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    NCR Atleos (NATL)

    NATL Q1 2025: ATM-as-a-Service Revenue Jumps 40%, Margins Expand 700bp

    Reported on May 9, 2025 (After Market Close)
    Pre-Earnings Price$27.53Last close (May 8, 2025)
    Post-Earnings Price$27.36Open (May 9, 2025)
    Price Change
    $-0.17(-0.62%)
    • Strong Hardware Demand and Backlog: Executives highlighted that this could be the best hardware year since 2019 with an anticipated 8% revenue growth on hardware, driven by competitive product innovation and a robust replacement cycle, ensuring a solid and growing backlog.
    • Robust ATM-as-a-Service Expansion: The company reported impressive growth in its ATM-as-a-Service segment with a significant increase in unique customer count (up to 40% YoY) and expanding margins, driven by higher ARPU in key markets such as North America, positioning the recurring revenue stream for strong long‐term gains.
    • Improved Capital Efficiency and Shareholder Returns: Management is aggressively reducing leverage toward a target of under 3x while expecting substantial free cash flow in the latter half of the year, which reinforces a strategy aimed at future share repurchases to deliver enhanced shareholder value.
    MetricYoY ChangeReason

    Total Revenue

    Down 6.7% (from $1,050M to $980M)

    Total revenue declined by $70M largely driven by significant reductions in product revenue, partially offset by relatively stable service revenue. Previous periods' higher revenue in product sales, which have been impacted by a shift toward recurring revenue models, contributed to the current decline.

    Product Revenue

    Fell 21% (from $240M to $189M)

    Product revenue experienced a sharp 21% decline likely due to the wind-down of traditional one-time hardware sales and a transition toward recurring models such as ATM as a Service. The previous period’s reliance on hardware and non-recurring sales amplified the impact of this shift in Q1 2025, resulting in lower product revenue figures.

    Service Revenue

    Down 2.4% (from $810M to $791M)

    Service revenue remained relatively stable with only a modest 2.4% reduction, reflecting the resilience of recurring service contracts. While the previous quarter benefited from slightly higher service deliveries, the current period saw minor declines possibly due to order timing and delayed revenue recognition, keeping the overall service revenue at similar levels.

    Operating Income

    Increased 33% (from $72M to $96M)

    Operating income improved by 33% despite lower total revenue, indicating more disciplined cost management and improved margins. The previous period’s lower operating income at $72M has risen to $96M as cost efficiencies and better expense control helped compensate for the revenue declines.

    Net Income Attributable to Atleos

    From a loss of $8M to a gain of $17M

    Net income flipped from a $8M loss to a $17M gain, a turnaround of $25M, due to the combination of improved operating income, stronger margin control, and likely the reduction of one-off charges or special items that affected the previous period. This significant improvement highlights a shift in the underlying profitability dynamics compared to Q1 2024.

    Operating Cash Flow

    Down 17% (from $148M to $123M)

    Operating cash flow fell by approximately 17% despite higher operating income. This decline may be due to adjustments in working capital, timing differences in cash collections and payments, or increased investments that impacted the cash conversion cycle compared to the more favorable cash flow conversion in the previous period.

    MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange

    Core Revenues

    Q1 2025

    Expected to be essentially flat on a constant currency basis.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Total Company Reported Revenue

    Q1 2025

    Expected to decline mid‐single digits due to the cycling of prior year comparisons for the Voyix‐related segment.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Adjusted EBITDA

    Q1 2025

    Projected to be between $165 million to $175 million, representing approximately 5% growth YoY at the midpoint.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Adjusted EPS

    Q1 2025

    Expected to be between $0.50 to $0.60 per share, representing 34% YoY growth at the midpoint.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Free Cash Flow

    Q1 2025

    Expected to be modestly negative due to working capital investments in inventory for a robust Q2 hardware order book.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Interest Expense

    Q1 2025

    Approximately $65 million.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Effective Tax Rate

    Q1 2025

    In the low 30s.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Fully Diluted Share Count

    Q1 2025

    Approximately 75 million.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Core Revenues

    FY 2025

    Expected to grow 3% to 6% on a constant currency basis, with FX being a 2% headwind.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Total Company Revenue

    FY 2025

    Expected to grow 1% to 3% on a constant currency basis, with FX being a 2% headwind.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Adjusted EBITDA

    FY 2025

    Expected to grow 7% to 10% on a constant currency basis, with FX being a 1% headwind.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Adjusted EPS

    FY 2025

    Expected to grow 21% to 27%, ranging between $3.90 to $4.10.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Free Cash Flow

    FY 2025

    Expected to be between $260 million to $300 million.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Interest Expense

    FY 2025

    Approximately $275 million.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Effective Tax Rate

    FY 2025

    Approximately 24%.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Fully Diluted Share Count

    FY 2025

    Approximately 76 million.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Self-Service Banking – Revenue

    FY 2025

    Expected to grow mid‐single digits on a constant currency basis, with FX being a 2% headwind.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Self-Service Banking – Adjusted EBITDA

    FY 2025

    Expected to grow 12% to 13% on a constant currency basis, with FX being a 1% headwind.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Self-Service Banking – Margins

    FY 2025

    Expected to expand YoY and be in the mid‑20s.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Network Business – Revenue

    FY 2025

    Expected to grow in the low to mid‑single digits on a constant currency basis, with FX being a 1% headwind.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Network Business – Adjusted EBITDA Margin

    FY 2025

    Approximately 29%, with a decrease due to higher vault cash costs from the expiration of hedges.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    T&T Segment – Revenue

    FY 2025

    Expected to decline.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    T&T Segment – EBITDA

    FY 2025

    Expected to be flat to slightly up.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Voyix-Related Revenue

    FY 2025

    Expected to be between $40 million to $45 million, with EBITDA of approximately $5 million.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    Corporate Costs

    FY 2025

    Expected to be approximately flat YoY.

    no current guidance

    no current guidance

    MetricPeriodGuidanceActualPerformance
    Total Company Revenue
    Q1 2025
    Expected to decline mid-single digits year-over-year
    980 million
    Met
    Interest Expense
    Q1 2025
    Approximately $65 million
    $67 million
    Met
    Free Cash Flow
    Q1 2025
    Expected to be modestly negative
    $82 million (calculated from net cash from ops 123, capex (29), software (12))
    Beat
    Fully Diluted Share Count
    Q1 2025
    Approximately 75 million
    75.2 million
    Met
    TopicPrevious MentionsCurrent PeriodTrend

    ATM-as-a-Service Business Growth and Recurring Revenue

    Consistently discussed in Q4 2024 , Q3 2024 and Q2 2024 with positive growth in revenue, customer base, ARR and a rising recurring revenue mix.

    Q1 2025 reports robust growth with 24% YoY revenue increase to $57 million, a 44% increase in unique customers, improved profitability metrics, and an increased recurring revenue mix (75%) as well as higher ARR.

    Steady and positive momentum, reaffirming the strategic emphasis on scaling and recurring revenue generation.

    Hardware Demand and the Refresh Cycle

    In Q4 2024, there was emphasis on strong global hardware demand, an improved recycler product, and a modest refresh wave. Q3 2024 noted early stages of the refresh cycle with anticipation for higher revenue in coming periods. Q2 2024 reinforced optimism with a strong order book and recycler product strength.

    Q1 2025 highlights what is described as the best hardware year since 2019 with an 8% revenue growth, strong backlog and replacement cycle lifting demand.

    Continued robust demand with an enhanced replacement cycle narrative—sentiment remains very positive and reinforces future revenue potential.

    Capital Efficiency, Leverage Reduction, and Shareholder Returns

    Across Q2 2024 , Q3 2024 and Q4 2024 , the company emphasized reducing leverage (targeting below 3x), prioritizing debt reduction, and planning for shareholder returns primarily via share repurchases when targets are met.

    In Q1 2025, there is reaffirmation of the plan to reduce leverage below 3x and a commitment to efficient growth, with the indication that excess free cash flow will be returned to shareholders through share repurchases once the target is achieved.

    Consistent focus with similar strategic messaging; the sentiment remains steady with near-term leverage reduction and shareholder return plans likely to positively impact valuation.

    EBITDA Growth, Margin Expansion, and Pricing Pressures

    Q2 2024 , Q3 2024 and Q4 2024 all reported strong adjusted EBITDA growth and significant margin expansions, while also noting some pricing pressures (e.g., FX headwinds and cost increases) that were being managed.

    Q1 2025 maintained this narrative with 9% YoY EBITDA growth (11% on constant currency), substantial margin expansion (e.g., 270bps increase overall, 320bps in Self-Service Banking) and pricing adjustments to mitigate tariff impacts – minimal net negative effect reported.

    Sustained positive performance with expanding margins and effective management of pricing pressures, suggesting continued operational resilience.

    Geographical Expansion and New Market Penetration

    Not specifically mentioned in Q4 2024, Q3 2024, or Q2 2024.

    Q1 2025 highlights significant progress in entering new markets, with a notable increase in new customers (primarily in higher ARPU regions such as North America, APAC, India, and Europe) driving ATM-as-a-Service growth.

    Emerging focus in the current period – a new qualitative emphasis that signals expansion beyond traditional markets, likely to have a large strategic impact going forward.

    Asset-Light Strategy Transition

    Discussed positively in Q3 2024 and Q2 2024 as a key initiative driving improved returns and free cash flow by shifting to deals where customers own devices.

    Not mentioned in Q1 2025.

    Decreased emphasis in the current period; while it was previously highlighted as beneficial, its absence may indicate integration into longer‐term strategy or lower priority in current discussions.

    Impact of Expiring Hedges on Vault Cash Costs

    Only discussed in Q4 2024, where expiring hedges were noted to increase vault cash costs as hedges roll off, though margins in the Network segment remained robust.

    Not mentioned in Q1 2025.

    Topic no longer highlighted in Q1 2025, suggesting either resolution of hedge-related concerns or a shift in focus to other operational metrics.

    Network Segment Performance and Managed Unit Trends

    Consistently detailed across Q2 2024 , Q3 2024 and Q4 2024 with reports of steady revenue growth, expanding transaction volumes, new strategic partnerships and managed optimization of ATM locations.

    In Q1 2025, the Network segment continues strong performance with strategic initiatives such as signing key partnerships (e.g., with 7-Eleven) and monitoring portfolio optimization, reinforcing strong transaction growth and elevated ARPU.

    Ongoing robust performance with continuous portfolio optimization – the sentiment is very positive with incremental improvements noted, indicating a long-term stable revenue impact.

    1. Buyback Timing
      Q: How will balance sheet affect buybacks?
      A: Management is focused on reducing net leverage to under 3x and plans to deploy free cash flow—about $700 million over six quarters—toward share repurchases, with a more definitive decision expected in 90 days.

    2. Hardware & Ramp
      Q: How is hardware and as-a-service ramping?
      A: They expect the best hardware year since 2019, with a robust backlog and an end-of-year ramp in as-a-service revenue similar to last year’s pattern, underscoring steady demand.

    3. Tariff Impact
      Q: What is the impact of tariffs?
      A: Tariffs impacted Q1 minimally at roughly $2 million and are expected to add up to about $25 million annually, a cost that management is addressing through pricing and supply chain adjustments.

    4. M&A Pipeline
      Q: What are your M&A plans?
      A: They have a portfolio of ideas—from smaller deals to more strategic acquisitions—that could accelerate growth once further debt reduction is achieved, showing a disciplined expansion approach.

    5. Cash Flow Cadence
      Q: When will free cash flow improve?
      A: Free cash flow is projected to be slightly positive in Q2, with conversion nearing 60% in Q3 and Q4, reflecting the typical back-end loading of hardware investments.

    6. CapEx Allocation
      Q: Where is ATM-as-a-Service CapEx focused?
      A: The planned CapEx for ATM-as-a-Service is expected to be balanced evenly between international markets and the U.S., supporting its global operations.

    7. Withdrawal Trends
      Q: How are withdrawal transactions trending?
      A: In the Network business, U.S. withdrawals increased by 2%, while U.K. volumes declined by 6–7%, with management anticipating improvement moving forward.

    8. Unit Price Metrics
      Q: What is the unit sale price in backlog?
      A: The ATM-as-a-Service backlog includes roughly 7,500 units with an average revenue per unit significantly above $8,400, indicating strong pricing dynamics.

    9. Hardware Order Shifts
      Q: Were hardware orders shifted across quarters?
      A: No shifts occurred; all hardware orders were delivered as planned with no cancellations, aligning with customers’ predetermined ordering schedule.

    10. Network Optimization
      Q: How is the network portfolio being optimized?
      A: Despite closures in underperforming segments like pharmacy, transactions remain robust, and strategic partnerships such as with 7-Eleven help maintain strong network performance.

    11. Customer Count & Margins
      Q: How are customer counts and margins trending?
      A: ATM-as-a-Service customer numbers grew notably—especially in North America—contributing to a 700 basis point expansion in margins due to higher profitability in these contracts.

    Research analysts covering NCR Atleos.