Descartes Reports Fiscal 2013 Third Quarter Financial Results

Record Operating Performance Driven by 15% Increase in Year-Over-Year Revenues

WATERLOO, Ontario, Nov. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) announced its financial results for the fiscal 2013 third quarter (Q3FY13) ended October 31, 2012. All financial results referenced are in United States (US) currency and, unless otherwise indicated, are determined in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Q3FY13 Financial Results

As described in more detail below, key financial highlights for Descartes in Q3FY13 included:

• Revenues of $32.7 million, up 15% from $28.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 (Q3FY12) and up 7% from $30.5 million in the previous quarter (Q2FY13);
• Services revenues of $29.7 million, up 13% from $26.2 million in Q3FY12 and up 1% from $29.3 million in Q2FY13;
• Gross margin of 68%, up from 67% in Q3FY12 and 65% in Q2FY13;
• Net income of $3.1 million, up 15% from $2.7 million in Q3FY12 and up 24% from $2.5 million in Q2FY13;
• Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $0.05, up 25% from $0.04 in both Q3FY12 and Q2FY13;
• Days-sales-outstanding (DSO) for Q3FY13 were 59 days, up from 53 days in Q3FY12 and 55 days in Q2FY13;
• Adjusted EBITDA of $9.9 million, up 16% from $8.5 million in Q3FY12 and up 6% from $9.3 million in Q2FY13. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues was 30%, consistent with 30% in both Q3FY12 and Q2FY13; and
• Adjusted EBITDA per diluted share of $0.16, up 16% from $0.13 in Q3FY12 and up 7% from $0.15 in Q2FY13.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures provided as a complement to financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (for which we include amortization of intangible assets, deferred compensation, stock-based compensation and related fees and taxes) and other charges (for which we include acquisition-related expenses and restructuring charges). These items are considered by management to be outside Descartes' ongoing operational results. We define Adjusted EBITDA per diluted share as Adjusted EBITDA divided by the number of diluted shares used to calculate the GAAP measure of earnings per share. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per diluted share to net income and earnings per share determined in accordance with GAAP, respectively, is provided later in this release.

The following table summarizes Descartes' results in the categories specified below over the past 5 fiscal quarters (unaudited; dollar amounts, other than per share amounts, in millions):

Based on the location of Descartes' customers, the geographic distribution of revenues in Q3FY13 was as follows:

• $17.4 million of revenues (53%) were generated in the US;
• $6.8 million (21%) in Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), excluding Belgium;
• $3.8 million (12%) in Belgium;
• $3.4 million (10%) in Canada;
• $1.1 million (3%) in the Asia Pacific region; and
• $0.2 million (1%) in the Americas, excluding the US and Canada.

Year-to-Date Financial Results

As described in more detail below, key financial highlights for Descartes' nine-month period ended October 31, 2012 included:

• Revenues of $93.1 million, up 10% from $84.4 million in the same period a year ago;
• Services revenues of $86.7 million, up 10% from $78.8 million in the same period a year ago. Services revenues comprised 93% of total revenues for both nine-month periods ended October 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively;
• Gross margin of 66%, down from 67% in the same period a year ago;
• Net income of $8.2 million, up 9% from $7.5 million in the same period a year ago;
• Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $0.13, up 8% from $0.12 in the same period a year ago;
• Adjusted EBITDA of $27.8 million, up 13% from $24.5 million in the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues was 30%, up from 29% in the same period a year ago; and
• Adjusted EBITDA per share on a diluted basis was $0.44, up 13% from $0.39 in the same period a year ago.

The following table summarizes Descartes' results in the categories specified below over the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 (unaudited, dollar amounts in millions):

"We have a culture of serving customers and working together as one learning team," said Art Mesher, Descartes' Chairman and CEO. "Our collaborative approach and unbridled focus on helping customers achieve results has driven our own superior operating performance."

Cash Position

As at October 31, 2012, Descartes had $40.4 million in cash comprised entirely of cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents have increased since July 31, 2012 by $4.9 million and decreased $25.1 million since January 31, 2012. The company has invested $37.6 million since January 31, 2012 to complete the acquisitions of Infodis B.V. (June 2012) and Integrated Export Systems Ltd (June 2012). Since October 31, 2012, on November 14, 2012, Descartes announced that it had used approximately $17.0 million in cash to complete its acquisition of Exentra Transport Solutions Limited, a leading UK-based provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) driver compliance solutions for the European Union (EU).

The table set forth below provides a summary of cash flows for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2012, in millions of dollars:

"We continue to deliver ahead of our plans despite a challenging economic environment," said Stephanie Ratza, Descartes' Chief Financial Officer. "As the economy remains uncertain, we're certainly well-positioned to handle the ups and downs with a healthy, well-calibrated business."

Descartes Recognized Among Most Admired Corporate Cultures in Canada

Descartes has been recognized by Waterstone Human Capital, one of Canada's leading retained executive search firms specializing in recruiting for fit and in cultural assessment, as one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Mid-Market Corporate Cultures of 2012. The award program recognizes best-in-class Canadian organizations for having a culture that has helped them enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage.

Q3FY13 Business Events / Announcements

In line with Descartes' strategy to build leading product offerings and expand its global network of customers and trading partners, the company made the following announcements and/or participated in the following events since September 6, 2012:

• Acquired Exentra Transport Solutions Limited, a leading UK-based provider of driver compliance solutions for the European Union;
• Hosted its Global User and Partner Conference, Evolution 2012, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with record attendance;
• Unveiled Descartes Community, a new cloud-based service that gives members of the Descartes Community the flexibility to create multi-party communications and processes to extend their command of operations;
• Announced it had worked as a strategic partner with IATA to develop an innovative technology bridge that helps air cargo messaging participants easily transition from legacy messaging procedures to the new Cargo-XML standards; and
• New customer successes with Delta Mossel, TSC Container Freight, C1000, Mazda Motors Logistics Europe N.V. and Cabela's.

Conference Call

Members of Descartes' executive management team will host a conference call to discuss the company's financial results at 8:00 a.m. EST on November 29, 2012. Designated numbers are +1 866-200-6965 for North America or +1 646-216-7221 for international, using Participant PIN Code 95150866#.

The company simultaneously will conduct an audio webcast on the Descartes Web site at www.descartes.com/company/investors. Phone conference dial-in or webcast log-in is required approximately 10 minutes beforehand.

Replays of the conference call will be available immediately afterwards, and until December 6, by dialing +1 866-206-0173 or +1 646-216-7204 and using conference playback number 277719#. An archived replay of the webcast will be available at www.descartes.com/company/investors.

About Descartes

Descartes (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes' B2B network, the Global Logistics Network, integrates more than 35,000 trading partners to our cloud-based Logistics Technology Platform to unite their businesses in commerce. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multi-modal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com.

The Descartes Systems Group logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4065

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relates to the positioning of Descartes to provide value to customers and shareholders; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and assumptions that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Descartes, or developments in Descartes' business or industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, Descartes' ability to successfully execute on acquisitions and to integrate acquired businesses and assets, and to predict expenses associated with and revenues from the acquisitions; the ability to attract and retain key personnel and the ability to manage the departure of key personnel; changes in trade or transportation regulations that currently require customers to use services such as those offered by Descartes; the impact on Descartes' business of the global economic downturn; departures of key customers; the impact of foreign currency exchange rates; Descartes' ability to retain or obtain sufficient capital to execute on its business strategy, including its acquisition strategy; disruptions in the movement of freight; the potential for future goodwill or intangible impairment as a result of other-than-temporary decreases in Descartes' market capitalization; and other factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada, including Descartes' Annual Report on Form 40-F for FY12. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per Diluted Share

We prepare and release quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial information, used to evaluate our performance, in this and other earnings releases and investor conference calls as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP. We believe that current shareholders and potential investors in our company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per diluted share, in making investment decisions about our company and measuring our operational results.

The term "Adjusted EBITDA" refers to a financial measure that we define as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (for which we include amortization of intangible assets, deferred compensation, stock-based compensation and related fees and taxes) and other charges (for which we include acquisition-related expenses and restructuring charges). Adjusted EBITDA per diluted share divides Adjusted EBITDA by the number of diluted shares used in calculating the GAAP diluted earnings per share, or diluted EPS, measure.

Management considers acquisition-related and restructuring activities to be outside the scope of Descartes' ongoing operations and the related expenses are not used by management to measure operations. Accordingly, these expenses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, which we reference to both measure our operations and as a basis of comparison of our operations from period-to-period. Management believes that investors and financial analysts measure our business on the same basis, and we are providing the Adjusted EBITDA financial metric to assist in this evaluation and to provide a higher level of transparency into how we measure our own business. However, Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP or other non-GAAP measures that may be used by other companies, such as EBITDA. The use of Adjusted EBITDA does have limitations. In particular, we have completed ten acquisitions within the past four fiscal years, and may complete additional acquisitions in the future that will result in acquisition-related expenses and restructuring charges. As these acquisition-related expenses and restructuring charges may continue as we pursue our consolidation strategy, some investors may consider these charges and expenses as a recurring part of operations rather than non-recurring charges and expenses that are not part of operations.

The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per diluted share to net income and diluted earnings per share, respectively, reported in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for Q3FY13, Q2FY13, Q1FY13, Q4FY12 and Q3FY12, which we believe are the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per diluted share to net income and diluted earnings per share, respectively, reported in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2012 and 2011, which we believe are the most directly comparable GAAP measures.