Montreal, Quebec, July 26, 2011

 

Read more about our Q3 F2011 financial results (PDF)

Read more about our Q3 F2011 MD&A (PDF) 

CGI Group Inc. (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) reported fiscal 2011 third quarter revenue of $1.04 billion, an increase of 15.1% compared with the same period last year. Revenue on a constant currency basis was up 18.0% after adjusting for foreign exchange fluctuations that unfavorably impacted revenue in the quarter by $26.3 million, or 2.9% compared with the same period last year.  

Adjusted EBIT was $144.3 million compared with $128.7 million in the same quarter last year, an improvement of 12.2%. This represents an adjusted EBIT margin of 13.9%.  

Net earnings were $118.4 million or 11.4% of revenue compared with $85.9 million in the same quarter last year, representing an increase of 37.9% year-over-year.

Diluted earnings per share were 43 cents compared with 30 cents in the same period last year, representing an improvement of 43.3%.

On a comparable basis, excluding $15.2 million in favourable tax adjustments offset by the impact of acquisition and integration related costs; net earnings would have been $103.6 million or 10.0% of revenue in Q3-F2011, compared with $86.5 million, or 9.6% of revenue in the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share would have been 38 cents, up 26.7% compared with 30 cents in the third quarter of 2010.
 

The Company generated $90.1 million in cash from operating activities during the quarter and over the last twelve months has generated $536.9 million or $1.93 in cash per diluted share.

fiscal Q3-2011
In millions of Canadian dollars except earnings per share and where noted
  Q3 F2011 Q3 F2010
Revenue 1,037.9 901.6
Adjusted EBIT
Margin
144.3
13.9%
128.7
14.3%
Earnings before income taxes
Margin
142.4
13.7%
120.2
13.3%
Net earnings
Margin
118.4
11.4%
85.9
9.5%
Earnings per share (diluted) 0.43 0.30
Weighted average number of outstanding shares (diluted) 273,914,231 290,226,120
Interest on long-term debt 4.2 4.4
Net debt to capitalization ratio 28.3%  0.2%
Cash provided by operating activities 90.1 102.8
Days of sales outstanding (DSO) 52 36
Return on equity 20.3% 16.1%
Return on invested capital 15.8% 16.9%
Bookings 1,442 838
Backlog 12,657 11,358

During the quarter, the Company booked $1.44 billion in new contract wins, extensions and renewals, bringing the total bookings over the last twelve months to $4.5 billion, for a book-to-bill of 104%. At the end of June 2011, the Company’s backlog of signed orders stood at $12.7 billion, up $1.3 billion compared with the same period last year after incorporating the unfavourable currency impact. The backlog represents approximately 3 times revenue on a trailing twelve month basis. 

“We remain focused on the fundamentals of delivering quality services to our clients, while proactively expanding our capabilities and offerings by investing in high growth areas such as cloud computing, cyber security and software solutions,” said Michael E. Roach, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The strength in bookings during Q3 reinforces the relevance of our services and solutions to our clients’ requirements and demonstrates our commitment to increasing our competitive position in the global market. We remain in an excellent position to continue executing our Build and Buy profitable growth strategy.”

The Company purchased 2.8 million CGI shares during the quarter for $56.9 million at an average price of $20.51. Since the beginning of the fiscal year, 13.0 million shares have been purchased at an average price of $18.50 for a total investment of $241.3 million. Under the current program, which ends in February 2012, the Company can still acquire 16.6 million shares.

At tte end of Q3 F2011, the Company had $686.8 million in available cash and unused credit facilities. Net debt was $913.4 million representing a net debt to capitalization of 28.3%.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on July 13, 2011, the Company entered into a private debt placement with six large US investors providing for an additional US$475 million in available liquidity. The placement is comprised of three tranches maturing on average in 8.2 years and carrying an average coupon fixed at 4.57%. Under the terms of the placement, the Company does not have to draw down the funds before December 15, 2011.  In addition, it plans to execute interest rate swaps subject to favorable market conditions in order to reduce its financing costs and maximize flexibility.

Third Quarter F2011 Results Conference Call
Management will host a conference call to discuss results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time this morning. Participants may access the call by dialing (866) 223-7781 or on the Web at www.cgi.com/investors. Supporting slides for the call will also be available. For those unable to participate on the live call, a podcast and copy of the slides will be archived for download at www.cgi.com/investors.

About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is one of the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in the world. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 31,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices and centres of excellence in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. As at June 30, CGI's annualized revenue was approximately $4.2 billion and its order backlog was approximately $12.7 billion. CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in both the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Index. Website: www.cgi.com.

Non-GAAP financial metrics used in this release: Constant currency growth, adjusted EBIT, net debt to capitalization, DSO, ROE and ROIC
CGI reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP. However, management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations as they provide additional measures of its performance. Additional details for these non-GAAP measures can be found on page 3 of our MD&A which is posted on CGI’s website, and filed with SEDAR and EDGAR.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements and this information represent CGI’s intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, of which many are beyond the control of the Company. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. These factors include but are not restricted to: the timing and size of new contracts; acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified members; market competition in the rapidly evolving IT industry; general economic and business conditions; foreign exchange and other risks identified in the press release, in CGI’s Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov), the Company’s Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities authorities (filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com), as well as assumptions regarding the foregoing. The words “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “foresee,” “plan,” and similar expressions and variations thereof, identify certain of such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future performance are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or on this forward-looking information. You will find more information about the risks that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations in the Risks and Uncertainties section.

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For more information: 
Lorne Gorber
Senior Vice-President
Global Communications and Investor Relations
514-841-3355
lorne.gorber@cgi.com