i3 Verticals(US:IIIV)2025-11-18 14:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q4 2025 increased by 7% to $54.9 million from $51.3 million in Q4 2024, with organic growth of 4.5% and $1.3 million from acquisitions [8] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) grew over 9% in Q4 2025, outpacing overall revenue growth [5] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 slightly declined to $14.4 million from $14.6 million in Q4 2024, with adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues at 26.2% for Q4 2025 compared to 28.5% for Q4 2024 [9][10] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.27 for Q4 2025 and $1.05 for the fiscal year [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Recurring revenues increased by 9% to $41.3 million in Q4 2025, accounting for 75% of total revenues [8] - SaaS revenues grew by 25%, offsetting an 8% decline in maintenance revenues [8] - Professional services revenue increased by $1.8 million, partially offsetting the decline in software and license sales [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Justice is the largest market, representing approximately 25% of revenues, with utilities, transportation, education, and public administration contributing roughly equally [12] - The company expects revenue distribution for FY 2026 to be approximately 23% in Q1, 25.5% in Q2, 24.5% in Q3, and 27% in Q4 [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has divested its merchant services and healthcare revenue cycle management businesses, focusing on providing software solutions for the public sector [4][7] - Investments in justice and utility markets are expected to accelerate in 2026, with a focus on long-term recurring revenue growth [5] - The company aims to enhance its public sector vertical through strategic acquisitions and internal development [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects recurring revenues to grow at a rate similar to FY 2025, in the range of 8%-10%, but anticipates a decline in non-recurring professional services [11] - The long-term expectation for organic revenue growth remains in the high single digits [11] - The company is experiencing increased demand for technology-forward platform solutions across the public sector [16][17] Other Important Information - The company has $67 million in cash and no debt, with $400 million of borrowing capacity under a revolving credit facility [10] - The adjusted EBITDA improvement for the year was driven mainly by lower corporate expenses following the divestitures [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on 2026 organic growth outlook - Management indicated that they are focusing on recurring revenue and expect professional services to decline in 2026 due to timing and cadence of projects [21][22] Question: Details on dollar retention and pricing - The company has been conservative on price increases historically but expects to achieve a consistent range of 3%-5% price increases going forward [24][25] Question: Justice tech investment and expectations for 2026 - The investment primarily consists of personnel to accelerate development and implementation, with costs expected to continue into the next fiscal year [26][27] Question: Thoughts on buyback versus M&A - The company has refreshed a $50 million buyback authorization and is focused on being opportunistic, while also indicating that meaningful M&A activity is expected in 2026 [29][31]