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Hudson Highland Group Reports 2009 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results
NEW YORK, Feb 10, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- 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 fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009.

2009 Fourth Quarter Summary

  • Revenue of $182.5 million, a decrease of 12.1 percent from $207.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, and an increase of $12.9 million or 7.6 percent from the third quarter of 2009 -- Gross margin of $69.4 million, or 38.0 percent of revenue, down 18.1 percent from $84.7 million, or 40.8 percent of revenue for the same period last year, and an increase of $5.2 million or 8.0 percent from the third quarter of 2009
  • Adjusted EBITDA* of $0.2 million, or 0.1 percent of revenue, improved from an adjusted EBITDA loss of $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, and an improvement from the adjusted EBITDA loss of $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2009
  • Net loss from continuing operations of $5.0 million, or $0.19 per basic and diluted share, compared with net loss from continuing operations of $75.9 million, including a $67.1 million non-cash impairment charge, or $3.02 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2008
  • Net loss of $10.4 million, or $0.40 per basic and diluted share, compared with net loss of $80.3 million, or $3.20 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2008

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

2009 Full Year Summary

  • Revenue of $691.1 million, a decrease of 36.0 percent from $1,079.1 million for 2008
  • Gross margin of $260.5 million, or 37.7 percent of revenue, down 42.8 percent from $455.0 million, or 42.2 percent of revenue for prior year
  • Adjusted EBITDA* loss of $17.2 million, or 2.5 percent of revenue, down from positive adjusted EBITDA of $22.2 million for 2008
  • Net loss from continuing operations of $43.0 million, or $1.65 per basic and diluted share, compared with net loss from continuing operations of $73.1 million, including a $67.1 million non-cash impairment charge, or $2.90 per basic and diluted share, for 2008
  • Net loss of $40.6 million, or $1.56 per basic and diluted share, compared with net loss of $74.3 million, or $2.95 per basic and diluted share, for 2008

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

"We made sequential improvement during the fourth quarter in virtually all of our major markets and business units, and I am further encouraged by some continuing momentum into the first quarter of 2010," said Jon Chait, Hudson Highland Group's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our people around the world stepped up to make impressive contributions to our fourth quarter."

"We achieved positive adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter by improving top-line demand and continued cost management," said Mary Jane Raymond, the company's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "We expect to make more progress during the year, but note that historically the first quarter is seasonally softer."

Restructuring Program

The company completed its 2009 restructuring program during the fourth quarter of 2009. The program was initiated to streamline operations in response to the economic conditions during 2009. Fourth quarter restructuring expenses of $5.9 million were related to severance, lease terminations and contract cancellations, primarily in Europe and the Americas. Total restructuring expenses for the year were approximately $19.4 million, a portion of which were classified as discontinued operations as a result of closing the company's Italy and Japan operations earlier in 2009.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2009, the company had $36.1 million in cash and $10.5 million in borrowings under its primary credit facility, down from $44.5 million in cash and $10.5 million in borrowings at the end of the third quarter of 2009. In addition, the company has availability under its primary credit facility of $2.1 million, and an additional $8.1 million under local country credit facilities, for a total of $10.2 million, some of which became available subsequent to December 31, 2009.

Guidance

Despite recent signs of recovery, visibility remains low. As a result, the company will not provide formal guidance for the first quarter of 2010, other than it expects significant progress in EBITDA compared with the prior year quarter. The company will comment on current trends and its outlook for the first quarter on its fourth quarter earnings call.

Additional Information

Additional information about the company's quarterly results can be found in the shareholder letter and the fourth quarter earnings slides in the investor information section of the company's Web site at www.hudson.com.

Conference Call/Webcast

Hudson Highland Group will conduct a conference call Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss this announcement. Individuals wishing to listen can access the Webcast on the investor information section of the company's Web site at www.hudson.com.

The archived call will be available on the investor information section of the company's Web site at www.hudson.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 approximately 2,000 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 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 important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including industry and economic conditions' that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, global economic fluctuations, including the global economic conditions prevailing during 2009; the ability of clients to terminate their relationship with the company at any time; risks in collecting the company's accounts receivable; the company's history of negative cash flows and operating losses may continue; the company's limited borrowing availability under its credit facility, which may negatively impact its liquidity; restrictions on the company's operating flexibility due to the terms of its credit facility; risks related to fluctuations in the company's operating results from quarter to quarter; risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; risks associated with the company's investment strategy; risks and financial impact associated with dispositions of underperforming assets; implementation of the company's cost reduction initiatives effectively; the company's heavy reliance on information systems and the impact of potentially losing or failing to develop technology; competition in the company's markets; the company's exposure to employment-related claims from both clients and employers and limits on related insurance coverage; the company's dependence on key management personnel; the company's ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals; volatility of the company's stock price; the impact of government regulations; and restrictions imposed by blocking arrangements. 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 document. The company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

                             HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                                     (unaudited)

                                         Three Months Ended        Year Ended
                                            December 31,           December 31,
                                        --------------------  ---------------------
                                           2009       2008       2009       2008
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
  Revenue (1)                            $182,504   $207,521   $691,149  $1,079,085
  Direct costs (1)                        113,129    122,810    430,696     624,099
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
   Gross margin                            69,375     84,711    260,453     454,986
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
  Operating expenses:
   Selling, general and administrative
    expenses                               69,192     87,325    277,634     432,803
   Depreciation and amortization            3,174      3,388     12,543      14,662
   Business reorganization and
    integration expenses                    5,900      6,184     18,180      11,217
   Goodwill and other impairment
    charges                                    --     67,087      1,549      67,087
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
     Total operating expenses              78,266    163,984    309,906     525,769
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
   Operating (loss) income                (8,891)   (79,273)   (49,453)    (70,783)
  Other income (expense):
   Interest, net                            (225)        204      (694)       1,099
   Other, net                                 669      1,307      1,444       3,269
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
  Loss from continuing operations
   before provision for income taxes      (8,447)   (77,762)   (48,703)    (66,415)
  (Benefit from) provision for income
   taxes                                  (3,450)    (1,843)    (5,750)       6,681
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
  Loss from continuing operations         (4,997)   (75,919)   (42,953)    (73,096)
  (Loss) income from discontinued
   operations, net of income taxes        (5,429)    (4,411)      2,344     (1,222)
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
  Net loss                              $(10,426)  $(80,330)  $(40,609)   $(74,318)
                                        =========  =========  =========  ==========
  Basic (loss) earnings per share:
  Loss from continuing operations         $(0.19)    $(3.02)    $(1.65)     $(2.90)
  (Loss) income from discontinued
   operations                              (0.21)     (0.18)       0.09      (0.05)
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
  Net loss                                $(0.40)    $(3.20)    $(1.56)     $(2.95)
                                        =========  =========  =========  ==========
  Diluted (loss) earnings per share:
  Loss from continuing operations         $(0.19)    $(3.02)    $(1.65)     $(2.90)
  (Loss) income from discontinued
   operations                              (0.21)     (0.18)       0.09      (0.05)
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
  Net loss                                $(0.40)    $(3.20)    $(1.56)     $(2.95)
                                        =========  =========  =========  ==========
  Weighted average shares outstanding:
  Basic                                    26,329     25,100     26,036      25,193
  Diluted                                  26,329     25,100     26,036      25,193
  (1) Prior year revenue has been reclassed to conform to current year
   presentation.
               HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
         (in thousands, except per share amounts)
                       (unaudited)

                                    December   December
                                    31, 2009   31, 2008
                                   ---------  ---------
               ASSETS
  Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents          $36,064    $49,209
  Accounts receivable, net            98,994    127,169
  Prepaid and other                   13,247     15,411
  Current assets from
   discontinued operations                61      2,360
                                   ---------  ---------
   Total current assets              148,366    194,149
  Intangibles, net                       503      2,498
  Property and equipment, net         19,433     24,379
  Other assets                        13,642      9,927
                                   ---------  ---------
   Total assets                     $181,944   $230,953
                                   =========  =========
   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
               EQUITY
  Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                   $12,811    $15,693
  Accrued expenses and other
   current liabilities                54,008     76,447
  Short-term borrowings               10,456      5,307
  Accrued business reorganization
   expenses                            8,784      5,724
  Current liabilities from
   discontinued operations                95      1,410
                                   ---------  ---------
   Total current liabilities          86,154    104,581
  Other non-current liabilities       19,183     16,904
  Accrued business reorganization
   expenses, non-current                 347      1,476
                                   ---------  ---------
   Total liabilities                 105,684    122,961
  Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.001 par
   value, 10,000 shares
   authorized; none issued or
   outstanding                            --         --
  Common stock, $0.001 par value,
   100,000 shares authorized;
   issued 26,836 and 26,494
   shares, respectively                   27         26
  Additional paid-in capital         445,541    450,739
  Accumulated deficit              (403,514)  (362,905)
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   income--translation
   adjustments                        34,509     27,054
  Treasury stock, 114 and 1,140
   shares, respectively, at cost       (303)    (6,922)
                                   ---------  ---------
   Total stockholders' equity         76,260    107,992
                                   ---------  ---------
   Total liabilities and
    stockholders' equity            $181,944   $230,953
                                   =========  =========
                                 HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
                                       SEGMENT ANALYSIS
                                        (in thousands)
                                         (unaudited)


                                                              Hudson
  For the Three Months Ended December   Hudson     Hudson       Asia    Corporate
   31, 2009                             Americas   Europe     Pacific      (2)       Total
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Revenue                                $39,011    $74,502    $68,991        $--   $182,504
                                       =========  =========  =========  =========  =========
  Gross margin                           $10,218    $33,007    $26,150        $--    $69,375
                                       =========  =========  =========  =========  ---------
  Adjusted EBITDA (1)                     $(304)     $1,674     $1,677   $(2,864)       $183
  Business reorganization and
   integration expenses                    1,794      3,135        849        122      5,900
  Goodwill and other impairment
   charges                                    --         --         --         --         --
  Depreciation and amortization            1,318        822        991         43      3,174
  Non-operating income (expense)             803        173      (152)      (155)        669
  Interest income (expense)                 (10)       (34)         52      (233)      (225)
  Provision for (benefit from) income
   taxes                                 (3,763)      (810)      1,123         --    (3,450)
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations, net of taxes                (274)      (143)         14    (5,026)    (5,429)
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net (loss) income                         $866   $(1,477)   $(1,372)   $(8,443)  $(10,426)
                                       =========  =========  =========  =========  =========

                                                              Hudson
  For the Three Months Ended December   Hudson     Hudson       Asia    Corporate
   31, 2008                             Americas   Europe     Pacific      (2)       Total
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Revenue (3)                            $52,394    $85,376    $69,751        $--   $207,521
                                       =========  =========  =========  =========  =========
  Gross margin                           $14,115    $42,001    $28,595        $--    $84,711
                                       =========  =========  =========  =========  ---------
  Adjusted EBITDA (1)                     $(546)     $3,973     $1,090   $(7,131)   $(2,614)
  Business reorganization and
   integration expenses                    1,236      1,634      2,317        997      6,184
  Goodwill and other impairment
   charges                                40,749     19,598      6,740         --     67,087
  Depreciation and amortization            1,112      1,315        896         65      3,388
  Non-operating income (expense)            (61)      1,414        282      (328)      1,307
  Interest income (expense)                  (8)        148        174      (110)        204
  Provision for (benefit from) income
   taxes                                 (1,644)        474      (673)         --    (1,843)
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations, net of taxes              (1,910)      (119)    (2,290)       (92)    (4,411)
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net (loss) income                    $(43,978)  $(17,605)  $(10,024)   $(8,723)  $(80,330)
                                       =========  =========  =========  =========  =========

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (1) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges, other non-operating
   income, and depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") is 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 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 as
   presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other
   companies.
  (2) Highland Partners was a reportable segment before disposal in 2006. The results from
   Highland Partners are classified under Corporate for reporting purposes.
  (3) Prior year revenue has been reclassed to conform to current year presentation.
                               HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
                                     SEGMENT ANALYSIS
                                      (in thousands)
                                       (unaudited)


                                                           Hudson
  For the Three Months Ended           Hudson    Hudson     Asia    Corporate
   December 31, 2009                  Americas   Europe    Pacific     (2)       Total
                                      --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------
  Revenue                              $39,011   $74,502   $68,991        $--   $182,504
                                      ========  ========  ========  =========  =========
  Gross margin                         $10,218   $33,007   $26,150        $--    $69,375
                                      ========  ========  ========  =========  ---------
  Adjusted EBITDA (1)                   $(304)    $1,674    $1,677   $(2,864)       $183
  Business reorganization and
   integration expenses                  1,794     3,135       849        122      5,900
  Goodwill and other impairment
   charges                                  --        --        --         --         --
  Depreciation and amortization          1,318       822       991         43      3,174
  Non-operating income (expense)           803       173     (152)      (155)        669
  Interest income (expense)               (10)      (34)        52      (233)      (225)
  Provision for (benefit from)
   income taxes                        (3,763)     (810)     1,123         --    (3,450)
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations, net of taxes              (274)     (143)        14    (5,026)    (5,429)
                                      --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------
  Net (loss) income                       $866  $(1,477)  $(1,372)   $(8,443)  $(10,426)
                                      ========  ========  ========  =========  =========

                                                           Hudson
  For the Three Months Ended           Hudson    Hudson     Asia    Corporate
   September 30, 2009                 Americas   Europe    Pacific     (2)       Total
                                      --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------
  Revenue                              $35,705   $67,898   $66,044        $--   $169,647
                                      ========  ========  ========  =========  =========
  Gross margin                          $9,258   $29,571   $25,361        $--    $64,190
                                      ========  ========  ========  =========  ---------
  Adjusted EBITDA (1)                 $(1,625)       $30    $2,579   $(4,206)   $(3,222)
  Business reorganization and
   integration expenses                    592     1,881       405         --      2,878
  Goodwill and other impairment
   charges                                  --        --        --         --         --
  Depreciation and amortization          1,047       911       739         44      2,741
  Non-operating income (expense)            34     (302)       260        107         99
  Interest income (expense)                 55        45        55      (251)       (96)
  Provision for (benefit from)
   income taxes                            314   (1,172)     (357)         --    (1,215)
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations, net of taxes                179       287       181        123        770
                                      --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------
  Net (loss) income                   $(3,310)  $(1,560)    $2,288   $(4,271)   $(6,853)
                                      ========  ========  ========  =========  =========

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (1) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges, other
   non-operating income, and depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") is
   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 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 as presented above may not
   be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
  (2) Highland Partners was a reportable segment before disposal in 2006. The results
   from Highland Partners are classified under Corporate for reporting purposes.
                                 HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
                                       SEGMENT ANALYSIS
                                        (in thousands)
                                         (unaudited)


                                                              Hudson
  For the Year Ended December 31,       Hudson     Hudson      Asia    Corporate
   2009                                 Americas   Europe     Pacific     (2)        Total
                                       ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  ----------
  Revenue                               $161,872   $276,975  $252,302        $--    $691,149
                                       =========  =========  ========  =========  ==========
  Gross margin                           $40,959   $124,162   $95,332        $--    $260,453
                                       =========  =========  ========  =========  ----------
  Adjusted EBITDA (1)                   $(5,569)     $1,422    $3,995  $(17,029)   $(17,181)
  Business reorganization and
   integration expenses                    5,133      9,682     3,228        137      18,180
  Goodwill and other impairment
   charges                                 (120)         --     1,669         --       1,549
  Depreciation and amortization            4,417      4,553     3,392        181      12,543
  Non-operating income (expense)             909      (503)       863        175       1,444
  Interest income (expense)                   24         49       236    (1,003)       (694)
  Provision for (benefit from) income
   taxes                                 (2,931)    (2,690)     (129)         --     (5,750)
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations, net of taxes                  237    (1,606)   (2,730)      6,443       2,344
                                       ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  ----------
  Net (loss) income                    $(10,898)  $(12,183)  $(5,796)  $(11,732)   $(40,609)
                                       =========  =========  ========  =========  ==========

                                                              Hudson
  For the Year Ended December 31,       Hudson     Hudson      Asia    Corporate
   2008                                 Americas   Europe     Pacific     (2)        Total
                                       ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  ----------
  Revenue (3)                           $273,648   $415,871  $389,566        $--  $1,079,085
                                       =========  =========  ========  =========  ==========
  Gross margin                           $75,016   $212,603  $167,367        $--    $454,986
                                       =========  =========  ========  =========  ----------
  Adjusted EBITDA (1)                     $3,998    $22,958   $23,504  $(28,277)     $22,183
  Business reorganization and
   integration expenses                    3,062      2,863     4,295        997      11,217
  Goodwill and other impairment
   charges                                40,749     19,598     6,740         --      67,087
  Depreciation and amortization            4,630      5,781     4,027        224      14,662
  Non-operating income (expense)            (55)      2,834       614      (124)       3,269
  Interest income (expense)                  458        333       867      (559)       1,099
  Provision for (benefit from) income
   taxes                                   (332)      4,401     2,612         --       6,681
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations, net of taxes              (4,070)      2,616   (3,811)      4,043     (1,222)
                                       ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  ----------
  Net (loss) income                    $(47,778)   $(3,902)    $3,500  $(26,138)   $(74,318)
                                       =========  =========  ========  =========  ==========

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (1) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges, other non-operating
   income, and depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") is 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 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 as
   presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other
   companies.
  (2) Highland Partners was a reportable segment before disposal in 2006. The results from
   Highland Partners are classified under Corporate for reporting purposes.
  (3) Prior year revenue has been reclassed to conform to current
   year presentation.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Hudson Highland Group, Inc.

CONTACT: Hudson Highland Group
David F. Kirby
212-351-7216
david.kirby@hudson.com


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HHGP (Common Stock)
ExchangeNASDAQ (US Dollar)
Price$3.13
Change Stock is Up 0.01 (0.32%)
Volume156,767
As of 09/08/10 4:00 p.m. ET
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