UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
☒  Annual Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
or
☐  Transition Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
For The Transition Period From           To          
Commission File Number 0-28274
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
			
Florida
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)	 	56-1383460
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)	
400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 2800, Tampa, Florida
(Address of principal executive offices)	 	33602
(Zip Code)	
(813) 274-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	 	Trading Symbol(s)	 	Name of each exchange on which registered		
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	 	SYKE	 	NASDAQ Global Select Market		
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ☐                           No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Yes ☐                           No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒                           No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒                           No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer	☒	 	 	Accelerated filer	☐		
Non-accelerated filer	☐	 	 	Smaller reporting company	☐		
 	 	 	 	Emerging growth company	☐		
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the closing sales price of such shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $1,100,897,020.
As of February 6, 2020, there were 41,548,680 outstanding shares of common stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Documents	 	Form 10-K Reference	
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the year 2020
Annual Meeting of Shareholders	 	 
Part III Items 10–14	

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 	 	 	 	Page	
PART I	 	 	 	 	
Item 1	 	Business	 	3	
Item 1A	 	Risk Factors	 	11	
Item 1B	 	Unresolved Staff Comments	 	20	
Item 2	 	Properties	 	20	
Item 3	 	Legal Proceedings	 	21	
Item 4	 	Mine Safety Disclosures	 	21	
 	 	 	 	 	
PART II	 	 	 	 	
Item 5	 	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	 	21	
Item 6	 	Selected Financial Data	 	23	
Item 7	 	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	 	24	
Item 7A	 	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	 	38	
Item 8	 	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	 	39	
Item 9	 	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	 	40	
Item 9A	 	Controls and Procedures	 	40	
Item 9B	 	Other Information	 	42	
 	 	 	 	 	
PART III	 	 	 	 	
Item 10	 	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	 	42	
Item 11	 	Executive Compensation	 	42	
Item 12	 	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters	 	42	
Item 13	 	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	 	42	
Item 14	 	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	 	42	
 	 	 	 	 	
PART IV	 	 	 	 	
Item 15	 	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	 	43	
Item 16	 	Form 10-K Summary	 	46	

PART I
Item 1. Business
General
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and consolidated subsidiaries (“SYKES,” “our,” “us” or “we”) is a leading provider of multichannel demand generation and global customer engagement solutions and services. SYKES provides differentiated full lifecycle customer engagement solutions and services primarily to Global 2000 companies and their end customers principally in the financial services, communications, technology, transportation & leisure and healthcare industries. Our differentiated full lifecycle management services platform effectively engages customers at every touchpoint within the customer journey, including digital marketing and acquisition, sales expertise, customer service, technical support and retention, many of which can be optimized by a suite of robotic process automation (“RPA”) and artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions. We serve our clients through two geographic operating regions: the Americas (United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific Rim) and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa). Our Americas and EMEA regions primarily provide customer engagement solutions and services with an emphasis on inbound multichannel demand generation, customer service and technical support to our clients’ customers. These services are delivered through multiple communication channels including phone, e-mail, social media, text messaging, chat and digital self-service. We also provide various enterprise support services in the United States that include services for our clients’ internal support operations, from technical staffing services to outsourced corporate help desk services. In Europe, we also provide fulfillment services, which include order processing, payment processing, inventory control, product delivery and product returns handling. (See Note 25, Segments and Geographic Information, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information on our segments.) Additionally, through our acquisition of RPA provider Symphony Ventures Ltd (“Symphony”) coupled with our investment in AI through XSell Technologies, Inc. (“XSell”), we also provide a suite of solutions such as consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services that optimizes our differentiated full lifecycle management services platform. Our complete service offering helps our clients acquire, retain and increase the lifetime value of their customer relationships. We have developed an extensive global reach with customer engagement centers across six continents, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. We deliver cost-effective solutions that generate demand, enhance the customer service experience, promote stronger brand loyalty, and bring about high levels of performance and profitability.
SYKES was founded in 1977 in North Carolina and we moved our headquarters to Florida in 1993. Our headquarters are located at 400 North Ashley Drive, Suite 2800, Tampa, Florida 33602, and our telephone number is (813) 274-1000.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, as well as our proxy statements and other materials which are filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are made available, free of charge, on or through our internet website at www.sykes.com by first clicking on “Investor Relations” then on “SEC Filings” under the heading “Financial Reports & Filings” as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
Recent Developments
Americas 2019 Exit Plan
During the first quarter of 2019, we initiated a restructuring plan to simplify and refine our operating model in the United States (“U.S.”) (the “Americas 2019 Exit Plan”), in part to improve agent attrition and absenteeism. The Americas 2019 Exit Plan included the closure of customer engagement centers, the consolidation of leased space in various locations in the U.S. and management reorganization. We finalized the actions under the Americas 2019 Exit Plan as of September 30, 2019. Annualized savings of $7.1 million are expected as a result of these actions, primarily related to reduced general and administrative costs and lower depreciation expense.
Americas 2018 Exit Plan
During the second quarter of 2018, we initiated a restructuring plan to manage and optimize capacity utilization, which included the closure of customer engagement centers and the consolidation of leased space in various locations in the U.S. and Canada (the “Americas 2018 Exit Plan”). We finalized the site closures under the Americas 2018 Exit Plan as of December 2018. The actions impacted approximately 5,000 seats, all of which were rationalized as of December 31, 2018.
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See Note 5, Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.
U.S. 2017 Tax Reform Act
On December 20, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Reform Act”) was approved by Congress and received presidential approval on December 22, 2017. In general, the 2017 Tax Reform Act reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective in 2018. The 2017 Tax Reform Act moved from a worldwide business taxation approach to a participation exemption regime. The 2017 Tax Reform Act also imposed base-erosion prevention measures on non-U.S. earnings of U.S. entities, as well as a one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax on accumulated non-U.S. earnings. The impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act on our consolidated financial results began with the fourth quarter of 2017, the period of enactment. This impact, along with the transitional taxes discussed in Note 20, Income Taxes, in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” is reflected in the Other segment.
Acquisitions
On November 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Symphony, a provider of RPA services, offering RPA consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services for front, middle and back-office processes. Of the total initial purchase price of GBP 52.5 million ($67.6 million), GBP 44.6 million ($57.6 million) was paid upon closing using cash on hand as well as $31.0 million of borrowings under our credit agreement.  The acquisition date present value of the remaining GBP 7.9 million ($10.0 million) of the purchase price was deferred and payable in equal installments over three years, on or around November 1, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Subsequent to the finalization of the working capital adjustment, the purchase price was adjusted to GBP 52.4 million ($67.5 million). The results of Symphony’s operations have been reflected in our consolidated financial statements since November 1, 2018.
On July 9, 2018, we completed the acquisition of WhistleOut Pty Ltd and WhistleOut Inc. (together, “WhistleOut”).  WhistleOut is a consumer comparison platform focused on mobile, broadband and pay TV services, principally across Australia and the U.S. The acquisition broadens our digital marketing capabilities geographically and extends our home services product portfolio. The total purchase price of AUD 30.2 million ($22.4 million) was funded through $22.0 million of additional borrowings under our credit agreement. Subsequent to the finalization of the working capital adjustment, the purchase price was adjusted to AUD 30.3 million ($22.5 million).  The results of WhistleOut’s operations have been reflected in our consolidated financial statements since July 9, 2018.
See Note 4, Acquisitions, in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.
Industry Overview
The customer engagement solutions and services industry, which includes services such as digital marketing and demand generation, customer acquisition, customer support, customer retention and automation, is highly fragmented and significant in size. According to Everest Group, an industry research firm, the total size of the customer engagement solutions and services industry worldwide measured in terms of the U.S dollar was estimated between $330 billion and $360 billion in 2018. Of the total size of the industry worldwide, approximately 25% was outsourced to third-party engagement centers with the remaining 75% utilizing in-house engagement centers. In 2019, the outsourced portion of the customer engagement solutions and services industry worldwide was estimated to be between $86 billion and $88 billion, growing at rate of approximately 3% from 2017 to 2019.
We believe that growth for broader outsourced customer engagement solutions and services will be fueled by the trend of Global 2000 companies and medium-sized businesses utilizing outsourcers. In today’s marketplace, companies increasingly are seeking a comprehensive suite of innovative full lifecycle customer engagement management solutions and services that allow them to acquire customers, enhance the end user’s experience with their products and services, strengthen and enhance their company brands, maximize the lifetime value of their customers through retention and up-sell and cross-sell, efficiently and effectively deliver human interactions when and where customers value it most, and deploy best-in-class customer management strategies, automation processes and technologies. However, a myriad of factors, among them intense global competition, pricing pressures, softness in the global economy and rapid changes in technology, continue to make it difficult for companies to cost-effectively maintain the in-house personnel necessary to handle all of their customer engagement needs.
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To address these needs, we offer multichannel demand generation and comprehensive global customer engagement solutions and services that leverage brick-and-mortar and at-home agent delivery infrastructure as well as digital self-service, RPA and AI capabilities.  We provide consistent high-value support for our clients’ customers across the globe in a multitude of languages, leveraging our dynamic, secure communications infrastructure and our global footprint that reaches across 21 countries. This global footprint includes established brick-and-mortar operations in both onshore and offshore geographies where companies have access to high-quality customer engagement solutions at lower costs compared to other markets.  We further complement our brick-and-mortar global delivery model with a highly differentiated and ready-made best-in-class at-home agent delivery model.  In addition, we provide digital self-service customer support and automation that differentiates our go-to-market strategy as it expands options for companies to best service their customers in their channel of choice to deliver an “effortless customer experience.”  By working in partnership with outsourcers, companies can ensure that the crucial task of acquiring, growing and retaining their customer base is addressed while creating operating flexibility, enabling focus on their core competencies, ensuring service excellence and execution, achieving cost savings through a variable cost structure, leveraging scale, entering niche markets speedily, and efficiently allocating capital within their organizations.
Business Strategy
Broadly speaking, our value proposition to our clients is that of a trusted partner, which provides a comprehensive suite of RPA and AI enabled differentiated full lifecycle multichannel demand generation and global customer engagement solutions and services primarily to Global 2000 companies that drive customer acquisition, differentiation, brand loyalty and increased lifetime value of end customer relationships. By outsourcing their customer acquisition and service solutions to us, clients are able to achieve exceptional customer experience and drive tangible business impact with greater operational flexibility, enhanced revenues, lower operating costs and faster speed to market, all of which are at the center of our value proposition. At a tactical level, we deliver on this value proposition through consistent delivery of operational and client excellence. Our business strategy is to leverage this value proposition in order to capitalize on and increase our share of the large and underpenetrated addressable market opportunity for customer engagement solutions and services worldwide. We believe through successful execution of our business strategy, we could generate a healthy level of revenue growth and drive targeted long-term operating margins. To deliver on our long-term growth potential and operating margin objectives, we need to manage the key levers of our business strategy, the principles of which include the following:
Build Long-Term Client Relationships Through Customer Service Excellence. We believe that providing high-value, high-quality service is critical in our clients’ decisions to outsource and in building long-term relationships with our clients. To ensure service excellence and consistency across each of our centers globally, we leverage a portfolio of techniques, including SYKES Science of Service®. This standard is a compilation of more than 30 years of experience and best practices. Every customer engagement center strives to meet or exceed the standard, which addresses leadership, hiring and training, performance management down to the agent level, forecasting and scheduling, and the client relationship including continuous improvement, disaster recovery plans and feedback.
Increasing Share of Seats Within Existing Clients and Winning New Clients. We provide customer engagement solutions and services to primarily Global 2000 companies. With this large target market, we have the opportunity to grow our client base while we also selectively target new economy or disrupter clients. We strive to achieve this by winning a greater share of our clients’ in-house seats as well as gaining share from our competitors by providing consistently high-quality service as clients continue to consolidate their vendor base. In addition, as we further integrate the recently acquired RPA and AI capabilities with digital marketing and leverage it across our brick-and-mortar and at-home agent delivery platforms both domestically and internationally within our vertical markets mix, we plan to win new clients as a way to broaden our base of growth.
Diversifying Verticals and Expanding Service Lines.  To mitigate the impact of any negative economic and product cycles on our growth rate, we continue to seek ways to diversify into verticals and service lines that have countercyclical features and healthy growth rates.  We are targeting the following verticals for growth:  financial services, communications, technology, transportation & leisure, healthcare, and other, which includes retail.  These verticals cover various business lines, including credit card/consumer fraud protection, fintech, online marketplace, ecommerce, online gaming, wireless services, broadband, media, retail banking, consumer and high-end enterprise tech support and travel, telemedicine and soft and hard goods online and through brick and mortar retailers.
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Maximizing Capacity Utilization Rates and Strategically Adding Seat Capacity. Revenues and profitability growth are largely driven by increasing the capacity utilization rate in conjunction with seat capacity additions. We plan to sustain our focus on increasing the capacity utilization rate by further penetrating existing clients, adding new clients and rationalizing underutilized seat capacity as deemed necessary.  With greater operating flexibility resulting from our at-home agent delivery model, we believe we can rationalize underutilized capacity more efficiently and drive capacity utilization rates.  
Broadening At-Home Agent and Brick-and-Mortar Global Delivery Footprint. Just as increased capacity utilization rates and increased seat capacity are key drivers of our revenues and profitability growth, where we deploy both the seat capacity and the at-home agent delivery platform geographically is also important. By broadening and continuously strengthening our brick-and-mortar global delivery footprint and our at-home agent delivery platform, we believe we are able to meet both our existing and new clients’ customer engagement needs globally as they enter new markets. At the end of 2019, our global delivery brick-and-mortar footprint spanned 21 countries while our at-home agent delivery platform now increasingly spans EMEA, building on our existing presence in 41 states and ten provinces within the U.S. and Canada, respectively.
Creating Value-Added Service Enhancements.  To improve both revenue and margin expansion, we intend to continue to introduce new service offerings and add-on enhancements.  Digital marketing and demand generation, multilingual customer support, digital self-service support, back office services, RPA and AI are examples of horizontal service offerings, while data analytics and process improvement products are examples of add-on enhancements. Additionally, with the proliferation of on-line communities, such as Facebook and Twitter, we continue to make on-going investments in our social media service offerings, which can be leveraged across both our brick-and-mortar and at-home agent delivery platforms.
Continuing to Focus on Expanding the Addressable Market Opportunities.  As part of our growth strategy, we continually seek to expand the number of markets we serve. The United States, Canada and Germany, for instance, are markets which are served by in-country centers, centers in offshore regions or a combination thereof. We continually seek ways to broaden the addressable market for our customer engagement services. We currently operate in 14 markets.
Continue to Grow Our Business Organically, through Strategic Investments and Partnerships, and through Acquisitions. We have grown our customer engagement solutions and services utilizing a combination of internal organic growth, strategic investments and partnerships, and external acquisitions. Our organic growth, partnership and acquisition strategies are to target markets, clients, verticals, delivery geographies and service mix that will expand our addressable market opportunity, and thus drive our organic growth. Entry into the Philippines, El Salvador, Romania, Colombia and Cyprus are examples of how we leveraged these delivery geographies to further penetrate both existing and new clients, verticals and service mix in order to drive organic growth. While the Alpine Access, Inc. (“Alpine”), Qelp B.V. (“Qelp”), Clear Link Holding, LLC (“Clearlink”) and Symphony acquisitions are examples of how we used acquisitions to augment our service offerings and differentiate our delivery model. The ICT Group, Inc. (“ICT”) acquisition is an example of how we used an acquisition to gain overall size and critical mass in key verticals, clients and geographies.  In 2017, we also made a strategic investment of $10.0 million in XSell for 32.8% of XSell’s preferred stock.  XSell optimizes the sales performance capabilities of a broader base of agents as compared to what has historically been an extremely narrow base by leveraging machine learning and AI algorithms. As customer engagement programs increasingly incorporate up-selling and cross-selling, and measures based on sales conversion, XSell’s targeted offering can be leveraged across both chat and voice channels, across traditional customer engagement opportunities, and the Clearlink platform to enhance sales performance and conversion on behalf of our clients.
Services
We specialize in providing differentiated full lifecycle customer engagement solutions and services primarily to Global 2000 companies and their end customers at key touchpoints on a global basis. These services include digital marketing, demand generation, customer acquisition, customer support, technical support, up-selling, cross-selling and retention.  Our comprehensive customer engagement solutions and services are provided through two reportable segments — the Americas and EMEA. The Americas region, representing 80.3% of consolidated revenues in 2019, includes the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific Rim. The sites within Latin America and the Asia Pacific Rim are included in the Americas region as they provide a significant service delivery
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vehicle for U.S.-based companies that are utilizing our customer engagement solutions and services in these locations to support their customer care needs. The EMEA region, representing 19.7% of consolidated revenues in 2019, includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Both regions include revenues from our at-home agent delivery solution. See Note 25, Segments and Geographic Information, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information on our segments. The following is a description of our customer engagement solutions and services:
Outsourced Customer Engagement Solutions and Services. Our outsourced customer engagement solutions and services represented 97.7%, 99.0% and 99.4% of total 2019, 2018 and 2017 consolidated revenues, respectively. We provide phone, e-mail, social media, text messaging, chat and digital self-service support throughout the Americas and EMEA regions utilizing our advanced technology infrastructure, human resource management skills and industry experience. These services include:
 	•	Customer care — Customer care contacts primarily include handling billing inquiries and claims, activating customer accounts, resolving complaints, cross-selling/up-selling, prequalifying and warranty management, providing health information and dispatching roadside assistance;	
 	•	Technical support — Technical support contacts primarily include support around complex networks, hardware and software, communications equipment, internet access technology and internet portal usage; and	
 	•	Customer acquisition — Our customer acquisition services are focused around digital marketing, multichannel demand generation, inbound up-selling and sales conversion, as well as some outbound selling of our clients’ products and services.	
We provide these services, primarily through inbound customer calls, in many languages over our extensive global network of customer engagement centers. In addition, we augment those inbound calls with the option of digital self-service customer support. Our technology infrastructure and managed service solutions allow for effective distribution of calls to one or more centers. These technology offerings provide our clients and us with the leading-edge tools needed to maximize quality and customer satisfaction while controlling and minimizing costs.
Robotic Process Automation. In Europe and the U.S., we offer a suite of solutions such as consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services under the heading of RPA to help clients drive efficiency in their back-office workflow. RPA can also help clients further reduce the cost of customer engagement solutions and services by automating processes such as on-boarding, off-boarding and agents navigating multiple systems.
Fulfillment Services. In Europe, we offer fulfillment services that are integrated with our customer care and technical support services. Our fulfillment solutions include order processing via the internet and phone, inventory control, product delivery and product returns handling.
Enterprise Support Services. In the United States, we provide a range of enterprise support services including technical staffing services and outsourced corporate help desk solutions.    
Operations
Customer Engagement Centers. We operate across 21 countries in 73 customer engagement centers, which breakdown as follows: 27 centers across EMEA, 19 centers in the United States, one center in Canada, three centers in Australia and 23 centers offshore, including the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. In addition to our customer engagement centers, we employ approximately 3,200 full-time equivalent at-home customer engagement agents in the U.S., Canada and in EMEA.
We utilize a sophisticated workforce management system to provide efficient scheduling of personnel. Our internally developed digital private communications network complements our workforce by allowing for effective call volume management and disaster recovery backup. Through this network and our dynamic intelligent call routing capabilities, we can rapidly respond to changes in client call volumes and move call volume traffic based on agent availability and skill throughout our network of centers, improving the responsiveness and productivity of our agents. We also can offer cost competitive solutions for taking calls to our offshore locations.
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Our data warehouse captures and downloads customer engagement information for reporting on a daily, real-time and historical basis. This data provides our clients with direct visibility into the services that we are providing for them. The data warehouse supplies information for our performance management systems such as our agent scorecarding application, which provides us with information required for effective management of our operations.
Our customer engagement centers are protected by a fire extinguishing system, backup generators with significant capacity and 24-hour refueling contracts and short-term battery backups in the event of a power outage, reduced voltage or a power surge. Rerouting of call volumes to other customer engagement centers is also available in the event of a telecommunications failure, natural disaster or other emergency. Security measures are imposed to prevent unauthorized physical access. Software and related data files are backed up daily and stored off site at multiple locations. We carry business interruption insurance covering interruptions that might occur as a result of certain types of damage to our business.
Robotic Process Automation. We have a total of approximately 200 RPA consultants, sales and marketing associates operating through offices in the Asia Pacific Rim, Europe, North America and Latin America.
Fulfillment Centers. We currently have one fulfillment center located in Europe. We provide our fulfillment services primarily to certain clients operating in Europe who desire this complementary service in connection with outsourced customer engagement services.
Enterprise Support Services Office. Our U.S. enterprise support services office provides recruitment services for high-end knowledge workers, a local presence to service major accounts, and outsourced corporate help desk solutions.
Sales and Marketing
Our sales and marketing objective is to leverage our vertical expertise, global presence, and end-to-end lifecycle of service offerings to develop long-term relationships with existing and future clients. Our customer engagement solutions have been developed to help our clients market, acquire, retain and increase the lifetime value of their customer relationships. Our plans for increasing our visibility and impacting the market include the launch of new service offerings in digital support and digital marketing, participation in market-specific industry associations, trade shows and seminars, digital and content marketing to industry leading corporations, and consultative personal visits and solution designs. We research and publish thought provoking perspectives on key industry issues, and use forums, speaking engagements, articles and white papers, as well as our website and broad global digital and social media presence to establish our leadership position in the market.
Our sales force is composed of business development managers who pursue new business opportunities and strategic account managers who manage and grow relationships with existing accounts. We emphasize account development to strengthen relationships with existing clients. Business development management and strategic account managers are assigned to markets in their area of expertise in order to develop a complete understanding of each client’s particular needs, to form strong client relationships and encourage cross-selling of our other service offerings. We have inside customer sales representatives who receive customer inquiries and who provide pre-sales relationship development for the business development managers. We employ modern methods of search and digital marketing to cultivate interest in our brand and services. We use a methodical approach to collecting client feedback through quarterly business reviews, annual strategic reviews, and through our bi-annual Voice of the Client program, which enables us to react to early warning signs, and quickly identify and remedy challenges.  It also is used to highlight our most loyal clients, who we then work with to provide references, testimonials and joint speaking engagements at industry conferences.
As part of our marketing efforts, we invite existing and potential clients to experience our customer engagement centers and at-home agent delivery operations, where we can demonstrate the expertise of our skilled staff in partnering to deliver new ways of growing clients’ revenues, customer satisfaction and retention rates, and thus profit, through timely, insightful and proven solutions. This forum allows us to demonstrate our capabilities to design, launch and scale programs.  It also allows us to illustrate our best innovations in talent management, analytics, and digital channels, and how they can be best integrated into a program’s design.
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Clients
We provide service to clients from our locations in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia, the Asia Pacific Rim, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. These clients are Global 2000 corporations, medium-sized businesses and public institutions, which span the financial services, communications, technology, transportation & leisure, healthcare and other industries. Revenue by industry vertical for 2019, as a percentage of our consolidated revenues, was 32% for financial services, 22% for communications, 20% for technology, 9% for transportation & leisure, 6% for healthcare and 11% for all other verticals, including retail. We believe our globally recognized client base presents opportunities for further cross marketing of our services.
See Note 25, Segments and Geographic Information, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional client information.
Competition
The industry in which we operate is global, highly fragmented and extremely competitive. While many companies provide customer engagement solutions and services, we believe no one company is dominant in the industry.
In most cases, our principal competition stems from our existing and potential clients’ in-house customer engagement operations. When it is not the in-house operations of a client or potential client, our public and private direct competition includes [24]7.ai, Alorica, Arise, Atento, Concentrix, Groupe Acticall/Sitel, iQor, LiveOps, StarTek, Sutherland, Teleperformance, Telus International, TTEC, Transcom and Working Solutions, as well as the customer care arm of such companies as Accenture, Conduent, Infosys, Tech Mahindra and Wipro, among others. In addition, we also compete with certain back-office BPO providers such as Genpact Limited, ExlService Holdings, Inc. and WNS (Holdings) Limited. There are other numerous and varied providers of such services, including firms specializing in various CRM consulting, other customer engagement solutions providers, niche or large market companies, as well as product distribution companies that provide fulfillment services. Some of these companies possess substantially greater resources, greater name recognition and a more established customer base than we do.
We believe that the most significant competitive factors in the sale of outsourced customer engagement services include service quality, tailored value-added service offerings, industry experience, advanced technological capabilities, global coverage, reliability, scalability, security, price and financial strength. As a result of intense competition, outsourced customer engagement solutions and services frequently are subject to pricing pressure. Clients also require outsourcers to be able to provide services in multiple locations. Competition for contracts for many of our services takes the form of competitive bidding in response to requests for proposal.
Intellectual Property
The success of our business depends, in part, on our proprietary technology and intellectual property. We rely on a combination of intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements to protect our intellectual property. We and our subsidiaries have registered various trademarks and service marks in the U.S. and/or other countries, including SYKES®, REAL PEOPLE. REAL SOLUTIONS®, SCIENCE OF SERVICE®, CLEARLINK®, MOVEAROO®, BIGLOCAL®, HOW TO BUY HAPPY®, YOU MOVE. WE JUMP®, USDIRECT®, SYKES HOME®, LEADAMP®, A SECURE LIFE®, RAINGAGE®, BUYCALLS®, SECURE TALK®, TALENTSPROUT®, TRUE PROTECT®, TERMLIFE2GO®, SAFEWISE®, WHISTLEOUT®, PORTENT®, LOVE YOUR PLAN®, and CARECOACH®. The duration of trademark and service mark registrations varies from country to country, but may generally be renewed indefinitely as long as the marks are in use and their registrations are properly maintained. We have a pending U.S. patent application that relates to a system and method of analysis and recommendation for distributed employee management and digital collaboration, a pending U.S. patent application that relates to foundational analytics enabling digital transformations, a pending U.S. patent application that relates to systems and methods for secure authentication to computer networks and virtual work environment setup, and a pending U.S. patent application that relates to systems and methods for analysis, testing, and recommendations for improving customer experience. Our subsidiary, Alpine, was issued U.S. Patent No. 8,565,413 in 2013, which relates to a system and method for establishment and management of a remote agent engagement center. Alpine was also issued U.S. Patent No. 9,100,484 in 2015, which relates to a secure call environment.
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Employees
As of January 31, 2020, we had approximately 54,900 employees worldwide, primarily customer engagement agents at our centers and at-home agents handling technical and customer support inquiries. Our employees, with the exception of certain employees in Brazil and various European countries, are not union members and we have never suffered a material interruption of business as a result of a labor dispute. We consider our relations with our employees worldwide to be satisfactory.
We employ personnel through a continually updated recruiting network. This network includes a seasoned team of recruiters, competency-based selection standards and the sharing of global best practices in order to advertise to and source qualified candidates through proven recruiting techniques. Nonetheless, demand for qualified professionals with the required language and technical skills may still exceed supply at times as new skills are needed to keep pace with the requirements of customer engagements. As such, competition for such personnel is intense.  Additionally, employee turnover in our industry is high.
Information About Our Executive Officers
The following table provides the names and ages of our executive officers, and the positions and offices currently held by each of them:  
 
Name	 	Age	 	Principal Position	
Charles E. Sykes	 	57	 	President and Chief Executive Officer and Director	
John Chapman	 	53	 	Chief Finance Officer	
Lawrence R. Zingale	 	63	 	Chief Customer Officer and General Manager EMEA	
Jenna R. Nelson	 	56	 	Chief Human Resources Officer	
David L. Pearson	 	61	 	Chief Information Officer	
James T. Holder	 	61	 	Chief Legal Officer	
William N. Rocktoff	 	57	 	Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller	
 
Charles E. Sykes joined SYKES in 1986 and was named President and Chief Executive Officer and Director in August 2004.  From July 2003 to August 2004, Mr. Sykes was the Chief Operating Officer. From March 2000 to June 2001, Mr. Sykes was Senior Vice President, Marketing, and in June 2001, he was appointed to the position of General Manager, Senior Vice President — the Americas. From December 1996 to March 2000, he served as Vice President, Sales, and held the position of Regional Manager of the Midwest Region for Professional Services from 1992 until 1996.
John Chapman, F.C.C.A, joined SYKES in September 2002 as Vice President, Finance, managing the EMEA finance function and was named Senior Vice President, EMEA Global Region in January 2012, adding operational responsibility.  In April 2014, he was named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  Prior to joining SYKES, Mr. Chapman served as financial controller for seven years for Raytheon UK.
Lawrence R. Zingale joined SYKES in January 2006 as Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Client Management. In May 2010, he was named Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Client Management and in September 2012, he was named Executive Vice President and General Manager. Prior to joining SYKES, Mr. Zingale served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of StarTek, Inc. since 2002. From December 1999 until November 2001, Mr. Zingale served as President of the Americas at Stonehenge Telecom, Inc. From May 1997 until November 1999, Mr. Zingale served as President and Chief Operating Officer of International Community Marketing. From February 1980 until May 1997, Mr. Zingale held various senior level positions at AT&T.
Jenna R. Nelson joined SYKES in August 1993 and was named Senior Vice President, Human Resources, in July 2001. In May 2010, she was named Executive Vice President, Human Resources. From January 2001 until July 2001, Ms. Nelson held the position of Vice President, Human Resources. In August 1998, Ms. Nelson was appointed Vice President, Human Resources, and held the position of Director, Human Resources and Administration, from August 1996 to July 1998. From August 1993 until July 1996, Ms. Nelson served in various management positions within SYKES, including Director of Administration.
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David L. Pearson joined SYKES in February 1997 as Vice President, Engineering, and was named Vice President, Technology Systems Management, in 2000 and Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer in August 2004.  In May 2010, he was named Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Prior to SYKES, Mr. Pearson held various engineering and technical management roles over a fifteen-year period, including eight years at Compaq Computer Corporation and five years at Texas Instruments.
James T. Holder, J.D., joined SYKES in December 2000 as General Counsel and was named Corporate Secretary in January 2001, Vice President in January 2004 and Senior Vice President in December 2006. In May 2010, he was named Executive Vice President. From November 1999 until November 2000, Mr. Holder served in a consulting capacity as Special Counsel to Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., a publicly held restaurant operator and franchisor. From November 1993 until November 1999, Mr. Holder served in various capacities at Checkers including Corporate Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
William N. Rocktoff, C.P.A., joined SYKES in August 1997 as Corporate Controller and was named Treasurer and Corporate Controller in December 1999, Vice President and Corporate Controller in March 2002 and Global Vice President in January 2011. In June 2017, he was named Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller. From November 1989 to August 1997, Mr. Rocktoff held various financial positions, including Corporate Controller, at Kimmins Corporation.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Factors Influencing Future Results and Accuracy of Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about us, our beliefs, and assumptions made by us. In addition, we may make other written or oral statements, which constitute forward-looking statements, from time to time. Words such as “may,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals also are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the marketplace’s continued receptivity to our terms and elements of services offered under our standardized contract for future bundled service offerings; our ability to continue the growth of our service revenues through additional customer engagement centers; our ability to further penetrate into vertically integrated markets; our ability to expand revenues within the global markets; our ability to continue to establish a competitive advantage through sophisticated technological capabilities, and the following risk factors:
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Our business is dependent on key clients, and the loss of a key client could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a few key clients. Our top ten clients accounted for approximately 42.2% of our consolidated revenues in 2019.  The loss of (or the failure to retain a significant amount of business with) any of our key clients could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Many of our contracts contain penalty provisions for failure to meet minimum service levels and are cancelable by the client at any time or on short-term notice. Also, clients may unilaterally reduce their use of our services under these contracts without penalty. Thus, our contracts with our clients do not ensure that we will generate a minimum level of revenues.
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Cyber-attacks as well as improper disclosure or control of personal information could result in liability and harm our reputation, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our business is heavily dependent upon our computer and voice technologies, systems and platforms.  Attacks on any of those, hosted on-premise or by third parties, could disrupt the normal operations of our engagement centers and impede our ability to provide critical services to our clients, thereby subjecting us to liability under our contracts. Additionally, our business involves the use, storage and transmission of information about our employees, our clients and customers of our clients. While we take measures to protect the security of, and unauthorized access to, our systems, as well as the privacy of personal and proprietary information, it is possible that our security controls over our systems, as well as other security practices we follow, may not prevent the improper access to or disclosure of personally identifiable or proprietary information. We also rely on the control environments of the third parties who provide hosting and cloud-based services to protect this information.  Such disclosure could harm our reputation and subject us to liability under our contracts and laws that protect personal data, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenue. Further, data privacy is subject to frequently changing rules and regulations, which sometimes conflict among the various jurisdictions and countries in which we provide services.
The European Union’s (“EU”) General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) requires EU member states to meet stringent requirements regarding the handling of personal data.  Failure to meet the GDPR requirements could result in substantial penalties of up to the greater of €20 million or 4% of global annual revenue of the preceding financial year. Additionally, compliance with the GDPR results in operational costs to implement procedures corresponding to legal rights granted under the law. Although the GDPR applies across the EU without a need for local implementing legislation, local data protection authorities have the ability to interpret the GDPR through so-called opening clauses, which permit region-specific data protection legislation and have the potential to create inconsistencies on a country-by-country basis.
Our efforts to comply with GDPR, two recently enacted U.S. state laws, future U.S. state laws and other privacy and data protection laws which have been, and in the future may be enacted in other countries in which we operate, may impose significant costs and challenges that are likely to increase over time. Our failure to adhere to or successfully implement processes in response to changing regulatory requirements in this area could result in impairment to our reputation in the marketplace and we could incur substantial penalties or litigation related to violation of existing or future data privacy laws and regulations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is subject to substantial competition.
The markets for many of our services operate on a commoditized basis and are highly competitive and subject to rapid change. While many companies provide outsourced customer engagement services, we believe no one company is dominant in the industry. There are numerous and varied providers of our services, including firms specializing in engagement center operations, temporary staffing and personnel placement, consulting and integration firms, and niche providers of outsourced customer engagement services, many of whom compete in only certain markets. Our competitors include both companies that possess greater resources and name recognition than we do, as well as small niche providers that have few assets and regionalized (local) name recognition instead of global name recognition. In addition to our competitors, many companies that could utilize our services or the services of one of our competitors may instead utilize in-house personnel to perform such services. Increased competition, our failure to compete successfully, pricing pressures, loss of market share and loss of clients could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Many of our large clients purchase outsourced customer engagement services from multiple preferred vendors. We have experienced and continue to anticipate significant pricing pressure from these clients in order to remain a preferred vendor. These companies also require vendors to be able to provide services in multiple locations. Although we believe we can effectively meet our clients’ demands, there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively with other outsourced customer engagement services companies on price. We believe that the most significant competitive factors in the sale of our core services include the standard requirements of service quality, tailored value-added service offerings, industry experience, advanced technological capabilities, global coverage, reliability, scalability, security, price and financial strength.
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The concentration of customer engagement centers in certain geographies poses risks to our operations which could adversely affect our financial condition.
Although we have engagement centers in many locations throughout the world, we have a concentration of centers in certain geographies outside of the U.S., specifically the Philippines and Latin America. Our concentration of operations in those geographies is a result of our ability to access significant numbers of employees with certain language and other skills at costs that are advantageous. However, the concentration of business activities in any geographical area creates risks which could harm operations and our financial condition.  Certain risks, such as natural disasters, armed conflict and military or civil unrest, political instability and disease transmission, as well as the risk of interruption to our delivery systems, is magnified when the realization of these, or any other risks, would affect a large portion of our business at once, which may result in a disproportionate increase in operating costs.    
Emergency interruption of customer engagement center operations could affect our business and results of operations.
Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our customer engagement centers and our information databases against damage that may be caused by fire, earthquakes, severe weather and other disasters, power failure, telecommunications failures, unauthorized intrusion, computer viruses and other emergencies. The temporary or permanent loss of such systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Notwithstanding precautions taken to protect us and our clients from events that could interrupt delivery of services, there can be no assurance that a fire, natural disaster, human error, equipment malfunction or inadequacy, or other event would not result in a prolonged interruption in our ability to provide services to our clients. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is dependent on the demand for outsourcing.
Our business and growth depend in large part on the industry demand for outsourced customer engagement services. Outsourcing means that an entity contracts with a third party, such as us, to provide customer engagement services rather than perform such services in-house. There can be no assurance that this demand will continue, as organizations may elect to perform such services themselves. A significant change in this demand could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, there can be no assurance that our cross-selling efforts will cause clients to purchase additional services from us or adopt a single-source outsourcing approach.
Our industry is subject to rapid technological change, which could affect our business and results of operations.  
Rapid technological advances, frequent new product introductions and enhancements, and changes in client requirements characterize the market for outsourced customer engagement services. Technological advancements in voice recognition software, as well as self-provisioning and self-help software, along with call avoidance technologies, have the potential to adversely impact call volume growth and, therefore, revenues. Our future success will depend in large part on our ability to service new products, platforms and rapidly changing technology. These factors will require us to provide adequately trained personnel to address the increasingly sophisticated, complex and evolving needs of our clients. In addition, our ability to capitalize on our acquisitions will depend on our ability to continually enhance software and services and adapt such software to new hardware and operating system requirements. Any failure by us to anticipate or respond rapidly to technological advances, new products and enhancements, or changes in client requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business relies heavily on technology and computer systems, which subjects us to various uncertainties.
We have invested significantly in sophisticated and specialized communications and computer technology and have focused on the application of this technology to meet our clients’ needs. We anticipate that the requirement to invest in new technologies will continue to grow and that it will be necessary to continue to invest in and develop new and enhanced technology on a timely basis to maintain our competitiveness. Significant capital expenditures are expected to be required to keep our technology up-to-date. There can be no assurance that any of our information systems will be adequate to meet our future needs or that we will be able to incorporate new technology to enhance
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and develop our existing services. Moreover, investments in technology, including future investments in upgrades and enhancements to software, may not necessarily maintain our competitiveness. Our future success will also depend in part on our ability to anticipate and develop information technology solutions that keep pace with evolving industry standards and changing client demands.
Intellectual property infringement by us and by others may adversely impact our ability to innovate and compete.
Our solutions could infringe intellectual property of others impacting our ability to deploy them with clients. From time to time, we and members of our supply chain receive assertions that our service offerings or technologies infringe on the patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties. While to date we have been successful in defending such claims and many of these claims are without basis, the claims could require us to cease activities, incur expensive licensing costs, or engage in costly litigation, which could adversely affect our business and results of operation.
Our intellectual property may not always receive favorable treatment from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the European Patent Office or similar foreign intellectual property adjudication and registration agencies; and our “patent pending” intellectual property may not receive a patent or may be subject to prior art limitations.
The lack of an effective legal system in certain countries where we do business or lack of commitment to protection of intellectual property rights, may prevent us from being able to defend our intellectual property and related technology against infringement by others, leading to a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Increases in the cost of telephone and data services or significant interruptions in such services could adversely affect our financial results.
Our business is significantly dependent on telephone and data service provided by various local and long-distance telephone companies. Accordingly, any disruption of these services could adversely affect our business.  We have taken steps to mitigate our exposure to service disruptions by investing in redundant circuits, although there is no assurance that the redundant circuits would not also suffer disruption.  Any inability to obtain telephone or data services at favorable rates could negatively affect our business results.  Where possible, we have entered into long-term contracts with various providers to mitigate short-term rate increases and fluctuations.  There is no obligation, however, for the vendors to renew their contracts with us, or to offer the same or lower rates in the future, and such contracts are subject to termination or modification for various reasons outside of our control. A significant increase in the cost of telephone services that is not recoverable through an increase in the price of our services could adversely affect our financial results.
Our operating results will be adversely affected if we are unable to maximize our facility capacity utilization.
Our profitability is significantly influenced by our ability to effectively manage our contact center capacity utilization. The majority of our business involves technical support and customer care services initiated by our clients’ customers and, as a result, our capacity utilization varies and demands on our capacity are, to some degree, beyond our control. In order to create the additional capacity necessary to accommodate new or expanded outsourcing projects, we may need to open new contact centers.  The opening or expansion of a contact center may result, at least in the short term, in idle capacity until we fully implement the new or expanded program.  Additionally, the occasional need to open customer engagement centers fully, or primarily, dedicated to a single client, instead of spreading the work among existing facilities with idle capacity, negatively affects capacity utilization. We periodically assess the expected long-term capacity utilization of our contact centers. As a result, we may, if deemed necessary, consolidate, close or partially close under-performing contact centers to maintain or improve targeted utilization and margins. While such actions may result in improved margins in the mid- to long-term, they involve short-term costs. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to achieve or maintain optimal utilization of our contact center capacity.
As part of our effort to consolidate our facilities, we may seek to sell or sublease a portion of our surplus contact center space, if any, and recover certain costs associated with it. Failure to sell or sublease such surplus space will negatively impact results of operations.
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Our profitability may be adversely affected if we are unable to maintain and find new locations for customer engagement centers in countries with stable wage rates.
Our business is labor-intensive. Wages, employee benefits and employment taxes constitute the largest component of our operating expenses. As a result, expansion of our business is dependent upon our ability to find cost-effective locations in which to operate, both domestically and internationally. Some of our customer engagement centers are located in countries that have experienced inflation and rising standards of living, which requires us to increase employee wages. In addition, collective bargaining is being utilized in an increasing number of countries in which we currently, or may in the future, desire to operate.  Collective bargaining may result in material wage and benefit increases. If wage rates and benefits increase significantly in a country where we maintain customer engagement centers, we may not be able to pass those increased labor costs on to our clients, requiring us to search for other cost-effective delivery locations. Additionally, some of our customer engagement centers are located in jurisdictions subject to minimum wage regulations, which may result in increased wages in the future. There is no assurance that we will be able to find such cost-effective locations, and even if we do, the costs of closing delivery locations and opening new customer engagement centers can adversely affect our financial results.  
The expected phase-out of LIBOR could negatively impact our net interest expense and could have other adverse effects.
LIBOR, the interest rate benchmark used as a reference rate on our revolving credit facility is expected to be phased out after 2021. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates will become accepted alternatives to LIBOR. Although our credit agreement provides for application of successor rates based on prevailing market conditions, it is not currently possible to predict the effect of any establishment of alternative reference rates on our borrowing costs.
Risks Related to Our International Operations
Our international operations and expansion involve various risks.
We intend to continue to pursue growth opportunities in markets outside the United States. At December 31, 2019, our international operations were conducted from 42 customer engagement centers located in Australia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India, Norway, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, Romania, Scotland and Sweden. Revenues from these international operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, were 39.8%, 36.8%, and 36.1% of consolidated revenues, respectively. Our operations in the People’s Republic of China are subject to laws, rules and regulations requiring Chinese Nationals to hold a controlling interest in entities operating in the telecommunications business services vertical.  We have established an entity structure and conduct business in a manner that we believe complies with the laws, rules and regulations applicable to our business in the People’s Republic of China. However, an adverse governmental position could result in fines, penalties and other actions that could result in a materially adverse financial, organizational and operational impacts.  We also conduct business from 12 customer engagement centers located in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico. International operations are subject to certain risks common to international activities, such as changes in foreign governmental regulations, tariffs and taxes, import/export license requirements, the imposition of trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing international operations, political uncertainties, longer payment cycles, possible greater difficulties in accounts receivable collection, economic instability as well as political and country-specific risks.  
We have been granted tax holidays in the Philippines, Colombia, Costa Rica and El Salvador some of which expire at varying dates from 2021 through 2028. In some cases, the tax holidays expire without possibility of renewal. In other cases, we expect to renew these tax holidays, but there are no assurances from the respective foreign governments that they will renew them. This could potentially result in adverse tax consequences, the impact of which is not practicable to estimate due to the inherent complexity of estimating critical variables such as long-term future profitability, tax regulations and rates in the multi-national tax environment in which we operate. Any one or more of these factors could have an adverse effect on our international operations and, consequently, on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  The tax holidays decreased the provision for income taxes by $3.1 million, $4.1 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
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As of December 31, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $125.3 million held by international operations.  As a result of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, most of these funds will not be subject to additional taxes in the U.S. if repatriated; however, certain jurisdictions may impose additional withholding taxes.  There are circumstances where we may be unable to repatriate some of the cash and cash equivalents held by our international operations due to country restrictions.
We provide U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless they are exempted from taxation as a result of the new territorial tax system. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we partially reversed our permanent reinvestment assertion in connection with plans to distribute cash from certain of our foreign subsidiaries in 2020 or subsequent years.  In connection with this change in assertion, we recorded $1.0 million of withholding tax. No additional income taxes have been provided for any remaining reinvested earnings or outside basis differences inherent in our foreign subsidiaries as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determination of any unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the outside basis difference in investments in foreign subsidiaries is not practicable due to the inherent complexity of the multi-national tax environment in which we operate.
We conduct business in various foreign currencies and are therefore exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, which could impact our results of operations and financial condition. We are also subject to certain exposures arising from the translation and consolidation of the financial results of our foreign subsidiaries. We enter into foreign currency contracts to hedge against the effect of certain foreign currency exchange exposures. However, there can be no assurance that we can take actions to mitigate such exposure in the future, and if taken, that such actions will be successful or that future changes in currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse impact on our future operating results. A significant change in the value of the U.S. Dollar against the currency of one or more countries where we operate may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, our hedging exposure to counterparty credit risks is not secured by any collateral. Although each of the counterparty financial institutions with which we place hedging contracts are investment grade rated by the national rating agencies as of the time of the placement, we can provide no assurances as to the financial stability of any of our counterparties. If a counterparty to one or more of our hedge transactions were to become insolvent, we would be an unsecured creditor and our exposure at the time would depend on foreign exchange rate movements relative to the contracted foreign exchange rate and whether any gains result that are not realized due to a counterparty default.
The fundamental shift in our industry toward global service delivery markets presents various risks to our business.
Clients continue to require blended delivery models using a combination of onshore and offshore support. While we have operated in global delivery markets since 1996, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully conduct and expand such operations, and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The success of our offshore operations will be subject to numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control, including general and regional economic conditions, prices for our services, competition, changes in regulation and other risks. In addition, as with all of our operations outside of the United States, we are subject to various additional political, economic and market uncertainties (see “Our international operations and expansion involve various risks”). Additionally, a change in the political environment in the United States or the adoption and enforcement of legislation and regulations curbing the use of offshore customer engagement solutions and services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our global operations expose us to numerous legal and regulatory requirements.
We provide services to our clients’ customers in countries around the world.  Accordingly, we are subject to numerous legal regimes on matters such as taxation, government sanctions, content requirements, licensing, tariffs, government affairs, data privacy and immigration as well as internal and disclosure control obligations. In the U.S., as well as several of the other countries in which we operate, some of our services must comply with various laws and regulations regarding the method and timing of placing outbound telephone calls.  Violations of these various laws and regulations could result in liability for monetary damages, fines and/or criminal prosecution and unfavorable publicity. Changes in U.S. federal, state and international laws and regulations, specifically those relating to the outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries as well as statutory and regulatory requirements related to
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derivative transactions, may adversely affect our ability to perform our services at our overseas facilities or could result in additional taxes on such services, or impact our flexibility to execute strategic hedges, thereby threatening or limiting our ability or the financial benefit to continue to serve certain markets at offshore locations, or the risks associated therewith.
Corporate tax reform, base-erosion efforts and tax transparency continue to be high priorities in many tax jurisdictions where we have business operations. As a result, policies regarding corporate income and other taxes in numerous jurisdictions are under heightened scrutiny and tax reform legislation is being proposed or enacted in a number of jurisdictions. For example, the 2017 Tax Reform Act, adopting broad U.S. corporate income tax reform has, among other things, reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate, but also imposed base-erosion prevention measures on non-U.S. earnings of U.S. entities as well as a one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax on accumulated non-U.S. earnings. The 2017 Tax Reform Act has affected the tax position reflected on our consolidated balance sheet and has had an impact on our consolidated financial results beginning with the fourth quarter of 2017, the period of enactment.
In addition, many countries are beginning to implement legislation and other guidance to align their international tax rules with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting recommendations and action plan that aim to standardize and modernize global corporate tax policy, including changes to cross-border tax, transfer-pricing documentation rules, and nexus-based tax incentive practices. As a result of the heightened scrutiny of corporate taxation policies, prior decisions by tax authorities regarding treatments and positions of corporate income taxes could be subject to enforcement activities, and legislative investigation and inquiry, which could also result in changes in tax policies or prior tax rulings. Any such changes in policies or rulings may also result in the taxes we previously paid being subject to change.
Due to the large scale of our international business activities any substantial changes in international corporate tax policies, enforcement activities or legislative initiatives may materially and adversely affect our business, the amount of taxes we are required to pay and our financial condition and results of operations generally.
Failure to comply with laws, regulations and policies, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other applicable anti-corruption legislation, could result in fines, criminal penalties and an adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to regulation under a wide variety of U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. laws, regulations and policies, including anti-corruption laws and export-import compliance and trade laws, due to our global operations. In particular, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies, their agents, consultants and other business partners from making improper payments to government officials or other persons (i.e., commercial bribery) for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or other improper advantage.  They also impose recordkeeping and internal control provisions on companies such as ours. We operate and/or conduct business, and any acquisition target may operate and/or conduct business, in some parts of the world that are recognized as having governmental and commercial corruption and in such countries, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. Under some circumstances, a parent company may be civilly and criminally liable for bribes paid by a subsidiary.  We cannot assure you that our internal control policies and procedures have protected us, or will protect us, from unlawful conduct of our employees, agents, consultants and other business partners. In the event that we believe or have reason to believe that violations may have occurred, including without limitation violations of anti-corruption laws, we may be required to investigate and/or have outside counsel investigate the relevant facts and circumstances, which can be expensive and require significant time and attention from senior management. Violation may result in substantial civil and/or criminal fines, disgorgement of profits, sanctions and penalties, debarment from future work with governments, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and imprisonment of the individuals involved.  As a result, any such violations may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Any of these impacts could have a material, adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Employees
Our inability to attract and retain experienced personnel may adversely impact our business.
Our business is labor intensive and places significant importance on our ability to recruit, train, and retain qualified technical and consultative professional personnel in a tightening labor market. We generally experience high
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turnover of our personnel and are continuously required to recruit and train replacement personnel as a result of a changing and expanding work force. Additionally, demand for qualified technical professionals conversant in multiple languages, including English, and/or certain technologies may exceed supply, as new and additional skills are required to keep pace with evolving computer technology. Our ability to locate and train employees is critical to achieving our growth objective. Our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel or an increase in wages or other costs of attracting, training, or retaining qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations are substantially dependent on our senior management.
Our success is largely dependent upon the efforts, direction and guidance of our senior management. Our growth and success also depend in part on our ability to attract and retain skilled employees and managers and on the ability of our executive officers and key employees to manage our operations successfully. We have entered into employment and non-competition agreements with our executive officers. The loss of any of our senior management or key personnel, or the inability to attract, retain or replace key management personnel in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  
Health epidemics could disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.
Our customer engagement centers typically seat hundreds of employees in one location.  Accordingly, an outbreak of a contagious infection in one or more of the markets in which we do business may result in significant worker absenteeism, lower asset utilization rates, voluntary or mandatory closure of our offices and delivery centers, travel restrictions on our employees, and other disruptions to our business. Any prolonged or widespread health epidemic could severely disrupt our business operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Business Strategy
Our strategy of growing through selective acquisitions and mergers involves potential risks.
We evaluate opportunities to expand the scope of our services through acquisitions and mergers. We may be unable to identify companies that complement our strategies, and even if we identify a company that complements our strategies, we may be unable to acquire or merge with the company. Also, a decrease in the price of our common stock could hinder our growth strategy by limiting growth through acquisitions funded with SYKES’ stock.
The integration of an acquired company may result in additional and unforeseen expenses, and the full amount of anticipated benefits of the integration plan may not be realized. If we are not able to adequately address these challenges, we may be unable to fully integrate the acquired operations into our own, or to realize the full amount of anticipated benefits of the integration of the companies.
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Our acquisition strategy involves other potential risks. These risks include:
 	•	the inability to obtain the capital required to finance potential acquisitions on satisfactory terms;	
 	•	the diversion of our attention to the integration of the businesses to be acquired;	
 	•	the risk that the acquired businesses will fail to maintain the quality of services that we have historically provided;	
 	•	the need to implement financial and other systems and add management resources;	
 	•	the risk that key employees of the acquired business will leave after the acquisition;	
 	•	potential liabilities of the acquired business;	
 	•	unforeseen difficulties in the acquired operations;	
 	•	adverse short-term effects on our operating results;	
 	•	lack of success in assimilating or integrating the operations of acquired businesses within our business;	
 	•	the dilutive effect of the issuance of additional equity securities;	
 	•	the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets involved in any acquisitions;	
 	•	the businesses we acquire not proving profitable;	
 	•	incurring additional indebtedness; and	
 	•	in the case of foreign acquisitions, the need to integrate operations across different cultures and languages and to address the particular economic, currency, political, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries.	
We may incur significant cash and non-cash costs in connection with the continued rationalization of assets resulting from acquisitions.
We may incur a number of non-recurring cash and non-cash costs associated with the continued rationalization of assets resulting from acquisitions relating to the closing of facilities and disposition of assets.  
If our goodwill or intangible assets become impaired, we could be required to record a significant charge to earnings.
We recorded substantial goodwill and intangible assets as a result of our recent acquisitions. We review our goodwill and intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We assess whether there has been an impairment in the value of goodwill at least annually. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill or intangible assets may not be recoverable include declines in stock price, market capitalization or cash flows and slower growth rates in our industry. We could be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or intangible assets were determined, negatively impacting our results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our organizational documents contain provisions that could impede a change in control.  
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. The staggered Board of Directors and the anti-takeover effects of certain provisions contained in the Florida Business Corporation Act and in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, including the ability of the Board of Directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to fix the rights and preferences of those shares without shareholder approval, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing an unsolicited change in control. This may adversely affect the market price of our common stock or the ability of shareholders to participate in a transaction in which they might otherwise receive a premium for their shares.
The volatility of our stock price may result in loss of investment.
The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations over short and long periods of time. We believe that market prices of outsourced customer engagement services stocks in general have experienced volatility, which could affect the market price of our common stock regardless of our financial results or performance. We further believe that various factors such as general economic conditions, changes or volatility in the financial markets, changing market conditions in the outsourced customer engagement services
19

industry, quarterly variations in our financial results, the announcement of acquisitions, strategic partnerships, or new product offerings, and changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially in the future.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
There are no material unresolved written comments that were received from the SEC staff 180 days or more before the year ended December 31, 2019 relating to our periodic or current reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 2. Properties
Our corporate headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida, consisting of approximately 62,000 square feet of leased space. This facility currently serves as the headquarters for senior management and the financial, information technology and administrative departments. In addition to our headquarters and the customer engagement centers (“centers”) used by our Americas and EMEA segments discussed below, we also have offices in several countries around the world which support our Americas and EMEA segments.
As of December 31, 2019, we operated one Company-owned fulfillment location and 73 multi-client centers. Our centers were located in the following countries:
 
 	Centers	 	
Americas:	 	 	 	
Australia	 	3	 	
Brazil	 	1	 	
Canada (1)	 	1	 	
Colombia	 	1	 	
Costa Rica	 	5	 	
El Salvador	 	2	 	
India	 	2	 	
Mexico	 	2	 	
People's Republic of China	 	3	 	
The Philippines	 	7	 	
United States (2)	 	19	 	
Total Americas centers	 	46	 	
EMEA:	 	 	 	
Cyprus	 	2	 	
Denmark	 	1	 	
Egypt	 	1	 	
Finland	 	1	 	
Germany	 	5	 	
Hungary	 	1	 	
Norway	 	1	 	
Romania	 	5	 	
Scotland	 	4	 	
Sweden	 	6	 	
Total EMEA centers	 	27	 	
Total centers	 	73	 	
 
(1)	Company-owned center.	
(2)	Two of these centers are Company-owned.	
 
We believe our existing facilities, both owned and leased, are suitable and adequate to meet current requirements, and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available as needed to accommodate any physical expansion or any space required due to expiring leases not renewed.  We operate from time to time in temporary facilities to accommodate growth before new centers are available. For the year ended December 31, 2019, our centers, taken as a whole, were utilized at average capacities of approximately 73% and were capable of supporting a higher level of market demand. We had average utilization of 73% in both the Americas and EMEA during 2019.
20

Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Information with respect to this item may be found in Note 22, Commitments and Loss Contingencies, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” under the caption "Loss Contingencies," which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.    
 
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol SYKE.
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of the funds legally available when and if declared by the Board of Directors. We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock in the past and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
According to the records of our transfer agent as of February 3, 2020, there were approximately 740 holders of record of our common stock and we estimate there were approximately 11,900 beneficial owners.
Below is a summary of stock repurchases for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands, except average price per share).
 
Period	 	Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased	 	 	Average
Price
Paid Per
Share	 	 	Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs	 	 	Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under Plans or
Programs (1)	 	
October 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019	 	 	—	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,608	 	
November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019	 	 	—	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,608	 	
December 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019	 	 	—	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,608	 	
Total	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,608	 	
 
(1)	The total number of shares approved for repurchase under the 2011 Share Repurchase Program dated August 18, 2011, as amended on March 16, 2016, is 10.0 million. The 2011 Share Repurchase Program has no expiration date.	
21

Five-Year Stock Performance Graph
The following graph presents a comparison of the cumulative shareholder return on SYKES common stock with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Computer and Data Processing Services Index, the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index, the Russell 2000 Index, the S&P Small Cap 600 and the SYKES Peer Group (as defined below). The SYKES Peer Group is comprised of publicly traded companies that derive a substantial portion of their revenues from engagement centers, customer care businesses, have similar business models to SYKES, and are those most commonly compared to SYKES by industry analysts following SYKES. This graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2014 in SYKES common stock, the NASDAQ Computer and Data Processing Services Index, the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index, the Russell 2000 Index, the S&P Small Cap 600 and the SYKES Peer Group, including reinvestment of dividends.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return (in dollars)

201320142015201620172018Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Return %7.6131.15-6.248.97-21.37Cum $100.00107.61141.13132.32144.19113.38NASDAQ Computer and Data Processing Index  Return %6.9231.108.7340.8710.32Cum $100.00106.92140.17152.40214.68236.84NASDAQ Telecommunications Stocks Return %11.51-5.2917.5920.225.27Cum $100.00111.51105.61124.18149.29157.15Russell 2000 Index Return %4.89-4.4121.3114.65-11.01Cum $100.00104.89100.26121.63139.45124.09S&P Small cap 600 Index Return %5.76-1.9726.5613.23-8.48Cum $100.00105.76103.67131.20148.56135.96New Peer Group Return %9.3517.6315.7141.640.52Cum $100.00109.35128.63148.84210.81211.91Old Peer Group Return %5.8719.1911.6331.521.30Cum $100.00105.87126.20140.88185.28187.68
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated 100.00 131.15 122.97 134.00 105.36 157.60 NASDAQ Computer and Data Processing Index 100.00 131.10 142.54 200.79 221.52 299.00 NASDAQ Telecommunications Stocks 100.00 94.71 111.36 133.88 140.93 160.17 Russell 2000 Index 100.00 95.59 115.95 132.94 118.30 148.49 S&P SmallCap 600 Index 100.00 98.03 124.06 140.47 128.56 157.85 Peer Group 100.00 117.63 136.11 192.78 193.78 290.40

SYKES Peer Group	Exchange & Ticker Symbol	
Atento S.A.	NYSE: ATTO	
StarTek, Inc.	NYSE: SRT	
Teleperformance	Paris: TEP	
TTEC Holdings, Inc.	NASDAQ: TTEC	
There can be no assurance that SYKES’ stock performance will continue into the future with the same or similar trends depicted in the graph above. SYKES does not make or endorse any predictions as to the future stock performance.
The information contained in the Stock Performance Graph section shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
22

Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data has been derived from our consolidated financial statements.
The information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto.
 
 	 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
(in thousands, except per share data)	 	2019 (1)	 	 	2018 (2)	 	 	2017	 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
Income Statement Data: (3)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues	 	$	1,614,762	 	 	$	1,625,687	 	 	$	1,586,008	 	 	$	1,460,037	 	 	$	1,286,340	 	
Income from operations (4)(5)	 	 	89,800	 	 	 	63,202	 	 	 	87,042	 	 	 	92,373	 	 	 	94,358	 	
Net income (4)(5)(6)	 	 	64,081	 	 	 	48,926	 	 	 	32,216	 	 	 	62,390	 	 	 	68,597	 	
Net Income Per Common Share: (3)(4)(5)(6)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	 	$	1.54	 	 	$	1.16	 	 	$	0.77	 	 	$	1.49	 	 	$	1.64	 	
Diluted	 	$	1.53	 	 	$	1.16	 	 	$	0.76	 	 	$	1.48	 	 	$	1.62	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted Average Common Shares:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	 	 	41,649	 	 	 	42,090	 	 	 	41,822	 	 	 	41,847	 	 	 	41,899	 	
Diluted	 	 	41,802	 	 	 	42,246	 	 	 	42,141	 	 	 	42,239	 	 	 	42,447	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance Sheet Data: (3)(4)(6)(7)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	 	$	1,415,500	 	 	$	1,171,967	 	 	$	1,327,092	 	 	$	1,236,403	 	 	$	947,772	 	
Long-term debt	 	 	73,000	 	 	 	102,000	 	 	 	275,000	 	 	 	267,000	 	 	 	70,000	 	
Shareholders' equity	 	 	874,475	 	 	 	826,609	 	 	 	796,479	 	 	 	724,522	 	 	 	678,680	 	
 
(1)	Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted new guidance on leases using the modified retrospective method; as such, 2015 – 2018 have not been restated. See Note 3, Leases, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.	
(2)	Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted new guidance on revenue recognition using the modified retrospective method; as such, 2015 – 2017 have not been restated. See Note 2, Revenues, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.	
(3)	The amounts reflect the results of Symphony, WhistleOut, the Telecommunications Asset acquisition, Clearlink and Qelp since the associated acquisition dates of November 1, 2018, July 9, 2018, May 31, 2017, April 1, 2016 and July 2, 2015, respectively, as well as the related merger and integration costs incurred as part of each acquisition.  See Note 4, Acquisitions, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information regarding the Symphony, WhistleOut and Telecommunications Asset acquisitions.	
(4)	The amounts for 2019, 2018 and 2017 include exit costs and impairments of long-lived assets.  See Note 5, Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, and Note 6, Fair Value, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.	
(5)	The amounts for 2018 include the $1.2 million Slaughter settlement agreement. See Note 22, Commitments and Loss Contingencies, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.	
(6)	The amount for 2017 includes $32.7 million related to the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act. See Note 20, Income Taxes, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.	
(7)	The Company has not declared cash dividends per common share for any of the five years presented.	
23

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto that appear elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion and analysis compares the year ended December 31, 2019 (“2019”) to the year ended December 31, 2018 (“2018”). For a discussion of the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 26, 2019.
The following discussion and analysis and other sections of this document contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “may,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives, or goals also are forward-looking statements. Future events and actual results could differ materially from the results reflected in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain of the factors set forth below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, including the following analysis and in Item 1.A., “Risk Factors,” and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Executive Summary
We are a leading provider of multichannel demand generation and global comprehensive customer engagement services. We provide differentiated full lifecycle customer engagement solutions and services primarily to Global 2000 companies and their end customers, principally in the financial services, communications, technology, transportation & leisure, healthcare and other industries. Our differentiated full lifecycle management services platform effectively engages customers at every touchpoint within the customer journey, including digital marketing and acquisition, sales expertise, customer service, technical support and retention, many of which can be optimized by a suite of robotic process automation (“RPA”) and artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions. We serve our clients through two geographic operating regions: the Americas (United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific Rim) and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa). Our Americas and EMEA regions primarily provide customer engagement solutions and services with an emphasis on inbound multichannel demand generation, customer service and technical support to our clients’ customers. These services, which represented 97.7%, 99.0% and 99.4% of consolidated revenues in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are delivered through multiple communication channels including phone, e-mail, social media, text messaging, chat and digital self-service. We also provide various enterprise support services in the United States (“U.S.”) that include services for our clients’ internal support operations, from technical staffing services to outsourced corporate help desk services. In Europe, we also provide fulfillment services, which include order processing, payment processing, inventory control, product delivery and product returns handling. Additionally, through our acquisition of RPA provider Symphony Ventures Ltd (“Symphony”) coupled with our investment in AI through XSell Technologies, Inc. (“XSell”), we also provide a suite of solutions such as consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services that optimizes our differentiated full lifecycle management services platform. Our complete service offering helps our clients acquire, retain and increase the lifetime value of their customer relationships. We have developed an extensive global reach with customer engagement centers across six continents, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. We deliver cost-effective solutions that generate demand, enhance the customer service experience, promote stronger brand loyalty, and bring about high levels of performance and profitability.
Recent Developments
Americas 2019 Exit Plan
During the first quarter of 2019, we initiated a restructuring plan to simplify and refine our operating model in the U.S. (the “Americas 2019 Exit Plan”), in part to improve agent attrition and absenteeism. The Americas 2019 Exit Plan included the closure of customer engagement centers, the consolidation of leased space in various locations in the U.S. and management reorganization. We finalized the actions the Americas 2019 Exit Plan as of September 30, 2019.  Annualized savings of $7.1 million are expected as a result of these actions, primarily related to reduced general and administrative costs and lower depreciation.
24

Americas 2018 Exit Plan
During the second quarter of 2018, we initiated a restructuring plan to manage and optimize capacity utilization, which included the closure of customer engagement centers and the consolidation of leased space in various locations in the U.S. and Canada (the “Americas 2018 Exit Plan”). We finalized the site closures under the Americas 2018 Exit Plan as of December 31, 2018, which resulted in a decrease of approximately 5,000 seats.
See Note 5, Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information regarding our exit plans.
U.S. 2017 Tax Reform Act
On December 20, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Reform Act”) was approved by Congress and received presidential approval on December 22, 2017. In general, the 2017 Tax Reform Act reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective in 2018. The 2017 Tax Reform Act moved from a worldwide business taxation approach to a participation exemption regime. The 2017 Tax Reform Act also imposed base-erosion prevention measures on non-U.S. earnings of U.S. entities, as well as a one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax on accumulated non-U.S. earnings. The impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act on our consolidated financial results began with the fourth quarter of 2017, the period of enactment. This impact, along with the transitional taxes discussed in Note 20, Income Taxes, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” is reflected in the Other segment.
Acquisitions
On November 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Symphony. Symphony provides RPA services, offering RPA consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services for front, middle and back-office processes. Of the total purchase price of GBP 52.5 million ($67.6 million), GBP 44.6 million ($57.6 million) was paid upon closing using cash on hand as well as $31.0 million of additional borrowings under our credit agreement, while the acquisition date present value of the remaining GBP 7.9 million ($10.0 million) of the purchase price was deferred and is payable in equal installments over three years, on or around November 1, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Subsequent to the finalization of the working capital adjustment, the purchase price was adjusted to GBP 52.4 million ($67.5 million). The results of Symphony’s operations have been reflected in our consolidated financial statements since November 1, 2018.
On July 9, 2018, we completed the acquisition of WhistleOut Pty Ltd and WhistleOut Inc. (together, “WhistleOut”).  WhistleOut is a consumer comparison platform focused on mobile, broadband and pay TV services, principally across Australia and the U.S. The acquisition broadens our digital marketing capabilities geographically and extends our home services product portfolio. The total purchase price of AUD 30.2 million ($22.4 million) was funded through $22.0 million of additional borrowings under our credit agreement. Subsequent to the finalization of the working capital adjustment, the purchase price was adjusted to AUD 30.3 million ($22.5 million). The results of WhistleOut’s operations have been reflected in our consolidated financial statements since July 9, 2018.
25

Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, the amounts presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations as well as the changes between the respective years:
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
(in thousands)	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	$ Change	 	 	2017	 	 	$ Change	 	
Revenues	$	1,614,762	 	 	$	1,625,687	 	 	$	(10,925	)	 	$	1,586,008	 	 	$	39,679	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Direct salaries and related costs	 	1,042,289	 	 	 	1,072,907	 	 	 	(30,618	)	 	 	1,039,677	 	 	 	33,230	 	
General and administrative	 	412,407	 	 	 	407,285	 	 	 	5,122	 	 	 	376,825	 	 	 	30,460	 	
Depreciation, net	 	51,916	 	 	 	57,350	 	 	 	(5,434	)	 	 	55,972	 	 	 	1,378	 	
Amortization of intangibles	 	16,639	 	 	 	15,542	 	 	 	1,097	 	 	 	21,082	 	 	 	(5,540	)	
Impairment of long-lived assets	 	1,711	 	 	 	9,401	 	 	 	(7,690	)	 	 	5,410	 	 	 	3,991	 	
Total operating expenses	 	1,524,962	 	 	 	1,562,485	 	 	 	(37,523	)	 	 	1,498,966	 	 	 	63,519	 	
Income from operations	 	89,800	 	 	 	63,202	 	 	 	26,598	 	 	 	87,042	 	 	 	(23,840	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest income	 	846	 	 	 	706	 	 	 	140	 	 	 	696	 	 	 	10	 	
Interest (expense)	 	(4,309	)	 	 	(4,743	)	 	 	434	 	 	 	(7,689	)	 	 	2,946	 	
Other income (expense), net	 	(414	)	 	 	(2,248	)	 	 	1,834	 	 	 	1,258	 	 	 	(3,506	)	
Total other income (expense), net	 	(3,877	)	 	 	(6,285	)	 	 	2,408	 	 	 	(5,735	)	 	 	(550	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before income taxes	 	85,923	 	 	 	56,917	 	 	 	29,006	 	 	 	81,307	 	 	 	(24,390	)	
Income taxes	 	21,842	 	 	 	7,991	 	 	 	13,851	 	 	 	49,091	 	 	 	(41,100	)	
Net income	$	64,081	 	 	$	48,926	 	 	$	15,155	 	 	$	32,216	 	 	$	16,710	 	
 
The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, the amounts presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of revenues:
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Percentage of Revenue:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues	 	100.0	%	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	100.0	%	
Direct salaries and related costs	 	64.5	 	 	 	66.0	 	 	 	65.6	 	
General and administrative	 	25.5	 	 	 	25.1	 	 	 	23.8	 	
Depreciation, net	 	3.2	 	 	 	3.5	 	 	 	3.5	 	
Amortization of intangibles	 	1.0	 	 	 	1.0	 	 	 	1.3	 	
Impairment of long-lived assets	 	0.1	 	 	 	0.6	 	 	 	0.3	 	
Income from operations	 	5.7	 	 	 	3.8	 	 	 	5.5	 	
Interest income	 	0.1	 	 	 	0.0	 	 	 	0.0	 	
Interest (expense)	 	(0.3	)	 	 	(0.3	)	 	 	(0.5	)	
Other income (expense), net	 	(0.0	)	 	 	(0.1	)	 	 	0.1	 	
Income before income taxes	 	5.5	 	 	 	3.4	 	 	 	5.1	 	
Income taxes	 	1.4	 	 	 	0.5	 	 	 	3.1	 	
Net income	 	4.1	%	 	 	2.9	%	 	 	2.0	%	
 
26

2019 Compared to 2018
Revenues
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	 	 	 	
(in thousands)	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	$ Change	 	
Americas	$	1,296,660	 	 	80.3%	 	 	$	1,330,638	 	 	81.9%	 	 	$	(33,978	)	
EMEA	 	318,013	 	 	19.7%	 	 	 	294,954	 	 	18.1%	 	 	 	23,059	 	
Other	 	89	 	 	0.0%	 	 	 	95	 	 	0.0%	 	 	 	(6	)	
Consolidated	$	1,614,762	 	 	100.0%	 	 	$	1,625,687	 	 	100.0%	 	 	$	(10,925	)	
Consolidated revenues decreased $10.9 million, or 0.7%, in 2019 from 2018.
The decrease in Americas’ revenues was due to end-of-life client programs of $80.7 million primarily in the communications and other verticals and an unfavorable foreign currency impact of $6.8 million, partially offset by higher volumes from existing clients of $43.1 million and new clients of $10.4 million. Revenues from our offshore operations represented 42.7% of Americas’ revenues in 2019, compared to 39.7% for the comparable period in 2018.
The increase in EMEA’s revenues was due to higher volumes from existing clients of $30.5 million and new clients of $19.8 million, partially offset by end-of-life client programs of $9.0 million primarily in the communications, technology and other verticals and an unfavorable foreign currency impact of $18.2 million.
On a consolidated basis, we had 48,200 brick-and-mortar seats as of December 31, 2019, a net decrease of 600 seats from 2018, primarily due to the rationalization of excess capacity. The average capacity utilization rate on a combined basis was 73% in 2019, compared to 71% in 2018.
On a segment basis, 40,200 seats were located in the Americas, a net decrease of 1,000 seats from 2018, and 8,000 seats were located in EMEA, a net increase of 400 seats from 2018. The average capacity utilization rate for the Americas in 2019 was 73%, compared to 70% in 2018, up primarily due to the rationalization of excess capacity coupled with an increase in demand. The average capacity utilization rate for EMEA in 2019 was 73%, compared to 75% in 2018, down primarily due to expansion and the utilization of our at-home platform as a complement to our brick-and-mortar facilities. We strive to attain a capacity utilization of 85% at each of our locations.  
Direct Salaries and Related Costs
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(in thousands)	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	$ Change	 	 	Change in % of Revenues	 	
Americas	$	826,255	 	 	63.7%	 	 	$	864,954	 	 	65.0%	 	 	$	(38,699	)	 	-1.3%	 	
EMEA	 	216,034	 	 	67.9%	 	 	 	207,953	 	 	70.5%	 	 	 	8,081	 	 	-2.6%	 	
Consolidated	$	1,042,289	 	 	64.5%	 	 	$	1,072,907	 	 	66.0%	 	 	$	(30,618	)	 	-1.5%	 	
 
The decrease of $30.6 million in direct salaries and related costs included a favorable foreign currency impact of $5.4 million in the Americas and a favorable foreign currency impact of $13.0 million in EMEA.  
The decrease in Americas’ direct salaries and related costs, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily attributable to lower compensation costs of 1.2% principally due to an increase in agent productivity principally within the financial services, transportation and communications verticals in the current period, lower communications costs of 0.3%, lower severance costs principally related to the Americas 2018 Exit Plan of 0.2% and lower other costs of 0.1%, partially offset by higher recruiting costs of 0.3% and higher auto tow claim costs of 0.2%.
The decrease in EMEA’s direct salaries and related costs, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily attributable to lower compensation costs of 1.9% primarily due to an increase in agent productivity principally within the communications vertical in the current period, lower communications costs of 0.3%, lower fulfillment materials
27

costs of 0.3%, lower recruiting costs of 0.2% and lower other costs of 0.2%, partially offset by higher travel costs of 0.3%.
General and Administrative
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(in thousands)	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	$ Change	 	 	Change in % of Revenues	 	
Americas	$	278,056	 	 	21.4%	 	 	$	285,597	 	 	21.5%	 	 	$	(7,541	)	 	-0.1%	 	
EMEA	 	74,205	 	 	23.3%	 	 	 	63,287	 	 	21.5%	 	 	 	10,918	 	 	1.8%	 	
Other	 	60,146	 	 	-	 	 	 	58,401	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,745	 	 	-	 	
Consolidated	$	412,407	 	 	25.5%	 	 	$	407,285	 	 	25.1%	 	 	$	5,122	 	 	0.4%	 	
 
The increase of $5.1 million in general and administrative expenses included a favorable foreign currency impact of $1.6 million in the Americas and a favorable foreign currency impact of $4.1 million in EMEA.
The decrease in Americas’ general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily attributable to lower facility-related costs of 0.5% resulting from the Americas 2018 Exit Plan, lower legal and professional fees of 0.3% and lower other costs of 0.3%, partially offset by higher software and maintenance costs of 0.5% and higher compensations costs of 0.5%.
The increase in EMEA’s general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily attributable to higher compensation costs of 1.0%, higher merger and integration costs of 0.4%, higher software and maintenance costs of 0.4%, higher facility-related costs of 0.2% and higher travel costs of 0.2%, partially offset by lower communications costs of 0.2% and lower other costs of 0.2%.
The increase of $1.7 million in Other general and administrative expenses, which includes corporate and other costs, was primarily attributable to higher compensation costs of $1.0 million, higher software and maintenance costs of $0.8 million, higher legal and professional fees of $0.7 million, higher insurance costs of $0.4 million and higher seminars and education costs of $0.2 million, partially offset by lower merger and integration costs of $1.3 million and lower other costs of $0.1 million.
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(in thousands)	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	$ Change	 	 	Change in % of Revenues	 	
Depreciation, net:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Americas	$	42,386	 	 	3.3%	 	 	$	48,378	 	 	3.6%	 	 	$	(5,992	)	 	-0.3%	 	
EMEA	 	6,521	 	 	2.1%	 	 	 	5,952	 	 	2.0%	 	 	 	569	 	 	0.1%	 	
Other	 	3,009	 	 	-	 	 	 	3,020	 	 	-	 	 	 	(11	)	 	-	 	
Consolidated	$	51,916	 	 	3.2%	 	 	$	57,350	 	 	3.5%	 	 	$	(5,434	)	 	-0.3%	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Amortization of intangibles:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Americas	$	13,304	 	 	1.0%	 	 	$	14,287	 	 	1.1%	 	 	$	(983	)	 	-0.1%	 	
EMEA	 	3,335	 	 	1.0%	 	 	 	1,255	 	 	0.4%	 	 	 	2,080	 	 	0.6%	 	
Other	 	—	 	 	-	 	 	 	—	 	 	-	 	 	 	—	 	 	-	 	
Consolidated	$	16,639	 	 	1.0%	 	 	$	15,542	 	 	1.0%	 	 	$	1,097	 	 	0.0%	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Impairment of long-lived assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Americas	$	1,711	 	 	0.1%	 	 	$	9,401	 	 	0.7%	 	 	$	(7,690	)	 	-0.6%	 	
EMEA	 	—	 	 	0.0%	 	 	 	—	 	 	0.0%	 	 	 	—	 	 	0.0%	 	
Other	 	—	 	 	-	 	 	 	—	 	 	-	 	 	 	—	 	 	-	 	
Consolidated	$	1,711	 	 	0.1%	 	 	$	9,401	 	 	0.6%	 	 	$	(7,690	)	 	-0.5%	 	
 
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The decrease in depreciation was primarily due to the impact since the prior period of certain fully depreciated fixed assets and fixed assets that were impaired and disposed of as part of the Americas 2018 Exit Plan, partially offset by new depreciable fixed assets placed into service supporting site expansions, acquisitions and infrastructure upgrades.
The increase in amortization was primarily due to the addition of intangibles acquired in conjunction with the November 2018 Symphony acquisition, partially offset by certain fully amortized intangible assets.
See Note 5, Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, and Note 6, Fair Value, in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information regarding the impairment of long-lived assets.
Other Income (Expense)
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	 	
(in thousands)	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	$ Change	 	
Interest income	$	846	 	 	$	706	 	 	$	140	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest (expense)	$	(4,309	)	 	$	(4,743	)	 	$	434	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense), net:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$	(1,262	)	 	$	2,029	 	 	$	(3,291	)	
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments not designated as hedges	 	(674	)	 	 	(1,751	)	 	 	1,077	 	
Gains (losses) on investments held in rabbi trust	 	2,379	 	 	 	(867	)	 	 	3,246	 	
Other miscellaneous income (expense)	 	(857	)	 	 	(1,659	)	 	 	802	 	
Total other income (expense), net	$	(414	)	 	$	(2,248	)	 	$	1,834	 	
 
The increase in interest income was primarily due to an increase in the rate earned.
The decrease in interest (expense) was primarily due to a decrease in the outstanding borrowings under our credit agreements as a result of $29.0 million and $173.0 million of repayments, net, in 2019 and 2018, respectively, partially offset by an increase in weighted average interest rates on outstanding borrowings.
See Note 13, Investments Held in Rabbi Trust, of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.  
The change in other miscellaneous income (expense) was primarily due to a reduction in Affordable Care Act compliance costs, payroll tax compliance costs and losses from our equity method investee, XSell.
Income Taxes
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	 	
(in thousands)	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	$ Change	 	
Income before income taxes	$	85,923	 	 	$	56,917	 	 	$	29,006	 	
Income taxes	$	21,842	 	 	$	7,991	 	 	$	13,851	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	% Change	 	
Effective tax rate	 	25.4	%	 	 	14.0	%	 	 	11.4	%	
 
The increase in the effective tax rate in 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily due to tax benefits recognized related to the 2017 Tax Reform Act and the settlement of tax audits and ancillary issues, both in 2018. The effective tax rate was also affected by shifts in earnings among the various jurisdictions in which we operate along with several additional factors, the overall impact of which was not material.
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Quarterly Results
The following information presents our unaudited quarterly operating results for 2019 and 2018. The data has been prepared on a basis consistent with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation thereof.
 
(in thousands, except per share data)	12/31/2019	 	 	9/30/2019	 	 	6/30/2019	 	 	3/31/2019	 	 	12/31/2018	 	 	9/30/2018	 	 	6/30/2018	 	 	3/31/2018	 	
Revenues	$	425,284	 	 	$	397,547	 	 	$	389,006	 	 	$	402,925	 	 	$	415,198	 	 	$	399,333	 	 	$	396,785	 	 	$	414,371	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Direct salaries and related costs	 	274,731	 	 	 	253,669	 	 	 	252,161	 	 	 	261,728	 	 	 	271,437	 	 	 	261,474	 	 	 	264,924	 	 	 	275,072	 	
General and administrative (1)	 	100,825	 	 	 	102,620	 	 	 	104,282	 	 	 	104,680	 	 	 	97,660	 	 	 	105,148	 	 	 	102,037	 	 	 	102,440	 	
Depreciation, net	 	12,518	 	 	 	12,449	 	 	 	13,052	 	 	 	13,897	 	 	 	13,882	 	 	 	14,072	 	 	 	14,560	 	 	 	14,836	 	
Amortization of intangibles	 	4,123	 	 	 	4,103	 	 	 	4,127	 	 	 	4,286	 	 	 	4,062	 	 	 	3,638	 	 	 	3,629	 	 	 	4,213	 	
Impairment of long-lived assets	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	129	 	 	 	1,582	 	 	 	145	 	 	 	555	 	 	 	5,175	 	 	 	3,526	 	
Total operating expenses	 	392,197	 	 	 	372,841	 	 	 	373,751	 	 	 	386,173	 	 	 	387,186	 	 	 	384,887	 	 	 	390,325	 	 	 	400,087	 	
Income from operations	 	33,087	 	 	 	24,706	 	 	 	15,255	 	 	 	16,752	 	 	 	28,012	 	 	 	14,446	 	 	 	6,460	 	 	 	14,284	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest income	 	235	 	 	 	234	 	 	 	192	 	 	 	185	 	 	 	177	 	 	 	183	 	 	 	175	 	 	 	171	 	
Interest (expense)	 	(861	)	 	 	(1,091	)	 	 	(1,179	)	 	 	(1,178	)	 	 	(1,220	)	 	 	(1,168	)	 	 	(1,149	)	 	 	(1,206	)	
Other income (expense), net	 	(436	)	 	 	(55	)	 	 	(533	)	 	 	610	 	 	 	(2,785	)	 	 	919	 	 	 	(537	)	 	 	155	 	
Total other income (expense), net	 	(1,062	)	 	 	(912	)	 	 	(1,520	)	 	 	(383	)	 	 	(3,828	)	 	 	(66	)	 	 	(1,511	)	 	 	(880	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before income taxes	 	32,025	 	 	 	23,794	 	 	 	13,735	 	 	 	16,369	 	 	 	24,184	 	 	 	14,380	 	 	 	4,949	 	 	 	13,404	 	
Income taxes	 	9,005	 	 	 	5,689	 	 	 	2,466	 	 	 	4,682	 	 	 	7,136	 	 	 	628	 	 	 	(2,229	)	 	 	2,456	 	
Net income (loss)	$	23,020	 	 	$	18,105	 	 	$	11,269	 	 	$	11,687	 	 	$	17,048	 	 	$	13,752	 	 	$	7,178	 	 	$	10,948	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income (loss) per common share: (2)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	$	0.56	 	 	$	0.44	 	 	$	0.27	 	 	$	0.28	 	 	$	0.40	 	 	$	0.33	 	 	$	0.17	 	 	$	0.26	 	
Diluted	$	0.56	 	 	$	0.44	 	 	$	0.27	 	 	$	0.28	 	 	$	0.40	 	 	$	0.33	 	 	$	0.17	 	 	$	0.26	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average shares:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	 	41,176	 	 	 	41,190	 	 	 	42,038	 	 	 	42,169	 	 	 	42,145	 	 	 	42,136	 	 	 	42,125	 	 	 	41,939	 	
Diluted	 	41,453	 	 	 	41,307	 	 	 	42,094	 	 	 	42,299	 	 	 	42,264	 	 	 	42,204	 	 	 	42,160	 	 	 	42,232	 	
 
(1)	The quarter ended December 31, 2018 includes the $1.2 million Slaughter settlement agreement. See Note 22, Commitments and Loss Contingencies, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.	
(2)	Net income (loss) per basic and diluted common share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented and, therefore, may not sum to the total for the year.	
Business Outlook
For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we anticipate the following financial results: 
 	•	Revenues in the range of $417.0 million to $422.0 million;	
 	•	Effective tax rate of approximately 25.0%;	
 	•	Fully diluted share count of approximately 41.5 million;	
 	•	Diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.39 to $0.43; and	
 	•	Capital expenditures in the range of $15.0 million to $20.0 million  	
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, we anticipate the following financial results: 
 	•	Revenues in the range of $1,700.0 million to $1,720.0 million;	
 	•	Effective tax rate of approximately 24.0%;	
 	•	Fully diluted share count of approximately 41.6 million;	
 	•	Diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.02 to $2.16; and	
 	•	Capital expenditures in the range of $50.0 million to $60.0 million  	
 
We continue to see a broad-based increase in client demand across our vertical markets. In fact, client demand projections for 2020 are significantly better than what we initially indicated in our third quarter 2019 earnings
30

release. To service this higher level of demand, we expect higher than planned ramp costs, which are expected to be front-end loaded.
 
The first quarter and full year 2020 revenues and diluted earnings per share outlook do not reflect the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) given its uncertain path within and beyond China. However, China generated roughly $36 million of revenues in 2019 with operating margins, net of overhead allocation, roughly in line with the current Company average. We believe that the revenues and diluted earnings per share impact for the first quarter of 2020 could be in the range of $1.5 million to $2.0 million and $0.03 to $0.05, respectively, based on current labor participation levels at our facilities and home agent utilization post Chinese New Year’s.
 
Our revenues and earnings per share assumptions for the first quarter and full year 2020 are based on foreign exchange rates as of February 2020. Therefore, the continued volatility in foreign exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and the functional currencies of the markets we serve could have a further impact, positive or negative, on revenues and earnings per share relative to the business outlook for the first quarter and full-year as discussed above.
 
We anticipate total other interest income (expense), net of approximately $(1.2) million for the first quarter and $(3.8) million for the full year 2020. The full year 2020 amount is in line with 2019. The amounts in the other interest income (expense), net, however, exclude the potential impact of any future foreign exchange gains or losses.
 
We expect our full-year 2020 effective tax rate to be in line with our 2019 tax rate.
 
Not included in this guidance is the impact of any future acquisitions, share repurchase activities or a potential sale of previously exited customer engagement centers.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are typically cash flows generated by operating activities and from available borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We utilize these capital resources to make capital expenditures associated primarily with our customer engagement services, invest in technology applications and tools to further develop our service offerings and for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of our common stock in the open market and to fund acquisitions. In future periods, we intend similar uses of these funds.
Our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase up to 10.0 million shares of our outstanding common stock (the “2011 Share Repurchase Program”) on August 18, 2011, as amended on March 16, 2016. A total of 6.4 million shares have been repurchased under the 2011 Share Repurchase Program since inception. The shares are purchased, from time to time, through open market purchases or in negotiated private transactions, and the purchases are based on factors, including but not limited to, the stock price, management discretion and general market conditions. The 2011 Share Repurchase Program has no expiration date.
During 2019, cash increased $101.3 million from operating activities, $29.0 million of debt proceeds, $1.2 million of proceeds from a property and equipment insurance settlement and $0.3 million of other cash inflows, partially offset by $58.0 million used to repay long-term debt, $38.7 million used for capital expenditures, $30.3 million used to repurchase common stock, $3.2 million to repurchase common stock for tax withholding on equity awards, $3.1 million of cash paid for acquisitions, $1.1 million of loan fees related to the 2019 Credit Agreement and $0.3 million used for the purchase of intangible assets, resulting in a $1.0 million decrease in available cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (including the favorable effects of foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $1.9 million).
Net cash flows provided by operating activities for 2019 were $101.3 million, compared to $109.1 million in 2018.  The $7.8 million decrease in net cash flows from operating activities was due to a $14.6 million decrease in non-cash reconciling items such as impairment, depreciation, net unrealized (gains) losses and premiums on financial instruments, net unrealized foreign currency transaction (gains) losses and a net (gain) on insurance settlement, and a net decrease of $8.4 million in cash flows from assets and liabilities, partially offset by a $15.2 million increase in net income. The $8.4 million decrease in cash flows from assets and liabilities was principally a result of a $32.0 million increase in accounts receivable and a $2.9 million decrease in deferred revenue and customer liabilities, partially offset by a $21.3 million increase in other liabilities, a $3.4 million decrease in other assets, a $1.0 million
31

increase in taxes payable and a $0.8 million increase in net operating lease liabilities. The $32.0 million increase in the change in accounts receivable was primarily due to the timing of billings and collections. The $21.3 million increase in the change in other liabilities was primarily due to a $15.8 million increase principally related to the timing of accrued employee compensation and benefits, a $3.7 million increase in accounts payable principally due to the timing of invoices and related payments and a $3.0 million increase in other accrued expenses and current liabilities, partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in other long-term liabilities.
Capital expenditures, which are generally funded by cash generated from operating activities, available cash balances and borrowings available under our credit facilities, were $38.7 million for 2019, compared to $46.9 million for 2018, a decrease of $8.2 million. In 2020, we anticipate capital expenditures in the range of $50.0 million to $60.0 million, primarily for new seat additions, facility upgrades, maintenance and systems infrastructure.
On February 14, 2019, we entered into a $500 million senior revolving credit facility (the “2019 Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender (“KeyBank”), the lenders named therein, and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. as Lead Arranger and Sole Book Runner.  The 2019 Credit Agreement replaced our previous $440 million revolving credit facility dated May 12, 2015 (the “2015 Credit Agreement”), which agreement was terminated simultaneous with entering into the 2019 Credit Agreement. The 2019 Credit Agreement is subject to certain borrowing limitations and includes certain customary financial and restrictive covenants.  We are not currently aware of any inability of our lenders to provide access to the full commitment of funds that exist under the 2019 Credit Agreement, if necessary.  However, there can be no assurance that such facility will be available to us, even though it is a binding commitment of the financial institutions. The 2019 Credit Agreement will mature on February 14, 2024. At December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all loan requirements of the 2019 Credit Agreement and had $73.0 million of outstanding borrowings under this facility.
Our credit agreements had an average daily utilization of $87.8 million, $106.2 million and $268.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the related interest expense, including the commitment fee and excluding the amortization of deferred loan fees, was $3.5 million, $3.8 million and $6.7 million, respectively, which represented weighted average interest rates of 3.9%, 3.6% and 2.5%, respectively.  
We repaid $29.0 million, net, of long-term debt outstanding under our credit agreements in 2019.  Our 2020 interest expense will vary based on our usage of the credit facility and market interest rates.
We are currently under audit in several tax jurisdictions. We believe we have adequate reserves related to all matters pertaining to these audits. Should we experience unfavorable outcomes from these audits, such outcomes could have a significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The 2017 Tax Reform Act provided for a one-time transition tax based on our undistributed foreign earnings on which we previously had deferred U.S. income taxes. We recorded a $28.3 million provisional liability in 2017, which was net of $5.0 million of available tax credits, for our one-time transition tax.  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, $2.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of the liability was included in “Income taxes payable” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, $18.5 million and $20.4 million, respectively, of the long-term liability were included in “Long-term income tax liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. This transition tax liability will be paid in yearly installments through the final payment due in April 2025. We provide U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless they are exempted from taxation as a result of the new territorial tax system. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we partially reversed our permanent reinvestment assertion in connection with plans to distribute cash from certain of our foreign subsidiaries in 2020 or subsequent years.  In connection with this change in assertion, we recorded $1.0 million of withholding tax.  No additional income taxes have been provided for any remaining reinvested earnings or outside basis differences inherent in our investments in our foreign subsidiaries as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations.
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As part of the July 1, 2018 WhistleOut acquisition, an AUD 14.0 million three-year retention bonus is payable in installments on or around July 1, 2019, 2020 and 2021. We paid the first installment of AUD 6.0 million ($4.2 million) in July 2019.  Also, as part of the Symphony acquisition on November 1, 2018, a portion of the purchase price, with an acquisition date present value of GBP 7.9 million ($10.0 million), was deferred and is payable in equal installments over three years, on or around November 1, 2019, 2020 and 2021.  We paid the first installment of GBP 2.7 million ($3.3 million) in October 2019.  
As of December 31, 2019, we had $127.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which approximately 98.5%, or $125.3 million, was held in international operations. As a result of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, most of these funds will not be subject to additional taxes in the United States if repatriated; however, certain jurisdictions may impose additional withholding taxes. There are circumstances where we may be unable to repatriate some of the cash and cash equivalents held by our international operations due to country restrictions.
We expect our current cash levels and cash flows from operations to be adequate to meet our anticipated working capital needs, including investment activities such as capital expenditures and debt repayment for the next twelve months and the foreseeable future.  However, from time to time, we may borrow funds under our 2019 Credit Agreement as a result of the timing of our working capital needs, including capital expenditures.
Our cash resources could also be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the risks detailed in Item 1A, Risk Factors.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2019, we did not have any material commercial commitments, including guarantees or standby repurchase obligations, or any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, including entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities or variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2019, and the effect these obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands):
 
 	 	Payments Due By Period	 	
 	 	Total	 	 	Less Than 1 Year	 	 	1 - 3 Years	 	 	3 - 5 Years	 	 	After 5 Years	 	 	Other	 	
Operating leases (1)(2)	 	$	240,239	 	 	$	57,742	 	 	$	96,854	 	 	$	47,877	 	 	$	37,766	 	 	$	—	 	
Operating leases, not yet commenced (1)	 	 	1,720	 	 	 	546	 	 	 	1,128	 	 	 	46	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Purchase obligations (3)	 	 	45,499	 	 	 	36,332	 	 	 	8,642	 	 	 	525	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Long-term debt (4)	 	 	73,000	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	73,000	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Long-term income tax liabilities (5)	 	 	22,286	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,895	 	 	 	8,520	 	 	 	6,086	 	 	 	3,785	 	
Other long-term liabilities (6)	 	 	13,305	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,502	 	 	 	1,131	 	 	 	4,672	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	$	396,049	 	 	$	94,620	 	 	$	118,021	 	 	$	131,099	 	 	$	48,524	 	 	$	3,785	 	
 
(1)	Amounts represent the gross expected cash payments due under our operating leases. See Note 3, Leases, to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.	
(2)	As of December 31, 2019, we subleased six of our operating leases. Future contractual sublease payments of $3.2 million, $5.1 million, $2.7 million and $1.4 million are expected to be received in the periods of less than one year, one to three years, three to five years, and after five years, respectively. These payments will partially offset the gross amounts owed under the related operating leases.	
(3)	Amounts represent the expected cash payments under our purchase obligations, which include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on us and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction.  Purchase obligations exclude agreements that are cancelable without penalty.	
(4)	Amount represents total outstanding borrowings but excludes interest charges on borrowings and the fee on the amount of any unused commitment that we may be obligated to pay under our credit agreement, as such amounts vary. See Note 18, Borrowings, to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.	
(5)	Long-term income tax liabilities include amounts owed in annual installments through 2025 related to our deemed repatriation under the 2017 Tax Reform Act, as well as uncertain tax positions and related penalties and interest as discussed in Note 20, Income Taxes, to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.  We cannot make reasonably reliable estimates of the cash settlement of $3.8 million of uncertain tax positions with the taxing authority; therefore, amounts have been excluded from payments due by period.	
(6)	Other long-term liabilities, which excludes deferred income taxes and other non-cash long-term liabilities.	
 
From time to time, during the normal course of business, we may make certain indemnities, commitments and guarantees under which we may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. These include but are not limited to: (i) indemnities to clients, vendors and service providers pertaining to claims based on negligence or willful misconduct and (ii) indemnities involving breach of contract, the accuracy of representations and warranties, or other liabilities assumed by us in certain contracts. In addition, we have agreements whereby we will indemnify certain officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at our request in such capacity. The indemnification period covers all pertinent events and occurrences during the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have director and officer insurance coverage that limits our exposure and enables us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. We believe the applicable insurance coverage is generally adequate to cover any estimated potential liability under these indemnification agreements. The majority of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees do not provide for any limitation of the maximum potential for future payments we could be obligated to make. We have not recorded any liability for these indemnities, commitments and other guarantees in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  In addition, we have some client contracts that do not contain contractual provisions for the limitation of liability, and other client contracts that contain agreed upon exceptions to limitation of liability. We have not recorded any liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets with respect to any client contracts under which we have or may have unlimited liability.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires estimations and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical since these policies require significant judgment or involve complex estimations that are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and operating results.  
Recognition of Revenues
We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue Recognition.  We primarily recognize revenues from services over time using output methods such as a per minute, per hour, per call, per transaction or per time and material basis, since our customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of our services as they are delivered.  Our customer contracts include penalty and holdback provisions for failure to meet specified minimum service levels and other performance-based contingencies, as well as the right of certain of our clients to chargeback accounts that do not meet certain requirements for specified periods after a sale has occurred. Certain customers also receive cash discounts for early payment. These provisions are accounted for as variable consideration and are estimated using the expected value method based on historical service and pricing trends for the past six months, the individual contract provisions, and our best judgment at the time.  Since we maintain a large portfolio of contracts with similar billing structures and characteristics, and the nature of these provisions can result in numerous potential outcomes, the expected value method provides a more accurate assessment of the consideration to which we are entitled.  We utilize a rolling six-month historical servicing and pricing trend data in order to reduce the likelihood of a significant revenue reversal in the future since the majority of our customer contracts include termination for convenience or without cause provisions allowing either party to cancel within a defined notification period, typically up to 180 days.  
Income Taxes
We reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, both positive and negative, for each respective tax jurisdiction, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. Available evidence which is considered in determining the amount of valuation allowance required includes, but is not limited to, our estimate of future taxable income and any applicable tax-planning strategies. Establishment or reversal of certain valuation allowances may have a significant impact on both current and future results. The recoverability of a net deferred tax asset is dependent upon future profitability, estimates of future taxable income and any applicable tax-planning strategies, within each taxing jurisdiction.
As of December 31, 2019, we determined that a total valuation allowance of $12.7 million was necessary to reduce U.S. deferred tax assets by $0.9 million and foreign deferred tax assets by $11.8 million, where it was more likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The recoverability of the remaining deferred tax asset of $6.8 million as of December 31, 2019 is dependent upon future profitability within each tax jurisdiction. As of December 31, 2019, based on our estimates of future taxable income and any applicable tax-planning strategies within various tax jurisdictions, we believe that it is more likely than not that the remaining deferred tax assets will be realized.
The Company provides U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless they are exempted from taxation as a result of the new territorial tax system. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we partially reversed our permanent reinvestment assertion in connection with plans to distribute cash from certain of our foreign subsidiaries in 2020 or subsequent years.  In connection with this change in assertion, we recorded $1.0 million of withholding tax.  No additional income taxes have been provided for any remaining outside basis difference inherent in these entities as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any remaining reinvested earnings or outside basis differences in these entities is not practicable due to the inherent complexity of the multi-national tax environment in which we operate.
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We evaluate tax positions that have been taken or are expected to be taken in our tax returns, and record a liability for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. First, tax positions are recognized if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any.  Second, the tax position is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. We reevaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had $2.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits. Had we recognized these tax benefits, approximately $2.7 million, along with the related interest and penalties, would have favorably impacted the effective tax rate in both 2019 and 2018. We do not anticipate that any of the unrecognized tax benefits will be recognized in the next twelve months.
Our provision for income taxes is subject to volatility and is impacted by the distribution of earnings in the various domestic and international jurisdictions in which we operate. Our effective tax rate could be impacted by earnings being either proportionally lower or higher in foreign countries with tax rates different from the U.S. tax rates. In addition, we have been granted tax holidays in several foreign tax jurisdictions, some of which have various expiration dates ranging from 2021 through 2028. If we are unable to renew a tax holiday in any of these jurisdictions, our effective tax rate could be adversely impacted. In some cases, the tax holidays expire without possibility of renewal. In other cases, we expect to renew these tax holidays, but there are no assurances from the respective foreign governments that they will permit a renewal. The tax holidays decreased the provision for income taxes by $3.1 million, $4.1 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  Our effective tax rate could also be affected by several additional factors, including changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets or liabilities, changing legislation, regulations, and court interpretations that impact tax law in multiple tax jurisdictions in which we operate, as well as new requirements, pronouncements and rulings of certain tax, regulatory and accounting organizations.
Purchase Accounting
 
Our financial statements include the operations of an acquired business starting from the completion of the acquisition.  In addition, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded on the date of acquisition at their respective estimated fair values, with any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired recorded as goodwill.
 
Significant judgment is required in estimating the fair value of intangible assets and in assigning their respective useful lives.  Accordingly, we typically obtain the assistance of third-party valuation specialists for significant items. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on future expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by management but are inherently uncertain.  We consider the income, market and cost approaches and place reliance on the approach or approaches deemed most indicative of value to estimate the fair value of intangible assets. Significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the valuations reflect a consideration of other marketplace participants and include the amount and timing of future cash flows (including expected growth rates and profitability), the underlying demand, technology life cycles, the economic barriers to entry and the discount rate applied to the cash flows. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur that could affect the accuracy or validity of the estimates and assumptions.
 
Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment.  With the exception of domain names, the majority of our acquired intangible assets (e.g., customer relationships, trade names and trademarks) are expected to have determinable useful lives. Our assessment as to the useful lives of these intangible assets is based on a number of factors including competitive environment, market share, trademark, brand history, underlying demand, operating plans and the macroeconomic environment of the countries in which the services are provided. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful life.
 
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Goodwill, Intangibles and Long-Lived Assets
 
The value of indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill is not amortized but is tested at least annually for impairment, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We perform our annual impairment test on July 31st of each year. To assess the realizability of goodwill, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We may elect to forgo this option and proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment test.
 
If we elect to perform the qualitative assessment and it indicates that a significant decline to fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not, if a reporting unit’s fair value has historically been closer to its carrying value, or we elect to forgo this qualitative assessment, we will proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment test where we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on discounted future probability-weighted cash flows. If the quantitative goodwill impairment test indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit is in excess of its fair value, we will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
 
We test indefinite-lived intangibles by reviewing the book values compared to the fair value. We determine the fair value of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets based on the income and market approaches. We calculate the fair value of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets based on the present value of estimated future cash flows.
 
We estimate fair value using discounted cash flows of the reporting units. The most significant assumptions used in these analyses are those made in estimating future cash flows. In estimating future cash flows, we use financial assumptions in our internal forecasting model such as projected capacity utilization, projected changes in the prices we charge for our services, projected labor costs, projected foreign currency exchange rates, as well as contract negotiation status. The financial and credit market volatility directly impacts our fair value measurement through our weighted average cost of capital that we use to determine our discount rate. We use a discount rate we consider appropriate for the country where the services are being provided. Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes and to estimate future cash flows to measure fair value. If actual results differ substantially from the assumptions used in performing the impairment test, the fair value of the reporting units may be significantly lower, causing the carrying value to exceed the fair value and indicating an impairment has occurred.  Events or changes that could negatively affect our key assumptions include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased competition or unexpected loss of components of our business, unexpected business disruptions (for example, due to a natural disaster or loss of a customer, supplier, or other significant business relationship), unexpected significant declines in operating results, significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate, or changes in management strategy.
 
We did not recognize any impairment charges for goodwill in the years presented, as our annual impairment testing indicated that all seven of our reporting units with goodwill had fair values that exceeded their respective carrying values.
 
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As outlined in Note 7, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” four of our seven reporting units with goodwill are at risk of future impairment as the fair value is not substantially in excess of carrying value (“cushion”).  Information related to these reporting units as of July 31, 2019, the date of our annual impairment test was as follows (in thousands):
 
Reporting Unit	Allocated Goodwill	 	 	Percentage by Which Fair Value Exceeds Carrying Value	
Clearlink (1)	$	74,161	 	 	10-20%	
Symphony (2)	$	35,691	 	 	10-20%	
Latin America (3)	$	19,501	 	 	30-40%	
Qelp (3)	$	9,892	 	 	10-20%	
 
(1)	Decrease in the fair value cushion from the prior year was primarily attributable to a decrease in the projected long-term growth rate of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product as well as a decline in projected revenue growth.	
(2)	Acquired on November 1, 2018 and as such, this was the first annual impairment test for this reporting unit.	
(3)	Decrease in the fair value cushion from the prior year was primarily attributable to an increase in the country-specific risk premium which increased the applied weighted average cost of capital.	
 
A hypothetical 10% decrease in the fair value of the Clearlink, Symphony, Latin America and Qelp reporting units would not have resulted in the recognition of an impairment loss as of the date of our annual impairment test.  Although we believe we have used reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair values of our reporting units with goodwill balances, these estimates and assumptions could be materially different from actual results. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected, or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair values below the respective carrying values, we may be required to recognize impairment charges, which may be material, in future periods.
We evaluate the carrying value of our other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is at the individual asset level or the asset group level. An asset is considered to be impaired when the forecasted undiscounted cash flows are estimated to be less than its carrying value. The amount of impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying value of the asset or asset group and its fair value, which is determined by an appropriate market appraisal or other valuation technique. Undiscounted cash flows are based on assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of the underlying investment could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the investment and, therefore, might require an impairment charge in the future. Assets classified as held-for-sale, if any, are recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.
New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
See Note 1, Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for information related to recent accounting pronouncements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Foreign Currency Risk
Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in currency exchange rates.  We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations when subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. Dollar (“USD”) are translated into our USD consolidated financial statements. As exchange rates vary, those results, when translated, may vary from expectations and adversely impact profitability. The cumulative translation effects for subsidiaries using functional currencies other than USD are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in shareholders’ equity. Movements in non-USD currency exchange rates may negatively or positively affect our competitive position, as exchange rate changes may affect business practices and/or pricing strategies of non-U.S. based competitors.
38

We employ a foreign currency risk management program that periodically utilizes derivative instruments to protect against unanticipated fluctuations in certain earnings and cash flows caused by volatility in foreign currency exchange (“FX”) rates. We also utilize derivative contracts to hedge foreign currency-denominated intercompany receivables and payables and to hedge net investments in foreign operations.
We serve a number of U.S.-based clients using customer engagement center capacity in the Philippines and Costa Rica, which are within our Americas segment. Although a substantial portion of the costs incurred to render services under these contracts are denominated in Philippine Pesos (“PHP”) and Costa Rican Colones (“CRC”), the contracts with these clients are priced in USDs, which represent FX exposures. Additionally, our EMEA segment services clients in Hungary and Romania with a substantial portion of the costs incurred to render services under these contracts denominated in Hungarian Forints and Romanian Leis, where the contracts are priced in Euros.
In order to hedge a portion of our anticipated revenues denominated in USD, we had outstanding forward contracts and options as of December 31, 2019 with counterparties through December 2020 with notional amounts totaling $116.0 million. As of December 31, 2019, we had net total derivative assets associated with these contracts with a fair value of $2.9 million. If the USD had weakened against the PHP and CRC by 10% as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we would have incurred a loss of approximately $9.9 million and $11.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, on the underlying exposures of the derivative instruments. However, these losses would be mitigated by corresponding gains on the underlying exposures.
We had outstanding forward exchange contracts as of December 31, 2019 with notional amounts totaling $19.3 million that are not designated as hedges. The purpose of these derivative instruments is to protect against FX volatility pertaining to intercompany receivables and payables, and other assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than our subsidiaries’ functional currencies.  As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of these derivatives was a net asset of $0.4 million. The potential loss in fair value at December 31, 2019 and 2018, for these contracts resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the foreign currency exchange rates is approximately $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. However, these losses would be mitigated by corresponding gains on the underlying exposures.
We evaluate the credit quality of potential counterparties to derivative transactions and only enter into contracts with those considered to have minimal credit risk. We periodically monitor changes to counterparty credit quality as well as our concentration of credit exposure to individual counterparties.
We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes, nor do we hedge our foreign currency exposure in a manner that entirely offsets the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates.  As a general rule, we do not use financial instruments to hedge local currency denominated operating expenses in countries where a natural hedge exists. For example, in many countries, revenue from the local currency services substantially offsets the local currency denominated operating expenses.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk results from variable rate debt outstanding under our revolving credit facility. We pay interest on outstanding borrowings at interest rates that fluctuate based upon changes in various base rates. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had $73.0 million and $102.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility, respectively.  Based on our level of variable rate debt outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, a 1.0% increase in the weighted average interest rate, which generally equals the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin, would have had an impact of $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, on our results of operations.
We have not historically used derivative instruments to manage exposure to changes in interest rates.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements and supplementary data required by this item are located beginning on page 48 and page 30 of this report, respectively.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Finance Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of December 31, 2019. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Finance Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2019.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.
We assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. In making this assessment, we used the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on our assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 41.

40

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, of the Company and our report dated February 27, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and schedule and included explanatory paragraphs regarding the Company’s adoption of new accounting standards.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Tampa, Florida
 
February 27, 2020
41

Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this Item, with the exception of information on Executive Officers which appears in this report in Item 1 under the caption “Information About Our Executive Officers,” will be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Finance Officer and other executive and senior financial officers. The full text of our code of ethics is posted on the investor relations page on our website which is located at http://investor.sykes.com under the heading “Documents & Charters” of the “Corporate Governance” section. We will post any amendments to our code of ethics, or waivers of its requirements, on our website.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

42

PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
Consolidated Financial Statements
The Index to Consolidated Financial Statements is set forth on page 48 of this report.
Financial Statements Schedule
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is set forth on page 107 of this report.
Other schedules have been omitted because they are not required or applicable or the information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
The following exhibits are filed with this Report or incorporated by reference:

Exhibit
Number	 	Exhibit Description	
 	 	 	
2.1	 	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 6, 2016, by and among Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, Sykes Acquisition Corporation II, Inc., Clear Link Holdings, LLC, and Pamlico Capital Management, L.P. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2016.)	
 	 	 	
3.1	 	Articles of Incorporation of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, as amended. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form S-3, Registration No. 333-38513, filed on October 23, 1997.)	
 	 	 	
3.2	 	Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, as amended. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-K filed on March 29, 1999.)	
 	 	 	
3.3	 	Bylaws of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, as amended. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-K filed on March 23, 2005.)	
 	 	 	
3.4	 	Amendment to Bylaws of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on March 24, 2014.)	
 	 	 	
4.1 (P)	 	Specimen certificate for the Common Stock of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated. (Incorporated herein by reference from exhibit to Form S-1, Registration No. 333-2324.)	
 	 	 	
4.2 +	 	Description of Registered Securities.	
 	 	 	
10.1 (P)*	 	Form of Split Dollar Plan Documents. (Incorporated herein by reference from exhibit to Form S-1, Registration No. 333-2324.)	
 	 	 	
10.2 (P)*	 	Form of Split Dollar Agreement. (Incorporated herein by reference from exhibit to Form S-1, Registration No. 333-2324.)	
 	 	 	
10.3 (P)	 	Form of Indemnity Agreement between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and directors & executive officers. (Incorporated herein by reference from exhibit to Form S-1, Registration No. 333-2324.)	
 	 	 	
10.4 *	 	Form of Restricted Share And Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement dated as of March 29, 2006. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2006.)	
 	 	 	
10.5 *	 	Form of Restricted Share And Bonus Award Agreement dated as of March 29, 2006. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2006.)	
 	 	 	
10.6 *	 	Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement dated as of May 24, 2006. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2006.)	
43

			
Exhibit
Number	 	Exhibit Description	
 	 	 	
10.7 *	 	Form of Restricted Share And Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement dated as of January 2, 2007. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed on December 28, 2006.)	
 	 	 	
10.8 *	 	Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement dated as of January 2, 2007. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K filed on December 28, 2006.)	
 	 	 	
10.9 *	 	Form of Restricted Share and Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement dated as of January 2, 2008. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2008.)	
 	 	 	
10.10 *	 	2011 Equity Incentive Plan. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.17 to Form 10-K filed on February 29, 2016.)	
 	 	 	
10.11 *	 	Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of December 30, 2008 between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and Charles E. Sykes. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.26 to Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2009.)	
 	 	 	
10.12 *	 	Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of December 29, 2008 between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and Jenna R. Nelson. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2009.)	
 	 	 	
10.13 *	 	Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of December 29, 2008 between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and James T. Holder. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.37 to Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2009.)	
 	 	 	
10.14 *	 	Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of December 29, 2008 between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and William N. Rocktoff. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.38 to Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2009.)	
 	 	 	
10.15 *	 	Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of December 29, 2008 between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and David L. Pearson. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.43 to Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2009.)	
 	 	 	
10.16	 	Lease Agreement, dated January 25, 2008, Lease Amendment Number One and Lease Amendment Number Two dated February 12, 2008 and May 28, 2008 respectively, between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and Kingstree Office One, LLC. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2008.)	
 	 	 	
10.17	 	Credit Agreement, dated May 12, 2015, between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, the lenders party thereto and KeyBank National Association, as Lead Arranger, Sole Book Runner and Administrative Agent. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2015.)	
 	 	 	
10.18	 	Credit Agreement, dated February 14, 2019, between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated; KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender; KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. as Lead Arranger and Sole Book Runner; and the lenders named therein (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2019.)	
 	 	 	
10.19 *	 	Employment Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2012, between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and Lawrence R. Zingale. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K filed on September 19, 2012.)	
 	 	 	
10.20 *	 	Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2014. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.35 to Form 10-K filed on February 19, 2015.)	
 	 	 	
10.21 *	 	Employment Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2014, between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and John Chapman. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2014.)	
44

			
Exhibit
Number	 	Exhibit Description	
 	 	 	
10.22 *	 	Employment Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2016, between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and James D. Farnsworth. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.36 to Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2017.)	
 	 	 	
10.23 *	 	Amended and Restated Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2016. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.37 to Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2017.)	
 	 	 	
10.24 *	 	First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of June 30, 2016. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.38 to Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2017.)	
 	 	 	
10.25 *	 	Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2017. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.39 to Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2017.)	
 	 	 	
10.26 *	 	Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2017. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2017.)	
 	 	 	
10.27 *	 	Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of July 1, 2017. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2017.)	
 	 	 	
10.28 *	 	Amended and Restated Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2018. (Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2017.)	
 	 	 	
10.29 *	 	2019 Equity Incentive Plan. (Incorporated herein by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement filed on April 19, 2019.)	
 	 	 	
21.1 +	 	List of subsidiaries of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.	
 	 	 	
23.1 +	 	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.	
 	 	 	
24.1 +	 	Power of Attorney relating to subsequent amendments (included on the signature page of this Report).	
 	 	 	
31.1 +	 	Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.	
 	 	 	
31.2 +	 	Certification of Chief Finance Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.	
 	 	 	
32.1 ++	 	Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	
 	 	 	
32.2 ++	 	Certification of Chief Finance Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	
 	 	 	
101.INS  +,#	 	XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.	
 	 	 	
101.SCH +,#	 	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document	
 	 	 	
101.CAL +,#	 	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
101.LAB +,#	 	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
101.PRE +,#	 	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
45

			
Exhibit
Number	 	Exhibit Description	
101.DEF +,#	 	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
104 #	 	The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101)	
 	 	 	
*	 	Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.	
 	 	 	
+	 	Filed herewith.	
 	 	 	
++	 	Furnished herewith.	
 	 	 	
#	 	Submitted electronically with this Annual Report.	
 	 	 	
(P)	 	This exhibit has been paper filed and is not subject to the hyperlinking requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.	
 
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not Applicable.
46

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 the City of Tampa, and State of Florida, on this 27th day of February 2020.
 
 	SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED	 	
	(Registrant)	 	
	 	 	 	
	By:	/s/ John Chapman	 	
	 	John Chapman	 	
	 	Chief Finance Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting 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 and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John Chapman his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and revocation, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or should do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Signature	 	Title	 	Date	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ James S. MacLeod	 	Chairman of the Board	 	February 27, 2020	
James S. MacLeod	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ Charles E. Sykes	 	President and Chief Executive Officer and	 	February 27, 2020	
Charles E. Sykes	 	Director (Principal Executive Officer)	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ Mark C. Bozek	 	Director	 	February 27, 2020	
Mark C. Bozek	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ Vanessa C.L. Chang	 	Director	 	February 27, 2020	
Vanessa C.L. Chang	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ Carlos E. Evans	 	Director	 	February 27, 2020	
Carlos E. Evans	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ Lorraine L. Lutton	 	Director	 	February 27, 2020	
Lorraine L. Lutton	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ William J. Meurer	 	Director	 	February 27, 2020	
William J. Meurer	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ William D. Muir, Jr.	 	Director	 	February 27, 2020	
William D. Muir, Jr.	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ W. Mark Watson	 	Director	 	February 27, 2020	
W. Mark Watson	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ John Chapman	 	Chief Finance Officer	 	February 27, 2020	
John Chapman	 	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	 	 	
 
47

 
Table of Contents	 	 	
 	 	Page	
 	 	 	
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	 	49	
 	 	 	
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018	 	51	
 	 	 	
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	 	52	
 	 	 	
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	 	53	
 	 	 	
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	 	54	
 	 	 	
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	 	55	
 	 	 	
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	 	57	

48

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Accounting Principles
As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases in the year ended December 31, 2019 due to adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for revenue in the year ended December 31, 2018 due to adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
49

Goodwill – Refer to Note 7 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of the reporting units using the income and market approaches. The goodwill balance was approximately $311 million as of December 31, 2019, of which $74.2 million, $41.3 million and $10.0 million was allocated to the Clearlink, Symphony and Qelp reporting units, respectively. The fair values of these reporting units exceeded their carrying values as of the annual measurement date, although the difference in fair value and carrying value for each of these reporting units was not substantial.
We identified goodwill for Clearlink, Symphony and Qelp as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and assumptions management makes to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit and considering the difference in fair value and carrying value for each of these reporting units. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin projections and the selection of the discount rates.  
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the EBITDA margin projections over the forecast period and selection of discount rates for the Clearlink, Symphony and Qelp reporting units included the following, among others:

•	We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, including those over management’s review of the EBITDA margin projections over the forecast period and discount rates utilized within the income approach, used in the determination of each reporting unit’s fair value.  	
•	We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s EBITDA margin projections over the forecast period by:	
 	o	Comparing actual results to management’s historical projections.	
 	o	Comparing the projections to management’s historical projections utilized in the prior year.  	
 	o	Comparing the Company’s projections to external industry reports.	
•	With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation methodology and (2) discount rates by:	
 	o	Testing the underlying source information and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations.	
 	o	Developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rates selected by management.	
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Tampa, Florida
  
February 27, 2020
 
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2001.

50

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(in thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2019	 	 	December 31, 2018	 	
Assets	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	127,246	 	 	$	128,697	 	
Receivables, net	 	390,147	 	 	 	347,425	 	
Prepaid expenses	 	20,868	 	 	 	23,754	 	
Other current assets	 	20,525	 	 	 	16,761	 	
Total current assets	 	558,786	 	 	 	516,637	 	
Property and equipment, net	 	125,990	 	 	 	135,418	 	
Operating lease right-of-use assets	 	205,112	 	 	 	—	 	
Goodwill, net	 	311,247	 	 	 	302,517	 	
Intangibles, net	 	158,420	 	 	 	174,031	 	
Deferred charges and other assets	 	55,945	 	 	 	43,364	 	
 	$	1,415,500	 	 	$	1,171,967	 	
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accounts payable	$	33,591	 	 	$	26,923	 	
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	 	109,591	 	 	 	95,813	 	
Income taxes payable	 	3,637	 	 	 	1,433	 	
Deferred revenue and customer liabilities	 	26,621	 	 	 	30,176	 	
Operating lease liabilities	 	50,863	 	 	 	—	 	
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	 	29,330	 	 	 	31,235	 	
Total current liabilities	 	253,633	 	 	 	185,580	 	
Long-term debt	 	73,000	 	 	 	102,000	 	
Long-term income tax liabilities	 	22,286	 	 	 	23,787	 	
Long-term operating lease liabilities	 	166,810	 	 	 	—	 	
Other long-term liabilities	 	25,296	 	 	 	33,991	 	
Total liabilities	 	541,025	 	 	 	345,358	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commitments and loss contingencies (Note 22)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Shareholders' equity:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 10,000 shares authorized;
   no shares issued and outstanding	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 200,000 shares authorized;
   41,549 and 42,778 shares issued, respectively	 	416	 	 	 	428	 	
Additional paid-in capital	 	288,935	 	 	 	286,544	 	
Retained earnings	 	634,668	 	 	 	598,788	 	
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	 	(47,001	)	 	 	(56,775	)	
Treasury stock at cost: 128 and 126 shares, respectively	 	(2,543	)	 	 	(2,376	)	
Total shareholders' equity	 	874,475	 	 	 	826,609	 	
 	$	1,415,500	 	 	$	1,171,967	 	
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
51

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
(in thousands, except per share data)	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Revenues	$	1,614,762	 	 	$	1,625,687	 	 	$	1,586,008	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Direct salaries and related costs	 	1,042,289	 	 	 	1,072,907	 	 	 	1,039,677	 	
General and administrative	 	412,407	 	 	 	407,285	 	 	 	376,825	 	
Depreciation, net	 	51,916	 	 	 	57,350	 	 	 	55,972	 	
Amortization of intangibles	 	16,639	 	 	 	15,542	 	 	 	21,082	 	
Impairment of long-lived assets	 	1,711	 	 	 	9,401	 	 	 	5,410	 	
Total operating expenses	 	1,524,962	 	 	 	1,562,485	 	 	 	1,498,966	 	
Income from operations	 	89,800	 	 	 	63,202	 	 	 	87,042	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest income	 	846	 	 	 	706	 	 	 	696	 	
Interest (expense)	 	(4,309	)	 	 	(4,743	)	 	 	(7,689	)	
Other income (expense), net	 	(414	)	 	 	(2,248	)	 	 	1,258	 	
Total other income (expense), net	 	(3,877	)	 	 	(6,285	)	 	 	(5,735	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before income taxes	 	85,923	 	 	 	56,917	 	 	 	81,307	 	
Income taxes	 	21,842	 	 	 	7,991	 	 	 	49,091	 	
Net income	$	64,081	 	 	$	48,926	 	 	$	32,216	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income per common share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	$	1.54	 	 	$	1.16	 	 	$	0.77	 	
Diluted	$	1.53	 	 	$	1.16	 	 	$	0.76	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	 	41,649	 	 	 	42,090	 	 	 	41,822	 	
Diluted	 	41,802	 	 	 	42,246	 	 	 	42,141	 	
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

52

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
(in thousands)	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Net income	$	64,081	 	 	$	48,926	 	 	$	32,216	 	
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	 	5,504	 	 	 	(21,938	)	 	 	36,078	 	
Unrealized gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net
   of taxes	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(5,220	)	
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging
   instruments, net of taxes	 	4,154	 	 	 	(4,335	)	 	 	4,696	 	
Unrealized actuarial gain (loss) related to pension
   liability, net of taxes	 	68	 	 	 	682	 	 	 	449	 	
Unrealized gain (loss) on postretirement obligation, net
   of taxes	 	48	 	 	 	(80	)	 	 	(80	)	
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	 	9,774	 	 	 	(25,671	)	 	 	35,923	 	
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	73,855	 	 	$	23,255	 	 	$	68,139	 	
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

53

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
 
 	Common Stock	 	 	Additional	 	 	 	 	 	 	Accumulated
Other	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(in thousands)	Shares
Issued	 	 	Amount	 	 	Paid-in
Capital	 	 	Retained
Earnings	 	 	Comprehensive
Income (Loss)	 	 	Treasury Stock	 	 	Total	 	
Balance at January 1, 2017	 	42,895	 	 	$	429	 	 	$	281,357	 	 	$	518,611	 	 	$	(67,027	)	 	$	(8,848	)	 	$	724,522	 	
Cumulative effect of accounting change	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	232	 	 	 	(153	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	79	 	
Stock-based compensation expense	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,621	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,621	 	
Issuance of common stock under equity
   award plans, net of forfeitures	 	386	 	 	 	4	 	 	 	250	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(254	)	 	 	—	 	
Shares repurchased for tax withholding on
   equity awards	 	(132	)	 	 	(1	)	 	 	(3,881	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,882	)	
Retirement of treasury stock	 	(250	)	 	 	(3	)	 	 	(3,194	)	 	 	(3,831	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,028	 	 	 	—	 	
Comprehensive income (loss)	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,216	 	 	 	35,923	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	68,139	 	
Balance at December 31, 2017	 	42,899	 	 	 	429	 	 	 	282,385	 	 	 	546,843	 	 	 	(31,104	)	 	 	(2,074	)	 	 	796,479	 	
Cumulative effect of accounting change (Note 2)	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,019	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,019	 	
Stock-based compensation expense	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,543	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,543	 	
Issuance of common stock under equity
   award plans, net of forfeitures	 	(3	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	302	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(302	)	 	 	—	 	
Shares repurchased for tax withholding on
   equity awards	 	(118	)	 	 	(1	)	 	 	(3,686	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,687	)	
Comprehensive income (loss)	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	48,926	 	 	 	(25,671	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	23,255	 	
Balance at December 31, 2018	 	42,778	 	 	 	428	 	 	 	286,544	 	 	 	598,788	 	 	 	(56,775	)	 	 	(2,376	)	 	 	826,609	 	
Cumulative effect of accounting change (Note 3)	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	110	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	110	 	
Stock-based compensation expense	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,396	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,396	 	
Issuance of common stock under equity
   award plans, net of forfeitures	 	9	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	167	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(167	)	 	 	—	 	
Shares repurchased for tax withholding on
   equity awards	 	(98	)	 	 	(1	)	 	 	(3,213	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,214	)	
Repurchase of common stock	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(30,281	)	 	 	(30,281	)	
Retirement of treasury stock	 	(1,140	)	 	 	(11	)	 	 	(1,959	)	 	 	(28,311	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	30,281	 	 	 	—	 	
Comprehensive income (loss)	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	64,081	 	 	 	9,774	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	73,855	 	
Balance at December 31, 2019	 	41,549	 	 	$	416	 	 	$	288,935	 	 	$	634,668	 	 	$	(47,001	)	 	$	(2,543	)	 	$	874,475	 	
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

54

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
(in thousands)	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Cash flows from operating activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	$	64,081	 	 	$	48,926	 	 	$	32,216	 	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
   activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation	 	52,149	 	 	 	57,817	 	 	 	56,482	 	
Amortization of intangibles	 	16,639	 	 	 	15,542	 	 	 	21,082	 	
Amortization of deferred grants	 	(351	)	 	 	(657	)	 	 	(716	)	
Impairment losses	 	1,711	 	 	 	9,401	 	 	 	5,410	 	
Unrealized foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, net	 	(2,304	)	 	 	(843	)	 	 	(4,671	)	
Stock-based compensation expense	 	7,396	 	 	 	7,543	 	 	 	7,621	 	
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	 	282	 	 	 	(1,509	)	 	 	7,908	 	
Net (gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	 	383	 	 	 	312	 	 	 	474	 	
Unrealized (gains) losses and premiums on financial instruments, net	 	(1,059	)	 	 	805	 	 	 	(98	)	
Amortization of deferred loan fees	 	283	 	 	 	269	 	 	 	269	 	
Net (gain) on insurance settlement	 	(1,133	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Imputed interest expense and fair value adjustments to contingent
   consideration	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(529	)	
Other	 	950	 	 	 	834	 	 	 	(34	)	
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Receivables, net	 	(40,239	)	 	 	(8,224	)	 	 	(10,154	)	
Prepaid expenses	 	(284	)	 	 	(1,690	)	 	 	(221	)	
Other current assets	 	(138	)	 	 	(693	)	 	 	(1,433	)	
Deferred charges and other assets	 	(12,197	)	 	 	(13,621	)	 	 	(930	)	
Accounts payable	 	2,099	 	 	 	(1,571	)	 	 	7,286	 	
Income taxes receivable / payable	 	(81	)	 	 	(1,066	)	 	 	1,137	 	
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	 	9,409	 	 	 	(6,418	)	 	 	5,101	 	
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	 	3,465	 	 	 	449	 	 	 	(5,548	)	
Deferred revenue and customer liabilities	 	(4,521	)	 	 	(1,623	)	 	 	(5,866	)	
Other long-term liabilities	 	3,909	 	 	 	5,111	 	 	 	20,003	 	
Operating lease assets and liabilities	 	834	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	 	101,283	 	 	 	109,094	 	 	 	134,789	 	
Cash flows from investing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Capital expenditures	 	(38,698	)	 	 	(46,884	)	 	 	(63,344	)	
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	 	(3,133	)	 	 	(78,395	)	 	 	(9,075	)	
Proceeds from property and equipment insurance settlement	 	1,190	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net investment hedge settlement	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(5,122	)	
Purchase of intangible assets	 	(292	)	 	 	(8,156	)	 	 	(4,825	)	
Investment in equity method investees	 	—	 	 	 	(5,000	)	 	 	(5,012	)	
Other	 	346	 	 	 	1,495	 	 	 	101	 	
Net cash (used for) investing activities	 	(40,587	)	 	 	(136,940	)	 	 	(87,277	)	
55

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Continued)
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
(in thousands)	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Cash flows from financing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Payments of long-term debt	 	(58,000	)	 	 	(231,000	)	 	 	—	 	
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	 	29,000	 	 	 	58,000	 	 	 	8,000	 	
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock	 	(30,281	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Proceeds from grants	 	—	 	 	 	31	 	 	 	163	 	
Shares repurchased for tax withholding on equity awards	 	(3,214	)	 	 	(3,687	)	 	 	(3,882	)	
Cash paid for loan fees related to long-term debt	 	(1,098	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Payments of contingent consideration related to acquisitions	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(5,760	)	
Net cash (used for) financing activities	 	(63,593	)	 	 	(176,656	)	 	 	(1,479	)	
Effects of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	 	1,851	 	 	 	(10,072	)	 	 	31,178	 	
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	 	(1,046	)	 	 	(214,574	)	 	 	77,211	 	
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning	 	130,231	 	 	 	344,805	 	 	 	267,594	 	
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – ending	$	129,185	 	 	$	130,231	 	 	$	344,805	 	
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash paid during period for interest	$	3,500	 	 	$	3,888	 	 	$	6,680	 	
Cash paid during period for income taxes	$	24,049	 	 	$	19,587	 	 	$	24,342	 	
Non-cash transactions:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property and equipment additions in accounts payable	$	5,970	 	 	$	1,944	 	 	$	6,056	 	
Unrealized gain (loss) on postretirement obligation, net of taxes, in
   accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	48	 	 	$	(80	)	 	$	(80	)	
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

56

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Note 1. Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business — Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and consolidated subsidiaries (“SYKES” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of multichannel demand generation and global customer engagement services.  SYKES provides differentiated full lifecycle customer engagement solutions and services primarily to Global 2000 companies and their end customers within the financial services, communications, technology, transportation & leisure, healthcare and other industries. SYKES primarily provides customer engagement solutions and services with an emphasis on inbound multichannel demand generation, customer service and technical support to its clients’ customers. Utilizing SYKES’ integrated onshore/offshore global delivery model, SYKES provides its services through multiple communication channels including phone, e-mail, social media, text messaging, chat and digital self-service. SYKES also provides various enterprise support services in the United States that include services for its clients’ internal support operations, from technical staffing services to outsourced corporate help desk services. In Europe, SYKES also provides fulfillment services, which include order processing, payment processing, inventory control, product delivery and product returns handling. Additionally, through the Company’s acquisition of robotic processing automation (“RPA”) provider Symphony Ventures Ltd (“Symphony”) coupled with our investment in artificial intelligence (“AI”) through XSell Technologies, Inc. (“XSell”), the Company also provides a suite of solutions such as consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services that optimizes its differentiated full lifecycle management services platform. The Company has operations in two reportable segments entitled (1) the Americas, in which the client base is primarily companies in the United States that are using the Company’s services to support their customer management needs, which includes the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific Rim; and (2) EMEA, which includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
U.S. 2017 Tax Reform Act
On December 20, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Reform Act”) was approved by Congress and received presidential approval on December 22, 2017. In general, the 2017 Tax Reform Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective in 2018. The 2017 Tax Reform Act moved from a worldwide business taxation approach to a participation exemption regime. The 2017 Tax Reform Act also imposed base-erosion prevention measures on non-U.S. earnings of U.S. entities, as well as a one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax on accumulated non-U.S. earnings. The impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act on the Company’s consolidated financial results began with the fourth quarter of 2017, the period of enactment. This impact, along with the transitional taxes discussed in Note 20, Income Taxes, is reflected in the Other segment.
Acquisitions
The Company completed three acquisitions during 2017 and 2018, all of which were immaterial to the Company individually and in the aggregate.  See Note 4, Acquisitions, for further information.
Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SYKES and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and controlled majority-owned subsidiaries. Investments in less than majority-owned subsidiaries in which the Company does not have a controlling interest, but does have significant influence, are accounted for as equity method investments. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  
Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles” or “U.S. GAAP”)  requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Subsequent Events — Subsequent events or transactions have been evaluated through the date and time of issuance of the consolidated financial statements. There were no material subsequent events that required recognition or disclosure in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
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Revenues — The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), whereby revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the Company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. Under ASC 606, the Company accounts for a contract with a client when it has approval, the contract is committed, the rights of the parties, including payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and consideration is probable of collection. The Company’s sales commissions are expensed as incurred because they are not directly incremental to obtaining customer contracts.
The Americas and EMEA regions primarily provide customer engagement solutions and services with an emphasis on inbound multichannel demand generation, customer service and technical support to our clients’ customers. These services, which represented 97.7%, 99.0% and 99.4% of consolidated revenues in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are delivered through multiple communication channels including phone, e-mail, social media, text messaging, chat and digital self-service.
Customer engagement solutions and services contracts have a single stand-ready performance obligation as the promise to transfer the customer solutions and services are not separately identifiable from other promises in the contract, and therefore not distinct. Because the Company’s customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of its services as they are delivered, the performance obligations are satisfied over time, and revenues are recognized over time using output methods such as a per minute, per hour, per call, per transaction or per time and materials basis. These output methods faithfully depict the satisfaction of the Company’s obligation to deliver the services as requested and represent a direct measurement of value to the customer.
The stated terms of these contracts range from 30 days to six years. The majority of these contracts include termination for convenience or without cause provisions allowing either party to cancel the contract without substantial cost or penalty within a defined notification period (“termination rights”), typically up to 180 days. Only the noncancelable portion of the contract qualifies as a legally enforceable contract under ASC 606 and any unsatisfied performance obligations are accounted for as deferred revenue. Periods that extend beyond the legally enforceable contract period are considered optional purchases of additional services.  As these options typically do not represent a material right, the amount of up-front fees received for periods that extend beyond the legally enforceable contract period are accounted for as customer arrangements with termination rights.
Invoices are generally issued on a monthly basis as control transfers and payment is typically due within 30 or 60 days of the invoice date. Revenue recognition is limited to the established transaction price, the amount to which the Company expects to be entitled to under the contract, including the amount of expected fees for those contracts with renewal provisions, and the amount that is not contingent upon delivery of any future product or service or meeting other specified performance obligations. The Company’s customer contracts include penalty and holdback provisions for failure to meet specified minimum service levels and other performance-based contingencies, as well as the right of certain of the Company’s clients to chargeback accounts that do not meet certain requirements for specified periods after a sale has occurred. Certain customers also receive cash discounts for early payment. These provisions are accounted for as variable consideration and are estimated using the expected value method based on historical service and pricing trends, the individual contract provisions, and the Company’s best judgment at the time. None of these variable consideration components are subject to constraint due to the short time period to resolution, the Company’s extensive history with similar transactions, and the limited number of possible outcomes and third-party influence. The portion of the consideration received under the contract that the Company expects to ultimately refund to the customer is excluded from the transaction price and is recorded as an estimated refund liability. The transaction price, once determined, is allocated to the single performance obligation on a contract by contract basis.
The Company also provides RPA, fulfillment and enterprise support services which are immaterial in total.
For additional information refer to Note 2, Revenues.
Deferred revenues and customer liabilities — Deferred revenues consist of up-front fees received in connection with certain contracts to the extent a legally enforceable contract exists. Accordingly, the up-front fees allocated to a contract’s termination notification period, typically varying periods up to 180 days, are recorded as deferred revenue, while the fees that extend beyond the notification period are classified as customer arrangements with termination rights. These up-front fees do not represent a significant financing component since they were structured primarily to reduce the administrative burden in managing the operations of certain contracts, to provide the
58

customer with un-interrupted service, and to assist in managing the overall risk and profitability of providing the services.
Customer liabilities consist of customer arrangements with termination rights and estimated refund liabilities. Customer arrangements with termination rights represent the amount of up-front fees received for periods that extend beyond the legally enforceable contract period. All customer arrangements with termination rights are classified as current as the customer can terminate the contracts and demand pro-rata refunds of the up-front fees over varying periods, typically up to 180 days. Estimated refund liabilities represent consideration received under the contract that the Company expects to ultimately refund to the customer and primarily relates to estimated penalties, holdbacks and chargebacks. Penalties and holdbacks result from the failure to meet specified minimum service levels in certain contracts and other performance-based contingencies. Chargebacks reflect the right of certain of the Company’s clients to chargeback accounts that do not meet certain requirements for specified periods after a sale has occurred.
For additional information refer to Note 2, Revenues.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted cash — Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid short-term investments, primarily held in non-interest-bearing investments which have original maturities of less than 90 days. Cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $127.2 million and $128.7 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were primarily held in non-interest-bearing accounts. Cash and cash equivalents of $125.3 million and $115.7 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were held in international operations. Most of these funds will not be subject to additional taxes if repatriated to the United States. There are circumstances where the Company may be unable to repatriate some of the cash and cash equivalents held by its international operations due to country restrictions.
Restricted cash includes cash whereby the Company’s ability to use the funds at any time is contractually limited or is generally designated for specific purposes arising out of certain contractual or other obligations.  
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	 	2016	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	127,246	 	 	$	128,697	 	 	$	343,734	 	 	$	266,675	 	
Restricted cash included in "Other current assets"	 	568	 	 	 	149	 	 	 	154	 	 	 	160	 	
Restricted cash included in "Deferred charges and other assets"	 	1,371	 	 	 	1,385	 	 	 	917	 	 	 	759	 	
 	$	129,185	 	 	$	130,231	 	 	$	344,805	 	 	$	267,594	 	
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts — The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts on trade account receivables for estimated losses arising from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company’s estimate is based on qualitative and quantitative analyses, including credit risk measurement tools and methodologies using publicly available credit and capital market information, a review of the current status of the Company’s trade accounts receivable and the historical collection experience of the Company’s clients. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts will increase if the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in a reduced ability to make payments.
Property and Equipment — Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Improvements to leased premises are amortized over the shorter of the related lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Cost and related accumulated depreciation on assets retired or disposed of are removed from the accounts and any resulting gains or losses are credited or charged to income. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred, if any, to internally develop software during the application development stages. Costs incurred in the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are expensed as incurred.  
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The carrying value of property and equipment to be held and used is evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are identifiable cash flows (the “asset group”).  An asset is considered to be impaired when the sum of the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition does not exceed its carrying amount. The amount of the impairment loss, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, which is generally determined based on appraisals or sales prices of comparable assets or independent third party offers. Other than what has been disclosed in Note 6, Fair Value, the Company determined that its property and equipment was not impaired as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Goodwill — The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets under ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). The Company expects to receive future benefits from previously acquired goodwill over an indefinite period of time.  For goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization, the Company reviews goodwill and intangible assets for impairment at least annually in the third quarter, and more frequently in the presence of certain circumstances. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company may elect to forgo this option and proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment test.  If the Company elects to perform the qualitative assessment and it indicates that a significant decline to fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not, or if a reporting unit’s fair value has historically been closer to its carrying value, or the Company elects to forgo this qualitative assessment, the Company will proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment test where the fair value of a reporting unit is calculated based on discounted future probability-weighted cash flows. If the quantitative goodwill impairment test indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit is in excess of its fair value, the Company will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
Intangible Assets — Definite-lived intangible assets, primarily customer relationships, are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which approximate the pattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are consumed. The Company periodically evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets and takes into account events or changes in circumstances that warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate that impairment exists. Fair value for intangible assets is based on discounted cash flows, market multiples and/or appraised values, as appropriate.
Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect tax consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, both positive and negative, for each respective tax jurisdiction, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in accordance with the criteria of ASC 740. Valuation allowances are established against deferred tax assets due to an uncertainty of realization. Valuation allowances are reviewed each period on a tax jurisdiction by tax jurisdiction basis to analyze whether there is sufficient positive or negative evidence, in accordance with criteria of ASC 740, to support a change in judgment about the ability to realize the related deferred tax assets. Uncertainties regarding expected future income in certain jurisdictions could affect the realization of deferred tax assets in those jurisdictions.  
The Company evaluates tax positions that have been taken or are expected to be taken in its tax returns and records a liability for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. First, tax positions are recognized if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. Second, the tax position is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
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Self-Insurance Programs — The Company self-insures for certain levels of workers' compensation and self-funds the medical, prescription drug and dental benefit plans in the United States.  Estimated costs are accrued at the projected settlements for known and anticipated claims. Amounts related to these self-insurance programs are included in “Accrued employee compensation and benefits” and “Other long-term liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Investments in Equity Method Investees — The Company uses the equity method to account for investments in companies if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies of the investee. The Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of an equity method investment is included in consolidated net income. Judgment regarding the level of influence over an equity method investment includes considering key factors such as the Company’s ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in policy-making decisions and material intercompany transactions.
The Company evaluates an equity method investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company when reviewing an equity method investment for impairment include the length of time (duration) and the extent (severity) to which the fair value of the equity method investment has been less than cost, the investee’s financial condition and near-term prospects, and the intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery. An impairment that is other-than-temporary is recognized in the period identified.  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not identify any instances where the carrying values of its equity method investments were not recoverable.
In July 2017, the Company made a strategic investment of $10.0 million in XSell for 32.8% of XSell’s preferred stock. The Company’s net investment in XSell of $8.7 million and $9.2 million was included in “Deferred charges and other assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  The Company’s investment was paid in two installments of $5.0 million, one in July 2017 and one in August 2018. The Company’s proportionate share of XSell’s income (loss) of $(0.5) million, $(0.7) million and $(0.1) million was included in “Other income (expense), net” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  
Customer-Acquisition Advertising Costs — The Company’s advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Total advertising costs included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Customer-acquisition advertising costs included
   in "Direct salaries and related costs"	$	47,313	 	 	$	49,657	 	 	$	36,659	 	
 
Stock-Based Compensation —In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), the Company recognizes in its accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees and directors. Compensation expense for equity-based awards is recognized over the requisite service period, usually the vesting period, while compensation expense for liability-based awards (those usually settled in cash rather than stock) is re-measured to fair value at each balance sheet date until the awards are settled.  See Note 24, Stock-Based Compensation, for further information.  
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:
 	•	Cash, short-term and other investments, investments held in rabbi trust and accounts payable — The carrying values for cash, short-term and other investments, investments held in rabbi trust and accounts payable approximate their fair values.	
 	•	Foreign currency forward contracts and options — Foreign currency forward contracts and options, including premiums paid on options, are recognized at fair value based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments or, if none are available, on pricing models or formulas using current market and model assumptions, including adjustments for credit risk.	
 	•	Embedded derivatives — Embedded derivatives within certain hybrid lease agreements are bifurcated from the host contract and recognized at fair value based on pricing models or formulas using significant unobservable inputs, including adjustments for credit risk.	
 	•	Long-term debt — The carrying value of long-term debt approximates its estimated fair value as the debt bears interest based on variable market rates, as outlined in the debt agreement.	
 	•	Contingent consideration — Contingent consideration is recognized at fair value based on the discounted cash flow method.	
Fair Value Measurements — ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.
Fair Value Hierarchy — ASC 820 requires disclosure about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of observable or unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:
 	•	Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.	
 	•	Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.	
 	•	Level 3 — Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.	
Determination of Fair Value — The Company generally uses quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access to determine fair value and classifies such items in Level 1. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed valuation techniques that use, where possible, current market-based or independently sourced market parameters, such as interest rates, currency rates, etc. Assets or liabilities valued using such internally generated valuation techniques are classified according to the lowest level input or value driver that is significant to the valuation. Thus, an item may be classified in Level 3 even though there may be some significant inputs that are readily observable.
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each asset or liability is generally classified.
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Money Market and Open-End Mutual Funds — The Company uses quoted market prices in active markets to determine the fair value.  These items are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Foreign Currency Contracts — The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts and options over-the-counter and values such contracts using quoted market prices of comparable instruments or, if none are available, on pricing models or formulas using current market and model assumptions, including adjustments for credit risk. The key inputs include forward or option foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. These items are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Embedded Derivatives — The Company uses significant unobservable inputs to determine the fair value of embedded derivatives, which are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  These unobservable inputs include expected cash flows associated with the lease, currency exchange rates on the day of commencement, as well as forward currency exchange rates; results of which are adjusted for credit risk. These items are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 12, Financial Derivatives, for further information.
Investments Held in Rabbi Trust — The investment assets of the rabbi trust are valued using quoted market prices in active markets, which are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For additional information about the deferred compensation plan, refer to Note 13, Investments Held in Rabbi Trust, and Note 24, Stock-Based Compensation.
Contingent Consideration — The Company uses significant unobservable inputs to determine the fair value of contingent consideration, which is classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The contingent consideration recorded related to the liabilities assumed as part of the Clearlink acquisition was recognized at fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology and a discount rate of approximately 10.0%. The discount rate varies dependent on the specific risks of each acquisition including the country of operation, the nature of services and complexity of the acquired business, and other similar factors, all of which are significant inputs not observable in the market.  Significant increases or decreases in any of the inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.
Foreign Currency Translation — The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency is other than the U.S. Dollar, are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date, and income and expenses are translated at the weighted average exchange rate during the period. The net effect of translation gains and losses is not included in determining net income, but is included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”), which is reflected as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until the sale or until the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the foreign subsidiary. Foreign currency transactional gains and losses are included in “Other income (expense), net” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Foreign Currency and Derivative Instruments — The Company accounts for financial derivative instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The Company generally utilizes forward contracts and options expiring within one to 24 months to reduce its foreign currency exposure due to exchange rate fluctuations on forecasted cash flows denominated in non-functional foreign currencies and net investments in foreign operations. In using derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to changes in exchange rates, the Company exposes itself to counterparty credit risk.
The Company designates derivatives as either (1) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow” hedge); (2) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation (“net investment” hedge); or (3) a derivative that does not qualify for hedge accounting.  To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be highly effective in mitigating the designated risk of the hedged item. Effectiveness of the hedge is formally assessed at inception and throughout the life of the hedging relationship.
For cash flow hedges, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness is reported in AOCI until the hedged transaction affects earnings. At that time, this amount is reclassified from AOCI and recognized within “Revenues.”
For net investment hedges, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness is recorded in cumulative translation adjustment (“CTA”) in AOCI. That amount will remain in CTA until the period in which the hedged item affects earnings. At that time, the amount in CTA is reclassified to the same income statement line where the earnings effect of the hedged item is presented.  The Company has elected
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the spot method for assessing the effectiveness of net investment hedges and will record the amortization of excluded components of net investment hedges in “Other income (expense), net” in its consolidated financial statements.
Cash flows from the derivative contracts are classified within the operating section in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedging activities. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective on a prospective and retrospective basis. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge or if a forecasted hedge is no longer probable of occurring, or if the Company de-designates a derivative as a hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, all hedges were determined to be highly effective.
The Company also periodically enters into forward contracts that are not designated as hedges as defined under ASC 815. The purpose of these derivative instruments is to reduce the effects from fluctuations caused by volatility in currency exchange rates on the Company’s operating results and cash flows. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are included in “Revenues” or “Other income (expense), net”, depending on the underlying risk exposure.  See Note 12, Financial Derivatives, for further information.
Loss Contingencies
Contingencies are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable, or otherwise disclosed, in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies (“ASC 450”). Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In the event the Company determines that a loss is not probable, but is reasonably possible, and it becomes possible to develop what the Company believes to be a reasonable range of possible loss, then the Company will include disclosures related to such matter as appropriate and in compliance with ASC 450. See Note 22, Commitments and Loss Contingencies, for further information.
Reclassifications — Certain balances in prior years have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.  
New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). These amendments require measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for financial assets held. Entities are required to measure all expected credit losses for most financial assets held at the reporting date based on an expected loss model which includes historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  Subsequently, the FASB issued several amendments. ASU 2016-13 and the subsequent amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.
The Company’s implementation team completed its assessment of its data and the design of its financial models to estimate expected credit losses and evaluated the critical factors of ASU 2016-13 to determine its impact on the Company’s business processes, systems, and internal controls. The Company will apply ASU 2016-13 to its trade receivables but expects the adoption of the amendments on January 1, 2020 to have an immaterial impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows because credit losses associated with trade receivables have historically been insignificant. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 will require expanded quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the Company’s expected credit losses.
Income Taxes
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). These amendments simplify the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions and also clarifying and amending certain aspects of existing guidance.  These amendments are effective
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for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020.  Most of the amendments are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the amendments in ASU 2019-12 and is assessing the timing of its adoption but does not expect a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows.
Fair Value Measurements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). These amendments remove, modify or add certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.  These amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.  Certain of the amendments will be applied prospectively in the initial year of adoption while the remainder are required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect its adoption of ASU 2018-13 on January 1, 2020 to have a material impact on its disclosures.
Retirement Benefits
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20) – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU 2018-14”). These amendments remove, modify or add certain disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans.  These amendments are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted.  The Company does not expect its adoption of ASU 2018-14 to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures and does not expect to early adopt the standard.
Cloud Computing
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”). These amendments align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. These amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application permitted in any interim period after issuance of this update.  The amendments should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption.  The Company does not expect its adoption of ASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2020 to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures and does not expect to early adopt the standard.
Codification Improvements – Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Financial Instruments
In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments (“ASU 2019-04”). These amendments clarify new standards on credit losses, hedging and recognizing and measuring financial instruments and address implementation issues stakeholders have raised. The credit losses and hedging amendments have the same effective dates as the respective standards, unless an entity has already adopted the standards. The amendments related to recognizing and measuring financial instruments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2019-04 on January 1, 2020 to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
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New Accounting Standards Recently Adopted
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”) and subsequent amendments (together, “ASC 842”). These amendments require the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under ASC 840, Leases (“ASC 840”). These amendments also require qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures. These amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted.  Entities have the option to either apply the amendments (1) at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements or (2) at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without the need to restate prior periods. There are also certain optional practical expedients that an entity may elect to apply.  The Company adopted ASC 842 as of January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition, with the cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the effective date. Periods prior to January 1, 2019 have not been restated.  
See Note 3, Leases, for further details as well as the Company’s significant accounting policy for leases.
Derivatives and Hedging
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedge Activities (“ASU 2017-12”). These amendments help simplify certain aspects of hedge accounting and better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results.  For cash flow and net investment hedges as of the adoption date, the guidance requires a modified retrospective approach. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively.  These amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application permitted in any interim period after issuance of this update.  The adoption of ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2019 did not have a material impact on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures of the Company.  No cumulative-effect adjustment was recorded to opening retained earnings on the date of adoption as there was no ineffectiveness previously recorded in retained earnings that would have been included in other comprehensive income if the new guidance had been applied since hedge inception. Upon adoption of ASU 2017-12, the Company elected the spot method for assessing the effectiveness of net investment hedges and will record the amortization of excluded components of net investment hedges in “Other income (expense), net” in its consolidated financial statements. 
 
Note 2. Revenues
Adoption of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, which includes ASU 2014-09 and all related amendments, using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. The Company recorded an increase to opening retained earnings of $3.0 million as of January 1, 2018 due to the cumulative impact of adopting ASC 606.  The impact, all in the Americas segment, primarily related to the change in the timing of revenue recognition associated with certain customer contracts that provide fees upon renewal, as well as changes in estimating variable consideration with respect to penalty and holdback provisions for failure to meet specified minimum service levels and other performance-based contingencies.  
Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting for revenues under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). Revenues recognized under ASC 606 were higher during 2018 than revenues would have been under ASC 605. This is primarily attributable to the change in the timing of revenue recognition, as discussed above. The impact on revenues recognized for the year ended December 31, 2018 is reported below.
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The financial statement line items impacted by the adoption of ASC 606 in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, including the impact of acquisitions, were as follows, along with the impact per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 	As Reported	 	 	Balances
Without the
Impact of
the ASC 606
Adoption	 	 	Effect of
Adoption
Increase
(Decrease)	 	
Revenues	$	1,625,687	 	 	$	1,608,731	 	 	$	16,956	 	
Direct salaries and related costs	 	1,072,907	 	 	 	1,069,667	 	 	 	3,240	 	
Income from operations	 	63,202	 	 	 	49,486	 	 	 	13,716	 	
Income before income taxes	 	56,917	 	 	 	43,201	 	 	 	13,716	 	
Income taxes	 	7,991	 	 	 	4,833	 	 	 	3,158	 	
Net income	 	48,926	 	 	 	38,368	 	 	 	10,558	 	
Net income per common share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	$	1.16	 	 	$	0.91	 	 	$	0.25	 	
Diluted	$	1.16	 	 	$	0.91	 	 	$	0.25	 	
 
The Company’s net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 did not change due to the adoption of ASC 606.
 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 
Customer Engagement Solutions and Services
 
The Company provides customer engagement solutions and services with an emphasis on inbound multichannel demand generation, customer service and technical support to its clients’ customers. These services are delivered through multiple communication channels including phone, e-mail, social media, text messaging, chat and digital self-service. Revenues for customer engagement solutions and services are recognized over time using output methods such as a per minute, per hour, per call, per transaction or per time and materials basis.
Other Revenues
The Company offers RPA services, including RPA consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services for front, middle and back-office processes, in Europe and the U.S. Revenues are primarily recognized over time using output methods such as per time and materials basis.
The Company offers fulfillment services that are integrated with its customer care and technical support services, primarily to clients operating in Europe. The Company’s fulfillment solutions include order processing, payment processing, inventory control, product delivery and product returns handling. Revenues are recognized upon shipment to the customer and satisfaction of all obligations.
The Company provides a range of enterprise support services including technical staffing services and outsourced corporate help desk services, primarily in the U.S. Revenues are recognized over time using output methods such as number of positions filled.
The Company also has miscellaneous other revenues in the Other segment.
Disaggregated Revenues
The Company disaggregates its revenues from contracts with customers by service type and delivery location (see Note 25, Segments and Geographic Information), for each of its reportable segments, as the Company believes it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of its revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
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The following table represents revenues from contracts with customers disaggregated by service type and by the reportable segment for each category (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	
Americas:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Customer engagement solutions
   and services	$	1,295,636	 	 	 	80.3	%	 	$	1,329,614	 	 	 	81.8	%	 	$	1,324,534	 	 	 	83.5	%	
Other revenues	 	1,024	 	 	 	0.0	%	 	 	1,024	 	 	 	0.1	%	 	 	1,109	 	 	 	0.1	%	
Total Americas	 	1,296,660	 	 	 	80.3	%	 	 	1,330,638	 	 	 	81.9	%	 	 	1,325,643	 	 	 	83.6	%	
EMEA:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Customer engagement solutions
   and services	 	281,302	 	 	 	17.4	%	 	 	280,437	 	 	 	17.2	%	 	 	252,423	 	 	 	15.9	%	
Other revenues	 	36,711	 	 	 	2.3	%	 	 	14,517	 	 	 	0.9	%	 	 	7,860	 	 	 	0.5	%	
Total EMEA	 	318,013	 	 	 	19.7	%	 	 	294,954	 	 	 	18.1	%	 	 	260,283	 	 	 	16.4	%	
Other:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other revenues	 	89	 	 	 	0.0	%	 	 	95	 	 	 	0.0	%	 	 	82	 	 	 	0.0	%	
Total Other	 	89	 	 	 	0.0	%	 	 	95	 	 	 	0.0	%	 	 	82	 	 	 	0.0	%	
 	$	1,614,762	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	1,625,687	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	1,586,008	 	 	 	100.0	%	
 
Trade Accounts Receivable
The Company’s trade accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Trade accounts receivable, net, current (1)	$	375,136	 	 	$	335,377	 	
Trade accounts receivable, net, noncurrent (2)	 	26,496	 	 	 	15,948	 	
 	$	401,632	 	 	$	351,325	 	
 
(1)	Included in “Receivables, net” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  	
(2)	Included in “Deferred charges and other assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.	
The Company’s noncurrent trade accounts receivable result from (1) contracts with customers that include renewal provisions, and (2) contracts with customers under multi-year arrangements. For contracts that include renewal provisions, revenue is recognized up-front upon satisfaction of the associated performance obligations, but payments are received upon renewal. Renewals occur in bi-annual and annual increments over the associated expected contract term, the majority of which range from two to five years. The Company’s contracts with customers under multi-year arrangements generally have three-year terms and are invoiced annually at the beginning of each annual coverage period. The Company records a receivable related to revenue recognized under multi-year arrangements as the Company has an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment in the future related to these arrangements.
Where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing and payment, the Company has determined that its contracts do not include a significant financing component. A substantial amount of the consideration promised by the customer under the contracts that include renewal provisions is variable, and the amount and timing of that consideration varies based on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of future events that are not substantially within the Company’s control. With respect to multi-year year arrangements, there is minimal difference between the consideration received and the cash selling price, any offered discounts are driven by volume, and the contracts are of short duration resulting in insignificant interest. Thus, the primary purpose of the invoicing terms on the multi-year arrangements is to provide the customer with a simplified and predictable way of purchasing certain products, not to provide financing or to receive financing from the Company’s customer.
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Deferred Revenue and Customer Liabilities
Deferred revenue and customer liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Deferred revenue	$	3,012	 	 	$	3,655	 	
Customer arrangements with termination rights	 	15,024	 	 	 	16,404	 	
Estimated refund liabilities	 	8,585	 	 	 	10,117	 	
 	$	26,621	 	 	$	30,176	 	
 
The Company expects to recognize the majority of its deferred revenue as of December 31, 2019 over the next 180 days. Revenues of $3.7 million were recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019 from amounts included in deferred revenue at December 31, 2018.  Revenues of $4.4 million were recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018 from amounts included in deferred revenue at January 1, 2018.  
The Company expects to recognize the majority of the customer arrangements with termination rights into revenue as the Company has not historically experienced a high rate of contract terminations.
Estimated refund liabilities are generally resolved in 180 days, once it is determined whether the requisite service levels and client requirements were achieved to settle the contingency.
Note 3. Leases
Adoption of ASC 842, Leases
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842, which includes ASU 2016-02 and all related amendments, using the modified retrospective method and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of adoption. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2019 are presented under ASC 842, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting for leases under ASC 840.
The adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 had a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.  ASC 842 required the gross up of historical deferred rent which resulted in the recognition of $225.3 million of right-of-use ("ROU") assets, $239.3 million of operating lease liabilities, a $0.1 million increase to opening retained earnings, as well as $14.1 million primarily related to the derecognition of net straight-line lease liabilities. The retained earnings adjustment was due to the cumulative impact of adopting ASC 842, primarily resulting from the derecognition of embedded lease derivatives, the difference between deferred rent balances and the net of ROU assets and lease liabilities and the deferred tax impact.
The impact of the adoption of ASC 842 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 was not material. The Company’s net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 did not change due to the adoption of ASC 842.
Practical Expedients
The Company elected the following practical expedients:
•	The package of transitional practical expedients, consistently applied to all leases, that permits the Company to not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, the historical lease classification for any expired or existing leases and initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases; and	
•	The practical expedient that permits the Company to make an accounting policy election (by class of underlying asset) to account for each separate lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component for all leases entered into or modified after the January 1, 2019 adoption date.	
Accounting Policy
In determining whether a contract contains a lease, the Company assesses whether the arrangement meets all three of the following criteria: 1) there is an identified asset; 2) the Company has the right to obtain substantially all the
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economic benefits from use of the identified asset; and 3) the Company has the right to direct the use of the identified asset. This involves evaluating whether the Company has the right to operate the asset or to direct others to operate the asset in a manner that it determines without the supplier having the right to change those operating instructions, as well as evaluating the Company’s involvement in the design of the asset.
The Company capitalizes operating lease obligations with initial terms in excess of 12 months as ROU assets with corresponding lease liabilities on its balance sheet.  Operating lease ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Additionally, the ROU asset is adjusted for lease incentives, prepaid lease payments and initial direct costs. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, such as real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance and other operating costs.  Lease and non-lease components are generally accounted for as a single component to the extent that the costs are fixed per the arrangement. The Company has applied this accounting policy to all asset classes. To the extent that the non-lease components are not fixed per the arrangement, these costs are treated as variable lease costs and expensed as incurred.  
Certain of the Company’s lease agreements include rental payments that adjust periodically based on an index or rate, generally the applicable Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). The operating lease liability is measured using the prevailing index or rate at the measurement date (i.e., the commencement date); however, the most recent CPI in effect as of January 1, 2019 was used to effectuate the adoption of ASC 842. Incremental payments due to changes to the index- and rate-based lease payments are treated as variable lease costs and expensed as incurred.  
For purposes of calculating operating lease liabilities, the lease term includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The primary factors used to estimate whether an option to extend a lease term will be exercised or not generally include the extent of the Company’s capital investment, employee recruitment potential and operational cost and flexibility.
In determining the present value of lease payments, the Company uses incremental borrowing rates based on information available at the lease commencement date. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is estimated using a synthetic credit rating model and forward currency exchange rates, as applicable.  
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are recognized in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The ROU asset is evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360. A loss is recognized when the ROU asset is impaired in connection with the impairment of a site’s assets due to economic or other factors.  When the ROU asset is impaired, it is typically amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the remaining lease term or its useful life, and the related operating lease would no longer qualify for straight-line treatment of total lease expense.  
Leases
The Company leases facilities for its corporate headquarters, many of its customer engagement centers, several regional support offices and data centers. These leases are classified as operating leases and are included in “Operating lease right-of-use assets,” “Operating lease liabilities” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019. The Company has no finance leases.
Lease terms for the Company’s leases are generally three to 20 years with renewal options typically ranging from one month to five years and largely require the Company to pay a proportionate share of real estate taxes, insurance,
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common area maintenance, and other operating costs in addition to a base or fixed rent. The Company's operating leases have remaining lease terms of one month to 13 years as of December 31, 2019.  
The Company’s leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The Company subleases certain of its facilities that have been abandoned before the expiration of the lease term.  Operating lease costs on abandoned facilities are reduced by sublease income and included in “General and administrative” costs in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s sublease arrangements do not contain renewal options or restrictive covenants. The Company’s subleases have varying remaining lease terms extending through 2025, and future contractual sublease payments are expected to be $12.4 million over the remaining lease terms.
Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
 	Statement of Operations Location	 	Year Ended
December 31, 2019	 	
Operating lease cost	General and administrative	 	$	59,381	 	
Operating lease cost	Direct salaries and related costs	 	 	186	 	
Short-term lease cost	General and administrative	 	 	2,571	 	
Short-term lease cost	Direct salaries and related costs	 	 	32	 	
Variable lease cost	General and administrative	 	 	4,608	 	
Sublease income	General and administrative	 	 	(2,770	)	
 	 	 	$	64,008	 	
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
 	Year Ended
December 31, 2019	 	
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities - operating
   cash flows	$	58,058	 	
Net right-of-use assets arising from new or remeasured operating lease liabilities	 	30,014	 	
Additional supplemental information related to leases was as follows:
 	December 31, 2019	 	
Weighted average remaining lease term of operating leases	5.1 years	 	
Weighted average discount rate of operating leases	 	3.7	%	
Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
 	Amount	 	
2020	$	57,742	 	
2021	 	55,472	 	
2022	 	41,382	 	
2023	 	27,667	 	
2024	 	20,210	 	
2025 and thereafter	 	37,766	 	
Total future lease payments	 	240,239	 	
Less: Imputed interest	 	22,566	 	
Present value of future lease payments	 	217,673	 	
Less: Operating lease liabilities	 	50,863	 	
Long-term operating lease liabilities	$	166,810	 	
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had an additional operating lease for a customer engagement center that had not yet commenced with future lease payments of $1.7 million. This operating lease will commence during the first quarter of 2020 and has a 3-year lease term.
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Disclosures related to periods prior to adoption of ASC 842
Rental expense under operating leases, primarily included in “General and administrative” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $68.0 million and $59.9 million, respectively.
The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that had noncancelable lease terms as of December 31, 2018 under ASC 840 (in thousands):
 	Amount	 	
2019	$	53,071	 	
2020	 	48,770	 	
2021	 	43,324	 	
2022	 	34,063	 	
2023	 	22,583	 	
2024 and thereafter	 	51,456	 	
 	$	253,267	 	
 
Note 4. Acquisitions
Symphony Acquisition
On October 18, 2018, the Company, as guarantor, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, SEI International Services S.a.r.l, a Luxembourg company, entered into a definitive Share Purchase Agreement (the “Symphony Purchase Agreement”) with Pascal Baker, Ian Barkin, David Brain, David Poole, FIS Nominee Limited, Baronsmead Venture Trust plc and Baronsmead Second Venture Trust plc to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Symphony. The Symphony Purchase Agreement contained customary representations and warranties, indemnification obligations and covenants.
The aggregate purchase price was GBP 52.5 million ($67.6 million), subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment, of which the Company paid GBP 44.6 million ($57.6 million) at the closing of the transaction on November 1, 2018 using cash on hand as well as $31.0 million of borrowings under the Company’s credit agreement. The acquisition date present value of the remaining GBP 7.9 million ($10.0 million) of purchase price was deferred and is payable in equal installments over three years, on or around November 1, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The Company paid the first installment of the deferred purchase price of GBP 2.7 million ($3.3 million) in October 2019. The Symphony Purchase Agreement also provides for a three-year, retention based earnout payable in restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with a value of GBP 3.0 million.
Subsequent to the finalization of the working capital adjustments during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the purchase price was adjusted to GBP 52.4 million ($67.5 million).
The Company accounted for the Symphony acquisition in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), whereby the purchase price paid was allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the closing date. The Company completed its tax analysis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed during the fourth quarter of 2019, which resulted in the recording of deferred tax assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 805.  The final purchase price allocation resulted in $26.1 million of intangible assets, primarily customer relationships and trade names, $2.2 million of fixed assets and $38.8 million of goodwill.
The Company has reflected Symphony’s results in its consolidated financial statements in the EMEA segment since November 1, 2018.
WhistleOut Acquisition
On July 9, 2018, the Company, as guarantor, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sykes Australia Pty Ltd, an Australian company, and Clear Link Technologies, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, entered into and closed a definitive Share Sale Agreement (the “WhistleOut Sale Agreement”) with WhistleOut Nominees Pty Ltd as trustee for the WhistleOut Holdings Unit Trust, CPC Investments USA Pty Ltd, JJZL Pty Ltd, Kenneth Wong as
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trustee for Wong Family Trust and C41 Pty Ltd as trustee for the Ottery Family Trust to acquire all of the outstanding shares of WhistleOut Pty Ltd and WhistleOut, Inc. (together, “WhistleOut”). The WhistleOut Sale Agreement contained customary representations and warranties, indemnification obligations and covenants.
The aggregate purchase price of AUD 30.2 million ($22.4 million) was paid at the closing of the transaction on July 9, 2018. Subsequent to the finalization of the working capital adjustments during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the purchase price was adjusted to AUD 30.3 million ($22.5 million). The purchase price was funded through $22.0 million of additional borrowings under the Company’s credit agreement. The WhistleOut Sale Agreement provided for a three-year, retention based earnout of AUD 14.0 million payable in three installments on or about July 1, 2019, 2020 and 2021.  The Company paid the first installment of the earn-out of AUD 6.0 million ($4.2 million) in July 2019.
The Company accounted for the WhistleOut acquisition in accordance with ASC 805, whereby the purchase price paid was allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the closing date. The Company completed its tax analysis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed during the second quarter of 2019, which resulted in the recording of deferred tax assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 805. The final purchase price allocation resulted in $16.5 million of intangible assets, primarily indefinite-lived domain names, $2.4 million of fixed assets and $3.3 million of goodwill.
The Company has reflected WhistleOut’s results in its consolidated financial statements in the Americas segment since July 9, 2018.
Telecommunications Asset Acquisition
On April 24, 2017, the Company entered into a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Telecommunications Asset Acquisition Purchase Agreement”) to acquire certain assets from a Global 2000 telecommunications services provider (the “Telecommunications Asset acquisition”). The aggregate purchase price of $7.5 million, paid on May 31, 2017 using cash on hand, resulted in $6.0 million of property and equipment and $1.5 million of customer relationship intangibles. The Telecommunications Asset Acquisition Purchase Agreement contained customary representations and warranties, indemnification obligations and covenants.
The Company accounted for the Telecommunications Asset acquisition in accordance with ASC 805, whereby the fair value of the purchase price was allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the closing date. The Company completed its analysis of the purchase price allocation during the second quarter of 2017.
The Company has reflected the Telecommunications Asset’s results in its consolidated financial statements in the Americas segment since April 24, 2017.
 
Note 5. Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities
Americas 2019 Exit Plan
During the first quarter of 2019, the Company initiated a restructuring plan to simplify and refine its operating model in the U.S. (the “Americas 2019 Exit Plan”), in part to improve agent attrition and absenteeism. The Americas 2019 Exit Plan included closing customer engagement centers, consolidating leased space in various locations in the U.S. and management reorganization. The Company finalized the actions as of September 30, 2019.
Americas 2018 Exit Plan
During the second quarter of 2018, the Company initiated a restructuring plan to manage and optimize capacity utilization, which included closing customer engagement centers and consolidating leased space in various locations in the U.S. and Canada (the “Americas 2018 Exit Plan”). The Company finalized the site closures under the Americas 2018 Exit Plan as of December 31, 2018, resulting in a reduction of 5,000 seats.
The Company’s actions under both the Americas 2018 and 2019 Exit Plans resulted in general and administrative cost savings and lower depreciation expense.
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The cumulative costs incurred to date related to cash and non-cash expenditures resulting from the Americas 2018 and 2019 Exit Plans are outlined below as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
 
 	Americas
2018 Exit Plan	 	 	Americas
2019 Exit Plan	 	
Lease obligations and facility exit costs (1)	$	7,073	 	 	$	—	 	
Severance and related costs (2)	 	3,426	 	 	 	191	 	
Severance and related costs (1)	 	1,037	 	 	 	2,155	 	
Non-cash impairment charges	 	5,875	 	 	 	1,582	 	
Other non-cash charges	 	—	 	 	 	244	 	
 	$	17,411	 	 	$	4,172	 	
 
(1)	Included in “General and administrative” costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.	
(2)	Included in “Direct salaries and related costs” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.	
The Company has paid a total of $12.3 million in cash through December 31, 2019, of which $10.4 million related to the Americas 2018 Exit Plan and $1.9 million related to the Americas 2019 Exit Plan.  
The following table summarizes the accrued liability and related charges for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (none in 2017) (in thousands):
 	 	Americas
2018 Exit Plan	 	 	Americas
2019 Exit Plan	 	
 	 	Lease Obligations
and Facility
Exit Costs	 	 	Severance and
Related Costs	 	 	Total	 	 	Severance and
Related Costs	 	 	Total	 	
Balance at January 1, 2018	 	$	—	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	—	 	
Charges (reversals) included in "Direct
   salaries and related costs"	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,429	 	 	 	3,429	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Charges (reversals) included in "General
   and administrative"	 	 	7,077	 	 	 	1,035	 	 	 	8,112	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(5,643	)	 	 	(3,647	)	 	 	(9,290	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Balance sheet reclassifications (1)	 	 	335	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	335	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Balance at December 31, 2018	 	 	1,769	 	 	 	817	 	 	 	2,586	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Charges (reversals) included in "Direct
   salaries and related costs"	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3	)	 	 	(3	)	 	 	191	 	 	 	191	 	
Charges (reversals) included in "General
   and administrative"	 	 	(4	)	 	 	2	 	 	 	(2	)	 	 	2,155	 	 	 	2,155	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(346	)	 	 	(810	)	 	 	(1,156	)	 	 	(1,865	)	 	 	(1,865	)	
Balance sheet reclassifications (2)	 	 	(1,338	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1,338	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Balance at December 31, 2019	 	$	81	 	 	$	6	 	 	$	87	 	 	$	481	 	 	$	481	 	
 
(1)	Consists of the reclassification of deferred rent balances to the restructuring liability for locations subject to closure.  	
(2)	Consists of the reclassification from the restructuring liability to “Operating lease liabilities” and “long-term operating lease liabilities” upon adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019.	
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Restructuring Liability Classification
The following table summarizes the Company’s short-term and long-term accrued liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets associated with its Americas 2018 and 2019 Exit Plans (in thousands):
 	Americas
2018 Exit Plan	 	 	Americas
2019 Exit Plan	 	
 	December 31, 2019	 	 	December 31, 2018	 	 	December 31, 2019	 	
Lease obligations and facility exit costs:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Included in "Accounts payable"	$	—	 	 	$	100	 	 	$	—	 	
Included in "Other accrued expenses and current
   liabilities"	 	54	 	 	 	952	 	 	 	—	 	
Included in "Other long-term liabilities"	 	27	 	 	 	717	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	81	 	 	 	1,769	 	 	 	—	 	
Severance and related costs:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Included in "Accrued employee compensation and
   benefits"	 	6	 	 	 	793	 	 	 	479	 	
Included in "Other accrued expenses and current
   liabilities"	 	—	 	 	 	24	 	 	 	2	 	
 	 	6	 	 	 	817	 	 	 	481	 	
 	$	87	 	 	$	2,586	 	 	$	481	 	
 
The long-term accrued restructuring liability relates to variable costs associated with future rent obligations to be paid through the remainder of the lease terms, the last of which ends in June 2021.
 
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Note 6. Fair Value
The Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the requirements of ASC 820 consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	 	 	 	 	Fair Value Measurements Using:	 	
 	Balance at	 	 	Quoted
Prices in
Active Markets
For Identical
Assets	 	 	Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs	 	 	Significant
Unobservable
Inputs	 	
 	December 31, 2019	 	 	Level 1	 	 	Level 2	 	 	Level 3	 	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency contracts (1)	$	3,607	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	3,607	 	 	$	—	 	
Equity investments held in rabbi trust for the
   Deferred Compensation Plan (2)	 	9,125	 	 	 	9,125	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Debt investments held in rabbi trust for the
   Deferred Compensation Plan (2)	 	4,802	 	 	 	4,802	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
 	$	17,534	 	 	$	13,927	 	 	$	3,607	 	 	$	—	 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency contracts (1)	$	251	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	251	 	 	$	—	 	
 	$	251	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	251	 	 	$	—	 	
 
 	 	 	 	 	Fair Value Measurements Using:	 	
 	Balance at	 	 	Quoted
Prices in
Active Markets
For Identical
Assets	 	 	Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs	 	 	Significant
Unobservable
Inputs	 	
 	December 31, 2018	 	 	Level 1	 	 	Level 2	 	 	Level 3	 	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency contracts (1)	$	1,068	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	1,068	 	 	$	—	 	
Embedded derivatives (1)	 	10	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	10	 	
Equity investments held in rabbi trust for the
   Deferred Compensation Plan (2)	 	8,075	 	 	 	8,075	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Debt investments held in rabbi trust for the
   Deferred Compensation Plan (2)	 	3,367	 	 	 	3,367	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
 	$	12,520	 	 	$	11,442	 	 	$	1,068	 	 	$	10	 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency contracts (1)	$	2,895	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	2,895	 	 	$	—	 	
Embedded derivatives (1)	 	369	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	369	 	
 	$	3,264	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	2,895	 	 	$	369	 	
 
(1)	See Note 12, Financial Derivatives, for the classification in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.	
(2)	Included in “Other current assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  See Note 13, Investments Held in Rabbi Trust.	
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Reconciliations of Fair Value Measurements Categorized within Level 3 of the Fair Value Hierarchy
Embedded Derivatives in Lease Agreements
A rollforward of the net asset (liability) activity in the Company’s fair value of the embedded derivatives was as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	(359	)	 	$	(527	)	 	$	(555	)	
Derecognition of embedded derivatives (1)	 	359	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
(Losses) included in "Other income (expense), net"	 	—	 	 	 	(7	)	 	 	(139	)	
Settlements	 	—	 	 	 	158	 	 	 	170	 	
Effect of foreign currency	 	—	 	 	 	17	 	 	 	(3	)	
Balance at the end of the period	$	—	 	 	$	(359	)	 	$	(527	)	
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in "Other income
   (expense), net" related to embedded derivatives held at
   the end of the period	$	—	 	 	$	15	 	 	$	(325	)	
 
(1)	Derecognition upon adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019.  See Note 3, Leases, for more information.	
 
Contingent Consideration
A rollforward of the activity in the Company’s fair value of its contingent consideration (liability) related to its Clearlink acquisition was as follows (none in 2019 or 2018) (in thousands):
 
 	Year Ended
December 31, 2017	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	(6,100	)	
Imputed interest included in "Interest (expense)"	 	(76	)	
Fair value gain adjustment included in "General and administrative" costs	 	605	 	
Settlements	 	5,760	 	
Effect of foreign currency	 	(189	)	
Balance at the end of the period	$	—	 	
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in "General and
   administrative" related to contingent consideration
   outstanding at the end of the period	$	—	 	
 
Non-Recurring Fair Value
Certain assets, under certain conditions, are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis utilizing Level 3 inputs, as described in Note 1, Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, like those associated with acquired businesses, including goodwill, other intangible assets, other long-lived assets and equity method investments. For these assets, measurement at fair value in periods subsequent to their initial recognition would be applicable if these assets were determined to be impaired.
The adjusted carrying values for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (no liabilities) subject to the requirements of ASC 820 were not material at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The following table summarizes the total impairment losses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations related to nonrecurring fair value measurements of certain assets (no liabilities):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Americas:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property and equipment, net	$	(343	)	 	$	(9,401	)	 	$	(5,410	)	
Operating lease right-of-use assets	 	(1,368	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
 	$	(1,711	)	 	$	(9,401	)	 	$	(5,410	)	
 
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In connection with the closure of certain under-utilized customer engagement centers and the consolidation of leased space in the U.S. and Canada, the Company recorded impairment charges of $1.7 million, $9.4 million and $5.2 million during the years ended December 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the exit of leased facilities as well as leasehold improvements, equipment, furniture and fixtures which were not recoverable. See Note 5, Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, for further information.
Also, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.2 million related to the write-down of a vacant and unused parcel of land in the U.S. to its estimated fair value during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Note 7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets
The following table presents the Company’s purchased intangible assets as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
 
 	Gross
Intangibles	 	 	Accumulated
Amortization	 	 	Net
Intangibles	 	 	Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (years)	 	
Intangible assets subject to amortization:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Customer relationships	$	191,171	 	 	$	(121,074	)	 	$	70,097	 	 	 	10	 	
Trade names and trademarks	 	19,380	 	 	 	(12,929	)	 	 	6,451	 	 	 	8	 	
Non-compete agreements	 	2,769	 	 	 	(2,181	)	 	 	588	 	 	 	3	 	
Content library	 	506	 	 	 	(506	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	2	 	
Proprietary software	 	870	 	 	 	(695	)	 	 	175	 	 	 	5	 	
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Domain names	 	81,109	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	81,109	 	 	N/A	 	
 	$	295,805	 	 	$	(137,385	)	 	$	158,420	 	 	 	5	 	
 
The following table presents the Company’s purchased intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands):
 
 	Gross
Intangibles	 	 	Accumulated
Amortization	 	 	Net
Intangibles	 	 	Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (years)	 	
Intangible assets subject to amortization:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Customer relationships	$	189,697	 	 	$	(106,502	)	 	$	83,195	 	 	 	10	 	
Trade names and trademarks	 	19,236	 	 	 	(10,594	)	 	 	8,642	 	 	 	8	 	
Non-compete agreements	 	2,746	 	 	 	(1,724	)	 	 	1,022	 	 	 	3	 	
Content library	 	517	 	 	 	(517	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	2	 	
Proprietary software	 	1,040	 	 	 	(725	)	 	 	315	 	 	 	4	 	
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Domain names	 	80,857	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	80,857	 	 	N/A	 	
 	$	294,093	 	 	$	(120,062	)	 	$	174,031	 	 	 	5	 	
 
The Company’s estimated future amortization expense for the succeeding years relating to the purchased intangible assets resulting from acquisitions completed prior to December 31, 2019, is as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Amount	 	
2020	 	14,099	 	
2021	 	9,506	 	
2022	 	8,204	 	
2023	 	7,361	 	
2024	 	7,116	 	
2025 and thereafter	 	31,025	 	
 
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Goodwill
Changes in goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	January 1, 2019	 	 	Acquisition-
Related  (1)	 	 	Effect of
Foreign
Currency	 	 	December 31, 2019	 	
Americas	$	255,436	 	 	$	1,202	 	 	$	3,315	 	 	$	259,953	 	
EMEA	 	47,081	 	 	 	2,421	 	 	 	1,792	 	 	 	51,294	 	
 	$	302,517	 	 	$	3,623	 	 	$	5,107	 	 	$	311,247	 	
 
Changes in goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	January 1, 2018	 	 	Acquisition-
Related  (1)	 	 	Effect of
Foreign
Currency	 	 	December 31, 2018	 	
Americas	$	258,496	 	 	$	2,175	 	 	$	(5,235	)	 	$	255,436	 	
EMEA	 	10,769	 	 	 	36,361	 	 	 	(49	)	 	 	47,081	 	
 	$	269,265	 	 	$	38,536	 	 	$	(5,284	)	 	$	302,517	 	
 
(1)	See Note 4, Acquisitions, for further information.  The year ended December 31, 2018 includes the goodwill recorded upon acquisition of WhistleOut and Symphony, while the year ended December 31, 2019 includes the impact of adjustments to acquired goodwill upon finalization of working capital adjustments and the tax analysis of WhistleOut’s and Symphony’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed.	
The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test during the third quarter, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist.
For the annual goodwill impairment test, the Company elected to forgo the option to first assess qualitative factors and performed its annual quantitative goodwill impairment test as of July 31, 2019.  Under ASC 350, the carrying value of assets is calculated at the reporting unit level. The quantitative assessment of goodwill includes comparing a reporting unit’s calculated fair value to its carrying value. The calculation of fair value requires significant judgments including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the projected long-term growth rate and determination of the Company’s weighted average cost of capital. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or conclusions on goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, goodwill is considered impaired and an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
The process of evaluating the fair value of the reporting units is highly subjective and requires significant judgment and estimates as the reporting units operate in a number of markets and geographical regions. The Company considered the income and market approaches to determine its best estimates of fair value, which incorporated the following significant assumptions:
 	•	Revenue projections, including revenue growth during the forecast periods;	
 	•	EBITDA margin projections over the forecast periods;	
 	•	Estimated income tax rates;	
 	•	Estimated capital expenditures; and	
 	•	Discount rates based on various inputs, including the risks associated with the specific reporting units as well as their revenue growth and EBITDA margin assumptions.	
As of July 31, 2019, the Company had eight reporting units, seven of which have goodwill. The Company concluded that goodwill was not impaired for all seven of its reporting units with goodwill, based on generally accepted valuation techniques and the significant assumptions outlined above. The fair values of three of the seven reporting units were substantially in excess of their carrying value. The Clearlink, Symphony, Latin America and Qelp reporting units’ fair values exceeded the respective carrying values, although the fair value cushion was not substantial. The decrease in the Clearlink reporting unit’s cushion from the prior year was primarily attributable to a decrease in the projected long-term growth rate of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product as well as a decline in projected
79

revenue growth.  The decrease in the cushion from the prior year for the Latin America and Qelp reporting units was primarily attributable to an increase in the country-specific risk premiums which increased the applied weighted average cost of capital.  Symphony was acquired by the Company in November 2018.
The Clearlink, Symphony, Latin America and Qelp reporting units are at risk of future impairment if projected operating results are not met or other inputs into the fair value measurement model change.  As of December 31, 2019, the Company believes there were no indicators of impairment related to Clearlink’s $74.2 million of goodwill, Symphony’s $41.3 million of goodwill, Latin America’s $19.5 million of goodwill and Qelp’s $10.0 million of goodwill.
Note 8. Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade receivables. The Company’s credit concentrations are limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets in which the Company’s services are sold. See Note 12, Financial Derivatives, for a discussion of the Company’s credit risk relating to financial derivative instruments, and Note 25, Segments and Geographic Information, for a discussion of the Company’s customer concentration.
Note 9. Receivables, Net
Receivables, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Trade accounts receivable, current	$	378,616	 	 	$	338,473	 	
Income taxes receivable	 	1,571	 	 	 	916	 	
Other	 	13,440	 	 	 	11,132	 	
Receivables, gross	 	393,627	 	 	 	350,521	 	
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	 	3,480	 	 	 	3,096	 	
Receivables, net	$	390,147	 	 	$	347,425	 	
Allowance for doubtful accounts as a percent of trade accounts receivable, current	 	0.9	%	 	 	0.9	%	
 
Note 10. Prepaid Expenses
 
Prepaid expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Prepaid maintenance	$	6,218	 	 	$	5,888	 	
Prepaid insurance	 	5,321	 	 	 	4,500	 	
Prepaid software	 	4,236	 	 	 	3,499	 	
Prepaid rent	 	421	 	 	 	3,471	 	
Prepaid other	 	4,672	 	 	 	6,396	 	
 	$	20,868	 	 	$	23,754	 	
 
Note 11. Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Investments held in rabbi trust (Note 13)	$	13,927	 	 	$	11,442	 	
Financial derivatives (Note 12)	 	3,373	 	 	 	1,078	 	
Deferred rent	 	558	 	 	 	1,867	 	
Other current assets	 	2,667	 	 	 	2,374	 	
 	$	20,525	 	 	$	16,761	 	
 
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Note 12. Financial Derivatives
Cash Flow Hedges – The Company has derivative assets and liabilities relating to outstanding forward contracts and options, designated as cash flow hedges, as defined under ASC 815, consisting of Philippine Peso and Costa Rican Colon contracts. These contracts are entered into to hedge the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a specific asset or liability, or of a forecasted transaction that is attributable to changes in exchange rates.
The deferred gains (losses) and related taxes on the Company’s cash flow hedges recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”) in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Deferred gains (losses) in AOCI	$	2,221	 	 	$	(1,825	)	
Tax on deferred gains (losses) in AOCI	 	69	 	 	 	(39	)	
Deferred gains (losses) in AOCI, net of taxes	$	2,290	 	 	$	(1,864	)	
Deferred gains (losses) expected to be reclassified to
   "Revenues" from AOCI during the next twelve months	$	2,221	 	 	 	 	 	
 
Deferred gains (losses) and other future reclassifications from AOCI will fluctuate with movements in the underlying market price of the forward contracts and options as well as the related settlement of forecasted transactions.
Non-Designated Hedges
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts – The Company also periodically enters into foreign currency hedge contracts that are not designated as hedges as defined under ASC 815. The purpose of these derivative instruments is to protect the Company’s interests against adverse foreign currency moves relating primarily to intercompany receivables and payables, and other assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the Company’s subsidiaries’ functional currencies. See Note 1, Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for additional information on the Company’s purpose for entering into derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and its overall risk management strategies.
Embedded Derivatives – The Company enters into certain lease agreements which require payments not denominated in the functional currency of any substantial party to the agreements. Prior to the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the foreign currency component of these contracts met the criteria under ASC 815 as embedded derivatives. The Company determined that the embedded derivatives were not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contracts (lease agreements), and separate, stand-alone instruments with the same terms as the embedded derivative instruments would otherwise qualify as derivative instruments, thereby requiring separation from the lease agreements and recognition at fair value. Such instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting under ASC 815. The Company’s embedded derivatives were derecognized on January 1, 2019.
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The Company had the following outstanding foreign currency forward contracts and options, and embedded derivatives (in thousands):
 
 	December 31, 2019	 	 	December 31, 2018	
Contract Type	Notional
Amount in
USD	 	 	Settle
Through
Date	 	 	Notional
Amount in
USD	 	 	Settle
Through
Date	
Cash flow hedges:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Options:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
US Dollars/Philippine Pesos	$	74,000	 	 	December 2020	 	 	$	26,250	 	 	December 2019	
Forwards:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
US Dollars/Philippine Pesos	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	39,000	 	 	September 2019	
US Dollars/Costa Rican Colones	 	42,000	 	 	December 2020	 	 	 	67,000	 	 	December 2019	
Non-designated hedges:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Forwards	 	19,295	 	 	November 2021	 	 	 	19,261	 	 	November 2021	
Embedded derivatives	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	14,069	 	 	April 2030	
 
Master netting agreements exist with each respective counterparty to reduce credit risk by permitting net settlement of derivative positions. In the event of default by the Company or one of its counterparties, these agreements include a set-off clause that provides the non-defaulting party the right to net settle all derivative transactions, regardless of the currency and settlement date. The maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that, based on gross fair value, the Company would incur if parties to the derivative transactions that make up the concentration failed to perform according to the terms of the contracts was $3.6 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. After consideration of these netting arrangements and offsetting positions by counterparty, the total net settlement amount as it relates to these positions are asset positions of $3.4 million and $1.1 million, and liability positions of $0 and $2.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Although legally enforceable master netting arrangements exist between the Company and each counterparty, the Company has elected to present the derivative assets and derivative liabilities on a gross basis in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Additionally, the Company is not required to pledge, nor is it entitled to receive, cash collateral related to these derivative transactions.
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The following tables present the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
 
 	 	 	 	Derivative Assets	 	
 	 	Balance Sheet Location	 	December 31, 2019	 	 	December 31, 2018	 	
Derivatives designated as cash
   flow hedging instruments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency contracts	 	Other current assets	 	$	3,051	 	 	$	1,038	 	
Derivatives not designated as
   hedging instruments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency contracts	 	Other current assets	 	 	322	 	 	 	30	 	
Foreign currency contracts	 	Deferred charges and other assets	 	 	234	 	 	 	—	 	
Embedded derivatives	 	Other current assets	 	 	—	 	 	 	10	 	
Total derivative assets	 	 	 	$	3,607	 	 	$	1,078	 	
 
 	 	 	 	Derivative Liabilities	 	
 	 	Balance Sheet Location	 	December 31, 2019	 	 	December 31, 2018	 	
Derivatives designated as cash
   flow hedging instruments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency contracts	 	Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	 	$	138	 	 	$	2,604	 	
Derivatives not designated as
   hedging instruments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency contracts	 	Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	 	 	113	 	 	 	247	 	
Foreign currency contracts	 	Other long-term liabilities	 	 	—	 	 	 	44	 	
Embedded derivatives	 	Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	 	 	—	 	 	 	8	 	
Embedded derivatives	 	Other long-term liabilities	 	 	—	 	 	 	361	 	
Total derivative liabilities	 	 	 	$	251	 	 	$	3,264	 	
 
The following table presents the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands):
 
 	 	Location of Gains	 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	(Losses) in Net Income	 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Revenues	 	 	 	$	1,614,762	 	 	$	1,625,687	 	 	$	1,586,008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derivatives designated as cash
   flow hedging instruments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Gains (losses) recognized in AOCI:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Foreign currency contracts	 	 	 	$	6,978	 	 	$	(4,259	)	 	$	2,277	 	
   Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Foreign currency contracts	 	Revenues	 	 	2,808	 	 	 	(54	)	 	 	(2,537	)	
Derivatives designated as net investment
   hedging instruments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Foreign currency contracts	 	Revenues	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(8,352	)	
Derivatives not designated as
   hedging instruments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Gains (losses) recognized from foreign
      currency contracts	 	Other income (expense), net	 	$	(674	)	 	$	(1,744	)	 	$	282	 	
   Gains (losses) recognized from embedded
      derivatives	 	Other income (expense), net	 	 	—	 	 	 	(7	)	 	 	(139	)	
 	 	 	 	$	(674	)	 	$	(1,751	)	 	$	143	 	
 
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Note 13.  Investments Held in Rabbi Trust
The Company’s investments held in rabbi trust, classified as trading securities and included in “Other current assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, at fair value, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31, 2019	 	 	December 31, 2018	 	
 	Cost	 	 	Fair Value	 	 	Cost	 	 	Fair Value	 	
Mutual funds	$	9,777	 	 	$	13,927	 	 	$	8,864	 	 	$	11,442	 	
 
The mutual funds held in the rabbi trust were 66% equity-based and 34% debt-based as of December 31, 2019. Net investment income (losses), included in “Other income (expense), net” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Net realized gains (losses) from sale of trading
   securities	$	143	 	 	$	10	 	 	$	195	 	
Dividend and interest income	 	419	 	 	 	635	 	 	 	422	 	
Net unrealized holding gains (losses)	 	1,817	 	 	 	(1,512	)	 	 	1,002	 	
 	$	2,379	 	 	$	(867	)	 	$	1,619	 	
 
Note 14. Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Land	$	1,949	 	 	$	2,185	 	
Buildings and leasehold improvements	 	138,755	 	 	 	129,582	 	
Equipment, furniture and fixtures	 	307,559	 	 	 	298,537	 	
Capitalized internally developed software costs	 	38,466	 	 	 	41,883	 	
Transportation equipment	 	613	 	 	 	636	 	
Construction in progress	 	5,037	 	 	 	2,253	 	
 	 	492,379	 	 	 	475,076	 	
Less: Accumulated depreciation	 	366,389	 	 	 	339,658	 	
 	$	125,990	 	 	$	135,418	 	
 
Capitalized internally developed software, net of depreciation, included in “Property and equipment, net” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Capitalized internally developed software costs, net	$	14,353	 	 	$	18,352	 	
 
Tornado Damage to Fixed Assets Located in Fort Smith, Arkansas
In May 2019, the building that houses the Company’s customer engagement center located in Fort Smith, Arkansas experienced significant damage as a result of a tornado, primarily impacting its leasehold improvements and other fixed assets, and causing an interruption in its business operations. The Company filed an insurance claim with its property insurance company and received proceeds of $2.9 million. The Company recognized a $1.1 million gain on settlement of the insurance claim in November 2019, which is included in “General and administrative” costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019. This gain was offset by costs recognized in previous quarters not covered by the insurance claim.
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Sale of Land Located in Milton-Freewater, Oregon
In August 2019, the Company sold vacant land located in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, with a net carrying value of $0.3 million, for cash of $0.3 million (net of selling costs of less than $0.1 million).  This resulted in a net gain on disposal of property and equipment of less than $0.1 million, which is included in “General and administrative” costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Sale of Fixed Assets, Land and Building Located in Wise, Virginia
In October 2018, the Company sold the fixed assets, land and building located in Wise, Virginia, with a net carrying value of $0.7 million, for cash of $0.8 million (net of selling costs of less than $0.1 million).  This resulted in a net gain on disposal of property and equipment of less than $0.1 million, which is included in “General and administrative” costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Sale of Fixed Assets, Land and Building Located in Ponca City, Oklahoma
In September 2018, the Company sold the fixed assets, land and building located in Ponca City, Oklahoma, with a net carrying value of $0.5 million, for cash of $0.2 million (net of selling costs of less than $0.1 million).  This resulted in a net loss on disposal of property and equipment of $0.3 million, which is included in “General and administrative” costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Note 15. Deferred Charges and Other Assets
Deferred charges and other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Trade accounts receivable, net, noncurrent (Note 2)	$	26,496	 	 	$	15,948	 	
Equity method investments (Note 1)	 	9,254	 	 	 	9,702	 	
Net deferred tax assets, noncurrent (Note 20)	 	6,774	 	 	 	5,797	 	
Rent and other deposits	 	6,106	 	 	 	5,687	 	
Value added tax receivables, net, noncurrent	 	592	 	 	 	519	 	
Other	 	6,723	 	 	 	5,711	 	
 	$	55,945	 	 	$	43,364	 	
 
Note 16. Accrued Employee Compensation and Benefits
Accrued employee compensation and benefits consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Accrued compensation	$	38,186	 	 	$	34,095	 	
Accrued bonus and commissions	 	27,039	 	 	 	19,835	 	
Accrued vacation	 	20,647	 	 	 	19,019	 	
Accrued employment taxes	 	16,468	 	 	 	15,598	 	
Accrued severance and related costs (Note 5)	 	485	 	 	 	793	 	
Other	 	6,766	 	 	 	6,473	 	
 	$	109,591	 	 	$	95,813	 	
 
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Note 17. Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Accrued purchases	$	4,328	 	 	$	1,679	 	
Accrued legal and professional fees	 	3,860	 	 	 	3,380	 	
Accrued customer-acquisition advertising costs (Note 1)	 	3,745	 	 	 	2,831	 	
Deferred Symphony acquisition purchase price (Note 4)	 	3,517	 	 	 	3,394	 	
Accrued roadside assistance claim costs	 	1,709	 	 	 	1,330	 	
Accrued telephone charges	 	1,605	 	 	 	2,000	 	
Financial derivatives (Note 12)	 	251	 	 	 	2,859	 	
Accrued restructuring (Note 5)	 	56	 	 	 	976	 	
Accrued rent (Note 3)	 	—	 	 	 	3,283	 	
Other	 	10,259	 	 	 	9,503	 	
 	$	29,330	 	 	$	31,235	 	
 
Note 18. Borrowings
On February 14, 2019, the Company entered into a $500 million senior revolving credit facility (the “2019 Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender (“KeyBank”), the lenders named therein, and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. as Lead Arranger and Sole Book Runner. The 2019 Credit Agreement replaced the Company’s previous $440 million revolving credit facility dated May 12, 2015 (the “2015 Credit Agreement”), which agreement was terminated simultaneous with entering into the 2019 Credit Agreement. The 2019 Credit Agreement is subject to certain borrowing limitations and includes certain customary financial and restrictive covenants.
The 2019 Credit Agreement includes a $200 million alternate-currency sub-facility, a $15 million swingline sub-facility and a $15 million letter of credit sub-facility, and may be used for general corporate purposes including acquisitions, share repurchases, working capital support and letters of credit, subject to certain limitations.  The Company is not currently aware of any inability of its lenders to provide access to the full commitment of funds that exist under the revolving credit facility, if necessary.  However, there can be no assurance that such facility will be available to the Company, even though it is a binding commitment of the financial institutions.
The 2019 Credit Agreement matures on February 14, 2024, and had outstanding borrowings of $73.0 million at December 31, 2019 and the 2015 Credit Agreement had outstanding borrowings of $102.0 million at December 31, 2018, included in “Long-term debt” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Borrowings under the 2019 Credit Agreement bear interest at the rates set forth in the 2019 Credit Agreement.  In addition, the Company is required to pay certain customary fees, including a commitment fee determined quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio and due quarterly in arrears as calculated on the average unused amount of the 2019 Credit Agreement.
The 2019 Credit Agreement is guaranteed by all the Company’s existing and future direct and indirect material U.S. subsidiaries and secured by a pledge of 100% of the non-voting and 65% of the voting capital stock of all the direct foreign subsidiaries of the Company and those of the guarantors.
In February 2019, the Company paid debt issuance costs of $1.1 million for the 2019 Credit Agreement, which has been deferred and will be amortized over the term of the loan, along with the remaining debt issuance costs of $0.3 million related to the 2015 Credit Agreement.
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The following table presents information related to our credit agreements (dollars in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Average daily utilization	$	87,800	 	 	$	106,189	 	 	$	268,775	 	
Interest expense (1)	$	3,465	 	 	$	3,817	 	 	$	6,668	 	
Weighted average interest rate (1)	 	3.9	%	 	 	3.6	%	 	 	2.5	%	
 
(1)	Excludes the amortization of deferred loan fees and includes the commitment fee.	
In January 2018, the Company repaid $175.0 million of long-term debt outstanding under its 2015 Credit Agreement, primarily using funds repatriated from its foreign subsidiaries.
Note 19. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments	 	 	Unrealized
Gain
(Loss) on
Net
Investment
Hedge	 	 	Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on
Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments	 	 	Unrealized
Actuarial
Gain
(Loss)
Related
to Pension
Liability	 	 	Unrealized
Gain
(Loss) on
Postretirement
Obligation	 	 	Total	 	
Balance at January 1, 2017	$	(72,393	)	 	$	6,266	 	 	$	(2,225	)	 	$	1,125	 	 	$	200	 	 	$	(67,027	)	
Pre-tax amount	 	36,101	 	 	 	(8,352	)	 	 	2,276	 	 	 	527	 	 	 	(30	)	 	 	30,522	 	
Tax (provision) benefit	 	—	 	 	 	3,132	 	 	 	(54	)	 	 	(18	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,060	 	
Reclassification of (gain) loss to net income	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,444	 	 	 	(53	)	 	 	(50	)	 	 	2,341	 	
Foreign currency translation	 	(23	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	30	 	 	 	(7	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Balance at December 31, 2017	 	(36,315	)	 	 	1,046	 	 	 	2,471	 	 	 	1,574	 	 	 	120	 	 	 	(31,104	)	
Pre-tax amount	 	(22,158	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	(4,287	)	 	 	783	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(25,662	)	
Tax (provision) benefit	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	84	 	 	 	47	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	131	 	
Reclassification of (gain) loss to net income	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	6	 	 	 	(66	)	 	 	(80	)	 	 	(140	)	
Foreign currency translation	 	220	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(138	)	 	 	(82	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Balance at December 31, 2018	 	(58,253	)	 	 	1,046	 	 	 	(1,864	)	 	 	2,256	 	 	 	40	 	 	 	(56,775	)	
Pre-tax amount	 	5,462	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	6,978	 	 	 	108	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	12,548	 	
Tax (provision) benefit	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	20	 	 	 	(23	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3	)	
Reclassification of (gain) loss to net income	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(2,719	)	 	 	(100	)	 	 	48	 	 	 	(2,771	)	
Foreign currency translation	 	42	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(125	)	 	 	83	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	(52,749	)	 	$	1,046	 	 	$	2,290	 	 	$	2,324	 	 	$	88	 	 	$	(47,001	)	
 
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The following table summarizes the amounts reclassified to net income from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the associated line item in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	 	Statements of
Operations	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	 	Location	
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedging
   instruments: (1)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Pre-tax amount	$	2,808	 	 	$	(54	)	 	$	(2,537	)	 	Revenues	
Tax (provision) benefit	 	(89	)	 	 	48	 	 	 	93	 	 	Income taxes	
Reclassification to net income	 	2,719	 	 	 	(6	)	 	 	(2,444	)	 	 	
Actuarial gain (loss) related to
   pension liability: (2)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Pre-tax amount	 	86	 	 	 	58	 	 	 	43	 	 	Other income (expense), net	
Tax (provision) benefit	 	14	 	 	 	8	 	 	 	10	 	 	Income taxes	
Reclassification to net income	 	100	 	 	 	66	 	 	 	53	 	 	 	
Gain (loss) on postretirement
   obligation: (2),(3)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reclassification to net income	 	(48	)	 	 	80	 	 	 	50	 	 	Other income (expense), net	
 	$	2,771	 	 	$	140	 	 	$	(2,341	)	 	 	
 
(1)	See Note 12, Financial Derivatives, for further information.	
(2)	See Note 23, Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits, for further information.	
(3)	No related tax (provision) benefit.	
For periods prior to December 31, 2017, any remaining reinvested earnings or outside basis differences associated with the Company’s investments in its foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and no provision for income taxes on those earnings or translation adjustments has been provided other than as discussed in Note 20, Income Taxes.
Note 20. Income Taxes
The Company’s income before income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Domestic (U.S., state and local)	$	38,672	 	 	$	6,971	 	 	$	9,662	 	
Foreign	 	47,251	 	 	 	49,946	 	 	 	71,645	 	
 	$	85,923	 	 	$	56,917	 	 	$	81,307	 	
 
Significant components of the income tax provision were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Current:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
U.S. federal	$	8,190	 	 	$	(492	)	 	$	29,986	 	
State and local	 	1,506	 	 	 	54	 	 	 	855	 	
Foreign	 	11,864	 	 	 	9,938	 	 	 	10,342	 	
Total current provision for income taxes	 	21,560	 	 	 	9,500	 	 	 	41,183	 	
Deferred:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
U.S. federal	$	(1,238	)	 	$	(498	)	 	 	7,919	 	
State and local	 	14	 	 	 	(85	)	 	 	922	 	
Foreign	 	1,506	 	 	 	(926	)	 	 	(933	)	
Total deferred provision (benefit) for income taxes	 	282	 	 	 	(1,509	)	 	 	7,908	 	
 	$	21,842	 	 	$	7,991	 	 	$	49,091	 	
 
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The temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax provision (benefit) were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	$	21,846	 	 	$	(613	)	 	$	1,231	 	
Accrued expenses/liabilities	 	2,166	 	 	 	(2,512	)	 	 	16,470	 	
Depreciation and amortization	 	(5,864	)	 	 	101	 	 	 	(10,571	)	
Valuation allowance	 	(19,006	)	 	 	1,558	 	 	 	(1,441	)	
Deferred statutory income	 	846	 	 	 	6	 	 	 	2,479	 	
Other	 	294	 	 	 	(49	)	 	 	(260	)	
 	$	282	 	 	$	(1,509	)	 	$	7,908	 	
 
The reconciliation of the income tax provision computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax provision was as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Tax at U.S. federal statutory tax rate	$	18,044	 	 	$	11,953	 	 	$	28,457	 	
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	 	1,520	 	 	 	(31	)	 	 	594	 	
Foreign rate differential	 	(5,119	)	 	 	(4,620	)	 	 	(14,736	)	
Tax holidays	 	(3,080	)	 	 	(4,050	)	 	 	(2,951	)	
Permanent differences	 	13,257	 	 	 	12,150	 	 	 	8,749	 	
Tax credits	 	(8,218	)	 	 	(8,979	)	 	 	(5,102	)	
Foreign withholding and other taxes	 	2,834	 	 	 	(840	)	 	 	2,661	 	
Valuation allowance	 	781	 	 	 	1,549	 	 	 	(1,689	)	
Uncertain tax positions	 	402	 	 	 	771	 	 	 	(1,812	)	
Statutory tax rate changes	 	475	 	 	 	96	 	 	 	2,536	 	
Change in assertion related to foreign earnings distribution	 	952	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
2017 Tax Reform Act	 	—	 	 	 	(217	)	 	 	32,705	 	
Other	 	(6	)	 	 	209	 	 	 	(321	)	
Total provision for income taxes	$	21,842	 	 	$	7,991	 	 	$	49,091	 	
 
Withholding taxes on offshore cash movements assessed by certain foreign governments of $3.0 million, $2.0 million and $1.7 million were included in the provision for income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
On December 22, 2017, the 2017 Tax Reform Act was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes included, but are not limited to, a federal corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a participation exemption regime, and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings. We estimated our provision for income taxes in accordance with the 2017 Tax Reform Act and guidance available upon enactment and as a result recorded $32.7 million as additional income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2017, the period in which the legislation was enacted. The $32.7 million estimate included the provisional amount related to the one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings of $32.7 million based on cumulative foreign earnings of $531.8 million and $1.0 million of foreign withholding taxes on certain anticipated distributions. The provisional tax expense was partially offset by a provisional benefit of $1.0 million related to the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities, based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future. The Company recorded a $0.2 million decrease to the provisional amounts during the year ended December 31, 2018 upon finalizing the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act.
The Company provides U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless they are exempted from taxation as a result of the new territorial tax system. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we partially reversed our permanent reinvestment assertion in connection with plans to distribute cash from certain of our foreign subsidiaries in 2020 or subsequent years.  In connection with this change in assertion, the Company recorded $1.0 million of withholding tax. No additional income taxes have been provided for any remaining reinvested earnings or outside basis differences inherent in these entities as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any remaining outside basis
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difference in these entities is not practicable due to the inherent complexity of the multi-national tax environment in which the Company operates.
On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued SAB 118 to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Reform Act. In accordance with SAB 118, we determined that the deferred tax benefit recorded in connection with the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities and the current tax expense recorded in connection with the transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings was a provisional amount and a reasonable estimate at December 31, 2017. Final computations were completed during the fourth quarter of 2018, resulting in the $0.2 million decrease to the provisional amount discussed above.
The 2017 Tax Reform Act instituted a number of new provisions effective January 1, 2018, including GILTI, Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) and Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (“BEAT”).  Based on the guidance, interpretations, and data available as of December 31, 2019, the Company has determined the impact of these measures is immaterial to its tax provision in 2019.
The Company has been granted tax holidays in the Philippines, Colombia, Costa Rica and El Salvador, some of which have various expiration dates ranging from 2021 through 2028. In some cases, the tax holidays expire without possibility of renewal. In other cases, the Company expects to renew these tax holidays, but there are no assurances from the respective foreign governments that they will renew them. This could potentially result in future adverse tax consequences in the local jurisdiction, the impact of which is not practicable to estimate due to the inherent complexity of estimating critical variables such as long-term future profitability, tax regulations and rates in the multi-national tax environment in which the Company operates. The Company’s tax holidays decreased the provision for income taxes by $3.1 million ($0.07 per diluted share), $4.1 million ($0.10 per diluted share) and $3.0 million ($0.07 per diluted share) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income taxes.  The temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented below (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Deferred tax assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	$	13,310	 	 	$	34,565	 	
Valuation allowance	 	(12,666	)	 	 	(32,299	)	
Accrued expenses	 	9,798	 	 	 	9,500	 	
Deferred revenue and customer liabilities	 	3,346	 	 	 	4,138	 	
Depreciation and amortization	 	3,224	 	 	 	1,693	 	
Other	 	129	 	 	 	413	 	
 	 	17,141	 	 	 	18,010	 	
Deferred tax liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation and amortization	 	(14,919	)	 	 	(13,199	)	
Deferred statutory income	 	(862	)	 	 	(838	)	
Accrued liabilities	 	(4,384	)	 	 	(1,779	)	
Other	 	(189	)	 	 	(253	)	
 	 	(20,354	)	 	 	(16,069	)	
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(3,213	)	 	$	1,941	 	
 
Classified as follows:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deferred charges and other assets (Note 15)	$	6,774	 	 	$	5,797	 	
Other long-term liabilities	 	(9,987	)	 	 	(3,856	)	
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(3,213	)	 	$	1,941	 	
 
There are approximately $79.9 million of income tax loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2019, with varying expiration dates, approximately $48.9 million relating to foreign operations, $30.7 million relating to U.S. state operations and $0.3 million related to U.S. federal operations. With respect to foreign operations, $24.4 million of the net operating loss carryforwards have an indefinite expiration date and the remaining $24.5 million net operating
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loss carryforwards have varying expiration dates through December 2040. Regarding the foreign and U.S. state aforementioned tax loss carryforwards, no benefit has been recognized for $41.8 million and $22.8 million, respectively, as the Company does not anticipate that the losses will more likely than not be fully utilized.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company completed a reorganization of certain of its foreign subsidiaries that resulted in the derecognition of the related deferred tax assets for net operating losses which were subject to a valuation allowance. As a result, the Company reduced both its net operating loss deferred tax assets and valuation allowance by approximately $19.7 million.
The Company accrued  $2.7 million as of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, excluding penalties and interest, for the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was included in “Long-term income tax liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Had the Company recognized these tax benefits, approximately $2.7 million, along with the related interest and penalties, would have favorably impacted the effective tax rate in both 2019 and 2018. The Company does not anticipate that any of the unrecognized tax benefits will be recognized in the next twelve months.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. The Company had $1.1 million and $0.6 million accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Of the accrued interest and penalties at December 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, relate to statutory penalties. The amount of interest and penalties, net, included in the provision for income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $0.4 million, $0.7 million and $(9.5) million, respectively.
The tabular reconciliation of the amounts of unrecognized net tax benefits is presented below (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	2,720	 	 	$	1,342	 	 	$	8,531	 	
Current period tax position increases	 	—	 	 	 	2,950	 	 	 	—	 	
Decreases from settlements with tax authorities	 	—	 	 	 	(191	)	 	 	(10,865	)	
Decreases due to lapse in applicable statute of limitations	 	—	 	 	 	(1,310	)	 	 	(466	)	
Foreign currency translation increases (decreases)	 	(9	)	 	 	(71	)	 	 	4,142	 	
Balance at the end of the period	$	2,711	 	 	$	2,720	 	 	$	1,342	 	
 
The Company received assessments for the Canadian 2003-2009 audit. Requests for Competent Authority Assistance were filed with both the Canadian Revenue Agency and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the Company paid mandatory security deposits to Canada as part of this process.  As of June 30, 2017, the Company determined that all material aspects of the Canadian audit were effectively settled pursuant to ASC 740. As a result, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $1.2 million, net of the U.S. tax impact, at that time and the deposits were applied against the anticipated liability. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company finalized procedures ancillary to the Canadian audit and recognized an additional $2.8 million income tax benefit due to the elimination of certain assessed penalties, interest and withholding taxes.
The Company is currently under audit in several tax jurisdictions. The Company believes it has adequate reserves related to all matters pertaining to these audits. Should the Company experience unfavorable outcomes from these audits,  such outcomes could have a significant impact on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company and its subsidiaries file federal, state and local income tax returns as required in the U.S. and in various foreign tax jurisdictions. The major tax jurisdictions and tax years that are open and subject to examination by the respective tax authorities as of December 31, 2019 are tax years 2016 through 2019 for the U.S.
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Note 21. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. Diluted earnings per share includes the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the respective periods and the further dilutive effect, if any, from stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and shares held in rabbi trust using the treasury stock method.
The number of shares used in the earnings per share computation were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Basic:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average common shares outstanding	 	41,649	 	 	 	42,090	 	 	 	41,822	 	
Diluted:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Dilutive effect of stock appreciation rights, restricted
   stock, restricted stock units and shares held in
   rabbi trust	 	153	 	 	 	156	 	 	 	319	 	
Total weighted average diluted shares outstanding	 	41,802	 	 	 	42,246	 	 	 	42,141	 	
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the diluted earnings
   per share calculation	 	69	 	 	 	44	 	 	 	46	 	
 
On August 18, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized the Company to purchase up to 5.0 million shares of its outstanding common stock (the “2011 Share Repurchase Program”). On March 16, 2016, the Board authorized an increase of 5.0 million shares to the 2011 Share Repurchase Program for a total of 10.0 million shares.  A total of 6.4 million shares have been repurchased under the 2011 Share Repurchase Program since inception. The shares are purchased, from time to time, through open market purchases or in negotiated private transactions, and the purchases are based on factors, including but not limited to, the stock price, management discretion and general market conditions. The 2011 Share Repurchase Program has no expiration date.  
The shares repurchased under the Company’s 2011 Share Repurchase Program were as follows (none in 2018 or 2017) (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
 	 	Total Number of	 	 	 	 	 	Total Cost of	 	
 	 	Shares	 	 	Range of Prices Paid Per Share	 	 	Shares	 	
For the Year Ended	 	Repurchased	 	 	Low	 	 	High	 	 	Repurchased	 	
December 31, 2019	 	 	1,140	 	 	$	24.72	 	 	$	28.00	 	 	$	30,281	 	
 
Note 22. Commitments and Loss Contingencies
Purchase Commitments
 
The Company enters into agreements with third-party vendors in the ordinary course of business whereby the Company commits to purchase goods and services used in its normal operations. These agreements generally are not cancelable, range from one to five-year periods and may contain fixed or minimum annual commitments. Certain of these agreements allow for renegotiation of the minimum annual commitments based on certain conditions.
The following is a schedule of future minimum purchases remaining under the agreements as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
 
 	Amount	 	
2020	$	36,332	 	
2021	 	6,304	 	
2022	 	2,338	 	
2023	 	525	 	
2024	 	—	 	
2025 and thereafter	 	—	 	
 	$	45,499	 	
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Indemnities, Commitments and Guarantees
From time to time, during the normal course of business, the Company may make certain indemnities, commitments and guarantees under which it may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. These include but are not limited to: (i) indemnities to clients, vendors and service providers pertaining to claims based on negligence or willful misconduct of the Company and (ii) indemnities involving breach of contract, the accuracy of representations and warranties of the Company, or other liabilities assumed by the Company in certain contracts. In addition, the Company has agreements whereby it will indemnify certain officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at the Company’s request in such capacity. The indemnification period covers all pertinent events and occurrences during the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has director and officer insurance coverage that limits its exposure and enables it to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. The Company believes the applicable insurance coverage is generally adequate to cover any estimated potential liability under these indemnification agreements. The majority of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees do not provide for any limitation of the maximum potential for future payments the Company could be obligated to make. The Company has not recorded any liability for these indemnities, commitments and guarantees in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  In addition, the Company has some client contracts that do not contain contractual provisions for the limitation of liability, and other client contracts that contain agreed upon exceptions to limitation of liability.  The Company has not recorded any liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets with respect to any client contracts under which the Company has or may have unlimited liability.
Loss Contingencies
The Company received a state audit assessment and is currently rebutting the position. The Company has determined that the likelihood of a liability is reasonably possible and developed a range of possible loss up to $1.6 million, net of federal benefit.
The Company, from time to time, is involved in legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.
On August 24, 2017, a collective action lawsuit was filed against the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado (the “Court”), Slaughter v. Sykes Enterprises, Inc., Case No. 17 Civ. 2038. The lawsuit claimed that the Company failed to pay certain employees overtime compensation for the hours they worked over forty in a workweek, as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act.  On October 17, 2018, the parties entered into a verbal agreement to fully resolve all claims and the fees for the plaintiffs’ attorneys for a total payment of $1.2 million. The settlement agreement was approved by the Court and a charge of $1.2 million was included in “General and administrative” in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The settlement was paid in full on December 31, 2018.
With respect to any such other currently pending matters, management believes that the Company has adequate legal defenses and/or, when possible and appropriate, has provided adequate accruals related to those matters such that the ultimate outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 23. Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The Company sponsors non-contributory defined benefit pension plans (the “Pension Plans”) for its covered employees in the Philippines. The Pension Plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and final salary. All permanent employees meeting the minimum service requirement are eligible to participate in the Pension Plans. As of December 31, 2019, the Pension Plans were unfunded. The Company expects to make no cash contributions to its Pension Plans during 2020.
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The following table provides a reconciliation of the change in the benefit obligation for the Pension Plans and the net amount recognized, included in “Other long-term liabilities,” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	3,282	 	 	$	3,642	 	
Service cost	 	405	 	 	 	448	 	
Interest cost	 	254	 	 	 	196	 	
Actuarial (gains) losses	 	(108	)	 	 	(783	)	
Benefits paid	 	(22	)	 	 	(32	)	
Effect of foreign currency translation	 	122	 	 	 	(189	)	
Balance at the end of the period	$	3,933	 	 	$	3,282	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Unfunded status	 	(3,933	)	 	 	(3,282	)	
Net amount recognized	$	(3,933	)	 	$	(3,282	)	
The actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost for the Pension Plans were as follows:
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Discount rate	5.0-5.3%	 	 	7.4-7.5%	 	 	5.5-5.6%	 	
Rate of compensation increase	 	1.4	%	 	 	2.0	%	 	 	2.0	%	
 
The Company evaluates these assumptions on a periodic basis taking into consideration current market conditions and historical market data. The discount rate is used to calculate expected future cash flows at a present value on the measurement date, which is December 31. This rate represents the market rate for high-quality fixed income investments. A lower discount rate would increase the present value of benefit obligations. Other assumptions include demographic factors such as retirement, mortality and turnover.
 
The following table provides information about the net periodic benefit cost and other accumulated comprehensive income for the Pension Plans (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Service cost	$	405	 	 	$	448	 	 	$	443	 	
Interest cost	 	254	 	 	 	196	 	 	 	194	 	
Recognized actuarial (gains)	 	(86	)	 	 	(58	)	 	 	(43	)	
Net periodic benefit cost	 	573	 	 	 	586	 	 	 	594	 	
Unrealized net actuarial (gains), net of tax	 	(2,324	)	 	 	(2,256	)	 	 	(1,574	)	
Total amount recognized in net periodic benefit cost and
   accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(1,751	)	 	$	(1,670	)	 	$	(980	)	
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) – Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”). These amendments require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period.  The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component outside of a subtotal of income from operations.  If a separate line item is not used, the line items used in the income statement to present other components of net benefit cost must be disclosed.  These amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.  These amendments were applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets.  The amendments allow a
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practical expedient that permits an employer to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements.
The Company adopted the income statement presentation aspects of ASU 2017-07 on a retrospective basis effective January 1, 2018. The following is a reconciliation of the effect of the reclassification of the interest cost and amortization of actuarial gain (loss) from operating expenses to other income (expense) in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 	As Previously
Reported	 	 	Adjustments
Due to the
Adoption of
ASU 2017-07	 	 	As Revised	 	
Year Ended December 31, 2017:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Direct salaries and related costs	$	1,039,790	 	 	$	(113	)	 	$	1,039,677	 	
General and administrative	 	376,863	 	 	 	(38	)	 	 	376,825	 	
Income from operations	 	86,891	 	 	 	151	 	 	 	87,042	 	
Other income (expense), net	 	(5,584	)	 	 	(151	)	 	 	(5,735	)	
 
The Company’s service cost for its qualified pension plans was included in “Direct salaries and related costs” and “General and administrative” costs in its Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. The remaining components of net periodic benefit cost were included in “Other income (expense), net” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
The estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Years Ending December 31,	Amount	 	
2020	$	447	 	
2021	 	107	 	
2022	 	77	 	
2023	 	135	 	
2024	 	120	 	
2025 - 2029	 	1,038	 	
 
The Company expects to recognize $0.1 million of net actuarial gains as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2020.
Employee Retirement Savings Plans
The Company maintains a 401(k) plan covering defined employees who meet established eligibility requirements. Under the plan provisions, the Company matches 50% of participant contributions to a maximum matching amount of 2% of participant compensation. The Company’s contributions included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
401(k) plan contributions	$	1,714	 	 	$	1,612	 	 	$	1,502	 	
 
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Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangement
In 1996, the Company entered into a split-dollar life insurance arrangement to benefit the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Under the terms of the arrangement, the Company retained a collateral interest in the policy to the extent of the premiums paid by the Company. The postretirement benefit obligation included in “Other long-term liabilities” and the unrealized gains (losses) included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Postretirement benefit obligation	$	3	 	 	$	12	 	
Unrealized gains (losses) in AOCI (1)	 	88	 	 	 	40	 	
 
(1)	Unrealized gains (losses) are due to changes in discount rates related to the postretirement obligation.	
Post-Retirement Defined Contribution Healthcare Plan
On January 1, 2005, the Company established a Post-Retirement Defined Contribution Healthcare Plan for eligible employees meeting certain service and age requirements. The plan is fully funded by the participants and accordingly, the Company does not recognize expense relating to the plan.
Note 24. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s stock-based compensation plans include the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan for employees and certain non-employees, including non-employee directors, and the Deferred Compensation Plan for certain eligible employees. The Company issues common stock and uses treasury stock to satisfy stock option exercises or vesting of stock awards.
The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense (primarily in the Americas) and income tax benefits related to the stock-based compensation, both plan and non-plan related (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Stock-based compensation (expense) (1)	$	(7,396	)	 	$	(7,543	)	 	$	(7,621	)	
Income tax benefit (2)	 	1,775	 	 	 	1,810	 	 	 	2,858	 	
 
(1)	Included in "General and administrative" costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.	
(2)	Included in "Income taxes" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.	
There were no capitalized stock-based compensation costs as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
2019 Equity Incentive Plan — The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted the Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2019 Plan”) on March 12, 2019.  The 2019 Plan was approved by the shareholders at the May 2019 annual shareholders meeting.  The 2019 Plan replaced and superseded the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The outstanding awards granted under the 2011 Plan will remain in effect until their exercise, expiration or termination. The 2019 Plan provides for the grant of awards with respect to a maximum of 4.0 million shares of common stock, plus any shares of common stock that expire, terminate or are cancelled or forfeited under the terms of the 2011 Plan. The 2019 Plan permits the grant of restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, stock options and other stock-based awards to certain employees of, and certain non-employees who provide services to, the Company.  
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In the event of a change in control, except as may otherwise be provided in an award agreement, the outstanding 2019 Plan awards vesting upon the passage of time (e.g., employment-based) will be accelerated, and all awards vesting upon the attainment of performance goals will be deemed achieved at 100% of target and all other restrictions applicable to outstanding awards will lapse, provided that the participant is employed by the Company on the date of the change in control.
Stock Appreciation Rights — Stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) represent the right to receive, without payment to the Company, a certain number of shares of common stock equal to the amount by which the fair market value of a share of common stock at the time of exercise exceeds the grant price.
The SARs are granted at the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant and vest ratably over a three-year period following the date of grant, provided the participant is employed by the Company on such date. The SARs have a term of 10 years from the date of grant.
All currently outstanding SARs are exercisable within three months after the death, disability, retirement or termination of the participant’s employment with the Company, if and to the extent the SARs were exercisable immediately prior to such termination.  If the participant’s employment is terminated for cause, or the participant terminates his or her own employment with the Company, any portion of the SARs not yet exercised (whether or not vested) terminates immediately on the date of termination of employment.
The fair value of each SAR is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model that uses various assumptions. The fair value of the SARs is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the award is based on the yield curve of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond on the date the award is granted with a maturity equal to the expected term of the award. Exercises and forfeitures are estimated within the valuation model using employee termination and other historical data. The expected term of the SARs granted represents the period of time the SARs are expected to be outstanding.
The following table summarizes the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of SARs granted (none in 2019):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Expected volatility	 	21.4	%	 	 	19.3	%	
Weighted-average volatility	 	21.4	%	 	 	19.3	%	
Expected dividend rate	 	0.0	%	 	 	0.0	%	
Expected term (in years)	 	5.0	 	 	 	5.0	 	
Risk-free rate	 	2.5	%	 	 	1.9	%	
 
The following table summarizes SARs activity as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended:
 
Stock Appreciation Rights	Shares (000s)	 	 	Weighted Average Exercise Price	 	 	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	 	 	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000s)	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	 	962	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Granted	 	—	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Exercised	 	(582	)	 	$	—	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Forfeited or expired	 	(40	)	 	$	—	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at the end of the period	 	340	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	7.8	 	 	$	2,874	 	
Vested or expected to vest at the end of the period	 	340	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	7.8	 	 	$	2,874	 	
Exercisable at the end of the period	 	61	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	7.0	 	 	$	523	 	
 
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The following table summarizes information regarding SARs granted and exercised (in thousands, except per SAR amounts):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Number of SARs granted	 	—	 	 	 	333	 	 	 	396	 	
Weighted average grant-date fair value per SAR	$	—	 	 	$	6.84	 	 	$	6.24	 	
Intrinsic value of SARs exercised	$	4,893	 	 	$	320	 	 	$	1,763	 	
Fair value of SARs vested	$	2,053	 	 	$	1,950	 	 	$	1,846	 	
 
The following table summarizes nonvested SARs activity as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended:
 
Nonvested Stock Appreciation Rights	Shares (000s)	 	 	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	 	618	 	 	$	6.74	 	
Granted	 	—	 	 	$	—	 	
Vested	 	(299	)	 	$	6.85	 	
Forfeited or expired	 	(40	)	 	$	6.63	 	
Balance at the end of the period	 	279	 	 	$	6.63	 	
As of December 31, 2019, there was $0.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, related to nonvested SARs. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years.
Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units – The Company awards performance and employment-based restricted shares (“restricted shares”) and/or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to eligible participants. The restricted shares are shares of the Company’s common stock (or in the case of RSUs, represent an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock) which are issued to the participant subject to (a) restrictions on transfer for a period of time and (b) forfeiture under certain conditions.
For performance-based awards, the performance goals, including revenue growth and income from operations targets, provide a range of vesting possibilities from 0% to 100% and will be measured at the end of the three-year performance period. If the performance goals are met for the performance period, the shares will vest and all restrictions on the transfer of the restricted shares will lapse (or in the case of RSUs, an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock will be issued to the recipient). The Company recognizes compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, based on the fair value (which approximates the current market price) of the restricted shares and RSUs on the date of grant ratably over the requisite performance period based on the probability of achieving the performance goals. Changes in the probability of achieving the performance goals from period to period will result in corresponding changes in compensation expense.
Employment-based restricted shares and RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period following the date of grant, provided the participant is employed by the Company on such date. The Company recognizes compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, based on the fair value (which approximates the current market price) of the restricted shares and RSUs on the date of grant ratably over the requisite service period.
If the participant’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, either by the Company or participant, prior to the date on which the restricted shares have vested and the restrictions have lapsed with respect to such vested shares, any restricted shares remaining subject to the restrictions (together with any dividends paid thereon) will be forfeited, unless there has been a change in control prior to such date.  
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The following table summarizes nonvested restricted shares/RSUs activity as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended:
 
Nonvested Restricted Shares and RSUs	Shares (000s)	 	 	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	 	1,144	 	 	$	29.15	 	
Granted	 	508	 	 	$	28.43	 	
Vested	 	(123	)	 	$	29.67	 	
Forfeited or expired	 	(381	)	 	$	29.65	 	
Balance at the end of the period(1)	 	1,148	 	 	$	28.61	 	
 
(1)	Comprised of 81% of performance-based nonvested restricted shares/RSUs and 19% of employment-based nonvested restricted shares/RSUs.	
 
The following table summarizes information regarding restricted shares/RSUs granted and vested (in thousands, except per restricted share/RSU amounts):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Number of restricted shares/RSUs granted	 	508	 	 	 	492	 	 	 	480	 	
Weighted average grant-date fair value per restricted share/RSU	$	28.43	 	 	$	28.16	 	 	$	29.42	 	
Fair value of restricted shares/RSUs vested	$	3,647	 	 	$	8,342	 	 	$	6,868	 	
 
As of December 31, 2019, based on the probability of achieving the performance goals, there was $6.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, related to nonvested restricted shares/RSUs. Of the unrecognized compensation cost, 33% related to performance-based nonvested restricted shares/RSUs and 67% related to employment-based nonvested restricted shares/RSUs. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.
Non-Employee Director Compensation — The Company does not have a formal, written compensation plan for non-employee directors.  Subsequent to the expiration of its 2004 Non-Employee Director Fee Plan, the Board, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, determined that the Company’s non-employee directors would continue to receive a combination of cash and equity grants on an annual basis.  The amount of the cash and equity grants are determined annually by the Board, and the stock portion of such compensation is issued under the Company’s 2019 Plan.
Currently, all new non-employee directors joining the Board receive an initial grant of shares of common stock on the date the new director is elected or appointed, the number of which is determined by dividing $60,000 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date a new director is elected or appointed, rounded to the nearest whole number of shares.  The initial grant of shares vests in twelve equal quarterly installments, one-twelfth on the date of grant and an additional one-twelfth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of grant.  The award lapses with respect to all unvested shares in the event the non-employee director ceases to be a director of the Company, and any unvested shares are forfeited.
Additionally, the current compensation structure approved by the Board, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, provides that each non-employee director receives, on the day after the annual shareholders meeting, an annual retainer for service as a non-employee director (the “Annual Retainer”). The total value of the Annual Retainer is $170,000, of which $70,000 is payable in cash, and the remainder is paid in stock, the amount of which is determined by dividing $100,000 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the annual shareholders’ meeting.  The annual grant of shares paid to non-employee directors vests in four equal quarterly installments, one-fourth on the date of grant and an additional one-fourth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of grant). The award lapses with respect to all unpaid cash and unvested shares in the event the non-employee director ceases to be a director of the Company, and any unvested shares and unpaid cash are forfeited.
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The following table summarizes nonvested common stock share award activity as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended:
 
Nonvested Common Stock Share Awards	Shares (000s)	 	 	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	 	9	 	 	$	27.72	 	
Granted	 	34	 	 	$	25.41	 	
Vested	 	(32	)	 	$	25.99	 	
Forfeited or expired	 	—	 	 	$	—	 	
Balance at the end of the period	 	11	 	 	$	25.61	 	
 
The following table summarizes information regarding common stock share awards granted and vested (in thousands, except per share award amounts):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Number of share awards granted	 	34	 	 	 	34	 	 	 	24	 	
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share award	$	25.41	 	 	$	27.68	 	 	$	32.93	 	
Fair value of share awards vested	$	840	 	 	$	880	 	 	$	850	 	
 
As of December 31, 2019, there was $0.2 million of total unrecognized compensation costs, net of actual forfeitures, related to nonvested common stock share awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.8 years.
Deferred Compensation Plan — The Company’s non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), which is not shareholder-approved, was adopted by the Board effective December 17, 1998.  It was last amended and restated on August 15, 2017, effective January 1, 2018.  Eligibility is limited to a select group of key management and employees who are expected to receive an annualized base salary (which will not take into account bonuses or commissions) that exceeds the amount taken into account for purposes of determining highly compensated employees under Section 414(q) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 based on the current year’s base salary and applicable dollar amounts.  The Deferred Compensation Plan provides participants with the ability to defer between 1% and 80% of their compensation (between 1% and 100% prior to June 30, 2016, the effective date of the first amendment) until the participant’s retirement, termination, disability or death, or a change in control of the Company. Using the Company’s common stock, the Company matches 50% of the amounts deferred by participants on a quarterly basis up to a total of $5,000 to $12,000 per year, depending on the participant’s eligible category.  Matching contributions and the associated earnings vest over a seven-year service period. Vesting will be accelerated in the event of the participant’s death or disability, retirement or a change in control. In the event of a distribution of benefits resulting from a change in control of the Company, the Company will increase the benefit by an amount sufficient to offset the income tax obligations created by the distribution of benefits. Deferred compensation amounts used to pay benefits, which are held in a rabbi trust, include investments in various mutual funds and shares of the Company’s common stock (see Note 13, Investments Held in Rabbi Trust).  
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, liabilities of $13.9 million and $11.4 million, respectively, of the Deferred Compensation Plan were recorded in “Accrued employee compensation and benefits” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company’s common stock match associated with the Deferred Compensation Plan, with a carrying value of approximately $2.5 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is included in “Treasury stock” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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The following table summarizes nonvested common stock activity as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended:
 
Nonvested Common Stock	Shares (000s)	 	 	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	 	8	 	 	$	29.01	 	
Granted	 	16	 	 	$	29.10	 	
Vested	 	(11	)	 	$	28.89	 	
Forfeited or expired	 	(2	)	 	$	29.16	 	
Balance at the end of the period	 	11	 	 	$	29.24	 	
 
The following table summarizes information regarding shares of common stock granted and vested (in thousands, except per common stock amounts):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Number of shares of common stock granted	 	16	 	 	 	16	 	 	 	13	 	
Weighted average grant-date fair value per common stock	$	29.10	 	 	$	28.48	 	 	$	30.49	 	
Fair value of common stock vested	$	320	 	 	$	315	 	 	$	334	 	
Cash used to settle the obligation	$	366	 	 	$	804	 	 	$	1,134	 	
 
As of December 31, 2019, there was $0.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, related to nonvested common stock. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.2 years.
Acquisition-Related Restricted Shares – In conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of Symphony on November 1, 2018, the Company granted RSUs to certain of Symphony’s owners. These RSUs were issued from the Company’s pool of authorized but unissued common stock.  See Note 4, Acquisitions, for further information.
The Company recognizes compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, based on the fair value (which approximates the current market price) of the RSUs on the date of grant ratably over the requisite service period. The RSUs vest one-half on and after each of May 1, 2020 and November 1, 2021, provided the participant is employed by the Company on such date. In the event of a change in control prior to the date the RSUs vest, all of the RSUs will vest and the restrictions on transfer will lapse with respect to such vested shares on the date of the change in control, provided that participant is employed by the Company on the date of the change in control.
If the participant’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, either by the Company or participant, prior to the date on which the RSUs have vested and the restrictions have lapsed with respect to such vested shares, any RSUs remaining subject to the restrictions (together with any dividends paid thereon) will be forfeited, unless there has been a change in control prior to such date.  
The following table summarizes nonvested acquisition-related RSUs activity as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended:
Nonvested Restricted Shares and RSUs	Shares (000s)	 	 	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	 	
Balance at the beginning of the period	 	124	 	 	$	30.67	 	
Granted	 	—	 	 	$	—	 	
Vested	 	(36	)	 	$	30.67	 	
Forfeited or expired	 	—	 	 	$	—	 	
Balance at the end of the period	 	88	 	 	$	30.67	 	
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During the third quarter of 2019, the Company accelerated the vesting of certain of the acquisition-related RSUs in conjunction with the departure of one of Symphony’s executives from the Company.
The following table summarizes information regarding acquisition-related RSUs granted and vested (none in 2017) (in thousands, except per restricted share/RSU amounts):
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Number of restricted shares/RSUs granted	 	—	 	 	 	124	 	
Weighted average grant-date fair value per restricted share/RSU	$	—	 	 	$	30.67	 	
Fair value of restricted shares/RSUs vested	$	1,091	 	 	$	—	 	
As of December 31, 2019, there was $1.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, related to nonvested acquisition-related RSUs. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
Note 25. Segments and Geographic Information
The Company operates within two regions, the Americas and EMEA. Each region represents a reportable segment comprised of aggregated regional operating segments, which portray similar economic characteristics. The Company aligns its business into two segments to effectively manage the business and support the customer care needs of every client and to respond to the demands of the Company’s global customers.
The reportable segments consist of (1) the Americas, which includes the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific Rim, and provides outsourced customer engagement solutions (with an emphasis on inbound multichannel demand generation, customer service and technical support) and technical staffing, and (2) EMEA, which includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and provides outsourced customer engagement solutions (with an emphasis on technical support and customer service) and fulfillment services. The Company also provides a suite of solutions such as RPA consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services that optimizes its differentiated full lifecycle management services platform. The sites within Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific Rim are included in the Americas segment given the nature of the business and client profile, which is primarily made up of U.S.-based companies that are using the Company’s services in these locations to support their customer engagement needs.
102

Information about the Company’s reportable segments is as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Americas	 	 	EMEA	 	 	Other (1)	 	 	Consolidated	 	
Year Ended December 31, 2019:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues	$	1,296,660	 	 	$	318,013	 	 	$	89	 	 	$	1,614,762	 	
Percentage of revenues	 	80.3	%	 	 	19.7	%	 	 	0.0	%	 	 	100.0	%	
Depreciation, net	$	42,386	 	 	$	6,521	 	 	$	3,009	 	 	$	51,916	 	
Amortization of intangibles	$	13,304	 	 	$	3,335	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	16,639	 	
Income (loss) from operations	$	134,948	 	 	$	17,918	 	 	$	(63,066	)	 	$	89,800	 	
Total other income (expense), net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	(3,877	)	 	 	(3,877	)	
Income taxes	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	(21,842	)	 	 	(21,842	)	
Net income	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	64,081	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year Ended December 31, 2018:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues	$	1,330,638	 	 	$	294,954	 	 	$	95	 	 	$	1,625,687	 	
Percentage of revenues	 	81.9	%	 	 	18.1	%	 	 	0.0	%	 	 	100.0	%	
Depreciation, net	$	48,378	 	 	$	5,952	 	 	$	3,020	 	 	$	57,350	 	
Amortization of intangibles	$	14,287	 	 	$	1,255	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	15,542	 	
Income (loss) from operations	$	108,021	 	 	$	16,507	 	 	$	(61,326	)	 	$	63,202	 	
Total other income (expense), net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	(6,285	)	 	 	(6,285	)	
Income taxes	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	(7,991	)	 	 	(7,991	)	
Net income	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	48,926	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year Ended December 31, 2017:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues	$	1,325,643	 	 	$	260,283	 	 	$	82	 	 	$	1,586,008	 	
Percentage of revenues	 	83.6	%	 	 	16.4	%	 	 	0.0	%	 	 	100.0	%	
Depreciation, net	$	47,730	 	 	$	5,211	 	 	$	3,031	 	 	$	55,972	 	
Amortization of intangibles	$	20,144	 	 	$	938	 	 	$	—	 	 	$	21,082	 	
Income (loss) from operations	$	136,386	 	 	$	16,067	 	 	$	(65,411	)	 	$	87,042	 	
Total other income (expense), net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	(5,735	)	 	 	(5,735	)	
Income taxes	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	(49,091	)	 	 	(49,091	)	
Net income	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	32,216	 	
 
(1)	Other items (including corporate and other costs, other income and expense, and income taxes) are shown for purposes of reconciling to the Company’s consolidated totals as shown in the tables above.  Inter-segment revenues are not material to the Americas and EMEA segment results.	
The Company’s reportable segments are evaluated regularly by its chief operating decision maker to decide how to allocate resources and assess performance. The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance based upon reportable segment revenue and income (loss) from operations.  Because assets by segment are not reported to or used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to allocate resources or to assess performance, total assets by segment are not disclosed.
Total revenues by segment from AT&T Corporation (“AT&T”), a major provider of communication services for which the Company provides various customer support services over several distinct lines of AT&T businesses, were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	
Americas	$	106,911	 	 	8.2%	 	 	$	164,793	 	 	12.4%	 	 	$	220,010	 	 	16.6%	 	
EMEA	 	210	 	 	0.1%	 	 	 	179	 	 	0.1%	 	 	 	—	 	 	0.0%	 	
 	$	107,121	 	 	6.6%	 	 	$	164,972	 	 	10.1%	 	 	$	220,010	 	 	13.9%	 	
 
103

The Company has multiple distinct contracts with AT&T spread across multiple lines of businesses, which expire at varying dates between 2020 and 2022. The Company has historically renewed most of these contracts. However, there is no assurance that these contracts will be renewed, or if renewed, will be on terms as favorable as the existing contracts. Each line of business is governed by separate business terms, conditions and metrics. Each line of business also has a separate decision maker such that a loss of one line of business would not necessarily impact the Company’s relationship with the client and decision makers on other lines of business. The loss of (or the failure to retain a significant amount of business with) any of the Company’s key clients, including AT&T, could have a material adverse effect on its performance. Many of the Company’s contracts contain penalty provisions for failure to meet minimum service levels and are cancelable by the client at any time or on short notice. Also, clients may unilaterally reduce their use of the Company’s services under the contracts without penalty.
Total revenues by segment from the Company’s largest client other than AT&T, which was in the financial services vertical in each of the years, were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	
Americas	$	111,131	 	 	8.6%	 	 	$	105,852	 	 	8.0%	 	 	$	109,475	 	 	8.3%	 	
EMEA	 	—	 	 	0.0%	 	 	 	—	 	 	0.0%	 	 	 	—	 	 	0.0%	 	
 	$	111,131	 	 	6.9%	 	 	$	105,852	 	 	6.5%	 	 	$	109,475	 	 	6.9%	 	
 
Other than AT&T, total revenues by segment of the Company’s clients that each individually represents 10% or greater of that segment’s revenues in each of the periods were as follows (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	 	Amount	 	 	% of Revenues	 	
Americas	$	—	 	 	0.0%	 	 	$	—	 	 	0.0%	 	 	$	—	 	 	0.0%	 	
EMEA	 	40,138	 	 	12.6%	 	 	 	104,856	 	 	35.5%	 	 	 	104,829	 	 	40.3%	 	
 	$	40,138	 	 	2.5%	 	 	$	104,856	 	 	6.4%	 	 	$	104,829	 	 	6.6%	 	
 
The Company’s top ten clients accounted for 42.2%, 44.2% and 46.9% of its consolidated revenues during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The following table represents a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers by delivery location (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Americas:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
United States	$	614,493	 	 	$	668,580	 	 	$	644,870	 	
The Philippines	 	250,888	 	 	 	231,966	 	 	 	241,211	 	
Costa Rica	 	127,078	 	 	 	127,963	 	 	 	132,542	 	
Canada	 	99,037	 	 	 	102,353	 	 	 	112,367	 	
El Salvador	 	81,195	 	 	 	81,156	 	 	 	75,800	 	
Other	 	123,969	 	 	 	118,620	 	 	 	118,853	 	
Total Americas	 	1,296,660	 	 	 	1,330,638	 	 	 	1,325,643	 	
EMEA:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Germany	 	94,166	 	 	 	91,703	 	 	 	81,634	 	
Other	 	223,847	 	 	 	203,251	 	 	 	178,649	 	
Total EMEA	 	318,013	 	 	 	294,954	 	 	 	260,283	 	
Total Other	 	89	 	 	 	95	 	 	 	82	 	
 	$	1,614,762	 	 	$	1,625,687	 	 	$	1,586,008	 	
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The Company’s property and equipment, net by geographic location was as follows (in thousands):
 
 	December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	
Americas:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
United States	$	49,077	 	 	$	63,380	 	
The Philippines	 	15,912	 	 	 	9,840	 	
Costa Rica	 	5,923	 	 	 	6,511	 	
Canada	 	7,154	 	 	 	3,765	 	
El Salvador	 	5,227	 	 	 	4,810	 	
Other	 	14,381	 	 	 	15,459	 	
Total Americas	 	97,674	 	 	 	103,765	 	
EMEA:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Germany	 	3,499	 	 	 	3,395	 	
Other	 	10,216	 	 	 	11,279	 	
Total EMEA	 	13,715	 	 	 	14,674	 	
Total Other	 	14,601	 	 	 	16,979	 	
 	$	125,990	 	 	$	135,418	 	
The Company’s ROU assets by geographic location were as follows (none in 2018) (in thousands):
 
 	December 31, 2019	 	
Americas:	 	 	 	
United States	$	79,248	 	
The Philippines	 	44,563	 	
Costa Rica	 	17,652	 	
Canada	 	403	 	
El Salvador	 	13,251	 	
Other	 	19,001	 	
Total Americas	 	174,118	 	
EMEA:	 	 	 	
Germany	 	4,396	 	
Other	 	23,197	 	
Total EMEA	 	27,593	 	
Total Other	 	3,401	 	
 	$	205,112	 	
 
Note 26. Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense), net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 	Years Ended December 31,	 	
 	2019	 	 	2018	 	 	2017	 	
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$	(1,262	)	 	$	2,029	 	 	$	(548	)	
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments not designated as hedges	 	(674	)	 	 	(1,751	)	 	 	143	 	
Net investment gains (losses) on investments held in rabbi trust	 	2,379	 	 	 	(867	)	 	 	1,619	 	
Other miscellaneous income (expense)	 	(857	)	 	 	(1,659	)	 	 	44	 	
 	$	(414	)	 	$	(2,248	)	 	$	1,258	 	
 
Note 27. Related Party Transactions
In January 2008, the Company entered into a lease for a customer engagement center located in Kingstree, South Carolina. The landlord, Kingstree Office One, LLC, is an entity controlled by John H. Sykes, the founder, former Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the father of Charles Sykes, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The lease payments on the 20-year lease were negotiated at or below market rates, and the lease is cancellable at the option of the Company. The Company paid $0.5 million, $0.5 million and
105

$0.5 million to the landlord during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, under the terms of the lease.
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company contracted to receive services from XSell, an equity method investee, for less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively (none in 2017).  These related party transactions occurred in the normal course of business on terms and conditions that are similar to those of transactions with unrelated parties and, therefore, were measured at the exchange amount.

106

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
 
(in thousands)	Balance at Beginning of Period	 	 	Charged (Credited) to Costs and Expenses	 	 	Additions (Deductions) (1)	 	 	Balance at End of Period	 	
Allowance for doubtful accounts:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2019	$	3,096	 	 	$	598	 	 	$	(214	)	 	$	3,480	 	
Year ended December 31, 2018	 	2,958	 	 	 	323	 	 	 	(185	)	 	 	3,096	 	
Year ended December 31, 2017	 	2,925	 	 	 	63	 	 	 	(30	)	 	 	2,958	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2019	$	32,299	 	 	$	(19,633	)	 	$	—	 	 	$	12,666	 	
Year ended December 31, 2018	 	32,443	 	 	 	(144	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,299	 	
Year ended December 31, 2017	 	30,221	 	 	 	2,222	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,443	 	
 
(1)	Net write-offs and recoveries, including the effect of foreign currency translation.	
 
107

Exhibit 4.2
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated  (the “Company”) has one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended: our Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”).
The following description of our Common Stock, our preferred stock and certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles of Incorporation”) and Bylaws, as amended (the “Bylaws”) is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles and Bylaws, each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. We encourage you to read our Articles of Incorporation, our Bylaws and the applicable provisions of the Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”) for additional information.
GENERAL        
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, issuable in one or more series by our Board of Directors (the "Preferred Stock").  As of February 27, 2019, there are no shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.  The outstanding shares of our Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
COMMON STOCK        
Each holder of our Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors, subject to the voting rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. Shareholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes in elections of directors. Directors are to be elected by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy, provided that if the number of nominees standing for election at any meeting of the shareholders exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Except as provided by law, all other matters are to be decided by a vote of a majority of votes cast by the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy.
Holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends on a pro rata basis when and as declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, provided that if any shares of preferred stock are at the time outstanding, the payment of dividends on Common Stock or other distributions (including purchases of Common Stock) may be subject to the declaration and payment of full cumulative dividends, and the absence of overdue amounts in any mandatory sinking fund, on outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Upon a liquidation of the Company, holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to a pro rata distribution of the assets of the Company, after payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company, and subject to any preferential amount payable to holders of any class of stock of the Company having preference over the Common Stock, if any.
Holders of Common Stock have no conversion, preemptive or other rights to subscribe for additional shares or other securities, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to such shares. There are no restrictions on transfer of our Common Stock, except as provided by law. There are no provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of our Common Stock as a result of any shareholder owning a substantial amount of our Common Stock.
Our Common Stock is traded on Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “SYKE.”
PREFERRED STOCK        
The Company's Articles of Incorporation permit our Board of Directors to issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the relative rights, preferences, and limitations of each series without any further vote or action by our shareholders. Among such rights, preferences, and limitations are dividend rights and rates, terms of redemption

(including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, voting rights, conversion rights and liquidation preferences of the shares constituting such series. Any issuance of Preferred Stock with a dividend preference over our Common Stock could adversely affect the dividend rights of holders of Common Stock.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF THE COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION        
Certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company.

•	Our Articles of Incorporation provide for a classified Board of Directors. The directors are divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible. The directors are elected for three-year terms, which are staggered so that the terms of one-third of the directors expire each year.	
•	Our Articles of Incorporation permit removal of directors only for cause by the shareholders of the Company at a special meeting of the shareholders called for such a purpose by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.	
•	Our Bylaws provide that any vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum.	
•	Our Articles of Incorporation establish an advance notice procedure for the nomination of candidates for election as directors, as well as for other shareholder proposals to be considered at shareholders' meetings.	
•	Our Articles of Incorporation provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting and may not be effected by any consent in writing of such shareholders, unless such consent is unanimous.  	
•	Our Articles of Incorporation contains provisions requiring the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Stock to amend certain provisions thereof, including Article 4 (Board of Directors) and Article 5 (Action by Shareholders).        	
The above-described provisions may have certain anti-takeover effects. Such provisions, in addition to the provisions of the FBCA referenced below and the possible issuance of preferred stock discussed above, may make it more difficult for other persons, without the approval of the Company's Board of Directors, to make a tender offer or acquisitions of substantial amounts of the Common Stock or to launch other takeover attempts that a shareholder might consider in such shareholder's best interests.  
In addition, some of the provisions of the FBCA could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control.      
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR      
The Company's transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is Computershare Investor Services.    

EXHIBIT 21.1
 
SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
As of December 31, 2019, the Registrant directly or indirectly owned the following subsidiaries. Certain subsidiaries, which in the aggregate do not constitute significant subsidiaries, may be omitted.
 
Subsidiary	State or Jurisdiction of Organization	
Sykes Australia Pty. Ltd.	Australia	
Sykes Financial Services Pty. Ltd.	Australia	
WhistleOut Pty. Ltd.	Australia	
Qelp Do Brasil Software E Contuedo Digital LTDA	Brazil	
Sykes do Brasil Servicos de Teleatendlmento Para Clientes Ltda	Brazil	
Alpine Access Canada, Inc.	Canada	
ICT Canada Marketing, Inc.	Canada	
Sykes Assistance Services Corporation	Canada	
WhistleOut Technology Inc.	Canada	
Sykes Colombia SAS	Colombia	
Sykes Latin America, S.A.	Costa Rica	
Sykes Cyprus Limited	Cyprus	
Alpine Access, Inc.	Delaware	
Clear Link Technologies, LLC	Delaware	
ICT Accounts Receivable Management, Inc.	Delaware	
ICT Enterprises, Inc.	Delaware	
Sykes Acquisition Corp. II	Delaware	
Symphony Ventures Inc.	Delaware	
WhistleOut Inc.	Delaware	
Sykes Enterprises Denmark ApS	Denmark	
Sykes Egypt LLC	Egypt	
Sykes El Salvador, Ltda	El Salvador	
Symphony Ventures Ltd.	England	
Sykes Finland Oyin	Finland	
SEI Consulting Services, Inc.	Florida	
SEI Employment Services, Inc.	Florida	
Sykes Realty, Inc.	Florida	
Sykes Telehealth Services, Inc.	Florida	
Sykes Enterprises Berlin GmbH & Co. KG	Germany	
Sykes Enterprises Bochum GmbH & Co. KG	Germany	
Sykes Enterprises GmbH	Germany	
Sykes Enterprises Management GmbH	Germany	
Sykes Enterprises Support Services B.V. & Co. KG	Germany	
Sykes Enterprises Verwaltungs und Management GmbH	Germany	
Sykes Kozep-Europa Kft	Hungary	
Sykes Business Services of India Private Limited	India	
Sykes Enterprises (India) Pvt Ltd	India	
Symphony RPA Private Ltd.	India	
Sykes Enterprises Italy S.r.L	Italy	
Sykes India Holdings Corporation	Mauritius	
ICT Marketing Services of Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.	Mexico	

Subsidiary	State or Jurisdiction of Organization	
Sykes Enterprises Norway AS	Norway	
Symphony Ventures Sp.Zo.O.	Poland	
Sykes Enterprises Eastern Europe S.R.L.	Romania	
LINK Network Limited	Scotland	
Sykes Global Services Limited	Scotland	
Sykes Slovakia Sro	Slovakia	
Sykes Sweden AB	Sweden	
McQueen International B.V.	The Netherlands	
Qelp B.V.	The Netherlands	
Sykes Enterprises Incorporated BV	The Netherlands	
Sykes Netherlands Group B.V.	The Netherlands	
Guangzhou Pin Duo Information Technology Service Co. Ltd.	The People's Republic of China	
Shanghai Pintian Information Technology Service Co., Ltd.	The People's Republic of China	
Suzhou Pin Zhuo Information Technology Service Co. Ltd.	The People's Republic of China	
Sykes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd	The People's Republic of China	
Sykes Information Technology Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.	The People's Republic of China	
Sykes Asia Inc.	The Philippines	
BuyCalls, LLC	Utah	
Clear Link Insurance Agency, LLC	Utah	
LeadAmp, LLC	Utah	
Local Results, LLC	Utah	

 
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-178670 on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 27, 2020, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated for the year ended December 31, 2019.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP	
 	
Tampa, Florida	
February 27, 2020	

 
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)
I, Charles E. Sykes, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
 	(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;	
 	(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the company’s most recent fiscal quarter (the company’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and	
5. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 	(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.	

Date: February 27, 2020	
 	
/s/ Charles E. Sykes	
Charles E. Sykes, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director	

 
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)
I, John Chapman, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
 	(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;	
 	(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the company’s most recent fiscal quarter (the company’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and	
5. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 	(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.	

Date: February 27, 2020	
 	
/s/ John Chapman	
John Chapman, Chief Finance Officer	

 
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
In connection with the Annual Report of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Charles E. Sykes, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 27, 2020	 	By:	/s/ Charles E. Sykes	
 	 	 	Charles E. Sykes	
 	 	 	President and Chief Executive Officer and Director	

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
In connection with the Annual Report of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, John Chapman, Chief Finance Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 27, 2020	 	By:	/s/  John Chapman	
 	 	 	John Chapman	
 	 	 	Chief Finance Officer	
 	 	 	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	
 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.