Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): June 17, 2008

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   1-11869   13-3362547

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

601 Merritt 7

Norwalk, Connecticut 06851

(Address of principal executive offices)

(203) 810-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On June 17, 2008, FactSet Research Systems Inc. issued a press release announcing its results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2008. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report on Form 8-K. This information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

  (d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1    Press Release of FactSet Research Systems Inc., dated June 17, 2008


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

   

FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.

(Registrant)

Date: June 17, 2008     By:   /s/ Peter G. Walsh
       

Peter G. Walsh

Senior Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

99.1    Press Release of Registrant, dated June 17, 2008 reporting the results of operations for the Registrant’s third fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2008.
Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

601 Merritt 7

Norwalk, Connecticut 06851

203.810.1000 / 203.810.1001 Fax

News Release

 

   Contact:
   Peter Walsh
   FactSet Research Systems Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    203.810.1000

FactSet Research Systems Revenues Rise 22% during the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2008

Norwalk, Connecticut – June 17, 2008 – 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.

 

     Three Months Ended
May 31,
    Nine Months Ended
May 31,
 
(In thousands, 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   

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.

 

Page 1 of 7


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.

 

Page 2 of 7


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®. 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.

 

Page 3 of 7


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. (EST) 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.

 

Page 4 of 7


FactSet Research Systems Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

     Three Months Ended
May 31,
   Nine Months Ended
May 31,
(In thousands, except per share data and 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

 

Page 5 of 7


FactSet Research Systems Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

     May 31,
2008
    August 31,
2007
 
(In thousands and unaudited)     

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  
                

 

Page 6 of 7


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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