Acxiom® (Nasdaq:ACXM), the data foundation for the world's best marketers, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended June 30, 2017.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170803006042/en/

Financial Highlights

  • Revenue: Total revenue was $213 million or down 1% compared to the first quarter of last year. Year-over-year revenue growth was negatively impacted by $12 million associated with the 2017 divestiture of Acxiom Impact and $1 million of FX.
  • Operating Income (Loss): GAAP operating loss was $6 million compared to operating income of $8 million in the prior year. Non-GAAP operating income improved 6% to approximately $22 million.
  • Earnings (Loss) per Share: GAAP diluted loss per share was $0.02 compared to earnings per share of $0.05 in the prior year. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.14 compared to $0.15 a year ago.
  • Operating Cash Flow: Operating cash flow was $5 million, up from $1 million in the prior year.
  • Free Cash Flow to Equity: Free cash flow to equity was negative $6 million, up from negative $22 million in the prior year. For the trailing twelve-month period, free cash flow to equity improved to $79 million, up from $8 million in the comparable period.
 

Segment Results

$M

 

Connectivity

  

Q118

  

Q117

  

Y/Y Δ

Revenue

   $ 45   $ 31   44%

Gross Profit

 $ 28 $ 18 57%

Gross Margin

61%

56% 480 bps

Segment Operating Income (Loss)

 $ (0) $ 0 (117%)

Segment Margin

(0%) 1% (100) bps
 

Audience Solutions

  

Q118

  

Q117

  

Y/Y Δ

Revenue

 $ 76 $ 74 3%

Gross Profit

 $ 47 $ 42 13%

Gross Margin

62% 57% 550 bps

Segment Operating Income

 $ 29 $ 25 14%

Segment Margin

38% 34% 370 bps
 

Marketing Services

  

Q118

  

Q117

  

Y/Y Δ

Revenue

 $ 92 $ 110 (17%)

Gross Profit

 $ 31 $ 37 (16%)

Gross Margin

34% 34% 10 bps

Segment Operating Income

 $ 20 $ 20 (2%)

Segment Margin

22% 18% 320 bps
 

A detailed discussion of our non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided in the schedules to this press release.

“We remain on track to meet our profit objectives for the year,” said Acxiom CEO Scott Howe. “While our near-term top-line expectations have declined, our business remains strong. We are expanding internationally, our Connectivity business continues to fire on all cylinders, and we are making good progress against our key growth initiatives.”

Recent Business Highlights

  • LiveRamp® added approximately 40 new direct clients during the quarter and added over 25 new partner integrations. Marketers can now onboard and activate their data across a growing network of more than 500 publishers and marketing technology providers.
  • LiveRamp launched IdentityLink™ for publishers. This solution allows publishers to better monetize their audiences by supporting brands' people-based marketing initiatives. Over 200 publishers are now using IdentityLink, which unifies LiveRamp’s identity resolution suite of capabilities with those acquired in the 2016 acquisitions of Arbor and Circulate.
  • Audience Solutions announced several new data partnerships, including a measurement partnership with Pinterest and an integration with LinkedIn that will enhance people-based targeting on its platform.
  • Acxiom launched Connected Spaces, a global solution designed to deliver more relevant customer experiences at retail, travel and leisure locations such as airports, malls, sports stadiums, concert arenas and resorts. In partnership with Adobe Experience Cloud, Connected Spaces enables locations to identify, understand and engage with the thousands of people coming through their doors.
  • Acxiom launched its InfoBase® consumer database and AbiliTec® Identity Resolution offering in Mexico, enabling companies to reach 78 million unique individuals, covering 84 percent of all adults in Mexico.
  • Acxiom was awarded five new patents for data processing and management technology. Designed to support the data science underlying its best-of-breed marketing solutions, the new patents extend Acxiom’s leadership in people-based marketing and ethical data use.
  • Acxiom was named one of the Best Places to Work in Arkansas by Arkansas Business. Acxiom has previously been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor, San Francisco Business Times and Silicon Valley Business Journal, among others. It has also been certified as a great workplace by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work®.

Financial Outlook

Acxiom’s non-GAAP guidance excludes the impact of non-cash compensation, purchased intangible asset amortization, restructuring charges and business separation costs.

For fiscal 2018, Acxiom expects to report:

  • Revenue of between $920 million and $930 million, an increase of between 7% and 8% year-over-year after adjusting for the Acxiom Impact divestiture. This represents a downward adjustment of $15 million to $25 million from prior guidance.
  • GAAP diluted loss per share of approximately $0.06.
  • Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.80, an increase of 13% year-over-year.

Conference Call

Acxiom will hold a conference call at 4:00 p.m. CT today to further discuss this information. Interested parties are invited to listen to the call which will be broadcast via the Internet and can be found on our investor site. A slide presentation will be referenced during the call and can be accessed here.

About Acxiom

Acxiom provides the data foundation for the world’s best marketers. We enable people-based marketing everywhere through a simple, open approach to connecting systems and data that drives seamless customer experiences and higher ROI. A leader in identity and ethical data use for more than 45 years, Acxiom helps thousands of clients and partners around the globe work together to create a world where all marketing is relevant. Acxiom is a registered trademark of Acxiom Corporation. For more information, visit Acxiom.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release and today’s conference call contain forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements regarding expected levels of revenue and earnings per share. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. The following are factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements: the possibility that the expected revenue from the divisions may not be realized within the expected timeframe; the possibility that the integration of acquired businesses may not be successful as planned; the possibility that certain contracts may not generate the anticipated revenue or profitability or may not be closed within the anticipated time frames; the possibility that significant customers may experience extreme, severe economic difficulty or otherwise reduce or cancel the amount of business they do with us; the possibility that we will not successfully complete customer contract requirements on time or meet the service levels specified in the contracts, which may result in contract penalties or lost revenue; the possibility that data purchasers will reduce their reliance on us by developing and using their own, or alternative, sources of data generally or with respect to certain data elements or categories; the possibility that data suppliers might withdraw data from us, leading to our inability to provide certain products and services to our clients; the possibility that we may not be able to attract, retain or motivate qualified technical, sales and leadership associates, or that we may lose key associates; the possibility that we may not be able to adequately adapt to rapidly changing computing environments, technologies and marketing practices; the possibility that we will not be able to continue to receive credit upon satisfactory terms and conditions; the possibility that negative changes in economic conditions in general or other conditions might lead to a reduction in demand for our products and services; the possibility that there will be changes in consumer or business information industries and markets that negatively impact the company; the possibility that the historical seasonality of our business may change; the possibility that we will not be able to achieve anticipated cost reductions and avoid unanticipated costs; the possibility that the fair value of certain of our assets may not be equal to the carrying value of those assets now or in future time periods; the possibility that unusual charges may be incurred; the possibility that changes in accounting pronouncements may occur and may impact these forward-looking statements; the possibility that we may encounter difficulties when entering new markets or industries; the possibility that we could experience loss of data center capacity or interruption of telecommunication links; the possibility that new laws may be enacted which limit our ability to provide services to our clients and/or which limit the use of data; and the possibility that other risks and uncertainties may emerge, including those detailed from time to time in our current and periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, particularly the discussion under the caption “Item 1A. RISK FACTORS” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2017.

With respect to the provision of products or services outside our primary base of operations in the United States, all of the above factors apply, along with the difficulty of doing business in numerous sovereign jurisdictions due to differences in scale, competition, culture, laws and regulations.

We undertake no obligation to update the information contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statement.

To automatically receive Acxiom Corporation financial news by email, please visit www.acxiom.com and subscribe to email alerts.

 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
    $   %
2017 2016 Variance   Variance
 
Revenues 212,514 214,801 (2,287 ) (1.1 %)
 
Cost of revenue 113,960   122,819   (8,859 ) (7.2 %)
Gross profit 98,554 91,982 6,572 7.1 %
% Gross margin 46.4 % 42.8 %
 
Operating expenses:
Research and development 23,563 18,652 4,911 26.3 %
Sales and marketing 48,440 37,348 11,092 29.7 %
General and administrative 32,356 27,506 4,850 17.6 %
Gains, losses and other items, net (98 ) 314   (412 ) (131.2 %)
Total operating expenses 104,261   83,820   20,441 24.4 %
 
Income (loss) from operations (5,707 ) 8,162 (13,869 ) (169.9 %)
% Margin -2.7 % 3.8 %
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (2,342 ) (1,812 ) (530 ) (29.2 %)
Other, net (672 ) 307   (979 ) (319.0 %)
Total other expense (3,014 ) (1,505 ) (1,509 ) (100.3 %)
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes (8,721 ) 6,657 (15,378 ) (231.0 %)
 
Income taxes (7,421 ) 2,681   (10,102 ) (376.8 %)
 
Net earnings (loss) (1,300 ) 3,976   (5,276 ) (132.7 %)
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share (0.02 ) 0.05   (0.07 ) (132.2 %)
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (0.02 ) 0.05   (0.07 ) (133.0 %)
 
Basic weighted average shares 78,672 77,471
 
Diluted weighted average shares 78,672 79,353
 
 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EPS (1)

(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
2017   2016
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes (8,721 ) 6,657
 
Income taxes (7,421 ) 2,681
 
Net earnings (loss) (1,300 ) 3,976
 
Earnings (loss) per share:
 
Basic (0.02 ) 0.05
 
Diluted (0.02 ) 0.05
 
Excluded items:
Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue) 5,966 4,077
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses) 15,031 8,590
Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other) (98 ) 314
Separation and transformation costs (general and administrative) 7,119   -
 

Total excluded items

28,018   12,981
 
Earnings before income taxes
and excluding items 19,297 19,638
 
Income taxes (2) 7,720   7,852
 
Non-GAAP net earnings 11,577   11,786
 
Non-GAAP earnings per share:
 
Basic 0.15   0.15
 
Diluted 0.14   0.15
 
Basic weighted average shares 78,672   77,471
 
Diluted weighted average shares 81,440   79,353
 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

(2) Income taxes were calculated using an effective non-GAAP tax rate of 40.0% in both periods presented. The difference between our GAAP and non-GAAP tax rates were primarily due to the net tax effects of the excluded items.

 
 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS (1)

(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
2017   2016
 
Income (loss) from operations (5,707 ) 8,162
 
Excluded items:
Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue) 5,966 4,077
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses) 15,031 8,590
Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other) (98 ) 314
Separation and transformation costs (general and administrative) 7,119   -
 
Total excluded items 28,018   12,981
 
Income from operations before excluded items 22,311   21,143
 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RESULTS BY SEGMENT
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
    $   %
2017 2016 Variance   Variance
 
Revenues
Marketing Services 91,594 109,715 (18,121 ) (16.5 %)
Audience Solutions 75,734 73,744 1,990 2.7 %
Connectivity 45,186   31,342   13,844 44.2 %
Total operating segment revenues 212,514 214,801 (2,287 ) (1.1 %)
 
Gross profit
Marketing Services 31,358 37,466 (6,108 ) (16.3 %)
Audience Solutions 47,210 41,912 5,298 12.6 %
Connectivity 27,525   17,575   9,950 56.6 %
Total operating segment gross profit 106,093 96,953 9,140 9.4 %
 
Gross margin %
Marketing Services 34.2 % 34.1 %
Audience Solutions 62.3 % 56.8 %
Connectivity 60.9 % 56.1 %
Total operating segment gross margin 49.9 % 45.1 %
 
Income (loss) from operations
Marketing Services 19,784 20,145 (361 ) (1.8 %)
Audience Solutions 28,542 25,096 3,446 13.7 %
Connectivity (48 ) 291   (339 ) (116.6 %)
Total operating segment income from operations 48,277 45,532 2,745 6.0 %
 
Operating income (loss) margin %
Marketing Services 21.6 % 18.4 %
Audience Solutions 37.7 % 34.0 %
Connectivity (0.1 %) 0.9 %
Total operating segment operating margin 22.7 % 21.2 %
 
Some totals may not add due to rounding.
 
 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT RESULTS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017   2016
 
Total operating segment gross profit 106,093 96,953
 
Less:
Purchased intangible asset amortization 5,966 4,077
Non-cash stock compensation 1,573   894
 
Gross profit 98,554   91,982
 
Total operating segment income from operations 48,277 45,532
 
Less:
Corporate expenses 25,967 24,389
Purchased intangible asset amortization 5,966 4,077
Non-cash stock compensation 15,031 8,590
Restructuring charges (98 ) 314
Separation and transformation costs 7,119   -
 
Income (loss) from operations (5,707 ) 8,162
 
Some totals may not add due to rounding.
 
 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA (1)
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
2017   2016
 
Net earnings (loss) (1,300 ) 3,976
 
Income taxes (7,421 ) 2,681
 
Other expense (3,014 ) (1,505 )
 
Income (loss) from operations (5,707 ) 8,162
 
Depreciation and amortization 21,110   20,790  
 
EBITDA 15,403   28,952  
 
Other adjustments:
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses) 15,031 8,590
Gains, losses, and other items, net (98 ) 314
Separation and transformation costs (general and administrative) 7,119   -  
 
Other adjustments 22,052   8,904  
 
Adjusted EBITDA 37,455   37,856  
 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures, the usefulness of these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
  June 30,   March 31,   $   %
2017 2017 Variance   Variance

Assets

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 163,146 170,343 (7,197 ) (4.2 %)
Trade accounts receivable, net 131,339 142,768 (11,429 ) (8.0 %)
Refundable income taxes 15,925 7,098 8,827 124.4 %
Other current assets 44,809   48,310   (3,501 ) (7.2 %)
 
Total current assets 355,219   368,519   (13,300 ) (3.6 %)
 
Property and equipment 480,212 476,281 3,931 0.8 %
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization 325,962   320,307   5,655 1.8 %
 
Property and equipment, net 154,250   155,974   (1,724 ) (1.1 %)
 
Software, net of accumulated amortization 44,089 47,638 (3,549 ) (7.4 %)
Goodwill 592,761 592,731 30 0.0 %
Purchased software licenses, net of accumulated amortization 7,159 7,972 (813 ) (10.2 %)
Deferred income taxes 12,240 10,261 1,979 19.3 %
Other assets, net 48,179   51,443   (3,264 ) (6.3 %)
 
1,213,897   1,234,538   (20,641 ) (1.7 %)
 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt 2,339 39,819 (37,480 ) (94.1 %)
Trade accounts payable 41,414 40,208 1,206 3.0 %
Accrued payroll and related expenses 22,230 53,238 (31,008 ) (58.2 %)
Other accrued expenses 58,111 59,861 (1,750 ) (2.9 %)
Deferred revenue 32,522   37,087   (4,565 ) (12.3 %)
 
Total current liabilities 156,616   230,213   (73,597 ) (32.0 %)
 
Long-term debt 228,145 189,241 38,904 20.6 %
 
Deferred income taxes 60,026 58,374 1,652 2.8 %
 
Other liabilities 15,653 17,730 (2,077 ) (11.7 %)
 
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock 13,407 13,288 119 0.9 %
Additional paid-in capital 1,174,496 1,154,429 20,067 1.7 %
Retained earnings 603,551 602,609 942 0.2 %
Accumulated other comprehensive income 8,651 7,999 652 8.2 %
Treasury stock, at cost (1,046,648 ) (1,039,345 ) (7,303 ) (0.7 %)
Total stockholders' equity 753,457   738,980   14,477 2.0 %
 
1,213,897   1,234,538   (20,641 ) (1.7 %)
 
 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
     
2017   2016
 
Cash flows from operating activities:  
Net earnings (loss) (1,300 ) 3,976
Non-cash operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 21,110 20,790
Loss on disposal of assets 163 -
Accelerated deferred debt costs 720 -
Deferred income taxes 2,497 (678 )
Non-cash stock compensation expense 15,038 8,590
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 11,960 9,487
Other assets (3,377 ) 5,383
Accounts payable and other liabilities (37,073 ) (41,021 )
Deferred revenue (4,787 ) (5,777 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 4,951   750  
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capitalized software (3,388 ) (3,982 )
Capital expenditures (6,888 ) (10,694 )
Data acquisition costs (190 ) (20 )

Net cash used in investing activities

(10,466 ) (14,696 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt 230,000 -
Payments of debt (225,572 ) (8,053 )
Fees for debt refinancing (4,001 ) -
Sale of common stock, net of stock acquired for withholding taxes (2,539 ) 2,974
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation - 514
Acquisition of treasury stock -   (20,207 )
Net cash used in financing activities (2,112 ) (24,772 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 430   (751 )
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (7,197 ) (39,469 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 170,343   189,629  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 163,146   150,160  
 

Supplemental cash flow information:

Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest 2,375 2,258
Income taxes 354 (76 )
 
 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CALCULATION OF FREE CASH FLOW TO EQUITY (1)
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                       
06/30/16   09/30/16   12/31/16   03/31/17   FY2017 06/30/17
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 750   35,482   48,933   30,665   115,830 4,951
 
Less (plus):
Capitalized software (3,982 ) (3,893 ) (3,296 ) (3,306 ) (14,477 ) (3,388 )
Capital expenditures (10,694 ) (9,845 ) (9,557 ) (17,897 ) (47,993 ) (6,888 )
Data acquisition costs (20 ) (247 ) (196 ) (418 ) (881 ) (190 )
Required debt payments (8,053 ) (8,058 ) (8,062 ) (8,070 ) (32,243 ) (572 )
Net cash received in disposition - 16,988 - - 16,988 -
Proceeds from sales of assets -     -     -     25,494     25,494   -  
 
Free Cash Flow to Equity (21,999 )   30,427     27,822     26,468     62,718   (6,087 )
 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures, the usefulness of these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                          Q1 FY18 to Q1 FY17
06/30/16   09/30/16   12/31/16   03/31/17   FY2017 06/30/17 %   $
Revenues 214,801   217,267   223,312   224,867   880,247 212,514 -1.1 %   (2,287 )
 
Cost of revenue 122,819     120,105     116,468     118,294     477,686   113,960   -7.2 % (8,859 )
Gross profit 91,982 97,162 106,844 106,573 402,561 98,554 7.1 % 6,572
% Gross margin 42.8 % 44.7 % 47.8 % 47.4 % 45.7 % 46.4 %
 
Operating expenses
Research and development 18,652 19,029 20,950 23,478 82,109 23,563 26.3 % 4,911
Sales and marketing 37,348 37,847 43,048 48,433 166,676 48,440 29.7 % 11,092
General and administrative 27,506 32,866 31,620 37,721 129,714 32,356 17.6 % 4,850
Impairment of goodwill and other - - - 1,315 1,315 - - -
Gains, losses and other items, net 314     300     2,111     4,335     7,058   (98 ) -131.3 % (412 )
Total operating expenses 83,820 90,042 97,729 115,282 386,872 104,261 24.4 % 20,441
 
Income (loss) from operations 8,162 7,120 9,115 (8,709 ) 15,689 (5,707 ) -169.9 % (13,869 )
% Margin3.8%3.3%4.1%-3.9%1.8%-2.7%
Other income (expense)
Interest expense (1,812 ) (1,689 ) (1,743 ) (2,137 ) (7,381 ) (2,342 ) -29.2 % (530 )
Other, net 307     (207 )   35     199     334   (672 ) -319.0 % (979 )
Total other expense (1,505 ) (1,896 ) (1,708 ) (1,937 ) (7,047 ) (3,014 ) -100.3 % (1,509 )
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 6,657 5,224 7,407 (10,646 ) 8,642 (8,721 ) -231.0 % (15,378 )
Income taxes 2,681     (1,916 )   6,334     (2,565 )   4,534   (7,421 ) -376.8 % (10,102 )
 
Net earnings (loss) 3,976 7,140 1,073 (8,081 ) 4,108 (1,300 ) -132.7 % (5,276 )
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 0.05     0.09     0.01     (0.10 )   0.05   (0.02 ) -133.0 % (0.07 )
 
Some earnings (loss) per share amounts may not add due to rounding.
 
 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EPS (1)
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                       
06/30/16   09/30/16   12/31/16   03/31/17   FY2017 06/30/17
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 6,657   5,224   7,407   (10,646 )   8,642 (8,721 )
 
Income taxes 2,681   (1,916 )   6,334   (2,565 )   4,534   (7,421 )
 
Net earnings (loss) 3,976   7,140     1,073   (8,081 )   4,108   (1,300 )
 
Earnings (loss) per share:
 
Basic 0.05   0.09     0.01   (0.10 )   0.05   (0.02 )
 
Diluted 0.05   0.09     0.01   (0.10 )   0.05   (0.02 )
 
Excluded items:
Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue) 4,077 3,890 4,621 6,056 18,644 5,966
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses) 8,590 11,938 13,427 15,190 49,145 15,031
Impairment of goodwill and other - - - 1,315 1,315 -
Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other) 314 300 2,111 7,321 10,045 (98 )
Gain on sales of assets (gains, losses and other) - - - (2,986 ) (2,986 ) -
Separation and transformation costs (general and administrative) -   1,455     4,118   3,066     8,639   7,119  
 
Total excluded items 12,981   17,583     24,277   29,962     84,803   28,018  
 
Earnings before income taxes

and excluding items

19,638 22,807 31,684 19,315 93,444 19,297
 
Income taxes 7,852   8,910     12,751   7,139     36,652   7,720  
 
Non-GAAP net earnings 11,786   13,897     18,933   12,177     56,792   11,577  
 
Non-GAAP earnings per share:
 
Basic 0.15   0.18     0.24   0.16     0.73   0.15  
 
Diluted 0.15   0.18     0.24   0.15     0.71   0.14  
 
Basic weighted average shares 77,471   77,446     77,507   78,012     77,609   78,672  
 
Diluted weighted average shares 79,353   79,277     79,851   80,912     79,848   81,440  
 
Some totals may not add due to rounding
 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RESULTS BY SEGMENT
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                          Q1 FY18 to Q1 FY17
06/30/16   09/30/16   12/31/16   03/31/17   FY2017 06/30/17 %   $
 
Revenues:          
 
Marketing Services 109,715 105,679 101,177 94,269 410,840 91,594 -16.5 % (18,121 )
Audience Solutions 73,744 78,526 83,399 86,396 322,065 75,734 2.7 % 1,990
Connectivity 31,342     33,062     38,736     44,203     147,342   45,186   44.2 % 13,844
 
Total operating segment revenues 214,801     217,267     223,312     224,867     880,247   212,514   -1.1 % (2,287 )
 
Gross profit:
 
Marketing Services 37,466 34,480 37,494 31,207 140,647 31,358 -16.3 % (6,108 )
Audience Solutions 41,912 47,998 53,120 55,154 198,185 47,210 12.6 % 5,298
Connectivity 17,575     19,843     23,091     27,742     88,251   27,525   56.6 % 9,950
 
Total operating segment gross profit 96,953     102,321     113,705     114,104     427,084   106,093   9.4 % 9,140
 
Gross margin %:
 
Marketing Services 34.1 % 32.6 % 37.1 % 33.1 % 34.2 % 34.2 %
Audience Solutions 56.8 % 61.1 % 63.7 % 63.8 % 61.5 % 62.3 %
Connectivity 56.1 % 60.0 % 59.6 % 62.8 % 59.9 % 60.9 %
 
Total operating segment gross margin 45.1 % 47.1 % 50.9 % 50.7 % 48.5 % 49.9 %
 
Income (loss) from operations:
 
Marketing Services 20,145 19,837 21,127 19,513 80,622 19,784 -1.8 % (361 )
Audience Solutions 25,096 29,972 34,572 33,598 123,238 28,542 13.7 % 3,446
Connectivity 291     1,663     1,877     1,502     5,333   (48 ) -116.6 % (339 )
 
Total operating segment income from operations 45,532     51,472     57,576     54,613     209,193   48,277   6.0 % 2,745
 
Operating income (loss) margin %:
 
Marketing Services 18.4 % 18.8 % 20.9 % 20.7 % 19.6 % 21.6 %
Audience Solutions 34.0 % 38.2 % 41.5 % 38.9 % 38.3 % 37.7 %
Connectivity 0.9 % 5.0 % 4.8 % 3.4 % 3.6 % -0.1 %
 
Total operating segment operating margin 21.2 % 23.7 % 25.8 % 24.3 % 23.8 % 22.7 %
 
Some totals may not add due to rounding.
 
 
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EPS GUIDANCE (1)

(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
  For the year ending
March 31, 2018
 
Earnings before income taxes 1,500
 
Income taxes   6,500  
 
Net loss   (5,000 )
 
Diluted loss per share $ (0.06 )
 
Excluded items:
Purchased intangible asset amortization 24,000
Non-cash stock compensation 64,000
Gains, losses and other items, net 6,000
Separation and transformation costs   15,000  
 
Total excluded items   109,000  
 
Earnings before income taxes and excluding items 110,500
 
Income taxes (2)   44,200  
 
Non-GAAP net earnings   66,300  
 
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share $ 0.80  
 
Basic weighted average shares 80,000
 
Diluted weighted average shares 83,000
 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures, the usefulness of these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

(2) Income taxes were calculated using an effective non-GAAP tax rate of 40.0%. The difference between our GAAP and Non-GAAP tax rates was due to the effect of excluded items.

 

             
ACXIOM CORPORATION APPENDIX A
Q1 FISCAL 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS
EXPLANATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
   

To supplement our financial results, we use non-GAAP measures which exclude certain acquisition related expenses, non-cash stock compensation and restructuring charges. We believe these measures are helpful in understanding our past performance and our future results. Our non-GAAP financial measures and schedules are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated GAAP financial statements. Our management regularly uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and to make operating decisions. These measures are among the primary factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. Compensation of our executives is also based in part on the performance of our business based on these non-GAAP measures.

 
Our non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA, reflect adjustments based on the following items, as well as the related income tax effects when applicable:
 

Purchased intangible asset amortization: We incur amortization of purchased intangibles in connection with our acquisitions. Purchased intangibles include (i) developed technology, (ii) customer and publisher relationships, and (iii) trade names. We expect to amortize for accounting purposes the fair value of the purchased intangibles based on the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets will be consumed as revenue is generated. Although the intangible assets generate revenue for us, we exclude this item because this expense is non-cash in nature and because we believe the non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our operational performance.

 

Non-cash stock compensation: Non-cash stock compensation consists of charges for associate restricted stock units, performance shares and stock options in accordance with current GAAP related to stock-based compensation including expense associated with stock-based compensation related to unvested options assumed in connection with our acquisitions. As we apply stock-based compensation standards, we believe that it is useful to investors to understand the impact of the application of these standards to our operational performance. Although stock-based compensation expense is calculated in accordance with current GAAP and constitutes an ongoing and recurring expense, such expense is excluded from non-GAAP results because it is not an expense that typically requires or will require cash settlement by us and because such expense is not used by us to assess the core profitability of our business operations.

 

Restructuring charges: During the past several years, we have initiated certain restructuring activities in order to align our costs in connection with both our operating plans and our business strategies based on then-current economic conditions. As a result, we recognized costs related to termination benefits for associates whose positions were eliminated, lease termination charges, and leasehold improvement write offs. These items, reported as gains, losses, and other items, net, are excluded from non-GAAP results because such amounts are not used by us to assess the core profitability of our business operations.

 

Separation and transformation costs: In previous years, we incurred significant expenses in connection with the separation of our IT Infrastructure Management ("ITO") and the subsequent transformation of our remaining operating segments. This work enabled us to transform our external reporting and provide investors with enhanced transparency and more granular segment-level disclosures in addition to facilitating the ITO disposition. In the prior and current year, we are incurring expenses to further separate the financial statements of our three operating segments, with particular focus on segment-level balance sheets, and to evaluate portfolio priorities. Our criteria for excluding separation and transformation expenses from our non-GAAP measures is as follows: 1) projects are discrete in nature; 2) excluded expenses consist only of third-party consulting fees that we would not incur otherwise; and 3) we do not exclude employee related expenses or other costs associated with the ongoing operations of our business. We expect to complete these current projects in this fiscal year. We believe excluding these items from our non-GAAP financials measures is useful for investors and provides meaningful supplemental information.

 
Our non-GAAP financial schedules are:
 

Non-GAAP EPS and Non-GAAP Income (loss) from Operations: Our non-GAAP earnings per share and Non- GAAP income (loss) from operations reflect adjustments as described above, as well as the related tax effects where applicable.

 

Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, other expenses, depreciation and amortization, and including adjustments as described above. We use Adjusted EBITDA to measure our performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as within our operating segments and to compare our results to those of our competitors. We believe that the inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful supplementary information to and facilitates analysis by investors in evaluating the Company's performance and trends. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of our performance.

 

Free Cash Flow to Equity: To supplement our statement of cash flows, we use a non-GAAP measure of cash flow to analyze cash flows generated from operations. Free cash flow to equity is defined as operating cash flow less cash used by investing activities (excluding the impact of cash paid in acquisitions), less required payments of debt, and excluding the impact of discontinued operations. Management believes that this measure of cash flow is meaningful since it represents the amount of money available from continuing operations for the Company's discretionary spending after funding all required obligations including scheduled debt payments. The presentation of non-GAAP free cash flow to equity is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.