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Everi Holdings Inc. (EVRI)·Q4 2023 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2023 revenue was $192.0M, down 6.5% year over year and down 7.0% sequentially; diluted EPS was $0.02 including an $11.7M intangible impairment; Adjusted EPS was $0.30; Adjusted EBITDA was $82.2M; Free Cash Flow was $19.8M .
- FinTech outperformed with revenue up 3% YoY to $94.9M and Adjusted EBITDA up to $38.5M, supported by 6% growth in financial access and 25% growth in software and other; Games revenue fell to $97.1M with an operating loss of $7.4M on lower unit sales and DWPU, and the impairment charge tied to Intuicode customer relationships .
- 2024 outlook: revenue growth expected in both segments; Adjusted EBITDA up slightly vs 2023; Free Cash Flow “flat to slightly down”; operating expenses targeted at 28–29% of revenue; R&D at 8–8.5%; capex flat to slightly up from $145M .
- Catalyst: announced strategic merger with IGT’s Global Gaming and PlayDigital to create a combined ~$2.6B revenue platform with ~$1B 2024 pro forma Adjusted EBITDA and identified $75M cost synergies; EVRI will rebrand as International Game Technology Inc. (ticker to transition to IGT) after close (late 2024/early 2025) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- FinTech growth and mix improvement: revenues +3% YoY to $94.9M, with software and other +25% and financial access +6%; FinTech operating income +9% to $28.9M; Adjusted EBITDA +5% to $38.5M .
- Cashless and funding momentum: total value processed rose 10% to $11.85B and transactions +12%; cashless transactions grew 50% YoY, albeit <5% of total funding transactions .
- Product pipeline progressing: new for-sale Dynasty Sol launched in Q4 and Dynasty Vue ramping; early performance of premium Dynasty Dynamic and Player Classic Reserve was positive, with 360 units deployed by year end .
- CEO tone: “2023 was a transitional year in our gaming business… Our FinTech business continues to perform well” .
What Went Wrong
- Games segment weakness: total Games revenue fell to $97.1M (from $113.2M), with gaming equipment and systems down to $24.5M (from $39.8M); operating loss was $7.4M (vs $25.2M operating income LY); DWPU decreased to $34.67 (from $37.76); units sold declined to 1,043 (from 1,944) .
- Impairment and elevated expenses: recorded $11.7M non-cash impairment tied to Intuicode customer relationship assets due to contract term changes; higher operating expenses from Video King acquisition, wages/benefits, and facility consolidation; Free Cash Flow down to $19.8M (from $44.2M) .
- Installed base and margin pressure: installed base declined to 17,512 (from 17,975) as older underperforming units were removed; Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $82.2M (from $93.4M) on lower revenue and higher R&D/operating costs .
Financial Results
Consolidated metrics (Q4 2022 → Q2 2023 → Q3 2023 → Q4 2023)
Segment breakdown
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “After several years of rapid growth, 2023 was a transitional year in our gaming business… Our FinTech business continues to perform well” — Randy Taylor, CEO .
- “The combination [with IGT] is expected to create a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of high-performing land-based, digital, and FinTech gaming products and services” — Company announcement .
- “We expect estimated P&L annualized run rate synergies of $75 million… pro forma net leverage at closing… 3.2x to 3.4x” — Randy Taylor on merger terms .
- “Pro forma adjusted EBITDA is projected… approximately $1 billion in 2024” — Vincent Sadusky .
Q&A Highlights
- Revenue and cost synergy framework: Management emphasized minimal negative synergies due to complementary portfolios and identified $75M cost savings in supply chain optimization, streamlined ops, and real estate consolidation; revenue synergies expected from cross-selling content and systems/FinTech integration .
- Capital structure and leverage: Pro forma leverage targeted at ~3.2–3.4x with balanced capital allocation (organic/inorganic investment, debt reduction, buybacks); IGT RemainCo expects ~2.5x leverage shortly after closing .
- Regulatory path: Both companies are well-licensed and compliant; antitrust risk viewed as manageable, with larger competitors remaining post-close; timeline late 2024/early 2025 .
- Wallet and systems integration: Combined FinTech and IGT systems aim to deliver a best-in-class, end-to-end cashless solution without third-party dependencies, improving patron experience and accelerating adoption .
- No planned divestitures: Portfolio viewed as complementary; no assets targeted for monetization at this time .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus for EVRI Q4 2023 via S&P Global was unavailable in our system due to missing CIQ mapping; therefore, estimate comparisons are not provided. Values retrieved from S&P Global are unavailable for EVRI Q4 2023 in this session.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- FinTech resilience and mix shift supported Q4 results; software and financial access growth offset hardware volatility; recurring revenue mix improved (77% of total in Q4) .
- Games segment headwinds and impairment depressed profitability; installed base and DWPU declines reflect cabinet transition timing; near-term unit sales softness weighed on revenue .
- 2024 set up: disciplined cost framework (OpEx 28–29% of revenue, R&D 8–8.5%) and capex focused on refreshing installed base; Adjusted EBITDA guided “up slightly,” FCF “flat to slightly down” .
- Strategic merger with IGT creates scale across land-based, digital, and FinTech; identified $75M cost synergies and ~ $1B 2024 pro forma Adjusted EBITDA position the combined entity for improved growth and cash conversion .
- Cashless adoption maintains strong growth trajectory (+50% YoY in Q4), offering a secular tailwind and cross-sell opportunity with IGT systems .
- Interest expense remains a watch item; Q4 net interest paid increased amid higher rates and commercial arrangements; 2024 cash interest expected consistent with 2023 .
- Near-term trading: narrative likely driven by merger milestones and integration clarity; medium-term thesis hinges on cabinet/content ramp, FinTech cross-sell with IGT systems, and synergy delivery .