EX-99.1 2 d29571dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Forrester Research Reports 2020 Third-Quarter Financial Results

Cambridge, Mass., October 29, 2020 . . . Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced its 2020 third-quarter financial results.

Third-Quarter Financial Performance

Total revenues were $108.6 million for the third quarter of 2020, consistent with the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted revenues, which exclude the fair value adjustment to deferred revenue from the acquisition of SiriusDecisions, were $108.7 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared with $110.3 million for the third quarter of 2019.

“Businesses are relying on Forrester for guidance on how to deal with the pandemic and ramp up their own critical digital offering,” said George F. Colony, Forrester’s chairman and chief executive officer. “As a result, demand for our research and consulting services increased in the third quarter; we exceeded the upper end of revenue guidance by $4.7 million and exceeded adjusted EPS by $0.12.”

“Propelled by strong Q3 results and a healthy Q4 pipeline, we are increasing our full-year 2020 guidance for both revenue and EPS,” continued Colony. “We are honored by the trust and confidence our clients have placed in Forrester to help them navigate challenging times and build customer-obsessed growth strategies.”

On a GAAP basis, net loss was $3.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020, compared with a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the same period in 2019.

On an adjusted basis, net income was $4.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020, which reflects an adjusted effective tax rate of 31%. Adjusted net income excludes stock-based compensation of $2.7 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $4.7 million, acquisition-related deferred revenue fair value adjustment of $0.1 million, acquisition and integration costs of $0.3 million, and lease incentive costs of $0.2 million. This compares with an adjusted net income of $6.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the same period in 2019, which reflects an adjusted tax rate of 31%. Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2019 excludes stock-based compensation of $3.1 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $5.7 million, acquisition-related deferred revenue fair value adjustment of $1.7 million, and acquisition and integration costs of $2.4 million.


Forrester is providing fourth-quarter 2020 financial guidance as follows:

Fourth-Quarter 2020 (GAAP):

 

   

Total revenues of approximately $108.0 million to $116.0 million.

 

   

Operating margin of approximately 3.5% to 5.5%.

 

   

Interest expense of approximately $1.2 million.

 

   

An effective tax rate of approximately 25%.

 

   

Income per share of approximately $0.11 to $0.18.

Fourth-Quarter 2020 (Adjusted):

Adjusted financial guidance for the fourth quarter of 2020 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $2.4 million to $2.6 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $4.7 million, integration costs of $0.7 million to $1.2 million, lease incentive credit of approximately $3.4 million, and any investment gains or losses.

 

   

Adjusted operating margin of approximately 8.0% to 10.0%.

 

   

Adjusted effective tax rate of 31%.

 

   

Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.27 to $0.34.

Our full-year 2020 guidance is as follows:

Full-Year 2020 (GAAP):

 

   

Total revenues of approximately $436.6 million to $444.6 million.

 

   

Operating margin of approximately 3.5% to 4.5%.

 

   

Interest expense of approximately $5.3 million.

 

   

An effective tax rate of approximately 26%.

 

   

Income per share of approximately $0.51 to $0.58.

Full-Year 2020 (Adjusted):

Adjusted financial guidance for full-year 2020 excludes the reduction in revenue from the fair value adjustment of pre-acquisition deferred revenue of approximately $0.4 million, stock-based compensation expense of $10.4 million to $10.6 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $18.8 million, integration costs of $4.5 million to $5.0 million, lease incentive credit of approximately $3.2 million, and any investment gains or losses.

 

   

Adjusted revenues of approximately $437.0 million to $445.0 million.

 

   

Adjusted operating margin of approximately 10.5% to 11.5%.

 

   

Adjusted effective tax rate of 31%.

 

   

Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.53 to $1.60.


About Forrester Research

Forrester (NASDAQ: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We help organizations grow through customer obsession. Forrester’s unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 690,000 consumers and business leaders worldwide, rigorous and objective methodologies, and the shared wisdom of our most innovative clients. Through proprietary research, data and analytics, custom consulting, exclusive peer groups, certifications, and events, we are revolutionizing how businesses grow in the age of the customer; learn more at 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, the anticipated impact of COVID-19 on Forrester’s operating results, Forrester’s financial guidance for the fourth quarter of and full-year 2020, 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, the impact of health epidemics, including COVID-19, on Forrester’s business; Forrester’s ability to retain and enrich memberships for its research products and services; technology spending; Forrester’s ability to respond to business and economic conditions and market trends; the risks and challenges inherent in international business activities; the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; Forrester’s ability to offer new products and services; Forrester’s dependence on key personnel; Forrester’s ability to attract and retain professional staff; Forrester’s ability to anticipate and respond to market trends; Forrester’s ability to successfully integrate businesses that it acquires; the impact of Forrester’s outstanding debt obligations; the possibility of network disruptions and security breaches; competition and industry consolidation; any failure to enforce and protect Forrester’s intellectual property rights; privacy laws; possible variations in Forrester’s quarterly operating results; taxation risks; concentration of ownership of Forrester; and any weakness in Forrester’s system of internal controls. Forrester undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information, please refer to Forrester’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The consolidated statements of operations and the table of key financial data are attached.

Contact:

Michael Doyle

Chief Financial Officer

Forrester Research, Inc.

+1 617-613-6000

mdoyle@forrester.com

Shweta Agarwal

Public Relations

Forrester Research, Inc.

+1 617-613-6805

sagarwal@forrester.com

© 2020, Forrester Research, Inc. All rights reserved. Forrester is a trademark of Forrester Research, Inc.


Forrester Research, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

(Unaudited, In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2020     2019     2020     2019  

Revenues:

        

Research

   $ 72,813     $ 74,548     $ 219,230     $ 219,436  

Consulting

     34,633       32,619       102,980       98,422  

Events

     1,131       1,429       6,253       19,570  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     108,577       108,596       328,463       337,428  

Operating expenses:

        

Cost of services and fulfillment

     46,125       44,929       133,442       146,610  

Selling and marketing

     42,209       41,605       121,599       127,655  

General and administrative

     12,475       13,533       35,936       39,944  

Depreciation

     2,544       2,121       7,398       6,310  

Amortization of intangible assets

     4,722       5,654       14,147       16,963  

Acquisition and integration costs

     328       2,394       3,815       7,848  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     108,403       110,236       316,337       345,330  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     174       (1,640     12,126       (7,902

Interest expense

     (1,259     (1,904     (4,104     (6,341

Other income (expense), net

     (274     127       (165     (229

Gains (losses) on investments

     —         (17     2,365       (61
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (1,359     (3,434     10,222       (14,533

Income tax expense (benefit)

     2,401       (735     2,658       (73
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ (3,760   $ (2,699   $ 7,564     $ (14,460
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share

   $ (0.20   $ (0.15   $ 0.40     $ (0.78
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

   $ (0.20   $ (0.15   $ 0.40     $ (0.78
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     18,872       18,546       18,779       18,448  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     18,872       18,546       18,873       18,448  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted data (1):

        

Total revenues - GAAP

   $ 108,577     $ 108,596     $ 328,463     $ 337,428  

Deferred revenue fair value adjustment

     80       1,657       402       10,467  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues

   $ 108,657     $ 110,253     $ 328,865     $ 347,895  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations - GAAP

   $ 174     $ (1,640   $ 12,126     $ (7,902

Deferred revenue fair value adjustment

     80       1,657       402       10,467  

Amortization of intangible assets

     4,722       5,654       14,147       16,963  

Acquisition and integration costs

     328       2,394       3,815       7,848  

Lease incentive

     219       —         219       —    

Stock-based compensation included in the following expense categories:

        

Cost of services and fulfillment

     1,638       1,782       4,463       4,812  

Selling and marketing

     446       441       1,231       1,366  

General and administrative

     614       849       2,270       2,427  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted income from operations

   $ 8,221     $ 11,137     $ 38,673     $ 35,981  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2020     2019     2020     2019  
     Amount     Per Share     Amount     Per Share     Amount     Per Share     Amount     Per Share  

Net income (loss) - GAAP

   $ (3,760   $ (0.20   $ (2,699   $ (0.15   $ 7,564     $ 0.40     $ (14,460   $ (0.78

Effect on GAAP net loss of diluted shares

       —           0.01         —           0.01  

Deferred revenue fair value adjustment

     80       —         1,657       0.09       402       0.02       10,467       0.56  

Amortization of intangible assets

     4,722       0.26       5,654       0.30       14,147       0.76       16,963       0.90  

Acquisition and integration costs

     328       0.02       2,394       0.13       3,815       0.20       7,848       0.42  

Lease incentive

     219       0.01       —         —         219       0.01       —         —    

Stock-based compensation

     2,698       0.14       3,072       0.16       7,964       0.42       8,605       0.46  

(Gains) losses on investments

     —         —         17       —         (2,365     (0.13     61       —    

Tax effects of items above (2)

     (1,828     (0.10     (3,128     (0.17     (6,980     (0.37     (10,896     (0.58

Adjustment to tax expense for adjusted tax rate (3)

     2,156       0.11       (509     (0.03     (1,027     (0.05     1,706       0.09  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 4,615       0.24     $ 6,458     $ 0.34     $ 23,739       1.26     $ 20,294     $ 1.08  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     18,963         18,727         18,873         18,732    
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1)

Forrester believes that adjusted financial results provide investors with consistent and comparable information to aid in the understanding of Forrester’s ongoing business, and are also used by Forrester in making compensation decisions. Our adjusted presentation excludes amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, acquisition-related deferred revenue fair value adjustments, stock-based compensation, acquisition and integration costs, net gains or losses from investments, lease incentive cost and credits, as well as their related tax effects. We also utilized an assumed tax rate of 31% in both 2020 and 2019, which excludes items such as any release of reserves for uncertain tax positions established in prior years, the settlement of prior year tax audits, and the effect of any adjustments related to the filing of prior year tax returns. The adjusted data does not purport to be prepared in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States.

(2)

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

(3)

To compute adjusted net income, we apply an adjusted effective tax rate of 31%.


Forrester Research, Inc.

Key Financial Data

 

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

     September 30,     December 31,  
     2020     2019  

Balance sheet data:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 73,027     $ 67,904  

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 54,141     $ 84,605  

Deferred revenue

   $ 155,418     $ 179,194  

Debt outstanding

   $ 111,719     $ 132,750  
     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,  
     2020     2019  

Cash flow data:

    

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 29,199     $ 45,622  

Purchases of property and equipment

   $ (7,279   $ (8,362

Cash paid for acquisitions

   $ —       $ (237,684

Repayments of debt

   $ (21,031   $ (40,688
     As of  
     September 30,  
     2020     2019  

Metrics:

    

Agreement value

   $ 337,900     $ 355,200  

Client retention

     65     73

Dollar retention

     88     90

Enrichment

     98     111

Number of clients

     2,660       2,867  
     As of  
     September 30,  
     2020     2019  

Headcount:

    

Total headcount

     1,823       1,785  

Products and advisory services staff

     716       673  

Sales force

     716       699