What’s the value?
Keynote Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:KEYN) runs one of the world’s largest quality control networks for commercial websites, with 300 monitoring locations in 180 countries. It has also been focusing on the large enterprise market due to the proliferation of mobile devices and the increasing need to manage website performance across operating systems. With large companies looking to outsource to a limited number of globally connected suppliers, Keynote improved its product offerings by acquiring mobile specialist Mobile Complete in 2011.
In FY2013, Keynote Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:KEYN) has generated relatively weak financial results, with decreases in revenues and adjusted operating income of 0.7% and 10.8%, respectively, versus the prior-year period. Despite signing up a rising number of customers to its website monitoring platform, the company’s top-line growth was hurt by declines in its mobile business, especially in the European region. In addition, Keynote’s operating profitability was negatively impacted by rising tech development costs as it competes with larger competitors for skilled labor. While Thoma Brava’s acquisition price was expensive, at roughly 17 times trailing adjusted EBITDA, the investment firm should be able to create operating efficiencies with its control position.
Finding another story
Meanwhile, industry competitor Compuware Corporation (NASDAQ:CPWR) has also been an acquisition target lately, with large stakeholder Elliott Associates offering to buy the company in January 2013. The company has a leading position in the web analytics business through its Gomez and dynaTrace units, which manage a hosted network across 33 countries. However, Compuware has been plagued by declining sales and profit for a number of years, as customer purchases of its mainframe software and maintenance products continue to dwindle.
In its latest fiscal year, Compuware Corporation (NASDAQ:CPWR) reported poor financial results, with declines in revenues and adjusted operating income of 6.5% and 28.4%, respectively, compared to the prior year. The company’s operating income was hurt by double-digit sales declines in its mainframe unit, the source of most of its profit, as well as higher compensation and development costs. On the upside, Compuware’s web analytics unit generated higher sales, up 11% for the period, and is the company’s likely future growth engine. Despite attempts to shake Elliott with an upcoming initial public offering of its growing collaboration software unit, Compuware seems to have a long-term battle on its hands with the activist hedge fund.
Fighting Big Blue
Of course, all competitors in the web analytics segment have an uphill battle against technology giant International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM), which competes in the business through its Tivoli unit. The company continues to transform itself into a software-focused enterprise, with software accounting for roughly 45% of operating profit in 2012 versus 27% in 2000. IBM also has an enormous cost advantage over its smaller competitors due to its unparalleled efficiency and balance sheet strength.
In its latest fiscal year, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM)’s overall sales declined due to weak economic growth in developed countries, but it achieved sales gains in emerging markets and in selected focus areas. The software segment, including web and business analytics, is one of the company’s chief growth drivers and enjoyed sales growth during the period, with its Tivoli unit enjoying a 4% sales gain. More importantly, IBM continues to generate massive operating cash flow, approximately $19.5 billion for the year, which allows it to invest heavily in its core competencies, while returning excess cash to shareholders.
The bottom line
The web analytics business should generate continued future growth, as companies require testing and assurance services for their growing online operations. However, the lion’s share of the segment’s revenues will go to the global operators capable of delivering service at the lowest unit price. While Compuware Corporation (NASDAQ:CPWR) should be a solid competitor, once it figures out its corporate strategy, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) will be hard to beat with its global operating footprint and financing power. It should be a core holding for investors.
The article Should You Follow the Big Money Into the Web Analytics Biz? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Robert Hanley.
Robert Hanley has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM). Robert is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
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