UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2005 or
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-14505
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600, Los Angeles, California 90067
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(310) 552-1834
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes (X) No ( )
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ( ) No (X)
The number of shares outstanding of our common stock as of December 6, 2005 was 42,141,316.
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
Table of Contents
PART I.
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II.
Item 6.
SIGNATURE
CERTIFICATIONS
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
As of
October 31, 2005
April 30, 2005
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Marketable securities
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,274 and $7,307
Income tax and other receivables
Deferred income taxes
Prepaid expenses
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Cash surrender value of company owned life insurance policies, net of loans
Goodwill
Deferred financing costs, investments and other
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable
Income taxes payable
Compensation and benefits payable
Other accrued liabilities
Total current liabilities
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans
Long-term debt
Other liabilities
7.5% Convertible mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, net of unamortized discount and issuance costs, redemption value $11,387
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 42,494 and 41,268 shares issued and 40,993 and 39,888 shares outstanding, as of October 31 and April 30, 2005, respectively
Retained deficit
Unearned restricted stock compensation
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Less: Notes receivable from stockholders
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
Fee revenue
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses
Total revenue
Compensation and benefits
General and administrative expenses
Out-of-pocket engagement expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Interest and other income, net
Interest expense
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries
Provision for income taxes
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries
Net income
Basic earnings per common share
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
Diluted earnings per common share
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Cash from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Interest paid in kind and amortization of discount on convertible securities
Loss (gain) on disposition of property and equipment
Provision for doubtful accounts
Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies
Realized gains on marketable securities
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
Non-cash compensation arrangements
Change in other assets and liabilities:
Deferred compensation
Receivables
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Other
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities
Cash from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment
Purchase of marketable securities
Business acquisitions
Premiums on life insurance policies
Proceeds from life insurance policy benefits
Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash from financing activities:
Payments on life insurance policy loans
Borrowings under life insurance policies
Purchase of common stock
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options and in connection with an employee stock purchase plan
Receipts on stockholders’ notes
Net cash provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended October 31, 2005 and 2004 include the accounts of Korn/Ferry International and all of its wholly and majority owned domestic and international subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). The consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods. These financial statements have been prepared consistently with the accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005 (“Annual Report”) and should be read together with the Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. The most significant areas that require management judgment are revenue recognition, deferred compensation and the carrying values of goodwill and deferred income taxes.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers cash equivalents to be only those investments which are highly liquid, readily convertible and mature within three months from the date of purchase.
Available for Sale Securities
The Company considers its marketable securities as available-for-sale as defined in SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of October 31, 2005 and April 30, 2005. The changes in fair values are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Investments are made based on the Company’s investment policy which restricts the types of investments that can be made.
Stock Based Compensation
On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004) (“Statement 123(R)”), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“Statement 123”). Statement 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB Opinion No. 25”), and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows.
Statement 123(R) is required to be adopted in fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company expects to adopt Statement 123(R) on May 1, 2006, using the modified prospective method, as described in the statement.
The Company currently accounts for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion No. 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of Statement 123(R)’s fair value method will have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, although it will have minimal impact on the Company’s overall financial
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—
(Continued)
position. The impact of adoption of Statement 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time as it depends on levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However, had the Company adopted Statement 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of Statement 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in the table below. Statement 123(R) also requires that the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. While the Company cannot estimate what those amounts will be in the future as they depend on, among other things, when employees exercise stock options, the amount of operating cash flows recognized for such tax deductions was $2,186 and $1,783 for the six months ended October 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement 123(R):
Net income, as reported
Stock-based employee compensation charges, net of related tax effects:
Employee stock compensation expense included in net income, as reported
Employee stock compensation expense determined under the fair-value based method
Net income, as adjusted
Interest expense on convertible securities, net of related tax effects
Net income adjusted for computation of diluted EPS, as adjusted
Basic EPS
As reported
Pro forma
Diluted EPS
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with a zero dividend rate. The following assumptions were used by the Company for options granted in the respective periods:
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected option life (in years)
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options. The assumptions used in option valuation models are subjective. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair values of the options are amortized over the options’ vesting periods.
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Common Stock
The Company issued 293,000 and 718,000 common shares as a result of the exercise of stock options and 106,000 and 106,000 common shares in conjunction with the Company’s employee stock purchase plan in the three and six months ended October 31, 2005, respectively. The Company issued 143,000 and 747,000 common shares relating to the exercise of stock options and 98,000 and 98,000 common shares in conjunction with the Company’s employee stock purchase plan in the three and six months ended October 31, 2004, respectively.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
2. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per common share (“basic EPS”) was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share (“diluted EPS”) reflects the potential dilution that would occur if all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted and was computed by dividing adjusted net income, after assumed conversion of subordinated notes and preferred stock, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator (shares in thousands) used in the computation of basic and diluted EPS:
Net income (Numerator):
Net income for basic EPS
Net income for diluted EPS
Shares (Denominator):
Weighted average shares for basic EPS
Effect of:
Convertible subordinated notes
Convertible preferred stock
Warrants
Restricted stock
Stock options
Employee stock purchase plan
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted EPS
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Assumed exercises or conversions have been excluded in computing the diluted earnings per share when their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
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3. Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to stockholders’ equity, except those changes resulting from investments by owners (changes in paid in capital) and distributions to owners (dividends).
Total comprehensive income is as follows:
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of taxes
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Comprehensive income
The accumulated other comprehensive income at October 31, 2005 is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes, of $6,997 and $91, respectively.
4. Deferred Compensation, Pension Plan and Executive Capital Accumulation Plan
The Company has several deferred compensation plans for vice-presidents that provide defined benefit payments to participants based on the deferral of current compensation subject to vesting and retirement or termination provisions. The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
Components of net periodic benefit costs:
Service cost
Interest cost
Amortization of actuarial gain
Net periodic benefit cost
In fiscal 2005, the Company implemented the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (“ECAP”). ECAP is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis, or make an after-tax contribution. The Company made an $8,120 ECAP contribution in the six months ended October 31, 2005 that vests over a 3 year period. The Company contribution is expensed ratably over the three year vesting period.
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The Company also has a defined benefit pension plan, referred to as the Worldwide Executive Benefit Plans (“WEB” plans), covering certain executives in the United States and foreign countries. The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
Amortization of actuarial loss
5. Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Securities
In June 2002, the Company issued 7.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $40.0 million and 10,000 shares of 7.5% Convertible Series A Preferred Stock at an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million. The notes and preferred stock have priority over common stockholders. The notes and preferred stock are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at $10.19 per share. The Company also issued warrants to purchase 274,207 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $11.94. The warrants expire in 2012. The warrants were recorded at fair value resulting in discounts on the notes and preferred stock (together “the securities”) of $1.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and are amortized over the life of the securities.
The securities may be redeemed at the option of the purchasers after June 13, 2008, the sixth anniversary of the closing date, at a price equal to 101% of the issuance price plus all accrued interest and dividends. The securities are mandatorily redeemable if still outstanding on June 13, 2010, at a price equal to 101% of the issuance price plus accrued interest and dividends. From the third to the sixth year, the securities are subject to optional redemption by the Company at 200% to 250% of the then outstanding principal balance.
Interest and dividends are payable semi-annually in either additional securities or cash at the option of the Company. The Company also incurred issuance costs of $4.3 million that have been deferred and are being amortized over the life of the securities as interest expense with $3.4 million allocated to the notes and $0.9 million allocated to the preferred stock.
6. Business Segments
The Company operates in two global business segments in the retained recruitment industry: executive recruitment and Futurestep. These segments are distinguished primarily by the candidates’ level of compensation. The executive recruitment business segment is managed by geographic regional leaders. Revenue from leadership development solutions and other consulting engagements is included in executive recruitment. Futurestep’s worldwide operations are managed by the Chief Executive Officer of Futurestep. The executive recruitment geographic regional leaders and the Chief Executive Officer of Futurestep report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company also operates a Corporate segment to record global expenses of the Company.
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A summary of the Company’s results of operations by business segment are as follows:
Fee revenue:
Executive recruitment:
North America
Europe
Asia Pacific
South America
Total executive recruitment
Futurestep
Total fee revenue
Total revenue:
Operating income (loss):
Corporate
Total operating income
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be,“forward-looking” statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include phrases such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”,“foresee”, “may”, “will”, “estimates”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. The principal risk factors that could cause actual performance and future actions to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, dependence on attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, portability of client relationships, local political or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, ability to manage growth, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, competition, risks related to the growth and results of Futurestep, reliance on information processing systems, and employment liability risk. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this report and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
The following presentation of management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.
Executive Summary
We are the leading provider of executive search, outsourced recruiting and leadership development solutions with the broadest global presence in the recruitment industry. Our services include executive recruitment, middle-management and outsourced recruitment through Futurestep, leadership development solutions and executive coaching. Over half of the executive recruitment searches we performed in fiscal 2005 were for board level, chief executive and other senior executive positions. Our 4,160 clients in fiscal 2005 included approximately 47% of the Fortune 500 companies. We have established strong client loyalty; more than 82% of the executive recruitment assignments we performed in fiscal 2005 were on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years.
In an effort to achieve our long-term vision of being the leading provider of executive search, outsourced recruiting and leadership development solutions, our strategic focus for fiscal 2006 will center upon increasing market share and further increasing the cross-selling and utilization of our multi-product strategy. We will continue to explore new products and services, enhance our technology and aggressively leverage our brand through thought leadership and intellectual capital projects as a means of delivering world-class service to our clients.
Fee revenue increased 16% in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 to $125.8 million with increases across all regions. The North American region experienced the largest dollar increase in fee revenue in both executive recruitment and Futurestep. In the second quarter of fiscal 2006, we earned an operating income of $18.1 million with operating income from executive recruitment of $24.1 million and $1.5 million from Futurestep, offset by corporate expenses of $7.5 million.
Our total long-term debt at October 31, 2005 was $45.0 million. Our working capital increased $32.0 million to $178.1 million at October 31, 2005 compared to $146.1 million at April 30, 2005.
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Critical Accounting Policies
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and operating results are based on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Preparation of this Form 10-Q requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions. In preparing our financial statements and accounting for the underlying transactions and balances, we apply our accounting policies as disclosed in our Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We consider the policies related to revenue recognition, deferred compensation and the carrying values of goodwill and deferred income taxes as critical to an understanding of our financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described in our Fiscal 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the three months ended October 31, 2005 and 2004 as a percentage of fee revenue:
The following tables summarize the results of our operations by business segment. Operating income (loss) is calculated as a percentage of fee revenue of the respective segment.
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Three Months Ended October 31, 2005 Compared to Three Months Ended October 31, 2004
Fee Revenue. Fee revenue increased $17.3 million, or 16%, to $125.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $108.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2004. The improvement in fee revenue is attributable to an increase in the number of engagements billed and average fees.
Executive Recruitment – Executive Recruitment fee revenue increased $13.5 million, or 14%, to $109.0 million due to an increase in both the number of engagements billed and average fees. North America fee revenue increased $7.1 million, or 13%, to $62.8 million in the current quarter primarily due to an increase in the number of engagements billed as well as increased average fees. Europe reported fee revenue of $27.9 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 17%, compared to last year due to increased average fees. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted European fee revenue by $0.4 million in the current quarter. Asia Pacific fee revenue increased $1.1 million, or 8%, to $14.7 million compared to the same period last year due to an increase in the number of engagements billed. Exchange rates favorably impacted Asia Pacific fee revenue by $0.3 million in the current quarter. South America reported fee revenue of $3.7 million, an increase of $1.2 million, or 47%, compared to last year due to an increase in both the number of new engagements opened and engagements billed. Exchange rates favorably impacted South American fee revenue by $0.4 million in the current quarter.
Futurestep – Fee revenue increased $3.9 million, or 30%, to $16.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $13.0 million in the three months ended October 31, 2004. The improvement in fee revenue, reflected across all regions, is due to an increase in the number of new engagements opened.
Compensation and Benefits.Compensation and benefits expense increased $12.2 million, or 18%, to $81.2 million in the three months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $69.0 million in the three months ended October 31, 2004. The increase in compensation and benefits expense reflects the hiring of new consultants globally in addition to development of internal resources in response to increasing demand for the company’s services.
Executive recruitment compensation and benefits costs of $65.7 million increased $8.2 million, or 14%, compared to last year primarily due to 34 new consultants hired in the past quarter. Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue remained consistent at 60% in both quarters.
Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $3.1 million, or 38%, to $11.3 million from $8.2 million in the prior year due internal resource development as well as continuing investment in our people, which increased Futurestep’s headcount to 340 employees at October 31, 2005, an increase of 91 employees over the past year. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, increased to 67% from 63% in the prior year.
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Corporate compensation and benefits expense increased $0.9 million, or 26%, to $4.3 million in the current quarter, reflective of decreased performance on investments related to our Company Owned Life Insurance (“COLI”) policies.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $2.6 million, or 12%, to $24.0 million in the three months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $21.4 million in the same period last year. Exchange rates impacted general and administrative expenses unfavorably by $0.2 million in the current quarter. In executive recruitment, general and administrative expenses increased $1.0 million using constant exchange rates, due to increased business development as well as premises and office expense. Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, improved to 16% from 17% in the prior year. Futurestep general and administrative expense increased $1.2 million, or 60%, primarily due to increased premises and office expense, business development, travel costs and other professional fees. Futurestep general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, increased to 19% from 16% in the prior year. Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $0.4 million, or 15%, over the prior year due to increased professional fees.
Out-of-Pocket Engagement Expenses. Out-of-pocket engagement expenses are comprised of expenses incurred by candidates and our consultants that are generally billed to clients. Out-of-pocket engagement expenses of $7.4 million increased $1.9 million, or 34%, over the prior year as a result of increased engagements in the period. As a percentage of fee revenue, out-of-pocket engagement expense was 6% compared to 5% in the prior year.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense was $2.2 million in the three months ended October 31, 2005, a slight increase of $0.1 million from the three months ended October 31, 2004 of $2.1 million.
Operating Income. Operating income increased $2.6 million, or 17%, to $18.1 million in the current quarter compared to $15.5 million in the prior year. Operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 14% in both of the three months ended October 31, 2005 and 2004.
Executive recruitment operating income increased $4.8 million, or 25%, to $24.1 million in the three months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $19.3 million in the three months ended October 31, 2004. The improvement in executive recruitment operating income is primarily a result of increased revenue offset by additional compensation expense. Executive recruitment operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, improved to 22% from 20% last year.
Futurestep operating income was $1.5 million versus $2.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Futurestep operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, declined to 9% from 18% in the prior year as the company continues to invest in the Futurestep business.
Corporate expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2005 were $7.5 million, an increase of $1.3 million, as compared to $6.2 million in the same quarter last year, due to increased professional fees and a decrease in the performance of assets underlying certain COLI policies.
Interest Income and Other Income, Net. Interest income and other income, net includes interest income of $1.2 million the three months ended October 31, 2005, a $0.8 million increase as compared to $0.4 million in the same period in 2004, due to increased cash balances and improved investment performance.
Interest Expense. Interest expense, primarily related to the borrowings under our convertible securities and COLI policies, was $2.6 million in the current quarter, versus $2.7 million in the same period last year.
Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $6.3 million for the three months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $4.9 million last year. The provision for income taxes reflects a 38.0% effective tax rate for the current quarter.
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Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries is comprised of our less than 50% shareholder interest in our Mexican subsidiaries. We report our interest in earnings or loss of the Mexican subsidiaries on the equity basis as a one line adjustment to net income. Equity in earnings was $0.6 million as compared to $0.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2005 and 2004.
Six Months Ended October 31, 2005 Compared to Six Months Ended October 31, 2004
Fee Revenue. Fee revenue increased $36.7 million, or 17%, to $248.0 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $211.3 million in the six months ended October 31, 2004. The improvement in fee revenue is attributable to an increase in the number of engagements billed and average fees. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $2.0 million in the current year.
Executive Recruitment – Executive Recruitment fee revenue increased $27.8 million, or 15%, due to an increase in both the number of engagements billed and average fees. North America fee revenue increased $17.2 million, or 16%, to $124.5 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 primarily due to an increase in the number of engagements billed as well as increased average fees. Europe reported fee revenue of $54.9 million, an increase of $6.2 million, or 13%, compared to last year due to the number of engagements billed as well as increased average fees. Asia Pacific fee revenue increased $2.0 million, or 8%, to $28.0 million compared to the same period last year due to an increase in the number of engagements billed. Exchange rates favorably impacted Asia Pacific fee revenue by $0.7 million in the current period. South America reported fee revenue of $7.0 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 52%, compared to last year due to an increase in the number of new engagements opened and engagements billed. Exchange rates favorably impacted South American fee revenue by $0.8 million in the current period.
Futurestep – Fee revenue increased $8.9 million, or 36%, to $33.6 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $24.7 million in the six months ended October 31, 2004. The improvement in fee revenue, reflected across all regions, is due to an increase in the number of new engagements opened combined with our successful strategic shift to recruitment process outsourcing.
Compensation and Benefits. Compensation and benefits expense increased $25.3 million, or 19%, to $159.2 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $133.9 million in the six months ended October 31, 2004. The increase in compensation and benefits expense reflects the hiring of new consultants in addition to increased profitability and retention awards. Executive recruitment compensation and benefits costs of $129.9 million increased $18.7 million, or 17%, compared to last year primarily due to 34 new consultants hired over the past year. Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue increased slightly to 61% from 60% in the prior year. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $6.5 million, or 42%, to $21.8 million from $15.3 million in the prior year due to significant investments in our people which increased Futurestep’s headcount by 91 employees over the past year. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, increased to 65% from 62% in the prior year. Corporate compensation and benefits expense remained stable at $7.4 million in both periods.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $4.5 million, or 11%, to $46.7 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $42.2 million in the same period last year. In executive recruitment, general and administrative expenses increased $1.3 million, from $32.9 million in the prior year to $34.2 million in the current year using constant exchange rates. Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, improved to 16% from 18% in the prior year. Futurestep general and administrative expense increased $2.5 million, or 59%, primarily due to increased premises and office expense, business development and travel costs and other professional fees. Futurestep general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, increased to 20% from 17% in the prior year. Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million, or 16%, over the prior year due to increased professional fees.
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Out-of-Pocket Engagement Expenses. Out-of-pocket engagement expenses are comprised of expenses incurred by candidates and our consultants that are generally billed to clients. Out-of-pocket engagement expenses of $14.9 million increased $3.7 million, or 33%, over the prior year as a result of increased engagements in the period. As a percentage of fee revenue, out-of-pocket engagement expense was 6% compared to 5% in the prior year.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense was $4.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 and 2004.
Operating Income. Operating income increased $6.7 million, or 22%, to $36.8 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $30.1 million in the prior period. Operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, improved to 15% from 14% in the prior period.
Executive recruitment operating income increased $8.3 million, or 22%, to $46.8 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $38.5 million in the six months ended October 31, 2004. The improvement in executive recruitment operating income is primarily a result of increased revenue offset by additional compensation expense. Executive recruitment operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, improved to 22% from 21% last year.
Futurestep operating income was $3.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005, a decrease of $0.9 million as compared to $4.3 million in the same period of 2004. Futurestep operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, declined to 10% from 17% in the prior year.
Corporate expenses were $13.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005, an increase of $0.7 million, compared to $12.7 million in the same period last year.
Interest Income and Other Income, Net.Interest income and other income, net includes interest income of $2.5 million and $0.7 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase is due to higher cash balances and improved investment performance.
Interest Expense. Interest expense, primarily related to the borrowings under our convertible securities and COLI policies, was $5.1 million in the current quarter, a slight decrease of $0.2 million compared to $5.3 million in the prior year.
Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $12.8 million for the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $9.4 million last year. The provision for income taxes reflects a 37.3% effective tax rate for the current year.
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries is comprised of our less than 50% shareholder interest in our Mexican subsidiaries. We report our interest in earnings or loss of the Mexican subsidiaries on the equity basis as a one line adjustment to net income. Equity in earnings was $1.0 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005, an increase of $0.1 million, compared to $0.9 million, in the same period ended 2004.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash used by operating activities was $18.9 million for the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $5.5 million last year. The increase in operating cash used is primarily due to the payment of fiscal year 2005 bonuses in July 2005 and increased receivables, offset by the increase in net income and deferred compensation.
Cash used in investing activities was $15.0 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005, compared to $8.8 million in the prior year. In the six months ended October 31, 2005 we invested $9.3 million in marketable securities in conjunction with our ECAP program. Capital expenditures for the six months ended October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2004 totaled $5.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Capital expenditures primarily consist of systems hardware, software costs and leasehold improvements.
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Cash provided by financing activities was $6.5 million in the six months ended October 31, 2005 compared to $7.7 million last year. In the six months ended October 31, 2005 we received $8.1 million from exercises of employee stock options and in conjunction with our employee stock purchase plan.
Total outstanding borrowings under our COLI policies was $57.0 million and $58.9 million as of October 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Generally, we borrow under our COLI policies to pay related premiums. Such borrowings do not require principal payments, bear interest at primarily variable rates and are secured by the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies of $124.5 million and $119.4 million as of October 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
As of October 31, 2005, we had approximately $45.0 million outstanding in aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due in June 2010 and 7.5% Convertible Series A Preferred Stock with an aggregate liquidation preference of $11.4 million.
We have a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility with a $50 million borrowing capacity and no borrowing base restrictions. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of our assets including certain accounts receivable balances and guarantees by and pledges a portion of the capital stock of our significant subsidiaries. We are required to meet certain financial condition covenants on a quarterly basis. As of October 31, 2005, we had no outstanding borrowings on our credit facility.
We believe that cash on hand, borrowings available under our credit facility and funds from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital, debt service requirements, capital expenditures and general corporate requirements. However, adverse changes in our revenue could require us to cut costs or obtain financing to meet our cash needs.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements and have not entered into any transactions involving unconsolidated, limited purpose entities.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004) (Statement 123(R)), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (Statement 123). Statement 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in Statement 123(R) is similar to the approach described in Statement 123. However, Statement 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. Statement 123(R) is required to be adopted in fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We expect to adopt Statement 123(R) on May 1, 2006 using the modified-prospective method.
As permitted by Statement 123, we currently account for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion No. 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognize no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of Statement 123(R)’s fair value method will have a significant impact on our results of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. The impact of adoption of Statement 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time as it depends on levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However, had we adopted Statement 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of Statement 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in Note 1 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Statement 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As a result of our global operating activities, we are exposed to certain market risks, including foreign currency exchange fluctuations and fluctuations in interest rates. We manage our exposure to these risks in the normal course of our business as described below. We have not utilized financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor do we trade in derivative financial instruments.
Foreign Currency Risk
Substantially all our foreign subsidiaries’ operations are measured in their local currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of each reporting period and revenue and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of comprehensive income in our Statement of Stockholders’ Equity.
Transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting entity’s functional currency may give rise to transaction gains and losses that impact our results of operations. In the six months ended October 31, 2005, we recognized foreign currency gains of $0.1 million, primarily related to our Europe operations on our Statement of Operations.
Our primary exposure to exchange losses is based on outstanding inter-company loan balances denominated in U.S. dollars. If the U.S. dollar strengthened 15%, 25% and 35% against Pounds Sterling, the Euro, the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar and the Yen, the Company’s exchange loss would have been $0.5 million, $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, based on outstanding balances at October 31, 2005.
Interest Rate Risk
As of October 31, 2005, we had no outstanding balance on our credit facility. We have $57.0 million of borrowings against the cash surrender value of COLI contracts as of October 31, 2005 bearing interest primarily at variable rates. The risk of fluctuations in these variable rates is minimized by the fact that we receive a corresponding adjustment to our borrowed funds crediting rate on the cash surrender value on our COLI contracts.
In June 2002, we issued $40.0 million of 7.5% Convertible Debt and $10.0 million of 7.5% Convertible Preferred Stock that is mandatorily redeemable by us if still outstanding on June 13, 2010.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures conducted as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act) are effective.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
During the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2005, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: December 9, 2005
/s/ GARY D. BURNISON
Gary D. Burnison
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