Home / Bentley Systems Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

Bentley Systems Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

Bentley Systems Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

Press Release

May 7, 2024

EXTON, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE) Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY), the infrastructure engineering software company, today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2024. 

First Quarter 2024 Results

  • Total revenues were $337.8 million, up 7.4% or 7.2% on a constant currency basis, year-over-year;
  • Subscriptions revenues were $307.1 million, up 10.5% or 10.3% on a constant currency basis, year-over-year;
  • Annualized Recurring Revenues (“ARR”) was $1,186.5 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $1,071.0  million as of March 31, 2023, representing a constant currency ARR growth rate of 11%;
  • Last twelve-month recurring revenues dollar-based net retention rate was 108%, compared to 110% for the same period last year;
  • Operating income margin was 27.2%, compared to 20.9% for the same period last year;
  • Adjusted operating income inclusive of stock-based compensation expense (“Adjusted OI w/SBC”) margin was 33.3%, compared to 28.8% for the same period last year;
  • Net income per diluted share was $0.22, compared to $0.14 for the same period last year;
  • Adjusted net income per diluted share (“Adjusted EPS”) was $0.31, compared to $0.25 for the same period last year; and
  • Cash flows from operations was $205.0 million, compared to $176.2 million for the same period last year.

CEO Greg Bentley said, “We are pleased with our 24Q1 performance, as year-over-year ARR growth of 11% (excluding China, 11.5%) is consistent with our recent financial outlook range for 2024. Profitability and operating cash flow started the year ahead of our expected pace, with subscription revenues (91% of total) fully on pace, although our digital integrator Cohesive’s professional services business unrelated to Bentley Systems software has declined significantly from 2023.

“Coinciding with our 40th anniversary observance, on March 21st in London we announced that COO Nicholas Cumins will succeed me as CEO on July 1st, as I take up the new role of Executive Chair. Through this generational transition we can perpetuate our characteristic steadiness, while cognizant that unprecedented opportunities presented by infrastructure digital twins could springboard, for Bentley Systems, transformative growth.”

COO Nicholas Cumins said, “I again thank the Board of Directors for entrusting me with the responsibility of following in Greg’s footsteps as CEO. With our singular focus on helping users improve infrastructure delivery and performance, Bentley is well positioned to address the infrastructure sectors’ biggest challenges, including the widening gap in engineering resource capacity. Our 24Q1 results are consistent with the trends we have seen in previous quarters, led by strong growth in Public Works / Utilities, and solid growth in Resources.”

CFO Werner Andre said, “We are pleased with the strong start to the year, which puts us in a good position to achieve our full-year outlook. Our strong 24Q1 operating margin and cash flow performance enabled us to de-lever by 0.5 times Adjusted EBITDA in the quarter, and by 1.7 times since the beginning of 2023. With all remaining debt protected from high or rising interest rates through very low fixed coupons on our convertible notes and our interest rate swap, we are well positioned to maintain our dividend, share repurchases, and programmatic M&A readiness.”

Call Details

Bentley Systems will host a live Zoom video webinar on May 7, 2024 at 8:15 a.m. Eastern time to discuss results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Those wishing to participate should access the live Zoom video webinar of the event through a direct registration link at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uHLOUkDdTKm5dDkkZl4lyg#/registration. Alternatively, the event can be accessed from the Events & Presentations page on Bentley Systems’ Investor Relations website at https://investors.bentley.com. In addition, a replay and transcript will be available after the conclusion of the live event on Bentley Systems’ Investor Relations website for one year.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, we sometimes refer to financial measures that are not presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain of these measures are considered non-GAAP financial measures under the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations. Those rules require the supplemental explanations and reconciliations that are in Bentley Systems’ Form 8-K (Quarterly Earnings Release) furnished to the SEC.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding the future results of operations and financial condition, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations of Bentley Systems, Incorporated (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and words of similar import). All such statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations, projections, and assumptions about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and there are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release including: adverse changes in global economic and/or political conditions; the impact of current and future sanctions, embargoes and other similar laws at the state and/or federal level that impose restrictions on our counterparties or upon our ability to operate our business within the subject jurisdictions; political, economic, regulatory and public health and safety risks and uncertainties in the countries and regions in which we operate; failure to retain personnel necessary for the operation of our business or those that we acquire; failure to effectively manage succession; changes in the industries in which our accounts operate; the competitive environment in which we operate; the quality of our products; our ability to develop and market new products to address our accounts’ rapidly changing technological needs; changes in capital markets and our ability to access financing on terms satisfactory to us or at all; the impact of changing or uncertain interest rates on us and on the industries we serve; our ability to integrate acquired businesses successfully; and our ability to identify and consummate future investments and/or acquisitions on terms satisfactory to us or at all.

Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial results of the Company are included in the Company’s Form 10‑K and subsequent Form 10‑Qs, which are on file with the SEC. The Company disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

For full disclosure of the first quarter 2024 results, please click here. 

About Bentley Systems

Bentley Systems (Nasdaq: BSY) is the infrastructure engineering software company. We provide innovative software to advance the world’s infrastructure – sustaining both the global economy and environment. Our industry-leading software solutions are used by professionals, and organizations of every size, for the design, construction, and operations of roads and bridges, rail and transit, water and wastewater, public works and utilities, buildings and campuses, mining, and industrial facilities. Our offerings, powered by the iTwin Platform for infrastructure digital twins, include MicroStation and Bentley Open applications for modeling and simulation, Seequent’s software for geoprofessionals, and Bentley Infrastructure Cloud encompassing ProjectWise for project delivery, SYNCHRO for construction management, and AssetWise for asset operations. Bentley Systems’ 5,200 colleagues generate annual revenues of more than $1 billion in 194 countries.

BSY Investor Contact: [email protected]

© 2024 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. Bentley, the Bentley logo, AssetWise, Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, Bentley Open, iTwin, MicroStation, OpenTower, ProjectWise, Seequent, SYNCHRO, and Virtuosity are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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