SS&C Technologies Q4 Earnings Call Highlights

Core Insights - SS&C Technologies reported record fourth-quarter results with adjusted revenue of $1.655 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.69, up 18% [4][7] - The company anticipates continued organic growth and margin expansion in 2026, with guidance for revenue between $6.65 billion and $6.74 billion and adjusted EPS between $6.70 and $7.02 [5][18] Financial Performance - GAAP fourth-quarter revenue was $1.654 billion, with net income of $193 million or $0.77 per diluted share [1] - Adjusted net income was $425 million, reflecting a 16.8% increase, and adjusted consolidated EBITDA reached $651 million, up 9% with a margin of 39.3% [4][8] - Operating cash flow for the year was $1.745 billion, with cash-flow conversion exceeding 100% for three consecutive years [6][9] Growth Drivers - Adjusted organic revenue growth for the quarter was 5.3% on a constant-currency basis, driven by strong performance in Global Investor & Distribution Solutions (GIDS) and GlobeOp, with revenue increases of 13.2% and 9.6% respectively [3] - The company is focusing on international growth, particularly in Australia, leveraging opportunities tied to recent superannuation mandates [3] Shareholder Returns - SS&C returned $384 million to shareholders in Q4, including $319 million in share repurchases and $66 million in dividends [10] - The company repurchased over $1 billion of stock in 2025, indicating a strong commitment to share buybacks in the absence of high-quality acquisition opportunities [6][10] Strategic Initiatives - Management views outsourcing and "lift-outs" as sustainable growth engines, with ongoing integration of the Calastone acquisition [5][12] - AI is considered a competitive advantage, with SS&C deploying AI solutions rapidly, leveraging its proprietary software and data [14][15] 2026 Outlook - The company expects to maintain strong performance throughout 2026, with guidance reflecting a focus on expense management, productivity, and technology leverage [16][17] - Q1 2026 guidance includes revenue of $1.608 billion to $1.648 billion and adjusted net income of $404 million to $420 million [18]