Growing Market For ACI

Article Excerpt

ACI WORLDWIDE $22.86 (Nasdaq symbol ACIW; SI Rating: Speculative) (402-334-5101; www.tsainc.com; Shares outstanding: 35.8 million; Market cap: $817.6 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 15.7% higher revenues in the three months ended June 30, 2007, to $98.1 million from $84.8 million. However, excluding one-time items, earnings fell 67.5%, to $3.7 million or $0.10 a share from $11.4 million or $0.31 a share. Cash flow per share fell 80%, to $0.09 from $0.45. Earnings were hurt by a 34.6% rise in operating expenses to $93.2 million from $69.2 million. Research and development spending rose 31.7%, to $13.4 million or 13.7% of revenues. Administrative expenses rose 65%, to $26.2 million from $15.9 million. ACI is now up-to-date in its quarterly filings and fully compliant with its Nasdaq listing requirements. The company needs time to regain investor confidence. Still, it’s in a good position to profit…