27 May 2025 | 12:29AM EDT Americas Emerging Software Key Themes Emerging from 1Q results: Revisiting Top Ideas; Buy OS, VERX, WAY With the median stock in our SMID-cap Software coverage down ~15% YTD (vs. the S&P 500 down ~1%), we revisit quarterly performance, highlight emerging trends, and frame characteristics of top tactical ideas as we think of where we go from here. Exiting Q4 results, we saw a "trough-on-trough" narrative emerge for a number of companies under coverage (i.e. BL, OS, VERX, WK, SMWB), ...

Core Insights - Waystar has been recognized as the Best Overall Healthcare Payments Solutions Provider by MedTech Breakthrough for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting its leadership in the healthcare payments sector [1][3] - The company has launched Waystar AltitudeAI™, a suite of AI-powered capabilities, and introduced generative AI solutions, significantly improving operational efficiency by reducing denial appeal times by 70% and streamlining denial-prevention workflows from three days to three minutes [2] Company Achievements - Waystar serves approximately 30,000 clients, representing over 1 million distinct providers, including 16 of the top 20 institutions on the U.S. News Best Hospitals list [5] - The company processes over 6 billion healthcare payment transactions annually, amounting to over $1.8 trillion in gross claims, covering approximately 50% of U.S. patients [5] - Waystar has received multiple accolades, including ranking as the 1 healthcare payments solution in eight out of 18 AI categories by Black Book Market Research™ and recognition by Best in KLAS® across two revenue cycle categories [3] Industry Context - The MedTech Breakthrough Awards program recognizes top companies and technologies in the digital health and medical technology markets, emphasizing innovation and excellence across various categories [4]

Q1 revenue growth of 14% year-over-yearQ1 net income of $29.3 million and non-GAAP net income of $58.7 million Q1 net income margin of 11%; adjusted EBITDA margin of 42% Raising revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025LEHI, Utah and LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Waystar Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: WAY), a provider of leading healthcare payment software, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025."Waystar sustained strong momentum in the first quarter of 2025, deliver ...

Core Insights - Waystar has launched its Auth Accelerate solution, which automates the prior authorization process, reducing submission times by 70% and increasing auto-approval rates to 85% [1][3]. Industry Challenges - Prior authorizations are a significant challenge in healthcare, with providers prioritizing automation for patient access as their top investment for 2025 [2]. - The process of securing payer approval can take up to 24 minutes per authorization, contributing to administrative burdens in healthcare [2]. - A survey indicated that over 25% of physicians reported serious adverse events due to prior authorization delays, with 78% stating that such delays lead to patients abandoning care [2]. Company Innovations - Waystar Auth Accelerate automates every step of the authorization submission process, reducing the average wait time for payer approval by 75%, from over four days to one day or less [3]. - The solution aims to enhance productivity, reduce patient care delays, and prevent labor-intensive denials [3]. - Waystar's cloud-based software platform is increasingly relied upon by providers to improve operational efficiency and financial performance [5]. Client Impact - Prisma Health, South Carolina's largest healthcare organization, has implemented Waystar Auth Accelerate, serving over 1.6 million unique patients annually [4]. - The collaboration with industry partners on innovative processes is aimed at improving care delivery and addressing administrative challenges [5]. Company Overview - Waystar serves approximately 30,000 clients, representing over 1 million distinct providers, and processes over 6 billion healthcare payment transactions annually, amounting to over $1.8 trillion in gross claims [6].