SS&C(SSNC) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record adjusted revenue of $1,537 million, an increase of 5.9% year-over-year, and adjusted earnings per share of $1.45, a 9.8% increase [6][13] - Adjusted consolidated EBITDA reached $600.4 million, reflecting a 7.4% increase and a margin of 39%, which is a 50 basis point expansion [13][14] - Cash from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was $645.1 million, up 14% year-over-year [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - GLOBAB experienced organic growth of 7.3%, driven by double-digit growth in private markets and retail alternatives [6][10] - The financial services recurring revenue growth was 3.9%, which includes software-enabled services and maintenance revenue [7] - The health segment reported flat organic growth for the quarter [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Internationally, the company saw strength in Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, reflecting increased international win rates [7] - The company’s retention rate remained stable at 97% [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on continuous investment in its AI strategy, partnering with Blue Prism to enhance workflows and deploy AI agents [8] - A definitive agreement to acquire Callistone was announced, expected to close in Q4 2025, which aligns with the company's capital allocation strategy [18] - The company aims to manage expenses while increasing productivity to improve operating margins [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of their diversified revenue across product lines, which helps to mitigate macroeconomic challenges [10] - Early indicators suggest an uptick in activity for the second half of the year, despite previous macroeconomic challenges [12] - The company raised its full-year revenue guidance by $15 million, now expecting revenue in the range of $6,143 million to $6,243 million [17] Other Important Information - The company ended the second quarter with $480 million in cash and cash equivalents and $6.9 billion in gross debt, resulting in a net leverage ratio of 2.72x [15] - The company plans to continue opportunistic share buybacks, having repurchased 3.4 million shares for $269 million [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue synergy potential from the Callistone deal - Management indicated that while it is early to quantify, there are significant cross-selling opportunities with Callistone's 4,500 clients and their own 10,000 clients, particularly in ETFs and digital assets [21][22] Question: Capital expenditures and their allocation - Management noted that the increase in capital expenditures is largely due to investments in growth and technology products, with expectations to maintain higher levels going forward [23][26] Question: Organic growth guidance for the second half - Management clarified that expectations for organic growth remain strong, with no significant pull-forward of deals affecting the outlook [30][31] Question: Professional services revenue as a leading indicator - Management explained that professional services typically lead to revenue contracts, with a three to six-month process for implementation [36][37] Question: Update on the health solutions segment - Management stated that the selling season for health solutions is currently ongoing, with potential for significant revenue acceleration in the future [55][56] Question: Growth rates for the BATEA segment - Management indicated that BATEA is growing at a historical low double-digit growth rate, with expectations for accelerated growth in the second half of the year [44][45] Question: Update on Blue Prism and its product lifecycle - Management reported successful deployment of digital workers and expressed optimism about Blue Prism's potential, despite competitive pressures [68][69] Question: Intralinks deal volume degradation - Management noted that while there has been a decline in deal volume, early indicators show an uptick in bookings and deal counts, suggesting growth in the back half of the year [70][71]