Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions, except as noted)
1.Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 28, 2024 and for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications) necessary to state fairly the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Statements of Operations, Statements of Comprehensive Income, Statements of Stockholders' Equity, and Statements of Cash Flows of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (“Motorola Solutions” or the “Company”) for all periods presented.
The Company operates on a 52-week fiscal year, with each fiscal year ending on December 31. With respect to each fiscal quarter, the Company operates on a 13-week fiscal quarter, with all fiscal quarters ending on a Saturday.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Form 10-K"). The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain 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 periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Business Overview
The Company manages the business organizationally through two segments: “Products and Systems Integration” and “Software and Services". Within these segments the Company has three principal product lines in which the Company reports net sales: Land Mobile Radio Communications (“LMR” or “LMR Communications”), Video Security and Access Control ("Video"), and Command Center.
•LMR Communications: Infrastructure, devices (two-way radio and broadband, including both for public safety and professional and commercial radio (PCR)) and software that enable communications, inclusive of installation and integration, backed by services, to assure availability, security and resiliency.
•Video: Cameras (fixed, body-worn, in-vehicle), access control, infrastructure, video management, software and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered analytics that help enable visibility and bring attention to what’s important.
•Command Center: Command center solutions and software applications that unify voice, video and data analytics from public safety agencies, enterprises and the community to create a broad informational view to help simplify workflows and improve the accuracy and speed of decisions.
Recent Acquisitions
Subsequent to quarter end, on October 29, 2024, the Company acquired 3tc Software ("3tc"), a provider of control room software solutions for $22 million, net of cash acquired. In addition, the Company issued restricted stock at a fair value of $4 million to certain key employees that will be expensed over a service period of one year. The acquisition expands the Company's critical experience and innovation focused on advancing computer-aided dispatch ("CAD") for the UK's public safety agencies. This business is part of the Software and Services segment.
On July 1, 2024, the Company acquired Noggin, a global provider of critical event management ("CEM") software for $91 million, net of cash acquired. In addition, the Company issued restricted stock at a fair value of $19 million to certain key employees that will be expensed over a service period of three years. This acquisition enhances the Company's portfolio by adding operational resilience and CEM capabilities, which help enterprises and critical infrastructure anticipate, prepare for and efficiently respond to incidents. The business is part of the Software and Services segment.
On July 1, 2024, the Company acquired a company that provides vehicle location and management solutions for $132 million, net of cash acquired. In addition, the Company issued restricted stock at a fair value of $3 million to certain key employees that will be expensed over a service period of three years. The acquisition expands the Company's video solutions within the Software and Services segment.
On February 13, 2024, the Company acquired Silent Sentinel, a provider of specialized, long-range cameras, for $37 million, net of cash acquired. This acquisition complements the Company's portfolio of fixed video cameras, expanding its footprint with government and critical infrastructure customers and strengthens the Company's position as a global leader in end-to-end video security solutions. The business is part of the Products and System Integration segment.
On December 15, 2023, the Company acquired IPVideo, the creator of the HALO Smart Sensor, for $170 million, net of cash acquired. In addition, the Company issued restricted stock at a fair value of $5 million to certain key employees that will be expensed over a service period of one year. The HALO Smart Sensor is a multifunctional safety and security device with built-in vape detection and air quality monitoring, gunshot detection, abnormal noise and motion detection and emergency keyword detection. This acquisition adds sensor technology to the Company's physical security portfolio. The business is part of the Products and Systems Integration segment.
8
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” to update reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and information used to assess segment performance. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning in 2025, with early adoption permitted. The ASU will require the Company to disclose additional expense categories at the segment level including Cost of sales, Selling, general and administrative expenses, Research and development expenditures and Other charges once it adopts this ASU. The Company is still evaluating the complete impact of the adoption of this ASU on its disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which expands disclosures in an entity's income tax rate reconciliation table and disclosures regarding cash taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company anticipates that it will have additional disclosures regarding cash taxes and the income tax rate reconciliation once it adopts this ASU.
2. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table summarizes the disaggregation of the Company's revenue by segment, region, major products and services and customer type for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, consistent with the information reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker for evaluating the financial performance of the Company's reportable segments:
Three Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
(In millions)
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Regions:
North America
$
1,304
$
703
$
2,007
$
1,155
$
628
$
1,783
International
480
303
783
457
316
773
$
1,784
$
1,006
$
2,790
$
1,612
$
944
$
2,556
Major Products and Services:
LMR Communications
$
1,492
$
596
$
2,088
$
1,312
$
605
$
1,917
Video
292
208
500
300
153
453
Command Center
—
202
202
—
186
186
$
1,784
$
1,006
$
2,790
$
1,612
$
944
$
2,556
Customer Types:
Direct
$
1,108
$
917
2,025
$
940
$
859
$
1,799
Indirect
676
89
765
672
85
757
$
1,784
$
1,006
2,790
$
1,612
$
944
$
2,556
9
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
(In millions)
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Regions:
North America
$
3,631
$
1,985
$
5,616
$
3,130
$
1,786
$
4,916
International
1,302
888
2,190
1,222
991
2,213
$
4,933
$
2,873
$
7,806
$
4,352
$
2,777
$
7,129
Major Products and Services:
LMR Communications
$
4,112
$
1,739
$
5,851
$
3,542
$
1,807
$
5,349
Video
821
553
1,374
810
435
1,245
Command Center
—
581
581
—
535
535
$
4,933
$
2,873
$
7,806
$
4,352
$
2,777
$
7,129
Customer Types:
Direct
$
2,969
$
2,617
$
5,586
$
2,459
$
2,529
$
4,988
Indirect
1,964
256
2,220
1,893
248
2,141
$
4,933
$
2,873
$
7,806
$
4,352
$
2,777
$
7,129
Remaining Performance Obligations
Remaining performance obligations represent the revenue that is expected to be recognized in future periods related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, as of the end of a period. The transaction value associated with remaining performance obligations which were not yet satisfied as of September 28, 2024 was $9.1 billion. A total of $4.2 billion was from Products and Systems Integration performance obligations that were not yet satisfied as of September 28, 2024, of which $2.5 billion is expected to be recognized in the next twelve months. The remaining amounts will generally be satisfied over time as systems are implemented. Remaining performance obligations from the Products and Systems Integration segment are equal to disclosed backlog for the segment. A total of $4.9 billion was from Software and Services performance obligations that were not yet satisfied as of September 28, 2024. The determination of Software and Services performance obligations that are not satisfied takes into account a contract term that may be limited by the customer’s ability to terminate for convenience. Where termination for convenience exists in the Company's service contracts, its disclosure of the remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied assumes the contract term is limited until renewal. As a result, remaining performance obligations from the Software and Services segment may be less than disclosed backlog in the Software and Services segment due to multi-year service contracts with termination for convenience clauses. The Company expects to recognize $1.8 billion from unsatisfied Software and Services performance obligations over the next twelve months, with the remaining performance obligations generally to be recognized over time as services are performed and software is implemented.
On March 13, 2024, the Company received a notice of contract extension (the “Deferred National Shutdown Notice”) from the UK Home Office. The Deferred National Shutdown Notice seeks to extend the “national shutdown target date” of the Airwave service from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2029, at the rates implemented by a prospective price control on Airwave imposed by the Competition and Markets Authority (the "Charge Control"). In the first nine months of 2024, as a result of the UK Home Office's notice of a contract extension pursuant to their Deferred National Shutdown Notice, the Company recorded additional Software and Services performance obligations of $748 million to reflect the incremental three-years of services.
Payment terms on system contracts are typically tied to implementation milestones associated with progress on contracts, while revenue recognition is over time based on a cost-to-cost method of measuring performance. The Company may recognize a Contract asset or Contract liability, depending on whether revenue has been recognized in excess of billings or billings in excess of revenue. Services contracts are typically billed in advance, generating Contract liabilities until the Company has performed the services. The Company does not record a financing component to contracts when it expects, at contract inception, that the period between the transfer of a promised good or service and related payment terms are less than a year.
10
Contract Balances
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Accounts receivable, net
$
1,848
$
1,710
Contract assets
1,301
1,102
Contract liabilities
1,942
2,037
Non-current contract liabilities
480
424
Revenue recognized during the three months ended September 28, 2024 which was previously included in Contract liabilities as of June 29, 2024 was $572 million, compared to $475 million of revenue recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2023 which was previously included in Contract liabilities as of July 1, 2023. Revenue recognized during the nine months ended September 28, 2024 which was previously included in Contract liabilities as of December 31, 2023 was $1.2 billion, compared to $1.1 billion recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 which was previously included in Contract liabilities as of December 31, 2022. Revenue of $6 million was recognized during the three months ended September 28, 2024 related to performance obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in previous periods, primarily driven by changes in the estimates of progress on system contracts. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, revenue adjustments driven by the changes in estimates of progress on system contracts were de minimis. Revenue of $11 million was reversed during the nine months ended September 28, 2024 related to revenue recognized for performance obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in previous periods, primarily driven by changes in the estimates of progress on system contracts, compared to $18 million of reversals for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
There were no material expected credit losses recorded on contract assets during each of the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023.
Contract Cost Balances
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Current contract cost assets
$
78
$
56
Non-current contract cost assets
124
119
Amortization of contract cost assets was $13 million and $38 million for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, respectively, and $10 million and $35 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
3. Leases
Components of Lease Expense
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
(in millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Lease expense:
Operating lease cost
$
34
$
35
$
103
$
103
Short-term lease cost
—
—
—
1
Variable cost
12
10
34
28
Sublease income
(1)
(1)
(4)
(3)
Net lease expense from operating leases
$
45
$
44
$
133
$
129
Lease Assets and Liabilities
(in millions)
Statement Line Classification
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Right-of-use lease assets
Operating lease assets
$
551
$
495
Current lease liabilities
Accrued liabilities
131
125
Operating lease liabilities
Operating lease liabilities
444
407
11
Other Information Related to Leases
Nine Months Ended
(in millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Supplemental cash flow information:
Net cash used for operating activities related to operating leases
$
118
$
103
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
123
52
During the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company recorded $80 million of assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities due to an assumption that it is reasonably certain that renewal options will be extended on its radio tower site leases operated within the Airwave radio network, consistent with the UK Home Office's notice of contract extension pursuant to their Deferred National Shutdown Notice through December 31, 2029. In addition, assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities of $19 million were recorded in connection with the Company's renewal of an International region office lease by ten years.
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Weighted average remaining lease terms (years)
5
5
Weighted average discount rate:
3.92
%
4.34
%
Future Lease Payments
September 28, 2024
(in millions)
Operating Leases
Remainder of 2024
$
32
2025
147
2026
128
2027
109
2028
84
Thereafter
136
Total lease payments
636
Less: interest
61
Present value of lease liabilities
$
575
4. Other Financial Data
Statements of Operations Information
Other Charges
Other charges included in Operating earnings consist of the following:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Other charges:
Intangibles amortization (Note 15)
$
38
$
39
$
114
$
137
Reorganization of business (Note 14)
5
4
16
16
Operating lease asset impairments
1
—
5
4
Acquisition-related transaction fees
4
1
11
3
Environmental reserve expense
—
—
—
15
Legal settlements
1
1
7
1
Fixed asset impairments
—
—
—
3
Other
—
1
—
2
$
49
$
46
$
153
$
181
12
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense, net, and Other, net, both included in Other income (expense), consist of the following:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Interest, net:
Interest expense
$
(73)
$
(60)
$
(221)
$
(186)
Interest income
15
7
50
22
$
(58)
$
(53)
$
(171)
$
(164)
Other, net:
Net periodic pension and postretirement benefit (Note 8)
$
32
$
24
$
95
$
73
Loss from the extinguishment of Silver Lake Convertible Debt (Note 5)
—
—
(585)
—
Investment impairments
—
(7)
(3)
(16)
Foreign currency gain (loss)
(26)
23
(22)
(16)
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments (Note 6)
22
(26)
7
(9)
Fair value adjustments to equity investments
9
(7)
(4)
12
Assessments on uncertain tax positions
—
—
(11)
—
Other
5
—
4
2
$
42
$
7
$
(519)
$
46
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic and diluted earnings per common share from net earnings attributable to Motorola Solutions, Inc. are computed as follows:
Amounts attributable to Motorola Solutions, Inc. common stockholders
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Basic earnings per common share:
Earnings
$
562
$
464
$
966
$
1,113
Weighted average common shares outstanding
167.1
166.7
166.7
167.2
Per share amount
$
3.36
$
2.78
$
5.79
$
6.66
Diluted earnings per common share:
Earnings
$
562
$
464
$
966
$
1,113
Weighted average common shares outstanding
167.1
166.7
166.7
167.2
Add effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based awards
3.8
3.5
3.9
3.6
Silver Lake Convertible Debt
—
1.5
—
1.4
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
170.9
171.7
170.6
172.2
Per share amount
$
3.29
$
2.70
$
5.66
$
6.46
13
In the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended September 28, 2024, the assumed exercise of 0.1 million options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
In the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the nine months ended September 28, 2024, a total of 0.3 million shares related to the Silver Lake Convertible Debt (as defined in Note 5, "Debt and Credit Facilities" in this "Part 1 - Financial Information" of this Form 10-Q) were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive. In addition, the assumed exercise of 0.1 million options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
In the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the assumed exercise of 0.3 million options, inclusive of 0.2 million options subject to market based contingent option agreements, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
Balance Sheet Information
Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable, net, consists of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Accounts receivable
$
1,929
$
1,779
Less allowance for credit losses
(81)
(69)
$
1,848
$
1,710
Inventories, Net
Inventories, net, consist of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Finished goods
$
366
$
328
Work-in-process and production materials
586
640
952
968
Less inventory reserves
(136)
(141)
$
816
$
827
Other Current Assets
Other current assets consist of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Current contract cost assets (Note 2)
$
78
$
56
Contractor receivables
29
40
Tax-related deposits
41
32
Other
291
229
$
439
$
357
14
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, net, consist of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Land
$
5
$
5
Leasehold improvements
447
448
Machinery and equipment
2,404
2,396
2,856
2,849
Less accumulated depreciation
(1,832)
(1,885)
$
1,024
$
964
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company entered into an arrangement to sell its Richmond, British Columbia and Richardson, Texas video manufacturing operations, including the machinery and equipment, inventory, transfer of employees and related facility lease to a contract manufacturer. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company presented the assets and liabilities as held for sale in its Consolidated Balance Sheet and recognized an impairment loss of $24 million on the exit of these video manufacturing operations within Other charges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, as the carrying value of the asset group was below the expected selling price. The transaction closed on February 1, 2024 resulting in a gain on the sale of these video manufacturing operations, which was de minimis.
Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $46 million and $47 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $136 million and $134 million, respectively.
Investments
Investments consist of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Common stock
$
25
$
28
Strategic investments
26
28
Company-owned life insurance policies
78
74
Equity method investments
11
13
$
140
$
143
Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Defined benefit plan assets
$
149
$
98
Non-current contract cost assets (Note 2)
124
119
Other
61
57
$
334
$
274
15
Accounts Payable
The Company utilizes a supplier finance program which provides our suppliers the ability to accelerate payment on the Company's invoices beyond the stated payment terms. Under the terms of this program, the Company agrees to pay an intermediary the stated amount of confirmed invoices on the stated maturity dates of the invoices, and the supplier is able to negotiate earlier payment terms with the intermediary. The Company or the intermediary may terminate their agreement at any time upon 60 days' notice. The Company does not provide any forms of guarantees under this arrangement. Supplier participation in the program is solely at the supplier's discretion, and the participating suppliers negotiate their arrangements directly with the intermediary. The Company has no economic interest in a supplier's decision to participate in the program, and their participation has no bearing on our payment terms or amounts due. The stated invoice payment terms range from 75 to 120 days from the invoice date and are considered commercially reasonable.
The Company's outstanding amounts related to the suppliers participating in this program was $38 million and $35 million as of September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Supplier finance program obligations are classified as Accounts payable within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Compensation
$
369
$
407
Tax liabilities
144
231
Dividend payable
164
163
Trade liabilities
175
140
Operating lease liabilities (Note 3)
131
125
Customer reserves
86
89
Other
460
349
$
1,529
$
1,504
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consist of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Defined benefit plans (Note 8)
$
855
$
939
Non-current contract liabilities (Note 2)
480
424
Unrecognized tax benefits (Note 7)
38
26
Deferred income taxes (Note 7)
59
55
Environmental reserve
119
119
Other
214
178
$
1,765
$
1,741
Stockholders’ Equity
Share Repurchase Program: During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company repurchased approximately 0.1 million and 0.4 million shares at an average price of $440.53 and $355.31 per share for an aggregate amount of $31 million and $141 million, respectively.
Payment of Dividends: During the three months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company paid $164 million and $147 million, respectively, in cash dividends to holders of its common stock. Subsequent to the quarter, the Company paid an additional $164 million in cash dividends to holders of its common stock. During the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company paid $490 million and $443 million, respectively, in cash dividends to holders of its common stock.
16
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table displays the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, including amounts reclassified into income, and the affected line items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments:
Balance at beginning of period
$
(509)
$
(476)
$
(482)
$
(539)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustment
73
(62)
44
(8)
Tax benefit (expense)
(1)
(8)
1
1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
72
(70)
45
(7)
Balance at end of period
$
(437)
$
(546)
$
(437)
$
(546)
Derivative instruments:
Balance at beginning of period
$
(8)
$
—
$
(12)
$
—
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustment
—
—
4
—
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustment, net of tax
—
—
4
—
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
$
—
$
—
$
4
$
—
Balance at end of period
$
(8)
$
—
$
(8)
$
—
Defined Benefit Plans:
Balance at beginning of period
$
(2,032)
$
(1,971)
$
(2,046)
$
(1,996)
Reclassification adjustment - Actuarial net losses into Other income (Note 8)
9
15
25
45
Reclassification adjustment - Prior service benefits into Other income (Note 8)
—
1
2
3
Tax expense
(2)
(4)
(6)
(11)
Reclassification adjustments into Net earnings, net of tax
7
12
21
37
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
7
12
21
37
Balance at end of period
$
(2,025)
$
(1,959)
$
(2,025)
$
(1,959)
Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
(2,470)
$
(2,505)
$
(2,470)
$
(2,505)
17
5. Debt and Credit Facilities
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
4.0% senior notes due 2024
$
—
$
313
1.75% senior convertible notes due 2024
—
1,000
7.5% debentures due 2025
252
252
6.5% debentures due 2025
70
70
4.6% senior notes due 2028
696
695
6.5% debentures due 2028
24
25
5.0% senior notes due 2029
396
—
4.6% senior notes due 2029
802
802
2.3% senior notes due 2030
895
894
2.75% senior notes due 2031
846
845
5.6% senior notes due 2032
596
595
5.4% senior notes due 2034
892
—
6.625% senior notes due 2037
38
38
5.5% senior notes due 2044
397
397
5.22% debentures due 2097
93
93
5,997
6,019
Adjustments for unamortized gains on interest rate swap terminations
(1)
(1)
Less: current portion
(322)
(1,313)
Long-term debt
$
5,674
$
4,705
During the three months ended September 28, 2024, the Company repaid the $313 million aggregate principal amount of the 4.0% senior notes due 2024.
As of September 28, 2024, $252 million of 7.5% debentures due 2025, which mature in May 2025, and $70 million of 6.5% debentures due 2025, which mature in September 2025, were presented as the Current portion of long-term debt within the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as the debentures mature within the next twelve months.
On September 5, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with Silver Lake Partners to issue $1.0 billion of 1.75% senior convertible notes which were scheduled to mature in September 2024 (the "Silver Lake Convertible Debt"), which became fully convertible on September 5, 2021. On February 14, 2024, the Company agreed with Silver Lake Partners to repurchase $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Silver Lake Convertible Debt for aggregate consideration of $1.59 billion in cash, inclusive of the conversion premium. The Company paid the cash consideration during the first quarter of 2024. The repurchase of the Silver Lake Convertible Debt was accounted for as an extinguishment of debt, as the repurchase was negotiated under economically favorable terms outside of the original contractual conversion rate. A loss on the extinguishment of $585 million was recorded, representing the excess of amounts repurchased over the carrying value of debt of $593 million, offset by accrued interest of $8 million. The loss on the extinguishment of debt was recorded within Other Income (Expense) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the nine months ended September 28, 2024.
On March 25, 2024, the Company issued $400 million of 5.0% senior notes due 2029 and $900 million of 5.4% senior notes due 2034. The Company recognized net proceeds of $1.3 billion after debt issuance costs and discounts. A portion of proceeds from the issuance of these notes was used to repurchase the $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Silver Lake Convertible Debt in the first quarter of 2024.
As of September 28, 2024, the Company had a $2.25 billion syndicated, unsecured revolving credit facility scheduled to mature in March 2026 (the "2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement"). The 2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement includes a letter of credit sub-limit and fronting commitments of $450 million. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the prime rate plus the applicable margin, or at a spread above the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), at the Company's option. An annual facility fee is payable on the undrawn amount of the credit line. The interest rate and facility fee are subject to adjustment if the Company's credit rating changes. The Company must comply with certain customary covenants including a maximum leverage ratio, as defined in the 2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants as of September 28, 2024.
The Company has an unsecured commercial paper program, backed by the 2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement, under which the Company may issue unsecured commercial paper notes up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $2.2 billion outstanding at any one time. Proceeds from the issuances of the notes are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. The notes are issued at a zero-coupon rate and are issued at a discount which reflects the interest component. At maturity, the notes are paid back in full including the interest component. The notes are not redeemable prior to maturity. As of September 28, 2024 the Company had no outstanding debt under the commercial paper program.
18
6. Risk Management
Foreign Currency Risk
The Company had outstanding foreign exchange contracts with notional amounts totaling $1.3 billion for each of the periods ended September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company does not believe these financial instruments should subject it to undue risk due to foreign exchange movements because gains and losses on these contracts should generally offset gains and losses on the underlying assets, liabilities and transactions.
The following table shows the five largest net notional amounts of the positions to buy or sell foreign currency as of September 28, 2024, and the corresponding positions as of December 31, 2023:
Notional Amount
Net Buy (Sell) by Currency
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Euro
$
307
$
322
Australian dollar
(240)
(140)
British pound
206
252
Canadian dollar
74
76
Chinese renminbi
(68)
(66)
Counterparty Risk
The use of derivative financial instruments exposes the Company to counterparty credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties. However, the Company’s risk is limited to the fair value of the instruments when the derivative is in an asset position. The Company actively monitors its exposure to credit risk. As of September 28, 2024, all of the counterparties had investment grade credit ratings. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had $9 million of exposure to aggregate credit risk with all counterparties.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The following tables summarize the fair values and locations in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets of all derivative financial instruments held by the Company as of September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
September 28, 2024
Other Current Assets
Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts
$
—
$
5
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts
9
3
Total derivatives
$
9
$
8
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2023
Other Current Assets
Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts
$
1
$
3
Treasury rate lock
—
12
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts
12
1
Equity swap contracts
1
—
Total derivatives
$
14
$
16
19
The following table summarizes the effect of derivatives on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023:
Financial Statement Location
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Foreign Exchange Contracts
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(9)
$
9
$
3
$
5
Forward points recognized
Other income (expense)
—
1
1
2
Treasury rate lock
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
—
—
4
—
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts
Other income (expense)
$
22
$
(26)
$
7
$
(9)
Equity swap contracts
Selling, general and administrative expenses
1
(1)
3
(1)
Net Investment Hedges
The Company uses foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge against the effect of the British pound and the Euro exchange rate fluctuations against the U.S. dollar on a portion of its net investments in certain European operations. The Company recognizes changes in the fair value of the net investment hedges as a component of foreign currency translation adjustments within Other comprehensive income to offset a portion of the change in translated value of the net investments being hedged, until the investments are sold or liquidated. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had €100 million of net investment hedges in certain Euro functional subsidiaries and £50 million of net investment hedges in a British pound functional subsidiary.
The Company excludes the difference between the spot rate and the forward rate of the forward contract from its assessment of hedge effectiveness. The effect of the forward points recognized will be amortized on a straight-line basis and recognized through interest expense within Other income (expense) in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Equity Swap Contracts
The Company uses equity swap contracts which serve as economic hedges against volatility within the equity markets, impacting the Company's deferred compensation plan obligations. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The notional amount of these contracts as of September 28, 2024 was $19 million.
Treasury Rate Lock
In 2023, the Company entered into treasury rate agreements which locked in the interest rate for $200 million in future debt issuances. The treasury rate lock agreements were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges. During the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company issued $900 million of 5.4% senior notes due 2034 (the "2034 notes"). The treasury rate lock agreements were terminated upon the issuance of the 2034 notes for a net settlement loss of $8 million. The accumulated loss recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) will be reclassified to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the 10-year term of the 2034 notes.
20
7. Income Taxes
At the end of each interim reporting period, the Company makes an estimate of its annual effective income tax rate. Tax expense in interim periods is calculated at the estimated annual effective tax rate plus or minus the tax effects of items of income and expense that are discrete to the period. The estimate used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis may change in subsequent interim periods.
The following table provides details of income taxes:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Net earnings before income taxes
$
695
$
592
$
1,184
$
1,438
Income tax expense
132
127
214
321
Effective tax rate
19
%
21
%
18
%
22
%
The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 28, 2024 of 19% was lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to favorable U.S. return-to-provision adjustments, excess tax benefits of share-based compensation, and tax benefits recognized upon settlement of audits with taxing authorities in foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by state tax expense. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 of 18% was lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to favorable U.S. return-to-provision adjustments (inclusive of the tax benefit recognized upon the Company's decision to implement a business initiative in 2024 which allows for additional utilization of foreign tax credit carryforwards and a higher foreign derived intangible income deduction on its 2023 U.S. tax return), excess tax benefits of share-based compensation, and tax benefits recognized upon settlement of audits with taxing authorities in foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by the non-tax deductible loss on the extinguishment of the Silver Lake Convertible Debt in the first quarter of 2024 and state tax expense.
The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 of 21% was equal to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to state tax expense, offset by the excess tax benefits of share-based compensation and favorable U.S. return-to-provision adjustments. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of 22% was higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to state tax expense, partially offset by the excess tax benefits of share-based compensation and favorable U.S. return-to-provision adjustments.
The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 28, 2024 of 19% was lower than the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 of 21%, primarily due to higher excess tax benefits of share-based compensation and tax benefits recognized upon settlement of audits with taxing authorities in foreign jurisdictions in 2024. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 of 18% was lower than the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of 22%, primarily due to the tax benefit recognized upon the Company's decision to implement a business initiative in 2024 which allows for additional utilization of foreign tax credit carryforwards and a higher foreign derived intangible income deduction on its 2023 U.S. tax return, tax benefits recognized upon settlement of audits with taxing authorities in foreign jurisdictions, and higher excess tax benefits of share-based compensation in 2024, offset by the non-tax deductible loss on the extinguishment of Silver Lake Convertible Debt in 2024.
8. Retirement and Other Employee Benefits
Pension and Postretirement Health Care Benefits Plans
The net periodic benefits for Pension and Postretirement Health Care Benefits Plans were as follows:
U.S. Pension Benefit Plans
Non-U.S. Pension Benefit Plans
Postretirement Health Care Benefits Plan
Three Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Interest cost
47
47
14
2
1
2
Expected return on plan assets
(75)
(73)
(26)
(16)
(3)
(3)
Amortization of:
Unrecognized net loss
6
5
2
9
1
1
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)
—
—
(1)
—
1
1
Net periodic pension cost (benefits)
$
(22)
$
(21)
$
(11)
$
(5)
$
—
$
1
21
U.S. Pension Benefit Plans
Non-U.S. Pension Benefit Plans
Postretirement Health Care Benefits Plan
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Interest cost
141
141
42
6
4
5
Expected return on plan assets
(223)
(219)
(78)
(46)
(9)
(9)
Amortization of:
Unrecognized net loss
17
15
5
27
3
3
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)
—
—
(2)
—
4
3
Net periodic pension cost (benefits)
$
(65)
$
(63)
$
(33)
$
(13)
$
2
$
2
9. Share-Based Compensation Plans
Compensation expense for the Company’s share-based plans was as follows:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Share-based compensation expense included in:
Costs of sales
$
12
$
10
$
36
$
30
Selling, general and administrative expenses
33
28
97
87
Research and development expenditures
16
14
47
43
Share-based compensation expense included in Operating earnings
61
52
180
160
Tax benefit
(13)
(11)
(37)
(33)
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax
$
48
$
41
$
143
$
127
Decrease in basic earnings per share
$
(0.29)
$
(0.25)
$
(0.86)
$
(0.76)
Decrease in diluted earnings per share
$
(0.28)
$
(0.24)
$
(0.84)
$
(0.74)
During the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company granted 0.6 million RSUs, 0.1 million performance stock units (PSUs) and 0.04 million market stock units (MSUs) with an aggregate grant-date fair value of $184 million, $25 million and $14 million, respectively, and 0.1 million stock options and 0.1 million performance options (POs) with an aggregate grant-date fair value of $8 million and $14 million, respectively. The share-based compensation expense will generally be recognized over the vesting period of three years.
10. Fair Value Measurements
The fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities by level in the fair value hierarchy as of September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
September 28, 2024
Level 1
Level 2
Total
Assets:
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
$
—
$
9
$
9
Common stock
25
—
25
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
$
—
$
8
$
8
22
December 31, 2023
Level 1
Level 2
Total
Assets:
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
$
—
$
13
$
13
Equity swap contracts
1
—
1
Common stock
28
—
28
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
$
—
$
4
$
4
Treasury rate lock
—
12
12
The Company had no foreign exchange derivative contracts, equity swap contracts or common stock investments in Level 3 holdings as of September 28, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
At September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $625 million and $863 million, respectively, of investments in money market government and U.S. treasury funds classified (Level 1) as Cash and cash equivalents in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The money market funds had quoted market prices that are equivalent to par.
Using quoted market prices and market interest rates, the fair value of the Company's long-term debt as of September 28, 2024 was $6.0 billion. The fair value of long-term debt at December 31, 2023 was $6.4 billion, of which the Silver Lake Convertible Debt was $1.6 billion (Level 2).
All other financial instruments are carried at cost, which is not materially different from the instruments’ fair values.
11. Sales of Receivables
Sales of Receivables
The following table summarizes the proceeds received from sales of accounts receivable and long-term receivables for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Accounts receivable sales proceeds
$
15
$
—
$
15
$
—
Long-term receivables sales proceeds
56
65
82
123
At September 28, 2024, the Company had retained servicing obligations for $762 million of long-term receivables, compared to $813 million at December 31, 2023. Servicing obligations are limited to collection activities related to the sales of accounts receivables and long-term receivables. The Company had outstanding commitments to provide long-term financing to third parties totaling $66 million at September 28, 2024, compared to $103 million at December 31, 2023.
23
12. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters
Hytera Litigation
On March 14, 2017, the Company filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (the "District Court") against Hytera Communications Corporation Limited of Shenzhen, China; Hytera America, Inc.; and Hytera Communications America (West), Inc. (collectively, "Hytera"), alleging trade secret theft and copyright infringement and seeking, among other things, injunctive relief, compensatory damages and punitive damages. On February 14, 2020, the Company announced that a jury decided in the Company's favor in its trade secret theft and copyright infringement case. In connection with this verdict, the jury awarded the Company $345.8 million in compensatory damages and $418.8 million in punitive damages, for a total of $764.6 million. In a series of post-trial rulings in 2021, the District Court subsequently reduced the judgment to $543.7 million, but also ordered Hytera to pay the Company $51.1 million in pre-judgment interest and $2.6 million in costs, as well as $34.2 million in attorneys fees. The Company continues to seek collection of the judgment through the ongoing legal process.
On December 17, 2020, the District Court held that Hytera must pay the Company a forward-looking reasonable royalty on products that use the Company’s stolen trade secrets, and on December 15, 2021, set royalty rates for Hytera's sale of relevant products from July 1, 2019 forward. On July 5, 2022, the District Court ordered that Hytera pay into a third-party escrow on July 31, 2022, the royalties owed to the Company based on the sale of relevant products from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022. Hytera failed to make the required royalty payment on July 31, 2022. On August 1, 2022, Hytera filed a motion to modify or stay the District Court's previous July 5, 2022 royalty order, which the District Court denied on July 11, 2023. On August 3, 2022, the Company filed a motion seeking to hold Hytera in civil contempt for violating the royalty order by not making the required royalty payment on July 31, 2022. On August 26, 2023, the District Court granted the Company's contempt motion. As a result, on September 1, 2023, Hytera made a payment of $56 million into the third-party escrow. In addition to the September 1, 2023 payment of $56 million, Hytera has made de minimis regular quarterly royalty payments into the third-party escrow from October 2022 through October 2024. The aggregate amount paid into escrow will not be recognized until all contingencies are resolved and such amount is released from escrow.
Following the February 14, 2020 verdict and judgment in the Company's favor, Hytera appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (the "Court of Appeals"), seeking review of the orders related to the jury's verdict as well as the District Court's royalty order. The Company filed its cross-appeal on August 5, 2022. The Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on December 5, 2023, and issued its decision on July 2, 2024. The Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court's award of $407.4 million in damages, including exemplary damages, under the Defend Trade Secrets Act. The Court of Appeals also directed the District Court to recalculate and reduce its award of $136.3 million in copyright infringement damages, and instructed the District Court to reconsider its denial of the Company's request for an injunction. In all other respects, the Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment of the District Court. On October 4, 2024, the Court of Appeals denied Hytera's motion for rehearing. The case has been remanded to the District Court for further action per the Court of Appeals' decision.
In 2024, the parties engaged in competing litigation in the District Court and a court in Shenzhen, China (originally filed by Hytera in June 2022 and not served upon the Company until November 2023) related to the possible continued use by Hytera of the Company’s trade secrets in Hytera’s currently shipping products. On April 2, 2024, the District Court held Hytera in civil contempt, and issued a worldwide sales injunction of certain Hytera products and a daily fine, for Hytera's failure to withdraw its competing litigation in China. On April 16, 2024, the Court of Appeals granted Hytera's motion for an emergency stay of the contempt sanctions, to allow the Court of Appeals to review the District Court's various orders related to the competing litigation and contempt sanctions. The District Court held hearings on August 26-30, 2024, concerning whether Hytera's currently shipping products continue to misuse the Company's trade secrets and copyrighted source code. The issue is now under consideration by the District Court.
24
13. Segment Information
Net Sales by Segment
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Products and Systems Integration
$
1,784
$
1,612
$
4,933
$
4,352
Software and Services
1,006
944
2,873
2,777
$
2,790
$
2,556
$
7,806
$
7,129
Operating Earnings by Segment
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Products and Systems Integration
$
446
$
364
$
1,135
$
752
Software and Services
265
275
739
804
Operating earnings
711
639
1,874
1,556
Total other expense
(16)
(47)
(690)
(118)
Earnings before income taxes
$
695
$
592
$
1,184
$
1,438
14. Reorganization of Business
2024 Charges
During the three months ended September 28, 2024, the Company recorded net reorganization of business charges of $7 million, consisting of $5 million of charges in Other charges and $2 million of charges in Cost of sales in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the $7 million were charges of $8 million related to employee separation costs, partially offset by $1 million of reversals for employee separation accruals that are no longer needed.
During the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company recorded net reorganization of business charges of $21 million, including $16 million of charges in Other charges and $5 million of charges in Costs of sales in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the $21 million were charges of $30 million related to employee separation costs, partially offset by $4 million of reversals for exit cost accruals no longer needed and $5 million of reversals for employee separation accruals no longer needed.
The following table displays the net charges incurred by segment:
September 28, 2024
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Products and Systems Integration
$
6
$
20
Software and Services
1
1
$
7
$
21
Reorganization of Businesses Accruals
January 1, 2024
Additional Charges
Adjustments
Amount Used
September 28, 2024
Employee separation costs
$
23
$
30
$
(5)
$
(27)
$
21
Exit costs
5
—
(4)
—
1
$
28
$
30
$
(9)
$
(27)
$
22
Exit Costs
At January 1, 2024, the Company had an accrual of $5 million for exit costs, related to the Company's exit of the Emergency Service Network contract with the UK Home Office. During the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company recorded a $4 million reversal for accruals no longer needed. The $1 million of exit costs are recorded in Accrued liabilities in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 28, 2024, and are expected to be paid within one year.
25
Employee Separation Costs
At January 1, 2024, the Company had an accrual of $23 million for employee separation costs. The 2024 additional charges of $30 million represent severance costs for approximately 480 employees. The adjustment of $5 million reflects reversals for accruals no longer needed. The $27 million used reflects cash payments to severed employees. The remaining accrual of $21 million, which is included in Accrued liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 28, 2024, is expected to be paid, primarily within one year, to approximately 540 employees, who have either been severed or have been notified of their severance and have begun or will begin receiving payments.
2023 Charges
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded net reorganization of business charges of $6 million, including $4 million of charges in Other charges and $2 million of charges in Costs of sales in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the $6 million were charges of $8 million related to employee separation costs, partially offset by $2 million of reversals for employee separation accruals no longer needed.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded net reorganization of business charges of $22 million, including $16 million of charges in Other charges and $6 million of charges in Costs of sales in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the $22 million were charges of $32 million related to employee separation costs, partially offset by $5 million of reversals for exit cost accruals no longer needed and $5 million of reversals for employee separation accruals no longer needed.
The following table displays the net charges incurred by segment:
September 30, 2023
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Products and Systems Integration
$
5
$
22
Software and Services
1
—
$
6
$
22
15. Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Subsequent to quarter end, on October 29, 2024, the Company acquired 3tc, a provider of control room software solutions for $22 million, net of cash acquired. In addition, the Company issued restricted stock at a fair value of $4 million to certain key employees that will be expensed over a service period of one year. This acquisition expands the Company's critical experience and innovation focused on advancing CAD for the UK's public safety agencies. This business is part of the Software and Services segment. Due to the timing of the acquisition, the initial accounting for the acquisition is incomplete. As such, the Company is not able to disclose certain information relating to the acquisition, including the preliminary fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
On July 1, 2024, the Company acquired Noggin, a global provider of CEM software for $91 million, net of cash acquired. In addition, the Company issued restricted stock at a fair value of $19 million to certain key employees that will be expensed over a service period of three years. This acquisition enhances the Company's portfolio by adding operational resilience and CEM capabilities, which helps enterprises and critical infrastructure anticipate, prepare for and efficiently respond to incidents. The Company recognized $46 million of goodwill, $54 million of identifiable intangible assets, and $9 million of net liabilities. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The identifiable intangible assets were classified as $1 million of trade names, $7 million of customer relationships and $46 million of developed technology and will be amortized over a period of three, fifteen and thirteen years, respectively. The business is part of the Software and Services segment. The purchase accounting is not yet complete and as such, the final allocation among income tax accounts, intangible assets, net liabilities and goodwill may be subject to change.
On July 1, 2024, the Company acquired a company that provides vehicle location and management solutions for $132 million, net of cash acquired. In addition, the Company issued restricted stock at a fair value of $3 million to certain key employees that will be expensed over a service period of three years. The Company recognized $62 million of goodwill, $65 million of identifiable intangible assets and $5 million of net assets. The goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The identifiable intangible assets were classified as $11 million of trade names, $51 million of customer relationships and $3 million of developed technology and will be amortized over a period of nine, eighteen and six years, respectively. The acquisition expands the Company's video solutions within the Software and Services segment. The purchase accounting is not yet complete and as such, the final allocation among income tax accounts, intangible assets, net assets and goodwill may be subject to change.
26
On February 13, 2024, the Company acquired Silent Sentinel, a provider of specialized, long-range cameras, for $37 million, net of cash acquired. This acquisition complements the Company's portfolio of fixed video cameras, expanding its footprint with government and critical infrastructure customers, and strengthens the Company's position as a global leader in end-to-end video security solutions. The Company recognized $16 million of goodwill, $23 million of identifiable intangible assets and $2 million of net liabilities. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The identifiable intangible assets were classified as $1 million of trade names, $10 million of customer relationships and $12 million of developed technology and will be amortized over a period of two, fourteen and ten years, respectively. The business is a part of the Products and Systems Integration segment. The purchase accounting is not yet complete and as such, the final allocation among income tax accounts net liabilities and goodwill may be subject to change.
On December 15, 2023, the Company acquired IPVideo, the creator of the HALO Smart Sensor, for $170 million, net of cash acquired. The transaction also includes the potential for the Company to make contingent earn-out payments of up to $15 million based on IPVideo's achievement of certain financial targets from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. As of the acquisition date, the Company estimated the fair value of the contingent earn-out to be $2 million, which was included in the purchase price. However, as of September 28, 2024, the Company no longer estimates that the contingent earn-out targets will be achieved. In addition, the Company issued restricted stock at a fair value of $5 million to certain key employees that will be expensed over a service period of one year. The HALO Smart Sensor is a multifunctional safety and security device with built-in vape detection and air quality monitoring, gunshot detection, abnormal noise and motion detection and emergency keyword detection. This acquisition adds sensor technology to the Company's physical security portfolio. The Company recognized $96 million of goodwill, $83 million of identifiable intangible assets and $9 million of net liabilities. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The identifiable intangible assets were classified as $8 million of trade names, $6 million of customer relationships and $69 million of developed technology and will be amortized over a period of eight, twelve and fifteen years, respectively. The business is part of the Products and Systems Integration segment. The purchase accounting is not yet complete and as such, the final allocation among income tax accounts, net liabilities and goodwill may be subject to change.
Intangible Assets
Amortized intangible assets were comprised of the following:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Developed technology
$
1,230
$
515
$
1,156
$
447
Customer-related
1,670
1,134
1,566
1,055
Other intangibles
121
77
107
72
$
3,021
$
1,726
$
2,829
$
1,574
Amortization expense on intangible assets was $38 million and $114 million for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, respectively. Amortization expense on intangible assets was $39 million and $137 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. As of September 28, 2024, annual amortization expense is estimated to be $151 million in 2024, $143 million in 2025, $135 million in 2026, $124 million in 2027, $124 million in 2028 and $112 million in 2029.
Amortized intangible assets were comprised of the following by segment:
September 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Products and Systems Integration
$
1,019
$
392
$
985
$
337
Software and Services
2,002
1,334
1,844
1,237
$
3,021
$
1,726
$
2,829
$
1,574
27
Goodwill
The Company performed its annual assessment of goodwill for impairment as of the last day of the third quarter. The following table displays a roll-forward of the carrying amount of goodwill by segment from January 1, 2024 to September 28, 2024:
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Balance as of January 1, 2024
$
1,568
$
1,833
$
3,401
Goodwill acquired
16
108
124
Purchase accounting adjustments
(13)
—
(13)
Foreign currency
(1)
12
11
Balance as of September 28, 2024
$
1,570
$
1,953
$
3,523
28
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This commentary should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (“Motorola Solutions,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, as well as our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Form 10-K").
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2024 (this “Form 10-Q”) which are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities law. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and generally include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “aims,” “estimates” and similar expressions. We can give no assurance that any future results or events discussed in these statements will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements represent our views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements contained in this Form 10-Q. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Form 10-K, and those described elsewhere in our other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements included in: (1) “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” about: (a) the impact of the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority's legal order regarding Airwave (including our actions in response); (b) the impact of our proceedings in the UK High Court regarding the notice of contract extension from the UK Home Office relating to Airwave; (c) the impact of acquisitions on our business; (d) the return of capital to shareholders through dividends and/or repurchasing shares; (e) future payments, charges, and use of accruals associated with our reorganization of business programs and employee separation costs; (f) expected payments of exit costs related to our exit of the Emergency Services Network ("ESN") contract with the UK Home Office; (g) our ability and cost to repatriate funds; (h) the liquidity of our investments; (i) our ability and cost to access the capital markets; (j) our ability to borrow under our credit facilities; (k) adequacy of internal resources to generate an adequate amount of cash to meet expected working capital, capital expenditure and cash requirements; (l) future cash flows generated from operations, and future uses of such cash; and (m) the impact of the adoption of accounting pronouncements on our financial results; (2) “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” about: (a) the impact of foreign currency risk; (b) the impact of interest rate risk; and (c) future hedging activity and expectations of the Company; and (3) “Legal Proceedings,” about the ultimate disposition of legal matters and timing. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as legally required.
Executive Overview
Business Overview
The Company manages the business organizationally through two segments: “Products and Systems Integration” and “Software and Services." Within these segments the Company has three principal product lines in which the Company reports net sales: Land Mobile Radio Communications (“LMR” or “LMR Communications”), Video Security and Access Control ("Video") and Command Center.
•LMR Communications: Infrastructure, devices (two-way radio and broadband, including both for public safety and professional and commercial radio (PCR)) and software that enable communications, inclusive of installation and integration, backed by services, to assure availability, security and resiliency.
•Video: Cameras (fixed, body-worn, in-vehicle), access control, infrastructure, video management, software and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered analytics that help enable visibility and bring attention to what’s important.
•Command Center: Command center solutions and software applications that unify voice, video, data and analytics from public safety agencies, enterprises and the community to create a broad informational view to help simplify workflows and improve the accuracy and speed of decisions.
29
Third Quarter Financial Results
•Net sales were $2.8 billion in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $2.6 billion in the third quarter of 2023.
•Operating earnings were $711 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $639 million in the third quarter of 2023.
•Net earnings attributable to Motorola Solutions, Inc. was $562 million, or $3.29 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2024, compared to net earnings of $464 million, or $2.70 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2023.
•Operating cash flow increased $522 million to $1.3 billion in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $799 million in the first nine months of 2023.
•We repurchased $141 million of common stock and paid $490 million in dividends in the first nine months of 2024.
Recent Events
UK Home Office Update
In October 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") opened a market investigation into the Mobile Radio Network Services market. This investigation included Airwave, our private mobile radio communications network that we acquired in 2016. Airwave provides mission-critical voice and data communications to emergency services and other agencies in Great Britain.
In 2023, the CMA imposed a legal order on Airwave which implemented a prospective price control on Airwave (the "Charge Control"). After the Competition Appeal Tribunal ("CAT") dismissed our appeal of the CMA's final decision on December 22, 2023, we filed an application with the United Kingdom Court of Appeal on February 13, 2024, requesting that it hear our appeal of the CAT judgment. On June 21, 2024, the United Kingdom Court of Appeal ordered a hearing on our application to be held later this year; which was subsequently set for November 11 and 12, 2024. Since August 1, 2023, revenue under the Airwave contract has been recognized in accordance with the Charge Control, and will continue to be unless the United Kingdom Court of Appeal were to reverse the CAT's judgment and overturn the Charge Control.
On March 13, 2024, we received a notice of contract extension (the “Deferred National Shutdown Notice”) from the UK Home Office. The Deferred National Shutdown Notice extends the “national shutdown target date” of the Airwave service from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2029, at the Charge Control rates.
Our backlog for Airwave services contracted with the UK Home Office through December 31, 2026 was previously reduced by $777 million to align with the Charge Control. In the first quarter of 2024, as a result of the UK Home Office's notice of a contract extension pursuant to their Deferred National Shutdown Notice, we have recorded additional backlog of $748 million to reflect the incremental three years of services. On April 11, 2024, we filed proceedings in the UK High Court challenging the decision of the UK Home Office to issue the Deferred National Shutdown Notice as being in breach of applicable UK procurement and public law. The hearing on this matter has been set to commence on April 22, 2025. The backlog related to the incremental years of service contemplated in the Deferred National Shutdown Notice could change depending on the outcome of the proceedings.
30
Recent Acquisitions
Technology
Segment
Acquisition
Description
Purchase Price
Date of Acquisition
Command Center
Software and Services
Noggin
Provider of cloud-based business continuity planning, operational resilience and critical event management software.
$91 million and share-based compensation of $19 million
July 1, 2024
Video Security and Access Control
Software and Services
Unnamed vehicle location and management solutions business
Provider of vehicle location and management solutions.
$132 million and share-based compensation of $3 million
July 1, 2024
Video Security and Access Control
Products and Systems Integration
Silent Sentinel
Provider of specialized, long-range cameras.
$37 million
February 13, 2024
Video Security and Access Control
Products and Systems Integration
IPVideo
Creator of a multifunctional safety and security device.
$170 million and share-based compensation of $5 million
December 15, 2023
31
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
September 28, 2024
% of Sales*
September 30, 2023
% of Sales*
September 28, 2024
% of Sales*
September 30, 2023
% of Sales*
Net sales from products
$
1,670
$
1,490
$
4,639
$
4,063
Net sales from services
1,120
1,066
3,167
3,066
Net sales
2,790
2,556
7,806
7,129
Costs of products sales
688
41.2
%
658
44.2
%
1,941
41.8
%
1,867
46.0
%
Costs of services sales
669
59.7
%
618
58.0
%
1,902
60.1
%
1,747
57.0
%
Costs of sales
1,357
1,276
3,843
3,614
Gross margin
1,433
51.4
%
1,280
50.1
%
3,963
50.8
%
3,515
49.3
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
439
15.7
%
380
14.9
%
1,265
16.2
%
1,138
16.0
%
Research and development expenditures
234
8.4
%
215
8.4
%
671
8.6
%
640
9.0
%
Other charges
49
1.8
%
46
1.8
%
153
2.0
%
181
2.5
%
Operating earnings
711
25.5
%
639
25.0
%
1,874
24.0
%
1,556
21.8
%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net
(58)
(2.1)
%
(53)
(2.1)
%
(171)
(2.2)
%
(164)
(2.3)
%
Losses on sales of investments and businesses, net
—
—
%
(1)
—
%
—
—
%
—
—
%
Other, net
42
1.5
%
7
0.3
%
(519)
(6.6)
%
46
0.6
%
Total other expense
(16)
(0.6)
%
(47)
(1.8)
%
(690)
(8.8)
%
(118)
(1.7)
%
Net earnings before income taxes
695
24.9
%
592
23.2
%
1,184
15.2
%
1,438
20.2
%
Income tax expense
132
4.7
%
127
5.0
%
214
2.7
%
321
4.5
%
Net earnings
563
20.2
%
465
18.2
%
970
12.4
%
1,117
15.7
%
Less: Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests
1
—
%
1
—
%
4
0.1
%
4
0.1
%
Net earnings attributable to Motorola Solutions, Inc.
$
562
20.2
%
$
464
18.2
%
$
966
12.3
%
$
1,113
15.6
%
Earnings per diluted common share
$
3.29
$
2.70
$
5.66
$
6.46
* Percentages may not add due to rounding
32
Results of Operations—Three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to three months ended September 30, 2023
The results of operations for the third quarter of 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year. Historically, we have experienced higher revenues in the fourth quarter as compared to the rest of the quarters of our fiscal year as a result of the purchasing patterns of our customers.
We use the following U.S. GAAP key financial performance measures to manage our business on a consolidated basis and by reporting segment, and to monitor and assess our results of operations:
•Net sales: a measure of our revenue for the current period.
•Operating earnings: a measure of our earnings from operations, before non-operating expenses and income taxes.
•Operating margins: a measure of our operating earnings as a percentage of total net sales.
Considered together, we believe these measures are strong indicators of our overall performance and our ability to create shareholder value. A discussion of our results of operations and financial condition follows.
Three Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
(In millions)
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Net sales by region:
North America
$
1,304
$
703
$
2,007
$
1,155
$
628
$
1,783
International
480
303
783
457
316
773
$
1,784
$
1,006
$
2,790
$
1,612
$
944
$
2,556
Net sales by major products and services:
LMR Communications
$
1,492
$
596
$
2,088
$
1,312
$
605
$
1,917
Video
292
208
500
300
153
453
Command Center
—
202
202
—
186
186
Total
$
1,784
$
1,006
$
2,790
$
1,612
$
944
$
2,556
Operating earnings
$
446
$
265
$
711
$
364
$
275
$
639
Operating margins
25.0
%
26.3
%
25.5
%
22.6
%
29.1
%
25.0
%
Net Sales
The Products and Systems Integration segment’s net sales represented 64% of our net sales in the third quarter of 2024 and 63% in the third quarter of 2023. The Software and Services segment’s net sales represented 36% of our net sales in the third quarter of 2024 and 37% in the third quarter of 2023.
Net sales increased $234 million, or 9%, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. The $172 million, or 11%, increase in net sales within the Products and Systems Integration segment was driven by an increase of 13% in the North America region and an increase of 5% in the International region. The $62 million, or 7% increase in net sales within the Software and Services segment was driven by an increase of 12% in the North America region, partially offset by a decrease of 4% in the International region. Net sales includes:
•an increase in the Products and Systems Integration segment, inclusive of $11 million of revenue from acquisitions, driven by an increase in LMR, partially offset by a decrease in Video;
•an increase in the Software and Services segment, inclusive of $25 million of revenue from acquisitions, driven by an increase in Video and Command Center, partially offset by a decrease in LMR services due to the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control and the Company's exit of the ESN contract with the UK Home Office in 2022, inclusive of twelve months of transition services through the end of 2023 (the "ESN Exit"); and
•inclusive of $4 million from unfavorable currency rates.
Regional results include:
•a 13% increase in the North America region, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by an increase in LMR, Video and Command Center; and
•a 1% increase in the International region, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by an increase in Video, Command Center and LMR, inclusive of the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control and the ESN Exit.
33
Products and Systems Integration
The 11% increase in the Products and Systems Integration segment was driven by the following:
•$180 million, or 14% growth in LMR, driven by the North America and International regions due to improved supply and favorable mix; partially offset by
•$8 million, or 3% decrease in Video, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by the International and North America regions; and
•inclusive of $1 million from unfavorable currency rates.
Software and Services
The 7% increase in the Software and Services segment was driven by the following:
•$55 million, or 36% growth in Video, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by the North America and International regions; and
•$16 million, or 9% growth in Command Center, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by the North America and International regions; partially offset by
•$9 million, or 1% decrease in LMR services, driven by the International region due to the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control and the ESN Exit, partially offset by an increase in the North America region; and
•inclusive of $3 million from unfavorable currency rates.
Gross Margin
Three Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
% Change
Gross margin
$
1,433
$
1,280
12
%
Gross margin was 51.4% of net sales in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 50.1% in the third quarter of 2023. The primary drivers of this increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales were:
•higher gross margin as a percentage of net sales in the Products and Systems Integration segment, inclusive of acquisitions, primarily driven by higher sales, favorable mix and lower direct material costs; partially offset by
•lower gross margin as a percentage of net sales in the Software and Services segment, inclusive of acquisitions, primarily driven by the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Three Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
% Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
439
$
380
16
%
SG&A expenses increased 16% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to higher employee incentive costs, including share-based compensation, higher expenses related to legal matters and higher expenses associated with acquired businesses. SG&A expenses were 15.7% of net sales in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 14.9% of net sales in the third quarter of 2023.
Research and Development Expenditures
Three Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
% Change
Research and development expenditures
$
234
$
215
9
%
R&D expenditures increased 9% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher employee incentive costs, including share-based compensation, and higher expenses associated with acquired businesses. R&D expenditures were 8.4% of net sales in each of the third quarter of 2024 and in the third quarter of 2023.
34
Other Charges
Three Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Other charges
$
49
$
46
Other charges increased by $3 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. The change was driven primarily by $4 million of acquisition-related transaction fees in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $1 million of acquisition-related transaction fees in third quarter of 2023.
Operating Earnings
Three Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Operating earnings from Products and Systems Integration
$
446
$
364
Operating earnings from Software and Services
265
275
Operating earnings
$
711
$
639
Operating earnings increased $72 million, or 11%, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. The increase in Operating earnings was due to:
•an $82 million increase in the Products and Systems Integration segment, primarily driven by higher sales, favorable change in year-over-year mix and lower direct material costs, partially offset by higher employee incentive costs, including share-based compensation, and higher expenses related to legal matters; partially offset by
•a $10 million decrease in the Software and Services segment, primarily driven by the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control, higher employee incentive costs, including share-based compensation, and higher expenses related to legal matters, partially offset by higher sales.
Interest Expense, net
Three Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Interest expense, net
$
(58)
$
(53)
The $5 million increase in Interest expense, net in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by higher interest rates on outstanding debt, partially offset by higher interest income.
35
Other, net
Three Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Other, net
$
42
$
7
The $35 million increase in Other, net in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by:
•$22 million gain on derivatives in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a $26 million loss on derivatives in the third quarter of 2023;
•$9 million gain on fair value adjustments to equity investments in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a $7 million loss on fair value adjustments to equity investments in the third quarter of 2023;
•$32 million of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $24 million of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit in the third quarter of 2023; and
•$7 million loss on investment impairments in the third quarter of 2023 that did not occur in the third quarter of 2024; partially offset by
•$26 million of foreign currency losses in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $23 million of foreign currency gains in the third quarter of 2023.
Effective Tax Rate
Three Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Income tax expense
$
132
$
127
Income tax expense increased by $5 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023, resulting in an effective tax rate of 19%. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 28, 2024 of 19% was lower than the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 of 21%, primarily due to higher excess tax benefits of share-based compensation and tax benefits recognized upon settlement of audits with taxing authorities in foreign jurisdictions in 2024.
Results of Operations—Nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to Nine months ended September 30, 2023
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
(In millions)
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Products and Systems Integration
Software and Services
Total
Net sales by region:
North America
$
3,631
$
1,985
$
5,616
$
3,130
$
1,786
$
4,916
International
1,302
888
2,190
1,222
991
2,213
$
4,933
$
2,873
$
7,806
$
4,352
$
2,777
$
7,129
Net sales by major products and services:
LMR Communications
$
4,112
$
1,739
$
5,851
$
3,542
$
1,807
$
5,349
Video
821
553
1,374
810
435
1,245
Command Center
—
581
581
—
535
535
Total
$
4,933
$
2,873
$
7,806
$
4,352
$
2,777
$
7,129
Operating earnings
$
1,135
$
739
$
1,874
$
752
$
804
$
1,556
Operating margins
23.0
%
25.7
%
24.0
%
17.3
%
29.0
%
21.8
%
36
Net Sales
The Products and Systems Integration segment's net sales represented 63% of our net sales in the first nine months of 2024 and 61% in the first nine months of 2023. Net sales from the Software and Services segment represented 37% of our net sales in the first nine months of 2024 and 39% in the first nine months of 2023.
Net sales increased $677 million, or 9%, in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023. The $581 million, or 13%, increase in net sales within the Products and Systems Integration segment was driven by an increase of 16% in the North America region and an increase of 7% in the International region. The $96 million, or 3%, increase in net sales within the Software and Services segment was driven by an increase of 11% in the North America region, partially offset by a decrease of 10% in the International region. Net sales includes:
•an increase in the Products and Systems Integration segment, inclusive of $32 million of revenue from acquisitions, driven by an increase in LMR and Video;
•an increase in Software and Services, inclusive of $26 million of revenue from acquisitions, driven by an increase in Video and Command Center, partially offset by a decrease in LMR services driven by the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control and the ESN Exit; and
•inclusive of $8 million from unfavorable currency rates.
Regional results include:
•a 14% increase in the North America region, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by an increase in LMR, Video and Command Center; partially offset by
•a 1% decrease in the International region, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by a decrease in LMR due to the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control and the ESN Exit, partially offset by an increase in Video and Command Center.
Products and Systems Integration
The 13% increase in the Products and Systems Integration segment was driven by the following:
•$570 million, or 16% growth in LMR, driven by both the North America and International regions;
•$11 million, or 1% growth in Video, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by both the North America and International regions; and
•inclusive of $3 million from unfavorable currency rates.
Software and Services
The 3% increase in the Software and Services segment was driven by the following:
•$118 million, or 27% growth in Video, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by the North America and International regions; and
•$46 million, or 9% growth in Command Center, inclusive of revenue from acquisitions, driven by the North America and International regions; partially offset by
•$68 million, or 4% decrease in LMR services, driven by the International region due to the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control and the ESN Exit, partially offset by an increase in the North America region; and
•inclusive of $5 million from unfavorable currency rates.
Gross Margin
Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
% Change
Gross margin
$
3,963
$
3,515
13
%
Gross margin was 50.8% of net sales in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 49.3% in the first nine months of 2023. The primary drivers of this increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales were:
•higher gross margin as a percentage of net sales in the Products and Systems Integration segment, inclusive of acquisitions, primarily driven by higher sales, favorable mix and lower direct material costs; partially offset by
•lower gross margin as a percentage of net sales in the Software and Services segment, inclusive of acquisitions, driven by the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control.
37
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
% Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
1,265
$
1,138
11
%
SG&A expenses increased 11% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to higher employee incentive costs, including share-based compensation, higher expenses related to legal matters and higher expenses associated with acquired businesses. SG&A expenses were 16.2% of net sales in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 16.0% of net sales in the first nine months of 2023.
Research and Development Expenditures
Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
% Change
Research and development expenditures
$
671
$
640
5
%
R&D expenditures increased 5% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023 primarily due to higher employee incentive costs, including share-based compensation, and higher expenses associated with acquired businesses. R&D expenditures were 8.6% of net sales in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 9.0% of net sales in the first nine months of 2023.
Other Charges
Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Other charges
$
153
$
181
Other charges decreased by $28 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023. The change was driven primarily by the following:
•$114 million of intangible asset amortization expense in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $137 million of intangible asset amortization expense in the first nine months of 2023; and
•$15 million of environmental reserve expense in the first nine months of 2023 that did not occur in the first nine months of 2024; partially offset by
•$11 million of acquisition-related transaction fees in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $3 million of acquisition-related transaction fees in the first nine months of 2023; and
•$7 million of legal settlement charges in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $1 million of legal settlement charges in the first nine months of 2023.
Operating Earnings
Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Operating earnings from Products and Systems Integration
$
1,135
$
752
Operating earnings from Software and Services
739
804
Operating earnings
$
1,874
$
1,556
Operating earnings increased $318 million, or 20%, in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023. The increase in Operating earnings was due to:
•a $383 million increase in the Products and Systems Integration segment, primarily driven by higher sales, favorable mix, and lower direct material costs, partially offset by higher employee incentive costs, including share-based compensation, higher expenses associated with acquired businesses and higher expenses related to legal matters; partially offset by
•a $65 million decrease in the Software and Services segment, primarily driven by the revenue reduction on Airwave services in accordance with the Charge Control, higher employee incentive costs, including share-based compensation, and higher expenses related to legal matters, partially offset by higher sales and a reduction in intangible amortization expenses.
38
Interest Expense, net
Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Interest expense, net
$
(171)
$
(164)
The $7 million increase in net interest expense in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023 was primarily driven by higher outstanding debt, higher interest rates on outstanding debt and an interest accrual related to the settlement of audits with taxing authorities in foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by higher interest income earned on cash.
Other, net
Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Other, net
$
(519)
$
46
The $565 million decrease in Other, net in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023 was primarily driven by:
•$585 million loss from the extinguishment of the $1.0 billion of 1.75% senior convertible notes issued to Silver Lake Partners and scheduled to mature in September 2024 (the "Silver Lake Convertible Debt") which was recognized in the first nine months of 2024;
•$4 million loss on fair value adjustments to equity investments in the first nine months of 2024 compared to a $12 million gain on fair value adjustments to equity investments in the first nine months of 2023;
•$11 million loss on assessments of uncertain tax positions in the first nine months of 2024 that did not occur in the first nine months of 2023; and
•$22 million of foreign currency losses in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $16 million of foreign currency losses in the first nine months of 2023; partially offset by
•$95 million of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $73 million of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit in the first nine months of 2023;
•$7 million of gains on derivative instruments in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $9 million of losses on derivative instruments in the first nine months of 2023; and
•$3 million of investment impairments in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $16 million of investment impairments in the first nine months of 2023.
Effective Tax Rate
Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Income tax expense
$
214
$
321
Income tax expense decreased by $107 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023, resulting in an effective tax rate of 18%. Our effective tax rate of 18% for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 was lower than the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of 22%, primarily due to the tax benefit recognized upon the Company's decision to implement a business initiative in 2024 which allows for additional utilization of foreign tax credit carryforwards and a higher foreign derived intangible income deduction on its 2023 U.S. tax return, tax benefits recognized upon settlement of audits with taxing authorities in foreign jurisdictions, and higher excess tax benefits of share-based compensation in 2024, offset by the non-tax deductible loss on the extinguishment of Silver Lake Convertible Debt in 2024.
Reorganization of Business
During the third quarter of 2024, we recorded net reorganization of business charges of $7 million, including $5 million of charges recorded within Other charges and $2 million of charges in Cost of sales in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the $7 million were charges of $8 million related to employee separation costs, partially offset by $1 million of reversals for employee separation accruals that are no longer needed.
During the first nine months of 2024, we recorded net reorganization of business charges of $21 million, including $16 million of charges recorded within Other charges and $5 million of charges in Costs of sales in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the $21 million were charges of $30 million related to employee separation costs, partially offset by $4 million of reversals for exit cost accruals no longer needed and $5 million of reversals for employee separation accruals no longer needed.
39
During the third quarter of 2023, we recorded net reorganization of business charges of $6 million, including $4 million of charges in Other charges and $2 million of charges in Costs of sales in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the $6 million were charges of $8 million related to employee separation costs, partially offset by $2 million of reversals for employee separation accruals no longer needed.
During the first nine months of 2023, we recorded net reorganization of business charges of $22 million, including $16 million of charges recorded in Other charges and $6 million of charges in Costs of sales in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the $22 million were charges of $32 million related to employee separation costs, partially offset by $5 million of reversals for exit cost accruals no longer needed and $5 million of reversals for employee separation accruals no longer needed.
The following table displays the net charges incurred by segment:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Products and Systems Integration
$
6
$
5
$
20
$
22
Software and Services
1
1
1
—
$
7
$
6
$
21
$
22
Cash payments for employee severance in connection with the reorganization of business plans were $27 million in the first nine months of 2024 and $28 million in the first nine months of 2023. The reorganization of business accrual at September 28, 2024 was $21 million related to employee separation costs that are expected to be paid within one year.
At January 1, 2024, we had an accrual of $5 million for exit costs related to our exit of the ESN contract with the UK Home Office. During the nine months ended September 28, 2024, we recorded a $4 million reversal for accruals no longer needed. The $1 million of exit costs are recorded in Accrued liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 28, 2024, and are expected to be paid within one year.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Cash flows provided by (used for):
Operating activities
$
1,321
$
799
Investing activities
(400)
(172)
Financing activities
(1,234)
(1,043)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
12
1
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
$
(301)
$
(415)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
At September 28, 2024, $1.1 billion of the $1.4 billion cash and cash equivalents balance was held in the U.S. and $297 million was held in other countries.
Operating Activities
The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities from the first nine months of 2023 to the first nine months of 2024 was driven primarily by higher earnings, net of non-cash adjustments, and improved working capital.
Investing Activities
The increase in cash flows used for investing activities in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023 was primarily due to an increase in cash used for acquisitions and investments, offset by proceeds from the sale of our Richmond, British Columbia and Richardson, Texas video manufacturing operations.
40
Financing Activities
The increase in cash flows used for financing activities in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023 was primarily driven by (see also further discussion in the "Debt," "Share Repurchase Program" and "Dividends" sections below in this Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q):
•$1.9 billion increase in repayments of debt during the first nine months of 2024 driven primarily by the repurchase of the Silver Lake Convertible Debt and repayment of our 4.0% senior notes due 2024;
•$57 million decrease in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock in connection with our employee stock option and employee stock purchase plans in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023; and
•$47 million increase in the payment of dividends in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023; partially offset by
•$1.3 billion increase in net proceeds in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023 driven the issuance of our 5.0% senior notes due 2029 and 5.4% senior notes due 2034; and
•$529 million decrease in share repurchases in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023.
Sales of Receivables
The following table summarizes the proceeds received from sales of accounts receivable and long-term customer financing receivables for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Accounts receivable sales proceeds
$
15
$
—
$
15
$
—
Long-term receivables sales proceeds
56
65
82
123
Debt
We had outstanding debt of $6.0 billion at September 28, 2024, of which $322 million was current. We had outstanding debt of $6.0 billion at December 31, 2023, of which $1.3 billion was current.
During the three months ended September 28, 2024, we repaid the $313 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.0% senior notes due 2024.
As of September 28, 2024, $252 million of 7.5% debentures due 2025, which mature in May 2025, and $70 million of 6.5% debentures due 2025, which mature in September 2025, were classified within the Current portion of long-term debt within the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as the debentures mature within the next twelve months.
On September 5, 2019, we entered into an agreement with Silver Lake Partners to issue the Silver Lake Convertible Debt, which became fully convertible on September 5, 2021. On February 14, 2024, we agreed with Silver Lake Partners to repurchase $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Silver Lake Convertible Debt for aggregate consideration of $1.59 billion in cash, inclusive of the conversion premium. The cash consideration was paid during the first quarter of 2024. The repurchase of the Silver Lake Convertible Debt was accounted for as an extinguishment of debt, as the repurchase was negotiated under economically favorable terms outside of the original contractual conversion rate. A loss on the extinguishment of $585 million was recorded, representing the excess of amounts repurchased over the carrying value of debt of $593 million, offset by accrued interest of $8 million. The loss on the extinguishment of debt was recorded within Other Income (Expense) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the nine months ended September 28, 2024.
On March 25, 2024, we issued $400 million of 5.0% senior notes due 2029 and $900 million of 5.4% senior notes due 2034. We recognized net proceeds of $1.3 billion after debt issuance costs and discounts. A portion of proceeds from the issuance was used to repurchase the $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Silver Lake Convertible Debt.
We have a $2.25 billion syndicated, unsecured revolving credit facility scheduled to mature in March 2026 (the "2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement"). The 2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement includes a letter of credit sub-limit and fronting commitments of $450 million. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the prime rate plus the applicable margin, or at a spread above the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), at our option. An annual facility fee is payable on the undrawn amount of the credit line. The interest rate and facility fee are subject to adjustment if our credit rating changes. We must comply with certain customary covenants including a maximum leverage ratio, as defined in the 2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement. We were in compliance with our financial covenants as of September 28, 2024.
We have an unsecured commercial paper program, backed by the 2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement, under which we may issue unsecured commercial paper notes up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $2.2 billion outstanding at any one time. Proceeds from the issuances of the notes are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. As of September 28, 2024 we had no outstanding debt under the commercial paper program.
We have investment grade ratings on our senior unsecured long-term debt. During the first quarter of 2024, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings upgraded our credit rating to BBB from BBB-. We continue to believe that we will be able to maintain sufficient access to the capital markets in the next twelve months and the foreseeable future.
41
Share Repurchase Program
During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, we repurchased approximately 0.1 million and 0.4 million shares at an average price of $440.53 and $355.31 per share for an aggregate amount of $31 million and $141 million, respectively. As of September 28, 2024, we had used approximately $15.7 billion of the share repurchase authority to repurchase shares, leaving $2.3 billion of authority available for future repurchases.
Dividends
During the third quarter of 2024 we paid $164 million in cash dividends to holders of our common stock. Subsequent to the quarter, we paid an additional $164 million in cash dividends to holders of our common stock.
Adequate Internal Funding Resources
We believe that we have adequate internal resources available to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet our expected working capital, capital expenditure and cash requirements for the next twelve months and the foreseeable future, as supported by the level of cash and cash equivalents in the U.S., the ability to repatriate funds from foreign jurisdictions, cash provided by operations, as well as liquidity provided by our commercial paper program backed by the 2021 Motorola Solutions Credit Agreement.
We do not anticipate a material decrease to net future cash flows generated from operations. We expect to use our available cash, investments, and debt facilities to support and invest in our business. This includes investing in our existing products and technologies, seeking new acquisition opportunities related to our strategic growth initiatives and returning cash to shareholders through common stock cash dividend payments (subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors) and share repurchases.
Long-Term Customer Financing Commitments
We had outstanding commitments to provide long-term financing to third parties totaling $66 million at September 28, 2024, compared to $103 million at December 31, 2023.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 1, “Basis of Presentation” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes to our interest rate risk or foreign currency risk during the nine months ended September 28, 2024. For a discussion of our exposure to interest rate risk and foreign currency risk, refer to our disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of the Form 10-K.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded as of the Evaluation Date that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that the information relating to Motorola Solutions, including our consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to Motorola Solutions’ management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 28, 2024 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
42
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In addition to the matter referenced below, the Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims that have not been fully resolved and which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations. However, an unfavorable resolution could have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations in the periods in which the matters are ultimately resolved, or in the periods in which more information is obtained that changes management's opinion of the ultimate disposition.
Refer to the description of "Hytera Litigation" in Note 12, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for information regarding our legal proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Form 10-K.
43
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
On July 1, 2024, the Company issued 48,044 shares of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Noggin to certain former shareholders of Noggin. The stock was issued for an aggregate grant fair value of $19 million that will be expensed over an average service period of 3 years.
On July 1, 2024, the Company issued 6,993 shares of common stock in connection with the acquisition of a vehicle management solutions company to certain former shareholders of the corporation. The stock was issued for an aggregate grant fair value of $3 million that will be expensed over an average service period of 3 years.
The foregoing transactions did not involve any underwriters, any underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offerings. The shares with respect to the transactions were issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in a privately negotiated transactions not involving any public offerings or solicitations.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information with respect to acquisitions by the Company of shares of its common stock during the quarter ended September 28, 2024.
Period
(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased
(b) Average Price
Paid per
Share (1)
(c) Total Number
of Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Program (2)
(d) Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Program(2)
06/28/2024 to 07/25/2024
—
$
—
—
$
—
07/26/2024 to 08/22/2024
—
$
—
—
$
—
08/23/2024 to 09/26/2024
71,675
$
440.53
71,675
$
2,340,137,531
Total
71,675
$
440.53
71,675
(1)Average price paid per share of common stock repurchased excludes commissions paid to brokers and excise tax. As of January 1, 2023, the Company's share repurchases in excess of issuances are subject to a 1% excise tax enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The amount of excise tax incurred is included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the quarter ended September 28, 2024.
(2)As originally announced on July 28, 2011, and subsequently amended, the Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase an aggregate amount of up to $18.0 billion of its outstanding shares of common stock (the “share repurchase program”). The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had used approximately $15.7 billion to repurchase shares, leaving $2.3 billion of authority available for future repurchases.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
None.
Item 5. Other Information.
During the three months ended September 28, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Inline 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.
Pursuant to the requirements 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.