10-KPeriod: FY2015

FAIR ISAAC CORP Annual Report, Year Ended Sep 30, 2015

Filed November 10, 2015For Securities:FICO

Summary

Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) reported revenues of $838.8 million for fiscal year 2015, a 6% increase from the prior year. While revenue growth was positive across all segments, operating income saw a 15% decrease to $137.5 million, primarily due to increased restructuring costs, investments in cloud computing, and higher professional services delivery costs. The company's core business remains strong, with significant contributions from its Applications, Scores, and Tools segments. FICO's strategic focus on expanding its Decision Management (DM) strategy, including cloud-based solutions and acquisitions like TONBELLER, positions it for continued growth. Despite increased operating expenses, FICO continued to return value to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. The company's strong cash flow from operations provided liquidity, and management expressed confidence in its ability to fund ongoing initiatives and upcoming debt obligations. Investors should note the ongoing investments in cloud and SaaS capabilities, which, while impacting short-term profitability, are aimed at long-term market leadership and revenue expansion.

Financial Statements
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Key Highlights

  • 1Total revenues increased by 6% to $838.8 million in fiscal year 2015, driven by growth across all segments: Applications (+4%), Scores (+11%), and Tools (+7%).
  • 2Operating income decreased by 15% to $137.5 million, with operating margins declining from 21% to 16% due to increased restructuring and investment costs.
  • 3The company repurchased approximately 1.7 million shares for $130.7 million in fiscal year 2015, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns.
  • 4FICO completed the acquisition of TONBELLER, a provider of financial crime and compliance solutions, to enhance its fraud detection and analytics offerings.
  • 5The Scores segment saw a significant 11% revenue increase, largely driven by the expansion of the FICO® Score Open Access program and a new partnership with Experian.
  • 6International revenues accounted for 40% of total revenues, highlighting FICO's global presence and revenue diversification.
  • 7The company continues to invest heavily in Research and Development, with R&D expenses increasing by 18% to $98.8 million, primarily focused on cloud computing and SaaS initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

FICO's revenue growth in fiscal year 2015 was driven by increases across all three segments: Applications, Scores, and Tools. The Scores segment experienced particularly strong growth (11%), bolstered by the FICO® Score Open Access program and a new partnership with Experian, which expanded consumer access to FICO® Scores. The acquisition of TONBELLER also contributed to growth in the Applications segment, particularly within compliance and fraud solutions.

The decrease in operating income by 15% was primarily due to increased operating expenses. FICO made significant investments in its 'Decision Management' strategy, particularly in cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings. Additionally, the company incurred higher restructuring costs related to facility consolidations and severance charges, as well as increased professional services delivery costs. These factors, alongside increased R&D and SG&A expenses, contributed to the decline in operating margin from 21% to 16%.

FICO returned value to shareholders through its ongoing stock repurchase program and consistent dividend payments. In fiscal year 2015, the company repurchased approximately 1.7 million shares for a total of $130.7 million. Additionally, FICO continued its quarterly dividend of two cents per share, maintaining its commitment to shareholder returns.

FICO's strategic focus remains on expanding its Decision Management (DM) capabilities, with a significant emphasis on cloud-based solutions and SaaS offerings. The company is investing in product development and distribution to broaden its market reach. The acquisition of TONBELLER is a key part of its strategy to offer integrated financial crime and compliance solutions. FICO anticipates continued growth driven by these initiatives and expects R&D expenses as a percentage of revenue to remain stable or slightly decrease in fiscal year 2016, while SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue are expected to remain stable or slightly increase.