ACI WORLDWIDE $22.31 Nasdaq Symbol ACIW

Article Excerpt

ACI WORLDWIDE $22.31 (Nasdaq symbol ACIW; SI Rating: Speculative) (402-334-5101; www.tsainc.com; Shares outstanding: 35.9 million; Market cap: $801.7 million) sells electronic payments systems software and services to more than 800 clients in 84 countries, including many of the world’s largest financial institutions. ACI reported 8.6% higher revenues in the three months ended December 31, 2007, to $101.3 million from $93.3 million. The company lost $2 million or $0.06 a share, compared to a profit of $2.6 million or $0.07 a share a year earlier. However, the loss was largely due to a 36.9% increase in research and development spending, to $16.4 million or a high 16.2% of revenues. Cash flow was positive in the latest quarter, at $0.15 a share. The company continues to win new contracts for its retail payment systems. It has also entered into a strategic alliance with IBM. IBM will provide ACI with technical staff and laboratory support for measuring the performance of its payments software. In addition,…