SAN CARLOS, Calif., April 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31st, 2021.

First Quarter 2021:

“We are pleased with our first quarter 2021 financial results. Revenues and non-GAAP earnings per share were toward the high-end of our guidance with CloudGuard bolstering this success with nice double-digit growth,” said Gil Shwed, Founder and CEO of Check Point Software Technologies. “The cyber threat landscape is reaching new levels of risk and requires a holistic security architecture to prevent the next cyber pandemic.  Our Infinity architecture can uniquely address these needs and consolidate security for the user, the network and the cloud to prevent Gen V cyber-attacks.”

Financial Highlights for the First Quarter of 2021 

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.”

Business Highlights

The 2021 Infinity security architecture is underpinned by three pillars: Harmony for user security, Quantum for Network security and CloudGuard for cloud security.

Research & Cyber-Security

The impact of COVID-19 on cyber security continued in 2021 and was evident in new and sophisticated cyber threats, taking advantage of organizations’ and employees’ shift to a “new normal”. Check Point Research identified a significant increase in Coronavirus-related malicious attacks.

Earlier in the quarter, Check Point Research (CPR) published its 2021 Security Report. The report reveals the key attack vectors and techniques observed by Check Point as criminal, political and nation-state threat actors exploited the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to target organizations across all sectors. It also gives cyber-security professionals and C-Level executives the information they need to protect their organizations against these advanced fifth-generation cyber-attacks and threats.

The initial outbreak of COVID-19 required organizations to transition to remote work. This expanded the mobile attack surface dramatically. Check Point’s 2021 Mobile Security Report outlines the latest emerging threats targeting enterprise mobile devices, and gives a comprehensive overview of the major trends in mobile malware, device vulnerabilities, and in nation-state cyber-attacks. As the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations accelerated in March, Check Point Research warned the public to watch out for vaccine-related website scams, as they documented a 300% increase in vaccine-related domain registrations. Researchers found fake vaccination certificates and negative COVID-19 tests being offered on the Darknet, in addition to a sharp increase in the number of advertisements selling alleged coronavirus vaccines.

As hackers continue to find new ways to exploit the pandemic’s disruption, Check Point Research warned organizations about a global surges in ransomware attacks, alongside increases in cyber-attacks targeting Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities. This uptick included a 57% increase in organizations affected by ransomware during a 6 month period.

Application & Infrastructure Vulnerabilities

Check Point Research identifies vulnerabilities in applications and infrastructure. During the quarter they identified a significant increase in Coronavirus-related malicious attacks. The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations accelerated during the quarter and Check Point Research warned the public to watch out for vaccine-related scams. As hackers continued to find new ways to exploit the pandemic’s disruption, Check Point Research warned organizations about a global surges in ransomware attacks, alongside increases in cyber-attacks targeting Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities. Read more about these findings and more in the Check Point research Blog.

Industry Accolades

Top Endpoint Security Product - Check Point Harmony Endpoint recognized as a Top Product in Corporate Endpoint Protection by AV-TEST

CloudGuard Repaid its Initial Investment in Under 3 Months with a 169% ROI (Return on Investment) Over 3 Years - According to independent commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting. The study analyzed the Total Economic Impact™ and benefits that enterprises deploying Check Point’s CloudGuard Cloud Network Security solution can realize. These included higher staff productivity, reduced breach costs, time savings for developers, and reduced compliance and audit costs.

Leader in Cloud Data Security - CloudGuard Posture Management is recognized in the G2 reviews Leader quadrant for Cloud Data Security Software.

‘Champion’ in channel leadership - Canalys, one of the world-renowned technology channel analyst firm, has recognized Check Point as a ‘Champion’ in the in the EMEA & APAC Channel Leadership Matrix for 2020.

Leadership in Endpoint Security with 100% Detection across All Tested Unique ATT&CK Techniques according to MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK® Evaluations.

Conference Call & Video Cast Information
Check Point will host a conference call with the investment community on April 26, 2021, 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.

Second Quarter 2021 Investor Conference Participation Schedule

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 governments and corporate enterprises globally. Its solutions protect customers from 5th generation cyber-attacks with an industry leading catch rate of malware, ransomware and other types of attacks. Check Point offers multilevel security architecture, “Infinity” Total Protection with Gen V advanced threat prevention, which defends enterprises’ cloud, network and mobile device held information. Check Point provides the most comprehensive and intuitive one point of control security management system. Check Point protects over 100,000 organizations of all sizes.

©2021 Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved

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 related to the Covid-19 pandemic, and our participation in investor conferences during the second quarter of 2021. 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 grow; 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 2, 2021. 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.

Investors: Kip E. MeintzerMedia: Gil Messing
Check Point Software TechnologiesCheck Point Software Technologies
+1.650.628.2040+1.650.628.2260
ir@checkpoint.com
press@checkpoint.com


CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 
  2021   2020 
Revenues:     
Products and licenses$109.3  $110.2 
Security subscriptions 177.4   158.8 
Total revenues from products and security subscriptions 286.7   269.0 
Software updates and maintenance 220.9   217.5 
Total revenues 507.6   486.5 
      
Operating expenses:     
Cost of products and licenses 21.6   20.9 
Cost of security subscriptions 8.0   6.5 
Total cost of products and security subscriptions 29.6   27.4 
Cost of software updates and maintenance 25.3   23.2 
Amortization of technology 1.7   1.6 
Total cost of revenues 56.6   52.2 
      
Research and development 68.4   62.2 
Selling and marketing 140.0   143.0 
General and administrative 27.8   28.5 
Total operating expenses 292.8   285.9 
      
Operating income 214.8   200.6 
Financial income, net 12.6   19.3 
Income before taxes on income 227.4   219.9 
Taxes on income 44.5   41.2 
Net income$182.9  $178.7 

Basic earnings per share

$

          1.35
  
$

           1.24
 
Number of shares used in computing basic earnings per share 136.0   144.2 
Diluted earnings per share$1.33  $1.23 
Number of shares used in computing diluted earnings per share 137.3   145.4 



CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
SELECTED FINANCIAL METRICS

(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
   2021   2020 
       
Revenues $507.6  $486.5 
Non-GAAP operating income  246.3   231.2 
Non-GAAP net income  211.2   205.9 
Diluted Non-GAAP Earnings per share $1.54  $1.42 
Number of shares used in computing diluted Non-GAAP earnings per share  137.3   145.4 



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

(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
   2021   2020 
     
GAAP operating income $214.8  $200.6 
Stock-based compensation (1)  26.6   26.4 
Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)  4.9   4.2 
Non-GAAP operating income $246.3  $231.2 
     
GAAP net income $182.9  $178.7 
Stock-based compensation (1)  26.6   26.4 
Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)  4.9   4.2 
Taxes on the above items (3)  (3.2)  (3.4)
Non-GAAP net income $211.2  $205.9 
     
Diluted GAAP Earnings per share $1.33  $1.23 
Stock-based compensation (1)  0.19   0.18 
Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)  0.04   0.03 
Taxes on the above items (3)  (0.02)  (0.02)
Diluted Non-GAAP Earnings per share $1.54  $1.42 
     
Number of shares used in computing diluted Non-GAAP earnings per share  137.3   145.4 
     
(1) Stock-based compensation:    
Cost of products and licenses $0.1  $0.1 
Cost of software updates and maintenance  0.9   0.9 
Research and development  6.5   4.8 
Selling and marketing  8.3   7.8 
General and administrative  10.8   12.8 
   26.6   26.4 
     
(2) Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses:    
Amortization of technology-cost of revenues  1.7   1.6 
Research and development  1.3   0.8 
Selling and marketing  1.9   1.8 
   4.9   4.2 

(3) Taxes on the above items
  (3.2)  (3.4)

Total, net
 $28.3  $27.2 



CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

(Unaudited, in millions)

ASSETS

  March 31, December 31,
   2021   2020 
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $561.9  $255.7 
Marketable securities and short-term deposits  1,314.1   1,432.0 
Trade receivables, net  350.2   540.8 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  44.2   50.1 
Total current assets  2,270.4   2,278.6 
     
Long-term assets:    
Marketable securities  2,186.9   2,311.9 
Property and equipment, net  87.2   88.1 
Deferred tax asset, net  40.2   34.4 
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net  1,038.6   1,040.7 
Other assets  79.1   85.5 
Total long-term assets  3,432.0   3,560.6 
     
Total assets $5,702.4  $5,839.2 

LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:   
Deferred revenues$1,078.8  $1,108.6 
Trade payables and other accrued liabilities 417.7   435.2 
Total current liabilities 1,496.5   1,543.8 
    
Long-term liabilities:   
Long-term deferred revenues 378.9   373.3 
Income tax accrual 426.9   422.8 
Other long-term liabilities 30.8   33.1 
  836.6   829.2 
    
Total liabilities 2,333.1   2,373.0 
    
Shareholders’ equity:   
Share capital 0.8   0.8 
Additional paid-in capital 2,078.0   2,028.4 
Treasury shares at cost (9,633.8)  (9,319.0)
Accumulated other comprehensive gain 26.1   40.7 
Retained earnings 10,898.2   10,715.3 
Total shareholders’ equity 3,369.3   3,466.2 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$5,702.4  $5,839.2 
Total cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short-term deposits$4,062.9  $3,999.6 



CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW DATA

(Unaudited, in millions)

 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
  2021   2020 
Cash flow from operating activities:   
Net income$182.9  $178.7 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation of property and equipment 4.7   4.6 
Amortization of intangible assets 2.1   2.0 
Stock-based compensation 26.6   26.4 
Realized gain on marketable securities (1.3)  (0.2)
Decrease in trade and other receivables, net 200.2   183.1 
Decrease in deferred revenues, trade payables and other accrued liabilities (39.3)  (40.6)
Deferred income taxes, net (1.4)  5.0 
Net cash provided by operating activities 374.5   359.0 
    
Cash flow from investing activities:   
Investment in property and equipment (3.8)  (8.4)
Net cash used in investing activities (3.8)  (8.4)
    
Cash flow from financing activities:   
Proceeds from issuance of shares upon exercise of options 33.1   22.9 
Purchase of treasury shares (324.9)  (325.0)
Payments related to shares withheld for taxes (0.9)  (0.7)
Net cash used in financing activities (292.7)  (302.8)
    
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net (14.7)  (6.8)
    
Increase in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits 63.3   41.0 
    
Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits at the beginning of the period 
3,999.6
   
3,948.7
 
    
Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits at the end of the period
$

       4,062.9
  
$

        3,989.7