Fidelity National Information Services Inc. FIS reported third-quarter 2015 adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 90 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 91 cents but increased 12.5% year over year.
Revenues
Revenues of $1,578.8 million came below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,638.8 million and fell 1.7% year over year.
Segment wise, Integrated Financial Solutions revenues grew 1% year over year to $971 million while revenues from Global Financial Solutions decreased 5% year over year to $609 million but increased 6% on a constant currency basis.
Margins
On a non-GAAP basis, operating income grew 10.3% year over year to $424.6 million while operating margin was 26.9%, up 290 bps. Adjusted EBITDA grew 9% year over year to $530.3 million while EBITDA margin grew 320 bps to 33.6%.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
Fidelity’s balance sheet remained highly leveraged at the end of the reported quarter. As of Sep 30, 2015, cash and cash equivalents were $441.5 million and debt outstanding was $5 billion.
Year-to-date, net cash provided by operations was $697.5 million and adjusted cash flow from operations was $828 million. For the first nine months of 2015, capital expenditures were $306 million while free cash flow was $522 million.
Our Take
Fidelity’s commanding position in the financial services market, increasing international exposure, recurring revenue model, diversified product portfolio, cost synergies from acquisitions and a loyal customer base are significant positives.
Fidelity has been forming strategic partnerships with firms like Fifth Third Bank and American Blue Ribbon Holdings, which are expected to drive growth, going forward. Also, the company’s initiatives to share profits with its investors like the recent dividend hike are positives.
Moreover, we believe that Fidelity is well positioned to benefit from increasing investment in mobile banking and innovative products such as PayNet. Mobile banking is developing into an essential extension of online banking as smartphone and tablet usage continue to accelerate globally.
However, increasing consolidation in the banking sector, challenging environment for the Payments Solutions business and uncertain regulatory environment are the primary headwinds, in our view. Also, intensifying competition from the likes of Fiserv FISV, Global Payments Inc. GPN and Alliance Data Systems Corp. ADS remains a concern.
Currently, Fidelity has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
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