Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: What do you think about Ebix?

Article Excerpt

Ebix Inc., $14.74, symbol EBIX on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 35.0 million; Market cap: $516.5 million), sells software and e-commerce services to the insurance industry. These products help Ebix’s clients automate several routine functions, such as preparing quotes and settling claims. Based in Atlanta, Ebix sells its products in over 50 countries. International markets account for 40% of its revenue. The company has rapidly grown through acquisitions over the past few years. Since the beginning of 2008, it has spent a total of $142.3 million buying smaller software firms. That represents a substantial 27.6% of its current market capitalization (total value of shares now outstanding) of $516.5 million. Thanks to these new businesses, Ebix’s revenue jumped 52.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2010, to $31.6 million from $20.7 million a year earlier. Earnings rose 48.6%, to $12.4 million from $8.3 million. Earnings per share climbed 28.6%, to $0.36 from $0.28, on more shares outstanding. The company spent $3.4 million, or 10.6%…