OR YEHUDA, Israel, May 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magic Software Enterprises Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: MGIC) ("the Company"), a global provider of IT consulting services and end-to-end integration and application development platforms solutions, announced today its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. Summary Results for the First Quarter 2024 (USD in millions, except per share data)               GAAP     Non-GAAP     Q1 2024 Q1 2023 % Change   Q1 2024 Q1 2023 % Change Revenues $ 130.7 $ 142.4 (8.2%)   $ 130.7 $ 142.4 (8.2%) Gross profit $ 36.7 $ 38.9 (5.6%)   $ 38.3 $ 40.1 (4.5%) Gross margin   28.1%   27.3% 80 bps     29.3%   28.2% 110 bps Operating income $ 14.4 $ 15.3 (6.0%)   $ 18.1 $ 18.5 (1.7%) Operating margin   11.0%   10.8% 20 bps     13.9%   13.0% 90 bps Net income (*) $ 8.8 $ 10.1 (13.0%)   $ 11.3 $ 12.6 (10.4%) Diluted EPS $ 0.18 $ 0.21 (14.3%)   $ 0.23 $ 0.26 (11.5%)                 (*) Attributable to Magic Software's shareholders.   Financial Highlights for the first Quarter Ended March 31, 2024 Revenues for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 8.2% to $130.7 million, compared to $142.4 million in the same period of the previous year. On a constant currency basis (calculated based on average currency exchange rates for the three months ended March 31, 2023), revenues for the first quarter of 2024 would have decreased by 6.4% to $133.3 million. As described in the pre-announcement of our third quarter results on November 8, 2023, in the third quarter of 2023, we experienced a substantial and unexpected decline in demand for our professional services from several of our important U.S.-based blue-chip customers which, without any advance notification, decided to immediately suspend significant parts of their active time-and-materials-based projects. This reduced demand had a negative impact on our first quarter revenues compared to the same period of the previous year of approximately $20.4 million. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, revenues for the first quarter increase by 4.1%. Operating income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 6.0% to $14.4 million, compared to $15.3 million in the same period of the previous year. On a constant currency basis (calculated based on average currency exchange rates for the three months ended March 31, 2023), operating income for the first quarter of 2024 would have decreased by 3.7% to $14.8 million. Non-GAAP operating income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 1.7% to $18.1 million, compared to $18.5 million in the same period of the previous year. On a constant currency basis (calculated based on average currency exchange rates for the three months ended March 31, 2023), non-GAAP operating income for the first quarter of 2024 would have reach $18.5 million, same as in the same quarter for the previous year. Net income attributable to Magic Software's shareholders for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 13.0% to $8.8 million, or $0.18 per fully diluted share, compared to $10.1 million, or $0.21 per fully diluted share, in the same period of the previous year. The decrease in our net income attributable to Magic Software's shareholders was primarily attributable to the decrease in our operating profit and increase in interest expenses resulting from the increase of bank interest rates and increase in overall financial debt. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Magic Software's shareholders for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 10.4% to $11.3 million, or $0.23 per fully diluted share, compared to $12.6 million, or $0.26 per fully diluted share, in the same period of the previous year.   Cash flow from operating activities for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, amounted to $27.7 million compared to $18.8 million in the same period last year. As of March 31, 2024, Magic's cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term bank deposits amounted to $125.9 million and total financial debt amounted to $78.4 million. Magic is reiterating 2024 annual revenue guidance of between $540 million and $550 million. Declaration of Dividend for the Second Half of 2023 In accordance with its dividend distribution policy, the Company's board of directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend in an amount of 20.4 cents per share and in an aggregate amount of approximately $10.0 million, reflecting approximately 70% of its distributable profits for the second half of 2023. The dividend is payable on July 13, 2024, to all of the Company's shareholders of record at the close of trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 27, 2024. In accordance with Israeli tax law, the dividend is subject to withholding tax at source at the rate of 30% (if the recipient of the dividend is at the time of distribution or was at any time during the preceding 12-month period the holder of 10% or more of the Company's share capital) or 25% (for all other dividend recipients) of the dividend amount payable to each shareholder of record, subject to applicable exemptions. The dividend will be paid in US dollars on the ordinary shares of Magic Software Enterprises that are traded both on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Global Select Market Guy Bernstein, Chief Executive Officer of Magic Software, said: "Despite the slowdown we faced during the second half of 2023 resulting from the headwind facing by some of our customers in certain sectors in the U.S., we see that the vast majority of our customers continues to value our unique proposition and resume to engage us to an increasing degree as a preferred partner for innovative digital transformation initiatives. We eagerly anticipate the fruition of our ongoing efforts in cultivating cutting-edge capabilities that are poised to propel us toward sustained, long-term profitability, thereby delivering enduring value to our esteemed shareholders." Conference Call Details Magic Software's management will host a conference call on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 10:00 am Eastern Daylight Time (17:00 Israel Daylight Time) to review and discuss Magic Software's results. To participate, please call one of the following teleconferencing numbers. Please begin placing your calls at least 5 minutes before the conference call commences. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free numbers, call the international dial-in number. NORTH AMERICA: +1-866-652-8972 UK: 0-800-917-9141 ISRAEL: 03-918-0650 ALL OTHERS: +972-3-918-0650 For those unable to join the live call, a replay of the call will be available in the Investor Relations section of Magic Software's website, www.magicsoftware.com. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release contains the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income attributable to Magic Software's shareholders and non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per share. Magic Software believes that these non-GAAP measures of financial results provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to Magic Software's financial condition and results of operations. Magic Software's management uses these non-GAAP measures to compare the Company's performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses, for purposes of determining executive and senior management incentive compensation and for budgeting and planning purposes. These measures are used in financial reports prepared for management and in quarterly financial reports presented to the Company's board of directors. The Company believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing the Company's financial measures with other software companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. Management of the Company does not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the Company's financial statements. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management about which expenses and income are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. In order to compensate for these limitations, management presents non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP results. Magic Software urges investors to review the reconciliation of its non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures, which it includes in press releases announcing quarterly financial results, including this press release, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company's business. Non-GAAP measures used in this press release are included in the financial tables of this release. These non-GAAP measures exclude the following items: Amortization of purchased intangible assets and other related costs; In-process research and development capitalization and amortization; Cost of share-based payment; Costs related to acquisition of new businesses; The related tax, non-controlling interests' effects of the above items; Change in valuation of contingent consideration related to acquisitions; Change in deferred tax assets on carry forward tax losses. Reconciliation of the most comparable GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release are included in the financial tables of this release. About Magic Software Enterprises Magic Software Enterprises Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: MGIC) is a global provider of end-to-end integration and application development platforms solutions and IT consulting services. For more information, visit www.magicsoftware.com. Forward Looking Statements Some of the statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "will," "look forward", "expect," "believe," "guidance" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements (although not all forward-looking statements include such words). These forward-looking statements, which may include, without limitation, projections regarding our future performance and financial condition, are made based on management's current views and assumptions with respect to future events. Any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. These statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We operate in a changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risks that may affect us. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as certain additional risks that we face, you should refer to the Risk Factors detailed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, which filed on May 13, 2024, and subsequent reports and filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Magic® is a registered trademark of Magic Software Enterprises Ltd. All other product and company names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and are the property of, and might be trademarks of, their respective owners. Press Contact: Ronen PlatkevitzMagic Software   MAGIC SOFTWARE ENTERPRISES LTD.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMEU.S. Dollars in thousands (except per share data)           Three months ended     March 31,     2024   2023     Unaudited Revenues   $ 130,720     $ 142,440   Cost of Revenues     94,021       103,555   Gross profit     36,699       38,885   Research and development, net     2,793       2,539   Selling, marketing and general and  administrative expenses     19,174       21,164   Increase (decrease) in valuation of contingent consideration related to acquisitions   306       (165 ) Total operating expenses     22,273       23,538   Operating income     14,426       15,347   Financial expenses, net     (1,758 )     (564 ) Increase (decrease) in valuation of consideration related to acquisitions     114       (135 ) Income before taxes on income     12,782       14,648   Taxes on income     2,729       2,813   Net income   $ 10,053     $ 11,835   Share of profit of companies accounted for at equity, net     (64 )     -   Net income attributable to non-controlling interests     (1,192 )     (1,727 ) Net income attributable to Magic's shareholders   $ 8,797     $ 10,108                       Weighted average number of shares used in         computing net earnings per share                   Basic     49,099       49,093             Diluted     49,099       49,136             Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable         to Magic's shareholders   $ 0.18