Descartes Reports Fiscal 2008 Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results

18 Percent Increase in Quarterly Revenues Over Last Year Drives Strong Operational Performance and Record Net Income


WATERLOO, Ontario, March 6, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, announced financial results for its fiscal 2008 fourth quarter (Q4FY08) and year (FY08) ended January 31, 2008. All financial results referenced are in United States (US) currency and, unless otherwise indicated, are determined in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Q4FY08 Financial Results

As described in more detail below, key financial highlights for Descartes in Q4FY08 included:


 * Revenues of $16.0 million, up $2.4 million or 18% from the fourth
   quarter of last fiscal year (Q4FY07) and up $0.5 million or 3%
   from $15.5 million in the previous quarter (Q3FY08). Services
   revenues in the quarter were $14.4 million, up $2.8 million or
   24% from $11.6 million in Q4FY07 and compared to $14.5 million in
   Q3FY08;
 * Net income of $17.9 million, up $16.7 million from $1.2 million in
   Q4FY07 and up $16.2 million from $1.7 million in Q3FY08. Net income
   in the quarter included a non-cash, deferred income tax recovery of
   $16.0 million as Descartes recorded a deferred tax asset for prior
   period tax losses that are anticipated to be applied against
   taxable income earned in future periods. Excluding this non-cash,
   deferred income tax recovery, net income in the quarter was
   $1.9 million, up 58% from Q4FY07 and up 12% from Q3FY08;
 * Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $0.33, up from $0.03 in
   Q4FY07 and Q3FY08. Excluding the $16.0 million non-cash, deferred
   income tax recovery, earnings per share on a diluted basis for
   Q4FY08 were $0.04;
 * Record EBITDA of $3.8 million, up 15% from $3.3 million in Q4FY07
   and up from $3.7 million in Q3FY08. EBITDA as a percentage of
   revenues was 24% this quarter, consistent with Q4FY07 and Q3FY08.
   Q4FY08 is the eighth consecutive quarter that EBITDA, as a
   percentage of revenues, has exceeded 20%.

   EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure provided as a complement
   to financial results presented in accordance with GAAP that we
   calculate as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and
   amortization (for which we include amortization of intangible
   assets, contingent acquisition consideration, deferred compensation
   and stock-based compensation, and the impairment of goodwill).
   These items are considered by management to be outside Descartes'
   ongoing operational results. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net
   income determined in accordance with GAAP is provided later in
   this release.

The following table summarizes Descartes' results in the categories specified below over the past 5 fiscal quarters (unaudited, dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts):


 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Q4        Q3        Q2        Q1        Q4
                         FY08      FY08      FY08      FY08      FY07
                         ---------------------------------------------
 Revenues                16.0      15.5      14.3      13.3      13.6
 Services revenues       14.4      14.5      13.5      12.2      11.6
 Net income              17.9*      1.7       1.7       1.1       1.2
 Diluted EPS             0.33*     0.03      0.03      0.02      0.03
 EBITDA                   3.8       3.7       3.4       3.0       3.3
 EBITDA % of revenues      24%       24%       24%       23%       24%
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

 * Net income and earnings per share on a diluted basis in Q4FY08
   were positively impacted by the $16.0 million non-cash, deferred
   income tax recovery.

Total revenues of $16.0 million in Q4FY08 were comprised of $14.4 million in services revenues and $1.6 million in license revenues. As a percentage of total revenues, services revenues were 90%, compared to 85% in Q4FY07 and 94% in Q3FY08, with the balance of the revenues in each period being license revenues.

Geographically, $8.7 million of revenues (55%) were generated in the Americas, excluding Canada, $4.2 million (26%) in Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), $2.6 million (16%) in Canada, and $0.5 million (3%) in the Asia Pacific region.

"Our prudent management in light of a deteriorating US dollar and difficult global economy, coupled with our careful attention to our operating model and acquisition integration strategy, resulted in a positive impact to our bottom line," said Stephanie Ratza, CFO at Descartes. "Our core business continues to perform well. We have a solid balance sheet with a healthy cash position, and we are generating cash from operations. We believe that we have an excellent platform to continue to execute on our consolidation strategy."

"We continue to deliver value for our customers through our Global Logistics Network and value-added services," said Art Mesher, Descartes' CEO. "Our customer focused methodology and software-as-a-service business model is consistently providing positive results for our customers, which has contributed to our own positive results."

FY08 Financial Results

As described in more detail below, key financial highlights for Descartes in FY08 included the following:


 * Revenues of $59.0 million, up $7.0 million or 13% from $52.0 million
   in Descartes' fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 (FY07);
 * Services revenues of $54.6 million, an increase of $7.8 million or
   17% from $46.8 million in FY07;
 * Net income of $22.4 million, up by $18.4 million from $4.0 million
   in FY07. Net income in FY08 included a non-cash, deferred income
   tax recovery of $16.0 million as Descartes recorded a deferred tax
   asset for prior period tax losses that are anticipated to be
   applied against taxable income earned in future periods. Excluding
   this non-cash, deferred income tax recovery, net income in FY08
   was $6.4 million, up $2.4 million or 60% from FY07;
 * Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $0.43, up from $0.09 per
   share in FY07. Excluding the $16.0 million non-cash, deferred
   income tax recovery, earnings per share on a diluted basis for FY08
   were $0.12; and
 * EBITDA of $13.8 million, an increase of $2.3 million or 20% from
   EBITDA of $11.5 million in FY07. EBITDA as a percentage of revenues
   was 23% in FY08 compared to 22% in FY07. EBITDA is a non-GAAP
   financial measure provided as a complement to the GAAP financial
   measures in this release. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income
   determined in accordance with GAAP is provided later in this
   release.

The following table summarizes Descartes' results in the categories specified below over the past two fiscal years (unaudited, dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts):


 ---------------------------------------------
                           FY08          FY07
 ---------------------------------------------
 Revenues                  59.0          52.0
 ---------------------------------------------
 Services revenues         54.6          46.8
 ---------------------------------------------
 Net income                22.4*          4.0
 ---------------------------------------------
 Diluted EPS               0.43*         0.09
 ---------------------------------------------
 EBITDA                    13.8          11.5
 ---------------------------------------------
 EBITDA % of revenues        23%           22%
 ---------------------------------------------

 * Net income and earnings per share on a diluted basis in FY08 were
   positively impacted by a $16.0 million non-cash, deferred income
   tax recovery.

Cash Position at January 31, 2008

As at January 31, 2008, we had $44.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, none of which was held in asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP). As at January 31, 2007, we had $19.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $2.5 million in marketable securities.

The table set forth below provides a summary of cash flows for FY08 in millions of dollars:


 Cash and cash equivalents, February 1, 2007                     19.4
                                                                -----
 Cash provided by operating activities                           11.9
 Maturities of marketable securities                              2.8
 Additions to capital assets                                     (1.1)
 Acquisition of subsidiaries and acquisition-related costs      (13.3)
 Issuance of common shares, net of issue costs                   23.3
 Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents    1.1
                                                                -----
 Net change in cash and cash equivalents and marketable
  securities                                                     24.7
                                                                -----
 Cash and cash equivalents, January 31, 2008                     44.1

Q4FY08 Acquisitions

RouteView Technologies

On December 20, 2007, Descartes acquired RouteView, a provider of technology solutions in a recurring revenue model to help small- and medium-sized organizations manage their delivery operations. RouteView's map-based routing software combines with wireless, GPS and automated call-out technology to help numerous customers, particularly in the home delivery and distribution industries, with a comprehensive delivery management solution. The purchase price for this acquisition was approximately $3.0 million in cash, plus up to an additional $0.5 million in cash if certain sales targets are met by RouteView in the first year post-acquisition.

Pacific Coast Tariff Bureau (PCTB)

On January 9, 2008, Descartes acquired PCTB for approximately $2.1 million in cash. For over 60 years, PCTB has provided tariff and contract publishing services to leading ocean carriers, non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and shippers to help them comply with US regulations for domestic and foreign shipping trades. PCTB also provides technology solutions to its customers to help them manage ocean contracts and apply the correct freight rates to bills of lading for ocean shipments.

Mobitrac

On January 10, 2008, Descartes acquired the fleet management business formerly known as Mobitrac ("Mobitrac") from privately-held Fluensee, Inc. for approximately $0.7 million in cash. The Mobitrac business includes a software-as-a-service routing and scheduling technology.

2008 Global User Conference

On April 14, 15 and 16, 2008, Descartes will host its Global User Conference and Global Logistics Advisory Council meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Details on the event can be found at http://www.descartes.com/usergroup. The primary sponsors for the event are Microsoft, Telogis, NAVTEQ, TeleAtlas, Pitney Bowes G1, Cadec, SMC3 and DiCentral. Descartes customers speaking at the event include the President of American Airlines Cargo, as well as spokespersons from CVS/Pharmacy, DHL Supply Chain, The Home Depot, Tomra North America, Freedman Distributors, Capital Beverage and Schwan's along with others.

Conference Call

Members of Descartes' executive management team are scheduled to host a conference call to discuss the company's financial results and business outlook at 8:00 a.m. EST on March 6th. Designated numbers are (800) 950-1454 for North America or (212) 231-2900 for International. The company simultaneously has scheduled an audio web cast on the Descartes Web site at www.descartes.com/company/investors. Phone conference dial-in or web cast log-in is required approximately 10 minutes beforehand.

Replays of the conference call will be available in two formats and accessible for 24 hours after the call's completion by dialing (800) 558-5253 or + 1 (416) 626-4100 and using passcode number 21374343. An archived replay of the web cast will be available at www.descartes.com/company/investors.

About Descartes

Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), a leading provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions, is delivering results across the globe today for organizations that operate logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes' logistics management solutions combine a multi-modal network, the Descartes Global Logistics Network, with component-based 'nano' sized applications to provide messaging services between logistics trading partners, shipment management services to help manage third party carriers and private fleet management services for organizations of all sizes. These solutions and services help Descartes' customers reduce administrative costs, billing cycles, fleet size, contract carrier costs, and mileage driven and improve pick up and delivery reliability. Our hosted, transactional and packaged solutions deliver repeatable, measurable results and fast time-to-value. Descartes customers include an estimated 1,600 ground carriers and more than 90 airlines, 30 ocean carriers, 900 freight forwarders and third-party providers of logistics services, and hundreds of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, private fleet owners and regulatory agencies. The company has more than 300 employees and is based in Waterloo, Ontario, with operations in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Ottawa, Washington DC, Derby, London, Stockholm, Shanghai, Singapore and Melbourne. For more information, visit www.descartes.com.

The Descartes Systems Group logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4065

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relate to the positioning of Descartes to provide value to customers and shareholders; revenues, expenses, goals and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and assumptions that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Descartes, or developments in Descartes' business or industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, Descartes' ability to continue to align operating expenses to visible and recurring revenues; the impact of foreign currency exchange rates; Descartes' ability to successfully execute on acquisitions and to integrate acquired businesses and assets, including the Q4FY08 acquisitions, and to predict expenses associated with and revenues from the acquisitions; the ability to attract and retain key personnel and the ability to manage the departure of key personnel; departures of key customers; disruptions in the movement of freight; and other factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada, including Descartes' Annual Report on Form 40-F for FY07. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure -- EBITDA

We prepare and release quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial information, used to evaluate our performance, in this and other earnings releases and investor conference calls as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP. We believe that current shareholders and potential investors in our company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA, in making investment decisions about our company and measuring our operational results. The term "EBITDA" refers to a financial measure that we define as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (for which we include amortization of intangible assets, contingent acquisition consideration, deferred compensation and stock-based compensation, and impairment of goodwill). Since EBITDA is not a measure determined under GAAP it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP. We have presented EBITDA to show Descartes' baseline performance before certain non-cash and acquisition-related expenses and other items that are considered by management to be outside Descartes' ongoing operational results. We believe that financial analysts, current investors and potential investors use EBITDA to understand Descartes' financial results and that EBITDA will help investors' overall understanding of our results by providing a higher level of transparency for certain expenses and by providing a level of disclosure that will help investors understand how we plan and measure our business. The table below reconciles EBITDA to net income reported in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for Q4FY08, Q3FY08, Q2FY08, Q1FY08 and Q4FY07, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.


 (US dollars in
   millions)            Q4FY08    Q3FY08    Q2FY08    Q1FY08    Q4FY07

 Net income, as
  reported on
  Consolidated
  Statements of
  Operations             17.9       1.7       1.7       1.1       1.2
 Adjustments to
  reconcile to EBITDA:
   Investment income     (0.4)     (0.5)     (0.5)     (0.1)     (0.1)
   Income tax expense
    (recovery)          (15.9)      0.1       0.1        --       0.1
   Depreciation expense   0.7       0.7       0.6       0.5       0.6
   Impairment of
    goodwill,
    amortization of
    intangible assets
    and contingent
    acquisition
    consideration         1.6       1.5       1.3       1.3       1.3
   Amortization of
    deferred
    compensation
    and stock-based
    compensation expense (0.1)      0.2       0.2       0.2       0.2
                         --------------------------------------------
 EBITDA                   3.8       3.7       3.4       3.0       3.3
                         ============================================

The table below reconciles EBITDA to net income reported in our audited Consolidated Statements of Operations for FY08 and FY07, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.


 (US dollars in millions)                              FY08      FY07

 Net income, as reported on Consolidated Statements
  of Operations                                        22.4       4.0
 Adjustments to reconcile to EBITDA:
   Investment income                                   (1.5)     (0.6)
   Income tax expense (recovery)                      (15.7)      0.2
   Depreciation expense                                 2.5       2.2
   Impairment of goodwill, amortization of intangible
    assets and contingent acquisition consideration     5.6       4.9
   Amortization of deferred compensation and
    stock-based compensation expense                    0.5       0.8
                                                      ---------------
 EBITDA                                                13.8      11.5
                                                      ===============


 THE DESCARTES SYSTEMS GROUP INC.
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (US DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS; US GAAP; UNAUDITED)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                  --------    --------
                                                  Jan. 31,    Jan. 31,
                                                    2008        2007
                                                  --------    --------
 ASSETS
 CURRENT ASSETS
   Cash and cash equivalents                        44,091      19,370
   Marketable securities                                --       2,551
   Accounts receivable
     Trade                                          10,447       6,905
     Other                                           1,288         611
   Prepaid expenses and other                        1,524         919
   Deferred contingent acquisition consideration       833       2,000
   Deferred income taxes                             3,000          --
                                                  --------    --------
                                                    61,183      32,356
 CAPITAL ASSETS                                      6,722       6,766
 GOODWILL                                           25,005      20,426
 INTANGIBLE ASSETS                                  18,914      10,953
 DEFERRED CONTINGENT ACQUISITION CONSIDERATION          --         833
 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                              14,570          --
                                                  --------    --------
                                                   126,394      71,334
                                                  ========    ========

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 CURRENT LIABILITIES
   Accounts payable                                  3,054       3,188
   Accrued liabilities                               4,514       2,820
   Income taxes payable                                783         203
   Deferred revenue                                  3,750       2,374
                                                  --------    --------
                                                    12,101       8,585
 INCOME TAX LIABILITY                                1,570          --
                                                  --------    --------
                                                    13,671       8,585

 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Common shares -- unlimited shares authorized;
    Shares issued and outstanding totalled
    52,929,977 at January 31, 2008
    (January 31, 2007 -- 46,361,500)                44,251      19,319
   Additional paid-in capital                      449,320     448,850
   Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     2,006        (123)
   Accumulated deficit                            (382,854)   (405,297)
                                                  --------    --------
                                                   112,723      62,749
                                                  --------    --------
                                                   126,394      71,334
                                                  ========    ========


 THE DESCARTES SYSTEMS GROUP INC.
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (US DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND SHARE DATA;
 US GAAP; FY08 AND QUARTERLY DATA UNAUDITED)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

                          --------------------    --------------------
                           Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
                          --------------------    --------------------
                          Jan. 31,    Jan. 31,    Jan. 31,    Jan. 31,
                            2008        2007        2008        2007
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 REVENUES                   16,011      13,560      59,025      51,990
 COST OF REVENUES            5,745       4,600      20,640      17,487
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 GROSS MARGIN               10,266       8,960      38,385      34,503
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 EXPENSES
   Sales and marketing       2,374       2,503       9,700      10,138
   Research and
    development              2,742       2,464      10,540       9,033
   General and
    administrative           1,906       1,669       7,253       7,047
   Amortization of
    intangible assets        1,158         727       3,644       2,718
   Contingent
    acquisition
    consideration              500         535       2,000       2,040
   Impairment of goodwill       --          --          --         100
   Restructuring recovery       --        (172)         --        (172)
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
                             8,680       7,726      33,137      30,904
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS      1,586       1,234       5,248       3,599
 INVESTMENT INCOME             447          97       1,518         592
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 INCOME BEFORE INCOME
  TAXES                      2,033       1,331       6,766       4,191
 INCOME TAXES EXPENSE
  (RECOVERY)
 Current                        97         117         323         204
 Deferred                  (16,000)         --     (16,000)         --
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
                           (15,903)        117     (15,677)        204
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 NET INCOME                 17,936       1,214      22,443       3,987
                          ========    ========    ========    ========
 EARNINGS PER SHARE
   Basic                      0.34        0.03        0.44        0.09
   Diluted                    0.33        0.03        0.43        0.09
                          ========    ========    ========    ========
 WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
  OUTSTANDING (thousands)
   Basic                    52,294      46,342      51,225      45,225
   Diluted                  53,721      47,609      52,290      46,475
                          ========    ========    ========    ========


 THE DESCARTES SYSTEMS GROUP INC.
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (US DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS; US GAAP; FY08 AND QUARTERLY DATA UNAUDITED)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

                          --------------------    -------------------
                           Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
                          --------------------    -------------------
                          Jan. 31,    Jan. 31,    Jan. 31,    Jan. 31,
                            2008        2007        2008        2007
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net income                 17,936       1,214      22,443       3,987
 Adjustments to reconcile
  net income to cash
  provided by operating
  activities:
   Depreciation                676         618       2,424       2,200
   Amortization of
    intangible assets        1,158         727       3,644       2,718
   Contingent acquisition
    consideration               --          31          --         869
   Impairment of goodwill       --          --          --         100
   Amortization of
    deferred compensation       (4)          1           4          67
   Stock-based
    compensation expense      (110)        197         466         729
   Deferred income taxes   (16,000)                (16,000)         --
   Changes in operating
    assets and
    liabilities:
     Accounts receivable
       Trade                  (600)         46      (1,356)         73
       Other                    73         156        (364)        731
     Prepaid expenses
      and other               (448)         47          67        (110)
     Deferred contingent
      acquisition
      consideration            500         500       2,000      (2,833)
     Accounts payable         (708)        572        (812)        554
     Accrued liabilities      (861)     (1,777)       (815)     (1,898)
     Income taxes payable      610        (168)        580          (5)
     Deferred revenue           (2)         29        (343)       (706)
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 Cash provided by
  operating activities       2,220       2,193      11,938       6,476
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Maturities of
    marketable securities       --          30       2,820       5,425
   Sale of marketable
    securities                  --          --          --       5,092
   Purchase of marketable
    securities                  --          --          --      (7,734)
   Additions to capital
    assets                    (404)       (225)     (1,074)     (1,359)
   Acquisition of
    subsidiaries, net of
    cash acquired and
    bank indebtedness
    assumed                 (5,694)     (1,580)    (11,374)    (29,352)
   Acquisition-related
    costs                     (190)       (164)     (1,903)     (1,079)
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 Cash used in investing
  activities                (6,288)     (1,939)    (11,531)    (29,007)
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Issuance of common
    shares for cash, net
    of issue costs             119          36      23,279      13,787
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 Cash provided by
  financing activities         119          36      23,279      13,787
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 Effect of foreign
  exchange rate changes
  on cash and cash
  equivalents                 (218)        974       1,035         480
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 Increase (decrease) in
  cash and cash
  equivalents               (4,167)      1,264      24,721      (8,264)
 Cash and cash
  equivalents at
  beginning of period       48,258      18,106      19,370      27,634
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 Cash and cash
  equivalents at end of
  period                    44,091      19,370      44,091      19,370
                          ========    ========    ========    ========


            

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