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):  August 7, 2019
 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
001-34630

 
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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
o
 


 






Item 2.02                                             Events Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On August 7, 2019, we issued a press release announcing financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, ended June 30, 2019. 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
 











































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: August 7, 2019
By:
/s/ Karl E. Johnsen
 
 
Karl E. Johnsen
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 



































Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1
https://cdn.kscope.io/2d426a8f36f3b9f19f001f3c660d70f5-aspentechnologylogoa36.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
Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019

Bedford, Mass. - August 7, 2019 - Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AZPN), the asset optimization software company, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.
    
“AspenTech’s fourth quarter performance was a strong finish to a great year, highlighted by a return to double-digit annual spend growth. Our results reflect positive contributions across all areas of the business, including meaningful improvement in Engineering, continued strength in MSC and substantial growth from APM,” said Antonio Pietri, President and Chief Executive Officer of AspenTech.

Pietri continued, “We enter fiscal year 2020 performing at a high level and are benefitting from a positive demand environment driven by a secular technology investment cycle in the process and other capital intensive industries. We believe AspenTech is well positioned to benefit from this trend and intend to make investments in the business this year to ensure we maximize this opportunity. We are confident this will generate additional value for our customers and shareholders over time.”

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019 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 $541 million at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, which increased 10.6% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2.8% sequentially.

GAAP operating margin was 56.8% compared to 50.2% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Non-GAAP operating margin was 61.3% compared to 54.1% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

AspenTech repurchased approximately 648,000 shares of its common stock for $75 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

AspenTech repurchased approximately 3.1 million shares of its common stock for $300 million in fiscal year 2019.

Summary of Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Results

AspenTech’s total revenue of $195.8 million included:

License revenue, which represents the portion of a term license agreement allocated to the initial license, was $148.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to $111.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

Maintenance revenue, which represents the portion of the term license agreement related to on-going support and the right to future product enhancements, was $39.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to $39.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.





Services and other revenue was $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to $8.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2019, AspenTech reported income from operations of $111.2 million, compared to income from operations of $79.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Net income was $103.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, leading to net income per share of $1.49, compared to net income per share of $1.06 in the same period last fiscal year.

Non-GAAP income from operations was $119.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $86.1 million in the same period last fiscal year. Non-GAAP net income was $110.7 million, or $1.59 per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to non-GAAP net income of $81.2 million, or $1.12 per share, in the same period last fiscal year. These non-GAAP results add back the impact of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangibles and acquisition related fees. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is presented in the financial tables included in this press release.

AspenTech had cash and cash equivalents of $71.9 million and borrowings of $220 million at June 30, 2019.

During the fourth quarter, the company generated $85.2 million in cash flow from operations and $84.9 million in free cash flow. Free cash flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for the net impact of: purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements; capitalized computer software development costs, and other nonrecurring items, such as acquisition related payments.

Summary of Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Results

AspenTech’s total revenue of $598.3 million increased 15% from $518.9 million for fiscal year 2018.

License revenue was $404.1 million, an increase from $326.5 million for fiscal year 2018.

Maintenance revenue was $165.4 million, an increase from $161.1 million for fiscal year 2018.

Services and other revenue was $28.8 million, compared to $31.2 million for fiscal year 2018.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, AspenTech reported income from operations of $282.8 million, compared to income from operations of $219.2 million for fiscal year 2018.

Net income was $262.7 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, leading to net income per share of $3.71, compared to net income per share of $4.03 for fiscal year 2018. Net income in the year ago period benefited from one-time, non-cash items related to the implementation of Topic 606 and the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Non-GAAP income from operations was $316.3 million for fiscal year 2019, an improvement compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $246.6 million for fiscal year 2018. Non-GAAP net income was $289.2 million, or $4.09 per share, for fiscal year 2019, compared to non-GAAP net income of $313.4 million, or $4.30 per share, for fiscal year 2018.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, the company generated $238.3 million in cash flow from operations and $236.8 million in free cash flow.

Note regarding Balance Sheet and Cash flow: AspenTech is in the process of completing its final documentation under FASB Topic 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) in connection with its Annual Report on Form 10-K, which it expects to file on time later this month. Selected balance sheet and statement of cash flow information is provided in the tables below.

Business Outlook
Based on information as of today, August 7, 2019, AspenTech is issuing the following financial guidance for fiscal year 2020:
Annual spend growth of 10-12% year-over-year
Free cash flow of $250 to $260 million
Total bookings of $600 to $650 million
Total Revenue of $575 to $615 million




GAAP operating income of $206 to $241 million
Non-GAAP operating income of $272 to $307 million
GAAP net income per share of $2.70 to $3.11
Non-GAAP net income per share of $3.44 to $3.85

These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. Refer to the Forward-Looking Statements safe harbor below for information on the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.
AspenTech has not reconciled its expectations as to non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP net income per share to their most directly comparable GAAP measure because certain items are out of AspenTech’s control or cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, a reconciliation for forward-looking non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP net income per share is not available without unreasonable effort.

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 Aspen Technology’s business. As the result of adoption of new licensing models, management believes that a number of Aspen Technology’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 Aspen Technology’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 Aspen Technology’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

Aspen Technology will host a conference call and webcast today, August 7th, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), to discuss the company's financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2019 as well as the company’s business outlook. The live dial-in number is (866) 471-3828 or (678) 509-7573, conference ID code 2744108. Interested parties may also listen to a live webcast of the call by logging on to the Investor Relations section of Aspen Technology’s website, http://ir.aspentech.com/events-and-presentations, and clicking on the “webcast” link. A replay of the call will be archived on Aspen Technology’s website and will also be available via telephone at (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406, conference ID code 2744108, through August 14, 2019.

About Aspen Technology

Aspen Technology (AspenTech) is a leading software supplier for optimizing asset performance. Its products thrive in complex, industrial environments where it is critical to optimize the asset design, operation and maintenance lifecycle. AspenTech uniquely combines decades of process modelling expertise with machine learning. The company's purpose-built software platform automates knowledge work and builds sustainable competitive advantage by delivering high returns over the entire asset lifecycle. As a result, companies in capital-intensive industries can maximize uptime and push the limits of performance, running their assets safer, greener, longer, and faster. Visit AspenTech.com to find out more.

Forward-Looking Statements

The third paragraph of this press release as well as the Business Outlook section 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 Aspen Technology’s (AspenTech) expectations based on a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation: AspenTech’s failure to increase usage and product adoption of aspenONE offerings or grow the aspenONE APM business, and failure to continue to provide innovative, market-leading solutions; the demand for, or usage of, aspenONE software declines for any reason, including declines due to adverse changes in the process or other capital-intensive industries; unfavorable economic and market conditions or a lessening demand in the market for asset process optimization software; risks of foreign operations or transacting business with customers outside the United States; risks of competition 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.

© 2019 Aspen Technology, Inc. AspenTech, aspenONE, asset optimization and the Aspen leaf logo are 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
(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data)


 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
As Adjusted
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
License
 
$
148,506

 
$
111,611

 
$
404,122

 
$
326,549

Maintenance
 
39,481

 
39,175

 
165,436

 
161,065

Services and other
 
7,782

 
8,298

 
28,787

 
31,245

Total revenue
 
195,769

 
159,084

 
598,345

 
518,859

Cost of revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
License
 
1,918

 
1,493

 
7,060

 
5,236

Maintenance
 
4,967

 
4,347

 
19,208

 
17,408

Services and other
 
8,605

 
7,207

 
31,548

 
28,000

Total cost of revenue
 
15,490

 
13,047

 
57,816

 
50,644

Gross profit
 
180,279

 
146,037

 
540,529

 
468,215

Operating expenses:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Selling and marketing
 
30,842

 
27,047

 
111,374

 
99,737

Research and development
 
21,229

 
21,213

 
83,122

 
82,076

General and administrative
 
16,985

 
17,993

 
63,231

 
67,181

Total operating expenses
 
69,056

 
66,253

 
257,727

 
248,994

Income from operations
 
111,223

 
79,784

 
282,802

 
219,221

Interest income
 
7,068

 
6,105

 
28,457

 
24,954

Interest (expense)
 
(2,405
)
 
(1,739
)
 
(8,733
)
 
(5,691
)
Other income (expense), net
 
1,149

 
120

 
664

 
(838
)
Income before income taxes
 
117,035

 
84,270

 
303,190

 
237,646

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
13,170

 
7,624

 
40,456

 
(56,057
)
Net income
 
$
103,865

 
$
76,646

 
$
262,734

 
$
293,703

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.51

 
$
1.07

 
$
3.76

 
$
4.07

Diluted
 
$
1.49

 
$
1.06

 
$
3.71

 
$
4.03

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
68,839

 
71,349

 
69,925

 
72,140

Diluted
 
69,638

 
72,315

 
70,787

 
72,956





ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(Dollars in Thousands)


 
 
June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
71,926

 
$
96,165

Borrowings under credit agreement
 
220,000

 
170,000





ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results of Operations and Cash Flows
(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data)

 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
As Adjusted
Total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP total expenses (a)
 
$
84,546

 
$
79,300

 
$
315,543

 
$
299,638

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stock-based compensation (b)
 
(6,119
)
 
(5,466
)
 
(27,573
)
 
(22,688
)
 Amortization of intangibles
 
(1,153
)
 
(653
)
 
(4,533
)
 
(2,231
)
 Litigation judgment
 

 
(141
)
 

 
(1,689
)
 Acquisition related fees
 
(1,430
)
 
(15
)
 
(1,438
)
 
(721
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP total expenses
 
$
75,844

 
$
73,025

 
$
281,999

 
$
272,309

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP income from operations
 
$
111,223

 
$
79,784

 
$
282,802

 
$
219,221

Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stock-based compensation (b)
 
6,119

 
5,466

 
27,573

 
22,688

 Amortization of intangibles
 
1,153

 
653

 
4,533

 
2,231

 Litigation judgment
 

 
141

 

 
1,689

 Acquisition related fees
 
1,430

 
15

 
1,438

 
721

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP income from operations
 
$
119,925

 
$
86,059

 
$
316,346

 
$
246,550

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income
 
$
103,865

 
$
76,646

 
$
262,734

 
$
293,703

Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stock-based compensation (b)
 
6,119

 
5,466

 
27,573

 
22,688

 Amortization of intangibles
 
1,153

 
653

 
4,533

 
2,231

 Litigation judgment
 

 
141

 

 
1,689

 Acquisition related fees
 
1,430

 
15

 
1,438

 
721

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)
 
(1,827
)
 
(1,763
)
 
(7,044
)
 
(7,679
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP net income
 
$
110,740

 
$
81,158

 
$
289,234

 
$
313,353

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted income per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP diluted income per share
 
$
1.49

 
$
1.06

 
$
3.71

 
$
4.03

Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stock-based compensation (b)
 
0.09

 
0.07

 
0.40

 
0.32

 Amortization of intangibles
 
0.02

 
0.01

 
0.06

 
0.03

 Litigation judgment
 

 

 

 
0.02

 Acquisition related fees
 
0.02

 

 
0.02

 
0.01

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)
 
(0.03
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(0.10
)
 
(0.11
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP diluted income per share
 
$
1.59

 
$
1.12

 
$
4.09

 
$
4.30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results of Operations and Cash Flows
(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data)

 
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP diluted income per share
 
69,638

 
72,315

 
70,787

 
72,956

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
Free Cash Flow
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP cash flow from operating activities
 
$
85,177

 
$
79,107

 
$
238,313

 
$
206,936

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
 
(230
)
 
(114
)
 
(436
)
 
(331
)
 
 Capitalized computer software development costs
 
(37
)
 
(30
)
 
(1,131
)
 
(329
)
 
 Non-capitalized acquired technology (d)
 

 

 

 
75

 
 Acquisition related fee payments
 

 
280

 
27

 
1,148

 
 Litigation related payments
 

 
260

 

 
4,546

 
Free Cash Flow
 
$
84,910

 
$
79,503

 
$
236,773

 
$
212,045

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) GAAP total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
As Adjusted
 
Total costs of revenue
 
$
15,490

 
$
13,047

 
$
57,816

 
$
50,644

 
Total operating expenses
 
69,056

 
66,253

 
257,727

 
248,994

 
 GAAP total expenses
 
$
84,546

 
$
79,300

 
$
315,543

 
$
299,638

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
As Adjusted
 
Cost of maintenance
 
$
366

 
$
111

 
$
1,282

 
$
559

 
Cost of services and other
 
382

 
249

 
1,420

 
920

 
Selling and marketing
 
1,162

 
992

 
4,849

 
3,862

 
Research and development
 
1,472

 
1,938

 
6,923

 
7,617

 
General and administrative
 
2,737

 
2,176

 
13,099

 
9,730

 
Total stock-based compensation
 
$
6,119

 
$
5,466

 
$
27,573

 
$
22,688

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items for the three and twelve months ended June 30, 2019 is calculated utilizing the Company's statutory tax rate of 21 percent.  The income tax effect on non-GAAP items for the three and twelve months ended June 30, 2018 is calculated utilizing the Company's estimated federal and state tax rate.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(d) In the twelve months ended June 30, 2018, the Company has excluded $0.1 million 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.