Bedford, Mass. - January 29, 2020 - Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AZPN), the asset optimization software company, today announced financial results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2020 ended December 31, 2019.

“AspenTech delivered solid second quarter results highlighted by continued double-digit annual spend growth. While the macro environment in capital intensive industries was uncertain, spending remained favorable as customers recognized that investments in digitalization can drive meaningful improvements in the operating efficiency and financial performance of their business,” said Antonio Pietri, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Technology.

Pietri continued, “We continue to see significant customer interest in our solutions and expect improving business performance in the second half of the year. Our optimism is driven by our expectations for continuing strength from refining customers, improving demand from chemicals customers as macro conditions in that vertical improve, and the ongoing recovery in our engineering and construction business. We are also encouraged by the progress in our Asset Performance Management business and the traction it is gaining in the Global Economy Industries (GEI).”

Second Quarter Fiscal 2020 Recent Business Highlights

• Annual spend, which the company defines as the annualized value of all term license and maintenance contracts at the end of the quarter, was approximately $564 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020, which increased 10.0% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 3.0% sequentially.
• AspenTech repurchased approximately 418,000 shares of its common stock for $50 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Summary of Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Results

AspenTech’s total revenue of $124.7 million included:

• License revenue, which represents the portion of a term license agreement allocated to the initial license, was $70.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $93.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.
• Maintenance revenue, which represents the portion of the term license agreement related to on-going support and the right to future product enhancements, was $45.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $41.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.
• Services and other revenue was $9.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $6.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2019, AspenTech reported income from operations of $41.7 million, compared to income from operations of $63.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Net income was $38.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, leading to diluted net income per share of $0.56, compared to diluted net income per share of $0.83 in the same period last fiscal year.

Non-GAAP income from operations was $50.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $71.2 million in the same period last fiscal year.  Non-GAAP net income was $45.5 million, or $0.66 per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to non-GAAP net income of $65.1 million, or $0.92 per share, in the same period last fiscal year.  These non-GAAP results add back the impact of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangibles and acquisition related fees. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is presented in the financial tables included in this press release.

AspenTech had cash and cash equivalents of $80.5 million and total borrowings, net of debt issuance costs, of $345.1 million at December 31, 2019.

During the second quarter, the company generated $46.9 million in cash flow from operations and $48.1 million in free cash flow. Free cash flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for the net impact of: purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements; capitalized computer software development costs, and other nonrecurring items, such as acquisition related payments.

Business Outlook

Based on information as of today, January 29, 2020, AspenTech is issuing the following guidance for fiscal year 2020:

• Annual spend growth of 10-12% year-over-year
• Free cash flow of $260 to $270 million
• Total bookings of $600 to $650 million
• Total revenue of $575 to $615 million
• GAAP total expense of $369 to $374 million
• Non-GAAP total expense of $303 to $308 million
• GAAP operating income of $206 to $241 million
• Non-GAAP operating income of $272 to $307 million
• GAAP net income of $184 to $213 million
• GAAP net income per share of $2.68 to $3.09
• Non-GAAP net income per share of $3.43 to $3.84

These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. Refer to the Forward-Looking Statements safe harbor below for information on the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.

AspenTech has not reconciled its expectations as to non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP net income per share to their most directly comparable GAAP measure because certain items are out of AspenTech’s control or cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, a reconciliation for forward-looking non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP net income per share is not available without unreasonable effort.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains “non-GAAP financial measures” under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Non-GAAP financial measures are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. This non-GAAP information supplements, and is not intended to represent a measure of performance in accordance with, disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.  Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP.  A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is included in the financial tables included in this press release.

Management considers both GAAP and non-GAAP financial results in managing Aspen Technology’s business.  As the result of adoption of new licensing models, management believes that a number of Aspen Technology’s performance indicators based on GAAP, including revenue, gross profit, operating income and net income, should be viewed in conjunction with certain non-GAAP and other business measures in assessing Aspen Technology’s performance, growth and financial condition. Accordingly, management utilizes a number of non-GAAP and other business metrics, including the non-GAAP metrics set forth in this press release, to track Aspen Technology’s business performance. None of these non-GAAP metrics should be considered as an alternative to any measure of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Conference Call and Webcast

Aspen Technology will host a conference call and webcast today, January 29^th, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), to discuss the company's financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 as well as the company’s business outlook. The live dial-in number is (866) 471-3828 or (678) 509-7573, conference ID code 6899311. Interested parties may also listen to a live webcast of the call by logging on to the Investor Relations section of Aspen Technology’s website, http://ir.aspentech.com/events-and-presentations, and clicking on the “webcast” link. A replay of the call will be archived on Aspen Technology’s website and will also be available via telephone at (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406, conference ID code 6899311, through February 5, 2020.

About Aspen Technology

Aspen Technology (AspenTech) is a global leader in asset optimization software. Its solutions address complex, industrial environments where it is critical to optimize the asset design, operation and maintenance lifecycle. AspenTech uniquely combines decades of process modelling expertise with artificial intelligence. Its purpose-built software platform automates knowledge work and builds sustainable competitive advantage by delivering high returns over the entire asset lifecycle. As a result, companies in capital-intensive industries can maximize uptime and push the limits of performance, running their assets safer, greener, longer and faster.

Forward-Looking Statements

The second and third paragraphs of this press release as well as the Business Outlook section contain forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results may vary significantly from Aspen Technology’s (AspenTech) expectations based on a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation: AspenTech’s failure to increase usage and product adoption of aspenONE offerings or grow the aspenONE APM business, and failure to continue to provide innovative, market-leading solutions; the demand for, or usage of, aspenONE software declines for any reason, including declines due to adverse changes in the process or other capital-intensive industries; unfavorable economic and market conditions or a lessening demand in the market for asset process optimization software; risks of foreign operations or transacting business with customers outside the United States; risks of competition and other risk factors described from time to time in AspenTech’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  AspenTech cannot guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements.  AspenTech expressly disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

© 2020 Aspen Technology, Inc. AspenTech, aspenONE, asset optimization and the Aspen leaf logo are trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Source: Aspen Technology, Inc.