FactSet Research Systems Net Income Advances 24 Percent for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2008


NORWALK, Conn., Dec. 18, 2007 (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 first quarter of fiscal 2008.

For the quarter ended November 30, 2007, revenues increased $25.3 million, up 23.2% compared to the prior year. Operating income for the first quarter advanced to $42.5 million, up 20.0% over the prior year. On a constant currency basis, revenues increased 22% while operating income advanced 23% over the year ago quarter. Net income rose 23.6% to $29.4 million as compared to $23.8 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share were $0.58, up from $0.47 in the same period of fiscal 2007.



 Consolidated Statements of Income
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Condensed and Unaudited)                     Three Months Ended
                                                   November 30,
                                         -----------------------------
 (In thousands, except per share data)     2007        2006    Change
 -------------------------------------     ----        ----    ------
 Revenues                                $134,175    $108,881    23.2%
 Total operating expenses                  91,678      73,460    24.8%
 Income from operations                    42,497      35,421    20.0%
 Net income                                29,399      23,795    23.6%
 Diluted earnings per common share       $   0.58    $   0.47    23.4%
 Diluted weighted average common shares    50,610      51,079
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Philip A. Hadley, Chairman and CEO said, "We delivered subscription growth of at least $20 million in each of the last four quarters. We were pleased to achieve this in the first quarter given an environment in which many large banks are carefully managing expenses."

First Quarter Financial Highlights

Subscriptions increased $24.3 million during the quarter and were up $21.1 million excluding currency. On a constant currency basis, subscriptions advanced $97.2 million over the last twelve months, up 22.2%. At November 30, 2007 subscriptions were $541.2 million. Of this total, subscriptions from FactSet's domestic operations were $373.7 million, while overseas operations were $167.5 million.

"Subscriptions" at any given point in time represent the forward-looking revenues for the next 12 months from all subscription services currently being supplied to clients.

Demand for FactSet's services continued unabated. Users rose to 37,800, up from 35,000 at the beginning of the quarter. Client count was 1,993 as of November 30, a net increase of 40 clients during the quarter.

Other financial and operational highlights of the first quarter of fiscal 2008 include:



 * U.S. revenues were $93.9 million, up 22% excluding non-subscription
   revenues.
 * Revenues from non-U.S. operations increased 24% to $40.3 million.
   On a constant currency basis and excluding non-subscription
   revenues, the increase was 22%.
 * 565 clients, consisting of 5,070 users, subscribed to the PA 2.0
   application at quarter-end.
 * Employee count as of November 30, 2007 was 1,743, up 5% during the
   quarter and up 22% over the last twelve months.
 * Client retention rate remained above 95%.
 * The Company repurchased 443,065 shares for $29.3 million. At
   November 30, 2007, $27.8 million is authorized for future
   repurchases. Common shares outstanding at November 30, 2007 were
   48.2 million.
 * FactSet successfully held its third annual Investment Process
   Symposium in November 2007 with 292 client attendees.

Foreign Currency

The U.S. dollar weakened significantly during the first quarter of fiscal 2008, particularly against the Euro. The decline in value had the following effects in the first quarter when holding currencies constant from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007:



 * Increased revenues by $0.4 million and operating expenses by
   $0.9 million.
 * Decreased income from operations by $0.5 million and operating
   margins by 50 basis points.
 * Decreased diluted earnings per share by $0.01.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 were $5.7 million, net of landlord contributions for construction. Expenditures for computer equipment were $5.6 million and the remainder covered office space expansion. Major expenditures included adding eight Hewlett Packard Integrity mainframes to the Company's data centers. To recap where FactSet stands on its technology transition, 12 Integrity mainframes have been deployed in the last five months and four additional machines will be purchased in early 2008. The successful upgrade to Hewlett Packard Integrity mainframes from Hewlett Packard Alpha mainframes is scheduled to be completed in the upcoming second quarter of fiscal 2008.

Business Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect FactSet's expectations as of December 18, 2007. 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.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Expectations



 * Revenues are expected to range between $137 million and
   $141 million.
 * Operating margins are expected to range between 30.5% and 32.5%.
   This operating margin guidance holds currencies constant and
   assumes no change in the expected outcome of performance based
   stock options.
 * The effective tax rate is expected to range between 34.0% and
   35.0%.

Full Year Fiscal 2008



 * Capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions, are expected
   to range between $38 million and $44 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 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.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today, December 18, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. (EST) to review the first 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 Financial Condition

                                              November 30,  August 31,
 (In thousands and unaudited)                         2007       2007
                                                      ----       ----

 ASSETS
 Cash and cash equivalents                        $154,922   $168,834
 Investments                                        16,386     17,388
 Receivables from clients and clearing
  broker, net                                       62,989     59,579
 Deferred taxes                                      2,930      2,808
 Other current assets                                4,354      3,723
                                                  --------   --------
      Total current assets                         241,581    252,332
 Property, equipment, and leasehold
  improvements, net                                 79,280     78,945
 Goodwill                                          149,127    146,187
 Intangible assets, net                             36,360     36,789
 Deferred taxes                                      8,911      7,211
 Other assets                                        2,407      2,286
                                                  --------   --------
       Total assets                               $517,666   $523,750
                                                  ========   ========
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses            $ 18,611   $ 23,461
 Accrued compensation                                9,288     30,105
 Deferred fees                                      22,313     25,730
 Dividends payable                                   5,788      5,802
 Taxes payable                                       8,920      5,552
                                                  --------   --------
      Total current liabilities                     64,920     90,650
 Deferred taxes                                      6,443      6,450
 Taxes payable                                       3,772         --
 Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities    18,477     17,339
                                                  --------   --------
       Total liabilities                          $ 93,612   $114,439

 Stockholders' Equity
  Common stock                                         565        562
  Capital in excess of par value                   177,571    162,561
  Retained earnings                                494,781    469,880
  Treasury stock, at cost                         (263,043)  (233,372)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income            14,180      9,680
                                                  --------   --------
    Total stockholders' equity                     424,054    409,311
                                                  --------   --------
       Total liabilities and
        stockholders' equity                      $517,666   $523,750
                                                  ========   ========



 FactSet Research Systems Inc.
 Consolidated Statements of Income
                                                   Three Months Ended
 (In thousands, except per                              November 30,
  share data and unaudited)                          2007       2006
                                                     ----       ----
 Revenues                                         $134,175   $108,881

 Operating expenses
   Cost of services                                 44,943     34,941
   Selling, general and administrative              46,735     38,519
                                                  --------   --------
 Total operating expenses                           91,678     73,460
                                                  --------   --------
 Income from operations                             42,497     35,421

 Other income                                        2,042      1,487
                                                  --------   --------
 Income before income taxes                         44,539     36,908

 Provision for income taxes                         15,140     13,113
                                                  --------   --------
 Net income                                       $ 29,399   $ 23,795
                                                  ========   ========
 Basic earnings per common share                  $   0.61   $   0.49
                                                  ========   ========
 Diluted earnings per common share                $   0.58   $   0.47
                                                  ========   ========
 Weighted average common shares (Basic)             48,381     48,957
                                                  ========   ========
 Weighted average common shares (Diluted)           50,610     51,079
                                                  ========   ========



 FactSet Research Systems Inc.
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows             Three Months Ended
                                                      November 30,
 (In thousands and unaudited)                        2007       2006
                                                     ----       ----
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net income                                       $ 29,399   $ 23,795
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by operating activities
   Depreciation and amortization                     7,112      6,574
   Stock-based compensation expense                  2,714      2,449
   Deferred income taxes                            (1,845)      (961)
   Loss on sale of assets                               88         --
 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
  effects of acquisitions
   Receivables from clients and
    clearing broker, net                            (3,410)    (1,972)
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses            (5,016)     1,023
   Accrued compensation                            (20,911)   (14,540)
   Deferred fees                                    (3,417)    (2,717)
   Taxes payable                                     8,381      9,308
   Deferred rent                                       930        916
   Landlord contributions                               90        359
   Other working capital accounts, net                (491)    (1,287)
                                                  --------   --------
 Net cash provided by operating activities          13,624     22,947

 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Proceeds from sales of investments                  4,154      5,154
 Purchases of investments                           (3,079)    (5,438)
 Insurance proceeds from fixed asset recoveries        175         --
 Purchases of property, equipment
  and leasehold improvements                        (5,750)    (7,973)
                                                  --------   --------
 Net cash used in investing activities              (4,500)    (8,257)

 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Dividend payments                                  (5,788)    (2,931)
 Repurchase of common stock                        (29,669)    (5,123)
 Proceeds from employee stock plans                  7,760      3,978
 Income tax benefits from stock option exercises     4,320      1,447
                                                  --------   --------
 Net cash used in financing activities             (23,377)    (2,629)

 Effect of exchange rate changes on
  cash and cash equivalents                            341        267
                                                  --------   --------
 Net (decrease) increase in
  cash and cash equivalents                        (13,912)    12,328

 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  168,834    126,549
                                                  --------   --------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period       $154,922   $138,877
                                                  ========   ========


            

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