JACKSONVILLE., Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FIS (NYSE:FIS), a global leader in financial services technology, today reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2020 results.

“A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m proud of how FIS has stood firm in support of our clients, colleagues and communities,” said Gary Norcross, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FIS. “The strength of our strategy and our continued investments in innovation are helping our clients rebound and thrive in an increasingly digital financial world. These successes combined with our operational efficiency gains are also delivering long-term value to our shareholders.”

Fourth Quarter 2020

On a GAAP basis, consolidated revenue decreased 1% to $3,316 million, primarily due to negative consumer spending trends associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Net earnings attributable to common stockholders were $103 million or $0.16 per diluted share.

On an organic basis, revenue was flat as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to negative consumer spending trends associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 60 basis points (bps) over the prior year period to 45.2%, primarily due to short-term cost actions and the achievement of cost synergies associated with the July 31, 2019 acquisition of Worldpay, Inc. (Worldpay). Adjusted net earnings were $1,016 million or $1.62 per diluted share.

Organic growth excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange rates in the current period, acquisition or divestiture impact from the prior period and beginning this quarter and for the full year, excludes Corporate and Other revenue from the current and prior period. Corporate and Other revenue is generated by non-strategic businesses that we plan to wind down or sell.

Full-Year 2020

On a GAAP basis, revenue increased 21% to $12,552 million as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the acquisition of Worldpay. Net earnings attributable to common stockholders was $158 million or $0.25 per diluted share.

On an organic basis, revenue decreased 1% as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to negative consumer spending trends associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 120 basis points (bps) over the prior year period to 41.9%, primarily due to the achievement of Worldpay cost synergies. Adjusted net earnings were $3,423 million or $5.46 per diluted share.

• Merchant Solutions:
  Fourth quarter revenue decreased 8% to $1,003 million. On an organic basis, revenue decreased 9% compared to the prior year period, primarily due to negative consumer spending trends associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as a headwind of approximately 2% associated with a step-up in debit card routing revenue synergies achieved in the prior year period following the Worldpay acquisition. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 50.9%.

Full-year revenue increased significantly to $3,767 million, primarily due to the Worldpay acquisition. On an organic basis, revenue decreased 9% compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 46.5%.

• Banking Solutions:
  Fourth quarter revenue increased 5% to $1,551 million. On an organic basis, revenue increased 5% compared to the prior year period, primarily due to strength in recurring revenue, partially offset by a headwind of approximately 1.5% associated with a decline in termination fees. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 44.4%.

Full-year revenue increased 6% to $5,944 million. On an organic basis, revenue increased 3% compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 43.0%.

• Capital Market Solutions:
  Fourth quarter revenue increased 6% to $663 million. On an organic basis, revenue increased 3% compared to the prior year period, primarily due to strength in recurring revenue, partially offset by a headwind of approximately 1% associated with the timing of license renewals. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 52.2%.

Full-year revenue increased 5% to $2,440 million. On an organic basis, revenue increased 2% compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 47.0%.

• Corporate and Other:
  Fourth quarter revenue decreased 32% to $99 million. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $48 million, including $78 million of corporate expenses.

Full-year revenue decreased 17% to $401 million. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $195 million, including $312 million of corporate expenses.

Consistent with historical practice, the Company regularly assesses its portfolio of assets and reclassified certain non-strategic businesses from Banking Solutions and Capital Market Solutions into the Corporate and Other segment. In total, Corporate and Other revenue represents 3% of fourth quarter and full-year 2020 revenue, and we plan to wind down or sell these non-strategic businesses.

Integration Update

The Company achieved annual run-rate synergies related to the Worldpay acquisition, exiting the fourth quarter of 2020 as follows:

• Revenue synergies in excess of $200 million on an annual run-rate basis, including ongoing execution of Premium Payback distribution, bank referral agreements, geographic expansion and broad-based cross-selling initiatives. Revenue synergies are expected to continue to increase and reach approximately $400 million on an annual run-rate basis by the end of 2021 and remain on track to exceed $550 million on an annual run-rate basis exiting 2022.
• Expense synergies in excess of $750 million on an annual run-rate basis, including $400 million of operating expense savings. The Company originally targeted $400 million in expense synergies by the end of 2022 and exceeded this target more than two years early. Operating expense synergies are expected to continue to increase and reach approximately $500 million on an annual run-rate basis exiting 2021.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $4,600 million of available liquidity, including $1,959 million of cash and cash equivalents and $2,641 million of capacity available under its revolving credit facility. Debt outstanding totaled $20,015 million with an effective weighted average interest rate of 1.7%.

Fourth quarter net cash provided by operating activities was $1,417 million, and free cash flow was $977 million or 29% of revenue. Full-year net cash provided by operating activities was $4,442 million, and free cash flow was $3,037 million or 24% of revenue. Additionally, FIS paid dividends of $218 million during the quarter and $868 million for the full year.

The Company also recently announced an 11% increase to its annual dividend and a share repurchase authorization for 100 million shares in order to enable ongoing return of capital to its shareholders.

First Quarter and Full-Year 2021 GAAP Guidance

COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 continued to impact our financial results in the fourth quarter of 2020. In certain locations, where government lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders have been tightened, consumer spending impacting our Merchant Solutions payments volume and transaction revenue has been adversely impacted after partially recovering in the third quarter of 2020. Certain verticals like travel, airlines and restaurants continue to be significantly impacted. The Company’s revenue continues to be impacted by reduced payment processing volumes within our Merchant Solutions segment and, to a lesser extent, transaction volume within our Banking Solutions segment. The Company’s liquidity remains strong and improved this quarter, as noted above.

About FIS

FIS is a leading provider of technology solutions for merchants, banks and capital markets firms globally. Our employees are dedicated to advancing the way the world pays, banks and invests by applying our scale, deep expertise and data-driven insights. We help our clients use technology in innovative ways to solve business-critical challenges and deliver superior experiences for their customers. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, FIS is a Fortune 500® company and is a member of Standard & Poor’s 500® Index.

To learn more, visit www.fisglobal.com. Follow FIS on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@FISGlobal).