NETSCOUT SYSTEMS INC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1 –NATURE OF BUSINESS

NetScout Systems, Inc., or NetScout or the Company, has been a technology innovator for four decades since its founding in 1984. The Company's solutions, based on patented Adaptive Service Intelligence (ASI) technology, help customers identify network and application performance issues, defend their networks from denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and rapidly find and isolate advanced network threats. As a result, customers can quickly resolve issues that cause business disruptions, downtime, poor service quality or compromised security, thereby driving compelling returns on their investments in their network and broader information technology (IT) initiatives.

NOTE 2 –SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NetScout and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Segment Reporting

The Company's operating segments are determined based on the units that constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (CODM). The Company's President and CEO is the CODM. Operating results are reviewed by the CODM primarily at the consolidated entity level for the purpose of making resource allocation decisions and for evaluating financial performance, primarily by monitoring actual results compared to forecasted results as well as by reviewing year-over-year results. The Company's CODM evaluates company-wide performance and determines allocation of resources based on multiple performance measures, including, but not limited to net income (loss).

The Company has determined it operates as a single operating segment and hasone reportable segment which includes product and service revenue related to the sale of enterprise performance management, carrier service assurance, cybersecurity, and DDoS protection solutions. The Company's results for the one reportable segment are the same as presented in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and there is no expense information that is supplemental to those disclosed in these consolidated financial statements, that are regularly provided to the CODM. The measure of segment assets is reported on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as total assets. Segment asset information is not used by the CODM to allocate resources.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates in these financial statements include those involving revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill and acquired assets and liabilities, valuation of the pension obligation, valuation of a derivative instrument, valuation of contingent consideration and share-based compensation. These items are continuously monitored and analyzed by management for changes in facts and circumstances and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future.

Global and Macroeconomic Conditions

The Company continues to closely monitor the current global and macroeconomic conditions, including the impacts of the ongoing war in Ukraine and hostilities in the Middle East, global geopolitical tension, stock market volatility, industry-specific capital spending trends, exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, interest rates, international trade relations (including trade protection measures, such as tariffs and other trade barriers), and the risk of a recession, including the manner and extent to which they have impacted and could continue to impact its business, customers, employees, supply chain, and distribution network. The full extent of the impacts of these global and macroeconomic trends remain uncertain. It is possible that the measures taken by the governments of countries affected and the resulting economic impacts may materially and adversely affect the Company's future results of operations, cash flows and financial position as well as its customers.

The Company has the responsibility to evaluate whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about its ability to meet its future financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The macroeconomic environment remains challenging with constrained customer spending and the Company expects this to persist during fiscal year 2026. The Company has taken and continues to take precautionary actions to manage costs and increase productivity across the organization. This includes managing discretionary spending and hiring activities. In addition, based on covenant levels, the Company had as of March 31, 2025 an incremental $600 million available under the revolving credit facility.

The Company expects net cash provided by operations combined with cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and investments and borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility to provide sufficient liquidity to fund current obligations, capital spending, debt service requirements and working capital requirements over at least the next twelve months.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Under authoritative guidance, NetScout has classified its investments as "available-for-sale" which are carried at fair value associated unrealized gains or losses are recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity until realized. NetScout considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents and those investments with original maturities greater than three months to be marketable securities.

At March 31, 2025 and periodically throughout the year, NetScout has maintained cash balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. NetScout limits the amount of credit exposure by investing only with credit worthy institutions which the Company believes are those institutions with an investment grade rating for deposits.

Revenue Recognition

The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). For further discussion of the Company's accounting policies related to revenue see Note 3, "Revenue Recognition."

Commission Expense

Sales commissions are recorded as an asset when the initial contract's duration is longer than 12 months and amortized to expense ratably over the remaining performance periods of the related contracts.

Uncollected Deferred Revenue

Because of NetScout's revenue recognition policies, there are circumstances for which the Company does not recognize revenue relating to sales transactions that have been billed, but the related account receivable has not been collected. While the receivable represents an enforceable obligation, the Company does not believe its right to payment is unconditional, therefore for balance sheet presentation purposes, the Company has not recognized the deferred revenue or the related account receivable and no amounts appear in the consolidated balance sheets for such transactions because control of the underlying deliverable has not transferred. The aggregate amount of unrecognized accounts receivable and deferred revenue was $5.5 million and $5.9 million at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of investments, trade accounts receivable and accounts payable. NetScout's cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities are placed with financial institutions with high credit standings.

At March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, the Company had no direct customers or indirect channel partners which accounted for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance.

During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, no direct customers or indirect channel partners accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total revenue. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, one direct customer, Verizon, accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total revenue, while no indirect channel partners accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total revenue.

Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant failure of its customers to meet their payment obligations nor does the Company anticipate material non-performance by its customers in the future; accordingly, the Company does not require collateral from its customers. However, if the Company’s assumptions are incorrect, there could be an adverse impact on its allowance for doubtful accounts.

Trade Receivable Valuations

Accounts receivable are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance against gross trade receivables reflects the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available information.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of actual cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or anticipated useful life of the improvement. Gains and losses upon asset disposal are recognized in the year of disposition. Expenditures for replacements and building improvements are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged against earnings as incurred.

Leases

The Company has operating leases for administrative, research and development, sales and marketing and manufacturing facilities and equipment under various non-cancelable lease agreements. Lease commencement occurs on the date the Company takes possession or control of the property or equipment. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease where it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise those options. The Company considers several economic factors when making this determination, including but not limited to, the significance of leasehold improvements incurred in the office space, the difficulty in replacing the asset, underlying contractual obligations, or specific characteristics unique to a particular lease. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. For further discussion of the Company's policies related to leases see Note 18, "Leases."

Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company amortizes acquired definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill is not amortized but subjected to annual impairment tests; or more frequently if events or circumstances occur (a "Triggering Event") that would indicate the fair value of its reporting unit is below its carrying value. The Company performs the goodwill impairment assessment annually during the fourth quarter and on an interim basis if potential impairment indicators arise.

Reporting units are determined based on the components of a Company's operating segments that constitute a business for which financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by segment management. The Company hasone reporting unit.

To test impairment for long-lived assets, including tangible and definite-lived intangible assets, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the long-lived assets are impaired. If, based on the Company's qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that the fair value of the long-lived assets are less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if the Company concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required.

Capitalized Software Development Costs

Costs incurred in the research and development of the Company's products are expensed as incurred, except for certain software development costs. Costs associated with the development of computer software are expensed prior to the establishment of technological feasibility and capitalized thereafter until the related software products are available for first customer shipment. Such costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the product, which generally does not exceed three years. Capitalized software development costs are periodically assessed for recoverability in the event of changes to the anticipated future revenue for the software products or changes in product technologies. Unamortized capitalized software development costs that are determined to be in excess of the net realizable value of the software products would be expensed in the period in which such a determination is made.

Typically for accounting purposes, these R&D investments have not been capitalized because of the development methodology employed. The developments are added individually to the core code over a shorter period of time but marketed as a release once all portions are complete.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Under authoritative guidance for derivative financial instruments and hedging activities, all hedging activities must be documented at the inception of the hedge and must meet the definition of highly effective in offsetting changes to future cash flows in order for the derivative to qualify for hedge accounting. Under the guidance, if an instrument qualifies for hedge accounting, the changes in the fair value each period for open contracts, measured at the end of the period, are recorded to other comprehensive income. Otherwise, changes in the fair value are recorded in earnings each period. Management must perform initial and ongoing tests in order to qualify for hedge accounting. In accordance with the guidance, the Company accounts for its instruments under hedge accounting. The effectiveness and a measurement of ineffectiveness of qualifying hedge contracts are assessed by the Company quarterly. The Company records the fair value of its derivatives inprepaid expenses and other current assets andaccrued other in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The effective portion of gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value of qualifying hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) until the forecasted transaction occurs, with any ineffective portion classified directly to the Company's consolidated statement of operations based on the expense categories of the items being hedged. When forecasted transactions occur, unrealized gains or losses associated with the effective portion of the hedge are reclassified to the respective expense categories in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. Gains or losses related to hedging activity are included as operating activities in the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows. If the underlying forecasted transactions do not occur, or it becomes probable that they will not occur, the gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge is recognized immediately in earnings.

NetScout also periodically enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to manage exchange rate risk associated with certain third-party transactions and for which the Company does not elect hedge accounting treatment as there is no difference in the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedge instrument and the hedged item.

Contingencies

NetScout accounts for claims and contingencies in accordance with authoritative guidance that requires an estimated loss to be recorded from a claim or loss contingency when information available prior to issuance of its consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If NetScout determines that it is reasonably possible but not probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred or if the amount of a probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, then in accordance with the authoritative guidance, NetScout discloses the amount or range of estimated loss if the amount or range of estimated loss is material. Accounting for claims and contingencies requires NetScout to use its judgment. NetScout consults with legal counsel on those issues related to litigation and seeks input from other experts and advisors with respect to matters in the ordinary course of business.

Share-Based Compensation

NetScout recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments granted. Under the fair value recognition provisions, share-based compensation is calculated net of an estimated forfeiture rate and compensation cost is only recognized for those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the expected requisite service period of the award.

Foreign Currency

NetScout accounts for its reporting of foreign operations in accordance with guidance which establishes guidelines for the determination of the functional currency of foreign subsidiaries. In accordance with the guidance, NetScout has determined its functional currency for those foreign subsidiaries that are an extension of NetScout's U.S. operations to be the U.S. Dollar.

Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries operating outside the United States with a functional currency other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars using the period-end exchange rate, and income and expense items are translated using the average exchange rate during the period. Cumulative translation adjustments are reflected as a separate component of stockholders' equity.

NetScout will experience currency exchange risk with respect to foreign currency denominated expenses. In order to partially offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures, NetScout has established a program that utilizes foreign currency forward contracts. Under this program, increases or decreases in foreign currency exposures are partially offset by gains or losses on forward contracts, to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction gains or losses. The Company does not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation. All outstanding foreign currency forward contracts are recorded at fair value at the end of each fiscal period.

The Company had foreign currency losses of $2.0 million, $1.9 million and $2.8 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These amounts are included in other income (expense), net in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Advertising Expense

NetScout recognizes advertising expense as incurred. Advertising expense was $4.9 million, $6.8 million and $10.2 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) typically consists of unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities, unrealized gains and losses on hedge contracts, actuarial gains and losses, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Income Taxes

NetScout accounts for its income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as the effect of any net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Income tax expense is comprised of the current tax liability or benefit and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. NetScout evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets by considering all positive and negative evidence relating to future profitability. NetScout weighs objective and verifiable evidence more heavily in this analysis. In situations where NetScout concludes that it does not have sufficient objective and verifiable evidence to support the realizability of the deferred tax asset, NetScout creates a valuation allowance against it.

Recent Accounting Standards

In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (ASU 2024-03). Additionally, in January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 to clarify the effective date of ASU 2024-03. ASU 2024-03 provides guidance to expand disclosures related to the disaggregation of income statement expenses. The standard requires, in the notes to the financial statements, disclosure of specified information about certain costs and expenses which includes purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization that are included on the face of the statement of income. ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2024-03 is effective for NetScout beginning with its fiscal year ending March 31, 2028. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2024-03 will have on its disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments address investor requests for enhanced income tax information primarily through changes to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The amendments are effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The amendments should be applied prospectively; however, retrospective application is also permitted. ASU 2023-09 is effective for NetScout beginning April 1, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption ASU 2023-09 will have to the financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which provides updates to qualitative and quantitative reportable segment disclosure requirements, including enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and increased interim disclosure requirements, among others. The disclosures are also required for public entities that have a single reporting segment. The Company adopted the amendments within ASU 2023-07 for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, on a retrospective basis. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements and related disclosures. See "Note 20 - Segment and Geographic Information" for additional required disclosures.

NOTE 3 -REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue Recognition Policy

The Company exercises judgment and uses estimates in connection with determining the amounts of product and service revenues to be recognized in each accounting period.

The Company derives revenues primarily from the sale of network management tools and cybersecurity solutions for service provider and enterprise customers, which include hardware, software, and service offerings. The Company's product sales consist of software only offerings and offerings which include hardware appliances with embedded software that are essential to providing customers the intended functionality of the solutions.

The Company accounts for revenue once a legally enforceable contract with a customer has been approved by the parties and the related promises to transfer products or services have been identified. A contract is defined by the Company as an arrangement with commercial substance identifying payment terms, each party's rights and obligations regarding the products or services to be transferred and the amount the Company deems probable of collection. Customer contracts may include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether the products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately or as one combined performance obligation may require significant judgment. Revenue is recognized when control of the products or services are transferred to the Company's customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for products and services.

Product revenue is typically recognized upon fulfillment, provided a legally enforceable contract exists, control has passed to the customer, and in the case of software products, when the customer has the rights and ability to access the software, and collection of the related receivable is probable. If any significant obligations to the customer remain post-delivery, typically involving obligations relating to installation and acceptance by the customer, revenue recognition is deferred until such obligations have been fulfilled. The Company's service offerings include installation, integration, extended warranty and maintenance services, post-contract customer support, stand-ready software-as-a-service (SaaS) and other professional services including consulting and training. The Company generally provides software and/or hardware support as part of product sales. Revenue related to the initial bundled software and hardware support is recognized ratably over the support period. In addition, customers can elect to purchase extended support agreements for periods after the initial software/hardware warranty expiration. Support services generally include rights to unspecified upgrades (when and if available), telephone and internet-based support, updates, bug fixes and hardware repair and replacement. Consulting services are recognized upon delivery or completion of performance depending on the terms of the underlying contract. Reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenditures incurred in connection with providing consulting services are included in services revenue, with the offsetting expense recorded in cost of service revenue. Training services include on-site and classroom training. Training revenues are recognized upon delivery of the training.

Generally, the Company's contracts are accounted for individually. However, when contracts are closely interrelated and dependent on each other, it may be necessary to account for two or more contracts as one to reflect the substance of the group of contracts.

Bundled arrangements are concurrent customer purchases of a combination of the Company's product and service offerings that may be delivered at various points in time. The Company allocates the transaction price among the performance obligations in an amount that depicts the relative standalone selling prices (SSP) of each obligation. Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation. The Company uses a range of amounts to estimate SSP for each of the products and services sold, based primarily on the performance obligation's historical pricing. The Company also considers its overall pricing objectives and practices across different sales channels and geographies, and market conditions. Generally, the Company has established SSP for a majority of its service performance obligations based on historical standalone sales. In certain instances, the Company has established SSP for services based upon an estimate of profitability and the underlying cost to fulfill those services. SSP has primarily been established for product performance obligations as the average or median selling price the performance obligation was recently sold for, whether sold alone or sold as part of a bundle transaction. The Company reviews sales of the product performance obligations on a quarterly basis and updates, when appropriate, its SSP for such performance obligations to ensure that it reflects recent pricing experience. The Company's products are distributed through its direct sales force and indirect distribution channels through alliances with resellers and distributors. Revenue arrangements with resellers and distributors are recognized on a sell-in basis; that is, when control of the product transfers to the reseller or distributor. The Company records consideration given to a customer as a reduction of revenue to the extent they have recorded revenue from the customer. With limited exceptions, the Company's return policy does not allow product returns for a refund. Returns have been insignificant to date. In addition, the Company has a history of successfully collecting receivables from its resellers and distributors.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, the Company recognized revenue of $293.8 million related to the Company's deferred revenue balance reported at March 31, 2024.

Performance Obligations

Customer contracts may include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether the products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately or as one combined performance obligation may require significant judgment. The transaction price is allocated among performance obligations in bundled contracts in an amount that depicts the relative standalone selling prices of each obligation.

For contracts involving distinct hardware and software licenses, the performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time when control is transferred to the customer. For standalone maintenance and post-contract support (PCS) the performance obligation is satisfied ratably over the contract term as a stand-ready obligation. For consulting and training services, the performance obligation may be satisfied over the contract term as a stand-ready obligation, satisfied over a period of time as those services are delivered, satisfied at the completion of the service when control has transferred, or the services have expired unused.

Payments for hardware, software licenses, one-year maintenance, PCS and consulting services, are typically due up front with payment terms of 30 to 90 days. However, the Company does have contracts pursuant to which billings occur ratably over a period of years following the transfer of control for the contracted performance obligations. Payments on multi-year maintenance, PCS and consulting services are typically due in annual installments over the contract term. The Company did not have any material variable consideration such as obligations for returns, refunds or warranties at March 31, 2025.

At March 31, 2025, the Company had total deferred revenue and customer deposits of $449.3 million, which represents the aggregate total contract price allocated to undelivered performance obligations. The Company expects to recognize $301.8 million, or 67%, of this revenue during the next 12 months, and expects to recognize the remaining $147.5 million, or 33%, of this revenue thereafter.

NetScout expects that the amount of billed and unbilled deferred revenue will change from quarter to quarter for several reasons, including the specific timing, duration and size of large customer support and service agreements, varying billing cycles of such agreements, the specific timing of customer renewals, and foreign currency fluctuations. The Company did not have material significant financing components, or variable consideration or performance obligations satisfied in a prior period recognized during the twelve months ended March 31, 2025.

Contract Balances

The Company may receive payments from customers based on billing schedules as established by the Company's contracts. Contract assets relate to performance obligations where control has transferred to the customer in advance of scheduled billings. The Company records unbilled accounts receivable representing the right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that have been transferred to a customer conditional on the passage of time. Deferred revenue relates to scenarios where billings with an unconditional right to payment occur before all performance obligations are delivered or payments are received in advance of performance under the contract.

Costs to Obtain Contracts

The Company has determined that the only significant incremental costs incurred to obtain contracts with customers within the scope of Topic 606 are sales commissions paid to its employees. Sales commissions are recorded as an asset and amortized to expense ratably over the remaining performance periods of the related contracts with remaining performance obligations. The Company expenses costs as incurred for sales commissions when the amortization period would have been one year or less.

At March 31, 2025, the consolidated balance sheet included $9.9 million in assets related to sales commissions to be expensed in future periods. A balance of $5.4 million was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, and a balance of $4.5 million was included in other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2025. At March 31, 2024, the consolidated balance sheet included $9.3 million in assets related to sales commissions to be expensed in future periods. A balance of $4.8 million was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, and a balance of $4.5 million was included in other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2024.

During the twelve months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, and 2023, the Company recognized $7.1 million,$6.8 million, and $7.0 million of amortization related to this sales commission asset, which is included in the sales and marketing expense line in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company continually monitors collections from its customers. The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable and determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses based on a combination of factors, including but not limited to, analysis of the aging schedules, past due balances, historical collection experience and prevailing economic conditions.

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for credit losses (in thousands):

NOTE 4 –CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, MARKETABLE SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS

Cash and cash equivalents mainly consisted of U.S. government and municipal obligations, commercial paper, money market instruments and cash maintained with various financial institutions at March 31, 2025 and 2024.

Marketable Securities

The following is a summary of marketable securities held by the Company at March 31, 2025 classified as short-term and long-term (in thousands):

The following is a summary of marketable securities held by the Company at March 31, 2024, classified as short-term and long-term (in thousands):

Contractual maturities of the Company's marketable securities held at March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands) were as follows:

Investments

In February 2023, the Company entered into a forward share purchase agreement with Napatech A/S (Napatech), a publicly traded Danish company registered on the Oslo stock exchange, to purchase approximately 6.2 million shares of Napatech's common stock for $7.5 million. In April 2023, the Company settled the forward share purchase contract with Napatech in exchange for approximately 6.2 million shares of Napatech's common stock and recorded a $0.2 million change in the fair value of the derivative instrument in other income (expense), net within the Company's consolidated statement of operations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. As part of the agreement, the Company received the right to designate a representative to be nominated for election to the Napatech Board of Directors, which was approved by Napatech's Nomination Committee in April 2023. The Company accounts for this investment under the equity method and has elected to apply the fair value option to the investment. The Company records the investment at fair value at the end of each period based on the closing price of Napatech's stock and any change in fair value during the period is recorded in other income (expense), net within the Company's consolidated statement of operations. At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the fair value of the investment in Napatech was $11.8 million and $11.5 million, respectively, and was included in marketable securities and investments in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized gains of $0.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively, in the fair value of the equity investment in Napatech in other income (expense), net within the Company's consolidated statement of operations. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the unrealized losses related to foreign currency translation on the equity investment in Napatech were immaterial.

NOTE 5 –FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs, and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant unobservable inputs. The following tables present the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis using the fair value hierarchy at March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):

This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, the Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including marketable securities and derivative financial instruments.

The Company's Level 1 investments are classified as such because they are valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.

The Company's Level 2 investments are classified as such because they are valued using observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.

NOTE 6 –INVENTORIES AND DEFERRED COSTS

Inventories are stated at the lower of actual cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by using the FIFO method. Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

NOTE 7 –FIXED ASSETS

Fixed assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

(1) Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or anticipated useful life of the improvement.

Depreciation expense was $11.9 million, $15.9 million and $18.8 million for thefiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

NOTE 8-DIVESTITURES

Business Divestiture

On September 8, 2023, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to divest its Test Optimization business (TO business) for a purchase price of $7.8 million, inclusive of a working capital adjustment. The Company recorded a gain of $3.8 million on the divestiture for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. In connection with the divestiture, the Company had entered into a transitional services agreement with the buyer to provide certain services which ended on December 31, 2023.

The Company determined that the sale of the TO business did not represent a strategic shift and will not have a major effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flow. Accordingly, the Company has not presented the sale as a discontinued operation in the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 9 –GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The Company hasone reporting unit. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level at least annually, as of January 31, and on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change (a "Triggering Event") that would indicate the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying value.

During fiscal year 2024, the Company recorded $217.3 million in goodwill impairment charges as a result of the sustained decrease in the Company's stock price and overall market capitalization. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, due to the continued decrease in the Company's stock price and overall market capitalization, along with other qualitative considerations including the continued impact from the conditions in the macroeconomic environment, it was determined a Triggering Event occurred, indicating goodwill may be impaired. Accordingly, the Company conducted a quantitative impairment test of its goodwill at June 30, 2024. The Company estimated the implied fair value of the reporting unit using a market approach. As a result of the quantitative impairment test performed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company determined goodwill was impaired and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $427.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The additional impairment charge recorded in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 was primarily due to the continued decrease in the Company's stock price from March 31, 2024 to June 30, 2024, an increase in the Company's weighted-average cost of capital, and the refinement to the expected cost synergies that could be realized by a hypothetical buyer as a result of the voluntary separation program (VSP) implemented by the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, which impacted the company-specific control premium used to determine the fair value of the reporting unit under the market approach. At September 30, 2024, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the Company performed a Triggering Event assessment and concluded no events or circumstances occurred that indicated goodwill was further impaired.

During fiscal year 2025, the Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test at January 31, 2025, using the qualitative assessment, and the Company concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.

The Company will continue to monitor relevant facts and circumstances, including future changes in its stock price. The Company may be required to record additional goodwill impairment charges. While management cannot predict if or when additional goodwill impairments may occur, future goodwill impairments could have material adverse effects on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.

At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the carrying amounts of goodwill were $1.1 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 was due to the impairment of goodwill, and the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments related to asset balances that are recorded in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar.

The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 as follows (in thousands):

Intangible Assets

The net carrying amounts of intangible assets were $258.7 million and $308.7 million at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company amortizes intangible assets over their estimated useful lives.

The Company reviews long-lived assets including tangible and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when an event occurs that may indicate potential impairment. In conjunction with the goodwill impairment analysis performed at June 30, 2024, the Company conducted an impairment test of its long-lived assets at June 30, 2024. Based on this assessment, the Company concluded that the carrying values of the Company's long-lived assets were recoverable. At September 30, 2024, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025 the Company performed a Triggering Event assessment and concluded no events or circumstances occurred that indicated intangible assets may be impaired. However, if future events occur or if business conditions deteriorate, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss, and or accelerate the amortization of definite-live intangible assets in the future, which could be material to its results of operations and financial condition.

Intangible assets include the following amortizable intangible assets at March 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Intangible assets include the following amortizable intangible assets at March 31, 2024 (in thousands):

Amortization included as cost of product revenue consists of amortization of developed technology, and distributor relationships and technology licenses. Amortization included as operating expense consists of all other intangible assets. The following table provides a summary of amortization expense during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 (in thousands).

The following is the expected future amortization expense at March 31, 2025 for the fiscal years ended March 31 (in thousands):

NOTE 10 –DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

NetScout operates internationally and, in the normal course of business, is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The exposures result from costs that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, primarily the Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, and Indian Rupee. The Company manages its foreign cash flow risk by hedging forecasted cash flows for operating expenses denominated in foreign currencies for up totwelve months, within specified guidelines through the use of forward contracts. The Company enters into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge cash flow exposures from costs that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. These hedges are designated as cash flow hedges at inception.

NetScout also periodically enters into forward contracts to manage exchange rate risk associated with certain third-party transactions and for which the Company does not elect hedge accounting treatment as there is no difference in the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedge instrument and the hedged item.

All of the Company's foreign exchange forward contract derivative instruments are utilized for risk management purposes, and the Company does not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes. These contracts will mature over the next twelve months and are expected to impact earnings on or before maturity.

The notional amounts and fair values of foreign exchange forward contract derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows (in thousands):

(a) Notional amounts represent the gross contract/notional amount of the derivatives outstanding.

The following table provides the effect foreign exchange forward contracts had on other comprehensive income (loss), (OCI) and results of operations during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):

(a)The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in spot rates.

(b)The amount represents reclassification from other comprehensive income to earnings that occurs when the hedged item affects earnings.

The following table provides the effect foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments had on the Company's results of operations during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):

(a) The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in spot rates.

In addition to foreign exchange forward contracts, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Company entered into a forward share purchase contract to purchase approximately 6.2 million shares of Napatech's common stock for $7.5 million, which qualified as a derivative instrument under authoritative guidance. The notional amount of the derivative instrument was $7.5 million. In April 2023, the Company settled the forward share purchase contract with Napatech. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded a $0.2 million and $1.4 million change in the fair value of the derivative instrument in other income (expense), net within the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

NOTE 11 – RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Company restructured certain departments to better align functions resulting in the termination ofeighteen employees. As a result of the workforce reduction, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded a restructuring charge totaling $1.9 million related to one-time employee-related termination benefits for the employees that were notified of their termination during the period. The one-time employee-related termination benefits were paid in full during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Company did not approve any restructuring plans.

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company implemented a voluntary separation program (VSP) for employees who met certain age and service requirements to reduce overall headcount. As a result of the related workforce reduction, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, the Company recorded restructuring charges totaling $19.6 million related to one-time termination benefits forone hundred forty-two employees who voluntarily terminated their employment with the Company during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. All one-time termination benefits are expected to be paid in full during the first quarter of fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company entered into transition agreements that provided termination benefits for certain employees to ensure an orderly transition of responsibilities for continuity purposes. As a result of the related workforce changes, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, the Company recorded restructuring charges totaling $0.9 million. The Company estimates that approximately $1.0 million and $0.1 million in additional restructuring charges will be recorded in the fiscal years ending March 31, 2026 and 2027, respectively, related to one-time termination benefits for theten employees who continue to render services to the Company. A majority of the one-time termination benefits are expected to be paid in full by the end of the second quarter of fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, with the remaining amounts expected to be paid in full by the end of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.

The following table provides a summary of the activity related to the restructuring plan and the related restructuring liability (in thousands):

NOTE 12 –LONG-TERM DEBT

On July 27, 2021, the Company amended and extended its existing credit facility (as amended, the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), which provided for afive-year, $800.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, including a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $75.0 million. The commitments under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were set to expire on July 27, 2026, and any outstanding loans were due on that date. On May 13, 2024, the Company repaid $25.0 million of borrowings under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

On October 4, 2024, the Company amended and restated the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended and restated, the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of lenders by and among: the Company, as borrower; certain subsidiaries of NetScout Systems, Inc., as borrower; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., RBC Capital Markets, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Mizuho Bank, Ltd, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners; TD Bank, N.A. and Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as co-documentation agents; and the lenders and issuing banks party thereto.

The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides for afive-year, $600.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, including a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $75.0 million. The Company may elect to use the amended credit facility for working capital and other general corporate purposes (including to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock). The commitments under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement will expire on October 4, 2029, and any outstanding loans will be due on that date.

In connection with the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company paid off the outstanding balance of $75.0 million under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement on October 4, 2024 by borrowing the same amount under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Additionally, the Company recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $1.1 million, representing the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs, which was included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. On February 3, 2025, the Company paid the outstanding balance of $75.0 million in full under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. At March 31, 2025, there wereno amounts outstanding under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

At the Company's election, revolving loans under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement bear interest at either (a) a term SOFR rate plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% or (b) an Alternate Base Rate (defined in a customary manner), in each case plus an applicable margin. For the period from the delivery of the Company's financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, until the Company has delivered financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the applicable margin will be 1.00% per annum for term SOFR loans and 0% per annum for Alternate Base Rate loans, and thereafter the applicable margin will vary depending on the Company's consolidated gross leverage ratio, ranging from 1.00% per annum for Alternate Base Rate loans and 2.00% per annum for term SOFR loans if the Company's consolidated gross leverage ratio is greater than 3.50 to 1.00, down to 0% per annum for Alternate Base Rate loans and 1.00% per annum for term SOFR loans if the Company's consolidated gross leverage ratio is equal to or less than 1.50 to 1.00.

The Company's consolidated gross leverage ratio is the ratio of its consolidated total debt compared to its consolidated EBITDA as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (consolidated adjusted EBITDA). Consolidated adjusted EBITDA includes certain adjustments, including, without limitation, adjustments relating to extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges, certain restructuring charges, non-cash charges, certain transaction costs and expenses and certain pro forma adjustments in connection with material acquisitions and dispositions, all as set forth in detail in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

Commitment fees will accrue on the daily unused amount of the credit facility. For the period from the delivery of the Company's financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, until the Company has delivered financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the commitment fee will be 0.15% per annum, and thereafter the commitment fee will vary depending on the Company's consolidated gross leverage ratio, ranging from 0.30% per annum if the Company's consolidated gross leverage ratio is greater than 3.50 to 1.00, down to 0.15% per annum if the Company's consolidated gross leverage ratio is equal to or less than 1.50 to 1.00.

Letter of credit participation fees are payable to each lender providing the letter of credit sub-facility on the amount of such lender's letter of credit exposure, during the period from the closing date of the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to, but excluding, the date which is the later of (i) the date on which such lender's commitment terminates or (ii) the date on which such lender ceases to have any letter of credit exposure, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable margin for term SOFR loans. Additionally, the Company will pay a fronting fee to each issuing bank in amounts to be agreed to between the Company and the applicable issuing bank.

Interest on Alternate Base Rate loans is payable at the end of each calendar quarter. Interest on term SOFR loans is payable at the end of each interest rate period or at the end of each three-month interval within an interest rate period if the period is longer than three months. The Company may also prepay loans under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement at any time, without penalty, subject to certain notice requirements.

The loans and other obligations under the credit facility are (a) guaranteed by each of the Company's wholly-owned material domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, and (b) are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors, including a pledge of all the capital stock of material subsidiaries held directly by the Company and the subsidiary guarantors (which pledge, in the case of any foreign subsidiary, is limited to 65% of the voting stock), subject to certain customary exceptions and limitations. The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement generally prohibits any other liens on the assets of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions as described in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains certain covenants applicable to the Company and its restricted subsidiaries, including, without limitation, limitations on additional indebtedness, liens, various fundamental changes, dividends and distributions, investments (including acquisitions), transactions with affiliates, asset sales, including sale-leaseback transactions, speculative hedge agreements, payment of junior financing, changes in business and other limitations customary in senior secured credit facilities. The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides for certain baskets that are available to the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, to repay junior financing, for asset sales and to make investments and restricted payments. Such baskets are substantially similar to the baskets set forth in the Company’s previous amended credit agreement.

The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a certain consolidated net leverage ratio. The Company's consolidated net leverage ratio is the ratio of its Consolidated Total Debt minus the lesser of unrestricted cash and 125% of adjusted consolidated EBITDA compared to its adjusted consolidated EBITDA. The Company's maximum consolidated net leverage ratio is 4.00 to 1.00. These covenants and limitations are more fully described in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. At March 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all covenants, including the specified total consolidated net leverage ratio range of 4.00 to 1.00.

The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides that events of default will exist in certain circumstances, including failure to make payment of principal or interest on the loans when required, failure to perform certain obligations under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and related documents, defaults under certain other indebtedness, certain insolvency events, certain events arising under ERISA, a change of control and certain other events. Upon an event of default, the administrative agent may, or at the request of the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the loans and commitments shall, terminate the commitments and accelerate the maturity of the loans and enforce certain other remedies under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and the other loan documents.

The Company had unamortized capitalized debt issuance costs, net of $3.3 million at March 31, 2025, which are being amortized over the life of the revolving credit facility. The unamortized capitalized debt issuance costs balance of $0.7 million was included as prepaid expenses and other current assets and a balance of $2.6 million was included as other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2025.

NOTE 13 –NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Calculations of the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share and potential common shares are as follows (in thousands, except for per share data):

The following table sets forth restricted stock units excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, since their inclusion would be antidilutive (in thousands):

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Unvested restricted shares, although legally issued and outstanding, are not considered outstanding for purposes of calculating basic earnings per share. Diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect, if any, of outstanding restricted shares and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method. The calculation of the dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards under the treasury stock method includes consideration of proceeds from the assumed exercise of unrecognized compensation expense as additional proceeds. As the Company incurred a net loss for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, all outstanding restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units have an anti-dilutive effect and are therefore excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

The delivery of 4.5 million shares under the Company's ASR agreements reduced the Company's outstanding shares used to determine the weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. See Note 14 for additional information.

NOTE 14 –TREASURY STOCK

On October 24, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that enabled the Company to repurchase up totwenty-five million shares of its common stock (2017 Share Repurchase Program). Through March 31, 2024, the Company repurchased all of the authorized 25,000,000 shares for $694.1 million in the open market under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program. The Company repurchased 1,209,153 shares for $33.6 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program. At March 31, 2024, there wereno shares of common stock that remained available to be purchased under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program.

On May 3, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors approved an additional share repurchase program that enables the Company to repurchase up totwenty-five million shares of its common stock (2022 Share Repurchase Program). The 2022 Share Repurchase Program became effective in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 when the 2017 Share Repurchase Program was completed. The Company is not obligated to acquire any specific amount of common stock within any particular timeframe as a result of the 2022 Share Repurchase Program. The Company repurchased 1,362,205 shares for $25.3 million and 614,516 shares for $16.4 million under this share repurchase program during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. At March 31, 2025,23,023,279 shares of common stock remained available to be purchased under the current program.

On May 9, 2022, the Company entered into accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreements with Mizuho Markets Americas LLC (Mizuho) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Wells Fargo) (collectively, the Dealers) to repurchase an aggregate of $150 million of the Company's common stock via accelerated stock repurchase transactions under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program. Under the terms of the ASR, the Company made a $75 million payment to each of the Dealers on May 10, 2022, and received an initial delivery of 1,627,907 shares from each of the Dealers, or 3,255,814 shares in the aggregate, which was approximately 70 percent of the total number of shares of the Company's common stock expected to be repurchased under the ASR agreements. These shares reduced the number of shares of the Company's common stock available for repurchase under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program. Final settlement of the ASR agreements was completed in November 2022. As a result, the Company received an additional 651,213 shares from Mizuho and 642,302 shares from Wells Fargo, or 1,293,515 shares in the aggregate, for $47.9 million, which reduced the number of shares of the Company's common stock available to be repurchased under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program. In total,4,549,329 shares of the Company's common stock were repurchased under the ASR agreements at an average cost per share of $32.97 during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

In connection with the vesting and release of the restriction on shares of restricted stock, the Company repurchased 703,727 shares for $13.9 million,653,645 shares for $19.4 million and 562,360 shares for $19.4 million related to minimum statutory tax withholding requirements on these restricted stock units during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These repurchase transactions do not fall under the repurchase program described above, and therefore do not reduce the amount that is available for repurchase under those programs.

NOTE 15 –STOCK PLANS

2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On September 7, 2011, the Company's stockholders approved the 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP), under which 2,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock were reserved for issuance. On November 8, 2018, the Company increased the number of shares available under the ESPP by an additional 3,000,000 shares, and on August 24, 2022, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment to the ESPP that increased the number of shares available under the ESPP by another 2,000,000 shares. The Company implemented the ESPP on March 1, 2012. Eligible employees may purchase shares of the Company's common stock through regular payroll deductions of up to 20% of their eligible compensation. Under the terms of the offering under the ESPP, the number of shares of the Company's common stock which a participant could purchase during any purchase period is limited to 2,000. In addition, the fair market value of shares purchased by an individual participant in the plan may not exceed $25,000 if the contribution period is within any calendar year. However, if contribution periods overlap calendar years, an individual participant is eligible to utilize the unused portion of the $25,000 limit from the subsequent purchase in the current purchase up to $50,000. Under the ESPP, shares of the Company's common stock may be purchased on the last day of each bi-annual offering period at 85% of the fair market value on the last day of such offering period. The offering periods run from March 1 through August 31 and from September 1 through the last day of February of each year. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, employees purchased 516,890 shares under the ESPP with a weighted average purchase price per share of $22.07. At March 31, 2025,1,690,798 shares were available for future issuance under the ESPP.

2019 Equity Incentive Plan

On September 12, 2019, the Company's stockholders approved the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (2019 Plan), which replaced the Company's 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (Amended 2007 Plan). The 2019 Plan permits the granting of incentive and nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, and other stock awards, collectively referred to as "share-based awards."

On September 10, 2020, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (2019 First Amended Plan) to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance by 4,700,000 shares, establish aone-year minimum vesting requirement for awards granted on or after September 10, 2020, and change the "fungible share counting ratio" used to calculate the increase or reduction in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2019 First Amended Plan.

On August 24, 2022, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (2019 Second Amended Plan) to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance by 7,000,000 shares, and change the "fungible share counting ratio" used to calculate the increase or reduction in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2019 Second Amended Plan.

On September 14, 2023, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment and restatement to the 2019 First Amended Plan (2019 Third Amended Plan) to further increase the number of shares reserved for issuance by 5,900,000 shares and changed the "fungible share counting ratio" used to calculate the increase or reduction in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2019 Third Amended Plan.

On September 12, 2024, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment and restatement to the 2019 First Amended Plan (2019 Fourth Amended Plan) to further increase the number of shares reserved for issuance by 3,400,000. At September 12, 2024, the effective date of the 2019 Fourth Amended Plan, there was a total of 7,947,545 shares reserved for issuance under the 2019 Fourth Amended Plan, which consisted of 3,400,000 new shares plus 4,547,545 shares that remained available for grant under the 2019 Third Amended Plan. The Company refers to the 2019 Plan, 2019 First Amended Plan, 2019 Second Amended Plan, 2019 Third Amended Plan and 2019 Fourth Amended Plan collectively as the "Amended 2019 Plan".

The aggregate number of shares available for issuance under the 2019 Fourth Amended Plan will increase for any shares (each a "Returning Share"): (i) subject to an award granted under the Amended 2007 Plan or Amended 2019 Plan that are not issued because such award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such award having been issued; (ii) subject to an award under the Amended 2007 Plan or Amended 2019 Plan that are not issued because such award is settled in cash; (iii) issued pursuant to an award granted under the Amended 2007 Plan or Amended 2019 Plan that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of failure to vest; and (iv) that are reacquired or withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with common stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award (as defined below) granted under the Amended 2007 Plan or Amended 2019 Plan. The amount of such increase will be (i)one share for each Returning Share subject to a stock option or stock appreciation right with an exercise or strike price that is at least 100% of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant (an "Appreciation Award"); and (ii)2.67 shares for each Returning Share subject to an equity award other than an Appreciation Award (a "Full Value Award") that is returned on or after September 14, 2023. Furthermore, the share reserve under the 2019 Third Amended Plan is reduced by: (i)one share for each share of common stock issued pursuant to an Appreciation Award, (ii)2.76 shares for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Amended 2019 Plan on or after September 12, 2019 but prior to September 10, 2020; (iii)2.32 shares for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Amended 2019 Plan on or after September 10, 2020 but prior to August 24, 2022; (iv) by 2.34 shares for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Amended 2019 Plan on or after August 24, 2022 but prior to September 14, 2023; and (v) by 2.67 shares for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Amended 2019 Plan on or after September 14, 2023. At March 31, 2025, an aggregate of 5,745,989 shares of unvested equity awards granted under the Amended 2019 Plan were outstanding.

The Amended 2019 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee operates under guidelines established by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has the authority to select the employees and consultants to whom awards are granted (except for directors and executive officers) and determine the terms of each award, including the number of shares of common stock subject to the award.

Share-based awards generally vest over four years. The exercise price of stock options shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant (110% for incentive stock options granted to holders of more than 10% of the voting stock of NetScout). The term of stock options granted cannot exceed seven years (five years for incentive stock options granted to holders of more than 10% of the voting stock of NetScout).

Based on historical experience, the Company assumed an annualized forfeiture rate of 0% for awards granted to its independent directors, approximately 2% for awards granted to its senior executives, and approximately 5% granted toall remaining employees during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.

Periodically, the Company grants share-based awards to employees, officers, and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. Additionally, the Company periodically grants performance-based restricted stock units to certain executive officers that vest based upon the Company's total shareholder return as compared to the Russell 2000 Index over athree-year period. The performance-based restricted stock units were valued using the Monte Carlo Simulation model. The measurement and recognition of compensation expense is based on estimated fair values for all share-based payment awards made to its employees and directors. Share-based award grants are generally measured at fair value on the date of grant based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock. Such value is recognized as a cost of revenue or an operating expense over the corresponding vesting period.

The following is a summary of share-based compensation expense including restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Company's Amended 2007 Plan and the Amended 2019 Plan, and employee stock purchases made under the ESPP, based on estimated fair values within the applicable cost and expense lines identified below (in thousands):

Transactions under the Amended 2007 and the Amended 2019 Plan during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are summarized in the table below.

At March 31, 2025, there were 8,148,385 shares of common stock available for grant under the 2019 Fourth Amended Plan.

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised and the fair value of restricted stock units vested at March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):

At March 31, 2025, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock unit awards was $103.7 million, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.

NOTE 16 –PENSION BENEFIT PLANS

401(k) Plan

The Company has a defined contribution program for certain employees that is qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Company matches 50% of the employee's contribution up to 6% of the employee’s salary. NetScout contributions vest at a rate of 25% per year of service. NetScout made matching contributions of$5.8 million, $7.0 million and $6.7 million to the plan for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Certain of the Company's non-U.S. employees participate in certain noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. None of the Company's employees in the U.S. participate in any noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. In general, these plans are funded based on considerations relating to legal requirements, underlying asset returns, the plan's funded status, the anticipated deductibility of the contribution, local practices, market conditions, interest rates and other factors.

The Company recognizes on its balance sheet a liability equal to the under-funded benefit obligation of its defined benefit pension plan. Actuarial gains or losses are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, but are recognized, net of tax, as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).

The following sets forth the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):

For fiscal year 2025 and 2024, the unrecognized net actuarial gains exceeded 10% of the projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the fiscal year, therefore, amortization of such excess has been included in net periodic benefit costs during the years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The amorti zation period is the average remaining service period that active employees are expected to receive benefits, unless a plan is mostly inactive in which case the amortization period if the average remaining life expectancy of the plan participants.

The following sets forth the change in accumulated other comprehensive income during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):

The following sets forth the components of the Company's net periodic pension cost of the noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 (in thousands):

The components of the change in benefit obligation of the pension plan at March 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

The Company's benefit obligation of the pension plan is reported in the following components of the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2025 and 2024:

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the fair value of the assets of the pension plan at March 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost at date of measurement:

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, the Company contributed $645 thousand to its defined benefit pension plan. The following sets forth benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, expected to be paid by the plan in the periods indicated (in thousands):

NOTE 17 –INCOME TAXES

Income before income tax expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

The components of the income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):

The income tax expense computed using the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate differs from NetScout's effective tax rate primarily due to the following:

The components of net deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) contained a provision which became effective for R&D expenditures incurred in years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022, that R&D expenditures incurred are no longer allowed as an immediate deduction for federal income tax purposes. Rather, R&D expenditures incurred must be capitalized and amortized over a five-year period or fifteen -year period depending on if the expenditures are domestic or foreign, respectively.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the anticipated future tax consequences, attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets by considering all positive and negative evidence. The Company weighs objective and verifiable evidence more heavily in this analysis. In situations where the Company concludes that it does not have sufficient objective and verifiable evidence to support the realizability of the asset it creates a valuation allowance against it. As a result, the Company established a valuation allowance of $21.2 million as of March 31, 2024 and $23.1 million as of March 31, 2025, representing an increase of $1.9 million. The increase in the valuation allowance as of March 31, 2025, as compared to March 31, 2024, is primarily due to deferred tax assets related to foreign tax credits that the Company believes are not more likely than not to be realized. If it is later determined the Company is able to use all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been established, then the Company may be required to recognize these deferred tax assets as a tax benefit recorded in the period such determination is made.

At March 31, 2025, the Company had state net operating loss carry forwards of $22 million that are subject to expire at various dates beginning in 2036. At March 31, 2025, the Company also had U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards and state tax credits of $12 million and $12 million that are subject to expire at various dates beginning 2031 and 2036, respectively. At March 31, 2025, the Company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $31 million and foreign tax credit carryforwards of $11 million. The majority of foreign net operating losses and foreign tax credits have no expiration dates. As of March 31, 2025, the Company does not expect any U.S. federal and state net operating losses or research and development tax credits to go unutilized.

The Company files U.S. federal tax returns and files returns in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. With respect to the U.S. federal and primary jurisdictions, the Company is no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2018, although carryforward attributes that were generated prior to 2018 may still be adjusted upon examination if they either have been or will be used in a future period. The Company also receives inquiries from various tax jurisdictions during the year, and some of those inquiries may include an audit of tax returns previously filed. In the normal course of business, NetScout and its subsidiaries are examined by various taxing authorities, including the IRS in the United States.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

The Company is unable to make a reliable estimate when cash settlement, if any, will occur with a tax authority as the timing of examinations and ultimate resolution of those examinations is uncertain. All of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.

The Company includes interest and penalties accrued in the consolidated financial statements as a component of the tax provision. The interest and penalties are immaterial to the provision. Over the next twelve months, previously unrecognized tax benefits primarily due to the lapse of statute of limitations will be immaterial.

The Company continues to assert that certain historical book over tax outside basis differences primarily related to unremitted foreign earnings are permanently reinvested. The Company's intent is to only make distributions from its foreign subsidiaries in the future when they can be made at no or an immaterial net tax cost. Unremitted foreign earnings total approximately $121 million. The Company does not expect taxes related to the unremitted foreign earnings to be material if they were distributed which would primarily consist of foreign withholding taxes.

In 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development announced an Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting including Pillar Two Model Rules defining the global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of large multinational corporations at a minimum rate of 15%. Subsequently multiple sets of administrative guidance have been issued. Many non-US tax jurisdictions have either recently enacted legislation to adopt certain components of the Pillar Two Model Rules beginning in 2024 with the adoption of additional components in later years or announced their plans to enact legislation in future years. Considering the Company does not have material operations in jurisdictions with tax rates lower than the Pillar Two minimum, these rules are not expected to materially increase its global tax costs. There remains uncertainty as to the final Pillar Two model rules. The Company continues to evaluate the impacts of enacted legislation and pending legislation to enact Pillar Two Model Rules in the non-US tax jurisdictions it operates in.

NOTE 18 –LEASES

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use (ROU) assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the duration of the lease term. Lease liabilities represent the Company's contractual obligation to make lease payments over the lease term. The Company's policy is to combine lease and non-lease components and to not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are classified as short-term leases. ROU assets are recorded and recognized at commencement for the lease liability amount, plus initial direct costs incurred less lease incentives received. Lease liabilities are recorded at the present value of future lease payments over the lease term at commencement. The discount rate used is generally the Company's estimated incremental borrowing rate unless the lessor's implicit rate is readily determinable. Incremental borrowing rates are calculated periodically to estimate the rate the Company would pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value over a similar term. Lease expenses relating to operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company has operating leases for administrative, research and development, sales and marketing and manufacturing facilities and equipment under various non-cancelable lease agreements. The Company's leases have remaining lease terms ranging from 1 year to 7 years. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease where it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise those options. The Company considers several economic factors when making this determination, including but not limited to, the significance of leasehold improvements incurred in the office space, the difficulty in replacing the asset, underlying contractual obligations, or specific characteristics unique to a particular lease. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The Company has asset retirement obligations (ARO) to return certain leased facilities to their original condition at the end of the respective lease term. The estimated fair value of these ARO liabilities is recognized in the period in which the liability is generated and a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related asset is recorded and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. The Company's estimates of its ultimate AROs could change because of changes in regulations, the extent of environmental remediations required, the means of reclamation, cost estimates, exit or disposal activities or time period estimates. ARO liabilities totaled$2.2 millionand $2.3 million at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. There was a balance of $2.2 million included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, and a balance of $0.1 million included in accrued other and a balance of $2.2 million included other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Accretion expense related to these liabilities was not material for any periods presented.

Most of the Company's lease agreements contain variable payments, primarily for common area maintenance (CAM), which are expensed as incurred and not included in the measurement of the ROU assets and lease liabilities.

The components of operating lease cost for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows (in thousands):

The table below presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):

At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the weighted average remaining lease term in years and weighted average discount rate were as follows:

Future minimum payments under non-cancellable leases at March 31, 2025 are as follows (in thousands):

NOTE 19 –COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal

As previously disclosed, in March 2016, Packet Intelligence LLC (Packet Intelligence or Plaintiff) filed a Complaint against NetScout andtwo subsidiary entities in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas asserting infringement offive United States patents. Plaintiff's Complaint alleged that legacy Tektronix GeoProbe products, including the G10 and GeoBlade products, infringed these patents. NetScout filed an Answer denying Plaintiff's allegations and asserting that Plaintiff's patents were, among other things, invalid, not infringed, and unenforceable due to inequitable conduct. In October 2017, a jury rendered a verdict finding in favor of the Plaintiff and that Plaintiff was entitled to $3.5 million for pre-suit damages and $2.3 million for post-suit damages. In September 2018, the Court entered judgment and "enhanced" the jury verdict in the amount of $2.8 million as a result of a jury finding. The judgment also awarded pre- and post-judgment interest, and a running royalty on the G10 and GeoBlade products until the expiration of the patents at issue, the last date being June 2022. Following the entry of final judgment, NetScout appealed, and in July 2020, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) issued a decision vacating the $3.5 million pre-suit damages award, affirming the $2.3 million post-suit damages award, vacating the $2.8 million enhancement award, and remanding to the district court to determine what, if any, enhancement should be awarded. In March 2021, NetScout filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, which was denied, challenging, among other issues, the basis for enhanced damages and the patentability of the claimed technology. On September 8 and 9, 2021, in proceedings initiated by third parties that did not involve NetScout, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) invalidated all the patent claims that were also asserted against NetScout in this case. After the PTAB decisions were issued, NetScout moved, among other things, to dismiss the case and enter judgment in its favor on the grounds that the PTAB decisions invalidating the asserted claims precluded Plaintiff from continuing to assert its patent infringement causes of action and from seeking damages from NetScout. The District Court denied NetScout’s motion with respect to its request to dismiss the case and enter judgment in its favor. The District Court entered an amended final judgment awarding Plaintiff $2.3 million in post-suit damages, $1.1 million in enhanced damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and a running royalty on the G10 and GeoBlade products until the expiration of the patents at issue, the last expiration date being June 2022. On July 20, 2022, NetScout filed a notice of appeal to the Federal Circuit from, among other things, the amended final judgment. On May 2, 2024, in a separate action the Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB decisions, which as a result found that all of the patent claims asserted by Packet Intelligence against NetScout were invalid. Also on May 2, 2024, the Federal Circuit ruled in NetScout's favor in its appeal, vacating the District Court's final judgment and remanding the case to the District Court to dismiss the case against NetScout as moot. As a result, during the year ended March 31, 2024, NetScout concluded that the risk of loss associated with damages that may result from this case was remote and recorded a $4.6 million reduction in contingent liabilities and legal fees. On June 26, 2024, the District Court issued its Order dismissing the case against NetScout.

Unconditional Purchase Obligations

At March 31, 2025, the Company had unconditional purchase obligations of $80.4 million, which represent estimated open purchase orders to purchase inventory as well as commitments for products and services used in the normal course of business.

NOTE 20 –SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company's operating segments are determined based on the units that constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by the CODM. The Company's President and CEO is the CODM. Operating results are reviewed by the CODM primarily at the consolidated entity level for the purpose of making resource allocation decisions and for evaluating financial performance, primarily by monitoring actual results compared to forecasted results as well as by reviewing year-over-year results. The Company's CODM evaluates company-wide performance and determines allocation of resources based on multiple performance measures, including but not limited to net income (loss).

The Company has determined it operates as a single operating segment and hasone reportable segment which includes product and service revenue related to the sale of enterprise performance management, carrier service assurance, cybersecurity, and DDoS protection solutions. The Company's results for theone reportable segment are the same as presented in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and there is no expense information that is supplemental to those disclosed in these consolidated financial statements, that are regularly provided to the CODM. The measure of segment assets is reported on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as total assets. Segment asset information is not used by the CODM to allocate resources.

Geographic Information

The Company manages its business in the following geographic areas: United States, Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. The Company's policies mandate compliance with economic sanctions and export controls. Total revenue by geography is as follows (in thousands):

The United States revenue includes sales to resellers in the United States. These resellers fulfill customer orders and may subsequently ship the Company's products to international locations. Further, the Company determines the geography of its sales after considering where the contract originated. A majority of revenue attributable to locations outside of the United States is a result of export sales. Substantially all of the Company's identifiable assets are located in the United States.