Forrester Research Reports 2017 Second-Quarter Financial Results

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced its 2017 second-quarter financial results.

Second-Quarter Financial Performance

Total revenues were $89.7 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared with $87.8 million for the second quarter of 2016. Research revenues decreased 1%, and advisory services and events revenues increased 7%, compared with the second quarter of 2016.

On a GAAP basis, net income was $6.1 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2017, compared with a net income of $7.5 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016.

On a pro forma basis, net income was $7.6 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the second 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 and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $0.2 million. This compares with pro forma net income of $8.3 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016, which reflects a pro forma tax rate of 40%. Pro forma net income for the second quarter of 2016 excludes stock-based compensation of $1.6 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $0.2 million, and investment losses of $0.1 million.

"Forrester exceeded revenue, pro forma operating margin, and EPS guidance for the second quarter of 2017," said George F. Colony, Forrester's chairman and chief executive officer. "The rollout of our new selling model is progressing on schedule, now under the direction of our new chief sales officer, Kelley Hippler. Our strategy has not changed -- the challenges posed by the age of the customer remain front and center for our clients."

Forrester is providing third-quarter 2017 financial guidance as follows:

Third-Quarter 2017 (GAAP):

    --  Total revenues of approximately $77.5 million to $80.5 million.
    --  Operating margin of approximately 5.0% to 7.0%.
    --  Other income (expense), net of zero.
    --  An effective tax rate of 40%.
    --  Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.13 to $0.17.

Third-Quarter 2017 (Pro Forma):

Pro forma financial guidance for the third quarter of 2017 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million to $2.3 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $0.2 million, and any investment gains or losses.

    --  Pro forma operating margin of approximately 8.0% to 10.0%.
    --  Pro forma effective tax rate of 40%.
    --  Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.21 to $0.25.

Our full-year 2017 guidance is as follows:

Full-Year 2017 (GAAP):

    --  Total revenues of approximately $324.0 million to $332.0 million.
    --  Operating margin of approximately 7.5% to 8.5%.
    --  Other income, net of zero.
    --  An effective tax rate of 36%.
    --  Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.87 to $0.94.

Full-Year 2017 (Pro Forma):

Pro forma financial guidance for full-year 2017 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $8.6 million to $9.0 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 $1.13 to $1.20.

Quarterly Dividend

Forrester also announced today that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share, payable September 20, 2017, to shareholders of record on September 6, 2017.

Adoption Of FASB ASU No. 2016-09

Effective January 1, 2017, Forrester adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Compensation -- Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU No. 2016-09), which changes the accounting for stock-based compensation awards. Among the changes in ASU No. 2016-09 that impacted Forrester is the requirement to recognize certain tax benefits that arise from the settlement/exercise of stock-based compensation awards in the income statement, whereas previously these benefits were recorded in stockholders' equity. This change was applied on a prospective basis to settlements/exercises occurring on or after January 1, 2017, and had an insignificant effect on our financial results in the second quarter of 2017.

In addition, ASU No. 2016-09 requires that all income-tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as operating activities and that cash paid by directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. These changes were applied retrospectively and resulted in an increase in operating cash flows, with a corresponding decrease in financing cash flows of $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

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 third 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.

Contact:
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         Six Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                          June 30,                  June 30,
                                                                                                                                                          --------                  --------

                                                                                                                                                                           2017                     2016     2017     2016
                                                                                                                                                                           ----                     ----     ----     ----


    Revenues:

    Research services                                                                                                                                                   $54,575                  $55,023 $106,318 $108,271

    Advisory services and events                                                                                                                                         35,158                   32,798   60,609   56,951
                                                                                                                                                                         ------                   ------   ------   ------

    Total revenues                                                                                                                                                       89,733                   87,821  166,927  165,222


    Operating expenses:

    Cost of services and fulfillment                                                                                                                                     36,910                   34,417   68,306   65,540

    Selling and marketing                                                                                                                                                30,508                   29,335   61,130   59,739

    General and administrative                                                                                                                                           10,419                   10,300   20,589   20,273

    Depreciation                                                                                                                                                          1,489                    2,076    3,168    4,041

    Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                                                       194                      210      385      419

    Reorganization costs                                                                                                                                                      -                      11        -   1,026
                                                                                                                                                                            ---                     ---      ---   -----

    Total operating expenses                                                                                                                                             79,520                   76,349  153,578  151,038


    Income from operations                                                                                                                                               10,213                   11,472   13,349   14,184


    Other income, net                                                                                                                                                        93                      473      102      145

    Losses on investments, net                                                                                                                                             (22)                    (54)   (225)    (54)
                                                                                                                                                                            ---                      ---     ----      ---

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                                                           10,284                   11,891   13,226   14,275


    Income tax provision                                                                                                                                                  4,220                    4,431    4,132    5,526
                                                                                                                                                                          -----                    -----    -----    -----

    Net income                                                                                                                                                           $6,064                   $7,460   $9,094   $8,749
                                                                                                                                                                         ======                   ======   ======   ======


    Diluted income per common share                                                                                                                                       $0.34                    $0.41    $0.50    $0.49
                                                                                                                                                                          =====                    =====    =====    =====


    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding                                                                                                                          18,050                   18,145   18,293   18,035
                                                                                                                                                                         ======                   ======   ======   ======


    Basic income per common share                                                                                                                                         $0.34                    $0.42    $0.51    $0.49
                                                                                                                                                                          =====                    =====    =====    =====


    Basic weighted average shares outstanding                                                                                                                            17,715                   17,863   17,973   17,812
                                                                                                                                                                         ======                   ======   ======   ======


    Pro forma data (1):


    Income from operations                                                                                                                                              $10,213                  $11,472  $13,349  $14,184

    Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                                                       194                      210      385      419

    Reorganization costs                                                                                                                                                      -                      11        -   1,026

    Stock-based compensation included in the

    following expense categories:

    Cost of services and fulfillment                                                                                                                                      1,103                      870    2,299    2,064

    Selling and marketing                                                                                                                                                   202                      109      364      423

    General and administrative                                                                                                                                              891                      647    1,582    1,274
                                                                                                                                                                            ---                      ---    -----    -----


    Pro forma income from operations                                                                                                                                     12,603                   13,319   17,979   19,390


    Other income, net                                                                                                                                                        93                      473      102      145

    Pro forma income before income taxes                                                                                                                                 12,696                   13,792   18,081   19,535


    Pro forma income tax provision                                                                                                                                        5,078                    5,517    7,232    7,814
                                                                                                                                                                          -----                    -----    -----    -----


    Pro forma net income                                                                                                                                                 $7,618                   $8,275  $10,849  $11,721
                                                                                                                                                                         ======                   ======  =======  =======


    Pro forma diluted income per share                                                                                                                                    $0.42                    $0.46    $0.59    $0.65
                                                                                                                                                                          =====                    =====    =====    =====

    Pro forma diluted weighted average shares outstanding                                                                                                                18,050                   18,145   18,293   18,035
                                                                                                                                                                         ======                   ======   ======   ======


    (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)


                                June 30,            December 31,

                                             2017                     2016
                                             ----                     ----

    Balance sheet data:

    Cash, cash equivalents
     and marketable
     investments                         $125,235                 $138,105

    Accounts receivable,
     net                                  $50,954                  $58,812

    Deferred revenue                     $145,350                 $134,265



                            Six Months Ended

                                June 30,
                                --------

                                             2017                     2016
                                             ----                     ----

    Cash flow data:

    Net cash provided by
     operating activities                 $26,893                  $31,455

    Purchases of property
     and equipment                       $(3,240)                $(2,318)

    Repurchases of common
     stock                              $(36,426) $                     -

    Dividends paid                       $(6,815)                $(6,428)



                                 As of

                                June 30,
                                --------

                                             2017                     2016
                                             ----                     ----

    Metrics:

    Agreement value                      $236,700                 $241,800

    Client retention                          75%                     76%

    Dollar retention                          87%                     88%

    Enrichment                                94%                     96%

    Number of clients                       2,417                    2,481


                                 As of

                                June 30,
                                --------

                                             2017                     2016
                                             ----                     ----

    Headcount:

    Total headcount                         1,381                    1,336

    Research and consulting
     staff                                    521                      494

    Sales force                               538                      526

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SOURCE Forrester Research, Inc.