It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Ultimate Software Group . Shares have added about 9.5% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Ultimate Software due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Recent Earnings
The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. delivered second-quarter fiscal 2018 non-GAAP earnings of $1.32 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 per share. Moreover, the figure surged 43.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Revenues increased 20.7% from the year-ago quarter to $271.2 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $269 million. The reported figure also came ahead of the higher end of management’s projected range of $267-$269 million. Increase in both recurring and services revenues aided year-over-year revenue growth.
Quarter Details
Recurring revenues (accounted for 88.3% of total revenues) grew 22.7% to $239.5 million on a year-over-year basis, surpassing the higher end of management’s guided range of $237-$239 million.
Services revenues (11.7%) grew 7.3% to $31.7 million on a year-over-year basis.
Ultimate Software reported customer retention rate of 96% year over year. In the reported quarter, enterprise team's attach rates for Onboarding, Time Management, and Performance Management for new customers were all pegged at 67% each, respectively. Recruiting was 56%.
For mid-market strategic team, attach rates for Onboarding, Time Management, Recruiting and Performance Management came in at 89%, 85%, 68% and 68%, respectively.
The top line benefited from new strategic customer wins. During the quarter, Ultimate Software acquired PeopleDoc, a cloud-based pioneer in global HR Service Delivery. The company has more than 1,000 customers in around 180 countries.
The addition of the PeopleDoc global HR Service Delivery platform will offer person-centric features such as online employee help center, HR Case Management, and Employee File Management, consequently enhancing the employee experience.
Notably, Ultimate Softwares product suite of UltiPro Workforce Management, Xander and UltiPro are key positives.
Non-GAAP operating margin contracted 20 basis points on a year-over-year basis to 20.7%. The figure was ahead of management guidance, primarily due to increase in recurring revenues.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flows
As of Jun 30, 2018, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $188.1 million down from $147.9 million as of Mar 31, 2018.
The company bought back 227,588 shares for $518 million shares during the six months ended Jun 30, 2018, as part of its Stock Repurchase Plan. The company now has 1,342,005 shares remaining for repurchase.
Ultimate Software generated net cash from operations of $118.1 million for the six months ended Jun 30, 2018. Free cash flow was $77 million for the same time period.
Guidance
For third-quarter fiscal 2018, Ultimate Software forecasts recurring revenues between $250 million and $252 million (including $5 million for PeopleDoc acquisition). Total revenues are projected between $286 million and $288 million (including $6 million for PeopleDoc acquisition). Non-GAAP operating margin is expected at approximately 20%.
For fiscal 2018, management updated its guidance. Ultimate Software now anticipates recurring revenues and total revenues to grow 23% and 21% year over year, respectively, (previous guidance was 20% and 18%, respectively). The company envisions reporting $1 billion of total revenues. Non-GAAP operating margin is still projected to be 21%.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -11.07% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Ultimate Software has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a B. However, the stock was allocated a grade of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Our style scores indicate that the stock is more suitable for growth investors than momentum investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Ultimate Software has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Image: Bigstock
Ultimate Software (ULTI) Up 9.5% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Ultimate Software Group . Shares have added about 9.5% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Ultimate Software due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Recent Earnings
The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. delivered second-quarter fiscal 2018 non-GAAP earnings of $1.32 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 per share. Moreover, the figure surged 43.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Revenues increased 20.7% from the year-ago quarter to $271.2 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $269 million. The reported figure also came ahead of the higher end of management’s projected range of $267-$269 million. Increase in both recurring and services revenues aided year-over-year revenue growth.
Quarter Details
Recurring revenues (accounted for 88.3% of total revenues) grew 22.7% to $239.5 million on a year-over-year basis, surpassing the higher end of management’s guided range of $237-$239 million.
Services revenues (11.7%) grew 7.3% to $31.7 million on a year-over-year basis.
Ultimate Software reported customer retention rate of 96% year over year. In the reported quarter, enterprise team's attach rates for Onboarding, Time Management, and Performance Management for new customers were all pegged at 67% each, respectively. Recruiting was 56%.
For mid-market strategic team, attach rates for Onboarding, Time Management, Recruiting and Performance Management came in at 89%, 85%, 68% and 68%, respectively.
The top line benefited from new strategic customer wins. During the quarter, Ultimate Software acquired PeopleDoc, a cloud-based pioneer in global HR Service Delivery. The company has more than 1,000 customers in around 180 countries.
The addition of the PeopleDoc global HR Service Delivery platform will offer person-centric features such as online employee help center, HR Case Management, and Employee File Management, consequently enhancing the employee experience.
Notably, Ultimate Softwares product suite of UltiPro Workforce Management, Xander and UltiPro are key positives.
Non-GAAP operating margin contracted 20 basis points on a year-over-year basis to 20.7%. The figure was ahead of management guidance, primarily due to increase in recurring revenues.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flows
As of Jun 30, 2018, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $188.1 million down from $147.9 million as of Mar 31, 2018.
The company bought back 227,588 shares for $518 million shares during the six months ended Jun 30, 2018, as part of its Stock Repurchase Plan. The company now has 1,342,005 shares remaining for repurchase.
Ultimate Software generated net cash from operations of $118.1 million for the six months ended Jun 30, 2018. Free cash flow was $77 million for the same time period.
Guidance
For third-quarter fiscal 2018, Ultimate Software forecasts recurring revenues between $250 million and $252 million (including $5 million for PeopleDoc acquisition). Total revenues are projected between $286 million and $288 million (including $6 million for PeopleDoc acquisition). Non-GAAP operating margin is expected at approximately 20%.
For fiscal 2018, management updated its guidance. Ultimate Software now anticipates recurring revenues and total revenues to grow 23% and 21% year over year, respectively, (previous guidance was 20% and 18%, respectively). The company envisions reporting $1 billion of total revenues. Non-GAAP operating margin is still projected to be 21%.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -11.07% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Ultimate Software has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a B. However, the stock was allocated a grade of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Our style scores indicate that the stock is more suitable for growth investors than momentum investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Ultimate Software has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.