Montreal, Quebec, April 25, 2012

Read more about our Q2 F2012 financial results (PDF)

Read more about our Q2 F2012 MD&A (PDF)

CGI Group Inc. (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) reported fiscal 2012 second quarter revenue of $1.07 billion, up 3.3% compared with Q1-F2012 and lower by 4.1% compared with Q2-F2011.  

Adjusted EBIT was $156.4 million, representing a margin of 14.7%, compared with $153.7 million and 13.8% in the same period last year.

Net earnings were $105.7 million or 9.9% of revenue and diluted earnings per share were 40 cents.

For year-over-year comparison purposes, a favourable tax adjustment as well as other previously disclosed items have been removed from Q2-F2011. As a result, Q2-F2012 net earnings compares to $111.8 million or 10.1% in the year ago period; and diluted earnings per share was 40 cents.

The Company generated $104.2 million in cash from operating activities during the quarter, or 9.8% of revenue. Over the last twelve months CGI has generated $532.7 million or $1.97 in cash per diluted share.

first half of fiscal 2012
In millions of Canadian dollars except earnings per share and where noted
  Q2 F2012 Q2 F2011
Revenue 1,065.8 1,111.7
Adjusted EBIT
Margin
156.4
14.7%
153.7
13.8%
Net earnings
Margin
105.7
9.9%
118.7
10.7%
Earnings per share (diluted) 0.40 0.43
Weighted average number of outstanding shares (diluted) 266,933,964 276,640,869
Net finance costs 8.9 3.2
Net debt to capitalization ratio 24.0% 29.2%
Cash provided by operating activities 104.2 192.4
Days of sales outstanding (DSO) 53 43
Return on equity 17.4% 19.0%
Return on invested capital 12.5% 15.9%
Bookings 787 771
Backlog 13,118 12,459

During the quarter, the Company booked $787 million in new contract wins, extensions and renewals, bringing the total bookings over the last twelve months to $5.1 billion, for a book-to-bill of 124.0%. At the end of March 2012, the Company’s backlog of signed orders stood at $13.1 billion, up $659 million compared with the same period last year. The backlog represents approximately 3.2 times revenue on a trailing twelve-month basis. 

“We delivered solid results in the second quarter and throughout the first half of fiscal 2012, demonstrating sequential revenue growth and industry leading profitability,” said Michael E. Roach, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to identify and shape additional profitable growth opportunities across all our vertical markets. Our strong cash generation continues to enable us to further reducing debt and repurchase our shares.”

During the quarter, the Company reduced debt by $77.3 million for a net debt of $795.3 million at the end of the quarter, representing a net debt to capitalization of 24.0%. At the end of Q2‑F2012, the Company had approximately $1.3 billion in available cash and unused credit facilities.

Normal Course Issuer Bid
The Company purchased approximately 1.6 million CGI shares during the quarter for $30.0 million at an average price of $19.30 as part of its program, renewed on February 1, 2012, allowing the purchase of up to 10% of the Company’s public float of Class A subordinate shares, or approximately 22 million shares over the next year.

During the first half of fiscal 2012, 4.9 million shares have been purchased at an average price of $19.01 for a total investment of $93.4 million.

Second quarter F2012 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 dialling (866) 226-1792 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 provides end-to-end services with approximately 31,000 professionals located in offices and centres of excellence in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. As at March 31, 2012, CGI's annualized revenue was approximately $4.3 billion and its order backlog was approximately $13.1 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 IFRS. 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 and quarterly Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), in CGI’s Annual Report, 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), and in 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.

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