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CSG Systems International(CSGS) - 2024 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2024, the company reported 295millioninrevenue,adecreasefrom295 million in revenue, a decrease from 299 million in Q1 2023, primarily due to the timing of approximately 10millioninhighmarginlicensingdealssignedinQ12023[52][33]ThenonGAAPadjustedoperatingmarginforQ12024was16.610 million in high-margin licensing deals signed in Q1 2023 [52][33] - The non-GAAP adjusted operating margin for Q1 2024 was 16.6%, down from 19.3% in the prior year, while non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was 58 million, or 21.5% of revenue, compared to 67million,or24.367 million, or 24.3% in Q1 2023 [79][80] - Non-GAAP EPS for Q1 2024 was 1.01, slightly down from 1.04intheprioryear,mainlyduetoloweroperatingincome[80]BusinessLineDataandKeyMetricsChangesThecompanyachievedarecordsetting1.04 in the prior year, mainly due to lower operating income [80] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a record-setting 1.169 billion in revenue for 2023, resulting in 7.3% year-over-year growth, marking the best full-year result in nearly 20 years [13] - For the first time, 30% of revenue in Q1 2024 came from industry verticals outside the communication service provider space, reflecting a successful diversification strategy [32][47] - The CX and payments business collectively grew at least double digits in Q1 2024, continuing from the previous year [94] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company serves nearly 64 million combined subscribers at Comcast and Charter, with subscriber losses having a relatively small impact on overall revenue [40][41] - The company is experiencing small headwinds in the North American cable market, with tens of thousands of broadband subscribers lost, which is expected to continue into Q2 and Q3 [69][136] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow revenue to 1.5billionbyyearend2025,withafocusonorganicgrowthanddisciplinedacquisitions[27][36]Thecompanyplanstodiversifyrevenuefurtherbywinninginhighgrowthindustryverticalssuchasretail,government,financialservices,healthcare,andtechnology[28][32]Therecentacquisitionofasmallcustomerengagementcompanyisexpectedtoenhancethecompanysofferingsintheinsurancesector,whichisahighpriorityvertical[38][14]ManagementsCommentsonOperatingEnvironmentandFutureOutlookManagementexpressedconfidenceinreaffirming2024guidanceduetostrongongoingmarketdemandforthecompanysSaaSproductsandahealthysalespipeline[26][57]ThecompanyanticipatesthatQ1willbethelowpointforfreecashflowperformance,withexpectationsofimprovementinthesecondhalfoftheyear[82][106]ManagementacknowledgedtheeconomicpressuresfacedbytheNorthAmericancablemarketbutremainsoptimisticaboutgrowthinotherbusinessareas[18][136]OtherImportantInformationThecompanyreturned1.5 billion by year-end 2025, with a focus on organic growth and disciplined acquisitions [27][36] - The company plans to diversify revenue further by winning in high-growth industry verticals such as retail, government, financial services, healthcare, and technology [28][32] - The recent acquisition of a small customer engagement company is expected to enhance the company's offerings in the insurance sector, which is a high-priority vertical [38][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in reaffirming 2024 guidance due to strong ongoing market demand for the company's SaaS products and a healthy sales pipeline [26][57] - The company anticipates that Q1 will be the low point for free cash flow performance, with expectations of improvement in the second half of the year [82][106] - Management acknowledged the economic pressures faced by the North American cable market but remains optimistic about growth in other business areas [18][136] Other Important Information - The company returned 9 million in dividends to shareholders in March and repurchased $10 million worth of stock during the quarter [25][83] - The company achieved a nearly 40% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019, with a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035 [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the recent acquisition and its impact? - Management highlighted the acquisition's low multiple of EBITDA and its potential to add shareholder value, focusing on vertical expertise and customer base expansion [59][110] Question: What are the margin differences across industry verticals? - Management noted that margins depend more on the solutions offered rather than the industry verticals, with SaaS-like solutions having higher margins [61] Question: What headwinds are being faced in the North American cable market? - Management confirmed smallish headwinds due to subscriber losses, which are expected to continue into the next quarters [69][136] Question: How is the company addressing the growth in the CX and payments business? - Management indicated strong growth driven by existing customer penetration and new customer acquisition, with a focus on channel partnerships to accelerate growth [120][76] Question: What is the outlook for free cash flow for the year? - Management expressed confidence in achieving full-year targets, expecting Q1 to be a low point with improvements anticipated in subsequent quarters [106][82]