NORWALK, Conn., June 17, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE: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 2008.
For the quarter ended May 31, 2008, revenues increased to $147.4 million, up 22% compared to the prior year period. Income from operations for the third quarter rose to $47.9 million, up 22% from $39.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2007. Net income advanced to $32.5 million as compared to net income of $28.6 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.65, up from $0.56 in the same period of fiscal 2007. In the third quarter last year, diluted earnings per share included income tax benefits of $1.9 million or $0.04 per share primarily from a tax deduction pertaining to fiscal 2006. The growth rates of net income and diluted earnings per share were also impacted by a 60% decline in other income to $0.9 million for the quarter ended May 31, 2008.
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
(In thousands, May 31, May 31,
except per ------------------------- -------------------------
share data) 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------- -------- -------- ----- -------- -------- -----
Revenues $147,399 $121,075 21.7% $421,812 $346,269 21.8%
Income from
operations 47,919 39,217 22.2 133,656 112,423 18.9
Other income 852 2,143 (60.2) 4,325 5,427 (20.3)
Provision for
income taxes 16,229 12,785 26.9 46,548 38,999 19.4
Net income 32,542 28,575 13.9 91,433 78,851 16.0
Diluted
earnings
per share $ 0.65 $ 0.56 16.1% $ 1.82 $ 1.54 18.2%
Diluted
weighted
average shares 49,821 51,387 50,218 51,310
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Philip A. Hadley, Chairman and CEO said, "Given the difficult economic conditions, we are pleased to report revenue and operating income growth of 22%. Our healthy growth is indicative of a product suite that is highly integrated in the workflow of a global, blue chip client base. We were also very excited to announce that during the third quarter, subject to regulatory approval, we have reached an agreement with Thomson Reuters for the purchase of a copy of the Thomson Fundamentals database and related assets. FactSet Fundamentals will be ready for sale upon close of the transaction and will provide our clients with another strong choice for global fundamentals data over the FactSet system."
Additional information about the transaction with Thomson Reuters and the related market opportunity for FactSet can be found on pages 2 and 3 of this press release.
Annual Subscription Value ("ASV")
Organic ASV increased $18.2 million during the third quarter and is up 20% over the last year. Including foreign exchange and the cancellation of services to Bear Stearns, ASV increased $14.7 million during the quarter. The ASV change in the third quarter was derived from FactSet's global investment management client base. FactSet's overseas client base contributed strong ASV growth of 26% excluding currency. Investment banks continue to manage expenses during the current market conditions. The adverse ASV change from Bear Stearns was $2.6 million during the third quarter.
At May 31, 2008, ASV was $590 million, up 21% over the last twelve months. Of this total, ASV from FactSet's domestic operations was $403 million, while overseas operations support ASV of $187 million. ASV at any given point in time represents the forward-looking revenues for the next 12 months from all annual subscription services currently being supplied to clients.
Other Financial Highlights
* U.S. revenues were $102 million, up 18% from the year ago quarter. * Revenues from non-U.S. operations increased 30% to $45.7 million. On a constant currency basis the increase was 29%. * Operating margins were 32.5%, consistent with the previous and year ago quarters. * Other income declined 60% to $0.9 million from a reduction in U.S. interest rates during the last nine months. * Free cash flows generated during the quarter was a record $45.8 million, exceeding the average of the previous four quarters by $17 million.
Operational Highlights -- Third Quarter of Fiscal 2009
* Users rose to 39,600 at quarter end, up 500 professionals over the past three months. * Client count was 2,044 at May 31, a net increase of 23 clients. * PA 2.0 subscribers totaled 5,487 users from 607 clients at the end of the quarter. * Employee count at May 31, 2008 was 1,826. Headcount did not change during the third quarter. The number of employees is up 18% over the last year. * FactSet already has accepted offers from 80 new employees for the upcoming fourth quarter, the majority of which will expand the sales and consulting and engineering departments. * Capital expenditures were $12.3 million, net of landlord contributions for construction. Expenditures for computer equipment were $7.6 million and the remainder covered office space expansion. * Client retention rate remained above 95%. * On May 8, the Company's Board of Directors approved a 50% increase in the regular quarterly dividend from $0.12 per share to $0.18 per share. The cash dividend of $0.18 per share will be paid on June 17, 2008 to holders of record of FactSet's common stock on May 29, 2008. * Common shares outstanding at May 31, 2008 were 48.0 million.
Acquisition of a Copy of the Thomson Fundamentals Database and Related Assets
FactSet signed an agreement with Thomson Reuters ("Thomson") dated as of April 22, 2008 to purchase a copy of the Thomson Fundamentals database and related assets. The agreement is subject to regulatory approval by both the European Commission and U.S. Department of Justice. The transaction is expected to close before or in July 2008.
Fundamental data is historical financial information (i.e. income statement, balance sheet and cash flows) and related underlying data from the footnotes to the financial statements. The Thomson Fundamentals Database is a preeminent global financial database with coverage of over 43,000 companies and history back to 1980 and has been available and distributed by FactSet since 1991.
We believe that the proposed transaction is valuable to FactSet for four primary reasons:
1. The opportunity to buy a copy of a trusted premium, global
fundamental database with history back to the 1980s is rare and is
unlikely to repeat itself in the foreseeable future.
2. Fundamentals is one of three core data sets (along with security
prices and estimates) all major providers require. Upon completion
of the transaction, FactSet will own all three core content sets,
on a global basis.
3. Fundamental data is used by all FactSet clients and prospective
clients and nearly every user in FactSet's addressable universe.
4. The estimated market opportunity for fundamental data just among
our existing client base is in excess of $100 million,
representing a large new source of potential revenue growth for
FactSet.
The sale will include copies of the Thomson Fundamental database, source documents, collection software, documentation and collection training materials. Thomson retains full ownership of the original fundamentals database and associated intellectual property. Thomson Fundamentals will continue as a product on the FactSet platform.
At closing, FactSet will enter into a Transition Services Agreement ("TSA") with Thomson. Under the TSA, Thomson will provide services for 18 months from closing date, including daily updates to FactSet's fundamental database. The daily updates will be provided on the same schedule and with the same timeliness, content and quality as the updates FactSet receives for Thomson Fundamentals today. The TSA also outlines consulting and support services Thomson will provide to FactSet to give us a full understanding of the structure and content of the database and the know how to conduct training programs for collection employees.
Thomson agreed to facilitate a hiring process of key employees connected with the database and related assets. Eight key employees have accepted employment offers to join FactSet, effective on the close of the transaction. In addition, FactSet may acquire revenue pertaining to certain Thomson contracts upon receipt of a client's consent. The majority of these contracts relate to Thomson Fundamentals over the FactSet platform. The consent period will end on August 12, 2008.
The cash consideration to be paid by FactSet is $48.8 million plus five times annual revenues assigned to FactSet after the consent of certain clients of the Thomson Fundamental database. Under the TSA, FactSet is scheduled to pay Thomson $9.1 million, a significant portion of which is consideration for the daily database updates over the next 18 months. Total cash consideration to be paid by FactSet should range between $67 million and $80 million. This range assumes that annual revenues of $2.0 to $5.0 million will be included in the transaction and transferred to FactSet.
FactSet anticipates that this transaction will be dilutive to earnings per share ("EPS") until the 18 month transition period concludes, after which the transaction is expected to be accretive.
* In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, EPS dilution should be approximately $0.03 per share. * EPS dilution for each fiscal quarter in fiscal 2009 should be approximately $0.04 per share or $0.16 for the full 2009 fiscal year. A primary expense driver is the cost of the TSA from Thomson. The quarterly costs of transition services on a pre-tax basis should approximate $1.6 million or $6.5 million for the full 2009 fiscal year. These costs are eliminated at the end of the 18 month transition period. * The transaction is expected to be accretive to EPS in fiscal 2010.
In summary, we believe this transaction will extend FactSet's competitive advantage of providing clients choice of premium content sets over the FactSet system. FactSet has no plans to alter its redistribution of the vast fundamental data offerings available on the FactSet service including Thomson Fundamentals, Reuters Fundamentals and S&P Compustat(r). FactSet Fundamentals will expand our selection for clients and be ready for sale on the day the transaction closes. FactSet is excited to enter the fundamentals business with such a high quality asset. Our strategy is to win based on features and value and we believe our deep understanding and 30 year history working with fundamental data will aid us significantly in this process.
Business Outlook
The following forward-looking statements reflect FactSet's expectations as of June 17, 2008. 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 2008 Expectations
* Excluding the purchase of FactSet Fundamentals:
* Revenues are expected to range between $150 and $154 million.
* Operating margins are expected to range between 31% and 33%.
* Other income is expected to be between $0.9 million and
$1.2 million.
* The effective tax rate is expected to range between 33.8% and
34.6% and assumes the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit is not
reenacted.
* Including the purchase of FactSet Fundamentals:
* Revenues are expected to range between $150 and $155 million.
* Operating margins should range between 29.5% and 31.5%
* Other income is expected to be between $0.6 million and
$0.9 million.
* The effective tax rate is expected to range between 33.8% and
34.6% and assumes the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit is not
reenacted.
Full Year Fiscal 2008
* Capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions, remains at
$32 million and $38 million.
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 status of the global economy, the ability to integrate newly acquired companies; 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 acquisition of a copy of the Thomson Fundamentals database and related assets; 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.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call today, June 17, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) to review the third quarter fiscal 2008 earnings release. To listen, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.factset.com.
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-three locations worldwide, including Boston, New York, Chicago, San Mateo, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Sydney.
IR_FDS
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
per share data and May 31, May 31,
unaudited) 2008 2007 2008 2007
-------- -------- -------- --------
Revenues $147,399 $121,075 $421,812 $346,269
Operating expenses
Cost of services 48,134 39,429 140,555 111,100
Selling, general
and administrative 51,346 42,429 147,601 122,746
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses 99,480 81,858 288,156 233,846
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income from operations 47,919 39,217 133,656 112,423
Other income 852 2,143 4,325 5,427
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income
taxes 48,771 41,360 137,981 117,850
Provision for income
taxes 16,229 12,785 46,548 38,999
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income $ 32,542 $ 28,575 $ 91,433 $ 78,851
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic earnings per
common share $ 0.68 $ 0.58 $ 1.90 $ 1.61
Diluted earnings per
common share $ 0.65 $ 0.56 $ 1.82 $ 1.54
Weighted average
common shares (Basic) 47,934 48,911 48,127 48,942
Weighted average
common shares (Diluted) 49,821 51,387 50,218 51,310
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
May 31, August 31,
(In thousands and unaudited) 2008 2007
-------- --------
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $166,829 $168,834
Investments 24,845 17,388
Accounts receivable, net of reserves 69,369 59,579
Deferred taxes 3,121 2,808
Prepaid taxes 3,385 --
Other current assets 5,674 3,723
-------- --------
Total current assets 273,223 252,332
Property, equipment, and leasehold
improvements, net 88,125 78,945
Goodwill 160,211 146,187
Intangible assets, net 36,239 36,789
Deferred taxes 9,249 7,211
Other assets 2,747 2,286
-------- --------
Total assets $569,794 $523,750
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 27,116 $ 23,461
Accrued compensation 25,322 30,105
Deferred fees 23,409 25,730
Dividends payable 8,639 5,802
Taxes payable -- 5,552
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 84,486 90,650
Deferred taxes 5,785 6,450
Taxes payable 3,688 --
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities 20,112 17,339
-------- --------
Total liabilities $114,071 $114,439
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock $ 569 $ 562
Capital in excess of par value 197,816 162,561
Treasury stock, at cost (299,105) (233,372)
Retained earnings 542,431 469,880
Accumulated other comprehensive income 14,012 9,680
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 455,723 409,311
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $569,794 $523,750
======== ========
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended
May 31,
(In thousands and unaudited) 2008 2007
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 91,433 $ 78,851
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 22,498 21,223
Stock-based compensation expense 10,630 6,827
Deferred income taxes (3,043) (5,428)
Gain on sale of assets (65) (62)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment
arrangements (8,040) (5,365)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
effects of acquisitions
Accounts receivable, net of reserves (9,314) 4,265
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 3,266 (1,809)
Accrued compensation (4,894) (1,589)
Deferred fees (2,674) 178
Taxes payable 3,043 66
Landlord contributions 674 432
Other working capital accounts, net (98) 1,473
-------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities 103,416 99,062
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired (13,891) --
Proceeds from sales of investments 31,353 12,984
Purchases of investments (38,781) (13,490)
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold
improvements (25,841) (25,407)
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities (47,160) (25,913)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividend payments (17,251) (8,792)
Repurchase of common stock (65,737) (33,737)
Repayment of note -- (2,258)
Proceeds from employee stock plans 16,431 11,436
Income tax benefits from stock option exercises 8,040 5,365
-------- --------
Net cash used in financing activities (58,517) (27,986)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
cash equivalents 256 333
-------- --------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
equivalents (2,005) 45,496
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 168,834 126,549
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $166,829 $172,045
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