Profit in the fiscal fourth quarter was $38.9 million, as compared to $27.5 million in Q4 of last year and $34.3 million in the previous quarter. Year-over-year, profit increased as a result of revenue growth, favorable currency movements net of hedging, improved productivity, a lower effective tax rate, and higher net interest income. These benefits more than offset the impact of wage increases and increased facility-related and travel costs. Sequentially, Q4 profit increased as a result of revenue growth, currency movements net of hedging, higher net interest income including a $0.6 million one-time benefit from interest income on a tax refund, and a lower effective tax rate. These benefits were partially offset by higher G&A expenses and increased facility-related and travel costs.
Adjusted net income (ANI)* in Q4 was $48.3 million, as compared to $36.7 million in Q4 of last year and $44.4 million in the previous quarter. Explanations for the ANI* movements on a year-over-year and sequential basis are the same as described for GAAP profit above with the exception of amortization of intangible expenses, share-based compensation costs and associated tax impacts, which are excluded from ANI*.
From a balance sheet perspective, WNS ended Q4 with $413.0 million in cash and investments and no debt. In the fourth quarter, the company generated $67.9 million in cash from operations, incurred $7.4 million in capital expenditures, and made scheduled debt payments of $8.4 million. Fourth quarter days sales outstanding were 30 days, the same as reported in both Q4 of last year and the previous quarter.
“The market for BPM services, driven by digitization, continues to be robust. WNS is executing well in this environment, delivering solid financial results for our shareholders and increased value for our clients,” said Keshav Murugesh, WNS’s Chief Executive Officer. “For full year fiscal 2022, WNS grew constant currency revenue less repair payments* by more than 16% and expanded our adjusted diluted earnings* per ADS by more than 25%. We enter fiscal 2023 with differentiated positioning in the BPM market, strong business momentum, a healthy new business pipeline, and high visibility to solid top line growth.”
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the global economy, our clients’ businesses, and WNS’s operations, financials, and visibility. Revenue has been pressured by lower client volumes, delays in new business ramps, client concessions, and facility lockdowns which impact service delivery. WNS is actively working to manage our clients’ changing requirements, adapt our service delivery models, ensure data security, and manage costs. In the fiscal fourth quarter, the company delivered more than 99% of our clients’ requirements. Going forward, impacts to our financial performance will be a function of how long the COVID-19 pandemic lasts on a global basis, and how long it takes our clients’ businesses to stabilize and recover.
Fiscal 2023 Guidance
WNS is providing guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, as follows:
| • | | Revenue less repair payments* is expected to be between $1,098 million and $1,154 million, up from $1,026.8 million in fiscal 2022. Guidance assumes an average GBP to USD exchange rate of 1.32 versus 1.37 in fiscal 2022. |
| • | | ANI* is expected to range between $177 million and $189 million versus $174.8 million in fiscal 2022. Guidance assumes an average USD to INR exchange rate of 76.0 versus 74.5 in fiscal 2022. |
| • | | Based on a diluted share count of 50.6 million shares, the company expects fiscal 2023 adjusted diluted earnings* per ADS to be in the range of $3.50 to $3.73 versus $3.41 in fiscal 2022. |
“The company has provided our initial forecast for fiscal 2023 based on current visibility levels and exchange rates,” said Sanjay Puria, WNS’s Chief Financial Officer. “Our guidance for the full year reflects growth in revenue less repair payments* of 7% to 12% on a reported basis, or 8% to 14% constant currency*. We currently have 90% visibility to the midpoint of the range, consistent with April guidance in previous years. For the year, we expect capital expenditures of up to $40 million.”
Conference Call
WNS will host a conference call on April 21, 2022, at 8:00 am (Eastern) to discuss the company’s quarterly results. To access the call in “listen-only” mode, please join live via the company’s investor relations website at ir.wns.com. For call participants, please use the following details: US dial-in +1-888-656-9018; international dial-in +1-503-343-6030; participant passcode 8899178. A replay will be available for one week following the call at +1-855-859-2056; international dial-in +1-404-537-3406; passcode 8899178, as well as on the WNS website, www.wns.com, beginning two hours after the end of the call.
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