Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: UEPS; JSE: NT1) today announced results for the three months ended September 30, 2011 ("1Q 2012"). Revenue for 1Q 2012 was $99.9 million, a year over year increase of 55% in US dollars ("USD") and 49% in constant currency. During 1Q 2012, net income under US generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") was $19.8 million versus $7.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 ("1Q 2011"). GAAP earnings per share for 1Q 2012 was $0.44 versus $0.16 a year ago. Fundamental earnings per share for 1Q 2012 was $0.44 compared to $0.36 in 1Q 2011, representing an increase of 23% in USD and 17% in constant currency.

Summary Financial Metrics

(1) Fundamental net income and earnings per share is GAAP net income and earnings per share, as adjusted to exclude the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, net of deferred taxes, stock-based compensation charges and unusual non-recurring items. The calculation of fundamental net income and earnings per share for 1Q 2012 excludes a profit on the liquidation of SmartSwitch Nigeria and amortization of facility fees related to the incurrence of KSNET acquisition debt. The calculation of fundamental net income and earnings per share for 1Q 2011 excludes a net loss on a forward exchange contract and transaction related costs.

The following factors impacted the comparability of our 1Q 2012 and 1Q 2011 results:

• Favorable impact from the weakness of the US dollar: The US dollar depreciated by 4% compared to the ZAR during 1Q 2012 compared to 1Q 2011 which positively impacted our reported results;
• Inclusion of revenue contribution from KSNET at a lower operating margin (before acquired intangible asset amortization) than our legacy business: The inclusion of KSNET contributed to an increase in revenues for fiscal 2012; however, because KSNET has an operating margin (before acquired intangible asset amortization) that is lower than our legacy businesses, it reduced our overall operating margin. KSNET also contributed to the increase in selling, general and administration and depreciation and amortization expenses;
• Improved operating income and margins from hardware, software and related technology sales segment: Operating income and margins from our hardware, software and related technology sales segment increased as a result of increased ad hoc sales;
• Intangible asset amortization related to acquisition: Our reported results for 1Q 2012 were adversely impacted by additional intangible asset amortization related to the acquisition of KSNET;
• Lower interest income and increased interest expense resulting from KSNET acquisition: We paid the KSNET purchase price with a combination of cash and long-term debt, which reduced interest income and increased interest expense;
• Liquidation of SmartSwitch Nigeria: We recorded a non-cash profit of $4.0 million on the liquidation of SmartSwitch Nigeria; and
• Fiscal 2011 unrealized foreign exchange loss and transaction-related expenses: During 1Q 2011, we recognized, in selling, general and administration expense, an unrealized foreign exchange loss of $2.6 million and incurred transaction-related expenses of $3.4 million, primarily for the acquisition of KSNET.

Comments and Outlook

"I am very pleased with our 1Q 2012 results and the start to our fiscal year," said Dr. Serge Belamant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Net1. "Several of our strategic actions and investments are beginning to demonstrate tangible progress towards driving long-term growth, including the refocusing of EasyPay toward higher-margin value-added services, investments in KSNET to further penetrate the small and mid-size market, as well as two healthcare processing wins by XeoHealth in the US. SASSA's tender evaluation process is still underway and we look forward to the outcome," he concluded.

"As a result of our solid performance in 1Q 2012, we now expect fundamental EPS of at least $1.60 for the full year,  assuming our existing contract with SASSA remains in effect on the existing terms and conditions and on a constant currency basis of ZAR 7.0 to the Dollar," said Herman Kotze, Chief Financial Officer of Net1.

Results of Operations by Segment and Liquidity

Our frequently asked questions and operating metrics will be updated and posted on our website (www.net1.com).

South African transaction-based activities

Segment revenue was $49.9 million in 1Q 2012, up 11% when compared with 1Q 2011 in USD and 6% on a constant currency basis. In ZAR, the increase in revenue was primarily due to modest growth under our pension and welfare business and increased transaction volumes at MediKredit. Segment operating income margin remained constant at 40% when compared to a year ago. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, 1Q 2012 segment operating income margin was 43%, the same when compared with 1Q 2011.

International transaction-based activities

KSNET is the largest contributor to this segment. XeoHealth signed its first contract during 1Q 2012 and contributed to segment revenue. Revenue was $30.3 million and operating income margin was 2% in 1Q 2012. Excluding the amortization of intangibles but including the start-up costs related to Net1 Virtual Card and XeoHealth in the United States and MVC activities at Net1 UTA, operating income margin was 13%.

Smart card accounts

Segment revenue was $8.3 million in 1Q 2012, up 4% compared with 1Q 2011 in USD and down 1% on a constant currency basis. Operating income margin remained consistent at 45%.

Financial services

Segment revenue was $2.1 million in 1Q 2012, up 69% compared with 1Q 2011 in USD and 62% higher on a constant currency basis, principally due to an increase in lending activities. 1Q 2012 segment operating income margin was 67% compared with 64% during 1Q 2011.

Hardware, software and related technology sales

Segment revenue was $9.4 million in 1Q 2012, down 3% compared with 1Q 2011 in USD and 7% lower on a constant currency basis. The decrease in revenue was due to a lower contribution from Net1 UTA and the increase in operating income was due to an increase in higher margin ad hoc South African-based contributor's hardware and software sales.  The improvements from the South African-based contributors during the quarter were primarily due to orders which may not continue in future quarters. Excluding amortization of all intangibles segment operating margin was 22% compared to 0% during 1Q 2011.

Cash flow and liquidity

At September 30, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of $102 million, up from $95 million at June 30, 2011. The increase in cash was due to an increase in operating activities. For 1Q 2012, we generated net cash flow of $27.2 million from operating activities, compared to $30.2 million in 1Q 2011. The decrease is attributable to a reduction in interest income from lower cash balances and deposit rates, increased interest expense on our Korean debt facilities and higher tax payments. Excluding these items, operating income increased due to increased activities across all of our operating segments. Capital expenditures for 1Q 2012 and 2011 were $4.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively. During 1Q 2012, we repurchased $1.1 million of shares under our $100 million authorization.  

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

US securities laws require that when we publish any non-GAAP measures, we disclose the reason for using the non-GAAP measure and provide reconciliation to the directly comparable GAAP measure. The presentation of fundamental net income and fundamental earnings per share and headline earnings per share are non-GAAP measures.

Fundamental net income and fundamental earnings per share

We calculate fundamental net income and earnings per share by adjusting GAAP net income and earnings per share for the items described in note 1 to the Summary Financial Metrics table above. Management believes that the fundamental net income and earnings per share metric enhances its own evaluation, as well as an investor's understanding, of our financial performance. Attachment B presents the reconciliation between GAAP and fundamental net income and earnings per share.

Headline earnings per share ("HEPS")

The inclusion of HEPS in this press release is a requirement of our listing on the JSE. HEPS basic and diluted is calculated using net income which has been determined based on GAAP. Accordingly, this may differ to the headline earnings per share calculation of other companies listed on the JSE as these companies may report their financial results under a different financial reporting framework, including but not limited to, International Financial Reporting Standards. HEPS basic and diluted is calculated as GAAP net income adjusted for the loss (profit) on sale of property, plant and equipment, net of related tax effects and the profit on liquidation of SmartSwitch Nigeria. Attachment C presents the reconciliation between our net income used to calculate earnings per share basic and diluted and HEPS basic and diluted.

Conference Call

We will host a conference call to review 1Q 2012 results on October 28, 2011, at 8:00 Eastern Time. To participate in the call, dial 1-800-860-2442 (U.S. only), 1-866-605-3852 (Canada only), 0-800-917-7042 (U.K. only) or 0-800-200-648 (South Africa only) ten minutes prior to the start of the call. Callers should request "Net1 call" upon dial-in. The call will also be webcast on our homepage, www.net1.com. Please click on the webcast link at least ten minutes prior to the call. A webcast of the call will be available for replay on our website through November 18, 2011.

About Net1 (www.net1.com)

We are a leading provider of alternative payment systems that leverage our Universal Electronic Payment System, or UEPS, to facilitate biometrically secure real-time electronic transaction processing to unbanked and under-banked populations of developing economies around the world in an online or offline environment. In addition to payments, UEPS can be used for banking, healthcare management, payroll, remittances, voting and identification.

We operate market-leading payment processors in South Africa, Republic of Korea, Ghana and Iraq. In addition, our proprietary Mobile Virtual Card technology offers secure mobile payments and banking services in developed and emerging countries.

We have a primary listing on the Nasdaq and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A discussion of various factors that cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements are included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise any of these statements to reflect future events.

SOURCE Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc.