UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 1, 2014

 

 

HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

Delaware   000-50129   59-3547281

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

560 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (212) 351-7300

 

N/A

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

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)

 

 
 

 

 

ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

 

On May 1, 2014, Hudson Global, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2014. A copy of such press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

 

Included in Exhibit 99.1 are references to “liquidity.” The company believes that this non-GAAP measure provides investors useful information about its combined available cash and borrowing capacity.

 

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

(a) Financial Statements.

None.

 

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

None.

 

(c) Shell Company Transactions

None.

 

(d) Exhibits

99.1          Press Release of Hudson Global, Inc. issued on May 1, 2014.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

  HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
  (Registrant)
   
  By: /s/ STEPHEN A. NOLAN
    Stephen A. Nolan
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
     
    Dated: May 1, 2014

 

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Hudson Global, Inc.

Current Report on Form 8-K

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
Number
  Description
99.1   Press Release of Hudson Global, Inc. issued on May 1, 2014.

 

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For Immediate Release   Contact:   David F. Kirby
        Hudson
        212-351-7216
        david.kirby@hudson.com

 

Hudson Global Reports 2014 First Quarter Results

 

Significant Improvements in Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA

Demonstrates Traction of Ongoing Transformation

Accelerating Strategic Actions to Focus on Core Business and Improve Efficiency

 

NEW YORK, NY - May 1, 2014 - Hudson Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSON), a leading global talent solutions company, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

 

2014 First Quarter Summary

 

Revenue of $161.9 million, down 2.3 percent from the first quarter of 2013, or 1.4 percent in constant currency. Sequentially, from the fourth quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014 revenue increased 1.5 percent or 1.4 percent in constant currency, as compared with a decline of 10.1 percent for the same period in 2013.

 

Gross margin of $57.5 million, an increase of 1.5 percent from the first quarter of 2013, or 2.3 percent in constant currency. Sequentially, gross margin improved 1.1 percent in reported and constant currency, as compared with a decrease of 15.3 percent for the same period in 2013.

 

Adjusted EBITDA* loss of $2.1 million, as compared with a loss of $4.9 million in the same period last year. Sequentially, adjusted EBITDA loss increased $0.1 million or 4.6 percent and 12.5 percent in constant currency.

 

Restructuring charges of $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2014, compared with $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2013 and $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, as compared with net loss of $8.2 million, or $0.25 per basic and diluted share in the same period last year. Sequentially, net loss was reduced by 59.8 percent.

 

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

 

“The progress we are making in our transformation was even more evident in the first quarter as we again delivered sequential improvements and achieved year-over-year quarterly gross margin growth,” said Manolo Marquez, chairman and chief executive officer at Hudson. “As we execute our plans we will continue to take further actions to sharpen our focus, invest in our core and build strong momentum in our performance.”

 

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Stephen Nolan, chief financial officer at Hudson said, “We continue to be focused on disciplined execution and investing in our fee earner headcount while aggressively seeking efficiencies and cost savings in our expense base to achieve our goal of positive quarterly adjusted EBITDA during 2014 and deliver sustained growth, profitability and value creation.”

 

Strategic Actions

 

To accelerate the implementation of the company's strategy, we have engaged in the following initiatives:

Investing in the core businesses and practices that present the greatest potential for profitable growth
Further improve the company’s cost structure and efficiency of its support functions and infrastructure
Build and differentiate our brand through our unique talent solutions offerings

 

On April 29, 2014, the company's board of directors authorized management to explore opportunities to divest the Legal eDiscovery business. The purpose of this action is to refocus the company’s core businesses that are expected to maximize stockholder value. On April 30, 2014, the company's management, under the aforementioned authorization by its board of directors, engaged Duff & Phelps to assist the company in exploring a possible sale.  

 

In addition, the company has engaged AlixPartners, LLP, a premier consulting firm in the areas of organization design and operational improvement, to assist management in a comprehensive assessment of the company’s organization and operations. The engagement with AlixPartners is focused on identifying opportunities to better align the organization model to support future growth, and to identify actions that can improve operating efficiencies and effectiveness.

 

Regional Highlights

 

Americas

 

Americas' gross margin decreased 18 percent in the first quarter as compared with the same period in 2013. RPO continued to deliver strong results and, with 53 percent gross margin growth in the first quarter, has become the largest practice in the Americas on a gross margin basis. This growth was offset by declines in Legal eDiscovery and IT of 39 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Sequential gross margin in the Americas decreased 14 percent, as compared with a decrease of 13 percent for the same period in 2013. The sequential decline was driven primarily by gross margin reductions in Legal eDiscovery and IT of 28 percent and 7 percent, respectively. This was partially offset by 18 percent sequential gross margin growth in RPO. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $0.6 million for the first quarter, or 2.4 percent of revenue, compared with a $0.4 million loss, or 1.0 percent of revenue for the same quarter a year ago and adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

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Asia Pacific

 

Asia Pacific’s gross margin increased 6 percent in constant currency in the first quarter as compared with the same period in 2013. Growth in the region was driven by strength in talent management, RPO and permanent recruitment in China. Talent management delivered 35 percent growth in Asia Pacific, led by large assessment and career transition projects in Australia. RPO experienced increasing demand from both new and existing clients, up 14 percent year-over-year in constant currency. Sequential gross margin also increased 6 percent in the region, as compared with a decrease of 18 percent for the same period in 2013. Sequential growth was driven by strength in Australia recruitment, as well as 28 percent growth in talent management in Australia and 24 percent growth in RPO. The region delivered adjusted EBITDA of $0.1 million, or 0.2 percent of revenue, as compared with adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.4 million, or 0.8 percent of revenue in the first quarter of 2013 and adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Europe

 

Europe's gross margin increased 5 percent in constant currency compared with the first quarter of 2013. Against prior year, gross margin growth was driven primarily by permanent recruitment in the UK and France, growing 15 percent and 17 percent in constant currency, respectively. Talent management also grew in the quarter, with gross margin up 6 percent compared with prior year, led by Belgium and the UK. Sequentially, gross margin increased 2 percent in constant currency as compared with a 13 percent sequential decline for the same period a year ago. Sequential gross margin growth was driven by 18 percent temporary contracting growth in the UK and 7 percent permanent recruitment growth in Continental Europe, led by increases in France and Belgium. Europe delivered adjusted EBITDA of $2.4 million, or 3.0 percent of revenue, as compared with adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.1 million, or 0.2 percent of revenue for the quarter a year ago, and positive adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The company ended the first quarter of 2014 with $57.9 million in liquidity, composed of $22.1 million in cash and $35.8 million in availability under its credit facilities. This includes $15.3 million of availability from the RBS facility, which will expire in August 2014 and which the company expects to replace with a new lender. This compares with $37.4 million in cash and $29.8 million in availability under its credit facilities at the end of the fourth quarter of 2013, and $32.5 million in cash and $37.0 million in availability under its credit facilities at the end of the first quarter of 2013. The company used $13.6 million in cash flow from operations during the quarter, of which $12.4 million was due to increased accounts receivable, and had $0.5 million in outstanding borrowings at the end of the first quarter.

 

Business Outlook

 

Given current economic conditions, the company expects second quarter 2014 revenue of between $165 million and $175 million and adjusted EBITDA of between negative $1 million and positive $1 million, excluding $1 million of proxy contest and strategic action costs, at prevailing exchange rates. In the second quarter of 2013, revenue was $171.4 million and adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $2.5 million.

 

Conference Call/Webcast

 

Hudson will conduct a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss this announcement. Individuals wishing to listen can access the webcast on the investor information section of the company's web site at Hudson.com.

 

The archived call will be available on the investor information section of the company's web site at Hudson.com.

 

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About Hudson

 

Hudson is a global talent solutions company with expertise in leadership and specialized recruitment, contracting solutions, recruitment process outsourcing, talent management and eDiscovery. We help our clients and candidates succeed by leveraging our expertise, deep industry and market knowledge, and proprietary assessment tools and techniques. Operating in 20 countries through relationships with millions of specialized professionals, we bring an unparalleled ability to match talent with opportunities by assessing, recruiting, developing and engaging the best and brightest people for our clients. We combine broad geographic presence, world-class talent solutions and a tailored, consultative approach to help businesses and professionals achieve higher performance and outstanding results. More information is available at Hudson.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that the company believes to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including statements regarding the company's future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe” and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including industry and economic conditions' that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, global economic fluctuations; risks related to fluctuations in the company's operating results from quarter to quarter; the ability of clients to terminate their relationship with the company at any time; competition in the company's markets; risks associated with the company's investment strategy; risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; the company's dependence on key management personnel; the company's ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals; the company's ability to collect accounts receivable; the negative cash flows and operating losses that the company has experienced in recent periods and may experience from time to time in the future; restrictions on the company's operating flexibility due to the terms of its credit facilities; the company’s ability to achieve anticipated cost savings through its cost reduction initiatives; the company's heavy reliance on information systems and the impact of potentially losing or failing to develop technology; risks related to providing uninterrupted service to clients; the company's exposure to employment-related claims from clients, employers and regulatory authorities, current and former employees in connection with the company’s business reorganization initiatives and limits on related insurance coverage; the company’s ability to utilize net operating loss carry-forwards; volatility of the company's stock price; the impact of government regulations; restrictions imposed by blocking arrangements; risks related to activist stockholders; risks related to limited availability under the company’s credit facilities; and the company’s ability to successfully achieve its strategic initiatives. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. The company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

###

Financial Tables Follow

 

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HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2014   2013 
Revenue  $161,861   $165,678 
Direct costs   104,332    109,001 
Gross margin   57,529    56,677 
Operating expenses:          
Selling, general and administrative expenses   59,603    61,589 
Depreciation and amortization   1,488    1,648 
Business reorganization expenses   114    1,982 
Total operating expenses   61,205    65,219 
Operating income (loss)   (3,676)   (8,542)
Non-operating income (expense):          
Interest income (expense), net   (144)   (146)
Other income (expense), net   (200)   270 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes   (4,020)   (8,418)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   524    (177)
Net income (loss)  $(4,544)  $(8,241)
Earnings (loss) per share:          
Basic  $(0.14)  $(0.25)
Diluted  $(0.14)  $(0.25)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:          
Basic   32,641    32,344 
Diluted   32,641    32,344 

 

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HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   March 31,
2014
   December 31,
2013
 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $22,110   $37,378 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,084 and $1,108, respectively   99,335    85,901 
Prepaid and other   11,494    8,762 
Total current assets   132,939    132,041 
Property and equipment, net   14,104    13,822 
Deferred tax assets, non-current   6,538    7,124 
Other assets   5,918    5,842 
Total assets  $159,499   $158,829 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $8,618   $9,747 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   60,613    54,722 
Short-term borrowings   547    476 
Accrued business reorganization expenses   2,716    3,810 
Total current liabilities   72,494    68,755 
Deferred rent and tenant improvement contributions   7,396    6,120 
Income tax payable, non-current   2,909    3,872 
Other non-current liabilities   5,465    5,697 
Total liabilities   88,264    84,444 
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding        
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; issued 33,115 and 33,543 shares, respectively   34    34 
Additional paid-in capital   475,957    475,461 
Accumulated deficit   (421,966)   (417,422)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   18,177    17,173 
Treasury stock, 240 and 211 shares, respectively, at cost   (967)   (861)
Total stockholders’ equity   71,235    74,385 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $159,499   $158,829 
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HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.

SEGMENT ANALYSIS - QUARTER TO DATE

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2014  Hudson
Americas
   Hudson
Asia Pacific
   Hudson
Europe
   Corporate   Total 
Revenue, from external customers  $26,863   $56,430   $78,568   $   $161,861 
Gross margin, from external customers  $6,666   $20,911   $29,952   $   $57,529 
Adjusted EBITDA (loss) (1)  $(649)  $110   $2,353   $(3,887)  $(2,073)
Business reorganization expenses (recovery)   91        23        114 
Non-operating expense (income),
including corporate administration charges
   370    415    1,177    (1,761)   201 
EBITDA (loss) (1)  $(1,110)  $(305)  $1,153   $(2,126)  $(2,388)
Depreciation and amortization expenses                       1,488 
Interest expense (income), net                       144 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes                       524 
Net income (loss)                      $(4,544)

 

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2013  Hudson
Americas
   Hudson
Asia Pacific
   Hudson
Europe
   Corporate   Total 
Revenue, from external customers  $37,223   $56,201   $72,254   $   $165,678 
Gross margin, from external customers  $8,144   $21,492   $27,041   $   $56,677 
Adjusted EBITDA (loss) (1)  $(357)  $(426)  $(112)  $(4,017)  $(4,912)
Business reorganization expenses (recovery)   (17)   102    1,871    26    1,982 
Non-operating expense (income),
including corporate administration charges
   607    339    1,469    (2,685)   (270)
EBITDA (loss) (1)  $(947)  $(867)  $(3,452)  $(1,358)  $(6,624)
Depreciation and amortization expenses                       1,648 
Interest expense (income), net                       146 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes                       (177)
Net income (loss)                      $(8,241)

 

(1)Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-operating income, goodwill and other impairment charges, business reorganization expenses and other expenses (“Adjusted EBITDA”) are presented to provide additional information about the company's operations on a basis consistent with the measures which the company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses these measurements to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, cash flows from operating activities, and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the company's profitability or liquidity. Furthermore, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies
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HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.

SEGMENT ANALYSIS - QUARTER TO DATE (continued)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

For The Three Months Ended December 31, 2013  Hudson
Americas
   Hudson
Asia Pacific
   Hudson
Europe
   Corporate   Total 
Revenue, from external customers  $29,612   $55,404   $74,488   $   $159,504 
Gross margin, from external customers  $7,781   $20,045   $29,070   $   $56,896 
Adjusted EBITDA (loss) (1)  $1,133   $(1,271)  $1,081   $(2,924)  $(1,981)
Business reorganization expenses (recovery)   781    887    1,067    27    2,762 
Impairment of long-lived assets       257    1,079        1,336 
Non-operating expense (income),
including corporate administration charges
   714    43    1,474    (2,513)   (281)
EBITDA (loss) (1)  $(362)  $(2,458)  $(2,539)  $(438)  $(5,797)
Depreciation and amortization expenses                       1,573 
Interest expense (income), net                       138 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes                       3,788 
Net income (loss)                      $(11,296)

 

For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2013  Hudson
Americas
   Hudson
Asia Pacific
   Hudson
Europe
   Corporate   Total 
Revenue, from external customers  $37,327   $62,869   $71,164   $   $171,360 
Gross margin, from external customers  $9,245   $24,276   $26,983   $   $60,504 
Adjusted EBITDA (loss) (1)  $1,542   $713   $87   $(4,856)  $(2,514)
Business reorganization expenses (recovery)   325        556    368    1,249 
Office integration expense and (gains) on disposal of business   6                6 
Non-operating expense (income),
including corporate administration charges
   825    490    1,686    (2,908)   93 
EBITDA (loss) (1)  $386   $223   $(2,155)  $(2,316)  $(3,862)
Depreciation and amortization expenses                       1,656 
Interest expense (income), net                       155 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes                       138 
Net income (loss)                      $(5,811)

 

(1)Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-operating income, goodwill and other impairment charges, business reorganization expenses and other expenses (“Adjusted EBITDA”) are presented to provide additional information about the company's operations on a basis consistent with the measures which the company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses these measurements to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, cash flows from operating activities, and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the company's profitability or liquidity. Furthermore, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

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HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.

RECONCILIATION FOR CONSTANT CURRENCY

(in thousands) (unaudited)

 

The company operates on a global basis, with the majority of its gross margin generated outside of the United States. Accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can affect its results of operations. Constant currency information compares financial results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. The company currently defines the term “constant currency” to mean that financial data for a previously reported period are translated into U.S. dollars using the same foreign currency exchange rates that were used to translate financial data for the current period. Changes in revenue, gross margin, selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A"), business reorganization expenses and other non-operating income (expense), operating income (loss) and EBITDA (loss) include the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Variance analysis usually describes period-to-period variances that are calculated using constant currency as a percentage. The company’s management reviews and analyzes business results in constant currency and believes these results better represent the company’s underlying business trends. The company believes that these calculations are a useful measure, indicating the actual change in operations. There are no significant gains or losses on foreign currency transactions between subsidiaries. Therefore, changes in foreign currency exchange rates generally impact only reported earnings.

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2014   2013 
   As   As   Currency   Constant 
   reported   reported   translation   currency 
Revenue:                    
Hudson Americas  $26,863   $37,223   $(24)  $37,199 
Hudson Asia Pacific   56,430    56,201    (5,527)   50,674 
Hudson Europe   78,568    72,254    4,067    76,321 
Total  $161,861   $165,678   $(1,484)  $164,194 
Gross margin:                    
Hudson Americas  $6,666   $8,144   $(23)  $8,121 
Hudson Asia Pacific   20,911    21,492    (1,777)   19,715 
Hudson Europe   29,952    27,041    1,359    28,400 
Total  $57,529   $56,677   $(441)  $56,236 
SG&A (1):                    
Hudson Americas  $7,311   $8,499   $(21)  $8,478 
Hudson Asia Pacific   20,731    21,896    (1,781)   20,115 
Hudson Europe   27,672    27,178    1,276    28,454 
Corporate   3,889    4,016        4,016 
Total  $59,603   $61,589   $(526)  $61,063 
Business reorganization expenses:                    
Hudson Americas  $91   $(17)  $   $(17)
Hudson Asia Pacific       102    (8)   94 
Hudson Europe   23    1,871    126    1,997 
Corporate       26        26 
Total  $114   $1,982   $118   $2,100 
Operating income (loss):                    
Hudson Americas  $(964)  $(592)  $(1)  $(593)
Hudson Asia Pacific   (635)   (1,359)   97    (1,262)
Hudson Europe   1,973    (2,388)   (64)   (2,452)
Corporate   (4,050)   (4,203)   (2)   (4,205)
Total  $(3,676)  $(8,542)  $30   $(8,512)
EBITDA (loss):                    
Hudson Americas  $(1,110)  $(947)  $6   $(941)
Hudson Asia Pacific   (305)   (867)   (4)   (871)
Hudson Europe   1,153    (3,452)   (180)   (3,632)
Corporate   (2,126)   (1,358)       (1,358)
Total  $(2,388)  $(6,624)  $(178)  $(6,802)

 

(1)SG&A is a measure that management uses to evaluate the segments’ expenses.

 

9