TORONTO, May 03, 2022 (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 first quarter ended March 31, 2022. 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 Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the accompanying notes, our Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements of Topicus.com Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021, 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, 2021, which can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Topicus.com Inc.’s website www.topicus.com. Additional information about Topicus.com Inc. is also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Q1 2022 Headlines:

• Revenue increased 13% (3% organic growth) to €203.8 million compared to €179.6 million in Q1 2021.
• Net income increased to €20.4 million (€0.14 on a diluted per share basis) from a net loss net of €2,436.1 million (€52.40 on a diluted per share basis) primarily due to the €2,456.8 million redeemable preferred securities expense in Q1 2021.
• Acquisitions were completed for aggregate cash consideration of €13.2 million (which includes acquired cash). Deferred payments associated with these acquisitions have an estimated value of €5.7 million resulting in total consideration of €18.8 million.
• Cash flows from operations (“CFO”) increased €16.2 million to €176.0 million compared to €159.8 million in Q1 2021 representing an increase of 10%.
• Free cash flow available to shareholders¹ (“FCFA2S”) decreased €30.1 million to €61.4 million compared to €91.5 million in Q1 2021 representing a decrease of 33%.
• On January 31, 2022, a dividend was paid in cash on the Topicus Preferred Shares and Topicus Coop Preference Units in the aggregate amount of €66.6 million. Of this, €40.4 million was paid to CSI, €20.2 million was paid to the Joday Group and €6.0 million was paid to Ijssel B.V.
• On February 1, 2022, all of the issued and outstanding Topicus Preferred Shares and Topicus Coop Preference Units were converted to Topicus Subordinate Voting Shares and Topicus Coop Ordinary Units respectively.
• Subsequent to March 31, 2022, the Company completed or entered into agreements to acquire a number of businesses for aggregate cash consideration of €36.3 million (which includes acquired cash). Deferred payments associated with these acquisitions have an estimated value of €7.1 million resulting in total consideration of €43.4 million.
• On March 22, 2022, Topicus announced its intention to submit a public tender offer for the entire issued share capital of Sygnity S.A., a software company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE: SGN) at a price of PLN (Polish zloty) 12.00 per ordinary share. The public tender offer was submitted on April 11, 2022. The anticipated acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including operational control of the business by Topicus, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2022.
  

Total revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 was €203.8 million, an increase of 13%, or €24.2 million, compared to €179.6 million for the comparable period in 2021. The increase for the three-month period compared to the same period in the prior year is primarily attributable to growth from acquisitions as the Company experienced organic growth of 3%. 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 March 31, 2022 was €20.4 million compared to a net loss of €2,436.1 million for the same period in 2021. On a per share basis, this translated into net income per basic and diluted share of €0.14 in the quarter ended March 31, 2022 compared to a net loss per basic and diluted share of €52.40 for the same period in 2021. The net loss per basic and diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 primarily resulted from the €2,456.8 million redeemable preferred securities expense, €2,442.1 million of which is non-cash related.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, CFO increased €16.2 million to €176.0 million compared to €159.8 million for the same period in 2021 representing an increase of 10%.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, FCFA2S decreased €30.1 million to €61.4 million compared to €91.5 million for the same period in 2021 representing an decrease of 33%. The decline is primarily as a result of the dividend paid to the redeemable preferred securities holders.

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. 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.

The change in the FCFA2S calculation to exclude dividends paid to redeemable preferred securities holders was as a result of the February 1, 2022 dividend paid on the preferred securities issued in conjunction with the acquisition of Topicus.com B.V. As of February 2, 2022 there are no outstanding preferred securities.

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:

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.

For further information:
Jamal Baksh
Chief Financial Officer
(416) 861-9677
[email protected]
www.topicus.com

SOURCE: TOPICUS.COM INC.

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1.  See Non-IFRS measures.