Cegedim: Higher Profits at End of September against a Background of Significant Investment

Regulatory News:

Cegedim, an innovative technology and services company, generated consolidated first nine months 2015 revenues from continuing activities of €366.6 million, up 1.0% like for like and 3.3% on a reported basis compared with the same period in 2014. All Group divisions contributed to the reported increase. The like-for-like decline at the Healthcare Professionals division was more than offset by stability at the Cegelease division and an increase at Health Insurance, HR and e-services. The Health Insurance, HR and e-services division made a noteworthy return to strong growth in the third quarter despite the migration of clients towards SaaS and cloud offerings.

EBITDA amounted to €60.3 million over the first nine months of 2015, up 3.2% compared with a year earlier. This EBITDA trend was attributable to the increases at Health Insurance, HR and e-services, Cegelease and at the Activities not allocated division, which were partially offset by the decrease at the Healthcare Professionals division. The EBITDA margin remains virtually stable at 16.4% for the first nine months of 2015 compared to 16.5% a year earlier.

These performances reflect the main development areas the Group is prioritizing for future growth:

• Speeding up the migration of its software offerings from a perpetual license model to SaaS / cloud models
• The rapid deployment of its BPO offering (Business Process Outsourcing)
• Strengthening its businesses through targeted acquisitions

During this transition period, revenue and profitability are being negatively impacted by the significant investment needed in human resources and innovation. Furthermore, the change in revenue and costs recognition induced by the migration to SaaS is leading to an unfavorable base effect during the transition year.

Over the longer term, Cegedim will increase its customer loyalty and forge closer relationships, simplify its operating processes, and strengthen its offering and its geographic footprint. This move will simultaneously increase the share of recurring revenues, make growth stronger and more predictable, and increase the Group’s profitability.

The Group reiterates, as announced on October 27, its target of 2015 like-for-like revenue growth of 1.0% for continuing activities, and a 5.0% increase in EBITDA.

Net financial debt fell by €327.3 million to €176.9 million, mainly as a result of the sale of the CRM and Strategic Data division to IMS Health on April 1.

• Simplified income statement

Over the first nine months of 2015, Cegedim generated consolidated revenue from continuing activities of €366.6 million, up 3.3% on a reported basis compared with the same period in 2014. Currencies and acquisitions had positive impacts of respectively 1.9% and 0.3%. Like-for-like revenue grew by 1.0%.

The decline in like-for-like revenues at the Healthcare Professionals division was more than offset by growth at the Health Insurance, HR and e-services; Cegelease; and Activities not allocated divisions.

EBITDA increased by €1.9 million, or 3.2%, to €60.3 million; the margin remained virtually stable at 16.4% for the first nine months of 2015, compared to 16.5% for the first nine months of 2014. This EBITDA trend was attributable to the drop at the Healthcare professionals division being more than offset by EBITDA improvements at Health Insurance, HR and e- services; Cegelease; and Activities not allocated.

Depreciation increased by €3.7 million, from €28.4 million for the first nine months of 2015 to €32.0 million for the first nine months of 2015. Special items at the end of September 2015 amounted to a charge of €5.0 million, compared with a charge of €8.1 million one year earlier. Most of these charges are linked to reorganizational costs tied to the computerization of doctors in the UK and fees related to the sale of the CRM and Strategic Data division to IMS Health.

EBIT before special items decreased by €1.8 million, or 6.0%, to €28.2 million, with a decrease in margin from 8.5% for the first nine months of 2014 to 7.7% for the first nine months of 2015.

The cost of financial debt decreased by €5.5 million, from €38.2 million at the end of September 2014 to €32.7 million at the end of September 2015. This decrease reflects the gain on financial investments and the positive impact of the restructuring of bond debt in 2014 and 2015.

Tax expense increased by €1.2 million, from a charge of €1.5 million over the first nine months of 2014 to a charge of €2.7 million over the first nine months of 2015.

Thus, the consolidated net profit from continuing activities amounted to a loss of €10.8 million at the end of September 2015, compared with a €16.3 million loss a year earlier. The loss per share from continuing activities before special items was €0.4 at the end of September 2015, compared with a €0.6 loss at the end of September 2014. The consolidated net profit attributable to the Group amounted to a profit of €23.3 million at the end of September 2015, compared to a €12.8 million loss at the end of September 2014. This profit came from the adjustment of the result on disposal (see note 13 of the consolidated financial statements).

Analysis of business trends by division

• Key figures by division

• Health Insurance, HR and e-services

Over the first nine months of 2015, division revenues came to €167.5 million, up 6.0% on a reported basis. The acquisition of Activus in July 2015 in the UK made a positive contribution of 0.7%. Currencies had virtually no impact. Like-for-like revenues grew 5.2% over the period.

The Health Insurance, HR and e-services division represented 45.7% of consolidated revenues from continuing activities, compared with 44.5% during the same period a year earlier.

EBITDA came to €28.1 million for the first nine months of 2015, up €1.2 million or 4.6%. The margin came to 16.8%, compared to 17.0% a year earlier.

These positive performances stem chiefly from:

• Cegedim Health Insurance, driven mainly by the third-party payments processing and BPO activities. Others activities were impacted in the short term by the transition from a perpetual license model to an SaaS / Cloud model. Finally, the acquisition of health and personal insurance software publisher Activus gave Cegedim Health Insurance access to new markets (UK, US, Middle East, APAC, etc.).
• Cegedim SRH, the SaaS HR management platform, which got a boost from numerous commercial successes and from the successful development of its BPO activities. This last element initially had a negative impact on margin.
• Digital communication activities, following the successful transition to digital

• Healthcare Professionals

Over the first nine months of 2015, division revenues came to €113.0 million, up 1.4% on a reported basis. Currency effects made positive contributions of 6.0%. Acquisitions had virtually no impact. Like-for-like revenues fell 4.7% over the period.

The Healthcare Professionals division represented 30.8% of consolidated revenues from continuing activities, compared with 31.4% during the same period a year earlier.

EBITDA came to €18.9 million for the first nine months of 2015, down €5.1 million or 21.3% compared to a year earlier. Thus, the margin came to 16.7%, compared to 21.5% a year earlier.

These performances stem chiefly from:

• Weaker trends in the computerization of UK doctors following the market’s migration to cloud-based offerings. However, the investments the Group is now making in order to get a cloud offering in 2016 should allow this segment to gradually return to growth.
• The impact of rolling out Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) products in the US. This product range allows doctors to manage reimbursements from multiple US insurers. This is a BPO-like offering that required the size of the RCM team to be doubled before requested work could begin with clients. This significantly increased costs. As business with clients gradually ramps up over Q4 2015 and H1 2016, this activity should return to growth and improve its profitability. Revenues related to RCM offerings are recognized over the life of the contract, unlike EHR products.
• The definitive adoption in October of the ICD-10 standards in the Unites-States, which means we can expect a gradual pick-up in EHR sales momentum following a period in which doctors have been hesitant to invest.
• Lastly, the September 2015 acquisition of Nightingale’s US assets gives the Group product ranges that use both client-server and cloud models.
• Growth in the computerization of doctors in Spain, Belgium and Romania, and the computerization of nurses and physical therapists in France.
• Growth in the Base Claude Bernard (BCB) medication database.

Cegedim is strengthening its SoCall remote medical receptionist offering by launching Docavenue, an innovative online appointment scheduling solution. This platform connects patients directly to their healthcare professional’s calendar so they can request an appointment. Patients then receive a text message confirming the appointment. The service also gives patients access to information on diseases and on medications, via the BCB database. It meets a growing need, both before and after consultations, for vetted information on treatments, indications, side-effects and contraindications. The Group plans to expand the Docavenue offering to other countries.

• Cegelease

Over the first nine months of 2015, division revenues came to €83.3 million, up 0.3% on a reported basis and like for like. There were no acquisitions or divestments, and currencies had no impact.

The Cegelease division represented 22.7% of consolidated revenues from continuing activities, compared with 23.4% during the same period a year earlier.

EBITDA came to €12.7 million for the first nine months of 2015, up €0.5 million or 4.1% compared to a year earlier. Thus, the margin came to 15.2%, compared to 14.6% a year earlier.

The increased use of self-financing for financial lease contracts, principally in the second quarter, negatively affected revenues and EBITDA. Favorable financing conditions are leading the Group to reduce the share of self-financed contracts.

As a reminder, margins are higher on self-financed contracts than on resold contracts, but the margin on resold contracts is recognized when the contract is signed, whereas in the case of self-financed contracts, the margin is recognized over the duration of the contract.

• Activities not allocated

Over the first nine months of 2015, division revenues came to €2.8 million, up 18.5% on a reported basis and like for like. There were no acquisitions or divestments, and currencies had no impact.

The Activities not allocated division represented 0.8% of consolidated revenues from continuing activities, compared with 0.7% during the same period a year earlier.

EBITDA improved by €5.3 million to a €0.6 million profit for the first nine months of 2015 compared with a €4.6 million loss a year earlier. The margin came to 22.2% at the end of September 2015.

This favorable EBITDA trend reflects cost-containment efforts and the impact of invoicing for IT services that are being provided to IMS Health.

Financial resources

Cegedim’s total consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2015, was €783.8 million, a 31.8% decrease over December 31, 2014.

Goodwill on acquisition came to €184.9 million at September 30, 2015, compared to €175.4 million at the end of 2014. This €9.5 million increase is chiefly attributable to the acquisition of Activus in July 2015 in the UK and to the appreciation of some foreign currencies against the euro, chiefly the UK pound, for €1.7 million. Goodwill on acquisition represented 23.6% of total assets on September 30, 2015, compared to 15.3% at December 31, 2014.

Cash and cash equivalents came to €218.1 million at September 30, 2015, an increase of €174.0 million compared to December 31, 2014. This increase was principally due to the recognition of the selling price of the CRM and Strategic Data business to IMS Health, i.e. €324 million net of the cash positions of the divested companies, partly offset by the redemption of a total of €87.9 million of the 6.75% bond maturing in 2020 on the market, and by an increase in WCR.

Shareholders’ equity fell €34.5 million to €183.6 million at the end of September 2015 compared to €218.1 million at the end of December 2014. This decrease stems from the decline in the group exchange gains/losses following the deconsolidation related to the disposal of the CRM and Strategic Data division to IMS Health. Shareholders’ equity came to 19.0% of total balance sheet on December 31, 2014, compared to 23.4% at the end of September 2015.

Net debt came to €176.9 million at the end of September 2015, down €327.3 million compared with end of 2014. This represented 96.4% of equity as of September 30, 2015.

Before the cost of net financial debt and taxes, operating cash flow was €61.3 million at the end of September 2015, compared to €77.3 million as of September 30, 2014.

Period highlights

• Disposal of the "CRM and Strategic Data” division to IMS Health

On April 1, 2015, Cegedim announced that it had completed the disposal of its CRM and Strategic Data division to IMS Health. The estimated selling price, determined in accordance with October 2014 agreements, amounts to €396 million. This estimated amount is subject to joint review over a period of 180 business days from March 31, 2015.

• S&P has upgraded Cegedim’s rating to BB- with positive outlook

Following the announcement of the transaction, rating agency Standard and Poor’s upgraded Cegedim’s rating to BB-, with positive outlook, on April 13, 2015.

• Redemption of the 7.0% 2015 bond

Cegedim redeemed the full amount of the €62.6 million of the 7.0% 2015 bond remaining in circulation upon maturity on July 27, 2015 (ISIN: FR0010925172).

• Cancellation of factoring agreements

In the first half of 2014, the Group cancelled factoring agreements covering the divestment of client receivables, with no possibility of recourse, for a total of €38.0 million. These agreements amounted to €14.2 million at end-December 2014. The agreements dealt chiefly with companies sold to IMS Health.

• Redemption of Cegedim Bonds

Between May 6, 2015, and September 30, 2015, Cegedim redeemed on the market its 6.75% bond, maturing April 1, 2020, ISIN code XS0906984272, for a total principal amount of €79,504,000. The company then cancelled these bonds. As a result, a total principal amount of €345,496,000.00 remains in circulation.

• Acquisition in the UK of Activus

On July 20, 2015, Cegedim announced the acquisition of 100% of Activus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of health and protection insurance software. This deal gives Cegedim Health Insurance access to new markets (UK, US, Middle East, APAC, Africa, etc.) and strengthens its software offering for international clients. Activus generated revenue of around €7 million in 2014.

This move is part of the Group’s strategy of making bolt-on acquisitions to expand its international positions. The deal was financed with internal financing. It began contributing to Cegedim consolidated results starting from the acquisition date.

• Favorable exchange rate movements

At end-September, movements in exchange rates were positive, contributing €6.8 million to consolidated nine month revenues from continuing activities.

• Competition Authority

On September 24, 2015, the Paris Court of Appeal rejected Cegedim’s request and upheld the Competition Authority decision of July 8, 2014. Because the fine was paid in full in September 2014, this decision has no impact on Cegedim’s accounts. Cegedim has appealed this decision to the Court of Cassation.

Apart from the items cited above, to the best of the company’s knowledge, there were no events or changes during the period that would materially alter the Group’s financial situation.

Significant post-closing transactions and events

• Acquisition of Nightingale’s US assets

In early October 2015, Cegedim announced that its US subsidiary, Pulse Systems, Inc., had acquired the US healthcare management activities of Nightingale Informatix Corporation, including Medrium, Ridgemark, Secure Connect and Northern Health Products.

Pulse will now be able to offer its clients healthcare and EHR management products in client-server and cloud formats.

• Redemption of Cegedim Bonds

On October 1, 2015, Cegedim redeemed on the market its 6.75% bond, maturing April 1, 2020, ISIN code XS0906984272, for a total principal amount of €2,150,000. The company is canceling these bonds. As a result, a total principal amount of €343,346,000 remains in circulation.

Apart from the items cited above, to the best of the company’s knowledge, there were no post-closing events or changes that would materially alter the Group’s financial situation.

Outlook

In light of the rapid development of its BPO and SaaS / cloud businesses, which require personnel investments to get clients up and running, and given the investments necessary for migrating all of its software products from perpetual license models to cloud / SaaS formats, Cegedim is expecting for 2015 like-for-like revenue growth of 1% and a 5% increase in EBITDA.

The Group does not anticipate any significant acquisitions for 2015 and does not disclose profit projections or estimates.

Financial calendar

December 17, 2015 at 1:45pm CET

• 6^th Investor Summit

Auditorium Cegedim, 17 rue de l’Ancienne Maire, Boulogne-Billancourt

January 28, 2016 after market closing

• 2015 Revenue

March 23, 2016 after market closing

• 2015 Earnings

March 24, 2016 at 10am CET

• Analyst meeting (SFAF meeting)

May 26, 2016 after market closing

• Q1 2016 Earnings

July 26, 2016 after market closing

• Q2 2016 Revenue

September 15, 2016 after market closing

• 2016 Half-year Earnings

September 16, 2016 at 10am CET

• Analyst meeting (SFAF meeting)

November 29, 2016 after market closing

• Q3 2016 Earnings

Additional Information

The Audit Committee met on November 24, 2015. The Board of Directors met on November 26, 2015, to review the 2015 first nine months consolidated financial statements.

The first nine months financial report, including management discussion and analysis, is available in the Finance section of Cegedim’s website:

• In French: http://www.cegedim.fr/finance/documentation/Pages/rapports.aspx
• In English:http://www.cegedim.com/finance/documentation/Pages/reports.aspx

This information is also available on Cegedim IR, the Group’s financial communications app for smartphones and iOS and Android tablets. To download the app, visit: http://www.cegedim.fr/finance/profil/Pages/CegedimIR.aspx.

Appendices

• Balance sheet as of September 30, 2015

Assets

Liabilities as of September 30, 2015

Income statement as of September 30, 2015

Consolidated cash flow statement as of September 30, 2015

(1) Selling price net of cash positions of the divested companies of the CRM and strategic data division on April 1, 2015.

• Glossary

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