Herb Mueller
Analyst · Deutsche Bank. Your line is now open
Thank you, Kate, and good afternoon everyone. I will start by giving detail on our fiscal fourth quarter financial results, and will then discuss the trends we are seeing in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. I'll also give further detail on the financial impacts of the strategic growth initiatives that Kate discussed a little earlier. Starting with an overview of our fourth quarter results, total revenue for the fourth quarter fiscal 2017 was $148.6 million, a 2.6% decrease from the comparable quarter a year ago. Sequentially, revenue was up 3.3%. On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased 1.6% quarter-over-quarter, but increased 3% sequentially. Our fourth quarter gross margin was 39.1%, representing an 80 basis point decrease from the prior year. SG&A expenses were $48.4 million, compared to $44.4 million in the fiscal fourth quarter a year ago. Our net income was $4.4 million, or $0.15 per diluted share. Please keep in mind that without the [RIP] [ph] expense, this would have been $0.20 per share. In Q4, adjusted EBITDA was $11 million, or 7.4% of revenue compared to $17.8 million, or 11.7% of revenue in the year ago quarter. Now, let me discuss some highlights of our revenues geographically. As Kate mentioned, we've seen some improving trends across our international businesses with revenues in Europe and Asia-Pac increasing during the quarter. However, our U.S. performance continues to be below our expectations due to the ongoing weakness primarily in the Tri-State and Chicago areas. As Kate mentioned, we've made leadership changes to address this, and while we do not expect an immediate turnaround we're confident that new leadership will help drive improvement and performance in these geographies. We have already seen improvement in Chicago as well as Houston in the new fiscal year compared to last year. For the fourth quarter, revenues in the U.S. were $119.6 million, a decrease of 3.8% quarter-over-quarter, and an increase of 2.3% sequentially. For the fourth quarter, total revenues internationally were $29 million versus $28.1 million in the fourth quarter year ago, an increase of 3% quarter-over-quarter, 8.1% constant currency, and an increase of 7.6% sequentially, 5.7% constant currency. International revenue accounted for approximately 19.5% of total revenues for the quarter compared to 18.7% in the third quarter. Europe's fourth quarter revenues increased 4.5% quarter-over-quarter, and 11.5% sequentially, while the Asia-Pac region saw fourth quarter revenues increased 3.6% quarter-over-quarter and 1.4% sequentially. On a quarter-over -quarter basis, the U.S. dollar was stronger against most currencies in Europe and Asia Pacific in countries where we do business. As a result on a constant currency basis Europe's revenue would have increase quarter-over-quarter by 11.7% and Asia-Pac's revenue would have been up 5.6%. Now, turning to early revenue trends for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, weekly revenues continue to trend below a year ago results. We continue to face challenges in Tri-State and Chicago areas, but we've taken proactive steps to address this. So far in fiscal year 2018 Tri-States are challenged. If you eliminated the drop in Tri-State revenue, we would be trending up in quarter one compared to a year ago. We believe we've hit bottom in Tri-State, and we're encouraged by the activity levels we're currently seeing. We continue to make strong gains in both revenue recognition and lease accounting, growing 50% quarter-over-quarter, representing 4.6% of our overall business. During the five non-holiday weeks this period weekly revenues average $11.3 million, weeks of Memorial Day and 4th of July holidays were $9.8 million and $8.7 million. July 4 this year fell on a Tuesday, and many of our clients closed on July 3rd as well. Turning to gross margins; gross margin for the fourth quarter was 39.1%, versus 39.9% year ago, and 36.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The quarter-over-quarter decrease of 80 basis points results from reduced bill pay spreads and an increase in medical costs of our self-insured program. A sequential increase of 280 basis points results from reduced employer payroll taxes as the calendar year progresses, and no paid holidays in the fourth quarter, as well as reduction in medical cost. Excluding the reimbursable expenses, our fourth quarter gross margin was 39.8%, which compares to 40.6% in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the fourth quarter, our gross margin in U.S. was 40.1%, and our international gross margin was 34.9%. The average bill rate for the quarter was approximately $120, which compares to $118 in the third quarter and $122 in the year ago quarter. The average pay rate for the fourth quarter was approximately $60, which compares to $59 in the third quarter and $61 one year ago. As a reminder, these hourly rates are derived based upon prevailing exchange rates during each given period. About one-half of the bill rate and pay rate changes from year ago are influenced by currency impact. In addition, the average is impacted by the drop in Tri-State revenues, which has higher-than-average bill rates. Now to headcount, for the fourth quarter, the average consultant FTE count was 2,455. This compares to 2,503 in the previous quarter and 2,478 in the year ago quarter. Quarter-end consultant headcount was 2,569 versus 2,511 a year ago. The total headcount of the company was 3,301 at quarter end. Now, looking at other components of the fourth quarter financial results; SG&A expenses were $48.4 million, or 32.6% of revenue. This compares to SG&A of $44.4 million, or 29.1% of revenue in fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The increase relates to the restructuring charge of $2.4 million, the investments we made in business development professionals and managing consultants and potential growth markets as well as in saleforce.com. We made these investments in dedicated business development professionals and subject matter experts as we focus on building our M&A transaction services, change management, and data solution teams. The investment is delivering clear results. Looking forward to Q1, we expect to see SG&A decrease $2.4 million due to the one-time expansion quarter four, and $1.7 reduction from the cost savings initiatives. We expect some offset from the investment in business development and solutions and traditionally our medical costs have won $5,000 to $600,000 higher during the first fiscal quarter. Taking all these factors into account, we expect our SG&A to be in the $45 million range. However, we've identified additional headcount reductions that will result in a $1.3 million severance charge in the quarter. Stock compensation expense was $1.4 million, or 0.9% of total revenue. At the end of the fourth quarter, our office count was 67; 43 domestic and 24 international. Related to other components of our financial statements, depreciation was 941,000 for the quarter, up slightly from the third quarter as a result of office relocations. Our adjusted EBITDA or cash flow margin, which we define as EBITDA before stock compensation was 7.4% in the fourth quarter, down from a 11.7% a year ago, and up from 5.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Our pre-tax income was $8.3 million in the fourth quarter. During the quarter, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $3.9 million, representing an effective tax rate of approximately 47%. We expect to stay in the upper 40s in Q1. Our GAAP tax rate for each of the upcoming quarters is difficult to predict, and could be volatiles, the rate will be dependent on several factors including the operating results of our U.S. and foreign locations, each of which are taxed benefited at different statutory rates and the offset of the tax benefit of foreign losses in certain locations by valuation allowances. On a cash basis, our tax rate was about 42%, and we expect that rate to continue over to the next couple of quarters. Our effective tax rate is impacted by our current inability to offset income in tax jurisdictions in which we are profitable with losses and several tax jurisdictions in which we are not profitable. Finally, our GAAP net income was $4.4 million or $0.15 per share during the fourth quarter. Now, let me turn to the balance sheet. Cash and investments at the end of the fourth quarter were $62.3 million, a $17.7 million decrease from the end of the third quarter fiscal 2017. The increase stems primarily from cash provided by operations of $21.3 million in the quarter, about $12.5 million of which is a result of payroll timing. As evidenced here in the quarter, it totaled approximately $3.3 million. Capital expenditures were $0.7 million during the quarter, net of landlord reimbursements. During the quarter, we did not repurchase our stock. We're evaluating uses of cash to reduce debt and/or facilitate our growth both organically and inorganically. Our stock buyback program has approximately $125.1 million remaining. We will continue to return cash to shareholders through our quarterly dividend, while balancing debt repayment. The capital requirements are growing our business organically and inorganically, and fiscal prudence. Our shares outstanding at the end of the fourth quarter were approximately 29.7 million. Receivables at quarter end were approximately $98.2 million compared to $96.9 million at the end of the third quarter. Days of revenue outstanding were approximately 61 days, the same as at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Now, turning to the financial impact of the strategic initiatives we announced today. As Kate outlined, we provided updates on our three priority initiatives, which we first announce in April, to reduce cost, enhance our revenue, and improve our operating model. On cost reduction, the transaction activities incurred a restructuring charge of approximately $2.4 million, which is fully reflected in our fourth quarter numbers. This includes severance costs as well as leased costs that we do not expect to recover due to closing office. On revenue enhancements, the initiatives we have outlined we believe will put us in a stronger position going forward. Our SG&A will reflect our spend on implementing SalesForce and the costs associated with hiring an independent consulting firm. While making significant changes to the business, and while there may be a transition period, we believe we will see a real benefit to our operational and financial performance. As Kate outlined earlier, we expect to see revenue upside and cost savings begin to have a positive impact on our numbers later in FY '18. Now, I'd like to turn the call back to Kate for some closing comments.