Form 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report: July 30, 2004

(Date of earliest event reported)

 


 

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter)

 


 

Delaware   000-25837   36-2681268

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File No.)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4200

Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

312-496-1200

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

 

n/a

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 



Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description


99.1  

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

News Release Dated July 30, 2004

 

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Conditions

 

On July 30, 2004, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. issued a news release reporting its 2004 Second Quarter Financial Results. A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference. The information in Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished pursuant to both Item 9 and Item 12 of Form 8-K.

 

The information being furnished shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.


SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

/s/ Fritz E. Freidinger


Fritz E. Freidinger, Secretary

 

Dated: July 30, 2004

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

H E I D R I C K   &   S T R U G G L E S

 

NEWS    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES REPORTS 2004 SECOND QUARTER

FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

Net revenue up 20% versus prior year, up 12% sequentially

Diluted earnings per share $0.34, up 55% sequentially

Operating margin reaches 8.8%

 

CHICAGO (July 30, 2004)—Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSII), the world’s premiere executive search and leadership consulting firm, today announced its financial results for the 2004 second quarter.

 

2004 Second Quarter Overview

 

  Consolidated net revenue was $97.9 million, an increase of 20 percent from $81.7 million in the 2003 second quarter, and a sequential increase of 12 percent from $87.2 million in the 2004 first quarter. Excluding the positive impact of exchange rate fluctuations of $2.8 million in the 2004 second quarter, net revenue increased by approximately 16 percent from the 2003 second quarter.

 

  Operating income was $8.6 million, compared to an operating loss of $1.6 million in the 2003 second quarter, and operating income of $5.1 million in the 2004 first quarter. 2003 second quarter results include $8.0 million related to executive separation agreements and other severance costs.

 

  Operating margin was 8.8 percent, compared to a 2.0 percent operating loss in the 2003 second quarter, and a 5.9 percent operating margin in the 2004 first quarter.

 

  Net income was $6.9 million, compared to a net loss of $2.6 million in the 2003 second quarter, and net income of $4.2 million in the 2004 first quarter.

 

  Diluted earnings per share were $0.34, compared to a 2003 second quarter loss per share of $0.14, and diluted earnings per share of $0.22 in the 2004 first quarter. Net income in 2004 includes the benefit of a tax rate lower than the statutory rate, resulting primarily from a full valuation allowance recorded in the 2003 fourth quarter which eliminates U.S. federal income tax expense for the near future.

 

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  Cash at quarter end was $118.7 million, $22.8 million higher than one year ago, and $21.3 million higher than at the end of the 2004 first quarter.

 

“We are very pleased with our revenue and earnings performance and cash generation this quarter,” said Thomas J. Friel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Heidrick & Struggles. “Our robust revenue translated into a strong earnings per share result due to our disciplined approach to costs. Because the revenue growth varies across geographic regions and practice areas, we intend to retain a flexible cost structure that is responsive to shifts in economic and seasonal cycles.”

 

Consolidated salaries and employee benefits expense in the 2004 second quarter was $66.3 million, up 5 percent from $62.9 million in the comparable quarter last year. The expense increase was primarily the result of bonus accruals that increased with higher revenue levels, offset by a significant reduction in severance costs. Excluding $8.0 million of severance costs in the 2003 second quarter – which we believe provides a better comparison for assessing core operations – salaries and benefits expense as a percent of sales were similar to last year, at 68 percent in the 2004 second quarter and 67 percent in the 2003 second quarter.

 

Consolidated general and administrative expense increased 13 percent to $23.0 million in the 2004 second quarter compared to $20.4 million in the 2003 second quarter. Expenses increased as a result of selective investments in hiring, marketing, and training programs.

 

In the 2004 second quarter, the number of confirmed executive searches increased 11 percent from the 2003 second quarter. As of June 30, 2004 the company employed 296 consultants, compared to 311 as of December 31, 2003, and 318 as of June 30, 2003.

 

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- 3 -

 

Results by Segment

 

Net revenue in North America was $53.7 million, a 20 percent increase from $44.7 million in the 2003 second quarter. The Financial Services, Consumer and Technology practices reported the most significant increases in the 2004 second quarter compared to the 2003 second quarter, while the Professional Services practice posted the most significant decline. Operating income for the region increased 9 percent in the quarter to $11.1 million from $10.2 million in last year’s second quarter.

 

In Latin America, net revenue was $3.1 million, an 18 percent increase from $2.7 million in the 2003 second quarter. The 2004 second quarter operating income was $134,000, compared to $103,000 in the 2003 second quarter.

 

Net revenue in Europe was $32.5 million, a 15 percent increase from $28.2 million in the 2003 second quarter. Excluding the positive impact of exchange rate fluctuations of $2.4 million, net revenue increased by approximately 7 percent from the same quarter in 2003. Net revenue for the Financial Services and Consumer practices was strong in the 2004 second quarter compared to the 2003 second quarter, while the Industrial practice reported the largest decline. The region recorded operating income of $0.6 million in the 2004 second quarter, compared to an operating loss of $1.9 million in last year’s second quarter. When compared to the prior year’s second quarter, excluding 2003 severance costs, operating income increased by $0.6 million.

 

In Asia Pacific, net revenue was $8.6 million, an increase of 41 percent from $6.1 million in the 2003 second quarter. Operating income was $2.3 million in the 2004 second quarter, compared to $1.1 million in the same period of 2003.

 

Corporate expenses were $5.5 million in the 2004 second quarter, compared to $11.1 million last year. When compared to the prior year’s second quarter, excluding 2003 executive severance costs, total corporate expenses declined by $0.2 million.

 

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- 4 -

 

Six Month Results

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, consolidated net revenue was $185.2 million, a 17 percent increase from $159.0 million for the first six months of 2003. Operating income was $13.7 million, compared to an operating loss of $6.5 million last year. Operating income for the first six months of 2003, excluding approximately $8.0 million in severance costs and $5.5 million in restructuring costs, which we believe provides a better comparison for assessing core operations, was $7.0 million. Net income was $11.2 million, compared to a net loss of $9.3 million last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.56, compared to a loss per share of $0.52 last year.

 

Outlook

 

“We remain confident with year-over-year growth for the remainder of 2004, but remind investors the first and second quarters are historically the stronger quarters of the year,” said Friel.

 

For full year 2004, the company expects that net revenue will grow at a rate in the low- to mid-teens. This performance assumes that the worldwide economy will continue to recover. At that level of net revenue growth, the company would expect to generate operating margins in the 6 percent to 8 percent range. For the 2004 third quarter, net revenue is anticipated to be in the range of $87 million to $92 million. At those net revenue levels, the company expects that diluted earnings per share would range from $0.20 to $0.25. These results assume an estimated full year effective tax rate of 21 percent. The company’s effective tax rate is impacted by country-level results, which vary from period to period. In addition, a full valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2003 which eliminates U.S. federal income tax expense for the near future.

 

Webcast of Investor Call Available Today

 

The company will provide a real-time webcast of its investor call on Friday, July 30, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. Chicago Time to review its 2004 second quarter financial results. The call will last up to one hour and will feature remarks by Chairman and CEO Thomas J. Friel, CFO Eileen A. Kamerick and Worldwide Controller Todd T. Welu. The webcast will be available online, along with any slides accompanying management’s remarks, at www.heidrick.com or through CCBN’s individual investor center at www.companyboardroom.com. Listeners should log on approximately ten minutes in advance to ensure they are set up to receive the webcast. A replay will be available for up to 30 days following the investor call.

 

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- 5 -

 

About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is the world’s premier provider of senior-level executive search and leadership services, including executive assessment and professional development. For 50 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, visit www.heidrick.com.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

This news release contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect the outcome of the forward-looking statements include, among other things, our ability to attract and retain qualified executive search consultants; the condition of the economies in the United States, Europe, or elsewhere; social or political instability in markets where we operate; price competition; an inability to achieve the planned cost savings from our cost-reduction initiatives; an inability to sublease or assign unused office space; our ability to realize our tax loss carryforwards; the mix of profit and loss by country; an impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets; and delays in the development and/or implementation of new technology and systems. Our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also include information on factors that may affect the outcome of forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

# # #

 

Contact

 

Eric Sodorff (media)

+1 312-496-1613 or esodorff@heidrick.com

Eileen Kamerick (analysts)

+1 312-496-1557 or ekamerick@heidrick.com

Todd Welu (analysts)

+1 312-496-1637 or twelu@heidrick.com


Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,


             
     2004

    2003

    $ Change

    % Change

 

Revenue:

                              

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

   $ 97,926     $ 81,674     $ 16,252     19.9 %

Reimbursements

     4,954       6,221       (1,267 )   -20.4 %
    


 


 


     

Total revenue

     102,880       87,895       14,985     17.0 %

Operating expenses:

                              

Salaries and employee benefits

     66,299       62,917       3,382     5.4 %

General and administrative expenses

     23,024       20,398       2,626     12.9 %

Reimbursed expenses

     4,954       6,221       (1,267 )   -20.4 %
    


 


 


     

Total operating expenses

     94,277       89,536       4,741     5.3 %
    


 


 


     

Operating income (loss)

     8,603       (1,641 )     10,244        

Non-operating income (expense):

                              

Interest income

     331       468                

Interest expense

     (18 )     (53 )              

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity and warrant portfolio (1)

     644       21                

Other, net

     83       (315 )              
    


 


             

Net non-operating income

     1,040       121                

Income (loss) before income taxes (2)

     9,643       (1,520 )              

Provision for income taxes

     2,717       1,089                
    


 


             

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,926     $ (2,609 )              
    


 


             

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.36     $ (0.14 )              

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     19,000       18,138                

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.34     $ (0.14 )              

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     20,082       18,138                

Salaries and employee benefits as a percentage of net revenue

     67.7 %     77.0 %              

General and administrative expense as a percentage of net revenue

     23.5 %     25.0 %              

Effective tax rate

     28.2 %     —                  


Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

 

Segment Information

 

(In thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,

 
     2004

    2003

    $ Change

    % Change

    2004
Margin *


    2003
Margin *


 

Revenue:

                                          

North America

   $ 53,723     $ 44,728     $ 8,995     20.1 %            

Latin America

     3,133       2,658       475     17.9 %            

Europe

     32,460       28,179       4,281     15.2 %            

Asia Pacific

     8,610       6,109       2,501     40.9 %            
    


 


 


                 

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

     97,926       81,674       16,252     19.9 %            

Reimbursements

     4,954       6,221       (1,267 )   -20.4 %            
    


 


 


                 

Total revenue

   $ 102,880     $ 87,895     $ 14,985     17.0 %            
    


 


 


                 

Operating Income (Loss):

                                          

North America

   $ 11,078     $ 10,161     $ 917     9.0 %   20.6 %   22.7 %

Latin America

     134       103       31     30.1 %   4.3 %   3.9 %

Europe

     582       (1,949 )     2,531           1.8 %      

Asia Pacific

     2,348       1,090       1,258           27.3 %   17.8 %
    


 


 


                 

Total regions

     14,142       9,405       4,737     50.4 %   14.4 %   11.5 %

Corporate

     (5,539 )     (11,046 )     5,507     49.9 %            
    


 


 


                 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 8,603     $ (1,641 )   $ 10,244           8.8 %      
    


 


 


                 

* Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)


Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


             
     2004

    2003

    $ Change

    % Change

 

Revenue:

                              

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

   $ 185,155     $ 158,985     $ 26,170     16.5 %

Reimbursements

     10,153       11,886       (1,733 )   -14.6 %
    


 


 


     

Total revenue

     195,308       170,871       24,437     14.3 %

Operating expenses:

                              

Salaries and employee benefits (3)

     127,668       117,067       10,601     9.1 %

General and administrative expenses

     43,771       42,960       811     1.9 %

Reimbursed expenses

     10,153       11,886       (1,733 )   -14.6 %

Restructuring charges (4)

     —         5,500       (5,500 )      
    


 


 


     

Total operating expenses

     181,592       177,413       4,179     2.4 %
    


 


 


     

Operating income (loss)

     13,716       (6,542 )     20,258        

Non-operating income (expense):

                              

Interest income

     695       960                

Interest expense

     (23 )     (90 )              

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity and warrant portfolio (1)

     522       248                

Other, net

     (106 )     (1,137 )              
    


 


             

Net non-operating income (expense)

     1,088       (19 )              

Income (loss) before income taxes

     14,804       (6,561 )              

Provision for income taxes (2)

     3,653       2,785                
    


 


             

Net income (loss)

   $ 11,151     $ (9,346 )              
    


 


             

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.59     $ (0.52 )              

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     18,745       18,147                

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.56     $ (0.52 )              

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     19,755       18,147                

Salaries and employee benefits as a percentage of net revenue

     69.0 %     73.6 %              

General and administrative expense as a percentage of net revenue

     23.6 %     27.0 %              

Effective tax rate

     24.7 %     —                  


Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

 

Segment Information

 

(In thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,

 
     2004

    2003

    $ Change

    % Change

   

2004

Margin *


   

2003

Margin *


 

Revenue:

                                          

North America

   $ 99,620     $ 86,546     $ 13,074     15.1 %            

Latin America

     5,670       4,936       734     14.9 %            

Europe

     64,579       56,438       8,141     14.4 %            

Asia Pacific

     15,286       11,065       4,221     38.1 %            
    


 


 


                 

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

     185,155       158,985       26,170     16.5 %            

Reimbursements

     10,153       11,886       (1,733 )   -14.6 %            
    


 


 


                 

Total revenue

   $ 195,308     $ 170,871     $ 24,437     14.3 %            
    


 


 


                 

Operating Income (Loss):

                                          

North America

   $ 20,742     $ 16,042     $ 4,700     29.3 %   20.8 %   18.5 %

Latin America

     48       (20 )     68           0.8 %      

Europe

     1,362       (1,384 )     2,746           2.1 %      

Asia Pacific

     3,399       1,529       1,870           22.2 %   13.8 %
    


 


 


                 

Total regions

     25,551       16,167       9,384     58.0 %   13.8 %   10.2 %

Corporate

     (11,835 )     (17,209 )     5,374     31.2 %            
    


 


 


                 

Operating income (loss) before restructuring charges

     13,716       (1,042 )     14,758           7.4 %      

Restructuring charges

     —         (5,500 )     5,500                    
    


 


 


                 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 13,716     $ (6,542 )   $ 20,258                    
    


 


 


                 

* Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)


Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

    

June 30,

2004


  

December 31,

2003


Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 118,674    $ 119,289

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

     64,789      46,847

Other receivables

     1,895      3,191

Prepaid expenses

     7,659      9,022
    

  

Total current assets

     193,017      178,349
    

  

Property and equipment, net

     29,982      33,466
    

  

Other non-current assets:

             

Assets designated for retirement and pension plans

     27,703      28,751

Investments

     4,342      2,842

Other non-current assets

     3,603      4,226

Goodwill

     48,594      48,627

Other intangible assets, net

     7,328      7,771
    

  

Total other non-current assets

     91,570      92,217
    

  

Total assets

   $ 314,569    $ 304,032
    

  

Current liabilities:

             

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 214    $ 568

Accounts payable

     7,791      7,196

Accrued salaries and employee benefits

     68,983      61,275

Other accrued liabilities

     20,661      21,660

Current portion of accrued restructuring charges

     12,525      18,090

Income taxes payable, net

     3,779      4,349
    

  

Total current liabilities

     113,953      113,138
    

  

Non-current liabilities:

             

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     27      26

Retirement and pension plans

     31,616      32,232

Non-current portion of accrued restructuring charges

     23,704      27,698

Other non-current liabilities

     4,751      4,729
    

  

Total non-current liabilities

     60,098      64,685
    

  

Stockholders’ equity

     140,518      126,209
    

  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 314,569    $ 304,032
    

  


Schedule Notes:

 

(1) The Company receives warrants for equity securities in its client companies, in addition to its cash fee, for services rendered on some searches. The warrants are recorded at fair value. Some of the warrants meet the definition of a derivative instrument under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its subsequent amendments. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, subsequent changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations rather than a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Warrants which do not meet the definition of a derivative instrument are regularly reviewed for declines in fair value. Upon a value event such as an initial public offering or an acquisition, the equity securities arising from the exercise of the warrants are recorded at fair value, resulting in an unrealized gain, net of the consultants’ share of the gain and other costs.

 

(2) The Company’s income tax provision reflects an expense of $1.2 million and $4.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively, to reduce certain deferred tax assets, representing the excess of expense for accounting purposes over the deduction for tax purposes, required to be recorded upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. In 2004, the Company anticipates that it will generate a loss for U.S. income tax purposes, due primarily to the timing of tax deductions related to restructuring charges, and therefore, does not anticipate recording or paying any U.S. income tax in 2004. The Company will however continue to record and pay income tax expense for certain of its foreign operations.

 

(3) During the second quarter of 2003, the Company recorded $5.2 million of expense related to the separation agreements of the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Chief Operating Officer and $2.8 million of other severance expense, primarily in Europe and North America.

 

(4) In 2001, the Company began the restructuring of its business to better align costs with expected net revenue levels. During 2001, 2002 and 2003 the Company recorded restructuring charges of $53.2 million, $48.5 million and $29.4 million, respectively.

 

Included in these restructuring charges are $5.5 million, recorded in the first quarter of 2003, to increase previously established accruals associated with unused office space to reflect the expectation that longer vacancy periods will result in costs that are higher than previously anticipated. By segment, the restructuring charges recorded in the first quarter of 2003 are as follows: North America $0.4 million and Europe $5.1 million.