Ansys Announces Financial Results With Record Q4 and FY 2021 ACV and Revenue

Details related to our financial guidance, including assumptions, are included in our prepared remarks document.

/ Key Highlights - Q4 2021

• GAAP revenue of $655.7 million and non-GAAP revenue of $661.4 million
• GAAP diluted earnings per share of $2.30 and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $2.81
• GAAP operating profit margin of 36.4% and non-GAAP operating profit margin of 46.8%
• Operating cash flows of $101.7 million
• Annual contract value (ACV) of $755.4 million
  

/ Key Highlights - FY 2021

• GAAP revenue of $1,906.7 million and non-GAAP revenue of $1,931.5 million
• GAAP diluted earnings per share of $5.16 and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $7.37
• GAAP operating profit margin of 26.9% and non-GAAP operating profit margin of 41.4%
• Operating cash flows of $549.5 million
• ACV of $1,870.7 million
• Deferred revenue and backlog of $1,257.9 million on December 31, 2021

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS), today reported fourth quarter 2021 GAAP and non-GAAP revenue growth of 5% in reported currency, or 8% in constant currency, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. For FY 2021, GAAP and non-GAAP revenue growth was 13% and 14%, respectively, in both reported and constant currency, when compared to FY 2020. For the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company reported diluted earnings per share of $2.30 and $2.81 on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively, compared to $2.46 and $2.96 on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2020. For FY 2021, the Company reported diluted earnings per share of $5.16 and $7.37 on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively, compared to $4.97 and $6.70 on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively, for FY 2020. Additionally, the Company reported ACV growth of 16% for FY 2021, in both reported and constant currency.

“Our robust performance in 2021 reflects our strong customer relationships and simulation portfolio leadership – ranging from best-in-class multiphysics solvers to powerful mathematical analytics and modeling capabilities as well as our comprehensive simulation platform. From this foundation, we achieved double-digit ACV and revenue growth while delivering industry-leading margins. We added to our market-leading portfolio with the acquisitions of Phoenix Integration and Zemax. And we recently released the latest version of our product portfolio, Ansys 2022 R1, which is enabling customers to save time and money while spurring innovation. With our unrivaled product portfolio, broad and deep customer relationships, and strong execution, I am excited about our success in 2022 and beyond,” said Ajei Gopal, Ansys President and CEO.

Nicole Anasenes, Ansys CFO, stated, “Q4 capped an outstanding year and demonstrated the strength of our business model as we beat our financial guidance across all key metrics for both the quarter and the full-year. Q4’s outperformance resulted in full year 2021 ACV growth of 16% and revenue growth of 13% and 14% on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively. In FY 2021, our growth was wide-ranging across geographies and industries, and we achieved new company records across key financial metrics, including ACV, revenue and operating cash flow. We are entering 2022 with momentum and a strong backlog driven by the broad-based strength of our product portfolio. This bolsters our confidence in our 2022 guidance, which exceeds the 2022 ACV target of $2 billion outlined at our 2019 investor day.”

/ Financial Results

Ansys' fourth quarter and FY 2021 and 2020 financial results are presented below. The 2021 and 2020 non-GAAP results exclude the income statement effects of the acquisition accounting adjustments to deferred revenue, stock-based compensation, excess payroll taxes related to stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, transaction expenses related to business combinations and adjustments for the income tax effect of the excluded items.

GAAP and non-GAAP results are as follows:

The non-GAAP financial results highlighted above, and the non-GAAP financial outlook for 2022 discussed below, represent non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of these measures to the appropriate GAAP measures, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for the 2022 financial outlook, can be found later in this release.

/ Other Performance Metrics

ACV is a metric the Company uses to better understand the business. There is no GAAP measure comparable to ACV. ACV is composed of the following:

• the annualized value of maintenance and lease contracts with start dates or anniversary dates during the period, plus
• the value of perpetual license contracts with start dates during the period, plus
• the annualized value of fixed-term services contracts with start dates or anniversary dates during the period, plus
• the value of work performed during the period on fixed-deliverable services contracts.

/ Management's 2022 Financial Outlook

The Company's first quarter and FY 2022 revenue, diluted earnings per share and ACV guidance is provided below. The Company is also providing its FY 2022 guidance for operating cash flows. The revenue and diluted earnings per share guidance is provided on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the income statement effects of acquisition adjustments to deferred revenue, stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets and acquisition-related transaction expenses.

This guidance is based on the Company's evaluation of factual information it has determined to be relevant and the application of certain assumptions made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's prepared remarks document for additional information regarding the Company's financial guidance, including its assumptions regarding overall business dynamics.

/ First Quarter 2022 Guidance

The Company currently expects the following for the quarter ending March 31, 2022:

The difference between the GAAP and non-GAAP revenue guidance presented above is a result of the expected impact of the application of the fair value provisions applicable to the accounting for business combinations in the amount of $3.4 million for the quarter ending March 31, 2022.

/ Fiscal Year 2022 Guidance

The Company currently expects the following for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022:

The difference between the GAAP and non-GAAP revenue guidance presented above is a result of the expected impact of the application of the fair value provisions applicable to the accounting for business combinations in the amount of $7.4 million for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.

*Section 174 of the Internal Revenue Code was amended by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to require research and experimental (R&E) expenditures to be capitalized and amortized starting in tax years on or after January 1, 2022. The requirement to capitalize the R&E expenditure results in a timing impact of cash flow by deferring the majority of the annual deduction to future periods. This has no bearing on our ability to operationally generate cash flow.

This change in the Internal Revenue Code will require us to capitalize our annual deduction for R&E, whereas in the past we elected to deduct R&E expenditures in the current year. This change results in an increase to tax payments of $60.0 - $80.0 million in 2022 based on a capitalized R&E deduction schedule, whereas in the past, we would have avoided the increase to tax payments with a full R&E expenditure deduction in the current year.

Illustrative Examples

If for the year ended December 31, 2022 a company had $100 million of R&E expenditures in the U.S. and a 21% tax rate, the reduction in cash tax payments under the prior regulation (ability to elect to deduct R&E in current year) would be $21.0 million and under the amended regulation (R&E capitalized and amortized) would be $2.1 million, resulting in an increase to tax payments of $18.9 million, as illustrated in the table below:

Additionally, under the amended regulation, the amortization schedule of capitalized U.S. R&E expenditures would be 10% in year 1, 20% in years 2 - 5, and the remaining 10% in year 6 , as illustrated in the table below:

If the company also had $100 million of R&E expenditures each year, the amended legislation is most impactful in the adoption year of 2022, and has a decreasing impact over a six year period, with the total deduction in 2027 and thereafter equal to prior regulation, as illustrated in the table below:

/ Conference Call Information

Ansys will hold a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on February 24, 2022 to discuss fourth quarter and FY 2021 results. The Company will provide its prepared remarks on the Company’s investor relations homepage and as an exhibit in its Form 8-K in advance of the call to provide stockholders and analysts with additional time and detail for analyzing its results in preparation for the conference call. The prepared remarks will not be read on the call, and only brief remarks will be made prior to the Q&A session.

To participate in the live conference call, dial 855-239-2942 (US) or 412-542-4124 (Canada & Int’l). The call will be recorded and a replay will be available within two hours after the call. The replay will be available by dialing (877) 344-7529 (US), (855) 669-9658 (Canada) or (412) 317-0088 (Int’l) and entering the passcode 10162011. The archived webcast can be accessed, along with other financial information, on Ansys' website at https://investors.ansys.com/events-and-presentations/events-calendar. 

/ GAAP Financial Statements

/ Reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)

¹ Diluted weighted average shares were 88,201.

¹ Diluted weighted average shares were 87,626.

¹ Diluted weighted average shares were 88,102.

¹ Diluted weighted average shares were 87,288.

/ Use of Non-GAAP Measures

We provide non-GAAP revenue, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross profit margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating profit margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share as supplemental measures to GAAP regarding our operational performance. These financial measures exclude the impact of certain items and, therefore, have not been calculated in accordance with GAAP. A detailed explanation of each of the adjustments to such financial measures is described below. This press release also contains a reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to its most comparable GAAP financial measure.

We use non-GAAP financial measures (a) to evaluate our historical and prospective financial performance as well as our performance relative to our competitors, (b) to set internal sales targets and spending budgets, (c) to allocate resources, (d) to measure operational profitability and the accuracy of forecasting, (e) to assess financial discipline over operational expenditures and (f) as an important factor in determining variable compensation for management and employees. In addition, many financial analysts that follow us focus on and publish both historical results and future projections based on non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that it is in the best interest of our investors to provide this information to analysts so that they accurately report the non-GAAP financial information. Moreover, investors have historically requested, and we have historically reported, these non-GAAP financial measures as a means of providing consistent and comparable information with past reports of financial results.

While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors, there are limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, are not reported by all our competitors and may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures of our competitors due to potential differences in the exact method of calculation. We compensate for these limitations by using these non-GAAP financial measures as supplements to GAAP financial measures and by reviewing the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP financial measures.

The adjustments to these non-GAAP financial measures, and the basis for such adjustments, are outlined below:

Acquisition accounting for deferred revenue. Historically, we have consummated acquisitions in order to support our strategic and other business objectives. In accordance with the fair value provisions applicable to the accounting for business combinations, acquired deferred revenue is often recorded on the opening balance sheet at an amount that is lower than the historical carrying value. Although this acquisition accounting requirement has no impact on our business or cash flow, it adversely impacts our reported GAAP revenue in the reporting periods following an acquisition. In order to provide investors with financial information that facilitates comparison of both historical and future results, we provide non-GAAP financial measures which exclude the impact of the acquisition accounting adjustment. We believe that this non-GAAP financial adjustment is useful to investors because it allows investors to (a) evaluate the effectiveness of the methodology and information used by us in our financial and operational decision-making, and (b) compare our past and future reports of financial results as the revenue reduction related to acquired deferred revenue will not recur when related lease licenses and software maintenance contracts are renewed in future periods.

Amortization of intangible assets from acquisitions. We incur amortization of intangible assets, included in our GAAP presentation of amortization expense, related to various acquisitions we have made. We exclude these expenses for the purpose of calculating non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross profit margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating profit margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share when we evaluate our continuing operational performance because these costs are fixed at the time of an acquisition, are then amortized over a period of several years after the acquisition and generally cannot be changed or influenced by us after the acquisition. Accordingly, we do not consider these expenses for purposes of evaluating our performance during the applicable time period after the acquisition, and we exclude such expenses when making decisions to allocate resources. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they allow investors to (a) evaluate the effectiveness of the methodology and information used by us in our financial and operational decision-making, and (b) compare our past reports of financial results as we have historically reported these non-GAAP financial measures.

Stock-based compensation expense. We incur expense related to stock-based compensation included in our GAAP presentation of cost of maintenance and service; research and development expense; and selling, general and administrative expense. This non-GAAP adjustment also includes excess payroll tax expense related to stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation expense (benefit) incurred in connection with our deferred compensation plan held in a rabbi trust includes an offsetting benefit (charge) recorded in other income (expense). Although stock-based compensation is an expense and viewed as a form of compensation, we exclude these expenses for the purpose of calculating non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross profit margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating profit margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share when we evaluate our continuing operational performance. We similarly exclude income (expense) related to assets held in a rabbi trust in connection with our deferred compensation plan. Specifically, we exclude stock-based compensation and income (expense) related to assets held in the deferred compensation plan rabbi trust during our annual budgeting process and our quarterly and annual assessments of our performance. The annual budgeting process is the primary mechanism whereby we allocate resources to various initiatives and operational requirements. Additionally, the annual review by our board of directors during which it compares our historical business model and profitability to the planned business model and profitability for the forthcoming year excludes the impact of stock-based compensation. In evaluating the performance of our senior management and department managers, charges related to stock-based compensation are excluded from expenditure and profitability results. In fact, we record stock-based compensation expense into a stand-alone cost center for which no single operational manager is responsible or accountable. In this way, we can review, on a period-to-period basis, each manager's performance and assess financial discipline over operational expenditures without the effect of stock-based compensation. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they allow investors to (a) evaluate our operating results and the effectiveness of the methodology used by us to review our operating results, and (b) review historical comparability in our financial reporting as well as comparability with competitors' operating results.

Transaction expenses related to business combinations. We incur expenses for professional services rendered in connection with business combinations, which are included in our GAAP presentation of selling, general and administrative expense. These expenses are generally not tax-deductible. We exclude these acquisition-related transaction expenses, derived from announced acquisitions, for the purpose of calculating non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating profit margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share when we evaluate our continuing operational performance, as we generally would not have otherwise incurred these expenses in the periods presented as a part of our operations. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they allow investors to (a) evaluate our operating results and the effectiveness of the methodology used by us to review our operating results, and (b) review historical comparability in our financial reporting as well as comparability with competitors' operating results.

Non-GAAP tax provision. We utilize a normalized non-GAAP annual effective tax rate (AETR) to calculate non-GAAP measures. This methodology provides better consistency across interim reporting periods by eliminating the effects of non-recurring items and aligning the non-GAAP tax rate with our expected geographic earnings mix. To project this rate, we analyzed our historic and projected non-GAAP earnings mix by geography along with other factors such as our current tax structure, recurring tax credits and incentives, and expected tax positions. On an annual basis we will re-evaluate this rate for significant items that may materially affect our projections.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP financial measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

We have provided a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures as listed below:

Constant currency. In addition to the non-GAAP financial measures detailed above, we use constant currency results for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons by excluding the effects of foreign currency fluctuations on the reported results. To present this information, the 2021 results for entities whose functional currency is a currency other than the U.S. Dollar were converted to U.S. Dollars at rates that were in effect for the 2020 comparable period, rather than the actual exchange rates in effect for 2021. Constant currency growth rates are calculated by adjusting the 2021 reported amounts by the 2021 currency fluctuation impacts and comparing the adjusted amounts to the 2020 comparable period reported amounts. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they allow investors to (a) evaluate the effectiveness of the methodology and information used by us in our financial and operational decision-making, and (b) compare our reported results to our past reports of financial results without the effects of foreign currency fluctuations.

/ About Ansys

If you've ever seen a rocket launch, flown on an airplane, driven a car, used a computer, touched a mobile device, crossed a bridge or put on wearable technology, chances are you've used a product where Ansys software played a critical role in its creation. Ansys is the global leader in engineering simulation. Through our strategy of Pervasive Engineering Simulation, we help the world's most innovative companies deliver radically better products to their customers. By offering the best and broadest portfolio of engineering simulation software, we help them solve the most complex design challenges and create products limited only by imagination. Founded in 1970, Ansys is headquartered south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Visit https://www.ansys.com for more information.

/ Forward-Looking Information

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that provide current expectations or forecasts of future events based on certain assumptions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and factors relating to our business which could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements include those about market opportunity, including our total addressable market. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The risks associated with the following, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements:

• adverse conditions in the macroeconomic environment, including high inflation, constrained credit and liquidity, and volatility in equity and foreign exchange markets; political, economic, regulatory and public health and safety risks and uncertainties in the countries and regions in which we operate; and disruptions in the global economy and financial markets that may limit or delay availability of credit under our existing or new credit facilities, or that may limit our ability to obtain credit or financing on acceptable terms or at all;
  
  
• our ability to timely recruit and retain key personnel in a highly competitive labor market for skilled personnel, including as a result of wage inflation;
  
  
• impacts from tariffs, trade sanctions, export license requirements or other trade barriers;
  
  
• current and future impacts of a natural disaster or catastrophe, including the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken to address the pandemic by our customers, suppliers, regulatory authorities, and our business, on the global economy and our business and consolidated financial statements; and government actions or mandates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic;
  
  
• declines in our customers’ businesses resulting in adverse changes in procurement patterns; disruptions in accounts receivable and cash flow due to customers’ liquidity challenges and commercial deterioration; uncertainties regarding demand for our products and services in the future and our customers’ acceptance of new products; delays or declines in anticipated sales due to reduced or altered sales and marketing interactions with customers; and potential variations in our sales forecast compared to actual sales;
  
  
• increased volatility in our revenue due to the timing, duration and value of multi-year lease contracts; and our reliance on high renewal rates for annual lease and maintenance contracts;
  
  
• our ability to protect our proprietary technology; cybersecurity threats or other security breaches, including in relation to an increased level of our activity that is occurring from remote global off-site locations; and disclosure and misuse of employee or customer data whether as a result of a cybersecurity incident or otherwise;
  
  
• the quality of our products, including the strength of features, functionality and integrated multi-physics capabilities; our ability to develop and market new products to address the industry’s rapidly changing technology; failures or errors in our products and services; and increased pricing pressure as a result of the competitive environment in which we operate;
  
  
• investments in complementary companies, products, services and technologies; our ability to complete and successfully integrate our acquisitions and realize the financial and business benefits of the transactions; and the impact indebtedness incurred in connection with any acquisition could have on our operations;
  
  
• investments in global sales and marketing organizations and global business infrastructure; and dependence on our channel partners for the distribution of our products;
  
  
• operational disruptions generally or specifically in connection with transitions to and from remote work environments; and the failure of our technological infrastructure or those of the service providers upon whom we rely including for infrastructure and cloud services;
  
  
• our ability and our channel partners’ ability to comply with laws and regulations in relevant jurisdictions; and the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings, government or regulatory investigations and service tax audit cases;
  
  
• our intention to repatriate previously taxed earnings in excess of working capital needs and to reinvest all other earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries;
  
  
• plans for future capital spending; the extent of corporate benefits from such spending including with respect to customer relationship management; and higher than anticipated costs for research and development or slowdown in our research and development activities;
  
  
• uncertainty regarding income tax estimates in the jurisdictions in which we operate; and the effect of changes in tax laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate; and
  
  
• other risks and uncertainties described in our reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
  

Ansys and any and all ANSYS, Inc. brand, product, service and feature names, logos and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of ANSYS, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All other brand, product, service and feature names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Visit https://investors.ansys.com for more information.

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