EGOV NIC Inc

Company Declares Special Cash Dividend of $0.65 per Share, Initiates Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend Beginning in First Quarter 2017

NIC Inc. (NASDAQ: EGOV), the leading provider of digital government services, today announced net income of $16.2 million and earnings per share of 24 cents on total revenues of $80.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. In the third quarter of 2015, the Company reported net income of $12.8 million and earnings per share of 19 cents on total revenues of $75.0 million.

For the third quarter of 2016, the Company’s effective tax rate was 20 percent, compared to 36 percent in the prior year quarter. The lower effective tax rate was primarily attributable to favorable tax benefits related to the domestic production activities deduction for the 2015 and 2016 tax years, and an increase in the previously estimated federal research and development tax credit for the 2015 tax year upon the filing of the Company’s 2015 federal tax return during the current quarter. Combined, these discrete tax items increased earnings per share for the current quarter by approximately 5 cents.

Quarterly portal revenues were $75.0 million, a 7 percent increase over the third quarter of 2015. On a same-state basis, portal revenues were $73.6 million in the current quarter, a 5 percent increase over the third quarter of 2015. Same-state, transaction-based revenues from Interactive Government Services (IGS) rose 12 percent over the third quarter of 2015, due primarily to higher volumes from a variety of services including motor vehicle inspections and registrations, business registration filings, and outdoor recreational licensing, among others. Same-state, transaction-based revenues from Driver History Records (DHR) were down 1 percent and same-state portal software development revenues decreased 27 percent due to the timing of project-based initiatives across several portals.

Current quarter revenues from the Company’s newest portal in Louisiana totaled $1.4 million for the portal’s first full quarter of providing enterprise-wide digital government services.

Software & services revenues were $5.4 million in the current quarter, up 9 percent from the third quarter of 2015, driven by an increase in transactional revenues from the federal Pre-employment Screening Program and other payment processing services.

Quarterly operating income before taxes increased 2 percent to $20.4 million, resulting in an operating margin of 25 percent for the current quarter, compared to 27 percent in the prior year quarter.

“This continues to be a year of solid, steady results for NIC,” said Harry Herington, NIC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. “Every day our goal is to launch new digital government solutions and to enhance existing online services in order to deliver efficiencies to citizens and businesses – the third quarter of 2016 was no exception.”

Declaration of Special Dividend and Initiation of Regular Dividend in 2017

On November 1, 2016, NIC’s Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of 65 cents per share, payable on December 9, 2016 to stockholders of record on November 16, 2016. The dividend payout will total approximately $43.3 million based on the current number of shares outstanding.

In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the initiation of a regular quarterly cash dividend at a rate of $0.08 per share. The Company currently intends to commence the regular dividend in the first quarter of 2017. While the declaration of future dividends is subject to final determination and approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company currently intends to pay regular cash dividends for the foreseeable future.

“NIC’s financial success has allowed us to again return capital to stockholders with the payment of a special cash dividend in December 2016 and the initiation of a regular quarterly cash dividend beginning in the first quarter of 2017,” said Mr. Herington. “While we may pay special dividends from time to time in the future as our liquidity permits, we believe the time is right to initiate a regular quarterly cash dividend, as it solidifies our commitment to providing ongoing value to stockholders and reinforces our positive outlook.”

Operational Highlights

During the third quarter of 2016, the Company’s NICUSA Maryland Division received a one-year contract extension which also includes a one-year renewal option that can be exercised at the option of the state of Maryland, which would take the contract through August 2019. The Company also signed a one-year contract extension with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to manage the Pre-Employment Screening Program. The contract runs through August 2017 and includes an additional one-year renewal option that can be exercised to extend the contract through August 2018. In addition, Virginia Interactive, LLC received a one-year contract extension from Stafford County of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which includes the agreement with the Supreme Court of Virginia to provide digital government services through August 2017. The contract also includes six, one-year renewal options that can be exercised to extend the contract through August 2023.

Third Quarter Earnings Call and Webcast Details

On the November 3, 2016 call, the Company will discuss its 2016 third quarter financial and operational results, and answer questions from the investment community. The call may also include discussion of Company developments, and forward-looking and other material information about business and financial matters.

Dial-In Information

Thursday, November 3, 2016 4:30 p.m. (EDT)       Call bridge: 888-287-5516 (U.S. callers) or 719-325-2173 (international callers) Conference ID: 9516928 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 https://www.egov.com/investor-relations.

A replay of the Webcast will be available by visiting https://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 digital government services help make government more accessible to everyone through technology. The family of NIC companies provides digital government solutions for more than 4,500 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 https://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 and local 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 web site at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by applicable law, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Revenues: Portal revenues $ 74,997 $ 70,123 $ 223,707 $ 207,067 Software & services revenues   5,376     4,924     15,866     14,151   Total revenues   80,373     75,047     239,573     221,218   Operating expenses: Cost of portal revenues, exclusive of depreciation & amortization 45,140 41,058 134,878 125,367 Cost of software & services revenues, exclusive of depreciation & amortization 1,495 1,365 4,353 3,976 Selling & administrative 11,676 10,577 34,183 31,933 Depreciation & amortization   1,674     2,116     5,074     6,712   Total operating expenses   59,985     55,116     178,488     167,988   Operating income before income taxes 20,388 19,931 61,085 53,230 Income tax provision   4,153     7,181     18,895     20,236   Net income $ 16,235   $ 12,750   $ 42,190   $ 32,994     Basic net income per share $ 0.24   $ 0.19   $ 0.63   $ 0.50   Diluted net income per share $ 0.24   $ 0.19   $ 0.63   $ 0.50     Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic   65,978     65,618     65,890     65,532   Diluted   66,005     65,637     65,915     65,549     Key Financial Metrics: Revenue growth - outsourced portals 7 % 7 % 8 % 7 % Same state revenue growth - outsourced portals 5 % 8 % 7 % 8 % Recurring portal revenue as a % of total portal revenues 97 % 96 % 96 % 96 % Gross profit % - outsourced portals 40 % 41 % 40 % 39 % Revenue growth - software & services 9 % 17 % 12 % 13 % Gross profit % - software & services 72 % 72 % 73 % 72 % Selling & administrative expenses as a % of total revenues 15 % 14 % 14 % 14 % Operating income as a % of total revenue 25 % 27 % 25 % 24 %   Portal Revenue Analysis: IGS transaction-based $ 44,356 $ 39,536 $ 131,565 $ 116,318 DHR transaction-based 27,249 26,425 80,205 77,720 Portal software development 2,117 2,887 8,112 8,659 Portal management   1,275     1,275     3,825     4,370   Total portal revenues $ 74,997   $ 70,123   $ 223,707   $ 207,067       NIC INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) Thousands except par value amount     September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 ASSETS Current assets: Cash $ 151,430 $ 98,388 Cash restricted for payment of dividend - 36,456 Trade accounts receivable, net 82,022 80,362 Prepaid expenses & other current assets 14,450 12,584 Total current assets 247,902 227,790 Property and equipment, net 9,063 9,333 Intangible assets, net 3,139 2,267 Deferred income taxes, net 1,804 1,421 Other assets 457 426 Total assets $ 262,365 $ 241,237   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 71,325 $ 61,133 Accrued expenses 20,623 20,986 Dividend payable - 36,456 Other current liabilities 2,752 2,597 Total current liabilities 94,700 121,172   Other long-term liabilities 5,823 4,259 Total liabilities 100,523 125,431   Commitments and contingencies - -   Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.0001 par, 200,000 shares authorized, 65,979 and 65,637 shares issued and outstanding 7 7 Additional paid-in capital 104,748 100,929 Retained earnings 57,087 14,870 Total stockholders' equity 161,842 115,806 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 262,365 $ 241,237                       NIC INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) Thousands       Common Stock

AdditionalPaid-inCapital

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Earnings

  Total Balance, January 1, 2016 65,637 $ 7 $ 100,929 $ 14,870 $ 115,806 Net income - - - 42,190 42,190 Restricted stock vestings 385 - 135 - 135 Dividend equivalents cancelled upon forfeiture of performance-based restricted stock awards - - - 27 27 Shares surrendered and cancelled upon vesting of restricted stock to satisfy tax withholdings (118 ) - (2,105 ) - (2,105 ) Stock-based compensation - - 4,402 - 4,402 Tax deductions relating to stock-based compensation - - 435 - 435 Shares issuable in lieu of dividend payments on unvested performance-based restricted stock awards - - (162 ) - (162 ) Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 75     -   1,114     -   1,114   Balance, September 30, 2016 65,979   $ 7 $ 104,748   $ 57,087 $ 161,842             NIC INC. CASH FLOW SUMMARY (UNAUDITED) Thousands   Nine months ended September 30, 2016 2015   Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 42,190 $ 32,994 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation & amortization 5,074 6,712 Stock-based compensation expense 4,402 5,385 Deferred income taxes (2,702 ) (3,708 ) Loss on disposal of property and equipment 7 26 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase) in trade accounts receivable, net (1,660 ) (21,153 ) Decrease in prepaid expenses & other current assets 453 3,673 (Increase) decrease in other assets (31 ) 13 Increase in accounts payable 10,192 13,833 (Decrease) in accrued expenses (2,468 ) (847 ) Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities 155 (432 ) Increase in other long-term liabilities   1,564     475   Net cash provided by operating activities   57,176     36,971   Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (3,927 ) (3,257 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 6 3 Capitalized internal use software development costs   (1,762 )   (624 ) Net cash used in investing activities   (5,683 )   (3,878 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from employee common stock purchases 1,114 1,131 Tax deductions related to stock-based compensation   435     236   Net cash provided by financing activities   1,549     1,367   Net increase in cash 53,042 34,460 Cash, beginning of period   98,388     87,983   Cash, end of period $ 151,430   $ 122,443   Other cash flow information: Non-cash investing activities: Capital expenditures accrued but not yet paid $ - $ 86 Cash payments: Income taxes paid $ 17,268 $ 19,509 Cash dividends on common stock previously restricted for payment of dividend $ 36,456 $ -  

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NIC Inc.Angela Davied913-754-7054adavied@egov.com