Aspen Technology Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2016

October 29, 2015
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BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2015-- 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 2016, ended September 30, 2015.

Antonio Pietri, President and Chief Executive Officer of AspenTech, said, “AspenTech delivered solid first quarter results highlighted by 50% non-GAAP operating margin and 10% year-over-year annual spend growth. Our first quarter performance reflects the strength of our business model, including long-term contracts, positive demand trends from owner-operator customers and continued best-in-class profitability, despite a challenging macro environment.”

Pietri added, “We remain focused on operational excellence and working with customers to drive increased usage across the aspenONE suite. At the same time we continued to generate shareholder value through our financial and operational performance and by returning $55 million to shareholders through our stock repurchase program.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2016 and Recent Business Highlights

  • Annual spend, which the company defines as the annualized value of all term license and maintenance revenue contracts at the end of the quarter, was approximately $423 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2016, which increased 10.0% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and 1.0% sequentially.
  • GAAP operating margin was 46.1%, compared to 41.7% in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Non-GAAP operating margin was 50.1%, compared to 45.8% in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.
  • AspenTech repurchased 1.3 million shares of its common stock for $55.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

Summary of First Quarter Fiscal Year 2016 Financial Results

AspenTech’s total revenue of $120.3 million increased 12.3% from $107.1 million in the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.

  • Subscription and software revenue was $111.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, an increase from $98.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.
  • Services and other revenue was $8.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to $8.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, AspenTech reported income from operations of $55.4 million, compared to income from operations of $44.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Net income was $36.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, leading to net income per share of $0.44, compared to net income per share of $0.32 in the same period last fiscal year.

Non-GAAP income from operations, which adds back stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangibles associated with acquisitions and non-capitalized acquired technology, was $60.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $49.1 million in the same period last fiscal year. Non-GAAP net income was $39.8 million, or $0.47 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to non-GAAP net income of $31.8 million, or $0.35 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 a cash and marketable securities balance of $181.5 million at September 30, 2015, a decrease of $37.0 million from the end of the prior quarter after using $55.0 million in cash to repurchase shares of common stock.

During the first quarter, the company generated $18.4 million in cash flow from operations and $20.2 million in free cash flow after taking into consideration the net impact of $1.1 million in capital expenditures and capitalized software, $1.6 million in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation and $1.3 million in non-capitalized acquired technology (including a $1 million final payment related to non-capitalized acquired technology from fiscal year 2014).

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 29, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), to discuss the company's financial results for the first quarter fiscal year 2016 as well as the company’s business outlook.

The live dial-in number is (866) 604-6127 or (706) 634-5625, conference ID code 61971015. 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 61971015, through November 29, 2015.

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 third paragraph of this press release contains 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; 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.

© 2015 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.

 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited in thousands, except per share data)
         
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
   

2015

  

2014
Revenue:        
Subscription and software   $ 111,859     $ 98,743  
Services and other     8,437       8,383  
Total revenue     120,296       107,126  
Cost of revenue:        
Subscription and software     5,242       5,201  
Services and other     7,730       7,180  
Total cost of revenue     12,972       12,381  
Gross profit     107,324       94,745  
Operating expenses:        
Selling and marketing     22,436       21,618  
Research and development     16,597       16,268  
General and administrative     12,862       12,225  
Total operating expenses     51,895       50,111  
Income from operations     55,429       44,634  
Interest income     82       135  
Interest expense     (1 )     (3 )
Other income, net     896       188  
Income before provision for income taxes     56,406       44,954  
Provision for income taxes     19,635       15,987  
Net income   $ 36,771     $ 28,967  
Net income per common share:        
Basic   $ 0.44     $ 0.32  
Diluted   $ 0.44     $ 0.32  
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
Basic     83,876       91,183  
Diluted     84,320       91,891  
                 
 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited in thousands, except share data)
         
   

September 30,
2015

  

June 30,
2015
         
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 129,739     $ 156,249  
Short-term marketable securities     51,757       59,197  
Accounts receivable, net     21,951       30,721  
Current portion of installments receivable, net     262       1,589  
Unbilled services     1,005       1,108  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     8,529       8,055  
Prepaid income taxes     538       542  
Current deferred tax assets     6,156       6,169  
Total current assets     219,937       263,630  
Long-term marketable securities     -       3,047  
Non-current installments receivable, net     255       253  
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net     17,353       18,039  
Computer software development costs, net     841       1,026  
Goodwill     16,610       17,360  
Non-current deferred tax assets     10,377       10,444  
Other non-current assets     1,407       1,562  
Total assets   $ 266,780     $ 315,361  
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable   $ 2,799     $ 5,240  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     27,107       38,483  
Income taxes payable     16,710       1,775  
Current deferred revenue     217,436       250,968  
Total current liabilities     264,052       296,466  
Non-current deferred revenue     36,078       37,919  
Other non-current liabilities     29,671       29,522  
Commitments and contingencies        
Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value—        
Authorized— 3,636 shares as of September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015        
Issued and outstanding— none as of September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015        
Stockholders’ deficit:        
Common stock, $0.10 par value— Authorized—210,000,000 shares        
Issued— 101,707,709 shares at September 30, 2015 and 101,607,520 shares at June 30, 2015        
Outstanding— 83,264,892 shares at September 30, 2015 and 84,504,202 shares at June 30, 2015     10,171       10,161  
Additional paid-in capital     647,403       641,883  
Accumulated deficit     (108,856 )     (145,627 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income     4,760       6,470  
Treasury stock, at cost—18,442,817 shares of common stock at September 30, 2015

and 17,103,318 shares at June 30, 2015

     (616,499 )     (561,433 )
Total stockholders’ deficit     (63,021 )     (48,546 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit   $ 266,780     $ 315,361  
                 

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited in thousands)
         
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
   

2015

  

2014
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income   $ 36,771   $ 28,967
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization   1,547   1,352
Net foreign currency gains   (1,189)   (660)
Stock-based compensation   4,423   4,204
Deferred income taxes   -   15,560
Provision for bad debts   26   (1,329)
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation   1,577   72
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation   (1,577)   (72)
Other non-cash operating activities   159   462
Changes in assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable   8,769   14,990
Unbilled services   95   527
Prepaid expenses, prepaid income taxes, and other assets   (609)   1,242
Installments receivable   1,326   253
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities   2,348   (7,961)
Deferred revenue   (35,220)   (17,664)
Net cash provided by operating activities   18,446   39,943
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of marketable securities   -   (11,985)
Maturities of marketable securities   10,370   14,513
Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements   (1,119)   (2,891)
Capitalized computer software development costs   -   (136)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   9,251   (499)
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Exercise of stock options   611   1,050
Repurchases of common stock   (55,033)   (45,000)
Payment of tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock   (1,125)   (1,411)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation   1,577   72
Net cash used in financing activities   (53,970)   (45,289)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (237)   (547)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (26,510)   (6,392)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   156,249   199,526
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 129,739   $ 193,134
         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:        
Income taxes paid, net   $ 2,895   $ 1,551
Interest paid   1   3
 

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results of Operations and Free Cash Flow
The following tables reflect a reconciliation of selected Aspen Technology GAAP to Non-GAAP
results of operations and cash flow.
(unaudited in thousands, except per share data)

 
         
   

Three Months Ended
September 30,
   

2015

  

2014

Total expenses

        
GAAP total expenses (a)   $ 64,867     $ 62,492  
Less:        
Stock-based compensation (b)     (4,423 )     (4,204 )
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)     (250 )     -  
Amortization of purchased technology intangibles     (113 )     (224 )
         
Non-GAAP total expenses   $ 60,081     $ 58,064  
         

Income from operations

        
GAAP income from operations   $ 55,429     $ 44,634  
Plus:        
Stock-based compensation (b)     4,423       4,204  
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)     250       -  
Amortization of purchased technology intangibles     113       224  
         
Non-GAAP income from operations   $ 60,215     $ 49,062  
         

Net income

        
GAAP net income   $ 36,771     $ 28,967  
Plus:        
Stock-based compensation (b)     4,423       4,204  
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)     250       -  
Amortization of purchased technology intangibles     113       224  
Less:        
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)     (1,723 )     (1,594 )
         
Non-GAAP net income   $ 39,834     $ 31,801  
         

Diluted income per share

        
GAAP diluted income per share   $ 0.44     $ 0.32  
Plus:        
Stock-based compensation (b)     0.05       0.05  
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)     -       -  
Amortization of purchased technology intangibles     -       -  
Less:        
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)     (0.02 )     (0.02 )
         
Non-GAAP diluted income per share   $ 0.47     $ 0.35  
         
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP diluted income per share     84,320       91,891  
         
   

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 
   

2015

  

2014

Free Cash Flow

        
GAAP cash flow from operating activities   $ 18,446     $ 39,943  
         
Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements     (1,119 )     (2,891 )
Capitalized computer software development costs     -       (136 )
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e)     1,250       -  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (d)     1,577       72  
         
         
Free Cash Flow   $ 20,154     $ 36,988  
         
(a) GAAP total expenses        
   

Three Months Ended
September 30,
   

2015

  

2014
Total costs of revenue   $ 12,972     $ 12,381  
Total operating expenses     51,895       50,111  
GAAP total expenses   $ 64,867     $ 62,492  
         
(b) Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:        
   

Three Months Ended
September 30,
   

2015

  

2014
Cost of services and other   $ 357     $ 338  
Selling and marketing     912       750  
Research and development     824       991  
General and administrative     2,330       2,125  
Total stock-based compensation   $ 4,423     $ 4,204  
                 

(c) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is calculated utilizing the Company's estimated federal and state tax rate of 36%.

(d) Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation are included in free cash flow to be consistent with the treatment of other tax benefits. Refer to the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 for additional details.

(e) During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we acquired certain technology for $0.3 million as a part of projects initiated during the period to develop commercially available products. At the time of these purchases, the projects did not meet the accounting definition of having reached technological feasibility, and, as such, the costs of the acquired technology were expensed during the three months ended September 30, 2015. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we excluded the payments of $1.3 million for the non-capitalized acquired technology (including a $1 million final payment related to non-capitalized acquired technology from fiscal year 2014) from free cash flow to be consistent with the treatment of other transactions where acquired assets are capitalized.

Source: Aspen Technology, Inc.

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or
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