Workiva Announces Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Workiva Inc. (NYSE:WK) reported strong financial results for Q3 2020, boasting total revenue of $88.1 million, an 18.8% increase from the previous year. Subscription revenue grew by 20.4% to $75.9 million. Notably, the company's GAAP loss from operations improved to $7.0 million, significantly better than last year's loss. Workiva raised its Q4 revenue guidance, estimating $90.2 million to $90.7 million. With a strong cash position of $523.9 million and a revenue retention rate of 94.9%, the outlook remains positive despite COVID-19 impacts.

Positive

• Total revenue of $88.1 million, up 18.8% YoY.
• Subscription revenue reached $75.9 million, a 20.4% year-over-year increase.
• GAAP loss from operations improved to $7.0 million from $15.5 million.
• Raised Q4 revenue guidance to $90.2-$90.7 million.
• Strong cash position of $523.9 million.

Negative

• GAAP net loss of $10.5 million, though improved from $16.1 million last year.

AMES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Workiva Inc. (NYSE:WK), the company that simplifies complex work, today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

"We are pleased with our financial results, which beat guidance for revenue and operating income," said Marty Vanderploeg, Chief Executive Officer. "We executed on our initiatives, resulting in record bookings in the third quarter."

"Both transaction volume and average deal size exceeded our expectations in the third quarter," said Stuart Miller, Chief Financial Officer. "As a result, we are raising guidance for the fourth quarter."

"The global trends of online collaboration and remote work continue to benefit Workiva," said Vanderploeg. "In the third quarter, we saw broad demand across key solutions, particularly in global statutory reporting, management reporting and capital markets."

"We continued to make great progress upgrading customers to our next-generation platform during the third quarter," said Vanderploeg. "Customers accounting for over 90% of our Annual Contract Value have upgraded. The Workiva platform continues to be a key enabler of our growth strategy."

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights

• Revenue: Total revenue for the third quarter of 2020 reached $88.1 million, an increase of 18.8% from $74.2 million in the third quarter of 2019. Subscription and support revenue contributed $75.9 million, up 20.4% versus the third quarter of 2019. Professional services revenue was $12.2 million, an increase of 9.8% compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

• Gross Profit: GAAP gross profit for the third quarter of 2020 was $66.2 million compared with $52.4 million in the same quarter of 2019. GAAP gross margin was 75.2% versus 70.7% in the third quarter of 2019. Non-GAAP gross profit for the third quarter of 2020 was $66.9 million, an increase of 25.6% compared with the prior year's third quarter, and non-GAAP gross margin was 75.9% compared to 71.8% in the third quarter of 2019.

• Results from Operations: GAAP loss from operations for the third quarter of 2020 was $7.0 million compared with a loss of $15.5 million in the prior year's third quarter. Non-GAAP income from operations was $3.6 million, compared with non-GAAP loss from operations of $6.3 million in the third quarter of 2019.

• GAAP Net Loss: GAAP net loss for the third quarter of 2020 was $10.5 million compared with a net loss of $16.1 million for the prior year's third quarter. GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share was $0.22 compared with a net loss per basic and diluted share of $0.34 in the third quarter of 2019.

• Non-GAAP Net Income/Loss: Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $2.3 million compared with a net loss of $5.7 million in the prior year's third quarter. Non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share was $0.05 and $0.04, respectively, compared with a net loss per basic and diluted share of $0.12, in the third quarter of 2019.

• Liquidity: As of September 30, 2020, Workiva had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaling $523.9 million, compared with $488.0 million as of December 31, 2019. Workiva had $345.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.125% convertible senior notes due in 2026 and $16.2 million of other financing obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2020.

Key Metrics and Recent Business Highlights

• Customers: Workiva had 3,583 customers as of September 30, 2020, a net increase of 129 customers from September 30, 2019.

• Revenue Retention Rate: As of September 30, 2020, Workiva's revenue retention rate (excluding add-on revenue) was 94.9%, and the revenue retention rate including add-on revenue was 110.0%. Add-on revenue includes changes in both solutions and pricing for existing customers.

• Large Contracts: As of September 30, 2020, Workiva had 785 customers with an annual contract value (ACV) of more than $100,000, up 28% from 611 customers at September 30, 2019. Workiva had 383 customers with an ACV of more than $150,000, up 47% from 261 customers in the third quarter of 2019.

Financial Outlook

As of November 4, 2020, Workiva is providing guidance as follows:

Fourth Quarter 2020 Guidance:

• Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $90.2 million to $90.7 million.
• GAAP loss from operations is expected to be in the range of $10.0 million to $9.5 million.
• Non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be in the range of $0.5 million to $1.0 million.
• GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share is expected to be in the range of $0.26 to $0.25.
• Non-GAAP net income per basic share is expected to be in the range of $0.00 to $0.01.
• Net income (loss) per basic share is based on 49.1 million weighted-average shares outstanding.

Full Year 2020 Guidance:

• Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $348.0 million to $348.5 million.
• GAAP loss from operations is expected to be in the range of $42.9 million to $42.4 million.
• Non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be in the range of $3.0 million to $3.5 million.
• GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share is expected to be in the range of $1.11 to $1.10.
• Non-GAAP net income per basic share is expected to be in the range of $0.02 to $0.03.
• Net income (loss) per basic share is based on 48.5 million weighted-average shares outstanding.

"On a preliminary basis, we expect total revenue to exceed $401 million in 2021. We expect the growth rate of revenue from subscription and support to exceed the growth rate of revenue from professional services. In addition, we expect non-GAAP operating loss as a percentage of revenue to be a low single digit in 2021," said Miller.

Workiva has factored into its guidance the expected impacts of COVID-19 on its business and results of operations based on currently available information. Significant variation from these assumptions could cause the company to change its guidance, and it undertakes no obligation to update its assumptions, expectations or guidance. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially, as further discussed below under the heading "Safe Harbor Statement."

Quarterly Conference Call

Workiva will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET to review the Company’s financial results for the third quarter, in addition to discussing the Company’s outlook for the fourth quarter and full year 2020. To access this call, dial 833-968-1977 (U.S. domestic) or 647-689-6649 (international). The conference ID is 4214167. A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible in the "Investor Relations" section of Workiva’s website at www.workiva.com. A replay of this conference call can also be accessed through November 11, 2020, at 800-585-8367 (U.S. domestic) or 416-621-4642 (international). The replay pass code is 4214167. An archived webcast of this conference call will also be available an hour after the completion of the call in the "Investor Relations" section of the Company’s website at www.workiva.com.

About Workiva

Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) simplifies complex work for thousands of organizations worldwide. Customers trust Workiva’s open, intelligent and intuitive platform to connect data, documents and teams. The results: more efficiency, greater transparency and less risk. Learn more at workiva.com.

Read the Workiva blog: www.workiva.com/blog
Follow Workiva on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/workiva
Like Workiva on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workiva
Follow Workiva on Twitter: www.twitter.com/workiva

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The non-GAAP adjustments referenced herein relate to the exclusion of stock-based compensation and non-cash interest expense. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP historical financial measures has been provided in Table I at the end of this press release. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP guidance has been provided in Table II at the end of this press release. As it relates to Non-GAAP loss from operations for 2021, described above, the Company has not provided guidance for GAAP measures or a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the GAAP loss from operations and its components without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on the GAAP reported results for 2021.

Workiva believes that the use of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share is helpful to its investors. These measures, which are referred to as non-GAAP financial measures, are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. Non-GAAP gross profit is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense attributable to cost of revenues from gross profit. Non-GAAP gross margin is the ratio calculated by dividing non-GAAP gross profit by revenues. Non-GAAP loss from operations is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense from loss from operations. Non-GAAP net loss is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense, net of tax, and non-cash interest expense related to our convertible senior notes from net loss. Non-GAAP net loss per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net loss by the weighted- average shares outstanding as presented in the calculation of GAAP net loss per share. Because of varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of equity instruments that can impact a company’s non-cash expenses, Workiva believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude stock-based compensation expense allows for more meaningful comparisons between its operating results from period to period. Under GAAP, certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash on conversion are required to be accounted for as separate liability and equity components in a manner that reflects our non-convertible debt borrowing rate. This results in the debt component being treated as though it was issued at a discount, with the debt discount being accreted as additional non-cash interest expense over the term of the notes using the effective interest method. As a result, we believe that excluding this non-cash interest expense attributable to the debt discount in calculating our non-GAAP measures is useful because this interest expense does not represent a cash outflow and is not indicative of our ongoing operational performance. Workiva’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as tools for financial and operational decision making and for evaluating Workiva’s own operating results over different periods of time.

Non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies in Workiva’s industry, as other companies in the industry may calculate non-GAAP financial results differently. In addition, there are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures because the non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and exclude expenses that may have a material impact on Workiva’s reported financial results. Further, stock-based compensation expense has been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in Workiva’s business and an important part of the compensation provided to its employees. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures included below, and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Workiva’s business.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. These statements relate to future events or the Company’s future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Company or its industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In particular, statements about the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or future performance contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "outlook," "guidance" or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology.

Please see the Company’s documents filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual reports filed on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and any amendments thereto for a discussion of certain important risk factors that relate to forward-looking statements contained in this report. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. These and other important factors may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

WORKIVA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	(unaudited)
Revenue
Subscription and support	$	75,850			$	63,022			$	214,907			$	179,617
Professional services	12,249				11,157				42,853				38,009
Total revenue	88,099				74,179				257,760				217,626
Cost of revenue
Subscription and support (1)	12,013				10,924				36,264				30,935
Professional services (1)	9,873				10,827				30,262				31,029
Total cost of revenue	21,886				21,751				66,526				61,964
Gross profit	66,213				52,428				191,234				155,662
Operating expenses
Research and development (1)	23,956				22,899				70,458				66,705
Sales and marketing (1)	35,487				32,990				106,874				86,568
General and administrative (1)	13,722				12,017				46,802				33,626
Total operating expenses	73,165				67,906				224,134				186,899
Loss from operations	(6,952		)		(15,478		)		(32,900		)		(31,237		)
Interest income	471				1,460				2,832				2,593
Interest expense	(3,572		)		(1,959		)		(10,689		)		(2,832		)
Other (expense) and income, net	(387		)		24				263				(259		)
Loss before provision for income taxes	(10,440		)		(15,953		)		(40,494		)		(31,735		)
Provision for income taxes	67				98				351				101
Net loss	$	(10,507	)		$	(16,051	)		$	(40,845	)		$	(31,836	)
Net loss per common share:
Basic and diluted	$	(0.22	)		$	(0.34	)		$	(0.85	)		$	(0.69	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	48,840,131				46,731,663				48,188,183				46,048,037

(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	(unaudited)
Cost of revenue
Subscription and support	$	426			$	386			$	1,293			$	1,142
Professional services	272				456				1,062				1,296
Operating expenses
Research and development	2,167				2,265				5,790				6,016
Sales and marketing	2,687				2,203				8,367				6,199
General and administrative	5,049				3,913				18,919				11,276

WORKIVA INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	426,132			$	381,742
Marketable securities	97,750				106,214
Accounts receivable, net	55,571				60,228
Deferred commissions	17,919				14,108
Other receivables	2,417				2,432
Prepaid expenses and other	9,587				6,508
Total current assets	609,376				571,232
Property and equipment, net	38,231				39,745
Operating lease right-of-use assets	16,631				15,352
Deferred commissions, non-current	17,572				14,977
Intangible assets, net	1,633				1,651
Other assets	4,059				3,439
Total assets	$	687,502			$	646,396
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,651			$	7,057
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	63,444				49,930
Deferred revenue	182,700				173,617
Current portion of financing obligations	1,429				1,328
Total current liabilities	251,224				231,932
Convertible senior notes, net	287,242				280,601
Deferred revenue, non-current	34,756				32,569
Other long-term liabilities	1,748				1,498
Operating lease liabilities, non-current	18,229				18,564
Financing obligations, non-current	14,805				15,889
Total liabilities	608,004				581,053
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock	48				47
Additional paid-in-capital	474,969				420,170
Accumulated deficit	(396,006		)		(355,161		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	487				287
Total stockholders’ equity	79,498				65,343
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	687,502			$	646,396

WORKIVA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(10,507	)		$	(16,051	)		$	(40,845	)		$	(31,836	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,160				1,058				3,433				2,932
Stock-based compensation expense	10,601				9,223				35,431				25,929
Recovery of doubtful accounts	(550		)		(104		)		(191		)		(58		)
Amortization (accretion) of premiums and discounts on marketable securities, net	106				15				319				(89		)
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs	2,231				1,083				6,641				1,083
Deferred income tax	63				(21		)		(68		)		(67		)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(13,307		)		3,579				4,805				21,530
Deferred commissions	(4,818		)		(2,106		)		(6,381		)		(7,968		)
Operating lease right-of-use asset	1,019				581				2,992				1,805
Other receivables	224				(417		)		29				(470		)
Prepaid expenses	(211		)		(191		)		(3,056		)		(3,737		)
Other assets	83				(943		)		(600		)		(2,349		)
Accounts payable	(181		)		516				(3,255		)		160
Deferred revenue	16,182				3,830				11,314				14,112
Operating lease liability	(1,115		)		(758		)		(3,438		)		(2,226		)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	6,819				5,403				12,531				9,828
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,799				4,697				19,661				28,579
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(379		)		(663		)		(1,763		)		(2,860		)
Purchase of marketable securities	(7,980		)		(54,749		)		(45,269		)		(95,466		)
Sale of marketable securities	—				498				11,423				498
Maturities of marketable securities	16,300				1,500				42,337				20,390
Purchase of intangible assets	(102		)		(51		)		(253		)		(712		)
Other	—				(1,000		)		—				(1,000		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	7,839				(54,465		)		6,475				(79,150		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from option exercises	4,795				5,940				14,253				22,493
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards	—				—				(2,111		)		(390		)
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan	3,567				2,773				7,227				4,922
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs	—				335,899				—				335,899
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(335		)		(306		)		(983		)		(901		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	8,027				344,306				18,386				362,023
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	346				(127		)		(132		)		88
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	24,011				294,411				44,390				311,540
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	402,121				94,713				381,742				77,584
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	426,132			$	389,124			$	426,132			$	389,124

TABLE I
WORKIVA INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION
(in thousands, except share and per share)
	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
Gross profit, subscription and support	$	63,837			$	52,098			$	178,643			$	148,682
Add back: Stock-based compensation	426				386				1,293				1,142
Gross profit, subscription and support, non-GAAP	$	64,263			$	52,484			$	179,936			$	149,824
As a percentage of subscription and support revenue, non-GAAP	84.7		%		83.3		%		83.7		%		83.4		%
Gross profit, professional services	$	2,376			$	330			$	12,591			$	6,980
Add back: Stock-based compensation	272				456				1,062				1,296
Gross profit, professional services, non-GAAP	$	2,648			$	786			$	13,653			$	8,276
As a percentage of professional services revenue, non-GAAP	21.6		%		7.0		%		31.9		%		21.8		%
Gross profit	$	66,213			$	52,428			$	191,234			$	155,662
Add back: Stock-based compensation	698				842				2,355				2,438
Gross profit, non-GAAP	$	66,911			$	53,270			$	193,589			$	158,100
As percentage of revenue, non-GAAP	75.9		%		71.8		%		75.1		%		72.6		%
Cost of revenue, subscription and support	$	12,013			$	10,924			$	36,264			$	30,935
Less: Stock-based compensation	426				386				1,293				1,142
Cost of revenue, subscription and support, non-GAAP	$	11,587			$	10,538			$	34,971			$	29,793
As percentage of revenue, non-GAAP	13.2		%		14.2		%		13.6		%		13.7		%
Cost of revenue, professional services	$	9,873			$	10,827			$	30,262			$	31,029
Less: Stock-based compensation	272				456				1,062				1,296
Cost of revenue, professional services, non-GAAP	$	9,601			$	10,371			$	29,200			$	29,733
As percentage of revenue, non-GAAP	10.9		%		14.0		%		11.3		%		13.7		%
Research and development	$	23,956			$	22,899			$	70,458			$	66,705
Less: Stock-based compensation	2,167				2,265				5,790				6,016
Research and development, non-GAAP	$	21,789			$	20,634			$	64,668			$	60,689
As percentage of revenue, non-GAAP	24.7		%		27.8		%		25.1		%		27.9		%
Sales and marketing	$	35,487			$	32,990			$	106,874			$	86,568
Less: Stock-based compensation	2,687				2,203				8,367				6,199
Sales and marketing, non-GAAP	$	32,800			$	30,787			$	98,507			$	80,369
As percentage of revenue, non-GAAP	37.2		%		41.5		%		38.2		%		36.9		%
General and administrative	$	13,722			$	12,017			$	46,802			$	33,626
Less: Stock-based compensation	5,049				3,913				18,919				11,276
General and administrative, non-GAAP	$	8,673			$	8,104			$	27,883			$	22,350
As percentage of revenue, non-GAAP	9.8		%		10.9		%		10.8		%		10.3		%
Loss from operations	$	(6,952	)		$	(15,478	)		$	(32,900	)		$	(31,237	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation	10,601				9,223				35,431				25,929
Income (loss) from operations, non-GAAP	$	3,649			$	(6,255	)		$	2,531			$	(5,308	)
As percentage of revenue, non-GAAP	4.1		%		(8.4		)%		1.0		%		(2.4		)%
Net loss	$	(10,507	)		$	(16,051	)		$	(40,845	)		$	(31,836	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation	10,601				9,223				35,431				25,929
Add back: Non-cash interest expense related to convertible senior notes	2,231				1,083				6,641				1,083
Net income (loss), non-GAAP	$	2,325			$	(5,745	)		$	1,227			$	(4,824	)
As percentage of revenue, non-GAAP	2.6		%		(7.7		)%		0.5		%		(2.2		)%
Net loss per basic and diluted share:	$	(0.22	)		$	(0.34	)		$	(0.85	)		$	(0.69	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation	0.22				0.20				0.74				0.57
Add back: Non-cash interest expense related to convertible senior notes	0.05				0.02				0.14				0.02
Net income (loss) per basic share, non-GAAP	$	0.05			$	(0.12	)		$	0.03			$	(0.10	)
Net income (loss) per diluted share, non-GAAP	$	0.04			$	(0.12	)		$	0.02			$	(0.10	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic, non-GAAP	48,840,131				46,731,663				48,188,183				46,048,037
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted, non-GAAP	53,209,214				46,731,663				52,417,046				46,048,037

TABLE II
WORKIVA INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP GUIDANCE
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three months ending December 31, 2020										Year ending December 31, 2020
Loss from operations, GAAP range	$	(10,000	)		-		$	(9,500	)		$	(42,900	)		-		$	(42,400	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation	10,500						10,500				45,900						45,900
Income from operations, non-GAAP range	$	500			-		$	1,000			$	3,000			-		$	3,500
Net loss per share, GAAP range	$	(0.26	)		-		$	(0.25	)		$	(1.11	)		-		$	(1.10	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation	0.21						0.21				0.95						0.95
Add back: Non-cash interest expense related to convertible senior notes	0.05						0.05				0.18						0.18
Net income per share, basic, non-GAAP range	$	0.00			-		$	0.01			$	0.02			-		$	0.03
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	49,100,000						49,100,000				48,500,000						48,500,000