EX-99 2 ex99-1.htm EXIBIT 99.1 Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups
Exhibit 99.1
  NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

NCO GROUP ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER
RESULTS OF $0.39 PER DILUTED SHARE

HORSHAM, PA, November 1, 2004 – NCO Group, Inc. (“NCO” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: NCOG), a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, announced today that during the third quarter of 2004 it reported net income of $13.3 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $10.7 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2003. These earnings were in line with NCO’s previously announced guidance of $0.38 to $0.42 per diluted share.

Revenue in the third quarter of 2004 was $246.0 million, an increase of 30.4%, or $57.4 million, from revenue of $188.6 million in the third quarter of the previous year.

NCO’s operations are organized into four market specific divisions that include: Accounts Receivable Management North America (“ARM North America”), Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”), Portfolio Management, and Accounts Receivable Management International (“ARM International”). For the third quarter of 2004, these divisions accounted for $179.8 million, $52.8 million, $26.3 million, and $3.3 million of the revenue, respectively. Included in ARM North America’s revenue was $16.1 million of intercompany revenue from Portfolio Management and included in ARM International’s revenue was $99,000 of intercompany revenue from Portfolio Management.

For the third quarter of 2003, the ARM North America, Portfolio Management and ARM International divisions accounted for $178.8 million, $18.8 million and $3.4 million of the revenue, respectively. Included in ARM North America’s revenue was $12.3 million of intercompany revenue from Portfolio Management and included in ARM International’s revenue was $104,000 of intercompany revenue from Portfolio Management. The CRM division was created in the second quarter of 2004 in connection with the acquisition of RMH Teleservices, Inc. (“RMH”) on April 2, 2004 and, accordingly, is not included in the results for 2003.

NCO’s payroll and related expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 50.9% for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to 46.6% for the same period in the prior year. The increase in payroll and related expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the CRM division, which was created with the acquisition of RMH. The CRM division has a more significant amount of payroll and related expenses as compared to the ARM business. Excluding the CRM division, payroll and related expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased for the third quarter of 2004. This decrease was primarily attributable to the continuing increase in the use of near shore and offshore staffing solutions, and the continuing rationalization of staff.

NCO’s selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 34.4% for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to 37.4% for the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to the CRM division’s expense structure. Excluding the CRM division, the selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased due to the increased usage of outside attorneys and other third party service providers.

NCO also announced that it expects earnings per share to be approximately $0.38 to $0.42 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2004 and $1.62 to $1.67 for 2004.

Commenting on the quarter, Michael J. Barrist, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “I am pleased that despite a turbulent consumer spending environment and the continued weakness of the U.S. dollar, NCO met its overall operating objectives for the quarter. During the quarter, strong results from our Portfolio Management segment were able to counteract the more challenging environment that we encountered within our ARM North America segment while our CRM and ARM International segments operated as expected. This demonstrates the benefit of operating multiple business units in multiple geographies.

 


 

“As we move into the final quarter of 2004, we are anticipating continued pressure on our ARM North America segment, which we expect to be offset by better than expected results from our Portfolio Management segment. Additionally, we believe that our ARM International and CRM segments will perform as previously expected. If the U.S. dollar continues to weaken, we will most likely be at the lower end of the range.”

NCO will host an investor conference call on Tuesday, November 2, 2004, at 10:00 a.m., ET, to address the items discussed in the press release in more detail and to allow the investment community an opportunity to ask questions. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (888) 209-7450 (domestic callers) or (706) 643-7734 (international callers) and providing the pass code 1822710. A taped replay of the conference call will be made available for seven days and can be accessed by interested parties by dialing (800) 642-1687 (domestic callers) or (706) 645-9291 (international callers) and providing the pass code 1822710. A transcript of the conference call will also be available on NCO’s website (www.ncogroup.com) and will be furnished to the SEC in a Form 8-K report.

NCO Group, Inc. is a leading provider of business process outsourcing services including accounts receivable management, customer relationship management and other services. NCO provides services through over 90 offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Barbados and the Philippines.

For further information:

At NCO Group, Inc.
Michael J. Barrist,
Chairman and CEO
Steven L. Winokur,
EVP, Finance and CFO
(215) 441-3000
www.ncogroup.com

______________________________________________

Certain statements in this press release, including, without limitation, statements as to fluctuations in quarterly operating results, statements concerning projections, statements concerning strategic initiatives, statements as to the economy and its effects on NCO’s business, statements as to the integration of the acquisitions of RMH Teleservices, Inc., statements as to trends, statements as to NCO’s or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions, and all other statements in this press release, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, are subject to change at any time and may be affected by various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expected or planned results. In addition to the factors discussed above, certain other factors, including without limitation, the risk that NCO will not be able to implement its business strategy as and when planned, risks related to the ERP implementation, risks related to the final outcome of the environmental liability, risks related to past and possible future terrorists attacks, risks related to the economy, the risk that NCO will not be able to improve margins, risks relating to growth and future acquisitions, risks related to the integration of the acquisitions of RMH Teleservices, Inc. and the minority interest of NCO Portfolio Management, Inc., risks related to fluctuations in quarterly operating results, risks related to the timing of contracts, risks related to international operations, risks relating to any adverse impact of restating the Company’s historical financial statements and other risks detailed from time to time in NCO’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, can cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise.

____________________________________________


 

NCO GROUP, INC.  
Unaudited Selected Financial Data  
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)  
                                   
                                   
Statements of Income:                              
          For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
      For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
       
     
 
        2004       2003       2004       2003  
     

   

   

   

 
Revenue $ 246,046      $ 188,619     $ 702,532     $ 566,210  
                                   
Operating costs and expenses:                              
    Payroll and related expenses   125,287       87,878       349,149       264,506  
    Selling, general and admin. expenses   84,688       70,623       245,085       210,299  
    Depreciation and amortization expense   10,480       7,851       29,405       23,746  
     

   

   

   

 
        220,455       166,352       623,639       498,551  
     

   

   

   

 
Income from operations   25,591       22,267       78,893       67,659  
                                   
Other income (expense):                              
    Interest and investment income   767       1,327       2,362       2,952  
    Interest expense   (5,339 )     (5,586 )     (15,883 )     (17,267 )
    Other (expense) income   (174 )     402       447       1,128  
     

   

   

   

 
        (4,746 )     (3,857 )     (13,074 )     (13,187 )
     

   

   

   

 
Income before income taxes   20,845       18,410       65,819       54,472  
                                   
Income tax expense   7,592       6,978       25,558       20,661  
     

   

   

   

 
                                   
Income before minority interest   13,253       11,432       40,261       33,811  
                                   
Minority interest         (709 )     (606 )     (1,619 )
     

   

   

   

 
                                   
Net income $ 13,253     $ 10,723     $ 39,655     $ 32,192  
     

   

   

   

 
                                   
Net income per share:                              
    Basic $  0.42     $ 0.41     $ 1.33     $ 1.24  
     

   

   

   

 
    Diluted $ 0.39     $ 0.39     $ 1.24     $ 1.17  
     

   

   

   

 
                                   
Weighted average shares outstanding:                              
    Basic   31,919       25,941       29,849       25,919  
    Diluted   36,257       29,947       34,071       29,811  
                                   
                                   
Selected Balance Sheet Information:                              
            As of
Sept. 30,
2004
        As of
Dec. 31,
2003
                     
     

   

                 
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents $ 35,381     $ 45,644                  
Current assets   242,421       229,452                  
Total assets   1,099,266       946,111                  
                                   
Current liabilities   179,297       123,043                  
Long-term debt, net of current portion   193,496       248,964                  
Shareholders' equity   677,167       490,417                  

 


 



NCO GROUP, INC.
Unaudited Selected Segment Financial Data
(in thousands)
                                               
                                               
                                               
      For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2004
     
        ARM North
America
       CRM       Portfolio
Management
       ARM
International
      Intercompany
Eliminations (1)
        Consolidated
 
   

   

   

   

   

   

                                               
Revenue $ 179,809     $ 52,794     $ 26,334     $ 3,287     $ (16,178 )   $ 246,046
                                               
Operating costs and expenses:                                            
  Payroll and related expenses   85,239       37,634       482       1,932             125,287
  Selling, general and admin. expenses   74,073       9,093       16,708       992       (16,178 )     84,688
  Depreciation and amortization expense   7,443       2,831       78       128             10,480
   

   

   

   

   

   

      166,755       49,558       17,268       3,052       (16,178 )     220,455
   

   

   

   

   

   

                                               
Income from operations $ 13,054     $ 3,236     $ 9,066     $ 235     $     $ 25,591
   

   

   

   

   

   

                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
      For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003        
     
       
        ARM North
America
      Portfolio
Management
      ARM
International
       Intercompany
Eliminations (1)
       Consolidated          
   

   

   

   

   

       
                                               
Revenue $ 178,778     $ 18,849     $ 3,420     $ (12,428 )   $ 188,619        
                                               
Operating costs and expenses:                                            
  Payroll and related expenses         85,685             243             1,950            —             87,878        
  Selling, general and admin. expenses         68,730             13,404             917             (12,428 )           70,623        
  Depreciation and amortization expense         7,655             85             111            —             7,851        
   

   

   

   

   

       
            162,070             13,732             2,978             (12,428 )           166,352        
   

   

   

   

   

       
                                               
Income from operations $ 16,708     $ 5,117     $ 442     $     $ 22,267        
   

   

   

   

   

       
                                               
                                               
(1) Represents the elimination of intercompany revenue for accounts receivable management services provided by ARM North America and ARM International to Portfolio Management.