Keysight Technologies (KEYS) risk factors, FY2024 10-K

Risks Related to Our Business

1. 01Uncertainty in general economic conditions may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition
2. 02Economic, political, and other risks associated with international sales and operations could adversely affect our results of operations
3. 03Economic and political policies favoring national interests could adversely affect our results of operations
4. 04Volatile geopolitical turmoil, including popular uprisings, regional conflicts, terrorism and war could result in market instability, which could negatively impact our business results
5. 05Our operating results and financial condition could be harmed if the markets into which we sell our solutions decline or do not grow as anticipated
6. 06A decreased demand for our customers’ products or trade restrictions could adversely affect our results of operations
7. 07Failure to introduce successful new solutions and services in a timely manner to address increased competition, rapid technological changes, and changing industry standards could result in our solutions and services becoming obsolete
8. 08Our future operating results may fluctuate significantly if our investments in innovative technologies are not as profitable as we anticipate
9. 09Failure to adjust our purchases due to changing market conditions or failure to estimate our customers’ demand could adversely affect our income
10. 10Dependence on contract manufacturing and outsourcing other portions of our supply chain may adversely affect our ability to bring solutions to market and damage our reputation. Dependence on outsourced information technology and other administrative functions may impair our ability to operate effectively
11. 11Our operating results may suffer if our manufacturing capacity does not match the demand for our solutions
12. 12Key customers or large orders may expose us to additional business and legal risks that could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition
13. 13Industry consolidation and consolidation among our customer base may lead to increased competition and may harm our operating results
14. 14Our acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures, internal reorganizations and divestitures may result in financial results that are different than expected
15. 15Any inability to complete acquisitions on acceptable terms could negatively impact our growth rate and financial performance
16. 16We may need additional financing in the future to meet our capital needs or to make opportunistic acquisitions, and such financing may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all, and may be dilutive to existing shareholders
17. 17We have outstanding debt and may incur other debt in the future, which could adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations
18. 18Volatility in currency exchange rates could adversely impact our financial results
19. 19We are or will be subject to ongoing tax examinations of our tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities. An adverse outcome of any such audit or examination by the IRS or other tax authority could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity
20. 20Our effective tax rate may be adversely impacted by changes in our business mix or changes in the tax legislative landscape
21. 21If tax laws or incentives change or cease to be in effect, our income taxes could increase significantly
22. 22If we suffer a loss to our factories, facilities or distribution system due to a catastrophic event, including events caused by the effects of climate change, our operations could be significantly harmed
23. 23Our commitment to net zero emissions in company operations by fiscal year 2040 will be subject to significant costs and regulations, which could impact business operations, processes, revenue, and reputation
24. 24Third parties may claim that we are infringing their intellectual property rights, and we could suffer significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling solutions or services
25. 25Third parties may infringe our intellectual property rights, and we may suffer competitive injury or expend significant resources enforcing our intellectual property rights
26. 26If we experience a significant cybersecurity attack or disruption in our IT systems or our products, our business, reputation, and operating results could be adversely affected
27. 27Our business will suffer if we are not able to retain and hire key personnel
28. 28If we fail to maintain satisfactory compliance with certain regulations, we may be subject to substantial negative financial consequences and civil or criminal penalties
29. 29Failure to comply with anti-corruption laws could adversely affect our business and result in financial penalties
30. 30Our business and financial results may be adversely affected by various legal and regulatory proceedings
31. 31Our internal controls may be determined to be ineffective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company, the value of our stock, and our access to capital
32. 32Adverse conditions in the global banking industry and credit markets may adversely impact the value of our cash investments or impair our liquidity
33. 33Future investment returns on pension assets may be lower than expected or interest rates may decline, requiring us to make significant additional cash contributions to our future plans
34. 34Environmental contamination from past operations could subject us to unreimbursed costs and could harm on-site operations and the future use and value of the properties involved, and environmental contamination caused by ongoing operations could subject us to substantial liabilities in the future

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

1. 35Our share price may fluctuate significantly
2. 36Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations have adversely affected the trading price of our common stock
3. 37We do not currently pay dividends on our common stock
4. 38Certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and of Delaware law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of the company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock