Constellation Software Inc. Announces Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2023, Declares Quarterly Dividend and Announces Appointments to its Board of Directors


TORONTO, Nov. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU) (“Constellation” or the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 and declared a $1.00 per share dividend payable on January 11, 2024 to all common shareholders of record at close of business on December 20, 2023. This dividend has been designated as an eligible dividend for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Please note that all dollar amounts referred to in this press release are in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated.

The following press release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and the accompanying notes, our Management Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and with our annual Consolidated Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and our annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, which can be found on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website www.csisoftware.com. Additional information about the Company is also available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca

Q3 2023 and Subsequent Headlines:

  • Revenue grew 23% (8% organic growth, 6% after adjusting for changes in foreign exchange rates) to $2,126 million compared to $1,725 million in Q3 2022.  
  • A $37 million expense related to the increase in fair value of redeemable preferred securities was incurred in the quarter, which is non-cash related. Fair value of the preferred securities is primarily dependent on the price movement of Lumine Group Inc.’s (TSXV:LMN) Subordinate Voting Shares.
  • Net income attributable to common shareholders increased 30% to $177 million ($8.36 on a diluted per share basis) from $136 million ($6.42 on a diluted per share basis) in Q3 2022.
  • On September 14, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of the Optimal Blue business from Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. The Company paid cash of $201 million and assumed an estimated cash holdback payable of $1 million and a long-term promissory note payable of $500 million.
  • A number of additional acquisitions were completed for aggregate cash consideration of $187 million (which includes acquired cash). Deferred payments associated with these acquisitions have an estimated value of $37 million resulting in total consideration of $223 million.
  • Cash flows from operations (“CFO”) were $513 million, an increase of 60%, or $192 million, compared to $321 million for the comparable period in 2022.
  • Free cash flow available to shareholders1 (“FCFA2S”) increased 60% or $138 million to $367 million compared to $229 million for the same period in 2022.
  • On October 6, 2023, a total of $157 million (C$213 million) principal amount of Debentures were issued at a price of C$133.00 per C$100.00 principal amount of Debentures purchased, representing proceeds to the Company of $209 million (C$283 million) which was used by the Company to pay down indebtedness under its existing credit facility.

Total revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was $2,126 million, an increase of 23%, or $401 million, compared to $1,725 million for the comparable period in 2022. For the first nine months of 2023 total revenues were $6,084 million, an increase of 27%, or $1,309 million, compared to $4,774 million for the comparable period in 2022. The increase for both the three and nine month periods compared to the same periods in the prior year is primarily attributable to growth from acquisitions as the Company experienced organic growth of 8% and 5% respectively, 6% and 5% respectively for both periods after adjusting for the impact of changes in the valuation of the US dollar against most major currencies in which the Company transacts business. Organic growth is not a standardized financial measure and might not be comparable to measures disclosed by other issuers.

1.See Non-IFRS measures.
  

The Net income attributable to common shareholders of CSI for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was $177 million compared to net income of $136 million for the same period in 2022. On a per share basis this translated into a net income per diluted share of $8.36 in the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to net income per diluted share of $6.42 for the same period in 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net income attributable to common shareholders of CSI was $375 million or $17.68 per diluted share compared to $360 million or $16.99 per diluted share for the same period in 2022.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, CFO increased $192 million to $513 million compared to $321 million for the same period in 2022 representing a increase of 60%. For the first nine months of 2023, CFO increased $371 million to $1,268 million compared to $897 million during the same period in 2022, representing an increase of 41%.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, FCFA2S increased $138 million to $367 million compared to $229 million for the same period in 2022 representing an increase of 60%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, FCFA2S increased $272 million to $835 million compared to $563 million for the same period in 2022 representing an increase of 48%.  

The board of directors of Constellation announced today the appointment of Lawrence Cunningham and Dexter Salna to the Company’s Board of Directors.

Lawrence A. Cunningham is the Managing Partner of the Quality Shareholders Group (a boutique investor relations consultancy) since 2017 and Special Counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, since January 2023. Mr. Cunningham served as the Henry St. George Tucker III Research Professor of Law at George Washington University from 2007 to 2022 (elected emeritus in 2022). He has served on several public, private, and non-profit boards. He currently is a Director of Markel Group (New York Stock Exchange) and of Kelly Partners Group (Australia Stock Exchange). Mr. Cunningham also is a Trustee of the Museum of American Finance; a member of the Dean’s Council of Lerner College of Business at the University of Delaware; a member of the Editorial Board of Financial History; and a member of the Advisory Board for the Ben Graham Centre for Value Investing at Ivey Business School. Mr. Cunningham has written extensively on corporate affairs, including the best-selling book, The Essays of Warren Buffett. In 2018, he received the B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD; in 2023, he delivered Delaware Law School's 37th Annual F.G. Pileggi Distinguished Lecture in Corporate Law.

Dexter Salna joined Constellation in 1995 and is currently the Chairman of the Perseus operating group within Constellation and oversees its Romulus and Digital Marketing portfolios of software businesses. Prior to his current position, Mr. Salna held various senior executive positions within the Volaris operating group of Constellation.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may be “forward looking” statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Constellation or the industry to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to vary significantly from the results discussed in the forward looking statements. These forward looking statements reflect current assumptions and expectations regarding future events and operating performance and are made as of the date hereof and Constellation assumes no obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.   

Non-IFRS Measures
Free cash flow available to shareholders ‘‘FCFA2S’’ refers to net cash flows from operating activities less interest paid on lease obligations, interest paid on other facilities, credit facility transaction costs, repayments of lease obligations, the IRGA / TSS membership liability revaluation charge, and property and equipment purchased, and includes interest and dividends received, and the proceeds from sale of interest rate caps. The portion of this amount applicable to non-controlling interests is then deducted. We believe that FCFA2S is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of the uncommitted cash flow that is available to shareholders if we do not make any acquisitions, or investments, and do not repay any debts. While we could use the FCFA2S to pay dividends or repurchase shares, our objective is to invest all of our FCFA2S in acquisitions which meet our hurdle rate.

FCFA2S is not a recognized measure under IFRS and, accordingly, readers are cautioned that FCFA2S should not be construed as an alternative to net cash flows from operating activities.

The following table reconciles FCFA2S to net cash flows from operating activities:

 Three months ended
September 30,
 Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 20232022 20232022 
 ($ in millions) ($ in millions) 
       
Net cash flows from operating activities513 321   1,268 897   
Adjusted for:      
Interest paid on lease obligations(3)(3)  (8)(8)  
Interest paid on other facilities(34)(23)  (96)(49)  
Proceeds from sale of interest rate cap(1)-   5 -   
Credit facility transaction costs(1)(0)  (4)(3)  
Payments of lease obligations(25)(24)  (78)(69)  
IRGA / TSS membership liability revaluation charge(25)(33)  (94)(89)  
Property and equipment purchased(10)(8)  (29)(27)  
Interest and dividends received0 0   1 0   
       
 415 230   965 652   
Less amount attributable to
   Non-controlling interests
(47)(1)  (129)(89)  
       
Free cash flow available to shareholders367 229   835 563   
       
Due to rounding, certain totals may not foot.      
 

About Constellation Software Inc.

Constellation's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CSU". Constellation acquires, manages and builds vertical market software businesses.

For further information:

Jamal Baksh
Chief Financial Officer
(416) 861-9677
info@csisoftware.com
www.csisoftware.com

SOURCE: CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC.

CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position
(In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)
 
 
Unaudited 
  September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022   September 30, 2022  
             
Assets            
             
Current assets:            
Cash$1,076  $811  $665  
Accounts receivable 994   892   719  
Unbilled revenue 329   219   225  
Inventories 56   48   46  
Other assets 497   497   474  
  2,951   2,466   2,129  
             
Non-current assets:            
Property and equipment 129   128   119  
Right of use assets 282   283   266  
Deferred income taxes 84   159   149  
Other assets 199   174   160  
Intangible assets 6,358   4,662   4,407  
  7,052   5,406   5,101  
             
Total assets$10,004  $7,872  $7,230  
             
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity            
             
Current liabilities:            
Debt with recourse to Constellation Software Inc.$907  $505  $364  
Debt without recourse to Constellation Software Inc. 235   316   234  
Redeemable preferred securities 536   -   -  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,246   1,083   916  
Dividends payable 21   21   21  
Deferred revenue 1,778   1,482   1,426  
Provisions 8   11   9  
Acquisition holdback payables 153   159   150  
Lease obligations 103   96   93  
Income taxes payable 112   99   103  
  5,098   3,772   3,316  
             
Non-current liabilities:            
Debt with recourse to Constellation Software Inc. 617   567   522  
Debt without recourse to Constellation Software Inc. 1,275   586   705  
Deferred income taxes 517   465   447  
Acquisition holdback payables 87   73   62  
Lease obligations 216   218   204  
Other liabilities 238   258   273  
  2,949   2,167   2,214  
             
Total liabilities 8,047   5,938   5,530  
             
             
Shareholders' equity:            
Capital stock 99   99   99  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (159)  (150)  (227) 
Retained earnings 1,712   1,763   1,632  
Non-controlling interests 304   221   196  
  1,957   1,933   1,700  
             
             
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$10,004  $7,872  $7,230  
 


CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income (loss)
(In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)
 
 
Unaudited 
  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
  2023   2022   2023   2022  
                 
                 
Revenue                
License$84  $79  $254  $220  
Professional services 450   375   1,290   985  
Hardware and other 71   54   191   151  
Maintenance and other recurring 1,521   1,217   4,349   3,418  
  2,126   1,725   6,084   4,774  
                 
Expenses                
Staff 1,112   925   3,291   2,581  
Hardware 42   31   113   88  
Third party license, maintenance and professional services 208   167   592   443  
Occupancy 11   12   37   35  
Travel, telecommunications, supplies, software and equipment 99   80   285   215  
Professional fees 36   26   107   78  
Other, net 37   64   103   132  
Depreciation 41   38   120   105  
Amortization of intangible assets 214   177   620   491  
  1,799   1,521   5,268   4,167  
                 
                 
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (23)  (57)  3   (98) 
IRGA/TSS Membership liability revaluation charge 25   33   94   89  
Finance and other expense (income) 2   8   (7)  24  
Bargain purchase gain (0)  (3)  (1)  (4) 
Impairment of intangible and other non-financial assets 1   -   4   1  
Redeemable preferred securities expense (income) 37   -   319   -  
Finance costs 50   29   132   73  
  91   11   544   86  
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes 236   193   272   521  
                 
Current income tax expense (recovery) 99   113   315   322  
Deferred income tax expense (recovery) (32)  (63)  (155)  (189) 
Income tax expense (recovery) 67   50   160   133  
                 
Net income (loss) 169   143   112   388  
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to:                
Common shareholders of Constellation Software Inc. 177   136   375   360  
Non-controlling interests (8)  7   (263)  28  
Net income (loss) 169   143   112   388  
                 
Earnings per common share of Constellation Software Inc.
        Basic and diluted
$8.36  $6.42  $17.68  $16.99  
                 
 


CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)
 
 
Unaudited 
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 
  2023   2022   2023   2022  
                 
Net income (loss)$169  $143  $112  $388  
                 
Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to net income (loss):                
                 
Foreign currency translation differences from foreign operations and other,
net of tax
 (58)  (93)  (27)  (184) 
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax (58)  (93)  (27)  (184) 
                 
Total comprehensive income (loss)$111  $50  $85  $204  
                 
Total other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:                
Common shareholders of Constellation Software Inc. (46)  (80)  (21)  (156) 
Non-controlling interests (notes 1 and 18) (12)  (13)  (6)  (27) 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)$(58) $(93) $(27) $(184) 
                 
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:                
Common shareholders of Constellation Software Inc. 131   56   354   204  
Non-controlling interests (20)  (6)  (269)  1  
Total comprehensive income (loss)$111  $50  $85  $204  
 
 


CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity
(In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)
 
 
Unaudited
Nine months ended September 30, 2023        
 Equity Attributable to Common Shareholders of CSI   
 Capital
stock
Other
equity
Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
Retained earningsTotal Non-controlling interestsTotal
equity
 
                       
Balance at January 1, 2023$ 99 $ - $ (150)$ 1,763 $ 1,713  221 $ 1,933  
                       
Total comprehensive income (loss):                      
                       
Net income (loss) -  -  -  375  375  (263) 112  
                       
Other comprehensive income (loss)                      
                       
Foreign currency translation differences from
      foreign operations and other, net of tax
 -  -  (21) -  (21) (6) (27) 
                       
                       
Total other comprehensive income (loss) -  -  (21) -  (21) (6) (27) 
                       
Total comprehensive income (loss) -  -  (21) 375  354  (269) 85  
                       
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity                      
                       
Special dividend of Lumine Subordinate Voting Shares -  -  12  (378) (366) 366  -  
                       
Acquisition of non-controlling interests -  -  -  -  -  (1) (1) 
                       
Conversion of Lumine Special Shares to subordinate
voting shares of Lumine
 -  -  -  -  -  5  5  
                       
Other movements in non-controlling interests -  -  0  16  16  (18) (2) 
                       
Dividends to shareholders of the Company -  -  -  (64) (64) -  (64) 
                       
Balance at September 30, 2023$ 99 $ - $ (159)$ 1,712 $ 1,653 $ 304 $ 1,957  
 


CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity
(In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)
 
 
Unaudited  
Nine months ended September 30, 2022  
   
 Equity Attributable to Common Shareholders of CSI   
 Capital
stock
Other
equity
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Retained earningsTotalNon-controlling interestsTotal
equity
 
                       
Balance at January 1, 2022$ 99 $ (179)$ (66)$ 1,206 $ 1,061 $ 460 $ 1,521  
                       
Total comprehensive income (loss):                      
                       
Net income (loss) -  -  -  360  360  28  388  
                       
Other comprehensive income (loss)                      
                       
Foreign currency translation differences from
      foreign operations and other, net of tax
 -  -  (156) -  (156) (27) (184) 
                       
Total other comprehensive income (loss) -  -  (156) -  (156) (27) (184) 
                       
Total comprehensive income (loss) -  -  (156) 360  204  1  204  
                       
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity                      
                       
Conversion of redeemable preferred securities to subordinate
voting shares of Topicus.com Inc. and ordinary units of Topicus
Coop and other movements
 -  305  (5) -  301  (301) -  
                       
Non-controlling interests arising from business combinations -           -  41  41  
                       
Other movements in non-controlling interests -        2  2  (5) (2) 
                       
Dividends to shareholders of the Company (note 12) -  -  -  (64) (64) -  (64) 
                       
Reclassification of other equity to retained earnings -  (127)    127  -     -  
                       
Balance at September 30, 2022$ 99 $ - $ (227)$ 1,632 $ 1,504 $ 196 $ 1,700  
 


CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)
 
 
Unaudited 
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 
  2023   2022   2023   2022  
                 
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities:                
Net income (loss)$169  $143  $112  $388  
Adjustments for:                
    Depreciation 41   38   120   105  
    Amortization of intangible assets 214   177   620   491  
    IRGA/TSS Membership liability revaluation charge 25   33   94   89  
    Finance and other expense (income) 2   8   (7)  24  
    Bargain purchase (gain) (0)  (3)  (1)  (4) 
    Impairment of intangible and other non-financial assets 1   -   4   1  
    Redeemable preferred securities expense (income) 37   -   319   -  
    Finance costs 50   29   132   73  
    Income tax expense (recovery) 67   50   160   133  
    Foreign exchange loss (gain) (23)  (57)  3   (98) 
Change in non-cash operating assets and liabilities
    exclusive of effects of business combinations
 (7)  (8)  23   (27) 
Income taxes paid (62)  (89)  (310)  (279) 
Net cash flows from (used in) operating activities 513   321   1,268   897  
                 
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:                
Interest paid on lease obligations (3)  (3)  (8)  (8) 
Interest paid on debt (34)  (23)  (96)  (49) 
Proceeds from sale of interest rate cap (1)  -   5   -  
Increase (decrease) in CSI facility 175   (32)  364   205  
Increase (decrease) in Topicus revolving credit debt facility without
recourse to CSI
 5   7   43   112  
Proceeds from issuance of debt facilities without recourse to CSI 35   22   290   447  
Repayments of debt facilities without recourse to CSI (100)  (17)  (227)  (30) 
Other financing activities (2)  3   (1)  4  
Credit facility transaction costs (1)  (0)  (4)  (3) 
Payments of lease obligations (25)  (24)  (78)  (69) 
Distribution to the Joday Group -   -   -   (23) 
Dividends paid to redeemable preferred security holders -   -   -   (7) 
Dividends paid to common shareholders of the Company (21)  (21)  (64)  (64) 
Net cash flows from (used in) in financing activities 28   (89)  224   516  
                 
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:                
Acquisition of businesses (389)  (207)  (1,233)  (1,421) 
Cash obtained with acquired businesses 19   42   113   190  
Post-acquisition settlement payments, net of receipts (35)  (39)  (168)  (98) 
Purchases of investments and other assets (1)  (0)  (19)  (96) 
Proceeds from sales of other investments and other assets -   -   119   3  
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash (1)  -   (1)  -  
Interest, dividends and other proceeds received 0   1   3   4  
Property and equipment purchased (10)  (8)  (29)  (27) 
Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities (416)  (211)  (1,216)  (1,445) 
                 
Effect of foreign currency on
          cash
 (19)  (32)  (10)  (67) 
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash 107   (11)  265   (99) 
                 
Cash, beginning of period$970  $676  $811  $763  
                 
Cash, end of period$1,076  $665  $1,076  $665