Integrated Research Limited (ASX: IRI) shares are falling lower today after the company provided the ASX with a market update. At the time of writing the Integrated Research share price is trading 5.66% lower at $3.00.
It has been a somewhat volatile year for the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) member. Shares in the company were hard hit by the pandemic but rebounded strongly to a price of $4.92 in August. That is were the good news ended however, with Integrated Research shares falling 39% since then. This means, at its current level, the Integrated Research share price is in the red for the year, down by 9.6%.
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What Integrated Research does
Integrated Research is a global business that supports some of the largest companies in the world. It is specifically involved in the design and implementation of technology that optimises business operations, predicts disruptions, and automates business processes.
Thus, in essence, the company assists organisations to reduce the complexity and improve the transparency of their operations.
Based in Sydney, the Aussie growth company now boasts more than 1,000 customers in over 60 countries.
What happened?
This morning the software provider confirmed that, as a result of deteriorating trading conditions, its revenue for the first quarter of FY21 is below that of the prior corresponding period (pcp). As such, Integrated Research essentially updated the market confirming what was hinted at during its 2020 annual general meeting (AGM).
The company stated that, based on unfavourable exchange rate movements and year-to-date trading, anticipated revenue for the first half of FY21 has been reduced to $41 to $47 million. Revenue for the pcp was $53.2 million. As a result of the decrease in revenue, lower profits of between $5 to $8 million are also predicted, compared with profit in the pcp of $11.8 million.
Foolish takeaway
In addition to today's news, Integrated Research has also suffered other setbacks in 2020. As noted at the company's AGM, ongoing global disruption and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, including widespread business closures, has seen sales cycles lengthen and some customers defer purchasing decisions.
The Australian Dollar has also performed strongly this year, gaining 12% in just six months. And, according reporting in The Australian Financial Review, there may be more hurt ahead for Integrated Research in this regard, with the AFR saying the Australian dollar could surge as high as 85 US cents.
