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    NCR Voyix Corp (VYX)

    VYX Q1 2025: Software Attach Rates Surge, Restructure Cost at $65M

    Reported on May 8, 2025 (Before Market Open)
    Pre-Earnings Price$8.75Last close (May 7, 2025)
    Post-Earnings Price$9.20Open (May 8, 2025)
    Price Change
    $0.45(+5.14%)
    • Strong Demand for Self‑Checkout and Platform Integration: Management highlighted that continued interest in self‑checkout systems is driving high software attach rates and providing valuable data for personalized pricing and loyalty solutions, indicating a foundation for recurring revenue growth.
    • Effective Cost Management and Restructuring: Executives emphasized that their cost programs, including a restructuring initiative currently scaled at approximately $65 million, are on track to enhance margins and mitigate external headwinds like tariffs, supporting improved profitability.
    • Resilient Global Customer Base and Leadership Transformation: With extremely low revenue attrition at 1% and the addition of key international leadership, the company demonstrated long‑term customer relationships and a robust platform rollout strategy that underpins future growth in both restaurant and retail segments.
    • Higher restructuring spend: The Q&A revealed that restructuring expenses increased from an initial estimate of $55 million to about $65 million, potentially pressuring margins and cash flows.
    • Uncertain tariff impact: The management acknowledged ongoing tariff challenges with mitigation plans that remain somewhat opaque, leaving open the risk of cost pass-through that could hit earnings.
    • Incomplete transformation: Although most cost-cutting efforts are underway, executives admitted that full right-sizing to a stand-alone software business isn’t complete, which may leave enduring inefficiencies.
    MetricYoY ChangeReason

    Net Income (Loss)

    Improved from –$41 million in Q1 2024 to –$17 million in Q1 2025 (≈58% reduction in loss)

    The net loss narrowed by $24 million, reflecting improved operational performance and reduced non-cash/expense charges compared to Q1 2024, indicating some stabilization in profitability despite remaining negative.

    Operating Cash Flow

    Declined from –$35 million in Q1 2024 to –$42 million in Q1 2025

    Operating cash flow deteriorated by $7 million, possibly due to increased working capital requirements or higher operating outflows relative to the previous period, suggesting that cash collection and expense timing remain challenging.

    Financing Activities

    Shifted from net cash provided of +$80 million in Q1 2024 to net cash used of –$74 million in Q1 2025

    The financing activities swung by $154 million as Q1 2025 saw significant outflows from actions like share repurchases, increased debt repayments, and other financing disbursements compared to the inflows experienced in Q1 2024.

    Borrowings on revolving credit facilities

    Dropped from $220 million in Q1 2024 to $7 million in Q1 2025 (a >95% decrease)

    The steep decline in revolving credit borrowings is due to the prior repayment of loans, notably using proceeds from the Digital Banking Sale, which reduced the need for additional borrowings relative to the previous period.

    Cash and Cash Equivalents

    Increased by about 133% from $246 million in Q1 2024 to $573 million in Q1 2025

    Liquidity improved markedly as stronger cash inflows, reduced debt levels, and potentially improved operating results contributed to a significant rise in cash holdings compared to Q1 2024.

    Total Liabilities

    Declined by about 33% from $4,767 million in Q1 2024 to $3,203 million in Q1 2025

    Total liabilities dropped significantly due to aggressive debt repayments and a lower reliance on borrowings, which helped reduce the overall debt burden from the previous period.

    Total Stockholders’ Equity

    Turned around from a deficit of –$36 million in Q1 2024 to a positive $857 million in Q1 2025

    The reversal in equity by nearly $893 million is attributable to improved net income and financing strategies that bolstered retained earnings and overall net asset value, contrasting sharply with the negative equity in Q1 2024.

    MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange

    Revenue Guidance

    FY 2025

    Currency-neutral revenue expected between $2.575B and $2.65B with a 6%–9% decline

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    Core Software and Services Revenue

    FY 2025

    Expected to grow in the low single digits

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    ARR and Platform Sites

    FY 2025

    Expected to increase in the mid‐ to high single digits

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    Adjusted EBITDA

    FY 2025

    Expected between $420M and $445M—with a 21%–28% increase and margins of 16.3%–16.8%

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    Non-GAAP Diluted EPS

    FY 2025

    Expected to be between $0.75 and $0.80

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    Adjusted Free Cash Flow Unrestricted

    FY 2025

    Expected between $170M and $190M, excluding certain adjustments

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    Pro Forma Net Leverage Ratio

    FY 2025

    Expected to be maintained at or below two turns

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    Q1 2025 Revenue

    Q1 2025

    Expected to decline in the mid‐teens

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    Q1 2025 Adjusted EBITDA

    Q1 2025

    Expected to show high teens growth versus Q1 2024 reported results

    No guidance provided

    no current guidance

    MetricPeriodGuidanceActualPerformance
    Revenue
    Q1 2025
    Expected to decline in the mid-teens
    617 million USD, which is a 28% decline from the Q1 2024 revenue of 862 million USD
    Missed
    TopicPrevious MentionsCurrent PeriodTrend

    Self-checkout & Platform Integration

    Q4 2024: Launched new SCO solutions with global rollout and strong demand. Q3 2024: Emphasized strong demand for SCO systems even amid hardware softness and highlighted its data and software value. Q2 2024: Noted that hardware recovery hadn’t materialized while shifting focus to integration.

    Q1 2025: Continued robust interest in self-checkout across markets with increased emphasis on linking SCO to the platform for data collection and enhanced integration; hardware agnostic approach reiterated.

    Steady positive trend – Consistent customer demand with increasing focus on integrated data-driven solutions.

    Recurring Revenue & Subscription Shift

    Q4 2024: Detailed transition from hardware/onetime licenses to recurring subscription models, targeting 60–75% recurring mix. Q3 2024: Emphasized conversion of legacy customers to a cloud-native, high-margin subscription model. Q2 2024: Outlined shift from hardware to subscription via new models.

    Q1 2025: Continued efforts in transitioning to a recurring revenue model with rising recurring revenue percentages and targeted subscriptions; noted growth in platform sites and strategic customer engagement.

    Accelerating transition – Deeper commitment to recurring and subscription revenue, with increasing focus on sustainable, high-margin offerings.

    Cost Management & Restructuring

    Q4 2024: Reported cost initiatives driving a 25% decrease in corporate expenses and margin expansion of 560bps. Q3 2024: Shared a $105M cost-cutting program with significant expense savings and margin improvements. Q2 2024: Implemented a multiphase cost-alignment program with headcount cuts and non-payroll savings.

    Q1 2025: Continued ramping of its cost program now sized at $100M with increased restructuring estimates and strong margin expansion (adjusted EBITDA up by 19%, margin +330bps); also noted ongoing tariff mitigation efforts impacting cost considerations.

    Consistently disciplined – Ongoing restructuring and cost control measures are delivering improved margins and operational efficiency.

    ODM Model Transition

    Q4 2024: Faced delays due to technology challenges between SAP and Oracle systems; emphasized extensive pilot testing to ensure smooth customer transition. Q3 2024: Positive customer feedback with decoupling of hardware and software decisions noted. Q2 2024: Established an agreement with Ennoconn for ODM-based hardware manufacturing.

    Q1 2025: ODM transition is on track for a summer pilot with full operational deployment expected by year-end; focus now on installing a third‑party application for warehouse management indicates progress beyond earlier technical hurdles.

    Evolving progress – Initial delays and technical challenges are being addressed; sentiment is shifting toward cautious optimism as implementation advances.

    Declining Hardware Market & Strategic Shift

    Q4 2024: Reported significant hardware revenue declines in retail and restaurant segments with a strategic shift to outsource manufacturing via the ODM model. Q3 2024: Highlighted a 28% decline in hardware sales with service revenue partially offsetting the downturn. Q2 2024: Noted that customers were delaying hardware refreshes, prompting a move to the Ennoconn partnership.

    Q1 2025: Continued reports of hardware softness with a 13% total revenue decline noted; reiterated strategic focus on mitigating hardware risk through tariff strategies and deeper reliance on recurring software and services revenue.

    Persistent challenge – Ongoing hardware market weakness is reinforcing a strategic shift away from low‑margin hardware toward higher‑value recurring services.

    Enterprise Payments Expansion

    Q4 2024: Introduced a 5‑year nonexclusive partnership with Worldpay to enhance payment capabilities and fill previous platform gaps. Q3 and Q2 2024: No discussion on payments expansion.

    Q1 2025: Emphasized converting customers from JetPay to Worldpay and integrating end-to‑end payment solutions, building on the strategic partnership to diversify revenue.

    Emerging focus – This new topic augments the company’s diversification efforts, providing a fresh revenue avenue by integrating robust payments services.

    Customer Relationships & Leadership

    Q4 2024: Highlighted long-term relationships (98% retention), platform growth, and leadership transformation with a new CEO. Q3 2024: Reported strong net site additions, key new customer wins, and significant debt reduction following digital banking divestiture. Q2 2024: Noted strong customer signings and alignment with strategic cost and balance sheet improvements.

    Q1 2025: Reported extremely low revenue attrition (~1%), engaged over 40 large customers across geographies, introduced new leadership roles (e.g., Chief Product Officer), and expanded share repurchase efforts to bolster balance sheet strength.

    Continually strong – Consistently robust customer retention and proactive leadership transformations are driving balance sheet improvements and future growth.

    Tariff Impact Uncertainties

    Q4 2024: Discussed upcoming tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China with a “wait and see” approach, emphasizing their potential to affect low-margin hardware. Q2/Q3 2024: No mention of tariffs.

    Q1 2025: Reintroduced tariff uncertainties with surcharges noted from China-based suppliers and active mitigation by sourcing alternative suppliers; guidance maintained despite variability.

    Fluctuating focus – Tariff concerns appear intermittently; while significant in Q1 and Q4, they were absent in mid–year calls, indicating ongoing uncertainty and variable impact.

    Digital Banking Divestiture & Growth Diversification

    Q2 2024: Announced the divestiture to Veritas Capital for $2.45B as a strategic move to optimize operations and reduce debt. Q3 2024: Emphasized completion of the sale, debt reduction, and strategic simplification to focus on core segments. Q4 2024: Highlighted the divestiture’s resource diversion in 2024 and its role in funding accelerated product investments for growth.

    Q1 2025: No discussion of the digital banking divestiture, indicating the company’s focus has shifted solely to its core retail and restaurant business strategies.

    Phased out – Once central to strategic repositioning, the divestiture is now treated as a historical event providing a platform for future growth focus.

    In‑house POS Software Threat

    Q4 2024: Raised as an emerging risk where some large retailers might consider developing in‑house solutions; however, skepticism was expressed regarding the feasibility and sustained impact of such initiatives. Q3/Q2 2024: Not mentioned.

    Q1 2025: Not mentioned in the current discussion, suggesting that the concern did not gain traction or significant influence on strategic direction.

    Short‑lived concern – Emerged briefly in Q4 2024 but quickly faded, implying that it is not perceived as a major or lasting threat to the business model.

    1. Cost Program
      Q: Restructuring cost and tariff actions?
      A: Management reported that the cost program is being ramped up over the year with restructuring spending now estimated at about $65 million—up from an initial $55 million—while they actively pursue tariff mitigation through supplier diversification, ensuring overall guidance remains on track.

    2. Payments Integration
      Q: When will WorldPay integration complete?
      A: The team is converting from JetPay to WorldPay, with training underway and the expectation that the integrated, end-to-end payments solution will be fully operational by the end of summer, streamlining the customer experience.

    3. Retail Margins
      Q: What’s driving retail margin decline?
      A: Retail margins were impacted by lower hardware revenue and a product mix leaning toward lower-margin third-party products, though management expects a recovery in Q2 and full-year margins to reach around 19%–20%.

    4. Payment Economics
      Q: How will integrated payments capture value?
      A: The firm is leveraging its end-to-end solution to offer integrated payments that bundle software and processing, aiming to deliver a value-added experience rather than competing solely on fee-based pricing, thereby enhancing overall processing economics.

    5. Growth Prospects
      Q: Which segment shows most growth potential?
      A: While retail provides the bulk of volume, management is particularly bullish on the restaurant segment—expecting it to expand significantly through enhanced platform rollouts and service innovations, bolstered by renewed, multi-year contracts.

    6. Self-Checkout Trends
      Q: Is self-checkout demand improving?
      A: Management noted that self-checkout continues to generate strong interest across all markets, with ongoing conversations reinforcing that its integration with the platform is key to unlocking additional software attached revenue, even through reusing existing hardware.

    7. Macro Backdrop
      Q: How are macro trends affecting customers?
      A: Despite economic uncertainties and past hardware pull-forwards, customers remain loyal with extremely low attrition, and initial signs point to improving demand in hardware and platform upgrades, reflecting a stable long-term outlook.

    8. International Leadership
      Q: Why add executives outside the U.S.?
      A: The addition of two executives based outside the United States underlines the company’s commitment to aligning more closely with its global customer base by bringing local market insights into strategic decision-making.