On Friday, H.C. Wainwright reaffirmed its Buy rating and $4.00 price target for NASDAQ:USIO, following Usio (NASDAQ:USIO) Inc.'s announcement of its first-quarter earnings for 2024. The payment solutions provider reported a Q1 revenue of $20.3 million, falling short of H.C. Wainwright's $23.2 million expectation. The discrepancy was attributed to weaker performance in output solutions and a steeper decline in prepaid card services than anticipated.
Despite the lower-than-expected revenue, Usio upheld its full-year revenue growth forecast, projecting an increase of 10.0% to 12.0%. This optimistic outlook is supported by the commencement of a significant contract that could become the company's most substantial program, potentially generating around $20 million annually at full scale. The implementation of this program is already underway, with merchant onboarding slated for later in the year.
Usio's robust pipeline, which includes discussions with several large potential clients, could further enhance revenue in the second half of 2024 and into 2025. The company's commitment to cost control is expected to yield significant operating leverage, with adjusted EBITDA growth outstripping revenue increases. This is anticipated to contribute to a favorable profit margin and positive earnings per share within the year.
The financial technology firm's stock is currently trading at a notable discount compared to its peers in the high-quality fintech sector. H.C. Wainwright suggests that as Usio continues to meet its financial targets, the current undervaluation should correct itself. The firm encourages investors to use this opportunity to invest in Usio shares before the expected alignment with the market valuation.
InvestingPro Insights
As Usio Inc. (NASDAQ:USIO) navigates through its financial journey, recent data from InvestingPro provides a nuanced view of the company's performance and prospects. With a market capitalization of $45.54 million, Usio's valuation reflects its position in the competitive payment solutions market. Despite a challenging Q1, analysts remain optimistic, predicting that net income will grow within the year. This optimism is bolstered by a significant return over the last week, with a price total return of 8.61%.
However, potential investors should note Usio's current P/E ratio, which stands at a challenging -46.22, reflecting its lack of profitability over the last twelve months. On a positive note, the company's gross profit margin has been 22.52% in the same period, indicating some efficiency in its operations. While Usio does not pay dividends, suggesting a reinvestment of earnings back into the company, the expectation of profitability this year could signify a turning point for the firm. For those considering a deeper dive into Usio's financials, InvestingPro offers additional InvestingPro Tips that could help guide investment decisions. Remember to use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, unlocking access to a total of 7 InvestingPro Tips on Usio Inc.
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