Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) reported Q1 EPS of $1.43, $0.11 better than the analyst estimate of $1.32. Revenue for the quarter came in at $294.8 million versus the consensus estimate of $288.91 million.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights:

• Total revenues were $294.8 million, up 6.6% from $276.5 million for the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP total revenues were $294.8 million, up 6.5% from $276.8 million for the first quarter of 2020.
• Recurring revenues from maintenance and subscriptions were $221.6 million, up 13.0% from $196.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, and comprised 75.2% of first quarter 2021 revenue.
• Operating income was $38.2 million, up 12.7% from $33.9 million for the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP operating income was $78.9 million, up 18.1% from $66.8 million for the first quarter of 2020.
• Net income was $37.0 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, down 22.2% compared to $47.6 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP net income was $60.0 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, up 16.5% compared to $51.5 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020.
• Cash flows from operations were $71.7 million, up 26.4% from $56.7 million for the first quarter of 2020. Free cash flow was $61.7 million, up 33.9% from $46.0 million for the first quarter of 2020.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $85.7 million, up 17.1% compared to $73.2 million for the first quarter of 2020.
• Software subscription arrangements comprised approximately 66% of the total new software contract value in the first quarter, compared to approximately 73% in the first quarter of 2020.
• Subscription bookings in the first quarter added $10.2 million in annual recurring revenue.
• Annualized non-GAAP recurring revenues were $886.4 million, up 12.9% from $785.0 million for the first quarter of 2020.
• Total backlog was $1.55 billion, up 3.0% from $1.50 billion at March 31, 2020. Software-related backlog (excluding appraisal services) was $1.50 billion, up 2.9% from $1.46 billion at March 31, 2020.
• Effective January 1, 2021, Tyler adopted the requirements of ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes; and ASU No. 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity. We do not expect the adoption of these two standards to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
• On March 31, 2021, Tyler acquired DataSpec, a provider of electronic management of veterans' claims, and ReadySub, a cloud-based platform that assists school districts with absence tracking, filling substitute teacher assignments, and automating essential payroll processes. The two acquisitions will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
• On April 21, 2021, Tyler completed the acquisition of NIC Inc. for approximately $2.3 billion in cash. NIC is a leading provider of digital government solutions and payments processing that serves more than 7,100 federal, state, and local government agencies across the nation. In connection with the acquisition, in March Tyler completed a $600 million offering of 0.25% convertible senior notes due 2026, and in April entered into a new $1.4 billion senior unsecured credit facility that includes $900 million of three and five-year term notes, and a new $500 million five-year revolving credit agreement.

“Our first quarter results surpassed our expectations, providing an exceptional start to 2021,” said Lynn Moore, Tyler’s president and chief executive officer. “Total revenues grew 6.6% to reach an all-time quarterly high, led by subscriptions revenue growth of 25.4%. A favorable revenue mix coupled with effective cost management drove our non-GAAP gross margin to 53.3%, up 210 basis points, and our non-GAAP operating margin to 26.8%, a 270 basis point improvement. Cash flows from operations and free cash flow remained very robust, growing 26.4% and 33.9%, respectively.

"We're pleased to see signs of growing activity in our public sector markets, and expect that the $350 billion of direct federal fiscal relief for state and local government under the American Rescue Plan Act will have a positive impact on government technology spending. Bookings in the first quarter were solid at approximately $247 million, but were down 22.8% against a challenging comparison with the first quarter of 2020, which included several large contracts, including two SaaS contracts with the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts that totaled approximately $38 million.

"In addition to the DataSpec and ReadySub acquisitions in March, last week we completed the NIC acquisition - the largest in our history. We are extremely excited to welcome our new teams to Tyler and look forward to the benefits these transactions will bring to our clients, shareholders, and employees. NIC had very strong first quarter results that exceeded their plan. NIC's first quarter core revenues, excluding the TourHealth and COVID initiatives that are expected to wind down after the second quarter, grew more than 10% over last year, and their operating income, excluding the TourHealth and COVID initiatives and acquisition costs, rose more than 20%.

"We remain on track to achieve or exceed the annual revenue and EPS guidance that we communicated in February for Tyler, excluding the impact of the NIC acquisition. Because of antitrust restrictions, we took a conservative approach to our integration and strategic planning for NIC prior to closing the transaction. We are currently working closely with NIC's leadership to evaluate strategic growth opportunities that take advantage of the combined strengths of the two businesses. We expect to complete the fine-tuning of our joint operating and financial plans for the remainder of the year and issue 2021 guidance for the combined company during the second quarter," added Moore.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Tyler Technologies (TYL) click here.