8-K
false 0001023313 0001023313 2022-11-02 2022-11-02

 

 

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): November 2, 2022

 

 

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value   FORR   Nasdaq Global Select Market

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 November 2, 2022, Forrester Research, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.

Forrester believes that adjusted financial results provide investors with consistent and comparable information to aid in the understanding of Forrester’s ongoing business. Forrester uses adjusted financial information to manage its business, including use of adjusted financial results as the basis for setting targets for various compensation programs. Our adjusted 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 adjusted 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 investment in non-marketable securities from our adjusted 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 adjusted results in order to keep quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons consistent.

Integration costs—we exclude the direct costs of integrating acquired companies from our adjusted 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 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

99.1    Press Release dated November 2, 2022 with respect to financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

-2-


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/ L. Christian Finn

Name:   L. Christian Finn
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 2, 2022

 

-3-

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Forrester Research Reports 2022 Third-Quarter Financial Results

Year-over-year total contract value increased by 7% to $353 million

Company raises guidance for balance of year

Cambridge, Mass., November 2, 2022 — Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022, and raised its guidance for the balance of the year. Results were driven by contract value (CV) growth of 7% and revenue growth of 8%. On a GAAP basis, earnings per share (EPS) was $0.28, and on an adjusted basis, EPS was $0.57.

Commenting on the announcement, CEO and Chairman George Colony stated, “We delivered solid financial results in the third quarter. We are on track to have one-third of our CV in the Forrester Decisions platform by year-end, and we remain focused on creating shareholder value for the long term. With today’s announcement, we are raising our guidance for the balance of the year, given the results we have posted today and our ongoing ability to manage costs. With that said, we continue to monitor the evolving macro environment and remain focused on our key metrics, which may continue to show volatility in the coming quarters, given our accelerated approach to convert clients to Forrester Decisions.”

Third-Quarter Consolidated Results

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2022 were $127.7 million, compared with $118.1 million for the comparable quarter in 2021.

On a GAAP basis, net income was $5.4 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2022, compared with $4.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the same period in 2021.

On an adjusted basis, net income was $10.9 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2022, reflecting an adjusted effective tax rate of 30%. Adjusted net income excludes stock-based compensation of $3.9 million and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $3.4 million. This compares with an adjusted net income of $7.9 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the same period in 2021, which reflects an adjusted tax rate of 31%. Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2021 excludes stock-based compensation of $2.5 million and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $3.7 million.


Forrester is providing fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 financial guidance as follows:

Fourth Quarter 2022 (GAAP):

 

   

Total revenues of approximately $134 million to $144 million

 

   

Operating margin of approximately 1.0% to 3.0%

 

   

Interest expense of approximately $0.7 million

 

   

An effective tax rate of approximately 32%

 

   

Earnings per share of approximately $0.03 to $0.13

Fourth Quarter 2022 (Adjusted):

Adjusted financial guidance for the fourth quarter of 2022 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $3.5 million to $3.7 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $3.1 million, and any investment gains or losses.

 

   

Adjusted operating margin of approximately 6.0% to 8.0%

 

   

Adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 30%

 

   

Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.28 to $0.38

Full Year 2022 (GAAP):

 

   

Total revenues of approximately $535 million to $545 million

 

   

Operating margin of approximately 7.0% to 8.0%

 

   

Interest expense of approximately $2.5 million

 

   

An effective tax rate of approximately 32%

 

   

Earnings per share of approximately $1.25 to $1.35

Full Year 2022 (Adjusted):

Adjusted financial guidance for full-year 2022 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $14.5 million to $14.7 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $13.2 million, and any investment gains or losses.

 

   

Adjusted operating margin of approximately 12.0% to 13.0%

 

   

Adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 30%

 

   

Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $2.30 to $2.40


About Forrester

Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We help leaders across technology, marketing, customer experience, digital, product, and sales functions use customer obsession to accelerate growth. Through Forrester’s proprietary research, consulting, and events, leaders from around the globe are empowered to be bold at work — to navigate change and put their customers at the center of their leadership, strategy, and operations. Our unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 700,000 consumers, business leaders, and technology leaders worldwide; rigorous and objective research methodologies, including Forrester Wave evaluations; over 70 million real-time feedback votes; and the shared wisdom of our clients. To learn more, 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 2022 and statements about the performance of Forrester Decisions, Forrester’s ability to manage costs, and 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; Forrester’s ability to fulfill existing or generate new consulting engagements and advisory services; technology spending; the risks and challenges inherent in international business activities; the impact of health epidemics, including COVID-19, on Forrester’s business; Forrester’s ability to offer new products and services; Forrester’s dependence on key personnel; Forrester’s ability to attract and retain professional staff; Forrester’s ability to respond to business and economic conditions and market trends; the impact of Forrester’s outstanding debt obligations; competition and industry consolidation; possible variations in Forrester’s quarterly operating results; concentration of ownership of Forrester; the possibility of network disruptions and security breaches; any failure to enforce and protect Forrester’s intellectual property rights; compliance with privacy laws; taxation risks; any weakness in Forrester’s system of internal controls; and the amount and timing of the repurchase of Forrester stock. 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 operations and the table of key financial data are attached.


Forrester Research, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2022     2021     2022     2021  

Revenues:

        

Research

   $ 87,038     $ 79,876     $ 262,265     $ 235,846  

Consulting

     37,382       37,393       115,075       116,903  

Events

     3,259       867       23,556       7,838  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     127,679       118,136       400,896       360,587  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Cost of services and fulfillment

     52,717       49,836       166,959       149,571  

Selling and marketing

     44,231       41,340       133,249       123,175  

General and administrative

     16,448       14,383       47,897       41,895  

Depreciation

     2,374       2,342       6,992       6,887  

Amortization of intangible assets

     3,352       3,696       10,068       11,567  

Integration costs

     —         —         —         334  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     119,122       111,597       365,165       333,429  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     8,557       6,539       35,731       27,158  

Interest expense

     (584     (1,056     (1,732     (3,251

Other income (expense), net

     346       (195     192       (866

Gains on investments

     —         —         426       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     8,319       5,288       34,617       23,041  

Income tax expense

     2,905       766       11,181       6,220  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 5,414     $ 4,522     $ 23,436     $ 16,821  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic income per common share

   $ 0.29     $ 0.24     $ 1.24     $ 0.88  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted income per common share

   $ 0.28     $ 0.23     $ 1.22     $ 0.87  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     18,958       19,134       18,939       19,107  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     19,139       19,388       19,192       19,351  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted data (1):

        

Income from operations—GAAP

   $ 8,557     $ 6,539     $ 35,731     $ 27,158  

Amortization of intangible assets

     3,352       3,696       10,068       11,567  

Integration costs

     —         —         —         334  

Stock-based compensation included in the following expense categories:

        

Cost of services and fulfillment

     2,268       1,554       6,397       4,389  

Selling and marketing

     743       372       2,128       1,220  

General and administrative

     894       536       2,511       1,742  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted income from operations

   $ 15,814     $ 12,697     $ 56,835     $ 46,410  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2022     2021     2022     2021  
     Amount     Per Share     Amount     Per Share     Amount     Per Share     Amount     Per Share  

Net income—GAAP

   $ 5,414     $ 0.28     $ 4,522     $ 0.23     $ 23,436     $ 1.22     $ 16,821     $ 0.87  

Amortization of intangible assets

     3,352       0.18       3,696       0.19       10,068       0.53       11,567       0.59  

Integration costs

     —         —         —         —         —         —         334       0.02  

Stock-based compensation

     3,905       0.20       2,462       0.13       11,036       0.58       7,351       0.38  

Gains on investments

     —         —         —         —         (426     (0.02     —         —    

Tax effects of items above (2)

     (1,980     (0.10     (1,861     (0.09     (5,487     (0.29     (5,276     (0.27

Adjustment to tax expense for adjusted tax rate (3)

     212       0.01       (921     (0.05     79       —         (1,615     (0.08
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 10,903       0.57     $ 7,898     $ 0.41     $ 38,706       2.02     $ 29,182     $ 1.51  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     19,139         19,388         19,192         19,351    
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1)

Forrester believes that adjusted 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 adjusted presentation excludes amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, stock-based compensation, integration costs, and net gains from investments, as well as their related tax effects. We also utilized an assumed tax rate of 30% in 2022 and 31% in 2021, which excludes items such as any release of reserves for uncertain tax positions established in prior years, the settlement of prior year tax audits, and the effect of any adjustments related to the filing of prior year tax returns. The adjusted data does not purport to be prepared in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States.

(2)

The tax effect of adjusting items is based on the accounting treatment and rate for the jurisdiction of each item.

(3)

To compute adjusted net income, we apply an adjusted effective tax rate of 30% in 2022 and 31% in 2021.


Forrester Research, Inc.

Key Financial Data

 

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

     September 30,
2022
    December 31,
2021
 

Balance sheet data:

    

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments

   $ 118,738     $ 134,278  

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 50,602     $ 86,965  

Deferred revenue

   $ 180,758     $ 213,696  

Debt outstanding

   $ 50,000     $ 75,000  
     September 30,  
     2022     2021  

Cash flow data:

    

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 37,803     $ 84,992  

Purchases of property and equipment

   $ (4,227   $ (9,845

Repayments of debt

   $ (25,000   $ (9,375

Repurchases of common stock

   $ (15,112   $ (10,646
     As of
September 30,
 
     2022     2021  

Metrics:

    

Contract value

   $ 353,000     $ 328,600 (a) 

Client retention

     75     78

Wallet retention

     97     99

Number of clients

     2,875       2,964  
     As of
September 30,
 
     2022     2021  

Headcount:

    

Total headcount

     2,004       1,763  

Sales force

     701       648  

(a) September 30, 2021 contract value has been recast based on 2022 foreign currency rates.