SS&C Technologies Releases Q4 and Full Year 2020 Earnings Results

WINDSOR, Conn., Feb. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSNC), a global provider of investment, financial, and healthcare software-enabled services and software, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.


        (in
         millions,
         except per
         share
         data):                  
            
              Three Months        
            
            Three Months         Change    
            
           Twelve Months       
            
           Twelve Months          Change
                                              Ended                                 Ended                                            Ended                                Ended
                                December
               
              31,      December
             
              31,                 December
            
              31,      December
            
              31,
                                                               2020                                   2019                                               2020                                  2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                                                                   ---


       
              GAAP Results

    ---

        Revenue                                            $1,203.4                               $1,203.5        (0.0)%                             $4,667.9                              $4,632.9          0.8%

    ---

        Operating
         income                                               268.7                                  261.3          2.8%                                985.8                                 914.4          7.8%

    ---

        Operating
         income
         margin                                               22.3%                                 21.7%    
       60 bp                                21.1%                                19.7%    
      140 bp

    ---

        Diluted
         earnings
         per share                                            $0.74                                  $0.54         37.0%                                $2.35                                 $1.66         41.6%

    ---




       
              Adjusted Non-GAAP Results (defined in Notes 1 - 4 below)

    ---

        Adjusted
         revenue                                           $1,206.1                               $1,212.2        (0.5)%                             $4,681.1                              $4,668.8          0.3%

    ---

        Adjusted
         operating
         income                                               458.8                                  470.0        (2.4)%                              1,781.9                               1,742.7          2.2%

    ---

        Adjusted
         operating
         income
         margin                                               38.0%                                 38.8%  
       (80 bp)                                38.1%                                37.3%     
      80 bp

    ---

        Adjusted
         diluted
         earnings
         per share                                            $1.13                                  $1.08          4.6%                                $4.30                                 $3.83         12.3%

    ---

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Highlights:

    --  SS&C generated net cash from operating activities of $1,184.7 million
        for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.
    --  We paid down $738.2 million in debt in 2020 to bring our net leverage
        ratio and net secured leverage ratio to 3.39 times and 2.31 times
        consolidated EBITDA, respectively.
    --  Repurchased 3.7 million shares of common stock in 2020 at an average
        price of $60.99 per shares for $227.7 million.
    --  SS&C spent $471.0 million on research & development and capitalized
        software in 2020, and acquired three businesses for $138.9 million, a
        total of over $600 million.
    --  Launched SS&C's Blue Sky Portal, a dedicated cloud-based technology
        solution to help investment managers comply with state Blue Sky laws.
    --  SS&C Health completed the new COVAX Program, focused on ensuring the
        successful completion of the COVID Vaccine series for members receiving
        the vaccination from SS&C Health partner pharmacies.

"SS&C's 2020 financial results prove the resiliency of our business model, the stability of our client base, and the dedication of our workforce. Despite the many challenges this year presented, we were able to grow earnings in the double digits, hold margins steady, complete three acquisitions, while keeping our employees safe," says Bill Stone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "SS&C generates nearly 25% of our revenue in operating cash, which demonstrates the power of our business model. 2021 is the third year anniversary of our 2018 deployment of $8.3 billion in capital to acquire DST Systems, Eze Software, and Intralinks. Our adjusted earnings per share have grown from $1.93 in 2017, to $2.92 in 2018, to $3.83 in 2019 and $4.30 in 2020. The 4-year compounded growth rate in adjusted earnings per share is 22.2%. We believe cash from operations and adjusted earnings per share are good proxies for the health of our business."

"We have also been meeting with major shareholders and have begun a significant change to our executive compensation system and overall corporate governance. SS&C has a 35-year history of adapting to change and in February of 2021 we have never had more opportunity, more resources to pursue these opportunities, or a more talented workforce. I want to thank our employees, customers and suppliers for focusing, collaborating and accomplishing our 2020 goals. We look at 2021 with increased optimism."

Operating Cash Flow

SS&C generated net cash from operating activities of $1,184.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $1,328.3 million for the same period in 2019. SS&C ended the fourth quarter with $209.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and $6,504.9 million in gross debt, for a net debt balance of $6,295.6 million. SS&C's consolidated net leverage ratio as defined in our credit agreement stood at 3.39 times consolidated EBITDA as of December 31, 2020. SS&C's net secured leverage ratio stood at 2.31 times consolidated EBITDA as of December 31, 2020.

SS&C's COVID-19 Response

SS&C is operating in a global public health crisis. Covid-19's impact is devastating to many and nations are being tested from human and economic perspectives. As long as the duration and scale of the pandemic and economic slowdown remains we expect markets to be volatile. The slowdown in the global economy will take time to recover.

Guidance


                                          
         
                Q1 2021         
         
               FY 2021



     Adjusted Revenue ($M)                   
              $1,158.0 - $1,198.0     
             $4,685.0 - $4,875.0



     Adjusted Net Income ($M)                    
              $281.5 - $298.5     
             $1,185.0 - $1,270.0



     Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share           
              $1.05 - $1.11          
              $4.36 - $4.64



     Cash from Operating Activities ($M)                       
              -     
             $1,240.0 - $1,320.0



     Capital Expenditures (% of revenue)                       
              -                       2.6% - 3.0%



     Diluted Shares (M)                    
           269.0 - 270.0              
         271.5 - 274.0



     Effective Income Tax Rate (%)                                     26%                               26%

SS&C does not provide reconciliations of guidance for Adjusted Revenues and Adjusted Net Income to comparable GAAP measures, in reliance on the unreasonable efforts exception provided under Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K. SS&C is unable, without unreasonable efforts, to forecast certain items required to develop meaningful comparable GAAP financial measures. These items include acquisition transactions and integration, foreign exchange rate changes, as well as other non-cash and other adjustments as defined under the Company's Credit agreement, that are difficult to predict in advance in order to include in a GAAP estimate. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on Q1 2021 and FY 2021 GAAP financial results.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted revenue, adjusted operating income, adjusted consolidated EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures. See the accompanying notes for the reconciliations and definitions for each of these non-GAAP measures and the reasons our management believes these measures provide useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations.

Earnings Call and Press Release

SS&C's Q4 2020 earnings call will take place at 5:00 p.m. eastern time today, February 10, 2021. The call will discuss Q4 2020 results and business outlook. Interested parties may dial 844-343-4183 (US and Canada) or 647-689-5128 (International), and request the "SS&C Technologies Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Conference Call"; conference ID # 1458468. In connection with the earnings call, a presentation will be available on SS&C's website at http://investor.ssctech.com/results.cfm. A replay will be available after 10:00 p.m. eastern time on February 10, 2021, until midnight on February 17, 2021. The replay dial-in number is 800-585-8367 or 416-621-4642; access code # 1458468. The call will also be available for replay on SS&C's website after February 10, 2021; access: http://investor.ssctech.com/results.cfm.

Certain information contained in this press release relating to, among other things, the Company's financial guidance for the first quarter and full year of 2021 constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, expectations, intentions, projections, developments, future events, performance, underlying assumptions, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "estimates", "projects", "forecasts", "may", "assume", "intend", "will", "continue", "opportunity", "predict", "potential", "future", "guarantee", "likely", "target", "indicate", "would", "could" and "should" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements are accompanied by such words. Such statements reflect management's best judgment based on factors currently known but are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the state of the economy and the financial services industry and other industries in which the Company's clients operate, the Company's ability to realize anticipated benefits from its acquisitions, including DST Systems, Inc., the effect of customer consolidation on demand for the Company's products and services, the increasing focus of the Company's business on the hedge fund industry, the variability of revenue as a result of activity in the securities markets, the ability to retain and attract clients, fluctuations in customer demand for the Company's products and services, the intensity of competition with respect to the Company's products and services, the exposure to litigation and other claims, terrorist activities and other catastrophic events, disruptions, attacks or failures affecting the Company's software-enabled services, risks associated with the Company's foreign operations, privacy concerns relating to the collection and storage of personal information, evolving regulations and increased scrutiny from regulators, the Company's ability to protect intellectual property assets and litigation regarding intellectual property rights, delays in product development, investment decisions concerning cash balances, regulatory and tax risks, risks associated with the Company's joint ventures, changes in accounting standards, risks related to the Company's substantial indebtedness, the market price of the Company's stock prevailing from time to time, and the risks discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can also be accessed on our website. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

About SS&C Technologies

SS&C is a global provider of services and software for the financial services and healthcare industries. Founded in 1986, SS&C is headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut, and has offices around the world. Some 18,000 financial services and healthcare organizations, from the world's largest companies to small and mid-market firms, rely on SS&C for expertise, scale, and technology.

Follow SS&C on Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook.


                                                                 
           
                SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                               
         
                Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


                                                                     
              
                (in millions, except per share data)


                                                                                 
              
                (unaudited)




                                                                         Three Months Ended December 31,                                         Twelve Months Ended December 31,



                                                            2020                                2019                                        2020                                 2019




     
                Revenues:


      Software-enabled services                                  $
           998.4                                     $
              974.5                            $
              3,891.3        $
             3,869.2


      License, maintenance and related                                  205.0                                                 229.0                                          776.6                     763.7




     Total revenues                                                  1,203.4                                               1,203.5                                        4,667.9                   4,632.9



                   Cost of revenues:



     Software-enabled services                                         572.3                                                 577.8                                        2,257.3                   2,305.7


      License, maintenance and related                                   80.5                                                  80.2                                          316.8                     306.0




     Total cost of revenues                                            652.8                                                 658.0                                        2,574.1                   2,611.7




     Gross profit                                                      550.6                                                 545.5                                        2,093.8                   2,021.2



                   Operating expenses:



     Selling and marketing                                              95.4                                                  92.6                                          356.3                     353.9



     Research and development                                          100.7                                                 100.4                                          399.4                     383.7



     General and administrative                                         85.8                                                  91.2                                          352.3                     369.2




     Total operating expenses                                          281.9                                                 284.2                                        1,108.0                   1,106.8




     Operating income                                                  268.7                                                 261.3                                          985.8                     914.4



     Interest expense, net                                            (53.3)                                              (100.5)                                       (245.9)                  (404.9)



     Other income (expense), net                                        22.8                                                 (1.4)                                          41.6                      25.7


      Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
       affiliates, net                                                  (1.4)                                                  1.5                                          (1.5)                      3.6


      Loss on extinguishment of debt                       (2.0)                                                                                       (4.2)                          (7.1)




     Income before income taxes                                        234.8                                                 160.9                                          775.8                     531.7



     Provision for income taxes                                         37.7                                                  19.3                                          150.6                      93.2




     Net income                                                 $
           197.1                                     $
              141.6                              $
              625.2          $
             438.5





      Basic earnings per share                                    $
           0.77                                      $
              0.56                               $
              2.44           $
             1.73


      Diluted earnings per share                                  $
           0.74                                      $
              0.54                               $
              2.35           $
             1.66




      Basic weighted average number of common
       shares outstanding                                               256.7                                                 253.5                                          256.4                     252.9


      Diluted weighted average number of
       common and common equivalent shares
       outstanding                                                      268.1                                                 264.4                                          266.6                     264.2





     Net income                                                 $
           197.1                                     $
              141.6                              $
              625.2          $
             438.5


                   Other comprehensive income, net of tax:


      Change in unrealized gain (loss) on
       interest rate swaps                                                0.1                                                   0.5                                          (2.7)                    (2.8)


      Defined benefit pension adjustment                   (3.2)                                                                                       (3.2)


      Foreign currency exchange translation
       adjustment                                                       103.8                                                 124.6                                           57.9                      92.8



      Total other comprehensive income, net of
       tax                                                              100.7                                                 125.1                                           52.0                      90.0



      Comprehensive income                                       $
           297.8                                     $
              266.7                              $
              677.2          $
             528.5


                                                           
       
         SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                             
       
             Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                  
           
                (in millions)


                                                                   
           
                (unaudited)




                                                                                                   December 31,                        December 31,


                                                                                                           2020                                 2019




     
                Assets



     Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                           $
         209.3                  $
         152.8



     Funds receivable and funds held on behalf of clients                                                                     1,227.4                       1,729.9



     Accounts receivable, net                                                                                                   648.0                         669.7



     Contract asset                                                                                                              20.4                          20.0



     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                  187.5                         204.5



     Restricted cash                                                                                                              5.9                           9.0




     Total current assets                                                                                                     2,298.5                       2,785.9



     Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                         412.8                         466.4



     Operating lease right-of-use assets                                                                                        350.8                         375.3



     Investments                                                                                                                183.5                         160.1



     Unconsolidated affiliates                                                                                                  225.6                         234.8



     Contract asset                                                                                                              82.0                          78.6



     Goodwill                                                                                                                 8,078.7                       7,959.9



     Intangible and other assets, net                                                                                         4,291.7                       4,680.1




     Total assets                                                                                                     $
         15,923.6               $
         16,741.1




     
                Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity



     Current liabilities:



     Current portion of long-term debt                                                                                    $
         53.9                   $
         76.3



     Client funds obligations                                                                                                 1,227.4                       1,729.9



     Accounts payable                                                                                                            28.1                          36.9



     Income taxes payable                                                                                                         9.3                          13.3



     Accrued employee compensation and benefits                                                                                 311.5                         290.6



     Interest payable                                                                                                            27.5                          27.6



     Other accrued expenses                                                                                                     293.1                         268.4



     Deferred revenue                                                                                                           332.5                         333.2




     Total current liabilities                                                                                                2,283.3                       2,776.2



     Long-term debt, net of current portion                                                                                   6,388.5                       7,077.8



     Operating lease liabilities                                                                                                323.6                         348.6



     Other long-term liabilities                                                                                                287.9                         333.7



     Deferred income taxes                                                                                                      923.8                       1,088.7




     Total liabilities                                                                                                       10,207.1                      11,625.0



     Total stockholders' equity                                                                                               5,716.5                       5,116.1




     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                       $
         15,923.6               $
         16,741.1


                                  
              
                SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                   
              
                Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                                                    
              
                (in millions)


                                                     
              
                (unaudited)




                                                                                           Twelve Months Ended December 31,



                                                                         2020                                           2019



                   Cash flow from operating activities:



     Net income                                                                  $
              625.2                                  $
            438.5


      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
       provided by operating activities:



     Depreciation and amortization                                                         725.3                                            775.2


      Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
       affiliates, net                                                                        1.5                                            (3.6)


      Cash distributions received from unconsolidated
       affiliates                                                                             8.0                                              2.5



     Stock-based compensation expense                                                       87.8                                             72.4



     Net gains on investments                                                             (24.2)                                          (35.1)


      Amortization and write-offs of loan
       origination costs and original issue discounts                                        13.8                                             28.4



     Loss on extinguishment of debt, net                                                     4.1


      Loss on sale or disposition of property and
       equipment                                                                              4.6                                              2.6



     Deferred income taxes                                                               (155.4)                                          (87.1)



     Provision for doubtful accounts                                                         7.7                                              6.2


      Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
       excluding effects from acquisitions:



     Accounts receivable                                                                    24.3                                              9.9



     Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                    (86.9)                                            49.1



     Contract assets                                                                       (2.5)                                          (48.1)



     Accounts payable                                                                     (13.1)                                           (0.7)


      Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                (8.2)                                          (43.2)



     Income taxes prepaid and payable                                                       31.4                                           (35.0)



     Deferred revenue                                                                     (58.7)                                           196.3



      Net cash provided by operating activities                                           1,184.7                                          1,328.3



                   Cash flow from investing activities:


      Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of
       cash acquired                                                                      (116.0)                                          (94.1)



     Additions to property and equipment                                                  (34.8)                                          (63.0)


      Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                            2.3                                              6.2



     Additions to capitalized software                                                    (71.6)                                          (67.4)



     Investments in securities                                                            (60.9)                                           (0.3)


      Proceeds from sales /maturities of investments                                         60.3                                             65.1


      (Contributions to) distributions received from
       unconsolidated affiliates                                                            (0.1)                                             2.8


      Collection of other non-current receivables                                            10.3                                             10.2



      Net cash used in investing activities                                               (210.5)                                         (140.5)



                   Cash flow from financing activities:



     Cash received from debt borrowings                                                    286.0                                          2,241.0



     Repayments of debt                                                                (1,024.2)                                       (3,364.8)


      Fees paid for debt extinguishment and
       refinancing activities                                                                                                (6.1)


      Net (decrease) increase in client funds
       obligations                                                                        (504.9)                                           681.6


      Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                               189.7                                            125.7


      Withholding taxes paid related to equity award
       net share settlement                                                                (10.9)                                          (22.8)


      Purchases of common stock for treasury                                              (227.7)                                          (60.3)



     Dividends paid on common stock                                                      (136.1)                                         (107.7)



      Net cash used in financing activities                                             (1,428.1)                                         (513.4)



      Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash
       equivalents and restricted cash                                                        2.4                                              1.7



      Net decrease (increase) in cash, cash
       equivalents and restricted cash                                                    (451.5)                                           676.1


      Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash,
       beginning of period                                                                1,789.4                                          1,113.3



                   Cash, cash equivalents and restricted
                    cash and cash equivalents, end of
                    period                                                      $
              1,337.9                                $
            1,789.4





                   Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and
                    restricted cash and cash equivalents:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                   $
              209.3                                  $
            152.8



     Restricted cash and cash equivalents                                                    5.9                                              9.0


      Restricted cash and cash equivalents included
       in funds receivable and funds held on behalf
       of clients                                                                         1,122.7                                          1,627.6



                                                                                $
              1,337.9                                $
            1,789.4

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Disclosures Relating to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Note 1. Reconciliation of Revenues to Adjusted Revenues

Adjusted revenues represents revenues adjusted to include a) amounts that would have been recognized if deferred revenue were not adjusted to fair value at the date of acquisition and b) amounts that would have been recognized if not for adjustments to deferred revenue and retained earnings related to the adoption of ASC 606. Adjusted revenues is presented because we use this measure to evaluate performance of our business against prior periods and believe it is a useful indicator of the underlying performance of our business. Adjusted revenues is not a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Adjusted revenues does not represent revenues, as that term is defined under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to revenues as an indicator of our operating performance. Adjusted revenues as presented herein is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Below is a reconciliation of adjusted revenues to revenues, the GAAP measure we believe to be most directly comparable to adjusted revenues.


                                       Three Months Ended                       Twelve Months Ended
                            December 31,                          December 31,



     (in millions)    2020                                2019                  2020                       2019



     Revenues              $
              1,203.4                 $
           1,203.5                     $
     4,667.9  $
     4,632.9


     ASC 606 adoption
      impact                               0.7                              6.6                            4.9        18.7


     Purchase
      accounting
      adjustments
      impact on
      revenue                              2.0                              2.1                            8.3        17.2



     Adjusted
      revenues             $
              1,206.1                 $
           1,212.2                     $
     4,681.1  $
     4,668.8

The following is a breakdown of software-enabled services and license, maintenance and related revenues and adjusted software-enabled services and license, maintenance and related revenues.


                                       Three Months Ended                         Twelve Months Ended
                            December 31,                            December 31,



     (in millions)    2020                                2019                    2020                       2019



     Software-enabled
      services               $
              998.4                   $
             974.5                     $
     3,891.3  $
     3,869.2


     License,
      maintenance and
      related                            205.0                              229.0                          776.6       763.7



     Total revenues        $
              1,203.4                 $
             1,203.5                     $
     4,667.9  $
     4,632.9





     Software-enabled
      services             $
              1,000.3                   $
             976.4                     $
     3,898.6  $
     3,886.8


     License,
      maintenance and
      related                            205.8                              235.8                          782.5       782.0



     Total adjusted
      revenues             $
              1,206.1                 $
             1,212.2                     $
     4,681.1  $
     4,668.8

Note 2. Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income

Adjusted operating income represents operating income adjusted for amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, purchase accounting adjustments for deferred revenue and related costs, ASC 606 adoption impact and other expenses. Adjusted operating income is presented because we use this measure to evaluate performance of our business and believe it is a useful indicator of our underlying performance. Adjusted operating income is not a recognized term under GAAP. Adjusted operating income does not represent operating income, as that term is defined under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of our operating performance. Adjusted operating income as presented herein is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures by other companies. The following is a reconciliation between adjusted operating income and operating income, the GAAP measure we believe to be most directly comparable to adjusted operating income.


                                            Three Months Ended                          Twelve Months Ended
                               December 31,                            December 31,



      (in millions)       2020                                 2019                 2020                             2019



      Operating income          $
              268.7                   $
       261.3                                $
       985.8    $
       914.4


      Amortization of
       intangible assets                    155.8                        162.2                                     619.7         652.0


      Stock-based
       compensation                          21.9                         16.7                                      87.8          72.4


      Purchase accounting
       adjustments (1)                       10.2                         11.2                                      40.3          52.1


      ASC 606 adoption
       impact                                 0.8                          6.7                                       5.2          19.0



     Other (2)                               1.4                         11.9                                      43.1          32.8



      Adjusted operating
       income                   $
              458.8                   $
       470.0                              $
       1,781.9  $
       1,742.7




              (1)              Purchase accounting adjustments
                                  include (a) an adjustment to
                                  increase revenues by the amount
                                  that would have been recognized
                                  if deferred revenue were not
                                  adjusted to fair value at the
                                  date of acquisition, (b) an
                                  adjustment to increase personnel
                                  and commissions expense by the
                                  amount that would have been
                                  recognized if prepaid
                                  commissions and deferred
                                  personnel costs were not
                                  adjusted to fair value at the
                                  date of the acquisitions and (c)
                                  an adjustment to decrease
                                  depreciation expense by the
                                  amount that would not have been
                                  recognized if property, plant
                                  and equipment were not adjusted
                                  to fair value at the date of
                                  acquisition.



              (2)              Other includes expenses and
                                  income that are permitted to be
                                  excluded per the terms of our
                                  Credit Agreement from
                                  Consolidated EBITDA, a financial
                                  measure used in calculating our
                                  covenant compliance.  These
                                  include expenses and income
                                  related to foreign currency
                                  transactions, facilities and
                                  workforce restructuring, legal
                                  settlements and business
                                  acquisitions.

Note 3. Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA, Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA

EBITDA represents net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Consolidated EBITDA, defined under our Credit Agreement entered into in April 2018, as amended, is used in calculating covenant compliance, and is EBITDA adjusted for certain items. Consolidated EBITDA is calculated by subtracting from or adding to EBITDA items of income or expense described below. Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA is calculated by subtracting acquired EBITDA (as defined below) from Consolidated EBITDA. EBITDA, Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA are presented because we use these measures to evaluate performance of our business and believe them to be useful indicators of an entity's debt capacity and its ability to service debt. EBITDA, Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities as indicators of our operating performance. These measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures by other companies. The following is a reconciliation of EBITDA, Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA to net income.


                                                 Three Months Ended                       Twelve Months Ended
                                     December 31,                         
        December 31,




     (in millions)             2020                                2019                   2020                        2019




     Net income                      $
              197.1                  $
      141.6                              $
       625.2    $
         438.5


      Interest expense, net                        53.3                      100.5                                   245.9           404.9


      Provision for income
       taxes                                       37.7                       19.3                                   150.6            93.2


      Depreciation and
       amortization                               181.2                      192.4                                   725.3           775.2




     EBITDA                                      469.3                      453.8                                 1,747.0         1,711.8


      Stock-based compensation                     21.9                       16.7                                    87.8            72.4


      Acquired EBITDA and cost
       savings (1)                                                            3.9                                     2.3            49.6


      Non-cash portion of
       straight-line rent
       expense                                      0.1                      (0.1)                                  (0.1)            0.1


      Loss on extinguishment of
       debt                                         2.0                                                               4.2             7.1


      Equity in earnings of
       unconsolidated
       affiliates, net                              1.4                      (1.5)                                    1.5           (3.6)


      Purchase accounting
       adjustments (2)                              1.7                        1.6                                     6.9            14.0


      ASC 606 adoption impact                       0.8                        6.7                                     5.2            19.0



     Other (3)                                  (21.4)                      13.3                                     1.5             7.1



      Consolidated EBITDA             $
              475.8                  $
      494.4                            $
       1,856.3  $
         1,877.5


      Less:  acquired EBITDA
       and cost savings (1)                                                 (3.9)                                  (2.3)         (49.6)



      Adjusted Consolidated
       EBITDA                         $
              475.8                  $
      490.5                            $
       1,854.0  $
         1,827.9




              (1)              Acquired EBITDA reflects the
                                  EBITDA impact of significant
                                  businesses that were acquired
                                  during the period as if the
                                  acquisition occurred at the
                                  beginning of the period, as well
                                  as cost savings enacted in
                                  connection with acquisitions.



              (2)              Purchase accounting adjustments
                                  include (a) an adjustment to
                                  increase revenues by the amount
                                  that would have been recognized
                                  if deferred revenue were not
                                  adjusted to fair value at the
                                  date of acquisition and (b) an
                                  adjustment to increase personnel
                                  and commissions expense by the
                                  amount that would have been
                                  recognized if prepaid
                                  commissions and deferred
                                  personnel costs were not
                                  adjusted to fair value at the
                                  date of the acquisitions.



              (3)              Other includes expenses and
                                  income that are permitted to be
                                  excluded per the terms of our
                                  Credit Agreement from
                                  Consolidated EBITDA, a financial
                                  measure used in calculating our
                                  covenant compliance.  These
                                  include expenses and income
                                  related to foreign currency
                                  transactions, investment gains
                                  and losses, facilities and
                                  workforce restructuring, legal
                                  settlements, business
                                  acquisitions and other items.

Note 4. Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share represent net income and earnings per share before amortization of intangible assets and deferred financing costs, stock-based compensation, purchase accounting adjustments and other items. We consider adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share to be important to management and investors because they represent our operational performance exclusive of the effects of amortization of intangible assets and deferred financing costs, stock-based compensation, purchase accounting adjustments, loss on extinguishment of debt and other items, that are not operational in nature or comparable to those of our competitors. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are not recognized terms under GAAP. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share do not represent net income or diluted earnings per share, as those terms are defined under GAAP, and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or diluted earnings per share as indicators of our operating performance. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share as presented herein are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Below is a reconciliation of adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share to net income and diluted earnings per share, the GAAP measures we believe to be most directly comparable to adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share.


                                             Three Months Ended                       Twelve Months Ended
                                 December 31,                            December 31,



     (in millions, except
      per share data)       2020                                2019                   2020                           2019



     GAAP - Net income            $
              197.1                  $
          141.6                          $
          625.2    $
           438.5


     Plus: Amortization of
      intangible assets                       155.8                          162.2                                  619.7             652.0


     Plus: Amortization of
      deferred financing
      costs and original
      issue discount                            3.4                           15.1                                   13.8              28.4


     Plus: Stock-based
      compensation                             21.9                           16.7                                   87.8              72.4


     Plus: Loss on
      extinguishment of
      debt                                      2.0                                                                  4.2               7.1


     Plus: Purchase
      accounting
      adjustments (1)                          10.2                           11.2                                   40.3              52.1


     Plus: ASC 606 adoption
      impact                                    0.8                            6.7                                    5.2              19.0


     Plus (Less): Equity in
      earnings of
      unconsolidated
      affiliates, net                           1.4                          (1.5)                                   1.5             (3.6)


     (Less) Plus: Other (2)                  (21.4)                          13.3                                    1.5               7.1


     Income tax effect (3)                   (68.6)                        (80.7)                               (252.4)          (262.1)



     Adjusted net income          $
              302.6                  $
          284.6                        $
          1,146.8  $
           1,010.9



     Adjusted diluted
      earnings per share           $
              1.13                   $
          1.08                           $
          4.30     $
           3.83


     GAAP diluted earnings
      per share                    $
              0.74                   $
          0.54                           $
          2.35     $
           1.66


     Diluted weighted-
      average shares
      outstanding                             268.1                          264.4                                  266.6             264.2




              (1)              Purchase accounting adjustments
                                  include (a) an adjustment to
                                  increase revenues by the amount
                                  that would have been recognized if
                                  deferred revenue were not adjusted
                                  to fair value at the date of
                                  acquisition, (b) an adjustment to
                                  increase personnel and commissions
                                  expense by the amount that would
                                  have been recognized if prepaid
                                  commissions and deferred personnel
                                  costs were not adjusted to fair
                                  value at the date of the
                                  acquisitions and (c) an adjustment
                                  to decrease depreciation expense
                                  by the amount that would not have
                                  been recognized if property, plant
                                  and equipment were not adjusted to
                                  fair value at the date of
                                  acquisition.



              (2)              Other includes expenses and income
                                  that are permitted to be excluded
                                  per the terms of our Credit
                                  Agreement from Consolidated
                                  EBITDA, a financial measure used
                                  in calculating our covenant
                                  compliance.  These include
                                  expenses and income related to
                                  foreign currency transactions,
                                  investment gains and losses,
                                  facilities and workforce
                                  restructuring, legal settlements,
                                  business acquisitions and other
                                  items.



              (3)              An estimated normalized effective
                                  tax rate of approximately 26% for
                                  the three and twelve months ended
                                  December 31, 2020 and 2019,
                                  respectively, has been used to
                                  adjust the provision for income
                                  taxes for the purpose of computing
                                  adjusted net income.

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SOURCE SS&C