Franklin Covey Reports Exceptionally Strong Fourth Quarter Results, Capping an Outstanding 2021 Fiscal Year
Franklin Covey Co. (NYSE: FC) reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2021, with sales reaching a record $68.9 million, a 41% increase year-over-year. Full-year sales rose 13% to $224.2 million, driven by a 41% surge in subscription services. Adjusted EBITDA grew 18% to $10.6 million in Q4, totaling $28.0 million for the year, a 96% increase. Cash flows from operating activities rose 68% to $46.2 million. The company holds $47.4 million in cash and expects substantial growth in its subscription model moving forward.
- Fourth quarter sales increased 41% to $68.9 million.
- Full-year sales rose 13% to $224.2 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA increased 96% to $28.0 million for fiscal 2021.
- Cash flows from operating activities rose 68% to $46.2 million.
- Deferred subscription revenue grew 27% to $127.4 million.
- Operating expenses increased $14.8 million due to sales-driven SG&A costs.
Fourth Quarter Sales Increase to a Record
All Access Pass Subscription and Subscription Services Sales Grow
Billed and Unbilled Deferred Subscription Revenue Increases
Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA Exceed Expectations as Fourth Quarter Adjusted EBITDA Increases
Cash Flows from Operating Activities Increases
Company Provides Guidance for Fiscal 2022
Introduction
The Company’s strong fourth quarter and full-year performance was highlighted by the following key metrics:
-
The Company’s consolidated sales for the quarter ended
August 31, 2021 achieved record fourth-quarter levels. Consolidated sales for the fourth quarter increased41% to compared with$68.9 million in fiscal 2020, and$49.0 million in the pre-pandemic fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Full-year fiscal 2021 sales increased$65.2 million 13% to . The Company’s sales increased during fiscal 2021 primarily due to strong subscription and subscription services sales, including the following:$224.2 million -
All Access Pass subscription and subscription services sales grew
41% to in the fourth quarter, and grew$32.0 million 24% to for the full fiscal year.$112.5 million -
Leader in Me subscription sales increased
52% to in the fourth quarter and increased$8.8 million 7% to for the full fiscal year.$25.5 million -
The sum of billed and unbilled deferred revenue at
August 31, 2021 grew27% to , compared with$127.4 million August 31, 2020 .
-
All Access Pass subscription and subscription services sales grew
-
On the strength of increased sales and a strong gross margin percentage associated with increased subscription sales, gross profit for the fourth quarter increased
41% to in 2021 compared with$53.3 million in 2020, and$37.9 million in fiscal 2019. Full-year gross profit increased$47.5 million 19% , or , to$27.5 million .$172.9 million -
Adjusted EBITDA increased
18% to in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared with$10.6 million in fiscal 2020, and increased$8.9 million 96% to for full year fiscal 2021.$28.0 million -
These strong operating results increased the Company’s pre-tax income to
in fiscal 2021 compared with$3.9 million in 2020.$3.2 million -
Cash flows from operating activities for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2021 increased68% to compared with$46.2 million in the prior year.$27.6 million
Walker continued, “The ongoing strength of our subscription business was reflected in every income category, including sales, deferred sales (billed and unbilled), gross profit, Adjusted EBITDA, and net income. Our cash flows from operating activities for the fiscal year increased
Financial Overview
The following is a summary of financial results for the fourth quarter ended
-
Net Sales : Consolidated sales for the quarter endingAugust 31, 2021 increased41% to , compared with$68.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company was pleased with the continued strength of the All Access Pass and Leader in Me subscription-based services and believes its electronic delivery capabilities (including the delivery of subscription services live-online) of these offerings have allowed its business performance to remain strong even during the ongoing pandemic. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, Enterprise Division sales grew$49.0 million 34% , or , to$11.8 million compared with$46.0 million in the prior year. AAP sales increased$34.3 million 27% , AAP subscription and subscription services sales increased41% , and annual revenue retention remained strong at greater than90% . Education Division sales grew59% , or , to$7.8 million compared with$21.0 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Education Division sales grew on the strength of increased coaching days delivered, increased material sales, and increased membership revenues. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 the Company was encouraged by continuing signs of economic recovery in$13.2 million the United States and many of the other countries in which it operates as companies, schools, and individuals are adapting, and the positive effect of vaccinations is enabling certain economies to open and recover. As a result of improving conditions, sales improved in each of the Company’s operating segments compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company remains optimistic about the future and looks forward to continued recovery from the pandemic in fiscal 2022. -
Deferred Subscription Revenue and Unbilled Deferred Revenue: At
August 31, 2021 , the Company had of billed and unbilled deferred subscription revenue, a$127.4 million 27% , or increase over$27.2 million August 31, 2020 . This total includes of deferred subscription revenue which was on its balance sheet, a$77.0 million 27% , or increase compared with deferred subscription revenue at$16.5 million August 31, 2020 . AtAugust 31, 2021 , the Company had of unbilled deferred revenue, a$50.4 million 27% , or increase compared with$10.8 million of unbilled deferred revenue at$39.6 million August 31, 2020 . Included in these numbers is an increasing number of multi-year AAP contracts. ThroughAugust 31, 2021 , more than40% of North American AAP contracts are multi-year contracts, representing more than50% of North American AAP subscription revenue. Unbilled deferred revenue represents business (typically multi-year contracts) that is contracted but unbilled, and excluded from the Company’s balance sheet. -
Gross profit: Gross profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was
compared with$53.3 million in the prior year. The Company’s gross margin for the quarter ended$37.9 million August 31, 2021 remained strong and was consistent with the prior year at77.3% , reflecting continued strong subscription sales in the mix of overall revenues. Gross profit increased due to improved sales as described above. -
Operating Expenses: The Company’s operating expenses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 increased
compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, which was primarily due to a$14.8 million increase in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses and a$13.9 million increase in stock-based compensation expense. The Company’s SG&A expenses increased primarily due to increased variable compensation, including commissions, bonuses, and incentives resulting from increased sales and improved operating results; increased associate costs from additional sales and sales support personnel; and increased content and product development expense. Due to uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery from the pandemic, in$2.6 million May 2020 the Company determined that its stock-based compensation awards related to Adjusted EBITDA would not vest before they expired and previously recognized compensation expense from these awards was reversed. These Adjusted EBITDA based awards were modified in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and the Company has recognized stock-based compensation expense on these awards following the modification date. -
Operating Income: As a result of increased sales and improved gross margin, the Company’s income from operations for the quarter ended
August 31, 2021 improved15% to compared with$4.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.$3.7 million
-
Income Taxes: The Company’s income tax provision for the quarter ended
August 31, 2021 was compared with$2.1 million in the prior year. The Company’s effective income tax rate decreased to$2.2 million 53.2% compared with69.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 primarily due to increased pre-tax income compared with fiscal 2020, as less pre-tax income amplifies the impact of permanent differences on the Company’s effective tax rate. -
Net Income: As a result of the factors described above, the Company’s fourth quarter net income improved
84% to , or$1.8 million per diluted share, compared with$0.13 , or$1.0 million per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of the prior year.$0.07 -
Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 improved
18% , or , to$1.6 million compared with$10.6 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year, reflecting increased sales and improved margins.$8.9 million -
Cash Flows, Liquidity, and Financial Position Remain Strong: The Company’s balance sheet and liquidity position remained strong with
of cash at$47.4 million August 31, 2021 , and no borrowings on its line of credit, compared with$15.0 million of cash with no borrowings on its line of credit at$27.1 million August 31, 2020 . Cash flows from operating activities for fiscal 2021 increased68% to , despite the challenging global economic environment during fiscal 2021.$46.2 million
Fiscal 2021 Financial Results
Consolidated revenue for the year ended
Operating expenses in fiscal 2021 increased
Fiscal 2022 Outlook
Based on the Company’s strong performance and momentum generated in fiscal 2021, the Company expects fiscal 2022 Adjusted EBITDA to total between
Earnings Conference Call
On
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including those statements related to the Company’s future results and profitability and other goals relating to the growth and operations of the Company. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: general economic conditions; the severity and duration of global business disruptions from the COVID-19 outbreak; the ability of the Company to operate effectively during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic; expectations regarding the economic recovery from the pandemic; renewals of subscription contracts; the impact of deferred revenues on future financial results; market acceptance of new products or services, including new AAP portal upgrades; the ability to achieve sustainable growth in future periods; and other factors identified and discussed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This earnings release includes the concept of adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) which is a non-GAAP measure. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss excluding the impact of interest expense, income taxes, intangible asset amortization, depreciation, stock-based compensation expense, and certain other items such as adjustments to the fair value of expected contingent consideration liabilities arising from business acquisitions. The Company references this non-GAAP financial measure in its decision making because it provides supplemental information that facilitates consistent internal comparisons to the historical operating performance of prior periods and the Company believes it provides investors with greater transparency to evaluate operational activities and financial results. Refer to the attached table for the reconciliation of a non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA, to consolidated net income (loss), a related GAAP financial measure.
The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of the above forward-looking estimate of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP measures because certain information needed to make a reasonable forward-looking estimate is difficult to obtain and dependent on future events which may be uncertain, or out of the Company’s control, including the amount of AAP contracts invoiced, the number of AAP contracts that are renewed, necessary costs to deliver the Company’s offerings, such as unanticipated curriculum development costs, and other potential variables. Accordingly, a reconciliation is not available without unreasonable effort.
About
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | |||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per-share amounts, and unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended | Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||||||
Net sales | $ |
68,945 |
|
$ |
48,994 |
|
$ |
224,168 |
|
$ |
198,456 |
|
|||||
Cost of sales |
|
15,677 |
|
|
11,140 |
|
|
51,266 |
|
|
53,086 |
|
|||||
Gross profit |
|
53,268 |
|
|
37,854 |
|
|
172,902 |
|
|
145,370 |
|
|||||
Selling, general, and administrative |
|
42,676 |
|
|
28,749 |
|
|
144,988 |
|
|
129,979 |
|
|||||
Stock-based compensation |
|
3,490 |
|
|
887 |
|
|
8,617 |
|
|
(573 |
) |
|||||
Restructuring costs |
|
- |
|
|
1,636 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,636 |
|
|||||
Depreciation |
|
1,286 |
|
|
1,739 |
|
|
6,190 |
|
|
6,664 |
|
|||||
Amortization |
|
1,503 |
|
|
1,102 |
|
|
5,006 |
|
|
4,606 |
|
|||||
Income from operations |
|
4,313 |
|
|
3,741 |
|
|
8,101 |
|
|
3,058 |
|
|||||
Interest expense, net |
|
(449 |
) |
|
(515 |
) |
|
(2,026 |
) |
|
(2,262 |
) |
|||||
Income before income taxes |
|
3,864 |
|
|
3,226 |
|
|
6,075 |
|
|
796 |
|
|||||
Income tax benefit (provision) |
|
(2,057 |
) |
|
(2,246 |
) |
|
7,548 |
|
|
(10,231 |
) |
|||||
Net income (loss) | $ |
1,807 |
|
$ |
980 |
|
$ |
13,623 |
|
$ |
(9,435 |
) |
|||||
Net income (loss) per common share: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ |
0.13 |
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
$ |
0.97 |
|
$ |
(0.68 |
) |
|||||
Diluted |
|
0.13 |
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
0.96 |
|
|
(0.68 |
) |
|||||
Weighted average common shares: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic |
|
14,156 |
|
|
13,876 |
|
|
14,090 |
|
|
13,892 |
|
|||||
Diluted |
|
14,175 |
|
|
13,941 |
|
|
14,143 |
|
|
13,892 |
|
|||||
Other data: | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ |
10,556 |
|
$ |
8,909 |
|
$ |
27,958 |
|
$ |
14,284 |
|
(1) | The term Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and certain other items) is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is useful to investors in evaluating its results. For a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to a comparable GAAP equivalent, refer to the Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA as shown below. |
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands and unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended | Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||||||
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ |
1,807 |
|
$ |
980 |
|
$ |
13,623 |
|
$ |
(9,435 |
) |
||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
|
449 |
|
|
515 |
|
|
2,026 |
|
|
2,262 |
|
||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) |
|
2,057 |
|
|
2,246 |
|
|
(7,548 |
) |
|
10,231 |
|
||||||
Amortization |
|
1,503 |
|
|
1,102 |
|
|
5,006 |
|
|
4,606 |
|
||||||
Depreciation |
|
1,286 |
|
|
1,739 |
|
|
6,190 |
|
|
6,664 |
|
||||||
Stock-based compensation |
|
3,490 |
|
|
887 |
|
|
8,617 |
|
|
(573 |
) |
||||||
Business acquisition costs |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
300 |
|
|
- |
|
||||||
Increase (decrease) in the fair value of contingent | ||||||||||||||||||
consideration liabilities |
|
28 |
|
|
318 |
|
|
193 |
|
|
(49 |
) |
||||||
Restructuring costs |
|
- |
|
|
1,636 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,636 |
|
||||||
Government COVID assistance |
|
(64 |
) |
|
(514 |
) |
|
(299 |
) |
|
(514 |
) |
||||||
Gain from insurance settlement |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(150 |
) |
|
(933 |
) |
||||||
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
389 |
|
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ |
10,556 |
|
$ |
8,909 |
|
$ |
27,958 |
|
$ |
14,284 |
|
||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
15.3 |
% |
|
18.2 |
% |
|
12.5 |
% |
|
7.2 |
% |
Additional Financial Information | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands and unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended | Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||||||
Sales by Division/Segment: | ||||||||||||||||||
Enterprise Division: | ||||||||||||||||||
Direct offices | $ |
44,422 |
|
$ |
32,936 |
|
$ |
159,608 |
|
$ |
139,780 |
|
||||||
International licensees |
|
1,616 |
|
|
1,332 |
|
|
9,036 |
|
|
8,451 |
|
||||||
|
46,038 |
|
|
34,268 |
|
|
168,644 |
|
|
148,231 |
|
|||||||
Education Division |
|
21,028 |
|
|
13,215 |
|
|
48,902 |
|
|
43,405 |
|
||||||
Corporate and other |
|
1,879 |
|
|
1,511 |
|
|
6,622 |
|
|
6,820 |
|
||||||
Consolidated | $ |
68,945 |
|
$ |
48,994 |
|
$ |
224,168 |
|
$ |
198,456 |
|
||||||
Gross Profit by Division/Segment: | ||||||||||||||||||
Enterprise Division: | ||||||||||||||||||
Direct offices | $ |
36,215 |
|
$ |
26,924 |
|
$ |
129,416 |
|
$ |
108,144 |
|
||||||
International licensees |
|
1,273 |
|
|
983 |
|
|
7,727 |
|
|
6,679 |
|
||||||
|
37,488 |
|
|
27,907 |
|
|
137,143 |
|
|
114,823 |
|
|||||||
Education Division |
|
15,262 |
|
|
9,271 |
|
|
32,771 |
|
|
27,099 |
|
||||||
Corporate and other |
|
518 |
|
|
676 |
|
|
2,988 |
|
|
3,448 |
|
||||||
Consolidated | $ |
53,268 |
|
$ |
37,854 |
|
$ |
172,902 |
|
$ |
145,370 |
|
||||||
Adjusted EBITDA by Division/Segment: | ||||||||||||||||||
Enterprise Division: | ||||||||||||||||||
Direct offices | $ |
6,211 |
|
$ |
6,899 |
|
$ |
27,948 |
|
$ |
17,694 |
|
||||||
International licensees |
|
(11 |
) |
|
(290 |
) |
|
3,586 |
|
|
2,406 |
|
||||||
|
6,200 |
|
|
6,609 |
|
|
31,534 |
|
|
20,100 |
|
|||||||
Education Division |
|
6,823 |
|
|
3,617 |
|
|
4,818 |
|
|
(90 |
) |
||||||
Corporate and other |
|
(2,467 |
) |
|
(1,317 |
) |
|
(8,394 |
) |
|
(5,726 |
) |
||||||
Consolidated | $ |
10,556 |
|
$ |
8,909 |
|
$ |
27,958 |
|
$ |
14,284 |
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
(in thousands and unaudited) | ||||||||
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ |
47,417 |
|
$ |
27,137 |
|
||
Accounts receivable, less allowance for | ||||||||
doubtful accounts of |
|
70,680 |
|
|
56,407 |
|
||
Inventories |
|
2,496 |
|
|
2,974 |
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
16,115 |
|
|
15,146 |
|
||
Total current assets |
|
136,708 |
|
|
101,664 |
|
||
Property and equipment, net |
|
11,525 |
|
|
15,723 |
|
||
Intangible assets, net |
|
50,097 |
|
|
47,125 |
|
||
|
31,220 |
|
|
24,220 |
|
|||
Deferred income tax assets |
|
4,951 |
|
|
1,094 |
|
||
Other long-term assets |
|
15,153 |
|
|
15,611 |
|
||
$ |
249,654 |
|
$ |
205,437 |
|
|||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Current portion of notes payable | $ |
5,835 |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
||
Current portion of financing obligation |
|
2,887 |
|
|
2,600 |
|
||
Accounts payable |
|
6,948 |
|
|
5,622 |
|
||
Deferred subscription revenue |
|
74,772 |
|
|
59,289 |
|
||
Other deferred revenue |
|
11,117 |
|
|
7,389 |
|
||
Accrued liabilities |
|
34,980 |
|
|
22,628 |
|
||
Total current liabilities |
|
136,539 |
|
|
102,528 |
|
||
Notes payable, less current portion |
|
12,975 |
|
|
15,000 |
|
||
Financing obligation, less current portion |
|
11,161 |
|
|
14,048 |
|
||
Other liabilities |
|
8,741 |
|
|
9,110 |
|
||
Deferred income tax liabilities |
|
375 |
|
|
5,298 |
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
169,791 |
|
|
145,984 |
|
||
Shareholders' equity: | ||||||||
Common stock |
|
1,353 |
|
|
1,353 |
|
||
Additional paid-in capital |
|
214,888 |
|
|
211,920 |
|
||
Retained earnings |
|
63,591 |
|
|
49,968 |
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
709 |
|
|
641 |
|
||
|
(200,678 |
) |
|
(204,429 |
) |
|||
Total shareholders' equity |
|
79,863 |
|
|
59,453 |
|
||
$ |
249,654 |
|
$ |
205,437 |
|
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211109006446/en/
Investor Contact:
801-817-1776
investor.relations@franklincovey.com
Media Contact:
801-817-6440
Debra.Lund@franklincovey.com
Source:
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