Amdocs Closes Vubiquity Buyout, Expands Media Footprint

In a bid to expand the media and entertainment business further, Amdocs Limited DOX recently completed the acquisition of a leading provider of digital content services and technology solutions — Vubiquity, Inc. The latest move will benefit Amdocs' customers and end users globally by adding premium content capabilities such as licensing, processing and delivery to the company's portfolio.

Rationale Behind the Acquisition

The move positions Amdocs at the center of growing convergence across the content community and video distributors globally. Following the acquisition Amdocs is poised to help communication service providers and content producers to expand and improve entertainment offerings. This is likely to help garner higher revenues alongside gaining consumer insights from the evolving media market content consumption. Amdocs remains on track with its global client base expansion by clinching long-term contracts and collaborating with major global telecommunication players.

New Products Bolster Media Business

Earlier, Amdocs unveiled a digital customer management and commerce platform — Optima. This platform monetizes products and services, and supports the full business lifecycle by targeting mid-sized communication businesses and digital firms. Amdocs also launched Amdocs Omni-Channel Experience integrated with Google's mobile data application program interface. The new products are expected to boost the company's top line. Amdocs is poised to grow on the back of robust sales, well-planned acquisitions and strategic investments.  

Guidance

The impact of the acquisition on Amdocs' adjusted earnings per share is expected to be neutral in fiscal 2018, accretive thereafter. The company expects revenues in the range of $960-$1,000 million and adjusted earnings per share EPS in the band of 91 cents to 97 cents in second-quarter fiscal 2018. The impact on GAAP EPS will be unknown till Amdocs completes the purchase price allocation. It expects to incur acquisition-related expenses related to operating adjustments, restructuring charges and other buyout-related costs. The company continues to boost shareholders' sentiments by repurchasing shares and paying dividends at regular intervals.

Share Price Movement

Following the announcement of the acquisition, Amdocs' shares have inched up 0.6% to eventually close at $66.14 yesterday. The momentum is expected to continue.

Over the last three months the stock has returned 1.8%, underperforming the industry's growth of 3.6%.

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