QPR Software Interim Report January

QPR SOFTWARE STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, APRIL 23, 2021 AT 9:00 AM

Profitability improved and net sales increased, driven by software sales

January – March 2021

• Net sales increased to EUR 2,904 thousand (January – March 2020: 2,789).
• Software net sales increased 6%, license and SaaS net sales grew, but maintenance net sales decreased.
• Consulting net sales were on the same level as in previous year.
• International net sales represented 50% of Group net sales (50).
• Operating result (EBIT) increased to EUR 286 thousand (45) and was 10% of net sales (2).
• Expenses were smaller than in the previous year mainly due to smaller reseller commissions. Direct sales represented a significantly larger proportion of software sales than in the previous year.
• Result before taxes EUR 206 thousand (36).
• Earnings per share EUR 0.014 (0.001).

 

Business operations

QPR Software´s mission is to make customers agile and efficient in their operations. We innovate, develop, and sell software aimed at analyzing, monitoring, and modeling operations in organizations. Furthermore, we offer customers consulting services related to our software.

 

Outlook for 2021 (unchanged)

The exceptional circumstances caused by the pandemic continue to have an impact on our business, but we are already seeing signs of normalization in software purchase decisions. Based on actual sales performance in early 2021 and current sales funnel, QPR expects net sales to grow in 2021 (2020: EUR 8,971 thousand).

QPR plans to moderately increase its sales, marketing and product development costs this year. Despite the planned increase in costs, the Company estimates EBITDA and operating result to improve compared to 2020.

KEY FIGURES

EUR in thousands, unless otherwise indicated	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Change, %	Jan-Dec, 2020
Net sales	2,904	2,789	4	8,971
EBITDA	566	390	45	248
% of net sales	19.5	14.0		2.8
Operating result	286	45	530	-936
% of net sales	9.8	1.6		-10.4
Result before tax	206	36	467	-952
Result for the period	170	11	1,450	-812
% of net sales	5.9	0.4		-9.0
Earnings per share, EUR (basic and diluted)	0.014	0.001	1,450	-0.068
Equity per share, EUR	0.176	0.224	-21	0.161
Cash flow from operating activities	906	409	122	334
Cash and cash equivalents	857	572	50	185
Net borrowings	1	-343	-100	762
Gearing, %	0.0	-12.3	-100	38.0
Equity ratio, %	40.9	51.4	-20	34.6
Return on equity, %	32.5	1.6	1,955	-34.1
Return on investment, %	38.1	7.1	440	-28.0

REPORTING

QPR Software innovates, develops, sells and delivers software and services in international markets aimed at facilitating operational development in organizations. QPR Software reports one operating segment: Operational development of organizations. In addition to this, the Company reports revenue from products and services as follows: Software licenses, Renewable software licenses, Software maintenance services, SaaS (Software-as-a-service) and Consulting.

Recurring revenue reported by the Company consists of Saas net sales, Renewable software licenses and Software maintenance services.

Software licenses are sold to customers for perpetual use or for an agreed, limited period. Renewable software licenses are sold to customers as a user right with an indefinite duration. These contracts are automatically renewed at the end of the agreed period, usually one year, unless the agreement is terminated within notice period. Renewable license revenue is recognized at one point in time, in the beginning of the invoicing period.

Geographical areas reported are Finland, the rest of Europe (including Russia and Turkey), and the rest of the world. Net sales are reported according to the customer´s headquarter location.

REVIEW BY THE CEO

The year 2021 had a positive start with an increase in net sales and a significant profitability improvement, despite the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

In the past year we have strengthened our process mining business by recruiting new sales and development resources. This year we will continue this development by building new sales and consulting partnerships especially in our European key markets. The new visual reporting tool in QPR ProcessAnalyzer software has helped to expand its use in customer organizations and further strengthened the competitiveness of this product. Furthermore, performance in processing large amounts of data has been significantly improved, and the software is now available localized in eight languages. Great user experience, high performance and excellent service scalability remain our priorities.

To support our process modeling customers in their operations and quality systems, we will continue this year the development of a new software tool QPR BusinessPortal. With the help of this tool, our customers can  communicate their processes and quality documentation to their personnel, as well as to get better visibility to their service and application portfolios. QPR BusinessPortal is now on a piloting phase and will be fully launched to the markets this year.

The excellent sales development of our performance management software QPR Metrics in the Middle East market was continued in February, when QPR signed a major agreement with a large central government organization to deliver strategy management solution. The value of the deal is approximately EUR 1.2 million, and we estimate that almost EUR 1 million of the deal value will be booked into net sales over the course of 2021. Based on this deal, actual sales performance in early 2020 and current sales funnel, we expect net sales to grow in 2021. Furthermore, profitability is expected to improve, despite the planned moderate increase in sales, marketing and product development costs.

Jari Jaakkola
CEO

NET SALES DEVELOPMENT 

January – March 2021

Net sales in the first quarter increased to EUR 2,904 thousand (2,789). The share of recurring revenue was 44% of net sales (47).

New software license net sales amounted to EUR 734 thousand (587) and grew by 25 %, due to increase in international software sales. Renewable software license net sales decreased to EUR 443 thousand (487), which was  mainly due to customer transitions to use our cloud services (SaaS).

Software maintenance net sales were EUR 518 thousand (571), and decreased by 9% mainly due to decrease in international channel sales.

SaaS net sales amounted to EUR 323 thousand (263). Consulting net sales remained on the same level than in the previous year and amounted to EUR 886 thousand (880).

International net sales increased by 4%, as well as net sales in Finland. Of the Group net sales, 50% (50) derived from Finland, 24% (26) from the rest of Europe (including Russia and Turkey) and 26% (24) from the rest of the world.

NET SALES BY PRODUCT GROUP

EUR in thousands	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Change, %	Jan-Dec, 2020
Software licenses	734	587	25	1,344
Renewable software licenses	443	487	-9	900
Software maintenance services	518	571	-9	2,195
Cloud services	323	263	23	1,081
Consulting	886	880	1	3,452
Total	2,904	2,789	4	8,971

NET SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA

EUR in thousands	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Change, %	Jan-Dec, 2020
Finland	1,448	1,389	4	4,718
Europe incl. Russia and Turkey	687	733	-6	2,474
Rest of the world	769	667	15	1,780
Total	2,904	2,789	4	8,971

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

January – March 2021

The Group´s operating result (EBIT) was EUR 286 thousand (45) and represented 10% of net sales (2). The increase in operating result was mainly due to higher net sales and smaller reseller commissions than in the previous year. The share of direct sales in new software sales increased significantly from the previous year. Personnel expenses increased to EUR 1,772 thousand (1,739) and represented 78% of fixed costs.  Outlays in European sales resources, general salary increases as well as higher bonus reservations in short-term incentive system increased our personnel expenses. On the other hand, expenses were lowered by temporary part-time lay-offs in January-March. The Group´s fixed costs in the reporting period were EUR 2,281 thousand (2,304).

Result before taxes was EUR 206 thousand (36) and result for the period was EUR 170 thousand (11). Taxes recorded for the period were EUR 35 thousand (25) and earnings per share (basic and fully diluted) were EUR 0.014 (0.001).

FINANCE AND INVESTMENTS

Cash flow from operating activities was EUR 906 thousand (409). Increase in cash flow was mainly due to higher net sales and a decrease in operative working capital. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period were EUR 857 thousand (572).

Net financial expenses were EUR 80 thousand (9) and included a one-off guarantee payment related to a closed project. The payment was made in January 2021.

Investments totaled EUR 184 thousand (278) and were mainly product development expenditure.

The  Group´s financial position is good. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period were EUR 857 thousand (572), and in addition the Group has access to EUR 1.3 million other short-term financial instruments. At the end of the period, the Group had a short-term bank loan of EUR 700 thousand and no long-term interest-bearing bank loans. The gearing ratio was 0% (-12). At the end of the reporting period, the equity ratio was 41% (51).

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

QPR innovates and develops software products that analyze, measure and model operations in organizations. The Company develops the following software products: QPR ProcessAnalyzer, QPR EnterpriseArchitect, QPR ProcessDesigner, and QPR Metrics.

In the first quarter product development expenses were EUR 486 thousand (579). Product development expenses worth EUR 174 thousand (231) were capitalized. The amortization of capitalized product development expenses was EUR 178 thousand (226). The amortization period for capitalized product development expenses is four years.

PERSONNEL

At the end of the reporting period, the Group employed a total of 81 persons (82). The average number of personnel during the reporting was 84 (83).

The average age of employees is 42.2 (42.1) years. Women account for 22% (21) of employees and men for 78% (79). Of the total, 18% (17) work in sales and marketing, 44% (44) in consulting and customer care, 30% (32) in product development and 8% (9) in administration.

For incentive purposes, the Company has a bonus program that covers all employees. Short term remuneration of the top management consists of salary, fringe benefits, and a possible annual bonus based mainly on the Group and business unit net sales performance. Furthermore, the Company has a key employee stock option plan in use.

SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS

Trading of shares	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Change, %	Jan-Dec, 2020
Shares traded, pcs	666,969	253,097	164	1,403,426
Volume, EUR	1,420,641	546,999	160	2,825,365
% of shares	5.6	2.1		11.7
Average trading price, EUR	2.13	2.16	-1	2.01
Shares and market capitalization	Mar 31, 2021	Mar 31, 2020	Change, %	Dec 31, 2020
Total number of shares, pcs	12,444,863	12,444,863	–	12,444,863
Treasury shares, pcs	457,009	457,009	–	457,009
Book counter value, EUR	0.11	0.11	–	0.11
Outstanding shares, pcs	11,987,854	11,987,854	–	11,987,854
Number of shareholders	1,289	1,167	10	1,240
Closing price, EUR	2.08	1.93	8	2.24
Market capitalization, EUR	24,934,736	23,136,558	8	26,852,793
Book counter value of all treasury shares, EUR	50,271	50,271	–	50,271
Total purchase value of all treasury shares, EUR	439,307	439,307	–	439,307
Treasury shares, % of all shares	3.7	3.7	–	3.7

GOVERNANCE

In March 2021, the Board of Directors gave a notice to the shareholders of QPR Software Plc that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday March 25, 2021. The Board of Directors of the Company resolved on extraordinary measures pursuant to the temporary legislation approved by the Finnish Parliament. In order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Annual General Meeting was held without shareholders’ presence at the Meeting venue. Participation and exercise of shareholder rights in the Meeting was possible only by way of proxy representation, by submitting counterproposals and asking questions in advance.

The Annual General Meeting approved the Board’s proposal that no dividend be paid for the financial year 2020.  The Annual General Meeting made an advisory decision on the Remuneration Report and decided to approve the presented Remuneration Report.

The Annual General Meeting resolved that the number of Board Members is four (4) and elected Pertti Ervi, Matti Heikkonen, Antti Koskela and Jukka Tapaninen members of the Company´s Board of Directors. The term of office of the members of the Board of Directors expires at the end of the next Annual General Meeting. At its organizing meeting, the Board of Directors elected Pertti Ervi as its Chairman.

The Annual General Meeting elected Authorized Public Accountants KPMG Oy Ab as QPR Software´s auditor with Miika Karkulahti, Authorized Public Accountant, acting as principal auditor. The term of office of the auditor expires at the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

The Annual General Meeting decided to authorize the Board of Directors to decide on conveyance of the own shares held by the Company (share issue) either in one or in several occasions. The share issue can be carried out as a share issue against payment or without consideration on terms to be determined by the Board of Directors.

All authorizations of the Board and other decisions made by the previous Annual General Meeting are available in their entirety in the stock exchange release published by the Company on March 25, 2021. The release can be found in Investors section of the Company’s website, https://www.qpr.com/investors/stock-exchange-and-press-releases.

EVENTS AFTER THE REVIEW PERIOD

The Company has no significant events after the review period to report.

SHORT-TERM RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Internal control and risk management at QPR Software aims to ensure that the Company operates efficiently and effectively, distributes reliable information, complies with regulations and operational principles, reaches its strategic goals, reacts to changes in the market and operational environment, and ensures the continuity of its business.

QPR has identified the following three groups of risks related to its operations: risks related to business operations (country, customer, personnel, legal), risks related to information and products (QPR products, IPR, data security) and risks related to financing (foreign currency, short-term cash flow). The Company has an insurance policy covering property, operational and liability risks.

Financial risks include reasonable credit risk concerning individual business partners, which is characteristic of any international business. QPR seeks to limit this credit risk by continuously monitoring standard payment terms, receivables and credit limits.

Approximately 63% of the Group’s trade receivables were in euro at the end of the quarter (52). At the end of the quarter, the Company had not hedged its non-euro trade receivables.

Risks and risk management practices related to the Company’s business are further described in the Annual Report 2020, pages 22-24 (https://www.qpr.com/investors/financial–information/annual–reports)

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In 2021, QPR Software Plc will publish its financial information, in Finnish and English, as follows:

Half-year Financial Report 1-6/2021: Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Interim Report 1-9/2021: Friday, October 22, 2021

QPR SOFTWARE PLC
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Further information:

Jari Jaakkola, CEO, Tel. +358 (0) 40 5026 397

DISTRIBUTION:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd
Main Media

Neither this press release nor any copy of it may be taken, transmitted or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America or its territories or possessions.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME STATEMENT

EUR in thousands, unless otherwise indicated	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Change, %	Jan-Dec, 2020
Net sales	2,904	2,789	4	8,971
Other operating income	–	–		100
Materials and services	337	440	-23	1,422
Employee benefit expenses	1,772	1,739	2	6,649
Other operating expenses	228	220	4	753
EBITDA	566	390	45	248
Depreciation and amortization	280	345	-19	1,183
Operating result	286	45	530	-936
Financial income and expenses	-80	-9	786	-16
Result before tax	206	36	467	-952
Income taxes	-35	-25	39	140
Result for the period	170	11	1,450	-812
Earnings per share, EUR (basic and diluted)	0.014	0.001	1,450	-0.068
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income:
Result for the period	170	11	1,450	-812
Other items in comprehensive income that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange differences on  translating foreign operations	1	1	39	-3
Total comprehensive income	172	12	1,344	-814

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

EUR in thousands	Mar 31, 2021	Mar 31, 2020	Change, %	Dec 31, 2020
Assets
Non-current assets:
Intangible assets	2,033	2,022	1	2,054
Goodwill	513	513	0	513
Tangible assets	164	100	64	176
Right-of-use assets	121	226	-47	211
Other non-current assets	277	62	347	277
Total non-current assets	3,108	2,923	6	3,231
Current assets:
Trade and other receivables	2,649	2,698	-2	2,901
Cash and cash equivalents	857	572	50	185
Total current assets	3,506	3,270	7	3,086
Total assets	6,614	6,193	7	6,317
Equity and liabilities
Equity:
Share capital	1,359	1,359	0	1,359
Other funds	21	21	0	21
Treasury shares	-439	-439	0	-439
Translation differences	-67	-65	3	-69
Invested non-restricted equity fund	5	5	0	5
Retained earnings	1,311	1,907	-31	1,126
Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent company	2,190	2,788	-21	2,004
Current liabilities:
Interest-bearing liabilities	700	–		700
Interest-bearing lease liabilities	158	229	-31	247
Advances received	1,263	766	65	527
Accrued expenses and prepaid income	1,693	1,853	-9	2,305
Trade and other payables	610	556	10	533
Total current liabilities	4,424	3,405	30	4,313
Total liabilities	4,424	3,405	30	4,313
Total equity and liabilities	6,614	6,193	7	6,317

CONSOLIDATED CONDENCED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

EUR in thousands	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Change, %	Jan-Dec, 2020
Cash flow from operating activities:
Result for the period	170	11	1,450	-812
Adjustments to the result	203	389	-48	1,135
Working capital changes	678	23	2,845	45
Interest and other financial  expenses paid	-142	-22	-555	-40
Interest and other financial  income received	2	13	-88	27
Income taxes paid	-5	-5	-1	-21
Net cash from operating activities	906	409	122	334
Cash flow from investing activities:
Purchases of tangible and  intangible assets	-157	-301	-48	-1,098
Net cash used in investing activities	-157	-301	-48	-1,098
Cash flow from financing activities:
Proceeds from short term  borrowings	700	–		700
Repayments of short term  borrowings	-700	-500	40	-500
Payment of lease liabilities	-89	-76	18	-261
Net cash used in financing activities	-89	-576	-84	-61
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	660	-468	241	-825
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	185	1,035	-82	1,035
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	12	5	152	-25
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	857	572	50	185

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

EUR in thousands	Share capital	Other funds	Translation differences	Treasury shares	Invested non- restricted equity fund	Retained earnings	Total
Equity Jan 1, 2020	1,359	21	-66	-439	5	1,882	2,762
Stock option scheme						14	14
Comprehensive income			1			11	12
Equity March 31, 2020	1,359	21	-65	-439	5	1,907	2,788
Stock option scheme						42	42
Comprehensive income			-4			-823	-826
Equity Dec 31, 2020	1,359	21	-69	-439	5	1,127	2,004
Stock option scheme						14	14
Comprehensive income			1			170	172
Equity March 31, 2021	1,359	21	-68	-439	5	1,311	2,190

NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

This report complies with requirements of IAS 34 ”Interim Financial Reporting”. Starting from the beginning of 2021, the Group has applied certain new or revised IFRS standards and IFRIC interpretations, as described in the Consolidated Financial Statements 2020. The implementation of these new and revised requirements has not impacted the reported figures. For all other parts, the accounting principles and methods are the same as they were in the 2020 financial statements.

When preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions regarding the future and to consider the appropriate application of accounting principles, which means that actual results may differ from those estimated.

All amounts presented in this report are consolidated figures, unless otherwise noted. The amounts presented in the report are rounded, so the sum of individual figures may differ from the sum reported. This report is unaudited.

INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE ASSETS

EUR in thousands	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Jan-Dec, 2020
Increase in intangible assets:
Acquisition cost Jan 1	11,987	11,159	11,159
Increase	174	228	828
Increase in tangible assets:
Acquisition cost Jan 1	2,622	2,487	2,487
Increase	10	50	135

CHANGE IN INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

EUR in thousands	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Jan-Dec, 2020
Interest-bearing liabilities Jan 1	947	784	784
Proceeds from short term borrowings	700	21	947
Repayments	789	576	784
Interest-bearing liabilities Sep 30	858	229	947

PLEDGES AND COMMITMENTS

EUR in thousands	Jan-Mar, 2021	Jan-Mar, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change, %
Business mortgages (held by the Company)	2,386	2,382	2,387	0
Minimum lease payments based on lease agreements:
Maturing in less than one year	7	8	7	0
Maturing in 1-5 years	5	14	7	-25
Total	12	22	14	-10
Total pledges and commitments	2,398	2,404	2,401	0

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT BY QUARTER

EUR in thousands	Q1 2021	Q4 2020	Q3 2020	Q2 2020	Q1 2020
Net sales	2,904	2,341	1,801	2,041	2,789
Other operating income	–	–	75	25	–
Materials and services	337	443	279	260	440
Employee benefit expenses	1,772	1,679	1,474	1,757	1,739
Other operating expenses	228	193	232	109	220
EBITDA	566	27	-109	-60	390
Depreciation and amortization	280	211	304	324	345
Operating result	286	-184	-413	-384	45
Financial income and expenses	-80	-8	-6	6	-9
Result before tax	206	-191	-419	-378	36
Income taxes	-35	34	74	57	-25
Result for the period	170	-157	-345	-321	11

GROUP KEY FIGURES

EUR in thousands, unless otherwise indicated	Jan-Mar or Mar 31, 2021	Jan-Mar or Mar 31, 2020	Jan-Dec or Dec 31, 2020
Net sales	2,904	2,789	8,971
Net sales growth, %	4.1	1.5	-5.7
EBITDA	566	390	248
% of net sales	19.5	14.0	2.8
Operating result	286	45	-936
% of net sales	9.8	1.6	-10.4
Result before tax	206	36	-952
% of net sales	7.1	1.3	-10.6
Result for the period	170	11	-812
% of net sales	5.9	0.4	-9.0
Return on equity (per annum), %	32.5	1.6	-34.1
Return on investment (per annum), %	38.1	7.1	-28.0
Cash and cash equivalents	857	572	185
Net borrowings	1	-343	762
Equity	2,190	2,788	2,004
Gearing, %	0.0	-12.3	38.0
Equity ratio, %	40.9	51.4	34.6
Total balance sheet	6,614	6,193	6,317
Investments in non-current assets	157	278	1,210
% of net sales	5.4	10.0	13.5
Product development expenses	486	579	2,050
% of net sales	16.7	20.8	22.9
Average number of personnel	84	83	86
Personnel at the beginning of period	88	83	83
Personnel at the end of period	81	81	88
Earnings per share, EUR (basic and diluted)	0.014	0.001	-0.068
Equity per share, EUR	0.176	0.224	0.161