Aspen Technology Crushes Estimates

Seth Jayson, The Motley Fool
Updated

Aspen Technology (NAS: AZPN) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q2), Aspen Technology crushed expectations on revenues and NA on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly, and GAAP earnings per share improved. The profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Aspen Technology reported revenue of $66.6 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $52.9 million. Sales were 34% higher than the prior-year quarter's $49.8 million.

anImage
anImage

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.06. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.05 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were $0.04 for Q2 compared to -$0.11 per share for the prior-year quarter.

anImage
anImage

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 80.6%, 780 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.6%, 2,910 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.8%, 2,640 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $61.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.01.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $232.7 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.17.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 54 members out of 80 rating the stock outperform, and 26 members rating it underperform. Among 27 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 16 give Aspen Technology a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Aspen Technology is buy, with an average price target of $20.75.

Software and computerized services are being consumed in radically different ways, on new and increasingly mobile devices. Many old leaders will be left behind. Whether or not Aspen Technology makes the coming cut, you should check out the company that Motley Fool analysts expect to lead the pack in "The Next Trillion-dollar Revolution." Click here for instant access to this free report.

At the time thisarticle was published Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor ofMotley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Advertisement