ePlus(PLUS) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 fiscal year 2025, consolidated net sales were $498.1 million, down from $554.5 million in Q4 fiscal year 2024, reflecting a 10.2% year-over-year decline [12] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased to $43.8 million from $36.8 million in the prior year, exceeding expectations [12] - Gross profit rose by nearly 12% to $145.8 million, with a gross margin of 29.3%, up from 23.5% in the prior year [14][18] - For the full fiscal year 2025, consolidated net sales were $2.07 billion, down from $2.23 billion in fiscal year 2024, driven by a 13.7% decline in product sales [18][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Services revenue grew 33% in Q4 and 37% for the full year, highlighting a strategic emphasis on services-led solutions [6][12] - Managed services revenue increased by 16.6% in Q4 and 24.6% for the year, providing predictable long-term revenue [6] - Technology business net sales declined 10.4% year-over-year to $487.2 million, primarily due to lower product sales [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Telecom, Media and Entertainment, and SLED accounted for 23% of technology business net sales on a trailing twelve-month basis, with Technology, Healthcare, and Financial Services contributing 15%, 14%, and 9% respectively [14] - The financing segment saw net sales rise 4.9% to $10.9 million, driven by higher transaction gains [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on four key growth areas: AI, cloud, security, and networking, with strategic investments to expand capabilities [7][8] - AI adoption is seen as a significant business driver, with initiatives like AI Ignite workshops and a generative AI Accelerator solution to support customer needs [8][9] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined capital allocation strategy while exploring organic and inorganic growth opportunities [10][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for fiscal year 2026, anticipating low single-digit net sales growth and mid single-digit growth in gross profit and adjusted EBITDA [23] - The company acknowledged economic uncertainty impacting sales but remains committed to a services and subscription-based model [24] Other Important Information - The company ended fiscal year 2025 with a record cash position of approximately $389 million, up from $253 million at the end of fiscal year 2024 [10][20] - The cash conversion cycle improved to 29 days from 46 days a year ago, indicating a more normalized supply chain [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Current demand environment and product side performance - Management noted a pickup in the data center, cloud, and security sectors, but networking demand remains weak [28][29] Question: AI opportunity and enterprise investment - Management indicated that while enterprise AI adoption is not accelerating yet, they expect infrastructure spending to pick up over time as customers engage with their AI workshops and services [34]