UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

(MARK ONE)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2017March 31, 2020

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-21433

 

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWAREDelaware

 

04-2797789

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

60 Acorn Park Drive

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTSMassachusetts

 

02140

(Zip Code)

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(617) 613-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 613-6000code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

FORR

Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer

 

 

Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes       No  

As of November 3, 2017 17,975,000May 6, 2020, 18,760,000 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

 

 

 


 

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

PAGEPage

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATIONItem 1.

4

ITEM 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

4

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and December 31, 20162019

3

4

 

Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019

4

5

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive IncomeLoss for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019

5

6

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the NineThree Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019

6

7

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8

7

Item 2.

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

17

21

Item 3.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

29

Item 4.

26Controls and Procedures

29

 

ITEM 4. Controls and ProceduresPART II

26OTHER INFORMATION

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATIONItem 1A.

27

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

27

30

Item 2.

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

27

30

Item 6.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

28

31

 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

ASSETS

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

79,960

 

 

$

76,958

 

 

$

69,815

 

 

$

67,904

 

Marketable investments (Note 3)

 

 

54,019

 

 

 

61,147

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

39,481

 

 

 

58,812

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for expected credit losses of $1,144 and $628 as

of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

 

 

59,505

 

 

 

84,605

 

Deferred commissions

 

 

9,146

 

 

 

12,052

 

 

 

18,603

 

 

 

20,326

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

15,817

 

 

 

14,467

 

 

 

24,980

 

 

 

19,201

 

Total current assets

 

 

198,423

 

 

 

223,436

 

 

 

172,903

 

 

 

192,036

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

26,128

 

 

 

23,894

 

 

 

28,748

 

 

 

29,937

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

64,220

 

 

 

69,100

 

Goodwill

 

 

75,815

 

 

 

73,193

 

 

 

242,690

 

 

 

243,895

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

927

 

 

 

1,464

 

 

 

92,655

 

 

 

97,363

 

Other assets

 

 

13,095

 

 

 

13,798

 

 

 

7,082

 

 

 

6,829

 

Total assets

 

$

314,388

 

 

$

335,785

 

 

$

608,298

 

 

$

639,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

613

 

 

$

1,806

 

 

$

352

 

 

$

505

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

36,838

 

 

 

41,403

 

 

 

51,450

 

 

 

79,857

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

10,156

 

 

 

9,375

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

132,929

 

 

 

134,265

 

 

 

195,399

 

 

 

179,194

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

170,380

 

 

 

177,474

 

 

 

257,357

 

 

 

268,931

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

8,788

 

 

 

8,275

 

Long-term debt, net of deferred financing fees

 

 

104,202

 

 

 

121,170

 

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

 

63,840

 

 

 

67,062

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

24,727

 

 

 

23,909

 

Total liabilities

 

 

179,168

 

 

 

185,749

 

 

 

450,126

 

 

 

481,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity (Note 7):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity (Note 12):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized - 500 shares; issued and outstanding - none

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized - 125,000 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued - 22,293 and 21,719 shares as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding - 17,902 and 18,361 shares as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

 

 

223

 

 

 

217

 

Issued - 23,389 and 23,275 shares as of March 31, 2020 and

December 31, 2019, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding - 18,758 and 18,644 shares as of March 31, 2020 and

December 31, 2019, respectively

 

 

234

 

 

 

233

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

175,218

 

 

 

157,569

 

 

 

220,308

 

 

 

216,454

 

Retained earnings

 

 

124,343

 

 

 

121,799

 

 

 

117,477

 

 

 

118,147

 

Treasury stock - 4,391 and 3,358 shares as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at cost

 

 

(161,943

)

 

 

(121,976

)

Treasury stock - 4,631 shares as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, at cost

 

 

(171,889

)

 

 

(171,889

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(2,621

)

 

 

(7,573

)

 

 

(7,958

)

 

 

(4,857

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

135,220

 

 

 

150,036

 

 

 

158,172

 

 

 

158,088

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

314,388

 

 

$

335,785

 

 

$

608,298

 

 

$

639,160

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 


FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMEOPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services

 

$

54,235

 

 

$

52,727

 

 

$

160,553

 

 

$

160,998

 

 

$

72,796

 

 

$

68,609

 

Advisory services and events

 

 

26,134

 

 

 

24,700

 

 

 

86,743

 

 

 

81,651

 

 

 

33,549

 

 

 

32,040

 

Total revenues

 

 

80,369

 

 

 

77,427

 

 

 

247,296

 

 

 

242,649

 

 

 

106,345

 

 

 

100,649

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and fulfillment

 

 

32,508

 

 

 

29,889

 

 

 

100,814

 

 

 

95,429

 

 

 

43,353

 

 

 

45,110

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

29,225

 

 

 

27,751

 

 

 

90,355

 

 

 

87,490

 

 

 

40,273

 

 

 

42,033

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,083

 

 

 

10,086

 

 

 

30,672

 

 

 

30,359

 

 

 

12,005

 

 

 

13,190

 

Depreciation

 

 

1,607

 

 

 

1,941

 

 

 

4,775

 

 

 

5,982

 

 

 

2,406

 

 

 

2,023

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

197

 

 

 

208

 

 

 

582

 

 

 

627

 

 

 

4,712

 

 

 

6,210

 

Reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,026

 

Acquisition and integration costs

 

 

2,875

 

 

 

2,967

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

73,620

 

 

 

69,875

 

 

 

227,198

 

 

 

220,913

 

 

 

105,624

 

 

 

111,533

 

Income from operations

 

 

6,749

 

 

 

7,552

 

 

 

20,098

 

 

 

21,736

 

Other income, net

 

 

146

 

 

 

229

 

 

 

248

 

 

 

374

 

Losses on investments, net

 

 

(772

)

 

 

(1,085

)

 

 

(997

)

 

 

(1,139

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

6,123

 

 

 

6,696

 

 

 

19,349

 

 

 

20,971

 

Income tax provision

 

 

2,170

 

 

 

3,584

 

 

 

6,302

 

 

 

9,110

 

Net income

 

$

3,953

 

 

$

3,112

 

 

$

13,047

 

 

$

11,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per common share

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.73

 

 

$

0.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income per common share

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.72

 

 

$

0.65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

721

 

 

 

(10,884

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1,538

)

 

 

(2,352

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

310

 

 

 

(270

)

Gain (loss) on investments, net

 

 

13

 

 

 

(36

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(494

)

 

 

(13,542

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

19

 

 

 

(226

)

Net loss

 

$

(513

)

 

$

(13,316

)

Basic loss per common share

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.73

)

Diluted loss per common share

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.73

)

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

17,747

 

 

 

18,062

 

 

 

17,897

 

 

 

17,896

 

 

 

18,705

 

 

 

18,363

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

18,051

 

 

 

18,435

 

 

 

18,212

 

 

 

18,168

 

 

 

18,705

 

 

 

18,363

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.19

 

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

0.57

 

 

$

0.54

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 


FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMELOSS

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net income

$

3,953

 

 

$

3,112

 

 

$

13,047

 

 

$

11,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

1,601

 

 

 

(120

)

 

 

4,905

 

 

 

(68

)

Net change in market value of investments

 

23

 

 

 

(48

)

 

 

47

 

 

 

72

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

1,624

 

 

 

(168

)

 

 

4,952

 

 

 

4

 

Comprehensive income

$

5,577

 

 

$

2,944

 

 

$

17,999

 

 

$

11,865

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net loss

$

(513

)

 

$

(13,316

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

(1,920

)

 

 

(430

)

Net change in market value of interest rate swap

 

(1,181

)

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

(3,101

)

 

 

(430

)

Comprehensive loss

$

(3,614

)

 

$

(13,746

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 


FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

13,047

 

 

$

11,861

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating

   activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

4,775

 

 

 

5,982

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

582

 

 

 

627

 

Net losses from investments

 

997

 

 

 

1,139

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(921

)

 

 

(413

)

Stock-based compensation

 

6,423

 

 

 

5,731

 

Amortization of premium on investments

 

171

 

 

 

267

 

Foreign currency losses

 

444

 

 

 

98

 

Changes in assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

20,140

 

 

 

31,078

 

Deferred commissions

 

2,906

 

 

 

3,890

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(979

)

 

 

2,322

 

Accounts payable

 

(1,208

)

 

 

133

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(6,041

)

 

 

(10,101

)

Deferred revenue

 

(3,473

)

 

 

(14,309

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

36,863

 

 

 

38,305

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(5,806

)

 

 

(3,334

)

Purchases of marketable investments

 

(27,430

)

 

 

(35,555

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable investments

 

34,458

 

 

 

20,086

 

Other investing activity

 

200

 

 

 

(49

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,422

 

 

 

(18,852

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid on common stock

 

(10,205

)

 

 

(9,696

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

(39,967

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity

   incentive plans

 

13,866

 

 

 

9,987

 

Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards

 

(2,511

)

 

 

(2,069

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(38,817

)

 

 

(1,778

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

3,534

 

 

 

(870

)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

3,002

 

 

 

16,805

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

76,958

 

 

 

53,331

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

79,960

 

 

$

70,136

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(513

)

 

$

(13,316

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

2,406

 

 

 

2,023

 

Impairment of property and equipment

 

626

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

4,712

 

 

 

6,210

 

Net (gains) losses from investments

 

(13

)

 

 

36

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(251

)

 

 

(10,529

)

Stock-based compensation

 

2,802

 

 

 

2,685

 

Operating lease right-of-use asset amortization and impairments

 

4,535

 

 

 

3,225

 

Amortization of deferred financing fees

 

244

 

 

 

230

 

Foreign currency (gains) losses

 

(229

)

 

 

330

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

24,556

 

 

 

19,239

 

Deferred commissions

 

1,723

 

 

 

(1,577

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(6,943

)

 

 

(1,945

)

Accounts payable

 

(143

)

 

 

902

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(27,264

)

 

 

(7,244

)

Deferred revenue

 

18,574

 

 

 

29,108

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

(2,999

)

 

 

(3,389

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

21,823

 

 

 

25,988

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

 

(238,943

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(2,401

)

 

 

(2,772

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(2,401

)

 

 

(241,715

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings, net of costs

 

 

 

 

171,275

 

Payments on borrowings

 

(16,344

)

 

 

(21,563

)

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

 

 

 

(857

)

Deferred acquisition payments

 

 

 

 

(766

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity incentive plans

 

1,955

 

 

 

3,361

 

Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards

 

(902

)

 

 

(89

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(15,291

)

 

 

151,361

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(2,683

)

 

 

438

 

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

1,448

 

 

 

(63,928

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

 

69,192

 

 

 

140,296

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$

70,640

 

 

$

76,368

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

1,286

 

 

$

1,948

 

Cash paid for income taxes

$

1,356

 

 

$

849

 

Non-cash financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 include $3.7 million of debt issuance costs deducted directly from the proceeds of borrowings by the lender. Refer to Note 4 – Debt for further information.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Note 1 — Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures required for complete financial statements are not included herein. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.GAAP. It is recommended that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear in the Forrester Research, Inc. (“Forrester”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive incomeloss and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 may not be indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2017,2020, or any other period.

Liquidity and Impact of COVID-19

The global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has been declared by the World Health Organization to be a “pandemic”, has spread to many countries and is impacting worldwide economic activity. Many governments have implemented policies intended to stop or slow the further spread of the disease, such as shelter-in-place orders, resulting in the temporary closure of non-essential businesses, and these measures may remain in place for a significant period of time. Due to COVID-19 materially impacting our business beginning only in the last month of the quarter, the impact on our business in the first quarter of 2020 is primarily limited to March customer contract bookings and the amount of consulting projects delivered. While the duration and severity of this pandemic is uncertain, the Company currently expects that its results of operations in the second quarter of 2020 will have the most significant impact of the effects of COVID-19, and that subsequent periods will also be negatively impacted. The Company typically generates a significant portion of its Events revenues in the second quarter of the year, including revenues from its two flagship events, the SiriusDecisions Summit and CX North America, both of which will be held as virtual events, resulting in a significant reduction in revenues and profits from these two events. In addition, the Company cancelled two smaller events originally scheduled for the second quarter of the year. The Company also expects a reduction in its subscription Research, Connect and Analytics revenues and a reduction in Consulting revenues during the second quarter due to reduced customer contract booking activity in March, which is expected to continue through at least the second quarter of 2020. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately impacts the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity may differ from the Company’s current estimates due to inherent uncertainties regarding the duration and further spread of the outbreak, its severity, actions taken to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.

The Company has implemented several cost-reduction measures that include reductions to travel, new hiring, and employee incentive compensation programs. The Company will continue to proactively respond to the situation and may take further actions that alter the Company’s business operations as may be required by governmental authorities, or that the Company determines are in the best interests of its employees and customers.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company is in compliance with its financial covenants under its Credit Agreement (refer to Note 4 – Debt). The Company currently forecasts that it will be in compliance with its financial covenants for at least one year from the issuance of these interim financial statements, after taking into consideration the measures noted above. If the impact of COVID-19 is more severe than currently forecasted this may impact the Company’s ability to comply with its financial covenants which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company assessed certain accounting matters that generally require consideration of forecasted financial information in context with the information reasonably available to it and the unknown future impacts COVID-19 as of March 31, 2020 and through the date of this report. The accounting matters assessed included, but were not limited to, the allowance for expected credit losses, the carrying value of our goodwill and other long-lived assets, valuation allowances for tax assets and revenue recognition. While there was not a material impact to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 resulting from the Company’s assessments, the Company’s future assessment of its current expectations of the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, as well as other factors, could result in material impacts to its consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods.


Presentation of Restricted Cash

The following table summarizes the end-of-period cash and cash equivalents from the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and the total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands).

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

69,815

 

 

$

75,012

 

Restricted cash classified in (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

787

 

 

 

208

 

Other assets

 

38

 

 

 

1,148

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in statement of cash flows

$

70,640

 

 

$

76,368

 

(1)

Restricted cash consists primarily of collateral required for letters of credit. The short-term or long-term classification is determined in accordance with the expiration of the underlying lease as the letters of credit are non-cancellable while the leases are in effect.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“Topic 326”). The standard amends the existing financial instrument incurred loss impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses and to consider a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective method in which prior periods are not adjusted and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.2 million to decrease retained earnings. Expected losses are based, in part, on the Company’s historical loss rate experience as well as management’s expectations of future losses as informed by current economic conditions.

The allowance for expected credit losses on accounts receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2020 is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Total

Allowance

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

$

628

 

Cumulative effect adjustment of adopting Topic 326

 

218

 

Provision for expected credit losses

 

433

 

Net write-offs

 

(122

)

Translation adjustments

 

(13

)

Balance at March 31, 2020

$

1,144

 

The Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment on January 1, 2020. The new standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requires that instead, an entity should perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The adoption of this standard did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement on January 1, 2020. The new standard modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, including changes to fair value transfers and Level 3 fair value measurements. Changes required upon adoption of this standard are included in Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements and did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract on January 1, 2020. The new standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The new standard provides guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes in certain areas, changes the accounting for select income tax transactions and makes other minor improvements. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that this standard may have on its financial position and results of operations.

Note 2 — Acquisitions

Forrester accounts for business combinations in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting as prescribed by Accounts Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations (“Topic 805”).��The acquisition method of accounting requires the Company to record the assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with any excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, to be recorded to goodwill. The Company did not have any business combinations during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

SiriusDecisions, Inc.

On January 3, 2019, Forrester acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of SiriusDecisions, Inc. (“SiriusDecisions”), a privately-held company based in Wilton, Connecticut with approximately 350 employees globally. SiriusDecisions equips business-to-business (B2B) sales, marketing, and product leaders with the actionable research, frameworks, tools, operational benchmarks and expert advice they need to maximize performance and drive alignment. The acquisition creates several opportunities for the Company, including cross-selling services to the Company’s respective client bases, extending SiriusDecisions’ platform, methodologies, data, and best-practices tools into new roles, and accelerating international and industry growth. The acquisition of SiriusDecisions was determined to be an acquisition of a business under the provisions of Topic 805.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the Company paid $246.8 million at closing after certain transaction expense adjustments, which was subject to a working capital adjustment.

SiriusDecisions’ operating results and the related goodwill are reported within the Company’s Products and Research segments, as realigned on January 1, 2020 and further discussed in Note 14 – Operating Segments. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company finalized the purchase price allocation and related accounting for the acquisition.

The Company recognized $1.7 million of acquisition costs in the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to the SiriusDecisions acquisition. The costs primarily consisted of investment banker fees and other professional services costs and are included in acquisition and integration costs within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note 3 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2020 is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

$

243,895

 

Translation adjustments

 

(1,205

)

Balance at March 31, 2020

$

242,690

 

The Company assesses goodwill for impairment annually on November 30, or on an interim basis if an event indicates a specific impairment may exist. As a result of the Company’s segment realignment on January 1, 2020 (refer to Note 14 -Operating Segments for additional information), the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill for all reporting units immediately prior to and after the reporting unit change, which was based on the quantitative assessment performed as of November 30, 2019 and activity in December 2019. The Company concluded that no impairment existed and goodwill was reassigned based on the relative fair values of the product lines transferred to each reporting unit. Approximately $12 million of goodwill is allocated to the Company’s Product reporting unit, which has a negative carrying value as of March 31, 2020.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had no accumulated goodwill impairment losses.


Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

The carrying values of finite-lived intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Amount

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Amount

 

Amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships

$

109,608

 

 

$

42,100

 

 

$

67,508

 

Technology

 

16,676

 

 

 

7,796

 

 

 

8,880

 

Backlog

 

13,000

 

 

 

8,125

 

 

 

4,875

 

Trademarks

 

12,453

 

 

 

1,061

 

 

 

11,392

 

Total

$

151,737

 

 

$

59,082

 

 

$

92,655

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Amount

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Amount

 

Amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships

$

109,825

 

 

$

40,169

 

 

$

69,656

 

Technology

 

16,661

 

 

 

7,051

 

 

 

9,610

 

Backlog

 

13,000

 

 

 

6,500

 

 

 

6,500

 

Trademarks

 

12,451

 

 

 

854

 

 

 

11,597

 

Total

$

151,937

 

 

$

54,574

 

 

$

97,363

 

Estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years is as follows (in thousands):

2020 (remainder)

$

14,133

 

2021

 

12,344

 

2022

 

11,005

 

2023

 

10,830

 

2024

 

9,721

 

Thereafter

 

34,622

 

Total

$

92,655

 

Note 4 — Debt

In connection with the acquisition of SiriusDecisions, on January 3, 2019 (the “Closing Date”) the Company entered into a $200.0 million credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for: (1) senior secured term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million (the “Term Loans”) and (2) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). On the Closing Date, the full $125.0 million of the Term Loans and $50.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility were used to finance a portion of the acquisition of SiriusDecisions and to pay certain fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition and the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is scheduled to mature on January 3, 2024.

The Credit Agreement permits the Company to borrow incremental term loans and/or increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount up to $50.0 million, subject to approval by the administrative agent and certain customary terms and conditions.

The Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility can be repaid early, in part or in whole, at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage reimbursement requirements for London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) based loans. The Term Loans must be prepaid with net cash proceeds of (i) certain debt incurred or issued by Forrester and its restricted subsidiaries and (ii) certain asset sales and condemnation or casualty events, subject to certain reinvestment rights.


Amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at Forrester’s option, at a rate per annum equal to either (i) LIBOR for the applicable interest period plus a margin that is between 1.75% and 2.50% based on Forrester’s consolidated total leverage ratio or (ii) the alternate base rate plus a margin that is between 0.75% and 1.50% based on Forrester’s consolidated total leverage ratio. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee that is between 0.25% and 0.35% per annum, based on Forrester’s consolidated total leverage ratio, on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, payable quarterly, in arrears.

The Term Loans require repayment of the outstanding principal balance in quarterly installments each year, commencing on March 31, 2019 with the balance repayable on the maturity date, subject to customary exceptions. The amount payable in each year as of March 31, 2020 is set forth in the table below (in thousands):

2020 (remainder)

$

7,031

 

2021

 

12,500

 

2022

 

12,500

 

2023

 

15,625

 

2024

 

68,750

 

Total remaining principal payments

$

116,406

 

The Revolving Credit Facility does not require repayment prior to maturity, subject to customary exceptions. In addition to financing the acquisition, proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facility can also be used towards working capital and general corporate purposes. Up to $5.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit, and any drawings under the letters of credit must be reimbursed within one business day. As of March 31, 2020, $0.9 million in letters of credit were issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Forrester incurred $1.8 million in costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility, which are recorded in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are being amortized as interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the five-year term of the Revolving Credit Facility. Forrester incurred $2.8 million in costs related to the Term Loans, which are recorded as a reduction to the face value of long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are being amortized as interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations utilizing the effective interest rate method.

Outstanding Borrowings

The following table summarizes the Company’s total outstanding borrowings as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

Description:

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

Term loan facility (1)

 

$

116,406

 

 

$

118,750

 

Revolving credit facility (2)

 

 

 

 

 

14,000

 

Principal amount outstanding (3)

 

 

116,406

 

 

 

132,750

 

Less: Deferred financing fees

 

 

(2,048

)

 

 

(2,205

)

Net carrying amount

 

$

114,358

 

 

$

130,545

 

(1)

The contractual annualized interest rate as of March 31, 2020 on the Term loan facility was 3.00%, which consisted of LIBOR of 1.00% plus a margin of 2.00%. However, the Company has an interest rate swap that effectively converts the floating LIBOR base rates on a portion of the amounts outstanding to a fixed base rate. Refer to Note 7 – Derivatives and Hedging for further information on the swap.

(2)

The Company had $75.0 million of available borrowing capacity on the revolver (not including the expansion feature) as of March 31, 2020.

(3)

The weighted average annual effective rate on the Company's total debt outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2020, was 3.88%.

The Credit Agreement contains certain customary restrictive loan covenants, including among others, financial covenants that apply a maximum leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The maximum leverage ratio is based on total debt outstanding at the measurement date divided by EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the fixed charge coverage ratio is based upon EBITDA, as defined, less capital expenditures, as a ratio to certain fixed charges, including Term Loan amortization, cash interest expense and cash taxes. The negative covenants limit, subject to various exceptions, the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, merge, consolidate, liquidate or dissolve any part of the Company, sell assets, pay dividends or other payments in respect to capital stock, change fiscal year, or enter into certain transactions with affiliates and subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default, representations, and warranties.


As of March 31, 2020, the Company is in compliance with its financial covenants under the Credit Agreement. The Company currently forecasts that it will be in compliance with its financial covenants for at least one year from the issuance of these interim financial statements, after taking into consideration the cost-reduction measures implemented during the first quarter of the year. If the impact of COVID-19 is more severe than currently forecasted this may impact the Company’s ability to comply with its financial covenants, and it is not certain that the Company would be able to renegotiate the terms of the Credit Agreement in order to provide relief related to the financial covenants. If the Company were unable to meet its financial covenants and then were unable to renegotiate the terms of its financial covenants, all debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement could become immediately due and payable. 

All obligations under the Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future, direct and indirect material wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries, other than certain excluded subsidiaries, and are collateralized by a first priority lien on substantially all tangible and intangible assets including intellectual property and all of the capital stock of the Company and its subsidiaries (limited to 65% of the voting equity of certain subsidiaries).

Note 5 — Leases

All of the Company’s leases are operating leases, the majority of which are for office space. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and non-current operating lease liabilities are included as individual line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, while short-term operating lease liabilities are recorded within accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not material.

The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

Operating lease cost

$

3,991

 

 

$

3,569

 

Short-term lease cost

 

81

 

 

 

255

 

Variable lease cost

 

1,356

 

 

 

1,234

 

Sublease income

 

(61

)

 

 

 

Total lease cost

$

5,367

 

 

$

5,058

 

Additional lease information is summarized in the following table (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating

   lease liabilities

$

2,999

 

 

$

3,753

 

Operating right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease

   obligations

$

1,466

 

 

$

12,011

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases (years)

 

6.3

 

 

 

7.0

 

Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases

 

5.1

%

 

 

5.1

%

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of March 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):

2020 (remainder)

$

11,828

 

2021

 

14,022

 

2022

 

13,505

 

2023

 

12,974

 

2024

 

12,619

 

Thereafter

 

23,902

 

Total lease payments

 

88,850

 

Less imputed interest

 

(12,945

)

Present value of lease liabilities

$

75,905

 


Lease balances as of March 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):

Operating lease right-of-use assets

$

64,220

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term operating lease liabilities (1)

$

12,065

 

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

63,840

 

Total operating lease liabilities

$

75,905

 

(1)

Included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s leases do not contain residual value guarantees, material restrictions or covenants, and all sublease transactions are not material. The Company incurred $1.4 million of ROU asset impairments during the three months ended March 31, 2020 related to facility leases from the SiriusDecisions, Inc. acquisition and are recorded in acquisition and integration costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company entered into several operating leases for office space which do not commence until later in 2020. These operating leases, which aggregated $17.2 million of undiscounted lease payments, have lease terms of up to ten years. Additionally, the Company could receive a variable incentive payment from its landlord to terminate one of its office space leases early. The range of possible incentive payments is zero to $3.5 million, would be received in late 2020 or the first half of 2021, and is dependent on the Company’s ability to exit the existing facility by the proposed early termination dates.

Note 6 – Contract Assets and Liabilities

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable includes amounts billed and currently due from customers. Since the only condition for payment of our invoices is the passage of time, the Company records a receivable on the date the invoice is issued. Also included in accounts receivable are unbilled amounts resulting from revenue exceeding the amount billed to the customer, where the right to payment is unconditional. If the right to payment for services performed was conditional on something other than the passage of time, the unbilled amount would be recorded as a separate contract asset. There were no contract assets as of March 31, 2020 or 2019.

The majority of the Company’s contracts are non-cancellable. However, for contracts that are cancellable by the customer, the Company does not record a receivable when it issues an invoice. The Company records accounts receivable on these contracts only up to the amount of revenue earned but not yet collected.

In addition, since the majority of the Company’s contracts are for a duration of one year and payment is expected within one year from the transfer of products and services, the Company does not adjust its receivables or transaction price for the effects of a significant financing component.

Deferred Revenue

The Company refers to contract liabilities as deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment terms in the Company’s customer contracts vary, but generally require payment in advance of fully satisfying the performance obligation(s). Deferred revenue consists of billings in excess of revenue recognized. Similar to accounts receivable, the Company does not record deferred revenue for invoices issued on a cancellable contract.

The Company recognized revenue of $69.9 and $58.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to its deferred revenue balance at the beginning of each such period. To determine revenue recognized in each such period from deferred revenue at the beginning of the period, the Company first allocates revenue to the individual deferred revenue balance outstanding at the beginning of the period, until the revenue equals that balance.

Approximately $343.6 million of revenue is expected to be recognized during the next 12 to 24 months from remaining performance obligations as of March 31, 2020.

Cost to Obtain Contracts

The Company capitalizes commissions paid to internal sales representatives and related fringe benefits costs that are incremental to obtaining customer contracts. These costs are included in deferred commissions on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company accounts for these costs at a portfolio level as the Company’s contracts are similar in nature and the amortization model used closely matches the amortization expense that would be recognized on a contract-by-contract basis. Costs to obtain a contract are amortized to operations as the related revenue is recognized over the initial contract term. Amortization expense related to deferred commissions was $8.1 million and $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred commissions at each balance sheet date.


Note 7 — Derivatives and Hedging

During 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract to mitigate the cash flow risk associated with changes in interest rates on its variable rate debt (see Note 4 – Debt). The Company accounts for its outstanding interest rate swap contract in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815 – Derivatives and Hedging (“Topic 815”), which requires all derivatives, including derivatives designated as accounting hedges, to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.

At March 31, 2020, the Company had a single interest rate swap contract that matures in 2022, with an initial notional amount of $95.0 million. The notional amount at March 31, 2020 was $89.1 million. The Company pays a base fixed rate of 1.65275% and in return receives the greater of (1) 1-month LIBOR, rounded up to the nearest 1/16 of a percent, or (2) 0.00%. The fair value of the swap on March 31, 2020 was a liability of $1.8 million (see Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements for information on determining the fair value). The liability is included in other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The swap has been designated and accounted for as a cash flow hedge of the forecasted interest payments on the Company’s debt. As long as the swap continues to be a highly effective hedge of the designated interest rate risk, changes in the fair value of the swap are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of equity. Any ineffective portion of a change in the fair value of a hedge is recorded in earnings.

As required under Topic 815, the swap’s effectiveness is assessed on a quarterly basis. Since its inception, and through March 31, 2020, the interest rate swap was considered highly effective. Accordingly, the $1.3 million net accumulated loss as of March 31, 2020 continues to be deferred and recorded, net of taxes, in other comprehensive loss. The Company expects $0.7 million of this loss, net of taxes, to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

The Company’s derivative counterparty is an investment grade financial institution. The Company does not have any collateral arrangements with its derivative counterparty and the derivative contract does not contain credit risk related contingent features.

The Company did not have any derivatives as of, or during, the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Note 8 — Fair Value Measurements

The carrying amounts reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash, and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses (excluding the contingent consideration discussed below) approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. SeeThe Company’s financial instruments also include its outstanding variable-rate borrowings (refer to Note 34Marketable Investments - for the fair value of the Company’s marketable investments.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Debt). The Company adoptedbelieves that the guidance in Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,carrying amount of its variable-rate borrowings reasonably approximate their fair values because the rates of interest on January 1, 2017. Under this standard, entities are permitted to make an accounting policy election to either estimate forfeitures on share-based payment awards, as previously required, or to recognize forfeitures as they occur. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur and the impactthose borrowings reflect current market rates of that change in accounting policy has been recorded as a $0.2 million cumulative effect adjustment to increase retained earnings as of January 1, 2017.

interest.

Additionally, ASU No. 2016-09 requires that all income tax effects related to settlements of share-based payment awards be reported in earnings as an increase or decrease to income tax expense. Previously, income tax effects at settlement of an award were reported as an increase (or decrease) to additional paid-in capital to the extent that those benefits were greater than (or less than) the income tax effects reported in earnings during the award's vesting period. The requirement to report those income tax effects in earnings has been applied on a prospective basis to settlements occurring on or after January 1, 2017, and the impact of applying this guidance resulted in a $0.3 million tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Application of this guidance may result in fluctuations in the Company’s effective tax rate depending on how many options are exercised, how many restricted stock units vest and the volatility of the Company’s stock price.

ASU 2016-09 also requires that all income tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as operating activities in the statement of cash flows. Previously, income tax benefits at settlement of an award were reported as a reduction to operating cash flows and an increase to financing cash flows to the extent that those benefits exceeded the income tax benefits reported in earnings during the award's vesting period. In addition, the standard requires that cash paid by directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company reflected $2.5 million of tax withholding in financing activities. The Company has elected to apply the changes in cash flow classification on a retrospective basis resulting in an increase in operating cash flows, with a corresponding decrease in financing cash flows, of $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, as compared to the amounts previously reported.

The Company elected to early adopt the guidance in ASU No. 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory, on January 1, 2017. The guidance in this standard eliminates for all intra-entity sales of assets other than inventory, the exception under existing standards that permits the tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers to be deferred until the


transferred asset is sold to a third party or otherwise recovered through use. As a result, a reporting entity would recognize the tax expense from the sale of the asset in the seller’s tax jurisdiction when the transfer occurs and any deferred tax asset that arises in the buyer’s jurisdiction would also be recognized at the time of the transfer. As a result, the Company has recorded a $0.5 millioncumulative effect adjustment to reduce retained earnings as of January 1, 2017.

Note 2 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

(Loss) on Marketable

 

 

Translation

 

 

Other Comprehensive

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

 

$

(83

)

 

$

(7,490

)

 

$

(7,573

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

4,905

 

 

 

4,905

 

Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax of $29

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

$

(36

)

 

$

(2,585

)

 

$

(2,621

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

(Loss) on Marketable

 

 

Translation

 

 

Other Comprehensive

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

Balance at July 1, 2017

 

$

(59

)

 

$

(4,186

)

 

$

(4,245

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

1,601

 

 

 

1,601

 

Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax of $14

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

$

(36

)

 

$

(2,585

)

 

$

(2,621

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

(Loss) on Marketable

 

 

Translation

 

 

Other Comprehensive

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

Balance at January 1, 2016

 

$

(100

)

 

$

(4,726

)

 

$

(4,826

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(68

)

 

 

(68

)

Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax of $46

 

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

72

 

Balance at September 30, 2016

 

$

(28

)

 

$

(4,794

)

 

$

(4,822

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

(Loss) on Marketable

 

 

Translation

 

 

Other Comprehensive

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

Balance at July 1, 2016

 

$

20

 

 

$

(4,674

)

 

$

(4,654

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(120

)

 

 

(120

)

Unrealized loss on investments, net of tax of $(33)

 

 

(48

)

 

 

 

 

 

(48

)

Balance at September 30, 2016

 

$

(28

)

 

$

(4,794

)

 

$

(4,822

)

Note 3 — Marketable Investments

The following table summarizes the Company’s marketable investments (in thousands):

 

 

As of  September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Federal agency obligations

 

$

1,800

 

 

$

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

1,796

 

Corporate obligations

 

 

52,277

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

(61

)

 

 

52,223

 

Total

 

$

54,077

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

(65

)

 

$

54,019

 


 

 

As of December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Federal agency obligations

 

$

1,800

 

 

$

 

 

$

(7

)

 

$

1,793

 

Corporate obligations

 

 

59,481

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(129

)

 

 

59,354

 

Total

 

$

61,281

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

(136

)

 

$

61,147

 

Realized gains and losses on investments are included in earnings and are determined using the specific identification method. Realized gains or losses on the sale of the Company’s marketable investments were not material in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

The following table summarizes the maturity periods of the marketable investments in the Company’s portfolio as of September 30, 2017 (in thousands).

 

 

FY 2017

 

 

FY 2018

 

 

FY 2019

 

 

Total

 

Federal agency obligations

 

$

 

 

$

1,796

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,796

 

Corporate obligations

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

28,559

 

 

 

19,664

 

 

 

52,223

 

Total

 

$

4,000

 

 

$

30,355

 

 

$

19,664

 

 

$

54,019

 

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and market value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporary, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

 

 

As of  September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Less Than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Greater

 

 

 

Market

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Market

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

Federal agency obligations

 

$

-

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,796

 

 

$

4

 

Corporate obligations

 

 

25,039

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

17,640

 

 

 

31

 

Total

 

$

25,039

 

 

$

30

 

 

$

19,436

 

 

$

35

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2016

 

 

 

Less Than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Greater

 

 

 

Market

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Market

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

Federal agency obligations

 

$

1,793

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Corporate obligations

 

 

53,647

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

55,440

 

 

$

136

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Fair Value

The Company measures certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis including cash equivalents, contingent purchase price related to acquisitions, and available-for-sale securities.its interest rate swap. The fair values of these financial assets have been classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy as described in the accounting standards for fair value measurements.measurements:

Level 1 — Fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Fair value based on inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 — Fair value based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and such inputs are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.


The following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets (cash equivalents and investments)liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

 

 

As of  September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Money market funds (1)

 

$

763

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

763

 

Federal agency obligations

 

 

 

 

 

1,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,796

 

Corporate obligations

 

 

 

 

 

52,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,223

 

Total

 

$

763

 

 

$

54,019

 

 

$

 

 

$

54,782

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2020

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds (1)

 

$

2,811

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,811

 

Total Assets:

 

$

2,811

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent purchase price (2)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(2,524

)

 

$

(2,524

)

Interest rate swap (3)

 

 

 

 

$

(1,787

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,787

)

Total Liabilities:

 

$

 

 

$

(1,787

)

 

$

(2,524

)

 

$

(4,311

)

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2016

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Money market funds (1)

 

$

2,522

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,522

 

Federal agency obligations

 

 

 

 

 

1,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,793

 

Corporate obligations

 

 

 

 

 

59,354

 

 

 

 

 

 

59,354

 

Total

 

$

2,522

 

 

$

61,147

 

 

$

 

 

$

63,669

 


 

 

As of December 31, 2019

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds (1)

 

$

2,354

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,354

 

Total Assets:

 

$

2,354

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,354

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent purchase price (2)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(2,511

)

 

$

(2,511

)

Interest rate swap (3)

 

 

 

 

$

(144

)

 

 

 

 

 

(144

)

Total Liabilities:

 

$

 

 

$

(144

)

 

$

(2,511

)

 

$

(2,655

)

 

(1)

Included in cash and cash equivalents. equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2)

The acquisition of FeedbackNow on July 6, 2018 included a contingent consideration arrangement that required up to $4.2 million of consideration to be paid to the sellers based on the financial performance of FeedbackNow during the two-year period subsequent to the closing date. The fair value of the remaining contingent consideration to be paid to the sellers is $2.5 million at both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(3)

The Company has an interest rate swap contract that hedges the risk of variability from interest payments on its borrowings (see Note 4 – Debt and Note 7 – Derivatives and Hedging). The fair value of the interest rate swap is based on mark-to-market valuations prepared by a third-party broker. Those valuations are based on observable interest rates and other observable market data, which the Company considers Level 2 inputs.

Level 2 assets consist of the Company’s entire portfolio of marketable investments. Level 2 assets have been initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued, at the end of each reporting period, typically utilizing third party pricing services or other market observable data. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation methods, including both income and market based approaches and observable market inputs to determine value. These observable market inputs include reportable trades, benchmark yields, credit spreads, broker/dealer quotes, bids, offers, current spot rates and other industry and economic events.

Note 4 — Non-Marketable Investments

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying value of the Company’s non-marketable investments, which were composed primarily of interests in technology-related private equity funds, was $1.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively, and is included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s investments at September 30, 2017 are being accounted for using the equity method as the investments are limited partnerships and the Company has an ownership interest in excess of 5% and, accordingly, the Company records its share of the investee’s operating results each period. Losses from non-marketable investments were $0.8 million and $1.0 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Losses from non-marketable investments were $1.1 million and $1.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Losses are included in Losses on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. At December 31, 2016, the Company’s investments also included an investment with a book value of $0.4 million, which was accounted for using the cost method. This investment was fully liquidated duringDuring the three months ended March 31, 2017. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, no distributions were received from the funds. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, distributions of $0.4 million were received from the funds. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, no distributions were received from the funds.

Note 5 — Reorganization

In the first quarter of 2016,2020 and 2019, the Company implemented a reductiondid not transfer assets or liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy. Additionally, there have been no changes to the valuation techniques for Level 2 or Level 3 liabilities.

Level 3 liabilities at March 31, 2020 consist entirely of the contingent purchase price related to the acquisition of FeedbackNow. Changes in its workforcethe fair value of approximately 2% of its employees across various geographies and functions. The Company recorded $1.0 million of severance and related costsLevel 3 contingent consideration for this action during the three months ended March 31, 2016. All costs under this plan2020 were paid during 2016.as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Contingent

 

 

Consideration

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

$

(2,511

)

Fair value adjustment of contingent purchase price (1)

 

(11

)

Payment of contingent purchase price

 

 

Foreign exchange effect

 

(2

)

Balance at March 31, 2020

$

(2,524

)

(1)

This amount was recognized as acquisition and integration costs within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2020, the remaining range of undiscounted amounts that could be payable under this arrangement is zero to $2.5 million. The significant unobservable inputs used in the Monte Carlo simulation to fair value the contingent consideration included projected contract bookings, a discount rate of 17.3%, and revenue volatility of 26.6%. Increases or decreases in the inputs would result in a higher or lower fair value measurement.

Note 9 — Income Taxes

Forrester provides for income taxes on an interim basis according to management’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. Certain items such as changes in tax rates, tax benefits or expense related to settlements of share-based payment awards, and foreign currency gains or losses are treated as discrete items and are recorded in the period in which they arise.

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $19 thousand resulting in an effective tax rate of negative 3.8% for the period. Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $0.2 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.7% for the period.

The Company anticipates that its effective tax rate for the full year 2020 will be approximately 10% to 15%.

On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act to provide certain relief as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the provisions in the CARES may have on its financial position and results of operations.


Note 10 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

(Loss) on Interest

 

 

Translation

 

 

Other Comprehensive

 

 

 

Rate Swap

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Loss

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

$

(104

)

 

$

(4,753

)

 

$

(4,857

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(1,920

)

 

 

(1,920

)

Unrealized loss on interest rate swap, net of tax of $462

 

 

(1,181

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,181

)

Balance at March 31, 2020

 

$

(1,285

)

 

$

(6,673

)

 

$

(7,958

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Translation

 

 

Other Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Loss

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

 

$

(5,154

)

 

$

(5,154

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

(430

)

 

 

(430

)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

 

 

$

(5,584

)

 

$

(5,584

)

 

Note 611 — Net IncomeLoss Per Common Share

Basic net incomeloss per common share is computed by dividing net incomeloss by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net incomeloss per common share is computed by dividing net incomeloss by the diluted weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of common equivalent shares outstanding has been determined in accordance with the treasury-stock method. Common equivalent shares consist of common stock issuable on the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units when dilutive.units.


Basic and diluted weighted average common shares are as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

 

17,747

 

 

 

18,062

 

 

 

17,897

 

 

 

17,896

 

 

 

18,705

 

 

 

18,363

 

 

Weighted average common equivalent shares

 

304

 

 

 

373

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

18,051

 

 

 

18,435

 

 

 

18,212

 

 

 

18,168

 

 

 

18,705

 

 

 

18,363

 

 

Share based awards excluded from diluted weighted average share

calculation as effect would have been anti-dilutive

 

27

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

177

 

 

 

910

 

Options and restricted stock units excluded from diluted

weighted average share calculation as effect would have

been anti-dilutive

 

 

980

 

 

 

703

 

 

 

 


Note 712 — Stockholders’ Equity

The components of stockholders’ equity are as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

of

Shares

 

 

$0.01

Par

Value

 

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Number

of

Shares

 

 

Cost

 

 

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 

 

Total

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

23,275

 

 

$

233

 

 

$

216,454

 

 

$

118,147

 

 

 

4,631

 

 

$

(171,889

)

 

$

(4,857

)

 

$

158,088

 

Issuance of common stock under

   stock plans, net

 

114

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,053

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,802

 

Cumulative effect adjustment due

   to adoption of new accounting

   pronouncement, net of tax of $61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(157

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(157

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(513

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(513

)

Net change in interest rate swap, net

   of tax of $462

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,181

)

 

 

(1,181

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,920

)

 

 

(1,920

)

Balance at March 31, 2020

 

23,389

 

 

$

234

 

 

$

220,308

 

 

$

117,477

 

 

 

4,631

 

 

$

(171,889

)

 

$

(7,958

)

 

$

158,172

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

of

Shares

 

 

$0.01

Par

Value

 

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Number

of

Shares

 

 

Cost

 

 

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 

 

Total

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

22,951

 

 

$

230

 

 

$

200,696

 

 

$

127,717

 

 

 

4,631

 

 

$

(171,889

)

 

$

(5,154

)

 

$

151,600

 

Issuance of common stock under

   stock plans, net

 

99

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

3,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,275

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,685

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,685

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,316

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,316

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(430

)

 

 

(430

)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

23,050

 

 

$

231

 

 

$

206,655

 

 

$

114,401

 

 

 

4,631

 

 

$

(171,889

)

 

$

(5,584

)

 

$

143,814

 

Equity Plans

Restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Grant Date

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Fair Value

 

Unvested at December 31, 2019

 

 

656

 

 

$

42.94

 

Granted

 

 

15

 

 

 

37.15

 

Vested

 

 

(71

)

 

 

44.34

 

Forfeited

 

 

(48

)

 

 

43.71

 

Unvested at March 31, 2020

 

 

552

 

 

$

42.53

 


Stock option activity for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 is presented below (in thousands, except per share data and contractual term):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted -

 

 

Weighted -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number

 

 

Price Per

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

of Shares

 

 

Share

 

 

Term (in years)

 

 

Value

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

 

 

1,540

 

 

$

34.35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(385

)

 

 

32.32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(73

)

 

 

34.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2017

 

 

1,082

 

 

$

35.07

 

 

 

6.01

 

 

$

7,332

 

Exercisable at September 30, 2017

 

 

771

 

 

$

34.92

 

 

 

5.36

 

 

$

5,340

 

Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2017

 

 

1,082

 

 

$

35.07

 

 

 

6.01

 

 

$

7,332

 

Restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Grant Date

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Fair Value

 

Unvested at December 31, 2016

 

 

539

 

 

$

35.50

 

Granted

 

 

241

 

 

 

39.58

 

Vested

 

 

(205

)

 

 

35.28

 

Forfeited

 

 

(51

)

 

 

36.01

 

Unvested at September 30, 2017

 

 

524

 

 

$

37.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted -

 

 

Weighted -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number

 

 

Price Per

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

of Shares

 

 

Share

 

 

Term (in years)

 

 

Value

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

 

 

436

 

 

$

35.62

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(17

)

 

 

33.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(33

)

 

 

38.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2020

 

 

386

 

 

$

35.47

 

 

 

3.54

 

 

$

4

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2020

 

 

378

 

 

$

35.42

 

 

 

3.56

 

 

$

4

 

Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2020

 

 

386

 

 

$

35.47

 

 

 

3.54

 

 

$

4

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

Forrester recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation in net income over the requisite service period of the individual grantee, which generally equals the vesting period. period. Stock-based compensation was recorded in the following expense categories in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cost of services and fulfillment

 

$

1,088

 

 

$

1,077

 

 

$

3,387

 

 

$

3,141

 

 

$

1,593

 

 

$

1,463

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

170

 

 

 

272

 

 

 

535

 

 

 

695

 

 

 

362

 

 

 

440

 

General and administrative

 

 

920

 

 

 

622

 

 

 

2,501

 

 

 

1,895

 

 

 

847

 

 

 

782

 

Total

 

$

2,178

 

 

$

1,971

 

 

$

6,423

 

 

$

5,731

 

 

$

2,802

 

 

$

2,685

 

 


Forrester utilizes the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of shares subject to purchase under the employee stock purchase plan, which were valued using the following assumptions:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Average risk-free interest rate

 

 

0.96

%

 

 

0.47

%

 

 

0.81

%

 

 

0.47

%

 

 

0.30

%

 

 

2.51

%

Expected dividend yield

 

 

1.9

%

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

1.9

%

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

Expected life

 

0.5 Years

 

 

0.5 Years

 

 

0.5 Years

 

 

0.5 Years

 

 

0.5 Years

 

 

0.5 Years

 

Expected volatility

 

 

26

%

 

 

26

%

 

 

24

%

 

 

25

%

 

 

26

%

 

 

34

%

Weighted average fair value

 

$

8.50

 

 

$

7.52

 

 

$

8.32

 

 

$

7.75

 

 

$

8.10

 

 

$

12.50

 

 

Dividends

InAs a result of the nineacquisition of SiriusDecisions on January 3, 2019 (see Note 2 – Acquisitions), and the related debt incurred to fund the acquisition (see Note 4 – Debt), the Company suspended its dividends program in 2019. The Company did not declare or pay any dividends in the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company declaredMarch 31, 2020 and paid dividends of $10.2 million consisting of a $0.19 per share dividend in each of the first three quarters of 2017.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company declared and paid dividends of $9.7 million consisting of a $0.18 per share dividend in each of the first three quarters of 2016. In October 2017, the Company declared a dividend of $0.19 per share payable on December 20, 2017 to shareholders of record as of December 6, 2017.March 31, 2019, respectively.

Treasury Stock

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, Forrester’s Board of Directors had authorized an aggregate $485.0$535.0 million to purchase common stock under its stock repurchase program. The shares repurchased may be used, among other things, in connection with Forrester’s equity incentive and purchase plans. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased approximately 0.1 and 1.1 million shares, respectively, of common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $3.5 million and $40.0 million, respectively. The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.stock. From the inception of the program through September 30, 2017, ForresterMarch 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 16.116.3 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $464.9$474.9 million.

 


Note 13 — Non-Marketable Investments

Note 8 — Income Taxes

Forrester provides for income taxes on an interim basis according to management’s estimate ofAt March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. Certain items such as changes in tax rates and tax benefits or expense related to settlements of share-based payment awards are treated as discrete items and are recorded in the period in which they arise.

Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $6.3 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.6% for the period. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $9.1 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 43.4% for the period.  The decrease in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the recognition of a $1.3 million benefit from the settlement of a tax audit in the first quarter of 2017 and the recognition of approximately $0.3 million of windfall tax benefits from the settlement of options and restricted stock units during the third quarter of 2017. In addition, in 2016 an additional $0.6 million of tax expense was incurred due to a valuation allowance on a capital loss generated from onecarrying value of the Company’s investments. Fornon-marketable investments, which were composed of interests in technology-related private equity funds, was $2.5 million, and is included in other assets in the full year 2017,Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s non-marketable investments are accounted for using the equity method as the investments are limited partnerships and the Company anticipates thathas an ownership interest in excess of 5% and, accordingly, the Company records its effective tax rate will be approximately 35%.share of the investee’s operating results each period. Gains (losses) from non-marketable investments were immaterial during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and are included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, no distributions were received from the funds.

Note 914 — Operating Segments

As of January 1, 2020, the Company realigned its internal management and reporting into Products and Research segments. The Researchrealignment eliminated the SiriusDecisions segment as it no longer operated under a separate management structure. The 2019 amounts have been revised to conform to the current presentation.

The Products segment includes the revenues of the Connect, Analytics, and Events products and the costs of the Company’s research personnel who areorganizations responsible for writing the researchdeveloping and performing the webinars and inquiries for the Company’s Research and Connectdelivering these products. In addition, this segment includes Consulting revenues and the research personnel deliver advisory services (such as workshops, speeches and advisory days) and a portionrelated cost of the Company’s project consulting services. Revenue in this segment includes onlyorganization. The project consulting organization delivers a majority of the Company’s project consulting revenue fromand certain advisory services and project consulting services that are delivered byprimarily related to the research personnel in this segment.

The ProductAnalytics product line. This segment also includes the costs of the product management organization that is responsible for product pricing and packaging and the launch of new products.

The Research segment includes the revenues of the Research products and the cost of the organizations responsible for developing and delivering the Company’s Research products. In addition, this segment includes Consulting revenues primarily from the costsdelivery of the Company’s Data, Connect and Events organizations. Revenue in this segment includes all revenue for the Company (including Research and Connect) except for revenue from advisory services (such as workshops, speeches and project consulting services that are delivered by personnel in the Research and Project Consulting segments.


The Project Consulting segment includes the costs of the consultants that deliver the majority of the Company’s project consulting services. Revenue in this segment includes the project consulting revenueadvisory days) delivered by the consultants in this segment.Company’s research analysts.

The Company evaluates reportable segment performance and allocates resources based on segment revenues and expenses. Segment expenses include the direct expenses of each segment organization and excludeexcludes selling and marketing expenses, certain client support expenses, general and administrative expenses, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation expense, adjustments to incentive bonus compensation from target amounts, amortization of intangible assets, reorganization costs,interest and other income,expense, and losses on investments. The accounting policies used by the segments are the same as those used in the consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2017, theThe Company modified its internal reporting for the Research and Project Consulting segments to reflect the transfer ofprovides disaggregated revenue and direct costs related to a small consulting team in Asia Pacific from Research to Project Consulting, and to remove from both Research and Project Consulting certain client support activities that are now included within selling, marketing, administrative and other expensesby product in the table below. Accordingly, the 2016 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.segment tables below (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

 

Research

 

 

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research

 

$

 

 

$

53,606

 

 

$

53,606

 

Connect

 

 

13,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,889

 

Analytics

 

 

5,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,301

 

Total research services revenues

 

 

19,190

 

 

 

53,606

 

 

 

72,796

 

 

Product

 

 

Research

 

 

Consulting

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

$

54,235

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

54,235

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

3,353

 

 

 

10,379

 

 

 

12,402

 

 

 

26,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consulting

 

 

20,638

 

 

 

12,821

 

 

 

33,459

 

Events

 

 

90

 

 

 

 

 

 

90

 

Total advisory services and events revenues

 

 

20,728

 

 

 

12,821

 

 

 

33,549

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

57,588

 

 

 

10,379

 

 

 

12,402

 

 

 

80,369

 

 

 

39,918

 

 

 

66,427

 

 

 

106,345

 

Segment expenses

 

 

9,764

 

 

 

11,953

 

 

 

6,443

 

 

 

28,160

 

 

 

(19,378

)

 

 

(18,784

)

 

 

(38,162

)

Contribution margin (loss)

 

 

47,824

 

 

 

(1,574

)

 

 

5,959

 

 

 

52,209

 

Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(45,263

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(59,875

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(197

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,712

)

Reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and losses on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(626

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6,123

 

Acquisition and integration costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,875

)

Interest expense, other income and gain on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,215

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(494

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

 

Research

 

 

Consulting

 

 

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

$

52,727

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

52,727

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

2,333

 

 

 

10,330

 

 

 

12,037

 

 

 

24,700

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

55,060

 

 

 

10,330

 

 

 

12,037

 

 

 

77,427

 

Segment expenses

 

 

8,884

 

 

 

11,586

 

 

 

5,522

 

 

 

25,992

 

Contribution margin (loss)

 

 

46,176

 

 

 

(1,256

)

 

 

6,515

 

 

 

51,435

 

Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(43,675

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(208

)

Reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and losses on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(856

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

 

Research

 

 

Consulting

 

 

Consolidated

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

$

160,553

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

160,553

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

15,714

 

 

 

32,279

 

 

 

38,750

 

 

 

86,743

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

176,267

 

 

 

32,279

 

 

 

38,750

 

 

 

247,296

 

Segment expenses

 

 

32,788

 

 

 

36,510

 

 

 

18,886

 

 

 

88,184

 

Contribution margin (loss)

 

 

143,479

 

 

 

(4,231

)

 

 

19,864

 

 

 

159,112

 

Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(138,432

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(582

)

Reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and losses on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(749

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

19,349

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

 

Research

 

 

Consulting

 

 

Consolidated

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

$

160,998

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

160,998

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

14,191

 

 

 

33,244

 

 

 

34,216

 

 

 

81,651

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

175,189

 

 

 

33,244

 

 

 

34,216

 

 

 

242,649

 

Segment expenses

 

 

30,306

 

 

 

36,026

 

 

 

17,465

 

 

 

83,797

 

Contribution margin (loss)

 

 

144,883

 

 

 

(2,782

)

 

 

16,751

 

 

 

158,852

 

Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(135,463

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(627

)

Reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,026

)

Other income and losses on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(765

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,971

 

Note 10 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes all existing revenue recognition requirements, including most industry specific guidance. The new standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that the company expects to receive for those goods or services. The guidance also includes enhanced disclosure requirements which are intended to help financial statement users better understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue being recognized and the related cash flows. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations, which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies certain aspects of identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which relates to disclosures of remaining performance obligations, as well as other amendments to guidance on collectability, noncash consideration and the presentation of sales and other similar taxes collected from customers. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements: Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which clarifies several topics including, certain types of transactions that are outside the scope of the new standard, disclosure requirements and balance sheet considerations.

The new standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has determined that it will adopt the standard utilizing the modified retrospective method.

In 2016, Forrester established a formal program and cross-functional implementation team to identify, design and implement changes to its accounting systems and policies, business processes and internal controls to support recognition and disclosures under the new standard. The Company believes that it has essentially completed its assessment of how the new standard will affect the Company’s revenue recognition for all of its products and services, and will complete its accounting system and business process changes by the end of 2017.

The Company does not anticipate that the standard will have a material impact on its results of operations. The number of performance obligations in the Company’s arrangements will not be different under the new standard than under current guidance. Determining standalone selling prices and allocating contract consideration on multiple element arrangements will follow a similar process as the Company’s current methodologies of establishing fair value / estimated selling price for our goods and services or allocating total contract consideration under the relative selling price method. Additionally, the timing of revenue recognition will remain substantially unchanged for most products. Subscription based research services revenues will continue to be recognized over time, using the new standard’s output method of time elapsed, as Forrester’s clients receive and consume the benefits of our services as we transfer control throughout the contract period. Advisory, reprint and events revenues will continue to be recognized at the point in time as control is transferred to the customer, which will generally be when the client has physical possession of the good(s) or upon completion of the service(s). The Company expects that most of its consulting contracts will continue to be recognized over time, while some contracts may be required to be recognized at a point in time upon completion of the project.

The following changes are anticipated under the new standard:

 


 

The Company will no longer record accounts receivable and deferred revenue on its balance sheet when it issues an invoice to a customer for a contract that is cancellable by the customer.  For contracts that are cancellable, the Company will only record accounts receivable up to the amount of revenue earned but not yet collected.  This change will have the effect of reducing the amount of accounts receivable and deferred revenue on the balance sheet compared to amounts recorded based on current accounting standards.  The majority of the Company’s contracts are non-cancellable; however, the Company has not yet determined the effect of this change on its balance sheet.

 

 

Products

 

 

Research

 

 

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research

 

$

 

 

$

49,780

 

 

$

49,780

 

Connect

 

 

13,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,571

 

Analytics

 

 

5,258

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,258

 

Total research services revenues

 

 

18,829

 

 

 

49,780

 

 

 

68,609

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consulting

 

 

18,885

 

 

 

12,902

 

 

 

31,787

 

Events

 

 

253

 

 

 

 

 

 

253

 

Total advisory services and events revenues

 

 

19,138

 

 

 

12,902

 

 

 

32,040

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

37,967

 

 

 

62,682

 

 

 

100,649

 

Segment expenses

 

 

(19,948

)

 

 

(20,397

)

 

 

(40,345

)

Selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(62,011

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,210

)

Acquisition and integration costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,967

)

Interest expense, other income and loss on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,658

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(13,542

)

The timing of revenue recognition for prepaid performance obligations that are expected to expire unused, which may include event tickets, reprints and advisory hours, will change from recognition at the time of expiration under the current standard to recognition in proportion to the pattern of related rights exercised by the customer. The Company currently expects this change to primarily affect the timing of revenue within the quarters of 2018 but does not expect it to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations for the full year of 2018.

Key areas still in process include the evaluation of costs to fulfill contracts and completion and testing of new functionality of the Company’s existing software systems that is being implemented as part of this project. The adoption program and all remaining activities, including updates to the Company’s systems, processes, policies and controls, are expected to be completed by the end of 2017.  In addition, report development and testing for disclosure requirements in 2018 will be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The new standard requires that all lessees recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet and disclose qualitative and quantitative information about its leasing arrangements. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position as virtually all leases will be recorded on the balance sheets as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that this standard may have on its results of operations.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The new standard amends the current financial instrument impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new standard clarifies certain aspects of the statement of cash flows, including contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and distributions received from equity method investees, among others. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s statements of cash flows upon adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requires that instead, an entity should perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

 


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’SMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Reference is made in particular to our statements about possible acquisitions, payments pursuant to existing acquisition agreements, acquisition and integration costs, future dividends, future share repurchases, future growth rates and operating income, future compliance with financial covenants under our plans forcredit facility, anticipated increases in, and productivity of, our sales force and headcount, future growth rates, future tax rates, future operating cash flows, future dividends, future share repurchases and the adequacy of our cash marketable investments and cash flows to satisfy our working capital and capital expenditures. These statements are based on our 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, our ability to retain and enrich memberships forsubscriptions to, and licenses of, our research, dataResearch, Connect, and leadership boardAnalytics products, and services, our ability to fulfill existing or generate new projectadvisory and consulting engagements, the impact of our evolving customer engagement model,ability to generate and increase demand for our Events we host, technology spending, our ability to mitigate the adverse impact from the widespread outbreak of COVID-19 which could disrupt or restrict our ability to sell or fulfill, or reduce demand for, our products, services, and events, the risks and challenges inherent in international business activities including any impact of Brexit, our ability to offer new products and services, our dependence on key personnel, our ability to realize anticipated benefits from internal reorganizations, the ability to attract and retain qualified professional staff, our ability to respond to business and economic conditions and market trends, our ability to integrate the operations of acquired companies, the impact of our outstanding debt, the possibility of network disruptions and security breaches, competition and industry consolidation, our ability to enforce and protect our intellectual property rights, compliance with privacy laws, possible variations in our quarterly operating results, taxation risks, concentration of our stock ownership and any weakness identified in our system of internal controls. These risks are described more completely in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019 and in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the year ended March 31, 2020. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

The global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has been declared by the World Health Organization to be a “pandemic”, has spread to many countries and is impacting worldwide economic activity. Many governments have implemented policies intended to stop or slow the further spread of the disease, such as shelter-in-place orders, resulting in the temporary closure of non-essential businesses, and these measures may remain in place for a significant period of time. Due to COVID-19 materially impacting our business beginning only in the last month of the quarter, the impact on our business in the first quarter of 2020 is primarily limited to March customer contract bookings and the amount of consulting projects delivered. While the duration and severity of this pandemic is uncertain, we currently expect that our results of operations in the second quarter of 2020 will have the most significant impact of the effects of COVID-19, and that subsequent periods will also be negatively impacted. We typically generate a significant portion of our Events revenues in the second quarter of the year, including revenues from our two flagship events, the SiriusDecisions Summit and CX North America, both of which will be held as virtual events, resulting in a significant reduction in revenues and profits from these two events. In addition, we cancelled two smaller events originally scheduled for the second quarter of the year. We also expect a reduction in our subscription Research, Connect and Analytics revenues and a reduction in Consulting revenues during the second quarter due to reduced customer contract booking activity in March, which is expected to continue through at least the second quarter of 2020. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately impacts our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity may differ from our current estimates due to inherent uncertainties regarding the duration and further spread of the outbreak, its severity, actions taken to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.

We have implemented several cost-reduction measures that include reductions to travel, new hiring, and employee incentive compensation programs. We will continue to proactively respond to the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by governmental authorities, or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees and customers.

As previously noted, on January 3, 2019, we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of SiriusDecisions, Inc., a privately held company based in Wilton, Connecticut with approximately 350 employees globally. SiriusDecisions equips business-to-business (B2B) sales, marketing, and product leaders with the actionable research, frameworks, tools, operational benchmarks and expert advice to maximize performance and drive alignment. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the Company paid $246.8 million at closing. Net cash paid, which accounts for the cash acquired of $7.9 million and a subsequent working capital adjustment, was $237.7 million. We paid for the acquisition with $175.0 million of debt and cash on hand. See Note 2 - Acquisitions and Note 4 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the acquisition and related debt obligations.


We derive revenues from membershipssubscriptions to and sales of, our Research, Connect and DataAnalytics products and services, licensing electronic “reprints” of our Research, performing advisory services and consulting projects, and hosting events.Events. We offer contracts for our Research, Connect and DataAnalytics products that are typically renewable annually and payable in advance. Membership revenuesSubscription products are recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the contract. Accordingly, a substantial portion of our billings are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Reprints include an obligation to deliver a customer-selected research document and certain usage data provided through an on-line platform, which represents two performance obligations. We recognize revenue for the performance obligation for the data portion of the reprint ratably over the license term. We recognize revenue for the performance obligation for the research document at the time of providing access to the document. Billings for licensing of reprints are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Clients purchase advisory and consulting services independently and/or to supplement their membershipsaccess to our subscription-based products. Billings attributable to advisory services and consulting projects are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Advisory service revenues, such as workshops, speeches and advisory days, are recognized when the customer receives the agreed upon deliverable. Consulting project revenues, which generally are short-term in nature and based upon fixed-fee agreements, are recognized as the services are provided. Event billingsAdvisory service revenues, such as workshops, speeches and advisory days, are recognized when the service is complete or the customer receives the agreed upon deliverable. Billings attributable to advisory services and consulting projects are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Events revenues consist of ticket or sponsorship sales for a Forrester-hosted event. Billings for Events are also initially recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue upon completion of each event.Event.

Our primary operating expenses consist of cost of services and fulfillment, selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses. Cost of services and fulfillment represents the costs associated with the production and delivery of our products and services, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits and stock-based compensation expense for all personnel that produce and deliver our products and services, including all associated editorial, travel, and support services. Selling and marketing expenses include salaries, sales commissions, bonuses, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, travel expenses, promotional costs and other costs incurred in marketing and selling our products and services. General and administrative expenses include the costs of the technology, operations, finance, and human resources groups and our other administrative functions, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, and stock-based compensation expense. Overhead costs such as facilities and annual fees for cloud-based information technology systems are allocated to these categories according to the number of employees in each group.

Client retention includes all client relationships except for clients that only purchase web-based products such as individual reports, workshops and Event tickets. Dollar retention and enrichment are calculated at a client account level which results in a broader view of dollar retention and enrichment as it includes virtually all products in the calculations (except for web-based products mentioned above) and captures all enrichment that occurs within the year for an account.

Deferred revenue, agreement value, client retention, dollar retention, enrichment, and number of clients are metrics that we believe are important to understanding our business. We believe that the amount of deferred revenue, along with the agreement value of contracts, to purchase research and advisory services, provide a significant measure of our business activity. We define these metrics as follows:

Deferred revenue— billings in advance of revenue recognition as of the measurement date.

Agreement valuethe total revenues recognizable from all contracts to purchase our services in force at a given time (but not including advisory-only(excluding contracts that consist solely of Consulting services and the value of Event sponsorships included in all contracts), without regard to how much revenue has already been recognized.

Client retentionthe percentage of client companies with memberships expiring during(defined as all clients except those that only purchase web-based products such as individual reports, workshops and Event tickets) at the most recent twelve-month periodprior year measurement date that renewed one or more of those memberships during that same period.have active contracts at the current year measurement date.

Dollarretention —  —the percentage of the total dollar value of client membershipcompanies’ active contracts expiring duringat the most recent twelve-month period, which are renewed in whole or in part, as a percentage ofprior year measurement date that have active contracts at the dollar value of all expiring client membership contracts during the same period.current year measurement date.

Enrichment the percentage of the dollar value of client membershipcompanies’ active contracts renewed duringat the most recent twelve-month periodcurrent year measurement date compared to the dollar value of the corresponding expiring contracts.client companies’ active contracts at the prior year measurement date.

Clients we aggregate the various divisions and subsidiaries of a corporate parent as a single client and we also aggregate separate instrumentalities of the federal, state, and provincial governments as a single client. We include only clients that purchased subscription-based products in our definition of clients.

 


Clients — we aggregate the various divisions and subsidiaries of a corporate parent as a single client and we also aggregate separate instrumentalities of the federal, state, and provincial governments as a single client.

Client retention, dollar retention, and enrichment are not necessarily indicative of the rate of future retention of our revenue base. A summary of our key metrics is as follows (dollars in millions):

 

 

As of

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

As of

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Deferred revenue

 

$

132.9

 

 

$

126.2

 

 

$

6.7

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

195.4

 

 

$

191.6

 

 

$

3.8

 

 

 

2

%

Agreement value

 

$

237.8

 

 

$

241.1

 

 

$

(3.3

)

 

 

(1

%)

 

$

354.9

 

 

$

345.3

 

 

$

9.6

 

 

 

3

%

Client retention

 

 

76

%

 

 

76

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69

%

 

 

72

%

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(4

%)

Dollar retention

 

 

88

%

 

 

88

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

89

%

 

 

90

%

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

%)

Enrichment

 

 

94

%

 

 

95

%

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

%)

 

 

102

%

 

 

106

%

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(4

%)

Number of clients

 

 

2,393

 

 

 

2,482

 

 

 

(89

)

 

 

(4

%)

 

 

2,805

 

 

 

2,850

 

 

 

(45

)

 

 

(2

%)

 

Deferred revenue at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 increased 5%2% compared to the prior year. Theyear, with 4% of the increase indue to the fair value adjustment of pre-acquisition deferred revenue isthat reduced deferred revenue in the prior year, and a result of2% decrease primarily due to a reduction in contract billings in excess of revenue recognized due to an increase in contract bookings.during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Agreement value decreased 1%increased 3% at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year due primarily to increased bundling of Consulting services with our Research and after adjusting for the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, remained essentially flatConnect products in our contracts. Client retention rate decreased 3 percentage points compared to the prior year. Clientyear period. Dollar retention rate and dollar retention rate both increased 1% compared to the prior quarter and were essentially flatdecreased 1 percentage point compared to the prior year period. Enrichment rate although essentially consistent with the prior quarter, declined 1%decreased 4 percentage points compared to the prior year period.

Retention and enrichment rates were negatively affected by a decrease in contract bookings experienced in March of 2020 as the economic effects of COVID-19 became widespread in Europe and North America.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our policies and estimates, including but not limited to, those related to our revenue recognition, non-marketable investments,leases, goodwill, intangible and other intangiblelong-lived assets, and income taxes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, data available at the time the estimates are made and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our other critical accounting policies and estimates are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019.


Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our statement of incomeoperations as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services

 

 

67.5

%

 

 

68.1

%

 

 

64.9

%

 

 

66.4

%

 

 

68.5

%

 

 

68.2

%

Advisory services and events

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

31.9

 

 

 

35.1

 

 

 

33.6

 

 

 

31.5

 

 

 

31.8

 

Total revenues

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and fulfillment

 

 

40.4

 

 

 

38.6

 

 

 

40.8

 

 

 

39.3

 

 

 

40.8

 

 

 

44.8

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

36.4

 

 

 

35.8

 

 

 

36.5

 

 

 

36.1

 

 

 

37.9

 

 

 

41.8

 

General and administrative

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

13.0

 

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

12.5

 

 

 

11.3

 

 

 

13.1

 

Depreciation

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

2.0

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

6.2

 

Reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

Income from operations

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

9.0

 

Other income, net

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

Losses on investments, net

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.5

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

8.6

 

Income tax provision

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

3.7

 

Net income

 

 

4.9

%

 

 

4.0

%

 

 

5.3

%

 

 

4.9

%

Acquisition and integration costs

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

2.9

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(10.8

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

(2.3

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(0.3

)

Gain (loss) on investments, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(13.5

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

Net loss

 

 

(0.5

%)

 

 

(13.2

%)

 


Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019

Revenues

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

80.4

 

 

$

77.4

 

 

$

3.0

 

 

 

4

%

Revenues from research services

 

$

54.2

 

 

$

52.7

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

 

3

%

Revenues from advisory services and events

 

$

26.1

 

 

$

24.7

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

 

6

%

Revenues attributable to customers outside of the U.S.

 

$

19.2

 

 

$

17.4

 

 

$

1.8

 

 

 

10

%

Percentage of revenue attributable to customers

   outside of the U.S.

 

 

24

%

 

 

22

%

 

 

2

 

 

 

9

%

Number of events

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

247.3

 

 

$

242.6

 

 

$

4.7

 

 

 

2

%

 

$

106.3

 

 

$

100.6

 

 

$

5.7

 

 

 

6

%

Revenues from research services

 

$

160.6

 

 

$

161.0

 

 

$

(0.4

)

 

 

 

 

$

72.8

 

 

$

68.6

 

 

$

4.2

 

 

 

6

%

Revenues from advisory services and events

 

$

86.7

 

 

$

81.7

 

 

$

5.0

 

 

 

6

%

 

$

33.5

 

 

$

32.0

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

 

5

%

Revenues attributable to customers outside of the U.S.

 

$

55.7

 

 

$

55.4

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

 

1

%

 

$

21.4

 

 

$

22.4

 

 

$

(1.0

)

 

 

(4

%)

Percentage of revenue attributable to customers outside of

the U.S.

 

 

23

%

 

 

23

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

%

 

 

21

%

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(5

%)

Number of events

 

 

9

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(10

%)

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(100

%)

 

Total revenues increased 4% and 2%6% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 respectively,March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year periods. After adjusting forperiod. Approximately 4% of the effectgrowth was due to the fair value adjustment of foreign currency fluctuations, thepre-acquisition deferred revenue increase was 3%that reduced revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and remained at 2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. March 31, 2019. Revenues from customers outside the U.S. increased 10% and 1% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods and increased 8% and 2%, respectively, after adjusting for the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. Revenues from customers outside of the U.S. represented 24% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and after adjusting for


the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, represented 23% of total revenues compared to 22% in the prior year period. The increase in the percentage of revenues attributable to customers outside of the U.S. decreased 4% during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 which was principallyprimarily due to an increasea decrease in revenues in Canada and the Asia Pacific region. Revenues from customers outside of the U.S. represented 23% of total revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and remained essentially flat compared to the prior year period, reflecting growth in revenues in the Asia Pacific region that was offset by a decline in revenues in Europe. There was no material effect of foreign currency fluctuations on revenues from customers outside of the U.S. as a percent of total revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.United Kingdom.

Research services revenues are recognized as revenue primarily on a ratable basis over the term of the contracts, which are generally twelve-month periods. Research services revenues increased 3%6% during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and was essentially flat during the nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year periods. Currency fluctuations hadperiod, which was primarily driven by growth in Research and Connect products. Approximately 5% of the effectgrowth was due to the fair value adjustment of increasingpre-acquisition deferred revenue growth by 1% inthat reduced revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and had an insignificant effect in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily driven by an increase in revenue for our Reprints and Connect products. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decline in revenue for our Data products and a slight decline in revenue for our Research products was offset by an increase in revenue for our Reprints and Connect products.  March 31, 2019.

Revenues from advisory services and events increased 6%5% during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year periods and increased 5% and 6%, respectively, after adjusting for the effect of foreign currency fluctuations. The increase in revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017period, which was principally due to increases in both advisory and events revenues, that was partially offset by a slight decline in consulting revenues. The increase in revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was principally due to growth in consulting and eventsof Consulting revenues. Events revenues increased 158% and 14% duringApproximately 1% of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, comparedgrowth was due to the prior year periods. The increase in eventsfair value adjustment of pre-acquisition deferred revenue that reduced revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to revenue from a new event held in the U.S. during the current year period that exceeded the decline in revenue resulting from the discontinuation of a small event in the Asia Pacific region. The increase in events revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was due an increase in sponsorship revenues that offset having held one less event in the Asia Pacific region in the current year compared to the prior year.March 31, 2019.

Please referRefer to the “Segments Results” section below for a discussion of revenues and expenses by segment.

Cost of Services and Fulfillment

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Cost of services and fulfillment (dollars in millions)

 

$

32.5

 

 

$

29.9

 

 

$

2.6

 

 

 

9

%

Cost of services and fulfillment as a percentage of

   total revenues

 

 

40.4

%

 

 

38.6

%

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

5

%

Service and fulfillment employees

   (at end of period)

 

 

593

 

 

 

571

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

4

%

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Cost of services and fulfillment (dollars in millions)

 

$

100.8

 

 

$

95.4

 

 

$

5.4

 

 

 

6

%

 

$

43.4

 

 

$

45.1

 

 

$

(1.7

)

 

 

(4

%)

Cost of services and fulfillment as a percentage of total

Revenues

 

 

40.8

%

 

 

39.3

%

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

4

%

Cost of services and fulfillment as a percentage of

total revenues

 

 

40.8

%

 

 

44.8

%

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(9

%)

Service and fulfillment employees

(at end of period)

 

 

786

 

 

 

754

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

4

%

 

Cost of services and fulfillment expenses increased 9%decreased 4% during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period and after adjusting for the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increased 8%.period. The increase in dollarsdecrease was primarily due to (1) a $1.4$2.6 million increasedecrease in compensation and benefit costs, resulting principally from a decrease in incentive bonuses due to the cost-reduction measures implemented as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by an increase in employeesheadcount and merit increases, and a $0.6 million decrease in travel and entertainment expenses. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.6 million increase in professional services costs.

Selling and Marketing

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Selling and marketing expenses (dollars in millions)

 

$

40.3

 

 

$

42.0

 

 

$

(1.7

)

 

 

(4

%)

Selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of

   total revenues

 

 

37.9

%

 

 

41.8

%

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(9

%)

Selling and marketing employees (at end of period)

 

 

771

 

 

 

739

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

4

%


Selling and marketing expenses decreased 4% during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period and annual merit increases, (2) a $0.3 million increase in event expenses and (3) a $0.5 million increase in professional services costs.

Cost of services and fulfillment expenses increased 6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period and after adjusting for the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increased 7%.period. The increase in dollarsdecrease was primarily due to (1) a $2.8$1.1 million increasedecrease in travel and entertainment expenses, and (2) a $0.7 million decrease in compensation and benefit costs, resulting principally from a decrease in incentive bonuses due to the cost-reduction measures implemented as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by an increase in employees compared to the prior year periodheadcount and annual merit increases, (2) a $1.0 million increase in event expensesincreases.

General and (3) a $0.7 million increase in professional services costs.Administrative

 


Selling and Marketing

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Selling and marketing expenses (dollars in millions)

 

$

29.2

 

 

$

27.8

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

 

5

%

Selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of

   total revenues

 

 

36.4

%

 

 

35.8

%

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

2

%

Selling and marketing employees (at end of period)

 

 

589

 

 

 

572

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Selling and marketing expenses (dollars in millions)

 

$

90.4

 

 

$

87.5

 

 

$

2.9

 

 

 

3

%

Selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of total

   revenues

 

 

36.5

%

 

 

36.1

%

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

General and administrative expenses (dollars in millions)

 

$

12.0

 

 

$

13.2

 

 

$

(1.2

)

 

 

(9

%)

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of

   total revenues

 

 

11.3

%

 

 

13.1

%

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(14

%)

General and administrative employees (at end of period)

 

 

237

 

 

 

247

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(4

%)

 

SellingGeneral and marketingadministrative expenses increased 5%decreased 9% during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period. The increase in dollarsdecrease was primarily due to a $1.5$1.1 million increasedecrease in compensation and benefit costs, resulting principally from an increase in sales employees, annual merit increases, and an increasea decrease in incentive bonuses due to the cost-reduction measures implemented as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense increased by $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period due to additional leasehold improvements being put into service.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Amortization expense decreased by $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period due to certain technology intangible assets becoming fully amortized.

Acquisition and Integration Costs

Acquisition and integration costs remained consistent during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period. There was no material effectWe expect to incur integration costs in a range of foreign currency fluctuations$3.5 million to $4.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2020.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of interest on selling and marketing expensesour borrowings used to finance the previous acquisition of SiriusDecisions. Interest expense decreased by $0.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Selling and marketing expenses increased 3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period and after adjusting for the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increased 4%. The increase in dollars was primarily due to a $3.4 million increase in compensation and benefit costs, resulting from an increase in sales employees, annual merit increases, an increase in incentive bonuses and an increase in severance costsMarch 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to lower average outstanding borrowings and lower effective interest rates.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net primarily consists of gains (losses) on foreign currency and interest income. The increase was partially offset by a $0.8in other income (expense), net of $0.6 million decrease in travel and entertainment expenses primarily resulting from a reduction in expense for our annual sales conference.

Subject to the business environment, we expect our sales headcount to increase by 3% to 6% in 2017 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

General and Administrative

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

General and administrative expenses (dollars in millions)

 

$

10.1

 

 

$

10.1

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of

   total revenues

 

 

12.6

%

 

 

13.0

%

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(3

%)

General and administrative employees (at end of period)

 

 

192

 

 

 

189

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

2

%

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

General and administrative expenses (dollars in millions)

 

$

30.7

 

 

$

30.4

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

 

1

%

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of

   total revenues

 

 

12.4

%

 

 

12.5

%

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(1

%)

General and administrative expenses remained essentially flat during the three months ended September 30, 2017 March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a $0.5 million decrease in professional services expense that was offset by (1) a $0.3 million increase in stock compensation expense and (2) a $0.1 million increase in compensation and benefits costs. There was no material effect of foreign currency fluctuations on general and administrative expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2017.

General and administrative expenses increased 1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period and after adjusting for the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increased 2%. The increase in dollars was primarily due to (1) a $0.8 million increase in compensation and benefit costs resulting from an increase in headcount and annual merit increases compared to the prior year period, (2) a $0.6 million increase in stock compensation costs and (3) a $0.2 million increase in hiring and relocation expense. These increases were partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in professional services expense.


Depreciation

Depreciation expense decreased by $0.3 million and $1.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods primarily due to certain equipment and software assets becoming fully depreciated.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Amortization expense remained essentially consistent during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior year periods.

Reorganization Costs

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred $1.0 million of severance and related benefits costs for a reduction in our workforce of approximately 2% of employees across various geographies and functions. All costs under this plan were paid during 2016.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net primarily consists of interest income on our investments as well as gains and losses on foreign currency. The decrease in other income, net of $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period is primarily due to an increase in foreign currency losses. The decrease in other income, net of $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period is primarily due to an increase in foreign currency losses of $0.3 million that was partially offset by an increase in interest income of $0.2 million.

LossesGain (Loss) on Investments, Net

LossesGain (loss) on investments, net primarily represents our share of equity method investment gains and losses from our technology-related investment funds. The decrease in investment lossesGain (loss) on investments, net remained essentially consistent during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 is primarily due to a decrease in investment losses incurred by the underlying funds asMarch 31, 2020 compared to the prior year periods.period.

Provision for Income TaxesTax Expense (Benefit)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Provision for income taxes (dollars in millions)

 

$

2.2

 

 

$

3.6

 

 

$

(1.4

)

 

 

(39

%)

Effective tax rate

 

 

35.4

%

 

 

53.5

%

 

 

(18.1

)

 

 

(34

%)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Absolute

 

 

Percentage

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Provision for income taxes (dollars in millions)

 

$

6.3

 

 

$

9.1

 

 

$

(2.8

)

 

 

(31

%)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes (dollars in millions)

 

$

 

 

$

(0.2

)

 

$

0.2

 

 

 

100

%

Effective tax rate

 

 

32.6

%

 

 

43.4

%

 

 

(10.8

)

 

 

(25

%)

 

 

(3.8

%)

 

 

1.7

%

 

 

(5.5

)

 

 

(324

%)

 


Income tax expense for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was $6.3 million$19 thousand resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.6%negative 3.8% for the period. Incomeperiod due to discrete items for the period, primarily tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $9.1 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 43.4% for the period.  The decrease in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 comparedrelated to the prior year period was due primarily to the recognitionexercise of a $1.3 million benefit from the settlement of a tax audit in the first quarter of 2017stock options and the recognitionvesting of approximately $0.3 million of windfall tax benefits from the settlement of options and restricted stock units during the third quarter of 2017. In addition, in 2016 an additional $0.6 million of tax expense was incurred due to a valuation allowance on a capital loss generated from one of our investments.units. For the full year 2017,2020, we anticipate that our effective tax rate will be approximately 35%10% to 15%.

Segment Results

As of January 1, 2020, we realigned our internal management and reporting into Products and Research segments. The Researchrealignment eliminated the SiriusDecisions segment as it no longer operated under a separate management structure. The 2019 amounts have been revised to conform to the current presentation.

The Products segment includes the revenues of the Connect, Analytics, and Events products and the costs of our research personnel who arethe organizations responsible for writing the researchdeveloping and performing the webinars and inquiries for our Research and Connectdelivering these products. In addition, this segment includes Consulting revenues and the research personnel deliver advisory services (such as workshops, speeches and advisory days) and a portionrelated cost of our project consulting services. Revenue in this segment includes onlyorganization. The project consulting organization delivers a majority of our project consulting revenue fromand certain advisory services and project consulting services that are delivered byprimarily related to the research personnel in this segment.


The ProductAnalytics product line. This segment also includes the costs of the product management organization that is responsible for product pricing and packaging and the launch of new products.

The Research segment includes the revenues of the Research products and the cost of the organizations responsible for developing and delivering our Research products. In addition, this segment includes Consulting revenues primarily from the costsdelivery of our Data, Connect and Events organizations. Revenue in this segment includes all of our revenue (including Research and Connect) except for revenue from advisory services (such as workshops, speeches and project consulting services that areadvisory days) delivered by personnel in the Research and Project Consulting segments.

The Project Consulting segment includes the costs of the consultants that deliver the majority of our project consulting services. Revenue in this segment includes the project consulting revenue delivered by the consultants in this segment.research analysts.

We evaluate reportable segment performance and allocate resources based on segment revenues and expenses. Segment expenses include the direct expenses of each segment organization and exclude selling and marketing expenses, certain client support expenses, general and administrative expenses, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation expense, adjustments to incentive bonus compensation from target amounts, amortization of intangible assets, reorganization costs,interest and other income,expense, and lossesgains (losses) on investments. The accounting policies used by the segments are the same as those used in the consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2017, we modified our internal reporting for the Research and Project Consulting segments to reflect the transfer of revenue and direct costs related to a small consulting team in Asia Pacific from Research to Project Consulting, and to remove from both Research and Project Consulting certain client support activities that are now included within selling, marketing, administrative and other expenses in the table below. Accordingly, the 2016 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

 

Research

 

 

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research

 

$

 

 

$

53,606

 

 

$

53,606

 

Connect

 

 

13,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,889

 

Analytics

 

 

5,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,301

 

Total research services revenues

 

 

19,190

 

 

 

53,606

 

 

 

72,796

 

 

Product

 

 

Research

 

 

Consulting

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

$

54,235

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

54,235

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

3,353

 

 

 

10,379

 

 

 

12,402

 

 

 

26,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consulting

 

 

20,638

 

 

 

12,821

 

 

 

33,459

 

Events

 

 

90

 

 

 

 

 

 

90

 

Total advisory services and events revenues

 

 

20,728

 

 

 

12,821

 

 

 

33,549

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

57,588

 

 

 

10,379

 

 

 

12,402

 

 

 

80,369

 

 

 

39,918

 

 

 

66,427

 

 

 

106,345

 

Segment expenses

 

 

9,764

 

 

 

11,953

 

 

 

6,443

 

 

 

28,160

 

 

 

(19,378

)

 

 

(18,784

)

 

 

(38,162

)

Contribution margin (loss)

 

 

47,824

 

 

 

(1,574

)

 

 

5,959

 

 

 

52,209

 

Year over year revenue change

 

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

6

%

Year over year expense change

 

 

10

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

(3

%)

 

 

(8

%)

 

 

(5

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

 

Research

 

 

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research

 

$

 

 

$

49,780

 

 

$

49,780

 

Connect

 

 

13,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,571

 

Analytics

 

 

5,258

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,258

 

Total research services revenues

 

 

18,829

 

 

 

49,780

 

 

 

68,609

 

 

Product

 

 

Research

 

 

Consulting

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

$

52,727

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

52,727

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

2,333

 

 

 

10,330

 

 

 

12,037

 

 

 

24,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consulting

 

 

18,885

 

 

 

12,902

 

 

 

31,787

 

Events

 

 

253

 

 

 

 

 

 

253

 

Total advisory services and events revenues

 

 

19,138

 

 

 

12,902

 

 

 

32,040

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

55,060

 

 

 

10,330

 

 

 

12,037

 

 

 

77,427

 

 

 

37,967

 

 

 

62,682

 

 

 

100,649

 

Segment expenses

 

 

8,884

 

 

 

11,586

 

 

 

5,522

 

 

 

25,992

 

 

 

(19,948

)

 

 

(20,397

)

 

 

(40,345

)

Contribution margin (loss)

 

 

46,176

 

 

 

(1,256

)

 

 

6,515

 

 

 

51,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

 

Research

 

 

Consulting

 

 

Consolidated

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

$

160,553

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

160,553

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

15,714

 

 

 

32,279

 

 

 

38,750

 

 

 

86,743

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

176,267

 

 

 

32,279

 

 

 

38,750

 

 

 

247,296

 

Segment expenses

 

 

32,788

 

 

 

36,510

 

 

 

18,886

 

 

 

88,184

 

Contribution margin (loss)

 

 

143,479

 

 

 

(4,231

)

 

 

19,864

 

 

 

159,112

 

Year over year revenue change

 

 

1

%

 

 

(3

%)

 

 

13

%

 

 

2

%

Year over year expense change

 

 

8

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

 

Research

 

 

Consulting

 

 

Consolidated

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research services revenues

 

$

160,998

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

160,998

 

Advisory services and events revenues

 

 

14,191

 

 

 

33,244

 

 

 

34,216

 

 

 

81,651

 

Total segment revenues

 

 

175,189

 

 

 

33,244

 

 

 

34,216

 

 

 

242,649

 

Segment expenses

 

 

30,306

 

 

 

36,026

 

 

 

17,465

 

 

 

83,797

 

Contribution margin (loss)

 

 

144,883

 

 

 

(2,782

)

 

 

16,751

 

 

 

158,852

 

 


Product segment revenues increased 5% and 1% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year periods. Research servicesperiod. Connect revenues increased 3% during2% driven by the three months ended September 30, 2017 and remained essentially flat duringexecutive program product while Analytics revenues increased 1%. Consulting revenues increased 9% driven by strong consultant delivery. Approximately 1% of the nine months ended September 30, 2017 comparedProduct segment growth was due to the prior year periods. The increase in research services revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was principally driven by an increase in revenues for our Reprints and Connect products. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 a decline in revenues for our Data products and a slight decline in revenues for our Research products were offset by an increase in revenues for our Reprints and Connect products. Advisory services and events revenues, which is comprisedfair value adjustment of data consulting and events revenues in this segment, increased 44% and 11% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods. The increase in advisory services and eventspre-acquisition deferred revenue that reduced revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019.

Product segment expenses decreased 3% during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period. The decrease in expenses was primarily due to a $0.4 (1) $1.5 million decrease in compensation and benefit costs due to a decrease in incentive bonuses due to the cost-reduction measures implemented as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by an increase in headcount and merit increases, (2) a $1.4 million increase in data consulting revenues and a $0.7 million increase in Events revenues. The increase in Events revenues wasprofessional services primarily due to revenue from a new event held in the U.S. during the current year period that exceeded the decline in revenue resulting from the discontinuation of a small event in the Asia Pacific region. Thean increase in survey costs and an increase in outsourced services related to revenue delivery, and (3) a $0.4 million decrease in travel and entertainment expenses.

Research segment revenues increased 6% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period. The Research product line increased 8% driven by our reprint product, which was offset by a 1% decrease in Consulting revenues due to lower delivery of advisory services and eventsrevenues. Approximately 5% of the Research segment growth was due to the fair value adjustment of pre-acquisition deferred revenue that reduced revenues during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019.

Research segment expenses decreased 8% during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the prior year period. The decrease in expenses was primarily due to a $0.8$1.5 million increase in data consulting revenues and a $1.0 million increase in Events revenues. The increase in Events revenues was due to an increase in sponsorship revenues that offset having held one less event in the Asia Pacific region in the current year compared to the prior year. Product segment expenses increased 10% and 8% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods primarily due to an increasedecrease in compensation and benefit costs due to a decrease in incentive bonuses due to the cost-reduction measures implemented as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by an increase in employeesheadcount and an increase in events expenses driven by increased attendance at the events.

Research segment revenues remained essentially flat during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and declined 3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the prior year periods. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 an increase in advisory revenues was essentially offset by a decrease in consulting revenues. The decline in revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was principally due to a decrease in consulting revenues that was partially offset by a slight increase in advisory revenues. Research segment expenses increased 3% and 1% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods.  The increase in expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefit costs of $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, compared to the prior year periods.

Project Consulting segment revenues increased 3% and 13% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods due primarily to growth in our content marketing group, that was partially offset by a decline in revenue from our strategic consulting group. We expect revenue growth rates to be at a single digit level for the fourth quarter of the year. Project Consulting expenses increased 17% and 8% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods. The increase in expenses during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefit costs of $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, compared to the prior year periods.

merit increases.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have historically financed our operations primarily through funds generated from operations. Memberships for researchResearch services revenues, which constituted approximately 65%69% of our revenues during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, are generally renewable annually and are typically payable in advance. We generated cash from operating activities of $36.9$21.8 million and $38.3$26.0 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively. The $1.4$4.2 million decrease in cash provided from operations for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 March 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to a $1.7$5.3 million decreasereduction in cash generated from working capital.  The decrease in cash from working capital was primarilyaccounts receivable and deferred revenue due to increasesa reduction in cash used for income taxes and cash used for accounts payable that were partially offset by a decrease in the use of cash for accrued salary expense resulting from a change in the timing of payroll payments. We expect cash from operating activitiescontract bookings for the full year 2017 to be in the range of $37.0 to $41.0 million.period.

During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, we generated $1.4 million ofused cash fromin investing activities consisting primarily of $7.0$2.4 million in net proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable investments that was partially offset by $5.8 million offor purchases of property and equipment. Property and equipment, purchases during 2017 consisted primarily consisting of computer equipment, software and leasehold improvements for our new office location in Nashville.. During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016, March 31, 2019, we used $18.9 million of cash fromin investing activities of $241.7 million, consisting primarily of $15.5$238.9 million infor the acquisition of SiriusDecisions, net purchases of marketable investmentscash acquired, and $3.3$2.8 million ofin purchases of property and equipment. Property and equipment, purchases during 2016 consistedconsisting primarily of computer equipmentsoftware and software.leasehold improvements.


We used $38.8$15.3 million of cash from financing activities during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 primarily due to the use$16.3 million of $40.0repayments of debt that consisted of $14.0 million for purchasesof discretionary payments on our revolving credit facility and $2.3 million of required repayments of our common stock and $10.2 million for the payment of dividends, at $0.19 per share in each of the first three quarters of 2017 as well as $2.5 million in taxes paid related to net share settlements of restricted stock units, which were partially offset by $13.9 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options and our employee stock purchase plan.term loan. We used $1.8generated $151.4 million of cash fromin financing activities during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016 March 31, 2019 primarily fordue to $171.3 million of borrowings, which reflects the paymentface value of dividends totaling $9.7debt of $175.0 million at $0.18 per share in each ofless $3.7 million that was netted against the first three quarters of 2016, as well as $2.1 million in taxes paid relatedproceeds to net share settlements of restricted stock units, whichpay debt issuance costs. This was partially offset by $10.0$21.6 million of repayments of debt during the quarter that consisted of $20.0 million of discretionary payments on our revolving credit facility and $1.6 million of required repayments of our term loan. During 2020, we anticipate paying approximately $3.5 million of deferred acquisition purchase price (which consists of up to $2.5 million for a contingent consideration agreement (refer to Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and $1.0 million of an indemnity holdback) for the FeedbackNow acquisition that occurred in 2018.

In connection with the acquisition of SiriusDecisions, we entered into a $200.0 million credit agreement on January 3, 2019 (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for: (1) senior secured term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million (the “Term Loans”) and (2) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). We utilized the full $125.0 million of the Term Loans and $50.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility to finance a portion of the acquisition of SiriusDecisions and to pay certain fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility. Additional information is provided in Note 4 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement can be repaid early, in part or in whole, at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage reimbursement requirements for the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) based loans. The Term Loans must be prepaid with net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options(i) certain debt incurred or issued by us and our employeerestricted subsidiaries and (ii) certain asset sales and condemnation or casualty events, subject to certain reinvestment rights.


Amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to either (i) LIBOR for the applicable interest period plus a margin that is between 1.75% and 2.50% based on our consolidated total leverage ratio or (ii) the alternate base rate plus a margin that is between 0.75% and 1.50% based on our consolidated total leverage ratio. In addition, we will pay a commitment fee that is between 0.25% and 0.35% per annum, based on our consolidated total leverage ratio, on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, payable quarterly, in arrears. During 2019, we entered into an interest rate swap contract to effectively convert the floating base interest rate to a fixed rate on approximately 80% of the outstanding Term Loan principal balance. Additional information is provided in Note 7 – Derivatives and Hedging in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Credit Agreement contains certain customary restrictive loan covenants, including among others, financial covenants that apply a maximum leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The negative covenants limit, subject to various exceptions, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, merge, consolidate, liquidate or dissolve any part of Forrester, sell assets, pay dividends or other payments in respect to capital stock, purchase plan.change fiscal year, or enter into certain transactions with affiliates and subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default, representations, and warranties.

As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, we were in compliance with our remaining stock repurchase authorization was approximately $20.1 million.financial covenants under the Credit Agreement. We plancurrently forecast that we will be in compliance with our financial covenants for at least one year from the issuance of these interim financial statements, after taking into consideration the cost cutting measures implemented during the first quarter of the year. If the impact of COVID-19 is more severe than currently forecasted this may impact our ability to repurchasecomply with our common stock as market conditions warrant.financial covenants which could have a material adverse effect on our business. 

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $80.0 million and marketable investments of $54.0$69.8 million. These balances include $61.6This balance includes $51.8 million held outside of the U.S. If these fundsthe cash outside of the U.S. are needed for operations in the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay U.S. state taxes and may be required to pay withholding taxes to foreign jurisdictions to repatriate these funds. However, our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate these funds for our U.S. operations. We do not currently have a line of credit and do not presently anticipate the need to access a line of credit in the foreseeable future except in the case of a significant acquisition. We believe that our current cash balance marketable investments, and cash flows from operations will satisfy working capital, financing activities, and capital expenditure requirements for the next twelve months.

Contractual Obligations

There havehas been noa material changeschange to the operating lease payments and purchase commitment lines of the contractual obligations table as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019. As of March 31, 2020, we have the following updated contractual obligations (in thousands):

Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

Total

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

Thereafter

 

Operating lease payments (1)

 

 

 

$

106,026

 

 

$

12,046

 

 

$

15,777

 

 

$

15,387

 

 

$

14,872

 

 

$

14,534

 

 

$

33,410

 

Purchase commitments (2)

 

 

 

 

8,372

 

 

 

6,632

 

 

 

870

 

 

 

870

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

114,398

 

 

$

18,678

 

 

$

16,647

 

 

$

16,257

 

 

$

14,872

 

 

$

14,534

 

 

$

33,410

 

(1)

We primarily lease office space under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we entered into several operating leases that commence later in 2020. These leases require us to make $17.2 million of lease payments over the terms of the leases, which are up to ten years. This additional amount is reflected in the table above. Refer to Note 5 - Leasesin the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)

Purchase commitments principally consist of contractual commitments for software, outsourced research services and Event venues. As noted earlier, due to the impact of COVID-19, we moved our two flagship events during the second quarter, the SiriusDecisions Summit and CX North America, to a virtual format, and we cancelled two smaller everts originally scheduled to take place during the same period. As a result of these changes, during the three months ended March 31, 2020 we were able to cancel contracts for event venues, reducing our previously disclosed purchase commitments amounts by a total of $2.1 million.

Other than as noted above, the Contractual Obligations section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 remains current in all material respects.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not maintain any off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 and Note 10 ofInterim Consolidated Financial Statements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements including the expected dates of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial condition.

 


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in our assessment of our sensitivity to market risk since our presentation set forth in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined under Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020. Based upon their evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance as of that date.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

ThereExcept as noted below, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) underof the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 thatMarch 31, 2020, which has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

In response to COVID-19, we have undertaken measures to protect our employees, partners, and clients, including encouraging employees to work remotely. These changes have compelled us to modify some of our control procedures. However these changes have so far not been material.

 

 


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A: Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K remain applicable to our business. In addition, we are updating the risk factor included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K titled “We Face Risks Related to Health Epidemics That Could Adversely Impact Our Business” as follows.

We Face Risks Related to Health Epidemics That Could Adversely Impact Our Business.  Our business has been and could continue to be adversely affected by the effects of a widespread outbreak of contagious disease, including the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, or COVID-19. Any outbreak of contagious diseases, and other adverse public health developments, could have a material and adverse effect on our business operations. This could include disruptions or restrictions on the ability of our employees or our customers to travel and a slowdown in the global economy, which could adversely affect our ability to sell or fulfill, and a reduction in demand for, our products, services or events. Any disruption or delay of our customers or third-party service providers would likely impact our operating results. Due to COVID-19 materially impacting our business beginning only in the last month of the quarter, the impact on our business in the first quarter of 2020 is primarily limited to March customer contract bookings and the amount of consulting projects delivered. While the duration and severity of this pandemic is uncertain, we currently expect that its results of operations in the second quarter of 2020 will have the most significant impact of the effects of COVID-19, and that subsequent periods will also be negatively impacted. We typically generate a significant portion of our Events revenues in the second quarter of the year, including revenues from our two flagship events, the SiriusDecisions Summit and CX North America, both of which will be held as virtual events, resulting in significant reduction in revenues and profits from these two events. In addition, we cancelled two small events originally scheduled for the second quarter of the year. We also expect a reduction in our subscription Research, Connect and Analytics revenues and a reduction in Consulting revenues during the second quarter due to reduced customer contract booking activity in March, which is expected to continue through at least the second quarter of 2020.  The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately impacts our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity may differ from our current estimates due to inherent uncertainties regarding the duration and further spread of the outbreak, its severity, actions taken to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.  

We have implemented several cost-reduction measures that include reductions to travel, new hiring, and employee incentive compensation programs. We will continue to proactively respond to the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by governmental authorities, or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees and customers.

As of March 31, 2020, we were in compliance with our financial covenants under our Credit Agreement (see Note 4 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). We currently forecast that we will be in compliance with our financial covenants for at least one year from the issuance of these interim financial statements, after taking into consideration the measures noted above. If the impact of COVID-19 is more severe than currently forecasted this may impact our ability to comply with our financial covenants which could have a material adverse effect us. 

The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the updated risks within this Form 10-Q are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Through September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized an aggregate $485.0$535.0 million to purchase common stock under our stock repurchase program. During the quarter ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we purchased the followingdid not purchase any shares of our common stock under the stock repurchase program:program. As previously disclosed, subsequent to our acquisition of SiriusDecisions we anticipate continuing to substantially reduce or eliminate repurchases of our common stock during 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum Dollar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value that May

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet be Purchased

 

 

 

Total Number of

 

 

Average Price

 

 

Under the Stock

 

Period

 

Shares Purchased (1)

 

 

Paid per Share

 

 

Repurchase Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

July 1 - July 30

 

 

32,065

 

 

$

39.69

 

 

 

 

 

August 1 - August 31

 

 

26,468

 

 

$

39.82

 

 

 

 

 

September 1 - September 30

 

 

30,359

 

 

$

40.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

88,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,100

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

(1)

All purchases of our common stock were made under the stock repurchase program first announced in 2001.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

 


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

    3.1

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Forrester Research, Inc. (see Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1A filed on November 5, 1996)

    3.2

Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Forrester Research, Inc. (see Exhibit 3.1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999)

    3.3

Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Forrester Research, Inc.

    3.4

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Forrester Research, Inc.

    4.1

Specimen Certificate for shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of Forrester Research, Inc. (see Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1A filed on November 5, 1996)

 

 

 

  31.1

 

Certification of the Principal Executive Officer. (filed herewith)

 

 

 

  31.2

 

Certification of the Principal Financial Officer. (filed herewith)

 

 

 

  32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (furnished herewith)

 

 

 

  32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (furnished herewith)

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document. (filed herewith)

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema. (filed herewith)

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase. (filed herewith)

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase. (filed herewith)

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase. (filed herewith)

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. (filed herewith)

 

 

 


SIGNATURES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Michael A. Doyle

 

 

Michael A. Doyle

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal financial officer)

Date: November 7, 2017May 11, 2020

 

32


Exhibit Index

Exhibit

No.

Document

  31.1

Certification of the Principal Executive Officer. (filed herewith)

  31.2

Certification of the Principal Financial Officer. (filed herewith)

  32.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (furnished herewith)

  32.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (furnished herewith)

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document. (filed herewith)

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema. (filed herewith)

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase. (filed herewith)

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase. (filed herewith)

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase. (filed herewith)

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. (filed herewith)

30