Compuware Corp (CPWR) reported fourth quarter fiscal 2014 earnings of 8 cents per share, which was at par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Non-GAAP earnings (including stock based compensation) jumped 31.2% from the year-ago quarter. The strong year-over-year growth was primarily driven by improving margins.
Revenues
Revenues decreased 2.9% from the year-ago quarter to $183.4 million in the reported quarter and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $211.0 million.
Segment-wise, APM increased 8.7% on a year over year basis to $ 83.9 million in the fourth quarter. Mainframe and Covisint, on the other hand decreased 7.8% and 5.1% from the year ago quarter to $75.1 million and $ 24.4 million in the reported quarter.
Management stated that dynaTrace continues to be the fastest growing APM product in the market. It provides significant competition to similar solutions from the likes of CA Technologies (CA) and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ).
With a win rate of greater than 70.0% against all competitors, new and old alike, it is expected that dynaTrace will continue to be Compuware’s flagship APM solution in fiscal year 2015 and beyond. Further, increased investment and go-to market strategies are expected to drive DCRUM and APMaaS growth going forward.
Compuware’s top-line also gained from robust performance of other APM products namely Gomez Performance Network and Data Center Real-User Monitoring solution.
Sourcewise, software license fees (23.8% of revenues) increased 5.8% on a year over year basis to $43.7 million in the fourth quarter. Maintenance fees (47.8% of revenues), subscription fees (10.8% of revenues), Service fees (4.3% of revenues) and Application Service fees (13.3% of revenues) declined 1.3%, 2.6%, 4.4% and 5.1% on a year over year basis respectively.
All four of the geographic locations where the company operates namely, North America, EMEA, APAC and Latin America, experienced year-over-year bookings growth for the quarter.
Although the Mainframe business reported year-over-year decline in the fourth quarter, management believes it is stabilizing and has significant growth opportunities going forward. Fiscal 2014 Mainframe maintenance renewal rate was approximately 94.0%, the highest renewal rate recorded by the business in the past five years.
During the quarter, the company released its new Data Center Real User Monitoring solution. Also, during the quarter, the company signed and completed an agreement with Merlin Equity Partners whereby it sold off its Uniface, Changepoint and Professional Services business units.
The company is exploring the feasibility of separating its APM and Mainframe operations, which it believes would allow these very distinct businesses competing in diverse market categories to build on their leadership positions and thrive as independent entities.
Margins
Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues declined 990 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter to 92.5% in the reported quarter. Operating expenses exclude restructuring expenses, amortization of purchased software, and amortization of acquired intangible assets but include stock based compensation.
The company reported an operating income of $13.7 million in the fourth quarter compared to an operating loss of $4.5 million in the year-ago quarter.
Adjusted net income (excluding all one-time items but including stock based compensation) was $17.4 million or 8 cents per share compared to $13.0 million or 6 cents per share reported in the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet
At the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $300.1 million, up from $108.9 million in the previous quarter. Long-term debt was nil in the reported quarter.
Compuware paid an annual dividend of 50 cents per share.
Outlook
For fiscal 2015, Compuware expects revenues in the range of $720.0 million to $735.0 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $764.0 million, which is much higher than the management guided range
Management reiterated its non-GAAP earnings outlook in the range of 41 cents – 45 cents per share. However, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged lower at 35 cents per share.
Management expects cash flow from operations to be in the range of $105.0 million to $110.0 million.
In fiscal 2015, Compuware expects to reduce corporate expenses by $43.0 million and shared service expenses by $7.0 million.
Management expects APM’s contribution margin to double. and its contribution margin to expand a healthy 600 basis points from fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2016.
Recommendation
Compuware reported decent fourth quarter results. The bottom line was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate while the top line missed the same. Management provided a lower revenue guidance. Compuware operates in an intensely competitive landscape and competes with the likes of International Business Machines Corp (IBM) with respect to one or more offerings.
Nevertheless, we believe that Compuware’s innovative product pipeline, initiatives to reduce costs and new program wins will boost profitability going forward.
Currently, Compuware has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
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