DFIN 2017 Annual Report

Notes to the Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements (in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated) Note 1. Overview and Basis of Presentation Description of Business Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. (the “Company” or “Donnelley Financial” ) is a financial communications services company that supports global capital markets compliance and transaction needs for its corporate clients and their advisors (such as law firms and investment bankers) and global investment markets compliance and analytics needs for mutual fund companies, variable annuity providers and broker/dealers. With proprietary technology such as data storage and workflow collaboration tools, deep subject matter expertise and a global footprint, Donnelley Financial produces, manages, stores, distributes, and translates documents and electronic communications in order to deliver timely financial communications to investors and documents in a manner that complies with regulatory commissions. Donnelley Financial’s Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 20, 2016. On October 1, 2016, Donnelley Financial became an independent publicly traded company through the distribution by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (“RRD”) of approximately 26.2 million shares, or 80.75%, of Donnelley Financial common stock to RRD shareholders (the “Separation”). Holders of RRD common stock received one share of Donnelley Financial common stock for every eight shares of RRD common stock held on September 23, 2016. As part of the Separation, RRD retained approximately 6.2 million shares of Donnelley Financial common stock, or a 19.25% interest in Donnelley Financial. Donnelley Financial’s common stock began regular-way trading under the ticker symbol “DFIN” on the New York Stock Exchange on October 3, 2016. On October 1, 2016, RRD also completed the previously announced separation of LSC Communications, Inc. (“LSC”), its publishing and retail-centric print services and office products business. On March 28, 2017, RRD completed the sale of 6.2 million shares of LSC common stock (RRD’s remaining ownership stake in LSC) in an underwritten public offering. As a result, beginning in the quarter ended June 30, 2017, LSC no longer qualified as a related party of the Company. On March 24, 2017, pursuant to the Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2016, by and between the Company and RRD, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 to register the offering and sale of shares of the Company’s common stock retained by RRD. The Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, was declared effective by the SEC on June 13, 2017. On June 21, 2017, RRD completed the sale of approximately 6.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock in an underwritten public offering. Upon the consummation of the offering, RRD retained approximately 0.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock which were subsequently sold by RRD on August 4, 2017. In conjunction with the underwritten public offering, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase approximately 0.9 million of the Company’s shares (the “Option Shares”). The Company received approximately $18.8 million in net proceeds from the sale of the Option Shares, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions. The proceeds were used to reduce outstanding debt under the Revolving Facility (as defined in Note 12, Debt ). Beginning in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, RRD no longer qualified as a related party, therefore amounts disclosed related to RRD are presented through June 30, 2017 only. On September 14, 2016, the Company and LSC entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement with RRD to effect the distribution of the Company’s and LSC’s common stock to RRD’s common stockholders (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”). This agreement governs the Company’s relationship with RRD and LSC with respect to pre-Separation matters and provides for the allocation of employee benefit, litigation and other liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to the Separation. The Separation and Distribution Agreement also includes an agreement that the Company, RRD and LSC will provide each other with appropriate indemnities with respect to liabilities arising out of the businesses being distributed and retained by RRD in the Separation. The Separation and Distribution Agreement also addresses employee compensation and benefit matters. In connection with the Separation, the Company entered into transition services agreements separately with RRD and LSC, under which, in exchange for the fees specified in the arrangements, RRD and LSC agree to provide certain services to the Company and the Company agrees to provide certain services to RRD, respectively, for up to 24 months following the Separation. These services include, but are not limited to, information technology, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and other financial and administrative services and functions. These agreements facilitate the separation by allowing the Company to operate independently prior to establishing stand-alone back office systems across its organization. At the time of the Separation, the Company entered into a number of commercial and other arrangements with RRD and its subsidiaries. These include, among other things, arrangements for the provision of services, including global outsourcing and logistics services, printing and binding, digital printing, composition, premedia and access to technology. The terms of the arrangements with RRD do not exceed 36 months. Subsequent to the Separation, RRD and LSC are clients of the Company and expect to utilize financial communication software and services that the Company makes available to all of its clients. F-7