Form: 8-K

Current report filing

June 8, 2005

Exhibit 99.1

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contacts: For investors:

Gary Burnison (310) 226-2613

For media:

Michael Distefano (310) 843-4199

 

Korn/Ferry International Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Earnings

 

Highlights:

 

  •   Fiscal 2005 diluted earnings per share was $0.90 compared to $0.13 in the prior year. Fourth quarter fiscal 2005 diluted earnings per share was $0.27 compared to $0.21 in the prior year fourth quarter.

 

  •   Net income was $38.6 million in the current year compared to $5.4 million in the prior year. Net income for the quarter was $11.7 million, an improvement of 34% from $8.7 million in the prior year.

 

  •   Fiscal 2005 fee revenue was $452.2 million, an increase of $123.9 million, or 38%, from $328.3 million in the prior year. Fourth quarter fiscal 2005 fee revenue of $124.0 million, increased $26.3 million, or 27%, from $97.7 million in the prior year.

 

Los Angeles, CA, June 8, 2005 - Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), the leading provider of executive search, outsourced recruiting and leadership development solutions, announced fiscal 2005 diluted earnings per share of $0.90 compared to $0.13 last year. Fourth quarter fiscal 2005 diluted earnings per share was $0.27 compared to $0.21 in Q4’04.

 

“We’re seeing continued strong global demand for executive-level jobs despite high oil prices and volatile equity markets,” said Paul C. Reilly, Chairman and CEO of Korn/Ferry. “As companies have wrung out inefficiencies in the marketplace, the stronger competitive environment is heating up the war for talent. The result is a greater sense of urgency on hiring managers and increased pressure for effective talent management and retention strategies.”


Financial Results

 

Actual and Adjusted Results

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

     Fourth Quarter

    Year to Date

 
     Actual

    Actual

    Adjusted (a)

 
     Q4’05

    Q4’04

    FY05

    FY04

    FY04

 

Fee Revenue

   $ 124.0     $ 97.7     $ 452.2     $ 328.3     $ 328.3  

Revenue

   $ 131.0     $ 103.7     $ 476.4     $ 350.7     $ 350.7  

Operating Income

   $ 18.6     $ 11.3     $ 65.8     $ 15.8     $ 24.3  

Operating Margin

     15.0 %     11.6 %     14.5 %     4.8 %     7.4 %

Net Income

   $ 11.7     $ 8.7     $ 38.6     $ 5.4     $ 13.9  

Basic Earnings Per Share

   $ 0.30     $ 0.23     $ 1.00     $ 0.14     $ 0.37  

Diluted Earnings Per Share

   $ 0.27     $ 0.21     $ 0.90     $ 0.13     $ 0.35  

 

a) Adjusted amounts are non-GAAP financial measures and exclude a restructuring charge of $8.5 million for the year ended April 30, 2004. These charges primarily related to severance and facility charges and did not affect fee revenue or revenue. Korn/Ferry presents adjusted amounts as alternative measures to the actual amounts for comparison purposes. Korn/Ferry uses the adjusted amounts to analyze its operating results since it believes that the restructuring charges do not reflect, and make it difficult to compare, Korn/Ferry’s ongoing operations over various quarters.

 

Fiscal 2005 fee revenue of $452.2 million increased $123.9 million, or 38%, from $328.3 million in the prior year. Fourth quarter fiscal fee revenue of $124.0 million increased $26.3 million, or 27%, from Q4’04 of $97.7 million. Fee revenue improved in all regions due to an increase in the number of new engagements opened in addition to increases in average fees. Exchange rates impacted fee revenue favorably by $12.1 million in the year and $2.6 million in the quarter compared to prior year.

 

Compensation and benefits expense of $292.9 million for the year increased $71.7 million, or 32%, from $221.2 million last year. For the quarter, compensation and benefits expense of $84.4 million increased $19.5 million, or 30%, compared to $64.9 million in Q4’04. The increase reflects additional profitability based rewards as well as an increase due to new consultants joining the firm. Exchange rates impacted compensation and benefit expense unfavorably by $7.3 million in the year and $1.7 million in the quarter compared to last year.

 

Fiscal 2005 general and administrative expense of $83.5 million increased $11.9 million, or 17%, from $71.6 million in the prior year. Business development costs, bad debt expenses and other professional fees increased as a result of increased business activity. The increase also reflects compliance costs associated with Section 404 Sarbanes Oxley Act. General and administrative expense for the quarter was $18.6 million, consistent with Q4’04.

 

Fiscal year operating income improved $50.0 million to $65.8 million from $15.8 million last year. Prior year operating income was impacted by $8.5 million in restructuring costs. Operating margin for the year improved to 14.5% from 4.8% last year. Operating income for the quarter was $18.6 million, an improvement of $7.3 million, or 65%, compared to Q4’04. Operating margin for the quarter increased to 15.0% from 11.6% in the prior year.


Balance Sheet and Liquidity

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was $206.9 million at April 30, 2005 compared to $108.1 million at April 30, 2004.

 

Interest expense, primarily related to borrowings under Company Owned Life Insurance (COLI) policies and Korn/Ferry’s convertible securities, was $10.5 million and $2.4 million in the current year and quarter, respectively, consistent with prior year. At April 30, 2005, Korn/Ferry had no outstanding borrowings under its credit facility.

 

Results by Segment

 

Selected Executive Recruitment Data - Actual and Adjusted

(dollars in millions)

 

     Fourth Quarter

    Year to Date

 
     Actual

    Actual

    Adjusted (a)

 
     Q4’05

    Q4’04

    FY05

    FY04

    FY05

    FY04

 

Fee Revenue

   $ 109.1     $ 87.6     $ 398.3     $ 294.1     $ 398.3     $ 294.1  

Revenue

   $ 114.6     $ 92.4     $ 417.9     $ 312.5     $ 417.9     $ 312.5  

Operating Income

   $ 24.6     $ 16.2     $ 84.1     $ 38.2     $ 82.8     $ 43.6  

Operating Margin

     22.5 %     18.5 %     21.1 %     13.0 %     20.8 %     14.8 %

Average number of Consultants

     394       382       388       380       388       380  

Engagements (b)

     1,722       1,628       6,372       5,427       6,372       5,427  

 

a) Adjusted amounts are non-GAAP financial measures and exclude restructuring charges of ($1.3) million and $5.4 million for the year ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. These charges primarily related to severance and facility charges and did not affect fee revenue or revenue. Korn/Ferry presents adjusted amounts as alternative measures to the actual amounts for comparison purposes. Korn/Ferry uses the adjusted amounts to analyze its operating results since it believes that the restructuring charges do not reflect, and make it difficult to compare, Korn/Ferry’s ongoing operations over various quarters.

 

b) Represents new engagements opened in the respective period.

 

Fourth quarter fee revenue was $109.1 million, an increase of $21.5 million, or 25%, from $87.6 million in Q4’04. Fee revenue improved in all regions due to an increase in the number of new engagements opened as well as increased average fees. Exchange rates impacted fee revenue favorably by $2.2 million in Q4’05 compared to Q4’04.

 

Executive recruitment operating income improved $8.4 million or 52% to $24.6 million in the quarter compared to $16.2 million in Q4’04. Operating margin for the quarter improved to 22.5% compared to 18.5% in the prior year.

 

The total number of consultants at April 30, 2005 was 398, an increase of 19 consultants from April 30, 2004.


Selected Futurestep Data - Actual and Adjusted

(dollars in millions)

 

     Fourth Quarter

    Year to Date

 
     Actual

    Actual

    Adjusted (a)

 
     Q4’05

    Q4’04

    FY05

    FY04

    FY05

    FY04

 

Fee Revenue

   $ 14.9     $ 10.1     $ 53.9     $ 34.2     $ 53.9     $ 34.2  

Revenue

   $ 16.4     $ 11.3     $ 58.5     $ 38.2     $ 58.5     $ 38.2  

Operating Income (loss)

   $ 1.5     $ 0.9     $ 6.4       ($1.6 )   $ 7.7     $ 1.4  

Operating Margin

     9.9 %     8.4 %     12.1 %     (4.6 %)     14.4 %     4.1 %

 

a) Adjusted amounts are non-GAAP financial measures and exclude restructuring charges of $1.3 million and $3.0 million for the year ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. These charges related to severance and facility charges and did not affect fee revenue or revenue. Korn/Ferry presents adjusted amounts as alternative measures to the actual amounts for comparison purposes. Korn/Ferry uses the adjusted amounts to analyze its operating results since it believes that the restructuring charges do not reflect, and make it difficult to compare, Korn/Ferry’s ongoing operations over various quarters.

 

Fourth quarter fee revenue was $14.9 million, an increase of $4.8 million, or 48%, from Q4’04. Fee revenue improved in all regions driven by an increase in the number of new engagements opened combined with Futurestep’s strategic movement toward outsourced recruiting solutions.

 

Futurestep operating income in the quarter improved $0.6 million or 67% to $1.5 million compared to $0.9 million in Q4’04. Operating margin improved to 9.9% from 8.4% in Q4’04.

 

Outlook

 

Assuming constant foreign exchange rates, Korn/Ferry estimates that first quarter fiscal 2006 fee revenue is likely to be in the range of $120 million to $127 million and diluted earnings per share is likely to be in the range of $0.24 to $0.28.

 

Earnings Conference Call Webcast

 

The earnings conference call will be held today at 10:00 AM (EDT) and hosted by Paul Reilly, Chairman and CEO, and Gary Burnison, Chief Operating Officer. The conference call will be webcast and available online at www.kornferry.com, accessible through the Investor Relations section.

 

Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), with 70 offices in 36 countries, is the leading provider of executive search, outsourced recruiting and leadership development solutions. Based in Los Angeles, the firm partners with clients worldwide to deliver unparalleled senior-level search, management assessment, coaching and development and middle management recruitment services through its Futurestep subsidiary. For more information, visit the Korn/Ferry International Web site at www.kornferry.com or the Futurestep Web site at www.futurestep.com.

 

Statements in this press release and our conference call that relate to future results and events (“forward-looking statements”) are based on Korn/Ferry’s current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and


uncertainties which are beyond the control of Korn/Ferry. The potential risks and uncertainties relate to competition, the dependence on attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, the portability of client relationships, local political or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, risks related to the growth and results of Futurestep, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, reliance on information systems and employment liability risk. For a detailed description of risks and uncertainties that could cause differences, please refer to Korn/Ferry’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Korn/Ferry disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

[Tables attached]


KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
April 30,


   

Year Ended

April 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Fee revenue

   $ 123,996     $ 97,732     $ 452,194     $ 328,331  

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expense

     7,035       5,988       24,183       22,372  
    


 


 


 


Total revenue

     131,031       103,720       476,377       350,703  

Compensation and benefits

     84,412       64,879       292,913       221,177  

General and administrative expense

     18,562       18,597       83,544       71,623  

Out-of-pocket engagement expense

     7,719       6,757       25,702       23,557  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,714       2,197       8,437       10,030  

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         8,526  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expense

     112,407       92,430       410,596       334,913  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     18,624       11,290       65,781       15,790  

Interest and other (expense) income, net

     (719 )     (1,392 )     (7,103 )     (8,124 )
    


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries

     17,905       9,898       58,678       7,666  

Provision for income taxes

     4,963       1,543       20,251       3,218  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries

     (1,227 )     379       193       955  
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 11,715     $ 8,734     $ 38,620     $ 5,403  
    


 


 


 


Interest expense on convertible securities, net of taxes

     759       1,019       3,103       —    
    


 


 


 


Net income adjusted for computation of diluted EPS

   $ 12,474     $ 9,753     $ 41,723     $ 5,403  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.30       0.23     $ 1.00     $ 0.14  
    


 


 


 


Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     39,139       37,445       38,516       37,466  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.27     $ 0.21     $ 0.90     $ 0.13  
    


 


 


 


Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     46,675       46,019       46,229       40,311  
    


 


 


 



KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL SUMMARY BY SEGMENT

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended April 30,

          Year Ended April 30,

       
     2005

          2004

          2005

          2004

       

Fee Revenue:

                                                        

Executive recruitment:

                                                        

North America

   $ 63,207           $ 51,582           $ 225,850           $ 170,678        

Europe

     30,590             22,344             110,455             78,236        

Asia/Pacific

     12,015             11,604             51,196             36,818        

South America

     3,327             2,097             10,828             8,371        
    


       


       


       


     

Total executive recruitment

     109,139             87,627             398,329             294,103        

Futurestep

     14,857             10,105             53,865             34,228        
    


       


       


       


     

Total fee revenue

     123,996             97,732             452,194             328,331        
    


       


       


       


     

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     7,035             5,988             24,183             22,372        
    


       


       


       


     

Total revenue

   $ 131,031           $ 103,720           $ 476,377           $ 350,703        
    


       


       


       


     
           Margin

          Margin

          Margin

          Margin

 

Operating Income (Loss):

                                                        

Executive recruitment:

                                                        

North America

   $ 18,156     29 %   $ 12,361     24 %   $ 53,635     24 %   $ 35,983     21 %

Europe

     4,081     13 %     2,047     9 %     19,531     18 %     (1,912 )   (2 %)

Asia/Pacific

     1,989     17 %     1,948     17 %     9,594     19 %     3,998     11 %

South America

     337     10 %     (139 )   (7 %)     1,320     12 %     177     2 %
    


       


       


       


     

Total executive recruitment

     24,563     23 %     16,217     19 %     84,080     21 %     38,246     13 %

Futurestep

     1,476     10 %     850     8 %     6,483     12 %     (1,574 )   (5 %)

Corporate

     (7,415 )           (5,777 )           (24,782 )           (20,882 )      
    


       


       


       


     

Total operating income

   $ 18,624     15 %   $ 11,290     12 %   $ 65,781     15 %   $ 15,790     5 %
    


       


       


       


     
           Margin

          Margin

          Margin

          Margin

 

*Adjusted Operating Income (Loss):

                                                        

Executive recruitment:

                                                        

North America

   $ 18,156     29 %   $ 12,361     24 %   $ 52,752     23 %   $ 36,247     21 %

Europe

     4,081     13 %     2,047     9 %     19,185     17 %     2,998     4 %

Asia/Pacific

     1,989     17 %     1,948     17 %     9,567     19 %     4,158     11 %

South America

     337     10 %     (139 )   (7 %)     1,320     12 %     235     3 %
    


       


       


       


     

Total executive recruitment

     24,563     23 %     16,217     19 %     82,824     21 %     43,638     15 %

Futurestep

     1,476     10 %     850     8 %     7,739     14 %     1,408     4 %

Corporate

     (7,415 )           (5,777 )           (24,782 )           (20,730 )      
    


       


       


       


     

Total adjusted operating income

   $ 18,624     15 %   $ 11,290     12 %   $ 65,781     15 %   $ 24,316     7 %
    


       


       


       


     

 

* Adjusted operating income (loss) excludes restructuring charges related to severance and facilities of $8.5 million for the year ended April 30, 2004. Executive recruitment restructuring adjustments were $(1.3) million and $5.4 million, Futurestep restructuring charges were $1.3 million and $3.0 million and Corporate restructuring charges were $0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the year ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.


KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     As of
April 30, 2005


    As of
April 30, 2004


 

ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 199,133     $ 108,102  

Marketable Securities

     7,815       —    

Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,307 and $6,159

     68,942       52,306  

Income taxes and other receivables

     5,579       5,812  

Deferred income taxes

     8,864       9,320  

Prepaid expenses

     13,710       10,128  
    


 


Total current assets

     304,043       185,668  
    


 


Property and equipment, net

     18,287       19,603  

Cash surrender value of company owned life insurance policies, net of loans

     65,047       58,868  

Deferred income taxes

     30,889       27,352  

Goodwill

     107,014       98,481  

Deferred financing costs, investments and other

     8,362       7,670  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 533,642     $ 397,642  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Accounts payable

   $ 7,196     $ 8,676  

Income taxes payable

     15,400       2,956  

Compensation and benefits payable

     107,009       60,957  

Other accrued liabilities

     28,792       24,785  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     158,397       97,374  
    


 


Deferred compensation and other retirement plans

     59,134       53,018  

Long-term debt

     44,949       44,400  

Other liabilities

     7,991       11,456  

7.5% Convertible mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, net of unamortized discount and issuance costs, redemption value $11,387

     10,795       10,512  
    


 


Total liabilities

     281,266       216,760  

Shareholders’ equity

                

Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 41,097 and 39,363 shares issued and 39,887 and 38,170 shares outstanding

     330,745       307,003  

Retained deficit

     (82,584 )     (121,204 )

Unearned restricted stock compensation

     (4,355 )     (2,341 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     9,679       (1,596 )
    


 


Shareholders’ equity

     253,485       181,862  

Less: Notes receivable from shareholders

     (1,109 )     (980 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     252,376       180,882  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 533,642     $ 397,642