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TELUS International(TIXT) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-01 15:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - TELUS Digital generated revenue of $699 million, an increase of 7% year over year or 6% on a constant currency basis [19] - Adjusted EBITDA margin was 13.4%, reflecting a year-over-year decrease due to increased salary and benefits, as well as goods and services purchased outpacing revenue growth [22][23] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $33 million, with a year-over-year decline primarily due to increases in operating expenses outpacing revenue growth [25][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from AI and data solutions continued to grow, with a focus on diversification across more clients [20] - Customer experience service line faced cost pressures due to client budgetary constraints and geographic labor cost differences [32] - Digital solutions area saw strong client engagement, with approximately 10% of new bookings coming from new clients and 90% from existing clients [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue growth was observed in the Americas and Europe, while revenue in the Asia Pacific segment was softer year over year [22] - The healthcare and communication/media industry verticals grew significantly, with healthcare revenue increasing by 119% [21] - E-commerce and fintech revenue decreased by 14% year over year due to a decline in service volumes [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational improvements, service quality excellence, and talent development to drive sustainable revenue growth and improved margins [10][11] - There is an emphasis on leveraging AI capabilities and advanced methods to enhance operational efficiency [10][11] - The company aims to position itself as a trusted independent partner in the AI space, differentiating itself in a competitive marketplace [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged ongoing margin pressures due to competitive pricing, labor inflation, and complex work requirements [4][5] - The outlook for revenue growth remains at approximately 2% on a constant currency and organic basis for the full year 2025 [26] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate challenges and emphasized the importance of operational excellence [10][11] Other Important Information - The company recorded an impairment charge on goodwill in Q2 due to updated financial modeling assumptions [18] - The leverage ratio was elevated at 3.75 times as of June 30, 2025, primarily due to lower adjusted EBITDA and a non-cash increase in derivative liabilities [24][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the margin pressures and the restructuring carried out in the quarter? - Management identified customer experience and content moderation as areas under pressure, with actions taken to improve workforce management and pricing discipline [32][34] - Restructuring included costs related to rebalancing with a customer in Europe and ongoing efficiency programs [36] Question: What is the update on AI solutions and market dynamics? - The AI consulting business is evolving strongly, with a shift from proofs of concept to full deployment expected in 2026 and 2027 [42] - The company is seen as a trusted advisor in large language model development, with promising projects underway [44] Question: Are there more IT services or technology vendors becoming competitive? - Management noted that while the number of competitors remains stable, the competitive pressure is increasing in terms of advancing capabilities beyond traditional customer experience work [52] Question: What verticals are seeing a return in discretionary spending? - The digital solutions space is experiencing increased demand for cost optimization projects, with a rebound in classic digital business activities [61][63] Question: Can you provide insights on key clients beyond the top three? - Growth is noted across various sectors, including healthcare and communications, with a diverse client base contributing to overall revenue growth [71][73] Question: What is the impact of the Scale AI acquisition by Meta? - The company has seen increased interest from clients seeking alternative partners following the acquisition, presenting new opportunities [49] Question: How is the company addressing margin pressures? - Management is focused on pricing accuracy, workforce management, and leveraging AI capabilities to improve efficiency and stabilize margins [88][90] Question: What types of investments are being made in Gen AI? - Investments are focused on managing workforce talent, project execution, and ensuring high-quality datasets to support model training [96][98]