CSG Systems International, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2007 Results

CSG Systems International, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSGS), a leading provider of customer care and billing solutions, today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Third Quarter 2007 Highlights: Results from continuing operations were as follows: total revenues were $107.6 million; operating income was $21.6 million; and income from continuing operations was $15.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share. CSG’s third quarter results include the impact of the acquired Prairie Interactive Messaging (Prairie) business, which was not included in CSG’s previous financial guidance for the quarter. Additionally, income from continuing operations includes a benefit of $0.02 per diluted share when compared to CSG’s previous guidance expectations as a result of lower outstanding shares for the quarter due to higher than expected stock repurchases during the quarter. Absent the impact of these items, CSG’s revenue and earnings per diluted share were within the range of CSG’s financial guidance for the quarter. Cash flows from operations for the quarter were $35.7 million, which came in above CSG’s expectations of $30-32 million for the quarter, primarily due to normal changes in certain operating assets and liabilities for the quarter. For the quarter, CSG repurchased 5.6 million shares of its common stock for $129.7 million (weighted-average price of $23.34 per share) under its stock repurchase program. On July 9, 2007, CSG completed its acquisition of ComTec, Inc. (ComTec), a provider of statement processing solutions headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey. On August 10, 2007, CSG closed on its acquisition of Prairie Voice Services, Inc., a provider of interactive messaging services headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and renamed the company Prairie Interactive Messaging, Inc. "Every day, CSG plays a critical role in our clients’ success by helping them interact with their customers in meaningful, efficient and cost-effective ways,” said Ed Nafus, chief executive officer and president of CSG Systems International, Inc. "As our clients’ businesses expand in an increasingly competitive environment, CSG continuously seeks innovative ways to help clients improve levels of customer service and deploy new products and services. During the third quarter, we furthered our progress on this front by closing two strategic acquisitions, ComTec and Prairie Interactive Messaging. With these acquisitions, CSG gained capabilities that extend and complement our core offerings, while creating a path for CSG to grow its presence in new industries.” Summary GAAP Results of Operations Information (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages): Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007   2006   PercentChange 2007   2006   Percent Change Continuing operations: Total revenues $ 107,561 $ 98,450 9% $ 305,809 $ 286,463 7% Operating income 21,568 22,530 (4)% 63,183 66,523 (5)% Income from continuing operations 15,202 17,364 (12)% 46,599 48,435 (4)% Discontinued operations, net of tax - (3,760) NM 269 (3,760) 107% Net income 15,202 13,604 12% 46,868 44,675 5% Diluted earnings per share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.39 $ 0.37 5% $ 1.11 $ 1.03 8% Discontinued operations, net of tax - (0.08) NM 0.01 (0.08) 113% Net income $ 0.39 $ 0.29 34% $ 1.12 $ 0.95 18% Third Quarter 2007 Results From Continuing Operations Revenues. Total revenues for the third quarter of 2007 were $107.6 million, which represents an increase of nine percent when compared to $98.5 million for the same period in 2006, and an increase of eight percent when compared to $99.5 million for the second quarter of 2007. A significant portion of the increase in revenue in the third quarter, when compared to these prior quarters, relates primarily to the ComTec and Prairie businesses acquired by CSG during the third quarter. The components of total revenues were as follows: processing revenues for the third quarter of 2007 were $97.8 million, an increase of eight percent when compared to $90.3 million for the same period last year, and the second quarter of 2007. The revenues of ComTec and Prairie fall within this revenue classification, which accounts for a significant portion of the increase over the prior periods; and software, maintenance and services revenues were $9.8 million for the current quarter, a 20 percent increase when compared to $8.2 million for the same period last year, and a seven percent increase when compared to $9.2 million for the second quarter of 2007. Due to the timing of the transaction, CSG’s financial guidance for the third quarter of 2007 did not include the impact of Prairie, which is discussed in further detail below. As a result, excluding the Prairie results, revenues were approximately $105 million, which is within the range of CSG’s previous financial guidance of $105 - $107 million for the quarter. Results of Operations. Income from continuing operations presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP”) for the third quarter of 2007 was $15.2 million ($0.39 per diluted share), compared to $17.4 million ($0.37 per diluted share) for the same period last year, and $15.6 million ($0.37 per diluted share) for the second quarter of 2007. CSG’s income from continuing operations of $0.39 per diluted share for the current quarter includes a benefit of $0.02 per diluted share when compared to CSG’s previous guidance expectations as a result of lower outstanding shares for the quarter due to higher than expected stock repurchases during the quarter. Absent the impact of this $0.02 benefit, CSG’s earnings per diluted share were within the range of CSG’s previous financial guidance of $0.36 - $0.38 per diluted share for the quarter. Supplemental Data The following information is provided to assist readers in further evaluating CSG’s performance (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended September 30, 2007   Three Months Ended September 30, 2006   Amount (1)   Per Diluted Share Impact (2)   Amount (1)   Per Diluted Share Impact (2) Certain non-cash expenses: Depreciation $ 3,422 $ 0.06 $ 2,600 $ 0.04 Amortization of intangible assets 4,556 0.08 4,115 0.06 Stock-based employee compensation 3,274 0.05 3,085 0.04 Total $ 11,252 $ 0.19 $ 9,800 $ 0.14 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006   Amount (1)   Per Diluted Share Impact (2)   Amount (1)   Per Diluted Share Impact (2) Certain key operating income items: Restructuring charges $ 545 $ 0.01 $ 2,368 $ 0.03 Certain non-cash expenses: Depreciation $ 9,328 $ 0.14 $ 7,651 $ 0.10 Amortization of intangible assets 13,080 0.20 11,646 0.16 Stock-based employee compensation 8,126 0.12 9,114 0.12 Total $ 30,534 $ 0.46 $ 28,411 $ 0.38 (1) These items (on a pretax basis) are calculated in accordance with GAAP, and are reflected as part of continuing operations in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. (2) This represents the after tax impact to income from continuing operations on a per diluted share basis using CSG’s effective income tax rates from continuing operations of approximately 36% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, and 35% and 37%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. Total customer accounts processed on CSG's systems as of September 30, 2007, were 45.1 million, consistent with the number of customer accounts processed as of June 30, 2007. Prairie Interactive Messaging Acquisition On August 10, 2007, CSG closed on its acquisition of Prairie Voice Services, Inc., a privately-held provider of interactive messaging services headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, for approximately $41 million in net cash. In addition, the merger agreement provides for contingent payments of up to $6 million through the end of 2009 upon the achievement of certain predetermined operating criteria. In connection with the purchase, CSG and Prairie agreed to rename the company Prairie Interactive Messaging, Inc., which operates as a wholly-owned CSG company. CSG acquired Prairie to extend its suite of products and solutions to help its clients maximize the value of interactions with their customers with a set of unified, interactive messaging solutions that can interact with customers through outbound and inbound automated voice, text/SMS, e-mail and fax messages. Additionally, this acquisition extends CSG’s reach into industry verticals such as financial services, telecommunications, direct response, and contact centers. Financial Condition and Cash Flows Certain key balance sheet items as of the end of the indicated periods are as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2007   June 30, 2007   December 31, 2006 Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments (3) $ 177,328 $ 338,478 $ 415,490 Net trade accounts receivable 109,952 102,635 110,020 Certain key operating cash flow items for the indicated quarters then ended are as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2007   June 30, 2007   December 31, 2006 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Operations $ 28,404 $ 28,217 $ 29,549 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 7,266 (3,719) (680) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 35,670 $ 24,498 $ 28,869 (3) The sequential decrease of approximately $161 million between June 30, 2007, and September 30, 2007, is primarily due to $129.7 million of stock repurchases made during the quarter and total net cash paid of approximately $63 million for the ComTec and Prairie acquisitions, offset by cash generated from operations of $35.7 million. Stock Repurchase Program During the third quarter of 2007, CSG repurchased 5.6 million shares of its common stock for $129.7 million (a weighted-average price of $23.34 per share) under its stock repurchase program. Through September 30, 2007, CSG has purchased 12.0 million shares for a total of $295.0 million (a weighted-average price of $24.70 per share) towards its planned $350 million stock repurchases announced in August 2006. Fourth Quarter 2007 and Full Year 2007 Financial Guidance A summary of CSG’s financial guidance for continuing operations for the fourth quarter and full year 2007 is as follows (in millions, except for per share amounts and percentages). These amounts include the expected GAAP financial impact of the acquired ComTec and Prairie businesses.   Fourth Quarter   Full Year Revenues $ 111-$113 $ 417-$419 Operating Margins 20% 20%-21% Effective Income Tax Rate 37%-38% 36%-37% Earnings per Diluted Share $ 0.40-$0.42 $ 1.50-$1.52 Cash Flow from Operations $ 31-$32 $ 127-$128 There are certain non-cash items included in CSG’s fourth quarter and full year 2007 income from continuing operations per diluted share guidance noted above. The following table outlines the expected impact of these items, and is provided to assist readers in further evaluating CSG’s expected financial performance for these periods (in thousands, except per share amounts): Fourth Quarter -2007   Full Year – 2007 Certain non-cash expenses (4): Depreciation $ 3,800 $ 13,200 Amortization of intangible assets 4,700 17,800 Stock-based employee compensation 3,300 11,400 Total $11,800 $ 42,400 Per diluted share impact (5) $ 0.21 $ 0.67 (4) These items (on a pretax basis) are calculated in accordance with GAAP and take into account estimates related to the ComTec and Prairie acquisitions. (5) This represents the after tax impact to income from continuing operations on a per diluted share basis using CSG’s estimated effective income tax rates from continuing operations as noted above. Conference Call CSG will host a one-hour conference call on Tuesday, October 23, at 5 p.m. EDT, to discuss CSG's third quarter results. The call will be carried live and archived on the Internet. A link to the conference call is available at www.csgsystems.com. Additional Information For additional information about CSG, please visit CSG’s web site at www.csgsystems.com. Additional information can be found in the Investor Relations section of the web site. About CSG Systems International Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, CSG Systems International (Nasdaq: CSGS) is a leading provider of outsourced billing, customer care and print and mail solutions and services supporting the North American cable and direct broadcast satellite markets. CSG’s solutions support some of the world’s largest and most innovative providers of bundled multi-channel video, Internet, voice and IP-based services. CSG’s unique combination of solutions, services and expertise ensure that cable and satellite operators can continue to rapidly launch new service offerings, improve operational efficiencies and deliver a high-quality customer experience in a competitive and ever-changing marketplace. CSG is a S&P Midcap 400 company. For more information, visit our website at www.csgsystems.com. Safe-Harbor Statement This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that are based on assumptions about a number of important factors and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what appears in this news release. These factors include, but are not limited to: 1) CSG's ability to continue to perform satisfactorily and maintain good customer relations with its four largest clients, Comcast Corporation, Echostar Communications, Time Warner, Inc., and Charter Communications, which combined make up approximately 70% of CSG’s revenues; 2) the continued acceptance of CSG’s Advanced Convergent Platform and its related products and services; 3) CSG's ability to enhance current products and develop new technology that will retain existing clients and capture new market share; 4) significant forays into new markets, which may prove costly and unprofitable; 5) the degree to which CSG's expectations of market penetration and consumer acceptance of advanced IP services prove true -- and even if realized, CSG’s ability to meet the billing and customer care needs of those markets; 6) client consolidation, which has decreased the number of potential buyers for many of CSG's products and services; 7) CSG's ability to renew contracts and sell additional products and services to existing and new clients; 8) CSG's ability to successfully deliver on lengthy and/or complex implementation projects, which by their nature, carry much more risk; and 9) CSG’s ability to successfully integrate and manage acquired businesses or assets in order to achieve the expected strategic, operating and financial goals established for such acquisitions. This list is not exhaustive and readers are encouraged to review the additional risks and important factors described in CSG's reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other filings made with the SEC. CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-UNAUDITED (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)   September 30, 2007 December 31, 2006 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 118,867 $ 240,687 Short-term investments 58,461 174,803 Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 177,328 415,490 Trade accounts receivable- Billed, net of allowance of $1,589 and $1,143 109,952 110,020 Unbilled and other 5,818 5,555 Deferred income taxes 10,494 8,927 Other current assets 7,784 5,636 Total current assets 311,376 545,628 Property and equipment, net of depreciation of $70,115 and $66,656 28,343 23,680 Software, net of amortization of $34,013 and $32,989 9,081 7,725 Goodwill 59,891 14,228 Client contracts, net of amortization of $94,543 and $82,486 35,131 36,024 Deferred income taxes 15,591 19,617 Other assets 6,848 6,594 Total assets $ 466,261 $ 653,496 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Client deposits $ 26,887 $ 23,645 Trade accounts payable 22,229 15,509 Accrued employee compensation 18,844 20,962 Deferred revenue 15,520 17,586 Income taxes payable 1,467 3,651 Other current liabilities 11,889 10,158 Total current liabilities 96,836 91,511 Non-current liabilities: Long-term debt 230,000 230,000 Deferred revenue 9,292 8,632 Income taxes payable 4,490 - Other non-current liabilities 4,745 5,619 Total non-current liabilities 248,527 244,251 Total liabilities 345,363 335,762 Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding - - Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 37,136,239 shares and 46,831,643 shares outstanding 623 616 Additional paid-in capital 347,989 340,564 Treasury stock, at cost, 25,142,208 shares and 14,776,238 shares (612,863) (360,259) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss): Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments, net of tax (4) 25 Unrecognized pension plan losses and prior service costs, net of tax (852) (852) Accumulated earnings 386,005 337,640 Total stockholders’ equity 120,898 317,734 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 466,261 $ 653,496 CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME-UNAUDITED (in thousands, except per share amounts)   Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2007   Sept. 30, 2006 Sept. 30, 2007   Sept. 30, 2006 Revenues: Processing and related services $ 97,769 $ 90,272 $ 277,691 $ 264,408 Software, maintenance and services 9,792 8,178 28,118 22,055 Total revenues 107,561 98,450 305,809 286,463   Cost of revenues: Processing and related services 50,607 44,867 138,571 129,457 Software, maintenance and services 6,016 5,829 18,615 15,555 Total cost of revenues 56,623 50,696 157,186 145,012 Gross margin (exclusive of depreciation) 50,938 47,754 148,623 141,451 Operating expenses: Research and development 15,415 12,097 43,254 32,872 Selling, general and administrative 10,566 10,449 32,313 32,037 Depreciation 3,422 2,600 9,328 7,651 Restructuring charges (33) 78 545 2,368 Total operating expenses 29,370 25,224 85,440 74,928 Operating income 21,568 22,530 63,183 66,523 Other income (expense): Interest expense (1,684) (1,862) (5,365) (5,650) Interest and investment income, net 3,707 6,046 14,317 15,993 Other, net (2) - 133 (52) Total other 2,021 4,184 9,085 10,291 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 23,589 26,714 72,268 76,814 Income tax provision (8,387) (9,350) (25,669) (28,379) Income from continuing operations 15,202 17,364 46,599 48,435 Discontinued operations: Income from discontinued operations, includes net pretax loss on disposal in 2006 of $6,000   - (6,555) - (6,555) Income tax benefit - 2,795 269 2,795 Discontinued operations, net of tax - (3,760) 269 (3,760) Net income $ 15,202 $ 13,604 $ 46,868 $ 44,675   Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.39 $ 0.37 $ 1.12 $ 1.04 Discontinued operations, net of tax - (0.08) 0.01 (0.08) Net income $ 0.39 $ 0.29 $ 1.13 $ 0.96   Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.39 $ 0.37 $ 1.11 $ 1.03 Discontinued operations, net of tax - (0.08) 0.01 (0.08) Net income $ 0.39 $ 0.29 $ 1.12 $ 0.95   Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic 38,587 46,549 41,633 46,659 Diluted 38,969 47,154 41,999 47,228 CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS-UNAUDITED (in thousands)   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007   September 30, 2006 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $46,868 $ 44,675 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -   Depreciation 9,328 7,651 Amortization 13,967 12,550 Restructuring charge for abandonment of facilities 308 401 Net pretax loss on disposition of discontinued operations - 6,000 Gain on short-term investments (3,061) (567) Deferred income taxes 9,154 9,740 Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation awards (870) (2,845) Stock-based employee compensation 8,126 9,114 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Trade accounts and other receivables, net 7,310 (235) Other current and non-current assets 1,200 (1,807) Income taxes payable/receivable 5,385 11,128 Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities (478) (8,103) Deferred revenue (1,406) 1,579 Net cash provided by operating activities 95,831 89,281 Cash flows from investing activities: Net payments from the disposition of discontinued operations - (6,436) Purchases of property and equipment (12,386) (5,198) Proceeds from sale of aircraft held for sale - 7,376 Purchases of short-term investments (189,536) (183,716) Proceeds from sale/maturity of short-term investments 309,800 98,100 Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (65,382) (21,533) Acquisition of and investments in client contracts (6,914) (6,549) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 35,582 (117,956) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,786 7,431 Repurchase of common stock (255,889) (44,568) Payments on acquired equipment financing - (481) Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation awards 870 2,845 Net cash used in financing activities (253,233) (34,773) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (121,820) (63,448) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 240,687 346,113 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 118,867 $ 282,665     Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Net cash paid during the period for - Interest $ 3,193 $ 3,195 Income taxes 10,790 5,265