Kyndryl (KD) - 2026 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $3.9 billion for the third quarter, reflecting a 3% increase year-over-year on a reported basis, unchanged in constant currency [15] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 1% year-over-year to $696 million, while Adjusted Pre-Tax Income grew by 5% year-over-year to $168 million [16] - Free cash flow generated in the third quarter was $217 million, with a net CapEx of $210 million [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Kyndryl Consult experienced a strong performance with a 20% year-over-year growth in constant currency, now representing 25% of total revenue [15][16] - Hyperscaler-related revenue reached $500 million in the third quarter, marking a 58% increase year-over-year [17] - Signings for the quarter totaled $3.9 billion, with a trailing 12-month revenue book-to-bill ratio remaining above 1.0x [5][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a slowdown in attrition rates, which has led to higher labor costs in the near term [7] - The evolving partnership with IBM has resulted in a significant reduction in annualized spend from nearly $4 billion to approximately $2 billion [9] - The company is addressing market dynamics such as data sovereignty and AI, which are impacting customer decision-making processes [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its capabilities in AI and private cloud services, responding to increased demand driven by industry trends [12][66] - The strategic partnership with IBM is evolving, with efforts to enhance the value proposition for customers [8][10] - The company aims to achieve fiscal 2028 targets, with a focus on margin expansion and profitability through high-value service offerings [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that longer sales cycles and evolving customer consumption models are impacting revenue growth expectations [24] - The company remains confident in its growth strategy despite recent challenges, emphasizing the importance of adapting to market dynamics [7][13] - Management expects to generate approximately $800 million in free cash flow over fiscal 2025 and 2026 combined [14][23] Other Important Information - The company disclosed a delay in filing its quarterly report due to an ongoing review of cash management practices by the SEC, but does not expect a restatement of financial statements [25] - The company has repurchased 3.7 million shares in the quarter, representing 1.6% of outstanding shares, as part of its capital allocation strategy [18][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook and Revision Factors - Analysts inquired about the reasons behind the revised outlook, focusing on longer sales cycles and the evolving IBM partnership [27][28] - Management explained that the sales cycle extension affected multiple business areas, including Consult and hyperscaler services [28][29] Question: Strategic Markets and UK Operations - Questions were raised regarding changes in Strategic Markets and the UK, with management indicating that local investments are more expensive and adjustments will take time [30][31] Question: Impact of Review on Forward Commentary - Analysts asked about the impact of the SEC review on future guidance, to which management reiterated confidence in achieving fiscal 2028 goals without expecting a restatement [36] Question: Sales Cycle Length and Deal Timelines - Analysts sought clarification on the timeframe for closing deals affected by extended sales cycles, with management indicating that many discussions are linked to customer renewals and should stabilize within a couple of quarters [61][63] Question: Free Cash Flow and Working Capital - Questions were raised about the decrease in free cash flow guidance, attributed primarily to changes in pre-tax income [49][50] Question: Confidence in Fiscal 2028 Targets - Analysts asked about the building blocks supporting confidence in fiscal 2028 targets, with management highlighting improved cash flow and profitability driven by high-margin backlog [56][58]