ACI WORLDWIDE INC (NASDAQ:ACIW) emerged from our Peter Lynch-inspired screen as a potential candidate for long-term investors seeking growth at a reasonable price. The company, which provides real-time electronic payment solutions, meets several key criteria for sustainable growth and sound financial health.
Why ACIW Fits the GARP Profile
Strong Earnings Growth: ACIW has delivered an impressive 5-year average EPS growth of 27.49%, well above the 15% minimum threshold in our screen. This indicates consistent profitability and operational efficiency.
Attractive Valuation: With a PEG ratio (5-year) of 0.65, the stock appears undervalued relative to its growth prospects. A PEG below 1 suggests the market may not be fully pricing in future earnings potential.
Healthy Profitability: The company’s Return on Equity (ROE) stands at 18.19%, exceeding the 15% benchmark, reflecting effective use of shareholder capital.
Solid Financial Position: ACIW maintains a current ratio of 1.50, indicating sufficient liquidity to cover short-term obligations. Its debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55 is within acceptable limits, though slightly higher than Lynch’s preferred threshold of 0.25.
Fundamental Snapshot
Our fundamental analysis rates ACIW 6 out of 10, highlighting strengths in profitability and valuation but noting minor concerns in financial health. Key takeaways:
Profitability: High marks for ROE, operating margins (22.00%), and profit margins (16.12%).
Valuation: P/E of 17.91 is below industry peers, and the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio is favorable.
Growth: Revenue growth has been steady, with a 13.11% increase in the past year.
This is not investing advice. The observations here are based on data available at the time of writing. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.