Check Point Software Reports 2023 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

SAN CARLOS, Calif., Feb. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Fourth Quarter 2021        

  • Total Revenues: $599 million, a 6 percent increase year over year
  • Subscription Revenues: $204 million, a 14 percent increase year over year
  • Deferred Revenues (as of December 31, 2023): $1,707 million, a 15 percent increase year over year
  • GAAP Operating Income: $246 million, representing 41 percent of revenues
  • Non-GAAP Operating Income: $285 million, representing 47 percent of revenues
  • GAAP EPS: $1.98, a 2 percent increase year over year
  • Non-GAAP EPS: $2.25, a 4 percent increase year over year

Full Year 2021

  • Total Revenues: $2,167 million, a 5 percent increase year over year
  • Subscription Revenues: $755 million, a 13 percent increase year over year
  • GAAP EPS: $6.08, a 2 percent increase year over year
  • Non-GAAP EPS: $7.02, a 4 percent increase year over year

“We closed 2023 with strong financial results. This was the sixth consecutive quarter with an accelerated billings1 reaching 14 percent growth for the quarter. Our success continues to be driven by our Infinity platform’s capabilities and the unique strengths of our key pillars: Check Point Quantum network security solutions, Check Point Harmony and Check Point CloudGuard,” said Gil Shwed, Founder & CEO of Check Point Software Technologies. “We began 2023 with initiatives focused on driving growth:

  • New record breaking appliance series for the datacenter – Quantum LightSpeed
  • Expansion of our CloudGuard offering into developer-first security with the acquisition of Spectral – our fifth cloud acquisition
  • Expansion of our salesforce
  • New Rockets initiatives – focused on our key growth areas of cloud, e-mail security and MDR/MPR
  • Introducing Check Point’s new logo and branding

All of the above initiatives further underscore the Check Point differentiators and new tag line – You Deserve the Best Security.”

Financial Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2021

  • Total Revenues: $599 million compared to $564 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 6 percent increase year over year.
  • GAAP Operating Income: $246 million compared to $251 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Non-GAAP Operating Income: $285 million same as in the fourth quarter of 2020, representing 47 percent and 51 percent of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2020, respectively.
  • GAAP Tax Benefit: $4 million compared to $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • GAAP Net Income & Earnings per Diluted share: GAAP net income was $260 million compared to $271 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. GAAP earnings per diluted share were $1.98 compared to $1.95 in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 2 percent increase year over year.
  • Non-GAAP Net Income & Earnings per Diluted share: Non-GAAP net income was $294 million compared to $301 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $2.25 compared to $2.17 in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 4 percent increase year over year.
  • Deferred Revenues: As of December 31, 2023, deferred revenues were $1,707 million compared to $1,482 million as of December 31, 2020, a 15 percent increase year over year.
  • Cash Balances, Marketable Securities & Short Term Deposits: $3,783 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $4,000 million as of December 31, 2020.
  • Cash Flow: Cash flow from operations was $294 million compared to $293 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The fourth quarter of 2023 includes $4 million of income related to our currency hedging transactions compared to $26 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Share Repurchase Program: During the fourth quarter of 2023, the company repurchased approximately 2.8 million shares at a total cost of approximately $325 million.

Financial Highlights for the Year Ended December 31, 2021

  • Total Revenues: $2,167 million compared to $2,065 million in 2020, a 5 percent increase year over year.
  • GAAP Operating Income: $908 million compared to $904 million in 2020, representing 42 and 44 percent of revenues in 2023 and 2020, respectively.
  • Non-GAAP Operating Income: $1,049 million compared to $1,035 million in 2020, representing 48 and 50 percent of revenues in 2023 and 2020, respectively.
  • GAAP Taxes on Income: $134 million compared to $124 million in 2020.
  • GAAP Net Income & Earnings per Diluted Share: GAAP net income was $816 million compared to $847 million in 2020. GAAP earnings per diluted share were $6.08 compared to $5.96 in 2020, a 2 percent increase year over year.
  • Non-GAAP Net Income & Earnings per Diluted Share: Non-GAAP net income was $942 million compared to $963 million in 2020. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $7.02 compared to $6.78 in 2020, a 4 percent increase year over year.
  • Cash Flow: Cash flow from operations was $1,183 million compared to $1,152 million in 2020. 2023 included $14 million in acquisition related costs and $1 million in currency hedge transactions while 2020 included $6 million in acquisition related costs and $25 million in currency hedge transactions income. The remaining acquisition costs is included in our cash flow from investing activities.
  • Share Repurchase Program: During 2023, we repurchased approximately 10.9 million shares at a total cost of approximately $1,300 million. In the third quarter, we announced a $2 billion expansion to the share repurchase program with an authorization to repurchase up to $325 million each quarter.

For information regarding the non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this release, as well as a reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Information.”

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Check Point will host a conference call with the investment community on February 3, 2023, at 8:30 AM ET/5:30 AM PT. To listen to the live webcast or replay, please visit the website www.checkpoint.com/ir.

First Quarter 2023 Investor Conference Participation Schedule

  • Raymond James 2023 Institutional Investor Conference
    March 7, 2023 – Fireside Chat & 1×1 Meetings.
  • Morgan Stanley 2023 Media, Telecommunications & Technology Conference
    March 9-10, 2023 – 1×1 Meetings Only

Members of Check Point’s management team are expected to present at these conferences and discuss the latest company strategies and initiatives. Check Point’s conference presentations are expected to be available via webcast on the company’s web site. To hear these presentations and access the most updated information please visit the company’s web site at www.checkpoint.com/ir. The schedule is subject to change.

About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leading provider of cyber security solutions to corporate enterprises and governments globally. Check Point Infinity´s portfolio of solutions protects enterprises and public organizations from 5th generation cyber-attacks with an industry leading catch rate of malware, ransomware and other threats. Infinity comprises three core pillars delivering uncompromised security and generation V threat prevention across enterprise environments: Check Point Harmony, for remote users; Check Point CloudGuard, to automatically secure clouds; and Check Point Quantum, to protect network perimeters and datacenters, all controlled by the industry’s most comprehensive, intuitive unified security management. Check Point protects over 100,000 organizations of all sizes.

Follow Check Point via:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/checkpointsw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkpointsoftware
Blog: http://blog.checkpoint.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CPGlobal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding our products and solutions, expectations related to cybersecurity and other threats, expectations regarding our 2023 initiatives, and our participation in investor conferences during the first quarter of 2023. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected.  These risks include our ability to continue to develop platform capabilities and solutions; customer acceptance and purchase of our existing solutions and new solutions; the market for IT security continuing to develop; competition from other products and services; and general market, political, economic and business conditions, including as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2023. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, Check Point uses non-GAAP measures of operating income, net income and earnings per diluted share, which are adjustments from results based on GAAP to exclude, as applicable, stock-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses and the related tax affects. Check Point’s management believes the non-GAAP financial information provided in this release is useful to investors’ understanding and assessment of Check Point’s ongoing core operations and prospects for the future. Historically, Check Point has also publicly presented these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures in order to assist the investment community to see the Company “through the eyes of management,” and thereby enhance understanding of its operating performance. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included with the financial statements contained in this press release. Management uses both GAAP and non-GAAP information in evaluating and operating business internally and as such has determined that it is important to provide this information to investors.

1Billings: Non-GAAP measurement that we defineas total revenues in accordance with GAAP plus the change in total deferred revenue during the period.

Investors: Kip E. Meintzer   Media: Gil Messing
Check Point Software Technologies. Ltd.   Check Point Software
Technologies, Ltd.
+1.650.628.2040   +1.650.628.2260
[email protected]   [email protected]

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

   

2021

     

2020

     

2021

   

2020

Revenues:

           

Products and licenses

$

166.4

   

$

160.6

   

$

513.9

 

$

513.6

Security subscriptions

 

204.1

     

179.5

     

755.2

   

671.1

Total revenues from products and security subscriptions

 

370.5

     

340.1

     

1,269.1

   

1,184.7

Software updates and maintenance

 

228.6

     

223.7

     

897.7

   

880.2

Total revenues

 

599.1

     

563.8

     

2,166.8

   

2,064.9

               

Operating expenses:

             

Cost of products and licenses

 

40.0

     

30.5

     

110.7

   

96.8

Cost of security subscriptions

 

9.9

     

7.9

     

35.9

   

26.4

Total cost of products and security subscriptions

 

49.9

     

38.4

     

146.6

   

123.2

Cost of Software updates and maintenance

 

 26.3

     

 26.2

     

 103.0

   

 96.7

Amortization of technology

 

2.9

     

1.7

     

8.5

   

6.6

Total cost of revenues

 

79.1

     

66.3

     

258.1

   

226.5

                               

Research and development

 

85.5

     

66.9

     

292.7

   

252.8

Selling and marketing

 

160.6

     

150.7

     

597.8

   

569.9

General and administrative

 

28.0

     

28.5

     

110.7

   

111.5

Total operating expenses

 

353.2

     

312.4

     

1,259.3

   

1,160.7

                               

Operating income

 

245.9

     

251.4

     

907.5

   

904.2

Financial income, net

 

9.9

     

14.2

     

42.1

   

66.6

Income before taxes on income

 

255.8

     

265.6

     

949.6

   

970.8

Taxes on income (tax benefit)

 

(3.9

)

   

(5.2

)

   

134.0

   

124.2

Net income

$

259.7

   

$

270.8

   

$

815.6

 

$

846.6

                               

Basic earnings per share

 $

 1.99

   

 $

 1.98

   

 $

 6.13

 

 $

 6.03

Number of shares used in computing basic earnings per share

 

 130.3

     

 137.1

     

 133.1

   

140.5

                               

Diluted earnings per share

 $

 1.98

   

 $

1.95

   

 $

6.08

 

 $

 5.96

Number of shares used in computing diluted earnings per share

 

130.9

     

138.9

     

134.1

   

 142.0

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
SELECTED FINANCIAL METRICS
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

   

Three Months Ended

 

Year Ended

   

December 31,

 

December 31,

     

2021

   

2020

   

2021

   

2020

   

         

 

         

       

Revenues

 

$

599.1

 

$

563.8

 

$

2,166.8

 

$

2,064.9

Non-GAAP operating income

   

284.5

   

285.3

   

1,049.2

   

1,034.7

Non-GAAP net income

   

294.0

   

301.0

   

942.0

   

962.7

Diluted Non-GAAP Earnings per share

 

$

2.25

 

$

2.17

 

$

7.02

 

$

6.78

Number of shares used in computing diluted Non-GAAP earnings per share

   

130.9

   

138.9

   

134.1

   

142.0

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

   

Three Months Ended

 

Year Ended

   

December 31,

 

December 31,

     

2021

     

2020

     

2021

     

2020

 
                 

GAAP operating income

 

$

245.9

   

$

251.4

   

$

907.5

   

$

904.2

 

Stock-based compensation (1)

   

32.6

     

29.0

     

120.3

     

112.5

 

Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)

   

6.0

     

4.9

     

21.4

     

18.0

 

Non-GAAP operating income

 

$

284.5

   

$

285.3

   

$

1,049.2

   

$

1,034.7

 
                 

GAAP net income

 

$

259.7

   

$

270.8

   

$

815.6

   

$

846.6

 

Stock-based compensation (1)

   

32.6

     

29.0

     

120.3

     

112.5

 

Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)

   

6.0

     

4.9

     

21.4

     

18.0

 

Taxes on the above items (3)

   

(4.3

)

   

(3.7

)

   

(15.3

)

   

(14.4

)

Non-GAAP net income

 

$

294.0

   

$

301.0

   

$

942.0

   

$

962.7

 
                 

Diluted GAAP Earnings per share

 

$

1.98

   

$

1.95

   

$

6.08

   

$

5.96

 

Stock-based compensation (1)

   

0.25

     

0.21

     

0.90

     

0.79

 

Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)

   

0.05

     

0.04

     

0.16

     

0.13

 

Taxes on the above items (3)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.10

)

Diluted Non-GAAP Earnings per share

 

$

2.25

   

$

2.17

   

$

7.02

   

$

6.78

 
                 

Number of shares used in computing diluted Non-GAAP earnings per share

   

130.9

     

138.9

     

134.1

     

142.0

 
               

(1) Stock-based compensation:

               

Cost of products and licenses

 

$

0.1

   

$

0.1

   

$

0.4

   

$

0.4

 

Cost of software updates and maintenance

   

1.2

     

1.1

     

4.4

     

4.1

 

Research and development

   

10.3

     

6.3

     

31.8

     

23.5

 

Selling and marketing

   

11.3

     

10.0

     

42.8

     

36.8

 

General and administrative

   

9.7

     

11.5

     

40.9

     

47.7

 
     

32.6

     

29.0

     

120.3

     

112.5

 

(2) Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses:

               

Amortization of technology-cost of revenues

   

2.9

     

1.7

     

8.5

     

6.6

 

Research and development

   

1.7

     

1.3

     

5.6

     

4.1

 

Selling and marketing

   

1.4

     

1.9

     

7.3

     

7.3

 
     

6.0

     

4.9

     

21.4

     

18.0

 

(3) Taxes on the above items

   

(4.3

)

   

(3.7

)

   

(15.3

)

   

(14.4

)

               

Total, net

 

$

34.3

   

$

30.2

   

$

126.4

   

$

116.1

 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

(Unaudited, in millions)

ASSETS

     

December 31,

 

December 31,

       

2021

   

2020

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

   

$

271.9

 

$

255.7

Marketable securities and short-term deposits

     

1,421.8

   

1,432.0

Trade receivables, net

     

597.8

   

540.8

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     

46.4

   

50.1

Total current assets

     

2,337.9

   

2,278.6

           

Long-term assets:

         

Marketable securities

     

2,089.7

   

2,311.9

Property and equipment, net

     

83.4

   

88.1

Deferred tax asset, net

     

51.7

   

34.4

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

     

1,257.2

   

1,040.7

Other assets

     

80.3

   

85.5

Total long-term assets

     

3,562.3

   

3,560.6

           

Total assets

   

$

5,900.2

 

$

5,839.2

LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

         

Deferred revenues

   

$

1,257.4

   

$

1,108.6

 

Trade payables and other accrued liabilities

     

454.7

     

435.2

 

Total current liabilities

     

1,712.1

     

1,543.8

 
           

Long-term liabilities:

         

Long-term deferred revenues

     

449.7

     

373.3

 

Income tax accrual

     

454.9

     

422.8

 

Other long-term liabilities

     

26.4

     

33.1

 
       

931.0

     

829.2

 
               

Total liabilities

     

2,643.1

     

2,373.0

 
           

Shareholders’ equity:

         

Share capital

     

0.8

     

0.8

 

Additional paid-in capital

     

2,276.7

     

2,028.4

 

Treasury shares at cost

     

(10,550.7

)

   

(9,319.0

)

Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)

     

(0.6

)

   

40.7

 

Retained earnings

     

11,530.9

     

10,715.3

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     

3,257.1

     

3,466.2

 
                   

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   

$

5,900.2

   

$

5,839.2

 

Total cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short-term deposits

   

$

3,783.4

   

$

3,999.6

 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW DATA

(Unaudited, in millions)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

   

2021

     

2020

     

2021

     

2020

 

Cash flow from operating activities:

             

Net income

$

259.7

   

$

270.8

   

$

815.6

   

$

846.6

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

             

Depreciation of property and equipment

 

5.6

     

5.1

     

20.6

     

18.9

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

3.3

     

2.1

     

10.1

     

8.2

 

Stock-based compensation

 

32.6

     

29.0

     

120.3

     

112.5

 

Realized gain on marketable securities

 

(0.4

)

   

(1.6

)

   

(1.4

)

   

(4.5

)

Increase in trade and other receivables, net

 

(269.2

)

   

(227.4

)

   

(49.4

)

   

(17.1

)

Increase in deferred revenues, trade payables and other accrued liabilities

 

265.1

     

212.2

     

266.0

     

172.3

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

(2.5

)

   

2.4

     

1.2

     

14.7

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

294.2

     

292.6

     

1,183.0

     

1,151.6

 
               

Cash flow from investing activities:

             

Payment in conjunction with acquisitions, net of acquired cash

 

     

     

(219.7

)

   

(23.1

)

Investment in property and equipment

 

(4.5

)

   

(2.5

)

   

(15.9

)

   

(19.3

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(4.5

)

   

(2.5

)

   

(235.6

)

   

(42.4

)

               

Cash flow from financing activities:

             

Proceeds from issuance of shares upon exercise of options

 

6.5

     

143.5

     

194.0

     

217.5

 

Purchase of treasury shares

 

(324.9

)

   

(323.0

)

   

(1,299.5

)

   

(1,297.7

)

Payments related to shares withheld for taxes

 

(0.4

)

   

(0.7

)

   

(6.9

)

   

(6.1

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(318.8

)

   

(180.2

)

   

(1,112.4

)

   

(1,086.3

)

               

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net

 

(22.1

)

   

(6.7

)

   

(51.2

)

   

28.0

 
               

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits

 

(51.2

)

   

103.2

     

(216.2

)

   

50.9

 
               

Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits at the beginning of the period

 

 3,834.6

     

 3,896.4

     

 3,999.6

     

 3,948.7

 
               

Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits at the end of the period

 $

 3,783.4

   

 $

 3,999.6

   

 $

 3,783.4

   

 $

 3,999.6

 

 

Check Point Software Technolog