EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

For Immediate Release   Contacts:   Investors:
    David F. Kirby
    Hudson Highland Group
    212-351-7216
    david.kirby@hhgroup.com
    Media:
    Sarah Kafenstok
    Hudson
    312-795-4202
    sarah.kafenstok@hudson.com

Hudson Highland Group Reports

2006 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

NEW YORK, NY – February 7, 2007 – Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HHGP), a leading provider of permanent recruitment, contract professionals and talent management services worldwide, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2006.

2006 Fourth Quarter Highlights

 

   

Revenue from continuing operations of $341.6 million, an increase of 1.2 percent from $337.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2005

 

   

Gross margin from continuing operations of $127.6 million, or 37.4 percent of revenue, an increase of 9.6 percent from $116.5 million, or 34.5 percent of revenue, for the fourth quarter of 2005

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $15.6 million, or 4.6 percent of revenue, compared with $4.5 million, or 1.3 percent of revenue, for the fourth quarter of 2005

 

   

EBITDA from continuing operations of $12.0 million, or 3.5 percent of revenue, compared with $4.5 million, or 1.3 percent of revenue, for the fourth quarter of 2005

 

   

Income from continuing operations of $5.0 million, or $0.20 per basic share and diluted share, compared with a loss of ($0.2) million, or ($0.01) per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2005

 

   

Net income of $23.7 million, or $0.96 per basic share and $0.94 per diluted share, compared with net income of $1.8 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2005


2006 Full-Year Highlights

 

   

Revenue from continuing operations of $1.4 billion, an increase of 0.5 percent from $1.4 billion for 2005

 

   

Gross margin from continuing operations of $493.0 million, or 35.9 percent of revenue, an increase of 3.3 percent from $477.2 million, or 34.9 percent of revenue, for 2005

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $31.8 million, or 2.3 percent of revenue, an increase of 48.4 percent from $21.4 million, or 1.6 percent of revenue, for 2005

 

   

EBITDA from continuing operations of $25.3 million, or 1.8 percent of revenue, an increase of 20.9 percent from $21.0 million, or 1.5 percent of revenue, for 2005

 

   

Loss from continuing operations of ($0.1) million, or ($0.00) per basic and diluted share, compared with a loss of ($3.9) million, or ($0.17) per basic and diluted share, for 2005

 

   

Net income of $20.5 million, or $0.84 per basic and diluted share, compared with net income of $0.8 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share, for 2005

“The year was highlighted by continued profitability improvement in Europe and Asia Pacific,” said Jon Chait, chairman and chief executive officer. “While North America began recovering in the second half of 2006, we expect more progress in this region in the year ahead.”

“Hudson continued to improve operating leverage in 2006, particularly in Europe and Asia Pacific,” said Mary Jane Raymond, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “The sale of Highland Partners allowed us the freedom to take more aggressive restructuring actions which we believe will make our cost structure more efficient in 2007 and the longer term.”

Results for 2006 include previously disclosed reductions to income of $0.6 million and $0.9 million that the company recorded and reported in the second quarter of 2006. The company recently received a comment letter from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as to whether such reductions should instead be recorded in an earlier year. The company expects to discuss the comments with the staff of the Commission.

Sale of Highland Partners

Effective on October 1, 2006, the company completed the sale of its Highland Partners executive search business to Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. The gain on sale of $20.4 million was included in the fourth quarter financial statements as income from discontinued operations. Highland Partners EBITDA for full year 2006 totaled $2.9 million, compared to $4.2 million in 2005, which are part of discontinued operations for all periods.

Guidance

The company currently expects first quarter 2007 revenue of $330-$345 million at prevailing exchange rates and adjusted EBITDA of $3 million. Restructuring charges are expected to range between $3-$4 million. This compares with revenue of $327 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2006.


Conference Call / Webcast

Hudson Highland Group will conduct a conference call tomorrow Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 9:00 AM EST to discuss this announcement. Individuals wishing to participate can join the conference call by dialing 1-800-374-1532 followed by the participant passcode 6067406 at 8:50 AM EST. For those outside the United States, please call in on 1-706-634-5594 followed by the participant passcode 6067406. Hudson Highland Group’s quarterly conference call can also be accessed online through Yahoo! Finance at www.yahoo.com and the investor information section of the company’s website at www.hhgroup.com.

About Hudson Highland Group

Hudson Highland Group, Inc. is a leading provider of permanent recruitment, contract professionals and talent management services worldwide. From single placements to total outsourced solutions, Hudson helps clients achieve greater organizational performance by assessing, recruiting, developing and engaging the best and brightest people for their businesses. The company employs more than 3,600 professionals serving clients and candidates in more than 20 countries. More information is available at www.hhgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that the company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including those under the caption “Guidance” and other statements regarding the company’s future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe” and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of global economic fluctuations on temporary contracting operations; the cyclical nature of the company’s mid-market professional staffing businesses; the company’s ability to manage its growth; risks associated with expansion; risks and financial impact associated with disposition of non-strategic assets; the company’s reliance on information systems and technology; competition; fluctuations in operating results; risks relating to foreign operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; dependence on highly skilled professionals and key management personnel; risks maintaining professional reputation and brand name; restrictions imposed by blocking arrangements; exposure to employment-related claims, and limits on insurance coverage related thereto; government regulations; restrictions on the company’s operating flexibility due to the terms of its credit facility; risks associated with the remediation work being performed on the company’s PeopleSoft system; and the company’s ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

###

Financial Tables Follow


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
   

Year Ended

December 31,

 
     2006(1)     2005(1,2)     2006(1)     2005(1,2)  

Revenue

   $ 341,595     $ 337,393     $ 1,371,907     $ 1,365,449  

Direct costs

     213,953       220,926       878,874       888,251  
                                

Gross margin

     127,642       116,467       493,033       477,198  

Operating expenses:

        

Selling, general and administrative

     112,081       111,938       461,280       455,807  

Depreciation and amortization

     8,291       4,381       20,372       17,058  

Business reorganization expenses

     3,301       81       6,048       511  

Merger and integration expenses (recoveries)

     287       (35 )     373       (70 )
                                

Total operating expenses

     123,960       116,365       488,073       473,306  

Operating income

     3,682       102       4,960       3,892  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest, net

     173       (553 )     (1,641 )     (1,680 )

Other, net

     (598 )     559       1,171       (984 )
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     3,257       108       4,490       1,228  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (1,700 )     266       4,544       5,115  
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     4,957       (158 )     (54 )     (3,887 )

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     18,746       1,970       20,603       4,731  
                                

Net income

   $ 23,703     $ 1,812     $ 20,549     $ 844  
                                

Basic income (loss) per share:

        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.20     $ (0.01 )   $ (0.00 )   $ (0.17 )

Income from discontinued operations

     0.76       0.08       0.84       0.21  
                                

Net income

   $ 0.96     $ 0.07     $ 0.84     $ 0.04  
                                

Diluted income (loss) per share:

        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.20     $ (0.01 )   $ (0.00 )   $ (0.17 )

Income from discontinued operations

     0.74       0.08       0.84       0.21  
                                

Net income

   $ 0.94     $ 0.07     $ 0.84     $ 0.04  
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding

        

Basic

     24,668,000       24,103,000       24,471,000       22,295,000  

Diluted

     25,346,000       24,103,000       24,471,000       22,295,000  

(1) Note – 2006 and 2005 financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the Highland Partners segment as a discontinued operation. The sale of Highland Partners was completed effective on October 1, 2006.
(2) Note – 2005 financial statements have been adjusted for the Company’s adoption of SFAS 123R using the modified retrospective method. The comparable operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $673 and $911, respectively, and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $4,545 and $4,182, respectively. The comparable operating expenses for the Highland Partners discontinued operations for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $90 and $66, respectively, and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $263 and $286, respectively.


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     December 31,
2006 (1)
    December 31,
2005 (1,2)
 
     (unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 44,649     $ 34,108  

Accounts receivable, net

     218,722       222,055  

Prepaid and other

     16,617       13,593  

Current assets of discontinued operations

     118       10,764  
                

Total current assets

     280,106       280,520  

Intangibles, net

     37,612       30,989  

Property and equipment, net

     28,105       30,047  

Other assets

     5,045       4,537  

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

     —         2,323  
                

Total assets

   $ 350,868     $ 348,416  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 24,075     $ 24,124  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     133,680       125,524  

Credit facility and current portion of long-term debt

     238       32,544  

Accrued business reorganization expenses

     4,544       3,411  

Accrued merger and integration expenses

     656       663  

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

     1,094       16,495  
                

Total current liabilities

     164,287       202,761  

Other non-current liabilities

     8,241       5,948  

Accrued business reorganization expenses, non-current

     1,982       2,171  

Accrued merger and integration expenses, non-current

     819       1,010  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     235       478  

Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations

     2,275       2,951  
                

Total liabilities

     177,839       215,319  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; issued: 24,957,732 and 24,340,462 shares, respectively

     25       24  

Additional paid-in capital

     427,645       416,448  

Accumulated deficit

     (298,344 )     (317,956 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income—translation adjustments

     43,934       34,811  

Treasury stock, 15,798 shares

     (230 )     (230 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     173,030       133,097  
                
   $ 350,869     $ 348,416  
                

(1) Note – 2006 and 2005 financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the Highland Partners segment as a discontinued operation. The sale of Highland Partners was completed effective on October 1, 2006.
(2) Note – 2005 financial statements have been adjusted for the Company’s adoption of SFAS 123R using the modified retrospective method.


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

SEGMENT ANALYSIS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2006 (1)

  

Hudson

Americas

  

Hudson

Europe

  

Hudson

Asia Pacific

    Corporate     Total  

Revenue

   $ 112,399    $ 119,414    $ 109,782     $ —       $ 341,595  
                                      

Gross margin

   $ 29,458    $ 57,174    $ 41,010     $ —       $ 127,642  
                                      

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

   $ 4,164    $ 8,859    $ 8,084     $ (5,546 )   $ 15,561  

Business reorganization expenses

     327      2,162      666       146       3,301  

Merger and integration expenses (recoveries)

     325      —        (38 )     —         287  
                                      

EBITDA (2)

     3,512      6,697      7,456       (5,692 )     11,973  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,504      1,975      886       2,926       8,291  
                                      

Operating income (loss)

   $ 1,008    $ 4,722    $ 6,570     $ (8,618 )   $ 3,682  
                                      

For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2005 (1,3)

   Hudson
Americas
   Hudson
Europe
  

Hudson

Asia Pacific

    Corporate     Total  

Revenue

   $ 117,470    $ 117,282    $ 102,641     $ —       $ 337,393  
                                      

Gross margin

   $ 30,262    $ 49,917    $ 36,288     $ —       $ 116,467  
                                      

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

   $ 4,600    $ 3,432    $ 4,654     $ (8,157 )   $ 4,529  

Business reorganization expenses

     —        38      43       —         81  

Merger and integration (recoveries)

     —        —        (35 )     —         (35 )
                                      

EBITDA (2)

     4,600    $ 3,394      4,646       (8,157 )     4,483  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,471      1,828      927       155       4,381  
                                      

Operating income (loss)

   $ 3,129    $ 1,566    $ 3,719     $ (8,312 )   $ 102  
                                      

(1) Note – 2006 and 2005 financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the Highland Partners segment as a discontinued operation. The sale of Highland Partners was completed effective on October 1, 2006.
(2) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges, other non-operating expense, and depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, other non-operating expense, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) are presented to provide additional information about the company’s operations on a basis consistent with the measures which the company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses these measurements to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, cash flows from operating activities, and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the company’s profitability or liquidity. Furthermore, adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Amortization for 2006 includes accelerated amortization expense related to changes in estimates and valuations.
(3) Note – 2005 financial statements have been adjusted for the Company’s adoption of SFAS 123R using the modified retrospective method.


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

SEGMENT ANALYSIS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

For the Year Ended

December 31, 2006 (1)

   Hudson
Americas
    Hudson
Europe
    Hudson
Asia Pacific
    Corporate     Total  

Revenue

   $ 457,654     $ 477,489     $ 436,764     $ —       $ 1,371,907  
                                        

Gross margin

   $ 109,955     $ 217,887     $ 165,191     $ —       $ 493,033  
                                        

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

   $ (987 )   $ 27,363     $ 33,078     $ (27,701 )   $ 31,753  

Business reorganization expenses

     1,797       2,684       874       693       6,048  

Merger and integration expenses (recoveries)

     410       1       (38 )     —         373  
                                        

EBITDA (2)

     (3,194 )     24,678       32,242       (28,394 )     25,332  

Depreciation and amortization

     6,453       7,309       3,192       3,418       20,372  
                                        

Operating income (loss)

   $ (9,647 )   $ 17,369     $ 29,050     $ (31,812 )   $ 4,960  
                                        

For the Year Ended

December 31, 2005 (1,3)

   Hudson
Americas
    Hudson
Europe
    Hudson
Asia Pacific
    Corporate     Total  

Revenue

   $ 446,949     $ 481,623     $ 436,877     $ —       $ 1,365,449  
                                        

Gross margin

   $ 114,414     $ 204,439     $ 158,345     $ —       $ 477,198  
                                        

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

   $ 13,596     $ 15,521     $ 29,694     $ (37,420 )   $ 21,391  

Business reorganization expenses (recoveries)

     510       (42 )     43       —         511  

Merger and integration (recoveries)

     (35 )     —         (35 )     —         (70 )
                                        

EBITDA (2)

     13,121       15,563       29,686       (37,420 )     20,950  

Depreciation and amortization

     5,217       4,771       6,501       569       17,058  
                                        

Operating income (loss)

   $ 7,904     $ 10,792     $ 23,185     $ (37,989 )   $ 3,892  
                                        

(1) Note – 2006 and 2005 financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the Highland Partners segment as a discontinued operation. The sale of Highland Partners was completed effective on October 1, 2006.
(2) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges, other non-operating expense, and depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, other non-operating expense, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) are presented to provide additional information about the company’s operations on a basis consistent with the measures which the company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses these measurements to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, cash flows from operating activities, and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the company’s profitability or liquidity. Furthermore, adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Amortization for 2006 includes accelerated amortization expense related to changes in estimates and valuations.
(3) Note – 2005 financial statements have been adjusted for the Company’s adoption of SFAS 123R using the modified retrospective method.


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

HIGHLAND PARTNERS SEGMENT ANALYSIS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

Effective October 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale (the “Sale”) of its Highland Partners executive search business (“Highland”) to Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (“Heidrick”). Pursuant to the Sale, Heidrick purchased substantially all of the assets and assumed certain on-going liabilities and obligations of Highland. The Company reported a pre-tax gain of $20.4 million from the Sale in the fourth quarter of 2006, from cash proceeds of $36.6 million, less $1.8 million post-closing net working capital adjustments, $9.55 million in payments to certain partners of Highland in consideration for providing assistance in completing the sale, entering into employment agreements with Heidrick and providing the Company with a general release from liability, and other direct costs incurred in connection with the transaction. The Company may receive up to an additional $15.0 million from Heidrick at future dates, subject to the achievement of certain future revenue metrics in 2007 and 2008 by Highland. Highland was a separate reportable segment of the Company. As a result of the Sale, the Company has classified the results of operations of Highland as a discontinued operation.

Reported results for the Highland segment by period were as follows:

 

     Quarter Ended December 31,    Twelve Months Ended December 31,
     2006     2005    2006    2005

Revenue

   $ —       $ 16,574    $ 44,419    $ 62,827
                            

Gross margin

   $ —       $ 15,922    $ 41,762    $ 59,733
                            

EBITDA (a)

   $ (950 )   $ 1,665    $ 2,861    $ 4,166

Depreciation and amortization

     66       331      920      1,354
                            

Operating income

   $ (1,016 )   $ 1,334    $ 1,941    $ 2,812
                            

1) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, other non-operating expense, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) are presented to provide additional information about the Company’s operations on a basis consistent with the measures which the Company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses these measurements to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, cash flows from operating activities, and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the Company’s profitability or liquidity. Furthermore, EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.