Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

______________________

 FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 27, 2016
 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
0-24786
 
04-2739697
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
20 Crosby Drive, Bedford, MA
 
01730
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (781) 221-6400
 
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
o        Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o        Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o        Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o        Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 


 














Item 2.02                                             Events Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On October 27, 2016, we issued a press release announcing financial results for the first quarter ended September 30, 2016. The full text of the press release issued in connection with this announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
 
Item 9.01                                             Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)                                 Exhibits.
 
The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished, and not filed:
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
99.1
 
Press release issued by Aspen Technology, Inc. on October 27, 2016.










































SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 Date: October 27, 2016
By:
/s/ Karl E. Johnsen
 
 
Karl E. Johnsen
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
















































EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
99.1
 
Press release issued by Aspen Technology, Inc. on October 27, 2016.
 















































Exhibit


Exhibit 99.1
https://cdn.kscope.io/b1251f0ed8e076c21ac640ef610a98b5-aspentechnologylogoa10.jpg

Contacts:     
 Media Contact
 
 Investor Contact
 David Grip
 
 Brian Denyeau
 AspenTech
 
 ICR
 +1 781-221-5273
 
 +1 646-277-1251
 david.grip@aspentech.com
 
 brian.denyeau@icrinc.com

Aspen Technology Announces Financial Results for the
First Quarter of Fiscal 2017

Bedford, Mass. - October 27, 2016 - Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZPN), a leading provider of software and services to the process industries, today announced financial results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2017, ended September 30, 2016.

Antonio Pietri, President and Chief Executive Officer of AspenTech, said, “AspenTech delivered solid first quarter fiscal 2017 financial results that exceeded expectations from both a revenue and profitability perspective. We also made significant progress against our Asset Optimization strategy, completing two technology acquisitions during the quarter and today announcing the acquisition of Mtell. We believe these acquisitions will greatly enhance the capabilities of our analytics and maintenance solutions and further strengthen the value of the aspenONE offering for our customers.”

Pietri continued, “We also repurchased $130 million of stock during the first quarter as part of our share repurchase program. Our disciplined execution enables us to continue investing in product innovation while also maintaining our share repurchase program, generating significant value for customers and shareholders.”


First Quarter Fiscal 2017 and Recent Business Highlights

Annual spend, which the company defines as the annualized value of all term license and maintenance contracts at the end of the quarter, was approximately $446 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017, which increased 5.4% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and 1.1% sequentially.

GAAP operating margin was 45.6%, compared to 46.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Non-GAAP operating margin was 50.4%, compared to 50.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

AspenTech repurchased 2.9 million shares of its common stock for $130.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Summary of First Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Results

AspenTech’s total revenue of $120.1 million included:

Subscription and software revenue was $113.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, an increase from $111.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

Services and other revenue was $6.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to $8.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.





For the quarter ended September 30, 2016, AspenTech reported income from operations of $54.7 million, compared to income from operations of $55.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

Net income was $35.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, leading to net income per share of $0.44, consistent with net income per share of $0.44 in the same period last fiscal year.

Non-GAAP income from operations, which adds back the impact of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangibles associated with acquisitions, acquisition-related expenses and non-capitalized acquired technology was $60.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $60.2 million in the same period last fiscal year. Non-GAAP net income was $38.7 million, or $0.49 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to non-GAAP net income of $39.8 million, or $0.47 per share, in the same period last fiscal year. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is included in the financial tables included in this press release.

AspenTech had cash and marketable securities of $191.6 million and borrowings of $140 million at September 30, 2016.

During the first quarter, the company generated $26.3 million in cash flow from operations and $26.7 million in free cash flow.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains “non-GAAP financial measures” under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Non-GAAP financial measures are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. This non-GAAP information supplements, and is not intended to represent a measure of performance in accordance with, disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is included in the financial tables included in this press release.

Management considers both GAAP and non-GAAP financial results in managing AspenTech’s business. As the result of adoption of new licensing models, management believes that a number of AspenTech’s performance indicators based on GAAP, including revenue, gross profit, operating income and net income, should be viewed in conjunction with certain non-GAAP and other business measures in assessing AspenTech’s performance, growth and financial condition. Accordingly, management utilizes a number of non-GAAP and other business metrics, including the non-GAAP metrics set forth in this press release, to track AspenTech’s business performance. None of these non-GAAP metrics should be considered as an alternative to any measure of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Conference Call and Webcast

AspenTech will host a conference call and webcast today, October 27, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), to discuss the company's financial results for the first quarter fiscal year 2017 as well as the company’s business outlook.
The live dial-in number is (866) 604-6127 or (443) 961-0460, conference ID code 99548515. Interested parties may also listen to a live webcast of the call by logging on to the Investor Relations section of AspenTech’s website, http://www.aspentech.com/corporate/investor.cfm, and clicking on the “webcast” link. A replay of the call will be archived on AspenTech’s website and will also be available via telephone at (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406, conference ID code 99548515, through November 27, 2016.
About AspenTech
AspenTech is a leading supplier of software that optimizes process manufacturing - for energy, chemicals, engineering and construction, and other industries that manufacture and produce products from a chemical process. With integrated aspenONE solutions, process manufacturers can implement best practices for optimizing their engineering, manufacturing and supply chain operations. As a result, AspenTech customers are better able to increase capacity,





improve margins, reduce costs and become more energy efficient. To see how the world’s leading process manufacturers rely on AspenTech to achieve their operational excellence goals, visit www.aspentech.com.
Forward-Looking Statements

The second and third paragraphs of this press release contain forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may vary significantly from AspenTech’s expectations based on a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation: AspenTech’s failure to increase usage and product adoption of aspenONE offerings, and failure to continue to provide innovative, market-leading solutions; demand for, or usage of, aspenONE software declines for any reason, including declines due to adverse changes in the process industries; unfavorable economic and market conditions or a lessening demand in the market for process optimization software; and other risk factors described from time to time in AspenTech’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AspenTech cannot guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. AspenTech expressly disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

© 2016 Aspen Technology, Inc. AspenTech, aspenONE and the Aspen leaf logo are registered trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Source: Aspen Technology, Inc.





ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited in thousands, except per share data)

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
Subscription and software
 
$
113,444

 
$
111,859

Services and other
 
6,606

 
8,437

Total revenue
 
120,050

 
120,296

Cost of revenue:
 
 
 
 
Subscription and software
 
5,069

 
5,242

Services and other
 
6,437

 
7,730

Total cost of revenue
 
11,506

 
12,972

Gross profit
 
108,544

 
107,324

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Selling and marketing
 
22,025

 
22,436

Research and development
 
18,632

 
16,597

General and administrative
 
13,157

 
12,862

Total operating expenses
 
53,814

 
51,895

Income from operations
 
54,730

 
55,429

Interest income
 
272

 
82

Interest expense
 
(869
)
 
(1
)
Other income, net
 
646

 
896

Income before provision for income taxes
 
54,779

 
56,406

Provision for income taxes
 
19,779

 
19,635

Net income
 
$
35,000

 
$
36,771

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.44

Diluted
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.44

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
79,048

 
83,876

Diluted
 
79,385

 
84,320





ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited in thousands, except share data)

 
 
September 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2016
 
2016
 
 
 
 ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
48,377

 
$
318,336

Short-term marketable securities
 
143,174

 
3,006

Accounts receivable, net
 
21,847

 
20,476

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
12,154

 
13,948

Prepaid income taxes
 
112

 
5,557

Total current assets
 
225,664

 
361,323

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
 
15,766

 
15,825

Computer software development costs, net
 
680

 
720

Goodwill
 
25,278

 
23,438

Intangible assets, net
 
9,067

 
5,000

Non-current deferred tax assets
 
12,264

 
12,236

Other non-current assets
 
1,225

 
1,196

Total assets
 
$
289,944

 
$
419,738

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
3,754

 
$
3,559

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
29,968

 
36,105

Income taxes payable
 
11,838

 
439

Borrowings under credit agreement
 
140,000

 
140,000

Current deferred revenue
 
226,105

 
252,520

Total current liabilities
 
411,665

 
432,623

Non-current deferred revenue
 
28,097

 
29,558

Other non-current liabilities
 
33,767

 
32,591

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value—
Authorized— 3,636 shares as of September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2016
Issued and outstanding— none as of September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2016
 

 

Stockholders’ deficit:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.10 par value— Authorized—210,000,000 shares
Issued— 102,218,791 shares at September 30, 2016 and 102,031,960 shares at June 30, 2016
Outstanding— 77,468,068 shares at September 30, 2016 and 80,177,950 shares at June 30, 2016
 
10,222

 
10,203

Additional paid-in capital
 
646,647

 
659,287

Retained earnings (deficit)
 
29,324

 
(5,676
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
1,721

 
2,651

Treasury stock, at cost—24,750,723 shares of common stock at September 30, 2016 and 21,854,010 shares at June 30, 2016
 
(871,499
)
 
(741,499
)
Total stockholders’ deficit
 
(183,585
)
 
(75,034
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
 
$
289,944

 
$
419,738





ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited in thousands)

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
35,000

 
$
36,771

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
1,791

 
1,547

Net foreign currency gains
 
(745
)
 
(1,189
)
Stock-based compensation
 
4,958

 
4,423

Deferred income taxes
 
(46
)
 

Provision for (recovery from) bad debts
 
(7
)
 
26

Tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
584

 
1,577

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
(584
)
 
(1,577
)
Other non-cash operating activities
 
90

 
159

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
(1,355
)
 
8,769

Prepaid expenses, prepaid income taxes, and other assets
 
1,885

 
812

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other liabilities
 
12,520

 
2,348

Deferred revenue
 
(27,841
)
 
(35,220
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
26,250

 
18,446

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Purchases of marketable securities
 
(193,748
)
 

Maturities of marketable securities
 
53,184

 
10,370

Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
 
(898
)
 
(1,119
)
Payments for business acquisitions
 
(5,400
)
 

Payments for capitalized computer software costs
 
(51
)
 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(146,913
)
 
9,251

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Exercises of stock options
 
3,089

 
611

Repurchases of common stock
 
(151,621
)
 
(55,033
)
Payments of tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock
 
(1,297
)
 
(1,125
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
584

 
1,577

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(149,245
)
 
(53,970
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(51
)
 
(237
)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(269,959
)
 
(26,510
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
318,336

 
156,249

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
48,377

 
$
129,739

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
Income taxes paid, net
 
$
1,239

 
$
2,895

Interest paid
 
850

 
1





ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results of Operations and Cash Flows
(Unaudited in thousands, except per share data)

 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP total expenses (a)
 
$
65,320

 
$
64,867

 
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 Stock-based compensation (b)
 
(4,958
)
 
(4,423
)
 
 Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)
 
(350
)
 
(250
)
 
 Amortization of purchased technology intangibles
 
(55
)
 
(113
)
 
 Acquisition related fees (f)
 
(362
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP total expenses
 
$
59,595

 
$
60,081

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP income from operations
 
$
54,730

 
$
55,429

 
Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 Stock-based compensation (b)
 
4,958

 
4,423

 
 Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)
 
350

 
250

 
 Amortization of purchased technology intangibles
 
55

 
113

 
 Acquisition related fees (f)
 
362

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP income from operations
 
$
60,455

 
$
60,215

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income
 
$
35,000

 
$
36,771

 
Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 Stock-based compensation (b)
 
4,958

 
4,423

 
 Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)
 
350

 
250

 
 Amortization of purchased technology intangibles
 
55

 
113

 
 Acquisition related fees (f)
 
362

 

 
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)
 
(2,061
)
 
(1,723
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP net income
 
$
38,664

 
$
39,834

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted income per share
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP diluted income per share
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.44

 
Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 Stock-based compensation (b)
 
0.06

 
0.05

 
 Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)
 
0.01

 

 
 Amortization of purchased technology intangibles
 

 

 
 Acquisition related fees (f)
 
0.01

 

 
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)
 
(0.03
)
 
(0.02
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP diluted income per share
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP diluted income per share
 
79,385

 
84,320

 



ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results of Operations and Cash Flows
(Unaudited in thousands, except per share data)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Free Cash Flow
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP cash flow from operating activities
 
$
26,250

 
$
18,446

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
 
(898
)
 
(1,119
)
 
 
 Capitalized computer software development costs
 
(51
)
 

 
 
 Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)
 
846

 
1,250

 
 
 Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (d)
 
584

 
1,577

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Free Cash Flow
 
$
26,731

 
$
20,154

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) GAAP total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Total costs of revenue
 
$
11,506

 
$
12,972

 
 
Total operating expenses
 
53,814

 
51,895

 
 
 GAAP total expenses
 
$
65,320

 
$
64,867

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Cost of services and other
 
$
369

 
$
357

 
 
Selling and marketing
 
955

 
912

 
 
Research and development
 
1,062

 
824

 
 
General and administrative
 
2,572

 
2,330

 
 
 Total stock-based compensation
 
$
4,958

 
$
4,423

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is calculated utilizing the Company's estimated federal and state tax rate of 36%.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(d) Excess tax benefits are related to stock-based compensation tax deductions in excess of book compensation expense and reduce our income taxes payable. We have included the impact of excess tax benefits in free cash flow to be consistent with the treatment of other tax activity.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(e) In the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, we acquired technology that did not meet the accounting requirements for capitalization and therefore the cost of the acquired technology was expensed as research and development. We have excluded the expense of the acquired technology from non-GAAP operating income to be consistent with transactions where the acquired assets were capitalized. In the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we have excluded payments of $0.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the non-capitalized acquired technology (including a $0.5 million and $1 million, respectively of final payments related to non-capitalized acquired technology from prior fiscal periods) from free cash flow to be consistent with the treatment of other transactions where the acquired assets were capitalized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(f) During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred $0.4 million of operating expenses related to acquisition fees, which were not paid by September 30, 2016. There were no such activities for the three months ended September 30, 2015.