Forrester Research Reports 2017 Second-Quarter Financial Results

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced its 2017 second-quarter financial results.

Second-Quarter Financial Performance

Total revenues were $89.7 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared with $87.8 million for the second quarter of 2016. Research revenues decreased 1%, and advisory services and events revenues increased 7%, compared with the second quarter of 2016.

On a GAAP basis, net income was $6.1 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2017, compared with a net income of $7.5 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016.

On a pro forma basis, net income was $7.6 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2017, which reflects a pro forma effective tax rate of 40%. Pro forma net income excludes stock-based compensation of $2.2 million and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $0.2 million. This compares with pro forma net income of $8.3 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016, which reflects a pro forma tax rate of 40%. Pro forma net income for the second quarter of 2016 excludes stock-based compensation of $1.6 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $0.2 million, and investment losses of $0.1 million.

"Forrester exceeded revenue, pro forma operating margin, and EPS guidance for the second quarter of 2017," said George F. Colony, Forrester's chairman and chief executive officer. "The rollout of our new selling model is progressing on schedule, now under the direction of our new chief sales officer, Kelley Hippler. Our strategy has not changed — the challenges posed by the age of the customer remain front and center for our clients."    

Forrester is providing third-quarter 2017 financial guidance as follows:

Third-Quarter 2017 (GAAP):

• Total revenues of approximately $77.5 million to $80.5 million.
• Operating margin of approximately 5.0% to 7.0%.
• Other income (expense), net of zero.
• An effective tax rate of 40%.
• Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.13 to $0.17.

Third-Quarter 2017 (Pro Forma):

Pro forma financial guidance for the third quarter of 2017 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million to $2.3 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $0.2 million, and any investment gains or losses.

• Pro forma operating margin of approximately 8.0% to 10.0%.
• Pro forma effective tax rate of 40%.
• Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.21 to $0.25.

Our full-year 2017 guidance is as follows:

Full-Year 2017 (GAAP):

• Total revenues of approximately $324.0 million to $332.0 million.
• Operating margin of approximately 7.5% to 8.5%.
• Other income, net of zero.
• An effective tax rate of 36%.
• Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.87 to $0.94.

Full-Year 2017 (Pro Forma):

Pro forma financial guidance for full-year 2017 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $8.6 million to $9.0 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $0.8 million, and any investment gains or losses.

• Pro forma operating margin of approximately 10.5% to 11.5%.
• Pro forma effective tax rate of 40%.
• Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.13 to $1.20.

Quarterly Dividend

Forrester also announced today that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share, payable September 20, 2017, to shareholders of record on September 6, 2017.

Adoption Of FASB ASU No. 2016-09

Effective January 1, 2017, Forrester adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU No. 2016-09), which changes the accounting for stock-based compensation awards. Among the changes in ASU No. 2016-09 that impacted Forrester is the requirement to recognize certain tax benefits that arise from the settlement/exercise of stock-based compensation awards in the income statement, whereas previously these benefits were recorded in stockholders' equity. This change was applied on a prospective basis to settlements/exercises occurring on or after January 1, 2017, and had an insignificant effect on our financial results in the second quarter of 2017.

In addition, ASU No. 2016-09 requires that all income-tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as operating activities and that cash paid by directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. These changes were applied retrospectively and resulted in an increase in operating cash flows, with a corresponding decrease in financing cash flows of $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

About Forrester Research

Forrester Research is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We work with business and technology leaders to develop customer-obsessed strategies that drive growth. Forrester's unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 675,000 consumers and business leaders worldwide, rigorous and objective methodologies, and the shared wisdom of our most innovative clients. Through proprietary research, data, custom consulting, exclusive executive peer groups, and events, the Forrester experience is about a singular and powerful purpose: to challenge the thinking of our clients to help them lead change in their organizations. For more information, visit 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, Forrester's financial guidance for the third quarter of and full-year 2017, statements about the success of operational improvements, 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, Forrester's ability to retain and enrich memberships for its research products and services, demand for advisory and consulting services, technology spending, Forrester's ability to respond to business and economic conditions and market trends, Forrester's ability to develop and offer new products and services, the risks and challenges inherent in international business activities, competition and industry consolidation, the ability to attract and retain professional staff, Forrester's dependence on key personnel, Forrester's ability to realize the anticipated benefits from recent internal reorganizations, the possibility of network disruptions and security breaches, Forrester's ability to enforce and protect its intellectual property, and possible variations in Forrester's quarterly operating results. Dividend declarations are at the discretion of Forrester's board of directors, and plans for future dividends may be revised by the board at any time. 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 income and the table of key financial data are attached.

Contact:
Michael Doyle
Chief Financial Officer
Forrester Research, Inc.
+1 617-613-6000
[email protected]

Meaghan Rhyasen
Public Relations
Forrester Research, Inc.
+ 1 617-613-6070
[email protected]

© 2017, Forrester Research, Inc. All rights reserved. Forrester is a trademark of Forrester Research, Inc.

SOURCE Forrester Research, Inc.

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