MRO Magazine

Aspen Technology Announces Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

April 28, 2015 | By Business Wire News

BEDFORD, Mass.

Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZPN), a leading provider of software and services to the process industries, today announced financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2015, ended March 31, 2015.

“AspenTech delivered strong third quarter financial results that exceeded our guidance across all key metrics. Total license contract value grew 13.2% year-over-year in the third quarter, which underscores the continued need of customers to improve the efficiency of their operations,” said Antonio Pietri, President and Chief Executive Officer of AspenTech.

Pietri added, “Our disciplined approach to expense management is driving strong profit margins and cash flow generation, which provided the flexibility to repurchase approximately $108 million of our common stock. We believe the combination of continued top and bottom line growth and returning capital to shareholders can generate long-term value.”

Third Quarter Fiscal 2015 and Recent Business Highlights

  • The license portion of total contract value was $2.03 billion at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2015, which increased 13.2% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014 and 3.1% sequentially.
  • Total contract value, including the value of bundled maintenance, was $2.41 billion at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2015, which increased 14.1% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014 and 3.2% sequentially.
  • 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 $411.6 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2015, which increased 11.9% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2.9% sequentially.
  • GAAP operating margin was 37.5%, compared to 30.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Non-GAAP operating margin was 43.7%, compared to 38.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
  • We repurchased nearly three million shares of our common stock for $107.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

Summary of Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2015 Financial Results

AspenTech’s total revenue of $111.3 million increased 7.4% from $103.6 million in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.

  • Subscription and software revenue was $102.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, an increase from $91.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
  • Services & other revenue was $8.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $12.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, AspenTech reported income from operations of $41.7 million, compared to income from operations of $31.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

Net income was $28.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, leading to net income per share of $0.32, compared to net income per share of $0.22 in the same period last fiscal year.

Non-GAAP income from operations, which adds back stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, amortization of intangibles associated with acquisitions and non-capitalized acquired technology, was $48.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $40.0 million in the same period last fiscal year. Non-GAAP net income was $32.6 million, or $0.37 per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to non-GAAP net income of $26.4 million, or $0.28 per share, in the same period last fiscal year.

AspenTech had cash and marketable securities of $225.0 million at March 31, 2015, a decrease of $31.5 million from the end of the prior quarter after using $107.0 million in cash to repurchase shares of common stock.

During the third quarter, the company generated $64.6 million in cash flow from operations. On a non-GAAP basis, cash flow from operations was $81.4 million and free cash flow was $79.7 million after taking into consideration $1.8 million in capital expenditures and capitalized software.

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, April 28, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), to discuss the company’s financial results for the third quarter fiscal year 2015 as well as the company’s business outlook.

The live dial-in number is (866) 604-6127 or (706) 634-5625, conference ID code 21858768. 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 21858768, through May 28, 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         Nine Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
  2015           2014     2015           2014  
Revenue:
Subscription and software $ 102,543 $ 91,309 $ 300,002 $ 258,916
Services and other   8,756     12,278     26,213     31,005  
Total revenue   111,299     103,587     326,215     289,921  
Cost of revenue:
Subscription and software 5,404 5,332 15,813 14,974
Services and other   6,905     9,956     21,142     24,835  
Total cost of revenue   12,309     15,288     36,955     39,809  
Gross profit   98,990     88,299     289,260     250,112  
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing 23,160 24,267 67,599 71,376
Research and development 20,323 21,791 52,548 52,641
General and administrative   13,776     10,839     36,227     33,732  
Total operating expenses, net   57,259     56,897     156,374     157,749  
Income from operations 41,731 31,402 132,886 92,363
Interest income 122 275 389 969
Interest expense (1 ) (6 ) (8 ) (32 )
Other income (expense), net   414     (472 )   354     (1,807 )
Income before provision for income taxes 42,266 31,199 133,621 91,493
Provision for income taxes   14,096     10,356     46,020     32,388  
Net income $ 28,170   $ 20,843   $ 87,601   $ 59,105  
Net income per common share:
Basic $ 0.32 $ 0.23 $ 0.98 $ 0.64
Diluted $ 0.32 $ 0.22 $ 0.97 $ 0.63
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 87,355 92,414 89,509 92,891
Diluted 87,853 93,365 90,121 93,951

(*)- Certain items in prior period Consolidated Statements of Operations have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited in thousands, except share data)
                   
March 31, June 30,
  2015     2014  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 143,962 $ 199,526
Short-term marketable securities 71,848 67,619
Accounts receivable, net 28,084 38,532
Current portion of installments receivable, net 380 640
Unbilled services 1,134 1,656
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 7,397 10,567
Prepaid income taxes 682 605
Current deferred tax assets   4,918     10,537  
Total current assets 258,405 329,682
Long-term marketable securities 9,140 31,270
Non-current installments receivable, net 250 811
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net 18,459 7,588
Computer software development costs, net 1,161 1,390
Goodwill 17,026 19,276
Non-current deferred tax assets 11,120 12,765
Other non-current assets   1,504     5,190  
Total assets $ 317,065   $ 407,972  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 3,369 $ 412
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 34,751 34,984
Income taxes payable 1,709 2,168
Current deferred revenue   236,025     228,940  
Total current liabilities 275,854 266,504
Non-current deferred revenue 37,813 45,942
Other non-current liabilities 30,192 11,850
Commitments and contingencies
Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value—
Authorized— 3,636 shares as of March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014
Issued and outstanding— none as of March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Common stock, $0.10 par value— Authorized—210,000,000 shares
Issued— 101,390,162 shares at March 31, 2015 and 101,033,740 shares at June 30, 2014
Outstanding— 86,038,275 shares at March 31, 2015 and 91,661,850 shares at June 30, 2014 10,139 10,103
Additional paid-in capital 622,266 591,324
Accumulated deficit (176,433 ) (264,034 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income 5,026 9,372

Treasury stock, at cost—15,351,887 shares of common stock at March 31, 2015 and 9,371,890 shares at June 30, 2014

  (487,792 )   (263,089 )
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)   (26,794 )   83,676  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 317,065   $ 407,972  
 
 
ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS*
(Unaudited in thousands)
 
          Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
  2015         2014     2015         2014  
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 28,170 $ 20,843 $ 87,601 $ 59,105
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,758 1,376 4,616 3,855
Net foreign currency (gains) losses (1,336 ) 365 (2,715 ) 1,444
Stock-based compensation 3,456 3,564 11,122 11,102
Deferred income taxes (456 ) 9,036 21,317 25,827
Provision for bad debts (809 ) (31 ) (471 ) 751
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation 14,159 54 21,843 137
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (14,159 ) (54 ) (21,843 ) (137 )
Other non-cash operating activities 619 462 1,401 1,358
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (7,622 ) (781 ) 10,897 5,717
Unbilled services (505 ) (504 ) 485 667
Prepaid expenses, prepaid income taxes, and other assets 1,848 2,791 4,762 4,327
Installments receivable (158 ) 3,588 822 11,933
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities 4,055 4,403 (1,198 ) (1,248 )
Deferred revenue   35,622       24,521     (222 )   17,051  
Net cash provided by operating activities   64,642       69,633     138,417     141,889  
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities (11,017 ) (16,550 ) (50,065 ) (35,542 )
Maturities of marketable securities 27,911 20,938 66,923 33,362
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements (1,586 ) (906 ) (5,914 ) (2,630 )
Purchases of technology intangibles (400 ) (400 )
Capitalized computer software development costs   (178 )   (97 )   (315 )   (601 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   15,130     2,985     10,629     (5,811 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Exercises of stock options 531 3,045 2,046 7,475
Repurchases of common stock (106,973 ) (30,000 ) (222,878 ) (88,919 )

Payments of tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock

(1,300 ) (1,698 ) (3,874 ) (5,935 )
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation   14,159     54     21,843     137  
Net cash used in financing activities (93,583 ) (28,599 ) (202,863 ) (87,242 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (670 )   (13 )   (1,747 )   215  
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (14,481 ) 44,006 (55,564 ) 49,051
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   158,443     137,477     199,526     132,432  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 143,962   $ 181,483   $ 143,962   $ 181,483  
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net $ 312 $ 672 $ 2,933 $ 5,717
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

Landlord improvement allowance included in leasehold improvements and deferred rent liability

$ 6,064 $ $ 6,064 $

Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements included in accounts payable and accrued expenses

1,913 1,913
Common stock repurchases included in accrued expenses 2,450 2,450
 

(*)- Certain items for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2014 and the three months ended September 30, 2014 presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

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

March 31,

      Nine Months Ended

March 31,

  2015           2014     2015           2014  

Total expenses

GAAP total expenses (a) $ 69,568 $ 72,185 $ 193,329 $ 197,558
Less:
Stock-based compensation (b) (3,456 ) (3,564 ) (11,122 ) (11,102 )
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e) (3,277 ) (4,856 ) (3,277 ) (4,856 )
Restructuring charges 19 15
Amortization of purchased technology intangibles (187 ) (224 ) (635 ) (698 )
                                       
Non-GAAP total expenses           $ 62,648         $ 63,560           $ 178,295         $ 180,917  
 

Income from operations

GAAP income from operations $ 41,731 $ 31,402 $ 132,886 $ 92,363
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b) 3,456 3,564 11,122 11,102
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e) 3,277 4,856 3,277 4,856
Restructuring charges (19 ) (15 )
Amortization of purchased technology intangibles 187 224 635 698
                                       
Non-GAAP income from operations           $ 48,651         $ 40,027           $ 147,920         $ 109,004  
 

Net income

GAAP net income $ 28,170 $ 20,843 $ 87,601 $ 59,105
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b) 3,456 3,564 11,122 11,102
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e) 3,277 4,856 3,277 4,856
Restructuring charges (19 ) (15 )
Amortization of purchased technology intangibles 187 224 635 698
Less:
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c) (2,491 ) (3,105 ) (5,412 ) (5,991 )
                                       
Non-GAAP net income           $ 32,599         $ 26,363           $ 97,223         $ 69,755  
 

Diluted income per share

GAAP diluted income per share $ 0.32 $ 0.22 $ 0.97 $ 0.63
Plus:
Stock-based compensation (b) 0.04 0.04 0.12 0.12
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e) 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.05
Restructuring charges
Amortization of purchased technology intangibles 0.01 0.01
Less:
Income tax effect on Non-GAAP items (c) (0.03 ) (0.03 ) (0.06 ) (0.06 )
                                       
Non-GAAP diluted income per share           $ 0.37         $ 0.28           $ 1.08         $ 0.74  
 
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP diluted income per share 87,853 93,365 90,121 93,951
 
 
Three Months Ended

March 31,

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

  2015     2014     2015     2014  

Non-GAAP Cash Flows from Operating Activities and Free Cash Flow

GAAP cash flows from operating activities $ 64,642 $ 69,633 $ 138,417 $ 141,889
Plus:
Non-capitalized acquired technology (e) 2,621 3,856 2,621 3,856
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (d) 14,159 54 21,843 137
                                       
Non-GAAP Cash Flows from Operating Activities           $ 81,422    

 

  $ 73,543           $ 162,881    

 

  $ 145,882  
 
Less:
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements (1,586 ) (906 ) (5,914 ) (2,630 )
Capitalized computer software development costs (178 ) (97 ) (315 ) (601 )
                                       
Free Cash Flow           $ 79,658         $ 72,540           $ 156,652         $ 142,651  
 
(a) GAAP total expenses
Three Months Ended

March 31,

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

  2015     2014     2015     2014  
Total costs of revenue $ 12,309 $ 15,288 $ 36,955 $ 39,809
Total operating expenses   57,259     56,897     156,374     157,749  
GAAP total expenses $ 69,568   $ 72,185   $ 193,329   $ 197,558  
 
(b) Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
Three Months Ended

March 31,

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

  2015     2014     2015     2014  
Cost of services and other $ 336 $ 282 $ 1,014 $ 910
Selling and marketing 778 832 2,282 2,653
Research and development 959 1,523 2,923 3,267
General and administrative   1,383     927     4,903     4,272  
Total stock-based compensation $ 3,456   $ 3,564   $ 11,122   $ 11,102  

(c) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items for the three and nine months ended March 31, 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 non-GAAP cash flows from operating activities and 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 March 31, 2015 for additional details.

(e) During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we acquired certain technology for $3.3 million and $4.9 million, respectively, as a part of projects initiated during these periods 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 and nine months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  During the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we excluded the payments of $2.6 million and $3.9 million for the acquired technology from non-GAAP cash flows from operating activities and free cash flow to be consistent with the treatment of other transactions where acquired assets are capitalized.

Media Contact
AspenTech
David Grip, +1 781-221-5273
david.grip@aspentech.com
or
Investor Contact
ICR
Brian Denyeau, +1 646-277-1251
brian.denyeau@icrinc.com

Advertisement

Stories continue below

Print this page