Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Blackbaud Q3 Earnings & Revenues Miss Estimates, Stock Tanks

Read MoreHide Full Article

Blackbaud (BLKB - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2024 non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of 99 cents, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.7%. The bottom line decreased 11.6% year over year.

Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar

Total revenues jumped 3.3% year over year to $286.7 million. Revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.4%.

Total recurring revenues (contributed 98% to total revenues) in the reported quarter amounted to $280 million, up 4.1% year over year. This growth was driven by contract renewal initiatives, strategic pricing adjustments in the Social Sector and robust performance of cloud solutions. One-time services and other revenues (2% of total revenues) were $6.7 million, down 22.2%.

Blackbaud unveiled advancements in AI-driven fundraising and financial management for social impact organizations, at bbcon 2024. It launched six innovative initiatives focused on fostering stronger links between their solutions and teams.


Non-GAAP organic revenues were up 4.3% on a reported basis and 3.9% on a constant-currency basis, year over year. Non-GAAP organic recurring revenues rose 4.1%.

In response to the results, BLKB’s shares were down 15.1% and closed the session at $74.29 on Oct. 30. Shares of the company have gained 73.6% in the past year compared with the  sub-industry's growth of 29.3%.

 

Margin Details

Non-GAAP gross margin was 61.7% compared with 62.4% a year ago. Total operating expenses declined 13.8% on a year-over-year basis to $115.4 million.

Non-GAAP operating margin fell 120 basis points (bps) to 27.5%. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin was 33.2%, down 180 bps year over year.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flow

As of Sept. 30, 2024, Blackbaud had total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $462.7 million compared with $831.1 million as of June 30, 2024.Total debt (including the current portion) as of Sept. 30, 2024, was $1000.9 million compared with  $1021.9 million as of June 30, 2024.

For the third quarter, cash provided by operating activities was $104 million compared with $128 million in the prior-year quarter.Non-GAAP adjusted free cash flow was $97.6 million compared with $117.9 million in the year-ago quarter.

As of Sept. 30, 2024, Blackbaud had nearly $737 million available under its stock repurchase program, which was expanded and renewed in July 2024. The company has repurchased about 8% of the common stock that was outstanding at the end of 2023 through October.

In July 2024, Blackbaud’s board of directors approved a replenished and expanded $800 million stock repurchase authorization. BLKB expects to buy back up to 10% of the common stock outstanding in 2024 to offset dilution from annual stock-based compensation.

Outlook Revised

Blackbaud has lowered its annual revenue forecast due to the ongoing adverse financial effects from the EVERFI business, despite the continued growth of its core Social Sector. The company has streamlined the EVERFI business to more closely match expenses with revenues and engaged Goldman Sachs as a strategic advisor to explore additional options. It has also lowered EVERFI's expense run rate to reflect a reduced revenue forecast.

BLKB now expects non-GAAP revenues between $1.150 billion and $1.160 billion, down from earlier guidance of $1.164 billion to $1.194 billion.The company projects non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin in the range of 33-34%.Non-GAAP EPS is anticipated to be between $3.98 and $4.16, down from earlier guidance of $4.12 to $4.38.

Non-GAAP adjusted free cash flow for 2024 is forecasted to be in the range of $235-$245 million compared with earlier guidance of $254-$274 million.

Non-GAAP annualized effective tax rate is the same as the prior estimation of approximately 24.5%.Interest expense is expected in the band of $53 million to $57 million, changed from earlier guidance of $52 million to $56 million.

Fully diluted shares are now anticipated to be 51.0 million to 52.0 million, unchanged from the earlier guidance.Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $65 million to $75 million, which includes $60-$70 million of capitalized software and content development costs. This remains the same as the earlier outlook.

Zacks Rank 

Blackbaud currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Some Other Companies in Tech Space

Badger Meter, Inc. (BMI - Free Report) reported EPS of $1.08 for the third quarter of 2024, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.9%. Also, the bottom line compared favorably with the year-ago quarter’s EPS of 88 cents.

Iridium Communications (IRDM - Free Report) reported earnings per share of 21 cents for the third quarter of 2024, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5%. The company incurred a loss of 1 cent per share in the prior-year quarter. 

Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX - Free Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 non-GAAP earnings of $1.58 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.8%. Non-GAAP revenues of $2.168 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.4%. The figure increased 49% on a year-over-year basis.

Published in