Health Catalyst(US:HCAT)2025-02-26 23:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for full year 2024 was $307 million, representing a 4% year-over-year growth [7][33] - Adjusted EBITDA for full year 2024 was $26 million, a significant increase from $11 million in 2023, reflecting a 137% year-over-year growth [7][37] - Adjusted gross margin for full year 2024 was 49%, an increase of approximately 10 basis points year-over-year [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Technology segment revenue for full year 2024 was $195 million, with a 4% year-over-year growth [33] - Professional services revenue for full year 2024 was $112 million, representing a 3% year-over-year growth [34] - Adjusted technology gross margin for Q4 2024 was 65%, a decrease of approximately 200 basis points year-over-year due to initial deployment costs [35] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a dollar-based retention rate of 100% under the legacy definition for 2024, and 102% under the new definition focusing on technology and TEMs segments [15][19] - The company has over 1,000 total clients, combining platform and app clients, indicating a strong client base for future growth [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on cross-selling Ignite-enabled offerings to existing app clients, which is expected to drive future growth [12][19] - The company plans to exit unprofitable ambulatory TEMS pilots, representing approximately $9 million of annual professional services revenue, to prioritize profitable growth [21] - The company anticipates technology revenue to grow approximately 13% year-over-year in 2025, driven by the momentum of Ignite sales [42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the operating environment, noting that health system operating margins are stabilizing and approaching pre-pandemic levels [18] - The company expects to add approximately 40 net new platform clients in 2025, with a focus on converting existing app clients [19][20] - Management highlighted the importance of the Ignite platform in driving future growth and improving client retention [24][80] Other Important Information - The company ended Q4 2024 with $392 million in cash and short-term investments, up from $387 million in Q3 2024 [38] - The company raised its expected adjusted EBITDA for 2025 by $2 million to approximately $41 million, reflecting better-than-expected integration progress from recent acquisitions [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the acceleration in platform bookings in 2025? - Management noted improvements in the end market and the modular, flexible nature of the Ignite platform as key drivers for increased bookings [48][49] Question: Can you discuss the differences in the new Ignite platform versus DOS regarding annual escalators? - Management indicated that Ignite contracts typically have more modest annual escalators in the low to mid single-digit range compared to larger escalators with DOS [53] Question: How is the company managing the pace of migrations to Ignite? - Management is working closely with clients to manage migration pace responsibly, aiming to complete the majority of migrations by mid-2026 [60] Question: What is the visibility into growth in technology revenue after Q1? - Management expressed confidence in visibility for technology revenue growth, estimating approximately 10% year-over-year growth for Q1 [85]