Vantiv Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

CINCINNATI, April 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantiv, Inc. (NYSE: VNTV) ("Vantiv" or the "company") today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017. Total revenue increased 13% to $928.2 million as compared to $818.6 million in the prior year period. Net revenue increased 9% to $470.1 million as compared to $431.2 million in the prior year period. On a GAAP basis, net income per diluted share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. decreased 32% to $0.17 as compared to $0.25 in the prior year period. Pro forma adjusted net income per share increased 21% to $0.68 as compared to $0.56 in the prior year period. (See Schedule 1 for net income per diluted share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. and Schedule 2 for pro forma adjusted net income per share.)

"Vantiv's strategy to expand into high-growth channels and verticals continues to drive strong results for our shareholders," said Charles Drucker, president and chief executive officer at Vantiv. "Being ranked as the largest acquirer by transactions in The Nilson Report demonstrates that our strategy is working, and our acquisition of Paymetric will build upon our success by further enhancing our leading ecommerce capabilities and by enabling us to enter the rapidly growing B2B payments vertical in a unique and differentiated way."

Merchant Services

Merchant Services net revenue increased 13% to $385.9 million in the first quarter as compared to $341.2 million in the prior year period, primarily due to a 10% increase in transactions and a 3% increase in net revenue per transaction. On an organic basis, Merchant Services net revenue grew low double digits in the first quarter as compared to the prior year period. Strong transaction growth was primarily due to new client wins, including the recent ramp up of a new large client. The increase in net revenue per transaction was primarily due to continued positive mix shift toward small and medium-sized clients through high-growth channels. Sales and marketing expenses increased 15% to $149.0 million in the first quarter as compared to $129.3 million in the prior year period, primarily due to strong new sales growth in partner channels. (See Schedule 3 for segment information.)

Financial Institution Services

Financial Institution Services net revenue decreased 6% to $84.2 million in the first quarter as compared to $90.0 million in the prior year period. Net revenue growth was impacted by compression from the Fifth Third Bank contract renewal, lapping the contribution from EMV card reissuance and fraud related services in the prior year period, and the de-conversion of a major client. Sales and marketing expenses decreased 4% to $6.1 million in the first quarter as compared to $6.3 million in the prior year period. (See Schedule 3 for segment information.)

Operating Expenses

Other operating costs increased 3% on a GAAP basis to $75.9 million in the first quarter as compared to $73.7 million in the prior year period. When excluding transition, acquisition and integration costs of $3.3 million, Other operating costs increased 2% on a pro forma basis to $72.7 million as compared to $71.2 million in the prior year period. (See schedule 1 for GAAP financial measures and Schedule 2 for non-GAAP and pro forma adjustments.)

General and administrative expenses increased 103% on a GAAP basis to $89.3 million in the first quarter as compared to $44.0 million in the prior year period. The increase in General and administrative expenses is primarily due to approximately $38 million in costs related to a settlement agreement stemming from legacy litigation of an acquired company. When excluding transition, acquisition and integration costs as well as share-based compensation of $56.9 million, General and administrative expenses increased 5% on a pro forma basis to $32.4 million as compared to $31.0 million in the prior year period. (See schedule 1 for GAAP financial measures and Schedule 2 for non-GAAP and pro forma adjustments.)

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA increased 9% to $210.0 million in the first quarter as compared to $193.4 million in the prior year period. (See Schedule 6 for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted EBITDA.)

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 12% on a GAAP basis to $76.1 million in the first quarter as compared to $68.2 million in the prior year period.  Excluding intangible amortization of $51.9 million, depreciation and amortization expense increased 18% on a pro forma basis to $24.2 million as compared to $20.6 million in the prior year period. (See Schedule 1 for GAAP financial measures and Schedule 2 for non-GAAP and pro forma adjustments.)

Full-Year and Second Quarter Financial Outlook

For the full-year 2017, net revenue is expected to be $2,080 to $2,120 million, representing an increase of  9% to 11% above the prior year, which is unchanged from our prior guidance. On a GAAP basis, net income per diluted share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. is expected to be $1.51 - $1.58. Pro forma adjusted net income per share is expected to be $3.22 - $3.29, which represents an increase above our prior guidance. The increase in our pro forma adjusted net income per share guidance is primarily due to our strong financial performance during the first quarter as well as our adoption of the updated accounting standard for employee share-based compensation. (See Schedule 7 for a reconciliation of the outlook for GAAP net income per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. to pro forma adjusted net income per share.)

For the second quarter of 2017, net revenue is expected to be $517 to $527 million, representing an increase of 8% to 10% above the prior year period. On a GAAP basis, net income per diluted share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. is expected to be $0.41 - $0.43 for the second quarter of 2017. Pro forma adjusted net income per share is expected to be $0.81 - $0.83 for the second quarter of 2017. (See Schedule 7 for a reconciliation of the outlook for GAAP net income per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. to pro forma adjusted net income per share.)

Earnings Conference Call and Audio Webcast

The company will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter financial results today at 8:00 a.m. ET. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 440-5804, or for international callers (719) 325-4878, and referencing conference code 5686209. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes and can be accessed by dialing (866) 375-1919, or for international callers (719) 457-0820, and entering replay passcode 5686209. The replay will be available through May 10, 2017. The call will also be webcast live from the company's investor relations website at http://investors.vantiv.com. Following completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on the website.

ABOUT VANTIV

Vantiv, Inc. (NYSE: VNTV) is a leading payment processor differentiated by an integrated technology platform. Vantiv offers a comprehensive suite of traditional and innovative payment processing and technology solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all sizes, enabling them to address their payment processing needs through a single provider. We build strong relationships with our customers, helping them become more efficient, more secure and more successful. Vantiv is the largest merchant acquirer and the largest PIN debit acquirer based on number of transactions in the U.S. The company's growth strategy includes expanding further into high-growth channels and verticals, including integrated payments, eCommerce, and merchant bank. Visit us at www.vantiv.com, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.

© 2017 Vantiv, LLC. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks, service marks and trade names referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Vantiv and other Vantiv products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Vantiv, LLC in the U.S. and other countries.

Non-GAAP and Pro Forma Financial Measures

This earnings release presents non-GAAP and pro forma financial information including net revenue, adjusted EBITDA, pro forma adjusted net income, and pro forma adjusted net income per share. These are important financial performance measures for the company, but are not financial measures as defined by GAAP. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation of or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company uses these non-GAAP and pro forma financial performance measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. The company believes that they provide useful information about operating results, enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the attached schedules.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact or relating to present facts or current conditions included in this release are forward-looking statements including any statements regarding guidance and statements of a general economic or industry specific nature. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, guidance, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," "intend," "believe," "may," "should," "can have," "likely" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

The forward-looking statements contained in this release are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our industry experience and our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you review and consider information presented herein, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They depend upon future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond our control) and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual future performance or results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Certain of these factors and other risks are discussed in the company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and include, but are not limited to: (i) our ability to adapt to developments and change in our industry; (ii) competition; (iii) unauthorized disclosure of data or security breaches; (iv) systems failures or interruptions; (v) our ability to expand our market share or enter new markets; (vi) our ability to identify and complete acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships; (vii) failure to comply with applicable requirements of Visa, MasterCard or other payment networks or changes in those requirements; (viii) our ability to pass along fee increases; (ix) termination of sponsorship or clearing services; (x) loss of clients or referral partners; (xi) reductions in overall consumer, business and government spending; (xii) fraud by merchants or others; (xiii) a decline in the use of credit, debit or prepaid cards; (xiv) consolidation in the banking and retail industries; (xv) the effects of governmental regulation or changes in laws; and (xvi) outcomes of future litigation or investigations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. More information on potential factors that could affect the company's financial results and performance is included from time to time in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, including the company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and its subsequent filings with the SEC.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release speaks only as of the date of this release. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

CONTACTS

Investors
Nathan Rozof, CFA
Investor Relations
(866) 254-4811
(513) 900-4811
[email protected]

Media
Andrew Ciafardini
Corporate Communications
(513) 900-5308
[email protected]

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⁽¹⁾ Net revenue is revenue, less network fees and other costs which primarily consist of pass through expenses incurred by us in connection with providing processing services to our clients, including Visa and Mastercard network association fees, payment network fees, third party processing expenses, telecommunication charges, postage and card production costs.

⁽²⁾ Non-operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily relate to the change in fair value of a tax receivable agreement ("TRA") entered into as part of the acquisition of Mercury.

⁽³⁾ Includes a credit of approximately $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 relating to excess tax benefits as a result of the Company adopting new stock compensation accounting guidance on January 1, 2017 which requires those benefits be recorded in income tax expense.

⁽⁴⁾ Due to our structure as a C corporation and Vantiv Holding's structure as a pass-through entity for tax purposes, the numerator in the diluted net income per share calculation is adjusted to reflect our income tax expense at an expected effective tax rate assuming the conversion of the Class B units of Vantiv Holding into shares of our Class A common stock. The components of the diluted net income per share calculation are as follows:

Non-GAAP and Pro Forma Financial Measures

This schedule presents non-GAAP and pro forma financial measures, which are important financial performance measures for the Company, but are not financial measures as defined by GAAP.  Such financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP, and such measures may not be comparable to those reported by other companies.

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Pro forma adjusted net income is derived from GAAP income before applicable income taxes and adjusted for the following items described below:

⁽¹⁾ Represents acquisition and integration costs incurred in connection with our acquisitions, charges related to employee termination benefits and other transition activities. Transition, acquisition and integration costs for three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 include $3,263 and $2,488 in Other operating costs, respectively and $46,271 and $4,675 in General and administrative ("G&A"), respectively.  Included in Transition, acquisition and integration costs in the three months ended March 31, 2017 is a $38 million charge to G&A related to a settlement agreement stemming from legacy litigation of an acquired company.

⁽²⁾ Share-based compensation is recorded in G&A.

⁽³⁾ Represents amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and customer portfolio and related asset acquisitions.

⁽⁴⁾ Non-operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily relate to the change in the fair value of a TRA entered into as part of the acquisition of Mercury.

⁽⁵⁾ Represents adjusted income tax expense to reflect an effective tax rate of 34.0% for 2017 and 36.0% for 2016, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, assuming the conversion of the Class B units of Vantiv Holding into shares of Class A common stock, including the tax effect of adjustments described above. The three months ended March 31, 2017 includes the impact of the excess tax benefits relating to stock compensation as a result of the Company adopting new stock compensation accounting guidance on January 1, 2017 which requires those benefits to be recorded in income tax expense.  The effective tax rate is expected to remain at 34.0% for the remainder of 2017.

⁽⁶⁾ Represents tax benefits due to the amortization of intangible assets and other tax attributes resulting from or acquired with our acquisitions, and to the tax basis step up associated with our separation from Fifth Third Bank and the purchase or exchange of Class B units of Vantiv Holding, net of payment obligations under tax receivable agreements.

⁽⁷⁾ Represents the non-controlling interest, net of pro forma income tax expense discussed in (5) above, associated with a consolidated joint venture.

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⁽¹⁾ Includes equity attributable to non-controlling interests.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This schedule presents adjusted EBITDA, which is an important financial performance measure for the Company, but is not a financial measure as defined by GAAP.  Such financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income, and such measure may not be comparable to those reported by other companies.

________________
⁽¹⁾ Non-operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily relate to the change in fair value of a TRA entered into as part of the acquisition of Mercury.

⁽²⁾ Represents acquisition and integration costs incurred in connection with our acquisitions, charges related to employee termination benefits and other transition activities.  Included in Transition, acquisition and integration costs in the three months ended March 31, 2017 is a $38 million charge related to a settlement agreement stemming from legacy litigation of an acquired company.

Non-GAAP and Pro Forma Financial Measures

This schedule presents non-GAAP and pro forma financial measures, which are important financial performance measures for the Company, but are not financial measures as defined by GAAP.  Such financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP, and such measures may not be comparable to those reported by other companies.

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⁽¹⁾ Represents adjustments for the following items: (a) acquisition and integration costs incurred in connection with our acquisitions, charges related to employee termination benefits and other transition activities, the full year 2017 financial outlook includes a $38 million charge recorded in March 2017 related to a settlement agreement stemming from legacy litigation of an acquired company; (b) share-based compensation;  (c) amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and customer portfolio and related asset acquisitions;  (d) non-operating expense primarily associated with the change in fair value of a TRA entered into as part of the acquisition of Mercury; (e) non-controlling interest; (f) adjustments to income tax expense to reflect an effective tax rate of 34.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and year ended December 31, 2017, which includes the impact of excess tax benefits relating to stock compensation as a result of the Company adopting new stock compensation accounting guidance on January 1, 2017 which requires those benefits be recorded in income tax expense and 36.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and year ended December 31, 2016, assuming conversion of the Fifth Third Bank non-controlling interests into shares of Class A common stock, including the tax effect of adjustments described above;  and (g) tax benefits due to the amortization of intangible assets and other tax attributes resulting from or acquired with our acquisitions, and to the tax basis step up associated with our separation from Fifth Third Bank and the purchase or exchange of Class B units of Vantiv Holding, net of payment obligations under tax receivable agreements.

SOURCE Vantiv, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.vantiv.com