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): July 28, 2004

Hudson Highland Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

000-50129 59-3547281
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

622 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

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


ITEM 7.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

  (a) Financial Statements.

  None.

  (b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

  None.

  (c) Exhibits

  99.1 Press Release of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (the "Company") issued on July 28, 2004 relating to its earnings for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004.

ITEM 12.    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

        On July 28, 2004, the Company issued a press release announcing its earnings for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004. A copy of such press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

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 HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.(Registrant)


 
By:  /s/ RICHARD W. PEHLKE
        Richard W. Pehlke
        Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
        Officer


 
Dated:  July 28, 2004




2


Hudson Highland Group, Inc.
Current Report on Form 8-K

Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number
Description

99.1 Press Release of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. issued on July 28, 2004 relating to its earnings for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004.





3

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

  Contacts: Richard W. Pehlke
Hudson Highland Group
212-351-7285
rich.pehlke@hhgroup.com

John D. Lovallo
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
212-880-5216
john.lovallo@ogilvypr.com

Hudson Highland Group Reports
2004 Second Quarter and Six Month Results;
Achieves Second Quarter Net Income

NEW YORK, NY – July 28, 2004 – Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HHGP), one of the world’s leading providers of specialized professional staffing, retained executive search and human capital solutions, today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004. In the second quarter, the company reported revenue of $307.4 million and net income of $0.2 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share.

2004 Second Quarter Highlights

  Revenue of $307.4 million, an increase of 14.2 percent from $269.3 million for the second quarter of 2003

  Gross margin of $118.5 million, or 38.5 percent, up 14.2 percent from $103.7 million for the same year ago period

  Adjusted EBITDA of $5.7 million

  Net income of $0.2 million or $0.02 per basic and diluted share

  Cash and cash equivalents of $28.0 million

  Acquired JMT Financial Partners to enhance specialized solutions offering

“The second quarter performance exceeded our goal of positive adjusted EBITDA for the period,” said Jon Chait, chairman and chief executive officer of Hudson Highland Group. “The excellent work of our operating management team, continued strong expense control, increased productivity and an improving global economy all contributed to our results.

“There was across-the-board improvement from the previous quarter and prior year by all of our major operations,” Chait added. “Though it is premature to change our guidance, we are cautiously optimistic for the second half of the year based on our second quarter performance. We expect the second half of the year to be profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis, notwithstanding the seasonally tougher third quarter. However, we are unable to determine if it will be possible to offset our first half 2004 operating loss.”


“Our second quarter performance underscores an ongoing diligence to reduce our expenses, find further efficiencies, effectively manage our working capital and maintain a strong balance sheet,” said Richard W. Pehlke, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Additionally, stringent controls over our receivables in Hudson North America implemented over the past year contributed $1.7 million to the quarter in recoveries and reduced reserve needs. We will continue to look for opportunities to further streamline our operation to enable greater flexibility for future growth.”

2004 Third Quarter Charge

The company will record a restructuring charge of $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2004 related to the relocation of its Highland Partners office in Toronto, Canada. “This move is another step in our continuing effort to reduce our operating costs,” added Pehlke.

2004 Six Month Results

For the first six months of 2004, Hudson Highland Group reported revenue of $597.2 million and an operating loss of $15.6 million. Hudson Highland Group’s net loss for the first six months of 2004 was $18.5 million, or $1.99 per basic and diluted shares.

Historical Results

On a historical basis for the second quarter ended June 30, 2003, Hudson Highland Group reported revenue of $269.3 million, an operating loss of $16.7 million and a net loss of $15.1 million, or $1.80 per basic and diluted shares.

For the first six months of 2003, Hudson Highland Group reported revenue of $528.5 million and an operating loss of $52.5 million. Hudson Highland Group’s net loss for the first six months of 2003 was $59.1 million, or $7.06 per basic and diluted shares.

Conference Call / Webcast

Hudson Highland Group will conduct a conference call today Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 10:30 AM EDT to discuss this announcement. Investors wishing to participate can join the conference call by dialing 1-800-374-1532 followed by the participant passcode 8648410 at 10:20 AM EDT. For those outside the United States, please call in on 1-706-634-5594 followed by the participant passcode 8648410. Hudson Highland Group’s quarterly conference call can also be accessed online through Yahoo! Finance at www.yahoo.com and the investor information section of the company’s website at www.hhgroup.com.

Hudson Highland Group

Hudson Highland Group offers a full suite of specialized professional staffing, retained executive search and human capital solutions worldwide. The company employs more than 3,600 professionals serving clients and candidates in more than 20 countries through its Hudson and Highland Partners businesses. More information about Hudson Highland Group is available at www.hhgroup.com.


Safe Harbor Statement

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 risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of global economic fluctuations on temporary contracting operations; the cyclical nature of the company’s executive search and mid-market professional staffing businesses; the company’s ability to manage its growth; risks associated with expansion; the company’s reliance on information systems and technology; competition; fluctuations in operating results; risks relating to foreign operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; dependence on highly skilled professionals and key management personnel; the impact of employees departing with existing executive search clients; risks maintaining professional reputation and brand name; restrictions imposed by blocking arrangements; exposure to employment-related claims, and limits on insurance coverage related thereto; government regulations; the company’s ability to successfully operate as an independent company and the level of costs associated therewith; and restrictions on the company’s operating flexibility due to the terms of its credit facility. 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 press release. The company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements.

###

Financial Tables Follow


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2004
2003
2004
2003

Revenue
    $ 307,431   $ 269,283   $ 597,235   $ 528,472  

Direct costs
    188,942    165,565    372,355    327,222  




              Gross margin    118,489    103,718    224,880    201,250  

Selling, general and administrative expenses
    117,733    120,920    240,408    245,338  
Business reorganization expenses (recoveries)    76    (500 )  136    7,461  
Merger and integration expenses (recoveries)    --    3    (37 )  978  





              Operating income (loss)
    680    (16,705 )  (15,627 )  (52,527 )

Other income (expense):
  
  Other income (expense), net    (290 )  1,566    (1,887 )  (181 )
  Interest income (expense), net    145    38    (256 )  (255 )





Income (loss) before provision for (benefit of)
  
  income taxes    535    (15,101 )  (17,770 )  (52,963 )
Provision for (benefit of) income taxes    318    (11 )  721    6,138  





Net income (loss)
   $ 217   $ (15,090 ) $ (18,491 ) $ (59,101 )





Income (loss) per share:
  
Basic earnings (loss)   $ .02   $ (1.80 ) $ (1.99 ) $ (7.06 )
Diluted earnings (loss)   $ .02   $ (1.80 ) $ (1.99 ) $ (7.06 )

Weighted average shares outstanding:
  
Basic    9,951    8,382    9,283    8,371  
Diluted    10,436    8,382    9,283    8,371  

HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

June 30,
2004

December 31,
2003

(unaudited)
ASSETS            
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 27,952   $ 26,137  
Accounts receivable, net    175,591    149,042  
Other current assets    12,969    17,719  
Due from Monster Worldwide, Inc.    --    5,518  


                  Total current assets    216,512    198,416  
Property and equipment, net    36,758    38,625  
Other assets    8,561    11,703  
Intangibles, net    6,428    2,180  


    $ 268,259   $ 250,924  




LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable   $ 29,461   $ 26,495  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities    124,909    118,548  
Accrued business reorganization expenses    10,552    11,543  
Accrued merger and integration expenses    2,246    2,960  


                  Total current liabilities    167,168    159,546  
Accrued business reorganization expenses, non-current    6,339    14,840  
Accrued merger and integration expenses, non-current    2,683    3,484  
Other non-current liabilities    5,352    3,693  


                  Total liabilities    181,542    181,563  

Commitments and contingencies
  

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: 10,216 and 8,573 shares, respectively    10    9  
Additional paid-in capital    351,628    315,130  
Retained deficit    (303,292 )  (284,801 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income - translation adjustments    38,589    39,023  
Treasury stock, 7 shares    (218)    --  


                  Total stockholders' equity    86,717    69,361  


    $ 268,259   $ 250,924  



HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
SEGMENT ANALYSIS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2004
Americas
Europe
Asia Pac
Corp/Other
Total
Revenue                        
Hudson   $ 79,996   $ 109,260   $ 100,753   $ 432   $ 290,441  
Highland    12,203    2,098    2,689    --    16,990  





    $ 92,199   $ 111,358   $ 103,442   $ 432   $ 307,431  






Gross Margin
  
Hudson   $ 20,489   $ 45,881   $ 35,816   $ 406   $ 102,592  
Highland    11,539    1,959    2,399    --    15,897  





    $ 32,028   $ 47,840   $ 38,215   $ 406   $ 118,489  






Adjusted EBITDA (1)
  
Hudson   $ 4,026   $ 2,525   $ 6,620   $ (1,529 ) $ 11,642  
Highland    1,212    (157 )  337    --    1,392  
Corporate    --    --    --    (7,363 )  (7,363 )





    $ 5,238   $ 2,368   $ 6,957   $ (8,892 ) $ 5,671  






For the Three Months Ended
  
June 30, 2003  
Revenue  
Hudson   $ 70,908   $ 90,427   $ 91,275   $ --   $ 252,610  
Highland    11,216    4,143    1,314    --    16,673  





    $ 82,124   $ 94,570   $ 92,589   $ --   $ 269,283  






Gross Margin
  
Hudson   $ 16,373   $ 40,473   $ 31,466   $ --   $ 88,312  
Highland    10,659    3,619    1,128    --    15,406  





    $ 27,032   $ 44,092   $ 32,594   $ --   $ 103,718  






Adjusted EBITDA (1)
  
Hudson   $ (2,000 ) $ (872 ) $ 1,850   $ --   $ (1,022 )
Highland    (803 )  (1,973 )  (290 )  --    (3,066 )
Corporate    --    --    --    (8,298 )  (8,298 )





    $ (2,803 ) $ (2,845 ) $ 1,560   $ (8,298 ) $ (12,386 )






(1) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges and depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is 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 this measurement to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. 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, adjusted EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
SEGMENT ANALYSIS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2004
Americas
Europe
Asia Pac
Corp/Other
Total
Revenue                        
Hudson   $ 152,230   $ 212,276   $ 200,630   $ 580   $ 565,716  
Highland    21,767    4,145    5,607    --    31,519  





    $ 173,997   $ 216,421   $ 206,237   $ 580   $ 597,235  






Gross Margin
  
Hudson   $ 37,241   $ 89,253   $ 68,340   $ 523   $ 195,357  
Highland    20,445    3,924    5,154    --    29,523  





    $ 57,686   $ 93,177   $ 73,494   $ 523   $ 224,880  






Adjusted EBITDA (1)
  
Hudson   $ 3,040   $ (140 ) $ 8,740   $ (3,125 ) $ 8,515  
Highland    808    (225 )  865    --    1,448  
Corporate    --    --    --    (15,497 )  (15,497 )





    $ 3,848   $ (365 ) $ 9,605   $ (18,622 ) $ (5,534 )






For the Six Months Ended
  
June 30, 2003  
Revenue  
Hudson   $ 148,116   $ 175,359   $ 173,100   $ --   $ 496,575  
Highland    21,648    8,142    2,107    --    31,897  





    $ 169,764   $ 183,501   $ 175,207   $ --   $ 528,472  






Gross Margin
  
Hudson   $ 33,930   $ 78,110   $ 58,922   $ --   $ 170,962  
Highland    21,091    7,318    1,879    --    30,288  





    $ 55,021   $ 85,428   $ 60,801   $ --   $ 201,250  






Adjusted EBITDA (1)
  
Hudson   $ (4,190 ) $ (8,951 ) $ 783   $ --   $ (12,358 )
Highland    (3,157 )  (4,375 )  (635 )  --    (8,167 )
Corporate    --    --    --    (13,262 )  (13,262 )





    $ (7,347 ) $ (13,326 ) $ 148   $ (13,262 ) $ (33,787 )






(1) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges and depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is 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 this measurement to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. 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, adjusted EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.


HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA TO OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2004
2003
2004
2003
Hudson                    
Adjusted EBITDA (1)   $ 11,642   $ (1,022 ) $ 8,515   $ (12,358 )
Business reorganization (expenses) recoveries    (201 )  299    (185 )  (6,540 )
Merger and integration (expenses) recoveries    --    (3 )  37    (978 )
Depreciation and amortization    (3,599 )  (3,098 )  (7,332 )  (6,947 )




Operating income (loss)   $ 7,842   $ (3,824 ) $ 1,035   $ (26,823 )





Highland
  
Adjusted EBITDA (1)   $ 1,392   $ (3,066 ) $ 1,448   $ (8,167 )
Business reorganization (expenses) recoveries    125    202    49    (784 )
Depreciation and amortization    (409 )  (829 )  (832 )  (2,305 )




Operating income (loss)   $ 1,108   $ (3,693 ) $ 665   $ (11,256 )





Corporate
  
Adjusted EBITDA (1)   $ (7,363 ) $ (8,298 ) $ (15,497 ) $ (13,262 )
Business reorganization (expenses)    --    (1 )  --    (137 )
Depreciation and amortization    (907 )  (889 )  (1,830 )  (1,049 )




Corporate expenses   $ (8,270 ) $ (9,188 ) $ (17,327 ) $ (14,448 )





Hudson Highland Group consolidated
  
Adjusted EBITDA (1)   $ 5,671   $ (12,386 ) $ (5,534 ) $ (33,787 )
Business reorganization (expenses) recoveries    (76 )  500    (136 )  (7,461 )
Merger and integration (expenses) recoveries    --    (3 )  37    (978 )
Depreciation and amortization    (4,915 )  (4,816 )  (9,994 )  (10,301 )




Operating income (loss)   $ 680   $ (16,705 ) $ (15,627 ) $ (52,527 )





(1) Non-GAAP earnings before interest, income taxes, special charges and depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is 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 this measurement to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. 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, adjusted EBITDA as presented above may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.