder was attributable to lower commissions, lower fuel costs and lower restructuring charges as compared to 2014.
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net decreased $272 million, or 9%, primarily due to (i) a $186 million decrease in our U.S. Car Rental segment due to higher residual values on certain vehicles and the mix between program and non-program cars year over year, and (ii) a decrease of $94 million in our International Car Rental segment driven by the impact of foreign currency of $65 million, and improved fleet procurement and higher residual values on certain vehicles.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased $43 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with 2014, primarily due to the $53 million impact of foreign currency and decreased restructuring and restructuring related costs. These decreases were partially offset by an $8 million increase in costs associated with the previously disclosed accounting restatement, investigation and remediation activities and $8 million in costs associated with the separation of a senior executive in the second quarter of 2015. Additionally, in 2015 there were impairment charges of $6 million related to our former Dollar Thrifty headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as compared to 2014 impairment charges of $13 million related to the former corporate headquarters in New Jersey.
Interest expense, net decreased $22 million, or 3%, primarily due to lower interest rates and the impact of foreign currency, partially offset by higher average fleet debt balances driven by increased levels of revenue earning equipment, as well as increased amortization of deferred debt costs, including waiver fees.
Other income of $131 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 is primarily comprised of a $133 million gain on the sale of common stock of CAR Inc. and a gain on the sale of our HERC France and Spain businesses of $51 million, partially offset by a $40 million impairment of the HERC trade name and charges of $23 million related to a French road tax matter. Other income of $15 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily comprised of a $19 million economic loss settlement we received related to a class action lawsuit filed against a vehicle manufacturer stemming from recalls of their vehicles in previous years.
We had income before income taxes of $344 million in 2015 compared with a loss before income taxes of $16 million in 2014. This increase was primarily due to (i) the favorable impact of foreign currency on our expenses; (ii) decreased fleet related expenses and other direct operating costs in our U.S. Car Rental segment and lower commissions, fuel costs and restructuring charges in our International Car Rental segment; (iii) decreases in depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net of $186 million in our U.S. Car Rental segment due to higher residual values on certain vehicles and the mix between program and non-program cars year over year and improved fleet procurement
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
and higher residual values on certain vehicles in our International Car Rental segment; and (iv) a $116 million increase in other income resulting from gains on the sale of CAR Inc. and from the sale of our HERC businesses in France and Spain, partially offset by an impairment charge of the HERC trade name and charges related to a French road tax matter. Partially offsetting the above is lower revenues of $511 million, of which $414 million was the unfavorable impact of foreign currency.
The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 was 20% as compared to (388)% for the year ended December 31, 2014, with an income tax provision of $68 million and $62 million, respectively. The $6 million increase in the tax provision is due to an increase in pretax earnings, the composition of earnings by jurisdiction, a decrease in the valuation allowance relating to losses in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions, and a decrease in net unrecognized tax benefits accrued during the year. The year ended December 31, 2015 also includes an income tax benefit for an excess tax loss over a book gain realized on sale of operations in France and Spain.
We had adjusted pre-tax income of $575 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with $408 million in 2014. See footnote (a) in the "Footnotes to the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment Tables" for a summary and description of adjustments on a consolidated basis.
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
Total revenues increased $271 million, or 3%, from the prior year due to revenue increases in all four business segments. Higher revenues in our U.S. Car Rental and International Car Rental segments year over year were driven by an increase in the number of transaction days during the period. Increases in our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment were driven by higher volume and pricing during the period. Higher revenues in our Donlen operations year over year were primarily the result of higher volume during the period.
Direct operating expenses increased $537 million, or 9%, from the prior year primarily due to increases in our U.S. and International car rental segments of $390 million and $84 million, respectively, and an increase of $37 million in our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment. The increases were the result of higher fleet related costs and other direct operating expenses during the period.
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net increased $501 million, or 20%, from the prior year primarily due to an increase of $477 million in our U.S. Car Rental segment. The increase was largely driven by higher per-vehicle depreciation rates due to declining residual values and a reduction in the planned holding period for the fleet as we implemented our new fleet strategy. Additionally, 2013 U.S. Car Rental segment depreciation was favorably impacted by $79 million of Dollar Thrifty acquisition accounting adjustments and the implementation of a longer planned hold period for the fleet.
SG&A expenses during the year ended December 31, 2014 increased $35 million, or 3%, as compared with 2013. The change was primarily due to $39 million of separation costs associated with the anticipated HERC spin-off transaction, approximately $30 million in costs associated with the previously disclosed accounting review and investigation, $13 million related to the impairment of our former corporate headquarters and $9 million in costs associated with the Dollar Thrifty integration. The above was partially offset by decreases in marketing, co-branding and promotional activity in our U.S. Car Rental operations.
Interest expense, net decreased $28 million, or 4%, during the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared with 2013. The change was primarily due to a lower average interest rate on fleet debt in our U.S. Car Rental segment resulting from an increase to the component of floating rate debt relative to fixed rate debt, as well as a lower average interest rate on fleet debt in our International Car Rental segment resulting from the European fleet financings completed during the period.
We had other income of $15 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with other expense of $64 million in the prior year period. Other income in the 2014 period is primarily comprised of a $19 million litigation settlement received in relation to a class action lawsuit filed against an original equipment manufacturer stemming from recalls of their vehicles in previous years. Other income in 2014 also included our share of earnings from our equity method and joint venture investments. Other income in 2014 was partially offset by a $14 million charge for service equipment that was deemed to not have a future use. Other expense of $64 million in 2013 is primarily comprised of $40 million
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
of impairment charges and asset write-downs and $29 million of premiums paid and write-offs relating to our European debt. The impairment charges and asset write-downs were related to vehicles subleased to FSNA, the parent of Simply Wheelz, LLC, the owner and operator of our divested Advantage brand, as further described in Note 3, "Acquisitions and Divestitures," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
We had a loss before income taxes of $16 million in 2014 compared with income before income taxes of $679 million in 2013. This decrease in income before income taxes was primarily due to increased operating costs in the U.S. car rental segment due to damage, maintenance expenditures associated with higher mileage cars in the fleet and increased personnel costs to support the higher mileage fleet, and higher depreciation rates due to declining residual values and a reduction in the planned hold period as we implemented our new fleet strategy. Additionally, 2013 included $79 million of Dollar Thrifty acquisition adjustments that reduced depreciation expense. In addition, we experienced higher maintenance costs in the worldwide equipment rental segment in 2014 due to the investment made to improve the fleet available to rent and sales costs due to an increase in sales force personnel to focus on winning new accounts and diversifying the customer base. These decreases were partially offset by a decrease in other expenses year over year, as discussed above.
The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was (388)% as compared to 48% for the year ended December 31, 2013. The provision for taxes on income decreased $267 million, primarily due to lower income before income taxes, changes in geographic earnings mix, non-deductible transaction costs, decreased state and local tax rates and a decrease in the valuation allowance relating to losses in certain non-US jurisdictions for which tax benefits are not realized, offset by an increase in unrecognized tax benefits accrued during the year.
Adjusted pre-tax income decreased $705 million, or 63%, from the prior year. See footnote (a) to the table under "Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment" for a summary and description of our adjustments to pre-tax income on a consolidated basis.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND SELECTED OPERATING DATA BY SEGMENT
U.S. Car Rental
As of December 31, 2015, our U.S. Car Rental operations had a total of approximately 4,435 corporate and franchisee locations, comprised of 1,635 airport and 2,800 off airport locations.
We periodically review the efficiencies of an optimal mix between program and non-program cars in our fleet. Program cars generally provide us with flexibility to reduce the size of our fleet by returning cars sooner than originally expected without risk of loss in the event of an economic downturn or to respond to changes in rental demand. When we increase the percentage of program cars the average age of our fleet decreases since the average holding period for program vehicles is shorter than for non-program vehicles. Non-program cars disposed of through our retail outlets allow us the opportunity for ancillary retail car sales revenue, such as warranty and financing, during disposition. We adjust the ratio of program and non-program cars in our fleet as needed based on contract negotiations and the economic environment pertaining to our industry.
Depreciation rates are reviewed on a quarterly basis based on management's routine review of present and estimated future market conditions and their effect on residual values at the time of disposal. During the three years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013, depreciation rates being used to compute the provision for depreciation of revenue earning equipment were adjusted on certain vehicles in our car rental operations to reflect changes in the estimated residual values to be realized when revenue earning equipment is sold. Based on the quarterly reviews completed during 2015, 2014 and 2013, depreciation rate changes in our U.S. car rental operations resulted in a net increase in depreciation expense of $101 million and $167 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and a net decrease of $44 million in depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2013. The rate changes in 2015 and 2014 reflect declining residual values and a reduction in the planned hold period of the vehicles as compared to our initial estimates. The favorable adjustment in 2013 reflects changes from the impact of car sales channel diversification, acceleration of our retail sales expansion and the optimization of fleet holding periods related to the integration of Dollar Thrifty.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
U.S. Car Rental operations sold approximately 274,000, 187,000 and 206,000 non-program cars for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in 2015 was primarily due to the impact of fleet rotation as we refreshed our U.S. Car Rental fleet and from holding period reductions of non-program cars.
Results of operations and our discussion and analysis for our U.S. Car Rental segment are as follows:
Footnotes to the table above are shown at the end of the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment section of this MD&A.
N/A - Not applicable
Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014
Total U.S. Car Rental segment revenue was $6.3 billion in 2015, a decrease of $185 million, or 3%, from 2014 primarily as a result of declines in rate and volume. Total RPD decreased 2% predominantly driven by lower rental rates resulting from competitive pressure in the industry and lower ancillary fuel sales due to lower fuel prices. There was a 1% overall decrease in transaction days due to decreases in airport rental volume and a decrease in off airport volume due in part to the closure of approximately 200 stores in the second quarter of 2015 based on the results of a location-by-location assessment of our U.S. off airport retail store profitability. Off airport revenues comprised 25% of total revenues for the segment in both 2015 and 2014. Off airport transaction days comprised 33% of the total segment in both 2015 and 2014. Ancillary retail car sales revenues increased approximately $25 million primarily due to an increase in the number of vehicles sold year over year.
Direct operating expenses for our U.S. car rental segment decreased $162 million, or 4%, primarily comprised of the following:
•
Fleet related expenses decreased $84 million year over year primarily due to:
◦
Decreased fuel costs of $77 million due to lower fuel prices;
◦
Decreased insurance costs of $21 million due to improved loss experience;
◦
Decreased maintenance costs of $27 million due to our fleet refresh activities which have reduced the average age of the fleet, thus requiring less maintenance as compared to 2014;
◦
Increased collision and short term maintenance expense of $21 million due primarily to a larger number of program cars returned to the original equipment manufacturer in the current year; and
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
◦
Increased other vehicle operating costs of $25 million due primarily to higher amortization expense on vehicle tags and licenses.
•
Personnel related expenses decreased $7 million from 2014 primarily due to the discontinuation of future benefit accruals and participation under certain of our pension plans as well as a reduction in other employee incentives period over period.
•
Other direct operating expenses decreased $71 million from 2014 primarily due to:
◦
Decreased restructuring and restructuring related costs of $39 million related to reduced expenses for business transformation and integration initiatives; and
◦
Decreased commissions expense of $10 million driven by lower revenue period over period, and field administration decreased year over year due to lower shared services costs and fewer charges related to headquarters relocation as compared to 2014.
Partially offsetting the overall decrease in direct operating expenses was the impact of $9 million related to certain adjustments recorded during 2015 that relate to prior years as further disclosed in Note 2, "Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies."
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net decreased by $186 million, or 11%, when compared to 2014 due to higher residual values on certain vehicles and the mix between program and non-program cars year over year. Net depreciation per unit per month decreased to $267 in 2015 as compared to $294 in 2014.
Income before income taxes increased $155 million, or 60%, from 2014 due primarily to the impact of lower direct operating expenses and depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net. Partially offsetting the reduced expenses were lower revenues and the impact of the $13 million related to certain adjustments recorded during 2015 that relate to prior years as further disclosed in Note 2, "Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies." Additionally, in 2014, we recorded other income of $19 million resulting from an economic loss settlement we received related to a class action lawsuit filed against a vehicle manufacturer stemming from recalls of their vehicles in previous years with no comparable other income in 2015.
Adjusted pre-tax income increased $164 million, or 42%, in 2015 as compared to 2014. See footnote (a) in the "Footnotes to the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment Tables" for a summary and description of these adjustments on a consolidated basis.
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
Total revenues for our U.S. Car Rental segment increased $140 million, or 2%, from the prior year. Transaction days increased 5% while Total RPD was down 2%. The increase in transaction days was primarily related to 15% growth in the off airport market. Total RPD was negatively impacted by the higher mix of off airport rentals driven by an increase in the number of replacement renters during the period. Off airport revenues comprised 25% of the total segment in 2014 compared to 24% in 2013. Off airport transaction days comprised 33% of the total segment in 2014 compared with 31% in 2013.
Direct operating expenses for our U.S. Car Rental segment increased $390 million, or 11%, from the prior year due to the following:
•
Fleet related expenses increased $182 million, or 25%, from 2013 primarily comprised of:
◦
Increased vehicle maintenance expenses of $73 million which reflects an 89% increase in maintenance expense per vehicle due to the age and mileage of our fleet and the level of recall activity in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2014;
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
◦
Increased vehicle damage expenses of $59 million which reflects a 35% increase in expense per transaction day due to age and mileage of the fleet, as well as growth in our off airport business;
◦
Increased damage related liability and third party property damage of $35 million resulting from the shift in transaction day mix to more off airport rentals and older fleet compared with the prior year; and
◦
Increased other vehicle operating costs of $24 million resulting from additional vehicle registration, taxes and stolen vehicles expenses due to our business mix.
•
Personnel related expenses increased $30 million, or 3%, from 2013, primarily driven by increases in field payroll wages and benefits. The increases were driven by the off airport transaction growth in the insurance replacement business and the increased transportation of vehicles in an effort to maximize fleet sharing initiatives between our brands as well as maintenance on a higher mileage fleet and increased recalls.
•
Other direct operating expenses increased $177 million, or 11%, from 2013 primarily comprised of:
◦
Increased facilities expense of $34 million primarily resulting from additional depreciation expense when compared with the prior year due to an increase in the amount of capital expenditures on new and existing facilities;
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Increased restructuring costs of $46 million driven by our business transformation and integration initiatives;
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Increased field administration expenses of $33 million reflective of higher shared services operating expenses driven by our off airport market expansion and employee relocation expenses related to the new headquarters in Florida;
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Increased customer service expenses of $29 million which was attributable to a change in contract terms with a certain service provider during the year;
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Increased commissions of $33 million resulting from commission program rate changes and a shift of revenue mix to higher cost commission reservation sources; and
◦
Increased computers and field systems expenses of $22 million driven by growth in the number of off airport transactions and integration of our on airport field back-office and maintenance operations.
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net increased $477 million, or 37%, from the prior year. Net depreciation per unit per month for our U.S. Car Rental segment increased 35% to $294 from $218 year over year. This increase was primarily due to declining residual values, a change in estimate of the channel shift benefit and a reduction in the planned hold period as we implemented our new fleet strategy. Additionally, 2013 included $79 million of Dollar Thrifty acquisition accounting adjustments that reduced this expense.
Income before income taxes decreased $614 million, or 70%, from the prior year. This decrease in income before income taxes was primarily due to increased operating costs in the U.S. Car Rental segment due to damage, maintenance expenditures associated with higher mileage cars in the fleet and increased personnel costs to support the higher mileage fleet, and increased net depreciation per unit per month of 35% to $294 from $218 year over year. This increase was primarily due to declining residual values, a change in estimate of channel shift benefit and a reduction in the planned hold period as we implemented our new fleet strategy. Additionally, 2013 depreciation expense was favorably impacted by $79 million of Dollar Thrifty acquisition adjustments and an assumed longer fleet holding period. The change was partially offset by a $49 million decrease in SG&A expenses resulting from reduced marketing, co-branding and promotional activity. Additionally, there was other income of $18 million in 2014 compared to other expense of $31 million in the prior year, resulting in a $49 million favorable impact. Other income in 2014 was primarily comprised of a $19 million litigation settlement received in relation to a class action lawsuit filed against an original equipment manufacturer stemming from recalls of their vehicles in previous years. Other expense in 2013 is primarily comprised of $40 million of impairment charges and asset write-downs related to vehicles subleased to FSNA, the parent of Simply Wheelz, LLC, the owner and operator of our divested Advantage brand, as further described in Note 3, "Acquisitions and Divestitures," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Adjusted pre-tax income decreased $646 million, or 63%, from the prior year. See footnote (a) in the "Footnotes to the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment Tables" for a summary and description of these adjustments on a consolidated basis.
International Car Rental
Our international car rental operations have approximately 5,545 corporate and franchisee locations in approximately 150 countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in the regions of Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Results of operations and our discussion and analysis for our International Car Rental segment are as follows:
Footnotes to the table above are shown at the end of the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment section of this MD&A.
N/A - Not applicable
Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014
Total revenues for the International Car Rental segment decreased $288 million, or 12%, as compared to 2014, including a $367 million impact of foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenues increased $79 million, or 4% in 2015, driven by a 2% increase in transaction days resulting from the multi-brand expansion, particularly across Europe. Revenues in 2015 were negatively impacted by lower fuel revenues driven by lower market prices, a decline in ancillary fuel sales and a change in fuel purchase plans sold in the Europe market that took effect late in the second quarter of 2014. Total RPD for the segment, on a constant currency basis, rose 1%.
Direct operating expenses for our International Car Rental segment decreased $240 million, or 16%, as compared to 2014. Excluding the $219 million impact of foreign currency, direct operating expenses decreased approximately $21 million, or 2%, due to lower commissions, lower fuel costs and lower restructuring charges as compared to 2014, partially offset by an increase in fleet-related self insurance expenses.
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net for our International Car Rental segment decreased $94 million, or 19%, mainly driven by the impact of foreign currency of $65 million, improved fleet procurement and higher residual values on certain vehicles. Net depreciation per unit per month decreased 7% to $211 from $226 year over year, on a constant currency basis.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Income before income taxes for our International Car Rental segment was $171 million in 2015 as compared to $95 million in 2014. The change was due mainly to the reduction in direct operating expenses and depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net mentioned above. Additionally, there was a $25 million decline in interest expense, net, due to the $15 million impact of foreign currency and lower interest rates. Also, there was a $22 million decrease in SG&A due to the $48 million impact of foreign currency which was partially offset by $9 million of accruals, expenses, charges, and write-downs recorded in the second quarter of 2015 in connection with the termination of a contract. The above decreases were partially offset by lower revenues and $23 million in charges recorded in relation to a French road tax matter. Excluding the overall impact of foreign currency, income before income taxes increased $114 million driven by higher revenues and lower expenses as discussed above.
Adjusted pre-tax income for our International Car Rental segment was $215 million in 2015 as compared to $144 million in 2014. See footnote (a) in the "Footnotes to the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment Tables" for a summary and description of reconciling adjustments on a consolidated basis.
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
Total revenues for the segment increased $58 million, or 2%, when compared with the prior year period and increased $80 million, or 3% excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. We experienced a 4% increase in transaction days; however, Total RPD for the segment decreased 1% due mainly to the expansion of our value brands, Firefly and Thrifty, in several European countries.
Direct operating expenses for our International Car Rental segment increased $84 million, or 6%, from the prior year due to the following:
•
Fleet related expenses increased $50 million, or 13%, from 2013 primarily due to higher insurance and license fees of $29 million and higher vehicle damage costs of $23 million. Insurance costs were higher due to increases in large loss property damage claims and license fees increased due to a new toll product in Australia and increased conversion expenses from vehicle thefts in Italy. Damage costs increased due to higher vehicle reconditioning costs and lower damage recoveries; and
•
Other direct operating expenses increased $27 million during the period primarily due to higher commissions of $14 million driven by growth in our value brand segments and higher facilities costs and concession fees of $13 million.
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net decreased $36 million, or 7%, and net depreciation per unit per month decreased 9% to $226 from $248 year over year. This change was mainly driven by improvements in fleet purchasing, vehicle mix and the gain (loss) on vehicles sold during the period.
Income before income taxes increased $61 million, or 179%, from the prior year. The change was primarily due to the factors described above and a $17 million decrease in interest expense, net driven by a lower average interest rate on fleet debt resulting from the European fleet financings completed during the period. Additionally, there was a $25 million decrease in other (income) expenses, net which is further described on a consolidated basis in the Consolidated Results of Operations section of this MD&A.
Adjusted pre-tax income increased $10 million, or 7%, from the prior year. See footnote (a) in the "Footnotes to the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment Tables" for a summary and description of these adjustments on a consolidated basis.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Worldwide Equipment Rental
HERC has approximately 280 company-operated branches, of which approximately 270 are in the United States and Canada, and the remainder are located in the United Kingdom, China and through joint venture arrangements in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We also operate our equipment rental business through franchisee owned branches in Greece, Iceland, Portugal and Corsica in Europe, in Afghanistan in the Middle East, in Panama in Central America and in Chile in South America.
Results of operations and our discussion and analysis for our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment are as follows:
Footnotes to the table above are shown at the end of the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment section of this MD&A.
N/A - Not applicable
Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014
Total revenues for the segment decreased $53 million, or 3%, when compared with the prior-year period and decreased $6 million, excluding the $47 million impact of foreign currency exchange rates. This was a result of a 2% increase in worldwide equipment rental volumes, which was offset by continuing weakness in major upstream oil and gas markets discussed below. Pricing for 2015 was unchanged year-over-year. The increase in volume was driven by new account growth, which is predominantly derived from small local contractors and customers in new and expanded business lines as we expand our business across a diverse group of industries. As a result of this new account growth, rental and rental-related revenue in non-oil and gas markets increased approximately 10% in 2015. Further, the sale of our operations in France and Spain on October 30, 2015 reduced revenue year-over-year.
Revenue from upstream oil and gas customers represented approximately 10% of North American equipment rental and rental related revenue in 2015, excluding currency effects. This upstream revenue was down approximately 31% in 2015 as major oil producers reduced spending. The effect of the reduced spending also impacted other sectors within those markets. Revenue in our major upstream oil and gas markets represented approximately 23% of North American equipment rental and rental-related revenue in 2015, excluding currency effects. Revenue in these markets was down approximately 24% in 2015.
Direct operating expenses for our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment decreased $13 million, or 2%, and increased $17 million, or 2%, excluding the impact of foreign currency. This increase is primarily due to increases of $14 million in salary related expenses due to costs associated with a rise in the headcount for mechanics to reduce the fleet unavailable for rent, reinvestment in branch management to drive operational processes and an increase in bad debt expense of $7 million.
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net, remained flat in 2015 when compared with 2014, and increased $9 million, or 3%, excluding the impact of foreign currency. The increase was driven by a slightly larger fleet size as compared to 2014. Partially offsetting this increase was an increase of gains on sale of revenue earning
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
equipment. In 2014, gains were reduced as we sold an increased amount of equipment through the auction channel, which generally sells at lower margins, in order to better align equipment available for rent with demand.
Income before income taxes decreased $50 million, or 29%, due to the factors above coupled with a $40 million impairment on the HERC trade name and a $17 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily resulting from $5 million in costs associated with separation of a senior executive during second quarter of 2015 as well as increased costs associated with a larger sales force year over year. Partially offsetting the above was a $51 million gain on the sale of our HERC France and Spain businesses.
Adjusted pre-tax income decreased $69 million, or 27%. See footnote (a) in the "Footnotes to the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment Tables" for a summary and description of these adjustments on a consolidated basis.
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
Total revenues for the segment increased $32 million, or 2%, when compared with the prior year period and increased $54 million, or 4% excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. HERC experienced increases of 6% and 2% in worldwide equipment rental volumes and pricing, respectively. The increase in volume was driven by growth in the non-residential construction industry, new account wins, and efforts to diversify our customer base. Although higher than in 2013, overall segment revenues were negatively impacted by a $18 million decline in equipment sales resulting from the closure of two dealerships and a distribution center.
Direct operating expenses for our Worldwide Equipment Rental segment increased $37 million, or 4%, from the prior year due primarily to additional fleet related expenses of $25 million as a result of higher maintenance costs as we refresh the equipment rental fleet.
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net increased $30 million, or 10%, from the prior year. The increase was driven by a 5% increase in the average acquisition cost of rental equipment operated during the period and a $17 million decrease in gain on sale of used equipment as HERC sold an increased amount of equipment through the auction channel in order to better align equipment available for rent with demand.
Income before income taxes decreased $71 million, or 29%, from the prior year due mainly to the factors described above and a $30 million increase in SG&A expenses primarily resulting from costs for the anticipated HERC spin-off transaction as well as increased costs associated with a larger sales force. SG&A expense is further described on a consolidated basis in the Consolidated Results of Operations section of this MD&A.
Adjusted pre-tax income decreased $43 million, or 14%, from the prior year. See footnote (a) in the "Footnotes to the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment Tables" for a summary and description of these adjustments on a consolidated basis.
All Other Operations
Results of operations and our discussion and analysis for our All Other Operations segment are as follows:
Footnotes to the table above are shown at the end of the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment section of this MD&A.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Our Donlen operations had favorable revenue results in 2015 as compared with 2014 and in 2014 as compared with 2013 driven by increased leasing volume, partially offset by a decline in service volume which also contributes to a reduced fleet size. Higher revenues were partially offset by higher vehicle depreciation in the segment primarily due to increases in the average cost of each vehicle as we refresh the fleet with newer model years.
Footnotes to the Results of Operations and Selected Operating Data by Segment Tables
(a)
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is a Non-GAAP measure that is calculated as income (loss) before income taxes plus certain non-cash acquisition accounting charges, debt-related charges relating to the amortization and write-off of debt financing costs and debt discounts and certain one-time charges and nonoperational items. Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is important to management because it allows management to assess operational performance of our business, exclusive of the items mentioned above. It also allows management to assess the performance of the entire business on the same basis as the segment measure of profitability. Management believes that it is important to investors for the same reasons it is important to management and because it allows them to assess our operational performance on the same basis that management uses internally. When evaluating our operating performance, investors should not consider adjusted pre-tax income (loss) in isolation of, or as a substitute for, measures of our financial performance, such as net income (loss) or income (loss) before income taxes. The contribution of our reportable segments to adjusted pre-tax income (loss) and reconciliation to the most comparable consolidated GAAP measure are presented below:
(1)
Represents general corporate expenses, certain interest expense (including net interest on corporate debt), as well as other business activities.
(2)
Represents the increase in amortization of other intangible assets, depreciation of property and other equipment and accretion of revalued liabilities relating to acquisition accounting.
(3)
Represents debt-related charges relating to the amortization of deferred debt financing costs and debt discounts and premiums.
(4)
Represents expenses incurred under restructuring actions as defined in U.S. GAAP. For further information on restructuring costs, see Note 11, "Restructuring," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Also represents incremental costs incurred directly supporting our business transformation initiatives. Such costs include transition costs incurred in connection with our business process outsourcing arrangements and incremental costs incurred to facilitate business process re-engineering initiatives that involve significant organization redesign and extensive operational process changes. Amounts in 2015 and 2014 also includes consulting costs and legal fees related to the accounting review and investigation, one-time costs to terminate certain marketing and co-branding agreements, and costs associated with the separation of certain executives during the year.
(5)
Acquisition related costs and charges during the period.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
(6)
Primarily represents Dollar Thrifty integration related expenses.
(7)
Represents expenses associated with the anticipated HERC spin-off transaction announced in March 2014. In 2015, $26 million were incurred by HERC and $9 million by Corporate. In 2014, $28 million were incurred by HERC and $11 million by Corporate.
(8)
Represents non-recurring costs incurred in connection with the relocation of the Company's corporate headquarters to Estero, Florida that were not included in restructuring expenses. Such expenses primarily include duplicate facility rent, certain moving expenses, and other costs that are direct and incremental due to the relocation.
(9)
In 2013, represents premiums paid to redeem our 8.50% Former European Fleet Notes.
(10)
In 2013, represents extinguishment of debt for Senior Convertible Notes.
(11)
In 2015, represents the pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately 138 million shares of CAR Inc. common stock.
(12)
In 2015, represents the pre-tax gain on the sale of our HERC France and Spain businesses.
(13)
In 2015, primarily comprised of a $40 million write down of the HERC trade name. Also includes a $6 million impairment on the former Dollar Thrifty headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a $5 million impairment on a building in the U.S. Car Rental segment, $3 million impairment on a held for sale corporate asset, and write downs of $3 million associated with U.S. Car Rental service equipment and assets. In 2014, primarily comprised of a $13 million impairment related to our former corporate headquarters building in New Jersey, a $10 million impairment of HERC revenue earning equipment held for sale and a $10 million impairment of assets related to a contract termination. In 2013, primarily related to a $40 million impairment in the carrying value of the vehicles subleased to FSNA and its subsidiary, Simply Wheelz.
(14)
Includes miscellaneous, non-recurring or non-cash items. For 2015, primarily represents a charge of $23 million recorded in relation to a French road tax matter. In 2014, primarily comprised of a $19 million litigation settlement received in relation to a class action lawsuit filed against an original equipment manufacturer. In 2013, primarily represents cash premiums of $12 million associated with the conversion of the Senior Convertible Notes and $5 million of depreciation expense related to HERC.
(b)
Transaction days represent the total number of 24-hour periods, with any partial period counted as one transaction day, that vehicles were on rent (the period between when a rental contract is opened and closed) in a given period. Thus, it is possible for a vehicle to attain more than one transaction day in a 24-hour period. Late in the third quarter of 2015 the Company fully integrated the Dollar Thrifty and Hertz counter systems and as a result aligned the transaction day calculation in the Hertz system. As a result of this alignment, Hertz determined that there was an impact to the calculation. The impact to the third quarter of 2015 was negligible, however we estimate that transaction days for the U.S. Car Rental segment will increase by approximately 1% prospectively relative to the historic calculation.
(c)
Total RPD is a Non-GAAP measure that is calculated as total revenue less revenue from subleases and ancillary retail car sales revenue associated with retail car sales, divided by the total number of transaction days, with all periods adjusted to eliminate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency. Our management believes eliminating the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency is useful in analyzing underlying trends. This statistic is important to our management and investors as it represents a measurement of the changes in underlying pricing in the car rental business and encompasses the elements in car rental pricing that management has the ability to control.
The following tables reconcile our car rental segment revenues to our total rental revenue and total revenue per transaction day (based on December 31, 2014 foreign exchange rates) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 ($ in millions except as noted):
(d)
Average fleet is determined using a simple average of the number of vehicles at the beginning and end of a given period. Among other things, average fleet is used to calculate our fleet efficiency which represents the portion of the Company's fleet that is being utilized to generate revenue. Fleet efficiency is calculated by dividing total transaction days by available car days. In 2014 and 2013, average fleet used to calculate fleet efficiency in our U.S. Car Rental segment excludes Advantage sublease and Hertz 24/7 vehicles as these vehicles do not have associated transaction days. In 2015, the quantity of Advantage sublease and Hertz 24/7 vehicles rounds to zero. The calculation of fleet efficiency is shown in the table below.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
(e)
Revenue per available car day is calculated as total revenues less revenue from fleet subleases and ancillary retail car sales revenue associated with retail car sales divided by available car days, with all periods adjusted to eliminate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency. Our management believes eliminating the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency is appropriate so as not to affect the comparability of underlying trends. This metric is important to our management and investors as it represents a measurement of the changes in underlying pricing in the car rental business and encompasses the elements in car rental pricing that management has the ability to control and provides a measure of revenue production relative to overall capacity.
The following tables reconcile our car rental segment total rental revenues to our revenue per available car day (based on December 31, 2014 foreign exchange rates) for the periods shown:
(f)
Net depreciation per unit per month is a non-GAAP measure that is calculated by dividing depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net by the average fleet in each period and then dividing by the number of months in the period reported, with all periods adjusted to eliminate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency. Our management believes eliminating the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency is useful in analyzing underlying trends. Average fleet used to calculate net depreciation per unit per month in our U.S. Car Rental segment includes Advantage sublease and Hertz 24/7 vehicles as these vehicles have associated lease charges. Net depreciation per unit per month represents the amount of average depreciation expense and lease charges, net per vehicle per month. The tables below reconcile this non-GAAP measure to its most comparable GAAP measure, which is depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net, (based on December 31, 2014 foreign exchange rates) for the periods shown:
(g)
Dollar utilization means revenue derived from the rental of equipment divided by the original cost of the equipment including additional capitalized refurbishment costs (with the basis of refurbished assets reset at the refurbishment date).
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
(h)
Time Utilization means the percentage of time an equipment unit is on-rent during a given period.
(i)
Worldwide equipment rental and rental related revenue is a Non-GAAP measure that consists of all revenue, net of discounts, associated with the rental of equipment including charges for delivery, loss damage waivers and fueling, but excluding revenue arising from the sale of equipment, parts and supplies and certain other ancillary revenue. Rental and rental related revenue is adjusted in all periods to eliminate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency (based on December 31, 2014 foreign exchange rates). Our management believes eliminating the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency is appropriate so as not to affect the comparability of underlying trends. This statistic is important to our management and investors as it reflects time and mileage and ancillary charges for equipment on rent and is comparable with the reporting of other industry participants. The following table reconciles our worldwide equipment rental segment revenues, the most comparable GAAP measure, to our worldwide equipment rental and rental related revenue (based on the elements in car rental pricing that management has the ability to control).
(j)
Same-store revenue growth is calculated as the year over year change in revenue for locations that are open at the end of the period reported and have been operating under our direction for more than twelve months. The same-store revenue amounts are adjusted in all periods to eliminate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency. Our management believes eliminating the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency is appropriate so as not to affect the comparability of underlying trends.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our U.S. and international operations are funded by cash provided by operating activities and by extensive financing arrangements maintained by us in the U.S. and internationally.
As of December 31, 2015, we had $479 million of cash and cash equivalents and $349 million of restricted cash. Of these amounts, $164 million of cash and cash equivalents and $39 million of restricted cash was held by our subsidiaries outside of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Repatriation of these funds under current regulatory and tax law for use in domestic operations would expose us to additional taxes. We consider this cash to be permanently reinvested. We believe that cash and cash equivalents generated by our U.S. operations, cash received on the disposal of vehicles and equipment, together with amounts available under various liquidity facilities and refinancing options available to us in the U.S. capital markets, will be sufficient to fund operating requirements in the U.S. for the foreseeable future.
Cash Flows
As of December 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $479 million, a decrease of $11 million from $490 million as of December 31, 2014. The following table summarizes the net change in cash and cash equivalents for the periods shown:
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Year ended December 31, 2015 compared with year ended December 31, 2014
Cash from operating activities decreased $125 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to a $66 million reduction in net income excluding non-cash items, and a $59 million change in working capital period over period.
Our primary use of cash in investing activities is for the acquisition of revenue earning equipment, which consists of cars and equipment. During 2015, cash used in investing activities decreased by $154 million compared to 2014 primarily due to proceeds of $236 million received from the sale of a portion of our investment in CAR Inc., proceeds of $126 million received from the disposal of a business and a $114 million decrease in revenue earning equipment and capital asset expenditures, net of proceeds from disposals. These cash inflows were partially offset by $267 million of cash advances to Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. under the master loan facility and a $68 million decrease in cash due to the timing of the release of restrictions on cash levels required to support fleet-related debt compared to 2014.
During 2015, cash used in financing activities increased by $119 million compared to 2014. The increase was primarily due to a $344 million advance to Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. and a net cash outflow on our revolving lines of credit in 2015, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of fleet fixed medium term notes as well as lower financing costs compared to 2014.
Year ended December 31, 2014 compared with year ended December 31, 2013
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we generated $158 million less cash from operating activities compared with the same period in 2013. The decrease was primarily a result of a decrease in earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization as well as due to the timing of payments for inventories, prepaid expenses and other assets, offset by the timing of our cash receipts related to receivables.
Our primary use of cash in investing activities is for the acquisition of revenue earning equipment, which consists of cars and equipment, see "Capital Expenditures" below. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we used $744 million less cash for investing activities compared with the same period in 2013. The decrease in the use of funds was primarily due to a $183 million decrease in cash spent on an equity method investment (as our strategic investment in CAR Inc. occurred during 2013), as well as changes in our restricted cash balances. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $571 million and $861 million, respectively, of restricted cash and cash equivalents to be used for the purchase of revenue earning vehicles and other specified uses under our fleet financing facilities, our Like Kind Exchange Program, or "LKE Program," and to satisfy certain of our self-insurance regulatory reserve requirements. The decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents of $290 million from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014, is primarily due to a decline in the amount of restricted cash that was held in certain LKE accounts awaiting disbursement for future vehicle purchases.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we used $346 million more cash for financing activities compared with the same period in 2013. The increase was due to the receipt of proceeds from the issuance of variable fleet funding in 2013 and no such proceeds in 2014, as well as increased payments on long term debt during 2014. These changes were partially offset as cash was used in 2013 to purchase treasury shares and no such purchases of treasury shares were made in 2014. In addition, the net activity in the revolving lines of credit and short term borrowings resulted in less use of cash in 2014 as compared with 2013.
Financing
Our primary liquidity needs include servicing of corporate and fleet related debt, the payment of operating expenses and capital projects and purchases of rental vehicles and equipment to be used in our operations. Our primary sources of funding are operating cash flows, cash received on the disposal of vehicles and equipment, borrowings under our asset-backed securitizations and our asset-based revolving credit facilities and access to the credit markets.
As of December 31, 2015, we had $15.9 billion of total indebtedness outstanding. Cash paid for interest during 2015 was $572 million, net of amounts capitalized. Accordingly, we are highly leveraged and a substantial portion of our liquidity needs arise from debt service on our indebtedness and from the funding of our costs of operations, capital expenditures and acquisitions. Substantially all of our revenue earning equipment and certain related assets are owned
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
by special purpose entities, or are encumbered in favor of our lenders under our various credit facilities, other secured financings and asset-backed securities programs. None of such assets (including the assets owned by each of Hertz Vehicle Financing II LP, HVF II GP Corp., Hertz Vehicle Financing LLC, Rental Car Finance Corp., DNRS II LLC, Hertz Fleet Lease Funding LP, Donlen Trust and various international subsidiaries that facilitate our international securitizations) are available to satisfy the claims of our general creditors. For further information on our indebtedness, see Note 6, "Debt," to the Notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data".
Our liquidity as of December 31, 2015 consisted of cash and cash equivalents, unused commitments under our Senior ABL Facility and unused commitments under our fleet debt, see "Borrowing Capacity and Availability" below. The Company’s practice is to maintain sufficient liquidity through cash from operations, credit facilities and other financing arrangements, so that its operations are unaffected by adverse financial market conditions.
The nominal amounts of maturities of debt for each of the twelve-month periods ending December 31 are as follows:
We believe that cash generated from operations, cash received on the disposal of vehicles and equipment, together with amounts available under various liquidity facilities and refinancing options available to us, will be adequate to permit us to meet our debt maturities over the next twelve months.
For information on our indebtedness subsequent to December 31, 2015, see Note 21, "Subsequent Events," to the Notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Borrowing Capacity and Availability
Our borrowing capacity and availability comes from our "revolving credit facilities," which are a combination of asset-backed securitization facilities and asset-based revolving credit facilities. Creditors under each of our revolving credit facilities have a claim on a specific pool of assets as collateral. Our ability to borrow under each revolving credit facility is a function of, among other things, the value of the assets in the relevant collateral pool. We refer to the amount of debt we can borrow given a certain pool of assets as the borrowing base.
We refer to "Remaining Capacity" as the maximum principal amount of debt permitted to be outstanding under the respective facility (i.e., the amount of debt we could borrow assuming we possessed sufficient assets as collateral) less the principal amount of debt then-outstanding under such facility. We refer to "Availability Under Borrowing Base Limitation" as the lower of Remaining Capacity or the borrowing base less the principal amount of debt then-outstanding under such facility (i.e., the amount of debt we could borrow given the collateral we possess at such time).
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
As of December 31, 2015, the following facilities were available to us:
As of December 31, 2015, the Senior ABL Facility had $1,142 million available under the letter of credit facility sublimit, subject to borrowing base restrictions.
Letters of Credit
As of December 31, 2015, there were outstanding standby letters of credit totaling $517 million. Of this amount, $503 million was issued under the Senior Credit Facilities. As of December 31, 2015, none of these letters of credit have been drawn upon.
Financing Risks
A significant number of cars that we purchase are subject to repurchase by car manufacturers under contractual repurchase or guaranteed depreciation programs. Under these programs, car manufacturers agree to repurchase cars at a specified price or guarantee the depreciation rate on the cars during a specified time period, typically subject to certain car condition and mileage requirements. We use values derived from this specified price or guaranteed depreciation rate to calculate financing capacity under certain asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements.
In the event of a bankruptcy of a car manufacturer, our liquidity could be impacted by several factors including reductions in fleet residual values and the risk that we would be unable to collect outstanding receivables due to us from such bankrupt manufacturer. In addition, the program cars manufactured by any such company would need to be removed from our financing facilities or re-designated as non-program vehicles, which would require us to furnish additional credit enhancement associated with these program vehicles. For a discussion of the risks associated with a manufacturer's bankruptcy or our reliance on asset-backed and asset-based financing, see Item 1A, "Risk Factors" included in this Annual Report.
We rely significantly on asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements to purchase cars for our U.S. and international car rental fleet. The amount of financing available to us pursuant to these programs depends on a number of factors, many of which are outside our control, including proposed and recently adopted SEC (and other federal agency) rules and regulations and other legislative and administrative developments. In this regard, there has been uncertainty regarding the potential impact of recently adopted SEC rules and regulations governing the issuance of asset-backed securities and additional requirements contained in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital rules, a global regulatory standard on bank capital adequacy, stress testing and market liquidity risk. While we will continue to monitor these developments and their impact on our ABS program, such rules and regulations may impact our ability and/or desire to engage in asset-backed financings in the future. For further information concerning our asset-backed financing programs and our indebtedness, see Note 6,
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
"Debt," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." For a discussion of the risks associated with our reliance on asset-backed and asset-based financing and the significant amount of indebtedness, see Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in this Annual Report.
Covenants
We refer to Hertz and its subsidiaries as the Hertz credit group. The indentures for the Senior Notes contain covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Hertz credit group to incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, prepay certain indebtedness, make certain restricted payments (including paying dividends, redeeming stock or making other distributions to parent entities of Hertz and other persons outside of the Hertz credit group), make investments, create liens, transfer or sell assets, merge or consolidate, and enter into certain transactions with Hertz's affiliates that are not members of the Hertz credit group.
Certain of our other debt instruments and credit facilities contain a number of covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the borrowers and the guarantors to dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, prepay certain indebtedness, make certain restricted payments (including paying dividends, share repurchases or making other distributions), create liens, make investments, make acquisitions, engage in mergers, fundamentally change the nature of their business, make capital expenditures, or engage in certain transactions with certain affiliates.
Under the terms of our Senior Term Facility and Senior ABL Facility, we are not subject to ongoing financial maintenance covenants; however, under the Senior ABL Facility, failure to maintain certain levels of liquidity will subject the Hertz credit group to a contractually specified fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1:1 for the four quarters most recently ended. As of December 31, 2015, we were not subject to the fixed charge coverage ratio test.
Additionally, the documentation of various of our (and/or our special purpose subsidiaries’) financing facilities requires us to file certain quarterly and annual reports and certain of our subsidiaries to file statutory financial statements within certain time periods.
For more information regarding our covenants, see Note 6, "Debt," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Waivers
Due to our accounting restatement, investigation and remediation activities, we failed to file certain quarterly and annual reports and certain of our subsidiaries failed to file statutory financial statements within certain time periods set forth in the documentation of various of our (and/or our special purpose subsidiaries’) financing facilities which resulted in the occurrence of various potential and/or actual defaults and potential amortization events under certain of such financing facilities which required us to obtain certain waivers.
On July 16, 2015, we filed our 2014 Form 10-K and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015. As a result, any potential and/or actual defaults and potential amortization events ceased to exist and were deemed to have been cured for all purposes of the related transaction documents.
See Note 6, "Debt," for additional information related to our waivers.
Guarantees
Hertz's obligations under the indentures for the Senior Notes are guaranteed by each of its direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries that is a guarantor under the Senior Term Facility. The guarantees of all of the subsidiary guarantors may be released to the extent such subsidiaries no longer guarantee our Senior Credit Facilities in the United States.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Transactions with Hertz Holdings
In November 2014, the Company signed a master loan agreement with Hertz Holdings for a facility size of $125 million with an expiration in November 2015 (the "Master Loan"). The interest rate is based on the U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate plus a margin. In August 2015, the Master Loan was amended to increase the facility size to $425 million.
In October 2015, the board of directors of the Company approved, and Hertz paid, a non-cash dividend to Hertz Investors, Inc. consisting of the full rights to a receivable due from Hertz Holdings under the Master Loan in the amount of $365 million plus accrued interest. Hertz Investors, Inc. declared and paid the same dividend to Hertz Holdings; thereby settling the amount receivable from Hertz Holdings at the time.
In November 2015, upon expiration of the Master Loan, as amended, the Company signed a new master loan agreement with Hertz Holdings for a facility size of $650 million with an expiration in November 2016 (the "New Master Loan" and together with the Master Loan, the "Loan"). The interest rate is based on the U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate plus a margin.
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there was $345 million and $95 million receivable from Hertz Holdings, respectively, representing principal and interest amounts due under the Loan.
Capital Expenditures
The table below sets forth the revenue earning equipment and capital asset expenditures, non-fleet, and related disposal proceeds for the periods shown:
The table below sets forth net capital expenditures for revenue earning equipment by segment for the periods shown:
Year ended December 31, 2015 compared with year ended December 31, 2014
In 2015, net expenditures on revenue earning equipment decreased by $45 million, primarily due to the impact of foreign currency, the timing of purchases and related payments and fleet mix in our International Car Rental segment. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in net expenditures on revenue earning equipment in our U.S. Car Rental segment due to our fleet strategy of increasing the rotation of vehicles to reduce the average vehicle age and to improve customer satisfaction by providing lower mileage vehicles.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Year ended December 31, 2014 compared with year ended December 31, 2013
In 2013, we extended the holding periods of our fleet which reduced the net expenditures on revenue earning equipment in our U.S. Car Rental segment in the year ended December 31, 2014. The increases to net revenue earning equipment expenditures in our International Car Rental segment and our All Other Operations segment were a result of increased volumes as well as timing of purchases and related payments. We purchased significant levels of revenue earning equipment for HERC in the fourth quarter 2013 which resulted in fewer purchases in 2014.
The table below sets forth capital asset expenditures, non-fleet, net of disposal proceeds, by segment for the periods shown:
Relocation of Headquarters
Our relocation of our corporate headquarters to Estero, Florida is complete. We funded the construction costs related to our new headquarters although most of the cost will be offset by state income tax credits over a period of 20 years. Through December 31, 2015, we expended approximately $105 million related to the construction of our new headquarters. Additionally, through December 31, 2015, we have incurred approximately $85 million in expenditures directly related to the relocation of our headquarters including employee relocation, severance, temporary facilities and other associated costs.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table details the contractual cash obligations for debt and related interest payable, operating leases and concession agreements, commitments to purchase vehicles, tax liability for uncertain tax positions and related interest and other purchase obligations as of December 31, 2015:
(a)
Amounts represent nominal value of debt obligations. See Note 6, "Debt," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
(b)
Amounts represent the estimated commitment fees and interest payments based on the principal amounts, minimum non-cancelable maturity dates and applicable interest rates on the debt at December 31, 2015.
(c)
Includes obligations under various concession agreements, which provide for payment of rents and a percentage of revenue with a guaranteed minimum, and lease agreements for real estate, revenue earning equipment and office and computer
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
equipment. Such obligations are reflected to the extent of their minimum non-cancelable terms. See Note 10, "Lease and Concession Agreements," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
(d)
As of December 31, 2015, this represents fleet purchases where contracts have been signed or are pending with committed orders under the terms of such arrangements.
(e)
Purchase obligations and other represent agreements to purchase goods or services that are legally binding on us and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction, as well as liabilities for uncertain tax positions and other liabilities, and excludes any obligations to employees. Only the minimum non-cancelable portion of purchase agreements and related cancellation penalties are included as obligations. In the case of contracts that state minimum quantities of goods or services, amounts reflect only the stipulated minimums; all other contracts reflect estimated amounts. Of the total purchase obligations $22 million and $6 million, respectively, represent our tax liability for uncertain tax positions and related net accrued interest and penalties.
The table excludes our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations as disclosed in Note 7, "Employee Retirement Benefits," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
OFF BALANCE SHEET COMMITMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS
Indemnification Obligations
In the ordinary course of business, we execute contracts involving indemnification obligations customary in the relevant industry and indemnifications specific to a transaction such as the sale of a business. These indemnification obligations might include claims relating to the following: environmental matters; intellectual property rights; governmental regulations and employment-related matters; customer, supplier and other commercial contractual relationships; and financial matters. Performance under these indemnification obligations would generally be triggered by a breach of terms of the contract or by a third party claim. We regularly evaluate the probability of having to incur costs associated with these indemnification obligations and have accrued for expected losses that are probable and estimable. The types of indemnification obligations for which payments are possible include the following:
Sponsors; Directors
Hertz has entered into customary indemnification agreements with Hertz Holdings, the Sponsors and our stockholders affiliated with the Sponsors, pursuant to which Hertz Holdings and Hertz will indemnify the Sponsors, our stockholders affiliated with the Sponsors and their respective affiliates, directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents, representatives and controlling persons, against certain liabilities arising out of performance of a consulting agreement with Hertz Holdings and each of the Sponsors and certain other claims and liabilities, including liabilities arising out of financing arrangements or securities offerings. We also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and certain of our officers. We do not believe that these indemnifications are reasonably likely to have a material impact on us.
Environmental
We have indemnified various parties for the costs associated with remediating numerous hazardous substance storage, recycling or disposal sites in many states and, in some instances, for natural resource damages. The amount of any such expenses or related natural resource damages for which we may be held responsible could be substantial. The probable expenses that we expect to incur for such matters have been accrued, and those expenses are reflected in our consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the aggregate amounts accrued for environmental liabilities including liability for environmental indemnities, reflected in our consolidated balance sheets in "Accrued liabilities" were $3 million and $2 million, respectively. The accrual generally represents the estimated cost to study potential environmental issues at sites deemed to require investigation or clean-up activities, and the estimated cost to implement remediation actions, including on-going maintenance, as required. Cost estimates are developed by site. Initial cost estimates are based on historical experience at similar sites and are refined over time on the basis of in-depth studies of the sites. For many sites, the remediation costs and other damages for which we ultimately may be responsible cannot be reasonably estimated because of uncertainties with respect to factors such as our connection
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
to the site, the materials there, the involvement of other potentially responsible parties, the application of laws and other standards or regulations, site conditions, and the nature and scope of investigations, studies, and remediation to be undertaken (including the technologies to be required and the extent, duration, and success of remediation).
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Pension
We sponsor defined benefit pension plans worldwide. Pension obligations give rise to significant expenses that are dependent on assumptions discussed in Note 7, "Employee Retirement Benefits," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Effective December 31, 2014, we amended the Hertz Retirement Plan to permanently discontinue future benefit accruals and participation under the plan for non-union employees. Interest credits under the plan will continue to be credited on existing participant account balances under the plan until benefits are distributed and service will continue to be recognized for vesting and retirement eligibility requirements.
Also, effective as of December 31, 2014, we permanently discontinued future benefit accruals and participation under the Hertz Corporation Benefit Equalization Plan (“BEP") and the The Hertz Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP II”). Service will continue to be recognized for vesting and retirement eligibility requirements under the BEP and SERP II.
Our 2015 worldwide pre-tax pension benefit is $7 million, which represents a decrease of $23 million from 2014. In general, pension expense decreased in 2015 compared to 2014 due to freezing of the Hertz Retirement Plan and discontinuation of future benefits under the BEP and SERP II plans.
The funded status (i.e., the dollar amount by which the projected benefit obligations exceeded the market value of pension plan assets) of the Hertz Retirement Plan, in which most domestic employees participate, declined as of December 31, 2015, compared with December 31, 2014. This change is due to the performance of plan assets. We did not contribute to the Hertz Retirement Plan during 2015. We do not anticipate contributing to the Hertz Retirement Plan plan during 2016. For the international plans, we anticipate contributing $3 million during 2016. The level of 2016 and future contributions will vary, and is dependent on a number of factors including investment returns, interest rate fluctuations, plan demographics, funding regulations and the results of the final actuarial valuation.
We participate in several "multiemployer" pension plans. In the event that we withdraw from participation in one of these plans, then applicable law could require us to make an additional lump-sum contribution to the plan, and we would have to reflect that as an expense in our consolidated statement of operations and as a liability on our consolidated balance sheet. Our withdrawal liability for any multiemployer plan would depend on the extent of the plan's funding of vested benefits. Our multiemployer plans could have significant underfunded liabilities. Such underfunding may increase in the event other employers become insolvent or withdraw from the applicable plan or upon the inability or failure of withdrawing employers to pay their withdrawal liability. In addition, such underfunding may increase as a result of lower than expected returns on pension fund assets or other funding deficiencies. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For a discussion of the risks associated with our pension plans, see Item 1A, "Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
The following accounting policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their application, and therefore, represent the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements. If different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from our reported results. For additional discussion of our critical accounting policies, as well as our significant accounting policies, see Note 2, "Summary of Critical and
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Significant Accounting Policies," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Revenue Earning Equipment
Our principal assets are revenue earning equipment, which represented approximately 56% of our total assets as of December 31, 2015. Revenue earning equipment consists of vehicles utilized in our car rental operations and equipment utilized in our equipment rental operations. For the year ended December 31, 2015, 42% of the vehicles purchased for our combined U.S. and International car rental fleets were subject to repurchase by automobile manufacturers under contractual repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs, subject to certain manufacturers' car condition and mileage requirements, at a specific price during a specified time period. These programs limit our residual risk with respect to vehicles purchased under these programs. Incentives received from the manufacturers for purchases of vehicles or equipment reduce the capitalized cost. For all other vehicles, as well as equipment acquired by our equipment rental business, we use historical experience, industry residual value guidebooks and the monitoring of market conditions, to set depreciation rates. Generally, when revenue earning equipment is acquired outside of a car repurchase program, we estimate the period that we will hold the asset, primarily based on historical measures of the amount of rental activity (e.g., automobile mileage and equipment usage) and the targeted age of equipment at the time of disposal. We also estimate the residual value of the applicable revenue earning equipment at the expected time of disposal. The residual values for rental vehicles are affected by many factors, including make, model and options, age, physical condition, mileage, sale location, time of the year and channel of disposition (e.g., auction, retail, dealer direct). The residual value for rental equipment is affected by factors which include equipment age and amount of usage. Depreciation is recorded over the estimated holding period. Depreciation rates are reviewed on a quarterly basis based on management's ongoing assessment of present and estimated future market conditions, their effect on residual values at the time of disposal and the estimated holding periods. Market conditions for used vehicle and equipment sales can also be affected by external factors such as the economy, natural disasters, fuel prices and incentives offered by manufacturers of new cars. These key factors are considered when estimating future residual values. Depreciation rates are adjusted prospectively through the remaining expected life. As a result of this ongoing assessment, we make periodic adjustments to depreciation rates of revenue earning equipment in response to changing market conditions. Upon disposal of revenue earning equipment, depreciation expense is adjusted for any difference between the net proceeds received and the remaining net book value and a corresponding gain or loss is recorded.
Under our car repurchase programs, the manufacturers agree to repurchase cars at a specified price or guarantee the depreciation rate on the cars during established repurchase or auction periods, subject to, among other things, certain car condition, mileage and holding period requirements. Guaranteed depreciation programs guarantee on an aggregate basis the residual value of the cars covered by the programs upon sale according to certain parameters which include the holding period, mileage and condition of the cars. We record a provision for excess mileage and car condition, as necessary, during the holding period. These repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs limit our residual risk with respect to cars purchased under the programs and allow us to determine depreciation expense in advance, however, typically the acquisition cost is higher for these program cars.
Within Donlen, revenue earning equipment is leased under longer term agreements with our customers. These leases contain provisions whereby we have a contracted residual value guaranteed to us by the lessee, such that we do not experience any economic gains or losses on the disposal of these vehicles. Donlen accounts for its lease contracts using the appropriate lease classifications.
See Note 4, "Revenue Earning Equipment," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Insurance Liabilities
Insurance liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets include public liability, property damage, liability insurance supplement, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage claims for which we are self-insured. The insurance liabilities represent an estimate for both reported accident claims not yet paid, and claims incurred but not yet reported. The related liabilities are recorded on a non-discounted basis. Reserve requirements are based on rental volume and actuarial evaluations of historical accident claim experience and trends, as well as future projections of ultimate losses, expenses, premiums and administrative costs. The adequacy of the liability is regularly monitored
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
based on evolving accident claim history and insurance related state legislation changes. If our estimates change or if actual results differ from these assumptions, the amount of the recorded liability is adjusted to reflect these results. See Note 16, "Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Commitments," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Employee Benefits
We sponsor defined benefit plans worldwide. We also participate in multi-employer defined benefit plans for which Hertz is not the sponsor. Our employee pension costs and obligations are dependent on our assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, salary growth, long-term return on plan assets, retirement rates, mortality rates and other factors. Actual results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect our recognized expense in such future periods. While we believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions would affect our pension costs and obligations. The various employee-related actuarial assumptions (e.g., retirement rates, mortality rates and salary growth) used in determining pension costs and plan liabilities are reviewed periodically by management, assisted by the enrolled actuary, and updated as warranted. The discount rate used to value the pension liabilities and related expenses and the expected rate of return on plan assets are the two most significant assumptions impacting pension expense. The discount rate used is a market based spot rate as of the valuation date. For the expected return on assets assumption, we use a forward looking rate that is based on the expected return for each asset class (including the value added by active investment management), weighted by the target asset allocation. The past annualized long-term performance of the Plans' assets has generally been in line with the long-term rate of return assumption. We utilize fair value to calculate the market-related value of pension assets for the U.S. Plan for purposes of determining the expected return on plan assets and accounting for asset gains and losses.
In October, 2014, we amended our BEP and the SERP II non-qualified, unfunded pension plans. Under the amendments and effective as of December 31, 2014, we have discontinued future benefit accruals as well as new participation under the BEP and the SERP II. Service will continue to be recognized for vesting and retirement eligibility requirements under the BEP and SERP II.
Effective December 31, 2014, we amended the Hertz Retirement Plan to permanently discontinue future benefit accruals and participation under the plan for non-union employees. Interest credits under the plan will continue to be credited on existing participant account balances.
In connection with the freezing of the Hertz Retirement Plan, effective January 1, 2015 we increased employer contributions under our qualified 401(k) savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Eligible participants under the 401(k) Plan receive a matching employer contribution to their 401(k) Plan account equal to (i) 100% of the first 3% of employee contributions made by such participant and (ii) 50% of the next 2% of employee contributions, with the total amount of such matching employer contribution to be completely vested, subject to applicable limits under the United States Internal Revenue Code. Certain eligible participants under the 401(k) Plan also receive additional employer contribution amounts to their 401(k) Plan account depending on their years of service and age.
See Note 7, "Employee Retirement Benefits," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” For a discussion of the risks associated with our pension plans, see Item 1A, "Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Recoverability of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
On an annual basis and at interim periods when circumstances require, we test the recoverability of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value. Goodwill must be tested at least annually using a two-step process. The first step is to identify any potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit to its fair value. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a business one level below that operating segment (the component level) if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. However, components are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. We estimate the fair value of our reporting units using a discounted cash flow methodology. The key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation model for impairment testing include discount rates, growth rates, cash flow projections and terminal value rates. Discount rates are set by using the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (“WACC”) methodology. The WACC methodology considers market and industry data as well as Company specific risk factors for each reporting unit in determining the appropriate discount rates to be used. The discount rate utilized for each reporting unit is indicative of the return an investor would expect to receive for investing in such a business. The cash flows represent management's most recent planning assumptions. These assumptions are based on a combination of industry outlooks, views on general economic conditions, our expected pricing plans and expected future savings generated by our past restructuring activities. Terminal value rate determination follows common methodology of capturing the present value of perpetual cash flow estimates beyond the last projected period assuming a constant WACC and long-term growth rates. If a potential impairment is identified, the second step is to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount to measure the impairment loss. A significant decline in the projected cash flows or a change in the WACC used to determine fair value could result in a future goodwill impairment charge.
In the fourth quarter 2015, we performed our annual impairment analysis as of October 1, 2015 and at that date, we had five reporting units: U.S. Car Rental, Europe Car Rental, Other International Car Rental, Donlen and Worldwide Equipment Rental.
In performing the impairment analyses for our reporting units, we leveraged our long-term strategic plans, which are based on our strategic initiatives for future profitability growth. Our weighted average cost of capital used in the discounted cash flow model was calculated based upon the fair value of our debt and our stock price with a debt to equity ratio comparable to our industry. These reviews of fair value involve judgment and estimates, including projected revenues, royalty rates and discount rates. We believe our valuation techniques and assumptions are reasonable for this purpose. We have not materially changed our methodology for valuing goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The results of our analyses performed as of October 1, 2015 indicated that the estimated fair value of each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible asset was substantially in excess of its carrying value and, accordingly, no impairment existed, with the exception of one trade name which had a carrying value of approximately $1,140 million as of December 31, 2015, and which had an excess of the estimated fair value over carrying value (expressed as a percentage of carrying value) of approximately 2.6%.
During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company determined that the international trade name associated with the HERC segment was impaired and recorded a charge of $40 million. The impairment was largely due to decisions made by management in the fourth quarter of 2015 regarding the HERC business transition plan and the terms of future use of the HERC international trade name. Additionally, the Company reclassified certain amounts related to our HERC international trade name from indefinite-lived to finite-lived intangibles. See Note 5, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Finite Lived Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include concession agreements, technology, customer relationships, trademarks and trade names and other intangibles. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the assets, which range from two to sixteen years. Long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the estimated fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statement of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Subsequent changes to enacted tax rates and changes to the global mix of earnings will result in changes to the tax rates used to calculate deferred taxes and any related valuation allowances. Provisions are not made for income taxes on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States or are expected to be remitted free of taxes. Future distributions, if any, from these international subsidiaries to the United States or changes in U.S. tax rules may require recording a tax on these amounts. We have recorded a deferred tax asset for unutilized net operating loss carry forwards in various tax jurisdictions. The taxing authorities may examine the positions that led to the generation of those net operating losses. If the utilization of any of those losses are disallowed a deferred tax liability may have to be recorded.
See Note 12, "Taxes on Income (Loss)," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Financial Instruments
We are exposed to a variety of market risks, including the effects of changes in interest rates, gasoline and diesel fuel prices and foreign currency exchange rates. We manage exposure to these market risks through regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of financial instruments. Financial instruments are viewed as risk management tools and have not been used for speculative or trading purposes. In addition, financial instruments are entered into with a diversified group of major financial institutions in order to manage our exposure to counterparty nonperformance on such instruments. We account for all financial instruments in accordance with U.S.GAAP, which requires that they be recorded on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at their fair value. For financial instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. The effective portion of changes in fair value of financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for cash flow hedges are reclassified into earnings in the same period that the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges is recognized currently in earnings within the same line item as the hedged item, based upon the nature of the hedged item. For financial instruments that are not part of a qualified hedging relationship, the changes in their fair value are recognized currently in earnings.
Stock Based Compensation
The cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is based on the grant date fair value of the award. The compensation expense for RSUs and PSUs is recognized ratably over the vesting period. In addition to service vesting conditions, PSUs may have additional vesting conditions which call for the number of units that will be awarded based on achievement of certain pre-determined performance goals as defined in the applicable award agreements, over the applicable measurement period.
The cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is based on the grant date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. We estimated the fair value of options issued at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which includes assumptions related to volatility, expected term, dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate. These factors combined with the stock price on the date of grant result in a fixed expense which is recorded on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
The assumed volatility for our stock is based on our historical stock price data. The assumed dividend yield is zero. The risk-free interest rate is the implied zero-coupon yield for U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity approximately equal to the expected term of the options, as of the grant dates. The non-cash stock-based compensation expense associated with the Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (“Stock Incentive Plan”) the Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Director Stock Incentive Plan (“Director Plan”) and the Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Omnibus Plan”) are pushed down from Hertz Holdings and recorded on the books at the Hertz level. See Note 8, "Stock-Based Compensation," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Acquisition Accounting
We record acquisitions resulting in the consolidation of an enterprise using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, the acquiring company records the assets acquired, including intangible assets that can be identified and named, and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price in excess of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. If the assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed, are greater than the purchase price paid then a bargain purchase has occurred and we will recognize the gain immediately in earnings. Among other sources of relevant information, we may use independent appraisals and actuarial or other valuations to assist in determining the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities. Various assumptions are used in the determination of these estimated fair values including discount rates, market and volume growth rates, expected royalty rates, EBITDA margins and other prospective financial information. Transaction costs associated with acquisitions are expensed as incurred.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2, "Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies," - Recent Accounting Pronouncements to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
RISK MANAGEMENT
For a discussion of additional risks arising from our operations, including vehicle liability, general liability and property damage insurable risks, see “Item 1 - Business-Risk Management” in this Annual Report.
Market Risks
We are exposed to a variety of market risks, including the effects of changes in interest rates (including credit spreads), foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in fuel prices. We manage our exposure to these market risks through our regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments are viewed as risk management tools and have not been used for speculative or trading purposes. In addition, derivative financial instruments are entered into with a diversified group of major financial institutions in order to manage our exposure to counterparty nonperformance on such instruments.
Interest Rate Risk
We have a significant amount of debt with a mix of fixed and variable rates of interest. Floating rate debt carries interest based generally on LIBOR, Euro inter-bank offered rate (“EURIBOR”) or their equivalents for local currencies or bank conduit commercial paper rates plus an applicable margin. Increases in interest rates could therefore significantly increase the associated interest payments that we are required to make on this debt. See Note 6, "Debt," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
We have assessed our exposure to changes in interest rates by analyzing the sensitivity to our earnings assuming various changes in market interest rates. Assuming a hypothetical increase of one percentage point in interest rates
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (Continued)
on our debt portfolio and cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2015, our pre-tax earnings would decrease by an estimated $74 million over a twelve-month period.
From time to time, we may enter into interest rate swap agreements and/or interest rate cap agreements to manage interest rate risk and our mix of fixed and floating rate debt. See Note 13, "Financial Instruments," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Consistent with the terms of certain agreements governing the respective debt obligations, we may be required to hedge a portion of the floating rate interest exposure under the various debt facilities to provide protection in respect of such exposure.
Foreign Currency Risk
We have foreign currency exposure to exchange rate fluctuations worldwide and primarily with respect to the Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and British pound.
We manage our foreign currency risk primarily by incurring, to the extent practicable, operating and financing expenses in the local currency in the countries in which we operate, including making fleet and equipment purchases and borrowing locally. Also, we have purchased foreign exchange options to manage exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates for selected cross currency marketing programs. Our risks with respect to foreign exchange options are limited to the premium paid for the right to exercise the option and the future performance of the option's counterparty.
We also manage exposure to fluctuations in currency risk on cross currency intercompany loans we make to certain of our subsidiaries by entering into foreign currency forward contracts at the time of the loans are entered which are intended to offset the impact of foreign currency movements on the underlying intercompany loan obligations.
We do not hedge our operating results against currency movement as they are primarily translational in nature. Using foreign currency forward rates as of December 2015, we expect revenue growth to be negatively impacted by approximately 1% over a 12-month period. Additionally, each 1% point change in foreign currency movements is estimated to impact our adjusted pre-tax income by an estimated $2 million over a 12-month period.
Fuel Risks
We purchase unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel at prevailing market rates. We are subject to price exposure related to the fluctuations in the price of fuel. We anticipate that fuel risk will remain a market risk for the foreseeable future. We have determined that a 10% hypothetical change in the price of fuel will not have a material impact on our earnings.
Inflation
The increased cost of vehicles is the primary inflationary factor affecting us. Many of our other operating expenses are also expected to increase with inflation, including health care costs and gasoline. Management does not expect that the effect of inflation on our overall operating costs will be greater for us than for our competitors.
Income Taxes
In January 2006, we implemented an LKE Program for our U.S. car rental business. Pursuant to the program, we dispose of vehicles and acquire replacement vehicles in a form intended to allow such dispositions and replacements to qualify as tax-deferred "like-kind exchanges" pursuant to section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The program has resulted in deferral of federal and state income taxes for fiscal years 2006 through 2009 and 2013, 2014, 2015 and part of 2010 and 2012. These programs allow tax deferral if a qualified replacement asset is acquired within a specific time period after asset disposal. Accordingly, if a qualified replacement asset is not purchased within this limited time period, taxable gain is recognized. Over the last few years, for strategic purposes, such as cash management, we have recognized some taxable gains in the programs. We cannot offer assurance that the expected tax deferral will continue or that the relevant law concerning the programs will remain in its current form. An extended reduction in our car rental fleet could result in reduced deferrals in the future, which in turn could require us to make material cash payments for federal and state income tax liabilities. Our inability to obtain replacement financing as our fleet financing facilities mature would likely result in an extended reduction in the fleet value. In August 2010, we elected to temporarily
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (Continued)
suspend the U.S. car rental LKE Program allowing cash proceeds from sales of vehicles to be utilized for various business purposes, including paying down existing debt obligations, future growth initiatives and for general operating purposes. From August 2010 through year end 2011, recognized tax gains on vehicle dispositions resulting from the LKE suspension were more than offset by 100% tax depreciation on newly acquired vehicles. The U.S. car rental LKE Program was reinstated on October 15, 2012. During 2012 the allowable 50% bonus depreciation helped offset tax gains during the period of LKE suspension. An LKE program for HERC has also been in place for several years. In addition, Dollar Thrifty and Donlen similarly used an LKE program prior to our acquisition of these companies and both companies continue to use the LKE programs.
Current year to date dispositions of Hertz Holdings' common stock by certain significant shareholders, when combined with other dispositions of Hertz Holdings' stock over the previous 36 months, have not resulted in a change in control as that term is defined in Section 382 of the Code. Consequently, there is no limitation on the utilization of all pre-2015 U.S. net operating losses.
The Internal Revenue Service completed their audit of the Company's 2007 to 2009 and surveyed 2010 and 2011 tax returns and had no changes to the previously filed tax returns. Several U.S. States and other non-U.S. jurisdictions are under audit.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
and Stockholder of
The Hertz Corporation
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)1 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Hertz Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)2 present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) because material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting existed as of that date. The material weaknesses related to 1) the control environment, due to material weaknesses related to a) an insufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training commensurate with the Company’s financial reporting requirements and b) insufficient training of field personnel utilizing the Oracle ERP system implemented in 2013 for the processing of non-fleet procurement; 2) risk assessment, as the Company did not effectively design controls in response to the risks of material misstatement; and 3) monitoring controls, as the Company did not maintain an internal audit function sufficient to monitor control activities. The control environment material weaknesses contributed to additional material weaknesses as the Company did not design and maintain effective controls over a) certain accounting estimates, including the effective review of the models, assumptions, and data used in developing estimates or changes made to assumptions and data; and b) the review, approval, and documentation of manual journal entries. The risk assessment material weakness contributed to an additional material weakness as the Company did not design effective controls over certain business processes including their period-end financial reporting processes, including controls over the preparation, analysis, and review of significant account reconciliations and closing adjustments required to assess the appropriateness of certain account balances at period end.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses referred to above are described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. We considered these material weaknesses in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2015 consolidated financial statements and our opinion regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting does not affect our opinion on those consolidated financial statements. The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedules, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in management's report referred to above. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedules, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Miami, Florida
February 29, 2016
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except par value and share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(In millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1-Background
The Hertz Corporation ("Hertz" and together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") is a successor to corporations that have been engaged in the car and truck rental and leasing business since 1918 and the equipment rental business since 1965. Hertz was incorporated in Delaware in 1967 and all of its outstanding common stock is owned by Hertz Investors, Inc. which is wholly-owned by Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. ("Hertz Holdings"). Hertz is the primary operating company of Hertz Holdings.
The Company operates its U.S. car rental and International car rental businesses through the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands from company-owned, licensee and franchisee locations in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and New Zealand. In its worldwide equipment rental business, the Company rents equipment in the U.S., Canada, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, as well as through its international franchises. Through its Donlen subsidiary, the Company provides fleet leasing and fleet management services.
In March 2014, Hertz Holdings announced that its Board of Directors approved plans to separate Hertz Holdings into two independent, publicly traded companies. One of the companies, Hertz Rental Car Holding Company, Inc. ("HRCHC") will continue to operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly car rental businesses as well as Donlen; and the other, HERC Holdings, Inc. ("HERC Holdings") will operate the Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation ("HERC"). The Company expects to separate the businesses in a tax-efficient manner. In December 2015, HRCHC filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC in respect of the separation.
In November 2015, the Company completed the relocation of its worldwide headquarters to Estero, Florida from Park Ridge, New Jersey.
Note 2-Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies
Accounting Principles
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hertz and its wholly owned and majority owned U.S. and international subsidiaries. In the event that the Company is a primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the variable interest entity are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company accounts for its investment in CAR Inc. and other immaterial investments in joint ventures using the equity method when it has significant influence but not control and is not the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Out Of Period Adjustments
The Company identified various misstatements relating to prior year financial statements that it corrected in the third quarter 2015. The cumulative impact of the adjustments was a decrease to pre-tax income of approximately $13 million and a decrease to net earnings of approximately $9 million and is comprised of $4 million related to the accounting for the post-acquisition sale of land that was revalued as part of the December 2005 acquisition of the Company, $4 million of additional accruals for the periods 2009 through 2014 resulting from concession audits at certain airport locations, a $4 million obligation to a jurisdiction for customer transaction fees and $1 million of additional write-offs of assets that were incorrectly capitalized. The Company considered both quantitative and qualitative factors in assessing the materiality of the items individually, and in the aggregate, and determined that the misstatements were not material to any prior period and not material to the year ended December 31, 2015. The misstatements were identified in the third quarter of 2015 and a portion of the misstatements related to the first and second quarters of 2015, as further described in Note 20, "Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)."
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S.GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include depreciation of revenue earning equipment, reserves for litigation and other contingencies, accounting for income taxes and related uncertain tax positions, pension and postretirement benefit costs, the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, the recoverability of long-lived assets, useful lives and impairment of long-lived tangible and intangible assets including goodwill, valuation of stock-based compensation, public liability and property damage reserves, reserves for restructuring, allowance for doubtful accounts, and fair value of financial instruments, among others.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue Earning Equipment
Revenue earning equipment is stated at cost, net of related discounts. Generally, holding periods are as follows:
Incentives received from the manufacturers for purchases of vehicles or equipment reduce the capitalized cost. Generally, when revenue earning equipment is acquired outside of a car repurchase program, the Company estimates the period that the Company will hold the asset, primarily based on historical measures of the amount of rental activity (e.g., automobile mileage and equipment usage) and the targeted age of equipment at the time of disposal. The Company also estimates the residual value of the applicable revenue earning equipment at the expected time of disposal. The residual values for rental vehicles are affected by many factors, including make, model and options, age, physical condition, mileage, sale location, time of the year and channel of disposition (e.g., auction, retail, dealer direct). The residual value for rental equipment is affected by factors which include equipment age and amount of usage. Depreciation is recorded over the estimated holding period. Depreciation rates are reviewed on a quarterly basis based on management's ongoing assessment of present and estimated future market conditions, their effect on residual values at the time of disposal and the estimated holding periods. Market conditions for used vehicle and equipment sales can also be affected by external factors such as the economy, natural disasters, fuel prices and incentives offered by manufacturers of new cars. These key factors are considered when estimating future residual values and assessing depreciation rates. As a result of this ongoing assessment, the Company makes periodic adjustments to depreciation rates of revenue earning equipment in response to changing market conditions. Upon disposal of revenue earning equipment, depreciation expense is adjusted for the difference between the net proceeds received and the remaining net book value.
Under the Company's car repurchase programs, the manufacturers agree to repurchase cars at a specified price or guarantee the depreciation rate on the cars during established repurchase or auction periods, subject to, among other things, certain car condition, mileage and holding period requirements. Guaranteed depreciation programs guarantee on an aggregate basis the residual value of the cars covered by the programs upon sale according to certain parameters which include the holding period, mileage and condition of the cars. We record a provision for excess mileage and car condition, as necessary, during the holding period. These repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs limit the Company's residual risk with respect to cars purchased under the programs and allow us to determine depreciation expense in advance, however, typically the acquisition cost is higher for these program cars.
Donlen's revenue earning equipment is leased under long term agreements with its customers. These leases contain provisions whereby Donlen has a contracted residual value guaranteed by the lessee, such that it does not experience any gains or losses on the disposal of these vehicles. Donlen accounts for its lease contracts using the appropriate lease classifications.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company continually evaluates revenue earning equipment to determine whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life or whether the equipment should be evaluated for possible impairment. The Company uses a combination of the undiscounted cash flows and market approaches in assessing whether an asset has been impaired. The Company measures impairment losses based upon the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value.
Insurance Liabilities
Insurance liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets include public liability, property damage, liability insurance supplement, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage claims for which the Company is self-insured. The insurance liabilities represent an estimate for both reported accident claims not yet paid, and claims incurred but not yet reported. The related liabilities are recorded on a non-discounted basis. Reserve requirements are based on rental volume and actuarial evaluations of historical accident claim experience and trends, as well as future projections of ultimate losses, expenses, premiums and administrative costs. The adequacy of the liability is regularly monitored based on evolving accident claim history and insurance related state legislation changes. If the Company's estimates change or if actual results differ from these assumptions, the amount of the recorded liability is adjusted to reflect these results.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Employee Benefits
The Company has defined benefit plans worldwide. The Company also participates in multi-employer defined benefit plans for which Hertz is not the sponsor. For the Company sponsored plans, the relevant accounting guidance requires that management make certain assumptions relating to discount rates, salary growth, long-term return on plan assets, retirement rates, mortality rates and other factors. The Company believes that the accounting estimates related to its pension are critical accounting estimates, because they are susceptible to change from period to period based on the performance of plan assets, actuarial valuations, market conditions and contracted benefit changes. The selection of assumptions is based on historical trends and known economic and market conditions at the time of valuation, as well as independent studies of trends performed by the Company’s actuaries. However, actual results may differ substantially from the estimates that were based on the critical assumptions. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all of the plans. The Company utilizes fair value to calculate the market-related value of pension assets for the U.S. Plan for purposes of determining the expected return on plan assets and accounting for asset gains and losses.
Actual results that differ from the Company's assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect its recognized expense in such future periods. Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions would affect the Company's pension costs and obligations. The Company recognizes the funded status of each defined benefit pension plan in the consolidated balance sheet. Each overfunded plan is recognized as an asset, and each underfunded plan is recognized as a liability. Pension plan liabilities are revalued annually based on updated assumptions and information about the individuals covered by the plan. For pension plans, if accumulated actuarial gains and losses are in excess of a 10 percent corridor, the excess is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active participants. Prior service cost and the transition asset are amortized on a straight-line basis from the date recognized over the average remaining service period of active participants.
The Company maintains reserves for employee medical claims, up to its insurance stop-loss limit, and workers’ compensation claims. These are regularly evaluated and revised, as needed, based on a variety of information, including historical experience, actuarial estimates and current employee statistics.
Recoverability of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
On an annual basis and at interim periods when circumstances require, the Company tests the recoverability of its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company utilizes the two-step impairment analysis and elects not to use the qualitative assessment or “step zero” approach. In the two-step impairment analysis, the Company compares the carrying value of each identified reporting unit to its fair value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is greater than its fair value, the second step is performed, where the implied fair value of goodwill is compared to its carrying
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
value. The Company recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. The fair values of the reporting units are estimated using the net present value of discounted cash flows generated by each reporting unit and incorporate various assumptions related to discount and growth rates specific to the reporting unit to which they are applied. The Company’s discounted cash flows are based upon reasonable and appropriate assumptions, which are weighted for their likely probability of occurrence, about the underlying business activities of the Company’s reporting units.
Finite Lived Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include concession agreements, technology, customer relationships, trademarks and trade names and other intangibles. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the assets, which range from two to sixteen years. Long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the estimated fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell.
Financial Instruments
The Company is exposed to a variety of market risks, including the effects of changes in interest rates, gasoline and diesel fuel prices and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company manages exposure to these market risks through regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of financial instruments. Financial instruments are viewed as risk management tools and have not been used for speculative or trading purposes. In addition, financial instruments are entered into with a diversified group of major financial institutions in order to manage the Company's exposure to counterparty nonperformance on such instruments. The Company accounts for all financial instruments in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires that they be recorded on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at their fair value. For financial instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company designates the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. The effective portion of changes in fair value of financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for cash flow hedges are reclassified into earnings in the same period that the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges is recognized currently in earnings within the same line item as the hedged item, based upon the nature of the hedged item. For financial instruments that are not part of a qualified hedging relationship, the changes in their fair value are recognized currently in earnings.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. That cost is to be recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The Company has estimated the fair value of options issued at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which includes assumptions related to volatility, expected life, dividend yield and risk-free interest rate.
The Company accounts for restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards as equity classified awards. For restricted stock units the expense is based on the grant-date fair value of the stock and the number of shares that vest, recognized over the service period. For performance stock units the expense is based on the grant-date fair value of the stock, recognized over a two to four year service period depending upon the applicable performance condition. For performance stock units, the Company re-assesses the probability of achieving the applicable performance condition each reporting period and adjusts the recognition of expense accordingly.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statement of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Subsequent changes to enacted tax rates and changes to the global mix of earnings will result in changes to the tax rates used to calculate deferred taxes and any related valuation allowances. Provisions are not made for income taxes on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States or are expected to be remitted free of taxes. Future distributions, if any, from these international subsidiaries to the United States or changes in U.S. tax rules may require recording a tax on these amounts. The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset for unutilized net operating loss carry forwards in various tax jurisdictions. The taxing authorities may examine the positions that led to the generation of those net operating losses. If the utilization of any of those losses are disallowed a deferred tax liability may have to be recorded.
Acquisitions
The Company records acquisitions resulting in the consolidation of an enterprise using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, the acquiring company records the assets acquired, including intangible assets that can be identified and named, and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase price in excess of the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. If the assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed, are greater than the purchase price paid then a bargain purchase has occurred and the Company will recognize the gain immediately in earnings. Among other sources of relevant information, the Company may use independent appraisals and actuarial or other valuations to assist in determining the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities. Various assumptions are used in the determination of these estimated fair values including discount rates, market and volume growth rates, expected royalty rates, EBITDA margins and other prospective financial information. Transaction costs associated with acquisitions are expensed as incurred.
Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
The Company reports revenues net of any taxes or non-concession fees collected from customers on behalf of governmental authorities.
Rental Car Operations
The Company derives revenue through rental activities by the operations and licensing of the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands under franchise agreements. The Company also derives revenue from other forms of rental related activities, such as sales of loss damage waivers, insurance products, fuel and fuel service charges, navigation units, new equipment sales and other consumable items. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the services have been rendered to customers, the pricing is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured.
Franchise fees are based on a percentage of net sales of the franchised business and are recognized as earned and when collectability is reasonably assured. Initial franchise fees are recorded as deferred income when received and are recognized as revenue when all material services and conditions related to the franchise fee have been substantially performed. Renewal franchise fees are recognized as revenue when the license agreements are effective and collectability is reasonably assured.
Revenue and expenses associated with gasoline, vehicle licensing and airport concessions are recorded on a gross basis within revenue and operating expenses.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Equipment Rental Operations
Equipment rental revenue includes revenues generated from renting equipment to customers and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the length of the rental contract. Also included in equipment rental revenue are fees for equipment delivery and pick-up and fees for loss damage waivers which allows customers to limit the risk of financial loss in the event the Company's equipment is damaged or lost. Delivery and pick-up fees are recognized as revenue when the services are performed and fees related to loss damage waivers are recognized over the length of the contract term.
Revenues from the sale of new equipment, parts and supplies are recognized at the time the customer takes possession, when collectability is reasonably assured and when all obligations under the sales contract have been fulfilled. Sales tax amounts collected from customers are recorded on a net basis.
The Company generally recognizes revenue from the sale of new equipment purchased from other companies based on the gross amount billed as the Company establishes its own pricing and retains related inventory risk, is the primary obligor in sales transactions with its customers, and assumes the credit risk for amounts billed to its customers.
Service and other revenue is recognized as the services are performed.
Fleet Leasing and Management Operations
Each customer contract is considered a standalone agreement and revenue is recognized ratably over the contract life. Administration fees and service revenue attributable to the Company's Donlen operations are recognized as services are rendered and any subscription fees are recognized ratably over the subscription life.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents includes cash and cash equivalents that are not readily available for the Company's normal disbursements. Restricted cash and cash equivalents are restricted primarily for the purchase of revenue earning vehicles and other specified uses under the Company's Fleet Debt facilities, for its Like-Kind Exchange Program ("LKE Program") and to satisfy certain of its self-insurance regulatory reserve requirements. These funds are primarily held in highly rated money market funds with investments primarily in government and corporate obligations.
Receivables
Receivables are stated net of allowances and primarily represent credit extended to car manufacturers and customers that satisfy defined credit criteria. The estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company's historical experience and its judgment as to the likelihood of ultimate payment. Actual receivables are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the Company determines the balance will not be collected. Estimates for future credit memos are based on historical experience and are reflected as reductions to revenue, while bad debt expense is reflected as a component of "Direct Operating" in the consolidated statements of operations.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Useful lives are as follows:
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company follows the practice of charging maintenance and repairs, including the cost of minor replacements, to maintenance expense. Costs of major replacements of units of property are capitalized to property and equipment accounts and depreciated.
Fair Value Measurements
Generally accepted accounting principles define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price) and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value using the following definitions (from highest to lowest priority):
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
Environmental Liabilities
The use of automobiles and other vehicles is subject to various governmental controls designed to limit environmental damage, including those caused by emissions and noise. Generally, these controls are met by the manufacturer, except in the case of occasional equipment failure requiring repair. Liabilities for these expenditures are recorded at undiscounted amounts when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company maintains a liability for asset retirement obligations. Asset retirement obligations are legal obligations to perform certain activities in connection with the retirement, disposal or abandonment of long-lived assets. The Company’s asset retirement obligations are primarily related to the removal of underground gasoline storage tanks and the restoration of its rental facilities. The asset retirement obligations are measured at discounted fair values at the time the liability is incurred. Accretion expense is recognized as an operating expense using the credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate in effect when the liability was recognized. The associated asset retirement obligations are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
Assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates throughout the year. The related translation adjustments are reflected in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the equity section of the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions are included in earnings.
Advertising
Advertising and sales promotion costs are expensed the first time the advertising or sales promotion takes place. Advertising costs are reflected as a component of “Selling, general and administrative” in the Company's consolidated
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
statements of operations and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $170 million, $199 million, and $207 million, respectively.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company's cash and cash equivalents are invested in various investment grade institutional money market accounts and bank term deposits. Deposits held at banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate such risks by spreading the risk across multiple counterparties and monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties. In addition, the Company has credit risk from financial instruments used in hedging activities. The Company limits exposure relating to financial instruments by diversifying the financial instruments among various counterparties, which consist of major financial institutions.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted
Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. As a result of this guidance, only disposals of a component that represent a strategic shift that have, or will have, a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results will be reported as a discontinued operation. Expanded disclosures are required for discontinued operations and for individually significant components that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2015 in accordance with the effective date. Adoption of this new guidance did not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Not Yet Adopted
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The new guidance applies to all contracts with customers except for leases, insurance contracts, financial instruments, certain nonmonetary exchanges and certain guarantees. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue from customers for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The new principles-based revenue recognition model requires an entity to perform five steps: 1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, 2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determine the transaction price, 4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Under the new guidance, performance obligations in a contract will be separately identified, which may impact the timing of recognition of the revenue allocated to each obligation. The measurement of revenue recognized may also be impacted by identification of new performance obligations and other provisions, such as collectability and variable consideration. The guidance will impact the Company’s accounting for certain contracts and its Hertz #1 Gold Points liability. Also, additional disclosures are required about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The new guidance may be adopted on either a full or modified retrospective basis. As issued, the guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those reporting periods. In July 2015, the FASB agreed to defer the effective date of the guidance until annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is in the process of determining the method of adoption and assessing the overall impacts of adopting this guidance on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period
In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that requires that a performance target in a share-based payment award that affects vesting and that can be achieved after the requisite service period is completed is to be accounted for as a performance condition; therefore, compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved, and the amount of compensation cost recognized should be based on the portion of the service period fulfilled. The guidance is effective either prospectively or retrospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company has assessed the potential impacts from future adoption of this guidance and has determined that there will be no impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items
In January 2015, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the concept of an event or transaction that is unusual in nature and occurs infrequently being treated as an extraordinary item. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company has assessed the potential impacts from future adoption of this guidance and has determined that there will be no impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance that changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The new guidance may be applied using a full or modified retrospective approach. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company has assessed the potential impacts from future adoption of this guidance and has determined that there will be no impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance requiring debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. In August 2015, the FASB issued guidance clarifying that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit and other revolving debt arrangements may be deferred and presented as an asset. The guidance is effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods. This guidance will require the Company to reclassify its debt issuance costs associated with its debt other than line-of-credit and other revolving debt arrangements on its consolidated balance sheets from “prepaid expenses and other assets” to “debt” on a retrospective basis. The Company is in the process of assessing the potential impacts of adopting this guidance on its financial condition. The new guidance will not affect the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement
In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance for customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. This new guidance is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is in the process of determining the method of adoption and assessing the overall impacts of adopting this guidance on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Simplifying the Subsequent Measurement of Inventory
In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance that requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, excluding inventory measured using the last-in, first-out method or the retail inventory method. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Current guidance requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost or market. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is in the process of assessing the potential impacts of adopting this guidance on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement Period Adjustments for Business Combinations
In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance that requires adjustments to provisional amounts during the measurement period of a business combination to be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined, rather than retrospectively. The guidance is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company has assessed the potential impacts from future adoption of this guidance and has determined that there will be no impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Note 3-Acquisitions and Divestitures
Hertz Franchises
In February 2015, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of certain Hertz-branded franchises, including existing fleets and contract and concession rights, for $87 million. The franchises acquired include on airport locations in Indianapolis, South Bend and Fort Wayne, Indiana and in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as several smaller off airport locations. The acquisition was part of a strategic decision to increase the number of Hertz-owned locations and capitalize on certain benefits of ownership not available under a franchise agreement.
The acquisition was accounted for utilizing the acquisition method of accounting where the purchase price of the reacquired franchises was allocated based on estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The purchase price was allocated as follows:
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollar and Thrifty Franchises
In August 2014, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of certain Dollar and Thrifty franchisees including existing fleets and contract and concession rights for $62 million. The acquisition was part of a strategic decision to increase its Hertz-owned locations and capitalize on certain benefits of ownership not available to the Company under a franchise agreement.
The acquisition was accounted for utilizing the acquisition method of accounting where the purchase price of the franchises was allocated based on estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The purchase price was allocated as follows:
CAR Inc. Investment
In 2013, Hertz entered into definitive agreements with CAR Inc. formerly operating as China Auto Rental Holdings, Inc., and related parties pursuant to which Hertz made a strategic investment in CAR Inc., the largest car rental company in China. Pursuant to the transaction, Hertz invested cash and contributed its China Rent-a-Car entities to CAR Inc. In return for its investment, Hertz received common stock in CAR Inc. and convertible debt securities in the amount of $236 million.
In April 2014, the Company converted the debt securities into common stock of CAR Inc. In September 2014, CAR Inc. launched its initial public offering ("IPO") on the Hong Kong stock exchange and in conjunction with the IPO, Hertz invested an additional $30 million to purchase equity shares. As a result of the IPO and its additional investment, Hertz owned approximately 16% of CAR Inc.
In 2015, the Company monetized a portion of its investment and sold approximately 138 million shares of CAR Inc. common stock, a publicly traded company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, for net proceeds of $236 million which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $133 million in the Company's corporate operations and is included in other (income) expense, net in the Company's statement of operations. The sale of the shares reduced the Company's ownership interest to 10.2%. See Note 14, "Fair Value Measurements," for the fair value of the Company's ownership interest at December 31, 2015.
Hertz accounts for this investment under the equity method based on its ability to exercise significant influence over CAR Inc. which is determined based on a variety of factors, including the Company's representation on the Board of Directors of CAR Inc. with voting rights. The Company presents this investment within "Prepaid expenses and other assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
HERC Businesses
On October 30, 2015, after negotiations with a third party in the market, the Company sold its HERC France and Spain businesses comprised of 60 locations in France and two in Spain and realized a gain on the sale in the amount of $51 million that was recorded in "Other (income) expense, net" in the Company's statements of operations. A portion of the gain, $42 million, represents the release of currency translation adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income with the remainder of the gain attributable to the assets and liabilities sold. The businesses were included in the Company's Worldwide Equipment Rental segment.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 4-Revenue Earning Equipment
The components of revenue earning equipment, net are as follows:
Depreciation of revenue earning equipment and lease charges, net includes the following:
(a) (Gain) loss on disposal of revenue earning equipment by segment is as follows:
Depreciation rates are reviewed on a quarterly basis based on management's ongoing assessment of present and estimated future market conditions, their effect on residual values at the time of disposal and the estimated holding periods for the fleet and equipment. The cumulative impact on the years of depreciation rate changes during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 5-Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
At October 1, 2015 and 2014, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test and determined that no impairment existed for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The following summarizes the changes in the Company's goodwill, by segment:
(a)
The change in the International Car Rental segment primarily consists of foreign currency adjustments, and the change in 2015 in the Worldwide Equipment Rental segment is due to the sale of HERC France and Spain businesses.
Other Intangible Assets
At October 1, 2015, the Company performed its annual test of recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets and concluded that there was no impairment. However, during the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company determined that the international trade name associated with the HERC segment was impaired and recorded a charge of $40 million. The impairment was largely due to decisions made by management in the fourth quarter of 2015 regarding the HERC business transition plan and the terms of future use of the HERC international trade name. The charge is included in other (income) expense, net in the Company's statement of operations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Additionally, the Company determined that the international trade name’s adjusted fair value of $4 million should be amortized over its remaining life through the planned date of the HERC separation, and reclassified it to a finite-lived intangible asset. The remaining $266 million attributable to the U.S. portion of the indefinite-lived HERC trade name was also evaluated for recoverability and the Company concluded there was no impairment.
Other intangible assets, net, consisted of the following major classes:
At October 1, 2014, the Company determined that the respective carrying values of its indefinite-lived intangible assets did not exceed their estimated fair values and therefore no impairment existed.
(a) Technology-related intangibles include software not yet placed into service.
(b) Other amortizable intangible assets primarily include the Donlen trade name and non-compete agreements.
(c) Other indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of reacquired franchise rights.
Amortization of other intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $156 million, $159 million and $151 million, respectively. Based on its amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2015, the Company expects amortization expense to be approximately $115 million in 2016, $92 million in 2017, $72 million in 2018, $71 million in 2019, $69 million in 2020 and $95 million thereafter.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 6-Debt
The Company's debt consists of the following (in millions):
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
N/A - Not Applicable
(1)
References to the Company's "Senior Notes" include the series of Hertz's unsecured senior notes set forth in the table below. The outstanding principal amount for each such series of the Senior Notes is also specified below.
(2)
Maturity reference is to the "expected final maturity date" as opposed to the subsequent "legal maturity date." The expected final maturity date is the date by which Hertz and investors in the relevant indebtedness expect the relevant indebtedness to be repaid, which in the case of the HFLF Medium Term Notes was based upon various assumptions made at the time of the pricing of such notes. The legal final maturity date is the date on which the relevant indebtedness is legally due and payable.
(3)
RCFC U.S. ABS Program and the Dollar Thrifty-Sponsored Canadian Securitization represent fleet debt assumed in connection with the Dollar Thrifty acquisition in 2012.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Maturities
The nominal amounts of maturities of debt for each of the twelve-month periods ending December 31 are as follows:
The Company is highly leveraged and a substantial portion of its liquidity needs arise from debt service on its indebtedness and from the funding of its costs of operations, acquisitions and capital expenditures. The Company’s practice is to maintain sufficient liquidity through cash from operations, credit facilities and other financing arrangements, so that its operations are unaffected by adverse financial market conditions.
Corporate Debt
Senior Credit Facilities
Senior Term Facility: In March 2011, Hertz entered into a credit agreement that initially provided for a $1,400 million term loan (as amended, the "Senior Term Facility"). In addition, the Senior Term Facility includes a separate incremental pre-funded synthetic letter of credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $200 million. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and limitations, the Senior Term Facility allows for the incurrence of incremental term and/or revolving loans.
In October 2012, Hertz entered into an Incremental Commitment Amendment to the Senior Term Facility which provided for commitments for term loans of up to $750 million (the "Incremental Term Loans") under the Senior Term Facility. Contemporaneously with the consummation of the Dollar Thrifty acquisition, the Incremental Term Loans were fully drawn and the proceeds therefrom were used in connection with funding the Dollar Thrifty acquisition. The Incremental Term Loans are secured by the same collateral and guaranteed by the same guarantors as the term loans under the Senior Term Facility and all such loans mature in March 2018.
In April 2013, Hertz entered into an Amendment No. 2 ("Amendment No. 2") to the Senior Term Facility, primarily to reduce the interest rate applicable to a portion of the outstanding term loans under the Senior Term Facility. Pursuant to Amendment No. 2, certain of the existing lenders under the Senior Term Facility converted their existing Tranche B Term Loans into tranche B-2 term loans (the “Tranche B-2 Term Loans”), in an aggregate principal amount, along with new loans advanced by certain new lenders, of approximately $1,372 million. The proceeds of Tranche B-2 Term Loans advanced by the new lenders were used to prepay in full all of the Tranche B Term Loans that were not converted into Tranche B-2 Term Loans. Except as described below, the Tranche B-2 Term Loans bear interest at a floating rate measured by reference to, at Hertz's option, either (i) an adjusted London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") not less than 0.75% plus a borrowing margin of 2.25% per annum or (ii) an alternate base rate plus a borrowing margin of 1.25% per annum. The terms and conditions of the new Tranche B-2 Term Loans with respect to maturity, collateral, and covenants are otherwise unchanged compared to the Tranche B Term Loans.
Senior ABL Facility: In March 2011, Hertz, HERC, and certain other of its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement that initially provided for aggregate maximum borrowings of $1,800 million (subject to borrowing base availability) on a revolving basis under an asset-based revolving credit facility (as amended the “Senior ABL Facility”) Up to $1,500 million of the Senior ABL Facility was initially available for the issuance of letters of credit, subject to certain conditions including issuing lender participation. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and limitations, the Senior ABL Facility allows for the addition of incremental revolving and/or term loan commitments.
In July 2013, the Company increased the aggregate maximum borrowings under the Senior ABL Facility by $65 million (subject to borrowing base availability).
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In October 2014, Hertz entered into an agreement to amend certain terms of the Senior ABL Facility. The amendment, among other things (i) extends the commitment period of $1,668 million of aggregate maximum borrowing capacity under the Senior ABL Facility to March 2017, with the remaining $198 million of aggregate maximum borrowing capacity under the Senior ABL Facility, expiring, as previously scheduled, in March 2016 and (ii) provides for an increase in aggregate maximum borrowing capacity under the Senior ABL Facility of $235 million, such that (a) prior to March 2016, aggregate maximum borrowing capacity will be $2,100 million and (b) after March 2016, aggregate maximum borrowing capacity will be $1,903 million (in each case, subject to borrowing base availability).
The Company refers to the Senior Term Facility and the Senior ABL Facility together as the “Senior Credit Facilities.” Hertz's obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by its immediate parent (Hertz Investors, Inc.) and certain of its direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions, including Hertz International Limited, which ultimately owns entities carrying on most of its international operations, and subsidiaries involved in the HVF U.S. Asset-Backed Securities ("ABS") Program, the HVF II U.S. ABS Program, the Donlen ABS Program and the RCFC U.S. ABS Program). In addition, the obligations of the “Canadian borrowers” under the Senior ABL Facility are guaranteed by their respective subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.
The lenders under the Senior Credit Facilities have been granted a security interest in substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the borrowers and guarantors under those facilities, including pledges of the stock of certain of their respective U.S. subsidiaries (subject, in each case, to certain exceptions, including certain vehicles). Each of the Senior Credit Facilities permits the incurrence of future indebtedness secured on a basis either equal to or subordinated to the liens securing the applicable Senior Credit Facility or on an unsecured basis. In February 2013 and March 2013, the Company added Dollar Thrifty and certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors under certain of its debt instruments and credit facilities, including the Senior Term Facility and in February 2014 and December 2015, the Company added Firefly Rent A Car LLC and Rental Car Group Company, LLC, respectively, as guarantors under certain of its debt instruments and credit facilities, including the Senior Term Facility.
The Company refers to Hertz and its subsidiaries as the Hertz credit group. The Senior Credit Facilities contain a number of covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Hertz credit group to dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, prepay certain indebtedness, make dividends and other restricted payments (including to the parent entities of Hertz and other persons), create liens, make investments, make acquisitions, engage in mergers, change the nature of their business, engage in certain transactions with affiliates that are not within the Hertz credit group or enter into certain restrictive agreements limiting the ability to pledge assets.
Under the Senior ABL Facility, failure to maintain certain levels of liquidity will subject the Hertz credit group to a contractually specified fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1:1 for the four quarters most recently ended. As of December 31, 2015, the Company was not subject to such contractually specified fixed charge coverage ratio.
Covenants in the Senior Term Facility restrict payment of cash dividends to any parent of Hertz, including Hertz Holdings, with certain exceptions, including: (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed 1% of the greater of a specified minimum amount and the consolidated tangible assets of the Hertz credit group (which payments are deducted in determining the amount available as described in the next clause (ii)), (ii) in additional amounts up to a specified available amount determined by reference to, among other things, an amount set forth in the Senior Term Facility plus 50% of net income from January 1, 2011 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements of Hertz are available (less certain investments) and (iii) in additional amounts not to exceed the amount of certain equity contributions made to Hertz.
Covenants in the Senior ABL Facility restrict payment of cash dividends to any parent of Hertz, including Hertz Holdings, except in an aggregate amount, taken together with certain investments, acquisitions and optional prepayments, not to exceed $200 million. Hertz may also pay additional cash dividends under the Senior ABL Facility so long as, among other things, (a) no specified default then exists or would arise as a result of making such dividends, (b) there is at least $200 million of liquidity under the Senior ABL Facility after giving effect to the proposed dividend, and (c) either (i) if such liquidity is less than $400 million immediately after giving effect to the making of such dividends, Hertz is in compliance with a specified fixed charge coverage ratio, or (ii) the amount of the proposed dividend does not exceed the sum of (x) 1% of tangible assets plus (y) a specified available amount determined by reference to, among other
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
things, 50% of net income from January 1, 2011 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements of Hertz are available plus (z) a specified amount of certain equity contributions made to Hertz.
Senior Notes
In September 2010, Hertz issued $700 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.50% Senior Notes due 2018, in December 2010, Hertz issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.375% Senior Notes due 2021, in February 2011, Hertz issued $1,000 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.75% Senior Notes due 2019, and in March 2012, Hertz issued an additional $250 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.75% Senior Notes due 2019.
In October 2012, HDTFS, Inc., a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hertz issued and sold $700 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2020 and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.250% Senior Notes due 2022 in a private offering. The gross proceeds of the offering were held in an escrow account until the date of the completion of the acquisition of Dollar Thrifty, at which time the gross proceeds of the offering were released from escrow and HDTFS, Inc. was merged into Hertz.
In March 2013, Hertz issued $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Senior Notes due 2018. The proceeds of this March 2013 offering were used by Hertz to replenish a portion of its liquidity, after having dividended $467 million in available liquidity to Hertz Holdings, which was used to repurchase 23 million shares of Hertz Holdings common stock.
Hertz's obligations under the indentures for the Senior Notes are guaranteed by each of its direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries that are guarantors under the Senior Term Facility. The guarantees of all of the Subsidiary Guarantors may be released to the extent such subsidiaries no longer guarantee the Company's Senior Credit Facilities in the U.S.
HERC may also be released from its guarantee under the outstanding Senior Notes at any time at which no event of default under the related indenture has occurred and is continuing, notwithstanding that HERC may remain a subsidiary of Hertz. In February 2013 and March 2013, the Company added Dollar Thrifty and certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors under certain of its debt instruments and credit facilities including the Senior Notes and in February 2014 and December 2015, the Company added Firefly Rent A Car LLC and Rental Car Group Company, LLC as guarantors under certain of its debt instruments and credit facilities, including the Senior Notes.
The indentures for the Senior Notes contain covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Hertz credit group to incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, prepay certain indebtedness, make certain restricted payments (including paying dividends, redeeming stock or making other distributions to parent entities of Hertz and other persons outside of the Hertz credit group), make investments, create liens, transfer or sell assets, merge or consolidate, and enter into certain transactions with Hertz's affiliates that are not members of the Hertz credit group. These covenants also restrict Hertz Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries from redeeming stock or making loans, advances, dividends, distributions or other restricted payments to any entity that is not a member of the Hertz credit group, subject to certain exceptions.
Promissory Notes
References to the Company's “Promissory Notes” relate to its promissory notes issued under three separate indentures prior to the acquisition of all of Hertz's common stock on December 21, 2005, by the Sponsors.
Fleet Debt
The governing documents of certain of the fleet debt financing arrangements specified below contain covenants that, among other things, significantly limit or restrict (or upon certain circumstances may significantly restrict or prohibit) the ability of the borrowers, and the guarantors if applicable, to make certain restricted payments (including paying dividends, redeeming stock, making other distributions, loans or advances) to Hertz Holdings and Hertz, whether directly or indirectly.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
HVF II U.S. ABS Program
In November 2013, Hertz established a securitization platform, the HVF II U.S. ABS Program, designed to facilitate its financing activities relating to the vehicle fleet used by Hertz in the U.S. daily car rental operations of its Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands. Hertz Vehicle Financing II LP, a bankruptcy remote, indirect, wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary of Hertz ("HVF II") is the issuer under the HVF II U.S. ABS Program. HVF II has entered into a base indenture that permits it to issue term and revolving rental car asset-backed securities, secured by one or more shared or segregated collateral pools consisting primarily of portions of the rental car fleet used in its U.S. car rental operations and contractual rights related to such vehicles that have been allocated as the ultimate indirect collateral for HVF II's financings. HVF II uses proceeds from its note issuances to make loans to Hertz Vehicle Financing LLC ("HVF") pursuant to the HVF Series 2013-G1 Supplement (the “HVF Series 2013-G1 Notes”) and Rental Car Finance Corp. ("RCFC") pursuant to the RCFC Series 2010-3 Supplement (the "RCFC Series 2010-3 Notes"), in each case on a continuing basis.
The assets of HVF II and HVF II GP Corp. are owned by HVF II and HVF II GP Corp., respectively, and are not available to satisfy the claims of Hertz’s general creditors.
References to the “HVF II U.S. ABS Program” include HVF II’s U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes and HVF II U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes.
HVF II U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes
References to the “HVF II U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes” include the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes, the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes and the HVF II Series 2014-A Notes.
In connection with the establishment of the HVF II U.S. ABS Program, HVF II executed a $3,175 million committed financing arrangement, allocated between the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes and the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, each of which ultimately are backed by segregated collateral pools.
The initial aggregate maximum principal amount of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes was $2,575 million (subject to borrowing base availability). The initial aggregate maximum principal amount of the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes was $600 million (subject to borrowing case availability). At inception, the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes allowed for approximately $900 million of aggregate maximum principal amount of such notes to be transitioned to the aggregate maximum principal amount of HVF II Series 2013-B Notes and the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes allowed for all of the aggregate maximum principal amount of such notes to be transitioned to the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes (in each case, subject to borrowing base availability).
The net proceeds from the initial sale of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes were used to refinance nearly all of the outstanding Series 2009-1 Variable Funding Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes previously issued by HVF, the collateral for which consisted primarily of a substantial portion of the rental car fleet used in Hertz’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ U.S. car rental operations. No commitments remain available under the HVF Series 2009-1 Notes and there are no longer any HVF Series 2009-1 Notes outstanding.
The net proceeds from the initial sale of the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes were used to refinance the Series 2010-3 Variable Funding Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes previously issued by RCFC, the collateral for which consisted primarily of a substantial portion of the rental car fleet used in Dollar Thrifty’s and certain of its affiliates’ U.S. car rental operations.
In July 2014, HVF II executed a $1,000 million committed financing arrangement, the “Series 2014-A Variable Funding Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes," or the “HVF II Series 2014-A Notes”, backed by the same collateral pool that supports the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes. The initial aggregate maximum principal amount of the HVF II Series 2014-A Notes was $1,000 million (subject to borrowing base availability).
In October 2014, HVF II entered into various agreements to amend certain terms of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes and the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes. The amendments, among other things, extended the maturity of each facility to October 2016. In addition, HVF II transitioned $250 million of commitments available under the HVF II Series 2013-A
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Notes to the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, such that after giving effect to such transitions the aggregate maximum principal amount of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes and the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes were $2,447 million and $878 million, respectively (in each case, subject to borrowing base availability).
Also in October 2014, HVF II amended the terms of its HVF II Series 2014-A Notes, originally issued in July 2014, to provide for, among other things, (i) an extension of the maturity of the HVF II Series 2014-A Notes to October 2016 and (ii) an increase in aggregate maximum borrowing capacity under the HVF II Series 2014-A Notes from $1,000 million to $3,250 million (subject to borrowing base availability). The HVF II Series 2014-A Notes contain a commitment step-up feature that increased borrowing capacity from $1,000 million to $3,250 million (subject to borrowing base availability) by February 2015. Additionally, the HVF II Series 2014-A Notes contain provisions requiring the commitments to be terminated based on the volume of specified debt issued by Hertz or certain of its subsidiaries. These mandatory commitment termination provisions do not apply until at least $1,500 million of such specified debt has been issued.
In December 2014, HVF II transitioned approximately $147 million of commitments available under the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes to the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, such that after giving effect to such transition the aggregate maximum principal amount of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes and the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes were $2,300 million and $1,025 million, respectively (in each case, subject to borrowing base availability).
In February 2015, HVF II transitioned approximately $475 million of commitments available under the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes to the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, such that after giving effect to such transition the aggregate maximum principal amount of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes and the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes were $1,825 million and $1,500 million, respectively (in each case, subject to borrowing base availability).
In December 2015, HVF II entered into various amendment agreements pursuant to which certain terms of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes, the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, and the HVF II Series 2014-A Notes were amended. The amendments, among other things, extended the maturity of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes and the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes from October 2016 to October 2017 and, for each of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes, the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, and the HVF II Series 2014-A Notes, facilitated the issuance of a new class of notes (the “HVF II Series 2013-A Class B Notes”, the “HVF II Series 2013-B Class B Notes” and the “HVF II Series 2014-A Class B Notes”, and together, the “HVF II VFN Class B Notes”), each of which is subordinate to the previously outstanding Class A Notes of such series and permit aggregate maximum borrowings of $150 million (subject to borrowing base availability) with respect to such HVF II VFN Class B Notes. The amendments also reduced the aggregate maximum borrowing capacity with respect to the previously outstanding HVF II Series 2013-A Notes, HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, and HVF II Series 2014-A Notes by $150 million, such that the aggregate maximum borrowing capacity under the Series 2013-A Notes, the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, and the HVF II Series 2014-A Notes, as amended for and after giving effect to the issuance of the HVF II VFN Class B Notes, remains unchanged.
HVF II U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes
In April 2015, HVF II issued the Series 2015-1 Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes, Class A, Class B, and Class C (collectively, the “HVF II Series 2015-1 Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $780 million. The expected maturity of the HVF II Series 2015-1 Notes is March 2020. The HVF II Series 2015-1 Notes are comprised of $622 million aggregate principal amount of 2.73% Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes, Class A, $119 million aggregate principal amount of 3.52% Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes, Class B, and $39 million aggregate principal amount of 4.35% Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes, Class C. The net proceeds from the sale of the HVF II Series 2015-1 Notes were used (i) to repay a portion of the outstanding principal amount of HVF II's Series 2013-A Notes and HVF II's Series 2014-A Notes and (ii) to make loans to HVF for HVF to acquire or refinance vehicles to be leased to the Company or Dollar Thrifty for use in their daily rental operations.
In October 2015, HVF II issued the Series 2015-2 Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D (collectively, the “HVF II Series 2015-2 Notes”) and Series 2015-3 Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D (collectively, the “HVF II Series 2015-3 Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $636 million. The expected maturities of the HVF II Series 2015-2 Notes and the HVF II Series 2015-3 Notes are September 2018 and September 2020, respectively. The HVF II Series 2015-2 Notes are comprised of approximately $190 million
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
aggregate principal amount of 2.02% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class A, $46 million aggregate principal amount of 2.96% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class B, $14 million aggregate principal amount of 3.95% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class C and $15 million aggregate principal amount of 4.93% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class D. The HVF II Series 2015-3 Notes are comprised of approximately $265 million aggregate principal amount of 2.67% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class A, $65 million aggregate principal amount of 3.71% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class B, $20 million aggregate principal amount of 4.44% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class C and $21 million aggregate principal amount of 5.33% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class D. An affiliate of HVF II purchased the Class D Notes of each such series, therefore, $36 million of the obligation is eliminated in consolidation. The net proceeds from the sale of the HVF II Series 2015-2 Notes and HVF II Series 2015-3 Notes were used (i) to repay a portion of the outstanding principal amount of HVF II's Series 2013-A Notes and HVF II's Series 2014-A Notes and (ii) to make loans to Hertz Vehicle Financing LLC, a wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of the Company, to acquire or refinance vehicles.
See Note 21, "Subsequent Events," regarding additional issuances of HVF II U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes.
HVF U.S. Fleet ABS Program
HVF, a bankruptcy remote, direct, wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary of Hertz, is the issuer under the HVF U.S. ABS Program. HVF has entered into a base indenture that permits it to issue term and revolving rental car asset-backed securities, secured by one or more shared or segregated collateral pools consisting primarily of a substantial portion of the rental car fleet used in its U.S. car rental operations and contractual rights related to such vehicles that have been allocated as collateral for HVF's financings. Prior to the establishment of the HVF II financing platform, the HVF U.S. ABS Program served as Hertz's primary rental car securitization platform in the U.S.
References to the “HVF U.S. ABS Program” include HVF's U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes together with HVF's U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes.
HVF U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes
References to the “HVF U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes” include HVF's Series 2009-1 Variable Funding Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes, as amended (the “HVF Series 2009-1 Notes").
In May and August 2013, HVF amended the HVF Series 2009-1 Notes to permit aggregate maximum borrowings of $2,739 million (subject to borrowing base availability) and to extend the expected final maturity date to June 2014, respectively. In November 2013, the net proceeds from the sale of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes were used to refinance nearly all of the outstanding HVF Series 2009-1 Notes. In connection therewith, HVF amended the HVF Series 2009-1 Notes to permit aggregate maximum borrowings of $150 million (subject to borrowing base availability). In December 2013, HVF amended the HVF Series 2009-1 Notes primarily to conform the terms thereof to the terms of HVF II’s Series 2013-A Notes.
In July 2014, the remaining $150 million of commitments available under the HVF Series 2009-1 Notes were transitioned to the HVF II U.S. ABS Program, with approximately $122 million of such commitments allocated to the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes and $28 million of such commitments allocated to the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes, such that after giving effect to such transition the aggregate maximum principal amount of the HVF II Series 2013-A Notes and the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes were $2,697 million and $628 million, respectively (in each case, subject to borrowing base availability.) No commitments remain available under the HVF Series 2009-1 Notes and there are no longer any HVF Series 2009-1 Notes outstanding.
HVF U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes
References to the “HVF U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes” include HVF's Series 2009-2 Notes, Series 2010-1 Notes, Series 2011-1 Notes and Series 2013-1 Notes, collectively.
HVF Series 2009-2 Notes: In October 2009, HVF issued the Series 2009-2 Rental Car Asset Back Notes, Class A (the “HVF Series 2009-2 Class A Notes”) in an aggregate original principal amount of $1,200 million. In June 2010,
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
HVF issued the Subordinated Series 2009-2 Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes, Class B (the “HVF Series 2009-2 Class B Notes”) and together with the Series 2009-2 Class A (the “HVF Series 2009-2 Notes”) in an aggregate original principal amount of $184 million. In 2015, the HVF Series 2009-1 Notes were paid in full as scheduled in accordance with their terms.
HVF Series 2010-1 Notes: In July 2010, HVF issued the Series 2010-1 Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes (the “HVF Series 2010-1 Notes”) in an aggregate original principal amount of $750 million.
HVF Series 2011-1 Notes: In June 2011, HVF issued the Series 2011-1 Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes (the “HVF Series 2011-1 Notes”) in an aggregate original principal amount of $598 million.
HVF Series 2013-1 Notes: In January 2013, HVF issued $950 million in an aggregate original principal amount of three year and five year Series 2013-1 Rental Car Backed Notes, Class A and Class B (collectively, the "HVF Series 2013-1 Notes").
RCFC U.S. ABS Program
RCFC became a bankruptcy remote, indirect, wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary of Hertz when Hertz acquired Dollar Thrifty. RCFC is the issuer under the RCFC U.S. ABS Program. RCFC has entered into a base indenture that permits it to issue term and revolving rental car asset-backed securities secured by one or more shared or segregated collateral pools consisting primarily of portions of the rental car fleet used in Hertz's, Dollar Thrifty's and Firefly's U.S. car rental operations and contractual rights related to such vehicles that have been allocated as the collateral for RCFC's financings.
References to the “RCFC U.S. ABS Program” include RCFC's U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes together with RCFC's U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes.
RCFC U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes
References to the “RCFC U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes” are to the RCFC Series 2010-3 Variable Funding Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes, as amended (the “RCFC Series 2010-3 Notes”). In November 2013, the net proceeds from the sale of the HVF II Series 2013-B Notes were used to refinance the RCFC Series 2010-3 Notes. Following the establishment of the HVF II platform described herein, HVF II became the sole noteholder of the RCFC Series 2010-3 Notes and such notes became part of the overall HVF II transaction structure as further described in the "HVF II U.S. ABS Program" section of this footnote.
RCFC U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes
RCFC, a bankruptcy remote, indirect, wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary of Hertz was the issuer under the RCFC U.S. ABS Program. In 2011, RCFC issued Series 2011-1 Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes in an aggregate original principal amount of $500 million and issued Series 2011-2 Rental Car Asset-Backed Notes in an aggregate original principal amount of $400 million. (collectively, the "RCFC U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes"). In February 2015, the RCFC U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes were paid in full as scheduled in accordance with their terms.
Donlen ABS Program
Hertz Fleet Lease Funding LP, a bankruptcy remote, indirect, wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary of Donlen ("HFLF") is the issuer under the Donlen U.S. ABS Program. HFLF has entered into a base indenture that permits it to issue term and revolving fleet lease asset-backed securities. HFLF uses proceeds from its note issuances to make loans to DNRS II LLC, a bankruptcy remote, direct, wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary of Donlen, pursuant to a loan agreement, on a continuing basis. Donlen utilizes the HFLF securitization platform to finance its U.S. fleet leasing operations.
References to the “Donlen ABS Program” include HFLF’s Variable Funding Notes together with HFLF’s Medium Term Notes.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
HFLF Variable Funding Notes
HFLF Series 2013-1 Notes and HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes: In connection with the establishment of the HFLF financing platform, in September 2013 HFLF executed a $1,100 million committed financing arrangement, comprised of a one year variable funding note facility with an expected maturity date in September 2014 (the “HFLF Series 2013-1 Notes”) and a two year variable funding note facility with an expected maturity date in September 2015 (the “HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes”). The proceeds of the HFLF Series 2013-1 Notes and the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes were used to refinance the GN Funding II L.L.C. facility, which was due to mature and the GN Funding II L.L.C. facility was terminated.
The notes issued by HFLF are ultimately backed by a special unit of beneficial interest in a pool of leases and the related vehicles.
In September 2014, $200 million of commitments available under the HFLF Series 2013-1 Notes expired in accordance with their terms. The HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes were upsized by $200 million providing for an aggregate maximum principal amount of the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes of $400 million (subject to borrowing base availability). In connection therewith, the maturity date of the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes was extended to September 2016. There are no HFLF Series 2013-1 Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2015.
In September 2015, the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes were upsized by $100 million providing for an aggregate maximum principal amount of the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes of $500 million (subject to borrowing base availability). In connection therewith, the maturity date of the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes was extended to September 2017.
HFLF Medium Term Notes
References to the “HFLF Medium Term Notes” include HFLF’s Series 2013-3 Notes and the HFLF Series 2014-1 Notes.
HFLF Series 2013-3 Notes: In November 2013, HFLF issued $500 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2013-3 Floating Rate Asset-Backed Notes, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D (collectively, the "HFLF Series 2013-3 Notes"). The net proceeds from the issuance of the HFLF Series 2013-3 Notes were used to repay a portion of amounts then-outstanding under the HFLF Series 2013-1 Notes and the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes. The HFLF Series 2013-3 Notes are floating rate and carry an interest rate based upon a spread to one-month LIBOR.
HFLF Series 2014-1 Notes: In March 2014, HFLF issued $400 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2014-1 Floating Rate Asset-Backed Notes, Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E (collectively, the "HFLF Series 2014-1 Notes"). The net proceeds from the issuance of the HFLF Series 2014-1 Notes were used to repay a portion of amounts then-outstanding under the HFLF Series 2013-1 Notes and the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes. The HFLF Series 2014-1 Notes are floating rate and carry an interest rate based upon a spread to one-month LIBOR.
HFLF Series 2015-1 Notes: In June 2015, HFLF issued $300 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2015-1 Floating Rate Asset-Backed Notes, Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E (collectively, the “HFLF Series 2015-1 Notes”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the HFLF Series 2015-1 Notes were used (i) to repay a portion of amounts then-outstanding under the HFLF Series 2014-1 Notes and the HFLF Series 2013-2 Notes and (ii) to make loans to DNRS II LLC. The HFLF Series 2015-1 Notes are floating rate and carry an interest rate based upon a spread to one-month LIBOR. An affiliate of HFLF owns a portion of the obligation related to the Class E Notes as of December 31, 2015, therefore, $5 million of the obligation is eliminated in consolidation.
Fleet Debt-Other
U.S. Fleet Financing Facility
In September 2006, Hertz and Puerto Ricancars, Inc., a Puerto Rican corporation and wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Hertz ("PR Cars") entered into a credit agreement that provides for aggregate maximum borrowings of $165 million (subject to borrowing base availability) on a revolving basis under an asset-based revolving credit facility (the "U.S.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fleet Financing Facility"). The U.S. Fleet Financing Facility is the primary fleet financing for its car rental operations in Hawaii, Kansas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The obligations of each of Hertz and PR Cars under the U.S. Fleet Financing Facility are guaranteed by certain of Hertz's direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries. In addition, the obligations of PR Cars under the U.S. Fleet Financing Facility are guaranteed by Hertz. The lenders under the U.S. Fleet Financing Facility have been granted a security interest primarily in the owned rental car fleet used in its car rental operations in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and certain contractual rights related to rental vehicles in Kansas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In November 2014, the U.S. Fleet Financing Facility was amended to extend the maturity of such facility from September 2015 to March 2017.
European Revolving Credit Facility and European Fleet Notes
In June 2010, Hertz Holdings Netherlands B.V., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Hertz organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“HHN BV”) entered into a credit agreement that provided for initial aggregate maximum borrowings of €220 million (subject to borrowing base availability) on a revolving basis under an asset-based revolving credit facility (the “European Revolving Credit Facility”) and issued the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes due March 2015 (the “Former European Fleet Notes”) in an aggregate original principal amount of €400 million. References to the “European Fleet Debt” include HHN BV's European Revolving Credit Facility and the European Fleet Notes, collectively.
In November 2013, HHN BV issued the 4.375% Senior Notes due January 2019 (the “European Fleet Notes”) in an aggregate original principal amount of €425 million. Proceeds of the issuance of the European Fleet Notes were used to redeem all of the then-outstanding Former European Fleet Notes. Also, HHN BV amended and restated its European Revolving Credit Facility. The amendments to the European Revolving Credit Facility reflect, among other things, the redemption of the Former European Fleet Notes and certain other updates that conform to the provisions of the Senior Credit Facilities.
In July 2014, HHN BV amended the European Revolving Credit Facility to provide for aggregate maximum borrowings of up to the equivalent of an additional €120 million, subject to borrowing base availability, for a seasonal commitment period through December 2014.
In October 2014, HHN BV entered into an amendment agreement pursuant to which certain terms of the European Revolving Credit Facility were amended to provide for, among other things, (i) an extension of the maturity of the European Revolving Credit Facility from June 2015 to October 2017 and (ii) an increase in aggregate maximum borrowings available under the European Revolving Credit Facility from €220 million to €250 million (subject to borrowing base availability).
In May 2015, HHN BV amended the European Revolving Credit Facility to provide for aggregate maximum borrowings of up to €340 million during the peak season, subject to borrowing base availability, for a seasonal commitment period through December 2015.
The European Fleet Debt is the primary fleet financing for the Company's car rental operations in Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, New Zealand and Luxembourg and finances a portion of its assets in the United Kingdom, France and The Netherlands, and may be expanded to provide fleet financing in Australia, Canada, France, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
The agreements governing the European Revolving Credit Facility and the indenture governing the European Fleet Notes contain covenants that apply to the Hertz credit group similar to those for the Senior Notes. The terms of the European Fleet Debt permit HHN BV to incur additional indebtedness that would be pari passu with either the European Revolving Credit Facility or the European Fleet Notes.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
European Securitization
In July 2010, certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries entered into a facility agreement that provides for aggregate maximum borrowings of €400 million (subject to borrowing base availability) on a revolving basis under an asset-backed securitization facility (the “European Securitization”) The European Securitization is the primary fleet financing for its car rental operations in France and The Netherlands. The lenders under the European Securitization have been granted a security interest primarily in the owned rental car fleet used in its car rental operations in France and The Netherlands and certain contractual rights related to such vehicles.
In March 2014, the maturity date of the European Securitization was extended from July 2014 to July 2015.
In October 2014, the Company entered into an amendment agreement pursuant to which certain terms of the European Securitization were amended. The amendment provides for, among other things, an extension of the maturity of the European Securitization from July 2015 to October 2016.
In October 2015, certain of Hertz’s foreign subsidiaries entered into an amendment agreement pursuant to which certain terms of the European Securitization were amended. The amendment provides for, among other things, an extension of the maturity of the European Securitization from October 2016 to October 2017.
Canadian Securitizations
In September 2015, Hertz established a new securitization platform, the “Canadian Securitization”, designed to facilitate its financing activities relating to the vehicle fleet used by Hertz in the Canadian daily car rental operations of its Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands. The lenders under the Canadian Securitization have been granted a security interest primarily in the owned rental car fleet used in the Company's car rental operations in Canada and certain contractual rights related to such vehicles as well as certain other assets owned by the Hertz entities connected to the financing. TCL Funding Limited Partnership, a bankruptcy remote, indirect, wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary of Hertz, or “Funding LP,” is the issuer under the Canadian Securitization. In connection with the establishment of the Canadian Securitization, in September 2015, Funding LP issued the Series 2015-A Variable Funding Rental Car Asset Backed Notes (the “Funding LP Series 2015-A Notes”) that provide for aggregate maximum borrowings of CAD $350 million (subject to borrowing base availability) on a revolving basis and a maturity date of January 2018. The net proceeds from the sale of the Funding LP Series 2015-A Notes were used to pay in full the then-outstanding Hertz-Sponsored Canadian Securitization and the Dollar Thrifty-Sponsored Canadian Securitization and there are no longer any amounts outstanding under the Hertz-Sponsored Canadian Securitization and the Dollar Thrifty-Sponsored Canadian Securitization.
Hertz Sponsored Canadian Securitization
In May 2007, certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries entered into a facility agreement that initially provided for aggregate maximum borrowings of CAD $225 million (subject to borrowing base availability) on a revolving basis under an asset-backed securitization facility (as amended, the “Canadian Securitization”). The Canadian Securitization is the primary fleet financing for its car rental operations in Canada. The lender under the Canadian Securitization has been granted an indirect security interest primarily in the owned rental car fleet used in its car rental operations in Canada and certain contractual rights related to such vehicles as well as certain other assets owned by its entities connected to the financing.
In June 2013, the maturity date of the Canadian Securitization was extended to March 2014. In February 2014, the maturity date was extended to March 2015 and in October 2014, the maturity date was extended to October 2016.
The net proceeds from the sale of the Funding LP Series 2015-A Notes were used to pay in full the then-outstanding Hertz-Sponsored Canadian Securitization and there are no longer any amounts outstanding under the Hertz-Sponsored Canadian Securitization.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Dollar Thrifty Sponsored Canadian Securitization
In March 2012, certain foreign subsidiaries of Dollar Thrifty entered into a trust indenture that permits the issuance of term and revolving rental car asset-backed securities, the collateral for which consists primarily of the rental car fleet used in Dollar Thrifty’s Canadian car rental operations and contractual rights related to such vehicles. These subsidiaries became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Hertz when Hertz acquired Dollar Thrifty.
Also in March 2012, these subsidiaries issued asset-backed variable funding notes that provide for aggregate maximum borrowings of CAD $150 million (subject to borrowing base availability) on a revolving basis (the “Dollar Thrifty-Sponsored Canadian Securitization”). In February 2014, the maturity date was extended to March 2015 and in October, 2014, the maturity date was extended to October 2016.
The net proceeds from the sale of the Funding LP Series 2015-A Notes were used to pay in full the then-outstanding Dollar Thrifty-Sponsored Canadian Securitization and there are no longer any amounts outstanding under the Dollar Thrifty-Sponsored Canadian Securitization.
Australian Securitization
In November 2010, certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries entered into a facility agreement that provides for aggregate maximum borrowings of AUD$250 million (subject to borrowing base availability) on a revolving basis under an asset-backed securitization facility (the “Australian Securitization”). The Australian Securitization is the primary fleet financing for Hertz's car rental operations in Australia. The lender under the Australian Securitization has been granted a security interest primarily in the owned rental car fleet used in its car rental operations in Australia and certain contractual rights related to such vehicles.
In October 2014, the maturity date of the Australian Securitization was extended to December 2016.
Brazilian Fleet Financing Facility
Through its Brazilian operating subsidiary, the Company is party to certain local financing arrangements, which are collateralized by certain of its assets (the "Brazilian Fleet Financing Facility").
In October 2013, the Company entered into a new Brazilian Fleet Financing Facility with a maturity date of October 2014. Proceeds from the new facility were used to repay the then-existing facility that was set to mature. In October 2015, the maturity date of the Brazilian Fleet Financing Facility was extended to April 2016.
Capitalized Leases
References to the “Capitalized Leases” include the capitalized lease financings outstanding in the United Kingdom (the “U.K. Leveraged Financing”), Australia, The Netherlands and the U.S. The amount committed under the U.K. Leveraged Financing is the largest portion of the Capitalized Leases.
In May 2013, the U.K. Leveraged Financing was amended to create a commitment period running through October 2013 that provided for additional amounts available under the U.K. Leveraged Financing of £25 million (subject to asset availability).
In July 2014, the U.K. Leveraged Financing was amended to extend the final maturity date to February 2015 and to provide for aggregate maximum leasing capacity (subject to asset availability) of up to the equivalent of an additional £55 million for a seasonal commitment period through November 2014.
In October 2014, the U.K. Leveraged Financing was amended to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity to October 2017 and (ii) increase the aggregate maximum leasing capacity under the U.K. Leveraged Financing from £195 million to £225 million (subject to asset availability).
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In May 2015, the U.K. Leveraged Financing was amended to provide for aggregate maximum leasing capacity (subject to asset availability) of up to £300 million during the peak season and at the same time amended and increased the ongoing core facility to £250 million.
Waivers
Due to the Company's accounting restatement, investigation and remediation activities, as reported in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the SEC on July 16, 2015, the Company failed to file certain quarterly and annual reports and certain of its subsidiaries failed to file statutory financial statements within certain time periods set forth in the documentation of various of its (and/or its special purpose subsidiaries') financing facilities which resulted in the occurrence of various potential and/or actual defaults and potential amortization events under certain of such financing facilities.
In May 2014, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries obtained waivers effective through June 15, 2014 from the requisite lenders or noteholders under the Senior ABL Facility, HVF II U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes, European Revolving Credit Facility, European Securitization, Hertz-Sponsored Canadian Securitization, Dollar Thrifty-Sponsored Canadian Securitization, U.K. Leveraged Financing, and its U.S. Fleet Financing Facility to waive the aforementioned events, as well as similar events that could arise from any restatement of annual and quarterly financial statements previously delivered by the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries under such facilities, and provided the required notices to the various lenders or noteholders. In June 2014 and September 2014, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries obtained waivers, or extensions of waivers, effective through November 14, 2014. In connection with the refinancings consummated on October 31, 2014, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries obtained waivers, or extensions of waivers, under such facilities, as well as the Australian Securitization and various counterparties in respect of derivative transactions, in each case, through June 30, 2015.
In July 2014, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries obtained waivers from the requisite lenders of the HVF U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes and RCFC U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes to waive the aforementioned events, as well as similar events that could arise from any restatement of annual and quarterly financial statements previously delivered by the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries under such facilities, and provided the required notices to the various lenders or noteholders. The waiver relating to Hertz's failure to furnish certain financial statements within certain time periods was effective through December 30, 2014. The Company's ability to remove cash from these ABS financing facilities was temporarily restricted during the period from May 2014 until mid July 2014 when the Company obtained such waivers. In December 2014, the Company obtained an extension of the waiver from the requisite lenders or noteholders of the HVF U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes relating to Hertz's failure to furnish certain financial statements within certain time periods, effective through August 31, 2015. The waiver obtained in connection with the RCFC U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes expired on December 30, 2014 and thus its ability to remove cash from such financing facility was restricted as of December 31, 2014.
In December 2014, Hertz entered into an Amendment and Waiver (the “Amendment and Waiver”) relating to the Senior Term Facility. The waiver set forth in the Amendment and Waiver defers Hertz’s requirement to furnish certain financial statements within certain time periods set forth in the documentation of the Senior Term Facility, as well as waived defaults arising directly or indirectly from (1) the delay in providing such financial statements and (2) the restatement of Hertz’s 2011, 2012 and 2013 financial statements. The waiver was effective with respect to the non-delivery of the subject financial statements through December 31, 2015.
The Amendment and Waiver increased the interest rates payable on the term loans and credit linked deposits during the period from December 15, 2014 through but excluding the date on which Hertz furnished all financial statements then due to be delivered under the terms of the Senior Term Facility. During such period, (A) the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche B-1 Term Loans bore interest at a floating rate measured by reference to, at Hertz’s option, either (i) an adjusted LIBOR not less than 1.00% plus a borrowing margin of 3.00% per annum or (ii) an alternate base rate plus a borrowing margin of 2.00% per annum, and (B) the Tranche B-2 Term Loans bore interest at a floating rate measured by reference to, at Hertz’s option, either (i) an adjusted LIBOR not less than 0.75% plus a borrowing margin of 2.75% per annum or (ii) an alternate base rate plus a borrowing margin of 1.75% per annum. From and after the date on which Hertz furnished all financial statements then due to be delivered under the terms of the Senior Term Facility, (A) the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche B-1 Term Loans reverted to bear interest at a floating rate
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
measured by reference to, at Hertz’s option, either (i) an adjusted LIBOR not less than 1.00% plus a borrowing margin of 2.75% per annum or (ii) an alternate base rate plus a borrowing margin of 1.75% per annum, and (B) the Tranche B-2 Term Loans reverted to bear interest at a floating rate measured by reference to, at Hertz’s option, either (i) an adjusted LIBOR not less than 0.75% plus a borrowing margin of 2.25% per annum or (ii) an alternate base rate plus a borrowing margin of 1.25% per annum.
In May 2015, the Company obtained waivers from the requisite noteholders of its Senior Notes to amend and waive (the “Senior Notes Amendments and Waiver”) certain provisions of the indentures pursuant to which the Senior Notes were issued (the “Senior Notes Indentures”). The Senior Notes Amendments and Waiver amend, effective as of March 30, 2014, the reporting covenant in each of the Senior Notes Indentures to eliminate any obligation for the Company (or HHN BV as applicable) to deliver to the trustee or the noteholders or file with the SEC (i) its annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, in each case prior to September 30, 2015 and (ii) its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014. Pursuant to the Senior Notes Amendments and Waiver, holders also waived any default or event of default under the relevant Senior Notes Indenture that may occur or exist as a result of or in connection with the Company not filing any amendments to previously filed SEC reports or the failure to timely deliver to the trustee or the noteholders, or file with the SEC, the delayed SEC reports.
In May 2015, the Company and HVF obtained waivers from the requisite noteholders of the U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes to amend and waive (the “HVF Amendments and Waiver”) certain provisions of the operating lease between the Company and HVF that secures the U.S. Fleet Medium Term Notes (the “HVF Legacy Lease”). The HVF Amendments and Waiver amend the HVF Legacy Lease, effective as of March 30, 2014, to eliminate the requirement to furnish (or cause to be furnished) the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014 under the HVF Legacy Lease and in connection with the foregoing the noteholders waived any potential event of default or event of default under the HVF Legacy Lease that may occur or exist as a result, directly or indirectly arising out of or in connection with the failure to furnish (or cause to be furnished) such quarterly reports.
In June 2015, HHN BV obtained waivers from the requisite noteholders of its European Fleet Notes to amend and waive (the “European Fleet Notes Amendments and Waivers”) certain provisions of the indenture pursuant to which the European Fleet Notes were issued (the “European Fleet Notes Indenture”). The European Fleet Notes Amendments and Waiver amend, effective as of March 30, 2014, the reporting covenant in the European Fleet Notes Indenture to eliminate any obligation for the Company (or HHN BV as applicable) to deliver to the trustee or the noteholders or file with the SEC (i) its annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, in each case prior to September 30, 2015 and (ii) its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014. Pursuant to the Senior Notes Amendments and Waiver, holders also waived any default or event of default under the European Fleet Notes Indenture that may occur or exist as a result of or in connection with the Company not filing any amendments to previously filed SEC reports or the failure to timely deliver to the trustee or the noteholders, or file with the SEC, the delayed SEC reports.
In June 2015, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries obtained extensions of previously obtained waivers under the Senior ABL Facility, HVF II U.S. Fleet Variable Funding Notes, European Revolving Credit Facility, European Securitization, Hertz-Sponsored Canadian Securitization, Dollar Thrifty-Sponsored Canadian Securitization, Australian Securitization, U.K. Leveraged Financing, our U.S. Fleet Financing Facility, and various derivative transactions. Such lenders permanently waived any of the aforementioned events arising from the failure to file such financial information within the required time periods. The waivers also facilitated the Company filing a comprehensive annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014, including audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014 and unaudited financial statements of Hertz for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, to satisfy its 2014 financial statement delivery obligations under such facilities. In addition, the lenders under such facilities have waived any of the aforementioned events that could arise from any restatement of annual and quarterly financial statements previously delivered by the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries under such facilities.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
On July 16, 2015, the Company filed its 2014 Form 10-K and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015. As a result, any potential and/or actual defaults and potential amortization events ceased to exist and were deemed to have been cured for all purposes of the related transaction documents.
Restricted Net Assets
As a result of the contractual restrictions on Hertz's or its subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends (directly or indirectly) under various terms of its debt, as of December 31, 2015, the restricted net assets of its subsidiaries exceeded 25% of its total consolidated net assets.
Financial Covenant Compliance
Under the terms of its Senior Term Facility and Senior ABL Facility, the Company is not subject to ongoing financial maintenance covenants; however, under the Senior ABL Facility, failure to maintain certain levels of liquidity will subject Hertz to a contractually specified fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1:1 for the four quarters most recently ended. As of December 31, 2015, the Company was not subject to the fixed charge coverage ratio test.
Cash Restrictions
Certain amounts of cash and cash equivalents are restricted for the purchase of revenue earning vehicles and other specified uses under the Fleet Debt facilities and the Like-Kind Exchange Program ("LKE Program".) As of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the portion of total restricted cash and cash equivalents that was associated with the Fleet Debt facilities was $289 million and $515 million, respectively. Restricted cash balances fluctuate based on the timing of purchases and sales of revenue earning vehicles and could also be impacted by the occurrence of an amortization event.
Borrowing Capacity and Availability
The Company's borrowing capacity and availability comes from its "revolving credit facilities," which are a combination of asset-backed securitization facilities and asset-based revolving credit facilities. Creditors under each of its revolving credit facilities have a claim on a specific pool of assets as collateral. The Company's ability to borrow under each revolving credit facility is a function of, among other things, the value of the assets in the relevant collateral pool. The Company refers to the amount of debt the Company can borrow given a certain pool of assets as the borrowing base.
The Company refers to "Remaining Capacity" as the maximum principal amount of debt permitted to be outstanding under the respective facility (i.e., the amount of debt the Company could borrow assuming the Company possessed sufficient assets as collateral) less the principal amount of debt then-outstanding under such facility. The Company refers to "Availability Under Borrowing Base Limitation" as the lower of Remaining Capacity or the borrowing base less the principal amount of debt then-outstanding under such facility (i.e., the amount of debt the Company could borrow given the collateral the Company possesses at such time).
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As of December 31, 2015, the following facilities were available to the Company:
As of December 31, 2015, the Senior ABL Facility had $1,142 million available under the letter of credit facility sublimit, subject to borrowing base restrictions.
Letters of Credit
As of December 31, 2015, there were outstanding standby letters of credit totaling $517 million. Of this amount, $503 million was issued under the Senior Credit Facilities. As of December 31, 2015, none of these letters of credit have been drawn upon.
Special Purpose Entities
Substantially all of the Company's revenue earning equipment and certain related assets are owned by special purpose entities, or are encumbered in favor of its lenders under its various credit facilities, other secured financings and asset-backed securities programs. None of such assets (including the assets owned by each of HVF II, HVF II GP Corp., HVF, RCFC, DNRS II LLC, HFLF, Donlen Trust and various international subsidiaries that facilitate its international securitizations) are available to satisfy the claims of its general creditors.
The Company consolidates all special purpose entities for which it is the primary beneficiary, some of which are variable interest entities whose sole purpose is to provide commitments to lend in various currencies subject to borrowing bases comprised of rental vehicles and related assets of certain of Hertz International, Ltd.'s subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, its International Fleet Financing No. 1 B.V., International Fleet Financing No. 2 B.V. and HA Funding Pty, Ltd. variable interest entities had total assets of $418 million and $427 million, respectively, primarily comprised of loans receivable and revenue earning equipment, and total liabilities of $418 million and $426 million, respectively, primarily comprised of debt.
Accrued Interest
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, accrued interest was $82 million and $95 million, respectively, which is reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheets in “Accrued liabilities.”
Note 7-Employee Retirement Benefits
Qualified U.S. employees, after completion of specified periods of service, are eligible to participate in The Hertz Corporation Account Balance Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the “Hertz Retirement Plan”) a cash balance plan. Under this qualified Hertz Retirement Plan, the Company pays the entire cost and employees are not required to contribute.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Some of its international subsidiaries have defined benefit retirement plans or participate in various insured or multiemployer plans. In certain countries, when the subsidiaries make the required funding payments, they have no further obligations under such plans. Company plans are generally funded, except for certain nonqualified U.S. defined benefit plans and in Germany and France, where unfunded liabilities are recorded. The Company also sponsors defined contribution plans for certain eligible U.S. and non-U.S. employees, where contributions are matched based on specific guidelines in the plans.
Effective December 31, 2014, the Company amended the Hertz Retirement Plan to permanently discontinue future benefit accruals and participation under the plan for non-union employees. Compensation credits will no longer be provided under the Hertz Retirement Plan after 2014 for affected participants. Interest credits will continue to be credited on existing participant account balances under the plan until benefits are distributed and service will continue to be recognized for vesting and retirement eligibility requirements.
In connection with the freezing of the Hertz Retirement Plan, the Company plans to increase employer contributions under the Company’s qualified 401(k) savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Effective January 1, 2015, eligible participants under the 401(k) Plan will receive a matching employer contribution to their 401(k) Plan account equal to (i) 100% of the first 3% of employee contributions made by such participant and (ii) 50% of the next 2% of employee contributions, with the total amount of such matching employer contribution to be completely vested, subject to applicable limits under the United States Internal Revenue Code. Certain eligible participants under the 401(k) Plan will also receive additional employer contribution amounts to their 401(k) Plan account depending on their years of service and age. The Company reserves the right to change its benefit offerings, at any time, at its discretion.
On October 22, 2014, the Company amended two non-qualified, unfunded pension plans. These two plans are The Hertz Corporation Benefit Equalization Plan (“BEP”) and The Hertz Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP II”). Effective as of December 31, 2014, the Company permanently discontinued future benefit accruals and participation under the BEP and the SERP II. Service will continue to be recognized for vesting and retirement eligibility requirements under the BEP and SERP II.
Effective January 1, 2014, the Hertz Retirement Plan was amended to provide a maximum annual compensation credit equal to 5% of eligible compensation paid to all plan members who are hired or rehired before January 1, 2014, unless as of December 31, 2013 the member has at least 120 months of continuous service, in which case the member continues with an annual credit of 6.5%. All Hertz employees who are hired on or after January 1, 2014 and Dollar Thrifty employees who become plan members on or after January 1, 2014 were eligible for a flat 3% annual compensation credit, regardless of the member's number of months of continuous service.
The Company also sponsors postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for a limited number of employees with hire dates prior to January 1, 1990. The postretirement health care plan is contributory with participants' contributions adjusted annually. An unfunded liability is recorded. The Company also has a key officer postretirement car benefit plan that provides the use of a vehicle for retired Executive Vice Presidents and above who have a minimum of 20 years of service and who retired at age 58 or above. The assigned car benefit is available for 15 years postretirement or until the participant reaches the age of 80, whichever occurs last.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following tables set forth the funded status and the net periodic pension cost of the Hertz Retirement Plan and other U.S. based retirement plans, other postretirement benefit plans including health care and life insurance plans covering domestic (“U.S.”) employees and the retirement plans for international operations (“Non-U.S.”), together with amounts included in its consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations:
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N/A - Not applicable
The discount rate used to determine the December 31, 2015 benefit obligations for U.S. pension plans is based on the rate from the Mercer Pension Discount Curve-Above Mean Yield that is appropriate for the duration of the Company's plan liabilities. For its plans outside the U.S., the discount rate reflects the market rates for an optimized subset of high-quality corporate bonds currently available. The discount rate in a country was determined based on a yield curve constructed from high quality corporate bonds in that country. The rate selected from the yield curve has a duration that matches its plan.
The expected return on plan assets for each funded plan is based on expected future investment returns considering the target investment mix of plan assets.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table sets forth the net periodic pension and postretirement (including health care, life insurance and auto) expense:
N/A - Not applicable
The net of tax loss in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” at December 31, 2015 and 2014 relating to pension benefits was $102 million and $101 million, respectively.
Changing the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point is not expected to have a material impact on the total of service and interest cost components or on the postretirement benefit obligation.
The provisions charged to income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 for all other pension plans were approximately $12 million, $10 million and $10 million, respectively.
The provisions charged to income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 for the defined contribution plans were approximately $30 million, $18 million and $18 million, respectively.
Plan Assets
The Company has a long-term investment outlook for the assets held in the Company sponsored plans, which is consistent with the long-term nature of each plan's respective liabilities. The Company has two major plans which reside in the U.S. and the U.K.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The U.S. Plan (the “Plan”) currently has a target asset allocation of 65% equity and 35% fixed income. The equity portion of the Plan is invested in one passively managed S&P 500 index fund, one passively managed U.S. small/midcap fund, one actively managed international fund and one actively managed emerging markets fund. The fixed income portion of the Plan is actively managed by professional investment managers and is benchmarked to the Barclays Long Govt/Credit Index. The Plan assumes a 7.2% rate of return on assets expected long-term annual weighted-average for the Plan in total.
The U.K. Plan has a target allocation of 37.5% actively managed multi-asset funds, 27.5% passive equity funds and 35% passive bond funds. The actively managed multi-asset funds are intended to deliver a long-term equity-like return but with reduced levels of volatility. The target allocation for the passive bonds is 70% in index-linked government bonds and 30% in corporate bonds. The target allocation for the equity funds are that 45% are held in U.K. Equities and the remainder diversified across global markets. All of the invested assets of the U.K. Plan are held via pooled funds managed by professional investment managers. The U.K. Plan assumes a 6.1% rate of return on assets expected long-term weighted-average for the Plan in total.
The fair value measurements of the Company's U.S. pension plan assets are based upon significant observable inputs (Level 2) that reflect quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets. The fair value measurements of its U.S. pension plan assets relate to common collective trusts and other pooled investment vehicles consisting of the following asset categories:
The Company's U.K. Plan accounts for $195 million of the $200 million in fair value of Non-U.S. plan assets at December 31, 2015. The fair value measurements of its U.K. pension plan assets are based upon significant observable inputs (Level 2) and relate to common collective trusts and other pooled investment vehicles consisting of the following asset categories:
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Contributions
The Company's policy for funded plans is to contribute annually, at a minimum, amounts required by applicable laws, regulations and union agreements. From time to time, the Company makes contributions beyond those legally required. In 2015, the Company did not make any cash contributions to its U.S. qualified pension plan. In 2014, the Company made cash contributions to its U.S. qualified pension plan of $22 million.
In 2015, the Company made benefit payments to its U.S. non-qualified pension plans of $22 million. In 2014, the Company made benefit payments to its U.S. non-qualified pension plans of $13 million. The Company made a $3 million discretionary contribution to its United Kingdom defined benefit pension plan (the "U.K. Plan") during each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The Company does not anticipate contributing to the U.S. qualified pension plan during 2016. For the international plans the Company anticipates contributing $3 million during 2016. The level of 2016 and future contributions will vary, and is dependent on a number of factors including investment returns, interest rate fluctuations, plan demographics, funding regulations and the results of the final actuarial valuation.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following table presents estimated future benefit payments:
Multiemployer Pension Plans
The Company contributed to several multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under collective bargaining agreements that cover certain of its union-represented employees. The risks of participating in such plans are different from the risks of single-employer plans, in the following respects:
a)
Assets contributed to a multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
b)
If a participating employer ceases to contribute to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers.
c)
If the Company ceases to have an obligation to contribute to the multiemployer plan in which the Company had been a contributing employer, the Company may be required to pay to the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan and on the history of its participation in the plan prior to the cessation of its obligation to contribute. The amount that an employer that has ceased to have an obligation to contribute to a multiemployer plan is required to pay to the plan is referred to as a withdrawal liability.
The Company's participation in multiemployer plans for the annual period ended December 31, 2015 is outlined in the table below. For each plan that is individually significant to the Company, the following information is provided:
The “EIN / Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number and the three-digit plan number assigned to a plan by the Internal Revenue Service. The most recent Pension Protection Act Zone Status available is for plan year that ended in 2014. The zone status is based on information provided to the Company and other participating employers by each plan and is certified by the plan's actuary. A plan in the “red” zone has been determined to be in “critical status”, based on criteria established under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and is generally less than 65% funded. A plan in the “yellow” zone has been determined to be in “endangered status”, based on criteria established under the Code, and is generally less than 80% funded. A plan in the “green” zone has been determined to be neither in “critical status” nor in “endangered status,” and is generally at least 80% funded.
The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates whether a Funding Improvement Plan, as required under the Code to be adopted by plans in the “yellow” zone, or a Rehabilitation Plan, as required under the Code to be adopted by plans in the “red” zone, is pending or has been implemented as of the end of the plan year that ended in 2015.
The “Surcharge Imposed” column indicates whether the Company's contribution rate for 2015 included an amount in addition the contribution rate specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreement, as imposed by a plan in “critical status,” in accordance with the requirements of the Code. The last column lists the expiration dates of the collective bargaining agreements pursuant to which the Company contributed to the plans.
For plans that are not individually significant to the Company, the total amount of contributions is presented in the aggregate.
N/A Not applicable
*
Included in the Other Plans are contributions to the Local 1034 Pension Fund. The amount contributed by Hertz to the Local 1034 Pension Fund was reported as being more than 5% of total contributions to the plan, on the fund's Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Note 8-Stock-Based Compensation
Plans
The non-cash stock-based compensation expense associated with the Hertz Holdings stock-based compensation plans is pushed down from Hertz Holdings and recorded on the books at the Hertz level.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
On February 28, 2008, the Boards of Directors of Hertz and Hertz Holdings jointly adopted the Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) which was approved by the stockholders of Hertz Holdings at the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 15, 2008 and amended and restated on May 27, 2010. On October 15, 2015, Hertz Holdings' stockholders re-approved the material terms of the performance objectives under the Omnibus Plan, which allows Hertz Holdings to continue to grant equity incentive awards that are structured in a manner intended to qualify as tax-deductible, performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. A maximum of 32,700,000 shares are reserved for issuance under the Omnibus Plan. The Omnibus Plan provides for grants of both equity and cash awards, including non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards (shares and units), restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock units to key executives, employees and non-management directors. Hertz Holdings also granted awards under the Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) and the Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Director Stock Incentive Plan (the “Director Plan”), or (collectively, the “Prior Plans”).
The Omnibus Plan provides that no further awards will be granted pursuant to the Prior Plans. However, awards that had been previously granted pursuant to the Prior Plans will continue to be subject to and governed by the terms of the Prior Plans. As of December 31, 2015, there were 4,557,407 shares of Hertz Holdings' common stock underlying awards outstanding under the Prior Plans. In addition, as of December 31, 2015, there were 9,429,723 shares of Hertz Holdings' common stock underlying awards outstanding under the Omnibus Plan.
In addition to the 13,987,130 shares underlying outstanding awards as of December 31, 2015, Hertz Holdings had 53,521,350 shares of its common stock available for issuance of which 12,633,685 shares are available under the Omnibus Plan, and 40,887,665 shares are available under Hertz Holdings' treasury stock. The shares of common stock to be delivered under the Omnibus Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of common stock held in treasury or authorized but unissued shares of common stock, not reserved for any other purpose.
Shares subject to any award granted under the Omnibus Plan that for any reason are canceled, terminated, forfeited, settled in cash or otherwise settled without the issuance of common stock after the effective date of the Omnibus Plan will generally be available for future grants under the Omnibus Plan.
A summary of the total compensation expense and associated income tax benefits recognized under the Prior Plans and the Omnibus Plan, including the cost of stock options, RSUs, and PSUs, is as follows (in millions of dollars):
As of December 31, 2015, there was approximately $48 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, RSUs and PSUs granted by Hertz Holdings under the Prior Plans and the Omnibus Plan. The total unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining 1.9 years, on a weighted average basis, of the requisite service period that began on the grant dates.
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
All stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Omnibus Plan will have a per-share exercise price of not less than the fair market value of one share of Hertz Holdings' common stock on the grant date. Stock options and stock appreciation rights will vest based on a minimum period of service or the occurrence of events (such as a change in control, as defined in the Omnibus Plan) specified by the compensation committee of the Hertz and Hertz Holdings Boards of Directors. No stock options or stock appreciation rights will be exercisable after a maximum of ten years from the grant date.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company has accounted for the Hertz Holdings' employee stock-based compensation awards in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” The options are being accounted for as equity-classified awards. The Company will recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The value of each option award is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that incorporates the assumptions noted in the following table.
Hertz Holdings calculates the expected volatility on the historical movement of its stock price.
(a) No options were granted in 2013.
A summary of option activity under the Stock Incentive Plan and the Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2015 is presented below.
A summary of non-vested options as of December 31, 2015, and changes during the year, is presented below.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Additional information pertaining to option activity under the plans is as follows:
Performance Stock, Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Performance stock and performance stock units ("PSU") granted under the Omnibus Plan will vest based on the achievement of pre-determined performance goals over performance periods determined by the Compensation Committee. Each of the units granted under the Omnibus Plan represent the right to receive one share of Hertz Holdings' common stock on a specified future date. In the event of an employee's death or disability, a pro rata portion of the employee's performance stock, performance stock units and performance units will vest to the extent performance goals are achieved at the end of the performance period. Restricted stock and restricted stock units ("RSU") granted under the Omnibus Plan will vest based on a minimum period of service or the occurrence of events (such as a change in control, as defined in the Omnibus Plan) specified by the Compensation Committee.
A summary of the PSU activity under the Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2015 is presented below.
A summary of RSU activity under the Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2015 is presented below.
Additional information pertaining to RSU activity is as follows:
Compensation expense for PSUs and RSUs is based on the grant date fair value, and is recognized ratably over the vesting period. For grants in 2015, 2014 and 2013, the vesting period is three years. In addition to the service vesting condition, the PSUs had an additional vesting condition which called for the number of units that will be awarded being
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
based on achievement of a certain level of Corporate EBITDA or other performance measures over the applicable measurement period.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Hertz Holdings previously operated an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") for certain eligible employees. The plan was suspended in 2014.
Note 9-Tangible Asset Impairments and Asset Write-downs
During 2015, the Company deemed its former Dollar Thrifty headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is part of the U.S. Car Rental segment, as held for sale. The Company performed an impairment assessment and recorded a charge of $6 million which is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Company's statement of operations. The building was sold in December 2015.
Also during 2015, the Company deemed a building in its U.S. Car Rental segment to be held for sale. The Company performed an impairment assessment and recorded a charge of $5 million. The Company also reassessed the carrying value of a held for sale corporate asset and recorded a charge of $3 million. The corporate asset was sold in April 2015. These charges are included in other (income) expense, net in the Company's statement of operations.
Additionally, during 2015, the Company recorded $16 million in charges associated with U.S. Car Rental service equipment and assets deemed to have no future use, of which $9 million is included in direct operating expense and $7 million is included in other (income) expense, net in the Company's statement of operations.
During 2014, the Company deemed certain revenue earning equipment in its equipment rental business as held for sale. The Company performed an impairment assessment and recorded a charge of $10 million. In addition, the Company recorded $10 million in charges to write-off assets associated with a terminated business relationship. These charges are included in direct operating expense in the Company's statement of operations.
Also during 2014, the Company deemed its previous corporate headquarters building to be held for sale. The Company performed an impairment assessment and recorded a charge of $13 million which is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Company's statement of operations. The Company also recorded $14 million in charges to write-down service equipment that was deemed to have no future use which is included in other (income) expense, net in the Company's statement of operations.
During 2013, Franchise Services of North America, Inc., the parent of Simply Wheelz LLC ("Simply Wheelz") the owner and operator of Hertz’s divested Advantage brand, filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. As a result, Hertz performed an impairment analysis of the vehicles subleased to Simply Wheelz and recorded an impairment charge of $40 million which is included in other (income) expense, net in the Company's statement of operations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 10-Lease and Concession Agreements
Noncancellable Operating Leases and Concession Agreements
The Company has various concession agreements, which provide for payment of rents and a percentage of revenue with a guaranteed minimum, and real estate leases under which the following amounts were expensed:
As of December 31, 2015, minimum net obligations under existing agreements referred to above approximate the following:
Many of the Company's concession agreements and real estate leases require the Company to pay or reimburse operating expenses, such as common area charges and real estate taxes, to pay concession fees above guaranteed minimums or additional rent based on a percentage of revenues or sales (as defined in those agreements) arising at the relevant premises, or both. Such obligations are not reflected in the table of minimum future obligations appearing immediately above. The Company operates from various leased premises under operating leases with terms up to 50 years. A number of its operating leases contain renewal options. These renewal options vary, but the majority include clauses for renewal for various term lengths at various rates, both fixed and market.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In addition to the rents mentioned above, the Company has various leases on revenue earning equipment and office, computer and other equipment under which the following amounts were expensed:
As of December 31, 2015, minimum obligations under existing agreements for revenue earning equipment and office, computer and other equipment approximate the following:
Commitments under capital leases within the Company's vehicle rental programs are included in Note 6, "Debt."
Note 11-Restructuring
As part of the Company's ongoing effort to implement its strategy of reducing operating costs, as well as the integration of Dollar Thrifty the Company incurred the following restructuring costs:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table sets forth the activity affecting the restructuring accrual during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company expects to pay the remaining restructuring obligations relating to termination benefits over the next twelve months. The remainder of the restructuring accrual relates to future lease obligations which will be paid over the remaining term of the applicable leases.
(a)
Decrease in 2014 primarily consists of $10 million related to the write-down of assets associated with a terminated business relationship and $13 million related to the impairment of the Company's former corporate headquarters building in New Jersey which were recorded in direct operating and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively.
(b)
Decrease in 2015 primarily consists of $4 million related to the write-down of assets deemed to have no future use in the Company's U.S. Car Rental segment.
Note 12-Taxes on Income (Loss)
The components of income (loss) before income taxes for the periods were as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The total provision (benefit) for taxes on income (loss) consists of the following:
The principal items of the U.S. and foreign net deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
As of December 31, 2015, deferred tax assets of $1,326 million were recorded for unutilized U.S. Federal Net Operating Losses (“NOL") carry forwards of $3,791 million. The total Federal NOL carry forwards are $3,930 million, of which $139 million relate to excess tax deductions associated with stock compensation plans which have yet to reduce taxes payable. Upon the utilization of these carry forwards, the associated tax benefits of approximately $49 million will be recorded to "additional paid-in capital". The Federal NOLs begin to expire in 2029. State NOLs exclusive of the effects of the excess tax deductions, have generated a deferred tax asset of $178 million. As of December 31, 2015, a valuation allowance of $22 million was recorded against these deferred tax assets because they relate to separate states that have historical losses where it is more likely than not that the NOL carry forwards may not be utilized in the future. The state NOLs expire over various years beginning in 2016 depending upon when they were generated and the particular jurisdiction.
As of December 31, 2015, deferred tax assets of $135 million were recorded for foreign NOL carry forwards of $550 million. A valuation allowance of $129 million at December 31, 2015 was recorded against these deferred tax assets because those assets relate to jurisdictions that have historical losses and it is more likely than not that a portion of the NOL carry forwards may not be utilized in the future.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The foreign NOL carry forwards of $550 million include $484 million which have an indefinite carry forward period and associated deferred tax assets of $117 million. The remaining foreign NOLs of $66 million are subject to expiration beginning in 2016 and have associated deferred tax assets of $18 million.
In determining the valuation allowance, an assessment of positive and negative evidence was performed regarding realization of the net deferred tax assets in accordance with ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. This assessment included the evaluation of cumulative earnings and losses in recent years, scheduled reversals of net deferred tax liabilities, the availability of carry forwards and the remaining period of the respective carry forward, future taxable income and any applicable tax-planning strategies that are available.
The Company released valuation allowances on losses in Spain and Italy in the amounts $28 million and $5 million, respectively. This was based on an evaluation of cumulative earnings and positive projections of income that are available to utilize such losses. Based on the assessment, as of December 31, 2015, total valuation allowances of $151 million were recorded against deferred tax assets. Although realization is not assured, the Company has concluded that it is more likely than not the remaining deferred tax assets of $1,890 million will be realized and as such no valuation allowance has been provided on these assets.
As of December 31, 2015, deferred tax assets of $47 million were recorded for U.S. federal alternative minimum tax ("AMT") credits and various state tax credits. The state tax credits expire over various years beginning in 2018 depending upon when they were generated and the particular jurisdiction. The carryover period for the AMT credits is indefinite.
The significant items in the reconciliation of the statutory and effective income tax rates consisted of the following:
The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 was 20% as compared to (388)% for the year ended December 31, 2014, with an income tax provision of $68 million and $62 million, respectively. The $6 million increase in the tax provision is due to an increase in pretax earnings, the composition of earnings by jurisdiction, a decrease in the valuation allowance relating to losses in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions, and a decrease in net unrecognized tax benefits accrued during the year. The year ended December 31, 2015 also includes an income tax benefit for an excess tax loss over a book gain realized on sale of operations in France and Spain.
The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was (388)% as compared to 48% in the year ended December 31, 2013. The provision for taxes on income decreased $267 million, primarily due to lower income before income taxes, changes in geographic earnings mix, and decreased state and local tax rates and a decrease in the valuation allowance relating to losses in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions for which tax benefits are not realized, offset by an increase in unrecognized tax benefits accrued during the year and non-deductible transaction costs.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As of December 31, 2015, the Company's foreign subsidiaries have $717 million of undistributed earnings which could be subject to taxation if repatriated. Due to the Company's legal structure, the foreign earnings subject to taxation upon distribution could be less. Deferred tax liabilities, to the extent they exist, have not been recorded for such earnings because it is management’s current intention to permanently reinvest such undistributed earnings offshore. Due to the uncertainty caused by the various methods in which such earnings could be repatriated, and because of the potential availability of U.S. foreign tax credits (“FTCs”) it is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability that would be payable if such earnings were not reinvested indefinitely. However, if such earnings were repatriated and subject to taxation at the maximum current U.S. federal tax rate, the tax liability would be approximately $277 million, which includes the net impact of foreign withholding taxes, but excludes the impact of potential FTCs and other possible alternatives that could reduce the tax liability. The Company would consider and pursue appropriate alternatives to reduce the tax liability if, in the future, undistributed earnings are repatriated to the United States, or it is determined such earnings will be repatriated in the foreseeable future.
As of December 31, 2015, total unrecognized tax benefits were $81 million, of which $6 million, if settled, would negatively impact the effective tax rate in future periods because of correlative adjustments associated with these liabilities. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, files one or more income tax returns in the U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. In the normal course of business the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. The open tax years for these jurisdictions span from 2003 to 2015. The Internal Revenue Service completed their audit of the Company's 2007 to 2009 and surveyed 2010 and 2011 tax returns and had no changes to the previously filed tax returns. Several U.S. state and other non-U.S. jurisdictions are under audit.
With regard to these audits, it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may change as the result of the completion of ongoing examinations, the expiration of the statute of limitations or other unforeseen circumstances. At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change cannot be made. It is reasonable that approximately $1 million of unrecognized tax benefits may reverse within the next twelve months due to settlement with the relevant non-U.S. taxing authorities.
Net, after-tax interest and penalties related to the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits are classified as a component of “Provision for taxes on income (loss)” in the consolidated statement of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately $4 million, $1 million and $(1) million, respectively, in net, after-tax interest and penalties were recognized. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately $6 million and $3 million, respectively, of net, after-tax interest and penalties were accrued in the Company's consolidated balance sheet within "Accrued taxes."
Note 13-Financial Instruments
The Company employs established risk management policies and procedures, which seek to reduce the Company’s commercial risk exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and currency exchange rates. However, there can be no assurance that these policies and procedures will be successful. Although the instruments utilized involve varying degrees of credit, market and interest risk, the counterparties to the agreements are expected to perform fully under the terms of the agreements. The Company monitors counterparty credit risk, including lenders, on a regular basis, but cannot be certain that all risks will be discerned or that its risk management policies and procedures will
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
always be effective. Additionally, in the event of default under the Company’s master derivative agreements, the non-defaulting party generally has the option to set-off any amounts owed with regard to open derivative positions.
The Company has the following risk exposures that it has historically used financial instruments to manage. None of the instruments have been designated in a hedging relationship as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objective in managing exposure to interest rate changes is to minimize the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, the Company uses interest rate caps and other instruments to manage the mix of floating and fixed-rate debt.
Currency Exchange Rate Risk
The Company’s objective in managing exposure to currency fluctuations is to limit the exposure of certain cash flows and earnings from changes associated with currency exchange rate changes through the use of various derivative contracts. The Company experiences currency risks in its global operations as a result of various factors including intercompany local currency denominated loans, rental operations in various currencies and purchasing fleet in various currencies.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of financial instruments:
(a) All asset derivatives are recorded in "Prepaid expenses and other assets" and all liability derivatives are recorded in "Accrued liabilities" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the gains and (losses) on financial instruments for the period indicated:
While the Company's foreign currency forward contracts and certain interest rate caps are subject to enforceable master netting agreements with their counterparties, the Company does not offset the derivative assets and liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The impact of offsetting derivative instruments is depicted below as of December 31, 2015:
The impact of offsetting derivative instruments is depicted below as of December 31, 2014:
Note 14-Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal market or, if none exists, the most advantageous market, for the specific asset or liability at the measurement date (referred to as the "exit price"). Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based upon assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including consideration of nonperformance risk.
The Company assesses the inputs used to measure fair value using the three-tier hierarchy promulgated under U.S.GAAP. This hierarchy indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market.
Level 1: Inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are observable.
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Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3: Inputs that are unobservable to the extent that observable inputs are not available for the asset or liability at the measurement date and include management's judgment about assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Under U.S.GAAP, entities are allowed to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value. The Company has not elected the fair value measurement option for any of its assets or liabilities that meet the criteria for this option. Irrespective of the fair value option previously described, U.S.GAAP requires certain financial and non-financial assets and liabilities of the Company to be measured on either a recurring basis or on a nonrecurring basis as shown in the sections that follow.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The fair value of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, to the extent the underlying liability will be settled in cash, approximate carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company's assessment of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment includes an assessment using various Level 2 (EBITDA multiples and discount rate) and Level 3 (forecasted cash flows) inputs. See Note 2, "Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies - Recoverability of Goodwill and Intangible Assets," for more information on the application of the use of fair value methodology.
Cash Equivalents and Investments
The Company’s cash equivalents primarily consist of money market accounts which the Company measures at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company determines the fair value of cash equivalents using a market approach based on quoted prices in active markets.
Investments in equity and other securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of various mutual funds. The valuation of these securities is based on pricing models whereby all significant inputs are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
The following table summarizes the ending balances of the Company's cash equivalents and investments.
CAR Inc.
As further described in Note 3, "Acquisitions and Divestitures," the Company holds an equity investment in CAR Inc. of 10.2% and 16.2% as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company's net investment balance was approximately $180 million and $264 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and is included in "Prepaid expenses and other assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the investment using quoted market prices (Level 1) was approximately $406 million and $514 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
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Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company's financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are shown in Note 13, "Financial Instruments." The Company's financial instruments are classified as Level 2 assets and liabilities and are priced using quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.
Debt Obligations
The fair value of the Company's debt is estimated based on quoted market rates as well as borrowing rates currently available for loans with similar terms and average maturities (Level 2 inputs).
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value during the year ended December 31, 2015 are as follows:
The assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis include long-lived assets that are held for sale. Refer to the impairment disclosures in Note 9, "Tangible Asset Impairments and Asset Write-downs," for further information regarding loss adjustments for certain of the assets included in the table above.
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Note 15-Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance by component (net of tax) are as follows:
Note 16-Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
Legal Proceedings
Public Liability and Property Damage
The Company is currently a defendant in numerous actions and has received numerous claims on which actions have not yet been commenced for public liability and property damage arising from the operation of motor vehicles and equipment rented from the Company. The obligation for public liability and property damage on self-insured U.S. and international vehicles and equipment, as stated on the Company's balance sheet, represents an estimate for both reported accident claims not yet paid and claims incurred but not yet reported. The related liabilities are recorded on a non-discounted basis. Reserve requirements are based on rental volume and actuarial evaluations of historical accident claim experience and trends, as well as future projections of ultimate losses, expenses, premiums and administrative costs. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company's liability recorded for public liability and property damage matters was $402 million and $385 million, respectively. The Company believes that its analysis is based on the most relevant information available, combined with reasonable assumptions, and that the Company may prudently rely on this information to determine the estimated liability. The liability is subject to significant uncertainties. The adequacy of the liability reserve is regularly monitored based on evolving accident claim history and insurance related state legislation changes. If the Company's estimates change or if actual results differ from these assumptions, the amount of the recorded liability is adjusted to reflect these results.
Other Matters
From time to time the Company is a party to various legal proceedings. The Company has summarized below, the
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most significant legal proceedings to which the Company was and/or is a party to during 2015 or the period after December 31, 2015 but before the filing of this Annual Report.
Concession Fee Recoveries - In October 2006, Janet Sobel, Daniel Dugan, PhD. and Lydia Lee, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. The Hertz Corporation and Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company (“Enterprise”) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada (Enterprise became a defendant in a separate action which they have now settled.) The Sobel case is a consumer class action on behalf of all persons who rented cars from Hertz at airports in Nevada and were separately charged airport concession recovery fees by Hertz as part of their rental charges during the class period. In October 2014, the court entered final judgement against the Company and directed Hertz to pay the class approximately $42 million in restitution and $11 million in prejudgment interest, and to pay attorney's fees of $3.1 million with an additional $3.1 million to be paid from the restitution fund. In December 2014, Hertz timely filed an appeal of that final judgment with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the plaintiffs cross appealed the court's judgment seeking to challenge the lower court's ruling that Hertz did not deceive or mislead the class members. The matter has now been fully briefed by the parties. No oral argument date has been set. The Company continues to believe the outcome of this case will not be material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In re Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Securities Litigation - In November 2013, a purported shareholder class action, Pedro Ramirez, Jr. v. Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., et al., was commenced in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey naming Hertz Holdings and certain of its officers as defendants and alleging violations of the federal securities laws. Since then the complaint has been amended several times. The complaint, as amended, alleges that Hertz Holdings made material misrepresentations and/or omissions of material fact in its public disclosures during the period from February 14, 2013 through to July 16, 2015, in violation of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of monetary damages on behalf of the purported class and an award of costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees. On November 4, 2015 Hertz Holdings filed its motion to dismiss and on February 2, 2016 the plaintiffs filed their response and a Motion for Leave to File a Proposed Fourth Amended Complaint to address standing issues associated with the lead plaintiff. Hertz Holdings believes that it has valid and meritorious defenses and it intends to vigorously defend against the complaint, but litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of this matter is not predictable with assurance. It is possible that this matter could be decided unfavorably to Hertz Holdings. However, Hertz Holdings is currently unable to estimate the range of these possible losses, but they could be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any particular reporting period.
Ryanair - In July 2015, Ryanair Ltd. ("Ryanair") filed a complaint against Hertz Europe Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, in the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division, Commercial Court, Royal Courts of Justice of the United Kingdom alleging breach of contract in connection with Hertz Europe Limited’s termination of its car hire agreement with Ryanair following a contractual dispute with respect to Ryanair’s agreement to begin using third party ticket distributors. The complaint seeks damages, interest and costs, together with attorney fees. The Company believes that it has valid and meritorious defenses and it intends to vigorously defend against these allegations, but litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of this matter is not predictable with assurance. The Company has established a reserve for this matter which is not material. However, it is possible that this matter could be decided unfavorably to the Company, accordingly, it is possible that an adverse outcome could exceed the amount accrued in an amount that could be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any particular reporting period.
The Company intends to assert that it has meritorious defenses in the foregoing matters and the Company intends to defend itself vigorously.
Governmental Investigations - In June 2014, the Company was advised by the staff of the New York Regional Office of the SEC that it is investigating the events disclosed in certain of the Company’s filings with the SEC. In addition, in December 2014 a state securities regulator requested information regarding the same events. The investigations generally involve the restatements included in the Company's 2014 Form 10-K and related
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accounting for prior periods. The Company has and intends to continue to cooperate with both the SEC and state requests. Due to the stage at which the proceedings are, Hertz is currently unable to predict the likely outcome of the proceedings or estimate the range of reasonably possible losses, which may be material. Among other matters, the restatements included in the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K addressed a variety of accounting matters involving the Company’s Brazil rental car operations. The Company has identified certain activities in Brazil that may raise issues under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and local laws, which the Company has self-reported to appropriate government entities. At this time, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of this issue or estimate the range of reasonably possible losses, which could be material.
French Antitrust - In February 2015, the French Competition Authority issued a Statement of Objections claiming that several car rental companies, including Hertz and certain of its subsidiaries, violated French competition law by receiving historic market information from twelve French airports relating to the car rental companies operating at those airports and by engaging in a concerted practice relating to train station surcharges. Hertz believes that it has valid defenses and intends to vigorously defend against the allegations, but, due to the early stage at which the proceedings are, Hertz is currently unable to predict the likely outcome of the proceedings or range of reasonably possible losses, which may be material.
French Road Tax - The French Tax Authority has challenged the historic practice of several rental car companies, including Hertz France, of registering vehicles in jurisdictions where it is established and where the road tax payable with respect to those vehicles is lower than the road tax payable in the jurisdictions where the vehicles will primarily be used. In respect of a period in 2005, the Company has unsuccessfully appealed the French Tax assessment to the highest Administrative court in France. In respect of a period from 2003 to 2005, following an adverse judgment, the Company appealed the French Tax Authority’s assessment to the Civil Court of Appeal. This appeal is currently awaiting judgment. In the third quarter of 2015, following an adverse decision against another industry participant involved in a similar action, the Company has recorded charges with respect to this matter of approximately $23 million during 2015.
The Company has established reserves for matters where the Company believes that losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Other than the aggregate reserve established for claims for public liability and property damage, none of those reserves are material. For matters, including certain of those described above, where the Company has not established a reserve, the ultimate outcome or resolution cannot be predicted at this time, or the amount of ultimate loss, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of the individual litigated matters is not predictable with assurance. It is possible that certain of the actions, claims, inquiries or proceedings, including those discussed above, could be decided unfavorably to the Company or any of its subsidiaries involved. Accordingly, it is possible that an adverse outcome from such a proceeding could exceed the amount accrued in an amount that could be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any particular reporting period.
Indemnification Obligations
In the ordinary course of business, the Company executed contracts involving indemnification obligations customary in the relevant industry and indemnifications specific to a transaction such as the sale of a business. These indemnification obligations might include claims relating to the following: environmental matters; intellectual property rights; governmental regulations and employment-related matters; customer, supplier and other commercial contractual relationships; and financial matters. Specifically, the Company has indemnified various parties for the costs associated with remediating numerous hazardous substance storage, recycling or disposal sites in many states and, in some instances, for natural resource damages. The amount of any such expenses or related natural resource damages for which the Company may be held responsible could be substantial. In addition, Hertz has entered into customary indemnification agreements with Hertz Holdings, those certain private investment funds (collectively, the "Sponsors") who through Hertz Investors Inc., acquired all of Hertz common stock from Ford Holdings LLC in 2006 and former stockholders affiliated with the Sponsors, pursuant to which Hertz Holdings and Hertz will indemnify the Sponsors, its former stockholders affiliated with the Sponsors and their respective affiliates, directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents, representatives and controlling persons, against certain liabilities arising out of performance of a consulting agreement with Hertz Holdings and each of the Sponsors and certain other claims and liabilities, including liabilities arising out of financing arrangements or securities offerings. The Company has also entered into customary
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
indemnification agreements with each of its directors. Performance under these indemnification obligations would generally be triggered by a breach of terms of the contract or by a third party claim. The Company regularly evaluates the probability of having to incur costs associated with these indemnification obligations and have accrued for expected losses that are probable and estimable.
Note 17-Related Party Transactions
Agreements with the Icahn Group
On September 15, 2014, Hertz Holdings entered into a definitive Nomination and Standstill Agreement (the “Nomination and Standstill Agreement”) with Mr. Carl C. Icahn, High River Limited Partnership, Hopper Investments LLC, Barberry Corp., Icahn Partners LP, Icahn Partners Master Fund LP, Icahn Enterprises G.P. Inc., Icahn Enterprises Holdings L.P., IPH GP LLC, Icahn Capital LP, Icahn Onshore LP, Icahn Offshore LP, Beckton Corp., Vincent J. Intrieri, Samuel Merksamer and Daniel A. Ninivaggi (collectively, the “Icahn Group”).
Pursuant to the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, Mr. Vincent J. Intrieri, Mr. Samuel Merskamer and Mr. Daniel A. Ninivaggi (collectively, the “Icahn Designees”) were appointed to the Board of Directors of Hertz Holdings as Class II, Class I and Class I directors respectively effective as of September 15, 2014. Messrs. Intrieri, Merksamer and Ninivaggi were also appointed to the Board of Directors of Hertz. Pursuant to the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, so long as an Icahn Designee is a member of the Board, the Board will not be expanded to greater than ten directors without the approval from the Icahn Designees then on the Board. In addition, pursuant to the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, subject to certain restrictions and requirements, the Icahn Group will have certain replacement rights in the event an Icahn Designee resigns or is otherwise unable to serve as a director (other than as a result of not being nominated by Hertz Holdings for an annual meeting subsequent to Hertz Holdings' 2015 annual meeting of stockholders).
Until the date that no Icahn Designee is a member of the Board (or otherwise deemed to be on the Board pursuant to the terms of the Nomination and Standstill Agreement) (the “Board Representation Period”), the Icahn Group agrees to vote all of its shares of common stock of Hertz Holdings in favor of the election of all of Hertz Holdings’ director nominees at each annual or special meeting of Hertz Holdings. Also pursuant to the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, during the Board Representation Period, and subject to limited exceptions, the Icahn Group will adhere to certain standstill obligations, including the obligation to not solicit proxies or consents or influence others with respect to the same. The Icahn Group further agrees that during the Board Representation Period, subject to certain limited exceptions, the Icahn Group will not acquire or otherwise beneficially own more than 20% of Hertz Holdings’ outstanding voting securities.
In addition, pursuant to the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, the Board agreed not to create a separate executive committee of the board so long as an Icahn Designee is a member of the Board.
If at any time the Icahn Group ceases to hold a “net long” position, as defined in the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, in at least (A) 28,500,000 shares of Hertz Holdings’ common stock, the Icahn Group will cause one Icahn Designee to promptly resign from the Board; (B) 22,800,000 shares of Hertz Holdings’ common stock, the Icahn Group will cause two Icahn Designees to promptly resign from the Board; and (C) 19,000,000 shares of Hertz Holdings’ common stock, the Icahn Group will cause all of the Icahn Designees to promptly resign from the Board and Hertz Holdings’ obligations under the Nomination and Standstill Agreement will terminate.
Pursuant to the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, the Company and the Icahn Group entered into a confidentiality agreement pursuant to which the Icahn Group agreed to treat any and all information concerning or relating to Hertz Holdings or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates furnished to the Icahn Group or their representatives as confidential. In addition, the Company and the Icahn Group agreed to enter into a customary registration rights agreement.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Transactions with Hertz Holdings
In November 2014, the Company signed a master loan agreement with Hertz Holdings for a facility size of $125 million with an expiration in November 2015 (the "Master Loan"). The interest rate is based on the U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate plus a margin. In August 2015, the Master Loan was amended to increase the facility size to $425 million.
In October 2015, the board of directors of the Company approved, and Hertz paid, a non-cash dividend to Hertz Investors, Inc. consisting of the full rights to a receivable due from Hertz Holdings under the Master Loan in the amount of $365 million plus accrued interest. Hertz Investors, Inc. declared and paid the same dividend to Hertz Holdings; thereby settling the amount receivable from Hertz Holdings at the time.
In November 2015, upon expiration of the Master Loan, as amended, the Company signed a new master loan agreement with Hertz Holdings for a facility size of $650 million with an expiration in November 2016 (the "New Master Loan" and together with the Master Loan, the "Loan"). The interest rate is based on the U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate plus a margin.
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there was $345 million and $95 million due from Hertz Holdings, respectively, representing principal and interest amounts due under the Loan.
Other Relationships
In connection with its car and equipment rental businesses, the Company enters into millions of rental transactions every year involving millions of customers. In order to conduct those businesses, the Company also procures goods and services from thousands of vendors. Some of those customers and vendors may be affiliated with members of the Company's Board. The Company believes that all such rental and procurement transactions have been conducted on an arms-length basis and involved terms no less favorable to the Company than those that it believes would have been obtained in the absence of such affiliation. It is Company management’s policy to bring to the attention of its Board any transaction with a related party, even if the transaction arises in the ordinary course of business, if the terms of the transaction would be less favorable to the Company than those to which it would agree to in normal commercial circumstances.
Note 18-Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Annual Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
The following annual condensed consolidating financial information presents the Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, of (a) The Hertz Corporation, ("Parent”); (b) the Parent's subsidiaries that guarantee the Parent's indebtedness ("Guarantor Subsidiaries"); (c) the Parent's subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Parent's indebtedness ("Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries"); (d) elimination entries necessary to consolidate the Parent with the Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries ("Eliminations"); and of (e) the Company on a consolidated basis.
In December 2012, pursuant to a consent agreement Hertz Holdings entered into with the Federal Trade Commission in connection with the Dollar Thrifty acquisition, we consummated the Advantage Divestiture. Prior to the Advantage Divestiture, Simply Wheelz, the legal entity associated with Advantage, had been included within these condensed consolidating financial statements as a Guarantor Subsidiary. In February 2013 and March 2013, we added Dollar Thrifty and certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors under certain of our debt instruments and credit facilities. The following condensed consolidating financial information reflects the results of these changes for all periods presented.
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method for purposes of the consolidating presentation. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. The Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Parent and all guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. Additionally, substantially all of the assets of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are pledged under the Senior Credit Facilities, and consequently will not be available to satisfy the claims of the Company's general creditors. In lieu of providing separate unaudited financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries, we have included the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements based on Rule 3-10 of the SEC's Regulation S-X. Management does
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
not believe that separate financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are material to our investors; therefore, separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented.
During the preparation of the condensed consolidating financial information of The Hertz Corporation and Subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015, it was determined that other intangible assets, net at December 31, 2014 as filed in our 2014 Annual Report were improperly classified, resulting in a $564 million overstatement of these assets and equity for the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries and a corresponding understatement of these assets and equity for the Guarantor Subsidiaries. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015 included in the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements contained the same error of $564 million with respect to classification of intangible assets, net. Additionally, it was determined that the investment in subsidiaries, net and equity at December 31, 2014 for the Guarantor Subsidiaries was understated by $94 million with a corresponding overstatement of this asset and equity in Eliminations. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015 included in the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements were impacted by the same error with respect to classification of investment in subsidiaries, net and equity in that the amounts for the Guarantor Subsidiaries were overstated by $85 million, $219 million, and $400 million, respectively, with corresponding understatements of this asset and equity in Eliminations. The classification errors, which the Company has determined are not material to this disclosure, are eliminated upon consolidation and, therefore, have no impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. We have revised the Guarantor, Non-Guarantor, and Eliminations Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 to correct for these errors.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2015
(In millions)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2014
(In millions)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
(In millions)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
(In millions)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(In millions)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
(In millions)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
(In millions)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(In millions)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 19-Segment Information
The Company has identified four reportable segments, which are organized based on the products and services provided by its operating segments and the geographic areas in which its operating segments conduct business, as follows:
•
U.S. Car Rental - rental of cars, crossovers and light trucks, as well as ancillary products and services, in the United States and consists of the Company's United States operating segment;
•
International Car Rental - rental and leasing of cars, crossovers and light trucks, as well as ancillary products and services, internationally and consists of the Company's Europe and Other International operating segments, which are aggregated into a reportable segment based primarily upon similar economic characteristics, products and services, customers, delivery methods and general regulatory environments;
•
Worldwide Equipment Rental - rental of industrial construction, material handling and other equipment and consists of the Company's worldwide equipment rental operating segment; and
•
All Other Operations - includes the Company's Donlen operating segment which provides fleet leasing and fleet management services and is not considered a separate reportable segment in accordance with applicable accounting standards, together with other business activities.
In addition to the above reportable segments, the Company has corporate operations ("Corporate") which includes general corporate assets and expenses and certain interest expense (including net interest on corporate debt).
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is calculated as income (loss) before income taxes plus non-cash acquisition accounting charges, debt-related charges relating to the amortization and write-off of debt financing costs and debt discounts and certain one-time charges and non-operational items. Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is important because it allows management to assess operational performance of its business, exclusive of the items mentioned above. It also allows management to assess the performance of the entire business on the same basis as the segment measure of profitability. Management believes that it is important to investors for the same reasons it is important to management and because it allows them to assess the Company's operational performance on the same basis that management uses internally. When evaluating the Company's operating performance, investors should not consider adjusted pre-tax income (loss) in isolation of, or as a substitute for, measures of the Company's financial performance, such as net income (loss) or income (loss) before income taxes.
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The contribution of the Company's reportable segments to revenues and adjusted pre-tax income (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated amounts are summarized below.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company operates in the United States and in international countries. International operations are substantially in Europe. The operations within major geographic areas are summarized below:
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(a)
The following table reconciles adjusted pre-tax income to income before income taxes.
(1)
Represents general corporate expenses, certain interest expense (including net interest on corporate debt), as well as other business activities.
(2)
Represents the increase in amortization of other intangible assets, depreciation of property and equipment and accretion of revalued liabilities relating to acquisition accounting.
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(3)
Represents debt-related charges relating to the amortization of deferred debt financing costs and debt discounts and premiums.
(4)
Represents expenses incurred under restructuring actions as defined in U.S. GAAP. For further information on restructuring costs, see Note 11 "Restructuring," to the Notes to our consolidated financial statements. Also represents incremental costs incurred directly supporting the Company's business transformation initiatives. Such costs include transition costs incurred in connection with its business process outsourcing arrangements and incremental costs incurred to facilitate business process re-engineering initiatives that involve significant organization redesign and extensive operational process changes. Amounts in 2015 and 2014 also includes consulting costs and legal fees related to the accounting review and investigation, one time costs to terminate certain marketing and co-branding agreements, and costs associated with the separation of certain executives during the year.
(5)
Acquisition related costs and charges during the period.
(6)
Primarily represents Dollar Thrifty integration related expenses.
(7)
Represents expenses associated with the anticipated HERC spin-off transaction announced in March 2014. In 2015, $26 million were incurred by HERC and $9 million by Corporate. In 2014, $28 million were incurred by HERC and $11 million by Corporate.
(8)
Represents non-recurring costs incurred in connection with the relocation of the Company's corporate headquarters to Estero, Florida that were not included in restructuring expenses. Such expenses primarily include duplicate facility rent, certain moving expenses, and other costs that are direct and incremental due to the relocation.
(9)
In 2013, represents premiums paid to redeem the Company's 8.50% Former European Fleet Notes.
(10)
In 2013, represents extinguishment of debt for Senior Convertible Notes.
(11)
In 2015, represents the pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately 138 million shares of CAR Inc. common stock.
(12)
In 2015, represents the pre-tax gain on the sale of our HERC France and Spain businesses.
(13)
In 2015, primarily comprised of a $40 million write down of the HERC trade name. Also includes a $6 million impairment on the former Dollar Thrifty headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a $5 million impairment on a building in the U.S. Car Rental segment, $3 million impairment on a held for sale corporate asset, and write downs of $3 million associated with U.S. Car Rental service equipment and assets. In 2014, primarily comprised of a $13 million impairment related to our former corporate headquarters building in New Jersey, a $10 million impairment of HERC revenue earning equipment held for sale and a $10 million impairment of assets related to a contract termination. In 2013, primarily related to a $40 million impairment in the carrying value of the vehicles subleased to FSNA and its subsidiary, Simply Wheelz.
(14)
Includes miscellaneous, non-recurring or non-cash items. For 2015, primarily represents a charge of $23 million recorded in relation to a French road tax matter. In 2014, primarily comprised of a $19 million litigation settlement received in relation to a class action lawsuit filed against an original equipment manufacturer. In 2013, primarily represents cash premiums of $12 million associated with the conversion of the Senior Convertible Notes and $5 million of depreciation expense related to HERC.
Note 20-Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
In the third quarter of 2015, the Company identified various misstatements relating to prior period financial statements that it corrected during that quarter. The cumulative impact of the adjustments on the results for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was a decrease to pre-tax income of approximately $18 million (of which $13 million relates to years prior to 2015) and a decrease to net earnings of approximately $13 million. The adjustments are comprised of $4 million related to the accounting for the post-acquisition sale of land that was revalued as part of the December 2005 acquisition of the Company, $4 million of additional accruals for the periods 2009 through 2014 resulting from concession audits at certain airport locations, a $4 million obligation to a jurisdiction for customer transaction fees, $3 million of additional write-offs of assets that were incorrectly capitalized and $3 million of other miscellaneous adjustments. The Company considered both quantitative and qualitative factors in assessing the materiality of the items individually, and in the aggregate, and determined that the misstatements were not material to any prior quarterly period and not material to the three months ended September 30, 2015.
Provided below is a summary of the quarterly operating results during 2015 and 2014. Amounts are computed independently each quarter. As a result, the sum of the quarter's amounts may not equal the total amount for the respective year.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 21-Subsequent Events
Fleet Debt
In February 2016, HVF II issued the Series 2016-1 Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D (collectively, the “HVF II Series 2016-1 Notes”) and Series 2016-2 Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D (collectively, the “HVF II Series 2016-2 Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.06 billion. The expected maturities of the HVF II Series 2016-1 Notes and the HVF II Series 2016-2 Notes are March 2019 and March 2021, respectively. The HVF II Series 2016-1 Notes are comprised of approximately $333 million aggregate principal amount of 2.32% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class A, $81 million aggregate principal amount of 3.72% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class B, $25 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class C, and $27 million aggregate principal amount of 5.73% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class D. The HVF II Series 2016-2 Notes are comprised of approximately $425 million aggregate principal amount of 2.95% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class A, $104 million aggregate principal amount of 3.94% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class B, $32 million aggregate principal amount of 4.99% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class C, and $34 million aggregate principal amount of 5.97% Rental Car Asset Backed Notes, Class D. The Class B Notes of each series are subordinated to the Class A Notes of such series. The Class C Notes of each series are subordinated to the Class A Notes and the Class B Notes of such series. The Class D Notes of each series are subordinated to the Class A Notes, the Class B Notes and the Class C Notes of such series. An affiliate of HVF II purchased the Class D Notes of each such series, therefore, approximately $61 million of the obligation is eliminated in consolidation.
Approximately $741 million of the proceeds were used to pay down HVF II Fleet Variable Funding Notes Series 2014-A and approximately $264 million was used to pay down HVF II Fleet Variable Funding Notes Series 2013-A.
Equity Method Investment
The fair value of the Company's CAR, Inc. equity method investment has been negatively impacted by recent volatility in the markets in China and other factors. The fair value of the investment at February 22, 2016 using quoted market prices (Level 1) was $292 million.
SCHEDULE I
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
THE HERTZ CORPORATION
PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except for par value and share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SCHEDULE I (Continued)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
THE HERTZ CORPORATION
PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SCHEDULE I (Continued)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
THE HERTZ CORPORATION
PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
SCHEDULE I (Continued)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
THE HERTZ CORPORATION
PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION
NOTES TO PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1-Background and Basis of Presentation
The Hertz Corporation (the "Company" or "Hertz") was incorporated in Delaware in 1967. In 2005, Hertz Investors, Inc. acquired all of the common stock of the Company. Hertz Investors, Inc. is wholly owned by Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. ("Hertz Holdings") which serves as the Company's top-level holding company.
These condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule 1 of Regulation S-X, as the restricted net assets of Hertz and its subsidiaries exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Company. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Hertz included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Note 2-Contingencies and Debt Obligations
For details regarding the debt obligations of Hertz, refer to the corporate debt disclosures in Note 6, "Debt," to the Notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Of the amounts of corporate debt disclosed in Note 6, "Debt," $66 million and $74 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, are subsidiary obligations.
For details regarding material contingencies refer to Note 16, "Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Commitments," and Note 10, "Lease and Concession Agreements," to the Notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report under the caption Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Note 3-Dividends and Distributions of Equity
In October 2015, the Company paid a non-cash dividend to Hertz Investors, Inc. consisting of the full rights to a receivable due from Hertz Holdings in the amount of $365 million plus accrued interest. Hertz Investors, Inc. declared and paid the same dividend to Hertz Holdings; thereby settling the amount receivable from Hertz Holdings at the time.
There were no dividends paid by the Company during 2014. During 2013, the Company declared and paid a $482 million dividend to Hertz Investors, Inc. who then declared and paid the same dividend to Hertz Holdings.
The Company's policy is to recognize dividends in retained earnings even in deficit periods.
The following table details distributions of equity received by the Company from its subsidiaries during the three years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in millions of dollars):
THE HERTZ CORPORATION
NOTES TO PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Note 4 - Transactions with Affiliates
In November 2014, the Company signed a master loan agreement with Hertz Holdings providing for a facility size of $125 million with an expiration in November 2015 (the "Master Loan"). The interest rate is based on the U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate plus a margin. In August 2015, the Master Loan was amended to increase the facility size to $425 million.
In October 2015, the then outstanding amount under the facility was settled through a non-cash dividend to Hertz Investors, see Note 3, "Dividends and Distributions of Equity."
In November 2015, upon expiration of the Master Loan, as amended, the Company signed a new master loan agreement with Hertz Holdings for a facility size of $650 million with an expiration in November 2016 (the "New Master Loan" and together with the Master Loan, the "Loan"). The interest rate is based on the U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate plus a margin.
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there was $345 million and $95 million, respectively, due from Hertz Holdings representing principal and interest amounts due under the Loan.
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(In millions)
(a)
Amounts written off, net of recoveries.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our senior management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of December 31, 2015, due to the identification of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, as further described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f).
Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, due to the fact that certain material weaknesses previously identified in the 2014 Form 10-K filing on July 16, 2015 continue to exist at December 31, 2015, as discussed below.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Control Environment
We did not maintain an effective control environment primarily attributable to the following identified material weaknesses:
•
We did not have a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge, experience, and training commensurate with our financial reporting requirements to ensure proper selection and application of GAAP in certain circumstances.
•
We did not design effective controls over the non-fleet procurement process, which was exacerbated by the lack of training of field personnel as part of our Oracle ERP system implementation during 2013.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES, Continued
These material weaknesses in the control environment resulted in certain instances of inappropriate accounting decisions and in inappropriate accounting methodologies and contributed to the following additional material weaknesses:
•
We did not design and maintain effective controls over certain accounting estimates. Specifically, we did not design and maintain controls over the effective review of the models, assumptions, and data used in developing estimates or changes made to assumptions and data, including those related to reserve estimates associated with allowances for uncollectible amounts receivable for renter obligations for damaged vehicles.
•
We did not design and maintain effective controls over the review, approval, and documentation of manual journal entries.
Risk Assessment
We did not effectively design controls in response to the risks of material misstatement. This material weakness contributed to the following additional material weaknesses:
•
We did not design effective controls over certain business processes including our period-end financial reporting process. This includes the identification and execution of controls over the preparation, analysis, and review of significant account reconciliations and closing adjustments required to assess the appropriateness of certain account balances at period end.
Monitoring
We did not design and maintain effective monitoring controls related to the design and operational effectiveness of our internal controls. Specifically, we did not maintain personnel and systems within the internal audit function that were sufficient to ensure the adequate monitoring of control activities.
One or more of the foregoing control deficiencies contributed to the previously reported restatement of our financial statements for the years 2012 and 2013, each of the quarters of 2013 and the second quarter of 2015, including misstatements of direct operating expenses, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, prepaid expenses and other assets, depreciation of vehicles sold through retail car sales locations, and non-fleet property and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation and also resulted in audit adjustments to the Company's consolidated financial statements for 2015. Additionally, the foregoing control deficiencies could result in material misstatements of the consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, our management has determined these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered certified public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Remediation of Prior Material Weaknesses
Control Environment
Management Tone
We have taken actions to remediate the material weakness associated with an inappropriate tone at the top including (i) the previously disclosed changes in our personnel with respect to the company’s senior management, (ii) the previously disclosed personnel changes in the financial reporting and accounting function in order to ensure we have personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge, experience, and training to effect appropriate tone at the top, (iii) the augmentation of these personnel with qualified consulting resources to ensure we have sufficient staffing to meet our regulatory obligations, (iv) the reinforcement of adherence to established internal controls and Company policies and procedures through formal communications, town hall meetings and employee trainings, (v) the establishment of procedures for ensuring clear reporting structures, reporting lines, and decisional authority responsibilities in the
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES, Continued
organization and enhancement of communications with our operational departments, accounting, Board and Audit Committee, (vi) new trainings administered and monitored by the Compliance Committee, (vii) the development of a new enterprise risk assessment process to refine the company’s risk assessment, (viii) the enhancement of the annual Sarbanes-Oxley risk assessment, and (ix) the enhancement of the Company’s Disclosure Committee process.
Accounting Estimates
We have taken actions to remediate the material weakness associated with certain accounting estimates, including (i) identifying, implementing and documenting controls over appropriate accounting methodologies, data, and assumptions for information technology expenditures, (ii) held trainings with accounting staff in the first quarter of 2015 to ensure there is a thorough understanding of the underlying methodologies implemented, (iii) established policies and procedures for the approval and implementation of new or modified accounting methodologies, (iv) hired accounting personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge and experience to execute the underlying accounting methodologies and (v) established controls over the review and approval of the models, data, and assumptions over the estimates related to information technology expenditures, the allowance for uncollectible amounts receivable for renter obligations related to damaged vehicles, and accrued unbilled revenue.
Reporting structure, reporting lines and decisional authority responsibilities
We have taken actions to remediate the material weakness associated with a lack of established clear reporting structures, reporting lines, and decisional authority responsibilities in the organization including (i) hiring additional accounting and finance personnel in order to ensure that we have personnel commensurate with the size and complexity of the organization, (ii) establishing a more formalized reporting structure to conform to the new executive team, reporting lines to the proper departments, and decisional authority responsibilities within the organization to the appropriate individuals accomplished through the realignment of financial reporting, technical accounting and regional controllers, (iii) enhanced and executed more frequent trainings related to the reporting structure, reporting lines, and decisional authority responsibilities, including trainings on required internal technical accounting consultations and proposed changes to internal controls, (iv) requiring regular internal communications (e.g., quarterly closing meetings) and consultations (e.g., policy changes) in accordance with the reporting structure and reporting lines and (v) reflecting changes to the operational, financial and administrative functions within the Company’s human resources and performance management systems.
GAAP Policies and Procedures
We have taken actions to remediate the material weakness associated with ineffective controls over our policies and procedures over GAAP, as well as the review, approval, and documentation related to the application of GAAP. Specifically, management implemented revisions to the Company’s GAAP policies and procedures. In order to ensure that the policies were understood and interpreted appropriately, management verified the relevant Hertz resources were trained on these policies and procedures during the second quarter of 2015 and is continuing the training on an ongoing basis, as needed.
Information and Communication
We have taken actions to remediate the material weakness associated with the ineffective process for internal communication between the accounting and other departments within the business including (i) changes to the design and reporting structure of the financial reporting and accounting function, (ii) the review and execution of formal mechanisms for communicating across departments including enhanced monthly performance reviews with operational departments, (iii) the establishment of formal technical accounting, accounting policy, methodology and reporting consultation protocols through trainings and the issuance of guidance on required internal technical accounting consultations and a formalized tracking system for technical accounting matters. In addition we formalized processes over proposed changes to internal controls.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES, Continued
Remediation Efforts and Status of Remaining Material Weaknesses
We have taken certain remediation steps to address the material weaknesses referenced above that continue to remain as of December 31, 2015, and to improve our control over financial reporting. If not remediated these deficiencies could result in further material misstatements to our consolidated financial statements. The Company and the Board take the control and integrity of the Company’s financial statements seriously and believe that the remediation steps described below are essential to maintaining a strong internal controls environment.
We have identified and implemented, and continue to identify and implement, actions to improve the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, including plans to enhance our resources and training with respect to financial reporting and disclosure responsibilities and to review such actions with the Audit Committee.
In addition, we have taken, and continue to take, the actions described below to remediate the identified material weaknesses. As we continue to evaluate and work to improve our internal controls over financial reporting, our senior management may determine to take additional measures to address control deficiencies or determine to modify the remediation efforts described in this section. Until the remediation efforts discussed in this section, including any additional remediation efforts that our senior management identifies as necessary, are completed, the material weaknesses described above will continue to exist.
Control Environment
Complement of Personnel
•
To address the material weakness associated with a lack of personnel with sufficient training, knowledge and experience commensurate with our financial reporting requirements, we have continued to hire personnel during 2015 with the appropriate experience, certification, education, and training for all of the key positions in the financial reporting and accounting function and in some cases have created new positions. Consequently, the employees involved in the accounting and financial reporting functions in which misstatements were identified are no longer involved in the accounting or financial reporting functions. In addition, we have taken appropriate remedial actions with respect to certain employees, including termination, reassignments, reprimands, increased supervision, training, and imposition of financial penalties in the form of compensation adjustments. The Company has also taken steps to address the lack of training with respect to the Company’s non-fleet procurement process, which was exacerbated by the lack of training of field personnel as part of our Oracle enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system implementation during 2013. The Company instituted standing monthly training on how to requisition goods and services in the ERP system for new hires as well as an update training for existing users. The Company also provides additional training on an as-needed basis. In order to consider this material weakness to be fully remediated, we believe additional time is needed to demonstrate sustainability as it relates to our revised controls.
Non-Fleet Procurement
•
To address the material weakness over the non-fleet procurement process, we have strengthened processes and controls for manual accruals and journal entries. In addition, we have enhanced the accrual methodology and controls to ensure completeness over our non-fleet procurement liabilities. We have also improved our controls over vendor approval and set up, maintaining support over payables transactions and ensuring appropriate approvals for payables transactions. Further, as part of our finance transformation initiatives, we will continue to evaluate people, systems and processes related to non-fleet procurement.
Accounting Estimates
•
To address the material weakness associated with controls over certain accounting estimates, we have taken steps to improve our design and maintenance of effective controls for accounting estimates, including (i) where necessary, we have identified, implemented and documented controls over appropriate accounting methodologies, data, and assumptions for certain accounts, (ii) held trainings with accounting staff in the first quarter of 2015 to ensure there is a thorough understanding of the underlying methodologies implemented,
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES, Continued
(iii) established policies and procedures for the approval and implementation of new or modified accounting methodologies, (iv) hired accounting personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge and experience to execute the underlying accounting methodologies and (v) established policies and procedures for the review, approval and application of appropriate GAAP for transactions and accounting methodology changes. We are continuing to implement controls over the completeness and accuracy of data and assumptions. In order to consider this material weakness fully remediated, we believe additional time is needed to demonstrate sustainability as it relates to the revised controls.
Journal Entries
•
To address the material weakness associated with controls over journal entries, we have enhanced and reinforced procedures to ensure that manual journal entries recorded in our financial records are properly prepared, supported by adequate documentation, and independently reviewed and approved. In order to consider this material weakness fully remediated, we believe additional time is needed to demonstrate sustainability as it relates to the revised controls.
Risk Assessment
•
To address the material weakness associated with controls in response to the risk of material misstatement, we are establishing mechanisms to identify, evaluate, and monitor risks to financial reporting throughout the organization to remediate our material weakness in the risk assessment process. We are updating our global risk assessment. We have implemented new procedures and enhanced controls governing our internal management-led Disclosure Committee, sub-certification, and external reporting processes associated with the review and approval of the content of our SEC filings. In order to consider this material weakness fully remediated, we believe additional time is needed to demonstrate sustainability as it relates to the revised controls.
•
To address the material weakness associated with controls over account reconciliations and other transaction level controls, we have designed, and where appropriate enhanced, controls over the preparation, analysis and review of transactions and the execution of balance sheet and significant account reconciliations. In addition, we have reinforced existing policies and procedure and enacted policy and procedures changes, where necessary, to better define requirements for effective and timely reconciliations of balance sheet and significant accounts, including independent review. We have also implemented a training program specific to the review and preparation of account reconciliations. Lastly, we have implemented transaction controls that address the design deficiencies previously identified. In order to consider this material weakness fully remediated, we believe additional time is needed to demonstrate sustainability as it relates to the revised controls.
Monitoring
We have taken actions to address the material weakness associated with controls over monitoring, including (i) the hiring in 2015 of a new Senior Vice President and Chief Audit Executive, with global responsibilities, (ii) the continued hiring of additional resources with an appropriate level of knowledge and expertise, (iii) the supplementation of these personnel with qualified consulting resources to ensure an adequate level of staff, (iv) the reorganization of the internal audit function and (v) enhancements to the Company’s risk assessment process, and (vi) the reporting of operational and financial assessments to senior management and the Audit Committee. During 2015, the internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance teams enhanced (i) our processes associated with the scoping and identification of processes and key controls, (ii) the documentation of these processes and (iii) our testing procedures to promote the consistency and accuracy of conclusions, deliverables and disclosures associated with SOX compliance. In order to consider this material weakness to be fully remediated, we believe additional time is needed to demonstrate sustainability as it relates to our remediation plans.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES, Continued
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our remediation efforts were ongoing during the three months ended December 31, 2015. The following remediation steps are among the measures taken by the Company during the quarter:
Control Environment
Complement of Personnel
•
Completed account reconciliation and internal controls training for our accounting personnel.
•
Targeted training of field personnel in our non-fleet procurement process which includes the related Oracle ERP functionality.
Monitoring Activities
Internal Audit
•
Executed interim and certain year end procedures related to internal controls and operational audits.
There were no other material changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I to the Form 10-K.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I to the Form 10-K.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I to the Form 10-K.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I to the Form 10-K.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES
The Company's fees for services performed by its principal accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, during fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
(1) Audit fees were for services rendered in connection with (i) the audit of the financial statements included in the Hertz Holdings Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 as well as those appearing in this Annual Report for Hertz, (ii) reviews of the financial statements included in the Hertz Holdings and Hertz Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, (iii) attestation of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting for Hertz Holdings and Hertz, (iv) statutory audits and (v) providing comfort letters in connection with our financing transactions.
(2) Audit-related fees were for services rendered in connection with due diligence, assurance services, and employee benefit plan audits.
(3) Tax fees related to our Like Kind Exchange Program and tax audit assistance.
Our Audit Committee’s charter requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm; however, the Audit Committee is permitted to delegate pre-approval authority to the Chair of the Audit Committee, who must then provide a report to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All audit and non-audit fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in 2015.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Lee County, Florida on the 29th day of February, 2016.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ THOMAS C. KENNEDY
Name:
Thomas C. Kennedy
Title:
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 29, 2016:
Signature
Title
/s/ LINDA FAYNE LEVINSON
Independent Non-Executive Chair of the Board of Directors
Linda Fayne Levinson
/s/ JOHN P. TAGUE
President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
John P. Tague
/s/ THOMAS C. KENNEDY
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Thomas C. Kennedy
/s/ ROBIN C. KRAMER
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Robin C. Kramer
/s/ CARL T. BERQUIST
Director
Carl T. Berquist
/s/ MICHAEL J. DURHAM
Director
Michael J. Durham
/s/ CAROLYN N. EVERSON
Director
Carolyn N. Everson
s/ VINCENT J. INTRIERI
Director
Vincent J. Intrieri
/s/ HENRY R. KEIZER
Director
Henry R. Keizer
/s/ MICHAEL F. KOEHLER
Director
Michael F. Koehler
/s/ SAMUEL MERKSAMER
Director
Samuel Merksamer
/s/ DANIEL A. NINIVAGGI
Director
Daniel A. Ninivaggi
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The registrant is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. No annual report to security holders covering the registrant's last fiscal year or proxy statement, form of proxy or other proxy soliciting material has been sent to security holders.
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
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THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
_______________________________________________________________________________
† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
* Furnished herewith.
# Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., as filed on February 29, 2016.
As of December 31, 2015, we had various additional obligations which could be considered long-term debt, none of which exceeded 10% of our total assets on a consolidated basis. We agree to furnish to the SEC upon request a copy of any such instrument defining the rights of the holders of such long-term debt.
Schedules and exhibits not included above have been omitted because the information required has been included in the financial statements or notes thereto or are not applicable or not required.