EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE OF HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC. ISSUED ON MAY 5, 2008 Press Release of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. issued on May 5, 2008

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

For Immediate Release   Contact:   David F. Kirby
    Hudson Highland Group
    212-351-7216
    david.kirby@hudson.com

Hudson Highland Group Reports 2008

First Quarter Financial Results

NEW YORK, NY – May 5, 2008 – Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HHGP), one of the world’s leading providers of permanent recruitment, contract professionals and talent management solutions, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.

2008 First Quarter Summary

 

   

Revenue of $297.5 million, an increase of 3.2 percent from $288.2 million for the first quarter of 2007

 

   

Gross margin of $126.2 million, or 42.4 percent of revenue, up 7.2 percent from $117.7 million, or 40.9 percent of revenue for the same period last year

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA* of $6.7 million, or 2.3 percent of revenue, up 40.4 percent from $4.8 million for the first quarter of 2007

 

 

 

EBITDA of $5.3 million, or 1.8 percent of revenue, up 289.4 percent from $1.4 million for the same period last year

 

   

Net income from continuing operations of $0.3 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, compared with net loss of ($1.8) million, or ($0.07) per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2007

 

   

Net income of $1.4 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, compared with net income of $0.1 million, or $0.00 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2007

*Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the segment tables at the end of this release.

 


“During the first quarter, we benefited from our geographic diversification and specialized, professional-level recruitment focus,” said Jon Chait, Hudson Highland Group chairman and chief executive officer. “While strong performances continued in Asia Pacific and Europe, our North America business performed admirably, including a particularly strong period for Hudson Legal, one of our specialized markets less impacted by economic cycles.”

“The energy and engineering business divestiture helped us further our strategic focus and drive additional operational cost reduction,” added Mary Jane Raymond, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “We believe this will position Hudson for improved profitability when markets recover and, in the meantime, cushion our exposure to the economic cycle.”

Share Repurchase Program

On February 4, 2008, the company announced that its board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $15 million of the company’s common stock. The company intends to make purchases from time to time as market conditions warrant. Through March 31, 2008, the company had repurchased 701,173 shares for a total cost of approximately $5.3 million.

Restructuring Program

During 2008, the company will streamline its support operations to match its focus on specialization. The company expects to have $5 - $7 million of restructuring actions throughout this year, including $1 - $2 million in the second quarter. During the first quarter of 2008, the company incurred $1.6 million of restructuring expenses, predominantly related to lease terminations and severance in Hudson Americas following the sale of its energy and engineering business.

Sale of Energy and Engineering Business

On February 4, 2008, the company announced it had completed the asset sale of its energy and engineering staffing business to System One Holdings LLC. The company received approximately $11 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustment; a five-year, secured subordinated $5 million seller note; and a warrant exercisable for 10 percent of the equity of System One. Hudson Highland Group also retained $3.6 million of receivables of the business, all of which has been collected, and has the right to receive an additional $600,000 in cash upon resolution of certain liabilities. The company has treated the business as a discontinued operation effective December 31, 2007. As a result of the sale, the company allocated $6.9 million of goodwill and recorded a loss on sale of ($0.6) million.

Guidance

The company currently expects second quarter 2008 revenue of $300 - $315 million at prevailing exchange rates and adjusted EBITDA of $10 - $13 million, excluding the impact of any restructuring, acquisitions or divestitures. This compares with revenue of $298.5 million and adjusted EBITDA of $12.2 million in the second quarter of 2007.


Additional Information

Please find additional information about the company’s quarterly results in the shareholder letter in the investor information section of the company’s website at www.hudson.com.

Conference Call/Webcast

Hudson Highland Group will conduct a conference call Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 9:00 AM ET to discuss this announcement. Investors wishing to participate can join the conference call by dialing 1-800-374-1532 followed by the participant passcode 43059918 at 8:50 AM ET. For those outside the United States, please call in on 1-706-634-5594 followed by the participant passcode 43059918. 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.hudson.com.

The archived call will be available for one week by dialing 1-800-642-1687 followed by the participant passcode 43059918. For those outside the United States, the call will be available on 1-706-645-9291 followed by the participant passcode 43059918.

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.hudson.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 company’s history of negative cash flows and operating losses may continue; the ability of clients to terminate their relationship with the company at any time; the impact of global economic fluctuations on temporary contracting operations; risks and financial impact associated with acquisitions and dispositions 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; 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; 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
March 31,
 
     2008    2007  

Revenue

   $ 297,507    $ 288,150  

Direct costs

     171,282      170,407  
               

Gross margin

     126,225      117,743  
               

Operating expenses:

     

Selling, general and administrative

     119,519      112,965  

Acquisition-related expenses

     —        298  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,863      3,695  

Business reorganization expenses

     1,320      3,116  

Merger and integration expenses

     75      —    
               

Total operating expenses

     124,777      120,074  
               

Operating income (loss)

     1,448      (2,331 )

Other income (expense):

     

Interest, net

     360      212  

Other, net

     426      2,607  
               

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     2,234      488  

Provision for income taxes

     1,966      2,266  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     268      (1,778 )

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     1,096      1,833  
               

Net income

   $ 1,364    $ 55  
               

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.01    $ (0.07 )

Income from discontinued operations

     0.04      0.07  
               

Net income

   $ 0.05    $ —    
               

Weighted average shares outstanding:

     

Basic

     25,500,000      24,919,000  

Diluted

     25,887,000      24,919,000  

 


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 25,290     $ 39,245  

Restricted cash, short term

     1,100       —    

Accounts receivable, net

     219,284       189,072  

Prepaid and other

     23,522       18,493  

Current assets from discontinued operations

     —         12,265  
                

Total current assets

     269,196       259,075  

Intangibles, net

     74,836       78,235  

Property and equipment, net

     28,993       29,470  

Other assets

     11,318       7,214  

Non-current assets from discontinued operations

     —         212  
                

Total assets

   $ 384,343     $ 374,206  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 27,291     $ 21,237  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     124,159       120,842  

Credit facility and current portion of long-term debt

     1,834       243  

Accrued business reorganization expenses

     4,048       3,490  

Accrued merger and integration expenses

     294       314  

Current liabilities from discontinued operations

     —         6,300  
                

Total current liabilities

     157,626       152,426  

Accrued business reorganization expenses, non-current

     2,668       2,689  

Accrued merger and integration expenses, non-current

     277       327  

Other non-current liabilities

     19,003       18,649  
                

Total liabilities

     179,574       174,091  

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: 25,888,548 and 25,690,631 shares, respectively

     26       26  

Additional paid-in capital

     445,013       444,075  

Accumulated deficit

     (287,223 )     (288,587 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income—translation adjustments

     51,399       44,946  

Treasury stock, 585,802 and 24,680 shares, respectively

     (4,446 )     (345 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     204,769       200,115  
                
   $ 384,343     $ 374,206  
                

 


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.

SEGMENT ANALYSIS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

For the Three Months Ended

March 31, 2008

   Hudson
Americas
    Hudson Europe     Hudson Asia
Pacific
   Corporate     Total  

Revenue

   $ 83,262     $ 113,352     $ 100,893    $ —       $ 297,507  
                                       

Gross margin

   $ 22,755     $ 59,149     $ 44,321    $ —       $ 126,225  
                                       

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 1,227     $ 6,178     $ 5,229    $ (5,928 )   $ 6,706  

Business reorganization expenses (recoveries)

     1,462       (237 )     95      —         1,320  

Merger and integration expenses (recoveries)

     (2 )     77       —        —         75  
                                       

EBITDA (1)

     (233 )     6,338       5,134      (5,928 )     5,311  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,173       1,647       990      53       3,863  
                                       

Operating income (loss)

   $ (1,406 )   $ 4,691     $ 4,144    $ (5,981 )   $ 1,448  
                                       

For the Three Months Ended

March 31, 2007

   Hudson
Americas
    Hudson Europe     Hudson Asia
Pacific
   Corporate     Total  

Revenue

   $ 76,547     $ 118,343     $ 93,260    $ —       $ 288,150  
                                       

Gross margin

   $ 22,084     $ 57,048     $ 38,611    $ —       $ 117,743  
                                       

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ (1,369 )   $ 6,827     $ 5,570    $ (6,250 )   $ 4,778  

Acquisition-related expenses

     —         298       —        —         298  

Business reorganization expenses (recoveries)

     729       2,447       14      (74 )     3,116  
                                       

EBITDA (1)

     (2,098 )     4,082       5,556      (6,176 )     1,364  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,127       1,570       883      115       3,695  
                                       

Operating income (loss)

   $ (3,225 )   $ 2,512     $ 4,673    $ (6,291 )   $ (2,331 )
                                       

 

(1) 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.