Cambridge, Mass., October 24, 2019 — Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced its 2019 third-quarter financial results.

Third-Quarter Financial Performance

Total revenues were $108.6 million for the third quarter of 2019, compared with $84.9 million for the third quarter of 2018. Research revenues increased 32%, and advisory services and events revenues increased 19%, compared with the third quarter of 2018. Pro forma revenues, which exclude the fair value adjustment to deferred revenue from the acquisition of SiriusDecisions, were $110.3 million for the third quarter of 2019, with $76.2 million from research services and $34.1 million from advisory services and events.

On a GAAP basis, net loss was $2.7 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019, compared with net income of $4.0 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the same period in 2018.

On a pro forma basis, net income was $6.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019, which reflects a pro forma effective tax rate of 31%. Pro forma net income excludes stock-based compensation of $3.1 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $5.7 million, acquisition-related deferred revenue fair value adjustment of $1.7 million, and acquisition and integration costs of $2.4 million. This compares with a pro forma net income of $6.0 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the same period in 2018, which reflects a pro forma tax rate of 31%. Pro forma net income for the third quarter of 2018 excludes stock-based compensation of $2.1 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $0.4 million, and acquisition and integration costs of $1.0 million.

“Forrester was at the upper end of revenue guidance and exceeded our pro forma EPS targets for the quarter,” said George F. Colony, Forrester’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Q3 marked another solid quarter for us with growth across all geographic regions. We are on track to integrate with SiriusDecisions across the business and well-positioned for success as we head into the fourth quarter.”

Forrester is providing fourth-quarter 2019 financial guidance as follows:

Fourth-Quarter 2019 (GAAP):

  • Total revenues of approximately $120.0million to $125.0 million.
  • Operating margin of approximately 2.0% to 4.0%.
  • Interest expense of approximately $1.9 million.
  • An effective tax rate of 14% to 58%, driven by an estimated $0.4 million (or 12% to 56%) charge to settle a foreign tax audit.
  • Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.05 to $0.10.

Fourth-Quarter 2019 (Pro Forma):

Pro forma financial guidance for the fourth quarter of 2019 excludes the reduction in revenue from the fair value adjustment of pre-acquisition deferred revenue of approximately $0.8 million, stock-based compensation expense of $3.0 million to $3.2 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $5.7 million, acquisition and integration costs of $1.2 million to $1.5 million, and any investment gains or losses.

  • Pro forma revenue of approximately $121.0 million to $126.0 million.
  • Pro forma operating margin of approximately 11.0% to 13.0%.
  • Pro forma effective tax rate of 31%.
  • Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.45 to $0.50.

Our full-year 2019 guidance is as follows:

Full-Year 2019 (GAAP):

  • Total revenues of approximately $458.0 million to $463.0 million.
  • Operating margin of approximately (1.0) % to 0.0%.
  • Interest expense of approximately $8.2 million.
  • An effective tax rate of 0% to 5%.
  • Diluted loss per share of approximately $0.63 to $0.68.

Full-Year 2019 (Pro Forma):

Pro forma financial guidance for full-year 2019 excludes the reduction in revenue from the fair value adjustment of pre-acquisition deferred revenue of approximately $11.3 million, stock-based compensation expense of $11.6 million to $11.8 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $22.7 million, acquisition and integration costs of $9.0 million to $9.3 million, and any investment gains or losses.

  • Pro forma revenue of approximately $469.0 million to $474.0 million.
  • Pro forma operating margin of approximately 10.5% to 11.5%.
  • Pro forma effective tax rate of 31%.
  • Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.53 to $1.58.

About Forrester Research

Forrester is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We work with business and technology leaders to develop customer-obsessed strategies that drive growth. Forrester’s unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 675,000 consumers and business leaders worldwide, rigorous and objective methodologies, and the shared wisdom of our most innovative clients. Through proprietary research, analytics, custom consulting, exclusive executive peer groups, learning offerings, and events, the Forrester experience is about a singular and powerful purpose: to challenge the thinking of our clients to help them lead change in their organizations. For more information, visit forrester.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, Forrester’s financial guidance for the fourth quarter of and full-year 2019, statements about the success of operational improvements, and statements about Forrester’s future financial performance and financial condition. These statements are based on Forrester’s 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, Forrester’s ability to retain and enrich memberships for its research products and services, technology spending, Forrester’s ability to respond to business and economic conditions and market trends, the risks and challenges inherent in international business activities, competition and industry consolidation, the ability to attract and retain professional staff, Forrester’s dependence on key personnel, Forrester’s ability to successfully integrate businesses that it acquires, the impact of Forrester’s outstanding debt obligations, the possibility of network disruptions and security breaches, and possible variations in Forrester’s quarterly operating results. Financial guidance regarding shares outstanding and per-share amounts is based on certain assumptions that are subject to change, including with respect to an anticipated reduction in share repurchases subsequent to Forrester’s acquisition of SiriusDecisions. While currently suspended, dividend declarations are at the discretion of Forrester’s board of directors. Forrester undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For further information, please refer to Forrester’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.