CGI reports strong second quarter Fiscal 2021 results

Rhea-AI Summary

CGI reported a strong Q2-F2021 with $3.08 billion in revenue, an 8.4% increase in net earnings to $341.2 million, and diluted EPS of $1.34, which rose 13.6% year-over-year. Bookings jumped 40% to $3.89 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 126%. Adjusted EBIT reached $486.3 million, marking a margin improvement to 15.8%. Operating cash flow rose 44.4% to $572.6 million. CGI maintains a strategic focus on growth, backed by a $2.85 billion liquidity position.

Positive

• Bookings increased 40% to $3.89 billion, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 126%.
• Diluted EPS rose 13.6% year-over-year to $1.34.
• Net earnings increased 8.4% to $341.2 million, with a net earnings margin of 11.1%.
• Cash from operating activities improved 44.4% year-over-year to $572.6 million.
• Adjusted EBIT reached $486.3 million with a margin of 15.8%, up 40 basis points.

Negative

• Revenue decreased 1.7% from $3.13 billion in Q2-F2020 to $3.08 billion in Q2-F2021.

Stock Market Symbols
GIB.A (TSX)
GIB (NYSE)
cgi.com/newsroom

Bookings up 40% and EPS up 13.6% year-over-year

Q2-F2021 performance highlights

• Revenue of $3.08 billion;
• Adjusted EBIT of $486.3 million, and margin of 15.8%, up 40 basis points year-over-year;
• Net earnings of $341.2 million, up 8.4%, for a margin of 11.1%;
• Diluted EPS of $1.34, up 13.6% year-over-year;
• Net earnings of $341.9 million and diluted EPS of $1.35, both excluding specific items*;
• Cash from operating activities of $572.6 million, up 44.4% year-over-year; and
• Bookings of $3.89 billion, for a book-to-bill ratio of 126%.

*Specific items in Q2-F2021 include: $0.6 million in acquisition-related and integration costs net of tax; Specific items in Q2-F2020 include: $23.3 million in acquisition-related and integration costs and $0.2 million in restructuring costs, both net of tax;

Note: All figures in Canadian dollars. Q2-F2021 MD&A, interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes can be found at cgi.com/en/investors and have been filed with both SEDAR in Canada and EDGAR in the U.S.

To access the financial statements – click here (PDF)
To access the Q2-F2021 MD&A – click here (PDF)

MONTRÉAL, April 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) reported Fiscal 2021 second quarter results this morning.

"CGI delivered another strong quarter underscored by solid margins, robust cash generation and positive revenue trends," said President and Chief Executive Officer, George D. Schindler. "The ability of our talented consultants to deliver the right insights and solutions to our clients is clearly visible in the 40% year-over-year increase in total bookings this quarter. With the continued acceleration in demand for our end-to-end services across every industry and geography that we serve, we are well positioned to return to year-over-year revenue growth in the second half of fiscal year 2021."

For the second quarter of F2021, the Company reported revenue of $3.08 billion, compared with $3.13 billion in the same period last year.

Adjusted EBIT was $486.3 million, with EBIT margin of 15.8% representing an improvement of 40 basis points from 15.4% in the same period last year.

Net earnings were $341.2 million in Q2-F2021, up 8.4% compared with the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.34 compared to $1.18 last year representing an increase of 13.6% year-over-year.

Excluding acquisition-related integration and restructuring costs, both net of tax, net earnings were $341.9 million in Q2-F2021 for a margin of 11.1%. On the same basis, diluted earnings per share increased by 7.1% to $1.35, up from $1.26 from the same period last year.

Bookings were $3.89 billion in Q2-F2021, up 40% year-over-year and representing a book-to-bill ratio of 126%. At the end of March 2021, the Company's backlog stood at $23.09 billion.

Cash provided by operating activities was $572.6 million, or 18.6% of revenue, representing an increase of 44.4% or $176.1 million, compared with Q2-F2020.

In millions of Canadian dollars except earnings per share and where noted	Q2-F2021	Q2-F2020
Revenue	3,078.5	3,131.1
Growth	(1.7)%	2.0%
Constant currency growth	(1.7)%	3.0%
Adjusted EBIT	486.3	483.2
Margin	15.8%	15.4%
Net earnings	341.2	314.8
Margin	11.1%	10.1%
Net earnings excluding specific items*	341.9	338.4
Margin	11.1%	10.8%
Diluted earnings per share (diluted EPS)	1.34	1.18
Diluted earnings per share, excluding specific items*	1.35	1.26
Weighted average number of outstanding shares (diluted)	254.0	267.8
Net finance costs	26.2	26.6
Net debt	2,938.7	3,792.3
Net debt to capitalization ratio	30.9%	35.9%
Cash provided by operating activities	572.6	396.5
Days sales outstanding (DSO)	39	51
Return on invested capital (ROIC)	12.8%	13.9%
Return on equity (ROE)	17.2%	18.0%
Bookings	3,892.1	2,783.2
Backlog	23,094.1	22,994.5

*Specific items in Q2-F2021 include: $0.6 million in acquisition-related and integration costs net of tax; Specific items in Q2-F2020 include: $23.3 million in acquisition-related and integration costs and $0.2 million in restructuring costs, both net of tax;

At the end of March, net debt stood at $2.94 billion, representing a net debt to capitalization ratio of 30.9%, down from 35.9% at the same time last year.

With cash of $1.34 billion on hand at the end of March 2021 and its revolving credit facility, the Company has $2.85 billion in readily available liquidity to pursue its Build and Buy profitable growth strategy.

Q2-F2021 results conference call
Management will host a conference call this morning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss results. Participants may access the call by dialing 1-877-879-0631 Conference ID: 6169566 or via cgi.com/investors. For those unable to participate on the live call, a podcast and copy of the slides will be archived for download at cgi.com/investors.

About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 77,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is C$12.16 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

Non-GAAP financial metrics used in this press release: Constant currency growth, adjusted EBIT, adjusted EBIT margin, net debt, net debt to capitalization ratio, bookings, book-to-bill ratio, backlog, DSO, ROIC, ROE, net earnings margin, net earnings excluding specific items, net earnings margin excluding specific items, and diluted EPS excluding specific items.
CGI reports its financial results in accordance with IFRS. However, management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors regarding the company's financial condition and results of operations as they provide additional measures of its performance. Additional details for these non-GAAP measures can be found on pages 3 to 5 of our Q2-F2021 MD&A which is posted on CGI's website, and filed with SEDAR in Canada and EDGAR in the U.S.

Forward-looking information and statements
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable United States safe harbours. All such forward-looking information and statements are made and disclosed in reliance upon the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking information and statements include all information and statements regarding CGI's intentions, plans, expectations, beliefs, objectives, future performance, and strategy, as well as any other information or statements that relate to future events or circumstances and which do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts. Forward-looking information and statements often but not always use words such as "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", "predict", "project", "aim", "seek", "strive", "potential", "continue", "target", "may", "might", "could", "should", and similar expressions and variations thereof. These information and statements are based on our perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other assumptions, both general and specific, that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such information and statements are, however, by their very nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, of which many are beyond the control of CGI, and which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from our expectations expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not restricted to: risks related to the market such as the level of business activity of our clients, which is affected by economic and political conditions, external risks (such as pandemics) and our ability to negotiate new contracts; risks related to our industry such as competition and our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, to develop and expand our services, to penetrate new markets, and to protect our intellectual property rights; risks related to our business such as risks associated with our growth strategy, including the integration of new operations, financial and operational risks inherent in worldwide operations, foreign exchange risks, income tax laws, our ability to negotiate favourable contractual terms, to deliver our services and to collect receivables, and the reputational and financial risks attendant to cybersecurity breaches and other incidents; as well as other risks identified or incorporated by reference in this press release, in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and in other documents that we make public, including our filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (on EDGAR at www.sec.gov). For a discussion of risks in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, see Pandemic Risks in section 8.1.1. of our Q2 2021 quarterly MD&A. Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. While we believe that our assumptions on which these forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based were reasonable as at the date of this press release, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking information or statements. Furthermore, readers are reminded that forward-looking information and statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding our objectives, strategic priorities and business outlook as well as our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Further information on the risks that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations may be found in the section titled "Risk Environment" of CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A, which is incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement. We also caution readers that the above-mentioned risks and the risks disclosed in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and other documents and filings are not the only ones that could affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation.

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SOURCE CGI Inc.

FAQ

What were CGI's earnings for Q2-F2021?

CGI reported net earnings of $341.2 million for Q2-F2021, an increase of 8.4% year-over-year.

How much has CGI's diluted EPS changed in Q2-F2021?

The diluted EPS for Q2-F2021 was $1.34, marking a 13.6% increase from the previous year.

What were CGI's bookings in Q2-F2021?

CGI's bookings for Q2-F2021 were $3.89 billion, representing a 40% increase year-over-year.

How did CGI's revenue perform in Q2-F2021?

CGI's revenue for Q2-F2021 was $3.08 billion, down 1.7% compared to $3.13 billion in the same quarter last year.

What was CGI's cash flow from operating activities in Q2-F2021?

CGI generated $572.6 million in cash from operating activities for Q2-F2021, an increase of 44.4% from the previous year.