The TriZetto Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TZIX) today reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the first quarter of 2008 of $0.09 on revenue of $106.8 million. The company reported record new contract bookings of $236.4 million and record net cash provided by operating activities of $37.4 million, which grew 52% over the prior year quarter.
“First quarter bookings reflect robust demand for TriZetto’s solutions that help payers reduce administrative workload and costs, and improve the cost and quality of care they deliver to their members,” said Jeff Margolis, TriZetto’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Recent announcements from the managed care industry demonstrate the continuing need for the benefits we can bring.”
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Financial Summary (in millions, except per share amounts) |
Quarter Ended |
Quarter Ended |
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| Mar. 31, 2008 | Mar. 31, 2007 | Change | ||||
| Revenue | $106.8 | $113.5 | (6%) | |||
| Bookings | $236.4 | $99.9 | 137% | |||
| Total Backlog | $1,144.8 | $964.8 | 19% | |||
| Income Before Taxes | $7.3 | $10.3 | (29%) | |||
| Effective Tax Rate | 40.0% | 42.5% | 250bps | |||
| Net Income | $4.4 | $5.9 | (25%) | |||
| Basic EPS | $0.10 | $0.13 | (23%) | |||
| Diluted EPS | $0.09 | $0.12 | (25%) | |||
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Adjusted EBITDA(a) |
$20.1 | $23.8 | (16%) | |||
| Cash Resources and long-term investments | $231.1 | $67.7 | 242% | |||
| Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities | $37.4 | $24.6 | 52% | |||
| Capital Expenditures | $4.1 | $6.5 | 37% | |||
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(a) Definition and reconciliation to GAAP are included in the attached financial schedules |
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Revenue
First-quarter 2008 revenue totaled $106.8 million, a decrease of 6% from $113.5 million in the 2007 first quarter. A $0.3 million increase in services revenue included an increase of $3.4 million in software maintenance, which was offset by a ($3.0) million decline in consulting and other services revenue and a ($0.1) million decline in outsourced services. Software products revenue decreased ($7.0) million from the prior year. As a result, recurring revenue represented 58.0% of total revenue in the first quarter 2008, compared to 50.4% in the 2007 quarter.
“Lower than planned consulting revenue was predominantly driven by slower than expected ramp-up of a couple of major implementations,” noted Kathleen Earley, TriZetto’s president and COO. “However, consulting bookings in the quarter were a record $115 million, indicating this was predominantly a timing issue. Although software bookings were a record $76 million, software revenue in the first quarter was affected by the timing of revenue recognition for the Blue Shield of California contract.”
New Business Bookings
First-quarter 2008 new contract bookings were $236.4 million, and included $115.0 million of contracts for consulting, implementation, software customization and other services; $76.3 million for software product contracts; and $45.1 million for outsourced services contracts (software hosting, business process outsourcing and other services). Contract bookings comprise a mix of current and future period revenue and represent the expected minimum total revenue to be generated under each contract. New contract bookings will vary from one quarter to the next based upon a number of factors including product mix.
Backlog
The company’s total revenue backlog reached a record level of approximately $1.1 billion at March 31, 2008, compared to $965 million at March 31, 2007 and $983 million at December 31, 2007. Twelve-month revenue backlog was approximately $311 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $237 million at March 31, 2007 and $238 million at December 31, 2007. The timing of contract closings and other factors can cause the company’s backlog to vary from one quarter to the next.
Profitability
First-quarter 2008 net income was $4.4 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to $5.9 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the year-ago first quarter. The company’s effective tax rate was approximately 40.0% in the first quarter 2008, versus 42.5% in the first quarter 2007. Basic EPS for the first quarter 2008 was $0.10, compared to $0.13 in the first quarter of 2007. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter 2008 was $20.1 million, compared to $23.8 million in the first quarter last year.
Gross Margin, R&D and SG&A
Gross margin, excluding amortization of acquired technology and intangibles, for the first quarter of 2008 was 50.9%, compared to 51.7% for the first quarter a year ago. The decline was driven primarily by a lower-margin mix of revenue, offset by operating efficiencies and improved pricing.
Research and development expenses in the first quarter 2008 were $15.1 million, representing 14.1% of first-quarter revenue, compared to $15.7 million, or 13.9% of revenue, for the year-ago quarter. The small decrease reflected a number of offsetting factors. Lower compensation costs and reduced utilization of outside contractors were offset by higher levels of maintenance support work performed by the development team and increases in R&D investment in infrastructure and technology.
Selling, general and administrative expense for the first quarter of 2008 was $28.0 million, or 26.2% of revenue, compared to $27.8 million, or 24.5% of revenue, in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher compensation costs for increased headcount and annual merit increases, an increase in commissions, and higher expenses for sales and marketing, which were largely offset by lower utilization of outside contractors and reductions in recruiting and other professional fees.
TriZetto reports earnings in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and additionally reports certain non-GAAP measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, recurring and non-recurring revenue and other measures, believing that these provide additional information for investors to evaluate the company’s financial performance. Definitions of non-GAAP measures and reconciliation to GAAP measures are included in the attached financial schedules.
Cash Resources, Investments and Cash Flow
Cash, restricted cash and short-term investments totaled $162.2 million at March 31, 2008, versus $67.7 million at March 31, 2007. Additionally, the company held auction rate securities fair valued at $68.9 million (par valued at $72.3 million) as of March 31, 2008. These securities have been classified as long-term investments and collateralized by student loans that are substantially backed by the federal government and state agencies. Beginning in February 2008, auctions for these securities failed due to conditions in the market. A failed auction results in a lack of liquidity, but does not signify a default by the issuer. All of these securities continue to be rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s. On March 31, 2008, the company recorded a temporary impairment charge to stockholders’ equity of approximately $3.4 million primarily based on a valuation provided by the company’s investment advisor. While there is no reliable current trading market for these securities, the company does not expect that to affect any of its current operating or strategic plans.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter 2008 was $37.4 million, or $0.88 per basic share and $0.62 per diluted share, versus $24.6 million, or $0.56 per basic share and $0.51 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Capital expenditures in the first quarter 2008 were $4.1 million, versus $6.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Days sales outstanding for the first quarter 2008 was 88 days, versus 74 days in the year-ago quarter.
Confirmed Guidance for 2008
For the full year 2008, TriZetto expects between $480 and $500 million of revenue, representing a 10 to 14% growth rate from continuing operations and reflecting the company’s planned exit from non-strategic on-site administrative BPO and ClaimsLink services, which generated approximately $15 million of revenue in 2007. TriZetto expects diluted EPS to be $0.67 to $0.74 on a diluted share count of approximately 62 million shares. Basic EPS is expected to be $0.88 to $0.98 on basic share count of approximately 43 million.
Adjusted EBITDA for 2008 is expected to be between $115 and $122 million, an increase of 19% to 26% over 2007 Adjusted EBITDA. Capital expenditures in 2008 are expected to be between $28 and $30 million. The diluted share count for 2008, which is determined as if both of the company’s convertible debt issuances are fully converted to equity, is expected to be approximately 62 million. If the issuances, which may be settled in cash or stock, were treated as debt, the diluted share count for 2008 would be approximately 46 million.
The company is no longer providing quarterly guidance, as it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Apax Partners for $22 per share in cash. That announcement was made on April 11, 2008. The transaction is expected to close in four to six months.
Conference Call
TriZetto will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time today to discuss the year’s results. Investors may access the webcast through TriZetto’s web site, first by clicking on the Investors button, and then on the Company Information drop-down menu item. The conference call will be archived and available through TriZetto’s web site for 30 days following the call. Investors may also dial in by telephone. The live call number is 210-234-0003 with a conference ID of TZIX. The replay is available at 203-369-0299.
Tags: California, EBITDA, GAAP, Kathleen Earley, quarter, share, TriZetto
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