Descartes Reports Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter Financial Results

Global Logistics Network Drives Record Revenues


WATERLOO, Ontario, Nov. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX) announced its financial results for its fiscal 2018 third quarter (Q3FY18) ended October 31, 2017. All financial results referenced are in United States (US) currency and, unless otherwise indicated, are determined in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

“Our growth is driven by new customers and businesses joining the Global Logistics Network (GLN) and existing customers expanding their use of the GLN’s growing solution-set to manage the lifecycle of their shipments,” said Edward J. Ryan, Descartes’ CEO. “We continue to see opportunities to do even more with our customers to help isolate them from the complexities of the ever-changing global trade landscape, and demanding consumer and business buying environment. We believe we have a solid platform for continued growth and acquisitions, with the experience and capital capacity to continue to increase the GLN’s influence.”

Q3FY18 Financial Results
As described in more detail below, key financial highlights for Descartes’ three-month period ended October 31, 2017 (Q3FY18) included:

  • Revenues of $62.0 million, up 20% from $51.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 (Q3FY17) and up 8% from $57.3 million in the previous quarter (Q2FY18);
  • Revenues were comprised of license revenues of $2.3 million (4% of total revenues) and services revenues (non-license) of $59.7 million (96% of total revenues). Services revenues were up 21% from $49.4 million in Q3FY17 and up 8% from $55.1 million in Q2FY18;
  • Cash provided by operating activities of $18.9 million, down from $20.5 million in Q3FY17 and up 11% from $17.1 million in Q2FY18;
  • Net income of $6.2 million, up 5% from $5.9 million in Q3FY17 and down from $7.2 million in Q2FY18. Net income as a percentage of revenues was 10%, compared to 11% in Q3FY17 and 13% in Q2FY18;
  • Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $0.08, consistent with $0.08 in Q3FY17 and down from $0.09 in Q2FY18; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $20.6 million, up 16% from $17.8 million in Q3FY17 and up 4% from $19.8 million in Q2FY18. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues was 33%, compared to 35% in Q3FY17 and 35% in Q2FY18.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues are non-GAAP financial measures provided as a complement to financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation (for which we include related fees and taxes) and other charges (for which we include restructuring charges and acquisition-related expenses). These items are considered by management to be outside Descartes' ongoing operational results. We define Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues as the quotient, expressed as a percentage, from dividing Adjusted EBITDA for a period by revenues for the corresponding period. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues to net income determined in accordance with GAAP is provided later in this release.

The following table summarizes Descartes' results in the categories specified below over the past 5 fiscal quarters (unaudited; dollar amounts, other than per share amounts, in millions):

 Q3
FY18
 Q2
FY18
 Q1
FY18
 Q4
FY17
 Q3
FY17
 
Revenues62.0 57.3 54.5 52.8 51.5 
Services revenues59.7 55.1 52.8 51.4 49.4 
Gross margin73% 73% 74% 72% 73% 
Cash provided by operating activities18.9 17.1 16.5 19.5 20.5 
Net income6.2 7.2 6.9 6.1 5.9 
Net income as a % of revenues10% 13% 13% 12% 11% 
Earnings per diluted share0.08 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.08 
Adjusted EBITDA20.6 19.8 19.0 18.5 17.8 
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenues33% 35% 35% 35% 35% 

Year-to-Date Financial Results

As described in more detail below, key financial highlights for Descartes’ nine-month period ended October 31, 2017 (9MFY18) included:

  • Revenues of $173.8 million, up 15% from $151.0 million in the same period a year ago (9MFY17);
  • Revenues were comprised of license revenues of $6.2 million (4% of total revenues) and services revenues (non-license) of $167.6 million (96% of total revenues). Services revenues were up 15% from $145.5 million in 9MFY17;
  • Cash provided by operating activities of $52.5 million, down from $53.0 million in 9MFY17;
  • Net income of $20.2 million, up 14% from $17.7 million in 9MFY17. Net income as a percentage of revenues was 12%, compared to 12% in 9MFY17;
  • Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $0.26, up 13% from $0.23 in 9MFY17; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $59.4 million, up 15% from $51.6 million in 9MFY17. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues was 34%, compared to 34% in 9MFY17.

The following table summarizes Descartes’ results in the categories specified below over 9MFY18 and 9MFY17 (unaudited, dollar amounts in millions):

 9MFY18 9MFY17 
Revenues173.8 151.0 
Services revenues167.6 145.5 
Gross margin73% 73% 
Cash provided by operating activities52.5 53.0 
Net income20.2 17.7 
Net income as a % of revenues12% 12% 
Earnings per diluted share0.26 0.23 
Adjusted EBITDA59.4 51.6 
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenues34% 34% 

Cash Position 
At October 31, 2017, Descartes had $33.3 million in cash. Cash decreased $54.2 million in Q3FY18 primarily due to cash used to acquire MacroPoint (described further below) and $4.8 million in 9MFY18 primarily due to cash used to acquire ShipRush, PCSTrac and MacroPoint  and, in both comparative periods, partially offset by proceeds from borrowing on the credit facility and cash provided by operating activities

The table set forth below provides a summary of cash flows for Q3FY18 and 9MFY18 in millions of dollars:

 Q3FY18 9MFY18 
Cash provided by operating activities18.9 52.5 
Additions to property and equipment(2.2)(3.9)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired(86.2)(111.9)
Proceeds from borrowing on credit facility40.0 80.0 
Credit facility repayments(25.0)(25.0)
Issuances of common shares, net of issuance costs0.5   1.0 
Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash(0.2)2.5 
Net change in cash(54.2)(4.8)
Cash, beginning of period87.5   38.1 
Cash, end of period33.3 33.3 

Acquisition of MacroPoint
On August 14, 2017, Descartes acquired MacroPoint LLC (“MacroPoint”), an electronic transportation network providing location-based truck tracking and predictive freight capacity data content. US-based MacroPoint runs a connected network helping transportation brokers, logistics service providers and shippers track the locations of deliveries in trucks as well as predictive freight capacity to help identify early opportunities for additional freight moves. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $106.2 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded using $20.0 million of Descartes common shares, $80.0 million from drawing on Descartes’ existing credit facility and the balance using cash on hand. 

Descartes Evolution — 2018 User Group Conference
Descartes will be hosting Descartes Evolution at the Hilton West Palm Beach from March 6-8, 2018. Descartes Evolution is Descartes’ pinnacle event where customers and partners from around the world get together to network with other Descartes users, meet the Descartes product management team, provide input on Descartes' product development plans, and learn more about Descartes solutions and how to improve their operations.  Registration information is available at the following site:
https://www.descartes.com/usergroup/conference-registration.

Conference Call
Members of Descartes' executive management team will host a conference call to discuss the company's financial results at 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 29. Designated numbers are +1 888 465-5079 for North America and +1 416 216-4169 for international, using Passcode 8637402#.

The company will simultaneously conduct an audio webcast on the Descartes Web site at www.descartes.com/descartes/investor-relations. Phone conference dial-in or webcast log-in is required approximately 10 minutes beforehand.

Replays of the conference call will be available following the call from 8:00 p.m. ET, and until December 6, 2017, by dialing +1 888 843-7419 or +1 630 652-3042 followed by Passcode 8637402#. An archived replay of the webcast will be available at www.descartes.com/descartes/investor-relations.

About Descartes 
Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter

Descartes Investor Contact:
Laurie McCauley +1-519-746-6114 x202358
investor@descartes.com

Safe Harbor Statement 
This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relates to Descartes' growth in margins; continued growth and acquisitions; rate of profitable growth; demand for Descartes' solutions; growth of Descartes' Global Logistics Network; customer buying patterns; customer expectations of Descartes; development of the GLN and the benefits thereof to customers; and other matters. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions including the following: global shipment volumes continuing to increase at levels consistent with the average growth rates of the global economy; countries continuing to implement and enforce existing and additional customs and security regulations relating to the provision of electronic information for imports and exports; countries continuing to implement and enforce existing and additional trade restrictions and sanctioned party lists with respect to doing business with certain countries, organizations, entities and individuals; Descartes' continued operation of a secure and reliable business network; the stability of general economic and market conditions, currency exchange rates, and interest rates; equity and debt markets continuing to provide Descartes with access to capital; Descartes' continued ability to identify and source attractive and executable business combination opportunities; Descartes' ability to develop solutions that keep pace with the continuing changes in technology, and our continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights. These assumptions may prove to be inaccurate. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Descartes, or developments in Descartes' business or industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, Descartes' ability to successfully execute on acquisitions and to integrate acquired businesses and assets, and to predict expenses associated with and revenues from acquisitions; the ability to attract and retain key personnel and the ability to manage the departure of key personnel and the transition of our executive management team; changes in trade or transportation regulations that currently require customers to use services such as those offered by Descartes; the impact on Descartes' business of a global economic downturn; changes in customer behaviour and expectations; Descartes’ ability to successfully design and develop enhancements to our products and solutions; departures of key customers; the impact of foreign currency exchange rates; Descartes' ability to retain or obtain sufficient capital in addition to its debt facility to execute on its business strategy, including its acquisition strategy; disruptions in the movement of freight; the potential for future goodwill or intangible asset impairment as a result of other-than-temporary decreases in Descartes' market capitalization; and other factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada, including Descartes' most recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues

We prepare and release quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial information, used to evaluate our performance, in this and other earnings releases and investor conference calls as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP. We believe that current shareholders and potential investors in our company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, in making investment decisions about our company and measuring our operational results.

The term “Adjusted EBITDA” refers to a financial measure that we define as earnings before certain charges that management considers to be non-operating expenses and which consist of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation (for which we include related fees and taxes) and other charges (for which we include restructuring charges and acquisition-related expenses). Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues divides Adjusted EBITDA for a period by the revenues for the corresponding period and expresses the quotient as a percentage.

Management considers these non-operating expenses to be outside the scope of Descartes’ ongoing operations and the related expenses are not used by management to measure operations. Accordingly, these expenses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, which we reference to both measure our operations and as a basis of comparison of our operations from period-to-period. Management believes that investors and financial analysts measure our business on the same basis, and we are providing the Adjusted EBITDA financial metric to assist in this evaluation and to provide a higher level of transparency into how we measure our own business. However, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues are non-GAAP financial measures and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues should not be construed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP or other non-GAAP measures that may be used by other companies, such as EBITDA. The use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues does have limitations. In particular, we have completed seven acquisitions since the beginning of fiscal 2017 and may complete additional acquisitions in the future that will result in acquisition-related expenses and restructuring charges. As these acquisition-related expenses and restructuring charges may continue as we pursue our consolidation strategy, some investors may consider these charges and expenses as a recurring part of operations rather than expenses that are not part of operations.

The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues to net income reported in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for Q3FY18, Q2FY18, Q1FY18, Q4FY17 and Q3FY17, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

(US dollars in millions)Q3FY18 Q2FY18 Q1FY18 Q4FY17 Q3FY17 
Net income, as reported on Consolidated Statements of Operations6.2 7.2 6.9 6.1 5.9 
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:     
Interest expense0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
Investment income(0.1)- - - (0.1)
Income tax expense1.8 2.0 2.2 1.9 1.8 
Depreciation expense1.1 0.9 0.8 1.1 1.0 
Amortization of intangible assets8.9 7.8 7.7 7.8 7.5 
Stock-based compensation and related taxes0.8 0.9 0.6 0.6 0.5 
Other charges1.4 0.9 0.7 0.9 1.0 
Adjusted EBITDA20.6 19.8 19.0 18.5 17.8 
      
Revenues62.0 57.3 54.5 52.8 51.5 
Net income as % of revenues10% 13% 13% 12% 11% 
Adjusted EBITDA as % of revenues33% 35% 35% 35% 35% 
      

The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues to net income reported in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for 9MFY18 and 9MFY17, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

(US dollars in millions)9MFY18 9MFY17 
Net income, as reported on Consolidated Statements of Operations20.2 17.7 
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:  
Interest expense0.8 0.5 
Investment income(0.1)(1.4)
Income tax expense6.1 5.8 
Depreciation expense2.8 2.6 
Amortization of intangible assets24.4 22.2 
Stock-based compensation and related taxes2.2 1.7 
Other charges3.0 2.5 
Adjusted EBITDA59.4 51.6 
   
Revenues173.8 151.0 
Net income as % of revenues12% 12% 
Adjusted EBITDA as % of revenues34% 34% 

                       

The Descartes Systems Group Inc. 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(US dollars in thousands; US GAAP; Unaudited)
   
Year Ended  October 31,January 31,
 20172017
   (Audited)
ASSETS  
CURRENT ASSETS  
Cash33,288 38,135 
Accounts receivable (net)  
Trade26,856 25,401 
Other2,877 3,709 
Prepaid expenses and other7,882 5,149 
Inventory192 167 
 71,095 72,561 
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS1,064 1,525 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET12,190 10,447 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES5,417 7,027 
DEFERRED TAX CHARGE411 422 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET182,969 145,445 
GOODWILL345,612 263,113 
 618,758 500,540 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
CURRENT LIABILITIES  
Accounts payable6,953 4,679 
Accrued liabilities23,777 23,247 
Income taxes payable1,683 2,170 
Deferred revenue30,257 23,728 
 62,670 53,824 
LONG-TERM DEBT55,000 - 
LONG-TERM DEFERRED REVENUE1,219 421 
LONG-TERM INCOME TAXES PAYABLE8,403 5,725 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES9,985 9,975 
 137,277 69,945 
   
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
Common shares – unlimited shares authorized; Shares issued and outstanding totaled 76,773,497 at October 31, 2017 (January 31, 2017 – 75,874,684)274,536 253,242 
Additional paid-in capital450,379 448,597 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(25,146)(32,779)
Accumulated deficit(218,288)(238,465)
 481,481 430,595 
 618,758 500,540 

 

The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(US dollars in thousands, except per share and weighted average share amounts; US GAAP; Unaudited)
    
 Three Months Ended
  Nine Months Ended
 
 October 31, October 31,  October 31, October 31, 
 2017 2016  2017 2016 
      
REVENUES62,001 51,536  173,808 150,963 
COST OF REVENUES16,843 13,935  46,572 41,409 
GROSS MARGIN45,158 37,601  127,236 109,554 
EXPENSES     
Sales and marketing9,000 6,649  23,836 18,668 
Research and development10,890 8,925  30,383 26,619 
General and administrative6,560 5,713  18,678 17,003 
Other charges1,430 1,038  3,019 2,511 
Amortization of intangible assets8,900 7,443  24,366 22,171 
 36,780 29,768  100,282 86,972 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS8,378 7,833  26,954 22,582 
INTEREST EXPENSE(497)(187) (861)(481)
INVESTMENT INCOME53 62  111 1,363 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES7,934 7,708  26,204 23,464 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE     
Current1,282 1,408  4,680 3,180 
Deferred482 369  1,310 2,536 
 1,764 1,777  5,990 5,716 
NET INCOME6,170 5,931  20,214 17,748 
EARNINGS PER SHARE     
Basic0.08 0.08  0.27 0.23 
Diluted0.08 0.08  0.26 0.23 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (thousands)     
Basic76,630 75,816  76,173 75,790 
Diluted77,442 76,538  76,942 76,484 


The Descartes Systems Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(US dollars in thousands; US GAAP; Unaudited)
    
 Three Months Ended
  Nine Months Ended
 
 October 31, October 31,  October 31, October 31, 
 2017 2016  2017 2016 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES     
Net income6,170 5,931  20,214 17,748 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation1,083 951  2,828 2,564 
Amortization of intangible assets8,900 7,443  24,366 22,171 
Stock-based compensation expense768 541  2,035 1,483 
Other non-cash operating activities(106)2  (716)(1,439)
Deferred tax expense482 369  1,310 2,536 
Deferred tax charge(72)128  12 265 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:     
Accounts receivable     
Trade1,764 834  1,189 2,211 
Other481 27  310 284 
Prepaid expenses and other(1,267)507  (1,387)61 
Inventory(5)6  (21)5 
Accounts payable(1,508)1,218  791 712 
Accrued liabilities1,407 2,541  (1,753)2,857 
Income taxes payable1,230 (160) 2,569 452 
Deferred revenue(389)177  759 1,127 
Cash provided by operating activities18,938 20,515  52,506 53,037 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES     
Purchase of marketable securities- -  - (241)
Sale of marketable securities- -  - 6,140 
Additions to property and equipment(2,209)(1,023) (3,878)(3,999)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired(86,177)(5,703) (111,867)(16,351)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities(88,386)(6,726) (115,745)(14,451)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES     
Proceeds from borrowing on the credit facility40,000 -  80,000 10,801 
Credit facility repayments(25,000)(4,568) (25,000)(6,982)
Payment of debt issuance costs- (15) - (937)
Issuances of common shares for cash, net of issuance costs534 (81) 1,003 (59)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities15,534 (4,664) 56,003 2,823 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash(325)(844) 2,389 (697)
(Decrease) increase in cash(54,239)8,281  (4,847)40,712 
Cash, beginning of period87,527 69,644  38,135 37,213 
Cash, end of period33,288 77,925  33,288 77,925 

 


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