AKAMAI REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER 2023 AND FULL-YEAR 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Fourth quarter highlights

    --  Revenue of $995 million, up 7% year-over-year and when adjusted for
        foreign exchange*
    --  Security and compute revenue represented 61% of total revenue in the
        fourth quarter and grew 18% year-over-year and 17% when adjusted for
        foreign exchange*
    --  GAAP net income per diluted share of $1.03, up 26% year-over-year and up
        24% when adjusted for foreign exchange*, and non-GAAP net income per
        diluted shared* of $1.69, up 23% year-over-year and up 22% when adjusted
        for foreign exchange*

Full-year highlights

    --  Revenue of $3.812 billion, up 5% year-over-year and up 6% when adjusted
        for foreign exchange*
    --  Security and compute revenue represented 60% of total revenue in 2023
        and grew 17% year-over-year and when adjusted for foreign exchange*
    --  GAAP net income per diluted share of $3.52, up 8% year-over-year and up
        9% when adjusted for foreign exchange*, and non-GAAP net income per
        diluted share * of $6.20, up 15% year-over-year and up 16% when adjusted
        for foreign exchange*

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cloud company that powers and protects life online, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2023.

"Akamai's fourth quarter financial performance capped off an excellent year for the company highlighted by very strong profitability," said Dr. Tom Leighton, Akamai's Chief Executive Officer. "We were very pleased with our Security and Cloud Computing results in 2023 which now represent 60% of total revenue. Looking to 2024, we plan to continue driving profitability in delivery, expanding our market leading security offerings, and extending our cloud computing platform to the edge to provide customers with better performance at a lower cost."

Akamai delivered the following results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2023:

Revenue: Revenue for the fourth quarter was $995 million, a 7% increase over fourth quarter 2022 revenue of $928 million and a 7% increase when adjusted for foreign exchange.* Total revenue for 2023 was $3.812 billion compared to $3.617 billion for 2022, up 5% year-over-year and up 6% when adjusted for foreign exchange.*

Revenue by solution:

    --  Security revenue for the fourth quarter was $471 million, up 18%
        year-over-year and up 17% when adjusted for foreign exchange.* Security
        revenue for 2023 was $1.765 billion, up 14% year-over-year and up 15%
        when adjusted for foreign exchange.*
    --  Delivery revenue for the fourth quarter was $389 million, down 6%
        year-over-year and down 7% when adjusted for foreign exchange.* Delivery
        revenue for 2023 was $1.542 billion, down 8% year-over-year and down 7%
        when adjusted for foreign exchange.*
    --  Compute revenue for the fourth quarter was $135 million, up 20%
        year-over-year and when adjusted for foreign exchange.* Compute revenue
        for 2023 was $504 million, up 24% year-over-year and up 25% when
        adjusted for foreign exchange.*

Revenue by geography:

    --  U.S. revenue for the fourth quarter was $516 million, up 7%
        year-over-year. U.S. revenue for 2023 was $1.969 billion, up 4%
        year-over-year.
    --  International revenue for the fourth quarter was $479 million, up 8%
        year-over-year and up 6% when adjusted for foreign exchange.*
        International revenue for 2023 was $1.843 billion, up 7% year-over-year
        and up 8% when adjusted for foreign exchange.*

Income from operations: GAAP income from operations for the fourth quarter was $185 million, a 10% increase from fourth quarter 2022 income from operations of $167 million. GAAP operating margin for the fourth quarter was 19%, up 1 percentage point from the same period last year. GAAP income from operations for 2023 was $637 million, a 6% decrease from the prior year's GAAP income from operations of $676 million. Full-year GAAP operating margin was 17%, down 2 percentage points from the same period last year.

Non-GAAP income from operations* for the fourth quarter was $303 million, a 17% increase from fourth quarter 2022 non-GAAP income from operations of $258 million. Non-GAAP operating margin* for the fourth quarter was 30%, up 2 percentage points from the same period last year. Non-GAAP income from operations* for 2023 was $1.136 billion, a 10% increase from the prior year's non-GAAP income from operations of $1.033 billion. Full-year non-GAAP operating margin* was 30%, up 1 percentage point from the same period last year.

Net income: GAAP net income for the fourth quarter was $161 million, a 25% increase from fourth quarter 2022 GAAP net income of $129 million. GAAP net income for 2023 was $548 million, a 5% increase from the prior year's GAAP net income of $524 million.

Non-GAAP net income* for the fourth quarter was $263 million, a 21% increase from fourth quarter 2022 non-GAAP net income of $216 million. Non-GAAP net income* for 2023 was $960 million, a 12% increase from the prior year's non-GAAP net income of $858 million.

EPS: GAAP net income per diluted share for the fourth quarter was $1.03, a 26% increase from fourth quarter 2022 GAAP net income per diluted share of $0.82 and a 24% increase when adjusted for foreign exchange.* GAAP net income per diluted share for 2023 was $3.52, an 8% increase from the prior year's GAAP net income per diluted share of $3.26 and a 9% increase when adjusted for foreign exchange.*

Non-GAAP net income per diluted share* for the fourth quarter was $1.69, a 23% increase from fourth quarter 2022 non-GAAP net income per diluted share of $1.37 and a 22% increase when adjusted for foreign exchange.* Non-GAAP net income per diluted share* for 2023 was $6.20, a 15% increase from the prior year's non-GAAP net income per diluted share of $5.37 and a 16% increase when adjusted for foreign exchange.*

Adjusted EBITDA*: Adjusted EBITDA* for the fourth quarter was $426 million, a 12% increase from fourth quarter 2022 Adjusted EBITDA of $382 million. Adjusted EBITDA* for 2023 was $1.608 billion, a 5% increase from the prior year's Adjusted EBITDA of $1.530 billion.

Supplemental cash information: Cash from operations for the fourth quarter was $389 million, or 39% of revenue. Cash from operations for 2023 was $1.348 billion, or 35% of revenue. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Share repurchases: The Company spent $55 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to repurchase 0.5 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $110.75 per share. For the full-year 2023, the Company spent $654 million to repurchase 7.8 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $83.83 per share. The Company had 151 million shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

Financial guidance: The Company reports the following financial guidance for the three months ending March 31, 2024:


                                                                                 Three Months Ending
                                                                                    March 31, 2024


                                                                            Low End                 High End



     Revenue (in millions)                                                    $980                    $1,000



     Non-GAAP operating margin*                                               29 %                     30 %



     Non-GAAP net income per diluted share*                                  $1.59                     $1.64



     Non-GAAP tax rate*                                                     18.5 %                   19.0 %



     Shares used in non-GAAP per diluted share calculations* (in millions)     155                       155



     Capex as a percentage of revenue*(1)                                     15 %                     15 %

The Company reports the following financial guidance for the year ending December 31, 2024, of which the revenue and earnings guidance has been adjusted to use a constant foreign currency exchange rate:


                                                                                      Year Ending
                                                                                   December 31, 2024


                                                                            Low End                  High End



     Revenue growth rates year-over-year*(2)                                   6 %                       8 %



     Security revenue growth rates year-over-year*(2)                         14 %                      16 %



     Compute revenue growth rates year-over-year*(2)                          20 %                      20 %



     Non-GAAP operating margin*(2)                                            30 %                      30 %



     Non-GAAP net income per diluted share growth rates year-over-year*(2)     7 %                      11 %



     Non-GAAP tax rate*                                                     18.5 %                    19.0 %



     Shares used in non-GAAP per diluted share calculations* (in millions)     155                        155



     Capex as a percentage of revenue*(1)                                     15 %                      15 %

This guidance is provided on a non-GAAP basis and cannot be reconciled to the closest GAAP measures without unreasonable effort because of the unpredictability of the amounts and timing of events affecting the items Akamai excludes from non-GAAP measures. For example, stock-based compensation is unpredictable for Akamai's performance-based awards, which can fluctuate significantly based on current expectations of the future achievement of performance-based targets. Amortization of intangible assets, acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs are all impacted by the timing and size of potential future actions, which are difficult to predict. In addition, from time to time, Akamai excludes certain items that occur infrequently, which are also inherently difficult to predict and estimate. It is also difficult to predict the tax effect of the items Akamai excludes and to estimate certain discrete tax items, such as the resolution of tax audits or changes to tax laws. As such, the costs that are being excluded from non-GAAP guidance are difficult to predict and a reconciliation or a range of results could lead to disclosure that would be imprecise or potentially misleading. Material changes to any one of the exclusions could have a significant effect on our guidance and future GAAP results.


      *    
      See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for definitions



     (1) 
      This guidance includes the capex* associated with the Gecko product launch in 2024



     (2)    This guidance has been calculated using the December 31, 2023 month end foreign currency exchange rates. See Use of Non-GAAP Financial
               Measures below for definitions.

Quarterly Conference Call
Akamai will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET that can be accessed through 1-833-634-5020 (or 1-412-902-4238 for international calls) and using passcode Akamai Technologies call. A live webcast of the call may be accessed at www.akamai.com in the Investor Relations section. In addition, a replay of the call will be available for two weeks following the conference by calling 1-877-344-7529 (or 1-412-317-0088 for international calls) and using passcode 5593330. The archived webcast of this event may be accessed through the Akamai website.

About Akamai
Akamai powers and protects life online. Leading companies worldwide choose Akamai to build, deliver, and secure their digital experiences - helping billions of people live, work, and play every day. Akamai Connected Cloud, a massively distributed edge and cloud platform, puts apps and experiences closer to users and keeps threats farther away. Learn more about Akamai's cloud computing, security, and content delivery solutions at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X, formerly known as Twitter, and LinkedIn.



     
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

       CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS





     
                (in thousands)                       December 31, December 31,
                                                                2023          2022



     
                ASSETS



     Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                             $489,468      $542,337



     Marketable securities                                  374,971       562,979



     Accounts receivable, net                               724,302       679,206



     Prepaid expenses and other current assets              216,114       185,040



     Total current assets                                 1,804,855     1,969,562



     Marketable securities                                1,431,354       320,531



     Property and equipment, net                          1,825,944     1,540,182



     Operating lease right-of-use assets                    908,634       813,372



     Acquired intangible assets, net                        536,143       441,716



     Goodwill                                             2,850,470     2,763,838



     Deferred income tax assets                             418,297       337,677



     Other assets                                           124,340       116,522



     Total assets                                        $9,900,037    $8,303,400



     
                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



     Current liabilities:



     Accounts payable                                      $146,927      $145,420



     Accrued expenses                                       352,181       367,017



     Deferred revenue                                       107,544       105,109



     Operating lease liabilities                            222,944       196,094



     Other current liabilities                                6,442         5,228



     Total current liabilities                              836,038       818,868



     Deferred revenue                                        23,006        22,117



     Deferred income tax liabilities                         24,622        18,400



     Convertible senior notes                             3,538,229     2,285,258



     Operating lease liabilities                            774,806       693,265



     Other liabilities                                      106,181       105,305



     Total liabilities                                    5,302,882     3,943,213



     Total stockholders' equity                           4,597,155     4,360,187



     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity          $9,900,037    $8,303,400



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME




                                                                               
     Three Months Ended                  
           Year Ended



              
                (in thousands, except per share data) December 31,         September 30,  December 31,     December 31,     December 31,
                                                                          2023                   2023           2022              2023              2022



              Revenue                                                $995,017               $965,484       $927,779        $3,811,920        $3,616,654



              Costs and operating expenses:



              Cost of revenue (1) (2)                                 393,397                383,075        357,968         1,511,063         1,383,819



              Research and development (1)                            109,202                105,942        105,382           406,048           391,434



              Sales and marketing (1)                                 135,256                132,309        129,090           533,226           502,409



              General and administrative (1) (2)                      155,575                147,326        150,300           600,851           584,206



              Amortization of acquired intangible                      16,833                 18,108         16,993            66,751            64,983
    assets



              Restructuring (benefit) charge                             (32)                 2,595            571            56,643            13,529



              Total costs and operating expenses                      810,231                789,355        760,304         3,174,582         2,940,380



              Income from operations                                  184,786                176,129        167,475           637,338           676,274



              Interest and marketable securities                       23,981                 11,412          5,018            45,194             3,258
    income, net



              Interest expense                                        (6,884)               (4,987)       (2,684)         (17,709)         (11,096)



              Other expense, net                                      (5,642)               (3,161)       (1,409)         (12,296)         (10,433)



              Income before provision for income taxes                196,241                179,393        168,400           652,527           658,003



              Provision for income taxes                             (35,076)              (20,326)      (39,638)        (106,373)        (126,696)



              Gain (loss) from equity method                                -                 1,475                           1,475           (7,635)
    investment



              Net income                                             $161,165               $160,542       $128,762          $547,629          $523,672





              Net income per share:



              Basic                                                     $1.07                  $1.06          $0.82             $3.59             $3.29



              Diluted                                                   $1.03                  $1.04          $0.82             $3.52             $3.26





              Shares used in per share calculations:



              Basic                                                   150,979                151,359        157,109           152,510           159,089



              Diluted                                                 157,024                154,976        157,451           155,397           160,467




     (1) Includes stock-based compensation (see supplemental table for figures)



     (2) Includes depreciation and amortization (see supplemental table for figures)



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS




                                                                              
     Three Months Ended                  
           Year Ended



              
                (in thousands)                       December 31,         September 30,  December 31,     December 31,     December 31,
                                                                         2023                   2023           2022              2023              2022



              Cash flows from operating activities:



              Net income                                            $161,165               $160,542       $128,762          $547,629          $523,672



              Adjustments to reconcile net income to
    net cash provided by operating
    activities:



              Depreciation and amortization                          147,634                148,560        148,570           570,776           592,754



              Stock-based compensation                                92,123                 87,017         58,374           328,467           217,185



              Benefit for deferred income taxes                     (13,224)              (10,172)      (22,368)         (22,987)        (104,971)



              Amortization of debt issuance costs                      1,741                  1,404          1,099             5,341             4,395



              (Gain) loss on investments                                   -                 (110)                          (311)           15,895



              Other non-cash reconciling items, net                    5,019                  6,548          5,969            50,221            31,063



              Changes in operating assets and
    liabilities, net of effects of
    acquisitions:



              Accounts receivable                                    (2,941)              (23,484)      (48,063)         (49,203)         (21,214)



              Prepaid expenses and other                             (2,623)                 1,994         22,746          (18,726)         (20,125)
    current assets



              Accounts payable and accrued                            20,345                 23,615         38,228          (39,825)         (26,499)
    expenses



              Deferred revenue                                      (24,098)              (12,905)       (6,790)               48            16,713



              Other current liabilities                                (774)              (13,855)       (1,510)            1,516           (5,318)



              Other non-current assets and                             4,826                (9,718)        16,481          (24,507)           51,126
    liabilities



              Net cash provided by operating                         389,193                359,436        341,498         1,348,439         1,274,676
    activities



              Cash flows from investing activities:



              Cash received (paid) for business                            -                   155                       (106,171)        (872,091)
    acquisitions, net of cash acquired



              Cash paid for asset acquisitions                      (84,637)              (36,348)                      (120,985)



              Purchases of property and equipment                  (133,887)             (197,619)     (110,788)        (730,040)        (458,302)
    and capitalization of internal-use
    software development costs



              Purchases of short- and long-term                    (277,053)           (1,050,016)      (17,975)      (1,461,890)         (17,975)
    marketable securities



              Proceeds from sales, maturities and                    178,382                106,330         36,225           576,917           732,180
    redemptions of short- and long-term
    marketable securities



              Other, net                                               1,362                 13,335        (2,119)          (6,069)          (6,122)



              Net cash used in investing                           (315,833)           (1,164,163)      (94,657)      (1,848,238)        (622,310)
    activities



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, continued




                                                                                         
     Three Months Ended              
       Year Ended



              
                (in thousands)                                  December 31,         September 30,  December 31,           December 31,    December 31,
                                                                                    2023                   2023           2022                    2023             2022



              Cash flows from financing activities:



              Proceeds from borrowings under                                          -                                                     90,000          125,000
    revolving credit facility



              Repayment of borrowings under                                           -              (20,000)                             (90,000)       (125,000)
    revolving credit facility



              Proceeds from the issuance of                                           -             1,247,388                             1,247,388
    convertible senior notes, net of issuance
    costs



              Proceeds from the issuance of warrants                                  -                90,195                                90,195
    related to convertible senior notes



              Purchases of note hedges related to                                     -             (236,555)                            (236,555)
    convertible senior notes



              Proceeds from the issuance of common                               13,426                 18,222         10,473                  62,979           56,462
    stock under stock plans



              Employee taxes paid related to net                               (15,312)              (11,304)      (10,580)               (66,222)        (82,236)
    share settlement of stock awards



              Repurchases of common stock                                      (54,891)             (113,197)     (177,741)              (654,046)       (608,010)



              Other, net                                                              -                 (104)         (112)                  (360)           (393)



              Net cash (used in) provided by                                   (56,777)               974,645      (177,960)                443,379        (634,177)
    financing activities



              Effects of exchange rate changes on cash,                          11,597                (7,019)        14,319                   3,868         (12,918)
    cash equivalents and restricted cash



              Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash                              28,180                162,899         83,200                (52,552)           5,271
    equivalents and restricted cash



              Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash                        462,290                299,391        459,822                 543,022          537,751
    at beginning of period



              Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash                       $490,470               $462,290       $543,022                $490,470         $543,022
    at end of period



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE DATA - REVENUE BY SOLUTION




                                                                             
     Three Months Ended               
           Year Ended



              
                (in thousands)                       December 31,          September
                                                                                           30,    December 31,    December 31,     December 31,
                                                                         2023                2023          2022             2023              2022



              Security                                              $470,977            $455,792      $400,201       $1,765,267        $1,541,941



              Delivery                                               389,048             379,304       415,183        1,542,434         1,669,257



              Compute                                                134,992             130,388       112,395          504,219           405,456



              Total revenue                                         $995,017            $965,484      $927,779       $3,811,920        $3,616,654



              
                Revenue growth rates year-over-year:



              Security                                                  18 %               20 %         10 %            14 %             16 %



              Delivery                                                   (6)                (4)         (12)             (8)             (11)



              Compute                                                     20                  19            61               24                60



              Total revenue                                              7 %                9 %          2 %             5 %              4 %



              
                Revenue growth rates year-over-year,
    adjusted for the impact of foreign
    exchange rates (1):



              Security                                                  17 %               19 %         14 %            15 %             20 %



              Delivery                                                   (7)                (4)          (8)             (7)              (8)



              Compute                                                     20                  19            65               25                64



              Total revenue                                              7 %                9 %          6 %             6 %              8 %



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE DATA - REVENUE BY GEOGRAPHY




                                                                              
     Three Months Ended               
           Year Ended



              
                (in thousands)                        December 31,          September
                                                                                            30,    December 31,    December 31,     December 31,
                                                                          2023                2023          2022             2023              2022



              U.S.                                                   $516,348            $498,536      $482,803       $1,968,779        $1,902,051



              International                                           478,669             466,948       444,976        1,843,141         1,714,603



              Total revenue                                          $995,017            $965,484      $927,779       $3,811,920        $3,616,654



              
                Revenue growth rates year-over-year:



              U.S.                                                        7 %                8 %          1 %             4 %              4 %



              International                                                 8                  11             4                7                 6



              Total revenue                                               7 %                9 %          2 %             5 %              4 %



              
                Revenue growth rates year-over-year,
    adjusted for the impact of foreign
    exchange rates (1):



              U.S.                                                        7 %                8 %          1 %             4 %              4 %



              International                                                 6                   9            12                8                13



              Total revenue                                               7 %                9 %          6 %             6 %              8 %




     (1) See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for a definition



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING EXPENSE DATA




                                                                              
     Three Months Ended                  
            Year Ended



              
                (in thousands)                       December 31,         September 30,  December 31,     December 31,      December 31,
                                                                         2023                   2023           2022              2023               2022



              
                General and administrative expenses:



              Payroll and related costs                              $53,735                $55,030        $53,769          $218,272           $213,772



              Stock-based compensation                                25,902                 25,125         16,210            94,316             62,926



              Depreciation and amortization                           16,668                 16,197         17,442            65,817             74,225



              Facilities-related costs                                21,384                 21,805         23,981            90,061            103,473



              Provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts                1,241                (1,500)         4,046             1,649              7,042



              Acquisition-related costs                                  360                  1,716          2,767             8,050             19,071



              Software and related service costs                      14,801                 13,516         13,445            55,714             50,320



              Other expenses                                          21,484                 15,437         18,640            66,972             53,377



              Total general and administrative                      $155,575               $147,326       $150,300          $600,851           $584,206
    expenses





              
                General and administrative expenses-
    functional (1):



              Global functions                                       $66,558                $61,187        $56,545          $246,753           $212,674



              
                As a percentage of revenue                    7 %                   6 %           6 %              6 %               6 %



              Infrastructure                                          87,416                 85,923         86,942           344,399            345,391



              
                As a percentage of revenue                    9 %                   9 %           9 %              9 %              10 %



              Other                                                    1,601                    216          6,813             9,699             26,141



              Total general and administrative                      $155,575               $147,326       $150,300          $600,851           $584,206
    expenses



              
                As a percentage of revenue                   16 %                  15 %          16 %             16 %              16 %





              
                Stock-based compensation:



              Cost of revenue                                        $11,898                $11,236         $7,750           $43,802            $28,354



              Research and development                                36,428                 33,366         21,778           123,896             78,116



              Sales and marketing                                     17,895                 17,290         12,636            66,453             47,789



              General and administrative                              25,902                 25,125         16,210            94,316             62,926



              Total stock-based compensation                         $92,123                $87,017        $58,374          $328,467           $217,185




     (1) Global functions expense includes payroll, stock-based compensation and other employee-related costs for administrative functions, including finance, purchasing, order entry, human resources, legal,
            information technology and executive personnel, as well as third-party professional service fees. Infrastructure expense includes payroll, stock-based compensation and other employee-related costs for
            our network infrastructure functions, as well as facility rent expense, depreciation and amortization of facility and IT-related assets, software and related service costs, business insurance and taxes.
            Our network infrastructure function is responsible for network planning, sourcing, architecture evaluation and platform security. Other expense includes acquisition-related costs and provision (benefit)
            for doubtful accounts.



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA




                                                                                         
     Three Months Ended                  
            Year Ended



              
                (in thousands, except end of period statistics) December 31,         September 30,  December 31,     December 31,      December 31,
                                                                                    2023                   2023           2022              2023               2022



              
                Depreciation and amortization:



              Network-related depreciation                                      $63,225                $60,887        $65,265          $231,500           $259,359



              Capitalized internal-use software                                  43,919                 45,030         41,816           176,675            165,330
    development amortization



              Other depreciation and amortization                                16,170                 15,709         16,974            63,860             72,220



              Depreciation of property and equipment                            123,314                121,626        124,055           472,035            496,909



              Capitalized stock-based compensation                                7,379                  8,710          7,407            31,548             30,400
    amortization (1)



              Capitalized interest expense                                          108                    116            115               442                462


              amortization (1)



              Amortization of acquired intangible assets                         16,833                 18,108         16,993            66,751             64,983



              Total depreciation and amortization                              $147,634               $148,560       $148,570          $570,776           $592,754





              
                Capital expenditures, excluding stock-
    based compensation and interest
    expense (2) (3):



              Purchases of property and equipment                               $80,408                $86,382        $93,547          $459,167           $275,578



              Capitalized internal-use software                                  62,355                 65,895         50,956           258,626            199,894
    development costs



              Total capital expenditures, excluding                            $142,763               $152,277       $144,503          $717,793           $475,472
    stock-based compensation and interest
    expense



              
                Capex as a percentage of revenue (3)                    14 %                  16 %          16 %             19 %              13 %





              
                End of period statistics:



              Number of employees                                                10,281                 10,111          9,811




     (1)   Amortization of capitalized stock-based compensation and interest expense in this table excludes amortization of capitalized stock-based compensation and interest expense capitalized as part of the
              implementation of cloud-computing arrangements and contract fulfillment costs. However, the amounts are included in our total amortization of capitalized stock-based compensation and interest expense
              that is excluded from our non-GAAP measures (see reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures).



     (2)   Capital expenditures presented in this table are reported on an accrual basis, which differs from the cash-basis presentation in the statements of cash flows. The primary difference between the two is the
              change in purchases of property and equipment and capitalization of internal-use software development costs accrued for, but not paid, at period end versus prior periods.



     (3) 
     See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for a definition.



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP INCOME FROM OPERATIONS, NET INCOME AND TAX RATE




                                                                                                                 
     Three Months Ended                  
            Year Ended



              
                (in thousands)                                                          December 31,         September 30,  December 31,     December 31,      December 31,
                                                                                                            2023                   2023           2022              2023               2022



              Income from operations                                                                   $184,786               $176,129       $167,475          $637,338           $676,274



              
                GAAP operating margin                                                           19 %                  18 %          18 %             17 %              19 %



              Amortization of acquired intangible                                                        16,833                 18,108         16,993            66,751             64,983
    assets



              Stock-based compensation                                                                   92,123                 87,017         58,374           328,467            217,185



              Amortization of capitalized stock-based                                                     7,774                  9,077          7,786            32,981             31,768
    compensation and capitalized interest
    expense



              Restructuring (benefit) charge                                                               (32)                 2,595            571            56,643             13,529



              Acquisition-related costs                                                                   1,189                  3,048          6,439            13,345             29,049



              Operating adjustments                                                                     117,887                119,845         90,163           498,187            356,514



              Non-GAAP income from operations                                                          $302,673               $295,974       $257,638        $1,135,525         $1,032,788



              
                Non-GAAP operating margin                                                       30 %                  31 %          28 %             30 %              29 %





              Net income                                                                               $161,165               $160,542       $128,762          $547,629           $523,672



              Operating adjustments (from above)                                                        117,887                119,845         90,163           498,187            356,514



              Amortization of debt issuance costs                                                         1,741                  1,404          1,099             5,341              4,395



              (Gain) loss on investments                                                                      -                 (110)                          (311)             8,260



              (Gain) loss from equity method                                                                  -               (1,475)                        (1,475)             7,635
    investment



              Income tax effect of above non-GAAP                                                      (18,162)              (29,135)       (3,579)         (89,364)          (42,768)
    adjustments and certain discrete tax
    items



              Non-GAAP net income                                                                      $262,631               $251,071       $216,445          $960,007           $857,708





              GAAP tax rate                                                                                18 %                  11 %          24 %             16 %              19 %



              Income tax effect of non-GAAP                                                                 (1)                     5            (7)                1                (3)
    adjustments and certain discrete tax
    items



              Non-GAAP tax rate                                                                            17 %                  16 %          17 %             17 %              16 %



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME PER DILUTED SHARE




                                                                                              
     Three Months Ended                  
           Year Ended



              
                (in thousands, except per share data)                December 31,         September 30,  December 31,     December 31,     December 31,
                                                                                         2023                   2023           2022              2023              2022



              GAAP net income per diluted share                                        $1.03                  $1.04          $0.82             $3.52             $3.26



              Adjustments to net income:



              Amortization of acquired intangible                                       0.11                   0.12           0.11              0.43              0.40
    assets



              Stock-based compensation                                                  0.59                   0.56           0.37              2.11              1.35



              Amortization of capitalized stock-based                                   0.05                   0.06           0.05              0.21              0.20
    compensation and capitalized interest
    expense



              Restructuring (benefit) charge                                               -                  0.02                            0.36              0.08



              Acquisition-related costs                                                 0.01                   0.02           0.04              0.09              0.18



              Amortization of debt issuance costs                                       0.01                   0.01           0.01              0.03              0.03



              (Gain) loss on investments                                                   -                                                                  0.05



              (Gain) loss from equity method                                               -                (0.01)                         (0.01)             0.05
    investment



              Income tax effect of above non-GAAP                                     (0.12)                (0.19)        (0.02)           (0.58)           (0.27)
    adjustments and certain discrete tax
    items



              Adjustment for shares (1)                                                 0.02                   0.01                            0.02              0.02



              Non-GAAP net income per diluted share                                    $1.69                  $1.63          $1.37             $6.20             $5.37





              Shares used in GAAP per diluted share                                  157,024                154,976        157,451           155,397           160,467
    calculations



              Impact of benefit from note hedge                                      (1,755)                 (544)                          (574)            (720)
    transactions (1)



              Shares used in non-GAAP per diluted                                    155,269                154,432        157,451           154,823           159,747
    share calculations (1)




     (1) Shares used in non-GAAP per diluted share calculations have been adjusted for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 for the
            benefit of Akamai's note hedge transactions. During these periods, Akamai's average stock price was in excess of $95.10, which is the initial conversion price of Akamai's convertible senior notes due in
            2025. See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for further definition.



              
                AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA




                                                                                   
     Three Months Ended                  
            Year Ended



              
                (in thousands)                            December 31,         September 30,  December 31,     December 31,      December 31,
                                                                              2023                   2023           2022              2023               2022



              Net income                                                 $161,165               $160,542       $128,762          $547,629           $523,672



              
                Net income margin                                 16 %                  17 %          14 %             14 %              14 %



              Interest and marketable securities                         (23,981)              (11,412)       (5,018)         (45,194)           (3,258)
    income, net



              Provision for income taxes                                   35,076                 20,326         39,638           106,373            126,696



              Depreciation and amortization                               123,314                121,626        124,055           472,035            496,909



              Amortization of capitalized stock-based                       7,774                  9,077          7,786            32,981             31,768
    compensation and capitalized interest
    expense



              Amortization of acquired intangible                          16,833                 18,108         16,993            66,751             64,983
    assets



              Stock-based compensation                                     92,123                 87,017         58,374           328,467            217,185



              Restructuring (benefit) charge                                 (32)                 2,595            571            56,643             13,529



              Acquisition-related costs                                     1,189                  3,048          6,439            13,345             29,049



              Interest expense                                              6,884                  4,987          2,684            17,709             11,096



              (Gain) loss on investments                                        -                 (110)                          (311)             8,260



              (Gain) loss from equity method                                    -               (1,475)                        (1,475)             7,635
    investment



              Other expense, net                                            5,642                  3,271          1,409            12,607              2,173



              Adjusted EBITDA                                            $425,987               $417,600       $381,693        $1,607,560         $1,529,697



              
                Adjusted EBITDA margin                            43 %                  43 %          41 %             42 %              42 %

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to providing financial measurements based on generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), Akamai provides additional financial metrics that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP (non-GAAP financial measures). Management uses non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, for financial and operational decision making, for planning and forecasting purposes, to measure executive compensation and to evaluate Akamai's financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per diluted share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP tax rate, capital expenditures and impact of foreign currency exchange rates, as discussed below.

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect Akamai's ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in the business, as they facilitate comparison of financial results across accounting periods and to those of our peer companies. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enable investors to evaluate Akamai's operating results and future prospects in the same manner as management. These non-GAAP financial measures may exclude expenses and gains that may be unusual in nature, infrequent or not reflective of Akamai's ongoing operating results.

The non-GAAP financial measures do not replace the presentation of Akamai's GAAP financial measures and should only be used as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, Akamai's financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. Akamai has provided a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure used in its financial reporting and investor presentations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. This reconciliation captioned "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" can be found on the Investor Relations section of Akamai's website.

The non-GAAP adjustments, and Akamai's basis for excluding them from non-GAAP financial measures, are outlined below:

    --  Amortization of acquired intangible assets - Akamai has incurred
        amortization of intangible assets, included in its GAAP financial
        statements, related to various acquisitions Akamai has made. The amount
        of an acquisition's purchase price allocated to intangible assets and
        term of its related amortization can vary significantly and is unique to
        each acquisition; therefore, Akamai excludes amortization of acquired
        intangible assets from its non-GAAP financial measures to provide
        investors with a consistent basis for comparing pre- and
        post-acquisition operating results.
    --  Stock-based compensation and amortization of capitalized stock-based
        compensation - Although stock-based compensation is an important aspect
        of the compensation paid to Akamai's employees, the grant date fair
        value varies based on the stock price at the time of grant, varying
        valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of award
        types. This makes the comparison of Akamai's current financial results
        to previous and future periods difficult to interpret; therefore, Akamai
        believes it is useful to exclude stock-based compensation and
        amortization of capitalized stock-based compensation from its non-GAAP
        financial measures in order to highlight the performance of Akamai's
        core business and to be consistent with the way many investors evaluate
        its performance and compare its operating results to peer companies.
    --  Acquisition-related costs - Acquisition-related costs include
        transaction fees, advisory fees, due diligence costs and other direct
        costs associated with strategic activities, as well as certain
        additional compensation costs payable to employees acquired from the
        Linode acquisition if employed for a certain period of time. The
        additional compensation cost was initiated by and determined by the
        seller, and is in addition to normal levels of compensation, including
        retention programs, offered by Akamai. Acquisition-related costs are
        impacted by the timing and size of the acquisitions, and Akamai excludes
        acquisition-related costs from its non-GAAP financial measures to
        provide a useful comparison of operating results to prior periods and to
        peer companies because such amounts vary significantly based on the
        magnitude of the acquisition transactions and do not reflect Akamai's
        core operations.
    --  Restructuring charge - Akamai has incurred restructuring charges from
        programs that have significantly changed either the scope of the
        business undertaken by the Company or the manner in which that business
        is conducted. These charges include severance and related expenses for
        workforce reductions, impairments of long-lived assets that will no
        longer be used in operations (including right-of-use assets, other
        facility-related property and equipment and internal-use software) and
        termination fees for any contracts cancelled as part of these programs.
        Akamai excludes these items from its non-GAAP financial measures when
        evaluating its continuing business performance as such items vary
        significantly based on the magnitude of the restructuring action and do
        not reflect expected future operating expenses. In addition, these
        charges do not necessarily provide meaningful insight into the
        fundamentals of current or past operations of its business.
    --  Amortization of debt issuance costs and capitalized interest expense -
        Akamai has convertible senior notes outstanding that mature in 2029,
        2027 and 2025. The issuance costs of the convertible senior notes are
        amortized to interest expense and are excluded from Akamai's non-GAAP
        results because management believes the non-cash amortization expense is
        not representative of ongoing operating performance.
    --  Gains and losses on investments - Akamai has recorded gains and losses
        from the disposition, changes to fair value and impairment of certain
        investments. Akamai believes excluding these amounts from its non-GAAP
        financial measures is useful to investors as the types of events giving
        rise to these gains and losses are not representative of Akamai's core
        business operations and ongoing operating performance.
    --  Gains and losses from equity method investment - Akamai records income
        or losses on its share of earnings and losses from its equity method
        investment, and any gains from returns of investments or impairments.
        Akamai excludes such income and losses because it does not have direct
        control over the operations of the investment and the related income and
        losses are not representative of its core business operations.
    --  Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments and certain discrete tax items
        - The non-GAAP adjustments described above are reported on a pre-tax
        basis. The income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments is the difference
        between GAAP and non-GAAP income tax expense. Non-GAAP income tax
        expense is computed on non-GAAP pre-tax income (GAAP pre-tax income
        adjusted for non-GAAP adjustments) and excludes certain discrete tax
        items (such as the impact of intercompany sales of intellectual property
        related to acquisitions), if any. Akamai believes that applying the
        non-GAAP adjustments and their related income tax effect allows Akamai
        to highlight income attributable to its core operations.

Akamai's definitions of its non-GAAP financial measures are outlined below:

Non-GAAP income from operations - GAAP income from operations adjusted for the following items: amortization of acquired intangible assets; stock-based compensation; amortization of capitalized stock-based compensation; amortization of capitalized interest expense; acquisition-related costs; restructuring charges; and other non-recurring or unusual items that may arise from time to time.

Non-GAAP operating margin - Non-GAAP income from operations stated as a percentage of revenue.

Non-GAAP net income - GAAP net income adjusted for the following tax-affected items: amortization of acquired intangible assets; stock-based compensation; amortization of capitalized stock-based compensation; acquisition-related costs; restructuring charges; amortization of debt issuance costs; amortization of capitalized interest expense; certain gains and losses on investments; gains and losses from equity method investment; and other non-recurring or unusual items that may arise from time to time.

Non-GAAP tax rate - GAAP tax rate excluding the tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments and certain discrete tax items.

Non-GAAP net income per diluted share, or EPS - Non-GAAP net income divided by weighted average diluted common shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding are adjusted in non-GAAP per share calculations for the shares that would be delivered to Akamai pursuant to the note hedge transactions entered into in connection with the issuances of $1,265 million of convertible senior notes due 2029 and the issuances of $1,150 million of convertible senior notes due 2027 and 2025, respectively. Under GAAP, shares delivered under hedge transactions are not considered offsetting shares in the fully-diluted share calculation until they are delivered. However, Akamai would receive a benefit from the note hedge transactions and would not allow the dilution to occur, so management believes that adjusting for this benefit provides a meaningful view of operating performance. With respect to the convertible senior notes due in each of 2029, 2027 and 2025, unless Akamai's weighted average stock price is greater than $126.31, $116.18 and $95.10, respectively, the initial conversion prices, there will be no difference between GAAP and non-GAAP diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.

Adjusted EBITDA - GAAP net income excluding the following items: interest and marketable securities income and losses; income taxes; depreciation and amortization of tangible and intangible assets; stock-based compensation; amortization of capitalized stock-based compensation; acquisition-related costs; restructuring charges; foreign exchange gains and losses; interest expense; amortization of capitalized interest expense; certain gains and losses on investments; gains and losses from equity method investment; and other non-recurring or unusual items that may arise from time to time.

Adjusted EBITDA margin - Adjusted EBITDA stated as a percentage of revenue.

Capital expenditures, or capex, excluding stock-based compensation and interest expense - Purchases of property and equipment and capitalization of internal-use software development costs presented on an accrual basis, which differs from the cash-basis presentation included in the statements of cash flows. The primary difference between the two is the change in purchases of property and equipment and capitalization of internal-use software development costs accrued for, but not paid, at period end versus prior periods.

Capex as a percentage of revenue - Capital expenditures, or capex, excluding stock-based compensation and interest expense, stated as a percentage of revenue.

Impact of foreign currency exchange rate - Revenue and earnings from international operations have historically been important contributors to Akamai's financial results. Consequently, Akamai's financial results have been impacted, and management expects they will continue to be impacted, by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. For example, when the local currencies of our international subsidiaries weaken, our consolidated results stated in U.S. dollars are negatively impacted.

Because exchange rates are a meaningful factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, management believes the presentation of the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on revenue and earnings enhances the understanding of our financial results and evaluation of performance in comparison to prior periods.

The dollar impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates presented is calculated by translating current period results using monthly average foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period and comparing them to the reported amount. The percentage change at constant currency presented is calculated by comparing the prior period amounts as reported and the current period amounts translated using the same monthly average foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period.

The financial guidance for the year ended December 31, 2024 is calculated by comparing the forecasted amounts translated using the December 31, 2023 month end foreign currency exchange rates. The forecasted growth rates are calculated based upon the year ended December 31, 2023 as reported results.

Akamai Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
This release and/or our quarterly earnings conference call scheduled for later today contain statements that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements about expected future financial performance, expectations, plans and prospects of Akamai. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors including, but not limited to, inability to continue to generate cash at the same level as prior years; failure of our investments in innovation to generate solutions that are accepted in the market; inability to increase our revenue at the same rate as in the past and keep our expenses from increasing at a greater rate than our revenues; effects of competition, including pricing pressure and changing business models; impact of macroeconomic trends, including economic uncertainty, turmoil in the financial services industry, the effects of inflation, rising and fluctuating interest rates, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, securities market volatility and monetary supply fluctuations; conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment, including sanctions and disruptions resulting from the ongoing war in Ukraine; continuing supply chain and logistics costs, constraints, changes or disruptions; defects or disruptions in our products or IT systems, including cyber-attacks, data breaches or malware; failure to realize the expected benefits of any of our acquisitions or reorganizations; changes to economic, political and regulatory conditions in the United States and internationally; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; delay in developing or failure to develop new service offerings or functionalities, and if developed, lack of market acceptance of such service offerings and functionalities or failure of such solutions to operate as expected, and other factors that are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed with the SEC.

In addition, the statements in this press release and on our quarterly earnings conference call represent Akamai's expectations and beliefs as of the date of this press release. Akamai anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause these expectations and beliefs to change. However, while Akamai may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Akamai's expectations or beliefs as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.



     
                Contacts:



     Gina Sorice            Tom Barth



     Media Relations        Investor Relations



     Akamai Technologies    Akamai
                              Technologies



     646-320-4107           617-274-7130



     gsorice@akamai.com     tbarth@akamai.com

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SOURCE Akamai Technologies, Inc.