Axway: Strong Revenue Growth, up 7.1% and Improvement of the Operational Margin in the First Half of 2016.

PARIS--()--Regulatory News:

The Board of Directors of Axway Software (Paris:AXW), convened under the chairmanship of Pierre Pasquier, closed the financial statements for the first half of 2016.

  • The statements showed global revenue of €144.7 million for HY 2016, for an increase in total growth of 7.1% and in organic growth of 5.7%. There was 10.3% organic growth in license revenues during the first half, with acceleration during the course of the 2nd Quarter of 2016 (up 22.9% in organic growth).
  • The profit from operations was €16.3 million, or 11.3% of revenue, as compared to €12.7 million and 9.4% over the same period in 2015.
  • There was a net profit of €11 million, or 7.6%, as compared to €2.3 million, or 1.7% for the same period in 2015.
                     
    HY 2016       HY 2015       2015
  (in €m)   (% Rev)       (in €m)   (% Rev)       (in €m)   (%Rev)
Key income statement items      
Revenue 144.7     135.1     284.6    
Organic growth 5.7%     4.3%     0.0%    
Profit on operating activities 16.3   11.3% 12.7   9.4% 44.5   15.6%
Profit from counting operations 12.3   8.5% 9.4   7.0% 37.9   13.3%
Other income and expense -1.5     -8.1     -10.5    
     
Net financial costs and currency impact 0.8     -0.3     -1.7    
Income taxes -0.5     1.4     2.1    
Net Profit   11.0   7.6%       2.3   1.7%       27.9   9.8%
(in €m) (in €m) (in €m)    
Basic earnings per share   0.53           0.11     1.35    
 

Alternative performance indicators are defined in the glossary that appears at the end of the document.

Comments on activity

Regarding global activity:

Axway's activity in the first half of 2016 is a strong improvement in comparison with 2015. This growth is the result of the very strong growth in license revenues, particularly in the Americas and Asia-Pacific, and growth of nearly 30% in Digital product offerings and in Cloud operations. Apart from this strong organic growth, the acquisition of Appcelerator in January 2016 should be noted; it significantly enhanced the Digital portfolio of Axway's product offerings. The integration of this business is progressing smoothly, and the commercial synergies are beginning to materialise and will naturally broaden in the years to come. As a result, the first half of 2016 posted respectable results, confirming that the strategic plan in the digital line of business is being carried out successfully.

Revenue by region:

For the 3rd consecutive quarter, global operations in the United States have posted positive organic growth, at a level which was up by 23% in the 2nd Quarter 2016. This organic growth is supported by licenses, for which organic growth increased by more than 50% for the 1st half. Such performance comes from excellent sales and marketing operations (size of business portfolio, success rate). The "Rest of Europe" region is continuing the growth already achieved by the 1st Quarter, setting its growth at +2.1% for the whole first half. The target for the France area is still a stabilization of its annual operations, with a 2nd Quarter that topped the 1st Quarter. The Asia/Pacific region is continuing its strong growth, with more than 10 consecutive quarters of organic growth exceeding 10%.

                               
Millions of €                                      
1st Quarter

2016

2015
Reported

2015
Restated1

Total
Growth

Organic
Growth 1

                           
France 20.1 22.1 22.1 -9.2% -9.2%
Rest of Europe 14.6 14.3 14.2 1.6% 2.3%
Americas 27.5 23.2 24.6 18.5% 11.6%
Asia/Pacific     3.3       3.0       2.9       7.8%       11.0%
Axway     65.3       62.6       63.9       4.3%       2.3%
2nd Quarter 2016 2015

Reported

2015

Restated1

Total
Growth

Organic
Growth 1

                           
France 23.8 25.4 25.4 -6.1% -6.1%
Rest of Europe 17.3 17.2 17.0 0.3% 1.9%
Americas 34.1 26.4 27.5 28.9% 23.8%
Asia/Pacific     4.2       3.4       3.3       21.6%       28.2%
Axway     79.4       72.5       73.1       9.5%       8.6%

 

                                     
1st Semester 2016

2015
reported

2015
Restated1

Total
Growth

Organic
Growth 1

                           
France 43.9 47.5 47.5 -7.5% -7.5%
Rest of Europe 31.8 31.6 31.2 0.9% 2.1%
Americas 61.5 49.6 52.1 24.0% 18.1%
Asia/Pacific     7.4       6.5       6.2       15.1%       20.1%
Axway 144.7 135.1 136.9 7.1% 5.7%
 

(1) at constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation

Revenue by activity the key event of the first six months was the performance of licenses, which have seen positive organic growth of 10.3%. This results from an excellent 2nd Quarter, during which the Digital product offerings experienced significant success. Axway is continuing to transform its Services operations with, in particular, the development of its Cloud revenue, which saw positive organic growth over the first half amounting to more than 30%. Maintenance represents 48.5% of revenue for the first half, and its organic growth rate has been increasing since the start of the year.

                               
Millions of €                                      
1st Quarter 2016

2015
Reported

2015
Restated1

Total
Growth

Organic
Growth 1

                           
Licenses 12.4 13.6 13.6 -8.6 % -8.6 %
Maintenance 34.7 33.5 33.6 3.7 % 3.5 %
Services     18.2       15.5       16.7       17.0 %       8.8 %
Axway     65.3       62.6       63.9       4.3 %       2.3 %
2nd Quarter 2016

2015
Reported

2015
Restated1

Total
Growth

Organic
Growth 1

                           
Licenses 25.1 20.6 20.4 21.4 % 22.9 %
Maintenance 35.4 34.5 33.9 2.6 % 4.5 %
Services     18.9       17.3       18.8       9.1 %       0.5 %
Axway     79.4       72.5       73.1       9.5 %       8.6 %
1st Semester 2016

2015
Reported

2015
Restated1

Total
Growth

Organic
Growth 1

                           
Licenses 37.4 34.2 33.9 9.5 % 10.3 %
Maintenance 70.2 68.0 67.5 3.1 % 4.0 %
Services     37.1       32.8       35.5       12.9 %       4.4 %
Axway 144.7 135.1 136.9 7.1 % 5.7 %

(1) at constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation

Profit from operations was €16.3 million (11.3% of revenue), a significant increase compared to HY 2015. This shows, firstly, good progress in revenue over HY 2015 (+5.7% in organic growth), but also the benefits from the policy of streamlining operating expenses, which has been in place since last year.

Financial position

At 30 June 2016, Axway's financial position remains robust with a cash balance in excess of €41.7 million and shareholders’ equity totalling €338.4 million.

Banking debt at 30 June 2016 is €31.2 million, which includes the acquisition (in cash) of Appcelerator in January 2016. The company’s banking covenants are thus comfortably respected.

Earnings per share amounted to €0.53 at 30 June 2016 compared with €0.11 in HY 2015.

The consolidated interim financial statements were subject to a limited audit. The limited audit report is in the process of being published by the auditors.

Workforce

At 30 June 2016, Axway's workforce numbered 1,957 employees (642 in France and 1,315 in other countries, including 508 in the United States), an increase of 73 people compared to end-2015. This growth was due to the incorporation of the Appcelerator teams at the start of 2016.

Strategy & Prospects

The Company is continuing to enact its strategic plan that was presented at the start of the year, and the change programmes stemming from were enacted according to plan during the course of this first half of 2016. The good overall performance during the course of this period, and in particular that of licenses is an encouraging sign of the relevance of this new strategic positioning.

As with each year, performance in the first half does not provide any particular indication of overall performance in the full year. In the short term, and continuing the trend seen in H1 2016, the next half-year looks encouraging, with promising commercial portfolios.

Financial Calendar

Wednesday, 27 July 2016:

  • 11:00 a.m.: meeting for financial analysts (in French) at the Pavillon Kleber, 5-7 rue Cimarosa 75116 Paris
    Attend the conference

Thursday, 27 October 2016 (after market closing): Reporting of Q3 2016 results.

The Company will publish its half-yearly financial report on 29 August 2016 in a French version. It can be accessed on the website at www.investors.axway.com/en, through the Axway IR mobile app and on the AMF website www.amf-france.org.

Income Statement        
 
(in thousands of euros) HY 2016     HY 2015     FY 2015
Revenue:
Licenses 37,448 34,198 80,452
Maintenance 70,166     68,026 137,741
Sub-total licenses and maintenance 107,615 102,224 218,193
Services 37,076     32,848 66,419
Total Revenue: 144,691     135,073 284,612
Costs of sales
Licenses and Maintenance 12,454 11,694 23,150
Services 31,949     32,409 63,210
Total costs of sales 44,404     44,104 86,360
Gross profit 100,287     90,969 198,252
as a % of Revenue 69.3% 67.3% 69.7%
Operating expenses
Sales and marketing expenses 42,186 41,777 81,876
Research and development 27,000 23,160 46,025
General and administrative expenses 14,795     13,315 25,855
Total operating expenses 83,981     78,252 153,756
Profit on operating activities 16,306     12,717 44,496
as a % of Revenue 11.3% 9.4% 15.6%
Stock option related expenses (208) (308) (550)
Amortisation of intangible assets (3,833)     (3,009) (6,044)
Profit from counting operations 12,265     9,400 37,902
as a % of Revenue 8.5% 7.0% 13.3%
Other income and expenses (1,522)     (8,137) (10,493)
Operating profit 10,742     1,263 27,409
Costs of net financial debt (154) (234) (361)
Other financial income and expense 946 (96) (1,292)
Income taxes (494)     1,385 2,101
Net Profit 11,040     2,318 27,856
 
as a % of Revenue 7.6%    

1.7%

9.8%

Basic net earnings per share (in Euros) 0.53     0.11     1.35
 
             

Simplified Balance Sheet

           
30/06/2016 31/12/2015 30/06/2015
    (in €m)       (in €m)       (in €m)
ASSETS
Goodwill 279.9 251.8 247.9
Intangible assets 52.3 40.9 44.0
Property, plant and equipment 8.5 7.8 6.5
Other non-current assets 53.3 47.0 46.5
Non-current assets 394.1 347.5 344.9
Trade receivables 69.9 73.9 69.3
Other current assets 23.6 22.5 24.0
Cash and cash equivalents 41.7 44.7 41.7
Current assets 135.2 141.0 135.0
TOTAL ASSETS 529.4 488.6 479.9
LIABILITIES
Share capital 41.6 41.5 41.2
Capital reserves and results 296.8 299.1 266.4
Equity 338.4 340.6 307.5
Financial debt - long-term portion 31.9 7.5 7.8
Other non-current liabilities 14.8 15.7 17.6
Non-current liabilities 46.7 23.2 25.4
Financial debt - short-term portion 2.9 1.5 10.1
Other current liabilities 141.3 123.3 136.9
Current liabilities 144.3 124.8 147.0
TOTAL LIABILITIES 191.0 148.0 172.4
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 529.4 488.6 479.9
                     
 
               
Cash Flow Statement
                       
HY 2016 HY 2015 2015
      (in €m)       (in €m)       (in €m)
 
Profit for the year 11.0 2.3 27.9
Net charges to amortisations, depreciation and provisions 2.8 11.1 13.8
Other calculated income and expenses (0.0) (1.7) (1.1)
Cash from operations after cost of net debt and tax 13.8 11.8 40.6
Changes to operating working capital requirements 8.7 27.8 13.3
Costs of net financial debt 0.2 0.2 0.4
Income tax paid net of accrual 13.2 (3.7) (4.6)
Net cash from operating activities 22.0 36.1 49.6
Net cash used in investing activities (50.4) (1.5) (5.2)
Proceeds on shares issued 0.1 0.3 3.1
Dividends paid - - (8.2)
Change in borrowings 24.8 (40.4) (41.0)
Net interest paid (0.2) - (0.4)
Other changes (0.2) 0.0 0.3
Net cash from (used in) financing activities 24.6 (40.1) (46.1)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes (0.6) 0.9 1.1
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (4.4) (4.5) (0.7)
Opening cash position 43.9 44.6 44.6
CLOSING CASH POSITION 39.5 40.0 43.9
                       
 

Notes on the financial tables

The main accounting methods used by the Group are described in the notes to the annual financial statements of the Registration Document.

Glossary

Restated: Revenue for the prior year, expressed on the basis of the scope and exchange rates for the current year.

Organic growth of revenue: Growth of operations between revenue for the period and the reprocessed revenue data for the same period of the preceding fiscal year.

Profit (loss) from operations This indicator, such as defined in the Registration Document, corresponds to profit from the reprocessed counting operations data of the charge pertaining to the cost of services rendered by the beneficiaries of stock options and of restricted shares and of the provisions to amortisation of the affected intangible assets.

Profit from counting operations: This indicator corresponds to the operating profit prior to taking into account other operating income and expenses which correspond to unusual, abnormal, infrequent, non-predictive operating income and expenses, and of a particularly significant amount, presented in a distinct manner in order to facilitate understanding of the performance connected to current operations.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking financial information, which is associated with risks and uncertainties concerning growth and profitability of the Group in the future - particularly in the case of future acquisitions. Readers are reminded that license agreements, which often represent investments for our clients, are more significant in the second half of the year and may therefore have a more or less favourable impact on full-year performance.

The outcome of events or actual results may differ from those described in this document as a result of various risks and uncertainties set out in the 2015 Registration Document submitted to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers on 25 April 2016 under number D. 16-0393.

The distribution of this press release in certain countries may be subject to laws and regulations in force. Natural persons present in such countries and those in which this press release is disseminated, published, or distributed should obtain information about such restrictions and comply with them.

This document is a free translation into English of the original French press release. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text.

About Axway

Axway (Euronext: Axway.PA) empowers over 11,000 customers worldwide to collaborate more effectively, innovate faster and engage better with their partners, developers and customers. Axway supplies integrating solutions in order to connect securely with persons, processes and objects; and a digital engagement platform that offers API management, identity management, Mobile App Development and analysis tools, which support businesses on the way to achieving success in digital transformation. Axway's registered office is based in France, Executive Management in the United States. For more information, go to http://www.investors.axway.com/en or the Axway IR mobile app, available through the Apple Store & Android.

Contacts

Axway Software
Investor Relations:
Patrick Gouffran
+33 (0)1 40 67 29 26
pgouffran@axway.com
or
Press Relations:
Sylvie Podetti, +33 (0)1 47 17 22 40
spodetti@axway.com

Contacts

Axway Software
Investor Relations:
Patrick Gouffran
+33 (0)1 40 67 29 26
pgouffran@axway.com
or
Press Relations:
Sylvie Podetti, +33 (0)1 47 17 22 40
spodetti@axway.com