Form: 8-K

Current report filing

June 6, 2007

EXHIBIT 99.1

For Immediate Release

Contacts: For investors:

Gary Burnison (310) 226-2613

For media:

Anneli Ballard (212) 984-9350

Korn/Ferry International Completes a Record Year

Highlights

 

  •  

Fourth quarter fiscal 2007 fee revenue was a record $179.7 million, an increase of $34.4 million, or 24%, from $145.3 million in the same quarter last year.

 

  •  

Adjusted fourth quarter fiscal 2007 diluted earnings per share was $0.37, an increase of 19% over Q4’06 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.31. Q4’07 GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.30 compared to $0.45 in the prior year fourth quarter. Adjusted fourth quarter results exclude the impact of certain non-GAAP measures as shown in the table on Page 2.

Los Angeles, CA, June 6, 2007—Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), a premier global provider of talent management solutions, announced fourth quarter fiscal 2007 diluted earnings per share of $0.30 compared to $0.45 in Q4’06. Excluding the impact of SFAS 123(R), and previously announced one-time charges in the current quarter, diluted earnings per share was $0.37, and excluding a tax benefit, Q4’06 diluted earnings per share was $0.31.

“I am so proud of all of our lines of business for this record year of both revenues and profits,” said Paul C. Reilly, Chairman and CEO, Korn/Ferry. “Korn/Ferry has had an outstanding reputation over the past four decades, but I believe that it will be Fiscal 2007 which will mark the place in time where the company truly evolved from not only a great search firm but also a unique and diversified talent management provider.”

 


Financial Results

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

     Fourth Quarter     Year Ended  
     Q4’07     Q4’06     2007     2006  

Fee Revenue

   $ 179.7     $ 145.3     $ 653.4     $ 522.9  

Revenue

   $ 189.8     $ 152.9     $ 689.2     $ 551.8  

Operating Income

   $ 19.4     $ 20.6     $ 82.3     $ 76.2  

Operating Margin

     10.8 %     14.2 %     12.6 %     14.6 %

Net Income

   $ 13.5     $ 20.3     $ 55.5     $ 59.4  

Diluted Earnings Per Share

   $ 0.30     $ 0.45     $ 1.24     $ 1.32  

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted Results*

        

Net Income, GAAP

   $ 13.5     $ 20.3     $ 55.5     $ 59.4  

Reconciling Income Items, Net of Taxes:

        

SFAS 123 (R) Expense

   $ 0.8       —       $ 3.6       —    

Employment Contract Changes

   $ 3.3       —       $ 3.3       —    

Reversal of Lease Reserve

   ($ 0.4 )     —       ($ 0.4 )     —    

Loss Recovery on Investment

     —         —         —       ($ 4.5 )

One-Time Tax Benefit, Net

     —       ($ 6.5 )     —       ($ 6.5 )
                                

Adjusted Results:

        

Net Income

   $ 17.2     $ 13.8     $ 62.0     $ 48.4  
                                

Operating Margin

     14.0 %     14.2 %     14.2 %     14.6 %

Diluted Earnings Per Share

   $ 0.37     $ 0.31     $ 1.38     $ 1.09  

 

* Adjusted Q4’07 results, net of taxes, exclude the effect of SFAS 123(R), which was implemented in Q1’07, a $3.3 million charge for employment contract changes and a $0.4 million reversal of a previously established lease restructuring reserve. Adjusted 2006 results, net of taxes, exclude the effect of a $4.5 million loss recovery on an investment sold by the Company in Q3’06 and a net $6.5 million one-time tax benefit recorded in Q4’06. These are non-GAAP measures that the Company’s management believes provide useful information regarding the ongoing results of operations because they have been prepared on a basis comparable to that used in prior periods. These measures are not intended to replace Net Income or EPS measured in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (see attached reconciliation).

Fee revenue of $179.7 million in Q4’07 increased $34.4 million, or 24% (19% on a constant currency basis), from $145.3 million in Q4’06. Fee revenue improved globally due to an increase in revenues from all segments of the business with an increase in the number of search engagements opened as well as an 18% increase in the average fee billed per executive search engagement compared to the prior year. Exchange rates impacted fee revenue in Q4’07 favorably by $6.9 million compared to Q4’06.

Excluding the $4.5 million unfavorable impact of exchanges rates, a $5.2 million charge for executive employment contract changes and the SFAS 123(R) impact of $1.1 million compensation and benefits were $118.0 million in Q4’07, an increase of $22.9 million, or 24%, compared to $95.1 million in Q4’06. The increase is primarily attributable to profitability based compensation and, to a lesser extent, higher headcount in all segments of the Company. Actual compensation and benefits for Q4’07 was $128.8 million compared to $95.1 million in Q4’06, an increase of 35%.


Excluding the $1.1 million unfavorable impact of exchange rates, general and administrative expenses of $24.8 million in Q4’07 decreased by $0.6 million, or 2%, from $25.4 million in Q4’06 as an increase in business volume was offset by cost control efforts. Actual general and administrative expenses were $25.9 million in Q4’07 compared to $25.4 in Q4’06, an increase of 2%.

Excluding the previously announced one-time charges and the impact of SFAS 123(R) operating income was $25.1 million in Q4’07 compared to $20.6 million in Q4’06, an increase of 22%. Actual operating income was $19.4 million in Q4’07, a decrease of $1.2 million or 6%, over Q4’06. Adjusted for the effect of the one-time charges and SFAS 123(R), operating margin for the quarter was 14.0%.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $324.3 million at April 30, 2007 compared to $278.2 million at April 30, 2006. The increase was due primarily to improved operating cash flows.

Through April 30, 2007, the Company has used approximately $75 million of the $125 million of share repurchase funds, authorized by the Board of Directors in December 2005, June 2006 and March 2007, to buy back approximately 3.56 million shares.

Interest expense was $2.5 million in Q4’07 compared to $2.7 million in the same period last year. Interest expense in both years related primarily to borrowings under Korn/Ferry’s convertible securities and COLI policies. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to the conversion of all of the Company’s convertible securities to common shares during Q4’07. At April 30, 2007, Korn/Ferry had no outstanding borrowings under its credit facility.

 


Results by Segment

Selected Executive Recruitment Data

(dollars in millions)

 

     Fourth Quarter     Year Ended  
     Q4’07     Q4’06     2007     2006  

Fee Revenue

   $ 157.1     $ 126.7     $ 567.6     $ 452.7  

Revenue

   $ 164.2     $ 132.7     $ 594.9     $ 474.9  

Operating Income

   $ 31.3     $ 29.4     $ 111.9     $ 100.7  

Operating Margin

     19.9 %     23.2 %     19.7 %     22.2 %

Average number of consultants

     488       438       465       419  

Engagements (a)

     1,797       1,750       6,894       6,291  

 

  (a) Represents new engagements opened in the respective period.

Fee revenue was $157.1 million in Q4’07, an increase of $30.4 million, or 24.0%, from $126.7 million in Q4’06. Fee revenue improved in all regions due to an increase in the overall number of engagements and average fee per engagement.

Excluding the $1.1 million effect of SFAS 123(R), operating income was $32.4 million, an increase of $3.0 million, or 10.2%, over the prior year. Actual operating income improved $1.9 million in Q4’07, or 6.5%, to $31.3 million compared to $29.4 million in Q4’06.

The total number of consultants at April 30, 2007 was 490, an increase of 50 from April 30, 2006.

Selected Futurestep Data

(dollars in millions)

 

     Fourth Quarter     Year Ended  
     Q4’07     Q4’06     2007     2006  

Fee Revenue

   $ 22.6     $ 18.6     $ 85.8     $ 70.2  

Revenue

   $ 25.5     $ 20.3     $ 94.3     $ 76.8  

Operating Income (Loss)

   $ 2.7     ($ 1.4 )   $ 7.9     $ 3.4  

Operating Margin

     11.9 %     (7.8 %)     9.2 %     4.8 %

Fee revenue was $22.6 million in Q4’07, an increase of $4.0 million, or 21.5%, from $18.6 million in Q4’06. Improvements in fee revenue were driven by an increase in the average fee for engagements.

Excluding a $0.9 million reversal of a previously recorded lease reserve, operating income was $1.8 million in Q4’07 resulting in an operating margin of 8.1%. Actual operating income was $2.7 million in Q4’07, an increase of $4.1 million from an operating loss of $1.4 million in Q4’06. Operating margin for the quarter increased to 11.9% from an operating loss in the same quarter a year ago.

 


Outlook

Assuming constant foreign exchange rates, Korn/Ferry estimates that first quarter fiscal 2008 fee revenue is likely to be in the range of $176 million to $185 million and diluted earnings per share is likely to be in the range of $0.34 to $0.36.

Earnings Conference Call Webcast

The earnings conference call will be held today at 9:00 AM (EDT) and hosted by Paul C. 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 more than 70 offices in 40 countries, is a premier global provider of talent management solutions. Based in Los Angeles, the firm delivers an array of solutions that help clients to identify, deploy, develop, retain and reward their talent. For more information on the Korn/Ferry International family of companies, visit www.kornferry.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 INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
April 30,
   

Year Ended

April 30,

     2007    2006     2007    2006

Fee revenue

   $ 179,702    $ 145,266     $ 653,422    $ 522,882

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     10,058      7,658       35,779      28,887
                            

Total revenue

     189,760      152,924       689,201      551,769

Compensation and benefits

     128,840      95,096       447,692      341,196

General and administrative expense

     25,881      25,428       105,312      93,462

Out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     13,622      9,358       44,662      31,927

Depreciation and amortization

     2,066      2,405       9,280      9,002
                            

Total operating expense

     170,409      132,287       606,946      475,587
                            

Operating income

     19,351      20,637       82,255      76,182

Interest and other income (expense), net

     533      (434 )     244      842
                            

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

     19,884      20,203       82,499      77,024

Provision for income taxes

     6,980      430       30,164      19,594

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

     635      527       3,163      2,000
                            

Net income

   $ 13,539    $ 20,300     $ 55,498    $ 59,430
                            

Interest expense on convertible securities, net of taxes

     509      759       2,863      3,113
                            

Net income adjusted for computation of diluted EPS

   $ 14,048    $ 21,059     $ 58,361    $ 62,543
                            

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.33    $ 0.51     $ 1.40    $ 1.49
                            

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     41,408      39,874       39,774      39,889
                            

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.30    $ 0.45     $ 1.24    $ 1.32
                            

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     47,252      47,209       46,938      47,270
                            


KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL SUMMARY BY SEGMENT

(in thousands)

 

    

Three Months Ended

April 30,

         

Year Ended

April 30,

       
     2007           2006           2007           2006        

Fee Revenue:

                

Executive recruitment:

                

North America

   $ 91,398       $ 70,237       $ 329,065       $ 259,089    

Europe

     41,277         36,258         146,155         120,059    

Asia/Pacific

     19,818         15,981         74,987         57,922    

South America

     4,649         4,210         17,426         15,660    
                                        

Total executive recruitment

     157,142         126,686         567,633         452,730    

Futurestep

     22,560         18,580         85,789         70,152    
                                        

Total fee revenue

     179,702         145,266         653,422         522,882    
                                        

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     10,058         7,658         35,779         28,887    
                                        

Total revenue

   $ 189,760       $ 152,924       $ 689,201       $ 551,769    
                                        
Operating Income (Loss):          Margin           Margin           Margin           Margin  

Executive recruitment:

                

North America

   $ 18,529     20 %   $ 17,458     25 %   $ 69,815     21 %   $ 62,124     24 %

Europe

     6,775     16 %     6,296     17 %     24,166     17 %     22,361     19 %

Asia/Pacific

     5,401     27 %     4,742     30 %     16,010     21 %     13,374     23 %

South America

     565     12 %     951     23 %     1,894     11 %     2,839     18 %
                                        

Total executive recruitment

     31,270     20 %     29,447     23 %     111,885     20 %     100,698     22 %

Futurestep

     2,713     12 %     (1,442 )   (8 %)     7,854     9 %     3,351     5 %

Corporate

     (14,632 )       (7,368 )       (37,484 )       (27,867 )  
                                        

Total operating income

   $ 19,351     11 %   $ 20,637     14 %   $ 82,255     13 %   $ 76,182     15 %
                                        


KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     As of April 30,  
     2007     2006  

ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 289,106     $ 257,543  

Marketable securities

     35,161       20,654  

Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,822 and $11,880, respectively

     107,751       87,287  

Income taxes and other receivables

     6,357       5,328  

Deferred income taxes

     9,524       9,669  

Prepaid expenses

     16,861       14,019  
                

Total current assets

     464,760       394,500  
                

Property and equipment, net

     25,999       20,533  

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

     76,478       70,592  

Deferred income taxes

     42,013       32,267  

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

     142,308       109,484  

Deferred financing costs, investments and other

     9,933       8,115  
                

Total assets

   $ 761,491     $ 635,491  
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Accounts payable

   $ 10,383     $ 9,731  

Income taxes payable

     22,432       17,138  

Compensation and benefits payable

     158,145       121,885  

Other accrued liabilities

     38,529       27,537  
                

Total current liabilities

     229,489       176,291  
                

Deferred compensation and other retirement plans

     91,360       71,790  

Long-term debt

     —         45,147  

Other liabilities

     7,687       7,523  

7.5% Convertible mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, net of unamortized discount and issuance costs, redemption value of $0 and $11,387, respectively

     —         10,989  
                

Total liabilities

     328,536       311,740  

Shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 52,323 and 43,628 shares issued and 47,174 and 41,201 shares outstanding, respectively

     400,126       344,285  

Retained earnings (deficit)

     32,344       (23,154 )

Unearned restricted stock compensation

     (19,567 )     (7,731 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     20,605       10,910  
                

Shareholders’ equity

     433,508       324,310  

Less: Notes receivable from shareholders

     (553 )     (559 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     432,955       323,751  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 761,491     $ 635,491  
                


KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

EXCLUDING NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

April 30,

 
    2007 - As
Reported
   Adjustments     2007 - As
Adjusted
   2006 - As
Reported
    Adjustments    2006 - As
Adjusted
 

Fee revenue

  $ 179,702      $ 179,702    $ 145,266        $ 145,266  

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

    10,058        10,058      7,658          7,658  
                                  

Total revenue

    189,760        189,760      152,924          152,924  

Compensation and benefits (1), (2)

    128,840    (1,152 )     122,501      95,096          95,096  
     (5,187 )          

General and administrative expense (3)

    25,881    606       26,487      25,428          25,428  

Out-of-pocket engagement expenses

    13,622        13,622      9,358          9,358  

Depreciation and amortization

    2,066        2,066      2,405          2,405  
                                  

Total operating expense

    170,409    (5,733 )     164,676      132,287          132,287  
                                  

Operating income

    19,351        25,084      20,637          20,637  

Interest and other income (expense), net

    533        533      (434 )        (434 )
                                  

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

    19,884        25,617      20,203          20,203  

Provision for income taxes (4), (5)

    6,980    2,093       9,073      430     6,500      6,930  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    635        635      527          527  
                                  

Net income

  $ 13,539      $ 17,179    $ 20,300        $ 13,800  
                                  

Interest expense on convertible securities, net of taxes

    509        509      759          759  
                                  

Net income adjusted for computation of diluted EPS

  $ 14,048      $ 17,688    $ 21,059        $ 14,559  
                                  

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.33      $ 0.41    $ 0.51        $ 0.35  
                                  

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

    41,408        41,408      39,874          39,874  
                                  

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.30      $ 0.37    $ 0.45        $ 0.31  
                                  

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

    47,252        47,252      47,209          47,209  
                                  

Explanation of Non-GAAP Adjustments

For the Three Months Ended April 30, 2007:

 

  (1) $1,152 SFAS 123(R) expense

 

  (2) $5,187 executive compensation contract termination charge

 

  (3) Credit adjustment to previously recorded lease restructuring reserve

 

  (4) Tax effect related to net operating expense adjustments of $5,733

For the Three Months Ended April 30, 2006:

 

  (5) $6,500 one-time tax benefit


KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

EXCLUDING NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

    

Year Ended

April 30,

 
     2007 - As
Reported
   Adjustments     2007 - As
Adjusted
   2006 - As
Reported
   Adjustments     2006 - As
Adjusted
 

Fee revenue

   $ 653,422      $ 653,422    $ 522,882      $ 522,882  

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     35,779        35,779      28,887        28,887  
                                 

Total revenue

     689,201        689,201      551,769        551,769  

Compensation and benefits (1), (2)

     447,692    (5,695 )     436,810      341,196        341,196  
      (5,187 )          

General and administrative expense (3)

     105,312    606       105,918      93,462        93,462  

Out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     44,662        44,662      31,927        31,927  

Depreciation and amortization

     9,280        9,280      9,002        9,002  
                                 

Total operating expense

     606,946    (10,276 )     596,670      475,587        475,587  
                                 

Operating income

     82,255        92,531      76,182        76,182  

Interest and other income (expense), net (5)

     244        244      842    (4,535 )     (3,693 )
                                 

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

     82,499        92,775      77,024        72,489  

Provision for income taxes (4), (6)

     30,164    3,751       33,915      19,594    6,500       26,094  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

     3,163        3,163      2,000        2,000  
                                 

Net income

   $ 55,498      $ 62,023    $ 59,430      $ 48,395  
                                 

Interest expense on convertible securities, net of taxes

     2,863        2,863      3,113        3,113  
                                 

Net income adjusted for computation of diluted EPS

   $ 58,361      $ 64,886    $ 62,543      $ 51,508  
                                 

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 1.40      $ 1.56    $ 1.49      $ 1.21  
                                 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     39,774        39,774      39,889        39,889  
                                 

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 1.24      $ 1.38    $ 1.32      $ 1.09  
                                 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     46,938        46,938      47,270        47,270  
                                 

Explanation of Non-GAAP Adjustments

For the Year Ended April 30, 2007:

 

  (1) $5,695 SFAS 123(R) expense

 

  (2) $5,187 executive compensation contract termination charge recorded in Q4’07

 

  (3) Credit adjustment to previously recorded lease restructuring reserve recorded in Q4’07

 

  (4) Tax effect related to net operating expense adjustments of $10,276

For the Year Ended April 30, 2007:

 

  (5) $4,535 loss recovery on an investment sold by the Company in Q3’06

 

  (6) $6,500 one-time tax benefit recorded in Q4’06