Exceeding Estimates with Vigor
Simulations Plus (SLP) posted second-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings of 20 cents per share, matching the previous year’s performance. Surpassing predictions by 11.1%, the company’s revenue surged by 16% year over year to $18.3 million. The rise was primarily fueled by increased software revenues in the Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacometrics (CPP) and Cheminformatics segments, surpassing expectations by 7.2%.
Driving Growth and Innovation
Software revenues, constituting 63% of total quarterly revenues, climbed by 11% year over year to $11.6 million. Noteworthy increases were observed in sales of MonolixSuite (38% surge) and GastroPlus as well as ADMET Predictor offerings (2% and 14% growth, respectively). Furthermore, the share of commercial customers renewals stood at 94% based on fees and 85% based on accounts, showing promising retention rates.
On the services front (comprising 37% of total revenues), an impressive 27% revenue growth to $6.7 million was recorded. This uptick stemmed from enhanced revenues in the Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetics (PBPK) units. Sales of the PBPK unit surged by 39%, while QSP and CPP sales experienced a 78% and 10% increase year over year, respectively.
Operational Performance
In terms of operational details, the gross margin for the quarter registered at 72%, a slight decline from 83% in the corresponding period of the previous year. The gross margin for the Software segment landed at 88%, down from 92% in the prior-year quarter, while the Services segment observed a margin of 44% compared to 66% previously.
Total operating expenses stood at 48% of revenue as opposed to 58% a year ago. Operating income margin settled at 24%, slightly lower than the 26% reported a year back. The adjusted EBITDA margin was steady at 39% compared to the previous year.
Outlook and Beyond
Simulations Plus reiterated its fiscal 2024 outlook, forecasting revenues to range between $66 million and $69 million. This projection indicates a 10-15% surge from the prior fiscal year. The envisioned revenue split between Software and Services is pegged at 55-60% and 40-45% respectively, with expected earnings per share growth between 35-39%, targeting 66 to 68 cents.
Currently holding a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), Simulations Plus has positioned itself as a strong contender in the industry.
Exploring Top Picks
Diving into other potential investments in the tech sector, noteworthy stocks worth considering include Synopsys (SNPS), Iridium Communications (IRDM), and Microsoft (MSFT). SNPS and IRDM currently maintain a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each, while MSFT holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). These companies carry promising growth prospects in the evolving technology landscape.
