Polaris Signs off the Year With 54 Intellect(TM) Wins; Records 42% Growth in Quarterly Profit
By Polaris Software Lab, PRNETuesday, April 20, 2010
Polaris Software, a leading Financial Technology company, today announced the fourth quarter and annual results for FY 2009-10.
CHENNAI, India, April 21, 2010 - In a year that witnessed an uncertain environment in the
financial services segment in developed markets, especially the USA and UK,
the company delivered positive results led by the highest number of product
wins, multiple large outsourcing engagements and penetration into new
markets. The company was able to sustain operating margins, drive profit
growth and expand inorganically to exceed the stated guidance. Polaris
continues to value add in the chosen 'Financial Technology' space with its
differentiated products supported by IP and a full spectrum services, backed
by impeccable delivery, to unlock efficiencies in customers' financial supply
chain.
Key Performance metrics
For the quarter ended 31 March 2010, Profit after tax (PAT)
grew by 42% to Rs. 45.74 crore from Rs. 32.11 crore compared to the same
quarter last year. Revenues grew by 4% to Rs. 351.04 crore from Rs. 337.25
crore.
In rupee terms, on a sequential quarter on quarter basis, PAT
grew by 14% to Rs. 45.74 crore from Rs. 40.07 crore. Operating profit
(EBITDA) grew by 6% to Rs. 58.14 crore from Rs. 54.78 crore. Revenues grew by
4% to Rs. 351.04 crore from Rs. 338.89 crore.
In dollar terms, on a sequential quarter on quarter basis, PAT
grew 16% to $9.96 million from $8.58 million. EBITDA grew 8% to $12.66
million from $11.73 and Revenues grew by 5% to $76.41 million from $72.55
million, indicating a demand uptick.
For the year ended 31 March 2010, PAT rose by 17% to Rs.
152.84 crore from Rs. 130.71 crore last fiscal. Revenues was at Rs. 1353.76
crore and EBITDA at Rs. 222.02 crore.
The Board of Directors recommended a final dividend of 35% on
the paid up capital of the company for fiscal 2010.
IntellectTM (product) expansion
Intellect gained momentum during the year with 54 wins and 22
wins in the fourth quarter. The sales and marketing spend on Intellect
increased to Rs. 38.67 crore from Rs. 36.10 crore in the previous quarter, to
support the product distribution in developed and new markets. This
translated in increased traction and wins during the quarter.
Intellect contributed 23% of the quarterly revenues, a growth
of 29% over same quarter last year in dollar terms. Amongst the new wins,
there were two large $5 million deals. Intellect made inroads in the US and
found acceptance in that marketplace. A leading Australian bank chose
Intellect GUB - Cash and Liquidity solution in a large deal. A central bank
in EMEA region chose Intellect Core Banking. Insurance companies in America
and Australia chose Intellect Insurance CBX to automate their business
processes. During the quarter, Intellect got successfully deployed in Mekong
Housing Bank, Vietnam; Elavon in Germany and CRDB Bank in Tanzania.
Continuing incremental investment in IP creation, Polaris
launched Intellect PRIVACY, an online and internet banking security card for
internet banking customers based on the patents filed jointly by IIT Madras.
Polaris launched standardized Claims Management solution for the Health
insurers, the only ACORD standard compliant solution available in the Indian
insurance market.
During the quarter Intellect GUB received extensive
recognition from leading analysts. Polaris was featured amongst the Top
Vendors for leading Real-Time Core Systems targeted at Large Banks by Tower
Group. Polaris got a strong visibility in the space of Basic Banking, Cards,
Loans, Cash Management, Payments, Liquidity, Portals, Trade Facilitation,
Delivery Management Services, Data Sourcing & Delivery Models.
Account Expansion
Polaris won multiple deals this quarter in the Financial
Services outsourcing space including ADM project in the North America, Data
warehousing project in APAC and testing services in EMEA. The company is
engaging with top banks on value driven strategy for Application
Modernization.
During the quarter, Polaris featured amongst the top five IT
services vendors by client engagement frequency in insurance segment by a
leading analyst. Polaris was one of the Top 4 Vendors Globally for helping a
leading analyst in Banking and Technology space to develop the functional map
for banking as well as various functional landscapes.
Acquisitions
During the year, Polaris made two acquisitions viz. Laser Soft
Infosystems to gain market leadership in Indian banking space; IndigoTX
Software to complete its solution portfolio in investment banking area and
lead in on-demand banking space. The cost of acquisition is paid through
internal accruals.
Financial and Operating Highlights
1. Profit after tax (PAT) margins moved to 13.03% from 9.52%,
an increase of 351 bps over the same quarter last year
2. Cash and cash equivalents totaled Rs. 504 crore, as against
Rs. 340 crore in the previous year
3. During the quarter, the company incurred a foreign exchange
loss of Rs. 33 lakh and recorded other income of Rs. 5.78 crore
4. For the fiscal 2010, the company recorded an EPS of Rs.
15.48 as against Rs. 13.25 in FY09
5. The company continued to record a balanced distribution of
revenues from the major geographies with Americas contributing 44.5%, Europe
contributing 24.5%, Asia Pacific & Japan contributing 21% and India 10% of
the quarter revenues
Arun Jain, Chairman & CEO, Polaris Software Lab Ltd., said,
"Intellect GUB, our comprehensive suite of well accepted products viz.
Payment Hub, Liquidity, Cash Management and Portals supported by 15 powerful
complementary product platforms continues to build ever increasing momentum
in the marketplace. The growing market share is a confirmation that Intellect
has now moved from early adopter to early majority in the innovation adoption
curve. Our focus in the coming years will remain on expanding the market
place. We are positive on the business outlook and will accelerate our vision
of being among the top 3 Financial Technology providers globally."
R Srikanth, President & CFO, Polaris Software Lab Ltd., said,
"We have exceeded our stated guidance to deliver an EPS of Rs. 15.48. We are
pleased that we have been able to deliver despite tough market conditions. We
also managed foreign exchange fluctuations effectively in the volatile
market."
Business Outlook
The economy and business environment in developed markets is
easing out and customers' discretionary spend is on a rise. This is reflected
in the quarterly volume growth and revenue growth. Emerging markets present
an opportunity for growth.
With the growth momentum we are likely to grow our EPS between
31% - 33% in FY 2010-11.
Consolidated Profit and Loss account of Polaris Software Lab Limited POLARIS SOFTWARE LAB - GROUP AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 PREPARED AS PER INDIAN GAAP (In Rs. Lakhs) QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED Particulars March 31, March 31, March 31, March 31, 2010 2009 2010 2009 Audited Audited Income from software services, products and Business Process Management 35,103.70 33,724.61 135,375.62 137,794.54 Software development expenses 22,311.97 20,921.17 87,009.58 88,540.10 Gross Profit 12,791.73 12,803.44 48,366.04 49,254.44 Selling and marketing expenses 3,867.11 3,556.02 14,503.20 13,676.09 General and Administrative expenses 3,110.91 3,067.83 11,661.02 12,225.90 Operating Profit before interest, depreciation & amortisation 5,813.71 6,179.59 22,201.82 23,352.45 Depreciation/Amortisation 919.16 855.26 3,501.53 3,878.16 Finance Charges 34.97 18.55 91.09 73.54 Operating Profit after interest, depreciation & amortisation 4,859.58 5,305.78 18,609.20 19,400.75 Exchange Gain/ ( Loss ) (32.98) (1,958.82) (2,641.96) (5,638.40) Other Income 578.32 429.13 1,911.88 1,175.31 Share of profit/(loss ) of Associate Companies (10.02) (41.61) 91.09 Profit on sale of Associate Companies 1,301.37 Intangible Assets - Amortised fully (1,173.27) Profit before tax 5,404.92 3,766.07 17,837.51 15,156.85 Provision for taxation 831.21 555.42 2,553.27 2,085.58 Profit after tax 4,573.71 3,210.65 15,284.24 13,071.27 Earnings per share of Rs.5 each (Rs.) Basic 4.62 3.25 15.48 13.25 Diluted 4.58 3.25 15.34 13.24
About Polaris Software Lab
Polaris Software Lab (POLS.BO) is a leading Financial
Technology company, with its comprehensive portfolio of products, services
and consulting. Polaris has a talent strength of 9,000 solution architects,
domain and technology experts. The company owns the largest set of
Intellectual Properties in the form of a comprehensive product suite,
Intellect Global Universal
Banking (GUB) 10.0. IntellectTM is the first pure play SOA
based application suite for Retail, Corporate, Investment banking and
Insurance.
Polaris is headquartered in Chennai and has offices in all
global financial hubs including Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, India,
Dubai, Bahrain, Riyadh, London, Belfast, Zurich, Frankfurt, Toronto, New
York, Chicago, Fremont, Pittsburgh and Chile. For more information, please
visit www.polaris.co.in/
Investor Conference Call
Polaris Software Lab Ltd. will host an Investors Conference
Call, where the Senior Management of Polaris will comment on the company's
performance during the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2010 and respond to
questions from participants. The conference call will take place at 16:30 Hrs
IST (19:00 Hrs in Hong Kong / Singapore) on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
Conference Name : Polaris Q4-2009-10 Investor Earnings Call Date : Wednesday, 21st April 2010 Time : 16:30 HRS IST Conference ID : 68454278 ACCESS NUMBERS FOR THE Q4-2009-10 POLARIS INVESTOR EARNINGS CALL MUMBAI : Primary Access Toll Number : 02230360400 BANGALORE : Primary Access Toll Number : 08030360400 DELHI Primary Access Toll Number : 01130360400 CHENNAI : Primary Access Toll Number : 04430360400 HONK KONG : Primary Access Toll free Number : 800901420 SINGAPORE : Primary Access Toll free Number : 8001011906 US & CANADA : Primary Access Toll free Number : 18663944523 REPLAY : [21st April 2010 to 23rd April 2010] Replay ID/Conference # : 68454278 Primary Access Number : 02230360400 For further information, please contact: Shailesh Dhawla Marketing & Communication shailesh.d@polaris.co.in +91-9711811460
For further information, please contact: Shailesh Dhawla, Marketing & Communication, shailesh.d at polaris.co.in, +91-9711811460
Tags: April 21, Chennai, India, Mumbai, Polaris Software Lab