TransUnion (TRU) has reported 157.81 percent jump in profit for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2016. The company has earned $49.50 million, or $0.27 a share in the quarter, compared with $19.20 million, or $0.10 a share for the same period last year. On the other hand, adjusted net income for the quarter stood at $81.60 million, or $0.44 a share compared with $56.10 million or $0.31 a share, a year ago.

Revenue during the quarter grew 12.90 percent to $435.90 million from $386.10 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 293 basis points over the previous year period to 66.83 percent. Total expenses were 79.51 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 87.33 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 782 basis points in operating margin to 20.49 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $89.30 million, compared with $48.90 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted EBITDA for the quarter stood at $169.30 million compared with $136.90 million in the prior year period. At the same time, adjusted EBITDA margin improved 338 basis points in the quarter to 38.84 percent from 35.46 percent in the last year period.

"TransUnion delivered a strong fourth quarter that caps an outstanding full year in 2016," said Jim Peck, TransUnion's president and chief executive officer. "We delivered double-digit revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS growth for both the fourth quarter and full year 2016 while we continued to aggressively invest in our business for the long term. In 2016, we completed our next-generation technology platform that allows us to deliver cutting-edge innovation for our customers. We also made strategic acquisitions and invested organically in key growth initiatives, while driving meaningful margin expansion."

For the first-quarter, TransUnion forecasts revenue to be in the range of $440 million to $445 million. On an adjusted basis, the company expects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.38 to $0.39.

For fiscal year 2017, TransUnion forecasts revenue to be in the range of $1,835 million to $1,850 million. The company expects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.71 to $1.76 on adjusted basis.

Operating cash flow improves significantly
TransUnion has generated cash of $389.90 million from operating activities during the year, up 26.14 percent or $80.80 million, when compared with the last year.

The company has spent $495.80 million cash to meet investing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $197.10 million in the last year.

Cash flow from financing activities was $153.80 million for the year as against cash outgo of $51.30 million in the last year period.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $182.20 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, up 36.79 percent or $49 million from $133.20 million on Dec. 31, 2015.

Working capital increases sharply
TransUnion has recorded an increase in the working capital over the last year. It stood at $176.70 million as at Dec. 31, 2016, up 34.37 percent or $45.20 million from $131.50 million on Dec. 31, 2015. Current ratio was at 1.47 as on Dec. 31, 2016, up from 1.44 on Dec. 31, 2015.

Days sales outstanding went up to 29 days for the quarter compared with 27 days for the same period last year.

At the same time, days payable outstanding went up to 36 days for the quarter from 35 for the same period last year.

Debt moves up
TransUnion has witnessed an increase in total debt over the last one year. It stood at $2,375.60 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, up 7.76 percent or $171 million from $2,204.60 million on Dec. 31, 2015. Total debt was 49.69 percent of total assets as on Dec. 31, 2016, compared with 49.58 percent on Dec. 31, 2015. Debt to equity ratio was almost stable at 1.61 as on Dec. 31, 2016, when compared with the last year. Interest coverage ratio improved to 4 for the quarter from 2.47 for the same period last year.