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): October 24, 2017
FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 000-21433 | 04-2797789 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
60 Acorn Park Drive
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(617) 613-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changes 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:
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 2.02. | Results of Operations and Financial Condition. |
The information contained in this current report on Form 8-K is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K “Results of Operations and Financial Condition”. This information and the exhibits hereto are being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of, or otherwise regarded as filed under, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The information contained in this report shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of Forrester Research, Inc. with the SEC, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings.
On October 25, 2017, Forrester Research, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.
Forrester believes that pro forma financial results provide investors with consistent and comparable information to aid in the understanding of Forrester’s ongoing business. Forrester uses pro forma financial information to manage its business, including use of pro forma financial results as the basis for setting targets for various compensation programs. Our pro forma presentation excludes the following, as well as their related tax effects:
Amortization of intangibles—we exclude the effect of the amortization of intangibles from our pro forma results in order to more consistently present our ongoing results of operations.
Gains and losses from investments—we have consistently excluded both gains and losses related to our investments in non-marketable securities and sales of marketable securities from our pro forma results in order to keep quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons consistent.
Stock-based compensation expense—we exclude stock-based compensation from our pro forma results in order to keep quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons consistent.
Reorganization costs associated with the Company’s reductions in force are not included in our pro forma results in order to keep quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons consistent.
However, these measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, operating income or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as more fully discussed in our financial statements and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
| Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
On October 25, 2017, the Company also announced that its Board of Directors has approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share, to be paid on December 20, 2017 to shareholders of record on December 6, 2017.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(d) Exhibits
| 99.1 | Press release dated October 25, 2017 with respect to financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 and the approval of the Company’s quarterly cash dividend. | |
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SIGNATURES
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.
| FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC. | ||
| By | /s/ Michael A. Doyle | |
| Name: | Michael A. Doyle | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
Date: October 25, 2017
-3-
Exhibit Index
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated October 25, 2017 | |
-4-
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Forrester Research Reports 2017 Third-Quarter Financial Results
Cambridge, Mass., October 25, 2017 . . . Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced its 2017 third-quarter financial results.
Third-Quarter Financial Performance
Total revenues were $80.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, compared with $77.4 million for the third quarter of 2016. Research revenues increased 3%, and advisory services and events revenues increased 6%, compared with the third quarter of 2016.
On a GAAP basis, net income was $4.0 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2017, compared with net income of $3.1 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016.
On a pro forma basis, net income was $5.6 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2017, which reflects a pro forma effective tax rate of 40%. Pro forma net income excludes stock-based compensation of $2.2 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $0.2 million, and net investment losses of $0.8 million. This compares with pro forma net income of $6.0 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016, which reflects a pro forma tax rate of 40%. Pro forma net income for the third quarter of 2016 excludes stock-based compensation of $2.0 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $0.2 million, and net investment losses of $1.1 million.
“Forrester was at the upper end of revenue guidance while exceeding pro forma operating margin and EPS guidance for the third quarter of 2017,” said George F. Colony, Forrester’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We remain positive about our strategy and growth.”
Forrester is providing fourth-quarter 2017 financial guidance as follows:
Fourth-Quarter 2017 (GAAP):
| • | Total revenues of approximately $83.0 million to $86.0 million. |
| • | Operating margin of approximately 6.8% to 8.8%. |
| • | Other income (expense), net of zero. |
| • | An effective tax rate of 40%. |
| • | Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.20 to $0.24. |
Fourth-Quarter 2017 (Pro Forma):
Pro forma financial guidance for the fourth quarter of 2017 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $2.0 million to $2.2 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $0.2 million, and any investment gains or losses.
| • | Pro forma operating margin of approximately 9.5% to 11.5%. |
| • | Pro forma effective tax rate of 40%. |
| • | Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.27 to $0.31. |
Our full-year 2017 guidance is as follows:
Full-Year 2017 (GAAP):
| • | Total revenues of approximately $330.0 million to $333.0 million. |
| • | Operating margin of approximately 7.7% to 8.7%. |
| • | Other income, net of $0.2 million. |
| • | An effective tax rate of 35%. |
| • | Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.90 to $0.94. |
Full-Year 2017 (Pro Forma):
Pro forma financial guidance for full-year 2017 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $8.4 million to $8.6 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $0.8 million, and any investment gains or losses.
| • | Pro forma operating margin of approximately 10.5% to 11.5%. |
| • | Pro forma effective tax rate of 40%. |
| • | Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.17 to $1.21. |
Quarterly Dividend
Forrester also announced today that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share, payable December 20, 2017, to shareholders of record on December 6, 2017.
About Forrester Research
Forrester Research is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We work with business and technology leaders to develop customer-obsessed strategies that drive growth. Forrester’s unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 675,000 consumers and business leaders worldwide, rigorous and objective methodologies, and the shared wisdom of our most innovative clients. Through proprietary research, data, custom consulting, exclusive executive peer groups, and events, the Forrester experience is about a singular and powerful purpose: to challenge the thinking of our clients to help them lead change in their organizations. For more information, visit forrester.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, Forrester’s financial guidance for the fourth quarter of and full-year 2017, statements about the success of operational improvements, and statements about Forrester’s future financial performance and financial condition. These statements are based on Forrester’s current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual future activities and results to differ include, among others, Forrester’s ability to retain and enrich memberships for its research products and services, demand for advisory and consulting services, technology spending, Forrester’s ability to respond to business and economic conditions and market trends, Forrester’s ability to develop and offer new products and services, the risks and challenges inherent in international business activities, competition and industry consolidation, the ability to attract and retain professional staff, Forrester’s dependence on key personnel, Forrester’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits from recent internal reorganizations, the possibility of network disruptions and security breaches, Forrester’s ability to enforce and protect its intellectual property, and possible variations in Forrester’s quarterly operating results. Dividend declarations are at the discretion of Forrester’s board of directors, and plans for future dividends may be revised by the board at any time. Forrester undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information, please refer to Forrester’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The consolidated statements of income and the table of key financial data are attached.
Contacts:
Michael Doyle
Chief Financial Officer
Forrester Research, Inc.
+1 617-613-6000
mdoyle@forrester.com
Meaghan Rhyasen
Public Relations
Forrester Research, Inc.
+ 1 617-613-6070
press@forrester.com
© 2017, Forrester Research, Inc. All rights reserved. Forrester is a trademark of Forrester Research, Inc.
Forrester Research, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited, In thousands, except per share data)
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: |
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| Research services |
$ | 54,235 | $ | 52,727 | $ | 160,553 | $ | 160,998 | ||||||||
| Advisory services and events |
26,134 | 24,700 | 86,743 | 81,651 | ||||||||||||
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| Total revenues |
80,369 | 77,427 | 247,296 | 242,649 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
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| Cost of services and fulfillment |
32,508 | 29,889 | 100,814 | 95,429 | ||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing |
29,225 | 27,751 | 90,355 | 87,490 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative |
10,083 | 10,086 | 30,672 | 30,359 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation |
1,607 | 1,941 | 4,775 | 5,982 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets |
197 | 208 | 582 | 627 | ||||||||||||
| Reorganization costs |
— | — | — | 1,026 | ||||||||||||
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| Total operating expenses |
73,620 | 69,875 | 227,198 | 220,913 | ||||||||||||
| Income from operations |
6,749 | 7,552 | 20,098 | 21,736 | ||||||||||||
| Other income, net |
146 | 229 | 248 | 374 | ||||||||||||
| Losses on investments, net |
(772 | ) | (1,085 | ) | (997 | ) | (1,139 | ) | ||||||||
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| Income before income taxes |
6,123 | 6,696 | 19,349 | 20,971 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax provision |
2,170 | 3,584 | 6,302 | 9,110 | ||||||||||||
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| Net income |
$ | 3,953 | $ | 3,112 | $ | 13,047 | $ | 11,861 | ||||||||
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| Diluted income per common share |
$ | 0.22 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.65 | ||||||||
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| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
18,051 | 18,435 | 18,212 | 18,168 | ||||||||||||
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| Basic income per common share |
$ | 0.22 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.73 | $ | 0.66 | ||||||||
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| Basic weighted average shares outstanding |
17,747 | 18,062 | 17,897 | 17,896 | ||||||||||||
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| Pro forma data (1): |
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| Income from operations |
$ | 6,749 | $ | 7,552 | $ | 20,098 | $ | 21,736 | ||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets |
197 | 208 | 582 | 627 | ||||||||||||
| Reorganization costs |
— | — | — | 1,026 | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation included in the following expense categories: |
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| Cost of services and fulfillment |
1,088 | 1,077 | 3,387 | 3,141 | ||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing |
170 | 272 | 535 | 695 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative |
920 | 622 | 2,501 | 1,895 | ||||||||||||
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| Pro forma income from operations |
9,124 | 9,731 | 27,103 | 29,120 | ||||||||||||
| Other income, net |
146 | 229 | 248 | 374 | ||||||||||||
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| Pro forma income before income taxes |
9,270 | 9,960 | 27,351 | 29,494 | ||||||||||||
| Pro forma income tax provision |
3,708 | 3,984 | 10,940 | 11,798 | ||||||||||||
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| Pro forma net income |
$ | 5,562 | $ | 5,976 | $ | 16,411 | $ | 17,696 | ||||||||
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| Pro forma diluted income per share |
$ | 0.31 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.97 | ||||||||
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| Pro forma diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
18,051 | 18,435 | 18,212 | 18,168 | ||||||||||||
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| (1) | Forrester believes that pro forma financial results provide investors with consistent and comparable information to aid in the understanding of Forrester’s ongoing business, and are also used by Forrester in making compensation decisions. Our pro forma presentation excludes amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, stock-based compensation, reorganization costs and net gains or losses from investments, as well as their related tax effects. The pro forma data does not purport to be prepared in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States. |
Forrester Research, Inc.
Key Financial Data
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Balance sheet data: |
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| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments |
$ | 133,979 | $ | 138,105 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net |
$ | 39,481 | $ | 58,812 | ||||
| Deferred revenue |
$ | 132,929 | $ | 134,265 | ||||
| Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Cash flow data: |
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| Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 36,863 | $ | 38,305 | ||||
| Purchases of property and equipment |
$ | (5,806 | ) | $ | (3,334 | ) | ||
| Repurchases of common stock |
$ | (39,967 | ) | $ | — | |||
| Dividends paid |
$ | (10,205 | ) | $ | (9,696 | ) | ||
| As of | ||||||||
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Metrics: |
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| Agreement value |
$ | 237,800 | $ | 241,100 | ||||
| Client retention |
76 | % | 76 | % | ||||
| Dollar retention |
88 | % | 88 | % | ||||
| Enrichment |
94 | % | 95 | % | ||||
| Number of clients |
2,393 | 2,482 | ||||||
| As of | ||||||||
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Headcount: |
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| Total headcount |
1,374 | 1,332 | ||||||
| Research and consulting staff |
510 | 488 | ||||||
| Sales force |
530 | 514 | ||||||