Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced its fourth-quarter ended December 31, 2009 and full-year 2009 financial results.

Fourth-Quarter Financial Performance

  • Total revenues were $61.5 million, compared with $62.9 million for the fourth quarter of last year.
  • On a GAAP-reported basis, Forrester reported net income of $6.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, compared with net income of $9.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of last year.
  • On a pro forma basis, net income was $7.9 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2009, which reflects a pro forma effective tax rate of 40 percent. Pro forma net income excludes stock-based compensation of $1.2 million, reorganization costs of $2.3 million, amortization of $0.5 million of acquisition-related intangible assets, and net non-marketable investment gains of $0.7 million. This compares with pro forma net income of $9.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the same period in 2008, which reflects a pro forma effective tax rate of 39 percent. Pro forma net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 excludes stock-based compensation of $1.4 million, amortization of $1.0 million of acquisition-related intangible assets, net non-marketable investment losses of $0.7 million, and a net reimbursement of $0.2 million of professional fees related to the Company’s historical stock option investigation.

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Financial Performance

  • Total revenues were $233.4 million, compared with $240.9 million for 2008.
  • On a GAAP-reported basis, Forrester reported net income of $19.8 million, or $0.86 per diluted share for 2009, compared with net income of $29.2 million or $1.24 per diluted share for 2008.
  • On a pro forma basis, net income was $29.1 million or $1.27 per diluted share for 2009, which reflects a pro forma effective tax rate of 40 percent. Pro forma net income for 2009 excludes stock-based compensation of $6.1 million, amortization of $2.3 million of acquisition-related intangible assets, $5.4 million of reorganization costs, and net non-marketable investment losses of $1.0 million. This compares with pro forma net income of $31.1 million, or $1.32 per diluted share for 2008, which reflects a pro forma effective tax rate of 39 percent. Pro forma net income for 2008 excludes stock-based compensation of $5.4 million, amortization of $1.4 million of acquisition-related intangible assets, net marketable and non-marketable investment gains of $1.5 million, and net expenses of $0.9 million related to the Company’s historical stock option investigation.

A reconciliation of GAAP results to pro forma results may be found in the attached financial tables. The attached financial tables include selected balance sheet and cash flow data. We are finalizing adjustments to tax accounts in our balance sheet; full consolidated financial statements will be included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We do not expect any adjustments to affect our reported pro forma operating results.

“Forrester’s performance accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2009, capping a year in which we beat our plan,” said George F. Colony, Forrester’s chairman of the board and chief executive officer. “We met or exceeded our financial targets including revenue, operating margin, and EPS, and ended the year with client and dollar retention approaching pre-recession levels. Forrester’s role-based strategy is yielding increased relevancy to our clients, as shown in our financial results in 2009.”

“Coming out of the 2009 recession, we believe that now is the time to expand the sales force, invest in the infrastructure of the business, and enhance our client-facing technology,” said Michael Doyle, Forrester’s chief financial officer. “These investments will dampen the operating margins in 2010 as reflected in our full-year guidance.”

Forrester is providing first-quarter 2010 financial guidance as follows:

First-Quarter 2010 (GAAP):

  • Total revenues of approximately $57.5 million to $59.5 million.
  • Operating margin of approximately 10% to 12%.
  • Other income of approximately $250,000.
  • An effective tax rate of 40 percent.
  • Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.16 to $0.20.

First-Quarter 2010 (Pro Forma):

Pro forma financial guidance for the first quarter of 2010 excludes stock-based compensation of $1.0 million to $1.2 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $0.9 million, and any gains or losses related to marketable and non-marketable investments.

  • Pro forma operating margin of approximately 13.5% to 15.5%.
  • Pro forma effective tax rate of 40%.
  • Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.21 to $0.25.

Forrester is providing full-year 2010 guidance as follows:

Full-Year 2010 (GAAP):

  • Total revenues of approximately $240 million to $248 million.
  • Operating margin of approximately 11% to 12%.
  • Other income of approximately $1.0 million.
  • An effective tax rate of 40 percent.
  • Diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.72 to $0.78.

Full-Year 2010 (Pro Forma):

Pro forma financial guidance for full-year 2010 excludes stock-based compensation expense of $5.0 million to $6.0 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of approximately $3.6 million, and any gains or losses related to marketable and non-marketable investments.

  • Pro forma operating margin of approximately 14.5% to 15.5%.
  • Pro forma diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.97 to $ 1.03.