EGOV NIC Inc

2016 guidance reflects continued strong organic growth of core business

NIC Inc. (NASDAQ: EGOV), the dominant provider of eGovernment services, today announced net income of $9.0 million and earnings per share of 13 cents on total revenues of $71.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company reported net income of $8.3 million and earnings per share of 12 cents on total revenues of $66.0 million.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Performance

Fourth quarter 2015 portal revenues were $66.4 million, a 7 percent increase over the fourth quarter of 2014. On a same state basis, portal revenues increased 8 percent over the prior year quarter. Revenues from same state Interactive Government Services (IGS) increased 11 percent during the current quarter due to a variety of services, including vehicle registrations, property taxes, and professional licensing. Same state transaction-based revenues from Driver History Record (DHR) services rose 5 percent over the fourth quarter of 2014 due primarily to a DHR monitoring service in one state, which became effective in the second quarter of 2015, and a price increase in another state, which became effective in the first quarter of 2015. Same state software development revenues decreased 9 percent, as the Company cycled against a stronger quarter of project-based, time and materials revenues in the prior year quarter.

Software & services revenues were $4.7 million, up 22 percent from the fourth quarter of 2014, driven by an increase in revenues from the federal Pre-employment Screening Program and a new payment processing service for the City of Portland.

NIC’s operating income increased 9 percent to $14.1 million for the current quarter, while NIC’s operating income margin was 20 percent in both the current and prior year quarters.

The Company’s effective tax rate in the current quarter was 36 percent, and includes a favorable benefit related to the full-year effect of the federal research & development tax credit for the 2015 tax year. Legislation making the tax credit permanent was signed into law during the fourth quarter of 2015. The tax rate in the prior year quarter was also 36 percent.

Operational Highlights

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the State of Nebraska signed a new three-year contract with the Company after a competitive re-bid to continue operating the state’s official web portal and digital government services. The agreement also includes two, one-year renewal options the State may exercise to extend the contract through April 2021.

Also, during the fourth quarter, the State of Hawaii extended its contract with the Company for an additional three years, taking the agreement through January 2019. In addition, the State of Mississippi recently extended its contract with the Company for two years, taking the agreement through December 2017.

“I am pleased with our fourth quarter 2015 financial results as once again, our core business produced solid organic growth,” said Harry Herington, NIC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. “In addition, I truly appreciate the confidence the States of Nebraska, Hawaii, and Mississippi continue to place in NIC.”

Full-Year 2015 Performance

Fiscal year 2015 total revenues rose 7 percent to $292.4 million, and portal revenues grew 7 percent to $273.5 million. Portal revenue growth in 2015 was driven by new IGS services in several states, DHR price increases in three states and DHR volume growth across several states. On a same state basis, portal revenues were 8 percent higher than in 2014, with same state IGS transactional revenues up 11 percent for the year, and same state DHR revenues growing 5 percent. Same state time & materials revenues relating to portal software development decreased 8 percent for the year.

Software & services revenues for the full year were $18.9 million, up 15 percent from 2014, driven by an increase in revenues from the federal Pre-employment Screening Program and new payment processing services.

Operating income increased 7 percent to $67.3 million for the year. NIC’s operating income margin was 23 percent in both the current and prior year.

NIC earned 63 cents per share in 2015, up from 59 cents in 2014, meeting the high end of the Company’s 2015 earnings guidance.

On November 2, 2015, NIC’s Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of 55 cents per share, which was paid to stockholders on January 4, 2016. NIC used a total of $36.5 million of its cash reserves to pay the special dividend.

“Our 2015 financial results were solid and in line with the growth we anticipated,” said Steve Kovzan, NIC’s Chief Financial Officer. “Our business operated exactly as it was designed, as we launched hundreds of new digital government services that produced recurring transactional revenues, steady organic revenue growth, and strong cash flow, of which we were again able to return a significant portion to stockholders in the form of a special cash dividend.”

Full-Year 2016 Outlook

For fiscal year 2016, NIC currently expects total revenues of $303.0-316.0 million, with portal revenues ranging from $283.5-295.5 million and software & services revenues ranging from $19.5-20.5 million. The Company also currently expects earnings per share to range from 64-68 cents. Capital expenditures are currently expected to range from $7-8 million, and capitalized internal use software development costs to range from $2-3 million.

“The upper end of our financial guidance reflects consistent same state revenue growth and gross profit and operating margins comparable to recent historical averages,” said Steve Kovzan, NIC’s Chief Financial Officer. “We also currently expect incremental revenue contributions from the Louisiana portal following the anticipated completion of the pilot phase in the second half of the year, pending the state’s approval.”

The Company’s projections do not include revenues or costs from any unannounced contracts.

Fourth Quarter Earnings Call and Webcast Details

On February 4, 2016, the Company will host a call to discuss its 2015 fourth quarter and year-end financial and operational results and to answer questions from the investment community. The call may also include a discussion of Company developments, and forward-looking and other material information about business and financial matters.

Dial-In Information

Thursday, February 4, 20164:30 p.m. (EST)Conference ID: 7245652Call bridge: 888-329-8893 (U.S. callers) or 719-325-2495 (international callers)

Call leaders:   Harry Herington, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board Steve Kovzan, Chief Financial Officer Robert Knapp, Chief Operating Officer

Webcast Information

To sign in and listen: The Webcast system is available at http://www.egov.com/investor-relations.

A replay of NIC’s fourth quarter earnings call will be available by visiting http://www.egov.com/investor-relations.

About NIC

Founded in 1992, NIC Inc. (NASDAQ: EGOV) is the nation's leading provider of official government websites, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The Company's innovative eGovernment services help make government more accessible to everyone through technology. The family of NIC companies provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,500 federal, state, and local agencies in the United States. Forbes has named NIC as one of the “100 Best Small Companies in America” six times, and the Company has been included four times on the Barron’s 400 Index. Additional information is available at http://www.egov.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Any statements included in this release that do not relate to historical or current facts constitute forward-looking statements. These statements include estimates, projections, the expected length of contract terms, statements relating to the Company’s business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including regional or national business, political, economic, competitive, social and market conditions, including various termination rights of the Company and its partners, the ability of the Company to renew existing contracts, and to sign contracts with new states and federal government agencies, as well as possible data security incidents. You should not rely on any forward-looking statement as a prediction or guarantee about the future. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Caution About Forward-Looking Statements” of the Company’s most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the SEC. These filings are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

        NIC INC.FINANCIAL SUMMARY(UNAUDITED)Thousands except per share amounts and percentages   Three months ended Twelve months ended December 31, December 31,   2015     2014     2015     2014   Revenues: Portal revenues $ 66,436 $ 62,149 $ 273,502 $ 255,744 Software & services revenues   4,723     3,869     18,874     16,353   Total revenues   71,159     66,018     292,376     272,097   Operating expenses: Cost of portal revenues, exclusive of depreciation & amortization 42,799 39,985 168,166 156,185 Cost of software & services revenues, exclusive of depreciation & amortization 1,456 1,259 5,432 4,784 Selling & administrative 11,166 9,491 43,098 38,937 Depreciation & amortization   1,673     2,358     8,385     9,177   Total operating expenses   57,094     53,093     225,081     209,083   Operating income before income taxes 14,065 12,925 67,295 63,014 Income tax provision   5,081     4,634     25,316     23,956   Net income $ 8,984   $ 8,291   $ 41,979   $ 39,058     Basic net income per share $ 0.13   $ 0.12   $ 0.63   $ 0.59   Diluted net income per share $ 0.13   $ 0.12   $ 0.63   $ 0.59     Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic   65,622     65,302     65,555     65,224   Diluted   65,716     65,363     65,640     65,278     Key Financial Metrics: Revenue growth - outsourced portals 7 % 8 % 7 % 9 % Same state revenue growth - outsourced portals 8 % 8 % 8 % 8 % Recurring portal revenue as a % of total portal revenues 96 % 96 % 96 % 95 % Gross profit % - outsourced portals 36 % 36 % 39 % 39 % Revenue growth - software & services 22 % 12 % 15 % 16 % Gross profit % - software & services 69 % 67 % 71 % 71 % Selling & administrative expenses as a % of total revenues 16 % 14 % 15 % 14 % Operating income as a % of total revenue 20 % 20 % 23 % 23 %   Portal Revenue Analysis: IGS transaction-based $ 38,846 $ 34,975 $ 155,164 $ 139,716 DHR transaction-based 23,786 22,565 101,506 95,753 Portal software development 2,529 2,789 11,187 12,205 Portal management   1,275     1,820     5,645     8,070   Total portal revenues $ 66,436   $ 62,149   $ 273,502   $ 255,744     NIC INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(UNAUDITED)Thousands except par value amount           December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 ASSETS Current assets: Cash $ 98,388 $ 87,983 Cash restricted for payment of dividend 36,456 - Trade accounts receivable, net 80,362 57,468 Prepaid expenses & other current assets   12,584   11,502 Total current assets 227,790 156,953 Property and equipment, net 9,333 12,247 Intangible assets, net 2,267 2,394 Deferred income taxes, net 1,421 - Other assets   426   446 Total assets $ 241,237 $ 172,040   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 61,133 $ 41,402 Accrued expenses 20,986 19,751 Dividend payable 36,456 - Other current liabilities   2,597   2,902 Total current liabilities 121,172 64,055   Deferred income taxes, net - 497 Other long-term liabilities   4,259   3,350 Total liabilities   125,431   67,902   Commitments and contingencies - -   Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.0001 par, 200,000 shares authorized, 65,637 and 65,303 shares issued and outstanding 7 7 Additional paid-in capital 100,929 94,690 Retained earnings   14,870   9,441 Total stockholders' equity   115,806   104,138 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 241,237 $ 172,040   NIC INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) Thousands             Additional Common Stock Paid-in Shares Amount Capital Retained Earnings Total Balance, January 1, 2015 65,303 $ 7 $ 94,690 $ 9,441 $ 104,138 Net income - - - 41,979 41,979 Dividends declared - -

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(36,456 ) (36,456 ) Dividend equivalents on performance-based restricted stock awards - - - (159 ) (159 ) Dividend equivalents cancelled upon forfeiture of performance-based restricted stock awards - - 18 65 83 Restricted stock vestings 365 - 74 - 74 Shares surrendered and cancelled upon vesting of restricted stock to satisfy tax withholdings (106 ) - (1,839 ) - (1,839 ) Stock-based compensation - - 6,441 - 6,441 Tax deductions relating to stock-based compensation - - 412 - 412 Shares issuable in lieu of dividend payments on unvested performance-based restricted stock awards - - 2 - 2 Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 75     -   1,131     -     1,131   Balance, December 31, 2015 65,637   $ 7 $ 100,929   $ 14,870   $ 115,806     NIC INC.CASH FLOW SUMMARY(UNAUDITED)Thousands         Three months ended Twelve months ended December 31, December 31,   2015     2014     2015     2014     Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 8,984 $ 8,291 $ 41,979 $ 39,058 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation & amortization 1,673 2,358 8,385 9,177 Provision for losses on accounts receivable 217 148 290 414 Stock-based compensation expense 1,056 1,536 6,441 6,104 Deferred income taxes (107 ) 2 (3,815 ) (2,461 ) Loss on disposal of property and equipment 72 28 98 175 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in trade accounts receivable, net (1,958 ) 4,282 (23,184 ) (5,064 ) (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses & other current assets (2,858 ) (665 ) 815 1,631 (Increase) decrease in other assets 7 (94 ) 20 (156 ) Increase (decrease) in accounts payable 5,898 (77 ) 19,731 2,325 Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses 242 354 (605 ) (3,449 ) Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities 127 224 (305 ) 2,628 Increase in other long-term liabilities   434     299     908     901   Net cash provided by operating activities   13,787     16,686     50,758     51,283   Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (1,196 ) (1,393 ) (4,453 ) (5,381 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 1 - 4 - Capitalized internal use software development costs   (368 )   (408 )   (992 )   (1,479 ) Net cash used in investing activities   (1,563 )   (1,801 )   (5,441 )   (6,860 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Cash dividends on common stock - (32,977 ) - (32,977 ) Cash restricted for payment of dividend (36,456 ) - (36,456 ) - Proceeds from employee common stock purchases - - 1,131 1,107 Tax deductions related to stock-based compensation   177     120     413     1,185   Net cash used in financing activities   (36,279 )   (32,857 )   (34,912 )   (30,685 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash (24,055 ) (17,972 ) 10,405 13,738 Cash, beginning of period   122,443     105,955     87,983     74,245   Cash, end of period $ 98,388   $ 87,983   $ 98,388   $ 87,983   Other cash flow information: Non-cash investing activities: Capital expenditures accrued but not yet paid $ 1 $ 102 $ 1 $ 102 Cash payments: Income taxes paid $ 7,713 $ 4,395 $ 27,222 $ 25,059 Cash dividends on common stock previously restricted for payment of dividend $ - $ - $ - $ 22,982  

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NIC Inc.Angela Davied, 913-754-7054Director of Communications& Investor Relationsadavied@egov.com