Forrester Research - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

(MARK ONE)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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.

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

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As of August 3, 2010, 22,557,271 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

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

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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. 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, 2009. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 may not be indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2010, or any other period.

Certain costs within the line items “costs of services and fulfillment” and “selling and marketing” have been reclassified in the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to properly reflect the nature of those costs. The reclassification did not have an effect on total operating expenses or income from operations.

On January 22, 2009, Forrester acquired all of the outstanding share capital of Forrester Middle East FZ-LLC (FME), a Dubai, UAE based reseller of Forrester’s products that also offered consulting services to local customers, to expand the Company’s direct geographical presence in the area. The total purchase price was approximately $1.1 million of which approximately $0.6 million was paid on the acquisition date, $0.2 million was paid in the three months ended June 30, 2009 and $0.3 million was contingent upon the acquired company meeting certain financial metrics in 2009, which were not met and accordingly the final $0.3 million was not required to be paid by Forrester. The results of FME’s operations, which were not material to the consolidated financial statements, have been included in Forrester’s consolidated financial statements since January 22, 2009, with the revenue included within the client group segment to which it relates. Pro forma financial information has not been provided as it is not material to the consolidated results of operations.

On December 1, 2009, Forrester acquired the Strategic Oxygen business to further support Forrester’s syndicated business model and the Company’s role-based strategy. The total purchase price was approximately $7.3 million, of which approximately $4.6 million was paid on the acquisition date, $0.5 million was paid in February 2010 and $0.4 million is payable in June 2011 subject to reduction for indemnification claims. The remaining purchase price of $1.8 million represented contingent purchase price valued as of December 1, 2009, which was subject to adjustment based on the achievement of certain financial metrics related to the acquired business. Of the $1.8 million contingent purchase price, $0.2 million was paid in December 2009 and $1.2 million was paid in February 2010 as full consideration. At December 31, 2009, the Company maintained approximately $2.0 million in an escrow account classified as restricted cash in the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the contingent purchase price. The balance of the escrow account was fully released as of March 31, 2010. The Company recorded a credit of approximately $0.5 million within general and administrative expense during the three months ended March 31, 2010 as a result of a reduction in the estimated amount of contingent purchase price from December 31, 2009 to the final calculation date. The results of Strategic Oxygen, which were not material to the consolidated financial statements, have been included in Forrester’s consolidated financial statements since December 1, 2009 in the Technology Industry Client Group segment. Pro forma financial information has not been provided as it is not material to the consolidated results of operations.

An agreement existed between an employee of Strategic Oxygen, who became an employee of Forrester upon the closing of the acquisition, and the seller of Strategic Oxygen that provided for an allocation of a portion of the contingent consideration from the seller to the employee. The contingent consideration was earned by the seller based upon the

financial performance of Strategic Oxygen for a short period of time subsequent to the acquisition. Forrester was not a party to this agreement; however, this payment in the amount of $0.2 million paid to Forrester’s employee by the seller is considered to have resulted in services that benefited Forrester, and therefore the payment was required to be recorded as a non-cash compensation expense, within general and administrative expense, by Forrester and as a capital contribution to Forrester by the seller.

The following table summarizes the Company’s marketable investments:

Realized gains and losses on securities are included in earnings and are determined using the specific identification method. Realized gains or losses on the sale of the Company’s federal agency, state, municipal and corporate obligations were not material in the three or six months ended June 30, 2010 or 2009.

The following table summarizes the maturity periods of the marketable securities in the Company’s portfolio as of June 30, 2010. In February 2008, certain auction rate securities (“ARS”) that Forrester held experienced failed auctions that limited the liquidity of these securities. These auction failures have continued and based on current market conditions, it is likely that auction failures will continue. The following table reflects the ARS at their current auction reset dates. The actual contractual maturities of these investments were they not to reset would occur at various dates between 2022 and 2041.

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

The Company measures certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis, including cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities and trading securities. The fair value 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.

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) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

Level 2 assets consist of the Company’s entire portfolio of federal, state, municipal and corporate bonds, excluding those municipal bonds described below with an auction reset feature. 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 models, 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.

Level 3 assets primarily consist of municipal bonds with an auction reset feature (ARS). Prior to 2008, the fair value of the ARS investments approximated par value due to the frequent resets through the auction process. While the Company continues to earn interest on its ARS investments at the contractual rate, these investments trade infrequently and therefore do not have a readily determinable market value. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of the ARS no longer approximates par value. At June 30, 2010, the Company held ARS with two investment advisors, both of which provided a valuation utilizing Level 3 inputs for the ARS investments. UBS AG (UBS), one of the Company’s investment advisors, utilized a discounted cash flow approach to arrive at its valuation, which was corroborated by a separate and comparable discounted cash flow analysis prepared by the Company. The assumptions used in preparing the discounted cash flow model include estimates, based on data available at June 30, 2010, of interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows, credit and liquidity premiums, and expected holding periods of the ARS. The discounted cash flow technique was used to value the ARS investments, which have had limited market activity since the auction failures began in 2008. In November 2008, the Company accepted an offer (the “Right”) from UBS entitling the Company to sell at par value ARS originally purchased from UBS (approximately $5.4 million and $31.7 million par value at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) (“UBS ARS”) at anytime during a two-year period from June 30, 2010 through July 2, 2012. The Company valued the Right as an asset using a discounted cash flow approach including estimates of interest rates, timing and amount of cash flow, adjusted for any bearer risk associated with UBS’s financial ability to repurchase the ARS beginning June 30, 2010, based on data available at June 30, 2010. The combined fair value of the Right and the UBS ARS is equal to the par value of the UBS ARS. The remaining $5.4 million of par value UBS ARS at June 30, 2010 were sold to UBS at par under the Right on July 1, 2010.

The other investment advisor provided a valuation at par value, which Forrester considered to be a Level 3 input based on the limited market activity. In addition to the valuation provided by the investment advisor, Forrester completed a valuation of the securities using a discounted cash flow model that included estimates of interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows, credit and liquidity premiums and expected holding periods of the securities. Forrester relied most heavily on its own valuation, based primarily on the lack of market activity in these securities, which resulted in an unrealized loss recorded in other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $0.9 million and $1.1 million at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The Company believes that the loss is temporary due to the underlying credit rating of the securities and the fact that the Company does not intend to sell the securities and is not more likely than not to be required to sell the securities. The assumptions used in valuing the ARS are volatile and subject to change as the underlying sources of these assumptions and market conditions change.

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying value of the Company’s non-marketable investments, which were comprised primarily of interests in technology-related private equity funds, were $5.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

One of the Company’s investments, with a book value of $1.9 million at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, is being accounted for using the cost method and, accordingly, is valued at cost unless an other-than-temporary impairment in its value occurs or the investment is liquidated. The other investments are being accounted for using the equity method as the investments are limited partnerships and Forrester has an ownership interest in excess of 5% and, accordingly, Forrester records its share of the investee’s operating results each period. During the six months ended June 30, 2010 the Company recorded a gain of approximately $0.5 million, which is included in gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 the Company recorded a loss of approximately $1.0 million, which is included in gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Gains or losses on investments were immaterial in the three months ended June 30, 2010.

In June 2010, the Company extended the expiration date of a cash bonus plan, originally adopted in 2000, that would pay a bonus, after the return of invested capital from certain of the Company’s investments, to certain key employees. To date, no bonuses have been paid under the plan. The plan will now automatically expire on June 30, 2013, subject to earlier expiration as provided in the plan in the event that prior to such date there are less than 10 participants in the plan or all of the Company’s invested capital (as defined in the plan) has been returned to the Company.

The following table rolls forward the activity in the reorganization accrual for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):

The accrued costs related to the reorganization are expected to be paid as follows: $0.5 million in the remainder of 2010 and $0.4 million in 2011.

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income 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 options and vesting of restricted stock units when dilutive.

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

The components of total comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

Stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2010 is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):

Restricted stock unit activity for the six months ended June 30, 2010 is presented below:

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. Forrester recorded approximately $1.4 million and $1.3 million of stock-based compensation in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $2.5 and $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, included in the following expense categories (in thousands):

Forrester utilizes the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of stock-based compensation. Options granted under the incentive plans and shares subject to purchase under the employee stock purchase plan were valued using the following assumptions:

The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized an aggregate $200 million to purchase common stock under the stock repurchase program. The shares repurchased may be used, among other things, in connection with Forrester’s employee equity incentive and purchase plans. As of June 30, 2010, Forrester had repurchased approximately 7.2 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $146.3 million.

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 adjustments to the Company’s tax expense related to the prior fiscal year, changes in tax rates, foreign exchange losses on the remeasurement of deferred tax liabilities and tax benefits related to disqualifying dispositions of incentive stock options are treated as discrete items and are recorded in the period in which they arise.

Forrester is organized into three client groups with each client group responsible for writing relevant research for the roles within the client organizations on a worldwide basis. The three client groups are: Information Technology (“IT”),

Technology Industry (“TI”), and Marketing and Strategy (“M&S”). All of the client groups generate revenues through sales of research and advisory and other service offerings targeted at specific roles within their targeted clients. Each of the client groups consists of research personnel focused primarily on issues relevant to particular roles and to the day-to-day responsibilities of persons within the roles. Amounts included in the “Events” segment relate to the operations of the events production department. Revenue reported in the Events segment consists primarily of sponsorships and event tickets to Forrester events.

Forrester evaluates reportable segment performance and allocates resources based on direct margin. Direct margin, as presented below, is defined as operating income excluding sales expenses, certain marketing and fulfillment expenses, stock-based compensation expense, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expense, amortization of intangibles and reorganization costs. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company modified its calculation of segment direct margin to exclude all selling costs. Accordingly, the 2009 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The accounting policies used by the reportable segments are the same as those used in the consolidated financial statements.

Forrester does not identify or allocate assets, including capital expenditures, by operating segment. Accordingly, assets are not being reported by segment because the information is not available by segment and is not reviewed in the evaluation of performance or in making decisions on the allocation of resources.

The following tables present information about reportable segments (in thousands).

Effective January 1, 2010 the Company adopted ASU No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements”, or ASU 2010-06. A reporting entity should provide additional disclosures about the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, the valuation techniques and inputs used, the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, and the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3 fair value measurements. The adoption of the additional disclosures for Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The disclosures regarding Level 3 fair value measurements do not become effective until January 1, 2011 and will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASU No. 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities”, or ASU 2009-17. The amendments in this update replace the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which reporting entity, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with an approach focused on identifying which reporting entity has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance and (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. An approach that is expected to be primarily qualitative will be more effective for identifying which reporting entity has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. The amendments in this update also require additional disclosures about a reporting entity’s involvement in variable interest entities, which will enhance the information provided to users of financial statements. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2009, the FASB issued Update No. 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements — a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (ASU 2009-13). It updates the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance currently included under ASC 605-25, which originated primarily from the guidance in EITF Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (EITF 00-21). The revised guidance primarily provides two significant changes: 1) eliminates the need for objective and reliable evidence of the fair value for the undelivered element in order for a delivered item to be treated as a separate unit of accounting, and 2) eliminates the residual method to allocate the arrangement consideration. In addition, the guidance also expands the disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. ASU 2009-13 will be effective for the first annual reporting period beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted provided that the revised guidance is retroactively applied to the beginning of the year of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this new accounting update to its consolidated financial statements.

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. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the adequacy of our liquidity and capital resources and the success of and demand for our research and advisory products and services. 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 respond to business and economic conditions, technology spending, market trends, competition, the ability to attract and retain professional staff, possible variations in our quarterly operating results, any cost savings related to reductions in force and associated actions, risks associated with our ability to offer new products and services and our dependence on renewals of our membership-based research services and on key personnel. These risks are described more completely in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

We derive revenues from memberships to our research products, performing advisory services and consulting projects, and hosting events. We offer contracts for our research products that are typically renewable annually and payable in advance. Research revenues are recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the contract. Accordingly, a substantial portion of our billings are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Clients purchase advisory services independently and/or to supplement their memberships to our research. Billings attributable to advisory services and consulting projects are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Advisory service revenues are recognized during the period in which the customer receives the agreed upon deliverable and consulting project revenues, which are short-term in nature and based upon fixed-fee agreements, are recognized as the services are provided. Event billings are also initially recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue upon completion of each 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 research personnel and all associated editorial, travel, and support services. Selling and marketing expenses include salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, travel expenses, promotional costs, sales commissions, 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 strategy groups and our other administrative functions, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, and stock-based compensation expense. Overhead costs such as facilities are allocated to these categories according to the number of employees in each group.

Deferred revenue, agreement value, client retention, dollar retention and enrichment are metrics 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:

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):

The increase in deferred revenue and agreement value from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2010 is primarily due to increased demand for our products as well as the effect of the Strategic Oxygen acquisition in December 2009. The increase in agreement value was partially offset by a change in the calculation to exclude agreement value in excess of the first year value for multiple year contracts signed in 2009 and beyond. Client and dollar retention rates as well as our enrichment rate have all increased from the June 2009 period which is consistent with improved economic activity in 2010.

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 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, stock-based compensation, allowance for doubtful accounts, non-marketable investments, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes and valuation and impairment of marketable investments. 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 critical accounting policies and estimates are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

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

The increase in total revenues is principally the result of increased demand for our products and services and the acquisition of Strategic Oxygen in December 2009, which accounted for approximately 1.5% of revenue growth. Revenue growth for the current quarter was negatively affected by 1% due to the impact of foreign exchange. The decrease in international revenues is attributable to the impact of foreign exchange rates. International revenues would have increased by 1% excluding the impact of foreign exchange. Revenue growth for the current quarter was driven by a 10% increase in the technology industry client group (approximately 6% due to Strategic Oxygen), a 10% increase in the marketing and strategy client group and an 8% increase for events. These increases were partially offset by a 3% decline

in the information technology group.

The increase in cost of services and fulfillment in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the prior period is primarily the result of increased incentive compensation and benefit costs, increased travel-related costs and costs resulting from the acquisition of Strategic Oxygen in December 2009.

The increase in selling and marketing expenses in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2010 is primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits costs resulting from an increase in the number of selling and marketing employees and an increase in sales commissions and bonuses. The increase is also attributable to increased travel-related costs.

The increase in general and administrative expense in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2010 is primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits costs resulting from an increase in the number of general and administrative employees and an increase in bonuses.

The decrease in depreciation expense during the three months ended June 30, 2010 is primarily due to lower amortization of leasehold improvements due to facility consolidations in 2009.

The increase in amortization expense during the three months ended June 30, 2010 is primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of Strategic Oxygen in December 2009.