RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), a global leader in domain names and internet security, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2016.

Fourth Quarter GAAP Financial Results

VeriSign, Inc. and subsidiaries ("Verisign") reported revenue of $286 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, up 5.0 percent from the same quarter in 2015. Verisign reported net income of $106 million and diluted earnings per share (diluted "EPS") of $0.84 for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to net income of $102 million and diluted EPS of $0.76 for the same quarter in 2015. The operating margin was 59.0 percent for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to 58.1 percent for the same quarter in 2015.

Fourth Quarter Non-GAAP Financial Results

Verisign reported, on a non-GAAP basis, net income of $115 million and diluted EPS of $0.92 for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to net income of $105 million and diluted EPS of $0.79 for the same quarter in 2015. The non-GAAP operating margin was 63.9 percent for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to 62.4 percent for the same quarter in 2015. A table reconciling the GAAP to the non-GAAP results (which excludes items described below) is appended to this release.

2016 GAAP Financial Results

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, Verisign reported revenue of $1.14 billion, up 7.8 percent from $1.06 billion in 2015. Verisign reported net income of $441 million and diluted EPS of $3.42 in 2016, compared to net income of $375 million and diluted EPS of $2.82 in 2015. The operating margin for 2016 was 60.1 percent compared to 57.2 percent in 2015.

2016 Non-GAAP Financial Results

Verisign reported, on a non-GAAP basis, net income of $465 million and diluted EPS of $3.61 for 2016, compared to net income of $405 million and diluted EPS of $3.05 for 2015. The non-GAAP operating margin for 2016 was 64.5 percent compared to 61.5 percent for 2015.

"2016 saw a number of significant achievements for Verisign, which included obtaining ICANN and Commerce Department approval for extending the .com agreement to 2024, the continuation of our unique role of publishing the global internet root zone through a new agreement with ICANN, and surpassing 19 years of uninterrupted availability of the Verisign DNS for .com and .net. Secure, reliable operation of these critical infrastructure services help support billions of internet users worldwide," said Jim Bidzos, Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Financial Highlights

• Verisign ended 2016 with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $1.8 billion, a decrease of $118 million from year-end 2015.
• Cash flow from operations was $195 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and $668 million for the full year 2016 compared with $189 million for the same quarter in 2015 and $651 million for the full year 2015.
• Deferred revenues on Dec. 31, 2016, totaled $976 million, an increase of $14 million from year-end 2015.
• During the fourth quarter, Verisign repurchased 2.0 million shares of its common stock for $160 million. During the full year 2016, Verisign repurchased 7.8 million shares of its common stock for $637 million.
• Effective Feb. 9, 2017, the Board of Directors approved an additional authorization for share repurchases of approximately $641 million of common stock, which brings the total amount to $1 billion authorized and available under Verisign's share repurchase program, which has no expiration.
• For purposes of calculating diluted EPS, the fourth quarter diluted share count included 20.6 million shares related to subordinated convertible debentures, compared with 21.4 million shares for the same quarter in 2015. These represent diluted shares and not shares that have been issued.

Business Highlights

• Verisign ended the fourth quarter with 142.2 million .com and .net domain name registrations in the domain name base, a 1.7 percent increase from the end of the fourth quarter of 2015, and a net decrease of 1.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2016.
• In the fourth quarter, Verisign processed 8.8 million new domain name registrations for .com and .net, as compared to 12.2 million for the same quarter in 2015.
• The final .com and .net renewal rate for the third quarter of 2016 was 73.0 percent compared with 71.9 percent for the same quarter in 2015. Renewal rates are not fully measurable until 45 days after the end of the quarter.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Adjusted EBITDA

Verisign provides quarterly and annual financial statements that are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Along with this information, management typically discloses and discusses certain non-GAAP financial information in quarterly earnings releases, on investor conference calls and during investor conferences and related events. This non-GAAP financial information does not include the following types of financial measures that are included in GAAP: stock-based compensation, unrealized gain/loss on the contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures, and non-cash interest expense. Non-GAAP net income is decreased by amounts accrued, if any, during the period for contingent interest payable resulting from upside or downside triggers related to the subordinated convertible debentures and is adjusted for an income tax rate of 26 percent which differs from the GAAP income tax rate.

On a quarterly basis, Verisign also provides Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated in accordance with the terms of the indentures governing Verisign's 4.625% senior notes due 2023 and 5.25% senior notes due 2025. Adjusted EBITDA refers to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, unrealized gain / loss on the contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures and unrealized gain / loss on hedging agreements.

Management believes that this non-GAAP financial data supplements the GAAP financial data by providing investors with additional information that allows them to have a clearer picture of Verisign's operations and financial performance and the comparability of Verisign's operating results from period to period. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The tables appended to this release include a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial information to the comparable financial information reported in accordance with GAAP for the given periods.

Today's Conference Call

Verisign will host a live conference call today at 4:30 p.m. (EST) to review the fourth quarter and full year 2016 results. The call will be accessible by direct dial at (888) 676-VRSN (U.S.) or (913) 312-0944 (international), conference ID: Verisign. A listen-only live web cast of the conference call and accompanying slide presentation will also be available at https://investor.verisign.com. An audio archive of the call will be available at https://investor.verisign.com/events.cfm. This news release and the financial information discussed on today's conference call are available at https://investor.verisign.com.

About Verisign

Verisign, a global leader in domain names and internet security, enables internet navigation for many of the world's most recognized domain names and provides protection for websites and enterprises around the world. Verisign ensures the security, stability and resiliency of key internet infrastructure and services, including the .com and .net domains and two of the internet's root servers, as well as performs the root zone maintainer function for the core of the internet's Domain Name System (DNS). Verisign's Security Services include intelligence-driven Distributed Denial of Service Protection, iDefense Security Intelligence and Managed DNS. To learn more about what it means to be Powered by Verisign, please visit Verisign.com.

VRSNF

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, whether the U.S. Department of Commerce will approve any exercise by us of our right to increase the price per .com domain name, under certain circumstances, the uncertainty of whether we will be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Department of Commerce that market conditions warrant removal of the pricing restrictions on .com domain names and the uncertainty of whether we will experience other negative changes to our pricing terms; the failure to renew key agreements on similar terms, or at all; new or existing governmental laws and regulations in the U.S. or other applicable foreign jurisdictions; system interruptions, security breaches, attacks on the internet by hackers, viruses, or intentional acts of vandalism; the uncertainty of the impact of changes to the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance; changes in internet practices and behavior and the adoption of substitute technologies; the success or failure of the evolution of our markets; the operational and other risks from the introduction of new gTLDs by ICANN and our provision of back-end registry services; the highly competitive business environment in which we operate; whether we can maintain strong relationships with registrars and their resellers to maintain their marketing focus on our products and services; challenging global economic conditions; economic, legal and political risk associated with our international operations; our ability to protect and enforce our rights to our intellectual property and ensure that we do not infringe on others' intellectual property; the outcome of legal or other challenges resulting from our activities or the activities of registrars or registrants, or litigation generally; the impact of our new strategic initiatives, including our IDN gTLDs; whether we can retain and motivate our senior management and key employees; the impact of unfavorable tax rules and regulations; and our ability to continue to reinvest offshore our foreign earnings. More information about potential factors that could affect our business and financial results is included in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Verisign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this announcement.

©2017 VeriSign, Inc. All rights reserved. VERISIGN, the VERISIGN logo, and other trademarks, service marks, and designs are registered or unregistered trademarks of VeriSign, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and in foreign countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

VERISIGN, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except par value) (Unaudited)
			December 31, 2016					December 31, 2015
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			$	231,945				$	228,659
Marketable securities				1,565,962					1,686,771
Accounts receivable, net				13,051					12,638
Other current assets				31,384					39,856
Total current assets				1,842,342					1,967,924
Property and equipment, net				266,125					295,570
Goodwill				52,527					52,527
Deferred tax assets				9,385					17,361
Deposits to acquire intangible assets				145,000					2,000
Other long-term assets				19,193					22,355
Total long-term assets				492,230					389,813
Total assets			$	2,334,572				$	2,357,737
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			$	203,920				$	188,171
Deferred revenues				688,265					680,483
Subordinated convertible debentures, including contingent interest derivative				629,764					634,326
Total current liabilities				1,521,949					1,502,980
Long-term deferred revenues				287,424					280,859
Senior notes				1,237,189					1,235,354
Deferred tax liabilities				371,433					294,194
Other long-term tax liabilities				117,172					114,797
Total long-term liabilities				2,013,218					1,925,204
Total liabilities				3,535,167					3,428,184
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' deficit:
Preferred stock—par value $.001 per share; Authorized shares: 5,000; Issued and outstanding shares: none				—					—
Common stock—par value $.001 per share; Authorized shares: 1,000,000; Issued shares: 324,118 at December 31, 2016 and 322,990 at December 31, 2015; Outstanding shares: 103,091 at December 31, 2016 and 110,072 at December 31, 2015				324					323
Additional paid-in capital				16,987,488					17,558,822
Accumulated deficit				(18,184,954	)				(18,625,599	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(3,453	)				(3,993	)
Total stockholders' deficit				(1,200,595	)				(1,070,447	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit			$	2,334,572				$	2,357,737

VERISIGN, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended December 31,										Year Ended December 31,
			2016					2015					2016					2015
Revenues			$	286,271				$	272,625				$	1,142,167				$	1,059,366
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues				49,100					48,996					198,242					192,788
Sales and marketing				21,819					22,507					80,250					90,184
Research and development				13,745					15,200					59,100					63,718
General and administrative				32,845					27,640					118,003					106,730
Total costs and expenses				117,509					114,343					455,595					453,420
Operating income				168,762					158,282					686,572					605,946
Interest expense				(28,982	)				(28,567	)				(115,564	)				(107,631	)
Non-operating income (loss), net				2,073					(4,336	)				10,165					(10,665	)
Income before income taxes				141,853					125,379					581,173					487,650
Income tax expense				(36,301	)				(23,849	)				(140,528	)				(112,414	)
Net income				105,552					101,530					440,645					375,236
Realized foreign currency translation adjustments, included in net income				—					—					85					(291	)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments				(768	)				(1,318	)				533					(519	)
Realized gain on investments, included in net income				—					(86	)				(78	)				(185	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income				(768	)				(1,404	)				540					(995	)
Comprehensive income			$	104,784				$	100,126				$	441,185				$	374,241
Earnings per share:
Basic			$	1.01				$	0.92				$	4.12				$	3.29
Diluted			$	0.84				$	0.76				$	3.42				$	2.82
Shares used to compute earnings per share
Basic				104,080					110,952					107,001					114,155
Diluted				125,454					133,385					128,833					133,031

VERISIGN, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)
			Year Ended December 31,
			2016					2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income			$	440,645				$	375,236
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment				58,167					61,491
Stock-based compensation				50,044					46,075
Excess tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation				(25,058	)				(18,464	)
Unrealized (gain) loss on contingent interest derivative on Subordinated Convertible Debentures				(2,402	)				14,130
Payment of contingent interest				(13,385	)				(10,759	)
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs				13,411					12,292
Other, net				(3,787	)				(1,781	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable				(871	)				661
Prepaid expenses and other assets				8,980					(1,728	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities				40,244					21,013
Deferred revenues				14,347					70,988
Net deferred income taxes and other long-term tax liabilities				87,614					82,328
Net cash provided by operating activities				667,949					651,482
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities and investments				3,817,899					2,767,027
Purchases of marketable securities				(3,691,057	)				(3,219,329	)
Purchases of property and equipment				(26,574	)				(40,656	)
Deposits to acquire intangible assets				(143,000	)				—
Other investing activities				2,333					(3,941	)
Net cash used in investing activities				(40,399	)				(496,899	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from option exercises and employee stock purchase plans				13,670					14,690
Repurchases of common stock				(662,491	)				(643,169	)
Proceeds from senior notes, net of issuance costs				—					492,237
Excess tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation				25,058					18,464
Net cash used in financing activities				(623,763	)				(117,778	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents				(501	)				246
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents				3,286					37,051
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				228,659					191,608
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			$	231,945				$	228,659
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest			$	115,544				$	99,473
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received			$	14,303				$	39,723

VERISIGN, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended December 31,
			2016										2015
			Operating Income					Net Income					Operating Income					Net Income
GAAP as reported			$	168,762				$	105,552				$	158,282				$	101,530
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation				14,299					14,299					11,724					11,724
Unrealized loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures									9										5,072
Non-cash interest expense									3,440										3,091
Contingent interest payable on subordinated convertible debentures									(3,859	)									(3,272	)
Tax adjustment									(4,192	)									(13,070	)
Non-GAAP			$	183,061				$	115,249				$	170,006				$	105,075
Revenues			$	286,271									$	272,625
Non-GAAP operating margin				63.9	%									62.4	%
Diluted shares									125,454										133,385
Diluted EPS, non-GAAP								$	0.92									$	0.79
			Year Ended December 31,
			2016										2015
			Operating Income					Net Income					Operating Income					Net Income
GAAP as reported			$	686,572				$	440,645				$	605,946				$	375,236
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation				50,044					50,044					46,075					46,075
Unrealized (gain) loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures									(2,402	)									14,130
Non-cash interest expense									13,411										11,746
Contingent interest payable on subordinated convertible debentures									(14,265	)									(11,749	)
Tax adjustment									(22,742	)									(30,028	)
Non-GAAP			$	736,616				$	464,691				$	652,021				$	405,410
Revenues			$	1,142,167									$	1,059,366
Non-GAAP operating margin				64.5	%									61.5	%
Diluted shares									128,833										133,031
Diluted EPS, non-GAAP								$	3.61									$	3.05

VERISIGN, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA (In thousands) (Unaudited)
The following table reconciles GAAP net income to non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA for the periods shown below (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended December 31,
			2016					2015
Net Income			$	105,552				$	101,530
Interest expense				28,982					28,567
Income tax expense				36,301					23,849
Depreciation and amortization				14,053					14,937
Stock-based compensation				14,299					11,724
Unrealized loss on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures				9					5,072
Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging agreements				(115	)				84
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA			$	199,081				$	185,763
			Year Ended December 31, 2016
Net Income			$	440,645
Interest expense				115,564
Income tax expense				140,528
Depreciation and amortization				58,167
Stock-based compensation				50,044
Unrealized gain on contingent interest derivative on the subordinated convertible debentures				(2,402						)
Unrealized gain on hedging agreements				(89						)
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA			$	802,457

VERISIGN, INC. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION CLASSIFICATION (In thousands) (Unaudited)
The following table presents the classification of stock-based compensation:
			Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
			2016				2015				2016				2015
Cost of revenues			$	1,886			$	1,807			$	7,253			$	7,009
Sales and marketing				1,518				1,963				5,738				6,763
Research and development				1,773				1,598				6,739				6,488
General and administrative				9,122				6,356				30,314				25,815
Total stock-based compensation expense			$	14,299			$	11,724			$	50,044			$	46,075

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VeriSign, Inc.
Investor Relations:
David Atchley, 703-948-4643
datchley@verisign.com
or
Media Relations:
Deana Alvy, 703-948-4179
dalvy@verisign.com

Source: VeriSign, Inc.

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