Aspen Technology Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter Fiscal 2012

November 1, 2011
Announces $100 million share repurchase program

BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov 01, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- 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 2012, ended September 30, 2011.

Mark Fusco, Chief Executive Officer of AspenTech, said, "The first quarter was a strong start to the new fiscal year. The September quarter is typically a seasonally weak quarter, but we generated increased growth in our license total contract value as compared to the first quarter in recent years. We believe the packaging and subscription licensing model of our aspenONE suite, combined with our efforts to increase our sales organization's focus on expanding customer relationships and driving greater product usage, are having a positive impact on our business."

Fusco added, "The Company met or exceeded its financial guidance across all key financial metrics for the first fiscal quarter. We also generated positive free cash flow during our seasonally weaker cash generation period, and believe that AspenTech remains on track to generate free cash flow in the mid-$70 million range for fiscal 2012 and $100 million in fiscal 2013."

First Quarter Fiscal 2012 and Recent Business Highlights

 

  • The license portion of total contract value was $1.31 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, which increased 2.2% sequentially and 12.3% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2011.
  • Total contract value was $1.46 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, including the value of bundled maintenance, which increased 2.7% sequentially and 17.0% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2011.
  • The company announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a $100 million share repurchase program. This replaces the prior share repurchase program, which had approximately $20 million of remaining capacity as of the end of the first quarter.

Summary of First Quarter Fiscal Year 2012 Financial Results

AspenTech's total revenue of $51.2 million increased 19% from $43.1 million in the first quarter of the prior year.

 

  • Subscription and software revenue was $31.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, an increase from $19.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and $28.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.
  • Services & other revenue was $19.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $24.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and $23.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, AspenTech reported a loss from operations of $15.6 million due primarily to the multi-year revenue model transition following the introduction at the beginning of fiscal 2010 of the company's aspenONE subscription offering, which has ratable revenue recognition. This represents an improvement from a loss from operations of $19.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

Net loss was $11.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, leading to net loss per share of $0.12. This represents an improvement from a net loss per share of $0.17 in the same period last fiscal year.

Non-GAAP loss from operations, which adds back stock-based compensation expense and restructuring charges, was $12.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, an improvement from a non-GAAP loss from operations of $16.9 million in the same period last fiscal year. Non-GAAP net loss was $9.2 million, or ($0.09) per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, an improvement compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $12.8 million, or ($0.14) 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 balance of $145.4 million at September 30, 2011, a decrease of $4.6 million from the end of the prior quarter due to the fact that the company used $9.2 million in cash to execute against the previously announced share repurchase program. The company generated $5.3 million in cash flow from operations and had $0.6 million in capital expenditures and capitalized software, leading to free cash flow of $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Board of Directors Approves $100 Million Share Repurchase Program

As mentioned above, AspenTech's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program for up to $100 million. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by AspenTech based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. Repurchases may also be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which would permit shares to be repurchased when AspenTech might otherwise be precluded from doing so under applicable insider trading laws and regulations. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Any repurchased shares will be available for use in connection with AspenTech's equity incentive plans and for other corporate purposes.

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, for the next few years, a number of AspenTech's performance indicators based on GAAP, including revenue, gross profit, operating income (loss) and net income (loss), will be of limited value in assessing AspenTech's performance, growth and financial condition. Accordingly, management instead is focusing on certain 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, November 1, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), to discuss the company's financial results for the first quarter fiscal 2012 as well as the company's business outlook. The live dial-in number is (877) 245-0126, conference ID code 17045138. 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 17045138, through November 8, 2011.

About AspenTech

AspenTech is a leading global provider of mission-critical process optimization software solutions, which are designed to manage and optimize plant and process design, operational performance, and supply chain planning. AspenTech's aspenONE(R) software and related services have been developed specifically for companies in the process industries, including energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineering and construction. Customers use AspenTech's solutions to improve their competitiveness and profitability by increasing throughput and productivity, reducing operating costs, enhancing capital efficiency, and decreasing working capital requirements. To see how the world's leading process manufacturers rely on AspenTech to achieve their operational excellence goals, visit http://www.aspentech.com.

© 2011 Aspen Technology, Inc. AspenTech, aspenONE and the Aspen leaf logo are trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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: demand for, or usage of, our aspenONE software declines for any reason; AspenTech's failure to realize the anticipated financial (including cash flow) and operational benefits of the aspenONE subscription offering; unforeseen difficulties or uncertainties in the application of accounting standards; weaknesses in AspenTech's internal controls; 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 current intention to update forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
         
    Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      2011       2010  
Revenue:        
Subscription and software   $ 31,910     $ 18,967  
Services and other     19,315       24,133  
Total revenue     51,225       43,100  
Cost of revenue:        
Subscription and software     2,724       2,122  
Services and other     11,097       11,126  
Total cost of revenue     13,821       13,248  
Gross profit     37,404       29,852  
Operating expenses:        
Selling and marketing     23,446       20,351  
Research and development     13,769       12,575  
General and administrative     15,887       16,557  
Restructuring charges     (73 )     77  
Total operating expenses     53,029       49,560  
Loss from operations     (15,625 )     (19,708 )
Interest income     2,231       3,702  
Interest expense     (1,092 )     (1,244 )
Other (expense) income, net     (2,032 )     2,664  
Loss before income taxes     (16,518 )     (14,586 )
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes     (4,782 )     882  
Net loss   $ (11,736 )   $ (15,468 )
Loss per common share:        
Basic   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.17 )
Diluted   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.17 )
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
Basic     94,065       92,689  
Diluted     94,065       92,689  
 
 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited and in thousands, except share data)
         
    September 30,   June 30,
      2011       2011  
         
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 145,356     $ 149,985  
Accounts receivable, net     21,998       27,866  
Current portion of installments receivable, net     38,199       38,703  
Current portion of collateralized receivables, net     16,165       15,748  
Unbilled services     1,716       2,319  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     9,259       10,819  
Prepaid income taxes     1,155       1,151  
Deferred income taxes- current     7,271       7,272  
Total current assets     241,119       253,863  
Non-current installments receivable, net     40,566       47,773  
Non-current collateralized receivables, net     7,604       9,291  
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net     6,205       6,730  
Computer software development costs, net     2,489       2,813  
Goodwill     17,791       18,624  
Deferred income taxes- non-current     74,426       69,242  
Other non-current assets     3,857       3,639  
Total assets   $ 394,057     $ 411,975  
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Current portion of secured borrowings   $ 16,615     $ 15,756  
Accounts payable     4,789       2,099  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     54,886       64,467  
Income taxes payable     483       672  
Deferred revenue     97,036       90,681  
Total current liabilities     173,809       173,675  
Long-term secured borrowings     8,194       9,157  
Long-term deferred revenue     38,783       38,262  
Other non-current liabilities     31,816       33,078  
Commitments and contingencies        
Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value--        
Authorized-- 3,636 shares at September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011        
Issued and outstanding-- none at September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011     -       -  
Stockholders' equity:        
Common stock, $0.10 par value-- Authorized--210,000,000 shares        
Issued-- 95,356,577 shares at September 30, 2011 and 94,939,400 shares at June 30, 2011        

Outstanding-- 94,068,547 shares at September 30, 2011 and 94,238,370 shares at June 30, 2011

    9,536       9,494  
Additional paid-in capital     535,707       530,996  
Accumulated deficit     (393,007 )     (381,271 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income     8,922       9,115  

Treasury stock, at cost--1,288,030 shares of common stock at September 30, 2011 and 701,030 at June 30, 2011

    (19,703 )     (10,531 )
Total stockholders' equity     141,455       157,803  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 394,057     $ 411,975  
 
 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited and in thousands)
         
    Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      2011       2010  
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss   $ (11,736 )   $ (15,468 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization     1,412       1,361  
Net foreign currency loss (gain)     1,275       (2,179 )
Stock-based compensation     3,708       2,697  
Deferred income taxes     (5,354 )     46  
Provision for bad debts     150       717  
Other non-cash activities     13       -  
Changes in assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable     5,594       5,241  
Unbilled services     611       (287 )
Prepaid expenses, prepaid income taxes, and other assets     1,187       4,791  
Installments and collateralized receivables     8,329       11,901  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities     (6,898 )     (16,438 )
Deferred revenue     6,982       14,006  
Net cash provided by operating activities     5,273       6,388  
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements     (386 )     (588 )
Capitalized computer software development costs     (200 )     (176 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (586 )     (764 )
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Exercise of stock options and warrants     2,232       137  
Proceeds from secured borrowings     1,408       1,924  
Repayments of secured borrowings     (2,232 )     (9,341 )
Repurchases of common stock     (9,172 )     -  
Payment of tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock     (1,187 )     (796 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (8,951 )     (8,076 )
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     (365 )     668  
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (4,629 )     (1,784 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     149,985       124,945  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 145,356     $ 123,161  
         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:        
Interest paid   $ 1,092     $ 1,581  
Income tax paid (refunded), net     631       (6,496 )
 
 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP Results Reconciled to Non-GAAP Results

The following table reflects selected Aspen Technology GAAP results reconciled to non-GAAP results.

(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)

         
    Three Months Ended

September 30,

      2011       2010  

Total expenses

       
GAAP total expenses (a)   $ 66,850     $ 62,808  
Less:        
Stock-based compensation (b)     (3,708 )     (2,697 )
Restructuring charges     73       (77 )
         
Non-GAAP total expenses   $ 63,215     $ 60,034  
         

Loss from operations

       
GAAP loss from operations   $ (15,625 )   $ (19,708 )
Plus:        
Stock-based compensation (b)     3,708       2,697  
Restructuring charges     (73 )     77  
         
Non-GAAP loss from operations   $ (11,990 )   $ (16,934 )
         

Net loss

       
GAAP net loss   $ (11,736 )   $ (15,468 )
Plus:        
Stock-based compensation (b)     3,708       2,697  
Restructuring charges     (73 )     77  
Less:        
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)     (1,068 )     (89 )
         
Non-GAAP net loss   $ (9,169 )   $ (12,783 )
         

Diluted loss per share

       
GAAP diluted loss per share   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.17 )
Plus:        
Stock-based compensation (b)     0.04       0.03  
Restructuring charges     (0.00 )     0.00  
Less:        
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c)     (0.01 )     (0.00 )
         
Non-GAAP diluted loss per share   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.14 )
         
Shares used in computing diluted loss per share     94,065       92,689  
         
(a) GAAP total expenses        
    Three Months Ended

September 30,

      2011       2010  
Total costs of revenue   $ 13,821     $ 13,248  
Total operating expenses     53,029       49,560  
GAAP total expenses   $ 66,850     $ 62,808  
         
(b) Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:        
    Three Months Ended

September 30,

      2011       2010  
Cost of service and other   $ 303     $ 253  
Selling and marketing     1,170       896  
Research and development     348       289  
General and administrative     1,887       1,259  
Total stock-based compensation   $ 3,708     $ 2,697  
         
(c) The income tax effect on Non-GAAP items is calculated utilizing our estimated effective tax rate. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we had a U.S. valuation allowance in place which resulted in a minimal income tax adjustment.

SOURCE: Aspen Technology, Inc.

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