Maximus Reports Fiscal Year 2024 Second Quarter Results

Strong demand drives highest post-pandemic margins and further raise to FY24 guidance

Maximus (NYSE:MMS), a leading provider of government services worldwide, reported financial results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024.

Highlights for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 include:

• Revenue increased 11.7% to $1.35 billion, compared to $1.21 billion for the prior year period. Organic growth was 12.6% and driven by expanded programs in the domestic segments and resumed Medicaid-related activities.
• Diluted earnings per share were $1.31, and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.57, compared to $0.52 and $0.81, respectively, for the prior year period.
• The company is raising guidance for fiscal year 2024. At the midpoints, revenue is increasing by $75 million, adjusted operating income guidance is increasing by more than $34 million, adjusted diluted earnings per share by $0.40, and free cash flow by $25 million.
• Net debt to EBITDA ratio improved to 1.7 times at March 31, 2024, compared to 2.1 times in the prior quarter.
• A quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share is payable on May 31, 2024, to shareholders of record on May 15, 2024.

"For the second consecutive quarter, we are able to raise guidance that reflects our confidence in the earnings power of the business," said Bruce Caswell, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are focused on driving future growth through continued, excellent operational execution coupled with innovative technology solutions to drive long-term shareholder value."

Second Quarter Results

Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 increased 11.7% to $1.35 billion, compared to $1.21 billion for the prior year period. Organic growth was 12.6%, driven by a combination of expanded programs in the U.S. Federal Services Segment, such as the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Disability Exams (MDE) contracts, as well as expanded and resumed programs in the U.S. Services Segment, such as assessment work and Medicaid-related programs, respectively.

For the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, operating margin was 9.5% and the adjusted operating margin was 11.1%. This compares to margins of 5.2% and 7.2%, respectively, for the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share were $1.31 and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.57. This compares to $0.52 and $0.81, respectively, for the prior year period. The strength of this quarter's earnings came from an aggregation of multiple areas across the domestic segments.

U.S. Federal Services Segment

U.S. Federal Services Segment revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 increased 20.1% to $701.7 million, compared to $584.1 million reported for the prior year period. All growth was organic and driven by volume growth on expanded programs, including the VA MDE contracts, which comprise the Veterans Evaluation Services (VES) business.

The segment operating margin for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 was 11.9%, compared to 8.2% reported for the prior year, and results this quarter slightly beat expectations due primarily to the VA MDE contracts exceeding their production goal. The full-year fiscal 2024 margin for the U.S. Federal Services Segment is now expected to be approximately 12%.

U.S. Services Segment

U.S. Services Segment revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 increased 8.1% to $486.1 million, compared to $449.7 million reported in the prior year period. All growth was organic and driven by expanded programs, including assessment services and revenue from resumed programs related to the commencement of Medicaid redeterminations.

The segment operating margin for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 was 14.0%, compared to 9.5% reported for the prior year, which had been impacted by the pause to Medicaid redeterminations. Results this quarter are anticipated to represent a peak for segment profitability and tied to extra volumes from performing redetermination work. The U.S. Services Segment's margin outlook across all periods in fiscal year 2024 has improved, with a full-year margin expected of approximately 13% and in the middle of the segment's 11% to 14% long-term operating margin target.

Outside the U.S. Segment

Outside the U.S. Segment revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 decreased 7.2% to $160.5 million, compared to $173.1 million reported in the prior year period. The divestiture of businesses in the prior fiscal year reduced revenue by 8.2%, currency was a benefit of 1.8%, and organic growth was flat.

The segment realized an operating profit of $0.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, compared to an operating loss of $3.7 million in the prior year period. With some recent stability in the segment, the company remains focused this fiscal year on shaping the Outside the U.S. Segment to be aligned strategically with the rest of the business and deliver consistent profitability.

Sales and Pipeline

Year-to-date signed contract awards at March 31, 2024, totaled $568 million, and contracts pending (awarded but unsigned) totaled $797 million. The book-to-bill ratio at March 31, 2024, was 1.1x calculated on a trailing twelve-month basis.

The sales pipeline at March 31, 2024, totaled $37.8 billion, comprised of approximately $1.31 billion in proposals pending, $987 million in proposals in preparation, and $35.5 billion in opportunities tracking. New work opportunities represent approximately 75% of the total sales pipeline.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

At March 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents totaled $77.4 million, and gross debt was $1.22 billion. The ratio of debt, net of allowed cash, to EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as calculated in accordance with the company's credit agreement, was 1.7x. This compares to 2.1x at December 31, 2023.

For the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, cash provided by operating activities totaled $130.5 million, and free cash flow was $105.2 million. DSO at March 31, 2024, were 62 days, compared with 59 days at December 31, 2023.

Subsequent to March 31, 2024, we purchased approximately 242,000 shares at a cost of $19.3 million.

On April 5, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 for each share of our common stock outstanding. The dividend is payable on May 31, 2024, to shareholders of record on May 15, 2024.

Raising FY24 Guidance

Maximus is raising fiscal year 2024 guidance following second quarter results and an improved outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year. Revenue is now expected to range between $5.15 billion and $5.25 billion, representing an increase of $75 million from prior guidance at the midpoint.

Adjusted operating income is now expected to range between $540 million and $560 million, representing an increase of more than $34 million from prior guidance. Adjusted operating income excludes an estimated $89 million of expense for amortization of intangible assets and $1 million of divestiture-related charges.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share is now expected to range between $5.65 and $5.85 per share, representing an increase of $0.40 per share from prior guidance.

Free cash flow is now expected to range between $330 million and $370 million as a result of the increased earnings guidance. Interest expense is estimated to be $77 million for fiscal year 2024.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Maximus will host a conference call tomorrow, May 9, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET. Shareholders are invited to submit questions for management's consideration by emailing [email protected] up to one hour prior to the call.

The call is open to the public and available by webcast or by phone at:

877.407.8289 (Domestic) / +1.201.689.8341 (International)

For those unable to listen to the live call, a recording of the webcast will be available on investor.maximus.com.

About Maximus

As a leading strategic partner to governments across the globe, Maximus helps improve the delivery of public services amid complex technology, health, economic, environmental, and social challenges. With a deep understanding of program service delivery, acute insights that achieve operational excellence, and an extensive awareness of the needs of the people being served, our employees advance the critical missions of our partners. Maximus delivers innovative business process management, impactful consulting services, and technology solutions that provide improved outcomes for the public and higher levels of productivity and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. For more information, visit maximus.com.

Non-GAAP Measures and Risk Factors

This release refers to non-GAAP measures and other indicators, including organic growth, free cash flow, operating income and EPS adjusted for amortization of intangible assets and divestiture-related charges, adjusted EBITDA, and other non-GAAP measures.

A description of these non-GAAP measures, the reasons why we use and present them, and details as to how they are calculated are included in our earnings presentation and forthcoming Form 10-Q.

The presentation of these non-GAAP numbers is not meant to be considered in isolation, nor as alternatives to cash flows from operations, revenue growth, operating income, or net income as measures of performance. These non-GAAP financial measures, as determined and presented by us, may not be comparable to related or similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the company's confidence and strategies, and the company's expectations about revenues, results of operations, profitability, future contracts, market opportunities, market demand, or acceptance of the company's products are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

These risks could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. A summary of risk factors can be found in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 16, 2023. The Company's SEC reports are accessible on maximus.com.

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