F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) today announced financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2023.

"In an environment that remains challenged by macroeconomic uncertainty, our team is executing well, delivering third-quarter revenue at the midpoint of our guidance range and earnings per share well above the high end of our guidance range," said François Locoh-Donou, F5's President and CEO. "We are seeing some early signs of demand stabilization as customers look to F5 to help them secure and optimize the applications and APIs that power their businesses."

Third Quarter Performance Summary

Third quarter fiscal year 2023 revenue grew 4% from the year ago period, to $703 million, up from $674 million in fiscal year 2022. Global services revenue grew 8% from the year-ago period while product revenue grew 1%, reflecting 5% systems revenue growth and software revenue that was down 3% from the year-ago period.

GAAP gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 was $561 million, representing GAAP gross margin of 79.8%. This compares with GAAP gross profit of $544 million in the year-ago period, which represented GAAP gross margin of 80.6%. Non-GAAP gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 was $579 million, representing non-GAAP gross margin of 82.5%. This compares with non-GAAP gross profit of $561 million in the year-ago period, which represented non-GAAP gross margin of 83.2%.

GAAP operating profit for the period was $104 million, representing GAAP operating margin of 14.7%. This compares with GAAP operating profit of $107 million in the year-ago period, which represented GAAP operating margin of 15.9%. Non-GAAP operating profit for the period was $233 million, representing non-GAAP operating margin of 33.2%. This compares to non-GAAP operating profit of $194 million in the year-ago period, which represented non-GAAP operating margin of 28.8%.

GAAP net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 was $89 million, or $1.48 per diluted share compared to $83 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 was $194 million, or $3.21 per diluted share, compared to $155 million, or $2.57 per diluted share, in fiscal year 2022.

GAAP Measures

	Q3 FY2023	Q3 FY2022
Revenue	$703M	$674M
Gross profit	$561M	$544M
Gross margin	79.8%	80.6%
Operating profit	$104M	$107M
Operating margin	14.7%	15.9%
Net income	$89M	$83M
EPS	$1.48	$1.37

Non-GAAP Measures

	Q3 FY2023	Q3 FY2022
Gross profit	$579M	$561M
Gross margin	82.5%	83.2%
Operating profit	$233M	$194M
Operating margin	33.2%	$28.8%
Net income	$194M	$155M
EPS	$3.21	$2.57

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures is included in the attached Consolidated Income Statements. Additional information about non-GAAP financial information is included in this release.

Business Outlook

"Over the last several years, through the combination of organic innovation, acquisitions and technology integration, we have created a converged portfolio uniquely capable of simplifying the complexities our customers face operating today's hybrid, multi-cloud IT environments," continued Locoh-Donou. "We are delivering the gross margin improvement and operating leverage we committed to, and we are confident in our ability to achieve our target of double-digit non-GAAP earnings growth for fiscal year 2023."

For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, F5 expects to deliver revenue in the range of $690 million to $710 million, with non-GAAP earnings in the range of $3.15 to $3.27 per diluted share.

All forward-looking non-GAAP measures included in the Company's business outlook exclude estimates for amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation expenses, significant effects of tax legislation and judicial or administrative interpretation of tax regulations (including the impact of income tax reform), non-recurring income tax adjustments, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and the income tax effect of non-GAAP exclusions, and do not include the impact of any future acquisitions or divestitures, acquisition-related charges and write-downs, restructuring charges, facility exit costs, or other non-recurring charges that may occur in the period. F5 is unable to provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP earnings guidance measures to corresponding U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort due to the overall high variability and low visibility of most of the foregoing items that have been excluded. Material changes to any one of these items could have a significant effect on our guidance and future GAAP results. Certain exclusions, such as amortization of intangible assets and share-based compensation expenses, are generally incurred each quarter, but the amounts have historically varied and may continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter.

Live Webcast and Conference Call

F5 will host a live webcast to review its financial results and outlook today, July 24, 2023, at 4:30 pm ET. The live webcast is accessible from the investor relations page of F5.com. To participate in the live call via telephone in the U.S. and Canada, dial +1 (877) 407-0312. Outside the U.S. and Canada, dial +1 (201) 389-0899. Please call at least 5 minutes prior to the call start time. The webcast replay will be archived on the investor relations portion of F5's website.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding F5's future financial performance including revenue, revenue growth, gross margins, operating leverage, earnings growth, future customer demand and spending, markets, and the performance and benefits of the Company's products. These, and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions and other factors that, if they do not fully materialize or prove correct, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: customer acceptance of offerings; continued disruptions to the global supply chain resulting in inability to source required parts for F5's products or the ability to only do so at greatly increased prices thereby impacting our revenues and/or margins; global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment; overall information technology spending; F5's ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses' products with F5 technologies; the ability of F5's sales professionals and distribution partners to sell new solutions and service offerings; the timely development, introduction and acceptance of additional new products and features by F5 or its competitors; competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures, industry consolidation, entry of new competitors into F5's markets, and new product and marketing initiatives by our competitors; increased sales discounts; the business impact of the acquisitions and potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement of completion of acquisitions; uncertain global economic conditions which may result in reduced customer demand for our products and services and changes in customer payment patterns; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, shareholder and other matters, and governmental investigations; potential security flaws in the Company's networks, products or services; cybersecurity attacks on its networks, products or services; natural catastrophic events; a pandemic or epidemic; F5's ability to sustain, develop and effectively utilize distribution relationships; F5's ability to attract, train and retain qualified product development, marketing, sales, professional services and customer support personnel; F5's ability to expand in international markets; the unpredictability of F5's sales cycle; the ability of F5 to execute on its share repurchase program including the timing of any repurchases; future prices of F5's common stock; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and other documents that we may file or furnish from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. The financial information contained in this release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in F5's most recent reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K as each may be amended from time to time. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available as of the date hereof and qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. F5 assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.

GAAP to non-GAAP Reconciliation

F5's management evaluates and makes operating decisions using various operating measures. These measures are generally based on the revenues of its products, services operations, and certain costs of those operations, such as cost of revenues, research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses. One such measure is GAAP net income excluding, as applicable, stock-based compensation, amortization and impairment of purchased intangible assets, facility-exit costs, acquisition-related charges, net of taxes, restructuring charges, and certain non-recurring tax expenses and benefits, which is a non-GAAP financial measure under Section 101 of Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This measure of non-GAAP net income is adjusted by the amount of additional taxes or tax benefit that the Company would accrue if it used non-GAAP results instead of GAAP results to calculate the Company's tax liability.

The non-GAAP adjustments, and F5's basis for excluding them from non-GAAP financial measures, are outlined below:

Stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation consists of expense for stock options, restricted stock, and employee stock purchases through the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Although stock-based compensation is an important aspect of the compensation of F5's employees and executives, management believes it is useful to exclude stock-based compensation expenses to better understand the long-term performance of the Company's core business and to facilitate comparison of the Company's results to those of peer companies.

Amortization and impairment of purchased intangible assets. Purchased intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, and generally cannot be changed or influenced by management after the acquisition. On a non-recurring basis, when certain events or circumstances are present, management may also be required to write down the carrying value of its purchased intangible assets and recognize impairment charges. Management does not believe these charges accurately reflect the performance of the Company's ongoing operations; therefore, they are not considered by management in making operating decisions. However, investors should note that the use of intangible assets contributed to F5's revenues earned during the periods presented and will contribute to F5's future period revenues as well.

Facility-exit costs. F5 has incurred charges in connection with the exit of facilities as well as other non-recurring lease activity. These charges are not representative of ongoing costs to the business and are not expected to recur. As a result, these charges are being excluded to provide investors with a more comparable measure of costs associated with ongoing operations.

Acquisition-related charges, net. F5 does not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle and the terms and scope of each transaction can vary significantly and are unique to each transaction. F5 excludes acquisition-related charges from its non-GAAP financial measures to provide a useful comparison of the Company's operating results to prior periods and to its peer companies. Acquisition-related charges consist of planning, execution and integration costs incurred directly as a result of an acquisition.

Restructuring charges. F5 has incurred restructuring charges that are included in its GAAP financial statements, primarily related to workforce reductions and costs associated with exiting facility-lease commitments. F5 excludes these items from its non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating its continuing business performance as such items vary significantly based on the magnitude of the restructuring action and do not reflect expected future operating expenses. In addition, these charges do not necessarily provide meaningful insight into the fundamentals of current or past operations of its business.

Management believes that non-GAAP net income per share provides useful supplemental information to management and investors regarding the performance of the Company's core business operations and facilitates comparisons to the Company's historical operating results. Although F5's management finds this non-GAAP measure to be useful in evaluating the performance of the core business, management's reliance on this measure is limited because items excluded from such measures could have a material effect on F5's earnings and earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, F5's management will use its non-GAAP earnings and earnings per share measures, in conjunction with GAAP earnings and earnings per share measures, to address these limitations when evaluating the performance of the Company's core business. Investors should consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, financial performance measures in accordance with GAAP.

F5 believes that presenting its non-GAAP measures of earnings and earnings per share provides investors with an additional tool for evaluating the performance of the Company's core business and is used by management in its own evaluation of the Company's performance. Investors are encouraged to look at GAAP results as the best measure of financial performance. However, while the GAAP results are more complete, the Company provides investors these supplemental measures since, with reconciliation to GAAP, it may provide additional insight into the Company's operational performance and financial results.

For reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the section in our attached Condensed Consolidated Income Statements entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

About F5

F5 is a multi-cloud application services and security company committed to bringing a better digital world to life. F5 partners with the world's largest, most advanced organizations to secure and optimize apps and APIs anywhere—on premises, in the cloud, or at the edge. F5 enables organizations to provide exceptional, secure digital experiences for their customers and continuously stay ahead of threats. For more information, go to f5.com. (NASDAQ:FFIV)

You can also follow @F5 on Twitter or visit us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more information about F5, its partners, and technologies. F5 is a trademark, service mark, or tradename of F5, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

F5 is a trademark, service mark, or tradename of F5, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE: F5, Inc.

F5, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited, in thousands)


	June 30,			September 30,
	2023			2022

Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	677,498		$	758,012
Short-term investments		13,109			126,554
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,172 and $6,020		439,518			469,979
Inventories		46,102			68,365
Other current assets		537,557			489,314
Total current assets		1,713,784			1,912,224

Property and equipment, net		171,147			168,182
Operating lease right-of-use assets		204,196			227,475
Long-term investments		5,887			9,544
Deferred tax assets		271,171			183,365
Goodwill		2,288,678			2,259,282
Other assets, net		464,293			516,122
Total assets	$	5,119,156		$	5,276,194

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	65,499		$	113,178
Accrued liabilities		274,255			309,819
Deferred revenue		1,149,787			1,067,182
Current portion of long-term debt		-			349,772
Total current liabilities		1,489,541			1,839,951

Deferred tax liabilities		3,883			2,781
Deferred revenue, long-term		641,647			624,398
Operating lease liabilities, long-term		250,077			272,376
Other long-term liabilities		76,505			67,710
Total long-term liabilities		972,112			967,265

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized, no shares outstanding		-			-
Common stock, no par value; 200,000 shares authorized, 59,296 and 59,860 shares issued and outstanding		32,519			91,048
Accumulated other comprehensive loss.		(21,936	)		(26,176	)
Retained earnings		2,646,920			2,404,106
Total shareholders' equity		2,657,503			2,468,978
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	5,119,156		$	5,276,194

F5, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023				2022

Net revenues
Products	$	328,175		$	326,482		$	1,009,314			$	967,149
Services		374,467			348,006			1,096,881				1,028,663
Total		702,642			674,488			2,106,195				1,995,812

Cost of net revenues (1)(2)(3)(4)
Products		87,940			73,558			286,590				226,454
Services		53,743			57,175			165,754				165,711
Total		141,683			130,733			452,344				392,165
Gross profit		560,959			543,755			1,653,851				1,603,647

Operating expenses (1)(2)(3)(4)
Sales and marketing		207,202			226,731			673,383				689,592
Research and development		128,765			138,737			412,451				404,846
General and administrative		64,775			70,823			201,802				205,038
Restructuring charges		56,648			-			65,388				7,909
Total		457,390			436,291			1,353,024				1,307,385

Income from operations		103,569			107,464			300,827				296,262
Other income (expense), net		2,896			(6,221	)		10,335				(10,586	)
Income before income taxes		106,465			101,243			311,162		#		285,676
Provision for income taxes		17,489			18,224			68,348				52,862
Net income	$	88,976		$	83,019		$	242,814			$	232,814


Net income per share - basic	$	1.48		$	1.38		$	4.04			$	3.85
Weighted average shares - basic		59,977			59,965			60,133				60,450

Net income per share - diluted	$	1.48		$	1.37		$	4.02			$	3.80
Weighted average shares - diluted		60,314			60,460			60,463				61,345


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net income as reported	$	88,976		$	83,019		$	242,814			$	232,814
Stock-based compensation expense		56,472			61,875			183,385				189,761
Amortization and impairment of purchased intangible assets		13,876			12,701			39,130				44,988
Facility-exit costs		1,527			1,750			5,066				8,010
Acquisiton-related charges		1,327			10,224			16,109				40,081
Restructuring charges		56,648			-			65,388				7,909
Tax effects related to above items		(25,173	)		(14,427	)		(55,337	)			(58,587	)
Net income excluding stock-based compensation expense, amortization and impairment of purchased intangible assets, facility-exit costs, acquisition-related charges, restructuring charges and non-recurring tax expenses and benefits (non-GAAP) - diluted	$	193,653		$	155,142		$	496,555			$	464,976

Net income per share excluding stock-based compensation expense, amortization and impairment of purchased intangible assets, facility-exit costs, acquisition-related charges, restructuring charges and non-recurring tax expenses and benefits (non-GAAP) - diluted	$	3.21		$	2.57		$	8.21			$	7.58

Weighted average shares - diluted		60,314			60,460			60,463				61,345

(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:
Cost of net revenues	$	7,297		$	7,203		$	22,516			$	22,089
Sales and marketing		22,561			25,572			75,171				79,938
Research and development		16,297			17,502			53,528				54,318
General and administrative		10,317			11,598			32,170				33,416
	$	56,472		$	61,875		$	183,385			$	189,761

(2) Includes amortization and impairment of purchased intangible assets as follows:
Cost of net revenues	$	10,984		$	9,960		$	30,902			$	29,878
Sales and marketing		2,672			2,389			7,451				13,780
General and administrative		220			352			777				1,330
	$	13,876		$	12,701		$	39,130			$	44,988

(3) Includes facility-exit costs as follows:
Cost of net revenues	$	150		$	62		$	501			$	1,155
Sales and marketing		481			546			1,630				2,183
Research and development		542			627			1,720				2,755
General and administrative		354			515			1,215				1,917
	$	1,527		$	1,750		$	5,066			$	8,010

(4) Includes acquisition-related charges as follows:
Cost of net revenues	$	45		$	96		$	212			$	291
Sales and marketing		349			2,493			2,513				12,266
Research and development		330			5,479			5,331				17,170
General and administrative		603			2,156			8,053				10,354
	$	1,327		$	10,224		$	16,109			$	40,081

F5, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)


	Nine Months Ended
	June 30,
	2023			2022

Operating activities
Net income	$	242,814		$	232,814
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation		183,384			189,761
Depreciation and amortization		83,173			88,398
Non-cash operating lease costs		29,977			29,071
Deferred income taxes		(85,091	)		(28,956	)
Impairment of assets		3,455			6,175
Other		2,137			585
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding effects of the acquisition of businesses):
Accounts receivable		31,507			(116,137	)
Inventories		22,263			(21,732	)
Other current assets		(47,488	)		(106,070	)
Other assets		13,231			(50,400	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(79,608	)		(33,398	)
Deferred revenue		98,054			136,872
Lease liabilities		(34,200	)		(38,707	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		463,608			288,276

Investing activities
Purchases of investments		(1,789	)		(58,514	)
Maturities of investments		103,513			178,372
Sales of investments		16,085			120,564
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(35,049	)		(67,911	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(38,802	)		(25,117	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		43,958			147,394

Financing activities
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and purchases of stock under employee stock purchase plan		59,497			63,681
Repurchase of common stock		(290,041	)		(500,023	)
Payments on term debt agreement		(350,000	)		(15,000	)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards.		(11,369	)		(18,907	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(591,913	)		(470,249	)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(84,347	)		(34,579	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		3,729			(3,633	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		762,207			584,333
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	681,589		$	546,121

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$	40,619		$	44,115
Cash paid for interest on long-term debt		2,970			4,287
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$	10,544		$	614

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F5 Reports 4% Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Revenue Growth; Delivers Significant Operating Leverage and Strong EPS Growth