Buy ACI Worldwide, hold off on Fair Isaac

Article Excerpt

ACI WORLDWIDE $19.59 (Nasdaq symbol ACIW; SI Rating: Speculative) (402-334-5101; www.tsainc.com; Shares outstanding: 34 million; Market cap: $666.3 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 750 clients in 88 countries. Its 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 March 31, 2010, ACI’s revenue fell slightly, to $87.7 million from $88.2 million a year earlier. It lost $2.1 million, or $0.06 a share, in the quarter. That’s better than the $4.1 million, or $0.12 a share, it lost a year earlier. Despite the loss, ACI’s cash flow jumped to $11.8 million, or $0.35 a share, from $1.3 million, or $0.04 a share. The company continues to add clients. It also cut its costs last year, including laying off workers. That’s why…