Release Details

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 2020-- Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZPN), the asset optimization software company, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 ended June 30, 2020.

“AspenTech delivered solid fourth quarter results that exceeded expectations in the midst of unprecedented economic conditions,” said Antonio Pietri, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Technology. “Customers in our core markets continued to make significant investments in AspenTech products despite the challenges facing their own businesses. Companies in the process and other capital intensive industries increasingly recognize that investing in digitalization initiatives is essential to long-term financial and operational success and we believe we are well-positioned to benefit from this trend.”

Pietri continued, “We are furthering our commitment to our customers through today’s announcement of the new AIoT Hub and our investment in the next generation of hybrid modeling software capabilities, planned for release in the coming months. We intend to introduce contextual artificial intelligence into our core products to enable better informed and more accurate decisions to improve the operating performance of assets. We are confident that these innovations will further extend the value AspenTech delivers for its customers.”

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2020 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 $593 million at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, which increased 9.6% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and 3.1% sequentially.
• AspenTech repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares of its common stock for $150 million in fiscal year 2020.

Summary of Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Results

AspenTech’s total revenue of $199.3 million included:

• License revenue, which represents the portion of a term license agreement allocated to the initial license, was $147.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $148.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
• Maintenance revenue, which represents the portion of the term license agreement related to on-going support and the right to future product enhancements, was $45.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $39.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
• Services and other revenue was $6.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2020, AspenTech reported income from operations of $113.7 million, compared to income from operations of $111.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.

Net income was $97.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, leading to net income per share of $1.43, compared to net income per share of $1.49 in the same period last fiscal year.

Non-GAAP income from operations, was $122.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $119.9 million in the same period last fiscal year. Non-GAAP net income was $104.9 million, or $1.54 per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to non-GAAP net income of $110.7 million, or $1.59 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 $287.8 million and total borrowings, net of debt issuance costs, of $427.5 million at June 30, 2020.

During the fourth quarter, the company generated $99.7 million in cash flow from operations and $99.5 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 acquisition-related payments.

Summary of Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Results

AspenTech’s total revenue of $590.2 million decreased 1.0% from $598.3 million for fiscal year 2019.

• License revenue, was $377.2 million, a decrease from $404.1 million for fiscal year 2019.
• Maintenance revenue, was $179.8 million, an increase from $165.4 million for fiscal year 2019.
• Services and other revenue was $33.2 million, an increase from $28.8 million for fiscal year 2019.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, AspenTech reported income from operations of $248.8 million, compared to income from operations of $282.8 million for fiscal year 2019.

Net income was $225.7 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, leading to net income per share of $3.28, compared to net income per share of $3.71 for fiscal year 2019.

Non-GAAP income from operations was $287.0 million for fiscal year 2020, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $316.3 million for fiscal year 2019. Non-GAAP net income was $255.9 million, or $3.72 per share, for fiscal year 2020, compared to non-GAAP net income of $289.2 million, or $4.09 per share, for fiscal year 2019.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, the company generated $243.3 million in cash flow from operations and $243.1 million in free cash flow.

Business Outlook

Based on information as of today, August 12, 2020, Aspen Technology is issuing the following guidance for fiscal year 2021:

• Annual spend growth of 6-9% year-over-year
• Free cash flow of $260 to $270 million
• Total bookings of $770 to $850 million
• Total revenue of $704 to $754 million
• GAAP total expense of $372 to $377 million
• Non-GAAP total expense of $330 to $335 million
• GAAP operating income of $332 to $377 million
• Non-GAAP operating income of $374 to $420 million
• GAAP net income of $290 to $327 million
• Non-GAAP net income of $324 to $360 million
• GAAP net income per share of $4.29 to $4.83
• Non-GAAP net income per share of $4.78 to $5.32

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 total expenses, 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 12, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), to discuss the company's financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2020 as well as the company’s business outlook. The live dial-in number is (866) 471-3828 or (678) 509-7573, conference ID code 8084773. 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 8084773, through August 19, 2020.

About Aspen Technology

Aspen Technology (AspenTech) is a global leader in asset optimization software. Its solutions address complex, industrial environments where it is critical to optimize the asset design, operation and maintenance lifecycle. AspenTech uniquely combines decades of process modeling expertise with artificial intelligence. Its 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 second and third paragraphs 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 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 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 and due to the drop in demand for oil due to the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by the excess supply arising from producers’ failure to agree on production cuts; unfavorable economic and market conditions or a lessening demand in the market for asset process optimization software, including due to the significant drop in oil prices arising from drop in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and producers’ failure to agree on production cuts; 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.

© 2020 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 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited in Thousands, Except per Share Data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Twelve Months Ended June 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
Revenue:
License	$	147,226			$	148,506			$	377,155			$	404,122
Maintenance	45,719				39,481				179,813				165,436
Services and other	6,386				7,782				33,213				28,787
Total revenue	199,331				195,769				590,181				598,345
Cost of revenue:
License	1,691				1,918				7,241				7,060
Maintenance	4,909				4,967				19,248				19,208
Services and other	8,558				8,605				35,118				31,548
Total cost of revenue	15,158				15,490				61,607				57,816
Gross profit	184,173				180,279				528,574				540,529
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing	28,440				30,842				114,486				111,374
Research and development	23,536				21,229				92,230				83,122
General and administrative	18,510				16,985				73,035				63,231
Total operating expenses	70,486				69,056				279,751				257,727
Income from operations	113,687				111,223				248,823				282,802
Interest income	8,081				7,068				32,658				28,457
Interest (expense)	(2,494		)		(2,405		)		(11,862		)		(8,733		)
Other income, net	1,419				1,149				1,202				664
Income before income taxes	120,693				117,035				270,821				303,190
Provision for income taxes	23,065				13,170				45,113				40,456
Net income	$	97,628			$	103,865			$	225,708			$	262,734
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	1.44			$	1.51			$	3.32			$	3.76
Diluted	$	1.43			$	1.49			$	3.28			$	3.71
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	67,634				68,839				68,000				69,925
Diluted	68,176				69,638				68,727				70,787

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
	June 30, 2020				June 30, 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	287,796			$	71,926
Accounts receivable, net	55,750				47,784
Current contract assets	289,152				294,193
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,260				12,628
Prepaid income taxes	2,276				2,509
Total current assets	650,234				429,040
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	5,963				7,234
Computer software development costs, net	928				1,306
Goodwill	137,055				78,383
Intangible assets, net	42,851				33,607
Non-current contract assets	328,379				325,510
Contract costs	28,614				24,982
Operating lease right-of-use assets	34,905				—
Deferred tax assets	1,735				1,669
Other non-current assets	1,838				1,334
Total assets	$	1,232,502			$	903,065
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	3,988			$	5,891
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	43,556				54,594
Current operating lease liabilities	6,824				—
Income taxes payable	1,799				14,952
Current borrowings	135,163				220,000
Current deferred revenue	28,495				25,318
Total current liabilities	219,825				320,755
Non-current deferred revenue	7,953				19,573
Deferred income taxes	182,447				159,071
Non-current operating lease liabilities	33,088				—
Non-current borrowings, net	292,369				—
Other non-current liabilities	3,105				10,381
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value—Authorized—3,636 shares as of June 30, 2020 and 2019 Issued and outstanding—none as of June 30, 2020 and 2019	—				—
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value—Authorized—210,000,000 shares Issued—103,988,707 shares at June 30, 2020 and 103,642,292 shares at June 30, 2019 Outstanding—67,718,692 shares at June 30, 2020 and 68,624,566 shares at June 30, 2019	10,399				10,365
Additional paid-in capital	769,411				739,099
Retained earnings	1,485,692				1,259,984
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(5,288		)		336
Treasury stock, at cost— 36,270,015 shares of common stock at June 30, 2020 and 35,017,726 shares at June 30, 2019	(1,766,499		)		(1,616,499		)
Total stockholders' equity	493,715				393,285
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,232,502			$	903,065

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited in Thousands)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Twelve Months Ended June 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	97,628			$	103,865			$	225,708			$	262,734
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,522				2,080				9,550				8,143
Reduction in the carrying amount of right-of-use assets	2,105				—				8,623				—
Net foreign currency gains	(1,128		)		(1,274		)		(945		)		(1,251		)
Stock-based compensation	7,415				6,119				31,548				27,573
Deferred income taxes	22,225				23,008				21,843				(26,839		)
Provision for bad debts	1,864				171				5,255				645
Other non-cash operating activities	202				88				625				429
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	4,104				(2,443		)		(12,324		)		(6,626		)
Contract assets	(5,986		)		(31,925		)		2,270				(59,322		)
Contract costs	(2,048		)		(657		)		(3,570		)		(4,482		)
Lease liabilities	(2,197		)		—				(9,037		)		—
Prepaid expenses, prepaid income taxes, and other assets	(3,136		)		(2,612		)		(5,337		)		(2,411		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other liabilities	(2,610		)		(11,059		)		(23,362		)		21,921
Deferred revenue	(21,290		)		(184		)		(7,589		)		17,799
Net cash provided by operating activities	99,670				85,177				243,258				238,313
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	(167		)		(230		)		(1,278		)		(436		)
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—				(6,098		)		(74,460		)		(6,098		)
Payments for equity method investments	(5		)		—				(324		)		—
Payments for capitalized computer software costs	—				(37		)		(141		)		(1,131		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(172		)		(6,365		)		(76,203		)		(7,665		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of shares of common stock	3,640				4,983				9,004				10,864
Repurchases of common stock	(1,811		)		(75,032		)		(152,432		)		(299,214		)
Payment of tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock	(1,921		)		(2,561		)		(10,167		)		(14,477		)
Deferred business acquisition payments	—				—				(4,600		)		(1,700		)
Proceeds from borrowings, net of repayments	4,000				—				219,163				50,000
Repayments of amounts borrowed	(8,000		)		—				(8,000		)		—
Payments of debt issuance costs	—				—				(3,533		)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(4,092		)		(72,610		)		49,435				(254,527		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	218				132				(620		)		(360		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	95,624				6,334				215,870				(24,239		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	192,172				65,592				71,926				96,165
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	287,796			$	71,926			$	287,796			$	71,926
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	$	13,174			$	14,030			$	39,533			$	53,153
Interest paid	2,616				2,393				12,444				8,121
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Change in purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	(10	)		$	94			$	(99	)		$	104
Change in repurchases of common stock included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(1,811		)		(32		)		(2,432		)		786
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets	2,387				—				14,013				—

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 June 30,								Twelve Months Ended June 30,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Total expenses
GAAP total expenses (a)		$	85,644			$	84,546			$	341,358			$	315,543
Less:
Stock-based compensation (b)		(7,415		)		(6,119		)		(31,548		)		(27,573		)
Amortization of intangibles		(1,831		)		(1,153		)		(6,572		)		(4,533		)
Acquisition related fees		—				(1,430		)		(78		)		(1,438		)
Non-GAAP total expenses		$	76,398			$	75,844			$	303,160			$	281,999
Income from operations
GAAP income from operations		$	113,687			$	111,223			$	248,823			$	282,802
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b)		7,415				6,119				31,548				27,573
Amortization of intangibles		1,831				1,153				6,572				4,533
Acquisition related fees		—				1,430				78				1,438
Non-GAAP income from operations		$	122,933			$	119,925			$	287,021			$	316,346
Net income
GAAP net income		$	97,628			$	103,865			$	225,708			$	262,734
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b)		7,415				6,119				31,548				27,573
Amortization of intangibles		1,831				1,153				6,572				4,533
Acquisition related fees		—				1,430				78				1,438
Less:
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)		(1,942		)		(1,827		)		(8,022		)		(7,044		)
Non-GAAP net income		$	104,932			$	110,740			$	255,884			$	289,234
Diluted income per share
GAAP diluted income per share		$	1.43			$	1.49			$	3.28			$	3.71
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b)		0.11				0.09				0.46				0.40
Amortization of intangibles		0.03				0.02				0.10				0.06
Acquisition related fees		—				0.02				—				0.02
Less:
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)		(0.03		)		(0.03		)		(0.12		)		(0.10		)
Non-GAAP diluted income per share		$	1.54			$	1.59			$	3.72			$	4.09
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP diluted income per share		68,176				69,638				68,727				70,787
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Twelve Months Ended June 30,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Free Cash Flow
GAAP net cash provided by operating activities		$	99,670			$	85,177			$	243,258			$	238,313
Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		(167		)		(230		)		(1,278		)		(436		)
Payments for capitalized computer software development costs		—				(37		)		(141		)		(1,131		)
Acquisition related payments		—				—				1,264				27
Free Cash Flow		$	99,503			$	84,910			$	243,103			$	236,773
(a) GAAP total expenses
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Twelve Months Ended June 30,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Total costs of revenue		$	15,158			$	15,490			$	61,607			$	57,816
Total operating expenses		70,486				69,056				279,751				257,727
GAAP total expenses		$	85,644			$	84,546			$	341,358			$	315,543
(b) Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Twelve Months Ended June 30,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Cost of maintenance		$	337			$	366			$	1,441			$	1,282
Cost of services and other		484				382				1,961				1,420
Selling and marketing		1,428				1,162				5,656				4,849
Research and development		2,113				1,472				8,306				6,923
General and administrative		3,053				2,737				14,184				13,099
Total stock-based compensation		$	7,415			$	6,119			$	31,548			$	27,573

(c) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items for the three and twelve months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, is calculated utilizing the Company's statutory tax rate of 21 percent.

 

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Media Contact
Lucy Millington
Aspen Technology
+1 781-221-6419
lucy.millington@aspentech.com

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

Source: Aspen Technology, Inc.