TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Topicus.com Inc. (TSXV:TOI) in a joint release with Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU) today announced financial results for Topicus.com Inc. (“Topicus” or the “Company”) for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024. Please note that all amounts referred to in this press release are in Euros unless otherwise stated.
The following press release should be read in conjunction with the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements of Topicus.com Inc. (or the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2024, which we prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and the Company’s annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024, which can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on Topicus.com Inc.’s website www.topicus.com. Additional information about Topicus.com Inc. is also available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.
Q4 2024 Headlines:
Revenue increased 18% (5% organic growth) to €364.9 million compared to €309.7 million in Q4 2023.
Net income increased 32% to €56.2 million (€0.40 on a diluted per share basis) from €42.5 million (€0.31 on a diluted per share basis) in Q4 2023.
Acquisitions were completed for aggregate cash consideration of €47.9 million (which includes acquired cash). Deferred payments associated with these acquisitions have an estimated value of €6.7 million resulting in total consideration of €54.6 million.
Cash flows from operations (“CFO”) increased 28% to €79.6 million compared to €62.4 million in Q4 2023.
Free cash flow available to shareholders1 (“FCFA2S”) increased 27% to €36.6 million compared to €28.9 million in Q4 2023.
2024 Headlines:
Revenue increased 15% (5% organic growth) to €1,294.9 million compared to €1,125.0 million in 2023.
Net income increased 30% to €149.5 million (€1.11 on a diluted per share basis) from €115.4 million (€0.88 on a diluted per share basis) in 2023.
A number of acquisitions were completed for total consideration of €153.4 million including holdbacks and contingent consideration.
Cash flows from operations (“CFO”) increased 41% to €347.6 million compared to €246.6 million in 2023.
Free cash flow available to shareholders1 (“FCFA2S”) increased 44% to €177.4 million compared to €123.4 million in 2023.
Total revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was €364.9 million, an increase of 18%, or €55.2 million, compared to €309.7 million for the comparable period in 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024 total revenues were €1,294.9 million, an increase of 15%, or €169.9 million, compared to €1,125.0 million for the comparable period in 2023. The increase for both the three months and 12 months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year is primarily attributable to growth from acquisitions as the Company experienced organic growth of 5% for each of the periods. Organic growth is not a standardized financial measure and might not be comparable to measures disclosed by other issuers.
Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 increased €13.7 million to €56.2 million compared to €42.5 million for the same period in 2023. On a per share basis, this translated into net income per basic and diluted share of €0.40 in the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to €0.31 for the same period in 2023. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 net income increased €34.1 million to €149.5 million compared to €115.4 million for the same period in 2023. On a per share basis, this translated into net income per basic and diluted share of €1.11 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to €0.88 for the same period in 2023.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, CFO increased €17.2 million to €79.6 million compared to €62.4 million for the same period in 2023 representing an increase of 28%. Many of the businesses invoice customers for annual software maintenance fees in Q1 each year resulting in a disproportionate amount of cash being received in the first quarter as compared to the remaining three quarters. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, CFO increased €101.1 million to €347.6 million compared to €246.6 million for the same period in 2023 representing an increase of 41%.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, FCFA2S increased €7.7 million to €36.6 million compared to €28.9 million for the same period in 2023 representing an increase of 27%. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, FCFA2S increased €54.0 million to €177.4 million compared to €123.4 million for the same period in 2023 representing an increase of 44%.
1. See Non-IFRS measures.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements herein may be “forward looking” statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Topicus or the industry to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to vary significantly from the results discussed in the forward looking statements. These forward looking statements reflect current assumptions and expectations regarding future events and operating performance and are made as of the date hereof and Topicus assumes no obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.
Non-IFRS Measures
Free cash flow available to shareholders ‘‘FCFA2S’’ refers to net cash flows from operating activities less interest paid on lease obligations, interest paid on other facilities, credit facility transaction costs, repayments of lease obligations, dividends paid to redeemable preferred securities holders, and property and equipment purchased, and includes interest and dividends received, and the proceeds from sale of interest rate caps. The portion of this amount applicable to non-controlling interests is then deducted. Topicus believes that FCFA2S is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of the uncommitted cash flow that is available to shareholders if Topicus does not make any acquisitions, or investments, and does not repay any debts. While Topicus could use the FCFA2S to pay dividends or repurchase shares, Topicus’ objective is to invest all of our FCFA2S in acquisitions which meet Topicus’ hurdle rate.
FCFA2S is not a recognized measure under IFRS and, accordingly, readers are cautioned that FCFA2S should not be construed as an alternative to net cash flows from operating activities.
The following table reconciles FCFA2S to net cash flows from operating activities:
Three months ended December 31,
Year ended December 31,
2024
2023
2024
2023
(€ in millions)
(€ in millions)
Net cash flows from operating activities
79.6
62.4
347.6
246.6
Adjusted for:
Interest paid on lease obligations
(0.6
)
(0.4
)
(2.1
)
(1.4
)
Interest paid on other facilities
(5.7
)
(4.4
)
(21.1
)
(15.8
)
Proceeds from sale of interest rate cap
-
-
-
4.8
Credit facility transaction costs
(0.3
)
(0.0
)
(1.3
)
(0.3
)
Payments of lease obligations
(6.5
)
(5.5
)
(24.6
)
(21.8
)
Property and equipment purchased
(1.9
)
(2.5
)
(8.3
)
(7.8
)
64.5
49.5
290.3
204.3
Less amount attributable to
non-controlling interests
(27.9
)
(20.6
)
(112.9
)
(81.0
)
Free cash flow available to shareholders
36.6
28.9
177.4
123.4
Due to rounding, certain totals may not foot.
About Topicus.com Inc.
Topicus’ subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Venture Stock Exchange under the symbol "TOI". Topicus acquires, manages and builds vertical market software businesses.
About Constellation Software Inc.
Constellation's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CSU". Constellation acquires, manages and builds vertical market software businesses.
