DGAP-News: Software AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results
SOFTWARE AG'S PRODUCT AND LICENSE REVENUE INCREASE IN SECOND QUARTER

18.07.2018 / 06:56
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.


PRESS RELEASE

SOFTWARE AG'S PRODUCT AND LICENSE REVENUE INCREASE IN SECOND QUARTER

- Total product revenue +7 percent, total license revenue +17 percent

- Digital Business Platform (excl. Cloud & IoT): product revenue +6 percent,
license revenue +11 percent

- Adabas & Natural: product revenue +7 percent, licenses +38 percent

- Cloud & IoT: revenue +56 percent, SaaS revenue +103 percent

- Annual recurring revenue (ARR) in Cloud & IoT up more than +100 percent

- Operating profit margin (non-IFRS) 29.9 percent

- 2018 outlook confirmed

[Unless otherwise stated, all percentages are year-on-year, at constant currency and rounded.]

Darmstadt, July 18, 2018

Software AG (Frankfurt TecDAX: SOW) today released its financial results (IFRS, preliminary) for the second quarter of 2018. A growing number of large global companies are leveraging Software AG's leading technologies to digitalize key business processes. The company has reported a 17 percent increase in license and a 7 percent growth in product revenue in the second quarter. License revenue for the Digital Business Platform business improved by 11 percent and product revenue by 6 percent. Software AG's new Cloud & IoT business maintained its momentum with 56 percent revenue growth. Propelled by high market demand for independent and open, cloud hosted platforms, software-as-a-service revenue jumped 103 percent. As a result, annual recurring revenue in the Cloud & IoT business doubled. This figure is a key measure of sustainable success in this segment. This development enables Software AG to raise revenue predictability. The Adabas & Natural (A&N) database business also continued the positive trajectory of the last four quarters. Thanks to above-average license growth of 38 percent, product revenue rose 7 percent. In addition to the increase in Group product revenue, Software AG also further increased its profitability. Operating earnings (EBITA, non-IFRS) went up to EUR61.5 million (2017: EUR61.3 million); the operating margin (EBITA, non-IFRS) rose to 29.9 percent (2017: 29.5 percent).

Karl-Heinz Streibich, Software AG's CEO, commented, "Software AG is one of the leading companies in the digital platform economy. Thanks to the expansion of our strong partner ecosystem, we were able to assume a leading role in new IoT and cloud platforms. Our second-quarter 2018 results confirm this. And this is just the beginning of our further growth potential." He continued, "Software AG was able to find a true IoT and cloud expert with my successor, Sanjay Brahmawar. I wish him a very successful future with Software AG."

CFO Arnd Zinnhardt added, "All product segments posted growth in the second quarter with a dynamic trend in the Cloud & IoT business. As a result, we were able to expand our margin and lay the necessary foundation to further increase our enterprise value."


Business Line Performance

In the second quarter, the Digital Business Platform (DBP) business line reported total revenue of EUR107.1 (2017: EUR104.4) million, representing 7 percent growth year-on-year at constant currency. This positive development was driven by robust growth of the DBP Cloud & IoT revenue, amounting to EUR5.3 million (2017: EUR3.5 million), which reflects 56 percent growth year-on-year at constant currency. Software-as-a-service revenue performed especially well with 103 percent growth in the second quarter. Annual recurring revenue in the Cloud & IoT segment doubled. This growth momentum also confirms the increasing demand among customers for cloud solutions in the IoT market. DBP license revenue excl. Cloud & IoT climbed 11 percent at constant currency to EUR35.7 million (2017: EUR33.4 million) in the second quarter. Maintenance revenue was EUR66.1 million (2017: EUR67.5 million), which reflects 3 percent growth over last year at constant currency. Accordingly, DBP product revenue totaled EUR101.8 million (2017: EUR100.9 million) in the second quarter of 2018. This is an increase of about 6 percent at constant currency.

The Adabas & Natural (A&N) business line followed suit in starting off 2018 on a strong note. License revenue went up 38 percent at constant currency to EUR17.6 million (2017: EUR13.2 million) in the second quarter. Maintenance revenue was EUR34.8 million (2017: EUR38.9 million). A&N product revenue grew 7 percent at constant currency to total EUR52.4 million (2017: EUR52.2 million). The overall positive performance underlines the stability of this segment and the high degree of loyalty of the A&N customer base. Furthermore, Software AG's Adabas & Natural 2050+ program guarantees support and innovation for customers through the year 2050 and beyond. With this program, Software AG is protecting customers' long-term investments and helping them modernize their IT landscapes.

Second-quarter revenue in the Consulting business line was EUR46.0 million (2017: EUR50.7 million).

Total Revenue and Earnings Performance

Despite currency translation effects totaling minus EUR9.5 million, Software AG reported EUR205.7 million (2017: EUR207.4 million) in total revenue in the period under review. This is a rise of 4 percent at constant currency. This growth is due primarily to the strong performance of Group license revenue, which increased 17 percent at constant currency to EUR53.5 million (2017: EUR47.3 million). Group maintenance revenue totaled EUR101.7 million (2017: EUR107.0 million) (1 percent growth at constant currency). Accordingly, Software AG's total second quarter product revenue (licenses + maintenance) was EUR159.5 million (2017: EUR156.5 million), which reflects 7 percent growth at constant currency.

The company's EBIT was EUR52.2 million (2017: EUR48.1 million) in the quarter under review. This reflects an EBIT margin of 25.4 percent (2017: 23.2 percent). At EUR61.5 million (2017: EUR61.3 million), operating EBITA (non-IFRS) also performed well in the quarter. Subsequently, the operating profit margin (non-IFRS) likewise increased to 29.9 percent (2017: 29.5 percent).

2018 Outlook

Software AG has confirmed its outlook from April 13, 2018 for fiscal 2018. Based on the business performance expectations of the next six months, Software AG's Management Board continues to anticipate an operating profit margin (EBITA, non-IFRS) between 30.0 and 32.0 percent for the 2018 fiscal year. Digital Business Platform (DBP) excl. Cloud & IoT revenue is expected to increase between 3 and 7 percent at constant currency. DBP Cloud & IoT revenue is expected to increase between 100 and 135 percent. The revenue target for the Adabas & Natural database business line remains unchanged between -6 and -2 percent (at constant currency). The company assumes earnings per share (EPS, non-IFRS) will grow between 5 and 15 percent.


The table below shows the full forecast for the 2018 fiscal year:

Outlook for Fiscal Year 2018    
 FY 2017
in EUR mn
FY 2018 Outlook
as of April 13, 2018 as %
DBP1 revenue 456.4 -
DBP excl. Cloud & IoT2 441.5 +3 to +72
DBP Cloud & IoT1 14.9 +100 to +1351
A&N2 revenue 223.7 -6 to -22
Operating margin
(EBITA, non-IFRS)3
31.8% 30.0 to 32.0
Earnings per share
(EPS, non-IFRS)4
EUR2.38 +5 to +155
     
 

1 At constant currency, including hosting services
2 At constant currency
3 Before adjusting for non-operating factors (see non-IFRS results)
4 Based on weighted average shares outstanding (basic/IAS 33.19) FY 2017: 74.6 mn/H1 2018: 74.0 mn
5 Based on the recent U.S. tax reform and an exchange rate of EUR1/$1.18

A conference call for financial analysts and media representatives will take place on July 18, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. CEST (8:30 a.m. BST). For dial-up information, visit the Company's website at www.SoftwareAG.com/investors.

Key Group Figures

Second Quarter 2018-Figures as of June 30, 2018
in EUR millions (unless otherwise stated)Q2 2018Q2 2017 % % acc1
Revenue205.7207.4-1+4
DBP business line107.1104.4+3+7
DBP excl. Cloud & IoT 101.8 100.9 +1 +6
licenses35.733.4+7+11
maintenance66.167.5-2+3
DBP Cloud & IoT 5.3 3.5 +52 +56
Annual Recurring Revenue24.812.2+103+106
A&N business line52.652.30+7
Consulting business line46.050.7-9-6
EBIT (IFRS)52.248.1+9-
as % of revenue25.423.2--
EBITA (non-IFRS)61.561.30-
as % of revenue29.929.5--
Net income (non-IFRS)42.240.2+5-
Earnings per share (non-IFRS)2EUR0.57EUR0.54--
         
 


1 acc = At constant currency
2 Based on weighted average shares outstanding (basic) Q2 2018: 74.0 mn/Q2 2017: 74.8 mn

 

First Half 2018-Figures as of June 30, 2018
in EUR millions (unless otherwise stated)HY1 2018HY1 2017 % % acc1
Revenue392.3413.3-5+1
DBP business line202.9210.3-4+3
DBP excl. Cloud & IoT 191.3 203.8 -6 0
licenses59.169.8-15-10
maintenance132.1134.0-1+5
DBP Cloud & IoT 11.6 6.4 +81 +88
A&N business line97.3100.3-3+4
Consulting business line92.1102.7-10-7
EBIT (IFRS)94.389.6+5-
as % of revenue24.021.7--
EBITA (non-IFRS)112.7117.6-4-
as % of revenue28.728.4--
Net income (non-IFRS)78.777.5+1-
Earnings per share (non-IFRS)2EUR1.06EUR1.03--
         
 


1 acc = At constant currency
2 Based on weighted average shares outstanding (basic) Q2 2018: 74.0 mn/Q2 2017: 75.3 mn

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About Software AG

Software AG (Frankfurt TecDAX: SOW) helps companies with their digital transformation. With Software AG's Digital Business Platform, companies can better interact with their customers and bring them on new 'digital' journeys, promote unique value propositions, and create new business opportunities. In the Internet of Things (IoT) market, Software AG enables enterprises to integrate, connect and manage IoT components as well as analyze data and predict future events based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Digital Business Platform is built on decades of uncompromising software development, IT experience and technological leadership. Software AG has more than 4,500 employees, is active in 70 countries and had revenues of EUR879 million in 2017. To learn more, visit www.softwareag.com.

Software AG | Uhlandstraße 12 | 64297 Darmstadt | Germany

Detailed press information about Software AG including a picture and multimedia database are available under: www.softwareag.com/press

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Contact:

Byung-Hun Park< byung-hun.park@softwareag.com>
Senior Vice President Global Corporate Communications
T: +49 (0) 6151 92 2070
M: +49 (0) 151 64 911 317
 


18.07.2018 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
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Language: English
Company: Software AG
Uhlandstraße 12
64297 Darmstadt
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)6151 92-1900
Fax: +49 (0)6151 92-34 1899
E-mail: Investor.Relations@softwareag.com
Internet: www.softwareag.com
ISIN: DE000A2GS401
WKN: A2GS40
Indices: TecDAX
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange

 
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705571  18.07.2018 

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