10nisman
14 years ago
Reason for 7% rise... Proposed settlement of Securities Litigation.
Huron Consulting Group Announces Proposed Settlement of Securities Suit
Press Release Source: Huron Consulting Group Inc. On Monday December 6, 2010, 4:45 pm EST
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Huron-Consulting-Group-bw-1439695300.html?x=0&.v=1
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Huron Consulting Group Inc. (NASDAQ:HURN - News), a leading provider of business consulting services, today announced that it has entered into an agreement in principle with the lead plaintiffs in the pending securities class action lawsuit related to the restatement of its financial statements in 2009.
The agreement in principle provides that the settlement class will receive total consideration of approximately $38 million, consisting of $27 million in cash, which will be funded by the Company’s insurance carriers, and the issuance by the Company of 474,547 shares of common stock which has an aggregate value of approximately $11 million, based on the closing market price on November 24, 2010. The Company expects to record a non-cash charge to earnings in the fourth quarter of 2010 in the amount of approximately $11 million, representing the fair value of the shares. The Company will adjust the amount of the non-cash charge to reflect changes in the fair value of the shares until and including the date of issuance. The Company will issue the shares following final court approval of the proposed settlement, which the Company expects will occur in the first half of 2011.
As discussed above, the Company’s insurance carriers will fund the cash portion of the settlement. Following such payment, the Company will not receive any further contributions from its insurance carriers for the reimbursement of legal fees expended on the finalization of the class action settlement or any amounts related to the derivative suits and SEC investigation described in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2010.
The proposed settlement contains no admission of wrongdoing. The Company has always maintained and continues to believe that it did not engage in any wrongdoing or otherwise commit any violation of federal or state securities laws or other laws. However, given the potential cost and burden of continued litigation, the Company believes that the proposed settlement is in its best interest and in the best interest of its stakeholders.
The proposed settlement is subject to the completion of final documentation, preliminary and final court approval, funding of the $27 million in cash by the Company’s insurance carriers, and issuance of the settlement shares.
John McCartney, non-executive chairman of the Huron board, said, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement to settle this matter, which is in the best interest of the Company and its stakeholders. The resolution of this matter will allow our current management team to continue its focus on serving clients and the future growth of the Company.”
See the Company’s Form 8-K filed today for additional information related to the settlement.
10nisman
15 years ago
Q3 Earnings just released....
*DJ Huron Consulting Group 3Q Non-GAAP EPS 59c >HURN
*DJ Huron Consulting Group Sees 2009 Rev $650M-$665M >HURN
*DJ Huron Consulting Group Sees 2009 Non-GAAP EPS $2.85-Non-GAAP EPS $3.05 >HURN
Conference call is at 9am EST...
Huron Consulting Group Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Huron-Consulting-Group-bw-3674632031.html?x=0&.v=1
Press Release
Source: Huron Consulting Group Inc.
On 7:00 am EST, Thursday November 5, 2009
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Huron Consulting Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HURN - News):
Revenues of $172.2 million for Q3 2009 increased 2.1% from $168.7 million in Q3 2008 and grew sequentially from $165.8 million in Q2 2009.
The Company’s previously announced goodwill impairment analysis resulted in a $106.0 million non-cash pretax goodwill impairment charge taken in Q3 2009, which is approximately 20% of the Company’s total goodwill balance of $506.5 million as of June 30, 2009.
Results for Q3 2009 also included restructuring and restatement charges totaling $15.1 million.
GAAP loss per share including the aforementioned charges was $(3.16) in Q3 2009 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.12 in Q3 2008.
Non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.59 in Q3 2009 compared to $0.86 for Q3 2008(7). This change is almost entirely due to the increase in the effective tax rate.
Average number of full-time billable consultants(2) totaled 1,430 for Q3 2009 compared to 1,488 for Q3 2008. Average number of full-time equivalent professionals(5) totaled 861 for Q3 2009 compared to 947 in the same period last year.
Company provides updated full year 2009 revenue guidance of $650 million to $665 million.
Huron Consulting Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HURN - News), a leading provider of business consulting services, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.
“Huron’s third quarter results demonstrate the strength of our client relationships, the quality and dedication of our people, and our ability to work as a team through a challenging economic and business environment,” said James H. Roth, chief executive officer, Huron Consulting Group. “Despite some of the significant challenges following the announcement of our financial restatement, the Huron team has stayed focused on the business of serving our clients and generating new client engagements. We will remain focused on the execution of our business plan for the fourth quarter of 2009 and throughout 2010.”
In evaluating the Company’s financial performance and consistent with previous periods, the Company has adopted the use of certain non-GAAP measures for a comparison to prior periods and for guidance as described below under “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Third Quarter 2009 Results
Revenues of $172.2 million for the third quarter of 2009 increased 2.1% from $168.7 million for the third quarter of 2008 and grew sequentially from $165.8 million in the second quarter of 2009. The Company recorded a $106 million non-cash pretax charge for the impairment of goodwill in the third quarter of 2009, which is approximately 20% of the Company’s total goodwill balance of $506.5 million as of June 30, 2009. The impairment charge is non-cash in nature and does not affect the Company’s liquidity. Results for the third quarter 2009 also included approximately $15.1 million in restructuring and restatement related charges. GAAP net loss was $64.0 million, or a loss of $(3.16) per share, for the third quarter of 2009 compared to GAAP net income of $2.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Non-GAAP adjusted net income(7) was $11.9 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $17.0 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, for the comparable quarter in 2008. This change is almost entirely due to an increase in the effective tax rate reflecting losses that cannot be tax benefited and an increase in the state tax liability. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) (7), which excludes share-based compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, restructuring charges, non-recurring expenses related to the restatement, goodwill impairment charge, and an other gain, was $38.1 million, or 22.1% of revenues for the third quarter, compared to $40.8 million, or 24.2% of revenues, in the comparable quarter last year.
“We are pleased with our revenues for the third quarter and the contributions from all of our business units during these uncertain times,” said Roth. “The quarterly results were positively influenced by better than forecasted levels of contingent fees and continued strong demand in the Health and Education Consulting segment, reflecting our deep industry skills to assist hospitals, healthcare organizations and universities with their complex challenges.”
The average number of full-time billable consultants(2) was 1,430 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 1,488 in the same quarter last year. Full-time billable consultant utilization rate was 69.8% during the third quarter of 2009 compared with 71.3% during the same period last year. The average number of full-time equivalent professionals(5) totaled 861 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 947 for the comparable period in 2008. Average billing rate per hour for full-time billable consultants was $284 for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $250 for the third quarter of 2008.
Year-to-Date Results
Revenues of $501.1 million for the first nine months of 2009 increased 11.0% from $451.5 million for the same period last year. The GAAP net loss, which includes restructuring, restatement and goodwill impairment charges as discussed above, was $47.3 million, or a loss of $(2.36) per share, for the first nine months of 2009 compared to GAAP net income of $6.6 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Non-GAAP adjusted net income(7) was $45.6 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $49.1 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2008. Adjusted EBITDA(7), which excludes share-based compensation expense, non-cash compensation expense, restructuring charges, non-recurring expenses related to the restatement, goodwill impairment charge, and an other gain, rose 4.5% to $110.5 million, or 22.0% of revenues, compared to $105.8 million, or 23.4% of revenues, in the comparable period last year.
The average number of full-time billable consultants(2) increased 14.1% to 1,493 in the first nine months of 2009 compared to 1,308 in the same period last year. The average number of full-time equivalent professionals(5) decreased slightly to 811 in the first nine months of 2009 compared to 851 for the comparable period in 2008. Full-time billable consultant utilization rate was 69.7% during the first nine months of 2009 compared with 67.9% during the same period last year. Average billing rate per hour for full-time billable consultants was $269 for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $265 for the same period last year.
Operating Segments
Huron’s results reflect a broad portfolio of service offerings that help clients address complex business challenges. The Company’s operating segments are as follows:
Health and Education Consulting – Representing 57% of Huron’s total third quarter 2009 revenues, this segment was positively influenced by better than forecasted levels of contingent fees and continues to show solid growth as it assists healthcare organizations and universities respond to increased funding constraints and regulatory challenges. Huron’s services help the institutions it serves improve their financial and operational performance.
Legal Consulting – Representing 17% of Huron’s total third quarter 2009 revenues, this segment continues to see steady demand for document review and discovery services, and mixed demand for other consulting services. This segment continues to assist Fortune 500 general counsels manage spiraling costs in what are challenging times for the legal industry.
Accounting & Financial Consulting – Representing 16% of Huron’s total third quarter 2009 revenues, this event-driven segment continues to operate in a sluggish market and performed consistent with the slower litigation and regulatory environment. However, despite the sluggish environment, this segment delivered sequential quarterly growth for the first time in eight quarters. This segment continues to pursue opportunities in the financial services industry, provide advisory services to government entities, and implement International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at large U.S.-based multinationals.
Corporate Consulting – Representing 10% of Huron’s total third quarter 2009 revenues, this segment is benefiting from solid demand for its Restructuring and Turnaround business while services being delivered in its Strategy, Utilities and Japan markets experienced soft demand.
Segment financial results are included in the attached schedules and discussed in greater detail in Huron's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Financial Restatement
The Company announced on July 31, 2009 that it would restate its financial statements for the fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. On August 17, 2009, Huron completed the restatement. The restatement pertained to the accounting for certain acquisition-related payments received by selling shareholders of four acquired businesses that were subsequently redistributed by such selling shareholders among themselves and to other select client-serving and administrative Company employees based, in part, on continuing employment with the Company or the achievement of personal performance measures.
The selling shareholders were not prohibited from redistributing such acquisition-related payments under the terms of the purchase agreements with the Company for the acquisitions of the acquired businesses. However, under GAAP, such payments were imputed to the Company, and the portion of such payments redistributed based on performance or employment was required to be reflected as non-cash compensation expense of the Company, even though the amounts received by the selling shareholders did not differ significantly from the amounts they would have received if such portion had been distributed solely in accordance with their ownership interests. The restatement was necessary because the Company did not record such portions of the acquisition-related payments as a separate non-cash compensation expense with a corresponding increase in paid-in capital.
Based on the results of the Company’s inquiry into the acquisition-related payments to date and the previously disclosed agreement amendments with the selling shareholders, earn-out payments for periods after August 1, 2009 are accounted for as additional purchase consideration and not also as non-cash compensation expense. The Company recognized $1.2 million of additional non-cash compensation expense during the third quarter of 2009 related to the redistributed acquisition-related payments for the period from July 1 to July 31, 2009.
The restatement resulted in a reduction of approximately $56 million in net income and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for all restated periods. However, the restatement had no effect on Huron’s total assets, total liabilities or total stockholders’ equity on an annual basis. Further, the Company did not expend additional cash with respect to the compensation charge, and the restatement had no effect on Huron’s cash or net cash flows from operations.
See the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, Form 10K/A filed on August 17, 2009, and Form 10Q/A filed on August 17, 2009 for additional information related to the financial restatement.
Goodwill Impairment
As a result of the significant decline in the price of the Company’s common stock following the Company’s July 31, 2009 announcement of its intention to restate its financial statements, the Company engaged in the previously announced impairment analysis with respect to the carrying value of its goodwill in connection with the preparation of the financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and recorded a $106.0 million non-cash pretax charge for the impairment of goodwill, which was approximately 20% of the Company’s total goodwill balance of $506.5 million as of June 30, 2009. The impairment charge was recognized to reduce the carrying value of goodwill associated with the Company’s Accounting & Financial Consulting and Corporate Consulting segments. The impairment charge is non-cash in nature and does not affect the Company’s liquidity.
New Management Roles
On November 3, 2009, James H. Roth, chief executive officer, was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors and James K. Rojas, chief financial officer, assumed the additional role of treasurer, succeeding Gary L. Burge who resigned from the position on that date.
Outlook for 2009
The Company provided guidance for full year 2009 revenues before reimbursable expenses in an updated range of $650 million to $665 million. The Company also anticipates GAAP loss per share in a range of $(2.01) to $(1.80), non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share(9,11) in a range of $2.85 to $3.05, loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization(9,11) in a range of $(13) million to $(8) million, and Adjusted EBITDA(9,11) in a range of $139 million to $144 million. Management will provide a more detailed discussion of its outlook during the Company’s earnings conference call webcast.
Third Quarter 2009 Webcast
The Company will host a webcast to discuss its financial results today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central Time). The conference call is being webcast by Thomson and can be accessed at Huron Consulting Group’s website at http://ir.huronconsultinggroup.com. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the webcast and for 90 days thereafter.
ScovilleUnits
15 years ago
HURN To Open New Document Review Centers
Tuesday , October 20, 2009 07:55ET
Huron Consulting Group (NASDAQ: HURN), a leading provider of business consulting services, today announced the opening of a new document review center in Washington, D.C., and a relocated and expanded facility in Charlotte, N.C.
“The addition of the D.C. and Charlotte document review centers allows us to better serve our clients and meet increased demand from strategic locations through this enhanced infrastructure,” said James H. Roth, chief executive officer, Huron Consulting Group. “Similar to our existing document review centers, these two new centers have comprehensive security, personnel and management to support complex national and international projects, helping our clients control costs and reduce risks throughout the discovery process.”
The Company opened its newest document review center in Washington, D.C. in response to law firm and corporate demand in the region. The Charlotte location will replace a facility located in Rock Hill, S.C., and adds review workstation capacity to better support key financial and banking clients in the area.
“Huron's V3locity solution, combined with our review service and process, helps clients address ballooning legal and discovery costs. At the same time, our services help mitigate risks associated with the discovery process from preservation through review and production,” said Shahzad Bashir, vice president, Huron Consulting Group’s Legal Consulting segment.
About Huron’s Document Review Centers
The Company’s document review centers provide comprehensive attorney review and document management solutions for legal matters to both corporate clients and law firms across a diverse group of industries. Huron currently has multiple document review centers throughout the country providing a rapidly scalable review solution to meet the most demanding deadlines. The Washington and Charlotte locations bring Huron’s review workstation capacity to nearly 1,000 seats with an additional 1,000-plus overflow seating capacity available as needed. Huron’s document review centers combine technology with efficient processes all in a secure environment. This, in turn, delivers accurate analyses on a cost-effective basis. The result is an integrated review process that is substantially faster, more accurate and less expensive than more traditional review services.
About Huron’s V3locity® Solution
Huron has long been a leader in the e-discovery marketplace. Huron’s V3locity® (pronounced “velocity”) is a fixed price per gigabyte reviewed e-discovery solution, which can result in up to 60 percent reduction in costs to clients compared to industry standard pricing. Electronic document discovery has become one of the single largest components of litigation, with the review portion accounting for up to 80 percent of the $3 billion a year e-discovery marketplace. Huron’s V3locity solution combines cost savings, high speed, new technology and expert review centers across the country and in India to deliver total litigation support for corporate legal departments, law firms and government agencies. For more information, visit www.huronconsultinggroup.com/V3locity.
About Huron Consulting Group
Huron Consulting Group helps clients in diverse industries improve performance, comply with complex regulations, resolve disputes, recover from distress, leverage technology, and stimulate growth. The Company teams with its clients to deliver sustainable and measurable results. Huron provides services to a wide variety of both financially sound and distressed organizations, including leading academic institutions, healthcare organizations, Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized businesses, and the law firms that represent these various organizations. Learn more at www.huronconsultinggroup.com.
Contact Info:
Huron Consulting Group
Jennifer Frost Hennagir
312-880-3260
jfrost-hennagir@huronconsultinggroup.com
ScovilleUnits
15 years ago
Shareholder Class Action Filed Against Huron Consulting Group, Inc. by the Law Firm of Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check, LLP
Thursday , September 03, 2009 18:00ET
RADNOR, Pa., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued today by the law firm of Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check, LLP:
Notice is hereby given that a class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of purchasers of securities of Huron Consulting Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HURN) ("Huron" or the "Company") between April 27, 2006 and July 31, 2009 inclusive (the "Class Period").
If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check, LLP (Darren J. Check, Esq. or David M. Promisloff, Esq.) toll free at 1-888-299-7706 or 1-610-667-7706, or via e-mail at info@btkmc.com.
The Complaint charges Huron and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Huron is a consulting company formed by former partners of Arthur Andersen, LLP which claims to help clients comply with complex regulations, resolve disputes, recover from distress, leverage technology, and stimulate growth. More specifically, the Complaint alleges that the Company failed to disclose and misrepresented the following material adverse facts which were known to defendants or recklessly disregarded by them: (1) that since 2006, the Company had improperly accounted for earn-out payments made in connection with four acquisitions; (2) that as a result, the Company had overstated its net income and earnings per share for the affected periods, and had understated its non-cash compensation expenses; (3) that the Company's financial statements were not prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; (4) that the Company lacked adequate internal and financial controls; and (5) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial statements were false and misleading at all relevant times.
On July 31, 2009, the Company shocked investors when it announced that it would restate its financial results for fiscal years 2006 through 2008 and the first three months of 2009 due to the Company's failure to properly account for certain payments made in connection with four acquisitions. These payments were received by the sellers in connection with the sale of certain acquired businesses that were subsequently redistributed among themselves and to other select Huron employees. Under the accounting rules, these payments should have been classified as non-cash compensation expenses.
Upon the release of this news, the Company's shares declined $30.66 per share, or 69.13 percent, to close on August 3, 2009 (the next trading day) at $13.69 per share, on unusually heavy trading volume.
Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of class members and is represented by the law firm of Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check which prosecutes class actions in both state and federal courts throughout the country. Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors from the United States and around the world.
For more information about Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check, or for additional information about participating in this action, please visit www.btkmc.com.
If you are a member of the class described above, you may, not later than October 5, 2009, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff of the class, if you so choose. A lead plaintiff is a representative party that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Any member of the purported class may move the court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.
CONTACT: Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check, LLP
Darren J. Check, Esq.
David M. Promisloff, Esq.
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
1-888-299-7706 (toll free) or 1-610-667-7706
Or by e-mail at info@btkmc.com
SOURCE Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check, LLP
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