NIC Increases Sales but Misses Estimates on Earnings
NIC (NAS: EGOV) reported earnings on Feb. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), NIC missed estimates on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.
Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved and GAAP earnings per share didn't move.
Gross margins expanded, operating margins dropped, and net margins dropped.
Revenue details
NIC tallied revenue of $45.1 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $46.5 million. Sales were 10% higher than the prior-year quarter's $40.8 million.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.
EPS details
EPS came in at $0.08. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.09 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.08 were the same as the prior-year quarter.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.
Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 42.7%, 540 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.4%, 810 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.3%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $48.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.09.
Next year's average estimate for revenue is $209.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.43.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 230 members out of 246 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 63 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 60 give NIC a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on NIC is hold, with an average price target of $14.25.
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At the time thisarticle was published Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor ofMotley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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