Abstract

ACI Worldwide Inc will release its quarterly results on February 26, 2026 Pre-Market, with investors watching revenue, margins, and EPS momentum amid expanding software and platform services.

Market Forecast

Consensus-style projections derived from recent guidance indicate ACI Worldwide Inc’s current quarter revenue is estimated at 0.46 billion, implying a year-over-year increase of 2.87%. EBIT is forecast at 0.12 billion with year-over-year growth of 21.34%, while adjusted EPS is estimated at 0.80, up 37.14% year over year. ACI Worldwide Inc’s margin setup appears supportive, with management’s mix shift toward software services suggesting stable gross profitability and improving operating leverage that should aid net margins and EPS growth. The main business is expected to benefit from recurring software and platform revenues and resilient licensing activity, while the most promising segment remains software services and platform services at a run-rate supported by last quarter’s 246.92 million and consistent demand, with expected mid-single-digit year-over-year growth.

Last Quarter Review

ACI Worldwide Inc delivered last quarter revenue of 0.48 billion, a gross profit margin of 53.74%, GAAP net profit attributable to the parent company of 91.25 million, a net profit margin of 18.92%, and adjusted EPS of 0.88, with year-over-year adjusted EPS growth of 14.29%. The quarter showed disciplined expense control and execution, evidenced by EBIT of 0.13 billion and revenue upside versus internal estimates. Main business highlights included software services and platform services generating 246.92 million, licensing at 161.96 million, maintenance at 51.42 million, and services at 22.07 million, with software services and platform services contributing the largest share and gaining traction on expanded client deployments.

Current Quarter Outlook

Main Business: Software and Platform Services Momentum

Software services and platform services are positioned to sustain revenue leadership, supported by durable subscription-like contracts and mission-critical payment solutions used by banks, merchants, and billers. The mix shift toward platform delivery enhances scalability and margin consistency, which aligns with the stable gross profit margin observed last quarter. With continued client migrations to modernized platforms, cross-sell opportunities, and expanded transaction volumes, the business can capture mid-single-digit top-line growth while maintaining pricing discipline. Near-term performance hinges on implementation timelines and seasonal activity patterns, but the installed base growth suggests solid underpinning for both revenue visibility and operating leverage.

Most Promising Segment: Recurring Licensing and Renewals

Licensing generated 161.96 million last quarter and remains an important driver where renewal cycles and new agreements can lift quarterly revenue. The forecast implies a low-to-mid single-digit year-over-year increase as customers expand usage and add modules to support fraud prevention, real-time payments, and omni-channel commerce. Structurally, licensing complements platform services by enhancing feature breadth and locking in longer customer relationships, which can translate into higher attach rates and reduced churn. Execution risks include timing of large deals and competitive discounting, but a diversified customer footprint and solution depth reduce volatility and support an improving EPS trajectory.

Stock Price Drivers: Margins, Mix, and Deal Timing

The stock’s near-term performance will be most sensitive to delivery against the EPS estimate of 0.80 and EBIT trajectory toward 0.12 billion, both underpinned by gross margin stability. Investors will scrutinize the balance of recurring versus one-time revenues, given that a higher share of services and platform mix historically supports predictability and valuation. Deal timing can create quarterly lumpiness, but the prior quarter’s revenue beat and margin profile provide a cushion; if large renewals or new platform wins close in February, upside surprise risk increases. Conversely, any slippage in implementations or delayed signings could pull forward revenue into subsequent periods, a dynamic that investors will weigh against multi-quarter demand signals.

Analyst Opinions

Bullish sentiment dominates recent institutional views. Stephens reaffirmed a Buy rating on ACI Worldwide Inc with a price target of $60.00, highlighting growing confidence in execution and margin improvement. D.A. Davidson also maintained a Buy rating with a $60.00 target, pointing to the company’s capacity to expand EPS on recurring revenue momentum and disciplined cost controls. With two notable firms expressing positive stances and no contemporaneous bearish notes within the reviewed timeframe, the ratio of bullish to bearish opinions is 100% bullish. The prevailing view emphasizes the strength of software and platform services and improving EBIT-to-cash conversion as key supports for meeting or exceeding the current quarter’s revenue growth of 2.87% and EPS estimate of 0.80.