Why Financial Engines, Inc. Shares Stalled

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Financial Engines , a technology-enabled portfolio management services provider to employer-sponsored defined contribution plans, dipped as much as 18% after reporting its fourth-quarter earnings results after the closing bell last night.

So what: For the quarter, Financial Engines reported a 27% increase in revenue to $65.2 million as its professional management revenue soared 30% to $56.4 million. Assets under management also grew by $6.2 billion to $88.2 billion from the sequential third quarter. Adjusted net income vaulted higher as well, rising 45% to $11.9 million from $8.2 million in the year-ago quarter. However, this translated to $0.22 in EPS compared to Wall Street's forecast, which had called for EPS of $0.23.

Looking ahead, the company anticipates reporting full-year revenue of $274 million-$279 million in fiscal 2014 with adjusted EBITDA of $92 million-$94 million, representing adjusted-EBITDA growth of 17% at the midpoint. Extrapolating out its EBITDA forecast, I'd estimate this to equate to EPS in the $0.87-$0.90 range, depending on margins. By comparison, Wall Street was looking for $287.7 million in revenue and $0.94 in EPS for fiscal 2014.

Now what: Financial Engines has already had an impressive run higher, so a pullback was probably overdue. Overall, these results may not have met lofty expectations built up by the Street, but its assets under management growth and double-digit professional service growth will keep propelling its top and bottom lines higher. At close to 60 times 2014's profit potential, I'm still apt to keep my distance, but a major dip from current levels could necessitate a closer look, as it's clearly outpacing its competitors in the growth department.

Financial Engines has had an impressive run higher, but it may wind up paling in comparison to this top stock
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The article Why Financial Engines, Inc. Shares Stalled originally appeared on Fool.com.

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