National Research Corporation (NRCI) has reported 3.41 percent fall in profit for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2016. The company has earned $5.72 million in the quarter, compared with $5.93 million for the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, earnings per share were at $0.23 for the quarter compared with $0.24 in the same period last year.

Revenue during the quarter grew 7.60 percent to $28.37 million from $26.36 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 138 basis points over the previous year period to 58.28 percent. Total expenses were 68.86 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 70.77 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 191 basis points in operating margin to 31.14 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $8.83 million, compared with $7.71 million in the previous year period.

Remarking on Company performance, Michael D. Hays, chief executive officer of National Research Corporation said, "An increasing proportion of our revenue is being derived from more contemporary and innovative products which support our rebranding focused on 'Human understanding' an aspiration to keep us at the forefront of a dynamic healthcare environment."

Debt moves up
National Research Corporation has witnessed an increase in total debt over the last one year. It stood at $2.68 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, up 11.70 percent or $0.28 million from $2.40 million on Dec. 31, 2015. Total debt was 2.22 percent of total assets as on Dec. 31, 2016, compared with 1.86 percent on Dec. 31, 2015. Debt to equity ratio was almost stable at 0.03 as on Dec. 31, 2016, when compared with the last year. Interest coverage ratio improved to 284.97 for the quarter from 160.54 for the same period last year.