Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Fidelity (FIS) Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Rise

Read MoreHide Full Article

Fidelity National Information Services’ (FIS - Free Report) third-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations were $1.42, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The bottom line, however, compared unfavorably with the year-ago quarter figure of $1.43.

Strong liquidity position and expanding margin were the key tailwinds. Also, a rise in organic revenues was a positive. However, higher expenses posed a key concern.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $20 million or 3 cents per share compared with $154 million or 29 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.

Organic Revenues Rise, Expenses Flare Up

GAAP revenues in the quarter were $3.2 billion, up 13.3% year over year. The upside was mainly driven by the acquisition of Worldpay. Also, the figure matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Organic revenues increased nearly 1% in the quarter, primarily due to reduced consumer spending trends caused by impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $862 million, up 13.9% from $757 million in the year-ago quarter.

Segment wise, Merchant Solutions’ GAAP revenues grew to $1.02 billion from $705 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenues from Banking Solutions rose 4% to $1.51 million. Capital Market Solutions’ revenues jumped 2% to $626 million.

Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased to $1.36 billion from $1.19 billion in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 30 basis points to 42.5%.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flow

As of Sep 30, 2020, cash and cash equivalents were $1.83 billion compared with $1.15 billion as of Dec 31, 2019. Debt outstanding was $20.2 billion.

In the third quarter, net cash provided by operations was $1.41 billion and the company reported free cash flow of $866 million.

The company paid out dividends worth $217 million in the reported quarter.

Our Viewpoint

Fidelity’s dominant position in financial and payments solutions business, backed by a robust product portfolio, keeps us encouraged. Notably, the merger of Fidelity and Worldpay will provide clients of both organizations access to a wider portfolio of digital assets for accelerating revenue growth.

However, increasing consolidation in the banking sector, a challenging environment for the Payments Solutions business and an uncertain regulatory environment are key headwinds.

Fidelity currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Banks

BOK Financial (BOKF - Free Report) reported an earnings surprise of 45% for third-quarter 2020. Earnings per share of $2.19 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.51. Further, the bottom line compares favorably with the prior-year quarter’s $2.00.

Huntington Bancshares’ (HBAN - Free Report) third-quarter 2020 earnings per share of 27 cents outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 25 cents on impressive top-line strength. The bottom-line figure, however, comes in 21% lower than the prior-year quarter reported tally.

UMB Financial (UMBF - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2020 net operating income of $1.59 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01. The reported figure also compares favorably with the prior-year quarter’s earnings of $1.27.

Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?

Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.

Ignited by referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $17.7 billion in 2019 to a staggering $73.6 billion by 2027. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.

See the pot stocks we're targeting >>


Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)


Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.


Click Here, It's Really Free

Published in