Buy ACI, hold on to Fair Isaac

Article Excerpt

ACI WORLDWIDE $28.80 (Nasdaq symbol ACIW; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (402-334-5101; www.tsainc.com; Shares outstanding: 33.2 million; Market cap: $956.2 million; No dividends paid) makes software that is used to process transactions that involve credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, automated-teller machines, point-of-sale terminals and interbank payments. ACI has more than 800 clients in 88 countries. Customers include more than 100 of the world’s 500 largest banks and seven of the top 12 retailers in the U.S. In the three months ended December 31, 2010, ACI’s revenue rose 12.2%, to $141.2 million from $125.9 million a year earlier. The company earned $27.1 million, or $0.82 a share, in the latest quarter. That’s up 38.5% from $19.6 million, or $0.58 a share. ACI’s cash flow jumped 83.6%, to $45.8 million, or $1.38 a share, from $24.9 million, or $0.73 a share. The company continues to add clients. It has also taken steps to cut its costs, including layoffs. That’s why its results improved…