Joseph J. Liberatore
Analyst · RW Baird
Thank you, Bill. The firm continued to perform well in the first quarter. Total revenues for continuing operations for the quarter of $268.4 million increased 3.5% sequentially and increased 13.5% year-over-year, driven by broad-based growth in our flexible staffing businesses. Quarterly revenues for Flex of $257.3 million increased 3.3% sequentially and increased 13.6% year-over-year. Search revenues of $11 million increased by 8.4% sequentially and increased 12.3% year-over-year. Overall, sequential Flex revenue trends in Q1 showed a decline in January, as it's typically seen at the beginning of the year. We're flat in February and improved in March. Search decreased in January, then strengthened in February and March. Flex revenue trends for the beginning of the second quarter 2012 are flat from March. For the first 3 weeks of April, Tech Flex is up 12.2% year-over-year, Finance & Accounting Flex is up 11.7% year-over-year and HIM is up 19.9% year-over-year. Search revenues are down 6.8% year-over-year for the first 4 weeks of Q2 2012. We caution that early quarter trends don't necessarily accurately reflect potential full quarter results. Total net income, inclusive of discontinued operations of $4.1 million and earnings per share of $0.12 in Q1 2012, decreased sequentially 42.5% and 40%, respectively, compared to Q4 2011. Year-over-year net income decreased 15.8% from $4.8 million in Q1 2011. Earnings per share were flat year-over-year at $0.12. Our overall gross profit percentage of 30.1% decreased 160 basis points sequentially and decreased 10 basis points year-over-year. Our Flex gross profit percentage of 27.1% in Q1 2012 decreased 180 basis points sequentially and decreased 10 basis points year-over-year. Overall, bill/pay spreads were flat sequentially. The sequential decrease was driven by 130 basis point increase in payroll tax-related cost in Q1, which was slightly higher than we had anticipated, as well as a 50 basis point impact related to a $1.8 million tax audit accrual. Year-over-year improvement in spread of 40 basis points was offset by the impact of the 50 basis point increase in cost as a result of the tax audit accrual. To provide further insight into margin changes in our Tech Flex and FA Flex business units, we provide the following breakdown in the year-over-year and sequential drivers. For Tech Flex, year-over-year margins declined 90 basis points. This change is comprised of a 50 basis point improvement in bill/pay spread offset by a 30 basis point increase in payroll tax cost, an 80 basis point impact from the previously mentioned tax audit accrual and a 30 basis point increase in other costs, such as benefits and billable expenses. Tech Flex sequential margins decreased 250 basis points. Payroll taxes increased 130 basis points and the tax audit accrual had an 80 basis point impact. Bill/pay spread declined 30 basis points. Tech Flex spreads were negatively impacted by 50 basis points as a result of investments made in new projects with 2 large customers. Exclusive of this impact, bill/pay spreads would have increased 20 basis points sequentially, as originally anticipated, and 100 basis points year-over-year. FA Flex margins improved 180 basis points year-over-year. Bill/pay spreads have improved 150 basis points and payroll tax and benefit costs collectively are 30 basis points less than a year ago. Sequential FA Flex margins declined 90 basis points. Bill/pay spreads improved 70 basis points, but were offset by 160 basis point increase in payroll tax cost. Improving bill/pay spreads in Q1 in Tech and F&A essentially enabled us to fully pass through increased payroll tax-related costs in the quarter. We believe that the current supply-demand environment suggests that pricing power will continue to improve over time. We expect Flex margins in the second quarter to be at or near Q4 2011 levels due to the positive impact of the significant reduction in payroll taxes from Q1, continued modest bill/pay spread expansion and the elimination of the negative impact associated with the tax audit. In considering operating results for the firm, we believe it is most instructive to consider the revenue and earnings guidance we have provided for the second quarter, as well as the outlook we had provided for full year. The divestiture of our Clinical Research business and the associated actions and costs related to the transaction make it particularly difficult to reconcile the first quarter. However, we note that first quarter SG&A was impacted by a number of items, notably the firm incurred incremental expense of approximately $31.3 million from the acceleration of all outstanding long-term incentives that allowed the firm to defer the tax obligation related to the $36.6 million gain associated with the divestiture. As we look ahead to Q2 and the rest of 2012, the acceleration in the LTI will reduce quarterly SG&A by approximately $4.9 million. Additionally, the firm has accrued approximately $800,000 related to the potential settlement of a lawsuit, which it expects to resolve in the second quarter. We continue to maintain a disciplined approach to improving cost efficiencies in our operating platform. Our accounts receivable portfolio continues to perform very well, as the percentage of receivables aged over 60 days remain at low levels. Our cash flow from operations continue to be strong. EBITDA in Q1 typically declines from Q4 as the result of increased payroll tax cost. Additionally, EBITDA was impacted by the expense incurred from the acceleration of certain cash-based long-term incentive awards. We expect quarterly EBITDA to return to more normalized levels in Q2. Bank debt at quarter end was essentially 0, down from $49.5 million at the end of Q4 2011. However, as a result of early Q2 settlement for Q1 stock repurchases, we will likely have outstanding borrowing at the end of Q2 of approximately $20 million. Borrowing availability under our credit facility as of the end of Q1 is $85.5 million. The firm repurchased approximately 1 million shares of stock at an average price of $14.83 in Q1. There is currently 68.7 million available for future stock repurchases under the current Board of Directors authorization. We will continue to evaluate future repurchases as cash flow and market conditions warrant. With respect to guidance, the second quarter of 2012 has 64 billing days compared to 64 billing days in the first quarter. We expect revenues maybe in the $274 million to $281 million range. Earnings per share maybe $0.21 to $0.23. Our effective tax rate in Q2 and remainder of 2012 has increased to approximately 42%, due primarily to permanent tax differences. We anticipate weighted average diluted shares outstanding to be approximately 36.8 million in Q2. This guidance does not consider the effect, if any, of charges related to the impairment of intangible assets, costs related to the settlement of any pending legal matters, the impact on revenues of any disruption in government funding or the firm's response to regulatory, legal or tax law changes. As Dave mentioned, we believe the consensus analyst estimates for 2012 revenues of approximately $1.1 billion, excluding Clinical Research, is conservative and $0.88 of EPS remains reasonable, absent a change from current economic expectations. This would suggest that quarterly revenues will have returned to Q4 2011 levels by the end of the year and EPS for Q3 and Q4 combined would be approximately $0.35 [ph]. We believe the combination of a stronger gross profit margin profile and less complex business model without Clinical Research will allow us to gain cost efficiencies that will offset the impact of divesting of this profitable business by the end of the year. This is exclusive of any benefit that we might derive from the redeployment of capital for stock repurchases or acquisition or any acceleration in gross margin expansion. We are pleased with our first quarter results and we continue to be confident in our long-term success, as we strive to capitalize on the changes in the external environment and the impact on our businesses. Our mix of service offerings position us well, as we see a continued secular shift towards flexible staffing. We have successfully launched our new 3-year strategic plan with a high quality revenue stream and balance sheet, a highly tenured associate population and a very strong management team. We expect to capitalize on the capacity that exists in our associate base to grow revenues and improve earnings. Operator, we'd like to now open up the call for questions.