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8-K - FORM 8-K - VERISIGN INC/CAvrsn-20151022x8xk.htm





Verisign Reports Third Quarter 2015 Results

RESTON, VA - Oct. 22, 2015 - VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), a global leader in domain names and Internet security, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2015.

Third Quarter GAAP Financial Results
VeriSign, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Verisign”) reported revenue of $266 million for the third quarter of 2015, up 4.2 percent from the same quarter in 2014. Verisign reported net income of $92 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.70 for the third quarter of 2015, compared to net income of $95 million and diluted EPS of $0.69 for the same quarter in 2014. The operating margin was 58.1 percent for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 54.7 percent for the same quarter in 2014.

Third Quarter Non-GAAP Financial Results
Verisign reported, on a non-GAAP basis, net income of $103 million and diluted EPS of $0.78 for the third quarter of 2015, compared to net income of $97 million and diluted EPS of $0.70 for the same quarter in 2014. The non-GAAP operating margin was 62.7 percent for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 60.6 percent for the same quarter in 2014. A table reconciling the GAAP to the non-GAAP results (which excludes items described below) is appended to this release.

“Our quarterly results demonstrate the ongoing strength of our business and our execution discipline, which continue to produce value for our shareholders,” commented Jim Bidzos, Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Financial Highlights

Verisign ended the third quarter with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $1.9 billion, an increase of $466 million as compared with year-end 2014.
Cash flow from operations was $155 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared with $168 million for the same quarter in 2014.
Deferred revenues on Sept. 30, 2015, totaled $940 million, an increase of $50 million from year-end 2014.
Capital expenditures were $7 million in the third quarter of 2015.
During the third quarter, Verisign repurchased 2.3 million shares of its common stock for $156 million. At Sept. 30, 2015, $605 million remained available and authorized under the current share repurchase program which has no expiration.
For purposes of calculating diluted EPS, the third quarter diluted share count included 18.0 million shares related to subordinated convertible debentures, compared with 13.2 million shares for the same quarter in 2014. These represent diluted shares and not shares that have been issued.

Business Highlights

Verisign Registry Services added 1.68 million net new names during the third quarter, ending with 135.2 million .com and .net domain names in the domain name base, which represents a 3.4 percent increase over the base at the end of the third quarter in 2014, as calculated including domain names on hold for both periods.
In the third quarter, Verisign processed 9.2 million new domain name registrations for .com and .net, as compared to 8.7 million for the same quarter in 2014.
The final .com and .net renewal rate for the second quarter of 2015 was 72.7 percent compared with 71.8 percent for the same quarter in 2014. Renewal rates are not fully measurable until 45 days after the end of the quarter.






Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Adjusted EBITDA
Verisign provides quarterly and annual financial statements that are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Along with this information, management typically discloses and discusses certain non-GAAP financial information in quarterly earnings releases, on investor conference calls and during investor conferences and related events. This non-GAAP financial information does not include the following types of financial measures that are included in GAAP: stock-based compensation, unrealized gain/loss on the contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures, and non-cash interest expense. Non-GAAP net income is decreased by amounts accrued, if any, during the period for contingent interest payable resulting from upside or downside triggers related to the subordinated convertible debentures and is adjusted for an income tax rate of 26 percent for 2015 and 28 percent for 2014, both of which differ from the GAAP income tax rate.
On a quarterly basis, Verisign also provides Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated in accordance with the terms of the indentures governing Verisign’s 4.625% senior notes due 2023 and 5.25% senior notes due 2025. Adjusted EBITDA refers to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, unrealized loss (gain) on the contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures and unrealized loss (gain) on hedging agreements.
Management believes that this non-GAAP financial data supplements the GAAP financial data by providing investors with additional information that allows them to have a clearer picture of Verisign’s operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that the non-GAAP information enhances investors’ overall understanding of Verisign’s financial performance and the comparability of Verisign’s operating results from period to period.

The tables appended to this release include a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial information to the comparable financial information reported in accordance with GAAP for the given periods.


Today’s Conference Call
Verisign will host a live conference call today at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) to review the third quarter 2015 results. The call will be accessible by direct dial at (888) 676-VRSN (U.S.) or (913) 312-1460 (international), conference ID: Verisign. A listen-only live web cast of the conference call and accompanying slide presentation will also be available at https://investor.verisign.com. An audio archive of the call will be available at https://investor.verisign.com/events.cfm. This news release and the financial information discussed on today’s conference call are available at https://investor.verisign.com.

About Verisign
Verisign, a global leader in domain names and Internet security, enables Internet navigation for many of the world’s most recognized domain names and provides protection for websites and enterprises around the world. Verisign ensures the security, stability and resiliency of key Internet infrastructure and services, including the .com and .net domains and two of the Internet’s root servers, as well as performs the root-zone maintainer functions for the core of the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS). Verisign’s Security Services include intelligence-driven Distributed Denial of Service Protection, iDefense Security Intelligence and Managed DNS. To learn more about what it means to be Powered by Verisign, please visit Verisign.com.







VRSNF

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of the impact of the U.S. government’s transition of key Internet domain name functions (the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (“IANA”) function) and related root zone management functions, whether the U.S. Department of Commerce will approve any exercise by us of our right to increase the price per .com domain name, under certain circumstances, the uncertainty of whether we will be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Department of Commerce that market conditions warrant removal of the pricing restrictions on .com domain names and the uncertainty of whether we will experience other negative changes to our pricing terms; the failure to renew key agreements on similar terms, or at all; the uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results due to such factors as restrictions on increasing prices under the .com Registry Agreement, changes in marketing and advertising practices, including those of third-party registrars, increasing competition, and pricing pressure from competing services offered at prices below our prices; changes in search engine algorithms and advertising payment practices; the uncertainty of whether we will successfully develop and market new products and services or pursue strategic initiatives, the uncertainty of whether our new products and services, including our new gTLDs, will achieve market acceptance or result in any revenues; challenging global economic conditions; challenges of ongoing changes to Internet governance and administration; the outcome of legal or other challenges resulting from our activities or the activities of registrars or registrants, or litigation generally; the uncertainty regarding what the ultimate outcome or amount of benefit we receive, if any, from the worthless stock deduction will be; new or existing governmental laws and regulations in the U.S. or other applicable foreign jurisdictions; changes in customer behavior, Internet platforms and web-browsing patterns; system interruptions; security breaches; attacks on the Internet by hackers, viruses, or intentional acts of vandalism; whether we will be able to continue to expand our infrastructure to meet demand; the uncertainty of the expense and timing of requests for indemnification, if any, relating to completed divestitures; and the impact of the continuing introduction of new gTLDs, the impact of ICANN’s Registry Agreement for new gTLDs, and whether our new gTLDs or the new gTLDs for which we have contracted to provide back-end registry services will be successful; and the uncertainty regarding the impact, if any, of the current and future delegation into the root zone of a large number of new gTLDs. More information about potential factors that could affect our business and financial results is included in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Verisign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this announcement.

Contacts
Investor Relations: David Atchley, datchley@verisign.com, 703-948-4643
Media Relations: Deana Alvy, dalvy@verisign.com, 703-948-4179

©2015 VeriSign, Inc. All rights reserved. VERISIGN, the VERISIGN logo, and other trademarks, service marks, and designs are registered or unregistered trademarks of VeriSign, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and in foreign countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.







VERISIGN, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value)
(Unaudited)
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
177,871

 
$
191,608

Marketable securities
1,713,087

 
1,233,076

Accounts receivable, net
14,714

 
13,448

Other current assets
35,468

 
41,905

Total current assets
1,941,140

 
1,480,037

Property and equipment, net
297,299

 
319,028

Goodwill
52,527

 
52,527

Long-term deferred tax assets
262,243

 
266,954

Other long-term assets
24,096

 
15,918

Total long-term assets
636,165

 
654,427

Total assets
$
2,577,305

 
$
2,134,464

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
180,106

 
$
190,278

Deferred revenues
660,417

 
621,307

Subordinated convertible debentures, including contingent interest derivative
626,590

 
620,620

Deferred tax liabilities
512,779

 
477,781

Total current liabilities
1,979,892

 
1,909,986

Long-term deferred revenues
279,724

 
269,047

Senior notes
1,234,890

 
740,175

Other long-term tax liabilities
114,209

 
98,722

Total long-term liabilities
1,628,823

 
1,107,944

Total liabilities
3,608,715

 
3,017,930

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Stockholders’ deficit:
 
 
 
Preferred stock—par value $.001 per share; Authorized shares: 5,000; Issued and outstanding shares: none

 

Common stock—par value $.001 per share; Authorized shares: 1,000,000; Issued shares:322,968 at September 30, 2015 and 321,699 at December 31, 2014; Outstanding shares:111,891 at September 30, 2015 and 118,452 at December 31, 2014
323

 
322

Additional paid-in capital
17,697,985

 
18,120,045

Accumulated deficit
(18,727,129
)
 
(19,000,835
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(2,589
)
 
(2,998
)
Total stockholders’ deficit
(1,031,410
)
 
(883,466
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
$
2,577,305

 
$
2,134,464












VERISIGN, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

  
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
$
265,780

 
$
255,022

 
$
786,741

 
$
754,200

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
47,218

 
46,933

 
143,792

 
140,948

Sales and marketing
20,966

 
24,304

 
67,677

 
68,244

Research and development
15,019

 
16,320

 
48,518

 
50,453

General and administrative
28,115

 
27,965

 
79,090

 
72,349

Total costs and expenses
111,318

 
115,522

 
339,077

 
331,994

Operating income
154,462

 
139,500

 
447,664

 
422,206

Interest expense
(28,544
)
 
(21,533
)
 
(79,064
)
 
(64,408
)
Non-operating (loss) income, net
(3,975
)
 
(6,473
)
 
(6,329
)
 
5,037

Income before income taxes
121,943

 
111,494

 
362,271

 
362,835

Income tax expense
(29,486
)
 
(16,305
)
 
(88,565
)
 
(73,047
)
Net income
92,457

 
95,189

 
273,706

 
289,788

Realized foreign currency translation adjustments, included in net income

 

 
(291
)
 

Unrealized gain on investments
565

 
59

 
799

 
34

Realized (gain) loss on investments, included in net income
(26
)
 
(1
)
 
(99
)
 
2

Other comprehensive income
539

 
58


409


36

Comprehensive income
$
92,996

 
$
95,247

 
$
274,115

 
$
289,824

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.82

 
$
0.77

 
$
2.38

 
$
2.25

Diluted
$
0.70

 
$
0.69

 
$
2.06

 
$
2.03

Shares used to compute net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
112,955

 
124,109

 
115,235

 
128,924

Diluted
131,721

 
138,112

 
132,925

 
142,584







VERISIGN, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
273,706

 
$
289,788

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation of property and equipment
46,554

 
47,924

Stock-based compensation
34,351

 
34,281

Excess tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation
(19,420
)
 
(8,566
)
Unrealized loss (gain) on contingent interest derivative on Subordinated Convertible Debentures
9,058

 
(3,953
)
Payment of Contingent interest
(10,759
)
 

Other, net
8,161

 
7,470

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(1,319
)
 
(2,550
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
2,967

 
31,349

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
14,658

 
(2,540
)
Deferred revenues
49,787

 
37,237

Net deferred income taxes and other long-term tax liabilities
55,203

 
36

Net cash provided by operating activities
462,947

 
430,476

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities
1,965,767

 
2,425,259

Purchases of marketable securities
(2,443,865
)
 
(2,281,523
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(28,659
)
 
(30,058
)
Other investing activities
(3,666
)
 
351

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(510,423
)
 
114,029

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from option exercises and employee stock purchase plans
14,690

 
15,816

Repurchases of common stock
(492,575
)
 
(673,540
)
Proceeds from borrowings, net of issuance costs
492,237

 

Excess tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation
19,420

 
8,566

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
33,772

 
(649,158
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(33
)
 
(621
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(13,737
)
 
(105,274
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
191,608

 
339,223

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
177,871

 
$
233,949

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest
$
68,678

 
$
57,767

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received
$
13,289

 
$
34,937








VERISIGN, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Operating Income
 
Net Income
 
Operating Income
 
Net Income
GAAP as reported
$
154,462

 
$
92,457

 
$
139,500

 
$
95,189

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation
12,222

 
12,222

 
14,916

 
14,916

Unrealized loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures
 
 
4,747

 
 
 
6,562

Non-cash interest expense
 
 
2,994

 
 
 
2,588

Contingent interest payable on subordinated convertible debentures
 
 
(3,020
)
 
 
 
(1,306
)
Tax adjustment
 
 
(6,625
)
 
 
 
(21,285
)
Non-GAAP
$
166,684

 
$
102,775

 
$
154,416

 
$
96,664

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
265,780

 
 
 
$
255,022

 
 
Non-GAAP operating margin
62.7
%
 
 
 
60.6
%
 
 
Diluted shares
 
 
131,721

 
 
 
138,112

Per diluted share, non-GAAP
 
 
$
0.78

 
 
 
$
0.70


 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Operating Income
 
Net Income
 
Operating Income
 
Net Income
GAAP as reported
$
447,664

 
$
273,706

 
$
422,206

 
$
289,788

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation
34,351

 
34,351

 
34,281

 
34,281

Unrealized loss (gain) on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures
 
 
9,058

 
 
 
(3,953
)
Non-cash interest expense
 
 
8,656

 
 
 
7,581

Contingent interest payable on subordinated convertible debentures
 
 
(8,477
)
 
 
 
(1,306
)
Tax adjustment
 
 
(16,959
)
 
 
 
(38,796
)
Non-GAAP
$
482,015

 
$
300,335

 
$
456,487

 
$
287,595

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
786,741

 
 
 
$
754,200

 
 
Non-GAAP operating margin
61.3
%
 
 
 
60.5
%
 
 
Diluted shares
 
 
132,925

 
 
 
142,584

Per diluted share, non-GAAP
 
 
$
2.26

 
 
 
$
2.02
















VERISIGN, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

The following table reconciles GAAP net income to non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA for the periods shown below (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income
$
92,457

 
$
95,189

Interest expense
28,544

 
21,533

Income tax expense
29,486

 
16,305

Depreciation and amortization
14,934

 
15,809

Stock-based compensation
12,222

 
14,916

Unrealized loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures
4,747

 
6,562

Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging agreements
(479
)
 
128

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA
$
181,911

 
$
170,442

 
Four Quarters Ended
September 30, 2015
Net income
339,179

Interest expense
100,651

Income tax expense
143,569

Depreciation and amortization
62,322

Stock-based compensation
44,047

Unrealized loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures
10,761

Unrealized gain on hedging agreements
(256
)
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA
$
700,273



STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION CLASSIFICATION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

The following table presents the classification of stock-based compensation:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
     Cost of revenues
$
1,722

 
$
1,618

 
$
5,202

 
$
4,748

     Sales and marketing
1,683

 
2,234

 
4,800

 
5,902

     Research and development
1,478

 
1,678

 
4,890

 
5,189

     General and administrative
7,339

 
9,386

 
19,459

 
18,442

Total stock-based compensation expense
$
12,222

 
$
14,916

 
$
34,351

 
$
34,281