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):  May 5, 2005

 

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Delaware

 

0-24786

 

04-2739697

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

Ten Canal Park, Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

02141

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (617) 949-1000

 

 

(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:

 

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))

 

 



 

Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On May 5, 2005, we issued a press release announcing our financial results for our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005, the third quarter of our fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.  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 Form 8-K (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

 

(c) Exhibits

 

Press release issued by Aspen Technology, Inc. on May 5, 2005.

 

2



 

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.

 

 

Date:  May 5, 2005

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

  /s/ Charles F. Kane

 

 

  Charles F. Kane

 

 

    Senior Vice President, Finance and
    Chief Financial Officer

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release issued by Aspen Technology, Inc. on May 5, 2005.

 

4


Exhibit 99.1

 

Aspen Technology Announces Financial Results for the

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2005

 

Company announces initiatives to simplify corporate structure, improve execution and enhance profitability

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—May 5, 2005—Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZPN), the leading provider of software and services to the process industries, today reported financial results for its third quarter of fiscal 2005, ended March 31, 2005.

 

Total revenues for the third quarter totaled $64.2 million, with software license revenues of $31.1 million and services revenues totaling $33.1 million.  On a Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis, the Company reported a third quarter net loss applicable to common shareholders of $13.7 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, which includes fees related to the recently completed audit committee investigation.  On a non-GAAP basis, excluding these fees, amortization of intangibles, an adjustment to previously recorded restructuring charges, and the preferred stock dividend and discount accretion, the Company reported a fiscal 2005 third quarter net loss of $4.4 million, or $0.05 per share.  A $1.1 million tax provision for international locations is included in these results, which increased the GAAP loss per share by $0.03 and the non-GAAP loss per share by $0.01.

 

 “While our third quarter revenues and expenses were in-line with the directional guidance we provided on our March 15 earnings call, we are working hard to ensure that the Company is in position to report improved financial results in the future,” said Mark Fusco, President and CEO of AspenTech.  “After evaluating AspenTech’s operations during my first 90 days as CEO, I have determined that the Company must simplify its structure and processes in order to remove internal obstacles that have prevented it from growing revenues and delivering profitable performance.  Although some of these changes will take time to implement, we have finalized a plan to improve our performance, which we expect will enhance results in our next fiscal year.”

 

Highlights of New Plan to Improve Operational Performance

 

On the Company’s March 15 conference call, management discussed its high level priorities designed to help AspenTech improve its profitability and revenues.  Today, AspenTech is announcing the details of its new execution plan which is focused on three areas: (1) operational improvement, (2) end-to-end vertical alignment of customer facing functions, and (3) integration of product management and marketing into a single organization that is closer to the customer.  Details and benefits to the new plan include the following:

 

      Operational Improvement

      Consolidate disparate facilities and back office personnel in order create a simplified operating infrastructure and improve efficiency, control and information flow

      Consolidate R&D to fewer locations in order to improve productivity, quality and efficiency of R&D resources

 

      Vertical Alignment

 

 

 



 

      Align all customer-facing employees — product marketing, product management, professional services, pre-sales, and direct sales — into key vertical market segments

      Create greater accountability across each functional department and ensure that employees closest to the customer are driving R&D toward the greatest areas of customer demand

 

      Integration of Product Management and Marketing into a Single Function

      Merge product management and marketing into one organization, with a greater emphasis on customer interaction and marketing resources in the field

      Increase the allocation of resources toward key vertical market initiatives

      Create increased interaction and better communication with our customers, and increase the resources available to drive our vertical sales strategy

 

“Our new operational plan is comprehensive, and we believe that successful execution against it will put AspenTech in a much better position to deliver consistent and improving financial results.  Many of our customers continue to report solid financial results, and we have the capability to significantly increase our percentage of their software spending as we improve our execution.

 

He added, “We have a solid sales pipeline and expect to deliver an improvement in software licenses, services, and profitability in the June quarter.  Most important, we believe AspenTech has the potential to return to profitability and free cash flow generation in fiscal 2006 by streamlining our focus and improving the day-to-day execution of our business strategy.”

 

Charles Kane, Senior Vice President & CFO of AspenTech said, “During the third quarter we significantly decreased our year-over-year cost structure, and we believe we can reduce our expense run rate by another $3 to $4 million per quarter over the next 12 months.  We are committed to running a profitable company, which includes delivering a year-over-year increase in our fiscal 2006 operating margins.  We also plan to pay off our 5.25% convertible debentures, which will improve the Company’s ongoing financial position over the next few months.”

 

Additions to Management Team

 

Over the past few months, AspenTech made significant additions to its senior management team.  Blair Wheeler joined the Company as Senior Vice President of Marketing, following a distinguished career in sales and marketing across a variety of organizations, including Cisco and Amoco.  Hedwig (Hedy) Whitney was named Vice President of Human Resources, after having held senior executive positions in a similar capacity at New England Business Services and Fidelity Investments.  Wheeler and Whitney will play instrumental roles in executing the Company’s new plan to improve its operational performance.

 

Significant Transactions

 

AspenTech signed significant software transactions in the third quarter with Air Liquide, Dow Corning, DuPont, PepsiCo Inc., NOVA Chemicals, and Statoil.

 

Financial Impact of Restructuring

 

 



 

As a result of the operational changes and restructuring, the Company expects to reduce its quarterly run rate by roughly $3 to $4 million over the course of Fiscal 2006.  Management anticipates incurring a fourth quarter restructuring charge of between $4 and $6 million.

 

Conference Call and Webcast

 

AspenTech will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial results, business outlook, and related corporate and financial matters at 4:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 5, 2005.  Interested parties may listen to a live webcast of the call by logging on to AspenTech’s website: http://www.aspentech.com and clicking on the “webcast” link under the investor relations section of the site.  A replay of the call will be archived on AspenTech’s website and will also be available via telephone at (800) 642-1687, confirmation code 6079595, for four days, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 5, 2005.

 

Non-GAAP Results

 

AspenTech reports pro forma financial results, which exclude certain non-operational, non-cash and other specified charges that management generally does not consider in evaluating the Company’s ongoing operations.  These results are provided as a complement to results provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (known as “GAAP”).  Management believes this pro forma measure helps indicate underlying trends in the Company’s business, and uses this pro forma measure to establish budgets and operational goals that are communicated internally and externally, to manage the Company’s business and to evaluate its performance.  A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial results, to GAAP financial results, is included in the attached condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

About AspenTech

 

Aspen Technology Inc. provides industry-leading software and professional services that help process companies improve the efficiency of their business processes, optimize their operational performance and enhance their financial results. The new generation of integrated aspenONE™ solutions gives manufacturers the capabilities they need to model, manage and control their operations, enabling real-time decision making and synchronization of the plant and supply chain. Over 1,500 leading companies already rely on AspenTech’s software, including Aventis, Bayer, BASF, BP, ChevronTexaco, Dow Chemical, DuPont, ExxonMobil, Fluor, GlaxoSmithKline, Shell, and Total. For more information, visit www.aspentech.com.

 

The third paragraph, the section captioned “Highlights of New Plan to Improve Operational Performance”, and the sentence under the caption “Financial Impact of Restructuring” 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: AspenTech’s plan to improve operational performance may not be implemented effectively; AspenTech has identified material weakness in its internal controls with respect to software license revenue recognition, that, if not remedied effectively, could result in material misstatements; AspenTech’s lengthy sales cycle which makes it difficult to predict quarterly operating results; fluctuations in AspenTech’s quarterly operating results; AspenTech’s dependence on customers in the cyclical chemicals, petrochemicals and petroleum industries; AspenTech’s ability to raise additional capital as required;  AspenTech’s ability to retire its 5.25% convertible debentures; intense competition;

 

 



 

AspenTech’s need to develop and market products successfully; reliance on relationships with strategic partners; 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 the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

 

-tables follow-

 

 



 

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED SATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software licenses

 

$

31,097

 

$

36,636

 

$

93,102

 

$

113,636

 

Service and other

 

33,121

 

44,939

 

106,011

 

130,090

 

Total revenues

 

64,218

 

81,575

 

199,113

 

243,726

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COST OF REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of software licenses

 

4,035

 

3,854

 

12,707

 

11,786

 

Cost of service and other

 

19,215

 

25,345

 

63,236

 

73,973

 

Amortization of technology related intangible assets

 

1,778

 

1,806

 

5,330

 

5,480

 

Total cost of revenues

 

25,028

 

31,005

 

81,273

 

91,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

39,190

 

50,570

 

117,840

 

152,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING COSTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing

 

24,299

 

23,841

 

70,075

 

71,449

 

Research and development

 

11,552

 

14,234

 

35,309

 

44,534

 

General and administrative (includes litigation defense and settlement costs, audit committee review costs, and one-time contract termination costs of $4,014, $1,450, $11,939 and $1,450 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 and nine months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively)(2)

 

12,746

 

6,399

 

35,867

 

19,878

 

Restructuring charges and FTC legal costs

 

(97

)

 

21,630

 

2,000

 

Loss (gain) on sales and disposals of assets

 

81

 

(206

)

(276

)

(885

)

Total operating costs

 

48,581

 

44,268

 

162,605

 

136,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

(9,391

)

6,302

 

(44,765

)

15,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

 

(16

)

256

 

(58

)

(189

)

Interest income, net

 

477

 

419

 

1,788

 

1,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

 

(8,930

)

6,977

 

(43,035

)

17,278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit from (provision for) income taxes

 

(1,133

)

(341

)

(220

)

(2,330

)

Equity in earnings from joint ventures

 

 

 

 

(100

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

(10,063

)

6,636

 

(43,255

)

14,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion of preferred stock discount and dividend(1)

 

(3,630

)

(3,400

)

(10,747

)

(2,900

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(13,693

)

$

3,236

 

$

(54,002

)

$

11,948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.32

)

$

0.08

 

$

(1.28

)

$

0.30

 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.32

)

$

0.06

 

$

(1.28

)

$

0.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic

 

42,639

 

41,049

 

42,193

 

40,326

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted

 

42,639

 

51,907

 

42,193

 

48,275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRO FORMA (NON-GAAP) EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma (non-GAAP) net income excludes Accretion of preferred stock discount and dividend, Amortization of technology related intangible assets, Litigation defense and settlement costs, one-time contract termination costs, Restructuring charges and FTC legal costs, and gain on sale of the AXSYS product line. Pro forma (non-GAAP) weighted average shares outstanding assumes the conversion of the Series D preferred stock to common stock. 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

(4,368

)

$

9,892

 

$

(4,690

)

$

23,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.05

)

$

0.11

 

$

(0.05

)

$

0.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

 

87,262

 

88,244

 

87,910

 

78,556

 

 


(1)

 

Detail of this amount is provided on the reconciliation of net income (loss) to pro forma (non-GAAP) net income

 

 

 

(2)

 

These parenthetical references will not be presented in our Form 10-K.

 

 



 

Supplemental information —

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of total expenses to pro forma (non-GAAP) total expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses (cost of revenues and operating costs)

 

$

73,609

 

$

75,273

 

$

243,878

 

$

228,215

 

Adjustments to total expenses (cost of revenues and operating costs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of technology related intangible assets

 

(1,778

)

(1,806

)

(5,330

)

(5,480

)

Litigation defense and settlement costs, included in General and Administrative costs

 

 

(1,450

)

(3,765

)

(1,450

)

Fees associated with the audit committee review, included in General and Administrative costs

 

(4,014

)

 

(7,103

)

 

One-time contract termination cost, included in General and Administrative costs

 

 

 

(1,071

)

 

Restructuring charges and FTC legal costs

 

97

 

 

(21,630

)

(2,000

)

Gain on sale of AXSYS product line, included in Loss (gain) on sales and disposals of assets

 

 

 

334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma (non-GAAP) total expenses (cost of revenues and operating costs)

 

$

67,914

 

$

72,017

 

$

205,313

 

$

219,285

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to pro forma (non-GAAP) net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(13,693

)

$

3,236

 

$

(54,002

)

$

11,948

 

Adjustments to net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect of adjustments to cost of revenues and operating costs

 

5,695

 

3,256

 

38,565

 

8,930

 

Preferred stock discount and dividend accretion

 

3,630

 

3,400

 

10,747

 

9,352

 

Gain on conversion of Series B redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

(6,452

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma (non-GAAP) net income (loss)

 

$

(4,368

)

$

9,892

 

$

(4,690

)

$

23,778

 

 

 



 

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

69,127

 

$

107,677

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

54,199

 

50,874

 

Unbilled services

 

12,262

 

15,518

 

Current portion of long-term installments receivable, net

 

24,946

 

25,244

 

Deferred tax asset

 

275

 

31

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

12,682

 

10,084

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

173,491

 

209,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term installments receivable, net

 

61,294

 

65,527

 

Equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 

15,161

 

18,664

 

Computer software development costs, net

 

17,965

 

16,863

 

Intangible assets, net

 

28,794

 

34,307

 

Purchased intellectual property, net

 

871

 

1,295

 

Deferred tax asset

 

2,613

 

2,492

 

Other assets

 

3,038

 

3,158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

303,227

 

$

351,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

58,108

 

$

58,595

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

63,005

 

83,115

 

Unearned revenue

 

20,613

 

18,051

 

Deferred revenue

 

30,937

 

33,462

 

Deferred tax liability

 

441

 

325

 

Total current liabilities

 

173,104

 

193,548

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities

 

1,049

 

1,952

 

Deferred revenue, less current portion

 

3,465

 

5,363

 

Deferred tax liability

 

4,241

 

4,220

 

Other liabilities

 

24,101

 

11,527

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

117,508

 

106,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)

 

(20,241

)

28,363

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)

 

$

303,227

 

$

351,734

 

 

 

3