Bentley Systems (BS81) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q2, 2026
Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Jun 30, 2026, filed Aug 06, 2026
Risk Change Over Time
Risk Highlights Q2, 2026
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 37
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1We issued convertible notes that have rights senior to our Class B common stock.
In June 2021, we issued $575 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2027 (the "2027 Notes"), which will mature on July 1, 2027, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by us or converted by the holder pursuant to their terms. The 2027 Notes rank senior in right of payment to our Class B common stock and any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2027 Notes; equal in right of payment to any of our liabilities that are not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, or other winding up, our assets that secure debt ranking senior or equal in right of payment to the 2027 Notes will be available to pay obligations on the 2027 Notes only after the secured debt has been repaid in full from these assets, and our assets will be available to pay common stockholders only after all debt obligations have been repaid. There may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the 2027 Notes then outstanding or any or all shares of our Class B common stock then outstanding.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2Conversion of the 2027 Notes will dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders, including holders who had previously converted their 2027 Notes, or may otherwise depress the price of our Class B common stock.
The conversion of some or all of the 2027 Notes will dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders to the extent we deliver shares upon conversion of any of the 2027 Notes. Any sales in the public market of the Class B common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our Class B common stock. In addition, the existence of the 2027 Notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the conversion of the 2027 Notes could be used to satisfy short positions, or anticipated conversion of the 2027 Notes into shares of our Class B common stock could depress the price of our Class B common stock. As of December 31, 2025, without giving effect to any potential adjustments to the conversion rate set forth in the indenture or any limits on conversion, and assuming our Class B common stock is trading at or above $83.23 per share for the 2027 Notes, 6,908,567 shares of our Class B common stock would be issuable upon a full conversion of the 2027 Notes.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3The dual class structure of our common stock has the effect of concentrating voting control with the Bentley Control Group (the Bentleys and certain of their family members, trusts or other permitted transferees, as well as all other holders of our Class A common stock in respect of such shares of Class A common stock, who collectively are acting as a group).
Our Class A common stock has 29 votes per share, and our Class B common stock, which is the class of common stock that is issuable upon conversion of the 2027 Notes, and is the only class that is publicly traded and listed, has one vote per share. The beneficial owners of our Class A common stock together hold approximately 53.5% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2025. Moreover, as a result of the 29 to one voting ratio between our Class A and Class B common stock, the Bentley Control Group controls and will continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our common stock and therefore is able to control all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, subject to the occurrence of certain events that would reduce the voting power of our Class A common stock or cause the conversion thereof. This concentrated control will limit or preclude stockholders' ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future and may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover, or other business combination involving us, or discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our business, even if such a transaction would benefit other stockholders. The Bentley Control Group may also have interests that differ from those of other stockholders and may vote in a way with which other stockholders disagree and which may be adverse to such other stockholders' interests. In addition, we are a "controlled company" for the purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rules, which provides us with exemptions from certain of the corporate governance standards imposed by the rules of The Nasdaq Global Select Market. These provisions further allow the Bentley Control Group to exercise significant control over our corporate decisions and limit the ability of the public stockholders to influence our decision making.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4The choice of forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation could limit our stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or colleagues.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a claim of a breach of fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws, or any action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws, and any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. In addition, the choice of forum provision provides that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, claims brought under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act must be brought exclusively in the federal district court for the District of Delaware. Despite the choice of forum provision, investors cannot waive compliance with federal securities laws and rules and regulations thereunder. 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 other colleagues, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, and other colleagues. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated 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, financial condition, and results of operations.
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