Fidelity predicts jump in earnings

Fidelity National Information Services expects higher pro forma earnings for the full year 2006, including its combined results with credit and debit processor Certegy, the company said today.

Fidelity forecast pro forma earnings per share of $1.50 to $1.55 compared with pro forma earnings per share of $1.28 a year ago. Net income per share, which will exclude January results for Certegy, was forecast at $1.39 to $1.44 for 2006.

The company said its forecast was based on expectations of 4 percent to 6 percent revenue growth from a year ago.

Fidelity National Financial Services last September announced plans to merge its mortgage processing unit with credit and debit processor Certegy in a deal that giving Fidelity majority control of the new publicly traded entity. The merger with Certegy took effect Feb. 1.

The name of the combined company is Fidelity National Information Services Inc. and its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FIS." Fidelity National Chairman and Chief Executive William Foley II is chairman of the new company, while Certegy Chairman and CEO Lee Kennedy is CEO of the new company.

The headquarters for the combined company are in Jacksonville, Fla.

The company's stock was trading at $36.68 a share on the New York Stock Exchange at mid-morning Wednesday, down 1.6 percent.

Fidelity National's information services unit provides financial institution processing, mortgage loan processing and related information products and outsourcing services to financial institutions, mortgage lenders and the real estate industry.

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