FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC. - Quarter Report: 2012 March (Form 10-Q)

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FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2012

OR

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-21433

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 613- 6000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of May 1, 2012, 22,610,000 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

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FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures required for complete financial statements are not included herein. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. It is recommended that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear in the Forrester Research, Inc. (“Forrester”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 may not be indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2012, or any other period.

Note 2 — Acquisition

On May 12, 2011, Forrester acquired Springboard Research (“Springboard”), a provider of research and advisory services focused on Asia Pacific and emerging markets. Springboard was a former division of Knowledge Platform, Inc. The acquisition of the Springboard business further supports Forrester’s role-based strategy and expands Forrester’s coverage in the Asia Pacific region. The total purchase price was approximately $9.0 million, of which approximately $6.7 million was paid on the acquisition date and $2.3 million (the “Holdback”) is payable at various times through June 1, 2013, subject to possible reduction to satisfy indemnification claims and specified contingencies. Of the $2.3 million Holdback, up to $0.4 million can be retained by the Company if certain key employees do not remain with the Company through May 12, 2012. In addition, up to $0.5 million of the Holdback could have been retained by the Company if a certain Springboard facility lease had not been extended through September 15, 2012. As of March 31, 2012, $0.6 million of the Holdback had been paid by the Company and $0.8 million and $0.9 million of the Holdback remains in accrued expenses and non-current liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The results of Springboard, which were not material to the consolidated financial statements, have been included in Forrester’s consolidated financial statements since May 12, 2011 in the Technology Industry Client Group segment. Pro forma financial information has not been provided as it is not material to the consolidated results of operations.

A summary of the purchase price allocation for Springboard is as follows (in thousands):

Approximately $2.1 million of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The Company believes the goodwill reflects its expectations of synergistic revenue opportunities from the acquisition and the value of the acquired workforce.

Intangible assets are amortized according to the expected cash flows to be received. The following are the identifiable intangible assets acquired and their respective weighted average lives (dollars in thousands):

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Note 3 — Marketable Investments

The following table summarizes the Company’s marketable investments (in thousands):

Realized gains and losses on securities are included in earnings and are determined using the specific identification method. Realized gains or losses on the sale of the Company’s federal agency, state, municipal and corporate obligations were not material in the three months ended March 31, 2012 or 2011.

The following table summarizes the maturity periods of the marketable securities in the Company’s portfolio as of March 31, 2012. In February 2008, certain auction rate securities (“ARS”) that Forrester held experienced failed auctions that limited the liquidity of these securities. These auction failures have continued and based on current market conditions, it is likely that auction failures will continue. The following table reflects the ARS at their contractual maturity dates of between 2024 and 2034 (in thousands).

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and market value of Forrester’s available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporary, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

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Fair Value

The Company measures certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis, including cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities and trading securities. The fair values of these financial assets have been classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy as described in the accounting standards for fair value measurements.

Level 1 — Fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Fair value based on inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 — Fair value based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and such inputs are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets (cash equivalents and investments) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

Level 2 assets consist of the Company’s entire portfolio of federal, state, municipal and corporate bonds, excluding those municipal bonds described below with an auction reset feature. Level 2 assets have been initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued, at the end of each reporting period, typically utilizing third party pricing services or other market observable data. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation methods, including both income and market based approaches and observable market inputs to determine value. These observable market inputs include reportable trades, benchmark yields, credit spreads, broker/dealer quotes, bids, offers, current spot rates and other industry and economic events.

Level 3 assets at March 31, 2012 consist entirely of municipal bonds with an auction reset feature (ARS). Prior to 2008, the fair value of the ARS investments approximated par value due to the frequent resets through the auction process. While the Company continues to earn interest on its ARS investments at the contractual rate, these investments trade infrequently and therefore do not have a readily determinable market value. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of the ARS no longer approximates par value. The Company values the ARS using a discounted cash flow model that includes unobservable inputs including estimates of interest rates, discounts rates and expected holding periods of the securities, which is considered a Level 3 valuation. Unobservable inputs included in the valuation as of March 31, 2012 included a weighted average interest rate of 0.29%, a weighted average discount rate of 3.26% and a weighted average holding period of 5 years. The valuation resulted in an unrealized loss recorded in other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $1.4 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The Company believes that the loss is temporary due to the strong underlying credit rating of the securities and the fact that the Company does not intend to sell the securities and is not likely to be required to sell the securities. The assumptions used in valuing the ARS are volatile and subject to change as the underlying sources of these assumptions and market conditions change. Significant increases or decreases in any of the valuation assumptions in isolation would result in a significant change in the fair value.

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The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

Note 4 — Non-Marketable Investments

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying value of the Company’s non-marketable investments, which were composed primarily of interests in technology-related private equity funds, was $7.9 million.

One of the Company’s investments, with a book value of $1.5 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, is being accounted for using the cost method and, accordingly, is valued at cost unless an other-than-temporary impairment in its value occurs. The other investments are being accounted for using the equity method as the investments are limited partnerships and the Company has an ownership interest in excess of 5% and, accordingly, the Company records its share of the investee’s operating results each period. The Company recorded a gain from its non-marketable investments of $0.1 million and $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which are included in gains on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Note 5 — Reorganization

The following table rolls forward the activity in the reorganization accrual for the three months ended March 31, 2012 (in thousands):

In the first quarter of 2012 the Company realigned its sales force to simplify the selling process to our customers and to increase the productivity of the sales organization. The Company incurred approximately $0.4 million of severance costs in the fourth quarter of 2011 for three sales employees located outside of the U.S. based on statutory termination benefits in their country of employment and the fact that termination was considered probable at December 31, 2011. The Company incurred an additional $1.3 million of severance and related costs in the first quarter of 2012 for the termination of 17 additional employees related to the sales reorganization and other cost reduction initiatives. The Company anticipates incurring an additional $0.1 million to $0.2 million of severance and related costs in the second quarter of 2012 related to these initiatives. The remaining accrual at March 31, 2012 is expected to be paid by the end of 2012.

Note 6 — Net Income Per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the diluted weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of common equivalent shares outstanding has been determined in accordance with the treasury-stock method. Common equivalent shares consist of common stock issuable on the exercise of outstanding options and vesting of restricted stock units when dilutive.

Basic and diluted weighted average common shares are as follows (in thousands):

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Note 7 — Stockholders’ Equity

Equity Plans

Stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):

Restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):

Stock-Based Compensation

Forrester recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation in net income over the requisite service period of the individual grantee, which generally equals the vesting period. Stock-based compensation was recorded in the following expense categories (in thousands):

In 2009, the Company issued to its employees 95,496 performance-based RSUs. The vesting of the RSUs was subject to performance criteria and would vest at 100% or 40% on April 1, 2012, or the RSUs could be forfeited, depending on whether specified revenue growth and certain operating margin targets related to full year 2011 performance were achieved. Based on 2011 financial performance, 40% of the then outstanding RSUs vested on April 1, 2012. Compensation expense in 2010 and 2009 was recognized based on an estimate of 100% vesting of the RSUs and in the second quarter of 2011 the Company modified it assessment of vesting to the 40% level.

In 2010, the Company issued to its employees approximately 63,000 performance-based RSUs. The vesting of the RSUs is subject to performance criteria and will vest at 100% or 40% on April 1, 2013, or the RSUs could be forfeited, depending on whether specified revenue growth and certain operating margin targets related to full year 2012 performance are achieved. Compensation expense through the third quarter of 2011 was recognized based on an estimate of 100% vesting of the RSUs and in the fourth quarter of 2011 the Company modified its assessment of vesting to a zero percent level. The Company continued to utilize a zero percent vesting estimate in the first quarter of 2012. In addition, Forrester issued approximately 42,000 RSUs during 2010 that generally vest equally over a four-year period.

In 2011, the Company issued to its employees approximately 71,000 performance-based RSUs. The vesting of the RSUs is subject to performance criteria and will vest at 100% or 40% on April 1, 2014, or the RSUs could be forfeited, depending on whether specified revenue growth and certain operating margin targets related to full year 2013 performance are achieved. Compensation expense through the third quarter of 2011 was recognized based on an estimate of 100% vesting of the RSUs and in the fourth quarter of 2011 the Company modified its assessment of vesting to a zero percent level. The Company continued to utilize a zero percent vesting estimate in the first quarter of 2012. In addition, Forrester issued approximately 48,000 RSUs during 2011 that generally vest equally over a four-year period.

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Forrester utilizes the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of stock-based compensation. Options granted under the equity incentive plans and shares subject to purchase under the employee stock purchase plan were valued using the following assumptions:

Dividends

In the first quarter of 2012, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $0.14 per share or $3.2 million in the aggregate. In April 2012, the Company declared a dividend of $0.14 per share payable on June 20, 2012 to shareholders of record as of June 6, 2012.

Treasury Stock

Forrester’s Board of Directors has authorized an aggregate $260.0 million to purchase common stock under the stock repurchase program. The shares repurchased may be used, among other things, in connection with Forrester’s employee and director equity incentive and purchase plans. As of March 31, 2012, Forrester had repurchased approximately 8.5 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $188.7 million.

Note 8 — Income Taxes

Forrester provides for income taxes on an interim basis according to management’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. Certain items such as changes in tax rates, foreign exchange gains or losses on the remeasurement of deferred tax liabilities and tax benefits related to disqualifying dispositions of incentive stock options are treated as discrete items and are recorded in the period in which they arise.

Note 9 — Operating Segments

Forrester is organized into three client groups with each client group responsible for writing relevant research for the roles within the client organization on a worldwide basis. The three client groups, which are considered operating segments, are: Business Technology (“BT”), Technology Industry (“TI”), and Marketing and Strategy (“M&S”). In addition, the Company’s Events segment supports all three client groups. All of the client groups generate revenues through sales of research, advisory and other service offerings targeted at specific roles within their targeted clients. Each of the client groups consists of research personnel focused primarily on issues relevant to particular roles and to the day-to-day responsibilities of persons within the roles. Amounts included in the Events segment relate to the operations of the events production department. Revenue reported in the Events segment consists primarily of sponsorships and sales of event tickets to Forrester events.

Forrester evaluates reportable segment performance and allocates resources based on direct margin. Direct margin, as presented below, is defined as operating income excluding sales expenses, certain marketing and fulfillment expenses, stock-based compensation expense, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expense, and amortization of intangibles. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company modified its calculation of segment direct margin to exclude certain marketing costs and to include certain business development costs. In addition, in the first quarter of 2012 certain research analysts and their related consulting revenue and expenses were transferred from the M&S and TI client groups to the BT client group. Accordingly, the 2011 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The accounting policies used by the reportable segments are the same as those used in the consolidated financial statements.

Forrester does not identify or allocate assets, including capital expenditures, by operating segment. Accordingly, assets are not being reported by segment because the information is not available by segment and is not reviewed in the evaluation of performance or in making decisions on the allocation of resources.

The following tables present information about reportable segments (in thousands):

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Note 10 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance on fair value measurement and related disclosures. The new guidance clarifies the concepts applicable for fair value measurement of non-financial assets and requires the disclosure of quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and will be applied prospectively. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB amended its accounting guidance on the presentation of other comprehensive income (OCI) in an entity’s financial statements. The amended guidance eliminates the option to present the components of OCI as part of the statement of changes in shareholders equity and provides two options for presenting OCI: in a statement included in the income statement or in a separate statement immediately following the income statement. The amendments do not change the guidance for the items that have to be reported in OCI or when an item of OCI has to be moved into net income. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2012 by presenting a separate statement of comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on the periodic testing of goodwill for impairment. The updated guidance gives companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The amendment is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of the annual goodwill impairment test by providing entities an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and the adoption of this guidance as of January 1, 2012 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the adequacy of our liquidity and capital resources, future growth rates, anticipated increases in our sales force, future depreciation expenses and anticipated continued repurchases of our common stock. These statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual future activities and results to differ include, among others, our ability to retain and enrich memberships for our research products and services, technology spending, our ability to respond to business and economic conditions and market trends, the risks and challenges inherent in international business activities, competition and industry consolidation, the ability to attract and retain professional staff, our dependence on key personnel, the possibility of network disruptions and security breaches, and possible variations in our quarterly operating results. These risks are described more completely in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

We derive revenues from memberships to our research products and services, performing advisory services and consulting projects, and hosting events. We offer contracts for our research products that are typically renewable annually and payable in advance. Research revenues are recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the contract. Accordingly, a substantial portion of our billings are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Clients purchase advisory services independently and/or to supplement their memberships to our research. Billings attributable to advisory services and consulting projects are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Advisory service revenues are recognized when the customer receives the agreed upon deliverable. Consulting project revenues, which generally are short-term in nature and based upon fixed-fee agreements, are recognized as the services are provided. Event billings are also initially recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue upon completion of each event.

Our primary operating expenses consist of cost of services and fulfillment, selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses. Cost of services and fulfillment represents the costs associated with the production and delivery of our products and services, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits and stock-based compensation expense for research personnel and all associated editorial, travel, and support services. Selling and marketing expenses include salaries, sales commissions, bonuses, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, travel expenses, promotional costs and other costs incurred in marketing and selling our products and services. General and administrative expenses include the costs of the technology, operations, finance, and human resources groups and our other administrative functions, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, and stock-based compensation expense. Overhead costs such as facilities are allocated to these categories according to the number of employees in each group.

Deferred revenue, agreement value, client retention, dollar retention and enrichment are metrics we believe are important to understanding our business. We believe that the amount of deferred revenue, along with the agreement value of contracts to purchase research and advisory services, provide a significant measure of our business activity. We define these metrics as follows:

Client retention, dollar retention, and enrichment are not necessarily indicative of the rate of future retention of our revenue base. A summary of our key metrics is as follows (dollars in millions):