MOODYS CORP DE

Current Macroeconomic Uncertainties/Market Volatility

The Company continues to monitor current macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties that have contributed to volatility in rated issuance volumes, which began in 2022 and have continued into 2023. These uncertainties include, but are not limited to: i) inflation levels; ii) higher interest rates; and iii) volatility in the global capital markets partly resulting from the ongoing military conflicts further discussed below and the failures of certain banking institutions in the first half of 2023. A substantial portion of MIS’s revenue is impacted by the level of issuance activity in the fixed income capital markets, both in the U.S. and internationally. While market volatility has resulted in suppressed rated issuance volumes in certain sectors, the Company believes that these suppressed volumes are predominantly transitory in nature. However, due to various uncertainties, Moody's is unable to predict the severity and duration of current macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties and their potential impact on future rated issuance volumes. Refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for further disclosure relating to these risks.

Military Conflicts

The Company continues to closely monitor the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine military conflict and the military conflict in Israel and surrounding areas on all aspects of its business. In response to the Russia-Ukraine military conflict, the Company is no longer conducting commercial operations in Russia for both MA and MIS and is complying with all applicable regulatory restrictions set forth by authorities in the jurisdictions in which Moody's operates. Furthermore, the Company also has withdrawn MIS credit ratings on Russian entities.

While Moody's operations and net assets in Russia and Israel and surrounding areas are not material, broader global market volatility, which partially relates to uncertainties surrounding these military conflicts, has contributed and may continue to contribute to volatility in rated issuance volumes. This impact on rated issuance volumes is more fully discussed in the "Results of Operations" section of this MD&A. The Company is unable to predict either the near-term or longer-term impact that the conflicts may have on its financial position and operating results due to numerous uncertainties regarding the severity and duration of the conflicts and their broader potential macroeconomic impact.