Verisign News Releases

Verisign Reports Second Quarter 2014 Results

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), a global leader in domain names and Internet security, today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2014.

Second Quarter GAAP Financial Results

VeriSign, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Verisign”) reported revenue of $250 million for the second quarter of 2014, up 4.6 percent from the same quarter in 2013. Verisign reported net income of $100 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.71 for the second quarter of 2014, compared to net income of $87 million and diluted EPS of $0.55 in the same quarter in 2013. The operating margin was 57.2 percent for the second quarter of 2014 compared to 55.2 percent for the same quarter in 2013.

Second Quarter Non-GAAP Financial Results

Verisign reported, on a non-GAAP basis, net income of $96 million and diluted EPS of $0.68 for the second quarter of 2014, compared to net income of $92 million and diluted EPS of $0.58 for the same quarter in 2013. The non-GAAP operating margin was 60.9 percent for the second quarter of 2014 compared to 58.9 percent for the same quarter in 2013. A table reconciling the GAAP to the non-GAAP results (which excludes items described below) is appended to this release.

“Our results are in keeping with our goal of creating long-term shareholder value by providing secure and stable critical Internet infrastructure services and efficiently managing the business. Additionally, in keeping with our commitment to return value to our shareholders, we repurchased $300 million of Verisign shares during the quarter,” commented Jim Bidzos, executive chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Financial Highlights

  • Verisign ended the second quarter with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $1.5 billion, a decrease of $178 million as compared with year-end 2013.
  • Cash flow from operations was $121 million for the second quarter compared with $147 million for the same quarter in 2013.
  • Deferred revenues on June 30, 2014, totaled $890 million, an increase of $35 million from year-end 2013.
  • Capital expenditures were $7 million in the second quarter of 2014.
  • During the second quarter, Verisign repurchased 6.0 million shares of its common stock for $300 million.
  • On July 23, 2014, the Board of Directors approved an additional authorization for share repurchases of approximately $491 million of common stock, which brings the total amount to $1 billion authorized and available under Verisign’s share buyback program, which has no expiration.
  • During the second quarter Verisign repatriated $741 million of cash held by foreign subsidiaries, net of foreign withholding taxes.
  • For purposes of calculating diluted EPS, the second quarter diluted share count included 11.3 million shares related to subordinated convertible debentures, compared with 9.4 million shares in the same quarter in 2013. These represent diluted shares and not shares that have been issued.

Business Highlights

  • Verisign Registry Services added 0.42 million net new names during the second quarter, ending with 128.9 million active domain names in the zone for .com and .net, which represents a 3.7 percent increase over the zone at the end of the second quarter in 2013.
  • In the second quarter, Verisign processed 8.5 million new domain name registrations for .com and .net as compared to 8.7 million for the same period in 2013.
  • The final .com and .net renewal rate for the first quarter of 2014 was 72.6 percent compared with 73.2 percent for the same quarter in 2013. Renewal rates are not fully measurable until 45 days after the end of the quarter.
  • Verisign announced an increase in the annual fee for a .net domain name registration from $6.18 to $6.79, effective February 1, 2015, per its agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

Non-GAAP Items

Non-GAAP financial results exclude the following items that are included under GAAP: stock-based compensation, unrealized gain/loss on contingent interest derivative on 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 a 28 percent tax rate which differs from the GAAP tax rate. A table reconciling the GAAP to non-GAAP operating income and net income is appended to this release.

Today’s Conference Call

Verisign will host a live conference call today at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) to review the second quarter 2014 results. The call will be accessible by direct dial at (888) 676-VRSN (U.S.) or (913) 312-0830 (international), conference ID: Verisign. A listen-only live web cast of the conference call and accompanying slide presentation will also be available at http://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 http://investor.verisign.com.

About Verisign

As a global leader in domain names and Internet security, Verisign powers the invisible navigation that takes people to where they want to go on the Internet. For more than 15 years, Verisign has operated the infrastructure for a portfolio of top-level domains that today includes .com, .net, .tv, .edu, .gov, .jobs, .name and .cc, as well as two of the world’s 13 Internet root servers. Verisign’s product suite also includes Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Protection Services, iDefense Security Intelligence Services and Managed DNS. To learn more about what it means to be Powered by Verisign, please visit VerisignInc.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 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, the uncertainty of whether our new products and services, if any, 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; 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 introduction of new gTLDs, any delays in their introduction, the impact of ICANN’s Registry Agreement for new gTLDs, and whether our gTLD applications or the applicants’ gTLD applications for which we have contracted to provide back-end registry services will be successful; and the uncertainty regarding the impact, if any, of the delegation into the root zone of up to 1,400 new TLDs. 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, 2013, 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.

©2014 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)
       
June 30, December 31,
2014 2013

ASSETS

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 237,361 $ 339,223
Marketable securities 1,308,110 1,384,062
Accounts receivable, net 13,810 13,631
Income taxes receivable and other current assets 37,762   66,283  
Total current assets 1,597,043   1,803,199  
Property and equipment, net 323,782 339,653
Goodwill 52,527 52,527
Long-term deferred tax assets 322,596 437,643
Other long-term assets 26,686   27,745  
Total long-term assets 725,591   857,568  
Total assets $ 2,322,634   $ 2,660,767  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 129,516 $ 149,276
Deferred revenues 623,860 595,221
Subordinated convertible debentures, including contingent interest derivative 618,136 624,056
Deferred tax liabilities 471,558   660,633  
Total current liabilities 1,843,070   2,029,186  
Long-term deferred revenues 266,591 260,615
Senior notes 750,000 750,000
Other long-term tax liabilities 95,825   44,524  
Total long-term liabilities 1,112,416   1,055,139  
Total liabilities 2,955,486   3,084,325  
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: 321,373 at June 30, 2014 and 320,358 at December 31, 2013; Outstanding shares: 125,993 at June 30, 2014 and 133,724 at December 31, 2013 321 320
Additional paid-in capital 18,531,430 18,935,302
Accumulated deficit (19,161,496 ) (19,356,095 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,107 ) (3,085 )
Total stockholders’ deficit (632,852 ) (423,558 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit $ 2,322,634   $ 2,660,767  
 
 
VERISIGN, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
       
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2014     2013 2014     2013
Revenues $ 250,382   $ 239,332   $ 499,178   $ 475,779  
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues 45,989 46,630 94,015 93,884
Sales and marketing 23,651 23,269 43,940 41,373
Research and development 15,694 16,899 34,133 35,075
General and administrative 21,927   20,453   44,384   40,102  
Total costs and expenses 107,261   107,251   216,472   210,434  
Operating income 143,121 132,081 282,706 265,345
Interest expense (21,490 ) (19,809 ) (42,875 ) (32,405 )
Non-operating income, net 4,994   6,161   11,510   384  
Income before income taxes 126,625 118,433 251,341 233,324
Income tax expense (26,449 ) (31,543 ) (56,742 ) (61,921 )
Net income 100,176   86,890   194,599   171,403  
Unrealized loss on investments, net of tax (33 ) (159 ) (25 ) (426 )
Realized (gain) loss on investments, net of tax, included in net income (2 ) (2,459 ) 3   (2,479 )
Other comprehensive loss (35 ) (2,618 ) (22 ) (2,905 )
Comprehensive income $ 100,141   $ 84,272   $ 194,577   $ 168,498  
 
Income per share:
Basic $ 0.77   $ 0.58   $ 1.48   $ 1.14  
Diluted $ 0.71   $ 0.55   $ 1.34   $ 1.07  
Shares used to compute net income per share
Basic 129,350   148,576   131,372   150,549  
Diluted 141,142   158,641   144,861   159,982  
 
 
VERISIGN, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
2014     2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 194,599 $ 171,403
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment 32,115 30,526
Stock-based compensation 19,365 16,429
Excess tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation (15,309 ) (17,642 )
Deferred income taxes (22,613 ) 16,055
Unrealized (gain) loss on contingent interest derivative on Subordinated Convertible Debentures (10,515 ) 4,437
Other, net 5,169 5,627
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable (233 ) (2,263 )
Income taxes receivable and other assets 26,414 (991 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (869 ) 30,090
Deferred revenues 34,615   43,802  
Net cash provided by operating activities 262,738   297,473  
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities 2,118,861 1,564,459
Purchases of marketable securities (2,042,657 ) (1,557,724 )
Purchases of property and equipment (18,747 ) (37,550 )
Other investing activities 74   (3,221 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 57,531   (34,036 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from option exercises and employee stock purchase plans 8,970 9,396
Repurchases of common stock (446,676 ) (478,148 )
Repayment of borrowings (100,000 )
Proceeds from Senior Notes, net of issuance costs 738,731
Excess tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation 15,309   17,642  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (422,397 ) 187,621  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 266   (3,493 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (101,862 ) 447,565
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 339,223   130,736  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 237,361   $ 578,301  
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $ 37,507   $ 20,495  
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received $ 34,464   $ 17,531  
 
 
VERISIGN, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
2014     2013
Operating Income     Net Income Operating Income     Net Income
GAAP as reported $ 143,121 $ 100,176 $ 132,081 $ 86,890
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation 9,372 9,372 8,835 8,835
Unrealized gain on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures (5,246 ) (1,996 )
Non-cash interest expense 2,547 2,230
Tax adjustment   (10,875 )   (4,157 )
Non-GAAP $ 152,493   $ 95,974   $ 140,916   $ 91,802  
 
Revenues $ 250,382 $ 239,332
Non-GAAP operating margin 60.9 % 58.9 %
Diluted shares 141,142 158,641
Per diluted share, non-GAAP $ 0.68   $ 0.58  
 

Verisign provides quarterly and annual financial statements that are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Along with this information, we typically disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial information in our quarterly earnings release, 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 contingent interest derivative on 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 a 28 percent tax rate, which differs from the GAAP tax rate.

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 our 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. We believe that the non-GAAP information enhances investors’ overall understanding of our financial performance and the comparability of our operating results from period to period. Above, we have provided a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial information that we provide each quarter with the comparable financial information reported in accordance with GAAP for the given period.

 
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table presents the classification of stock-based compensation (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
2014     2013
Cost of revenues $ 1,532 $ 1,575
Sales and marketing 1,820 1,727
Research and development 1,639 1,745
General and administrative 4,381   3,788
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 9,372   $ 8,835
 
 
VERISIGN, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
2014     2013
Operating Income     Net Income Operating Income     Net Income
GAAP as reported $ 282,706 $ 194,599 $ 265,345 $ 171,403
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation 19,365 19,365 16,429 16,429
Unrealized (gain) loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures (10,515 ) 4,437
Non-cash interest expense 4,991 4,144
Tax adjustment   (17,509 )   (10,412 )
Non-GAAP $ 302,071   $ 190,931   $ 281,774   $ 186,001  
 
Revenues $ 499,178 $ 475,779
Non-GAAP operating margin 60.5 % 59.2 %
Diluted shares 144,861 159,982
Per diluted share, non-GAAP $ 1.32   $ 1.16  
 

Verisign provides quarterly and annual financial statements that are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Along with this information, we typically disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial information in our quarterly earnings release, 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 contingent interest derivative on 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 a 28 percent tax rate, which differs from the GAAP tax rate.

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 our 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. We believe that the non-GAAP information enhances investors’ overall understanding of our financial performance and the comparability of our operating results from period to period. Above, we have provided a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial information that we provide each quarter with the comparable financial information reported in accordance with GAAP for the given period.

 
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table presents the classification of stock-based compensation (in thousands):

   
Six Months Ended March 31,
2014     2013
Cost of revenues $ 3,130 $ 3,115
Sales and marketing 3,668 3,214
Research and development 3,511 3,640
General and administrative 9,056   6,460
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 19,365   $ 16,429
 

VERISIGN, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

Following the offering of the 4.625% senior notes due 2023 (the “Notes”), we disclose our Adjusted EBITDA for the periods shown below. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the Notes. Adjusted EBITDA refers to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, unrealized loss (gain) on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures and unrealized loss (gain) on hedging agreements.

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

    Three Months Ended June 30,
2014     2013
Net Income $ 100,176 $ 86,890
Interest expense 21,490 19,809
Income tax expense 26,449 31,543
Depreciation and amortization 16,107 15,408
Stock-based compensation 9,372 8,835
Unrealized (gain) loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures (5,246 ) (1,996 )
Unrealized loss (gain) on hedging agreements (150 ) (33 )
Adjusted EBITDA $ 168,198   $ 160,456  
    Four Quarters Ended
June 30, 2014
Net Income $ 567,646
Interest expense 85,232
Income tax benefit (92,859 )
Depreciation and amortization 62,244
Stock-based compensation 39,585
Unrealized loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures 2,849
Unrealized loss on hedging agreements 210  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 664,907  
 

Verisign’s management believes that presenting Adjusted EBITDA enhances investors’ overall understanding of our financial performance and the comparability of our operating results from period to period. However, Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool. These limitations include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt;
  • although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
  • non-cash compensation is and will remain a key element of our overall long-term incentive compensation package, although we exclude it as an expense when evaluating its ongoing operating performance for a particular period; and
  • other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

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