Shares of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. MDRX increased 1.8% (25 cents) to close at $14.53 yesterday, following the announcement of its second-quarter 2015 results on Aug 4. It seems that investors were not much enthusiastic about the company’s performance, despite it posting in-line bottom-line results, recovering from a negative earnings surprise of 33.3% in the first quarter. The unchanged guidance may also be cited as one of the reasons behind a marginal improvement in the stock.
Allscripts reported a not-so-impressive top-line performance in the second quarter. We feel the dwindling top line is a potent concern for the company at present. Lower revenues from non-recurring project-based professional services are expected to trouble the company, going forward. However, we are impressed with the company’s cost curtailment efforts.
Allscripts reported adjusted earnings of 8 cents per share (including stock-based compensation), in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings, however, surged 60% from the prior-year quarter. The year-over-year upside can be attributed to the company’s successful cost curtailment initiatives.
Adjusted EPS (excluding stock-based compensation) came in at 12 cents, in line with the figure provided by Allscripts in its preliminary second quarter 2015 results (announced on Jul 16, 2015), and surged 33.3% on a year-over-year basis.
Revenues (including deferred revenues and other adjustments) declined 0.6% on a year-over-year basis to $351.7 million, and but were marginally higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $351 million. Allscripts, in its preliminary second quarter results, had anticipated revenues in the range of $350–$353 million. Notably, revenues in the second quarter of 2015 came above expectations for the first time in the trailing six quarters.
The modest year-over-year decline in revenues may be primarily attributed to lower non-recurring revenue (25% of total revenue), partially offset by growth in recurring revenue. Recurring revenue (subscriptions, recurring transactions, maintenance and recurring managed services) increased 8% on a year-over-year basis. Non recurring revenue, on the other hand, tumbled 19%.
Revenues from the Software delivery, support and maintenance segment increased 3.3% to $232.5 million while Client services segment revenues declined 5.6% to $119.2 million.
Bookings increased 11% year over year to $260 million on the back of higher Electronic Health Record (EHR) replacements and increased sales of population health management solutions. Allscripts, in its preliminary second quarter results, had projected bookings in the band of $255–$260 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 9% to 12%.
Allscripts added more than 180 new clients during the second quarter of 2015. Of the total bookings, 65% were related to software delivery, while the remaining 35% were derived from sales of client services solutions.
Software delivery bookings (up 25%) are growing at a better rate than overall bookings. This is encouraging, as Software delivery revenue has a considerably better margin profile than Client services.
Contract revenue backlog, as of June 30, 2015, increased 6% on a year-over-year basis to $3.5 billion.
Adjusted gross margin (including stock-based compensation) expanded 20 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis to 43.4%. The expansion was primarily caused by better alignment of the company’s resources vis-à-vis client demand.
Adjusted EBITDA margin (including stock-based compensation) expanded 310 bps from the year-ago quarter to 14.7%, on the back of management’s successful cost curtailment efforts.
Other Financial Aspects
Allscripts ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $76.5 million and long-term debt of $628.9. Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2015 amounted to $30.3 million. In the first six months of 2015, Allscripts generated free cash flow of $58 million.
Guidance
Allscripts reaffirmed its financial projection for 2015. Revenues for the full year are expected in the range of $1.40–$1.43 billion, while adjusted earnings per share (excluding stock-based compensation) are estimated in the range of 40–50 cents.
Adjusted EBITDA (excluding stock-based compensation) is anticipated in the band of $230–$250 million.
Management at Allscripts expects revenues for the third quarter to be somewhat similar to the second quarter. However, in the fourth quarter, revenues are expected to increase modestly, on the back of seasonal factors and favorable revenue mix trends.
Zacks Rank
Currently, Allscripts has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other well-placed stocks in the medical sector are Agios Pharmaceuticals AGIO, NuVasive NUVA and Abaxis ABAX. All the three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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