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ACI Worldwide(ACIW) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for 2024 was 1.6billion,up101.6 billion, up 10% from 2023, exceeding previous guidance [7][24] - Adjusted EBITDA for the year grew 18% to 466 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 41%, representing over 300 basis points of margin expansion [8][24] - Cash flow from operating activities was 359million,morethandoublethepreviousyear[8][25]Totaldebtoutstandingdecreasedbyover359 million, more than double the previous year [8][25] - Total debt outstanding decreased by over 100 million to 932million,withanetdebtleverageratioof1.5x[25][26]BusinessLineDataandKeyMetricsChangesTheBanksegmentrevenueincreasedby14932 million, with a net debt leverage ratio of 1.5x [25][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Bank segment revenue increased by 14% with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 61% [24][25] - The Merchant segment revenue grew by 10% with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 42% [24][25] - The Biller segment revenue was up 6%, with adjusted EBITDA margin at 51% [24][25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported strong bookings momentum, with ARR bookings in Q4 up more than 20% over Q4 2023 [20] - A significant new contract was signed in the Asia Pacific region, yielding over 50 million in first quarter revenue [21][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company combined the Bank and Merchant segments into a new business called Payment Software to streamline operations and enhance synergies [11][12] - The focus remains on the development and rollout of the next-generation payments hub, Kinetic, with a launch expected in 2025 [17][80] - The company aims to improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency through a general manager structure [50][54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the 2025 outlook, citing a strong start to the year and a healthy pipeline [10][30] - The company is optimistic about long-term profitable growth and delivering significant shareholder value [31][32] Other Important Information - The company repurchased nearly 4 million shares, representing approximately 4% of shares outstanding, with $373 million remaining on the repurchase authorization [26] - The company is focused on reducing seasonality by signing contracts earlier in the year [9][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on net revenue dynamics within Biller - Management indicated that the decline in EBITDA was primarily due to certain one-time margin benefits in 2023 that did not recur in 2024 [35][36] Question: Details on the competitive takeaway in the first quarter - The competitive takeaway involved a flagship issuing and acquiring solution for a large bank that was not previously using the company's products [38][39] Question: Impetus for the reorganization and expected benefits - The reorganization aimed to create accountability and streamline operations, with expectations of improved customer satisfaction and internal efficiency [48][54] Question: Factors influencing adjusted EBITDA guidance - The high end of the EBITDA range would be driven by successful new license deals, while the lower end could result from a less favorable mix of revenue sources [71][73] Question: Insights on the sales environment and renewals - Management noted a positive sales environment, with a focus on modernization and proven technology as key drivers for customer decisions [78][80]