Ebix Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Results


  • Q4 Revenues of $60.6 million, up 19% year-over-year
  • Q4 Diluted EPS of $0.45, up 14% year-over-year
  • Full Fiscal Year Diluted EPS of $1.67, up 9% year-over-year

ATLANTA, March 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ebix, Inc. (Nasdaq:EBIX), a leading international supplier of On-Demand software and E-commerce services to the insurance, financial and healthcare industries, today reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014.

Ebix delivered the following results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2014:

Revenue: Total Q4 2014 revenue was $60.6 million, an increase of 19% on a year-over-year basis, as compared to Q4 2013 revenue of $50.8 million and an increase of $9.8 million over Q3 2014 revenues of $50.8 million.

On a year-over-year basis, Ebix's Q4 2014 revenue was affected negatively by approximately $1.1 million due to the strengthening of the US dollar as against the currencies in certain of the foreign jurisdictions in which the Company conducts operations. Also, on a constant currency basis, the Company's Q4 2014 Revenues would have been $1.2 million higher as compared to Q3 2014.

For the full fiscal year of 2014, the Company reported revenue of $214.3 million, an increase of 5% from the prior year revenue of $204.7 million. On a year-over-year basis, Ebix's full year 2014 revenue was affected negatively by approximately $3.2 million due to the strengthening of the US dollar as against the currencies in certain of the foreign jurisdictions in which the Company conducts operations.

Earnings per Share: Q4 2014 diluted earnings per share increased 14% year-over-year to $0.45, as compared to $0.40 in the fourth quarter of 2013. For purposes of the Q4 2014 EPS calculation, there was an average of 36.8 million diluted shares outstanding during the quarter compared to 38.5 million during the same period in 2013.

For the full year of 2014, diluted earnings per share increased 9% year-over-year to $1.67 from $1.53 in 2013. For purposes of the EPS calculation, there was an average of approximately 38.0 million diluted shares outstanding during the year 2014 as compared to an average of 38.6 million diluted shares outstanding in 2013.

Operating Cash: Cash generated from operations for the fiscal fourth quarter was $20.1 million, up 4% year-over-year, and up 106% as compared to $9.7 million in Q3 of 2014. For the full year, operating cash flow totaled $58.5 million in 2014, up 3% year-over-year as compared to $57.1 million in 2013.

Operating Margins: Operating margins for Q4 2014 were consistent with Q4 2013 at 35%. The operating margins for fiscal year 2014 were, also, consistent with the prior year remaining at 37%.

Net Income: Q4 2014 net income was $16.5 million, a 9% increase on a year-over-year basis, as compared to Q4 2013 net income of $15.2 million. During fiscal year 2014, net income increased $4.3 million or 7%, to $63.6 million compared to $59.3 million during 2013.

Channel Revenues: The Exchange channel continued to be the largest channel for Ebix accounting for 79% of the Company's 2014 Revenues.

 
(dollar amount in thousands) Three Months Ended
December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
Channel 2014 2013 2014 2013
Exchanges $ 44,225 $ 41,184 $ 169,437  $ 163,925
Broker Systems  4,086  4,500  17,948  18,378
Risk Compliance Solutions ("RCS"), fka Business Process Outsourcing ("BPO")  11,390  3,897  21,813  15,678
Carrier Systems  932  1,266  5,123  6,729
Total Revenue  $ 60,633  $ 50,847  $ 214,321  $ 204,710

The quarter-over-quarter Exchange revenue increase is primarily due to the acquisition of Oakstone, stronger growth from existing product lines, partially offset by the considerable strengthening of the US dollar as compared to the Australian dollar and the Brazilian real. The quarter-over-quarter RCS revenue increase is primarily due to the acquisitions of Vertex and i3.

Q1 and Q2 2015 Diluted Share Count: As of March 13, 2015, the Company expects the diluted share count for Q1 2015 and Q2 2015 to be approximately 35.9 and 35.5 million shares, respectively.

Ebix Chairman, President & CEO Robin Raina said, "We are pleased to be closing 2014 on a strong note. Despite the strengthening dollar rate affecting both our top line and bottom line, we have been able to keep our top line and bottom line growing. We are presently focused on growing our top line while keeping our operating margins consistent. Our recent large client wins have given us reason to believe that we have a great year ahead of us."

Robin said, "We intend to grow our business both organically and through accretive acquisitions in 2015 and beyond. Ebix has proven that it is able to acquire niche recurring revenue businesses at cost effective prices, generating accretive returns on investment expeditiously, yielding great operating margins from the acquired business, and using that new asset to pay down its debt while increasing the Company's cash flows."

"Our Board is committed to continuing the share buyback over the next few years. We purchased $55.5 million of stock since August 1, 2014, and at the present annualized diluted share count of 35.6 million shares after these buybacks, our non-GAAP earnings for 2014 would have been 7% higher at $1.79." Robin added, "We will continue to review our dividend plan along with the pace of the share buy back plan, with a view towards ensuring that we provide enhanced value to our shareholders."

Robert Kerris, Ebix's EVP & CFO said, "The Company generated $58.5 million of cash from operations during 2014. We intend to grow Ebix's top line while astutely managing operating margins to obtain optimal results. Our balance sheet remains strong with the Company having access to $122 million of cash in the form of available capacity from its bank line, cash & cash equivalents. With the strong support that our syndicated bank group has extended to the Company in terms of the present credit facility and the possibility of an enhanced and expanded credit line, we are in the market looking at making larger accretive acquisitions, as well as financing the Company's continued organic growth initiatives. At year-end 2014, the Company's working capital position was $35.3 million and our net debt position stood at $69.7 million."

About Ebix, Inc.

A leading international supplier of On-Demand software and E-commerce services to the insurance, financial and healthcare industries, Ebix, Inc., (Nasdaq:EBIX) provides end-to-end solutions ranging from infrastructure exchanges, carrier systems, agency systems and risk compliance solutions to custom software development for all entities involved in the insurance industry.

With 40+ offices across Brazil, Singapore, Australia, the US, UK, New Zealand, India and Canada, Ebix powers multiple exchanges across the world in the field of life, annuity, health and property & casualty insurance while conducting in excess of $100 billion in insurance premiums on its platforms. Through its various SaaS-based software platforms, Ebix employs hundreds of insurance and technology professionals to provide products, support and consultancy to thousands of customers on six continents. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.ebix.com

SAFE HARBOR REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

As used herein, the terms "Ebix," "the Company," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Ebix, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries as a combined entity, except where it is clear that the terms mean only Ebix, Inc.

The information contained in this Press Release contains forward-looking statements and information within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This information includes assumptions made by, and information currently available to management, including statements regarding future economic performance and financial condition, liquidity and capital resources, acceptance of the Company's products by the market, and management's plans and objectives. In addition, certain statements included in this and our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with our approval, which are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "seeks," "plan," "project," "continue," "predict," "will," "should," and other words or expressions of similar meaning are intended by the Company to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this report and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. These statements are based on our current expectations about future events or results and information that is currently available to us, involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, and speak only as of the date on which such statements are made.

Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference, include, but are not limited to those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the SEC, as well as: the risk of an unfavorable outcome of the pending governmental investigations or shareholder class action lawsuits, reputational harm caused by such investigations and lawsuits, the willingness of independent insurance agencies to outsource their computer and other processing needs to third parties; pricing and other competitive pressures and the Company's ability to gain or maintain share of sales as a result of actions by competitors and others; changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments; changes in or failure to comply with laws and regulations, including accounting standards, taxation requirements (including tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised tax interpretations) in domestic or foreign jurisdictions; exchange rate fluctuations and other risks associated with investments and operations in foreign countries (particularly in Australia and India wherein we have significant operations); equity markets, including market disruptions and significant interest rate fluctuations, which may impede our access to, or increase the cost of, external financing; and international conflict, including terrorist acts.

Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any such factors, or to publicly announce the results of, or changes to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, changed circumstances, or for any other reason.

Readers should carefully review the disclosures and the risk factors described in the documents we file from time to time with the SEC, including future reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, and any amendments thereto.

You may obtain our SEC filings at our website, www.ebix.com under the "Investor Information" section, or over the Internet at the SEC's web site, www.sec.gov.

Ebix, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  December 31, December 31,
  2014 2013 2014 2013
  (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
Operating revenue  $ 60,633  $ 50,847  $ 214,321  $ 204,710
         
Operating expenses:        
Cost of services provided  17,537  10,086  47,388  40,471
Product development  6,630  6,414  26,860  26,798
Sales and marketing  3,196  4,085  13,840  15,848
General and administrative  9,963  9,808  36,880  36,480
Amortization and depreciation  2,239  2,648  9,681  10,107
Total operating expenses  39,565  33,041  134,649  129,704
         
Operating income  21,068  17,806  79,672  75,006
Interest income  53  175  379  518
Interest expense  (2,184)  (265)  (3,034)  (1,226)
Non-operating income (loss) - put options  —   1,592  296  342
Non-operating expense - securities litigation  (340)  —   (690)  (4,226)
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)  297  64  829  (262)
Income before income taxes  18,894  19,372  77,452  70,152
Income tax expense  (2,347)  (4,127)  (13,894)  (10,878)
Net income  $ 16,547  $ 15,245  $ 63,558  $ 59,274
         
Basic earnings per common share  $ 0.45  $ 0.40  $ 1.68  $ 1.58
         
Diluted earnings per common share  $ 0.45  $ 0.40  $ 1.67  $ 1.53
         
Basic weighted average shares outstanding  36,588  38,043  37,809  37,588
         
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding  36,801  38,536  38,040  38,642
         
Ebix, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
  December 31, December 31,
  2014 2013
  (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
  Unaudited Audited
     
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 52,300  $ 56,674
Short-term investments  281  801
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $1,619 and $1,049, respectively  41,100  39,070
Deferred tax asset, net  2,113  256
Other current assets  8,067  5,548
Total current assets  103,861  102,349
Property and equipment, net  24,661  8,528
Goodwill  402,220  337,068
Intangibles, net  49,371  50,734
Indefinite-lived intangibles  30,887  30,887
Deferred tax asset, net  18,758  12,194
Other assets  4,553  3,682
Total assets  $ 634,311  $ 545,442
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $ 40,121  $ 17,818
Accrued payroll and related benefits  5,280  6,482
Short term debt  —   13,062
Liability – securities litigation settlement  —   4,226
Contingent liability for accrued earn-out acquisition consideration  —   4,137
Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligation, net of discount of $7 and $10, respectively  636  827
Put option liability  —   845
Deferred revenue  22,192  18,918
Current deferred rent  268  254
Other current liabilities  102  106
Total current liabilities  68,599  66,675
Revolving line of credit  120,465  22,840
Other long term debt and capital lease obligation, less current portion, net of discount of $7 and $38, respectively  893  20,124
Contingent liability for accrued earn-out acquisition consideration  5,367  10,283
Deferred revenue  2,496  391
Long term deferred rent  2,091  2,185
Other liabilities  2,179  4,719
Total liabilities  202,090  127,217
Temporary equity  —   5,000
     
Stockholders' equity:    
Convertible Series D Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013  —   — 
Common stock, $.10 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized, 36,232,074 issued and 36,191,565 outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 38,088,391 issued and 38,047,882 outstanding at December 31, 2013  3,619  3,805
Additional paid-in capital  137,101  164,216
Treasury stock (40,509 shares as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013)  (76)  (76)
Retained earnings  309,726  257,574
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (18,149)  (12,294)
Total stockholders' equity  432,221  413,225
Total liabilities, temporary equity and stockholders' equity  $ 634,311  $ 545,442
     
Ebix, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2014
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
   (in thousands)
  Unaudited Audited Audited
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income  $ 63,558  $ 59,274  $ 70,569
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization  9,681  10,107  9,155
Provision for doubtful accounts  1,600  1,147  442
Provision for deferred taxes  (1,966)  (10,368)  (7,505)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain)/losses  (741)  (237)  443
Unrealized gain on put option  (296)  (341)  (191)
Share-based compensation  1,792  1,941  2,083
Debt discount amortization on convertible debt  35  42  39
Reduction of acquisition earn-out contingent liability  (10,237)  (10,253)  (699)
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:      
Accounts receivable  (1,530)  (3,347)  (2,023)
Other assets  (4,765)  80  (371)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  14,670  1,135  730
Accrued payroll and related benefits  1,811  (1,866)  (594)
Deferred rent  (324)  (87)  (132)
Reserve for potential uncertain income tax return positions  (9,723)  6,817  2,745
Liability – securities litigation settlement  (3,528)  4,226  — 
Other liabilities  (221)  (225)  (2,384)
Deferred revenue  (1,306)  (983)  (12)
Net cash provided by operating activities  58,510  57,062  72,295
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Investment in CurePet, net of cash acquired  3  —   — 
Investment in Healthcare Magic, net of cash acquired  (5,856)  —   — 
Investment in Vertex, net of cash acquired  (27,547)  —   — 
Investment in Oakstone, net of cash acquired  (23,791)  —   — 
Investment in I3, net of cash acquired  (2,000)  —   — 
Investment in BSI, net of cash acquired  —   —   (992)
Investment in Taimma, net of cash acquired  —   —   (5,003)
Investment in Fintechnix, net of cash acquired  —   —   (4,713)
Investment in PlanetSoft, net of cash acquired  —   —   (35,078)
Investment in TriSystems, net of cash acquired  —   —   (9,277)
Investment in CurePet, Inc.  —   —   (2,000)
Payment of acquisition earn-out contingency, MCN  —   —   (1,537)
Investment in Qatarlyst, net of cash acquired  —   (4,740)  — 
Payment of acquisition earn-out contingency, USIX    (727)  (1,466)
Payment of acquisition earn-out contingency, Taimma  (2,250)  (2,250)  — 
Payment of acquisition earn-out contingency, Health Connect Systems  —   —   (2,000)
Payment of acquisition earn-out contingency, TriSystems  (563)  —   — 
Purchases of marketable securities  —   —   (785)
Maturities of marketable securities  495  107  1,466
Investment in Facts  —   —   (25)
Capital expenditures  (16,277)  (1,230)  (1,965)
Net cash used in investing activities  (77,786)  (8,840)  (63,375)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from / (Repayment) to line of credit, net  97,625  (15,000)  6,090
Proceeds from term loan  —   —   45,000
Proceeds from the issuance of note payable  —   —   161
Principal payments on term loan obligation  (31,938)  (8,938)  (19,125)
Repurchase of common stock  (31,854)  (2,492)  (18,374)
Payments of long term debt  (345)  (665)  (600)
Payments for capital lease obligations  (231)  (277)  (284)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation  (3,200)  3,237  1,044
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options  788  2,161  1,020
Forfeiture of certain shares to satisfy exercise costs and the recipients income tax obligations related to stock options exercised and restricted stock vested  (41)  (1,681)  (992)
Shares reacquired in connection with put option  (3,535)  —   — 
Dividends paid  (11,406)  (2,794)  (7,034)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities  15,863  (26,449)  6,906
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  $ (961)  $ (1,548)  $ (3,073)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  (4,374)  20,225  12,753
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year  $ 56,674  $ 36,449  $ 23,696
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year  $ 52,300  $ 56,674  $ 36,449
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:      
Interest paid  1,290  1,169  1,350
Income taxes paid  11,433  13,779  8,590


            

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