HealthEquity Q1 Earnings Top, Revenues Rise Y/Y; View Up

Shares of HealthEquity Inc HQY increased almost 4% in after-hours following impressive first-quarter fiscal 2017 results. The company reported earnings of 14 cents per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, a penny better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate and 55.6% higher than the year-ago quarter figure. The upside was primarily driven by increased revenues and margin expansion.

Quarter Details

Revenues surged 47.4% from the year-ago quarter to $44 million. Service (43% of total revenues), Custodial (31%) and Interchange (26%) revenues were up 30%, 64% and 64.4%, respectively.

The growth in service revenues were driven by a 52% year-over-year increase in average HSAs, offset by a 14% decrease in service revenue per average HSA. This decline was due to the company’s policy of offering lower service fees per HSA for more volume from network partners, particularly with higher balances. HealthEquity stated that the profitability of an HSA in this business model increases as balances grow.

The growth in Custodial revenues was supported by higher average daily cash AUM, which surged 64% year over year. The strong year-over-year growth in Interchange revenues was driven by increased card spending and more favorable interchange terms (higher spend volume).

As of Apr 30, 2016, total number of HSA members – for which the company serves as a non-bank custodian – increased 51% year over year to 2.2 million. Total assets under management (AUM) surged 61% year over year to $4.1 billion.

In the first quarter, HealthEquity added almost $240 million of AUM transfers from other custodians. This figure does not include the $63 million from the M&T acquisition.

Guidance

For fiscal 2017 (ending Jan 31, 2017), HealthEquity forecasts revenues in the range of $173–$177 million, up from the previous range of $170–$174 million. Adjusted EBITDA is now projected in the band of $58 million to $60 million, up from the earlier range of $56 million to $58 million.

Earnings are projected in the band of 47 cents to 49 cents per share, up from the previous guidance of 45 cents to 49 cents.

Zacks Rank and Key Picks

Currently, HealthEquity has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Better-ranked stocks in the same space include AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE:AHS) , Air Methods (NASDAQ:AIRM) and BioTelemetry (NASDAQ:BEAT) . While AMN Healthcare and Air Methods sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), BioTelemetry has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).


BIOTELEMETRY (BEAT): Free Stock Analysis Report

AMN HLTHCR SVCS (AHS): Free Stock Analysis Report

HEALTHEQUITY (HQY): Free Stock Analysis Report

AIR METHODS CRP (AIRM): Free Stock Analysis Report

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