Hoofddorp, 22 oktober 2003 - Aspect Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: ASPT), marktleider op het gebied van customer contact solutions, heeft onlangs de cijfers over het derde kwartaal van 2003 bekend gemaakt.
Hoofdpunten derde kwartaal 2003:
- Netto winst is opnieuw gestegen; in het derde kwartaal bedroeg de netto winst $8.2 miljoen of een winst per aandeel van $0.11 vergeleken met $4.5 miljoen of een winst per aandeel van $0.06 voor het tweede kwartaal van 2003 en een netto verlies van $60 miljoen, een verlies per aandeel van $1.14 in dezelfde periode van het vorige boekjaar.
- Omzet in het derde kwartaal ten opzichte van het tweede kwartaal 2003 laat een stijging zien; $92.6 miljoen (Q03) ten opzichte van $89.4 miljoen (Q02).
- Licentie omzet in het derde kwartaal 2003 bedroeg $18.7 miljoen ten opzichte van $16.3 miljoen in het tweede kwartaal 2003 en $21.5 miljoen in het derde kwartaal van het vorige boekjaar.
- Omzet uit softwarelicentie updates en productsupport is in het derde kwartaal 2003 verder toegenomen tot $54.6 miljoen ten opzichte van $53.7 miljoen in het tweede kwartaal 2003 en $49.7 miljoen in dezelfde periode van het vorige boekjaar.
Voor het overige verwijzen wij naar het Engelstalige persbericht.
ASPECT COMMUNICATIONS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2003 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Company Reports Third Quarter EPS of $0.11 and Operating Margins of 15%
SAN JOSE, Calif., October 16, 2003 — Aspect Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: ASPT), the leading provider of enterprise customer contact solutions, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS:
Revenues for the third quarter of 2003 totaled $92.6 million compared to $89.4 million for the second quarter of 2003 and $96.5 million for the third quarter last year. Software License revenues in the third quarter of 2003 were $18.7 million compared to $16.3 million for the second quarter of 2003 and $21.5 million for the third quarter last year. Hardware revenues totaled $11.6 million in the third quarter compared to $11.2 million for the second quarter and $16.0 million for the third quarter last year. Software License Updates & Product Support revenues totaled $54.6 million in the third quarter compared to $53.7 million for the second quarter and $49.7 million for the third quarter last year. Professional Services & Education revenues in the third quarter were $7.8 million compared to $8.3 million for the second quarter and $9.2 million for the third quarter last year.
Net income for the third quarter of 2003 was $10.2 million. Net income attributable to common shareholders for the third quarter was $8.2 million or a profit of $0.11 per share on a basic and fully diluted basis. This compares with a net income attributable to common shareholders of $4.5 million or a profit of $0.06 per share for the second quarter of 2003 and a net loss of $60.0 million or a loss of $1.14 per share for the third quarter of 2002. Net loss for the third quarter of 2002 includes a $22.7 million restructuring charge, a $38.6 million write off of intangible assets and a $3 million gain from the repurchase of convertible subordinated debentures.
"We are pleased to report another great quarter for Aspect," said Gary Barnett, Aspect Interim President and CEO. "Our strong financial performance this quarter paired with our continued strength in the contact center solutions space demonstrates our commitment and ability to execute to plan. With nearly two decades of continuous technology innovation and some of the best financial measurements in over four years, we are optimistic that we will continue to deliver on our commitments and grow shareholder value."
For the third quarter of 2003, gross margins were 57.3%. This compares to 56.5% for the second quarter of 2003 and 11.8% for the third quarter of 2002. Operating expenses were $39.1 million for the third quarter of 2003 compared to $41.4 million in the second quarter of 2003 and $72.6 million for the same period last year.
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $126.7 million as of September 30, 2003. This compares to $223.3 million as of June 30, 2003. On August 12, 2003, the company paid approximately $122.8 million in cash to repurchase 99% of the company’s outstanding convertible subordinated debentures. During the quarter, the company generated $24.6 million in cash from operations. Accounts receivable at quarter-end totaled $45.6 million and days sales outstanding were 36 days compared to 38 days at June 30, 2003.
THIRD QUARTER OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
During the quarter, the company added several new customers to its platinum customer base, including: Coventry Healthcare, WellPoint, Fremont Bank, Blue Shield of California, 1-800-MATTRESS, Government of South Africa, Suncall and NTL/Swansea Technical Support Bureau.
Aspect’s installed base of customers continued to be an important source for new product revenues. The company received significant revenue from these existing Aspect customers: Dell Computer, Countrywide Home Loans, Sears, Yorkshire Water, Royal Bank of Scotland, CJ Garland & Co. and Arvato Direct Service.
Aspect introduced their new “Uniphi” architecture featuring Uniphi Connect and Aspect Call Center Version 9. This new architecture extends Aspect’s vision of joining best-of-breed, proven technologies into multi-product solutions allowing customers to transition to IP at their own pace.
The company also introduced their new Iphinity Call Center and Iphinity Workforce Management, which provides affordable, turnkey solutions for small and medium-sized contact centers.
The company’s Scheduled Callback software won the TMC Labs Innovation Award for innovative and unique capabilities that improve customer satisfaction.
The company announced eBiz 2003, The Aspect User Conference to be held from October 26 – 29, 2003 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to keynote speakers, the conference will feature breakout sessions with technology and business tracks. Many of Aspect’s partners will offer technology demonstrations and discussions of leading business practices. In addition, eBiz attendees will also be able to “test drive” Aspect’s contact center solutions and next-generation technology in hands-on demonstrations.
BUSINESS OUTLOOK:
The following statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially:
- Revenue for the fourth quarter will be flat to slightly up from the third quarter.
- The company is planning for fourth quarter earnings per share to be flat to slightly up from the third quarter.
- The company expects to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations.
The company will host a conference call and web-cast today at 2:00 pm Pacific Time to discuss third quarter 2003 results. A replay of the conference call will be available from October 16, 2003 at 5:00 pm Pacific Time through October 23, 2003 at 8:59 pm Pacific Time by calling 866-566-0821 or 402-220-0423. The web-cast and replay of the conference call may be accessed from the company’s home page at www.aspect.com.
Notes on financial presentation: Actual financial results are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The statements contained in the Business Outlook Section, including but not limited to, statements relating to expected fourth quarter revenues, earnings per share and cash flow from operations of the company are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are made under its safe-harbor provisions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Specific factors that may cause actual revenue and earnings per share results to differ include: the significant percentage of Aspect's quarterly sales consummated in the last few days of the quarter and the potential for delays in closing of sales or product deliveries make financial predictions especially difficult and raise a substantial risk of variance in actual results; changes in the overall mix and volume of product line revenues can have a significant impact on gross margin and profitability; fluctuations in our North American and International business levels and/or economic conditions, the hiring and retention of key employees, insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory and variations in valuation, and foreign exchange rate fluctuations can all cause revenues and income to fall significantly short of anticipated levels. The economic, political and other uncertainties caused in the United States and throughout other regions of the world add to these challenges. Additional risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are discussed in Aspect's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, its Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, all filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. Aspect undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
About Aspect Communications
Aspect Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: ASPT) is the world’s largest company focused exclusively on contact center solutions, and the only one that unifies workforce, information and communications to deliver exceptional customer service. The Aspect brand is trusted by more than 75 percent of the Fortune 50, and more than 3 million customer sales and service professionals worldwide rely on Aspect’s mission-critical business communications solutions. The company’s leadership is based on 18 years of expertise gained from more than 8,000 successful implementations worldwide. Aspect is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with 24 offices in 11 countries around the world. For more information, visit Aspect’s Web site at www.aspect.com or call (877) 621-3692.
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Aspect, the Aspect logo and the phrases and marks relating to other Aspect products and services discussed in this press release constitute one or both of the following: (1) registered trademarks and/or service marks of Aspect Communications Corporation in the United States and/or other countries or (2) intellectual property subject to protection under common law principles. All other names and marks mentioned in this document are properties of their respective owners.
Carrie Kovac
Investor Relations Aspect Communications
(408) 325-2437
carrie.kovac@aspect.com