zk1008202.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 20-F

o
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

OR

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to ___________

OR
 
o
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report ______________
 
Commission File Number: 0-29442
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Israel
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

5 Haplada Street, Or Yehuda 60218, Israel
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Guy Bernstein, CEO, 5 Haplada Street, Or Yehuda 60218, Israel
Tel: 972 3 5389487, Fax: 972 3 5389645
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile Number and Address of Company Contact Person)
_________________

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
Ordinary Shares, NIS 1 par value
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
American Depositary Shares
NASDAQ Global Market
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None
 
 
 

 
 
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

As of December 31, 2009, the registrant had 13,200,000 outstanding ordinary shares, NIS 1 par value, of which 719,546 were represented by American Depositary Shares as of such date.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes o                      No x

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o                      No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x                      No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    
Yes o                      No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP x
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board o
Other o

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17 o                      Item 18 o

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o                     No x
 
 
 

 
 
P A R T   I
===========

Some of the statements in this annual report, including those in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 4—Information on the Company—Business Overview” and “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include statements about our plans, objectives, strategies, expectations, intentions, future financial performance and other statements that are not historical facts. We use words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “future,” “intends” and similar expressions to mean that the statement is forward-looking. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this annual report. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors.”

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, commonly referred to as U.S. GAAP.  In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use the United States dollar as our reporting currency. In accordance with ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment and following the sale of our entire shareholdings in BluePhoenix Solutions Ltd., or BluePhoenix, in June 2007, and the sale of our entire shareholdings in nextSource Inc., or nextSource, in October 2009, BluePhoenix's and nextSource’s results of operations, assets and liabilities were classified as attributed to discontinued operations and as a result, we have reclassified certain figures in our financial statements relating to prior periods.

As used in this annual report, references to dollar refer to the United States dollar and references to NIS refer to New Israeli Shekels. References to the Israeli consumer price index refer to the Israeli CPI.

As used in this annual report, references to "we," "our," "ours" and "us" refer to Formula Systems (1985) Ltd. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. References to "Formula" refer to Formula Systems (1985) Ltd.

All trademarks appearing in this annual report are the property of their respective holders.
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

A.           Selected Financial Data

The following tables present our consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet data for the periods and as of the dates indicated.  We derive the consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and the consolidated balance sheet data as at December 31, 2008 and 2009 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.  Our consolidated financial statements have been audited by Ziv Haft registered public accounting firm, BDO member firm. The consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006  and the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. You should read the selected consolidated financial data together with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”

 
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Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(US$ in thousands, except per share data)
 
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Revenues
  $ 469,390     $ 503,243     $ 414,724     $ 356,598     $ 318,765  
Cost of revenues
    352,283       373,775       298,410       256,059       224,343  
Gross profit
    117,107       129,468       116,314       100,539       94,422  
Research and development costs, net
    4,430       6,564       6,547       5,508       6,094  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    77,322       90,451       84,503       86,466       84,204  
Other income, net
    (1,972 )     -       -       -       -  
Operating income
    37,327       32,453       25,264       8,565       4,124  
Financial expenses, net
    (231 )     (5,908 )     (3,619 )     (4,444 )     (1,880 )
Gain (loss) on realization of investments, net
    -       (337 )     2,039       3,724       3,192  
Other expenses
    (304 )     (580 )     (750 )     (1,102 )     (341 )
Income before taxes on income
    36,792       25,628       22,934       6,743       5,095  
Taxes on income
    (8,305 )     (3,279 )     (1,891 )     (3,655 )     (4,647 )
Equity in gains (losses) of affiliated companies, net
    (335 )     (216 )     (653 )     47       61  
Income from continuing operations
    28,152       22,133       20,390       3,135       509  
Net income (losses) from discontinued operations
    4,878       555       32,333       18,604       (515 )
Net income (losses)
    33,030       22,688       52,723       21,739       (6 )
Net income (losses) attributable to non-controlling interests
    13,954       10,819       15,464       11,724       (189 )
Net income attributable to Formula’s shareholders
     19,076       11,869       37,259        10,015        183  
                                         
Earnings (losses) per share generated from continuing operations
                                       
Basic
    1.08       0.84       0.82       (0.14 )     0.04  
Diluted
    1.04       0.84       0.80       (0.12 )     0.04  
Earnings (losses) per share generated from discontinued operations
                                       
Basic
    0.37       0.04       2.00       0.94       (0.03 )
Diluted
    0.36       0.04       1.99       0.85       (0.03 )
Earnings per share:
                                       
Basic earnings
    1.45       0.88       2.82       0.80       0.01  
Diluted earnings
    1.40       0.88       2.79       0.73       0.01  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                                       
Basic
    13,200       13,200       13,200       13,200       12,800  
Diluted
    13,564       13,200       13,200       13,298       12,800  
 
      As of December 31,  
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(US$ in thousands)
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
                 
Total assets
  $ 566,439     $ 596,622     $ 612,624     $ 585,685     $ 630,085  
Total liabilities
    271,125       319,252       306,321       352,746       373,483  
Equity
    295,314       277,370       306,303       232,939       256,602  
 
 
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Dividends
 
In April 2010, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of $1.47 per share, previously announced in March 2010. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $20 million.
 
In January 2009, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of $2.27 per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $30 million.
 
In April 2008, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of approximately $0.76 per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $10 million.
 
In December 2006, Formula distributed to its shareholders a dividend consisting of 36,696,000 shares of Formula Vision Technologies (F.V.T) Ltd., or Formula Vision, held by Formula and representing approximately 57% of the outstanding share capital of Formula Vision. Formula Vision shares were distributed at a ratio of 2.78 shares of Formula Vision for every one outstanding ordinary share of Formula, prior to withholding taxes.
 
In June 2005, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of approximately $4 per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $50.2 million.
 
Under Formula’s dividend policy adopted by its board of directors, sums that are not planned to be used for investments in the near future, may be distributed to the shareholders as a cash dividend, to the extent that our performance allows such distribution.
 
Cash dividends may be declared and paid in New Israeli Shekels or dollars. Dividends to the holders of the American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, are paid by the depositary of the ADSs, for the benefit of owners of ADSs. If the dividend is declared and paid in NIS, the NIS amount is converted into dollars by the depositary of the ADSs.
 
Dividends paid by an Israeli company to shareholders residing outside Israel, holding less than 10% of the outstanding share capital of the company, are generally subject to withholding of Israeli income tax at a rate of up to 20%. Shareholders holding 10% or more of our outstanding share capital shall generally be subject to withholding of Israeli income tax at a rate of up to 25% on dividends. Such tax rates apply unless a lower rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence.
 
B.           Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C.           Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

 
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D.           Risk Factors

Our business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed due to any of the following risks. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are not aware of or that we currently believe are immaterial may also adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and our liquidity. In addition, the trading price of our ordinary shares could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to Our Business

The recent global economic and financial crisis has had and the continuing slowdown in the global economy may continue to have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The recent global economic and financial market crisis has caused, among other things, a general tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, and reduced corporate profits and capital spending, all of which has had a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The continuing slowdown in the global economy may continue to have this negative effect.
 
Demand for our products and services depends in large part upon the level of information technology, or IT, capital spending and investment in IT projects by our customers. The current economic conditions have reduced the willingness or ability of our customers and prospective customers to commit funds to IT projects, and may reduce their ability to pay for our products and services after purchase, whether as a result of possible customer insolvencies or otherwise. This has resulted in a longer sales cycles and increased pressure on pricing. Similarly, our suppliers may not be able to supply us with needed components on a timely basis, may increase prices or go out of business, which could result in our inability to meet customer demand, fulfill our contractual obligations or affect our gross margins. We cannot predict the timing or duration of the global economic slowdown or the timing or strength of any subsequent economic recovery. Accordingly, we cannot know how the economic conditions will affect our business. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to increase our revenues or keep our revenues at the same level as in 2009.
 
If the economy or markets in which we operate experience continued weakness at current levels or deteriorate further, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely impacted.
 
The loss of, or significant reduction or delay in, purchases by our customers could reduce our revenues and profitability.
 
The loss of any of our major customers or a decrease or delay in orders or anticipated spending by such customers could reduce our revenues and profitability. Our customers could also engage in business combinations, which could increase their size, reduce their demand for our products and solutions as they recognize synergies or rationalize assets and increase or decrease the portion of our total sales concentration to any single customer.

 
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If we are unable to effectively control our costs while maintaining our customer relationships, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
 
    It is critical for us to appropriately align our cost structure with prevailing market conditions, to minimize the effect of economic downturns on our operations, and in particular, to continue to maintain our customer relationships while protecting profitability and cash flow. If we are unable to align our cost structure in response to such downturns on a timely basis, or if such implementation has an adverse impact on our business or prospects, then our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be negatively affected.

Conversely, adjusting our cost structure to fit economic downturn conditions may have a negative effect on us during an economic upturn or periods of increasing demand for our IT solutions. If we have too aggressively reduced our costs, we may not have sufficient resources to capture new IT projects and meet customer demand. If, for example, during periods of escalating demand for our products, we were unable to add engineering and technical staff capacity quickly enough to meet the needs of our customers, they may turn to our competitors making it more difficult for us to retain their business. Similarly, if we are unable for any other reason to meet delivery schedules, particularly during a period of escalating demand, our relationships with our customers could be adversely affected. If we are unable to effectively manage our resources and capacity to capitalize on periods of economic upturn, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may experience significant fluctuations in our annual and quarterly results, which makes it difficult for investors to make reliable period-to-period comparisons and may contribute to volatility in the market price for our ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares.
 
    Our quarterly and annual revenues, gross profits and results of operations have fluctuated significantly in the past, and we expect them to continue to fluctuate significantly in the future. The following events may cause fluctuations:
 
 
global economic trends, like the recent global economic crisis and the current global economic slowdown;
 
 
acquisitions and dispositions of companies and consolidation of our subsidiaries;
 
 
the size, time and recognition of revenue from significant contracts;
 
 
timing of product releases;
 
 
timing of contracts;
 
 
timing of completion of specified milestones and delays in implementation;
 
 
changes in the proportion of service and license revenues;
 
 
price and product competition;
 
 
increases in selling and marketing expenses, as well as other operating expenses;
 
 
8

 
 
 
currency fluctuations; and
 
 
consolidation of our customers.
 
A substantial portion of our expenses, including most product development and selling and marketing expenses, must be incurred in advance of when revenue is generated. If our projected revenue does not meet our expectations, we are likely to experience an even larger shortfall in our operating profit relative to our expectations. The gross margins of our subsidiaries also will vary both among themselves and over time. As a result, changes in the revenue mix from these subsidiaries may affect quarterly operating results. In addition, we may derive a significant portion of our net income from the sale of our investments or the sale of proprietary software technology. These events do not occur on a regular basis and their timing is difficult to predict. As a result, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our historical results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and that you should not rely on them as an indication for future performance. Also, it is possible that our quarterly and annual results of operations may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. If this happens, the price of our ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares will likely decrease.

Our success depends upon the development and maintenance of strategic alliances.
 
We established relationships with strategic partners to provide an international marketing presence and name recognition, as well as the resources necessary to implement many of our IT services. We are dependent upon our strategic partners for the marketing and selling of certain of our proprietary software solutions. If we cannot maintain our existing relationships with these partners, if our partners encounter financial difficulties, if we fail to establish effective, long-term relationships with additional partners, or if our partners enter into relationships with our competitors, our ability to market our proprietary software solutions in international markets may be limited. If this happens, our growth, if any, might be delayed or slowed-down. As a result, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be seriously harmed.

If our products fail to compete successfully with those of our competitors, we may have to reduce the prices of our products, which in turn, may adversely affect our business.
 
We face competition, both in Israel and internationally, from a variety of companies, including companies with significantly greater resources than us who are likely to enjoy substantial competitive advantages, including:
 
 
longer operating histories;
 
 
greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources;
 
 
greater name recognition;
 
 
well-established relationships with our current and potential clients; and
 
 
a broader range of products and services.
 
As a result, they may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies or changes in customer requirements. They may also benefit from greater purchasing economies, offer more aggressive product and service pricing or devote greater resources to the promotion of their products and services. Current and potential competitors have established or may establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase such competitors’ ability to successfully market their tools and services. We also expect that competition will increase as a result of consolidation within the industry. We also face additional competition as we continue to penetrate international markets. As a result, we cannot assure you that the products and solutions we offer will compete successfully with those of our competitors.

 
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We may be unable to differentiate our tools and services from those of our competitors or successfully develop and introduce new tools and services that are less costly than, or superior to, those of our competitors. This could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete.

Furthermore, several software development centers worldwide offer software development services at lower prices than we do. Due to the intense competition in the markets in which we operate, software products prices may fluctuate significantly. As a result, we may have to reduce the prices of our products, which in turn, may adversely affect our business.

If we fail to compete for acquisitions and investments, we may be unable to grow.

As part of our strategy, we intend to pursue acquisitions of, and investments in, other companies.  If and when acquisition or investment opportunities occur, we expect to compete for these opportunities with other established and well-capitalized entities.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to locate potential acquisition or investment opportunities in Israel or internationally on terms which are favorable to us. If we fail to consummate further acquisitions or investments in the future our ability to grow may be harmed.

Any future acquisitions of companies or technologies may distract our management and disrupt our business.

Our strategy includes selective acquisitions of, and investments in, companies offering products and services suitable for integration into our business. We may acquire or make investments in complementary businesses, technologies, services or products if appropriate opportunities arise. We may engage in discussions and negotiations with companies
about our acquiring or investing in those companies’ businesses, products, services or technologies. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify future suitable acquisition or investment candidates, or if we do identify suitable candidates, that we will be able to make the acquisitions or investments on commercially acceptable terms or at all. If we acquire or invest in another company, or if any of our subsidiaries acquires control in another subsidiary or affiliate, the acquirer could have difficulty assimilating that company’s personnel, operations, technology or products and service offerings into its own. The key personnel of the acquired company may decide not to work for the acquirer. These difficulties could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees, increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations. We may incur indebtedness or issue equity securities to pay for any future acquisitions. The issuance of equity securities could be dilutive to our existing shareholders.

We intend to pursue acquisitions outside of Israel as part of our expansion strategy.  These acquisitions, as well as any future acquisitions of companies located outside of Israel, would pose additional risks, including monitoring a management team from a great distance and integrating a potentially different business culture.  Our failure to successfully integrate these new businesses could harm our business.  In addition, the investigation of acquisition candidates outside of Israel involves higher costs than those associated with pursuing domestic acquisitions, and we cannot assure you that these investigations will result in transactions.

 
10

 
 
Our future results could be adversely affected by an impairment of the value of certain intangible assets.
 
The assets listed in our consolidated balance sheet include, among other things, goodwill, capitalized research and development costs and intangible assets related to customers’ relations. The applicable accounting standards require that:
 
·
goodwill is not amortized, but rather is subject to an annual impairment test. We perform an annual impairment test, as well as periodic impairment tests if impairment indicators are present. Intangible assets that are not considered to have an indefinite useful life are amortized using the straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The carrying amount of these assets is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets is expected to generate. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value (usually discounted cash flow) of the impaired asset; and
 
·
acquired technology and development costs of software that is intended for sale that were incurred after the establishment of technological feasibility of the relevant product, be capitalized and tested for impairment on a regular basis, and written down when capitalized costs exceed its net realizable value.
 
    If our goodwill or capitalized research and development costs were deemed to be impaired in whole or in part due to our failure to achieve our goals, or if we fail to accurately predict the useful life of the capitalized research and development costs, we could be required to reduce or write off such assets, thus adversely affecting our operating results.
 
Certain amounts have been allocated to goodwill on our balance sheet as a result of acquisitions made by us from time to time, and should it become necessary to write-off a material part of this, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We acquire businesses from time to time and as a result, certain amounts have been allocated to goodwill on our balance sheet.  Goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are tested at least annually for impairment. Should a test disclose that there has been a permanent impairment of a material part of the value of goodwill, it would be necessary to write-off such amount, and this could materially adversely affect our results of operations.

 
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If we fail to raise capital for our subsidiaries, we may be required to borrow money on unfavorable terms.

Our business strategy involves raising capital for our subsidiaries through public or private equity or debt offerings. Our ability to raise capital for our subsidiaries depends upon market and other conditions which are beyond our control. If we fail to raise capital for our subsidiaries, it may hinder their growth. We may therefore be required to seek alternative capital raising methods, including borrowing money on terms which are not favorable to us. In the last few years, due to difficulties we encountered in raising capital for our subsidiaries, we were required to borrow monies from banks. Difficulties in raising equity capital or obtaining debt financing on favorable terms, or the unavailability of financing, including bank borrowings, may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

The terms of our credit facilities contain a number of restrictive covenants which, if breached, could result in acceleration of our obligation to repay our debt.

The loan agreements of our subsidiaries contain a number of conditions and limitations on the way in which they can operate their business, including limitations on their ability to raise debt and sell or acquire assets.  These loan agreements also contain various covenants which require them to maintain certain financial ratios related to shareholders’ equity and operating results that are customary for companies of comparable size.  These limitations and covenants may force us to pursue less than optimal business strategies or forego business arrangements which could have been financially advantageous to us or to our shareholders. In addition, a breach of the restrictive covenants could result in acceleration of our obligations to repay our debt.

Marketing our products and services in international markets may require increased expenses and greater exposure to risks that we may not be able to successfully address.

We intend to continue to focus our efforts on selling proprietary software solutions in international markets. We expect to continue devoting significant resources to these efforts. If we are unable to continue achieving market acceptance for our solutions or otherwise continue to successfully penetrate international markets, our business will be harmed. In 2008 and 2009, we received approximately 21% and 22% of our total revenues, respectively, from customers located outside of Israel. The expansion of our existing operations and entry into additional international markets will require significant management attention and financial resources. We are subject to a number of risks customary for international operations, including:
 
 
changing product and service requirements in response to the formation of economic and marketing unions, including the European Union;
 
 
economic or political changes in international markets;
 
 
greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection and longer collection periods;
 
 
unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
 
 
difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations;
 
 
the uncertainty of protection for intellectual property rights in some countries;
 
 
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multiple and possibly overlapping tax structures; and
 
 
currency and exchange rate fluctuations.
 
If we fail to address the strain on our resources caused by changes in our company, we will be unable to effectively manage our business.

Corporate organizational changes, as well as growth of our business, if any, have placed and will continue to place a strain on our personnel and resources. Our ability to manage any future changes or growth, depends on our ability to continue to implement and improve our operational, financial and management information control and reporting systems on a timely basis and to expand, train, motivate and manage our work force. If we cannot respond effectively to changing business conditions, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

If we are unable to attract, train and retain qualified personnel, we may not be able to achieve our objectives and our business could be harmed.

In order to achieve our objectives, we may need to hire additional qualified software, administrative, operational, sales and technical support personnel. The process of attracting, training and successfully integrating qualified personnel into our operations can be lengthy and expensive. We may not be able to compete effectively for the personnel we need. Our future success depends on our ability to absorb and retain senior employees and to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified professional employees. We expect to recruit most of our software and systems personnel in Israel.  In addition, our operations are dependent on the efforts of certain key management. Any loss of members of senior management or key technical personnel, or any failure to attract or retain highly qualified employees as needed, could materially adversely affect our business.

If we fail to estimate accurately the costs of fixed-price contracts, we may incur losses.

We derive a portion of our revenues from engagements on a fixed-price basis. We price these commitments upon estimates of future costs. We bear the risk of faulty estimates and cost overruns in connection with these commitments. Our failure to accurately estimate the resources required for a fixed-price project, to accurately anticipate potential wage increases, or to complete our contractual obligations in a manner consistent with the project plan could materially adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. In addition, we may agree to a price before the design specifications are finalized, which could result in a fixed price that is too low, resulting in lower margins or losses to us.

If our tools or solutions do not function efficiently, we may incur additional expenses.

In the course of providing our software solutions, we conduct testing to detect the existence of failures, errors and bugs. In addition, we have instituted a quality assurance procedure for correcting errors and bugs in our tools. The amount of failures, errors and bugs detected to date, and the cost of correcting them, have not been significant. However, if our solutions fail to function efficiently or if errors or bugs are detected in our tools, we might incur significant expenditures in an attempt to remedy the problem. The consequences of failures, errors, and bugs could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

 
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If we fail to satisfy our customers’ expectations regarding our solutions, our contracts may be cancelled and we may be the subject of damages claims.

In the event that we fail to satisfy our customers’ expectations from the results of the implementation of our solutions, or if we fail to timely deliver our solutions to our customers, these customers may suffer damages. When and if this occurs, customers may have the ability to cancel our contracts. Any cancellation of a contract could cause us to suffer damages, since we might not be paid for costs that we incurred in performing services prior to the date of cancellation. In addition, from time to time we may be subject to claims as a result of not delivering our products on time or in a satisfactory manner. Such claims may lead to material damages.

If we are unable to accurately predict and respond to market developments or demands, our business will be adversely affected.

               The IT business is characterized by rapidly evolving technology and methodologies. This makes it difficult to predict demand and market acceptance for our services and products. In order to succeed, we need to adapt the products and services we offer to technological developments and changes in customer needs.  We cannot guarantee that we will succeed in  enhancing our products and services or developing or acquiring new products and services that adequately address changing technologies and customer requirements. We also cannot assure you that the products and services we offer will be accepted by customers. If our products and services are not accepted by customers, our future revenues and profitability will be adversely affected. Changes in technologies, industry standards, the regulatory environment, customer requirements and new product introductions by existing or future competitors could render our existing products and services obsolete and unmarketable, or require us to enhance our current products or develop new products. This may require us to expend significant amounts of money, time and other resources to meet the demand. This could strain our personnel and financial resources.

If we are unable to retain control in our subsidiaries, we would cease to consolidate them and our operating results may fluctuate significantly.

We currently hold a controlling interest in our subsidiaries through our direct equity holdings.  As a result of our controlling interests in the subsidiaries, we consolidate their operating results with ours. If we are unable to maintain a controlling interest in our subsidiaries, as a result of equity issuances by subsidiaries or otherwise, we would cease to consolidate the operating results of these subsidiaries. This may result in significant fluctuations of our consolidated operating results.
 
 
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We are exposed to significant claims for damage caused to our customers’ information systems.

           Some of the products and services we provide involve key aspects of customers’ information systems.  These systems are frequently critical to our customers’ operations. As a result, our customers have a greater sensitivity to failures in these systems than do customers of other software products generally. If a customer’s system fails during or following the provision of products or services by us, or if we fail to provide customers with proper support for our software products, we are exposed to the risk of a claim for substantial damages being filed against us, regardless of whether or not we are responsible for the failure.  When possible, we limit our liability under our product and service contracts. We cannot guarantee that these limitations of liability, if any, would be sufficient to protect us against legal claims. We maintain general liability and professional liability insurance coverage. However, we cannot assure you that our insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover one or more large claims, or that the insurer will not disclaim coverage as to any future claim. If we lose one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially adversely affected. In addition, the filing of legal claims against us in connection with contract liability may cause us negative publicity and damage to our reputation.
 
If third parties assert claims of infringement against us, we may suffer substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention.

Substantial litigation over intellectual property rights exists in the software industry. We expect that software products may be increasingly subject to third-party infringement claims as the functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. We cannot predict whether third parties will assert claims of infringement against us. In addition, our employees and contractors have access to software licensed by us from third parties. A breach of the non-disclosure undertakings by any of our employees or contractors may lead to a claim of infringement against us. Any claim, with or without merit, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend, and would probably divert our management’s attention and resources. In addition, such a claim if submitted may require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements to obtain the right to use a necessary product or component. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all.

A successful claim of product infringement against us and our failure or inability to license the infringed or similar technology could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to adequately protect our proprietary rights, which may limit our ability to compete effectively.

Our success and ability to compete are substantially dependent upon our internally developed technology. Substantially all of our intellectual property consists of proprietary or confidential information that is not subject to patent or similar protection. In general, we have relied on a combination of technical leadership, trade secret, copyright and trademark law and nondisclosure agreements to protect our proprietary know-how. Unauthorized third parties may attempt to copy or obtain and use the technology protected by those rights. Any infringement of our intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Policing unauthorized use of our products is difficult and costly, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States.  We have placed, and in the future may place, certain of our software in escrow. The software may, under specified circumstances, be made available to our customers. From time to time, we also provide our software directly to customers. This may increase the likelihood of misappropriation or other misuse of our software.

 
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Our largest shareholder, Emblaze Ltd., owns the majority of the voting rights and controls the outcome of matters that require shareholder approval.

Emblaze Ltd., or Emblaze, owns approximately 49.2% of our outstanding ordinary shares and 50.7% of the voting rights. Therefore, Emblaze has the power to control the outcome of those matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. This voting power may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control. In addition, potential conflicts of interest may arise in the event that we enter into agreements or transactions with affiliates of Emblaze. Although Israeli law imposes certain procedures (including shareholder approval) for approval of certain related party transactions, we cannot assure you that these procedures will eliminate the possible detrimental effects of these conflicts of interest. If certain transactions are not approved in accordance with required procedures under applicable Israeli law, these transactions may be void or voidable.

Fluctuations in foreign currency values may affect our business and results of operations.

Most of our revenues and expenses from our software services are denominated in New Israeli Shekels (NIS). For financial reporting purposes, we translate all non-US dollars denominated transactions into dollars in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Thereore, we are exposed to the risk that fluctuations in the value of the NIS relative to the dollar (such as devaluation of the NIS) may reduce our revenue growth rate in dollar terms.  In addition, a significant portion of our revenues from proprietary software products  is currently denominated in dollars and euros, while a substantial portion of our expenses relating to the proprietary software products, principally salaries and related personnel expenses, is denominated in NIS. As a result, a decrease in the value of the dollar or euro relative to the NIS, would  increase our operating costs expressed as dollars, and, therefore, could adversely affect our results of operations and harm our competitive position in the markets. To date, we have not engaged in significant hedging transactions. In the future, we may enter into more or larger currency hedging transactions to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rate of the dollar or euro against the NIS and from fluctuations in the inflation rate. However, we cannot assure you that these measures will adequately protect us from the material adverse effects described above. For additional information relating to the exchange rates between different relevant currencies, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Overview—Our Functional and Reporting Currency.”
 
 
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We may be adversely affected if the market prices of our publicly traded subsidiaries decrease.

A significant portion of our assets is comprised of equity securities of publicly traded companies. Our publicly traded subsidiaries are Magic Software Enterprises Ltd., or Magic Software, Matrix IT Ltd., or Matrix, and Sapiens International Corporation N.V., or Sapiens. The stock prices of these publicly traded companies have been extremely volatile, and have experienced fluctuations due to market conditions and other factors which are beyond our control. Fluctuations in the market price and valuations of our holdings in these companies may affect the value of our assets.  In addition, the stock prices of many technology companies fluctuate significantly for reasons that may be unrelated to operating results. If the value of our assets decreases significantly as a result of the above, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to our Traded Securities

The market price of our ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares may be volatile and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price you paid, or at all.

The stock market in general has experienced during recent years extreme price and volume fluctuations, and in particular, a sharp decline as part of the global economic and financial crisis. The market prices of securities of technology companies have been extremely volatile, and have experienced fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market fluctuations have affected and are expected to continue to affect the market price of our ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares, or ADSs.

The high and low market price of our ordinary shares traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, or the TASE, under the symbol “FORT,” and the high and low market price of our ADSs traded on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the symbol “FORTY” during each of the last three years, are summarized in the table below:

   
Nasdaq Global Market
   
TASE
 
   
In $
   
In NIS
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
2009
    12.10       3.59       44.12       16.16  
2008
    14.14       4.99       47.78       17.53  
2007
    14.46       11.69       60.59       44.97  

The market price of the ordinary shares and the ADSs may fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, including:
 
 
any actual or anticipated fluctuations in our or our competitors’ quarterly revenues and operating results;
 
 
shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecast by securities analysts;
 
 
public announcements concerning us or our competitors;
 
 
results of integrating investments and acquisitions;
 
 
the introduction or market acceptance of new service offerings by us or our competitors;
 
 
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changes in product pricing policies by us or our competitors;
 
 
public announcements concerning distribution of dividends and payment of dividends;
 
 
changes in security analysts’ financial estimates;
 
 
changes in accounting principles;
 
 
sales of our shares by existing shareholders; and
 
 
the loss of any of our key personnel.
 
In addition, global and local economic, political and market conditions and military conflicts and in particular, those specifically related to the State of Israel, may affect the market price of our shares and ADSs.

Our shares are traded on more than one market and this may result in price variations. 

Our ordinary shares are traded on the TASE and our ADSs are traded on the NASDAQ Global Market. Trading in our ordinary shares and ADSs on these markets takes place in different currencies (dollars on the NASDAQ Global Market and NIS on the TASE), and at different times (resulting from different time zones, different trading days and different public holidays in the United States and Israel). The trading prices of our ordinary shares and ADSs on these two markets may differ due to these and other factors. Any decrease in the trading price of our ordinary shares or ADSs, as applicable, on one of these markets could cause a decrease in the trading price on the other market. 

Our United States investors could suffer adverse tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company.

Although we do not believe that we were a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC,  for U.S. federal income tax purposes during 2009, we cannot assure you that we will not be treated as a PFIC in 2010 or in future years. We would be a PFIC if 75% or more of our gross income in a taxable year is passive income. We would also be a PFIC if at least 50% of our assets in a taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Passive income includes interest, dividends, royalties, rents and annuities. If we are or become a PFIC, United States investors could be subject to adverse tax consequences, including having gain realized on the sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs being treated as ordinary income, as opposed to capital gain income, and having potentially punitive interest charges apply to such sale proceeds. Rules similar to those applicable to gains derived from the disposition of our ordinary shares also apply to certain "excess distributions." A decline in the value of our ordinary shares or ADSs could result in our company being classified as a PFIC.  United States investors should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the United States tax consequences of investing in our ordinary shares.

 
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For a discussion of how we might be characterized as a PFIC and related tax consequences, see “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Risks Relating to Operations in Israel

Political, economic, and military conditions in Israel could negatively impact our business.

Our headquarters and principal research and development facilities are located in Israel and approximately 78% of our revenues in 2009 were generated from the Israeli market. As a result, we are directly influenced by the political, economic and military conditions affecting Israel. Over the past several decades, a number of armed conflicts have occurred between Israel and its Arab neighbors. A state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity has led to security and economic problems for Israel. Since 2000, there have been ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians, which have adversely affected the peace process and at times have negatively influenced Israel’s economy as well as its relationship with several other countries. Hamas, an Islamist movement responsible for many attacks, including missile strikes, against Israelis, won the majority of the seats in the Parliament of the Palestinian Authority in 2006 and took control of the entire Gaza Strip by force in 2007. In January 2009, Israel engaged in a military action against Hamas in Gaza to prevent continued rocket attacks against Israel. These developments have further strained relations between Israel and the Palestinians. The current political situation between Israel and its neighbors may not improve. These political, economic and military conditions in Israel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth.
 
In addition, nonexempt male adult citizens of Israel, including some of our officers and employees, are obligated to perform military reserve duty until the age of 40 or 45 depending on their function in the army, and are subject to being called for active duty under emergency circumstances. While we have operated effectively under these requirements since our incorporation, we cannot predict the full impact of such conditions on us in the future, particularly if emergency circumstances occur. If many of our employees are called for active duty, our operations in Israel and our business may be adversely affected.
 
Political relations could limit our ability to sell or buy internationally.
 
 We could be adversely affected by the interruption or reduction of trade between Israel and its trading partners. Some countries, companies and organizations continue to participate in a boycott of Israeli firms and others doing business with Israel or with Israeli companies. Also, over the past several years there have been calls in Europe and elsewhere to reduce trade with Israel. There can be no assurance that restrictive laws, policies or practices directed towards Israel or Israeli businesses will not have an adverse impact on our business.
 
 
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The tax benefits available to us from government programs may be discontinued or reduced at any time, which would likely increase our taxes.

Certain of our subsidiaries received grants in the past and receive tax benefits under Israeli government programs, particularly as a result of the “Approved Enterprise” status of certain operations in Israel. “Approved Enterprise” status is granted by the Israeli Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and entitles the grantee to a variety of tax incentives. The incentives awarded to certain of our subsidiaries include reduced tax rates and a tax holiday. Subject to compliance with applicable requirements, the portion of our subsidiary's undistributed income derived from our "Approved Enterprise" programs shall be exempt from income tax for a period of two to four years, followed by five to eight years with reduced tax rate of 25% on income derived from “Approved Enterprise” investment programs. In order to qualify for these incentives, the “Approved Enterprise” is required to comply with the requirements of the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, known as the Investment Law. As of April 22, 2010, our subsidiaries have met those criteria and received tax benefits from their  “Approved Enterprise” programs, as presented in Note 15 to our financial statements. To maintain the eligibility for these programs and benefits, we must meet the conditions set out in the Investment Law. We cannot assure you that these programs and tax benefits will continue at the same level in the future. If these tax benefits and programs are terminated or reduced, we could pay increased taxes in the future, which could decrease our profits.

It may be difficult to serve process and enforce judgments against our directors and officers in the United States or in Israel.
 
We are organized under the laws of the State of Israel. All of our executive officers and directors are nonresidents of the United States, and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult to:

 
·
effect service of process within the United States on us or any of our executive officers or directors;
 
·
enforce court judgments obtained in the United States including those predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws, against us or against any of our executive officers or directors, in the United States or Israel; and
 
·
bring an original action in an Israeli court against us or against any of our executive officers or directors to enforce liabilities based upon the United States federal securities laws.

Provisions of Israeli law may delay, prevent or make more difficult an acquisition of our company.

The Israeli Companies Law generally requires that a merger be approved by the board of directors and a majority of the shares voting on the proposed merger, of each of the merging companies.  For purposes of the shareholder vote, unless a court rules otherwise, the merger will not be deemed approved if shares representing a majority of the voting power present at the shareholders meeting, and which are not held by the other party to the merger (or by any person who holds 25% or more of the shares or the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors of the other party or its general manager, or any of their relatives or corporations controlled by them) have voted against the merger. Upon the request of any creditor of a party to the proposed merger, a court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there is a reasonable concern that, as a result of the merger, the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of the surviving company. In addition, the court may give instructions to secure creditors' rights. Finally, a merger may generally not be completed unless at least (i) 50 days have passed since the filing of a merger proposal signed by both parties with the Israeli Registrar of Companies; and (ii) 30 days have passed since the merger was approved by the shareholders of each of the parties to the merger. Also, in certain circumstances an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer. Lastly, Israeli tax law treats some acquisitions, such as stock-for-stock exchanges between an Israeli company and a foreign company, less favorably than U.S. tax laws. These provisions of Israeli corporate and tax law may have the effect of delaying, preventing or make more difficult an acquisition of or merger with us, which may adversely affect its ability to engage in a business combination and could depress our share price.

 
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As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, we may follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain NASDAQ requirements.
 
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules.  A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home country practice instead of such requirements, must submit to NASDAQ in advance a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer’s home country certifying that the issuer’s practices are not prohibited by the home country’s laws. In addition, a foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, or on its website each such requirement that it does not follow and describe the home country practice followed by the issuer instead of any such requirement.  As a foreign private issuer listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, we may follow home country practice with regard to, among other things, composition of our board of directors, director nomination procedure, compensation of officers, and quorum at shareholders’ meetings.  In addition, we may follow our home country law, instead of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules, which require that we obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events, such as for the establishment or amendment of certain equity based compensation plans, an issuance that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company.
 
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A.           History and Development of the Company

Both our legal name and our commercial name is Formula Systems (1985) Ltd. We were incorporated in Israel on April 2, 1985. We maintain our principal executive offices at 5 Haplada Street, Or Yehuda 60218, Israel and our telephone number is 011-972-3-5389487. Our agent in the United States is Corporation Service Company and its address is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, DE 19808. In 1991, we completed our initial public offering of ordinary shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.  In October 1997, we completed the listing of our ADSs on the NASDAQ Global Market.
 
 
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Since our inception, we have acquired controlling interest and have invested in companies which are engaged in the IT solutions and services business. We, together with our subsidiaries and affiliates, are known as the Formula Group.

We have adopted a strategy of seeking opportunities to realize gains through the selective sale of investments and interests in our subsidiaries and affiliates to outside investors. We believe that this strategy provides us with capital to support the growth of our subsidiaries, as well as increasing shareholder value. We expect to continue to develop and enhance the products, services and solutions of our subsidiaries, and to continue to pursue additional acquisitions of, or investments in, companies that provide IT services and proprietary software solutions.

Capital Expenditures and Divestitures

Certain of our investment and financing activities are described below. For additional information relating to our investment and financing activities during 2008 and 2009, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Acquisition of consulting and staffing business by a subsidiary of Magic. In February 2010, a subsidiary of Magic Software completed the acquisition of the consulting and staffing business of a US-based IT services company for a purchase price of approximately $11.8 million, of which $6.4 million was paid in cash upon closing and the remainder is to be paid over the next three years.

Sale of nextSource. In October 2009, we completed the sale of our entire 100% shareholdings in our subsidiary nextSource, for aggregate consideration of approximately $12 million, of which $8 million was paid in cash and the remainder through the release of $4 million of bank deposits that were previously pledged in favor of banks to secure obligations of nextSource.

Purchase of TACT.  In 2008, our subsidiary, Matrix, purchased all the shares of TACT Computers and Systems Ltd., or TACT, for aggregate consideration of $12.5 million. In 2009, Matrix paid to the sellers an additional and final consideration of approximately $6.4 million.

Sale of AAOD. On December 30, 2007, our subsidiary, Magic Software, sold its wholly-owned subsidiary, Advanced Answers on Demand Holding Corporation, or AAOD, a Florida corporation that develops and markets application software targeted at the long-term care industry, to Fortissimo Capital for $17 million. Fortissimo paid Magic Software $1 million of the sale price in December 2007 and the remaining $16 million in March 2008.  In addition, as part of the transaction, Magic Software entered into a three-year license agreement with AAOD according to which AAOD will continue to sell Magic Software’s products, as an OEM partner, in consideration for $3 million, to be paid to AAOD quarterly over the three years starting in 2008.
 
Debenture Offering by Matrix. On August 19, 2007, our subsidiary, Matrix, completed an offering of debentures in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $62 million. The debentures were sold to institutional and other investors in Israel. The debentures bear interest at an annual rate of 5.15%. The principal will be paid in four equal installments on December 31 of each of the years 2010 through 2013. The principal and interest are linked to the Israeli consumer price index. On February 21, 2008, Matrix listed the debentures for trading on the TASE.

 
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Sale of BluePhoenix shares. On June 20, 2007, we completed the sale of an aggregate of 8,038,526 shares of our subsidiary BluePhoenix Solutions Ltd., or BluePhoenix, representing our entire holdings in BluePhoenix, to international institutional investors for aggregate consideration of approximately $64 million.
 
Private Placement by Sapiens. In June 2007, our subsidiary, Sapiens, entered into a private placement transaction with several institutional investors, private investors and Formula for an aggregate gross investment of $20 million (excluding finders' fees and transaction expenses), $6.5 million of which was invested by Formula.  Sapiens issued to the investors an aggregate of 6,666,667 common shares (of which 2,166,666 common shares were issued to Formula), at a price of $3.00 per share, which reflected a premium of approximately 25% above the trading price of Sapiens’ common shares (as of the date Sapiens’ board of directors approved the investment). 
 
B.           Business Overview

General

We are a global IT solutions and services company based in Israel.  We are principally engaged in providing software consulting services, developing proprietary software products and providing computer-based business solutions.  We deliver our solutions in over 50 countries worldwide to customers with complex IT services needs, including a number of “Fortune 1000” companies. We operate in two principal business areas, IT services and proprietary software solutions. Following is a description of our business areas:

IT Services

We design and implement IT solutions which improve the productivity of our customers’ existing IT assets. In delivering our IT services, we at times use proprietary software developed by members of the Formula Group. We provide our IT services across the full system development life cycle, including definition of business requirements, system analysis, technical specifications, coding, testing, training, implementation and maintenance.  We perform our projects on-site or at our own facilities.

Proprietary Software Solutions
 
        We design, develop and market proprietary software solutions for sale in selected niche markets worldwide.  We regularly seek opportunities to invest in or acquire companies with attractive proprietary software solutions under development which we believe to have market potential. The majority of our investments and acquisitions in this area have been in companies with products beyond the prototype stage.  In addition, from time to time, we selectively invest in companies with proven technology where we believe we can leverage our experience to enhance product positioning and increase market penetration.  We provide our management and technical expertise, marketing experience and financial resources to help bring these products to market. We also assist the members of our group to form teaming agreements with strategic partners to develop a presence in international markets.

 
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        The Formula Group

Formula is the parent company of subsidiaries and affiliates, referred to collectively as the Formula Group. We currently hold a controlling interest in our subsidiaries through our equity holdings. We appoint a majority of the boards of directors of our subsidiaries through our equity holdings.   We provide our subsidiaries with our management, technical expertise and marketing experience to help them to penetrate their respective markets.

We direct the overall strategy of our subsidiaries.  While our subsidiaries each have independent management, we monitor the growth of our subsidiaries through our active involvement in the following matters:

 
strategic planning;
 
 
marketing policies;
 
 
senior management recruitment;
 
 
investment and budget policy;
 
 
financing policies; and
 
 
overall ongoing monitoring of each subsidiary’s performance.
 
We promote the synergy and cooperation among our subsidiaries by encouraging the following:

 
transfer of technology and expertise;
 
 
leveling of human resources demand;
 
 
combining skills for specific projects;
 
 
formation of critical mass for large projects; and
 
 
marketing and selling the group’s products and services to the group’s customer base.
 
We, through our subsidiaries, offer a wide range of integrated IT solutions and services, and design, develop and market proprietary software solutions for sale in selected niche markets, both in Israel and worldwide.
 
 
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Our Subsidiaries

Matrix

Matrix IT Ltd. is one of Israel’s leading integration and information technology services companies, based on Dun’s 100 “Israel's Largest Enterprises 2009”. Matrix employs approximately 4,200 software, hardware, integration and training personnel, which provide advanced IT services to more than 500 customers in the Israeli market. Matrix also markets in Israel software and hardware products manufactured by a broad range of international manufacturers.

The solutions, services and products supplied by Matrix are designed to improve Matrix’s customers’ competitive capabilities, by providing a response to their unique IT needs in all levels of their operation.

Areas of Operation

Matrix is active in four principal areas: software solutions and services, software distribution, infrastructure solutions and hardware products, and training and assimilation.

Software solutions and services. Matrix provides software services, software development projects, outsourcing, integration of software systems and services – all in accordance with its customers’ specific needs. Matrix also provides upgrading and expansion of existing software systems. Matrix software solutions and services include the following components: (i) development of dedicated customer software systems; (ii) customization of software developed by Matrix or by third parties to provide a response to customers’ requirements; (iii) systems assimilation; (iv) offshore and domestic services, mainly for software developments and quality assurance and software testing; and (iv) integration of all or part of these components. The scope of work invested in each individual component varies from one customer to the other, based on each customer’s specific requirements.

Software distribution. Matrix’s operations in this area include sales and support of software products of leading worldwide vendors in various categories, such as:

 
·
customer relationship management (CRM);
 
·
master data management (MDM);
 
·
information technology systems management and business service management products (ITSM);
 
·
open-source software products for operating systems (Red-Hat Linux) and application servers (J-Boss);
 
·
virtualization software products, product for content management;
 
·
software products for business intelligence (BI);
 
·
data warehouses and extract/transform/load (ETL);
 
·
software products for integration;
 
·
database systems;
 
·
software products for knowledge management; and
 
·
software development and testing tools.
 
 
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Infrastructure solutions and hardware products. Matrix’s operations in this area include: (i) supply of infrastructure solutions for computer and communication systems; (ii) sales and marketing of PCs, laptops, Intel servers, peripheral equipment, operating systems, servers and workstations operating on Unix and Linux operating systems, and sales and marketing of storage and backup systems for computer systems such as HP and IBM; and (iii) maintenance for computers and peripheral equipment, lab services and a help desk.

Training and assimilation. Matrix operates technological training and qualification centers providing advanced professional courses for hi-tech personnel, training and assimilation of computer systems, applications courses, professional training, soft-skills training and training for capital market operations.

Matrix provides solutions, services and products primarily to the following four market sectors (or verticals): banking and finance, telecommunications, commerce and manufacturing, and the public and security forces sector.

Matrix offers to each market sector a broad range of solutions and services, customized for the specific needs of that sector. Matrix operates dedicated departments, each of which specializes in a particular sector. Each such department supplies customers in that sector with a product basket providing a response to most of its IT requirements, based on an in-depth business understanding of the challenges which are typical to that sector. Matrix established a separate division for each particular market sector, which manages the operations relating to that sector.

Specialization in the various sectors is reflected in the applications, professional and marketing aspects of each sector. Accordingly, the professional and marketing infrastructure required to support each market sector is developed to address such sector’s specific needs.

In addition to the four sector-based areas of operations, Matrix operates two horizontal divisions providing specialist services for all of the different sectors of operations as follows:

·           Expertise centers – Matrix operates about 20 "expertise centers", in areas such as: SOA (service oriented architecture), Mobility (Mobile Technology), CRM, enterprise resource planning (ERP), Cloud Computing, Open Source and E-Business. These expertise centers are based on market concept, which is targeted to yield significant added value to the company's customers, including: group of professionals that are focused and have expertise in the related technologies, hands-on experience and expertise in the related technologies, methodologies, and best practices; and

·           A strategic consulting center that provides customers with diverse consultation services on topics such as organization, strategy, business development and technological development.

Customers

Matrix’s customers include large enterprises in Israel, including commercial banks, loan and mortgage banks, telecommunications services providers, cellular operators, credit card companies, leasing companies, insurance companies, security agencies, satellite operators, hi-tech companies, the Israeli Defense Force and government ministries and public agencies and media and publishing entities.

 
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Magic Software

Magic Software Enterprises Ltd. develops, markets, sells and supports application platform and business and process integration solutions. Magic Software’s products and services are available through a global network of regional offices, independent software vendors, system integrators, distributors and value-added resellers, as well as original equipment manufacturers and consulting partners in approximately 50 countries. In addition to technology, Magic Software provides its customers with maintenance and technical support, as well as professional services and training.

Magic Software Technology

With over 25 years of experience and thousands of customers and partners, Magic Software’s technology enables enterprises to accelerate the process of building and deploying business software applications that can be rapidly customized to meet current and future needs.

Magic Software’s technology gives partners and customers the ability to create any type of business applications, leverage existing information technology resources, enhance business ability, and focus on core business priorities to gain maximum return on their existing and new IT investments.

Magic Software is known for its code-free approach, allowing users to focus on business logic rather than technological requirements.  This approach forms the driving principle of both the uniPaaS application platform (the next generation of eDeveloper) and the iBOLT business and process integration suite. Both uniPaaS and iBOLT enable enterprises to accelerate the process of building and deploying applications that can be rapidly customized and integrated with existing systems:

 
·
uniPaas Application Platform (the next generation of eDeveloper) is a comprehensive application platform that supports all deployment models including client/server, Rich Internet Applications (RIA), mobile applications, cloud and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).  It uses a single development paradigm to handle all client and server partitioning and offers customers the choice in how they deploy their applications, whether client/server or web; on-premise or on-demand; in the cloud or behind the corporate firewall; software or SaaS; or global or local, and complies with event-driven and service-oriented architectural principles.

By offering technology transparency, uniPaaS allows customers to focus on their business requirements rather than technological means. uniPaaS' single development paradigm significantly reduces the time and costs associated with the development and deployment of client/server as well as cloud-based applications including RIA, mobile and SaaS. Application owners can leverage their initial investment when moving from full client mode to cloud, and eventually modify these choices as the situation requires.  Furthermore, enterprises can use cloud based uniPaaS applications in a SaaS model and still have their databases in the privacy of their own data centers.  It also supports most hardware and operating system environments such as Windows, Unix, Linux and AS/400, as well as multiple databases. uniPaaS is interoperable with .NET and Java technologies.
 
 
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·
iBOLT Business and Process Integration Suite provides business integration and process management solutions with a particular focus on enterprise applications. iBOLT allows integration and interoperability of diverse solutions, including cloud-based business applications integration with on-premise as well as legacy applications, in a quick and efficient manner.

Increasing the usability and life span of existing legacy and other IT systems, iBOLT allows fast enterprise application integration (EAI), development and customization of diverse applications, systems and databases, assuring rapid return on invested capital and time-to-market, increased profitability, and customer satisfaction. Magic Software offers special editions of iBOLT targeted at specific enterprise application vendor ecosystems, such as SAP Business One, SAP R/3, SAP Business All-in-One, Oracle, JD Edwards, IBM i series, Salesforce.com, Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino, HL7 and Mircosoft Dymanics CRM.  These special editions contain specific features and pricing tailored for these market segments.
 
Magic Software addresses the critical business needs of companies so that they are able to quickly respond to changing market forces and demands.  Robust business solutions are created, deployed and maintained with unrivaled productivity and time-to-market results. Magic Software's development paradigm is aligned with modern application development theories and enables developers to create better solutions in less time and with fewer resources.
 
Magic Software’s technology and solutions are especially in demand when time-to-market considerations are critical, budgets are tight, integration is required with multiple platforms or applications, databases or existing systems and business processes, as well as for RIA, cloud computing and SaaS.
 
Magic Software's technologies are used by a wide variety of developers, integrators and solution providers, which can generally be divided into two sectors: in the first sector are those performing in-house development (corporate IT departments) and in the second sector are Magic Software providers (MSPs), including large system integrators and smaller independent developers, and value added resellers that use Magic Software's technology to develop or provide solutions to their customers.  MSPs who are packaged software publishers use Magic Software's technology to write standard packaged software products that are sold to multiple clients, typically within a vertical industry sector or a horizontal business function.
 
        ServicesProfessional Services. Magic Software provides a broad range of consulting and software development project management services to customers developing, deploying and integrating distributed applications.
 
 
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Magic Software offers fee-based consulting services in connection with installation assurance, application audits and performance enhancement, application migration and application prototyping and design.  Consulting services are aimed at both generating additional revenues and ensuring successful implementation of uniPaaS and iBOLT projects through knowledge transfer.

Services are offered as separately purchased add-on packages or as part of an overall software development and deployment technology framework.  Over the last several years, Magic Software has built upon its established global presence to form joint ventures with Magic Software providers who use Magic Software technology to develop solutions for their customers, and distributors to deliver successful solutions in focused market sectors.

Maintenance.  Magic Software offers its customers annual maintenance contracts providing for upgrades and new versions of its products for an annual fee.

Technical Support.  Magic Software's in-house technical support group provides training and post-sale support.  Magic Software offers an online support system for the MSPs, providing them with the ability to instantaneously enter, confirm and track support requests via the Internet.  This system supports MSPs and end-users worldwide. As part of this online support, Magic Software offers a Support Knowledge Base tool providing the full range of technical notes and other documentation including technical papers, product information, most answers to most common customer queries and known issues that have already been reported.

Training.  Magic Software conducts formal and organized training on its development tools.  Magic Software develops courses, pertaining to its principal products, uniPaaS and iBOLT and provides trainer and student guidebooks.  Course materials are available both in traditional, classroom courses and as web-based training modules, which can be downloaded and studied at the student’s own pace and location.  The courses and course materials are designed to accelerate the learning process, using an intensive technical curriculum in an atmosphere conducive to productive training.
 
Vertical Solutions

Magic Software also develops, markets, and supports, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, vertical applications, including long-term care, cargo handling and inventory control solutions.

 
·
CoreTech Consulting Group LLC is an IT consulting firm offering flexible and creative solutions in the areas of infrastructure design and delivery, application development, technology planning and implementation services, as well as supplemental staffing services.
 
 
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·
Fusion LLC is an IT consulting firm offering a comprehensive range of consulting and staffing services for telecom, network communications and the IT industry and serving some of the world’s leading telecom and technology corporations.

 
·
Hermes Logistics Technologies Ltd. develops and markets a comprehensive solution for air cargo handling, which is designed to increase productivity, improve efficiency and reduce costs.  Hermes provides physical cargo handling, and cargo documentation through customs, seamless electronic data interchange (EDI) communications, special handling for dangerous goods, track and trace and security to billing. The Hermes system provides a complete and integrated solution encompassing all physical handling, documentation and messaging requirements, including real-time warehousing, service level profiling /monitoring, end-user guidance, tariff profiling, analysis, audits and reports.

Markets and Customers

Magic Software markets and sells its products and services in approximately 50 countries worldwide.  Industries that are significantly represented in the Magic Software’s community include finance, retail, media, telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare and government agencies.

Sapiens

Sapiens International Corporation N.V. is a global provider of software solutions for the insurance industry. Sapiens’ suite of insurance solutions, built to meet the core business needs of large and small insurance carriers, aligns IT with business demands for speed, flexibility and efficiency.  Sapiens’ solutions are supplemented by its methodology and consulting services, which address the complex issues related to the life-cycle of enterprise business applications. Sapiens offers its solutions to two of the major lines of insurance business – Life & Pension (L&P) and Property & Casualty (P&C).
 
Sapiens’ insurance solutions are deployed at leading insurance carriers globally. Sapiens' service offerings include a standard consulting offering that helps customers make better use of IT in order to achieve their business objectives.
 
Sapiens eMerge™, is a rules-based model-driven architecture, that is used to develop most of Sapiens' software products. It enables the creation of mission critical core enterprise applications with little or no coding using agile methodologies. Sapiens' technology allows customers to achieve legacy modernization and enterprise application integration.

Sapiens markets its solutions globally through its direct sales force and through marketing alliances with global IT solutions providers, such as IBM Corporation, Microsoft, and iGate. Saipens has been working closely with IBM for over 10 years at what IBM refers to as a “Premier Business Partner” level. This cooperation is executed through close technology and marketing cooperation. Saipens has recently qualified as a Microsoft Gold certified partner. These alliances enable Sapiens to reach a broader base of customers while complementing Sapiens' partners’ offerings.
 
 
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    Sapiens’ Business Solutions for the Insurance Industry

Sapiens has focused its resources on delivering solutions to help the insurance industry become more agile in the face of the new and rapidly changing business environment, while simultaneously reducing IT costs.

Sapiens has formulated Sapiens INSIGHT™, a suite of modular business software solutions that helps insurance carriers adapt to the dynamic insurance marketplace.
 
Sapiens collaborates with its customers to tailor Sapiens INSIGHT™ solutions to achieve the unique operational performance goals of each organization. In addition, Sapiens has executed independent projects for the insurance market, providing enhanced information access and visibility to empower the sales, agent and broker communities, thus accelerating transaction processing for improved customer service and business efficiency.  Most of Sapiens' insurance solutions, which include the Sapiens INSIGHT™ family, are based on Sapiens eMerge which enables rapid solution development and maintenance.  Sapiens INSIGHT™ is designed for the Property and Casualty insurance markets, and the Life and Pension insurance markets. For each of Sapiens' geographic target markets – namely the United States, Europe and Israel, Sapiens has invested in matching its solutions to the specific market needs, focusing on market standards and regulations. These solutions can be further customized to match specific legacy systems and business requirements, while providing pre-configured functionality.
 
Sapiens INSIGHT™ solutions include the following:
 
 
·
Sapiens INSIGHT™ Suite for Property & Casualty is a comprehensive solution that meets the core business needs of a P&C carrier. It is comprised of 3 modules – Policy Administration, Billing, and Claims. As such, it can be offered either as a suite or as separate modules. The modularity of the suite allows Sapiens to support its customers with gradual deployment of core systems, thus reducing risk and allowing a smooth integration into the organization.
 
 
·
Sapiens INSIGHT™ for Life & Pensions is a powerful and comprehensive framework-based life and pensions solution that serves companies administering life insurance, pension funds, health insurance and saving plans. Sapiens INSIGHT™ for Life & Pensions is a dynamic, customizable solution, and can be easily accommodated to administer changes in processes. It is fully web-enabled, prepared to utilize the advantages of the Internet and intranets.
 
Sapiens' solutions are designed for an extensive list of computing platforms and technologies including IBM zSeries and iSeries, HP-Unix at the host server-side and Windows 2000 / XP Web Servers. Due to the separation between business logic, data access logic and presentation logic, applications developed for a particular computing platform and database are seamlessly portable to other supported computing platforms and databases.  The platform-independent nature of Sapiens' solutions allows them to be scaled according to the needs of the organization. Sapiens eMerge™ has proven to be extremely scalable, allowing the daily execution of hundreds of millions of business rules for tens of thousands of concurrent users.
 
 
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Services

IT Services. Sapiens provides customers with specialized IT services in many areas, including project management, application development/enhancements, application platform porting services and general technical assistance. Sapiens' personnel work with the customer for the duration of the entire project through proven methodologies on a fixed price and time basis. These IT services can be classified as: (a) consulting services that are not deemed essential to the functionality of the license (such as migration of applications to various platforms and technical assistance with project management); and (b) consulting services that involve significant implementation and customization of Sapiens’ software to customer specific requirements.
 
Outsourcing of Application Maintenance. Sapiens' outsourcing services performed on its customers' applications, were developed from Sapiens’ strong, long-term relationships with its customers. Sapiens is currently servicing multi-year outsourcing contracts involving mission-critical systems. The outsourcing engagements are typically performed with a combination of onsite and offsite services as required by Sapiens' customers.
 
Customers

Sapiens INSIGHT™. Sapiens INSIGHT suites of insurance solutions are offered in two territories – (a) North America and Europe, and (b) the Middle East and Africa. Sapiens' customers generate direct written premiums in the range of $80 million to in excess of $5 billion per year.  However, given the flexibility and modularity of Sapiens INSIGHT™ suite of solutions, its offerings can accommodate smaller and larger organizations just as well.
 
Sapiens eMerge™. Sapiens markets Sapiens eMerge™ primarily to corporate customers and government entities with large information technology budgets and ongoing maintenance and development needs. Sapiens’ corporate customers include, among others, insurance companies, banks, government and manufacturing customers. The principal markets in which Sapiens competes are located in North America, Europe, Israel and Japan.

Sales and Marketing

        Our subsidiaries conduct sales and marketing efforts primarily through division or product managers. In certain cases, the companies devote sales managers who, aided by their staffs, are responsible for ongoing customer relationships, as well as sales to new customers. In addition, the IT services companies participate in competitive bidding processes, primarily for turnkey and government projects, as well as large IT services contracts. Our subsidiaries attend trade shows and exhibitions in the high technology markets, while further supplementing their sales efforts with space advertising and products and services listing in appropriate directories. In addition, our subsidiaries organize user group meetings for their customers, where new products and services are highlighted.  We typically enter into strategic alliances and intend to pursue acquisitions in order to penetrate various international markets and promote sales of our proprietary software solutions in international markets.

 
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The following table summarizes our revenues by operating segments for the periods indicated:

   
Software Services
   
Proprietary Software Products
   
Total
 
   
$ in thousands
 
Year ended December 31,
                 
2009
    368,345       101,045       469,390  
2008
    397,790       105,453       503,243  
2007
    313,901       100,823       414,724  

The following table summarizes the revenues from our IT products and services by geographic regions of our customers, for the periods indicated:

   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
$ in thousands
 
                   
Israel
    368,230       393,391       319,444  
International:
                       
United States
    38,862       47,098       41,425  
Other
    62,298       62,754       53,855  
      101,160       109,852       95,280  
Total
    469,390       503,243       414,724  

Competition

The markets for the IT products and services we offer are rapidly evolving and highly competitive. Our ability to compete successfully in IT services markets depends on a number of factors, like breadth of service offerings, sales and marketing efforts, service, pricing, and quality and reliability of services. The principal competitive factors affecting the market for the proprietary software solutions include product performance and reliability, product functionality, availability of experienced personnel, price, ability to respond in a timely manner to changing customer needs, ease of use, training and quality of support.

We face competition, both in Israel and internationally, from a variety of companies, including companies with significantly greater resources than us who are likely to enjoy substantial competitive advantages, including:
 
•           longer operating histories;
 
•           greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources;
 
•           greater name recognition;
 
 
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•           well-established relationships with our current and potential clients; and
 
•           a broader range of products and services.
 
As a result, they may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies or changes in customer requirements. They may also benefit from greater purchasing economies, offer more aggressive product and service pricing or devote greater resources to the promotion of their products and services. In addition, in the future, we may face further competition from new market entrants and possible alliances between existing competitors. We also face additional competition as we continue to penetrate international markets. As a result, we cannot assure you that the products and solutions we offer will compete successfully with those of our competitors. Furthermore, several software development centers worldwide offer software development services at much lower prices than we do. Due to the intense competition in the markets in which we operate, software products prices may fluctuate significantly. As a result, we may have to reduce the prices of our products.
 
Matrix’s principal competitors in the domestic Israeli market are Israeli IT services companies and systems integrators, the largest of which are Ness Technologies Inc., Team-Malam, Taldor, Aman, Yael  and One.  Matrix’s international competitors in the Israeli marketplace include HP and IBM.  These international competitors often use local subcontractors to provide personnel for contracts performed in Israel. Most of these international entities are also business partners of Matrix.

Magic Software’s principal competitors in the market for the uniPaaS technology are Cordys, IBM, Microsoft, Adobe, Oracle, Pegasystems, Progress, Fiorano, Intersystems, Sun, Ultimus, and Unify. The principal competitors in the market for Magic Software’s iBOLT Business and Process Integration Suite are Microsoft BizTalk, Informatica, TIBCO and Software AG.

Sapiens’ competitors in the market for insurance solutions differ based on the size and line of business that it operates in. Some of its competitors will offer a full suite of services, while others only offer one module, and their delivery models will vary among in house, IT outsourcing or business process outsourcing methods.

Examples of Sapiens’ competitors are:

In the United States: GuideWire, Duck Creek, Exigen, CSC, AGO, Oracle, Camilion, ISI, SOLCORP, Fineos, SunGard, Navisys, Fiserv, Accenture, OneShield, Insurity, Prima Solutions, IDP, The Innovation Group and DRC.

In Europe, Middle East and Africa: HP/EDS, SunGard, FIS Software, RebusIs, SOLCORP , SAP, Falmeyer (FJA), COR AG Insurance Technologies.

In addition, Sapiens faces competition from internal IT departments, who often prefer to develop solutions in-house.

Sapiens’ competitors in the business rule engines and management marketplace include Fair Isaac (Blaze), Pegasystems, ILOG, Computer Associates, Haley, Corticon, Versata, RuleBurst and ESI.

 
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Seasonality
 
Even though not reflected in our 2008 or 2009 results, traditionally, the first and third quarters of the fiscal year have tended to be slower quarters for some of our subsidiaries and the industries that they target.  The first quarter usually reflects a decline following an active fourth quarter as companies seek to complete transactions and projects and utilize budgets before the end of the fiscal year.  The relatively slower third quarter reflects reduced activities during the summer months in many of the regions where our customers are located. In addition, our quarterly results are also influenced by the number of working days in each period. During the Jewish holidays period, when the number of working days is lower, we tend to see a decrease in our revenues. However, the holidays in Israel are determined in accordance with the Jewish calendar which is different from the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the holidays do not occur in the same fiscal quarter every year.

Software Development

The software industry is characterized by rapid technological developments.  In order to maintain technological leadership, we engage in ongoing software development activity through our subsidiaries, aimed at both creating new proprietary software and services, as well as enhancing and customizing existing products and services. This effort includes introducing new supported programming languages and database management systems; improving functionality and flexibility and enhancing ease of use. We work closely with current and potential end-users, our strategic partners and leaders in certain industry segments to identify market needs and define appropriate product enhancements and specifications.

Intellectual Property Rights

We rely on a combination of trade secret, copyright and trademark laws and non-disclosure agreements, to protect our proprietary know-how. Our proprietary technology incorporates processes, methods, algorithms and software that we believe are not easily copied.  Despite these precautions, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary.  We believe that, because of the rapid pace of technological change in the industry, patent and copyright protection are less significant to our competitive position than factors such as the knowledge, ability and experience of our personnel, new product development and ongoing product maintenance and support.
 
 
 
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C.           Organizational Structure

Formula is the parent company of the Formula Group.

The following table presents certain information regarding the control and ownership of our significant subsidiaries, as of April 22, 2010.

Subsidiary
 
Country of Incorporation
 
Percentage
Of Ownership
Matrix IT Ltd.
 
Israel
 
50.1%
         
Magic Software Enterprises Ltd.
 
Israel
 
58.1%
         
Sapiens International Corporation N.V.
 
Netherlands Antilles Islands
 
70.4%
 
       The ordinary shares of  Magic Software and Sapiens are traded on the NASDAQ Global Market and on the TASE, and the ordinary shares of Matrix are traded on the TASE.

D.           Property, Plants and Equipment

Our corporate headquarters, as well as the research and development and sales and marketing headquarters of Magic Software, are located in Or-Yehuda, Israel. In December 2009, Magic Software sold the office building located in Or-Yehuda, Israel for consideration of $5.2 million. As part of this transaction, Magic Software leased such office space, constituting approximately 39,300 square feet, pursuant to a lease which expires in December 2014. Magic Software has an option to terminate the lease agreement upon a six-month prior written notice.

In addition, Magic Software leases office space  in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Matrix leases approximately 100,000 square feet of office space in Herzlia, Israel pursuant to a lease which expires on October 31, 2015.   Matrix also leases an aggregate of approximately 194,000 square feet of office space in several other locations in Israel.

Sapiens leases approximately 45,000 square feet of office space in Rechovot, Israel, pursuant to a lease which expires in July 2015. Sapiens also leases office space in United States, United Kingdom and Japan.

We believe that our properties are adequate for our present uses. If in the future we require additional space to accommodate our growth, we believe that we will be able to obtain this additional space without difficulty and at commercially reasonable prices.

ITEM 4A.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

 
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ITEM 5.  OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

Overview

Formula is the parent company of subsidiaries and affiliates, referred to collectively as the Formula Group. We are principally engaged in providing software consulting services, developing proprietary software products and providing computer-based business solutions.  We currently hold a controlling interest in three publicly traded subsidiaries:  Magic Software, Matrix and Sapiens. We consolidate the results of operations of our subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling interest with ours. Our operating results are, and have been, directly influenced by the consolidation and cessation of consolidation of our subsidiaries. This could cause significant fluctuations of our consolidated operating results. As a result, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and you should not rely on these comparisons as indications of our future performance.

In accordance with ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment and following the sale of our entire shareholdings in BluePhoenix, in June 2007, and the sale of our entire shareholdings in nextSource, in October 2009, BluePhoenix's and nextSource’s results of operations, assets and liabilities were classified as attributed to discontinued operations and as a result, we have reclassified certain figures in our financial statements relating to prior periods.

We recognize revenues in two categories: the delivery of software services and the delivery of proprietary software solutions. All of our subsidiaries, including IT services companies and proprietary software solutions companies, recognize revenues from the delivery of software services, and most of them recognize revenues in both revenue categories. We have separated our subsidiaries into these categories in accordance with the category in which each subsidiary has earned most of its revenues.

Our functional and reporting currency

Beginning in 2007, Formula changed its functional currency from NIS to the dollar since  most of its assets are denominated in dollars. This was done according to indicators as mentioned in ASC 830 Foreign Currency Matters. Prior to 2007, Formula operated primarily in the economic environment of the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) and its functional currency was the NIS. The functional currencies of Formula's subsidiaries are the NIS and the dollar. Formula has elected to use the dollar as its reporting currency for all years presented.

Formula translates the financial statements of its subsidiary whose functional currency is the NIS, into dollars, under the principles described in ASC 830. Assets and liabilities have been translated at period-end exchange rates.  Results of operations have been translated at the exchange rate at the dates on which those transactions occurred or at an average rate. We present differences resulting from translation under shareholders’ equity in the item Accumulating Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). In the consolidation, Formula presents the financial statements of subsidiaries whose functional currency is the dollar, at the original amounts.

 
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Critical Accounting Policies

In preparation of our financial statements, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. The significant accounting policies which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:

Revenue Recognition

Revenues derived from software license agreements are recognized in accordance ASC 985 "Software" (formerly SOP 97-2 "Software Revenue Recognition") ("ASC 985"), upon delivery of the software when collection is probable, where the license fee is otherwise fixed or determinable, and when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists.

    In addition, there are certain arrangements involving multiple elements such as software product, maintenance and support. For these agreements ASC 985 requires that the fair value of each component in a multiple element arrangement will be determined based on the vendor's specific objective evidence ("VSOE") for that element, and revenue is allocated to each component based on its fair value. ASC 985 requires that revenue be recognized in accordance with the "residual method" when VSOE does not exists for all the delivered elements and exist for all the delivered elements, and all other ASC 985 criteria are met. Under the residual method, any discount in the arrangement is allocated to the delivered elements. The VSOE of post contract support ("PCS") is based on the price charged when PCS sold separately or renewed. The VSOE of consulting services is based on the price charged when the consulting services sold separately based on a time and material basis.

    Revenues from consulting services, on hourly basis, are recognized as the services are rendered.

    Revenues from maintenance and training are recognized over the service period.

    Revenues from long term projects are recognized in accordance with ASC 605-35-25 (formerly SOP 81-1 “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type Contracts”), based on the percentage of completion method. Provision for estimated losses is recorded on the amount of the estimated losses on the entire contract in the period in which such losses first become evident. These revenues are included in the proprietary software products segment.

    Revenues from sale of hardware are recognized when the merchandise is delivered to the customer, provided no significant vendor obligations remain.

We generally do not grant a right of return to our customers. When a right of return exists, revenue is deferred until the right of return expires, at which time revenue is recognized provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
 
 
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    Deferred revenue includes unearned amounts received under maintenance contracts and amounts received from customers but not yet recognized as revenues. Payments for maintenance fees are generally made in advance and are nonrefundable.

    Tax collected from customers and remitted to governments authorities (including VAT) are presented in statements of operations on a net basis.
 
We recognize revenue from software license sales in accordance with ASC 985-605 “Software Revenue Recognition” (“ASC 985-605”) with respect to certain transactions. Under ASC 985-605, revenues from software product licenses are recognized upon delivery of the software provided there is persuasive evidence of an agreement, the fee is fixed or determinable, collection of the related receivable is probable and no further obligations exist. Revenues under multiple-element arrangements, which may include software licenses, support and maintenance, and training and consulting services, are allocated to each element under the "residual method" when Vendor Specific Objective Evidence ("VSOE") of Fair Value exists for all undelivered elements and VSOE does not exist for all of the delivered elements. VSOE is determined for support and maintenance, training and consulting services based on the price charged when the respective elements are sold separately or renewed.

We charge support and maintenance renewals at a fixed percentage of the total price of the licensed software products purchased by the customer. Under the residual method, we defer revenues related to the undelivered elements based on their VSOE of fair value and recognize the remaining arrangement fee for the delivered elements.

IT outsourcing services that mainly include maintenance of customers' applications integrated on our license performed on a fixed fee basis are recognized on a straight line basis over the contractual period that the services are rendered, since no other pattern of outputs is discernible. Revenues from IT outsourcing services that are performed on a "time and materials" basis are recognized as services are performed.
 
        Software Development Costs

    Development costs of software, which is intended for sales that are incurred after the establishment of technological feasibility of the relevant product, are capitalized. Technological feasibility is determined when detailed program design is completed and verified in accordance with the provisions of ASC No. 985 "Software" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed").

    Software development costs incurred before technological feasibility has been established are charged to the statements of operations as incurred.
 
 
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Research and development costs incurred in the process of software development before establishment of technological feasibility are charged to expenses as incurred. Costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility are capitalized according to the principles set forth in ASC 985-20, "Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed").
 
  Our company's and our subsidiaries' technological feasibility is established upon completion of a detailed program design or working model.

Research and development costs incurred in the process of developing product improvements are generally charged to expenses as incurred.

Capitalized software costs are amortized on a product by product basis. Amortization equals the greater of the amount computed using the: (i) ratio of current gross revenues from sales of the software to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues from sales of that software, or (ii) the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the product (three to six years).
 
 We assess the recoverability of these intangible assets on a regular basis by determining whether the amortization of the asset over its remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows from the specific software product sold.
 
 Goodwill
 
We apply ASC 350, “Intangible - Goodwill and Other” (formerly SFAS Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”) ("ASC 350"). ASC 350 requires goodwill to be tested for impairment on an annual basis and more frequently in certain circumstances, and written down when impaired rather than being amortized. Furthermore, ASC 350 requires purchased intangible assets other than goodwill to be amortized over their useful lives unless those lives are determined to be indefinite. We have selected December 31 as the date on which we will perform our annual goodwill impairment test.
 
As required by ASC 350, the impairment test is accomplished using a two- step approach. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. As required by ASC 350, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value ('step 1'). If the fair value exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit net assets, goodwill is considered not impaired, and no further testing is required. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the implied fair value of goodwill is determined by subtracting the fair value of all the identifiable net assets from the fair value of the reporting unit. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess, if any; of the carrying value of goodwill over its implied fair value ('step 2').
 
 
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  Impairment in Value of Long-Lived Assets

 Our long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment” (formerly SFAS Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets”) ("ASC 360"), whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value.

  Discontinued Operation

 Under ASC 205 "Presentation of Financial statements – Discontinued Operation" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”),  when a component of an entity, as defined in ASC 205, has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale, the results of its operations, including the gain or loss on the disposed component, should be classified as discontinued operations and the assets and liabilities of such component should be classified as assets and liabilities attributed to discontinued operations; that is, provided that the operations, assets and liabilities of the component have been eliminated from the entity's consolidated operations and the entity will no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component.

  Share-Based Payments

  We apply ASC 718, and ASC 505-50, "Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees", with respect to options and warrants issued to non-employees. ASC 718 requires the use of an option valuation model to measure the fair value of the options and warrants at the measurement date as defined in ASC 505-50.

  ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model, where applicable. Share-based compensation expense recognized in our consolidated statements of operations for 2009, 2008 and 2007 includes compensation expense for share-based awards granted (i) prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of ASC 718, and (ii) subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718.

  Business Combinations and Non-controlling Interests

  Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted a new accounting standard included in ASC 805, "Business Combinations" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations). The new standard applies to all transactions or other events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses. Additionally, the new standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement date for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose additional information needed to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. The adoption of this new accounting standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
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  Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted a new accounting standard included in ASC810, "Consolidations" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements). The new accounting standard establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interests in a subsidiary and for the consolidation of a subsidiary by requiring all non-controlling interests in subsidiaries be reported in the same way, as equity in the consolidated financial statements. As such, this guidance has eliminated the diversity in accounting for transactions between an entity and non-controlling interests by requiring they be treated as equity transactions. The adoption of the new accounting standard resulted in recording non-controlling interests in equity at the current year and in comparative numbers.

  Fair Value Measurement

  We measure fair value and discloses fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

  Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of ASC 820-10 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (formerly FAS Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”), with respect to non-financial assets and liabilities.

  Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted a new accounting standard included in ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" (“ASC 820”) (formerly FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157), which delayed the effective date for disclosing the fair value of all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually).

  Effective April 2009, we adopted ASC 820 (formerly FSP 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly), requires disclosure of the inputs and valuation techniques used, as well as any changes in valuation techniques and inputs used during the period, to measure fair value in interim and annual periods. In addition, the presentation of the fair value hierarchy is required to be presented by major security type as described in ASC 320 "Investments - Debt and Equity Securities"
 
 
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  Other-Than-Temporary Impairments ("OTTI")

  Effective April 2009, we adopted new guidance for the accounting for other-than-temporary impairments. The new guidance, which is part of ASC 320, "Investments — Debt and Equity Securities" (formerly FSP 115-2 and 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments) changed the impairment and presentation model for our available-for-sale debt securities. Under the amended impairment model, an OTTI loss is recognized in earnings if the entity has the intent to sell the debt security, or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. However, if an entity does not expect to sell a debt security, it will still need to evaluate expected cash flows to be received and determine if a credit loss exists. In the event of a credit loss, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss is recognized currently in earnings. Amounts relating to factors other than credit losses are recorded in other comprehensive income.
 
A.           Operating Results

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008

Revenues.  Revenues in 2009 decreased 6.7% from $503.2 million in 2008 to $469.4 million in 2009. Revenues from the two categories of our operation were as follows:  Revenues from the delivery of software services decreased 7.4% from $397.8 million in 2008 to $368.3 million in 2009. The vast majority of the revenues from the delivery of software services are generated in NIS. The decline is attributable to the negative impact of the devaluation of the NIS against the dollar on translation into dollars of revenues generated in NIS. Revenues from the sale of proprietary software solutions in 2008 were $105.4 million compared to $101.0 million in 2009. This decrease was primarily due to the decrease in Magic Software’s revenues which was mainly attributable to the lower demand caused by the global economic downturn and to exchange rate fluctuations.

Cost of Revenues.   Cost of revenues consists primarily of wages and related expenses and hardware and other materials costs. Cost of revenues decreased 5.7% from $373.8 million in 2008 to $352.3 million in 2009 mainly due to the negative impact of the devaluation of the NIS against the dollar.  As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues in 2009 and 2008 were 75.0% and 74.3%, respectively.  Our software services sales are generally characterized by a lower gross margin than sales of proprietary software solutions. Cost of revenues for proprietary software solutions decreased to $52.7 million in 2009 from $53.5 million in 2008. Cost of revenues for software services decreased from $320.3 million in 2008 to $299.6 million in 2009, mainly due to the negative impact of the devaluation of the NIS against the dollar.

Research and Development, costs, net.   Research and development costs consist primarily of wages and related expenses and, to a lesser degree, consulting fees we pay to independent contractors engaged in research and development.  Research and development costs, net, consist of research and development costs, gross, less capitalized software costs.  Research and development costs, gross, decreased to $11.2 million in 2009 compared to $13.0 million in 2008, mainly due to the devaluation of the NIS against the dollar in 2009, as well as the decrease in labor expenses.  In 2009, we capitalized software costs of $6.8 million compared to $6.4 million in 2008. Capitalization of software costs in 2009 was attributable to our proprietary software solutions’ subsidiaries. Research and development costs, net decreased from $6.6 million in 2008 to $4.4 million in 2009 mainly due to the devaluation of the NIS against the dollar in 2009, as well as the decrease in labor expenses.  As a percentage of revenues, reserarch and development costs, net decreased from 1.3% in 2008 to 0.9% in 2009. Research and development costs, net in 2009 were attributable primarily to Magic Software and Sapiens which had research and development costs, net of approximately $1.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Amortization of capitalized software costs was $8.4 million in 2009 and $7.0 million in 2008, which amounts were included in cost of revenues.

 
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, severance and related expenses, travel expenses, selling expenses, rent, utilities, depreciation, amortization and professional fees.  Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2009 decreased to $77.3 million compared to $90.5 million in 2008.  As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 16.5% in 2009 and 18.0% in 2008.  The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily attributable to salary cost reduction together with management expense control initiatives across all of our subsidiaries.

Other Income, net.  We recorded other income of $2.0 million in 2009, which is mainly attributable to the sale of Magic Software's office building in December 2009.

Operating  Income. Our operating income increased from $32.4 million in 2008 to $37.3 million in 2009. The increase in the operating income is attributable to the improvement in the operating results of all of our subsidiaries, as follows: Matrix had operating income of $28.4 million in 2009 compared to $27.9 million in 2008, Magic Software had operating income of $6.2 million in 2009 compared to $4.3 million in 2008 and Sapiens had operating income of $5.3 million in 2009 compared to $2.5 million in 2008.

Financial Expenses, net.  Financial expenses, net decreased from $5.9 million in 2008 to $231,000 in 2009.  Financial expenses, net, is influenced by various factors, including our cash balances, loan balances, outstanding  debentures, changes in market value of trading marketable securities, changes in the exchange rate of the NIS against the dollar, changes in the exchange rate of the dollar against the euro and changes in the Israeli CPI. The decrease in financial expenses, net is mainly attributed to the increase in value of our trading marketable securities, as well as to gain from swap deals in Matrix.

Other expenses, net.  Other expenses, net in 2009 and 2008 were $304,000 and $580,000, respectively.

Gain (Loss) on Realization of Shareholdings, net.  Loss on realization of shareholdings in 2008 was $337,000.   In 2009, a new accounting standard ASC 810 (FAS160) established a reporting standard for non-controlling interests in a subsidiary and for the consolidation of a subsidiary, by requiring that all non-contolling interests in subsidiaries be reported as equity in consolidated financial statements.

 
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Taxes on Income.  Taxes on income in 2009 increased to $8.3 million compared to $3.3 million in 2008.  The increase in taxes on income in 2009 was mainly attributable to the increase in income taxes of Matrix.

Equity in Gains (Losses) of Affiliates Ccompanies, net.  Our equity in losses of affiliates, net were $335,000 in 2009 compared to $216,000 in 2008. Equity in losses of affiliate was attributable primarily to equity in losses of affiliates of Matrix.

Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests.  Net income attributable to non-controlling interests includes the non-controlling interests held by other shareholders in our consolidated companies which are not wholly owned by Formula, during each of the periods indicated. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in 2009 was $14.0 million compared to $10.8 million in 2008. This increase is primarily attributable to the improvement in the results of all of our subsidiaries.

Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007

Revenues.  Revenues increased 21.3% from $414.7 million in 2007 to $503.2 million in 2008. Revenues from the two categories of our operation were as follows:  Revenues from the delivery of software services increased 26.7% from $313.9 million in 2007 to $397.8 million in 2008. This increase was attributable to the growth in Matrix’s revenues due to an increased demand for its services. Revenues from the sale of proprietary software solutions in 2008 were $105.4 million compared to $100.8 million in 2007. This increase was attributable  primarily to an increase in Magic Software’s revenues.

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased 25.3% from $298.4 million in 2007 to $373.8 million in 2008.  As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues increased from 72.0% in 2007 to 74.3% in 2008. Cost of revenues for proprietary software solutions were $53.5 million in 2008 and $52.9 million in 2007. Cost of revenues for software services increased  by 30.5% from $245.5 million in 2007 to $320.3 million in 2008, primarily due to the increase in the cost of revenues of Matrix.

Research and Development Costs, net. Research and Development costs, gross, in 2008 and 2007 were $13.0 million and $12.7 million, respectively.  In 2008, we capitalized software costs of $6.4 million compared to $6.2 million in 2007. Capitalization of software costs in 2008 was attributable to our proprietary software solutions’ subsidiaries. Research and development costs, net, were $6.6 million and $6.5 million, in 2008 and 2007, respectively.  As a percentage of revenues, research and development costs, net decreased from 1.6% in 2007 to 1.3% in 2008.  Research and Development costs in 2008 were attributable primarily to Magic Software and Sapiens which had research and development expenditures of approximately $2.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Amortization of capitalized software costs was $7.0 million in 2008 and $6.2 million in 2007, which amounts were included in cost of revenues.

 
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2008 and 2007 were $90.4 million and $84.5 million, respectively.  As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 18.0% in 2008 and 20.4% in 2007.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was attributable to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of all of our subsidiaries.

Operating Income.  Our operating income increased from $25.3 million in 2007 to $32.4 million in 2008. The increase in the operating income is attributable to the improvement in the operating results of all of our subsidiaries, as follows: Matrix which had operating income of $27.9 million in 2008 compared to $24.5 million in 2007, Magic Software which had operating income of $4.3 million in 2008 compared to $1.3 million in 2007 and Sapiens which had operating income of $2.5 million in 2008 compared to $797,000 in 2007.

Financial Expenses, net.  Financial expenses, net increased from $3.6 million in 2007 to $5.9 million in 2008.  Financial expenses, net in 2008 are attributable to interest expenses incurred by our subsidiaries, Matrix and Sapiens, which had financial expenses of $6.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, resulting from issuance of debentures. These expenses were primarily offset by financial income in Formula which resulted from interest derived from short-term and long-term deposits and exchange rate differentials.

Other expenses, net.  Other expenses, net in 2008 and 2007 were $580,000 and $750,000, respectively.

Gain (Loss) on Realization of Shareholdings.  Loss on realization of shareholdings in 2008 was $337,000 compared to a gain of $2.0 million in 2007.   

Taxes on Income.  Taxes on income in 2008 were $3.3 million compared to $1.9 million in 2007.  The increase in taxes on income in 2008 was mainly attributable to the increase in taxes of Matrix.

Equity in Gains (Losses) of Affiliates Companies, net.  Our equity in losses of affiliates, net were $216,000 in 2008 compared to $653,000 in 2007. Equity in losses of affiliates in 2007 was attributable primarily to equity in losses of affiliate of Matrix.

Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests.  Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in 2008 was $10.8 million compared to $5.5 million in 2007. This increase was primarily attributable to the improvement in the results of Magic Software and Sapiens.
 
Impact of Inflation and Currency Fluctuations on Results of Operations

Most of our revenues and expenses from our software services are denominated in New Israeli Shekels (NIS). For financial reporting purposes, we translate all non-US dollars denominated transactions into dollars using the average exchange rate, in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Therfore, we are exposed to the risk that fluctuations in the value of the NIS relative to the dollar (such as devaluation of the NIS) may reduce our revenue growth rate in dollar terms. The average exchange rate of the dollar relative to the NIS in 2009, 2008 and 2007 was NIS 3.9, NIS 3.6 and NIS 4.1, per one dollar, respectively.  In addition, a significant portion of our revenues from proprietary software products  is currently denominated in dollars and euros, while a substantial portion of our expenses relating to the proprietary software products, principally salaries and related personnel expenses, denominated in NIS. As a result, a decrease in the value of the dollar or euro relative to the NIS, would  increase our operating costs expressed as dollars, and, therefore, could adversely affect our results of operations and harm our competitive position in the markets. To date, we have not engaged in significant hedging transactions.

 
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In addition, since most of our expenses are incurred in NIS, the dollar cost of our operations is influenced by any increase in the rate of inflation in Israel and whether it is offset, or it is not, or is offset on a lagging basis, by the devaluation of the NIS against the dollar during that period.

The debentures issued by one of our subsidiaries and certain of our credit facilities are denominated in NIS and are generally linked to the Israeli CPI. Therefore, an increase in the rate of inflation may have a material adverse effect by increasing our financial expenses.

In the future, we may enter into more or larger currency hedging transactions to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rate of the dollar or euro against the NIS and from fluctuations in the inflation rate. However, we cannot assure you that these measures will adequately protect us from the material adverse effects.

Following is a summary of the most relevant monetary indicators for the reported periods:

For the year ended December 31,
 
Inflation rate in Israel
   
Devaluation of NIS against the US$
   
Devaluation of euro against the US$
 
   
%
   
%
   
%
 
2007
    3.4       (8.9)       (11.7)  
2008
    3.8       (1.1)       5.6  
2009
    3.9       (0.7)       (3.6)  

B.           Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since inception, we have financed our growth and business primarily through cash provided by operations and through public debt and equity offerings, as well as through private  and public debt and equity offerings of our subsidiaries. In addition, we finance our business through short-term and long-term loans and borrowings available under our credit facilities.

Cash

At December 31, 2009, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $158.2 million and at December 31, 2008, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $153.6 million. At December 31, 2009, we had indebtedness to banks and others of $18.6 million, of which $10.0 million were current liabilities and $8.6 million were long-term liabilities. At December 31, 2008, we had indebtedness to banks and others of $25.1 million, of which $8.5 million were current liabilities and $16.6 million were long-term liabilities.

 
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Formula received a short-term loan of approximately $3.0 million from the First International Bank of Israel Ltd. which is secured by a pledge on a portion of our shareholdings in one of our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries maintain credit facilities with banks in accordance with their cash requirements. These credit facilities include, inter alia, certain covenants related to their operations, such as maintaining a minimum level of shareholders’ equity and reaching certain operating results targets. Some of our subsidiaries’ assets are pledged to the lender banks. If any of our subsidiaries does not meet the covenants specified in its credit agreement, and a waiver with respect to the fulfillment of such covenant has not been received from the lender bank, the lender bank may foreclose on the pledged assets to satisfy the debt.

Cash flow provided by operating activities in 2009 was $55.6 million compared to cash flow provided by operating activities of $47.4 million in 2008. Cash flow provided by operating activities in 2009 was primarily comprised of $32.9 million provided by Matrix, $13.5 million by Sapiens and $7.5 million by Magic Software. Cash flow provided by operating activities in 2008 was primarily comprised of $27.9 million provided by Matrix, $9.8 million by Sapiens and $7. 7 million by Magic Software.

Financing activities

Cash flow used by financing activities in 2009 was $53.0 million compared to cash flow used by financing activities of $59.8 million in 2008. This was mainly the result of the following transactions:

In January 2009, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of approximately $2.27 per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $30 million.

In January 2009, Formula received a short-term loan of approximately $3 million from First International Bank of Israel Ltd.

In 2009, Matrix distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $16.6 million, of which $8.2 million was received by Formula.

During  2009, Matrix  repaid long-term loans to banks of approximately $7.4 million.
 
In 2009, Sapiens paid to its debenture holders an aggregate of $5.8 million, representing the fourth and last payment of the principal of the debentures (Series A).

In April 2008, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of approximately $0.76 per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $10 million.

In March 2008, Matrix distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $11.3 million, of which $5.6 million was received by Formula.

During  2008, Matrix repaid long-term loans to banks of approximately $10.2 million.

 
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During 2008, certain of our subsidiaries repaid short-term loans to banks of approximately $15.2 million, of which  $6.7 million was repaid by Matrix, $5.0 million was repaid by Sapiens and $3.4 million was repaid by Magic Software.

In 2008, Sapiens re-purchased an aggregate amount of NIS 7.6 million nominal value of its debentures, representing approximately $2.1 million. In addition, Sapiens paid to its debenture holders $3.5 million, representing the third payment of the principal of the debentures (Series A).

Recent financing activities

In April 2010, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of $1.47  per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $20.0 million.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $12.8  million in 2009 and $41.0 million in 2008. These investing activities were comprised of the following transactions:

In October 2009, we completed the sale of our entire 100% shareholdings in our subsidiary nextSource, for aggregate consideration of approximately $12 million, of which $8 million was paid in cash and the remainder through the release of $4 million of bank deposits that were previously pledged in favor of banks to secure obligations of nextSource.

In 2009, we purchased in the open market 285,262 shares of Matrix for an aggregate consideration of $1.2 million.

In 2009, our subsidiaries capitalized software development costs and other costs in an aggregate amount of $6.8 million.

In 2009, Matrix made an additional payment of $6.4 million to the seller of TACT Computers and Systems Ltd.

During 2009, Matrix acquired certain businesses for an aggregate of $2.7 million.

In December 2009, Magic software sold its Israel-based headquarters' office building for an aggregate of $5.2 million, of which $4.9 million was received in December 2009.

In 2009, we sold marketable securities for aggregate consideration of $1.6 million.

In 2008, we purchased in the open market shares of several of our subsidiaries as follows:  217,127 shares of Matrix for aggregate consideration of $815,000, 2,392,531 shares of Magic Software for aggregate consideration of $4.5 million and 3,442,836 shares of Sapiens for aggregate consideration of $6.3 million.

 
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In 2008, Matrix purchased 25% of the outstanding shares of its subsidiary Tangram Soft Ltd. for aggregate consideration of $4.7 million.

In 2008, our subsidiaries capitalized software development costs and other costs in an aggregate amount of $6.7 million.

In 2008, Matrix and Magic Software purchased marketable securities for aggregate consideration of $7.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

On December 30, 2007, Magic Software entered into an agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, AAOD, a Florida corporation, to Fortissimo Capital, for $17.0 million.  Magic Software received $1.0 million of the sale proceeds in December 2007 and $16.0 million in March 2008.

In 2008, Matrix purchased all the shares of TACT Computers and Systems Ltd. for an aggregate consideration of $12.5 million.

We believe that our available cash revenues, together with cash flows from operating activities, will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for at least the next 12 months at the current level of operations. We will consider in the future additional equity issuances, debt issuances or borrowings from banks if necessary to meet cash needs for our growth.  Should we require additional financing in the future, we cannot assure you that such financing will be available on favorable terms or at all.

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Formula received a short-term loan of approximately $3 million from the First International Bank of Israel Ltd. which is secured by a pledge on a portion of our shareholdings in one of our subsidiaries.   Some of our subsidiaries have liens on leased vehicles, leased equipment and other assets in favor of the leasing companies.

Other Contractual Commitments

The loan agreements of our subsidiaries contain a number of conditions and limitations on the way in which they can operate their businesses, including limitations on their ability to raise debt and sell or acquire assets. For example, Matrix's loan agreement includes a negative pledge with respect to Matrix's assets, as well as limitations on Matrix's ability to provide guarantees to third parties and sell or transfer its assets. The loan agreements of our subsidiaries also contain various covenants which require them to maintain certain financial ratios related to shareholders’ equity and operating results that are customary for companies of comparable size.

We entered into an undertaking to indemnify our office holders in specified limited categories of events and in specified amounts, subject to certain limitations. For more information, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Indemnification of Office Holders.”

 
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Effective Corporate Tax Rates in Israel

Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959

Certain of the companies in the Formula Group have been granted Approved Enterprise status under the Investment Law. Accordingly, subject to compliance with applicable requirements, the portion of our subsidiary's undistributed income derived from our "Approved Enterprise" programs shall be exempt from income tax for a period of two to four years, followed by five to eight  years with reduced tax rate of 25% on income derived from “Approved Enterprise” investment programs. In order to qualify for these  incentives, the “Approved Enterprise” is required to comply with the requirements of the Investment Law. We cannot assure you that these companies will comply with all of the applicable requirements, that these companies will obtain approval for additional Approved Enterprises, that the provisions of the Investment Law will not change, or that the minimum requirement of foreign shareholding portion will be reached or maintained for each subsequent year.

On April 1, 2005, the Israeli Parliament passed an amendment to the Investment Law, in which it revised the criteria for investments qualified to receive tax benefits.  An eligible investment program under the amendment will qualify for benefits as a privileged enterprise (rather than the previous terminology of approved enterprise).  Among other things, the amendment provides tax benefits to both local and foreign investors and simplifies the approval process. If the investment programs of the Formula Group companies comply with the requirements of the law, they will be entitled to certain tax benefits.  We cannot assure you that any additional investment program adopted by any of these companies in the future will comply with the requirements of the law or that the tax benefits for investment programs will continue at current levels.

Corporate Tax

Following the tax reform enacted in 2003, an Israeli company is subject to tax on its worldwide income. An Israeli company that is subject to Israeli taxes on the income of its non-Israeli subsidiaries will receive a credit for income taxes paid by the subsidiary in its country of residence, subject to certain conditions. Israeli tax payers are also subject to tax on income from a controlled foreign corporation, according to which an Israeli company may become subject to Israeli taxes on certain income of a non-Israeli subsidiary, if such subsidiary’s primary source of income is a passive income (such as interest, dividends, royalties, rental income, or capital gains).

On January 1, 2006, an additional tax reform took place relating primarily to profits from investments. The main goal of the reform was to unify the tax rates applicable to profits from investments, such as interest, capital gains, and dividends. In addition, under the reform, the tax rates applicable to companies were reduced to 26% in 2009 and 25% in 2010. Under an amendment to the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance enacted in July 2009, the corporate tax rate is scheduled to be further reduced to 24% in 2011, 23% in 2012, 22% in 2013, 21% in 2014, 20% in 2015 and 18% in 2016.

 
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Our international operations are taxed at the local effective corporate tax rate in the countries of our subsidiaries’ residence. In the future we may derive an increasing percentage of our income from operations outside of Israel. If that occurs, our effective tax rate may increase. However, we expect that this increase will be offset by carried forward accumulated losses of consolidated companies.

C.           Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

The net amount we spent on research and development activities in 2009, 2008 and 2007 totaled $4.4 million, $6.6 million and $6.5 million, respectively.   For more information about our research and development activities, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Software Development.”

For information concerning our intellectual property rights, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Intellectual Property Rights.”

D.           Trend Information

The recent global economic and financial market crisis has caused, among other things, a general tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, and reduced corporate profits and capital spending, all of which have had a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The continuing slowdown in the global economy may continue to have this negative effect.
 
Demand for our products and services depends in large part upon the level of IT capital spending and investment in IT projects by our customers. The current economic conditions have reduced the willingness or ability of our customers and prospective customers to commit funds to IT projects, and may reduce their ability to pay for our products and services after purchase, whether as a result of possible customer insolvencies or otherwise. This has resulted in a longer sales cycles and increased pressure on pricing. We cannot predict the timing or duration of the global economic slowdown or the timing or strength of any subsequent economic recovery. We also cannot know how the economic conditions will affect our business. As we continue to market new products and penetrate international markets, we expect our selling, general and administrative expenses to continue to be relatively high.
 
E.           Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 
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F.           Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2009.

   
Payments due by period
 
   
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1-3
years
   
3-5
Years
   
More than
5 years
   
Other (1)
 
   
$ in thousands
 
Long-term debt obligations (2)
    88,592       21,479       8,556       58,557    
--
   
--
 
Lease obligations
    42,913       20,331       18,262       4,122       198    
--
 
Liability in respect of the acquisition of activities
    1,727       210       505       505       507    
--
 
Other long-term liabilities reflected on our balance sheet under U.S. GAAP
    9,762       --       --       --       --       9,762  
Total
  $ 142,994     $ 42,020     $ 27,323     $ 63,184     $ 705     $ 9,762  
________________
(1)           Other obligations include severance pay which was not funded by us, the due date of which is unknown.
(2)           Does not include interest.
 
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A.           Directors and Senior Management

The following table describes information about our directors and senior management as of April 22, 2010.

Name
 
Age
 
Position
Guy Bernstein
 
42
 
Chief Executive Officer
Naftali Shani
 
60
 
Chairman of the Board
Nir Feller
 
37
 
Chief Financial Officer
Shimon Laor
 
43
 
Director
Tal Barnoach
 
47
 
Director
Dafna Cohen
 
40
 
Director
Dr. Shlomo Nass (1)
 
50
 
Director
Dr. Ronnie Vinkler  (1)(2)
 
64
 
Director
Ofer Lavie  (1) (2)
 
65
 
Director
___________

(1) 
A member of our audit committee.
(2) 
An outside director under the Companies Law. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Board Practices—Outside Directors; Audit Committee; Internal Auditor; Approval of Certain Transactions Under the Companies Law,” below.

 
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Guy Bernstein was appointed our chief executive officer in January 2008. Mr. Bernstein served as a member of our board of directors from November 2006 to December 2008. Since December 2006 , Mr. Bernstein has served as chief executive officer of Emblaze, our controlling shareholder, a publicly-traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Mr. Bernstein also serves as the chairman of the boards of directors of Matrix and Sapiens and as a acting chief executive officer and director of Magic Software. From April 2004 to December 2006, Mr. Bernstein served as the chief financial officer of Emblaze. He has served as a director of Emblaze since April 2004.  Prior thereto, Mr. Bernstein served as the chief financial and operations officer of Magic Software, a position he held since 1999. He joined Magic Software from Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global, where he acted as senior manager from 1994 to 1997.  Mr. Bernstein holds a B.A. degree in accounting and economics from Tel Aviv University and is a certified public accountant in Israel.

Naftali Shani has served as chairman of our board of directors since January 2009. Mr. Shani also serves as the chairman of the board of directors of Emblaze, our controlling shareholder. Prior to founding Emblaze, Mr. Shani served as general manager of Bartrade Ltd., a subsidiary of Bank Leumi, one of Israel's leading banks and as general manager of the Israeli Chemical Company, Pazchem. Prior thereto, Mr. Shani was the treasurer and controller of the Israeli Prime Minister's office. Mr. Shani holds a B.A. degree in economics.

Nir Feller has served as our chief financial officer since September 2009. Mr. Feller has also served as the vice president of finance of Emblaze since January 2009 and as a director of Matrix since August 2009. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Feller served as the director of finance of Emblaze. Prior to that, from 2004 to 2006, Mr. Feller served as the controller of the Emblaze group of companies. Mr. Feller holds an M.B.A. from the Tel-Aviv University, a B.A. in economics and accounting and he is a certified public accountant in Israel.

Shimon Laor has served as one of our directors since November 2006.  He also served as a director of Emblaze and as its chief financial officer from 1995 to 2000. Since then, he has been engaged in private business initiatives. Mr. Laor also serves as a director of  Emblaze VCON Ltd., a partially-owned subsidiary of Emblaze. Prior to joining Emblaze in August 1995, Mr. Laor served as an economist at the head office foreign currency division of the First International Bank of Israel.  Mr. Laor holds a B.A. degree in economics and accounting from Tel Aviv University.

Tal Barnoach has served as one of our directors since November 2006.  Since 1994, Mr. Barnoach has served as chairman and chief executive officer of S.E.A. Multimedia. In addition, from 2002 to 2006, he served as the chief executive officer of BeInSync, a company he co-founded in 2002. Mr. Barnoach also serves as the executive vice chairman of Zone IP, a subsidiary of  Emblaze. Since 1999, Mr. Barnoach has served as chairman of Orca Interactive Ltd. Mr. Barnoach holds a B.A. degree in economics from Tel Aviv University.

Dafna Cohen has served as one of our directors since October 2009. Ms.Cohen also serves as  director of XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.  Ms.Cohen served as director of investments and treasurer of Emblaze from 2005 to 2009. Prior to that, Ms. Cohen served as a director of sales and marketing for institutional investors at Tamir-Fishman. Prior to that, Ms. Cohen served as an investment manager for Leumi Partners and as a department manager at the derivatives sector and a foreign securities dealer of Bank Leumi. Ms. Cohen holds an M.B.A. and a B.A. degree in economics and political science, both from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

 
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Dr. Shlomo Nass has served as one of our directors and as chairman of our audit committee since April 2003. Dr. Nass is a senior partner at Dr. Shlomo Nass and Co. Ltd., and a president of and a partner in I.G.B. – Israel Global Business, an investment group. Dr. Nass performed various public duties and serves as a director of I.G.B., IRS-TKB International Consultants Ltd., TAO, N.M.C., Partner Communications Company Ltd., Aviv Arlon Ltd., Clicksoftware Technologies Ltd.,The Azure Beach Development Company (Tel Aviv-Herzliya) Ltd., Shir Lak Ltd., M.D.K. Touch Ltd. and Haniman Enterprises Ltd. Dr. Nass holds a B.Sc. degree in economics and accounting, an LL.B. degree, and a Ph.D degree in law, all from Bar-Ilan University. He is a certified public accountant in Israel and a member of the Israel Bar.    

Dr. Ronnie Vinkler has served as one of our outside directors and as a member of our audit committee since March 2007. Dr. Vinkler is an independent business development and management analysis consultant.  From 2003 until 2009, Dr. Vinkler also served as a director of Kaman Capital Ltd. In 2002 and 2003, Dr. Vinkler served as general manager of Icom Mobile (Israel).  From 2000 to 2002, he served as general manager of B.I.S. Advanced Software Solutions Ltd. Since 2003, Dr. Vinkler has been in charge of business development with several companies including Tesnet and Aman Computers. Dr. Vinkler holds a B.Sc. degree in aeronautical engineering and industrial engineering and management from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and a M.Sc. and Ph.D in aeronautical engineering from Caltech, California Institute of Technology.

Ofer Lavie has served as one of our outside directors and as a member of our audit committee since March 2007. Mr. Lavie is an independent financial business development consultant.  From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Lavie served as the chief financial officer of Metalink Ltd., a public company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market and the TASE. Mr. Lavie also serves as a director of Yozma Pension Fund for Self Employed Ltd. and Migdal Management of Provident Funds Ltd., both memebers of the Migdal Group companies. Mr. Lavie also serves as a director of Alpa Cosmetics Ltd. and as an outside director of Procognia (Israel) Ltd. and Shaniv Paper Industries Ltd., publicly held companies traded on the TASE. In addition, Mr. Lavie serves as the chief executive officer of the CFO Forum Education Center in Israel. Mr. Lavie holds a B.Sc. degree in economics from Tel Aviv University.

B.           Compensation

In 2009, Formula paid to its directors and officers (nine persons) aggregate direct remuneration of approximately $1,733,000. This amount includes amounts set aside or accrued to provide post-employment benefits.

This amount does not include the following:

 
amounts expended by us for automobiles made available to Formula’s officers;

 
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expenses, including business travel, professional and business association dues and expenses, that Formula reimburses its officers for; and

 
other fringe benefits that companies in Israel commonly reimburse or pay to their officers.

The amount also includes payment of director’s fees to Formula’s outside directors and Dr. Shlomo Nass.  Formula compensates its outside directors in accordance with the regulations promulgated under the Israeli Companies Law, 1999, referred to as the Companies Law. Formula compensates Dr. Shlomo Nass in such amounts specified in the regulations.

Under Israeli law, Formula is not required to disclose, and has not otherwise disclosed, the compensation of its senior management and directors on an individual basis.

Under his service agreement, our chief executive officer, Mr. Guy Bernstein, is entitled to a monthly salary and an annual bonus in an amount equal to 3.3% of our net profit (including capital gains) after tax. An advance of 70% of the bonus is paid quarterly, based on our quarterly financial statements, subject to final adjustment at the end of each year.

For information regarding options to purchase ordinary shares granted to Mr. Bernstein, see "Item 6.E. Share Ownership" below.
 
C.           Board Practices

Pursuant to our articles of association, directors are elected at the annual general meeting of shareholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting. Our board is comprised of 7 persons, of which the following three have been determined by the board to be independent within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ requirements: Shlomo Nass, Ronnie Vinkler and Ofer Lavie. The board includes two outside directors mandated under Israeli law and subject to additional criteria to help ensure their independence. See “Outside Directors” below. Each director, except for the outside directors, holds office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders. Officers are appointed by our board of directors. For information regarding the employment agreements of Mr. Bernstein, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesCompensation.”

Companies trading on The NASDAQ Global Market are generally required to have a majority of their board members be independent. We are exempt from this requirement under the “controlled company” exemption because more than 50% of our voting power is held by Emblaze.

Under a recent amendment to the Companies Law, a person who lacks the necessary qualifications and the ability to devote an appropriate amount of time to the performance of his or her duties as a director shall not be appointed director of a publicly traded company and shall not serve as a director of such company. While determining a person's compliance with such provisions, the company's special requirements and its scope of business shall be taken into consideration. Where the agenda of a shareholders meeting of a publicly traded company includes the appointment of directors, each director nominee should submit a declaration to the company confirming that he or she has the necessary qualifications and that he or she is able to devote an appropriate amount of time to performance of his or her duties as a director. In the declaration, the director nominee should specify his or her qualifications and confirm that the restrictions set out in the Companies Law, do not apply.

 
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Under the Companies Law, if a director ceases to comply with any of the requirements provided in the Companies Law, such director must notify the company immediately about it, and his or her term of service shall terminate on the date of the notice.

Outside Directors under the Companies Law

Under the Companies Law, companies incorporated under the laws of Israel whose shares have been offered to the public in or outside of Israel, are required to appoint at least two outside directors. This law provides that a person may not be appointed as an outside director if the person or the person’s relative, partner, employer, another person to whom he or she was directly or indirectly subject, or any entity under the person’s control, has, as of the date of the person’s appointment to serve as outside director, or had, during the two years preceding that date, any affiliation with the company or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the company. The term “affiliation” includes:
 
 
an employment relationship;
 
 
a business or professional relationship maintained on a regular basis;
 
 
control; and
 
 
service as an office holder.
 
No person may serve as an outside director if the person’s position or other business activities create, or may create, a conflict of interest with the person’s responsibilities as an outside director or may otherwise interfere with the person’s ability to serve as an outside director or if the person is an employee of the Israel Securities Authority or of an Israeli stock exchange. If, at the time of election of an outside director, all other directors are of the same gender, the outside director to be elected must be of the other gender. Outside directors are to be elected by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, provided that either:
 
 
the majority of shares voted at the meeting, including at least one-third of the shares of non-controlling shareholders voted at the meeting, vote in favor of election of the director; or
 
 
the total number of shares of non-controlling shareholders voted against the election of the director does not exceed one percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company.
 
Pursuant to the Companies Law, all outside directors must have financial and accounting expertise or professional qualifications, and at least one outside director must have financial and accounting expertise. The terms “financial and accounting expertise” and “professional qualifications” are defined in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law.
 
 
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If an outside director ceases to comply with any of the requirements provided in the Companies Law with respect to the appointment of outside directors, such outside director must notify the company immediately about it, and his term of service shall terminate on the date of the notice.

The initial term of an outside director is three years and may be extended by the general meeting of shareholders, for an additional three years. In October 2009, Mr. Ronnie Vinkler  and Mr. Ofer Lavie were reappointed as our outside directors, each to hold office until October 2012. In accordance with the Israeli Companies Regulations (Alleviation for Public Companies Whose Shares are Listed on a Stock Exchange Outside of Israel) 2000, dual listed companies, like us, may re-appoint an outside director for additional three-year terms, above the maximum six-year term permitted under the Companies Law, if the audit committee and the board of directors confirm that due to the expertise and special contribution of the outside director to the work of the board and its committees, his or her re-appointment is in the best interests of the company.

Each committee of a company’s board of directors is required to include at least one outside director and  the audit committee must include all the outside directors.

An outside director is entitled to compensation as provided in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law and is otherwise prohibited from receiving any compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with services provided as an outside director.

    Independent Directors Under the Companies Law

    Under an amendment to the Companies Law adopted in 2008, a publicly traded company may prescribe in its articles of association that its board of directors shall include independent directors in such number or such percentage as to be provided in the articles. An "independent director" is defined as a director who meets all of the following:

 
·
the audit committee confirms that he or she meets the qualifications for being appointed as an outside director, except for the requirement for financial and accounting expertise or professional qualifications; and
 
·
he or she has not served as a director of the company for a period exceeding nine consecutive years. For this purpose, a break of up to two years in the service shall not be deemed to interrupt the continuation of the service.

The Companies Law provides that if the company has no controlling shareholder or no shareholder that holds at least 25% of the voting rights in the company, most of the members of the board shall be independent directors. If the company has a controlling shareholder or a shareholder that holds at least 25% of the voting rights therein, at least one-third of the directors shall be independent directors.

As of the date of this annual report, our articles of association have not yet been amended to include these provisions of the Companies Law relating to independent directors.

 
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Qualifications of Other Directors Under the Companies Law

Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of a publicly traded company is required to make a determination as to the minimum number of directors who must have financial and accounting expertise according to criteria that is defined in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law. In accordance with the Companies Law, the determination of the board should be based on, among other things, the type of the company, its size, the volume and complexity of its activities and the number of directors. Based on the foregoing considerations, our board determined that the number of directors with financial and accounting expertise in our company shall not be less than one.

Audit Committee

The Companies Law requires public companies to appoint an audit committee, comprised of at least three directors, including all of the outside directors. The chairman of the board of directors, any director employed by or otherwise providing services to the company, and a controlling shareholder or any relative of a controlling shareholder, may not be a member of the audit committee.

In addition, under applicable NASDAQ rules, we are currently required to have at least three independent directors and to maintain an audit committee, whose members are independent of management. We have established an audit committee, consisting of our two outside directors, Ronnie Vinkler and Ofer Lavie, as well as Shlomo Nass. Each audit committee member qualifies as an independent director under the applicable NASDAQ rules and those of the SEC. The board has determined that Shlomo Nass is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by applicable SEC regulations. See “Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert.”
 
Under the Companies Law, the audit committee is responsible for overseeing the business management practices of the company in consultation with the company’s internal auditor and the independent auditor, making recommendations to the board to improve such practices and approving related party transactions as required by the Companies Law. In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and NASDAQ requirements, our audit committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent auditors, subject to shareholder approval as required under Israeli law. In addition, the audit committee is responsible for assisting the board in monitoring our financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal controls. We have adopted a formal audit committee charter that we have implemented, embodying these responsibilities.

Internal Auditor

        Under the Companies Law, the board of directors should appoint an internal auditor, nominated by the audit committee. The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among other matters, whether the company’s actions comply with the law and orderly business procedure. Under the Companies Law, the internal auditor may be an employee of the company but not an office holder, or an interested party (i.e., a holder of 5% or more of the voting rights in the company or of the issued share capital, the chief executive officer of the company or any of its directors, or a person who has the authority to appoint the company’s chief executive officer or any of its directors), or a relative of an office holder or of an interested party. In addition, the company’s independent auditor or its representative may not serve as the company’s internal auditor.

 
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                Exculpation, Insurance and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Under the Companies Law, an Israeli company may not exempt an office holder from liability with respect to a breach of his duty of loyalty, but may exempt in advance an office holder from his liability to the company, in whole or in part, with respect to a breach of his duty of care, provided, however, that such a breach is not related to a distribution of a dividend or any other distribution by the company.

Office Holders’ Insurance. Our articles of association provide that, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, we may enter into a contract for the insurance of the liability of any of our office holders imposed on the office holder in respect of an act performed in his or her capacity as an office holder, with respect to:
 
 
a breach of his duty of care to us or to another person;
 
a breach of his duty of loyalty to us, provided that the office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable cause to assume that his act would not prejudice our interests; or
 
a financial liability imposed upon him in favor of another person.

We have obtained an insurance policy covering the Formula Group’s directors’ and officers’ liability. Our subsidiaries participate in the premium payments of the insurance, on a proportional basis. The total premium we paid during 2009 was approximately $200,000.

Indemnification of Office Holders. Our articles of association provide that we may indemnify an office holder in respect of an obligation or expense imposed on or expended by an office holder in respect of an act performed in his capacity as an office holder as specified below:

 
(i)
a financial liability imposed on him in favor of another person by any judgment, including a settlement or an arbitrator’s award approved by a court;

 
(ii)
reasonable litigation expenses, including attorney’s fees, expended by the office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding instituted against him by a competent authority, provided that such investigation or proceeding concluded without the filing of an indictment against him, and either (i) concluded without the imposition of any financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings; or (ii) concluded with the imposition of a financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings but relates to a criminal offense that does not require proof of criminal intent; and

 
(iii)
reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys’ fees, expended by the office holder or charged to him by a court, in proceedings instituted against him by another person, or in a criminal charge from which he was acquitted or in any criminal proceedings of a crime which does not require proof of criminal intent in which he was convicted.
 
 
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We may undertake to indemnify an office holder as aforesaid, (a) prospectively, provided that in respect of (i) above, the undertaking is limited to categories of events that in the opinion of our board of directors are foreseeable in light of the company’s operations at the time that the undertaking to indemnify is given, and for an amount or criteria that our board has determined as reasonable under the circumstances, and further provided that such events and amount or criteria are indicated in the indemnification undertaking, but in any event no more than 25% of Formula's shareholders equity according to its most recent financial statements as of the date of the actual payment of indemnification; and (b) retroactively.

Limitations on Exemption, Insurance and Indemnification. The Companies Law provides that a company may not indemnify an office holder, enter into an insurance contract which would provide coverage for any monetary liability, or exempt an office holder from liability, with respect to any of the following:

 
a breach by the office holder of his duty of loyalty unless the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company;
 
a breach by the office holder of his duty of care if the breach was done intentionally or recklessly, except for a breach that was made in negligence;
 
any act or omission done with the intent to derive an illegal personal benefit;
 
any fine levied against the office holder; or
 
a counterclaim made by the company or in its name in connection with a claim against the company filed by the office holder.
 
In addition, under the Companies Law, indemnification of, and procurement of insurance coverage for, our office holders must be approved by our audit committee and our board of directors and, in specified circumstances, by our shareholders.

We have entered into an undertaking to indemnify our office holders in specified limited categories of events and in specified amounts, subject to the limitations set by the Companies Law and our articles of association, as described above. For more information, see “Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions – Indemnification of Office Holders.”

Approval of Certain Transactions Under the Companies Law

The Companies Law codifies the fiduciary duties that “office holders,” including directors and executive officers, owe to a company. An office holder’s fiduciary duties consist of a duty of care and a duty of loyalty. The duty of loyalty includes (i) avoiding any conflict of interest between the office holder’s position in the company and his personal affairs, (ii) avoiding any competition with the company, (iii) avoiding exploiting any business opportunity of the company in order to receive personal advantage for himself or others, and (iv) revealing to the company any information or documents relating to the company’s affairs which the office holder has received due to his position as an office holder. Each person listed in the table under ”Directors and Senior Management” above is an office holder. Under the Companies Law, arrangements regarding the compensation of directors require the approval of the audit committee, the board of directors and shareholder approval, except in certain circumstances prescribed in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law.

 
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The Companies Law requires that an office holder of a company promptly disclose any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information known to him or her, in connection with any existing or proposed transaction by the company. In addition, if the transaction is an “extraordinary transaction” as defined under the Companies Law, the office holder must also disclose any personal interest held by the office holder’s spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, descendants, spouse’s descendants and the spouses of any of the foregoing. In addition, the office holder must also disclose any interest held by any corporation in which the office holder owns 5% or more of the share capital, is a director or general manager or in which he or she has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager. An “extraordinary transaction” is defined as a transaction other than in the ordinary course of business, otherwise than on market terms, or that is likely to have a material impact on the company’s profitability, assets or liabilities.

Following the disclosure by the office holder of his or her interest in the transaction, the transaction should be approved by such entities prescribed under the Companies Law, provided that the transaction is not adverse to the company’s interest. If the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, the company must receive any approval stipulated by the articles of association, the approval of the company’s audit committee and the approval of the board of directors, as well as, under certain circumstances, approval by a meeting of the shareholders of the company. A director who has a personal interest in a matter which is considered at a meeting of the board of directors or the audit committee may not be present at this meeting or vote on this matter unless the majority of the board members or members of the audit committee, as applicable, have a personal interest in such matter and in such case, the matter should also be approved by the shareholders of the company.

The Companies Law applies the same disclosure requirements to a controlling shareholder of a public company, which includes a shareholder that holds 25% or more of the voting rights in the company if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting rights in the company. Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and the terms of compensation of a controlling shareholder or its relative who is an office holder or an employee of the company, require the approval of the audit committee, the board of directors and the shareholders of the company. The shareholder approval must include at least one-third of the shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction and are voting on the subject matter or, alternatively, the total shareholdings of those who have no personal interest in the transaction who vote against the transaction must not represent more than one percent of the voting rights in the company. In certain cases provided in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law, shareholder approval is not required.

 
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The approvals of the board of directors and shareholders are required for a private placement of securities (or a series of related private placements during a 12-month period or that are part of one continuous transaction or transactions conditioned upon each other) in which:

the securities issued represent at least 20% of the company’s actual voting power prior to the issuance of such securities, and such issuance increases the relative holdings of a 5% shareholder or causes any person to become a 5% shareholder, and the consideration in the transaction (or a portion thereof) is not in cash or in securities listed on a recognized stock exchange, or is not at a fair market value; or

a person would become, as a result of such transaction, a controlling shareholder of the company.

D.           Employees

The table below presents certain information regarding the average number of employees employed by each of our subsidiaries and their geographical area of employment, in the periods indicated.

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Matrix
    4,200       4,200       3,341  
Magic Software
    397       422       414  
Sapiens
    295       283       302  
Total
    4,892       4,905       4,057  
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
In Israel
    4,525       4,504       3,662  
In Europe
    114       117       117  
In the United States and Canada
     118        149        131  
In Asia
    135       135       147  
Total
    4,892       4,905       4,057  
 
The increase in the number of employees in 2008 compared to 2007 is related primarily to the increase in the number of employees in Matrix.

With respect to our employees in Israel, we are subject to various Israeli labor laws and labor practices, and to administrative orders extending certain provisions of collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut (Israel’s General Federation of Labor) and the Coordinating Bureau of Economic Organizations (the Israeli federation of employers’ organizations) to all private sector employees. For example, mandatory cost of living adjustments, which compensate Israeli employees for a portion of the increase in the Israeli consumer price index, are determined, from time to time, on a nationwide basis. Israeli law also requires the payment of severance benefits upon the termination, retirement (in some instances) or death of an employee. We meet this requirement by (i) contributing on an ongoing basis towards “managers’ insurance” funds that combine pension, insurance and, if applicable, severance pay benefits and (ii) payment of differences, if applicable. In addition, Israeli employers and employees are required to pay specified percentages of wages to the National Insurance Institute. Other provisions of Israeli law or regulation govern matters such as the length of the workday, minimum wages, other terms of employment and restrictions on discrimination. We are also subject to the labor laws and regulations of other jurisdictions in the world where we have employees.

 
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E.           Share Ownership
 
        As of April 22, 2010, none of our directors or officers had a share ownership in our company, nor did they hold options to purchase shares, except for Mr. Guy Bernstein, our chief executive officer, as described below.

In  January 2009, we granted to Mr. Bernstein, in connection with his service agreement, options to purchase 396,000 ordinary shares, exercisable at an exercise price of NIS 0.01 per share. These options vest over a three-year period, commencing on December 17, 2008, on a quarterly basis. According to the terms of the grant, Mr. Bernstein exercised all of the options in April 2010, prior to the distribution by Formula of the 2010 dividend. As a result, as of April 22, 2010, Mr. Bernstein is the beneficial owner of 2.9% of our outstanding share capital. However, in accordance with the terms of the grant, the shares are deposited with a trustee and Mr. Bernstein is not permitted to vote or dispose of them until the shares are released from the trust, on such terms described in the grant letter.

Arrangements Involving the Issue or Grant of Options to Purchase Shares

Formula’s 2008 Share Option Plan

In March 2008, our shareholders approved the adoption of Formula’s 2008 Employee and Office Holders Share Option Plan, referred to as the plan. Pursuant to the plan, we may grant from time to time to our and our subsidiaries’ employees and office holders (which are not Formula’s controlling shareholders) options to purchase up to 400,000 ordinary shares of Formula. The plan is administered by our board of directors.  The plan provides that options may be granted, from time to time, to such grantees to be determined by the board, at an exercise price and under such terms to be determined at their sole and absolute discretion. Options may be granted under the plan through January 2018.

Of the options available for grant under the plan, we granted in January 2009, options to purchase 396,000 ordinary shares to our chief executive officer, each exercisable at an exercise price of NIS 0.01. For more information, see “Item 6.E. Share Ownership,” above.

 
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Option Plans of Our Subsidiaries

Our subsidiaries generally have share option plans pursuant to which qualified directors, employees and consultants may be granted options for the purchase of securities in these subsidiaries.
 
ITEM 7.  MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A.         Major Shareholders

The following table presents information regarding the ownership of Formula’s ordinary shares at April 22, 2010 by each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Formula’s ordinary shares based on information provided to us by the holders or disclosed in public filings with the SEC.  None of the holders of the ordinary shares listed in this table have voting rights different from other holders of Formula’s ordinary shares. Except where indicated otherwise, we believe, based on information furnished by these owners, that the beneficial owners of Formula’s shares listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares.

Name and Address
 
Shares Beneficially
Owned
   
Percent of
Class (1)
   
Percent of
Voting (2)
 
Emblaze Ltd.(3)
    6,687,642       49.2 %     50.7 %
Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd.(4)
    1,272,568 (5)     9.4 %     9.6 %
Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd. (6)
    1,406,657 (7)     10.3 %     10.7 %
____________________
(1)
Ordinary shares deemed beneficially owned by virtue of the right of any person or group to acquire these ordinary shares within 60 days of April 22, 2010, are treated as outstanding only for the purposes of determining the percent owned by this person or group. Percentages in the above table are based on 13,596,000 ordinary shares outstanding as of April 22, 2010.
(2)
Voting rights are calculated based on 13,200,000 ordinary shares outstanding, each of which confer upon its holder voting rights as of April 22, 2010, and exclude 396,000 ordinary shares which were issued to Mr. Guy Bernstein upon exercise of options, but as of April 22, 2010, do not confer upon their holder voting rights in accordance with the terms of the grant.
(3)
In November 2006, Emblaze Ltd., referred to as Emblaze, purchased from FIMGold LP all of its shareholdings in Formula, i.e. 4,406,237 ordinary shares representing approximately 33.4% of our outstanding share capital. Between September 2006 and until December 2006, Emblaze purchased in several private transactions, an aggregate of 1,184,183 ordinary shares of Formula, representing approximately 8.97% of Formula's outstanding share capital. In March 2007, Emblaze exercised its right to purFchase from the former president and director of Formula 325,000 ordinary shares of Formula, representing approximately 2.46% of Formula's outstanding share capital. In March 2007, Emblaze increased its shareholdings to 50.1% through a tender offer. Since then, Emblaze purchased additional shares of Formula in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, bringing its holdings in Formula to 50.7%, as of  December 31, 2009. As of April 20, 2010, Emblaze holds 49.2% of the outstanding share capital of Formula.  Emblaze is a public company traded on the main list of the London Stock Exchange. Emblaze informed Formula that according to reports from its major shareholders their respective holdings are : Naftali Shani, the chairman of the board of directors of  Emblaze - 13.9%, Eli Reifman - 15.5%, Fortissimo Capital Management Ltd. - 16.1%, Schroders Plc  - 16.0 and Donald Sturm  - 8.9%.
 
 
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(4)
Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd. is a holding company publicly-traded on the TASE. 61.9% of Menora Mivtachim Holding’s outstanding shares are held, directly and indirectly, by Menachem Gurevitch, and 38.1% are publicly held.
(5)
Pursuant to Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed on June 1, 2009, the shares reported as beneficially owned by Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd., referred to as Menora Holdings, are held for members of the public through, among others, provident funds, mutual funds, pension funds and insurance policies, which are managed by wholly-owned subsidiaries of Menora Holdings, each of which operates under independent management and makes independent voting and investment decisions. .
(6)
Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd., referred to as Clal Insurance, is publicly traded on the TASE. The controlling shareholder of Clal Insurance is IDB Development Corporation Ltd. (55.09%) and Bank Hapoalim Ltd. holds a 9.53% interest in Clal Insurance.
(7)
Pursuant to Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G filed on February 16, 2010, of the 1,406,657 shares reported as beneficially owned by Clal Insurance (i) 1,405,955 shares are held for members of the public through, among others, provident funds, mutual funds, pension funds, index-linked securities and insurance policies, which are managed by subsidiaries of Clal Insurance, each of which subsidiaries operates under independent management and makes independent voting and investment decisions; and (ii) 702 shares are held by third-party client accounts managed by Clal Finance Batucha Investment Management Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Clal Finance Ltd., as portfolio managers, which operates under independent management and makes investment decisions independent of Clal Insurance and Clal Finance and has no voting power in the securities held by such client accounts.
 
As of April 22, 2010, 13,596,000 ordinary shares were issued and outstanding, excluding 24,780 ordinary shares that we purchased during 2002. On April 22, 2010, we had approximately 2 shareholders of record. All of our ordinary shares have equal voting rights. However, under applicable Israeli law, the shares we hold have no voting rights and, therefore, are excluded from the number of our outstanding shares.

As of April 22, 2010, 786,860 ADSs were issued and outstanding pursuant to a depositary agreement with The Bank of New York, representing approximately 5.8% of our ordinary shares. As of that date, there were approximately 26 registered holders of ADSs in the United States.

B.           Related Party Transactions

Indemnification of Office Holders

Our office holders' indemnification letters provide, among other things, that  we will indemnify each of our office holders to the maximum extent permitted by our articles of association. Advance payments for coverage of legal expenses in criminal proceedings will be required to be repaid by  office holders to the company if such office holder is found guilty of a crime which requires proof of criminal intent, or if it is determined that the office holder is not lawfully entitled to such indemnification.

All of the indemnification letters granted to our office holders are identical, including indemnification letters granted to office holders who are or may be considered “controlling persons” under the Companies Law.

 
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        The indemnification is limited to the expenses and matters detailed in the indemnification letters insofar as they result from the office holder’s actions which includes, among other things, the following matters: the offering of securities by us to the public or to private investors; the offer by us to purchase securities from the public, private investors or other holders, whether pursuant to a prospectus, agreement, tender or any other proceeding; occurrences resulting from being a public company, or from the fact that our securities were offered to the public and traded on the NASDAQ and on the TASE; and occurrences in connection with investments.

 Our undertaking for indemnification is limited to up to 25% of our shareholders’ equity as it appears in our latest financial statements known at the date of indemnification.

 Our undertaking for indemnification shall not apply to a liability incurred as a result of any of the following:
 
 
(i)
a breach by the office holder of his or her duty of loyalty, unless the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company;

 
(ii)
a breach by the office holder of his or her duty of care if the breach was done intentionally or recklessly;

 
(iii)
any act or omission done with the intent to derive an illegal personal benefit; or

 
(iv)
any fine levied against the office holder.
 
We shall not be required to indemnify an office holder, if the office holder, or anyone on its behalf, already received payment in respect of a liability subject to indemnification, under an effective insurance coverage or an effective indemnification arrangement with a third party, provided, however, that if such payment made to the office holder does not cover the entire liability subject to the indemnification, we shall indemnify the office holder in respect of the difference between the amount paid to the office holder and the liability subject to the indemnification.

Office Holders’ Insurance

We have obtained an insurance policy covering the Formula Group’s directors’ and officers’ liability. Our subsidiaries participate in the premium payments of the insurance, on a proportional basis. The total premium Formula paid during 2009 was approximately $200,000.

Other Transactions

From time to time, in our ordinary course of business, we engage in transactions with our subsidiaries and affiliates. We believe that these agreements are made on an arms’ length basis upon terms and conditions no less favorable to us, our subsidiaries and affiliates, as we could obtain from unaffiliated third parties. If we engage with our subsidiaries and affiliates in transactions which are not in the ordinary course of business, we receive the approvals required under the Companies Law. These approvals include audit committee approval, board approval and, in certain circumstances, shareholder approval. See “Item 6.C. Board Practices.”

 
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C.           Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A.           Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

Financial Statements

Our consolidated financial statements and other financial information are incorporated herein by reference to “Item 18. Financial Statements” below.

Legal Proceedings

We are not involved in any proceedings in which any of our directors, members of our senior management or any of our affiliates is either a party adverse to us or to our subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to us or to our subsidiaries. We are also not involved in any proceedings which may have, or have had in the recent past, significant effects on our financial position or profitability, except as described below.

In August 2009, a software company filed a lawsuit in arbitration against Magic Software, claiming an alleged breach of a non-disclosure agreement between the parties. The plaintiffs are seeking damages in the amount of approximately $13.7 million. In the opinion of the legal advisors of Magic Software and its management estimates, the likelihood that the claim will be accepted by the arbitrator is less than probable.

From time to time, claims arising in the ordinary course of our business are brought against our subsidiaries. We follow ASC 450 "Contingencies" and record provision where it is appropriate. In the opinion of our management, these claims will not have a significant effect on our financial position or profitability.

Dividend policy

Under Formula’s dividend policy adopted by its board of directors, sums that are not planned to be used for investments in the near future, may be distributed to the shareholders as a cash dividend, to the extent that our performance allows such distribution. In recent years, Formula has made the following distributions:

In April 2010, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of $1.47 per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $20 million.

 
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In January 2009, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of $2.27 per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $30 million.

In April 2008, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of approximately $0.76 per share. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $10 million.

In December 2006, Formula distributed to its shareholders a dividend consisting of 36,696,000 shares of Formula Vision held by Formula and representing approximately 57% of the outstanding share capital of Formula Vision. Formula Vision shares were distributed at a ratio of 2.78 shares of Formula Vision for every one outstanding ordinary share of Formula, prior to withholding taxes.

In June 2005, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend in the amount of approximately $4 per ordinary share, or approximately $50.2 million in the aggregate.

B.           Significant Changes

There has been no material change in our financial position since December 31, 2009.
 
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

A.           Offer and Listing Details

Price Range of Ordinary Shares

The following table sets forth the high and low closing price for our ordinary shares on the TASE, for the periods indicated.  The exchange rate reported by the Bank of Israel on April 27, 2010 was NIS 3.735 = $1.00.

Period
 
Closing Price Per Share
 
   
in NIS
 
   
High
   
Low
 
             
2005
    89.65       46.84  
2006
    60.15       39.99  
2007
    60.59       44.97  
2008
    47.78       17.53  
  First Quarter
    47.78       37.30  
  Second Quarter
    34.69       24.08  
  Third Quarter
    28.58       22.52  
  Fourth Quarter
    36.09       17.53  
2009
    44.12       16.16  
  First Quarter
    31.05       16.16  
  Second Quarter
    31.50       19.10  
  Third Quarter
    34.42       26.80  
  Fourth Quarter
    44.12       34.20  
    October
    43.25       34.20  
    November
    43.98       38.24  
    December
    44.12       40.22  
2010
               
  First Quarter
    53.62       40.21  
    January
    45.65       41.03  
    February
    47.27       40.21  
    March
    53.62       42.34  
    April (through April 22)
    52.47       45.24  

 
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Price Range of American Depositary Shares

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sale prices for the ADSs, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market.

Period
 
Closing Price Per Share
 
   
in $
 
   
High
   
Low
 
             
2005
    20.44       11.00  
2006
    14.00       9.15  
2007
    15.42       9.02  
2008
    14.14       4.99  
  First Quarter
    14.14       10.9  
  Second Quarter
    13.32       9.48  
  Third Quarter
    10.78       9.20  
  Fourth Quarter
    11.01       4.99  
2009
    12.10       3.59  
  First Quarter
    8.00       3.59  
  Second Quarter
    7.95       4.50  
  Third Quarter
    9.47       6.75  
  Fourth Quarter
    12.10       9.20  
    October
    11.61       9.20  
    November
    12.10       10.10  
    December
    11.66       10.90  
2010
               
  First Quarter
    14.56       10.82  
    January
    12.34       10.89  
    February
    12.39       10.82  
    March
    16.05       12.28  
    April (through April 22)
    14.00       12.17  

B.           Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

C.           Markets

Since our initial public offering in 1991, our ordinary shares have been traded in Israel on the TASE under the symbol “FORT.” No U.S. trading market exists for the ordinary shares. Since October 1997, our ADSs have been traded on the NASDAQ Global Market, under the symbol “FORTY.”
 
 
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Pursuant to NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5615(a)(3), we notified NASDAQ that with respect to the quorum for shareholders meetings, we follow Israeli law and practice and accordingly do not follow NASDAQ rules. The quorum for a shareholders meeting, as stipulated in our articles of association, complies with the provisions of the Israeli law, and requires the presence, in person or by proxy of holders of 25% of our outstanding ordinary shares, in lieu of the requirement specified in NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5620(c) pursuant to which the quorum for any shareholders meeting shall not be less than 33⅓% of the outstanding voting shares of the company.
 
D.           Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

E.           Dilution

Not applicable.

F.           Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.
 
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A.           Share Capital

Not applicable.

B.           Memorandum and Articles of Association

We are registered with the Israeli Companies Register under the number 52-003669-0. Our objects are specified in our memorandum of association. These objects include:
 
 
operating within the field of informational and computer systems;
 
 
providing management, consulting and sale services for computers, computer equipment, software for computers and for information systems;

 
the business of systems analysis, systems programming and computer programming; and
 
 
establishing facilities for instruction and training for computers and digital systems.
 
 
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Description of Our Share Capital

Our company's share capital consists of ordinary shares. Our articles of association do not restrict in any way the ownership of our ordinary shares by non-residents, except that these restrictions may exist with respect to citizens of countries which are in a state of war with Israel.

Dividend and Liquidation Rights

Our board of directors is authorized to declare dividends, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law. Dividends on our ordinary shares may be paid only out of profits and other surplus, as defined in the Companies Law, as of the end date of the most recent financial statements or as accrued over a period of two years, whichever is higher. Alternatively, if we do not have sufficient profits or other surplus, then permission to effect a distribution can be granted by order of an Israeli court. In any event, our board of directors is authorized to declare dividends, provided there is no reasonable concern that the dividend will prevent us from satisfying our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. Dividends may be paid in cash or in kind. We may invest or use for our own benefit all unclaimed dividends. If dividends remain unclaimed for seven years from the date we declared the dividend they lapse and revert back to us. Our board of directors can cause us to pay the dividend to a holder who would have been entitled if the dividend had not reverted back to us. In case of liquidation, after satisfying liabilities to creditors, our assets will be distributed to the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to their holdings. This right may be affected by the grant of a preferential dividend or distribution rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future. Under the Companies Law, the declaration of a dividend does not require the approval of the shareholders of the company, unless the company’s articles of association require otherwise. Our articles of association provide that our board of directors may declare and pay dividends without any further action of our shareholders.
 
Redemption Provisions

In accordance with our articles of association, we may issue redeemable shares and accordingly redeem those shares.

Voting, Shareholder Meetings and Resolutions

Holders of our ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. These voting rights may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future. Under the Companies Law, shares held by the company are not entitled to any rights so long as they are held by the company.

 
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We must hold an annual general meeting once a year with a maximum period of fifteen months between the meetings. All other meetings of shareholders other than annual general meetings are considered special general meetings. Our board of directors may call a special general meeting whenever it decides it is appropriate. In addition, shareholders representing 5% of the outstanding share capital may require the board of directors to call a special general meeting. The quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders consists of two or more holders present in person or by proxy who hold or represent at least 25% of the voting power. A meeting adjourned for a lack of a quorum generally is adjourned to the same day in the following week at the same time and place or any time and place as the chairman of the meeting may decide with the consent of the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and voting on the question of adjournment. At the reconvened meeting, if a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the required quorum will consist of two shareholders present in person or by proxy.

Under the Companies Law, unless otherwise provided in the articles of association or applicable law, all resolutions of the shareholders require a simple majority, except in certain circumstances provided for under the Israeli law, which require a majority of at least 75% of the shares present at the meeting.

Shareholder Duties

Under the Companies Law, a shareholder has a duty to act in good faith towards the company in which he holds shares and towards other shareholders and to refrain from abusing his power in the company including voting in the general meeting of shareholders on:

           any amendment to the articles of association;

           an increase of the company’s authorized share capital;

           a merger; or

           approval of some of the acts and transactions which require shareholder approval.

A shareholder has the general duty to refrain from depriving rights of other shareholders. Any controlling shareholder, any shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and any shareholder that, under the provisions of the articles of association, has the power to appoint an office holder in the company, is under a duty to act in fairness towards the company. The rules pertaining to a breach of contract apply to a breach of the duty to act in fairness, mutatis mutandis, bringing into account the shareholder’s position in the company. The Companies Law does not describe the substance of this duty.

Transfer of Shares

Fully paid ordinary shares are issued in registered form and may be freely transferred under our articles of association unless the transfer is restricted or prohibited by another instrument.

Modification of Class Rights

Under our articles of association, the rights attached to any class unless otherwise provided by the terms of the class including voting, rights to dividends and the like, may be varied by adoption of the necessary amendment to the articles of association, provided that the affected shareholders approve the change by a class meeting in which a simple majority of the voting power of the class represented at the meeting and voting on the matter approves the change.

 
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Election of Directors

Our ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. As a result, the holders of ordinary shares that represent more than 50% of the voting power represented at a shareholders meeting, have the power to elect all of our directors, other than the outside directors which are appointed by a special majority of shareholders. For a summary of those provisions in our articles of association with respect to the directors, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees.”

Anti-Takeover Provisions; Mergers and Acquisitions Under Israeli Law

Mergers

The Companies Law permits merger transactions if approved by each party’s board of directors and shareholders.  In determining whether the required majority has approved the merger in the event of “cross ownership” between the merging companies, namely, if the merging company’s shares are held by the other party to the merger, or by any person holding at least 25% of the means of control of the other party to the merger, then a vote against the merger by holders of the majority of the shares present and voting, excluding shares held by the other party to the merger or by such person, or anyone acting on behalf of either of them, including any of their affiliates, is sufficient to reject the merger transaction.  In the event that the merger transaction has not been approved by the special majority described above, the holders of at least 25% of the voting rights of such company may apply to the court for approval of the merger. The court may approve the merger if it is found that the merger is fair and reasonable, taking into account the value of the parties to the merger and the consideration offered to the shareholders.  Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger. A merger may not be consummated unless at least 50 days have passed from the time that a proposal for approval of the merger has been filed with the Israeli Registrar of Companies and 30 days have passed from the date of the approval of the shareholders of the merging companies.

The Companies Law further provides that the foregoing approval requirements will not apply to shareholders of a wholly-owned subsidiary in a rollup merger transaction, or to the shareholders of the acquirer if:

the transaction does not involve an amendment to the acquirer’s memorandum or articles of association;

 
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the transaction does not contemplate the issuance of more than 20% of the voting rights of the acquirer which would result in any shareholder becoming a controlling shareholder; and
 
there is no “cross ownership” of shares of the merging companies, as described above.
 
Tender Offers

The Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares of a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition, the purchaser would become a holder of 25% or more of the voting rights in the company.  This rule does not apply if there is already another holder of 25% or more of the voting rights in the company.  Similarly, the Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a holder of more than 45% of the voting rights of the company, if there is no other holder of more than 45% of the voting rights of the company.

The foregoing provisions do not apply to:

a private placement in which the company’s shareholders approved such holder owning 25% or more of the voting rights in the company (if there is no other shareholder that holds 25% or more of the voting rights in the company); or more than 45% of the voting rights in the company (if there is no other shareholder that holds 45% or more of the voting rights in the company); or

a purchase from an existing holder of 25% or more of the voting rights in the company that results in another person becoming a holder of 25% or more of the voting rights in the company or a purchase from an existing holder of more than 45% of the voting rights in the company that results in another person becoming a holder of more than 45% of the voting rights in the company.

Regulations adopted under the Companies Law provide that these tender offer requirements do not apply to companies whose shares are listed for trading outside of Israel if, according to the law in the country in which the shares are traded, including the rules and regulations of the stock exchange on which the shares are traded, there is either a limitation on acquisition of any level of control of the company, or the acquisition of any level of control requires the purchaser to do so by means of a tender offer to the public.

The Companies Law also provides that if following any acquisition of shares, the acquirer holds 90% or more of the company’s shares or of a class of shares, the acquisition must be made by means of a tender offer for all the target company’s shares or all the shares of the class, as applicable. An acquirer who wishes to eliminate all minority shareholders must do so by way of a tender offer and acquire 95% of all shares not held by or for the benefit of the acquirer before the acquisition. If, however, the tender offer to acquire 95% is not successful, the acquirer may not acquire shares tendered if by doing so the acquirer would own more than 90% of the shares of the target company.

 
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C.           Material Contracts
 
        None.

D.           Exchange Controls

Under current Israeli regulations, we may pay dividends or other distributions in respect of our ordinary shares either in non-Israeli or Israeli currencies. If we make these payments in Israeli currency, they will be freely transferred in non-Israeli currencies at the rate of exchange prevailing at the time of conversion. We expect therefore, that dividends, if any, that we pay to holders of ADSs, will be paid in dollars, net of conversion expenses, expenses of the depositary, the Bank of New York, and Israeli income taxes. Because exchange rates between the NIS and the dollar fluctuate continuously, a U.S. shareholder will be subject to the risk of currency fluctuations between the date when we declare NIS-denominated dividends and the date when we pay them in NIS. See Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors.”

Non-residents of Israel may freely hold and trade our ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the general permit issued under the Israeli Currency Control Law, 1978.  Neither our articles of association nor the laws of the State of Israel restrict in any way the ownership of our ordinary shares by non-residents, except that these restrictions may exist with respect to citizens of countries which are in a state of war with Israel.

E.           Taxation

Israeli Taxation

The following is a description of material tax consequences regarding the ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares and ADSs under Israeli tax laws to which U.S. and other non-Israeli shareholders may be subject.  The information below does not apply to specified persons or cover specified situations. Therefore, you are advised to consult your own tax advisor as to particular tax consequences unique to you related to an investment in our ordinary shares or ADSs, including the effects of applicable Israeli or foreign or other tax laws and possible changes in the tax laws.

To the extent that the discussion is based on legislation yet to be judicially or administratively interpreted, we cannot assure you that the views we express herein will accord with any such interpretation in the future.

Tax Consequences Regarding Disposition of Our ADSs or Ordinary Shares

In general, Israel imposes capital gains tax on the sale of capital assets, including shares of Israeli companies by both Israeli residents and non-Israeli resident shareholders, unless a specific exemption is available or unless a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholders’ country of residence provide otherwise. Shareholders that are not Israeli residents are generally exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gain derived from the sale of our ADSs or ordinary shares, provided that (i) such shareholders did not acquire the shares prior to our initial public offering; and (ii) such gains did not derive from a permanent establishment of such shareholders in Israel. However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to the foregoing exemption if an Israeli resident (a) has a controlling interest of 25% or more in such non-Israeli corporation; or (b) is the beneficiary of or is entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.

 
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In certain instances where our non-Israeli shareholders may be liable to Israeli tax on the sale of our ADSs or ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to Israeli withholding tax.

In addition, in the case when the sale, exchange or disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares by shareholders who are U.S. residents (within the meaning of the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty) holding the ADSs or ordinary shares as a capital asset will be also exempt from Israeli capital gains tax under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, unless, either (i) the shareholders hold, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting shares during any part of the 12-month period preceding such sale, exchange or disposition; or (ii) the capital gains arising from such sale, exchange or disposition are attributable to a permanent establishment of the shareholders located in Israel. In such case, the shareholders would be subject to Israeli capital gains tax, to the extent applicable, as mentioned above. However, under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, the U.S. resident would be permitted to claim a credit for such taxes against the U.S. federal income tax imposed on the sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitation in the U.S. law applicable to foreign tax credits. The U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty does not relate to U.S. state or local taxes.

Taxes Applicable to Dividends

Nonresidents of Israel are generally subject to Israeli income tax on the receipt of dividends paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares at the rate of 20%, or 15% for dividends or income generated by an approved enterprise, which tax will be withheld at source, unless a different rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence.

However, the tax rate on dividends paid to a “substantial shareholder” (which is someone who alone, or together with another person, holds, directly or indirectly, at least 10% in one or all of any of the means of control in the corporation) is 25%.

Under Israeli tax law, a distribution of dividends from income attributable to an Approved Enterprise will be subject to tax in Israel at the rate of 15%, which is withheld and paid by the company paying the dividend, if the dividend is distributed during the benefits period or within the following 12 years (but the 12-year limitation does not apply to a Foreign Investors Company). Any distribution of dividends from income that is not attributable to an Approved Enterprise after January 1, 2006, will be subject to withholding tax in Israel at the rate of 20%.

Under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, the maximum rate of tax withheld in Israel on dividends paid to a holder of our ADSs or ordinary shares who is a U.S. resident (within the meaning of the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty) is 25%. However, dividends paid from income derived from our Approved Enterprise are subject to withholding at the rate of 15%, although we cannot assure you that we will designate the profits that are being distributed in a way that will reduce shareholders’ tax liability according to the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty. Furthermore, the maximum rate of withholding tax on dividends not generated by our Approved Enterprise, that are paid to a U.S. corporation holding 10% or more of our outstanding voting capital during the part of the tax year that precedes the date of the payment of the dividend and during the whole of its prior tax year, is 12.5%. This reduced rate will not apply if more than 25% of our gross income consists of interest or dividends, other than dividends or interest received from a subsidiary corporation, 50% or more of the outstanding voting shares of which are owned by the company.
 
 
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A nonresident of Israel who receives dividends with respect of which tax was fully paid, is generally exempt from the duty to file returns in Israel in respect of such income, provided such income was not derived from a business conducted in Israel by the taxpayer and the taxpayer has no other taxable sources of income in Israel.

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

Subject to the limitations described herein, this discussion summarizes certain United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs to a United States holder.  A United States holder is a holder of our ordinary shares or ADSs who is:

 
·
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States for United States federal income tax purposes;

 
·
a corporation (or another entity taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States,  any political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 
·
an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 
·
a trust (i) if, in general, a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (ii) that has in effect a valid election under applicable United States Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

Unless otherwise specifically indicated, this discussion does not consider the United States tax consequences to a person that is not a United States holder (a “non-United States holder”) and considers only United States holders that will own the ordinary shares or ADSs as capital assets (generally, for investment).
 
 
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This discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), current and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Code, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular United States holder based on the United States holder’s individual circumstances.  In particular, this discussion does not address the United States federal income tax consequences to United States holders who are broker-dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, “financial service entities,” ,real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, grantor trusts, individual retirement and tax-deferred accounts, or who own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10% or more of our outstanding voting shares, United States holders holding the ordinary shares or ADSs as part of a hedging, straddle or conversion transaction, United States holders whose functional currency is not the United States dollar, United States holders who acquired their shares upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States and United States holders subject to the alternative minimum tax, who may be subject to special rules not discussed below. Additionally, the tax treatment of persons who are, or hold the ordinary shares or ADSs through, a partnership or other pass-through entity is not considered, nor is the possible application of United States federal estate or gift taxes or any aspect of state, local or non- United States laws.

You are advised to consult your tax advisor with respect to the specific United States federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, holding or disposing of our ordinary shares or ADSs.

Taxation of Distributions on the Ordinary Shares or ADSs

Subject to the discussion below under “Tax Consequences if We Are a Passive Foreign Investment Company,” a distribution paid by us with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs to a United States holder will be treated as dividend income to the extent that the distribution does not exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes. The amount of the distribution with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs will equal the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property distributed and will also include the amount of any non-U.S. taxes withheld from such distribution.  Dividends that are received by United States holders that are individuals, estates or trusts will be taxed at the rate applicable to long-term capital gains (a maximum rate of 15% through taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010), provided that such dividends meet the requirements of “qualified dividend income.”  For this purpose, qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by a non-U.S. corporation if certain holding period and other requirements are met and either (a) the stock of the non-U.S. corporation with respect to which the dividends are paid is “readily tradable” on an established securities market in the United States (e.g., the NASDAQ Global Market) or (b) the non-U.S. corporation is eligible for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which includes an information exchange program and is determined to be satisfactory by the United States Secretary of the Treasury.  The United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has determined that the United States-Israel income tax treaty is satisfactory for this purpose.  Dividends that fail to meet such requirements, and dividends received by corporate United States holders, are taxed at ordinary income rates.  No dividend received by a United States holder will be a qualified dividend (1) if the United States holder held the ordinary share or ADS with respect to which the dividend was paid for less than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the ex-dividend date with respect to such dividend, excluding for this purpose, under the rules of Code Section 246(c), any period during which the United States holder has an option to sell, is under a contractual obligation to sell, has made (and not closed) a short sale of, is the grantor of a deep-in-the-money or otherwise nonqualified option to buy, or has otherwise diminished its risk of loss by holding other positions with respect to, such ordinary share or ADS (or substantially identical securities); or (2) to the extent that the United States holder is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in property substantially similar or related to the ordinary share or ADS with respect to which the dividend is paid.  If we were to be a “passive foreign investment company” (as such term is defined in the Code), or “PFIC”, for any taxable year, dividends paid on our ordinary shares or ADSs in such year or in the following taxable year would not be qualified dividends.  See the discussion below regarding our PFIC status under “Tax Consequences if We Are a Passive Foreign Investment Company.”  In addition, a non-corporate United States holder will be able to take a qualified dividend into account in determining its deductible investment interest (which is generally limited to its net investment income) only if it elects to do so; in such case the dividend income will be taxed at ordinary income rates.

 
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        The amount of any distribution which exceeds the amount treated as a dividend will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital, reducing the United States holder’s tax basis in its ordinary shares or ADSs to the extent thereof, and then as capital gain from the deemed disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs. Corporate holders will not be allowed a deduction for dividends received in respect of the ordinary shares or ADSs.

Dividends paid by us in NIS generally will be included in the income of United States holders at the dollar amount of the dividend (including any non-U.S. taxes withheld therefrom), based upon the spot rate of exchange in effect on the date the distribution is received. United States holders will have a tax basis in NIS for United States federal income tax purposes equal to that dollar value.  A United States holder that converts a dividend paid in NIS into United States dollars subsequent to receipt may have foreign exchange gain or loss arising from exchange rate fluctuations, which will generally be taxable as United States source ordinary income or loss.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, United States holders may elect to claim as a foreign tax credit against their United States federal income tax liability, the non-U.S. income tax withheld from dividends received in respect of the ordinary shares or ADSs. The limitations on claiming a foreign tax credit include, among others, computation rules under which foreign tax credits allowable with respect to specific classes of income cannot exceed the United States federal income taxes otherwise payable with respect to each such class of income. In this regard, dividends paid by us generally will be foreign source “passive income” for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. United States holders that do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit may instead claim a deduction for the non-U.S. income tax withheld if they itemize deductions. The rules relating to foreign tax credits are complex, and you should consult your tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent you would be entitled to this credit.  A United States holder will be denied a foreign tax credit for non-U.S. income tax withheld from a dividend received on the ordinary shares or ADSs (i) if the United States holder has not held the ordinary shares or ADSs for at least 16 days of the 31-day period beginning on the date which is 15 days before the ex-dividend date with respect to such dividend or (ii) to the extent the United States holder is under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.  Any days during which a United States holder has substantially diminished its risk of loss on the ordinary shares or ADSs are not counted toward meeting the required 16-day holding period.

 
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Taxation of the Disposition of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs

Subject to the discussion below under “Tax Consequences if We Are a Passive Foreign Investment Company,” upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs, a United States holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the United States holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs. The gain or loss recognized on the disposition will be long-term capital gain or loss if the United States holder held the ordinary shares or ADSs for more than one year at the time of the disposition and non-corporate United States holders may be eligible for a reduced rate of taxation (currently a maximum rate of 15% for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010).  Capital gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs held for one year or less is short-term capital gain and taxed as ordinary income.  Gain or loss recognized by a United States holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes.  The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

A United States holder that uses the cash method of accounting calculates the dollar value of the proceeds received on the sale as of the date that the sale settles.  However, a United States holder that uses the accrual method of accounting is required to calculate the value of the proceeds of the sale as of the trade date and may therefore realize foreign currency gain or loss.  A United States holder that uses the accrual method may avoid realizing foreign currency gain or loss by electing to use the settlement date to determine the proceeds of sale for purposes of calculating the foreign currency gain or loss.  In addition, a United States holder that receives foreign currency upon disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs and converts the foreign currency into dollars after the settlement date or trade date (whichever date the United States holder is required to use to calculate the value of the proceeds of sale) may have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the dollar, which will generally be United States source ordinary income or loss.

Tax Consequences if We Are a Passive Foreign Investment Company

We will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for a taxable year if either (1) 75% or more of our gross income in the taxable year is passive income; or (2) the average percentage (by value determined on a quarterly basis) in a taxable year of our assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income is at least 50%. If we own (directly or indirectly) at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, we will be treated for purposes of the foregoing tests as owning our proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets and as directly earning our proportionate share of the other corporation’s income. If we are a PFIC, a United States holder must determine under which of three alternative taxing regimes it wishes to be taxed:

 
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The “QEF” regime applies if the United States holder elects to treat us as a  “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”) for the first taxable year in which the United States holder owns our ordinary shares or ADSs or in which we are a PFIC, whichever is later, and if we comply with certain reporting requirements.  If the QEF regime applies, then each year that we are a PFIC, such United States holder will include in its gross income a proportionate share of the our ordinary earnings (which is taxed as ordinary income) and net capital gain (which is taxed as long-term capital gain), subject to a separate election to defer payment of taxes, which deferral is subject to an interest charge.  These amounts would be included in income by an electing United States holder for its taxable year in which our taxable year ends, whether or not such amounts are actually distributed to the United States holder.  A United States holder’s basis in our ordinary shares or ADSs for which a QEF election has been made would be increased to reflect the amount of any taxed but undistributed income.  Generally, a QEF election allows an electing United States holder to treat any gain realized on the disposition of his ordinary shares or ADSs as capital gain.
 
 
Once made, the QEF election applies to all subsequent taxable years of the United States holder in which it holds our ordinary shares or ADSs and for which we are a PFIC, and can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.  The QEF election is made by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621, including the PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed United States federal income tax return.  Even if a QEF election is not made, a U.S. person who is a shareholder in a PFIC must file a completed IRS Form 8621 every year.
 
 
If a QEF election is made after the first taxable year in which a United States holder holds our ordinary shares or ADSs and we are a PFIC, then special rules would apply.
 
 
A second regime, the “mark-to-market” regime, may be elected so long as our ordinary shares or ADSs are “marketable stock” (e.g., “regularly traded” on the NASDAQ Global Market).  Pursuant to this regime, an electing United States holder’s ordinary shares or ADSs are marked-to-market for each taxable year that we are a PFIC and the United States holder recognizes as ordinary income or loss an amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the fair market value of our ordinary shares or ADSs and the United States holder’s adjusted tax basis therein.  Losses are allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included by the United States holder under the election for prior taxable years.  An electing United States holder’s adjusted basis in our ordinary shares or ADSs is increased by income recognized under the mark-to-market election and decreased by the deductions allowed under the election.
 
 
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Under the mark-to-market election, in a taxable year that we are a PFIC, gain on the sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs is treated as ordinary income, and loss on the sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs, to the extent the amount of loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gain previously included, is treated as ordinary loss (losses in excess of net mark-to-market gain previously included are generally capital losses).  The mark-to-market election applies to the taxable year for which the election is made and all later taxable years, unless the ordinary shares or ADSs cease to be marketable or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election.
 
 
If the mark-to-market election is made after the first taxable year in which a United States holder holds our ordinary shares or ADSs and we are a PFIC, then special rules would apply.
 
 
A United States holder making neither the QEF election nor the mark-to-market election is subject to the “excess distribution” regime.  Under this regime, “excess distributions” are subject to special tax rules.  An excess distribution is either (1) a distribution with respect to ordinary shares or ADSs that is greater than 125% of the average distributions received by the United States holder from us over the shorter of either the preceding three years or such United States holder’s holding period for our ordinary shares or ADSs, or (2) gain from the disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs (including gain deemed recognized if the ordinary shares or ADSs are used as security for a loan).
 
 
Excess distributions must be allocated ratably to each day that a United States holder has held our ordinary shares or ADSs.  A United States holder must include amounts allocated to the current taxable year and to any period prior to the first day of the first taxable year for which we are a PFIC in its gross income as ordinary income for the current taxable year.  All amounts allocated to other years of the United States holder would be taxed at the highest tax rate for each such prior year applicable to ordinary income.  The United States holder also would be liable for interest on the deferred tax liability for each such other year calculated as if such liability had been due with respect to each such other year.  A United States person who inherits shares or ADSs in a non-U.S. corporation that was a PFIC in the hands of the decedent is generally denied the otherwise available step-up in the tax basis of such shares or ADSs.  Instead, such United States holder’s basis would be equal to the lessor of the decedent’s basis or the fair market value of the ordinary shares or ADSs.

We believe that in 2009 we were not a PFIC and currently we expect that we will not be a PFIC in 2010.  However, PFIC status is determined as of the end of the taxable year and is dependent on a number of factors, including the value of our assets, the amount and type of our gross income and the market value of our ordinary shares.  Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will not become a PFIC for the current taxable year ending December 31, 2010 or in a future taxable year.  We will notify United States holders in the event we conclude that we will be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year to enable United States holders to consider whether or not to elect to treat us as a QEF for United States federal income tax purposes or to “mark to market” the ordinary shares or ADSs or to become subject to the “excess distribution” regime.
 
 
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United States holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules, including eligibility for and the manner and advisability of making, the QEF election or the mark-to-market election.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
 
A United States holder generally is subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding (currently at rate of up to 28% through 2010) with respect to dividend payments on, or receipt of the proceeds from the disposition of, the ordinary shares or ADSs. Backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made to exempt recipients, including corporations, or if a United States holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies that such holder is not subject to backup withholding or otherwise establishes an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be claimed as a credit against the United States federal income tax liability of a United States holder, or alternatively, the United States holder may be eligible for a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules, in either case, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Non-United States holders of Ordinary Shares or ADSs

Except as provided below, a non-United States holder of ordinary shares or ADSs will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on the receipt of dividends on, and the proceeds from the disposition of, an ordinary share or ADS, unless, in the case of United States federal income taxes, that item is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-United States holder of a trade or business in the United States and, in the case of a resident of a country which has an income tax treaty with the United States, that item is attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States or, in the case of an individual, a fixed place of business in the United States. In addition, gain recognized by an individual non-United States holder upon the disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs will be subject to tax in the United States if the non-United States holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met.
 
Non-United States holders generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding with respect to the payment of dividends on, or the proceeds from the disposition of, ordinary shares or ADSs, provided that the non-United States holder provides its taxpayer identification number, certifies to its foreign status, or otherwise establishes an exemption.

F.         Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

G.           Statement by Experts

Not applicable.

 
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H.           Documents on Display

Formula is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act that are applicable to a foreign private issuer. In accordance with the Exchange Act, we file with the SEC reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F by June 30 each year. In addition, we furnish interim financial information on Form 6-K on a quarterly basis. We also furnish to the SEC under cover of Form 6-K certain other material information required to be made public in Israel, filed with and made public by any stock exchange or distributed by us to our shareholders. You may inspect without charge and copy at prescribed rates such material at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of such material from the SEC at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.

The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other material that are filed through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system. Formula began filing through the EDGAR system beginning in October 2002.

Formula’s ADSs are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market. You may inspect reports and other information concerning Formula at the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 9513 Key West Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850. You may also find our reports filed with the ISA on the Magna site whose address is http://www.magna.isa.gov.il.

Our Internet address is  http://www.formulasystems.com. A copy of each report submitted in accordance with applicable United States law is available for public review at our principal executive offices.

I.           Subsidiary Information

Not applicable.

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations and Impact of Inflation

In light of the nature of our activities, we invest our cash and cash equivalents primarily in short-term and long-term deposits. As of December 31, 2009, we invested substantially all of the cash we held in dollar accounts bearing interest based on LIBOR, euro accounts and NIS accounts bearing interest based on the Israeli prime rate.

An increase in value of the NIS against the dollar or euro may have  a negative impact on our operating results and financial condition. Depending upon the circumstances, we will consider entering into currency hedging transactions to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rate of the dollar or euro against the NIS.  There can be no assurance that these activities, or others that we may use from time to time, will eliminate the negative financial impact of currency fluctuations and inflation.
 
 
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We do not engage in currency speculation.  Generally, we do not hold nor have we issued, to any material extent, any derivatives or other financial instruments for trading purposes.

Fluctuations in Market Price of Securities We Hold

We hold securities of several publicly traded companies on the NASDAQ Global Market and the TASE. These companies include Magic Software, Matrix and Sapiens. We consider these holdings as long-term holdings. We are exposed to the risk of fluctuation of the price of these companies’ securities.  All of these publicly traded companies have experienced significant historical volatility in their stock prices. Fluctuations in the market price of our holdings in these companies may result in the fluctuation of the value of our assets. We typically do not attempt to reduce or eliminate our market exposure on these securities.
 
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

A.           Debt Securities

Not applicable.

B.           Warrants and Rights

Not applicable.

C.           Other Securities

Not applicable.

D.           American Depositary Shares
 
Fees and charges payable by our ADS holders

The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the depositary, referred to as the Depositary, for our ADS program. Pursuant to the deposit agreement between us, the Depositary and owners and holders of our ADSs, referred to as the Deposit Agreement, ADS holders may be required to pay various fees to the Depositary. In particular, the Depositary, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, may charge the following fees to any party depositing or withdrawing the ADSs, or to any party surrendering ADRs or to whom ADRs are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or an exchange of stock regarding the ADRs or any deposited securities underlying the ADRs or a distribution of ADRs pursuant to a distribution of underlying shares), as applicable: (a) taxes and governmental charges, (b) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of shares generally on our share register and applicable to transfers of shares to the name of the Depositary or its nominee or agent in connection with making deposits or withdrawals under the Deposit Agreement, (c) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided for in the Deposit Agreement, (d) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency, (e) a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) for the execution and delivery of ADRs (including in connection with distributions of shares or rights by us) and in connection with the surrender of receipts and withdrawal of the underlying shares, (f) a fee of $.02 or less per ADS (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, including in connection with distributions of shares or rights, (g) a fee for the distribution of securities in connection with certain distributions, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to ADR holders, and (h) any other charges payable by the Depositary or any of its agents in connection with the servicing of shares or other deposited securities underlying the ADRs.
 
 
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Amounts received from the Depositary

We do not receive any fees directly or indirectly from the Depositary.
 
P A R T   II
===========
 
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.
 
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.
 
ITEM 15T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2009. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures; (i) were designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, by others within those entities, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and (ii) provided reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 
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(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for us. Formula’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of our consolidated financial statements.

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer assessed the effectiveness of Formula’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, they used the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, Formula’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all internal control systems no matter how well designed have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective may not prevent or detect misstatements and can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
(c) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm. This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

(d) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  During the period covered by this report, there were no changes in Formula’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Formula’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our board of directors has determined that Shlomo Nass, the chairman of our audit committee and an independent member of our board of directors pursuant to the NASDAQ requirements, is an audit committee financial expert, as defined by applicable SEC regulations.

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

Formula has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to its executive officers, directors and all other employees. A copy of the code is available to all Formula’s employees, investors and others without charge, upon request to the following address: Formula Systems (1985) Ltd., 35 Haplada St., Or Yehuda 60218, Israel, Attn: Chief Executive Officer. Any waiver of this code for executive officers or directors will be disclosed through the filing of a Form 6-K.

 
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ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

Our audit committee is responsible for the oversight of our independent auditor’s work. The audit committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by Ziv Haft independent registered public accounting firm, a BDO member firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services, as further described below. The audit committee sets forth the basis for its pre-approval in detail, listing the particular services or categories of services which are pre-approved, and setting forth a specific budget for such services. Additional services may be pre-approved by the audit committee on an individual basis. Once services have been pre-approved, Ziv Haft independent registered public accounting firm, a BDO member firm and our management then report to the audit committee on a periodic basis regarding the extent of services actually provided in accordance with the applicable pre-approval, and regarding the fees for the services performed.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

We paid the following fees for professional services rendered by Ziv Haft independent registered public accounting firm, a BDO member firm, for the years ended December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Audit Fees
    557       669  
Audit-Related Fees
    --       100  
Tax Fees
    100       77  
All Other Fees
    --       --  
Total
    657       846  

The audit fees for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were for professional services rendered for the audits of our annual consolidated financial statements, agreed upon procedures of our consolidated quarterly information, statutory audits of Formula and certain subsidiaries, issuance of comfort letters, consents and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC.

The audit-related fees for the year ended December 31, 2008 were primarily related to internal control review.

Tax Fees for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were for services related to tax compliance, including the preparation of tax returns and claims for refund, and tax advice.

 
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ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Not applicable.
 
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

None.

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

None.

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The NASDAQ Global Market requires companies with listed shares to comply with its corporate governance standards. As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to comply with all of the rules that apply to listed U.S. companies. However, except for certain instances described below, we have generally chosen to comply with the NASDAQ Global Market’s corporate governance rules as though we were a U.S. company. Accordingly, except for such difference described below, we do not believe there are any significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those that would typically apply to a U.S. domestic issuer under the NASDAQ Global Market corporate governance rules.

Pursuant to NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5615(a)(3), we notified NASDAQ that with respect to the quorum for shareholders meetings, we follow Israeli law and practice and accordingly do not follow NASDAQ rules. The quorum for a shareholders meeting, as stipulated in our articles of association, complies with the provisions of the Israeli law, and requires the presence, in person or by proxy of holders of 25% of our outstanding ordinary shares, in lieu of the requirement specified in NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5620(c) pursuant to which the quorum for any shareholders meeting shall not be less than 33⅓% of the outstanding voting shares of the company.

 
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P A R T  III
==========
 
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this item.
 
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our consolidated financial statements and the report of our independent registered public accounting firm in connection therewith are filed as part of this annual report, as noted on the pages below:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
F-3-F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for theYears Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
F-6-F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
 
F-8-F-12
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
F-13-F-65
 
 
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ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
 
   
1.1
 
Memorandum of Association (1)
1.2
Articles of Association as amended on December 28, 2005 (2)
 
4.1
 
Form of Letter of Indemnification, dated December 28, 2005 (2)
4.2
English translation of Formula Systems (1985) Ltd. Employees and Office Holders Share Option Plan (2008)(3)
 
8
List of Subsidiaries*
 
12.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
12.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
13.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
13.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
15.1
Consent of Ziv Haft registered certified public accountants (Isr.) BDO member firm*
 
15.2
Consent of Levy Cohen and Co. *
 
15.3
Consent of Levy Cohen and Co. *
 
15.4
Consent of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kaiserer *
 
15.5
Consent of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kaiserer*
 
15.6
Consent of Verstegen accountants en adviseurs*
 
15.7
Consent of KDA Audit Corporation*
 
15.8
Consent of Maria Negyessy*
 
______________
* Filed herewith.
 
(1)  Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-8858).
(2)  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2006.
(3)  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2009.

 
92

 
 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli corporation)
2009 Annual Report

 
 

 
 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
 (An Israeli Corporation)

2009 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
F-2
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
 
F-3-F-4
 F-5
F-6-F-7
F-8-F-12
F-13-F-65
 
The amounts are stated in U.S. dollars ($).

 
F - 1

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Formula Systems (1985) Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We did not audit the financial statements of certain subsidiaries, whose consolidated assets constitute approximately 24% and 21% of total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and whose consolidated revenues constitute approximately 19%, 18% and 20% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The financial statements of those subsidiaries were audited by other auditors, whose reports have been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included in respect of those subsidiaries is based solely on the reports of the other auditors.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
As discussed in Note 1, effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted new guidance on accounting for business combinations, consolidation, transactions with non controlling interests. During 2009 the company also adopted new guidance regarding impairment of securities.
 
In our opinion, based on our audits and the reports of other auditors , the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Tel Aviv, Israel
April 29, 2010
   Ziv Haft
Certified Public Accountants (Isr.)
BDO Member Firm
 
 
F - 2

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
    100,205       107,847  
Short-term investments (Note 3)
    58,009       45,717  
Trade receivables (net of allowances for doubtful debts of $4,750
and $4,309 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
    130,236       136,353  
Other current assets (Note 16A)
    22,449       15,425  
Inventories
    2,439       2,772  
Total assets attributed to discontinued operations
    27       27,614  
      313,365       335,728  
                 
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS:
               
Long term investments (Note 5)
    10,323       16,285  
Investments in affiliates (Note 6)
    3,293       3,694  
      13,616       19,979  
                 
SEVERANCE PAY FUND
    44,131       38,105  
                 
PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Note 7)
    9,989       15,009  
                 
GOODWILL (Note 1K and Note 8)
    145,321       141,919  
                 
OTHER ASSETS, NET (Note 9)
    40,017       45,882  
                 
      566,439       596,622  
 
 
F - 3

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
           
Liabilities to banks (Note 16B)
    10,055       8,481  
Trade payables
    43,776       39,475  
Other accounts payable (Note 16C)
    90,924       75,252  
Dividend payable
    -       29,964  
Liability in respect of business combinations
    210       6,954  
Debentures (Note 11)
    14,639       5,157  
Total liabilities attributed to discontinued operations
    314       24,903  
      159,918       190,186  
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
               
Debentures (Note 11)
    43,918       56,004  
Deferred taxes
    2,207       4,502  
Customer advances
    1,116       1,093  
Liabilities to banks and others (Note 10)
    8,556       16,640  
Liability in respect of business combinations
    1,517       1,010  
Accrued severance pay
    53,893       49,817  
      111,207       129,066  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)
               
                 
EQUITY (Note 14):
               
Formula shareholders' equity:
               
Share capital - ordinary shares of NIS 1 par value
   (authorized - December 31, 2009 and 2008 - 25,000,000 shares;
   issued: December 31, 2009 - 13,224,780 and 2008 - 13,224,780 shares)
    3,736       3,736  
Additional paid-in capital
    131,631       132,588  
Retained earnings
    60,048       40,972  
Other accumulated comprehensive loss
    (7,115 )     (7,100 )
Cost of 24,780 treasury shares
    (259 )     (259 )
      Total Formula shareholders' equity
    188,041       169,937  
Non-controlling interests
    107,273       107,433  
TOTAL EQUITY
    295,314       277,370  
                 
      566,439       596,622  
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 
F - 4

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands,
except per share amounts)
 
                   
Revenues (Note 16H)
                 
Proprietary software products
    101,045       105,453       100,823  
Software services
    368,345       397,790       313,901  
Total revenues
    469,390       503,243       414,724  
Cost of revenues
                       
                         
Proprietary software products
    52,719       53,483       52,923  
Software services
    299,564       320,292       245,487  
Total cost of revenues
    352,283       373,775       298,410  
  Gross profit
    117,107       129,468       116,314  
Research and development costs, net
    4,430       6,564       6,547  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    77,322       90,451       84,503  
Other income, net
    (1,972 )     -       -  
  Operating income
    37,327       32,453       25,264  
Financial expenses, net (Note 16D)
    (231 )     (5,908 )     (3,619 )
Gain (losses) on realization of investments, net
    -       (337 )     2,039  
Other expenses (Note 16E)
    (304 )     (580 )     (750 )
  Income before taxes on income
    36,792       25,628       22,934  
Taxes on income (Note 15)
    (8,305 )     (3,279 )     (1,891 )
      28,487       22,349       21,043  
Share in losses of affiliated companies, net
    (335 )     (216 )     (653 )
  Income from continuing operation
    28,152       22,133       20,390  
Net income from discontinued operations (Note 17D)
    4,878       555       32,333  
  Net income
    33,030       22,688       52,723  
Net income Attributable to non-controlling interests
    13,954       10,819       15,464  
  Net income attributable to Formula's shareholders
    19,076       11,869       37,259  
                         
Amount attributable to Formula's shareholders
                       
  Income from continuing operation
    14,198       11,314       10,723  
  Income from discontinued operation
    4,878       555       26,536  
      19,076       11,869       37,259  
Earnings per share generated from continuing operation:
                       
Basic
    1.08       0.84       0.82  
Diluted
    1.04       0.84       0.80  
                         
Earnings per share generated from discontinued operations:
                       
Basic
    0.37       0.04       2.00  
Diluted
    0.36       0.04       1.99  
                         
 Total earnings per share:
                       
      Basic
    1.45       0.88       2.82  
     Diluted
    1.40       0.88       2.79  
                         
Weighted average number of shares outstanding in thousands  (Note 16I):
                       
Basic
    13,200       13,200       13,200  
Diluted
    13,564       13,200       13,200  
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 
F - 5

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

   
Share Capital
                               
   
Number of Shares
   
Amount
   
Additional paid-in Capital
   
Retained Earnings
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
Cost of Treasury Shares
   
Total Formula shareholders'' Equity
   
Non- controlling interests (*)
 
                                                 
Balance as of January 1, 2007
    13,200,000       3,736       132,545       32,164       (14,896 )     (259 )     153,290       79,649  
Changes during 2007:
                                                               
Net Income
    -       -       -       37,259       -       -       37,259       15,464  
Unrealized loss from available - for-sale securities, net
    -       -       -       -       (221 )     -       (221 )     88  
Foreign Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       8,254       -       8,254       6,309  
Total comprehensive income
                                                    45,292          
Implementation of ASC 815 (formerly FSP EITF 00-19-2)
    -       -       -       236       -       -       236       -  
Cumulative impact of change in accounting for uncertainties in income taxes ASC 740 (formerly FIN 48)
    -       -       -       (430 )     -       -       (430 )     (400 )
Stock Based Compensation expenses
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       674  
Changes in non-controlling interests due to holding changes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       8,976  
Dividend paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (6,502 )
Exercise of employees stock options
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       3,657  
Balance as of December 31, 2007
    13,200,000       3,736       132,545       69,229       (6,863 )     (259 )     198,388       107,915  
Changes during 2008:
                                                               
Net Income
    -       -       -       11,869       -       -       11,869       10,819  
Unrealized loss from available - for-sale securities, net
    -       -       -       -       (1,123 )     -       (1,123 )     (20 )
Adjustment for other than temporary impairment on marketable securities
    -       -       -       -       27       -       27       20  
Foreign Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       859       -       859       1,164  
Total comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       -       11,632          
Gain from issuance of shares to third party in a development stage entity
    -       -       43       -       -       -       43       43  
Stock Based Compensation expenses
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,161  
Changes in non-controlling interests due to holding changes
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (9,483 )
Exercise of employees stock options
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,426  
Dividend to Formulas'' shareholders and to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
    -       -       -       (40,126 )     -       -       (40,126 )     (5,612 )
Balance as of December 31, 2008
    13,200,000       3,736       132,588       40,972       (7,100 )     (259 )     169,937       107,433  

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
F - 6

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Cont.)

   
Share Capital
                                     
   
Number of Shares
   
Amount
   
Additional paid-in Capital
   
Retained Earnings
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
Cost of Treasury Shares
   
Total Formula shareholders'' Equity
   
Non- controlling interests (*)
 
Changes during 2009:
                                               
Net Income
    -       -       -       19,076       -       -       19,076       13,954  
Unrealized gain from derivative instruments, net
    -       -       -       -       3       -       3       2  
Unrealized loss gain from available - for-sale securities, net
    -       -       -       -       (66 )     -       (66 )     74  
Other temporary impairment
                                    (250 )             (250 )        
Foreign Currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       298       -       298       413  
Total comprehensive income
                                                    19,061          
Stock Based Compensation expenses
    -       -       308       -       -       -       308       1,333  
Non-controlling interests changes due to holding changes including exercise of employees stock options
    -       -       (1,265 )     -       -       -       (1,265 )     (842 )
Dividend to Formula's shareholders and to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (15,094 )
Balance as of December 31, 2009
    13,200,000       3,736       131,631       60,048       (7,115 )     (259 )     188,041       107,273  

   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Accumulated unrealized gain from available - for-sale securities
    (1,384 )     (1,068 )     28  
Accumulated currency translation adjustments
    (5,734 )     (6,032 )     (6,891 )
Accumulated Unrealized gain from derivative instruments
    3                  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (7,115 )     (7,100 )     (6,863 )
 
*)           Effective January 1, 2009, the Company reclassified non-controlling interests in the equity; 2007 and 2008 were reclassified to conform to 2009 presentation.
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 
F - 7

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income
    33,030       22,688       52,723  
Adjustments to reconcile net income  to net cash provided
   by operating activities:
                       
Impairment and write down of other investments  and fixed assets
    59       502       649  
Impairment of available for sale marketable securities due to credit loss
    143       -       1,789  
Equity in losses  of affiliated companies, net
    335       216       653  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,605       13,082       15,806  
Increase (decrease)  in accrued severance pay, net
    (1,618 )     4,984       542  
Gain from sale of subsidiaries
    (4,284 )     -       (28,037 )
Gain from sale of operation
    (105 )     -       (170 )
Gain from sale of property, plants and equipment
    (2,219 )     (341 )     (70 )
Loss (gain) on realization of shareholdings and operations
    -       337       (2,039 )
Stock based compensation expenses
    1,641       1,505       1,074  
Changes in financial liabilities, net
    (202 )     4,950       1,691  
Loss (gain) from repurchase of convertible debt, net
    2       (218 )     -  
Changes in value of long term loans and deposits, net
    (210 )     (129 )     1,963  
Deferred taxes
    665       (1,881 )     (2,563 )
Change in liability in respect of acquisition
    458       (558 )     (493
 Loss (gain) from sale and decrease (increase)
   in value of marketable securities, net
    (2,609 )     1,481       60  
                         
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Decrease (increase) in inventories
    340       446       (134 )
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables
    13,057       (8,241 )     (8,415 )
Decrease (increase) in other accounts receivable
    12,478       3,914       (7,296 )
Increase (decrease)  in trade payables
    1,604       (2,602 )     4,082  
 Increase (decrease) in other accounts payable
    (12,875 )     6,674       10,336  
Increase in customer advances
    1,345       575       1,114  
Net cash provided by operating activities 
    55,640       47,384       43,265  
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 
F - 8

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Acquisition of newly-consolidated subsidiaries and activities
(Appendix C)
    (1,262 )     (13,633 )     (5,391 )
Proceeds from realization of investment
   in previously-consolidated subsidiaries (Appendix D)
    3,482       -       39,499  
Proceeds from sale of activity in a consolidated company
    105       -       170  
Proceeds from sale of affiliates company
    -       150       -  
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary's operation
    -       15,506       -  
Changes in restrictions on short term deposit
    4,040       (4,040 )     -  
Restricted long term deposit, net
    -       -       2,506  
Purchase of property and equipment
    (2,713 )     (4,055 )     (4,345 )
Proceeds from short term investment , net
    3,064       (6,795 )     (26,297 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plants and equipment
    5,666       1,011       186  
Investment in and loans to affiliates and other companies
    -       (187 )     (499 )
Other investments
    -       (756 )     -  
Payments to formerly shareholders of consolidated company
    (6,455 )     (5,973 )     -  
Changes in short term deposits, net
    (11,945 )     (1,659 )     -  
Proceeds from long term bank deposits
    139       3,090       (9,881 )
Capitalization of software development and other costs
    (6,960 )     (6,683 )     (8,522 )
Purchase of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
    -       (16,983 )     (6,281 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (12,839 )     (41,007 )     (18,855 )
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.

 
F - 9

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Issuance of debentures (net of issuance expense)
    -       -       61,576  
Exercise of employees stock options in subsidiaries
    1,224       876       4,888  
Dividend paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
    (8,400 )     (5,612 )     (8,348 )
Dividend to Formual's shareholders
    (29,964 )     (10,162 )     -  
Short-term bank credit, net
    (247 )     (15,151 )     (16,944 )
Repayment of long-term loans from banks and others
    (8,616 )     (10,855 )     (61,630 )
Receipt of short-term loans
    1,580       (750 )     26,275  
Issuance in a subsidiary to non-controlling interests, net
    -       -       12,915  
Purchase of non-controlling interests
    (3,774 )     -       -  
Deposit for SWAP deal
    1,061       -       (1,040 )
Repayment and repurchase of debenture
    (5,824 )     (18,128 )     (7,818 )
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock of subsidiary
    -       -       3,017  
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (52,960 )     (59,782 )     12,891  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 
    (238 )     2,481       7,824  
                         
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
   IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (10,397 )     (50,924 )     45,125  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR(*)
    110,602       161,526       116,401  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR (*)
    100,205       110,602       161,526  
 
(*) Include cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations.
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 
F - 10

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Appendix Supplemental cash flow information:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Cash paid in respect of:
                 
Interest
    4,064       5,077       6,107  
                         
Income tax
    4,444       5,192       6,648  
 
Appendix B - Non-cash activities:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
Investment in a consolidated company against account payable
    -       -       949  
                         
Dividend payable to Formula's shareholders and to non-
  controlling interests in subsidiaries
    6,694       29,964       -  
                         
ASC 740 (formerly Fin 48) provision
    -       -       430  
                         
Assets retirement obligation
    275       -       -  
                         
Receivables from sale of property
    450                  
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 
F - 11

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Appendix C - Acquisition of newly-consolidated subsidiaries and activities:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries consolidated
   as of acquisition date:
                 
Working capital (other than cash and cash equivalents)
    -       (6,209 )     3,603  
Investment in affiliates and loans
    -       -       375  
Property and equipment
    -       (543 )     (308 )
Goodwill and intangibles assets
    (1,262 )     (15,845 )     ( 10,857 )
Long-term liabilities
    -       395       925  
Other long term assets
    -       -       (212 )
Long term deferred tax liability
    -       1,771       (64 )
Liability to formerly shareholders
    -       6,723       -  
Non-controlling interests at acquisition date
    -       75       1,147  
Total
    (1,262 )     (13,633 )     (5,391 )
 
* Mainly goodwill

Appendix D - Proceeds from realization of investments in previously-consolidated subsidiaries:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Assets and liabilities of consolidated subsidiaries
   as of date of  realization
                 
Working capital (other than cash and cash equivalents)
    (2,259 )     -       9,434  
Debtors from sale of subsidiaries
    -       -       (16,000 )
Accrued severance pay, net
    -       -       (2,036 )
Investment in affiliate (including loans)
    -       -       (4,151 )
Property and equipment
    144       -       2,843  
Other assets, deferred expenses and long term payables
    1,337       -       37,032  
Provision for losses
    -       -       (1,971 )
Long term deposits
    -       -       1,181  
Goodwill
    206       -       54,462  
Adjustment to other comprehensive (loss) gain
    (230 )     -       570  
Long-term liabilities
    -       -       (28,833 )
Gain from realization of investments in subsidiaries
    4,284       -       28,037  
Non-controlling interests
    -       -       (41,069 )
Total
    3,482       -       39,499  
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
 
 
F - 12

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
 
General:
 
Formula Systems (1985) Ltd. (“Formula”) was incorporated in Israel in 1985. Since 1991, Formula's shares have been traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (“TASE”) and since 1997, through American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) under the symbol FORTY on the Global Market in the United States ("NASDAQ"). Each ADS represents one ordinary share of Formula.
 
Formula, through its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or the “Group”) is engaged in the development, production and marketing of information technology ("IT") solutions and services. The Group operates in two reportable segments: IT Services and Proprietary Software Solutions. For a description of the segments see Note 16.G.
 
The following table presents certain information regarding the control and ownership of Formula’s significant subsidiaries , as of the dates indicated:
 
 
Name of subsidiary
 
Percentage of ownership and control
 
   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
%
 
             
Matrix IT Ltd. (“Matrix”)
    50.1       50.2  
Magic Software Enterprises Ltd. (“Magic”)
    58.1       58.2  
NextSource Inc.
    *-       100  
Sapiens International Corporation N.V. (“Sapiens”)
    70.4       70.4  

The above list consists only of active companies that are held directly by Formula.
 
* See Note 2.F.
 
Accounting Principles:
 
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) United States.
 
 
F - 13

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
A.
Adoption of Certain New Accounting Standards:
 
 
Accounting Standards Codification:
 
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, "The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting"(the “Codification”). This standard replaces SFAS Statement No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and establishes only two levels of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), authoritative and nonauthoritative. The ASC has become the source of authoritative, nongovernmental GAAP, except for rules and interpretive releases of the SEC, which are sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All other nongrandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become nonauthoritative
 
 
This standard is effective for financial statements for interim or annual reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009
 
 
The adoption of the Codification changed the Company’s references to GAAP accounting standards but did not impact the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
 
 
Business Combinations and Non-controlling Interests
 
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted a new accounting standard included in ASC 805, "Business Combinations" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations). The new standard applies to all transactions or other events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses. Additionally, the new standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement date for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose additional information needed to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. The Company’s adoption of this new accounting standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted a new accounting standard included in ASC810, "Consolidations" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements). The new accounting standard establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interests (or non-controlling interests) in a subsidiary and for the consolidation of a subsidiary by requiring all non-controlling interests in subsidiaries be reported in the same way, as equity in the consolidated financial statements. As such, this guidance has eliminated the diversity in accounting for transactions between an entity and non-controlling interests by requiring they be treated as equity transactions. The Company’s adoption of the new accounting standard resulted in recording non-controlling interests in equity at the current year and in comparative numbers.
 
 
F - 14

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
A.
Adoption of Certain New Accounting Standards (Cont.)
 
 
Business Combinations and Non-controlling Interests (Cont.):
 
 
Until December 31, 2008 gain on realization of shareholdings includes the results of realization of the Company’s shareholdings in investees arising either on the sale of such shareholdings or from the issuance of stock by the investees to third parties. The Company charged such results to the statement of operations, provided that the conditions stipulated by SAB 51 for such recognition have been met. When conditions are not met gain is recognized as part of APIC.
 
 
Subsequent Events
 
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued new guidance for subsequent events. The new guidance, which is part of ASC 855, "Subsequent Events" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 165, Subsequent Events) is intended to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Specifically, this guidance sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. ASC 855 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. During that period, except as mention in Note 14, no material subsequent events came to the Company’s attention
 
B.
Functional and Reporting Currency:
 
 
Beginning in 2007, the Company changed its functional currency from New Israeli Shekel (NIS) to the United States dollar (“dollar”). This was done according to a change in economic and circumstance factors for the Company, as mentioned in ASC No. 830 "Foreign Currency Matters" (formerly FAS Statement No. 52 "foreign currency translation") ("ASC 830"). Prior to 2007, Formula operated primarily in the economic environment of the NIS and its functional currency was the NIS. The functional currencies of Formula's subsidiaries are NIS and dollar. Formula has elected to use dollar as its reporting currency for all years presented.
 
Formula translates the financial statements of its subsidiaries whose functional currency is NIS, into dollar, under the principles described in ASC 830. Assets and liabilities have been translated at period-end exchange rates.  Results of operations have been translated at the exchange rate at the dates on which those transactions occurred or at an average rate. Formula presents differences resulting from translation in equity under "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)".

 
F - 15

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
C.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions in the Preparation of the Financial Statements:
 
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and various assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.The actual results may differ from these estimates.
 
D.
Principles of Consolidation:
 
 
The consolidated financial statements include Formula’s financial statements as well as those of its subsidiaries in which it has controlling interests. Acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for under the acquisition method. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
 
E.
Fair Value Measurement:
 
 
The Company measures fair value and discloses fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
 
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC 820-10 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (formerly FAS Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”), with respect to non-financial assets and liabilities. The adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements (refer to Note 4).
 
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted a new accounting standard included in ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" (“ASC 820”) (formerly FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157), which delayed the effective date for disclosing the fair value of all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). This standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Effective April 2009, the Company adopted ASC 820 (formerly FSP 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly), requires disclosure of the inputs and valuation techniques used, as well as any changes in valuation techniques and inputs used during the period, to measure fair value in interim and annual periods. In addition, the presentation of the fair value hierarchy is required to be presented by major security type as described in ASC 320 "Investments - Debt and Equity Securities". The adoption of the new standard on April 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 16

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
F.
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
 
Cash and Cash equivalents are considered by the Company to be highly-liquid investments, including, inter-alia, short-term deposits with banks, which the maturity dates are less than three months at the time of acquisition and which are unrestricted.
 
G.
Investments:
 
 
Investments in non-marketable securities of companies in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policy are recorded at cost.
 
 
The Company accounts for investments in marketable equity securities and debt securities in accordance with ASC 320 "Investments- Debt and Equity Securities" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities") ("ASC 320"). Marketable equity securities and debt securities that are classified as "trading" or as "available-for-sale" are reported at fair value.
 
 
Unrealized gains and losses from marketable securities classified as "available for sale" are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component in equity under "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)". Unrealized gains and losses from marketable securities classified as "trading" are reported in the statements of operations.
 
 
Investments are periodically reviewed to determine whether other-than-temporary impairment in value has occurred, in which case the investment is written down to its fair value, through the statements of operations. In accordance with ASC 320, the Company recognizes an impairment charge when a decline in the fair value of its investments below the cost basis is considered to be other-than-temporary.
 
 
Effective April 2009, the Company adopted new guidance for the accounting for other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI"). Under the new guidance, which is part of ASC 320, "Investments — Debt and Equity Securities" (formerly FSP 115-2 and 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments) that changed the impairment and presentation model for its available-for-sale debt securities. Under the amended impairment model, an OTTI loss is recognized in earnings if the entity has the intent to sell the debt security, or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. However, if an entity does not expect to sell a debt security, it will still need to evaluate expected cash flows to be received and determine if a credit loss exists. In the event of a credit loss, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss is recognized currently in earnings. Amounts relating to factors other than credit losses are recorded in other comprehensive income.
 
 
F - 17

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
G.
Investments (Cont.):
 
 
The new guidance is effective periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company’s adoption of the new guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
H.
Inventory:
 
 
Inventory is comprised of hardware and software.
 
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined on the “first in - first out” basis for hardware.
 
I.
Investments in Affiliates:
 
 
Affiliates are companies over which significant influence is exercised, but which are not consolidated subsidiaries, and are accounted for by the equity method, net of write-down for decrease in value, which is not of a temporary nature.
 
J.
Property, Plants and Equipment, net:
 
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated by the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The following are the annual depreciation rates:
 
 
%
   
Computers and equipment
6-33
Motor vehicles
15
Buildings
2-4
Leasehold improvements
-*
 
 
* Over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset.
 
K.
Goodwill:
 
 
The Company applies ASC 350, “Intangible - Goodwill and Other” (formerly SFAS Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”) ("ASC 350"). ASC 350 requires goodwill to be tested for impairment on an annual basis and more frequently in certain circumstances, and written down when impaired rather than being amortized. Furthermore, ASC 350 requires purchased intangible assets other than goodwill to be amortized over their useful lives unless those lives are determined to be indefinite. The Company has selected December 31st as the date on which it will perform its annual goodwill impairment test.
 
 
F - 18

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
K.
Goodwill (Cont.):
 
 
As required by ASC 350, the impairment test is accomplished using a two- step approach. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. As required by ASC 350, the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value ('step 1') If the fair value exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit net assets, goodwill is considered not impaired, and no further testing is required. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the implied fair value of goodwill is determined by subtracting the fair value of all the identifiable net assets from the fair value of the reporting unit. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess, if any; of the carrying value of goodwill over its implied fair value ('step 2'). At December 31, 2009, the market capitalization of one reporting unit was below its carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of this reporting unit using the Income Approach, which utilizes a discounted cash flow model, as it believes that this approach best approximates its fair value at this time. Assumptions related to revenue, gross profit, operating expenses, future short-term and long-term growth rates, weighted average cost of capital, interest, capital expenditures, cash flows, and market conditions are inherent in developing the discounted cash flow model. Additionally, the Company evaluated the reasonableness of the estimated fair value of its reporting unit by reconciling to its market capitalization. The ability to reconcile the gap between the market capitalization and the fair value depends on various factors, some of which are quantitative, such as an estimated control premium that an investor would be willing to pay for a controlling interests in the Company, and some of which are qualitative and involve management judgment, including stable relatively high backlog and growing pipe line.
 
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, no impairment was required.
 
L.
Software Development Costs:
 
 
Development costs of software, which is intended for sales that are incurred after the establishment of technological feasibility of the relevant product, are capitalized. Technological feasibility is determined when detailed program design is completed and verified in accordance with the provisions of ASC No. 985 "Software" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed").
 
 
Software development costs incurred before technological feasibility has been established are charged to the statements of operations as incurred.
 
 
F - 19

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
L.
Software Development Costs (Cont.):
 
 
Research and development costs incurred in the process of software development before establishment of technological feasibility are charged to expenses as incurred. Costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility are capitalized according to the principles set forth in ASC 985-20, "Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed").
 
 
The Company's and its subsidiaries' technological feasibility is established upon completion of a detailed program design or working model.
 
 
Research and development costs incurred in the process of developing product improvements are generally charged to expenses as incurred.
 
 
Capitalized software costs are amortized on a product by product basis. Amortization equals the greater of the amount computed using the: (i) ratio of current gross revenues from sales of the software to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues from sales of that software, or (ii) the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the product (three to six years). The Company assesses the recoverability of these intangible assets on a regular basis by determining whether the amortization of the asset over its remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows from the specific software product sold. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, no impairment was required.
 
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, consolidated subsidiaries capitalized software development costs aggregated to $6.8 million (2008 - $6.4 million, 2007 - $6.0 million) and amortized capitalized software development costs aggregated to $8.4 million (2008 - $7.0 million, 2007 - $6.2 million).
 
M.
Other Intangible Assets:
 
 
Other intangible assets are comprised of customer's related intangible assets and acquired technology and are amortized over their useful lives using a method of amortization that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise used up. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method as follows:
 
 
Prepaid royalties
 
15 years
       
 
Distribution rights
 
5 years
       
 
Technology, usage rights and other intangible assets
 
3-8 years
 
 
The company evaluate every year the remaining useful life of the intangible assets.
 
 
During 2009, 2008 and 2007, no impairment was required.
 
 
F - 20

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
N.
Impairment in Value of Long-Lived Assets:
 
 
The Company’s long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment” (formerly SFAS Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets”) ("ASC 360"), whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 no impairment was required. During 2007, impairment loss in the amount of $137 thousand was recorded.
 
O.
Severance Pay:
 
 
The Company’s liability for severance pay to its employees pursuant to Israeli law and employment agreements is covered in part by managers’ insurance policies, for which the Company makes monthly payments. These funds are recorded as assets in the Company's balance sheet. The Company can only make withdrawals from these funds for payments of severance pay. The severance pay liability is calculated on the basis of eligibility for one month’s salary for each year of service, based on the most recent salary of each employee.
 
 
Pursuant to Section 14 of the Severance Compensation Law, 1963 ("Section 14"), certain employees of the Company who are subjected to this section, are entitled to monthly deposits, at a rate of 8.33% of their monthly salary, made in their name with insurance companies. Payments in accordance with Section 14 release the Company from any future severance payments in respect of those employees. Deposits under Section 14 are not recorded as an asset in the Company's balance sheet.
 
 
Total expenses (gain) in respect of severance pay for the years 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $(1.06) million, $7.4 million and $9.3 million, respectively.
 
 
F - 21

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
P.
Revenue Recognition:
 
 
Revenues derived from software license agreements are recognized in accordance ASC 985 "Software" (formerly SOP 97-2 "Software Revenue Recognition") ("ASC 985"), upon delivery of the software when collection is probable, where the license fee is otherwise fixed or determinable, and when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists.
 
 
In addition, there are certain arrangements involving multiple elements such as software product, maintenance and support. For these agreements ASC 985 requires that the fair value of each component in a multiple element arrangement will be determined based on the vendor's specific objective evidence ("VSOE") for that element, and revenue is allocated to each component based on its fair value. ASC 985 requires that revenue be recognized in accordance with the "residual method" when VSOE does not exists for all the delivered elements and exist for all the delivered elements, and all other ASC 985 criteria are met. Under the residual method, any discount in the arrangement is allocated to the delivered elements. The VSOE of post contract support ("PCS") is based on the price charged when PCS sold separately or renewed. The VSOE of consulting services is based on the price charged when the consulting services sold separately based on a time and material basis.
 
 
Revenues from consulting services, on hourly basis, are recognized as the services are rendered.
 
 
Revenues from maintenance and training are recognized over the service period.
 
 
Revenues from long term projects are recognized in accordance with ASC 605-35-25 (formerly SOP 81-1 “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type Contracts”), based on the percentage of completion method. Provision for estimated losses is recorded on the amount of the estimated losses on the entire contract in the period in which such losses first become evident. These revenues are included in the proprietary software products segment.
 
 
Revenues from sale of hardware are recognized when the merchandise is delivered to the customer, provided no significant vendor obligations remain.
 
 
The Company generally does not grant a right of return to its customers. When a right of return exists, revenue is deferred until the right of return expires, at which time revenue is recognized provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are met.
 
 
Deferred revenue includes unearned amounts received under maintenance contracts and amounts received from customers but not yet recognized as revenues. Payments for maintenance fees are generally made in advance and are nonrefundable.
 
 
Tax collected from customers and remitted to governments authorities (including VAT) are presented in statements of operations on a net basis.
 
 
F - 22

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
P.
Revenue Recognition (Cont.):
 
 
The Company recognizes revenue from software license sales in accordance with ASC 985-605 “Software Revenue Recognition” (“ASC 985-605”) with Respect to Certain Transactions. Under ASC 985-605, revenues from software product licenses are recognized upon delivery of the software provided there is persuasive evidence of an agreement, the fee is fixed or determinable, collection of the related receivable is probable and no further obligations exist. Revenues under multiple-element arrangements, which may include software licenses, support and maintenance, and training and consulting services, are allocated to each element under the "residual method" when Vendor Specific Objective Evidence ("VSOE") of Fair Value exists for all undelivered elements and VSOE does not exist for all of the delivered elements. VSOE is determined for support and maintenance, training and consulting services based on the price charged when the respective elements are sold separately or renewed.
 
 
The Company charges support and maintenance renewals at a fixed percentage of the total price of the licensed software products purchased by the customer. Under the residual method, the Company defers revenues related to the undelivered elements based on their VSOE of fair value and recognizes the remaining arrangement fee for the delivered elements.
 
 
IT outsourcing services that mainly include maintenance of customers' applications integrated on the Company's license performed on a fixed fee basis are recognized on a straight line basis over the contractual period that the services are rendered, since no other pattern of outputs is discernible. Revenues from IT outsourcing services that are performed on a "time and materials" basis are recognized as services are performed.
 
Q.
Provision for Warranty:
 
 
In light of past experience, the Company does not record any provision for warranties in respect of their products and services.
 
R.
Advertising Costs:
 
 
The Company records advertising expenses as incurred. Advertising costs were recorded at the amount of $2.4 million, $5.5 million, and $5.2 million in the years 2009, 2008, 2007 respectively.
 
 
F - 23

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
S.
Income Taxes:
 
 
Deferred taxes are determined utilizing the “asset and liability” method, whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between financial reporting and the tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company provides a valuation allowance, when it’s more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are classified as current or non-current based on the expected reversal dates of the specific temporary differences.
 
 
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted ASC 740 “Income Taxes" (formerly FIN 48) (“ASC 740”). Upon the adoption of a new pronouncement which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company should record accruals for uncertain tax positions. Those accruals should record to the extent that the Company concludes that a tax position is not sustainable under a “more-likely-than-not” standard.
 
 
In addition, the Company should classify interest and penalties recognized in the financial statements relating to uncertain tax positions under the provision for income taxes.
 
T.
Earnings per Share:
 
 
Earnings per share (“EPS”) are calculated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 260 "Earning per Share" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 128 "Earning per Share) ("ASC 260"). ASC 260 requires the presentation of both basic and diluted EPS.
 
 
Basic net earnings per share are calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. The diluted earnings per share are calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year, plus the dilutive potential common shares considered outstanding during the year.
 
U.
Treasury Shares:
 
 
The Company repurchases its shares from time to time and hold them as a treasury shares. These shares are presented as a reduction of equity, at their cost. Gains and losses upon the sale of these shares, net of related income taxes, are recorded to additional paid-in capital.
 
 
F - 24

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
V.
Concentration of Credit Risks - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
 
 
Most of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were deposited in Israeli, U.S. and European banks. Therefore the Company is of the opinion that the credit risk in respect of these balances is low.
 
 
The Group’s trade receivables are derived from sales to large firm organizations located mainly in North America, Europe and Israel. The Group performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and has established an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors relating to the credit risk of specific customers and other information. In certain circumstances, the Company may require letters of credit, other collateral or additional guarantees. From time to time, the Company sells certain of its accounts receivable to financial institutions, within the normal course of business.
 
 
ASC 860, "Transfers and servicing" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 140 "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities"), establishes a standard for determining when a transfer of financial assets should be accounted for as a sale. The underlying conditions are met for the transfer of financial assets to qualify for accounting as a sale. The transfers of financial assets are typically performed by the sale of receivables to a financial institution. There are no outstanding  sales of receivables as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
 
The agreements, pursuant to which the Company sells its trade receivables, are structured such that the Company (i) transfers the proprietary rights in the receivable from the Company to the financial institution; (ii) legally isolates the receivable from the Company’s other assets, and presumptively puts the receivable beyond the legal reach of the Company and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership; (iii) confers on the financial institution the right to pledge or exchange the receivable; and (vi) eliminates the Company’s effective control over the receivable, in the sense that the Company is not entitled and shall not be obligated to repurchase the receivable other than in case of failure by the Company to fulfill its commercial obligation.
 
 
The net change in the provision for doubtful accounts charged to general and administrative expenses amounted to $0.5 million, $1.1 million and $0.4 million in the years 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and was determined for specific debts where doubt existed as to their collectability.
 
 
F - 25

 

 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
W.
Stock based compensation:
 
 
The Company applies ASC 718, and ASC 505-50, "Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees", with respect to options and warrants issued to non-employees. ASC 718 requires the use of an option valuation model to measure the fair value of the options and warrants at the measurement date as defined in ASC 505-50.
 
 
ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model, where applicable. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for 2009, 2008 and 2007 includes compensation expense for share-based awards granted (i) prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of ASC 718, and (ii) subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718.
 
 
The Company's' subsidiaries granted options to their employees to purchase shares.
 
 
Matrix and Sapiens use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which requires a number of assumptions, of which the most significant are, expected stock price volatility, and the expected option term. Expected volatility was calculated based upon actual historical stock price movements over the most recent periods ending on the grant date, equal to the expected option term. The expected option term represents the period that the Company’s stock options are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar options, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock options.
 
 
Magic use the Binomial option-pricing model for options granted. The Binomial model considers characteristics of fair value option pricing that are not available under the Black-Scholes model. Similar to the Black-Scholes model, the Binomial model takes into account variables such as volatility, dividend yield rate and risk free interest rate. However, in addition, the Binomial model considers specific terms and conditions of the options, such as the contractual term of the option, the probability that the option will be exercised prior to the end of its contractual life and the probability of termination of the option holder in computing the value of the option. For these reasons, Magic believes that the Binomial model provides a fair value that is more representative of actual experience and future expected experience than that calculated using the Black-Scholes model.
 
 
F - 26

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
X.
Derivatives and Hedging:
 
 
The Company accounts for derivatives based on ASC 815, "Derivative and Hedging" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities") ("ASC 815"). According to ASC 815, derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedges of forecasted transactions (i.e., cash flow hedges) are carried at fair value with the effective portion of a derivative's gain or loss recorded in other comprehensive income and subsequently recognized in earnings in the same period or periods in which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. For derivative instruments that are not designated and qualified as hedging instruments, the gains or losses on the derivative instruments are recognized in current earnings during the period of the change in fair values.
 
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted a new accounting standard included in ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (SFAS Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of SFAS Statement No. 133). The new accounting standard requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Since the new accounting standard only required additional disclosure, the adoption did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Put options which were granted to non-controlling interests during 2007 and 2009 in Matrix have been measured in fair value pursuant to ASC 810 (formerly EITF 00-06 "Accounting for Freestanding Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, the Stock of a Consolidated Subsidiary") and ASC 505 (formerly EITF 08-8 "Accounting for an Instrument (or an Embedded Feature) with a Settlement Amount That Is Based on the Stock of an Entity’s Consolidated Subsidiary").
 
 
Sapiens also enters into put option contracts to hedge certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of Sapiens foreign currency hedging activities is to protect Sapiens from risk that the eventual dollar cash flows from international activities will be adversely affected by changes in the exchange rates. Sapiens put option contracts did not qualify as hedging instruments under ASC 815.
 
 
Changes in the fair value of put option contracts are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as financial income or expense as applicable.
 
 
During 2007-2009 Matrix engaged in SWAP deals to exchange interest which was linked to the CPI. This SWAP deals did not qualify for hedge accounting under ASC 815. Matrix measured the fair value of the contracts in accordance with ASC 820. Changes in the fair value are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as financial income or expense as applicable.
 
 
F - 27

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
X.
Derivatives and Hedging (Cont.):
 
 
Magic entered into forward contracts, these contracts serve to protect net income against the impact of the translation into U.S. dollars of certain foreign exchange-denominated transactions.
 
 
The derivative instruments primarily hedge or offset exposures in Euro, Japanese Yen and NIS to buy and sell, in the notional amounts of outstanding foreign exchange as December 31, 2009, $2,683 and $2,671 thousands, respectively.
 
Y.
Comprehensive income (loss):
 
The Company accounts for comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with ASC 220 "Comprehensive Income" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”). This statement establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general purpose financial statements. Comprehensive income (loss) generally represents all changes in equity during the period except those resulting from investments by, or distributions to, shareholders. The Company determined that its items of other comprehensive income (loss) relate to gain and loss on foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gain and loss on derivatives instruments designated as hedge and unrealized gain and loss on available-for-sale marketable securities.
 
Z.
Discontinued operations:
 
Under ASC 205 "Presentation of Financial statements – Discontinued Operation" (formerly SFAS Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”),  when a component of an entity, as defined in ASC 205, has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale, the results of its operations, including the gain or loss on the disposed component, should be classified as discontinued operations and the assets and liabilities of such component should be classified as assets and liabilities attributed to discontinued operations; that is, provided that the operations, assets and liabilities of the component have been eliminated from the Company's consolidated operations and the Company will no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component.
 
AA.
Reclassifications:
 
 
Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
 
 
F - 28

 

 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Cont.):
 
AB.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Cont.):
 
Accounting Standards Not Yet Effective
 
 
Accounting for the Transfers of Financial Assets
 
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance relating to the accounting for transfers of financial assets. The new guidance, which was issued as SFAS Statement No. 166, "Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment to SFAS Statement No. 140, was adopted into Codification in December 2009 through the issuance of Accounting Standards Updated (“ASU”) 2009-16. The new standard eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity,” changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosures in order to enhance information reported to users of financial statements by providing greater transparency about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and an entity’s continuing involvement in and exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets.
 
 
The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company will adopt the new guidance in 2010 and is evaluating the impact it will have to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Note 2 - Certain Transactions:
 
A.
In June 2007 the Company sold its entire holdings in BluePhoenix, for consideration of approximately $64 million. The Company recognized approximately $18 million in capital gain upon completion of the sale.  This gain is presented in the statements of operations as income from discontinued operation.
 
B.
On December 30, 2007, the Company's subsidiary, Magic, sold its holding in, Advanced Answers on Demand Holding Corporation,("AAOD"), a Florida corporation that develops and markets application software targeted at the long-term care industry, to Fortissimo Capital for $17 million, which paid Magic $1 million of the sale price in December 2007 and the remaining $16 million in March 2008. As a result of this sale, the Company recorded a net gain of approximately $9.3 million; this gain is presented in the income statement as an income of discontinued operation.
 
 
In addition, as part of the transaction, Magic entered into a three years license agreement with AAOD according to which AAOD will continue to sell Magic’s products, as an OEM partner, in consideration for $3 million, to be paid quarterly over three years starting in 2008.
 
 
F - 29

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 2 - Certain Transactions (Cont.):
 
C.
On August 19, 2007, Matrix completed an offering of non-convertible debentures in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $ 62 million (NIS 250 million). The debentures were sold to institutional and other investors in Israel. The debentures bear an interest at an annual rate of 5.15%. The principal will be paid in four equal annual installments on December 31 of each of the years 2010 through 2013. The principal and interest are linked to the Israeli consumer price index ("CPI"). On February 21, 2008, Matrix listed the debentures for trading on the TASE.
 
D.
In June 2007, Sapiens, entered into a private placement investment transaction with several institutional investors, private investors and Formula for an aggregate gross investment amount of $20 million (excluding finders' fees and out of pocket expenses), $6.5 million of which was by Formula.  Sapiens issued to the investors an aggregate of 6,666,667 common shares (of which 2,166,666 common shares were issued to Formula), at a price per share of $3.00 which reflected a premium of approximately 25% above the trading price of Sapiens’ common shares (as of the date Sapiens’ board of directors approved the investment).
 
E.
In 2008 Matrix purchased all the shares of TACT Computers and Systems Ltd. ("TACT") for aggregate consideration $12.5 million. In 2009, Matrix paid to the sellers an additional and final consideration of approximately $6.4 million.
 
 
a.
The following table summarizes the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of purchase:
 
   
(in thousands)
 
       
Current assets
    9,615  
Property and equipment
    299  
Goodwill
    10,535  
Customer related intangible asset
    1,884  
Total tangible and intangible assets acquired
    22,333  
         
Current liabilities
    8,465  
Other long-term liabilities
    1,372  
Total liabilities assumed
    9,837  
         
Net assets acquired
    12,496  
         
Cash paid
    12,496  

 
F - 30

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 2 - Certain Transactions (Cont.):
 
 
b.
The following unaudited pro forma summary presents information as if the acquisition of TACT had occurred as of January 1, 2008 and as of January 1, 2007. The pro forma information, which is provided for informational purposes only, is based on historical information and does not necessarily reflect the results that would have occurred, not is it necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the consolidated entity.

   
Year ended December 31.
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Revenues
    515,278       442,532  
Income from continuing operation
    11,592       11,315  
Earning per share - basic
    0.88       0.85  
Earning per share - diluted
    0.88       0.84  
 
F.
In October 2009 the company completed the sale of our entire 100% shareholdings in our subsidiary NextSource, for aggregate consideration of approximately $12 million, of which $8 million was paid in cash and the remainder through the release of $4 million bank deposits that were previously pledged in favor of banks to secure obligations of NextSource
 
 
This gain is presented in the income statement as income from discontinued operation.
 
 
F - 31

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 3 - Short-term Investments:
 
A.
Composition:
 
   
Interest rate
       
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
%
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
Trading securities
          40,491       40,148  
Available-for-sale securities
          3,680       3,759  
Short-term deposits
  0.96-5.72       13,838       1,810  
Total
            58,009       45,717  
 
B.
The following is a summary of marketable securities which are classified as available-for-sale:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
   
Amortized cost
   
Unrealized gains
   
Market value
   
Amortized costs
   
Unrealized gains
   
Market value
 
Available-for-sale:
                                   
Government debentures
    407       37       444       952       59       1,011  
Commercial debentures
    2,888       175       3,063       2,596       34       2,630  
Equity funds
    118       55       173       118       -       118  
Total available-for-sale
   marketable securities
    3,413       267       3,680       3,666       93       3,759  
 
 
In 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded proceeds from sales of marketable securities on the amount of $406 thousand and $1,809 thousand respectively and related gains of $22 thousand and $80 thousand in financial income, net respectively.
 
 
F - 32

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 3 - Short-term Investments (Cont.):
 
B.
The following is a summary of marketable securities which are classified as available-for-sale:
 
 
In 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges in the amount of $0 and $130 thousand respectively.
 
 
The estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments as of December 31, 2009 and as of December 31, 2008 by contractual maturity, are as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in Thousands)
 
   
Cost
   
Market value
   
Cost
   
Market value
 
Available-for-sale debt securities:
                       
Matures in one year
    805       889       1,750       1,746  
Matures in two to five years
    2,490       2,618       1,221       1,262  
Matures in more than five years
    -       -       577       633  
      3,295       3,507       3,548       3,641  
 
Note 4 - Fair value measurement:
 
The accounting standard establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:
 
Level 1:      Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
 
 
Level 2:      Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.
 
 
Level 3:       Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
 
In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.
 
The fair value of the liabilities is approximately the presented value.

 
F - 33

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 4 - Fair value measurement (Cont.):
 
The Company's financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued interest components; consisted of the following types of instruments as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
   
Fair value measurements using input type
December 31, 2009
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
                         
Cash equivalents
  $ 31,949       -       -     $ 31,949  
Short-term deposits
    13,838       -       -       13,838  
Marketable securities:
                               
Shares
    868       -       -       868  
Government and corporate debentures
    40,262       2,868       -       43,130  
Derivative
    -       2,302               2,302  
Equity Fund
    173       -       -       173  
Available for sale- long term (*)
    401       2,500       4,480       7,381  
Total Financials Assets
  $ 87,491       7,670       4,480     $ 99,641  
 
   
Fair value measurements using input type
December 31, 2008
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
                             
Cash equivalents
  $ 33,632                     $ 33,632  
Short-term deposits
    1,810       -       -       1,810  
Marketable securities:
                               
Trustee funds
    169       -       -       169  
Shares
    1,665       -       -       1,664  
Government and corporate debentures
    41,956       -       -       41,956  
Equity Fund
    118       -       -       118  
Available for sale- long term (*)
    441       2,500       5,000       7,941  
Total Financials Assets
  $ 79,790       2,500       5,000     $ 87,290  
                                 
Derivative
            526               526  
Embedded derivatives
    -       900       -       900  
Total Financials Liabilities
  $ -     $ 1,426     $ -     $ 1,426  
 
(*)
The available for sale securities with unquoted prices fair value was determined by a valuation. The fair value was based on a trinomial discount model employing assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value.
 
The assumptions included, among others, the following: the underlying structure of the security, the financial standing of the issuer, stated maturities, estimates of the probability of the issue being called at par prior to final maturity, estimates of the probability of defaults and recoveries, auctions failure and successful auction or repurchase at par for each period, expected changes in interest rates paid on the securities, interest rates paid on similar instruments, and an estimated illiquidity discount due to extended redemption periods. Finally, the present value of the future principal and interest payments was discounted at rates considered to reflect current market conditions for each security (See Note 5).
 
 
F - 34

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 4 - Fair value measurement (Cont.):
 
The following table summarizes the activity for those financial assets where fair value measurements are estimated utilizing Level 3 inputs.
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
U.S. $ in thousands
 
             
Carrying value as of January 1
    5,000       5,000  
                 
Net changes in fair value
    (250 )     -  
Impairment:
               
Impairment to credit loss
    (143 )     -  
Impairment to non-credit loss
    (127 )     -  
                 
Carrying value as of December 31
    4,480       5,000  
 
Note 5 - Long term Investments:
 
Composition:
 
       
December 31,
 
   
Interest rate
 
Linkage
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
%
 
basis
 
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                     
Cost of shares (1)
            417       1,342  
Long-term prepaid expenses
            1,822       883  
                         
                         
Loans
    3%  
Yen
    61       -  
Restricted deposit
    -  
Dollar
    400       400  
Available for sale marketable securities (2)
    1.29-1.732  
Dollar
    7,381       7,941  
Deposit
    -  
Dollar
    190       4,475  
Deposit
    3.6  
CPI
    49       1,244  
Other
              3       -  
                8,084       14,060  
      Total
              10,323       16,285  

 
(1)
The investment is accounted for a cost basis in accordance with ASC 323-1. In 2009 and 2008 impairment losses on cost investments have been identified in the amount of $59 and $ 502 thousand respectively.

 
F - 35

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 5 - Long term Investments (Cont.)
 
 
(2)
Mainly available for sale securities' interest rates that are reset through a “Dutch” auction each month. The monthly auctions historically have provided a liquid market for these securities. With the liquidity issues experienced in global credit and capital markets, the available for sale securities have experienced multiple failed auctions as the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders.
 
In 2009, while the Company continues to earn interest on the available for sale at the contractual rates, their estimated market value no longer approximates par value. As there was insufficient observable market information available to determine the fair value of most of the available for sale, their fair value was determined based on a valuation (See Note 4).

Note 6 - Investments in Affiliates:
 
Following are details relating to the financial position and results of operations of affiliates in the aggregate:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
             
Total assets
    9,747       12,096  
                 
Total liabilities
     1,733        2,435  
                 
Net loss
    (972 )     (774 )
 
 
F - 36

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 7 - Property, Plants and Equipment, net:
 
Composition:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Cost:
           
Computers and equipment
    43,735       45,861  
Motor vehicles
    572       840  
Buildings
    3,210       9,674  
Leasehold improvements
    6,057       6,769  
      53,574       63,144  
Accumulated Depreciation:
               
Computers and equipment
    37,476       38,394  
Motor vehicles
    412       611  
Buildings
    1,493       4,500  
Leasehold improvements
    4,204       4,630  
      43,585       48,135  
Depreciated balance
    9,989       15,009  

Depreciation expenses totaled $4.0 million, $4.6 million and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
In December 2009, Magic sold and leased back its Israel-based headquarters' office building for consideration of $ 5,200, of which $ 4,900 was received in December 2009. As a result of the sale, the Company's subsidiary recorded a net gain of approximately $ 1,960. Magic has an option to terminate the lease agreement upon six months prior written notice, commencing six months from the date of its sale. See Note 13 with respect to pledges.
 
 
 
F - 37

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 8 - Goodwill:
 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
 
   
U.S. $ in thousands
 
       
Balance as of  January 1,2008
    117,581  
Acquisition of additional interest in subsidiaries
    2,718  
Realization and decrease in shareholding percentage
    (216 )
Acquisition of newly-consolidated subsidiaries
    21,140  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    696  
         Balance as of December 31, 2008
    141,919  
Additions due to past contingent consideration  acquisition
   of additional interest in subsidiaries
    2,773  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    629  
Balance as of December 31, 2009
    145,321  

Note 9 - Other Assets, Net:
 
Composition:
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
A.           Original amounts:
           
Capitalized software development costs
    84,205       76,835  
Other intangibles
    18,352       19,237  
Deferred tax asset
    9,499       13,218  
      112,056       109,290  
Accumulated amortization:
               
  Capitalized software development costs
    59,604       50,722  
  Other intangibles
    12,435       12,686  
      72,039       63,408  
Total
    40,017       45,882  
 
B.
Amortized expenses totaled $ 9.8 million, $8.1 million and $7.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As for impairments of software development cost, see Note 1L.
 
 
F - 38

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 9 - Other Assets, Net (Cont.):
 
C.
Estimated intangible assets amortization for the years ended:
 
December 31,
 
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
       
2010
    10,237  
2011
    7,931  
2012
    5,333  
2013
    4,303  
2014
    1,546  
2015 and thereafter
    749  
Total
    30,099  
 
Note 10 - Liabilities to Banks and Others:
 
A.
Composition:
 
   
December 31, 2009
 
Linkage basis
 
Long-term liabilities
   
Current maturities
   
Total long-term liabilities net of current maturities
   
Total long-term liabilities net of current maturities
 
   
Interest rate
     
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
%
     
(U.S. $ in thousands)
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                                 
      3-6  
NIS
    15,350       6,820       8,530       15,383  
      1.47  
Other
    15       -       15       197  
         
Lease
    31       20       11       122  
         
Derivatives*
    -       -       -       526  
         
Put option
    -       -       -       412  
Total
              15,396       6,840       8,556       16,640  
 
*
See Note 16.A.

 
F - 39

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 10 - Liabilities to Banks and Others (Cont.):
 
B.
Maturity Dates:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
             
First year (current maturities)
    6,840       8,133  
Second year
    5,940       6,906  
Third year
    2,616       5,958  
Fourth year
    -       2,838  
Total
    15,396       23,835  
 
C.
For details of liens, guarantees and credit facilities see Note 13.

Note 11 - Debentures:
 
A.
Comprised as follows:
 
           
December 31,
 
 
Linkage
 
Interest rate
   
2009
 
2008
 
 
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                     
Non-Convertible Debentures
CPI
    5.15 %     58,557       56,004  
Convertible Debenture:
                         
Par value
Dollar
    6.0 %     -       5,637  
Embedded derivatives, net
              -       1,110  
Deemed discount, net
              -       (312 )
                58,557       62,439  
Less - debentures purchased by one
  of the Company's subsidiaries
              -       (1,278 )
Less - current maturities of debentures
              (14,639 )     (5,157 )
   Total
              43,918       56,004  
 
*)
Amortization of the deemed discount and the changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives charged to expenses were $459 thousand and $308 thousand for 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
 
F - 40

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 11 – Debentures (Cont.):
 
B.
Non-convertible debentures:
 
 
The non-convertible debentures were issued by Matrix in August 2007 for an aggregate amount of NIS 250 million (approximately $ 62,000 thousands).
 
 
The debentures bear interest at an annual rate of 5.15%. The principal will be paid in four equal annual installments on December 31 of each of the years 2010 through 2013. The principal and interest are linked to the Israeli CPI. On February 21, 2008, Matrix listed the debentures for trading on the TASE.
 
 
In 2008, Matrix repurchased debentures value, amounting to $12.6 million of the outstanding debentures. As a result, a $ 500 thousands was recorded as a gain on repurchase of debentures.
 
C.
Convertible debentures:
 
 
During December 2003, Sapiens completed an offering of securities on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange ("TASE") in Israel, resulting in gross proceeds of NIS 75.2 million (approximately $ 17.1 million). The price per unit was NIS 752 (approximately $ 171.1) with 100,000 units sold. Each of the units consists of 800 debentures (series A), two options (series A) exercisable into debentures (series A) and six warrants (series 1) exercisable into Common shares of Sapiens.
 
 
The debentures (series A) were linked to the U.S. dollar with a floor exchange rate of NIS 4.394 to the dollar, and bear annual interest at the rate of 6.0%, payable twice a year commencing on June 5, 2004 and ending on December 5, 2009. Principal is payable in four installments on December 5 of the years 2006-2009. The debentures (series A) were convertible into Common shares at a conversion rate of one Common share per each NIS 27 (approximately $ 6.14) amount of the debentures, linked to the NIS/dollar exchange rate, with a floor exchange rate of NIS 4.394 to the dollar.
 
 
Each option (series A) was exercisable into 100 debentures (series A) no later than March 3, 2004 at an exercise price of NIS 96 (approximately $ 21.85), of which 179,663 options (series A) were exercised into debentures (series A) in 2004, with a total exercise price of approximately $ 3,800 thousands. 105,225 of the options (series A) were exercised by one of the Company's subsidiaries in Israel. The remaining options expired. All the warrants (series 1) that were exercisable into Common shares of Sapiens expired on November 21, 2007, without being exercised.
 
The debentures (series A), options (series A) and warrants (series 1) were, traded on TASE only.
 
 
F - 41

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 11 – Debentures (Cont.):
 
D.
Convertible debentures (Cont.):
 
 
The conversion feature and the floor rate to the dollar payments were evaluated and determined under ASC 815 to have characteristics of liabilities and therefore, accounted for as derivative liabilities. Each reporting period, these derivative liabilities were marked to fair value with the non-cash gain or loss recorded in the period. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the aggregate derivative liabilities were $ 0 and $ 900, respectively classified on the balance sheet as "convertible debentures". The valuation of the embedded derivatives was determined by the Black and Scholes model and the Lattice model.
 
 
During the years 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company re-purchased an aggregate amount of NIS 1,600, NIS 7,600 and NIS 15,000 thousands nominal value, respectively, representing $ 400, $ 2,090 and $ 3,500 thousands of the outstanding debentures (series A) that were retired and removed from circulation on the TASE.
 
 
On December 5, 2009, the Company repaid the fourth and final payment of the principal of the debentures (series A).
 
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the net balance of the convertible debt was $ 0 and $ 5,380, respectively. Amortization of the deemed discount and the changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives charged to expenses were $ 459 and $ 308 thousands for 2009 and 2008, respectively. The debt issuance expenses, which were classified as other assets, and the deemed discount, are amortized over the term of the debentures (series A), using the effective interest rate method.
 
Note 12 - Employee Option Plans:
 
A.
In March 2008, Formula's shareholders approved the adoption of Formula’s 2008 Employee and Office Holders Share Option Plan, referred to as "the plan". Pursuant to the plan, the company may grant from time to time to the company and its subsidiaries’ employees and officers holders (which are not Formula’s controlling shareholders) options to purchase up to 400,000 ordinary shares of Formula. The plan is administered by the Company's board of directors or by an option committee to be appointed by the board.  The plan provides that options may be granted, from time to time, to such grantees to be determined by the board or the option committee, at an exercise price and under such terms to be determined at their sole and absolute discretion. Options may be granted under the plan through January 2018.
 
 
F - 42

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 12 - Employee Option Plans (Cont.):
 
 
In January 2009, Formula granted to the CEO, in connection with his new service agreement, options to purchase 396,000 ordinary shares. These options vest over a three-year period, commencing on December 17, 2008, on a quarterly basis. The exercise price of the options is NIS 0.01 per share. The options shall expire six years of the date of grant. These options are amortized in accordance to the group's options amortization methodology. In April 2010 the CEO exercised all the options to shares.
 
 
The fair value of the options shares are the fair value of the shares at the grant date, $926 thousands ($2.34 per share).
 
B.
The Company's subsidiaries granted options to their employees to purchase shares in the respective companies.
 
 
The options were mainly granted during the years 1999-2009. In general, the options expire 7-10 years after grant. Most of the options were granted as part of plans that were adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, which stipulate, inter alia, that the subsidiaries will be able to claim the benefit that was charged to the employees as an expense for tax purposes, if and when the employees become liable for tax on the benefit mentioned above. For further information with respect to expenses relating to the benefit to the employees, and additional disclosure required by ASC 718, see Note 1.W.

 
 
F - 43

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 12 - Employee Option Plans (Cont.):
 
 
The following table is a summary of the status of option plans in Magic as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
 

   
Year ended
December 31, 2009
   
Year ended
December 31, 2008
   
Year ended
December 31, 2007
 
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average remaining contractual term
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average remaining contractual term
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
          $    
Years
          $    
Years
          $  
Options outstanding at
the beginning of the
year
    2,390,045       2.31             3,673,528       2.22             2,352,632       2.52  
Granted
    350,000       0.88             145,000       1.12             1,773,332       1.78  
Exercised
    (42,546 )     1.36             (351,830 )     0.65             (218,205 )     1.18  
Forfeited
    (770,300 )     1.79             (1,076,653 )     2.35             (234,231 )     2.98  
Outstanding at the end of the year
    1,927,199       2.28       5.51       2,390,045       2.31       6.4       3,673,528       2.22  
                                                                 
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the year
    1,881,429       2.31       5.43       2,113,510       2.37       6.07       3,489,741       2.21  
Exercisable at the end of the year
    1,512,823       2.56       4.66       1,581,051       2.53       5.12       2,407,532       2.22  
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year *
            0.87                       0.68                       1.31  

 
*
The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant, using the binomial model for the years 2009, 2008 and 2007 with the following weighted-average assumptions for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007: expected volatility of 63%, of 56%-65%, and 51%-73%, respectively; risk-free interest rates of 2.73-3.7%, 1.83% and 3.46-5.05% respectively; dividend yields of 0% for each year, and a weighted average expected life of the option of 2.35-3 years, 2.48-3  years and 2.48-3  years, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the twelve months period ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $ 0.87, $ 0.68 and $ 1.31, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total intrinsic value that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2009. This amount is changed based on the fair market value of Magic shares. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were $ 168, $ 383 and $ 26 thousands respectively. As of December 31, 2009, there was a $ 163 thousands of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under Magic stock option plans. This cost is expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 3 years.
 
 
F - 44

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 12 - Employee Option Plans (Cont.):
 
 
The following is a summary of the status of option plans in Matrix as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and changes during the years then ended:
 
   
Year ended
December 31, 2009
   
Year ended
December 31, 2008
   
Year ended
December 31, 2007
 
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted Average
 Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average remaining contractual
term
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
          $    
Years
          $           $  
Options outstanding at
the beginning of the
year
    2,779,252       3.16             2,967,981       3.08       2,949,291       1.625  
Granted
    -       -             200,000       2.93       2,050,000       3.437  
Exercised
    (528,681 )     1.75             (271,525 )     1.88       (1,995,730 )     1.68  
Forfeited
    (79,108 )     1.81             (117,204 )     3.56       (35,580 )     1.564  
Outstanding at the end of the year
    2,171,463       3.29       2       2,779,252       3.16       2,967,981       3.08  
                                                         
Vested and expected
 to vest at the end of the year
    2,171,463       3.29       2       2,779,252       3.16       2,967,981       3.08  
                                                         
Exercisable at the end of the year
    1,506,844       3.25       1.05       929,252       1.81       1,275,516       1.72  
Weighted average fair value of  options
granted  during the year *
            -                       0.87               1.3  

 
*
The fair value of options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants: expected volatility: 2008 -24%-31%; 2007- 24%-25%; risk-free interest rate (in NIS terms) of 2008 - 4.3%-5.3%; 2007 - 5.3%-5.5%, dividend yields of 50% for each year and expected life: 3-3.5 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of the vested and expected to vest options for December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $ 3,280, $ 27 and $ 3,045 thousands, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $ 654, $ 477 and $ 2,508 thousands, respectively.

 
F - 45

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 12 - Employee Option Plans (Cont.):
 
 
The following is a summary of the status of options plans in Sapiens as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and changes during the years then ended:
 
   
Year ended
   
Year ended
   
Year ended
 
   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
   
Number of options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average remaining contractual term
   
Number of options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Number of options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
          $    
Years
          $           $  
Options outstanding at
the beginning of the year
    2,698,350       3.45       6.37       2,825,900       4.01       2,441,050       4.68  
Changes during the year:
                                                       
Granted
    286,012       1.24       5.42       244,000       1.76       691,000       2.39  
Exercised
    -       -       -       (50,000 )     1.74       (29,569 )     2.35  
Forfeited
    (677,399 )     4.24       5.14       (321,550 )     7.59       (276,581 )     5.53  
Options outstanding at the end of the year
    2,306,963       2.16       5.23       2,698,350       3.45       2,825,900       4.01  
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the year
    2,276,720       2.17       5.23       2,571,450       3.51       2,721,650       4.02  
Options exercisable at year-end
    1,702,103       2.44       5.21       1,852,350       3.99       2,130,900       4.58  
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year*
            0.59                       0.64               1.38  
 
 
The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumption: expected volatility: 2009- 90%-93%, 2008 - 78%, 2007 - 89%, risk-free interest rate 2009 – 1.79%-2.46%, 2008 – 2.95%, 2007 – 4.2% dividend yield of 0% for all years and expected life: 2009 - 4.25 years, 2008 - 4.25 year and 2007 - 6.25 years. The aggregate intrinsic value is the difference between Sapiens closing stock price on the last trading day of the fiscal year 2009 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2009. These aggregate intrinsic value changes based on the fair market value of Sapiens shares.
 
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0, $96,500, $17,666, respectively. Compensation expense recognized amounted to $259, $165 and $115 thousands for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
 
F - 46

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 12 - Employee Option Plans (Cont.):
 
 
As of December 31, 2009, there was a $477 thousands of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options granted under the Plan and the Special Plan, which is expected to be recognized over a period of up to four years.
 
 
In April 2009, Sapiens's Board of Directors approved a re-pricing of some of Sapiens's stock options held by Sapiens's management. Since there was no incremental value as a result of the modification, no additional expense was recorded in respect of the re-pricing of the respective options.
 
Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies:
 
A.
Commitments:
 
 
Some of the Company’s subsidiaries have commitments to the Chief Scientist and to the Marketing Promotion Fund, to pay royalties at a rate of 3%-3.5% of the proceeds from the sale of software products which were developed with the assistance of the Chief Scientist and marketed with the assistance of the Marketing Promotion Fund. The amount of royalties is limited to 100%-150% of the amount received.  The subsidiaries are only obliged to repay the grants received from the Office of the Chief Scientist if revenue is generated from the sale of the said software products.
 
 
The balance of the contingent liability in respect of the aforesaid amounted to approximately $6.7 million as of December 31, 2009.
 
B.
Liens:
 
 
1.
Formula has liens on its portion of shareholdings in its subsidiaries in favor of the Bank.
 
 
2.
Some of the subsidiaries have liens on leased vehicles, leased equipment and other assets in favor of the leasing companies.
 
C.
Guarantees:
 
 
1.
Subsidiaries have provided bank guarantees aggregating to approximately $13.2 million as security for the performance of various contracts with customers. If the subsidiaries were to breach certain terms of such contracts, the customers could demand that the banks providing the guarantees pay amounts claimed to be due.
 
 
2.
Subsidiaries have provided bank guarantees aggregating to $2.9 million as security for rent to be paid for their offices. If the subsidiaries were to breach certain terms of their lease, the leaser could demand that the banks providing the guarantees pay amounts claimed to be due.
 
 
F - 47

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies (Cont.):
 
D.
Others:
 
 
Accordance with credit facilities agreements of subsidiaries, with various banks, the subsidiaries committed to the following:
 
 
a.
To maintain certain financial ratios. The Company meets its financial ratios.
 
 
b.
Not to grant a security interest in all or substantially all of their respective assets.
 
E.
Legal Proceedings:
 
 
In August 2009, a software company filed a lawsuit in arbitration against Magic claiming an alleged breach of a non-disclosure agreement between the parties. The plaintiffs are seeking damages in the amount of NIS 51,794 thousand (approximately $ 13,720). Based on Magic legal advisors opinion and management estimates that the likelihood that the claim will be accepted by the arbitrator is less than probable; therefore, no provision has been made for the lawsuit.
 
 
In addition material lawsuits have been placed against the Company subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.  The Company followed ASC 450 "Contingencies" and recorded provision where it was appropriate.
 
F.
Lease Commitments:
 
 
The following are details of the future minimum lease commitments of office equipment, office space and motor vehicles under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2009:
 
   
U.S. $ in thousands
 
       
2010
    20,331  
2011
    11,205  
2012
    7,057  
2013
    4,122  
2014 and thereafter
    198  
      42,913  
 
 
Rent expenses for the years 2009, 2008 and 2007, were approximately $14 million, $15.6 million and $23.7 million, respectively.
 
 
F - 48

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 14 - Equity:
 
A.
Share Capital Authorized, Issued and Outstanding:
 
   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Authorized
   
Issued
   
Outstanding
   
Authorized
   
Issued
   
Outstanding
 
                                     
Ordinary shares, NIS 1 par value each
    25,000,000       13,224,780       13,200,000       25,000,000       13,224,780       13,200,000  

1.
Formula's shares are traded in the TASE and its ADS, each representing one ordinary share of NIS 1 par value, on the NASDAQ.
 
2.
Formula hold 24,780 of its ordinary shares.
 
3
In 2008, the Company paid dividend of approximately $10 million and declared on dividend of approximately $30 million which paid in January 2009.
 
4.
For Employee and Office Holders Share Option Plan see Note 12.
 
Note 15 - Income Taxes:
 
A.
Tax Laws in Israel:
 
 
1.
Tax benefits under the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 (hereafter - the "Law"):
 
 
 
Some operations of certain subsidiaries have been granted the status of an “Approved Enterprise” which was granted under the Law before April 1, 2005. According to the provisions of the Law, the subsidiaries have elected the “alternative benefits” program and as such are entitled to tax exemption of two to four years and to a reduced tax rate of 10%-25% depending on the level of foreign investment in the technologies. The benefits commence with the date on which taxable income is first earned. The period of tax benefits detailed above is subject to a limit of the earlier of 12 years from the commencement of production or 14 years from receiving the approval.
 
 
 
The entitlement to the above benefits is conditional upon the Company fulfilling the conditions stipulated by the above Law, regulations published thereafter and the certificates of approval for the specific investments in an “Approved Enterprise”. In the event of failure to comply with these conditions, the benefits may be canceled and the subsidiaries may be required to refund the amount of the benefits, in whole or in part, including interest.
 
 
F - 49

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 15 - Income Taxes (Cont.):
 
A.
Tax Laws in Israel (Cont.):
 
 
1.
Tax benefits under the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 (hereafter - the "Law") (cont.):
 
The tax-exempt income attributable to an “Approved Enterprise” can be distributed to shareholders without subjecting the Company to taxes only upon the complete liquidation of the Company. If this net retained tax-exempt income is distributed  the Company,  would be taxed at the corporate tax rate applicable to such income as if the Company had not elected the alternative tax benefits (currently 25% of the gross dividend).
 
The Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, no deferred tax liabilities have been provided on income attributable to the Company’s “Approved Enterprises”.
 
Income from sources other than the “Approved Enterprise” during the period of benefits will be taxable at general corporate tax rates.
 
 
 
On April 1, 2005, an amendment to the Investment Law came into effect ("the Amendment") and has significantly changed the provisions of the Investment Law. The Amendment limits the scope of enterprises which may be beneficial by the Investment Center by setting criteria for the approval of a facility as an Approved Enterprise, such as provisions generally requiring that at least 25% of the beneficial Enterprise's income will be derived from export. Additionally, the Amendment enacted major changes in the manner in which tax benefits are awarded under the Investment Law so that companies no longer require Investment Center approval in order to qualify for tax benefits

 
2.
Tax benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxation), 1969:
 
Some subsidiaries currently qualify as an “Industrial Company” as defined by this law, and as such are entitled to certain tax benefits including, inter alia accelerated, depreciation as stipulated by regulations published under the Inflationary Adjustments Law and the right to deduct, for tax purposes, over a period of 3 years.

 
3.
Tax Rates Applicable to Income in Israel:
 
Until 2008, results for Israeli tax purposes were measured on a real basis as adjusted for the increase in CPI. In February 2008, the "Knesset" (Israeli parliament) passed an amendment to the Income Tax (Inflationary Adjustments) Law, 1985, which limits the scope of the law starting 2008 and thereafter. Starting 2008, the results for tax purposes have been measured in nominal values, excluding certain adjustments for changes in the CPI carried out in the period up to December 31, 2007. The amended law includes, inter alia, the elimination of the inflationary additions and deductions.
 
 
F - 50

 
 
Note 15 - Income Taxes (Cont.):
 
A.
Tax Laws in Israel (Cont.):
 
 
3.
Tax Rates Applicable to Income in Israel (cont.):
 
The general corporate tax rate in Israel in 2009 was 26%. The corporate tax rate is to be reduced in 2010 and to 25%. On July 23, 2009, the Israel Economic Efficiency Law (Legislation Amendments for Applying the Economic Plan for 2009 and 2010), 2009 (hereinafter – the 2009 Amendment), became effective, stipulating, among other things, an additional gradual decrease in tax rates in 2011 and thereafter, as follows: 2011-24%, 2012-23%, 2013-22%, 2014-21%, 2015-20% and 2016 and thereafter-18%.
 
B.
Subsidiaries outside Israel:
 
 
Subsidiaries that are not Israeli residents are taxed in the countries in which they resident, according to the tax laws in those countries.
 
C.
Cumulative Tax Losses:
 
 
The Company and its subsidiaries have cumulative losses for tax purposes as of December 31, 2009 totaling approximately $158.9 million, of which $139.2 million is in respect of companies in Israel (December 31, 2008 - $173.7 million), and approximately $19.7 million in respect of companies abroad (December 31, 2008 - $36.5 million). The likelihood of the utilization of the majority of these losses in the future is not more likely than not inter alia, due to the fact that the Company's capital losses can be deductible only against capital gains which are not predictable by their nature.
 
Therefore, the Company recorded a valuation allowance with respect to the attributable to these losses carried forward.
 
D.
Income Tax Assessments:
 
In 2007, the Company paid approximately $250 thousands, as taxes for the years 2001-2004, after reaching an agreement with the Israeli tax authorities for those years. In addition the Company has closed years to tax as result of tax assessment until 2007

 
F - 51

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 15 - Income Taxes (Cont.):
 
E.
Deferred Taxes:
 
 
1.
Composition:
 
   
December 31,
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
             
Net operating losses carried forward
    38,663       54,461  
Software development costs
    (682 )     (892 )
Allowances and reserves
    1,688       3,426  
Adjustments to cash basis in subsidiary
    (2,907 )     (4,272 )
      36,762       52,723  
Valuation allowance
    (25,735 )     (41,031 )
Total
    11,027       11,692  
 
 
2.
Presentation in balance sheets:
 
   
December 31,
   
2009
 
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
           
Stated in current assets
    3,735       2,976  
Stated in other assets
    9,499       13,218  
Stated in long term liabilities
    (2,207 )     (4,502 )
Total (included in balance sheets)
    11,027       11,692  
 
F.
Income before Taxes on Income:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
Domestic
    24,762       17,900       15,452  
Foreign
    12,030       7,728       7,482  
Total
    36,792       25,628       22,934  
 
 
F - 52

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 15 - Income Taxes (Cont.):
 
G.
Income taxes Included in Statements of Operations:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Current taxes:
                 
In Israel
    6,884       4,803       3,767  
Abroad
    819       1,264       650  
      7,703       6,067       4,417  
Income Taxes adjustments in Israel in respect of prior years
    118       (907 )     (468 )
Deferred taxes,  net
    484       (1,881 )     (2,058 )
Total
    8,305       3,279       1,891  
 
 
F - 53

 
 
Note 15 - Income Taxes (Cont.):
 
H.
Theoretical Tax:
 
 
The following is reconciliation between the theoretical tax expense, assuming that all income was taxed at statutory tax rates, and the actual income tax expense, as recorded in the statement of operations:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
Income before income taxes, as per the statement of operations
    36,792       25,628       22,934  
Statutory tax rate in Israel
    26 %     27 %     29 %
Theoretical tax expense
    9,566       6,920       6,651  
Reconciliation:
                       
Non-deductible expenses
    441       193       705  
Tax-exempt income ,change in tax rate and reduced tax rates in companies which have Approved Enterprises
    425       8       173  
Current losses (utilization of losses) and temporary differences for which deferred taxes were not recorded, net
    627       (3,034 )     (4,364 )
Prior year losses and temporary differences for which deferred taxes were recorded, net
    (2,979 )     -       -  
Write off of deferred taxes and tax advances
    -       -       885  
Taxes in respect of previous years
    118       (907 )     (468 )
Effect of the Inflationary Adjustments Law
    -       -       (1,726 )
Other
    107       99       35  
Income taxes as per the statement of operations
    8,305       3,279       1,891  
Effective tax rate - in %
    22.6 %     12.8 %     8.2 %

 
F - 54

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 15 - Income Taxes (Cont.):
 
I.
Uncertain tax positions:
 
 
The Company and its subsidiaries adopted the provisions of ASC 740 on January 1, 2007. This Interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with ASC 740 and prescribes a recognition threshold of more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination.
 
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of total unrecognized tax benefits in the Company's subsidiaries is as follows:
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
       
Balance as of January 1, 2007
    830  
Increases related to current year tax positions
    50  
Settlements
    (150 )
Balance as of December 31, 2007
    730  
Increases related to current year tax positions
    4  
Increase related to prior tax positions
    22  
Balance as of December 31, 2008
    756  
Reductions related to settlement of tax matters
    (229 )
Increase related to prior tax positions
    10  
Addition of interest related to the unrecognized tax liabilities from previous years
    142  
Balance as of December 31, 2009
    679  
 
 
F - 55

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 16 - Supplementary Financial Statement Information:
 
Balance Sheet:
 
A.
Other Current Assets:
 
Composition:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
             
Government departments
    5,726       2,935  
Employees (1)
    355       408  
Prepaid expenses and advances to suppliers
    7,544       7,522  
Deferred taxes
    3,735       2,976  
Debtors from a sale of fixed assets
    1,306       -  
Derivatives (2)
    2,292       -  
Other
    1,491       1,584  
Total
    22,449       15,425  

 
(1)
Some of these balances are linked to the CPI, and bear interest at an annual rate of 4%.
 
 
(2) 
Matrix has two SWAP agreements, both lasts until the year of 2010. Matrix does not apply hedge accounting. The agreements are:
 
In September 2009, Matrix engaged in a SWAP agreement for the sale of the initial agreement regarding the NIS 200,000 thousands (approximately $52,980 thousands as of December 31, 2009). According to the agreement which lasts until December 2010, Matrix has committed to sale CPI for a fixed rate of 3% for the whole period. The related transactions were fixing the fair value of the derivative as of the transaction day.  As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of the derivative is a $335 thousands asset.
 
In December 2008 Matrix entered into a SWAP agreement with Bank Le'umi for NIS 200,000 thousands (approximately $52,980 thousands as of December 31, 2009). According to the agreement which lasts until December 2010, Matrix has committed to buy CPI for a fixes rate of 1.712% for the whole period. As of December 31, 2008, the fair value of the derivative was a $260 thousands liability. As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of this derivative is a $1,957 thousands asset.
 
 
F - 56

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 16 - Supplementary Financial Statement Information (Cont):
 
A.
Other Current Assets (Cont.):
 
 
In 2009, 2008 and 2007, Sapiens entered into put option contracts in the amount of $ 5,800, $ 10,800 and $ 2,500 thousands, respectively that converted a portion of its floating currency liabilities to a fixed rate basis for a six month period thus reducing the impact of the currency changes on the subsidiary's cash flow. The agreements were settled in 2009, 2008 and 2007, resulting in a total gain of $ 135, $ 106 and $ 158 thousands, respectively, presented in the statements of operations as financial income.
 
 
In 2009, 2008 and 2007, Sapiens entered into put option contracts in the amount of $ 5,800, $ 10,800 and $ 2,500 thousands, respectively that converted a portion of its floating currency liabilities to a fixed rate basis for a six month period thus reducing the impact of the currency changes on the subsidiary's cash flow. The agreements were settled in 2009, 2008 and 2007, resulting in a total gain of $ 135, $ 106 and $ 158 thousands, respectively, presented in the statements of operations as financial income.
 
 
As of December 31, 2009 the fair values of the Magic's forward contracts were $10 thousands. The Company measured the fair value of the contracts in accordance with ASC 820. Gain recognized in the statement of income during 2009 was $90 cash flow hedging and $38 thousands non designated hedging. An additional $5 thousands was recognized in other then Comprehensive Income.
 
B.
Liabilities to Banks:
 
Composition:
 
   
December 31,
     
December 31,
 
   
2009
     
2009
   
2008
 
   
Interest rate
 
Linkage
 
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
   
%
 
basis
           
                     
Bank overdraft
    3%-6.25%  
Unlinked
    36       190  
Short-term bank loans
    P+1.6%  
Unlinked
    3,179       158  
Current maturities of long-term loans from banks
              6,840       8,133  
Total
              10,055       8,481  

 
F - 57

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 16 - Supplementary Financial Statement Information (Cont.):
 
C.
Other Accounts Payable:
 
Composition:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
             
Employees and other wage and salary related liabilities
    30,787       30,840  
Government institutions
    12,558       8,199  
Deferred income and customer advances
    30,838       25,454  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (*)
    16,741       10,759  
Total
    90,924       75,252  
 
 
 (*)
As of December 31, 2009 accrued expenses include dividend to non-controlling interests in amount of $ 6,694.
 
D.
Financial Expenses, Net:
 
Composition:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
Financing income
    4,160       8,951       6,898  
Financing costs related to long-term debt
    (5,982 )     (8,781 )     (6,604 )
Financing costs related to short-term credit and others
    (2,590 )     (4,597 )     (3,083 )
Gain (loss) from marketable securities, net.(1) (2)
    4,181       (1,481 )     (830 )
Total
    (231 )     (5,908 )     (3,619 )

 
(1)
Includes gains (losses) from trading securities still held by the company for the years 2009, 2008 and 2007 in the amounts of $1,362, $(1,530) and $(202) thousands respectively.
 
 
(2)
Includes impairment of available for sale marketable securities for the year 2009 in amount of $143 thousands due to credit loss (see Note 4).

 
F - 58

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 16 - Supplementary Financial Statement Information (Cont.):
 
E.
Other Expenses, Net:
 
Composition:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
Gain (Loss) on sale of fixed assets, net
    247       341       (7 )
Impairment of fixed assets
    -       -       (137 )
Impairment in value of cost based investment
    (59 )     (502 )     (512 )
Other
    (492 )     (419 )     (94 )
Total
    (304 )     (580 )     (750 )
 
F.
Operating Segments:
 
 
The Company operates in two reportable business segments: IT Services and proprietary software solutions.
 
Software Services:
 
 
The following is a list of the Group’s principal activities: applications development, systems integration, migration of IT platforms, IT consulting, e-services, outsourcing, conversion services, application and implementation of ERP & CRM systems, imported software products and a training school.
 
 
The Group provides these IT services across the full system development lifecycle, including the definition of business requirements, system analysis, technical specifications, coding, testing, training, implementation and maintenance.  The Group performs its projects on-site or at its own facilities.
 
Proprietary Software Products:
 
 
The Group designs, develops and markets proprietary software solutions for sale in selected niche markets worldwide.  The following is a list of the proprietary software solutions that are marketed by the Group:
 
Modernization solutions, Magic-technology, Magic eMerchant, solutions for law enforcement, application software for long term care industry, car rental solutions, solutions for banking and finance, solutions for telecommunications, CRM systems, Sapiens eMerge, re-engineering and solutions for the insurance industry.
 
 
The following is a list of the companies included in each operating segment, as of December 31, 2009:
 
Software Services:
 
 
Matrix
 
Proprietary Software Products:
 
 
Magic
 
 
Sapiens
 
 
F - 59

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 16 - Supplementary Financial Statement Information (Cont.):
 
G.
Operating Segments (Cont.):
 
 
The Company evaluates the performances of each segment, software services and proprietary software products, based on operating income/loss. Headquarters and finance expenses are allocated proportionally between the segments:
 
   
Software Services (*)
   
Proprietary Software Products
   
Total
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Revenues:
                 
2009
    368,345       101,045       469,390  
2008
    397,790       105,453       503,243  
2007
    313,901       100,823       414,724  
                         
Inter-segment sales:
                       
2009
    153       3       156  
2008
    135       61       196  
2007
    -       -       -  
                         
Operating income :
                       
2009
    26,318       11,009       37,327  
2008
    26,082       6,371       32,453  
2007
    23,563       1,701       25,264  
                         
Financial income (expenses):
                       
2009
    377       (608 )     (231 )
2008
    (4,648 )     (1,260 )     (5,908 )
2007
    (1,246 )     (2,373 )     (3,619 )
                         
Net income from continuing operations:
                       
2009
    8,197       6,001       14,198  
2008
    9,190       2,124       11,314  
2007
    9,635       1,088       10,723  
 
(*) Adjusted for the discontinued presentation of NextSource.
 
 
F - 60

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 16 - Supplementary Financial Statement Information (Cont.):
 
G.
Operating Segments (Cont.):
 
   
Software Services (*)
   
Proprietary Software Products
   
Total
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Identifiable assets including goodwill:
                 
2009
    370,206       152,637       522,843  
2008
    359,648       147,304       506,952  
                         
Identifiable liabilities:
                       
2009
    148,641       53,154       201,795  
2008
    147,234       36,528       183,762  
                         
Depreciation and amortization:
                       
2009
    3,568       10,239       13,807  
2008
    3,646       8,771       12,417  
2007
    3,706       5,160       8,866  
                         
Investments in segment assets:
                       
2009
    1,799       906       2,705  
2008
    2,481       1,507       3,988  
2007
    2,468       959       3,427  

(*) Adjusted for the discontinued presentation of NextSource

Reconciliation between the data on income from the operating segments and the data in the consolidated financial statements:
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Revenues:
             
 
 
Revenues as above
    469,546       503,439       414,724  
Less inter-segment transactions  
    (156 )     (196 )     -  
Revenues as per statements of operations
    469,390       503,243       414,724  
 
 
F - 61

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 16 - Supplementary Financial Statement Information (Cont.):
 
G.
Operating Segments (Cont.):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
Identifiable assets:
           
Total assets of operating segments
    522,843       506,952  
Assets not identifiable to a particular segment
    64,753       77,996  
Elimination of inter-segment assets and other
    (21,184 )     (15,940 )
Total assets from continuing operations as per consolidated balance sheets
    566,412       596,008  
Identifiable liabilities:
               
Total liabilities of operating segments
    201,795       183,762  
Liabilities not identifiable to a particular segment
    93,032       129,584  
Elimination of inter-segment liabilities and other
    (24,016 )     (18,997 )
Total liabilities from continuing operations as per consolidated balance sheets
    270,811       294,349  
 
H.
Geographical Information:
 
 
1.
The Company's Long-Lived Assets are as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
             
Israel
    8,791       13,344  
United States
    185       325  
Other
    1,013       1,340  
Total
    9,989       15,009  

 
2. 
Revenues:
 
Revenues classified by geographic area:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
Israel
    368,230       393,391       319,444  
International:
                       
United States
    38,862       47,098       41,425  
Other
    62,298       62,754       53,855  
Total
    469,390       503,243       414,724  

Classification was based on the location of the customers.
 
 
F - 62

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 16 - Supplementary Financial Statement Information (Cont.):
 
I.
Earnings per Share:
 
 
The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share of continuing operation:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                   
Amount for basic earnings per share -
income available to shareholders
    14,198       11,314       10,723  
Effect of dilutive securities of subsidiaries
    -       -       (179 )
Amount for diluted earnings per share -
income available to shareholders
    14,198       11,314       10,544  
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding
                       
Denominator for basic net earnings per share
     13,200        13,200        13,200  
Effect of dilutive securities
     364        -        -  
Denominator for diluted net earnings per share
    13,564       13,200       13,200  
                         
Basic net earnings per share of continuing operation
    1.08       0.84       0.82  
                         
Diluted net earnings per share of continuing operation
    1.04       0.84       0.8  
 
Note 17 - Discontinued operations:
 
A.
On June 20, 2007, the Company completed the sale of its entire shareholding in BluePhoenix. BluePhoenix met the definition of a component under ASC 360. Accordingly, the results of operations of BluePhoenix have been classified as discontinued operations in the statement of operations and prior periods results have been reclassified accordingly. In addition comparative data of the assets and liabilities attributed to the discontinued operations have been reclassified in the balance sheet.
 
B.
In 2007, Magic disposed of two of its subsidiaries (AAOD and Magic Italy). Both subsidiaries met the definition of a component under ASC 360. Accordingly, the results of operations of these subsidiaries and businesses and the gain resulting from the disposals have been classified as discontinued operations in the statement of operations and prior periods results have been reclassified accordingly. In addition, comparative data of the assets and liabilities attributed to the discontinued operations have been reclassified in the balance sheet.
 
 
F - 63

 
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 17 - Discontinued operations (Cont.):
 
C.
On October 22, 2009, the company completed the sale of its entire shareholding in Next source. The results of operations of NextSource have been classified as discontinued operations in the statement of operations and prior periods results have been reclassified accordingly. In addition comparative data of the assets and liabilities attributed to the discontinued operations have been reclassified in the balance sheet.
 
D.
The following is the composition from discontinued operations (includes capital gains):
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
       2007
 
   
(U.S. $ in thousands)
 
                 
Revenues
    64,328       87,564       110,341  
Cost of revenues
    57,996       78,488       81,527  
Gross profit
    6,332       9,076       28,814  
Research and development costs, net
    -       -       7,107  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    5,647       8,156       15,092  
Operating income
    685       920       6,615  
Financial expenses, net
    (55 )     (100 )     (2,197 )
Capital Gains on sale of shareholdings, net
    4,284       -       28,950  
Income before income taxes
    4,914       820       33,368  
Taxes on income
    36       265       178  
      4,878       555       33,190  
                         
Equity in losses of affiliates companies, net
    -       -       (857 )
Net income
    4,878       555       32,333  
 
 
F - 64

 

FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
(An Israeli Corporation)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 18 - Subsequent events:
 
A.
In April 2010, Formula distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of $1.47 per share, previously announced in March 2010. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately $20 million.
 
B.
In April 2010, Matrix distributed to its shareholders a cash dividend of 0.18 NIS per share, previously announced in March 2010. The aggregate amount distributed by Formula was approximately 10.7 million NIS.
 
C.
In February 2010, Magic through its U.S. subsidiary, completed the acquisition of the consulting and staffing services business of a U.S-based IT services company, in the aggregate amount of approximately $ 11.8 million in cash, of which $ 6.4 million was paid upon closing and the remaining amount is to be paid over a three year period.
 
 
F - 65

 
 
SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
FORMULA SYSTEMS (1985) LTD.
 
By:
/s/ Guy Bernstein
April 29, 2010
 
Guy Bernstein
Date
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
   
1.1
 
Memorandum of Association (1)
1.2
Articles of Association as amended on December 28, 2005 (2)
 
4.1
 
Form of Letter of Indemnification, dated December 28, 2005 (2)
4.2
English translation of Formula Systems (1985) Ltd. Employees and Office Holders Share Option Plan (2008)(3)
 
8
List of Subsidiaries*
 
12.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
12.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
13.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
13.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
15.1
Consent of Ziv Haft registered certified public accountants (Isr.) BDO member firm*
 
15.2
Consent of Levy Cohen and Co. *
 
15.3
Consent of Levy Cohen and Co. *
 
15.4
Consent of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kaiserer *
 
15.5
Consent of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kaiserer*
 
15.6
Consent of Verstegen accountants en adviseurs*
 
15.7
Consent of KDA Audit Corporation*
 
15.8
Consent of Maria Negyessy*
 
______________
* Filed herewith.
 
(1)  Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-8858).
(2)  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2006.
(3)  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2009.