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SPSS Reports Strong 2007 Fourth Quarter, Full Year Results
[February 12, 2008]

SPSS Reports Strong 2007 Fourth Quarter, Full Year Results


CHICAGO --(Business Wire)-- SPSS Inc. (Nasdaq:SPSS), a global provider of predictive analytics software and solutions, today announced record revenues, operating income and earnings for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.



The Company reported fourth quarter revenues of $79.6 million, up 12 percent from $71.1 million in the same quarter of 2006. New license revenues were $42.1 million, up 18 percent from $35.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Operating income increased 26 percent to $14.7 million, or 18 percent of total revenues, from $11.7 million, or 16 percent of total revenues, in the same quarter of 2006. These results include charges for share-based compensation of $2.2 million and $1.7 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Results for the fourth quarter of 2007 also include $2.7 million in charges for previously announced organizational restructuring and research and development (R&D) facilities consolidation compared with $0.9 million of similar charges in the same 2006 quarter.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $10.0 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.50, compared to $2.0 million, or $0.10 EPS, for the same period in 2006. Results for the fourth quarter of 2006 included a non-cash, non-operating income tax charge of $6.9 million, or $0.33 EPS.


"The fourth quarter was a good end to a good year," said Jack Noonan, SPSS chairman, president and CEO. "Revenue growth in the quarter was powered by new sales of our data mining tools, which augmented another solid increase in new licenses of our statistical products. These trends were evident across all major geographies. We also completed sizable transactions in the quarter with customers across a broad range of industries focused on leveraging their customer relationships. This was highlighted by a 14 percent increase in new revenue from contracts over $100,000 and a 10 percent increase in the average value for such contracts. This growing revenue from enterprise-level deployments reflects continued interest in and demand for predictive analytics at the executive level. Favorable currency exchange rates also accounted for a somewhat higher growth in revenue and earnings than in previous 2007 quarters."

The Company reported maintenance revenues in the 2007 fourth quarter of $30.5 million, up 10 percent from $27.8 million in the same quarter of 2006. This increase was primarily driven by the timing of the initial renewals of maintenance for new license agreements, good renewal rates of existing licenses, and foreign currency effects. Maintenance revenues in the 2007 fiscal year were $118.3 million, 41 percent of total revenues and an 8 percent increase from $109.3 million in 2006.

For the 2007 fiscal year, revenues were $291.0 million, an 11 percent increase from $261.5 million in the 2006 fiscal year. New license revenues were $144.0 million, up 15 percent from $125.0 million in 2006. Operating income for the 2007 fiscal year increased 44 percent to $49.5 million, or 17 percent of total revenues, from $34.3 million, or 13 percent of total revenues, for the 2006 fiscal year. These results include charges for share-based compensation of $7.8 million and $6.7 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Results for the 2007 fiscal year also include charges of $4.6 million for organizational restructuring and R&D facilities consolidation compared with similar charges in 2006 of $2.2 million, including $1.3 million for the write-off of obsolete purchased software.

Net income in 2007 was $33.7 million, or $1.65 EPS, compared to 2006 net income of $15.1 million, or $0.73 EPS. Fiscal year 2006 results included a non-cash, non-operating income tax charge of $6.9 million, or $0.34 EPS.

Noonan continued, "The year was marked by several trends in our business that we believe will continue into 2008. The first was strong growth in revenues from our market-leading predictive analytics statistical and data mining tools. Second, revenue growth was highest among commercial customers, as evidenced by major deals completed with firms in industries with large direct customer bases such as consumer products, insurance and telecommunications. The third trend was a growing number of transactions done with our alliances and partners, confirming the validity of our partnering strategy and demonstrating the value that SPSS predictive analytics technology adds to other strategic applications."

Cash at December 31, 2007 was $306.9 million, up from $140.2 million at December 31, 2006 and $297.1 million at September 30, 2007. Cash flow from operations in the fourth quarter of 2007 was $33.4 million compared to $22.3 million for the same quarter in 2006. For the 2007 fiscal year, cash flow from operations was $84.9 million up from $48.2 million for the 2006 fiscal year.

Share Buy-Back

As previously announced, the SPSS Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to a maximum of two million shares of issued and outstanding common stock and up to $20.0 million principal amount of issued and outstanding convertible notes. This authorization extends until December 31, 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company purchased 607,200 shares of its issued and outstanding common stock pursuant to this repurchase program. This purchase was in addition to the 1.5 million shares purchased in the first quarter of 2007 in connection with the convertible debt offering, bringing total shares purchased during 2007 to 2.1 million, or 11 percent of the shares outstanding at December 31, 2006. The shares purchased during 2007 were acquired at an average price of $33.79 per share for a total cash cost of $71.8 million.

Since December 31, 2007, the Company has purchased an additional 853,800 shares of its issued and outstanding common stock pursuant to the repurchase program. Currently, 539,000 shares of common stock remain available for repurchase under this program. Repurchases are not mandatory and will be made from time to time based on the availability of alternative investment opportunities and market conditions.

Outlook and Guidance

"In addition to solid execution by our sales organization and improved operating performance, we benefited in the fourth quarter from productivity gains and cost management initiatives as well as favorable currency exchange rates," said Raymond Panza, SPSS executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Margin expansion continued into the fourth quarter as growth in revenue was efficiently realized through lower costs resulting in higher operating income. Even with restructuring charges, costs related to facility closures, and higher share-based compensation expense, we achieved record operating margins for both the quarter and full fiscal year. Our balance sheet has become stronger and we are generating sustainable cash flow."

Panza continued, "While cautious about 2008 given the current economic environment, we believe demand for predictive analytics software will continue to grow and, in 2008, total revenue will grow at approximately the same rate as in 2007, excluding the effects of currency. For the 2008 first quarter, revenues are expected to be between $73.0 million and $75.0 million with EPS in the range of $0.40 to $0.45. For the 2008 fiscal year, we expect revenues of between $305.0 million and $315.0 million, with EPS in the range of $1.85 to $1.95. This guidance assumes an expected effective income tax rate of 39 percent and includes expected expense for share based compensation of $0.07 and $0.26 per share for the 2008 first quarter and fiscal year, respectively."

Conference Call

The company will host a conference call at 5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET on February 12, 2008, to discuss its financial results. The live call will be broadcast online at www.spss.com/invest. Those interested in participating in the live call should dial 866-713-8564 in the United States and 617-597-5312 internationally. The live call pass-code is 82431359. A replay will be available via phone for one week after the call. To access it, participants should dial in the United States 888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888 internationally. Access code 40778949 is required for the replay. An archived version of the call will also be made available online at www.spss.com/invest approximately two hours after the live call.

About SPSS Inc.

SPSS Inc. (Nasdaq: SPSS) is a leading global provider of predictive analytics software and solutions. The company's predictive analytics technology improves business processes by giving organizations forward visibility for decisions made every day. By incorporating predictive analytics into their daily operations, organizations become Predictive Enterprises--able to direct and automate decisions to meet business goals and achieve a measurable competitive advantage. More than 250,000 public sector, academic, and commercial customers rely on SPSS technology to help increase revenue, reduce costs, and detect and prevent fraud. Founded in 1968, SPSS is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, please visit www.spss.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or future strategies that are signified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates" or similar language. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company cautions investors that its business and financial performance and the matters described in these forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties, some of which may not be currently ascertainable and many of which are beyond the Company's control, actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the Company's ability to predict revenue, the Company's ability to respond to rapid technological changes, a potential loss of relationships with third parties from whom the Company licenses certain software, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the impact of new accounting pronouncements, increased competition and risks associated with product performance and market acceptance of new products. A detailed discussion of other risk factors that affect the Company's business is contained in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors." The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual future events.

           SPSS Inc. and Subsidiaries
         Consolidated Statements of Income
         (in thousands, except per share)
              (unaudited)
                Three Months Ended
                  December 31,
              --------------------------
                            % of Total
                        Yr/Yr   Revenue
                            --------------
               2007   2006  % Chg. 2007  2006
              --------- --------- ------ ------- ------
Net revenues:
License           $42,139   $35,819  18%   53%  50%
Maintenance         30,462   27,816  10%   38%  39%
Services           7,031    7,508  -6%   9%  11%
              --------- ---------    ------- ------
Net revenues         79,632   71,143  12%  100%  100%
              --------- ---------    ------- ------
Operating expenses:
Cost of license and
 maintenance revenues     4,658    5,030  -7%   6%   7%
Sales, marketing and
 services          37,547   30,722  22%   47%  43%
Research and development   14,196   14,263   0%   18%  20%
General and administrative  8,544    9,433  -9%   11%  14%
              --------- ---------    ------- ------
Operating expenses      64,945   59,448   9%   82%  84%
              --------- ---------    ------- ------
Operating income       14,687   11,695  26%   18%  16%
              --------- ---------    ------- ------
Other income (expense):
Net interest income      2,407    1,205  100%   3%   2%
Other             (277)    701  NM    0%   1%
              --------- ---------    ------- ------
Other income (expense)     2,130    1,906  12%   3%   3%
              --------- ---------    ------- ------
Income before income taxes  16,817   13,601  24%   21%  19%
Income tax expense       6,806   11,603  -41%   8%  16%
              --------- ---------    ------- ------
Net income          $10,011   $1,998  401%   13%   3%
              ========= =========    ======= ======
Basic net income per common
share             $0.53    $0.10  430%
Diluted net income per
common share         $0.50    $0.10  400%
Share data:
Shares used in basic per
share computation      18,969   19,733  -4%
Shares used in diluted per
share computation      20,120   20,794  -3%


           SPSS Inc. and Subsidiaries
         Consolidated Statements of Income
         (in thousands, except per share)
              (unaudited)
               Year Ended December 31,
              ---------------------------
                            % of Total
                        Yr/Yr   Revenue
                            --------------
               2007   2006  % Chg.  2007  2006
              --------- --------- ------- ------- ------
Net revenues:
License          $143,954 $125,017   15%   49%  48%
Maintenance         118,312  109,277    8%   41%  42%
Service           28,734  27,238    5%   10%  10%
              --------- ---------     ------- ------
Net revenues         291,000  261,532   11%  100%  100%
              --------- ---------     ------- ------
Operating expenses:
Cost of license and
 maintenance revenues    17,728  17,479    1%   6%   7%
Cost of license and
 maintenance revenues --
 software write-off        -   1,283  -100%   -   0%
Sales, marketing and
 services          139,386  124,127   12%   48%  47%
Research and development   50,640  51,595   -2%   17%  20%
General and administrative  33,789  32,745    3%   12%  13%
              --------- ---------     ------- ------
Operating expenses      241,543  227,229    6%   83%  87%
              --------- ---------     ------- ------
Operating income       49,457  34,303   44%   17%  13%
              --------- ---------     ------- ------
Other income (expense):
Net interest income      7,964   3,139   154%   3%   1%
Gain on divestiture of
 Sigma-series product line    -   1,000  -100%   0%   1%
Other            (1,812)  (3,981)  -54%   -1%  -2%
              --------- ---------     ------- ------
Other income (expense)     6,152    158   NM    2%   0%
              --------- ---------     ------- ------
Income before income taxes  55,609  34,461   61%   19%  13%
Income tax expense      21,884  19,321   13%   7%   7%
              --------- ---------     ------- ------
Net income          $33,725  $15,140   123%   12%   6%
              ========= =========     ======= ======
Basic net income per common
share             $1.77   $0.78   127%
Diluted net income per
common share         $1.65   $0.73   126%
Share data:
Shares used in basic per
share computation      19,106  19,451   -2%
Shares used in diluted per
share computation      20,440  20,645   -1%


           SPSS Inc. and Subsidiaries
        Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
              (in thousands)
              (unaudited)
                      December 31, December 31,
                        2007     2006
                      ------------ ------------
ASSETS
Current assets
 Cash and cash equivalents           $306,930   $140,203
 Accounts receivable, net             56,580    53,814
 Inventories, net                  698     752
 Deferred income taxes               3,964    3,784
 Prepaid income taxes               3,301    3,285
 Other current assets               4,162    4,692
                      ------------ ------------
  Total current assets             375,635   206,530
Net property, equipment and leasehold
improvements                   16,429    17,708
Capitalized software development costs, net    34,140    31,583
Goodwill                      42,093    41,923
Intangibles, net                  3,273    3,470
Deferred income taxes               22,731    28,714
Other noncurrent assets               6,759    2,566
                      ------------ ------------
  Total assets                $501,060   $332,494
                      ============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
 Accounts payable                 $7,759    $6,496
 Income and value added taxes payable       14,737    10,249
 Deferred revenues                83,862    73,483
 Other accrued liabilities            32,988    24,203
                      ------------ ------------
  Total current liabilities          139,346   114,431
Long-term debt                  150,000      -
Noncurrent deferred income taxes           784     795
Other noncurrent liabilities            1,577     745
Stockholders' equity
 Common Stock                    189     198
 Additional paid-in capital           175,267   205,912
 Accumulated other comprehensive income
 (loss)                      2,696   (1,335)
 Retained earnings                43,881    11,748
 Treasury stock                 (12,680)      -
                      ------------ ------------
  Total stockholders' equity          209,353   216,523
                      ------------ ------------
  Total liabilities and stockholders'
   equity                   $501,060   $332,494
                      ============ ============


           SPSS Inc. and Subsidiaries
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
              (in thousands)
              (unaudited)
                          Year Ended
                         December 31,
                      -------------------------
                        2007     2006
                      ------------ ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                   $33,725   $15,140
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
 cash provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization       18,220    16,536
   Deferred income taxes           10,627    9,844
   Excess tax benefit from share-based
    compensation               (5,402)   (3,434)
   Amortization of share-based
    compensation                7,772    6,704
   Asset impairment and cost management
    charges                  2,310    1,283
   Gain on sale of product line          -    (1,000)
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Accounts receivable            (97)   (8,872)
     Inventories                 60     136
     Prepaid and other assets          623     676
     Accounts payable             1,079    (3,382)
     Accrued expenses             7,385    2,403
     Income taxes               3,772    2,755
     Deferred revenue             6,964    5,898
    Other                   (2,148)    3,523
                      ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities     84,890    48,210
                      ------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Capital expenditures              (5,698)   (4,287)
 Capitalized software development costs     (13,232)   (12,761)
 Proceeds from the divestiture of Sigma-
 series product line                 -    1,000
                      ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities      (18,930)   (16,048)
                      ------------ ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt    150,000      -
 Debt issuance costs               (4,281)      -
 Purchases of common stock           (71,819)      -
  Proceeds from stock option exercises and
   employee stock purchase plan        16,698    19,884
 Tax benefit from stock option exercises     5,402    3,434
 Net repayments under line-of-credit
 agreements                     -    (3,372)
                      ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities     96,000    19,946
                      ------------ ------------
Effect of exchange rates on cash          4,767    3,687
                      ------------ ------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents     166,727    55,795
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period                     140,203    84,408
                      ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $306,930   $140,203
                      ============ ============


           SPSS Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Supplemental Information--Effect of Share-Based Compensation on
             Operating Income
        (in thousands, except percent amounts)
              (unaudited)
              Three Months Ended December 31,
        -----------------------------------------------------
                           Adjusted To
                             Exclude
                  Share-Based    Share-Based
         Reported--GAAP   Compensation   Compensation
        ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
         2007   2006   2007   2006   2007   2006
        -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net revenues   $79,632 $71,143    $-    $- $79,632 $71,143
        -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating
expenses:
Cost of license
 and
 maintenance
 revenues     4,658  5,030    -    -  4,658  5,030
Sales,
 marketing and
 services     37,547  30,722   447   660  37,100  30,062
Research and
 development   14,196  14,263   335   504  13,861  13,759
General and
 administrative  8,544  9,433  1,447   512  7,097  8,921
        -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating
expenses     64,945  59,448  2,229  1,676  62,716  57,772
        -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income $14,687 $11,695 $(2,229) $(1,676) $16,916 $13,371
        ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Operating income
as % of
revenues       18%   16%            21%   19%
        ======== ========          ======== ========
Diluted net
income per
common share    $0.50  $0.10 $(0.07) $(0.05)  $0.57  $0.15
        ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
                Year Ended December 31,
        -----------------------------------------------------
                           Adjusted To
                             Exclude
                  Share-Based    Share-Based
         Reported--GAAP   Compensation   Compensation
        ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
         2007   2006   2007   2006   2007   2006
        -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net revenues   $291,000 $261,532    $-    $- $291,000 $261,532
        -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating
expenses:
Cost of license
 and
 maintenance
 revenues     17,728  17,479    -    -  17,728  17,479
Cost of license
 and
 maintenance
 revenues --
 software
 write-off       -  1,283    -    -    -  1,283
Sales,
 marketing and
 services    139,386 124,127  1,406  2,022 137,980 122,105
Research and
 development   50,640  51,595  1,302  1,425  49,338  50,170
General and
 administrative  33,789  32,745  5,064  3,257  28,725  29,488
        -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating
expenses     241,543 227,229  7,772  6,704 233,771 220,525
        -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income $49,457 $34,303 $(7,772) $(6,704) $57,229 $41,007
        ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Operating income
as % of
revenues       17%   13%            20%   16%
        ======== ========          ======== ========
Diluted net
income per
common share    $1.65  $0.73 $(0.24) $ (0.20)  $1.89  $0.93
        ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
NOTE - Share-Based Compensation
On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No.
123(R), Share-Based Payment ("SFAS No. 123(R)" or the "Statement")
using the modified prospective method. SFAS No. 123(R) focuses
primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains
employee services in share-based payment transactions. Prior to the
adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company followed the intrinsic value
method in accordance with APB No. 25 to account for its employee
stock options and share-based awards issued before 2006. The Company
has provided the effects of share-based compensation to show the
effects of share-based compensation and the related effects on
operating income and diluted net income per common share.


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