Asana Announces $150 Million Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Asana (NYSE: ASAN) has announced a $150 million stock repurchase program, authorized by its Board of Directors, to be completed by June 30, 2025. CEO Dustin Moskovitz stated that this move reflects confidence in the company's long-term potential. With over $500 million in cash and investments, Asana aims to achieve free cash flow positivity by year-end. The repurchase program is designed to return value to shareholders and reduce share count. Asana anticipates Q2 fiscal 2025 revenues of $177-$178 million with a non-GAAP operating loss of $21-$23 million. For the full fiscal year, expected revenues are $719-$724 million, with a non-GAAP operating loss of $55-$59 million and positive free cash flow. The program's timing, manner, price, and amount of repurchases will be at Asana's discretion.

Positive

• Asana's $150 million stock repurchase program could boost shareholder value.
• The company has over $500 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments.
• Asana aims to become free cash flow positive by the end of this year.
• Forecasted Q2 fiscal 2025 revenue growth is 9%-10% year-over-year.
• Expected full-year fiscal 2025 revenue growth is 10%-11% year-over-year.

Negative

• Asana anticipates a non-GAAP operating loss of $21-$23 million for Q2 fiscal 2025.
• The full fiscal year 2025 non-GAAP operating loss is expected to be $55-$59 million.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Asana's $150 million stock repurchase program is a significant move that can directly impact shareholder value. A stock repurchase (or buyback) is when a company buys back its shares from the marketplace, reducing the number of outstanding shares. This often boosts the earnings per share (EPS) and can signal management’s confidence in the firm’s prospects.

From a financial standpoint, Asana’s decision shows they have considerable liquidity, with over $500 million in cash and equivalents. The announced revenue projections for Q2 2025 at $177 million to $178 million and the full fiscal year at $719 million to $724 million, though modest, demonstrate stable growth. Despite operating losses, the firm’s commitment to achieving free cash flow positive status by year-end is a promising target.

Drawbacks: There is a risk if market conditions worsen, affecting Asana's ability to meet its buyback commitments. Additionally, using cash for buybacks might limit investments in growth opportunities or innovation. However, as long as the company remains financially healthy and meets its cash flow goals, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks.

Retail investors should understand the distinction between non-GAAP and GAAP figures. Non-GAAP often excludes certain costs providing a clearer picture of operational efficiency, while GAAP includes all expenses. Always check both to understand the full financial health.

Market Research Analyst

Stock repurchase programs can influence market perception positively. By initiating a buyback, Asana signals to investors that it believes its stock is undervalued. This often results in an uptick in stock price as market participants perceive higher intrinsic value.

The company’s reaffirmation of its revenue guidance and operational loss projections indicates a steady, although not rapid, growth phase. The anticipated 9%-10% year-over-year growth is modest but indicates resilience in a competitive sector. The emphasis on becoming free cash flow positive aligns with investor appetite for companies focusing on profitability amid economic uncertainties.

Moreover, Asana’s emphasis on AI and productivity enhancements can be a significant growth driver. As AI adoption accelerates, firms like Asana, with robust AI-integrated platforms, are well-positioned to benefit.

Investor Takeaway: While the buyback is beneficial, investors should monitor Asana’s progress on its cash flow targets and growth in AI-driven products. Stock buybacks are a positive signal, but long-term growth relies on continuous innovation and market expansion.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Asana, Inc. (NYSE: ASAN) (LTSE: ASAN), a leading work management platform, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program authorizing Asana to repurchase up to $150 million of its Class A common stock through June 30, 2025.

“I’m pleased to share that, after careful consideration, our Board has authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $150 million over the next 12 months. This is a good investment opportunity for us as I believe our shares are undervalued given our immense long-term potential,” said Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder and chief executive officer of Asana. “With over $500 million of cash, cash equivalents, and investments on the balance sheet and a commitment to becoming free cash flow positive by the end of this year, we have the financial leverage and resources. AI is transforming how we work, and Asana is delivering the ideal platform for this new era where people and AI collaborate to reach new levels of productivity and innovation.”

Under the program, which is designed to return value to Asana’s stockholders and reduce share count over time, Asana may repurchase shares in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, by entering into structured repurchase agreements with third parties, by making block purchases, and/or pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. The timing, manner, price, and amount of any repurchases under the program will be determined by Asana in its discretion. Asana is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares and the program may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time, without prior notice. The stock repurchase program is expected to continue through June 30, 2025, unless extended or shortened by the Board of Directors.

Asana reaffirms its previously provided guidance, other than net loss per share due to the recency of the repurchase program, for the second quarter and the full fiscal year 2025:

For the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Asana expects:

• Revenues of $177.0 million to $178.0 million, representing year over year growth of 9% to 10%; and
• Non-GAAP operating loss of $23.0 million to $21.0 million, with 12% operating loss margin at the midpoint.

For the full year fiscal 2025, Asana expects:

• Revenue of $719.0 million to $724.0 million, representing year over year growth of 10% to 11%;
• Non-GAAP operating loss of $59.0 million to $55.0 million, with 8% operating loss margin at the midpoint; and
• Free Cash Flow positive for the full year.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP outlook measures to corresponding GAAP measures is not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, many of these costs and expenses that may be incurred in the future.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Asana’s financial outlook for the second quarter and full fiscal year 2025, the stock repurchase program, and Asana’s immense long-term potential. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Asana’s future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and in some cases can be identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “potent, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including factors beyond Asana’s control, that may cause Asana’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: Asana’s capital allocation strategy, Asana’s ability to achieve future growth and sustain its growth rate, the timing and ability of Asana to reach profitability, Asana’s ability to attract and retain customers and increase sales to its customers, Asana’s ability to develop and release new products and services and to scale its platform, including the successful integration of artificial intelligence, Asana’s ability to increase adoption of its platform through its self-service model, Asana’s ability to maintain and grow its relationships with strategic partners, the highly competitive and rapidly evolving market in which Asana participates, Asana’s international expansion strategies, and broader macroeconomic conditions. Further information on risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from forecasted results are included in Asana’s filings with the SEC, including Asana Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2024 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions that Asana believes to be reasonable as of this date. Except as required by law, Asana assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons if actual results differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

About Asana

Asana, the #1 AI work management platform, is where work connects to goals. Over 150,000 customers like Amazon, Accenture, and Suzuki rely on Asana to manage and automate everything from goal setting and tracking to capacity planning to product launches. To learn more, visit asana.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240620046706/en/

Catherine Buan

Asana Investor Relations

IR@asana.com

Frances Ward

Asana Corporate Communications

press@asana.com

Source: Asana, Inc.

FAQ

What is Asana's stock repurchase program?

Asana has announced a $150 million stock repurchase program to be completed by June 30, 2025.

How much cash and investments does Asana have?

Asana has over $500 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments.

What are Asana's revenue expectations for Q2 fiscal 2025?

Asana expects Q2 fiscal 2025 revenues to be between $177 million and $178 million.

What is Asana's expected non-GAAP operating loss for Q2 fiscal 2025?

Asana anticipates a non-GAAP operating loss of $21-$23 million for Q2 fiscal 2025.

What is Asana's full-year revenue forecast for fiscal 2025?

Asana expects full-year fiscal 2025 revenues to be between $719 million and $724 million.

Is Asana expected to be free cash flow positive?

Yes, Asana aims to become free cash flow positive by the end of fiscal year 2025.

Will the Asana stock repurchase program reduce share count?

Yes, the program is designed to return value to shareholders and reduce share count over time.

Can Asana modify the stock repurchase program?

Yes, Asana can modify, suspend, or discontinue the repurchase program at any time without prior notice.