NORWALK, Conn., June 14, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) (Nasdaq:FDS), a leading provider of integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community, today announced its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
For the quarter ended May 31, 2011 revenues increased to $183.6 million, up 15% compared to the prior year. Operating income for the third quarter rose to $61.8 million from $55.7 million in the same period of fiscal 2010. Net income advanced to $43.3 million as compared to $38.7 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.92, up 14% from $0.81 in the same period of fiscal 2010. The results of the third quarter last year included income tax benefits of $0.03 per diluted share from finalizing prior years' tax returns.
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 18% compared to the third quarter a year ago. GAAP diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of last year has been adjusted to exclude income tax benefits of $0.03 per diluted share. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures is presented on page 7 of this press release.
Annual Subscription Value ("ASV")
ASV advanced $17 million organically during the quarter. ASV was $741 million at May 31, 2011, up 12% organically over the prior year. Of this total, 82% is derived from buy-side clients and the remainder is from the sell-side firms who perform M&A advisory work and equity research. ASV drivers during the quarter were purchases of advanced applications, growth in the number of clients and users, the expanded deployment of proprietary data and an increase in the client retention rate. ASV at any given point in time represents the forward-looking revenues for the next 12 months from all services currently being supplied to clients.
Financial Highlights – Third Quarter of Fiscal 2011
- ASV from U.S. operations was $507 million and $234 million related to international operations.
- U.S. revenues were $126 million, up 16% from the year ago quarter.
- Non-U.S. revenues rose 12% to $58 million as compared to the same period in fiscal 2010.
- Operating margin was 33.7%.
- Operating income was up 11% compared to the prior year.
- Non-GAAP diluted EPS advanced 18% to $0.92 per share.
- Free cash flow generated over the last twelve months was $177 million. Quarterly free cash flow was $57 million.
- Cash and investments in marketable securities were $209 million at May 31, 2011.
- Accounts receivable decreased $3 million over the last 3 months while ASV was up $17 million over the same period.
- The effective tax rate for the third quarter was 30.1% as compared to 30.7% a year ago.
Operational Highlights – Third Quarter of Fiscal 2011
- Professionals using FactSet increased to 45,600, up 800 users over the past three months.
- Client count was 2,187 at May 31, a net increase of 26 clients during the quarter.
- At May 31, annual client retention was greater than 95% of ASV, consistent with last year. On a client basis, annual retention rate improved to 92% of clients at May 31 as compared to 89% a year ago, reflecting a reduction in client turnover.
- Employee count was 4,805 at May 31, an increase of 37 employees during the quarter and up 32% over last year.
- Capital expenditures were $7.4 million with approximately $5.0 million for computer equipment and the remainder for office expansions.
- The regular quarterly dividend increased 17% from $0.23 to $0.27 per share, beginning with the Company's dividend payment on June 21, 2011.
- On June 13, 2011, the Board of Directors approved a $200 million expansion to the existing share repurchase program. The Company repurchased 552,864 shares for $58 million during the third quarter. Including the expansion, $226 million remains authorized for future repurchases.
- Common shares outstanding were 45.8 million at May 31, 2011.
- For the third consecutive year, the Wall Street Journal partnered with FactSet to calculate its 2011 ranking of the best equity analysts.
- FactSet Europe was named one of the "UK's 50 Best Workplaces."
Business Outlook
The following forward-looking statements reflect FactSet's expectations as of June 14, 2011. Given the number of risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed below, actual results may differ materially. The Company does not intend to update its forward-looking statements until its next quarterly results announcement, other than in publicly available statements.
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2011 Expectations
- Revenues are expected to range between $187 million and $191 million.
- EPS should range between $0.93 and $0.95.
Full Year Fiscal 2011
- The 2011 guidance for capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions, is $24 million to $30 million.
- The projected annual effective tax rate is 31.0%.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call today, June 14, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) to review the third quarter fiscal 2011 earnings release. To listen, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at .
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, subscriptions, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expected," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "should," "indicates," "continues," "subscriptions" and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in FactSet's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, the current status of the global economy; the ability to integrate newly acquired companies and businesses; the stability of global securities markets; the ability to hire qualified personnel; the maintenance of the Company's leading technological position; the impact of global market trends on the Company's revenue growth rate and future results of operations; the negotiation of contract terms with corporate vendors, data suppliers and potential landlords; the retention of key clients; the successful resolution of ongoing audits by tax authorities; the continued employment of key personnel; the absence of U.S. or foreign governmental regulation restricting international business; and the sustainability of historical levels of profitability and growth rates in cash flow generation.
About Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share
Diluted earnings per share in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") has been adjusted to report non-GAAP diluted earnings per share. This measure excludes income tax benefits of $0.03 per diluted share from finalizing prior year tax returns. FactSet uses this non-GAAP financial measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluation and management of the businesses. The Company believes that non-GAAP diluted earnings per share is useful to investors because it permits investors to view the Company's performance using the same tools that management uses to gauge progress in achieving its goals. Investors may benefit from referring to this non-GAAP financial measure in assessing the Company's performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods and may also facilitate comparisons to its historical performance. The presentation of non-GAAP diluted earnings per share is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.
About Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow
The presentation of free cash flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The GAAP financial measure, cash flows provided by operating activities, has been adjusted to report non-GAAP free cash flow that includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures. Included in the just completed third quarter was $64.5 million of net cash provided by operations and $7.4 million of capital expenditures. Over the last twelve months, net cash provided by operations was $207 million and capital expenditures were $30 million. Non-GAAP free cash flow is not intended as an alternative measure of cash flows provided by operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP in the U.S. FactSet uses this financial measure, both in presenting its results to shareholders and the investment community, and in the Company's internal evaluation and management of the businesses. Management believes that this financial measure is useful to investors because it permits investors to view the Company's performance using the same metric that management uses to gauge progress in achieving its goals and is an indication of cash flow that may be available to fund further investments in future growth initiatives.
About FactSet
FactSet Research Systems Inc. combines integrated financial information, analytical applications, and client service to enhance the workflow and productivity of the global investment community. The Company, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, was formed in 1978 and now conducts operations along with its affiliates from more than twenty-four locations worldwide, including Boston, New York, Chicago, San Mateo, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Sydney.
Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share
GAAP diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of last year has been adjusted to exclude income tax benefits of $0.03 per diluted share related to finalizing prior year tax returns. FactSet's management believes that non-GAAP diluted EPS provides meaningful supplemental information regarding its financial results and that investors may benefit from referring to this non-GAAP financial measure in assessing FactSet's performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share may also facilitate comparisons to FactSet's historical performance.
CONTACT: Rachel Stern FactSet Research Systems Inc. 203.810.1000
