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Dec 31, 2023

Moody's Q4 2023 Earnings Report

Moody's reported strong fourth-quarter results, with revenue increasing by 15% and diluted EPS increasing by 38%.

Key Takeaways

Moody's Corporation reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023. The company's revenue increased by 15% in Q4, driven by growth in both Moody's Analytics (MA) and Moody's Investors Service (MIS). Diluted EPS increased by 38% to $1.85, and adjusted diluted EPS increased by 37% to $2.19. The company provided a positive outlook for 2024, projecting revenue growth in the high-single-digit to low-double-digit percent range.

Revenue increased 15% driven by strong performance in MA and MIS.

Diluted EPS increased 38% and Adjusted Diluted EPS increased 37%.

MA's revenue grew 11% with double-digit growth across all lines of business.

MIS's revenue grew 19% driven by a recovery in debt capital markets.

Total Revenue
$1.48B
Previous year: $1.29B
+14.7%
EPS
$2.19
Previous year: $1.6
+36.9%
Operating Margin
33.6%
Adjusted Operating Margin
42.6%
Gross Profit
$962M
Previous year: $880M
+9.3%
Cash and Equivalents
$2.19B
Previous year: $1.77B
+24.0%
Free Cash Flow
$388M
Previous year: $298M
+30.2%
Total Assets
$14.6B
Previous year: $14.3B
+1.9%

Moody's

Moody's

Moody's Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Moody's provided its outlook for full year 2024. Revenue is expected to increase in the high-single-digit to low-double-digit percent range. Operating expenses are projected to increase in the mid-to-high-single-digit percent range. Diluted EPS is projected to be between $9.45 and $10.20, and adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be between $10.25 and $11.00.

Positive Outlook

  • Revenue growth in the high-single-digit to low-double-digit percent range.
  • Operating cash flow between $2.3 to $2.5 billion.
  • Free cash flow between $1.9 to $2.1 billion.
  • Share repurchases of approximately $1.0 billion.
  • MA Revenue Increase of approximately 10%

Challenges Ahead

  • Operating expenses to increase in the mid-to-high-single-digit percent range.
  • Interest Expense, Net $240 - $260 million
  • Effective Tax Rate 22% to 24%
  • Global high yield default rate Rise towards 5.0% in 1H 2024 and then ease to around 4.0% by year-end
  • U.S. unemployment rate To average between 4.0% - 4.5% for the full year

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income