August 03, 2011 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
- Second Quarter 2011 Consolidated Revenue of $2.7 Billion, up 5%; Second Quarter 2011 Adjusted Revenue of $1.7 Billion, up 2%
- Earnings Growth in All Three Business Segments
- Teamed-up to Launch the Google Wallet App
- Generated $526 Million in Operating Cash Flow and Ended the Quarter with $1.8 Billion in Unrestricted Liquidity
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Data Corporation today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011. Consolidated revenue for the second quarter increased $135 million to $2.7 billion, up 5% compared to $2.6 billion a year ago. Revenue growth was primarily attributable to increases in debit network fees and favorable impacts of changes in foreign currency. Adjusted revenue, which excludes certain items including reimbursables, increased $35 million, or 2%, year-over-year to $1.7 billion.
“Despite the slow U.S. economic recovery, we delivered earnings growth in all three segments of the business. I’m pleased with the continued improvement in the profitability of our international regions and the positive momentum in our North American business”
For the second quarter, the net loss attributable to First Data was $176 million, compared to $171 million a year ago. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $561 million was up 9% compared to $513 million in the second quarter of 2010, driven by growth in EBITDA across all three business segments.
First Data generated $526 million in operating cash flow, after interest payments of $161 million, for the quarter and finished the quarter with $1.8 billion in unrestricted liquidity—$287 million in cash available for corporate use plus $1.5 billion under the revolving credit facility.
“Despite the slow U.S. economic recovery, we delivered earnings growth in all three segments of the business. I’m pleased with the continued improvement in the profitability of our international regions and the positive momentum in our North American business,” said Jonathan J. Judge, chief executive officer. “Further, our focus on global product management and innovation is leading to exciting new revenue opportunities, such as the Google Wallet partnership, our mobile commerce and fraud protection offerings, and new products to help our customers navigate the U.S. debit regulatory rules announced in June.”
Segment Results
Retail and Alliance Services segment revenue for the second quarter was $844 million, down $10 million, or 1%, compared to $854 million in 2010. Transaction growth slowed sequentially from 9% to 7% driven by economic softness. Core merchant revenue growth was also impacted by transaction and volume mix. Credit mix was stable at 72% and regional average ticket was $69, flat compared to a year ago. Product revenue growth was negatively impacted by a prior year large shipment of promotional gift cards and increased demand for terminals due to 2010 PCI compliance deadlines. Check-processing continued to be impacted by fewer checks being written as consumers migrate to electronic payments. Segment EBITDA was $352 million, up $7 million, or 2%, compared to 2010 as a result of reduced cost of goods sold and lower technology and operations expenses. Margin for the second quarter was 42%, up approximately 200 basis points compared to the same quarter a year ago. During the quarter, Retail and Alliance Services added 12 bank referral agreements and 6 new independent sales organizations.
Financial Services segment revenue for the second quarter was $345 million, down $7 million, or 2%, compared to $351 million in the same quarter of 2010 as new business and growth in debit transaction volumes were offset by customer losses and pricing pressure. Active card accounts on file were flat compared to the prior year. Debit issuer transactions were up 12% excluding the impact of the loss of Washington Mutual. Segment EBITDA was $142 million, up $8 million, or 6%, compared to $135 million in 2010. Lower technology and operations costs more than offset the impact of lower revenue. In addition, prior year results include the adverse impact of a $6 million billing adjustment. Margin for the second quarter was 41%, up approximately 300 basis points compared to the same quarter a year ago. During the quarter, Financial Services renewed more than 300 contracts with financial institutions.
International segment revenue for the second quarter was $451 million, up $64 million, or 17%, compared to $387 million in the prior year. On a constant currency basis, segment revenue was up 7%. Revenue increases were driven by growth in the merchant acquiring business, primarily due to growth in bank alliances in Europe. The card issuing business was stable, on a constant currency basis, as higher volumes and new business mitigated economic pressures in Greece. Segment EBITDA was $119 million, up $46 million compared to $73 million in 2010 on higher revenue, cost reductions, and favorable impacts of changes in foreign currency. In addition, prior year results included an $11 million receivable write-off. Margin was 26%, up approximately 750 basis points compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
Recent Events
Mark Herrington Joins First Data Executive Committee
On May 9, 2011, First Data announced that Mark Herrington was appointed executive vice president, Global Product Management and Innovation, responsible for helping to establish a suite of world-class products and solutions that First Data can distribute globally. Herrington has served in numerous leadership roles at First Data, including general manager of the company’s former Retail Solutions division, which included prepaid, TeleCheck, eCommerce and merchant loyalty. He came to First Data from Money Network, now a First Data company, which he co-founded in 2001.
Google, Citi, MasterCard, First Data and Sprint Team up to Make Your Phone Your Wallet
On May 26, 2011, First Data, Google, Citi, MasterCard and Sprint announced and demonstrated Google Wallet, an app that enables consumers to transform their phone into a virtual wallet, enabling them to tap, pay and save money and time while shopping. Google Wallet also enables businesses to strengthen customer relationships by offering a faster, easier shopping experience with relevant deals, promotions and loyalty rewards. The First Data Trusted Services Manager (TSM) solution—developed in partnership with SK C&C—enables over-the-air provisioning of payment card credentials to Google Wallet.
First Data Rebrands U.K. Acquiring Business
On June 13, 2011, First Data launched a new brand name for one of its key payment acquiring services in the U.K. Bank of Scotland Merchant Services, a service provided by First Data to Bank of Scotland merchant customers, now operates under the new name of First Data Merchant Solutions. The launch of the First Data Merchant Solutions brand also marks the company's first acquiring venture in the U.K. to operate under First Data’s own name without attaching a bank partner name, building the brand’s stand-alone strength in the U.K. payments space.
Non-GAAP Measures
In certain circumstances, results have been presented that are non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) measures and should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, the company's reported results. Reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures are available in the accompanying schedules and in the "Investor Relations" section of the company's website at investor.firstdata.com.
Investor Conference Call
The company will host an investor conference call and webcast on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 at 10 a.m. EDT to review second quarter 2011 financial results. First Data Chief Financial Officer Ray Winborne, will lead the call and will be joined by CEO Jon Judge.
The call will be webcast on the “Investor Relations” section of the First Data website at investor.firstdata.com and a slide presentation will accompany the call.
To listen to the call via teleconference, dial 800-798-2884 (U.S.) or 617-614-6207 (outside the U.S.), pass code 60834668.
A replay of the call will be available through Aug. 17, 2011, at 888-286-8010 (U.S.) or 617-801-6888 (outside the U.S.), pass code 30436950, and via webcast at investor.firstdata.com.
Please note: All statements made by First Data officers on this call are the property of First Data and subject to copyright protection. Other than the replay, First Data has not authorized, and disclaims responsibility for, any recording, replay or distribution of any transcription of this call.
Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction.
