Many Bank Tech Stocks Off Despite Strong Profits

Many bank technology stocks took a dive last week, despite generally higher third-quarter earnings reports.

Fiserv Inc. reported third-quarter earnings of $13.1 million, a 27% increase from the year-earlier period. Officials at the Milwaukee-based systems outsourcing firm said revenues for the three months ended Sept. 30 totaled $176.9 million, a increase of 23% from the corresponding quarter last year.

Earnings per share was 25 cents for the third quarter of 1995, a 16% improvement over the 1994 period and a result in line with analysts' forecasts, according to First Call Corp.

Fiserv officials said 39 banks signed contracts for outsourcing services or in-house processing solutions in the third quarter, compared with 35 in the same period last year.

"Year-to-date, 215 financial institutions have chosen our processing solutions," said Leslie M. Muma, vice chairman, president, and chief operating officer at Fiserv. "This represents a 12% increase in the number of new clients signed this year versus the same period last year."

Fiserv's common stock closed at $26.25 per share Friday, down $3.125 for the week.

Banking systems integration firm Broadway & Seymour Inc. reported third- quarter net income of $2.5 million, or 27 cents per share, compared with a net profit of $1,930,000, or 23 cents per share. Analysts had expected Charlotte, N.C.-based firm to earn 28 cents per share, according to First Call.

Revenues totaled $33.2 million for the period, up slightly from $32.3 million in the third quarter of 1994.

The news sent Broadway & Seymour's stock tumbling last week, closing at $18.00 per share Friday, down $7.00.

Stephen Shook, an analyst with Interstate Johnston Lane, said investors were wary of the fact that $6.1 million in Broadway & Seymour's third- quarter revenues were previously slated to be booked in the fourth quarter, dimming hopes for a strong finish in 1995.

"We have completed our internal reengineering analysis and have begun programs to improve the operating performance of our core operations," said Broadway & Seymour chairman and chief executive William W. Neal. "We expect to develop a restructuring plan in the fourth quarter which may result in a one-time charge. We expect the efficiencies achieved thereby will improve our operating margins and help us achieve our fiscal year 1996 and forward objectives."

Banking software developer Hogan Systems Inc. reported earnings for its second quarter of fiscal 1996 rose 38% to $1.9 million, or 12 cents per share, from the same period a year ago.

Revenues for the period improved 12%, to $26.2 million, when compared to the second fiscal quarter of last year.

"We're very pleased with our results through the first half of the year, especially considering our record-setting performance in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1995," said Michael H. Anderson, chairman and chief executive at Dallas-based Hogan. "The increasing base of services and maintenance revenue as related to signed license agreements has strongly contributed to our record first-half results and also gives our business a greater degree of predictability."

Hogan's common stock closed Friday at $8.50 per share, down 62.5 cents for the week.

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