Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the leader in powering rich
media, dynamic transactions and enterprise applications online,
announced today that it will take a restructuring action in the fourth
quarter to reduce certain operating costs. The Company expects to use
the ongoing savings generated by this action and its continuing cash
from operations to support investments in key growth opportunities for
content delivery, application acceleration, and its advertising industry
solutions, as well as for further international expansion.
"We have not changed our business outlook,” said JD Sherman, CFO of
Akamai. "However, we want to ensure that we can keep investing for
growth even in the current economic climate.”
As a result of these cost cutting measures, Akamai expects to take a
restructuring charge of approximately $4 million this quarter for
severance and related expenses. These costs are anticipated to be
partially offset by a net reduction in non-cash stock-based compensation
of $0.8 million, reflecting a modification to certain stock-based awards
previously granted to the affected employees. Approximately 110
employees, or 7 percent of Akamai’s worldwide employee population, will
be affected. Additionally, the Company expects to recognize a loss on
sublease income of approximately $2.5 million related to certain leased
facilities.
The Akamai Difference
Akamai® provides market-leading managed services for powering
rich media, dynamic transactions, and enterprise applications online.
Having pioneered the content delivery market one decade ago, Akamai's
services have been adopted by the world's most recognized brands across
diverse industries. The alternative to centralized Web infrastructure,
Akamai's global network of tens of thousands of distributed servers
provides the scale, reliability, insight and performance for businesses
to succeed online. Akamai has transformed the Internet into a more
viable place to inform, entertain, advertise, interact, and collaborate.
To experience The Akamai Difference, visit www.akamai.com.
Akamai Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
This release contains information about future expectations, plans and
prospects of Akamai's management that constitute forward-looking
statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements
concerning the expected growth and development of our business. These
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the
beliefs and assumptions of the Akamai’s management as of the date hereof
based on information currently available to the company’s management.
Use of words such as "expects” and "anticipates” or similar expressions
indicate a forward-looking statement and include those statements
regarding the restructuring charges and costs in the fourth quarter of
2008, management’s outlook on the business and the charges attributable
to severance and other personnel-related expenses. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from
the forward-looking statements Akamai makes. See the company’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, including
the information set forth therein under the caption "Risk Factors,” for
a discussion of certain risks associated with its business. Akamai
disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.