ACI Worldwide Achieves Notable Credit Rating Improvement

ACI Worldwide Receives Credit Rating Upgrade

ACI Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: ACIW), a prominent player in the payment systems industry, has achieved a significant milestone by having its issuer credit rating upgraded to 'BB+' from 'BB' at S&P Global. This upgrade is attributed to the company’s reduced leverage and positive growth prospects as it reports accelerated revenue growth through the initial phases of the fiscal year 2024.

Impact of Upgraded Credit Rating

In addition to the upgrade in the issuer credit rating, ACI Worldwide has also seen its credit rating for senior unsecured notes climb to 'BB' from 'BB-'. Importantly, the recovery rating on these notes remains steady at '5'. This stable outlook is a strong indication that ACI Worldwide is likely to maintain leverage at a favorable level in the near future, while also delivering robust topline growth alongside improved margins.

Historical Leverage Management

Since fiscal 2021, ACI Worldwide has effectively kept its leverage below the 3x threshold, bolstered by impressive earnings that have led to rapid deleveraging. As reported in the third quarter of 2024, the company’s leverage stood at a commendable 1.6x. This continued performance is expected to maintain in fiscal 2024, with anticipated leverage around 2.0x for the coming years.

Business Growth Highlights

Despite being smaller in scale compared to many of its 'BB+' rated peers, ACI Worldwide’s conservative leverage target, coupled with its broad product offerings, effectively mitigates several of the standard credit risks faced by smaller companies. The range of services ACI Worldwide provides supports trillions of dollars in daily transactions, catering to top-tier global financial institutions, as well as global merchants and billers. Remarkably, the company facilitates 26 instant payment schemes and supports ten key central infrastructures, showcasing its expansive operational footprint.

Segment Performance and Future Growth

ACI Worldwide has enjoyed solid growth across all three business segments—Banks, Merchants, and Billers—during the first three quarters of 2024. Notably, the Banks segment has shown outstanding performance with a 30% growth compared to the same period in 2023. As the company looks ahead, revenue growth is projected to reach 9.6% for the full year 2024, a remarkable recovery from the much lower rates of 2.2% and 3.7% in the previous two years.

Strategic Innovations and Investments

The company's Payments Hub platform is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing its reach to mid-tier financial institutions, defined as those with assets ranging from $50 billion to $250 billion. Pilot programs set to launch this year are expected to further enhance ACI Worldwide's market presence. The primary clients include major institutions with over $250 billion in assets, which often possess the necessary infrastructure to effectively implement ACI's innovative solutions.

Financial Outlook and Cash Flow Projections

Looking beyond immediate growth, ACI Worldwide anticipates that ongoing investments into research and development, along with capital expenses related to growth, will continue to fuel product innovation. The company expects to generate over $200 million in free operating cash flow by 2024, a figure projected to rise above $250 million by 2026. This growth in cash flow underscores a stable customer base and ongoing enhancements in their payments infrastructure, setting the company up for sustained mid- to high-single-digit revenue growth. This, paired with potential improvements in EBITDA margins, positions ACI Worldwide for robust cash generation, supporting its capital allocation priorities including reinvestments and share buybacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ACI Worldwide's new credit rating?

ACI Worldwide has received an upgrade to a 'BB+' credit rating from S&P Global.

What factors contributed to this credit rating upgrade?

The upgrade was driven by lower leverage and strong growth prospects indicated by accelerated revenue growth.

How has ACI Worldwide's leverage changed recently?

ACI Worldwide's leverage has decreased to 1.6x as of the third quarter of 2024, with expectations of maintaining around 2.0x in the coming years.

What are the expected revenue growth rates for ACI Worldwide?

The company anticipates a revenue growth of 9.6% for 2024, significantly higher than previous years.

Which segments of ACI Worldwide are experiencing the most growth?

ACI Worldwide has reported substantial growth in all its segments, particularly a 30% increase in the Banks segment compared to the same period in the previous year.

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