Slack Announces Record First Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Results

Total revenue of $201.7 million up 50% year-over-year

Added a record 12,000 net new Paid Customers

Added a record of over 90,000 net new organizations on either a free or paid subscription plan

SAN FRANCISCO--()--Slack Technologies, Inc., (NYSE: WORK) today reported financial results for its fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2020.

Management Commentary:

Q1 was a phenomenal quarter for Slack, with the addition of 12,000 net new Paid Customers and 50% revenue growth year-over-year,” said Stewart Butterfield, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Slack. “We believe the long-term impact the three months and counting of working from home will have on the way we work is of generational magnitude. This will continue to catalyze adoption for the new category of channel-based messaging platforms we created and for which we are still the only enterprise-grade offering.”

Now more than ever our customers depend on Slack to continue to push the envelope of innovation,” said Allen Shim, Chief Financial Officer at Slack. “We plan to continue to invest, as we see the current crisis accelerating digital transformation and the transition from email to channel-based messaging platforms over the medium term to long term. At the same time, we will manage the business prudently and with a goal of showing consistent operating leverage and progression toward being free cash flow positive.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Highlights:

  • Total revenue was $201.7 million, an increase of 50% year-over-year.
  • Calculated Billings was $206.0 million, an increase of 38% year-over-year.
  • GAAP gross profit was $176.0 million, or 87.3% gross margin, compared to $116.2 million, or 86.2% gross margin, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Non-GAAP gross profit was $179.2 million, or 88.9% gross margin, compared to $116.9 million, or 86.7% gross margin, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020.
  • GAAP operating loss was $76.2 million, or 37.8% of total revenue, compared to a $38.4 million loss in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, or 28.5% of total revenue. Non-GAAP operating loss was $16.6 million, or 8.3% of total revenue, compared to a $33.8 million loss in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, or 25.0% of total revenue.
  • GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share was $0.13. Non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.02.
  • Net cash provided by operations was $8.7 million, or 4% of total revenue, compared to cash used in operations of $14.1 million, or 10% of total revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Free Cash Flow was $3.7 million, or 2% of total revenue, compared to $(34.2) million, or (25)% of total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Recent Business Highlights:

  • First Quarter Highlights:
    • Over 122,000 Paid Customers, up 28% year-over-year.
    • 132% net dollar retention rate.
    • 963 Paid Customers with greater than $100,000 in annual recurring revenue, up 49% year-over-year.
    • Over 41,000 Paid Customers using shared channels, up from over 32,000 at the end of last quarter.
    • Over 750,000 organizations on either a free or paid subscription plan, up from over 660,000 organizations at the end of last quarter.

Financial Outlook:

Slack is initiating guidance for the second quarter ending July 31, 2020 and providing updated guidance for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2021. With the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Slack is withdrawing guidance for the full fiscal year 2021 Calculated Billings.

For the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, Slack currently expects:

  • Total revenue of $206 million to $209 million, representing year-over-year growth of 42% to 44%.
  • Non-GAAP operating loss of $22 million to $18 million.
  • Non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.04 to $0.03, assuming weighted average shares outstanding of 564 million.

For the full fiscal year 2021, Slack currently expects:

  • Total revenue of $855 million to $870 million, representing year-over-year growth of 36% to 38%.
  • Non-GAAP operating loss of $110 million to $100 million.
  • Non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.19 to $0.17, assuming weighted average shares outstanding of 567 million.
  • Free Cash Flow of negative $20 million to $0.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

This press release and the accompanying tables contain the following non-GAAP financial measures: Calculated Billings, Free Cash Flow, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP research and development expenses, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net loss, and non-GAAP net loss per share. Certain of these non-GAAP financial measures exclude stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes, amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, and amortization of intangible assets.

Slack believes that these non-GAAP measures of financial results provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to Slack’s financial condition and results of operations. Slack’s management uses these non-GAAP measures to compare Slack’s performance to that of prior periods for trend analysis, and for budgeting and planning purposes. Slack believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing Slack’s financial measures with other software companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. The non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from similarly titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

Management does not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in Slack’s financial statements. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management about which expenses and income are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. Slack urges investors to review the reconciliation of its non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures, which it includes in press releases announcing quarterly financial results, including this press release, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Slack’s business.

Reconciliation tables of the most comparable GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release are included with the financial tables at the end of this release. Slack has not reconciled its outlook as to non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP net loss per share, and Free Cash Flow to their most directly comparable GAAP measure because certain items are out of Slack’s control or cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, a reconciliation for forward-looking non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP net loss per share, and Free Cash Flow is not available without unreasonable effort.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding our financial outlook, product development, business strategy and plans, market trends and market size, opportunities, and positioning. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as “guidance,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “believe,” “hope,” “target,” “project,” “plan,” “goals,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “intend,” “shall,” and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Slack’s control. Slack’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks detailed in Slack’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2020. Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in the subsequent periodic and current reports and other filings that Slack makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2020. In particular, the following factors, among others, could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: the effect of uncertainties related to the global COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. and global economies, Slack’s business, results of operations, and financial condition, demand for Slack, sales cycles, customer retention, and the health of customers’ businesses; Slack’s recent growth rates may not be indicative of its future growth; Slack may experience quarterly fluctuations in its results of operations due to a number of factors that make its future results difficult to predict and could cause its results of operations to fall below analyst or investor expectations or to fluctuate more than expected; Slack may fail to manage its growth effectively and may be unable to execute its business plan or maintain high levels of service and customer satisfaction; real or perceived errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or bugs in Slack could harm Slack’s business, results of operations, and financial condition; a security incident may allow unauthorized access to Slack’s systems, networks, or data or the data of organizations on Slack, harm its reputation, create additional liability, and harm its financial results; any actual or perceived failure by Slack to comply with privacy, data protection, information security, consumer privacy, data residency, or telecommunications laws, regulations, government access requests, and obligations in one or multiple jurisdictions could result in proceedings, actions, or penalties against Slack and could harm its business and reputation; the risk of interruptions or performance problems, including a service outage, associated with Slack’s technology or infrastructure; the market and software categories in which Slack participates are competitive, new, and rapidly changing, and if it does not compete effectively with established companies as well as new market entrants its business, results of operations, and financial condition could be harmed; a protracted infringement claim, a claim that results in a significant damage award, or a claim that results in an injunction could harm Slack’s results of operations; adverse general economic and market conditions; Slack’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; changes in foreign exchange rates; general political or destabilizing events, including war, conflict, acts of terrorism, or pandemics; and other risks and uncertainties. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Slack’s views as of the date of this press release. Slack anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. Slack undertakes no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Slack’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Additional information regarding these and other factors that could affect Slack's results is included in Slack’s SEC filings, which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at investor.slackhq.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Earnings Webcast:

Slack will hold a public webcast at 2:00 p.m. PDT today to discuss the results for its first quarter fiscal year 2021 and financial outlook. The live public call can be accessed by dialing (833) 513-0556 within the U.S., and (778) 560-2600 internationally. The conference ID and passcode is 8566284. The webcast replay and audio download will also be available on our Investor Relations website at investor.slackhq.com.

Investor Presentation Details:

An investor presentation providing additional information and analysis can be found at investor.slackhq.com.

About Slack:

Slack has transformed business communication. It’s the leading channel-based messaging platform, used by millions to align their teams, unify their systems, and drive their businesses forward. Only Slack offers a secure, enterprise-grade environment that can scale with the largest companies in the world. It is a new layer of the business technology stack where people can work together more effectively, connect all their other software tools and services, and find the information they need to do their best work. Slack is where work happens.

Slack and the Slack logo are trademarks of Slack Technologies, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

 

SLACK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

 

2020

 

2019

Revenue

$

201,650

 

$

134,821

 

Cost of revenue

 

25,602

 

 

18,574

 

Gross profit

 

176,048

 

 

116,247

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

Research and development

 

91,225

 

 

51,103

 

Sales and marketing

 

110,320

 

 

66,838

 

General and administrative

 

50,654

 

 

36,744

 

Total operating expenses

 

252,199

 

 

154,685

 

Loss from operations

 

(76,151

)

 

(38,438

)

Interest expense

 

(2,842

)

 

(113

)

Interest income and other income, net

 

4,708

 

 

7,190

 

Loss before income taxes

 

(74,285

)

 

(31,361

)

Provision for income taxes

 

142

 

 

520

 

Net loss

 

(74,427

)

 

(31,881

)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

784

 

 

1,451

 

Net loss attributable to Slack common stockholders

$

(75,211

)

$

(33,332

)

Basic and diluted net loss per share:

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to Slack common stockholders, basic and diluted

$

(0.13

)

$

(0.26

)

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Slack common stockholders, basic and diluted

 

557,414

 

 

125,890

 

 
 

SLACK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

April 30,
2020

January 31,
2020

ASSETS

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,228,225

 

$

498,999

 

Marketable securities

 

296,744

 

 

269,593

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

105,825

 

 

145,844

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

54,895

 

 

55,967

 

Total current assets

 

1,685,689

 

 

970,403

 

Restricted cash

 

38,490

 

 

38,490

 

Strategic investments

 

34,470

 

 

28,814

 

Property and equipment, net

 

101,668

 

 

102,340

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

191,093

 

 

197,830

 

Intangible assets, net

 

12,372

 

 

13,530

 

Goodwill

 

48,598

 

 

48,598

 

Other assets

 

46,172

 

 

41,701

 

Total assets

$

2,158,552

 

$

1,441,706

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

Accounts payable

$

12,965

 

$

16,893

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

51,868

 

 

65,196

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

31,699

 

 

32,123

 

Operating lease liability

 

30,515

 

 

30,465

 

Deferred revenue

 

380,022

 

 

375,263

 

Total current liabilities

 

507,069

 

 

519,940

 

Convertible senior notes, net

 

620,073

 

Operating lease liability, noncurrent

 

189,652

 

 

196,378

 

Deferred revenue, noncurrent

 

1,051

 

 

1,451

 

Other liabilities

 

3

 

 

38

 

Total liabilities

 

1,317,848

 

 

717,807

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

Common stock

 

56

 

 

56

 

Additional paid-in-capital

 

2,135,753

 

 

1,945,446

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

854

 

 

(71

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(1,311,832

)

 

 

(1,236,621

)

Total Slack Technologies, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

824,831

 

 

708,810

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

15,873

 

 

 

15,089

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

840,704

 

 

723,899

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

2,158,552

 

$

1,441,706

 

 

SLACK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

 

2020

 

2019

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

Net loss

$

(74,427

)

$

(31,881

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,700

 

 

5,876

 

Stock-based compensation

 

53,711

 

 

3,639

 

Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

 

2,366

 

Noncash operating lease expense

 

8,732

 

Amortization of deferred contract acquisition costs

 

3,143

 

 

1,463

 

Net amortization of bond premium (discount) on debt securities available for sale

 

171

 

 

(1,081

)

Change in fair value of strategic investments

 

(1,638

)

 

(3,025

)

Other non-cash charges

 

592

 

 

37

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

39,470

 

 

15,620

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(6,561

)

 

(6,462

)

Accounts payable

 

(3,746

)

 

(1,039

)

Operating lease liabilities

 

(8,671

)

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

(13,328

)

 

(15,298

)

Deferred revenue

 

4,359

 

 

14,816

 

Other current and long-term liabilities

 

(2,144

)

 

3,209

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

8,729

 

 

(14,126

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(100,302

)

 

(24,907

)

Maturities of marketable securities

 

69,613

 

 

150,686

 

Sales of marketable securities

 

4,289

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(5,046

)

 

(20,077

)

Purchase of strategic investments

 

(4,018

)

 

(3,100

)

Proceeds from liquidation of strategic investments

 

2,858

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(35,464

)

 

105,460

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs

 

842,016

 

Purchases of capped calls related to convertible senior notes

 

(105,570

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

2,905

 

 

2,385

 

Issuance of common stock for employee stock purchase plan

 

16,610

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

755,961

 

 

2,385

 

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

729,226

 

 

93,719

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

537,489

 

 

201,260

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

1,266,715

 

$

294,979

 

 
 

SLACK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Calculated Billings

 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

2020

 

2019

Revenue

$

201,650

 

$

134,821

 

Add: Total deferred revenue, end of period

 

381,073

 

 

256,689

 

Less: Total deferred revenue, beginning of period

 

(376,714

)

 

(241,873

)

Calculated Billings

$

206,009

 

$

149,637

 

 

Free Cash Flow

 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

2020

 

2019

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$

8,729

 

$

(14,126

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(5,046

)

 

(20,077

)

Free Cash Flow

$

3,683

 

$

(34,203

)

Operating cash margin

 

4

%

 

(10

)%

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(3

)%

 

(15

)%

Free Cash Flow margin

 

2

%

 

(25

)%

 
 

SLACK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP DATA

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

2020

 

2019

Reconciliation of gross profit:

 

 

GAAP gross profit

$

176,048

 

$

116,247

 

Add: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes

 

2,572

 

 

46

 

Add: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

558

 

 

558

 

Non-GAAP gross profit

$

179,178

 

$

116,851

 

GAAP gross margin

 

87.3

%

 

86.2

%

Non-GAAP adjustments

 

1.6

%

 

0.5

%

Non-GAAP gross margin

 

88.9

%

 

86.7

%

 

 

 

Reconciliation of operating expenses:

 

 

GAAP research and development

$

91,225

 

$

51,103

 

Less: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes

 

(29,720

)

 

(1,635

)

Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

(150

)

 

(150

)

Non-GAAP research and development

$

61,355

 

$

49,318

 

 

 

 

GAAP sales and marketing

$

110,320

 

$

66,838

 

Less: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes

 

(15,264

)

 

(382

)

Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

(325

)

 

(325

)

Non-GAAP sales and marketing

$

94,731

 

$

66,131

 

 

 

 

GAAP general and administrative

$

50,654

 

$

36,744

 

Less: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes

 

(10,795

)

 

(1,576

)

Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

(125

)

Non-GAAP general and administrative

$

39,734

 

$

35,168

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of loss from operations:

 

 

GAAP operating loss

$

(76,151

)

$

(38,438

)

Add: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes

 

58,351

 

 

3,639

 

Add: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

1,158

 

 

1,033

 

Non-GAAP operating loss

$

(16,642

)

$

(33,766

)

GAAP operating margin

 

(37.8

)%

 

(28.5

)%

Non-GAAP adjustments

 

29.5

%

 

3.5

%

Non-GAAP operating margin

 

(8.3

)%

 

(25.0

)%

 
 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

2020

2019

Reconciliation of net loss and net loss per share:

 

 

Net loss attributable to Slack common stockholders

$

(75,211

)

$

(33,332

)

Add: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes

 

58,351

 

 

3,639

 

Add: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

 

1,158

 

 

1,033

 

Add: Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

 

2,366

 

Non-GAAP net loss

$

(13,336

)

$

(28,660

)

 

 

 

GAAP net loss per share

$

(0.13

)

$

(0.26

)

Add: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes

 

0.11

 

 

0.03

 

Add: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

Add: Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

Non-GAAP net loss

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.23

)

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

 

557,141

 

 

125,890

 

 

Contacts

Jesse Hulsing
Investor Relations
ir@slack.com

Karesha McGee
Media Relations
pr@slack.com

Contacts

Jesse Hulsing
Investor Relations
ir@slack.com

Karesha McGee
Media Relations
pr@slack.com