Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
If we fail to maintain, upgrade and consolidate our information technology systems, our business could be adversely affected.
In the ordinary course of our business, we evaluate, upgrade and consolidate our information technology systems, including by making changes to legacy systems, replacing legacy systems with successor systems with new functionality, outsourcing certain systems, and acquiring new systems with new functionality. We deploy significant capital expenditures in connection with these activities. If we fail to maintain effective technology enablement and processes, we may be unable to support business growth expectations, and such failure could result in excessive overhead costs, high rates of transaction failures and rework, detrimental impact to customers, cybersecurity threats or incidents, excessive write-offs, service quality issues, declining employee morale, loss of key talent and other unfavorable consequences. If we fail to effectively implement system upgrades, system changes or our outsourcing plans, we may negatively impact our ability to manage our business, disrupt our internal control structure, incur additional administration and operating expenses, place undue demands on management time, and experience other negative impacts associated with delays or difficulties in transitioning to new systems. Although we have made progress to reduce the number of aged systems, such risks are elevated when legacy systems and infrastructure updates are delayed or otherwise not made on a timely basis, which can result in a heightened security risk. In addition, the implementation of our technology initiatives and systems, including updates to legacy systems, may cause disruptions in our business operations by severely degrading performance or a complete loss of service and have an adverse effect on our business and operations if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated.
The misuse or theft of information we possess, including as a result of cybersecurity attacks, could harm our brand, reputation or competitive position and give rise to liabilities which may materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
In the normal course of business, we regularly collect, process and store information about millions of individuals and businesses, including both payment card information and other sensitive and confidential personal information. In addition, our customers regularly transmit personal information and other sensitive and confidential information to us via the internet and through other electronic means. Despite the security measures and compliance programs we currently maintain and monitor, our facilities, vehicles and systems and those of our third-party service providers may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to gain access to our facilities or systems, or those of third parties with whom we do business, through fraud, misrepresentation, or other forms of deception or attack. We and our service providers may not anticipate or prevent all types of attempts to obtain unauthorized access, and techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to systems change frequently. For example, i n recent years, many companies have been subject to high-profile security breaches that involved sophisticated and targeted attacks on the company’s infrastructure and the compromise of non-public sensitive and confidential information. These attacks were often not recognized or detected until after the disclosure of sensitive information notwithstanding the preventive and anticipative measures the companies had maintained. Although we evaluate our security throughout our business and make appropriate changes to our operating processes, improve our defenses and implement security measures designed to safeguard our systems and data, our efforts may not meet the ever evolving level of sophistication of the attacks or our measures may not be sufficient to maintain the confidentiality, security, or availability of the data we collect, store, and use to operate our business. Additionally, any failure to manage information privacy in compliance with applicable laws, whether as a result of our own error or the error or malfeasance of others, could result in significant regulatory fines and sanctions, litigation, prolonged negative publicity, data breaches, declining customer confidence, loss of key customers, employee liability, and other unfavorable consequences.
We may face particular data protection, data security and privacy risks in connection with the European Union's Global Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and other privacy laws and regulations.
Our business requires the secure processing and storage of personal information relating to our customers, employees, business partners and others. Strict data privacy laws regulating the collection, transmission, storage and use of employee data and consumers’ personal information are continuously evolving in the European Union,
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U.S. and other jurisdictions in which we operate. In particular, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) imposes compliance obligations for the collection, use, retention, security, processing, transfer and deletion of personally identifiable information of individuals. In addition, countries such as the United Kingdom have implemented the GDPR through their own legislation, for example, the UK Data Protection Act of 2018. Privacy laws in the U.S. include the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”), as amended, as well as other similar state privacy laws, which expand the definition of personal information and may grant, among other things, individual rights to access and delete personal information, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. These laws and regulations can also impose significant forfeitures and penalties for noncompliance and afford private rights of action to individuals under certain circumstances.
We actively monitor compliance with data protection and privacy-related laws and other regulations, including pending legislation, in the jurisdictions we operate; however, these laws are developing rapidly and may create inconsistent or conflicting requirements. Changes in the legal and regulatory environments in the areas of customer and employee privacy, data security, and cross-border data flows could have a material adverse effect on our business, primarily through the regulation of our marketing and transaction processing activities, the limitation on the types of information that we may collect, process and retain, the resulting costs of complying with such legal and regulatory requirements and potential monetary forfeitures and penalties for noncompliance, which could be significant. Such regulations also may increase our compliance and administrative burden significantly and require us to invest resources and management attention in order to update our information technology systems to meet new requirements. Any failure to manage data privacy in compliance with applicable laws and regulations could result in significant regulatory fines and sanctions, litigation, prolonged negative publicity, data breaches, declining customer confidence, loss of key customers, employee liability, and other unfavorable consequences.
RISKS RELATED TO LEGAL, REGULATORY AND TAX MATTERS
Our foreign operations expose us to risks that may materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
We generate a portion of our revenue outside the U.S., and operating in many different countries exposes us to varying risks, which include: (i) multiple, and sometimes conflicting, foreign regulatory requirements and laws that are subject to change and are often much different than the domestic laws in the U.S., including laws relating to taxes, automobile-related liability, insurance rates, insurance products, consumer privacy, data security, employment matters, cost and fee recovery, and the protection of our trademarks and other intellectual property; (ii) the effect of foreign currency translation risk, as well as limitations on our ability to repatriate income; (iii) varying tax regimes, including consequences from changes in applicable tax laws and our ability to repatriate cash from non-U.S. affiliates without adverse tax consequences; (iv) local ownership or investment requirements, as well as difficulties in obtaining financing in foreign countries for local operations; (v) changes in the proportion of revenue between countries with varying tax rates or imposition of global minimum tax rates; and (vi) political and economic instability, natural calamities, civil unrest, war, terrorism and other hostilities.
The effects of these risks may, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
The disposition of revenue earning vehicles may result in taxable income, which might not be fully offset by the taxable expense associated with newly purchased revenue earning vehicles.
We are permitted under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) to expense, in the year of acquisition, 100% of the acquisition costs for vehicles purchased during the years 2017 through 2022. The TCJA reduces the expensing percentage ratably by 20% each year between 2023 and 2027. This reduction could result in tax depreciation and expensing of newly purchased vehicles that are significantly less than the tax cost associated with the disposition of vehicles. In addition, vehicles purchased using certain financing arrangements are not eligible for this accelerated depreciation election. If we choose to purchase vehicles using such financing arrangements, or if our existing financing arrangements are deemed not to qualify under the Code, our ability to claim accelerated expensing would be limited.
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Further, a material and extended reduction in vehicle purchases by our U.S. vehicle rental business, for any reason, would similarly limit the amount of tax expense available to offset the tax cost associated with the disposition of vehicles.
Any of the foregoing developments could result in the requirement for us to make future material cash tax payments on the disposition of revenue earning vehicles, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) may be limited as a result of ownership change under Section 382 of the Code.
In general, Section 382 of the Code provides an annual limitation with respect to the ability of a corporation to utilize its NOLs and other tax attributes, as well as certain built-in-losses ("BILs"), against future taxable income in the event of a change in ownership. Limitations imposed on our ability to use NOLs, other tax attributes and BILs to offset future taxable income may cause U.S. federal income taxes to be paid earlier than otherwise would be paid if such limitations were not in effect and could cause such NOLs and other tax attributes to expire unused. Similar rules and limitations may apply for state and foreign income tax purposes. If we experience an ownership change, it is possible that a significant portion of our tax attributes could be limited for use to offset future taxable income.
We face risks related to liabilities and insurance.
Our businesses expose us to claims for personal injury, death and property damage resulting from the use of the vehicles rented or sold by us, and for employment-related injury claims by our employees. We are currently a defendant in numerous actions and have received numerous claims for which actions have not yet been commenced for public liability and property damage arising from the operation of motor vehicles rented from us. There can be no assurance that we will not be exposed to uninsured liability at levels in excess of our historical levels, that liabilities in respect of existing or future claims will not exceed the level of our insurance or reserves, that we will have sufficient capital available to pay any uninsured claims or that insurance with unaffiliated carriers will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms or at all. See Item 1, “Business - Insurance and Risk Management” and Note 14, "Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Commitments," in Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Annual Report.
In addition to litigation associated with our ongoing operations, we are a defendant in certain litigation related to our Chapter 11 Cases, including the case adversary proceeding captioned Wells Fargo Bank, National Association v. The Hertz Corporation, et. al. See Note 14, "Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Commitments," in Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Annual Report. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome or timing of this litigation, however, in light of the amount potentially at issue in the case, an adverse ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, followed by entry of an order of judgment, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, particularly in the period in which an adverse judgment is entered.
Environmental laws and regulations and the costs of complying with them, or any liability or obligation imposed under them, could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations in connection with our operations, including with respect to the ownership and operation of tanks for the storage of petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel and motor and used oils. We cannot guarantee that the tanks will remain free from leaks or that the use of these tanks will not result in significant spills or leakage. If a leak or a spill occurs, it is possible that the costs to investigate and remediate resulting impacts, as well as any associated fines, could be significant. Historically, we have indemnified property owners for the costs associated with remediating certain hazardous substance storage, recycling or disposal sites and, in some instances, for natural resource damages. Compliance with existing or future environmental laws and regulations may require material expenditures by us or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or
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cash flows. See Item 1, ‘‘Business—Government Regulation and Environmental Matters’’ in this 2023 Annual Report.
The U.S. Congress and other legislative and regulatory authorities in the U.S. and internationally have considered, and will likely continue to consider, and passed numerous measures related to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, such as the European Commission's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ("CSRD"), the SEC's proposed climate disclosure requirements, the Climate Corporate Data and Accountability Act (“CCDAA”) and the Climate-Related Financial Risk Act (together with the CCDAA, the “California Climate Laws”). Should rules establishing limitations on greenhouse gas emissions or rules imposing fees on entities deemed to be responsible for greenhouse gas emissions become effective, demand for our services could be affected, our vehicle and compliance, and/or other, costs could increase, and our business could be adversely affected.
Changes in the legal and regulatory environment that affect our operations could disrupt our business, increase our expenses or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
We are subject to a wide variety of U.S. and international laws and regulations and changes in the level of government regulation of our business that have the potential to materially alter our business practices and materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows. Those changes may occur through new laws and regulations or changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations.
For example, any new, or change in existing, U.S. law and regulation with respect to optional insurance products or policies could increase our costs of compliance or make it uneconomical to offer such products. For further discussion regarding how changes in the regulation of insurance intermediaries may affect us, see Item 1, ‘‘Business—Insurance and Risk Management’’ in this 2023 Annual Report. If customers decline to purchase supplemental liability insurance products from us as a result of any changes in these laws or otherwise, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Also, we derive revenue through rental activities of our brands under franchise and license arrangements. These arrangements are subject to various international, federal and state laws and regulations that impose limitations on our interactions with our counterparties. In addition, the used-vehicle sale industry, including our network of company-operated retail vehicle sales locations, is subject to a wide range of federal, state and local laws and regulations, such as those relating to motor vehicle sales, retail installment sales and related finance and insurance matters, advertising, licensing, consumer protection and consumer privacy. Changes in the laws and regulations that impact our franchising and licensing agreements or our used-vehicle sales operation could adversely affect our results.
In most jurisdictions where we operate, we pass-through various expenses, including the recovery of vehicle licensing costs and airport concession fees, to our rental customers as separate charges. We believe that our expense pass-throughs, where imposed, are properly disclosed and are lawful. However, in the event of incorrect calculations or disclosures with respect to expense pass-throughs, or a successful challenge to the methodology we have used for determining our expense pass-through treatment, we could be subject to fines or other liabilities. In addition, we may in the future be subject to potential legislative, regulatory or administrative changes or actions which could limit, restrict or prohibit our ability to separately state, charge and recover vehicle licensing costs and airport concession fees.
Certain proposed or enacted laws and regulations with respect to the banking and finance industries, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (including risk retention requirements) and amendments to the SEC's rules relating to asset-backed securities, could restrict our access to certain financing arrangements and increase our financing costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
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We are subject to many different forms of taxation in various jurisdictions throughout the world, which could lead to disagreements with tax authorities regarding the application of tax laws.
We are subject to many forms of taxation in the jurisdictions throughout the world in which we operate, including, but not limited to, income tax, withholding tax, indirect tax, and payroll-related taxes. Tax law and administration are extremely complex and often require us to make subjective determinations. For example, in accordance with Section 482 of the Code and the OECD guidelines, we have established transfer pricing policies to govern our intercompany operations. Implementing transfer pricing policies can be extremely complex. Tax authorities could disagree with our policies, which disagreements could result in lengthy legal disputes and, ultimately, the payment of substantial funds to government authorities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
An impairment of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets could have a material impact to our results of operations.
On an annual basis as of October 1, and at interim periods when circumstances require as a result of a triggering event, we test the recoverability of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets by performing an impairment analysis. The reviews of fair value involve judgment and estimates, including projected revenues, projected cash flows, long-term growth rates, royalty rates and discount rates. A significant decline in any of the items used to determine fair value, as well as other triggering events, could result in a material impairment charge. For details of our annual impairment testing, see Note 5, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net," in Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Annual Report.
Changes in management’s estimates and assumptions could have a material impact to our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
In preparing our periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including our financial statements, our management is required under applicable rules and regulations to make estimates and assumptions as of a specified date. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and experience as of that date and are subject to substantial risk and uncertainty. Materially different results may occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known. Areas requiring significant estimates and assumptions by management include depreciation for revenue earning vehicles; accruals for estimated liabilities, including public liability, property damage and litigation reserves; the recoverability of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets; and income taxes. Changes in estimates or assumptions or the information underlying the assumptions, such as changes in our business or fleet plans or the market for used vehicles, or general market conditions, could affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities or expenses.
Our global business requires a compliance program to promote organizational adherence to applicable laws and regulations, and if the compliance program does not operate as designed, it can increase numerous risks to the Company.
We have a compliance program that promotes a culture of ethical behavior and adherence to applicable laws and regulations. The program is designed to: (i) identify applicable anti-bribery requirements (e.g., laws limiting commercial bribery and corruption); (ii) identify applicable antitrust requirements (e.g., laws to prevent price fixing, contract rigging, market or customer allocations, etc.); (iii) interpret the application of such requirements; (iv) educate target audiences; and (v) provide independent, ongoing compliance monitoring.
Operating in many different countries increases the risk of a violation, or alleged violation, of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the United Kingdom Bribery Act, other applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations, the economic sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the anti-boycott regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Anti-Boycott Compliance. The failure of our compliance program to operate as designed can result in a failure to comply with applicable laws, which could result in significant penalties or otherwise harm the Company’s reputation and business. There can be no guarantee that all of our employees, contractors and agents will comply with the
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Company’s policies that mandate compliance with these laws. Violations of these laws could result in legal and regulatory sanctions, increased litigation and fines, prolonged negative publicity, diminished investor confidence, declining employee morale and other unfavorable consequences, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
Hertz Holdings is a holding company with no operations of its own and depends on its subsidiaries for cash.
The operations of Hertz Holdings are conducted nearly entirely through its subsidiaries and its ability to generate cash to meet its debt service obligations or to pay dividends on its common stock is dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from its subsidiaries via return of paid-in capital, dividends or intercompany loans. However, none of the subsidiaries of Hertz Holdings are obligated to make funds available to Hertz Holdings for the payment of dividends or the service of its debt. In addition, certain states' laws and the terms of certain of our debt agreements significantly restrict, or prohibit, the ability of Hertz and its subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or otherwise transfer assets to Hertz Holdings, including state laws that require dividends to be paid only from surplus. If Hertz Holdings does not receive cash from its subsidiaries, then Hertz Holdings' financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Failure to meet ESG expectations or standards or achieve our corporate responsibility goals could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
There has been an increased focus from stakeholders and activists on the environmental, social and governance performance of companies, including environmental stewardship (e.g., climate, sustainability and water use); diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; sourcing and supply chain activities; human capital and rights records; and overall corporate governance profile. This has resulted in expanding and increasingly complex expectations related to reporting, diligence, and disclosure on ESG topics, as well as pressure to modify product offerings and business practices to drive change on these issues. These developments and other rapidly changing laws, regulations, policies and related interpretations, as well as increased enforcement actions by various governmental and regulatory agencies, may alter the environment in which we do business.
As the nature, scope and complexity of ESG reporting, diligence and disclosure requirements expand, including compliance with the European Commission’s CSRD, the SEC’s proposed disclosure requirements and the California Climate Laws regarding, among other matters, greenhouse gas emissions, we may have to undertake additional costs to control, assess and report on ESG metrics. Identifying, monitoring, quantifying, aggregating and disclosing the associated data and information relating to such issues can require significant investments of time and resources, both initially and as the requirements evolve over time, and may increase the ongoing costs of compliance, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, such data and information may be unreliable particularly when obtained from third parties.
Given our commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen, we actively monitor and manage ESG trends through various initiatives, which we may refine or expand further in the future, and we could be criticized for the scope or nature of our corporate responsibility goals, or for any revisions to our goals. Our failure or perceived failure to achieve our goals, maintain practices that align with stakeholder expectations for “best practices,” or comply with new ESG expectations and regulatory requirements could harm our reputation, adversely impact our ability to attract and retain customers and talent, and expose us to increased scrutiny from a range of stakeholders. Our reputation also may be harmed by the perceptions that our stakeholders have about our action or inaction on ESG-related issues. Damage to our reputation may reduce demand for our products and services and thus have an adverse effect on our future financial results.
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RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDEBTEDNESS
Our indebtedness exposes us to various risks, which could impair our financial condition.
As of December 31, 2023, we had total indebtedness of approximately $15.7 billion, including $12.2 billion of vehicle related debt and $3.4 billion of non-vehicle related debt. A portion of our indebtedness bears interest at variable rates, which exposes us to risks inherent in interest rate fluctuations and higher interest expenses in the event of continued increases in interest rates. See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in this 2023 Annual Report for additional information related to interest rate risk.
Our ability to satisfy and manage our debt obligations depends on our ability to generate cash flow and on overall financial market conditions. Factors driving the overall condition of the financial markets are beyond our control. Furthermore, if we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt obligations and meet our other cash needs, we may experience limited access or be unable to access financial markets for additional capital and may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell or curtail assets or operations, or seek to restructure or refinance our indebtedness. If we must reduce or delay investment or sell or curtail our assets or operations, it may negatively affect our ability to generate revenue. Additionally, there can be no assurance that we would be able to borrow additional amounts or refinance our current indebtedness to fund working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or acquisitions and other purposes on favorable terms.
Our reliance on asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements to purchase vehicles subjects us to a number of risks, many of which are beyond our control.
We rely significantly on asset-backed and asset-based financing to purchase vehicles. If we are unable to refinance or replace our existing asset-backed and asset-based financing or continue to finance new vehicle acquisitions through asset-backed or asset-based financing on favorable terms, on a timely basis, or at all, then our costs of financing could increase significantly and have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, interest costs, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, including, more broadly, the financial performance of the company.
Our asset-backed and asset-based financing capacity could be decreased, our financing costs and interest rates could be increased, or our future access to the financial markets could be limited, as a result of risks and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, including: (i) the acceptance by and/or demand from credit markets of the structures and structural risks associated with our asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements; (ii) the credit ratings provided by credit rating agencies for our asset-backed indebtedness; (iii) third parties requiring changes in the terms and structure of our asset-backed or asset-based financing arrangements, including increased credit enhancement or required cash collateral and/or other liquid reserves; (iv) the insolvency or deterioration of the financial condition of one or more of our principal vehicle manufacturers; (v) changes in laws or regulations that negatively affect any of our asset-backed or asset-based financing arrangements; or (vi) the overall credit condition of The Hertz Corporation.
Our asset-backed and certain asset-based vehicle financing facilities include credit enhancement provisions that require us to provide cash or additional vehicle collateral in the event the estimated market values for the vehicles used as collateral decrease below net book values. As a result, reductions in the estimated market value of vehicles used as collateral could adversely affect our liquidity, cash flow, and, ultimately, the profitability of our company, or otherwise require us to use cash intended for other purposes as collateral, and potentially lead to decreased borrowing base availability. Similarly, if the demand for used vehicles were to decline, resulting in sales of vehicles below the net book value required by our asset-backed and certain asset-based financings, we may have difficulty meeting the minimum required collateral levels resulting in a contractual obligation to add additional collateral in the form of cash or additional vehicles to the under collateralized asset-backed and/or certain asset-based financing. In the event that we cannot post additional collateral, the principal under our asset-backed and certain asset-based financing arrangements may be required to be repaid sooner than anticipated with vehicle disposition proceeds and lease payments we make to our special-purpose financing subsidiaries. If that event were to occur (or any other
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liquidation events), the holders of our asset-backed and certain asset-based debt may have the ability to exercise their right to, directly or indirectly, foreclose on and sell vehicles to generate proceeds sufficient to repay such debt.
Failure by us to have proper financing and debt management processes in place may result in cash shortfalls and liquidity problems, the need to seek emergency financing at high interest rates, violations of debt covenants, and an inability to execute strategic initiatives. These outcomes could negatively affect our liquidity and ability to maintain sufficient levels of revenue earning vehicles to meet customer demands, and could trigger cross-defaults under certain of our other financing arrangements.
Substantially all of our consolidated assets secure certain of our outstanding indebtedness, which could materially adversely affect our debt and equity holders and our business.
Substantially all of our consolidated assets are subject to security interests or are otherwise encumbered for the benefit of our creditors. The bulk of our consolidated assets consists of our revenue earning vehicles and certain related vehicle assets and are subject to security interests or are otherwise encumbered for the benefit of our asset-backed and asset-based financing arrangements. Substantially all of our remaining consolidated assets are encumbered by and pledged to our senior creditors as collateral for certain of our senior debt obligations. As a result of substantially all of our assets being encumbered for the benefit of certain creditors, our various secured creditors have liquidation priorities ahead of other stakeholders of our business.
Because substantially all of our assets are encumbered under financing arrangements, our ability to incur additional secured indebtedness or to sell or dispose of assets to raise capital may be impaired or contractually limited under our existing financings, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial flexibility and force us to attempt to incur additional unsecured indebtedness, which may not be available to us or may not be available to us at favorable rates and terms.
We may not be able to deduct certain business interest expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and liquidity.
The TCJA, which was temporarily modified by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, imposed significant limitations on the deductibility of business interest expense under Section 163(j). These limitations could result in additional material cash tax payments that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and liquidity. Furthermore, in the event our debt instruments were to be recharacterized as equity for tax purposes, the Company would not be entitled to deduct the payments as interest and could be assessed withholding taxes on payments to certain lenders, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and liquidity.
RISKS RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK
We cannot guarantee that our share repurchase program will be fully consummated or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value. Share repurchases could also increase the volatility of our stock and could diminish our liquidity.
Our Board has authorized a share repurchase program that does not have an expiration date. The program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific dollar amount or to acquire any specific number of shares of our common stock. We cannot guarantee that the program will be fully consummated or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value. Furthermore, share repurchases could affect the market price of our common stock or increase its volatility and decrease our cash balances and/or our liquidity. Beginning in 2023, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 imposed a non-deductible 1% excise tax on the fair market value of share repurchases that exceed $1 million in a taxable year, which will increase the cost of our share repurchase program.
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The share price of our common stock may be volatile.
Numerous factors, including many that are outside of our control, may have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock. These risks include those described or referred to in this “Risk Factors” section and in the other documents incorporated herein by reference as well as, among other things:
• our operating and financial performance and prospects;
• our successful execution of our business strategy, including with respect to successful deployment of our EV strategy;
• sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares of common stock intend to sell;
• our ability to repay our debt;
• our access to financial and capital markets to refinance our debt or replace the existing credit facilities;
• investor perceptions of us and the industry and markets in which we operate;
• our dividend policy;
• future sales of equity or equity-related securities;
• announcements and actions filed by third parties of significant claims or proceedings against us;
• issuances of new or updated research reports by security or industry analysts, or those analysts not publishing or ceasing to publish reports about us, our industry or our market;
• changes in, or results that vary from, earnings estimates or buy/sell recommendations by analysts; and
• general financial, domestic, economic and other market conditions.
In addition, stock markets experience significant price and volume fluctuations from time to time that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may have material adverse effect on the share price of our common stock.
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law, as well as ownership of a significant percentage of our common stock by the Plan Sponsors, could make an acquisition of us more difficult, limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management and may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.
Provisions in the Hertz Holdings Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management, including, generally, provisions that:
• do not provide cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
• provide for a classified Board with three-year staggered terms, which could delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of the Board;
• allow for removal of directors only for cause;
• allow only the Board to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the Board or the resignation, death, retirement, disqualification or removal of a director;
• require advance notice for stockholder proposals to be brought before a meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the Board;
• only allow stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting;
• limit the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting; and
• authorize blank check preferred stock.
These provisions may make it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our Board, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management. In addition, we have elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), which generally prohibits a Delaware
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with a stockholder owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, unless the stockholder has held the stock for a period of at least three years.
The significant ownership interests held by our Plan Sponsors, which we believe as of December 31, 2023, exceeded 50% of our outstanding common stock (without taking into account the dilutive impact of outstanding Public Warrants) means that the Plan Sponsors have the ability to control matters requiring stockholder approval, such as director elections, amendments to the Hertz Holdings Certificate of Incorporation and significant corporate transactions. With respect to such matters, the Plan Sponsors’ interests may not align with those of other stockholders or they may take actions that other stockholders do not view as beneficial. This could delay or prevent a change of control transaction or discourage a potential acquirer from pursuing such a transaction, which transaction might have otherwise been of benefit to the other stockholders. The Plan Sponsors’ ownership may also adversely affect the trading price for our common stock if potential investors perceive disadvantages in investing in a company with controlling stockholders.
The choice of forum provision in our Certificate of Incorporation could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or agents.
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”) is the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder to bring any state law claim for: (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (2) any action asserting a claim of a breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company to us or to our stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL, our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws; (4) any action or proceeding as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery; and (5) any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. In addition, the choice of forum provision provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, claims brought under the Securities Act must be brought exclusively in the federal district courts of the United States. The choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and agents. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
GENERAL RISK FACTORS
A business continuity plan is necessary for our global business, and the failure of such plan may materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
We have a business continuity management plan designed to: (i) identify key assets, operations and underlying threats; (ii) define and assess relevant threats (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, civil unrest, terrorism, etc.) on business operations; (iii) develop and maintain disaster recovery strategies and business resumption plans to minimize the impact of both known and unknown threats; and (iv) test the adequacy of our action plans. If our business continuity management plan fails to operate as intended, we may experience significant business disruptions, release of confidential information, malicious corruption of data, regulatory intervention and sanctions, prolonged negative publicity, litigation and liabilities, product and service quality failures, irreparable harm to customer relationships and other unfavorable consequences which may materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.
Our results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if we are unable to maintain effective internal controls.
The accuracy of our financial reporting is dependent on the effectiveness of our internal controls. We are required to provide a report from management to our shareholders on our internal control over financial reporting that includes an assessment of the effectiveness of these controls. Internal control over financial reporting has inherent
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HERTZ GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)
limitations, including human error, the possibility that controls could be circumvented or become inadequate because of changed conditions, and fraud. Because of these inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting might not prevent or detect all misstatements or fraud. If we cannot maintain and execute adequate internal control over financial reporting or implement required new or improved controls that provide reasonable assurance of the reliability of the financial reporting and preparation of our financial statements for external use, we could suffer harm to our reputation, incur incremental compliance costs, fail to meet our public reporting requirements on a timely basis, be unable to properly report on our business and our results of operations, or be required to restate our financial statements, and our results of operations, our share price and our ability to obtain new business could be materially adversely affected.
We may pursue strategic transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, which could be difficult to implement, disrupt our business or change our business profile significantly.
Any future strategic acquisition or disposition of assets or a business could involve numerous risks, including: (i) potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; (ii) difficulty integrating the acquired business or segregating assets and operations to be disposed of; (iii) exposure to unknown, contingent or other liabilities, including litigation arising in connection with the acquisition or disposition or against any business we may acquire; (iv) changing our business profile in ways that could have unintended negative consequences; and (v) the failure to achieve anticipated synergies. If we enter into significant strategic transactions, the related accounting charges may affect our financial condition and results of operations, particularly in the case of an acquisition. The financing of any significant acquisition may result in changes in our capital structure, including the incurrence of additional indebtedness. A material disposition could require the amendment or refinancing of our outstanding indebtedness or a portion thereof.