Aspen Technology Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2023

October 26, 2022

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2022-- Aspen Technology, Inc. (AspenTech) (NASDAQ: AZPN), a global leader in industrial software, today announced financial results for its first-quarter fiscal 2023, ended September 30, 2022.

“AspenTech delivered a strong start to fiscal 2023 as demand trends remained positive across geographies and end markets. In addition, we made substantial progress bringing together the OSI and SSE businesses with heritage AspenTech to capitalize on our unique position as one of the world’s leading industrial software companies,” said Antonio Pietri, President and Chief Executive Officer of AspenTech.

Pietri added, “Now more than ever, customers rely on AspenTech for software that enables their assets to operate more efficiently and sustainably. While we are focused on the evolving economic environment around the world, we remain confident in our ability to deliver on our financial objectives for fiscal 2023 and beyond.”

First Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Recent Business Highlights

Annual contract value, which we define as the estimate of the annual value of our portfolio of term license and software maintenance and support, or SMS, contracts, the annual value of SMS agreements purchased with perpetual licenses and the annual value of standalone SMS agreements purchased with certain legacy term license agreements, which have become an immaterial part of our business, was $810 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2023, which increased 7.7% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
Annual spend for heritage AspenTech, which the company defines as the annualized value of all term license and maintenance contracts at the end of the quarter for the businesses other than OSI and SSE, was $682.3 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2023, which increased 8.3% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and 1.2% sequentially.

Summary of First Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results

As a result of the transaction between AspenTech and Emerson Electric Co., EmerSubCX, the subsidiary Emerson created as part of the transaction, became the surviving entity when the transaction closed on May 16th, 2022. The comparable periods shown in the financial statements below for fiscal year 2022 reflect only the historical results of the OSI and SSE businesses that were contributed to new AspenTech.

AspenTech’s total revenue of $250.8 million included:

License and solutions revenue, which represents the portion of a term license agreement allocated to the initial license and OSI revenue recognized on a percentage of completion basis, was $160.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, compared to $44.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
Maintenance revenue, which represents the portion of customer agreements related to ongoing support and the right to future product enhancements, was $78.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, compared to $24.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
Services and other revenue was $12.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, compared to $8.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2022, AspenTech reported loss from operations of $51.2 million, compared to loss from operations of $13.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

Net loss was $11.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, leading to net loss per share of $0.17 compared to net loss per share of $0.31 in the same period last fiscal year.

Non-GAAP income from operations was $92.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Non-GAAP net income was $142.0 million, or $2.20 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. These non-GAAP results add back the impact of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangibles, fees related to acquisitions and integration planning and unrealized loss on derivatives associated with acquisitions. 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 $382.5 million and total borrowings of $270.0 million at September 30, 2022.

During the first quarter, AspenTech generated $5.1 million in cash flow from operations and generated $10.7 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; payments for capitalized computer software development costs; and other nonrecurring items, such as payments related to acquisitions and integration planning.

Business Outlook

Based on information as of today, October 26, 2022, AspenTech is issuing the following guidance for fiscal year 2023. Please note this guidance does not include any contribution from the pending acquisition of Micromine, which is currently expected to close in the second fiscal quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals.

Annual Contract Value (“ACV”) growth of 10.5-13.5% year-over-year. The company defines ACV as the estimate of the annual value of our portfolio of term license and software maintenance and support (SMS) agreements
Free cash flow of $347 to $362 million
Total bookings of $1.07 to $1.17 billion
Total revenue of $1.14 to $1.20 billion
GAAP total expense of $1.197 to $1.207 billion
Non-GAAP total expense of $637 to $647 million
GAAP operating loss of $57 to $5 million
Non-GAAP operating income of $503 to $555 million
GAAP net loss of $32.5 to $22.5 million
Non-GAAP net income of $446 to $456 million
GAAP net loss per share of $0.49 to $0.34
Non-GAAP net income per share of $6.76 to $6.91

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 AspenTech’s actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.

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 presentation on October 26, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the company's financial results, business outlook, and related corporate and financial matters. A live webcast of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of AspenTech’s website, http://ir.aspentech.com/, and clicking on the “webcast” link. To access the call by phone, please go to this link (registration link) and you will be provided with dial in details. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. A replay of the webcast will also be available for a limited time at http://ir.aspentech.com/.

About AspenTech

Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZPN) is a global software leader helping industries at the forefront of the world’s dual challenge meet the increasing demand for resources from a rapidly growing population in a profitable and sustainable manner. AspenTech solutions address complex environments where it is critical to optimize the asset design, operation and maintenance lifecycle. Through our unique combination of deep domain expertise and innovation, customers in capital-intensive industries can run their assets safer, greener, longer and faster to improve their operational excellence. To learn more, visit AspenTech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the statements contained in the Business Outlook section as well as those related to our ability to deliver on our financial objectives. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved and therefore, actual results may differ materially from any plans, estimates or expectations in such forward-looking statements.

Actual results may vary significantly from AspenTech’s expectations based on a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation: delays or reductions in demand for AspenTech solutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic; AspenTech’s failure to increase usage and product adoption of aspenONE or other offerings or grow the aspenONE APM, OSI and SSE businesses, and failure to continue to provide innovative, market-leading solutions; declines in the demand for, or usage of, aspenONE software for any reason, including declines due to adverse changes in the process or other capital-intensive industries and materially reduced industry spending budgets due to the drop in demand for oil due to the COVID-19 pandemic; unfavorable economic and market conditions or a lessening demand in the market for asset process optimization software, including materially reduced industry spending budgets due to the significant drop in oil prices arising from drop in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic; risks of foreign operations or transacting business with customers outside the United States; risks of competition; risks that acquisitions could be difficult to consummate and integrate into our operations, which could disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value or impair our financial results; and other risk factors described from time to time in AspenTech’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Furthermore, there are additional factors relating to the transaction with Emerson that could cause actual results to differ materially from AspenTech’s plans, estimates or expectations regarding the transaction include, among others: (1) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transaction; (2) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction, including as a result of delay in integrating the industrial software business of Emerson with AspenTech’s business; (3) the ability of AspenTech to implement its business strategy; (4) difficulties and delays in achieving revenue and cost synergies; (5) inability to retain and hire key personnel; (6) potential litigation in connection with the transaction or other settlements or investigations that may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (7) AspenTech’s ability to recover successfully from a disaster or other business continuity problem due to a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack, war, pandemic, security breach, cyber-attack, power loss, telecommunications failure or other natural or man-made event, including the ability to function remotely during long-term disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and (8) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in AspenTech’s reports filed with the SEC, including AspenTech’s annual reports on Form 10-K, periodic quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.

While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements.

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.

© 2022 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.

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited in Thousands, Except per Share Data)

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021
Revenue:
License and solutions	$	160,224		$	44,215
Maintenance		78,366			24,535
Services and other		12,229			8,265
Total revenue		250,819			77,015
Cost of revenue:
License and solutions		69,513			34,388
Maintenance		9,217			4,234
Services and other		12,400			4,898
Total cost of revenue		91,130			43,520
Gross profit		159,689			33,495
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing		118,274			25,000
Research and development		49,740			15,555
General and administrative		42,848			6,617
Restructuring costs		9			207
Total operating expenses		210,871			47,379
(Loss) from operations		(51,182	)		(13,884	)
Other (expense), net		(58,632	)		(1,359	)
Interest income (expense), net		5,023			(272	)
(Loss) before provision for income taxes		(104,791	)		(15,515	)
(Benefit) for income taxes		(93,547	)		(4,313	)
Net (loss)	$	(11,244	)	$	(11,202	)
Net (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(0.17	)	$	(0.31	)
Diluted	$	(0.17	)	$	(0.31	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		64,454			36,308
Diluted		64,454			36,308

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)

	September 30, 2022			June 30, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	382,458		$	449,725
Accounts receivable, net		97,340			111,027
Current contract assets, net		519,184			428,833
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		26,379			23,461
Receivables from related parties		14,573			16,941
Prepaid income taxes		55,057			17,503
Total current assets		1,094,991			1,047,490
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		17,110			17,148
Goodwill		8,326,336			8,266,809
Intangible assets, net		5,021,909			5,112,781
Non-current contract assets, net		396,907			428,232
Contract costs		8,679			5,473
Operating lease right-of-use assets		74,201			78,286
Deferred tax assets		24,104			4,937
Other non-current assets		7,166			8,766
Total assets	$	14,971,403		$	14,969,922

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	11,732		$	21,416
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		90,439			90,123
Liability from foreign currency forward contract		50,259			—
Due to related parties		16,520			4,111
Current operating lease liabilities		7,237			7,191
Income taxes payable		—			6,768
Current borrowings		30,000			28,000
Current contract liabilities		131,346			143,327
Total current liabilities		337,533			300,936
Non-current contract liabilities		21,261			21,081
Deferred income tax liabilities		1,116,332			1,145,408
Non-current operating lease liabilities		67,662			71,933
Non-current borrowings, net		240,000			245,647
Other non-current liabilities		17,825			15,560
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value Authorized—600,000,000 shares Issued— 64,531,300 shares at September 30, 2022 and 64,425,378 shares at June 30, 2022 Outstanding— 64,531,300 shares at September 30, 2022 and 64,425,378 shares at June 30, 2022		6			6
Additional paid-in capital		13,129,112			13,107,570
Retained earnings		55,125			66,369
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)		(13,453	)		(4,588	)
Total stockholders’ equity		13,170,790			13,169,357
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	14,971,403		$	14,969,922

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

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss)	$	(11,244	)	$	(11,202	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		122,546			30,420
Reduction in the carrying amount of right-of-use assets		3,291			1,712
Net foreign currency losses		8,332			1,538
Stock-based compensation		17,736			368
Deferred income taxes		(70,438	)		(5,692	)
Provision for receivables		3,609			59
Other non-cash operating activities		3,225			61
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		8,009			(15,690	)
Contract assets		(68,357	)		(4,776	)
Contract costs		(3,451	)		—
Lease liabilities		(1,659	)		(421	)
Prepaid expenses, prepaid income taxes, and other assets		(47,004	)		1,811
Foreign currency forward contract		50,259			—
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other liabilities		(13,476	)		(2,234	)
Contract liabilities		3,699			(5,140	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		5,077			(9,186	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		(1,321	)		(2,607	)
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(74,947	)		(1,065	)
Payments for capitalized computer software development costs		(99	)		—
Purchases of other assets		—			(285	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(76,367	)		(3,957	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of shares of common stock		8,470			—
Payment of tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock		(3,422	)		—
Deferred business acquisition payments		(1,363	)		—
Repayments of amounts borrowed		(6,000	)		—
Net transfers from (to) Parent Company		12,446			15,195
Payments of debt issuance costs		(2,375	)		—
Net cash provided by financing activities		7,756			15,195
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(3,733	)		2
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(67,267	)		2,054
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		449,725			23,659
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	382,458		$	25,713

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,
	2022			2021
Total expenses
GAAP total expenses (a)	$	302,001		$	90,899
Less:
Stock-based compensation (b)		(17,736	)		(368	)
Amortization of intangibles		(121,160	)		(28,809	)
Acquisition and integration planning related fees		(4,858	)		(54	)

Non-GAAP total expenses	$	158,247		$	61,668

Income from operations
GAAP (loss) from operations	$	(51,182	)	$	(13,884	)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b)		17,736			368
Amortization of intangibles		121,160			28,809
Acquisition and integration planning related fees		4,858			54

Non-GAAP income from operations	$	92,572		$	15,347

Net income
GAAP net (loss)	$	(11,244	)	$	(11,202	)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b)		17,736			368
Amortization of intangibles		121,160			28,809
Acquisition and integration planning related fees		4,858			54
Unrealized loss on foreign currency forward contract		50,259			—
Less:
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (d)		(40,730	)		(6,799	)

Non-GAAP net income	$	142,039		$	11,230

Diluted loss per share
GAAP diluted (loss) per share	$	(0.17	)	$	(0.31	)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b)		0.28			0.01
Amortization of intangibles		1.88			0.79
Acquisition and integration planning related fees		0.07			0.00
Unrealized loss on foreign currency forward contract		0.77			—
Less:
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (d)		(0.63	)		(0.18	)

Non-GAAP diluted income per share	$	2.20		$	0.31

Shares used in computing Non-GAAP diluted income per share		64,454			36,308


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021
Free Cash Flow
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)	$	5,077		$	(9,186	)
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		(1,321	)		(2,607	)
Payments for capitalized computer software development costs		(99	)		—
Acquisition and integration planning related payments		7,059			54
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)	$	10,716		$	(11,739	)

(a) GAAP total expenses

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021
Total costs of revenue	$	91,130		$	43,520
Total operating expenses		210,871			47,379
GAAP total expenses	$	302,001		$	90,899

(b) Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021
Cost of license and solutions	$	742		$	—
Cost of maintenance		561			—
Cost of services and other		408			—
Selling and marketing		3,347			—
Research and development		3,611			—
General and administrative		9,067			368
Total stock-based compensation	$	17,736		$	368

(c) Amortization of intangible assets was as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021
Cost of license and solutions	$	47,670		$	13,193
Selling and marketing		73,490			15,616
Total amortization of intangible assets	$	121,160		$	28,809

(d) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, is calculated utilizing the Company's combined US federal and state statutory tax rate as following:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021
U.S. statutory rate		21.79	%		23.26	%

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Reconciliation of Forward-Looking Guidance Range (Unaudited in Thousands, Except per Share Data)

	Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2023 (a)
	Range
	Low						High
Guidance - Total expenses
GAAP expectation - total expenses	$	1,197,000					$	1,207,000
Less:
Stock-based compensation		(68,000	)					(68,000	)
Amortization of intangible assets		(486,500	)					(486,500	)
Acquisition and integration planning related fees		(5,500	)					(5,500	)

Non-GAAP expectation - total expenses	$	637,000					$	647,000

Guidance - Income from operations
GAAP expectation - (loss) from operations	$	(57,000	)				$	(5,000	)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation		68,000						68,000
Amortization of intangible assets		486,500						486,500
Acquisition and integration planning related fees		5,500						5,500

Non-GAAP expectation - income from operations	$	503,000					$	555,000

Guidance - Net income and diluted income per share
GAAP expectation - net (loss) and diluted (loss) per share	$	(32,500	)	$	(0.49	)	$	(22,500	)	$	(0.34	)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation		68,000						68,000
Amortization of intangible assets		486,500						486,500
Acquisition and integration planning related fees		5,500						5,500
Unrealized loss on foreign currency forward contract		50,500						50,500
Less:
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (b)		(132,000	)					(132,000	)

Non-GAAP expectation - net income and diluted income per share	$	446,000		$	6.76		$	456,000		$	6.91

Shares used in computing guidance for Non-GAAP diluted income per share		66,000						66,000

Guidance - Free Cash Flow
GAAP expectation - Net cash provided by operating activities	$	352,000					$	367,000
Less:
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		(9,500	)					(9,500	)
Payments for capitalized computer software development costs		(1,000	)					(1,000	)
Plus:
Acquisition and integration planning related fees		5,500						5,500

Free cash flow expectation (non-GAAP)	$	347,000					$	362,000

(a) Rounded amount used, except per share data.
(b) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items for the twelve months ended June 30, 2023 is calculated utilizing the Company's statutory tax rate of 21.6 percent.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221026005683/en/

Media Contact
Len Dieterle
Aspen Technology
+1 781-221-4291
len.dieterle@aspentech.com

Investor Contact
Brian Denyeau
ICR for Aspen Technology
+1 646-277-1251
brian.denyeau@icrinc.com

Source: Aspen Technology, Inc.

Release Details

Aspen Technology Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2023

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