ASGN ASGN Inc

On Assignment, Inc. (NYSE: ASGN), a leading global provider of diversified professional staffing solutions, today reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

First Quarter Highlights

• Revenues were $389.2 million, up 13.6 percent year-over-year on a pro forma basis and 2.3 percent sequentially. Pro forma results, as used herein, assume that our acquisition of Apex Systems occurred on January 1, 2012. Pro forma operating results are summarized in a table below.
• Income from continuing operations was $10.6 million ($0.20 per diluted share), up from $9.7 million ($0.18 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $5.0 million ($0.13 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2012. Income from continuing operations excludes the operating results of the Nurse Travel division, which are reported as discontinued operations.
• Adjusted income from continuing operations (a non-GAAP measure set forth in the table below) was $18.8 million ($0.35 per diluted share).
• Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure defined below) was $34.1 million, up from $28.4 million in Q1 of 2012 on a pro forma basis.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 8.8 percent, up from 8.3 percent in Q1 2012 on a pro forma basis.
• Effective tax rate was 42.3 percent.
• Percentage of gross profit converted into operating income was 21.0 percent, up from 17.9 percent in Q1 2012 on a pro forma basis. The percentage of gross profit converted into Adjusted EBITDA was 30.1 percent, up from 27.8 percent in Q1 2012 on a pro forma basis.
• Leverage ratio (total indebtedness to trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA) was 2.49 to 1, down from 2.88 to 1 at December 31, 2012.

Commenting on the results, Peter Dameris, President and Chief Executive Officer of On Assignment, Inc., said, “Results for the quarter reflect a strong start for 2013. We believe we are well positioned to meet or exceed our financial targets for the full year. Demand for our services is strong and in most of our segments our growth is outpacing the market. We are also seeing steady improvement in our operating efficiency as evidenced by the year-over-year expansion in our Adjusted EBITDA margin and the improvement in the percentage of gross profit we converted into operating income and Adjusted EBITDA.

“The supply of technical resources continues to tighten, which provides us with both opportunities and challenges. As these resources become scarcer, we believe all our customers, large and small, will recognize the need to remain competitive with compensation in order to timely acquire the talent they need to execute their operating plans. This circumstance should result in higher bill rates later in the year.”

Dameris continued, “We are currently working on a new $500 million credit facility that will replace our existing facility. This new facility will provide us with greater financial flexibility at a lower effective borrowing rate. We expect this new facility will be in place by mid-May.”

First Quarter 2013 Results

Revenues were $389.2 million in the quarter, up 148 percent year-over-year and 2.3 percent on a sequential basis. On a pro forma basis, revenues were up 13.6 percent year-over-year. Revenues for Apex Systems were up 14.4 percent year-over-year and revenues of the other business segments on a combined basis were up 12.6 percent year-over-year.

Gross profit was $113.3 million, up 115 percent year-over-year and down 2.0 percent sequentially. The year-over-year growth was due to the inclusion of Apex Systems, which accounted for $55.6 million, or 49.1 percent, of total gross profit and the year-over-year organic growth of the other business segments. The year-over-year compression in gross margin was mainly attributable to the inclusion of Apex Systems, which has a lower gross margin than the Company's other business segments.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $84.2 million, up from $80.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The sequential increase related to headcount and other expenses added during the current and preceding quarters mainly in the branches to drive growth in 2013 and in the corporate departments to enhance our platform to support the larger organization.

Amortization of intangible assets was $5.4 million, down from $11.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The sequential decrease is attributable to an adjustment made in Q4 of approximately $5.0 million for differences between the finalized asset valuation and amortization rates for the customer relationship intangible asset related to the acquisition of Apex Systems and the preliminary determinations reflected in Q2 and Q3. Excluding the Q4 adjustment, amortization of intangible assets was down $1.5 million sequentially.

Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of identifiable intangible assets plus equity-based compensation expense, impairment charges, acquisition-related costs and fees and expenses of the outside consulting firm assisting with the strategic planning initiatives), was $34.1 million, up from $15.1 million in the first quarter of 2012, and $28.4 million on a pro forma basis. The Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues) was 8.8 percent compared with 8.3 percent on a pro forma basis for the first quarter of 2012.

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 42.3 percent compared with 43.1 percent for the full year 2012. The decrease in the effective tax rate related to less impact on the effective tax rate for the full year of permanent differences between financial reporting and taxable income.

Income from continuing operations was $10.6 million ($0.20 per diluted share) compared with $5.0 million ($0.13 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2012 and $6.9 million ($0.13 per diluted share) on a pro forma basis for the first quarter of 2012. Income from continuing operations before income taxes for the quarter included approximately $0.2 million in non-recurring acquisition costs and $0.5 million related to fees and expenses of the consulting firm assisting the company with its strategic planning.

Net income, which is comprised of income from continuing operations, the gain on the sale of the Nurse Travel division and income from discontinued operations, was $24.6 million ($0.46 per diluted share) compared with $11.3 million ($0.21 per diluted share) in Q1 of 2012.

Financial Estimates for Q2 2013

On Assignment is providing below financial estimates from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2013. These estimates do not include acquisition-related costs, strategic planning costs and the effects of the new credit facility, including a lower effective interest rate and write-down of deferred financing costs of the current facility.

• Revenues of $410 million to $414 million
• Gross Margin of 29.8 percent to 30.1 percent
• SG&A (excludes amortization of intangible assets) of $86.5 to $87.5 million (includes $2.2 million in depreciation and $3.7 million in equity-based compensation expense)
• Amortization of intangible assets of $5.3 million
• Adjusted EBITDA of $41 million to $43 million
• Effective tax rate of 42.5 percent
• Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations of $22.5 million to $23.5 million
• Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations per diluted share of $0.41 to $0.43
• Income from Continuing Operations of $14.5 million to $15.5 million
• Income from Continuing Operations per diluted share of $0.27 to $0.29
• Diluted shares outstanding of 54.4 million

These estimates reflect normal seasonality in the business. The estimates assume year-over-year revenue growth of approximately mid-teens growth for Apex Systems and Oxford, mid-single digit growth for Life Sciences, high single-digit growth for Physician Staffing and Allied Healthcare. The estimates above assume no deterioration in the staffing markets that On Assignment serves. For the full year, the Company expects to trend toward the high-end of the previously-announced full year 2013 targets.

Conference Call

On Assignment will hold a conference call today at 1:30 p.m. PDT (4:30 EDT) to review its first quarter financial results. The dial-in number is 877-837-4158 (+1-281-913-8521 for callers outside the United States) and the conference ID number is 40202602. Participants should dial in ten minutes before the call. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning today at 4:30 p.m. PDT and ending at 9:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 24, 2013. The access number for the replay is 855-859-2056 (1+404-537-3406 for callers outside the United States) and the conference ID number 40202602.

This call is being webcast by Thomson/CCBN and can be accessed via On Assignment's web site at www.onassignment.com. Individual investors can also listen at Thomson/CCBN's site at www.fulldisclosure.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in Thomson/CCBN's Individual Investor Network.

About On Assignment

On Assignment, Inc. (NYSE: ASGN), is a leading global provider of in-demand, skilled professionals in the growing technology, healthcare and life sciences sectors, where quality people are the key to success. The Company goes beyond matching résumés with job descriptions to match people they know into positions they understand for temporary, contract-to-hire, and direct hire assignments. Clients recognize On Assignment for their quality candidates, quick response, and successful assignments. Professionals think of On Assignment as career-building partners with the depth and breadth of experience to help them reach their goals.

On Assignment was founded in 1985 and went public in 1992. The corporate headquarters are located in Calabasas, California, with a network of 129 branch offices throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium. Additionally, physician placements are made in Australia and New Zealand. To learn more, visit http://www.onassignment.com.

Reasons for Presentation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Statements made in this release and the Supplemental Financial Information accompanying this release include non-GAAP financial measures. Such information is provided as additional information, not as an alternative to our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, and is intended to enhance an overall understanding of our current financial performance. The Supplemental Financial Information sets forth financial measures reviewed by our management to evaluate our operating performance. Such measures also are used to determine a portion of the compensation for some of our executives and employees. We believe the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management, investors and prospective investors by excluding certain charges and other amounts that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results. These non-GAAP measures are included to provide management, our investors and prospective investors with an alternative method for assessing our operating results in a manner that is focused on the performance of our ongoing operations and to provide a more consistent basis for comparison between quarters. One of the non-GAAP financial measures presented is EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of identifiable intangible assets), other terms include Adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA plus equity-based compensation expense, impairment charges, acquisition related costs and strategic planning costs) and Income from Continuing Operations Before Acquisition Related Costs (Income from continuing operations, plus acquisition related expenses, deferred financing fees written-off and non-recurring financing fees, net of tax) and Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations and related per share amounts. These terms might not be calculated in the same manner as, and thus might not be comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The financial statement tables that accompany this press release include reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements made in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's anticipated financial and operating performance in 2013. All statements in this release, other than those setting forth strictly historical information, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results might differ materially. In particular, the Company makes no assurances that the estimates of revenues, gross margin, SG&A, Adjusted EBITDA, income from continuing operations, adjusted income from continuing operations, earnings per share or earnings per diluted share set forth above will be achieved. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include actual demand for our services, our ability to attract, train and retain qualified staffing consultants, our ability to remain competitive in obtaining and retaining temporary staffing clients, the availability of qualified temporary nurses and other qualified temporary professionals, management of our growth, continued performance of our enterprise-wide information systems, and other risks detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC on March 18, 2013. We specifically disclaim any intention or duty to update any forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

     

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    Three Months Ended March 31,   December 31, 2013   2012 2012   Revenues 389,193 156,760 380,381 Cost of services 275,919   104,011   264,762   Gross profit 113,274 52,749 115,619 Selling, general and administrative expenses 84,161 42,745 80,226 Amortization of intangible assets 5,379   634   11,857   Operating income 23,734 9,370 23,536 Interest expense (5,331 ) (701 ) (5,675 ) Income before income taxes 18,403 8,669 17,861 Provision for income taxes 7,793   3,622   8,113   Income from continuing operations 10,610 5,047 9,748 Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax 14,412 — — Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (409 ) 336   1,574   Net income $ 24,613   $ 5,383   $ 11,322     Basic earnings per common share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.20 $ 0.14 $ 0.19 Income from discontinued operations 0.26   —   0.03   $ 0.46   $ 0.14   $ 0.22     Diluted earnings per common share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.20 $ 0.13 $ 0.18 Income from discontinued operations 0.26   0.01   0.03   $ 0.46   $ 0.14   $ 0.21     Number of shares and share equivalents used to calculate earnings per share: Basic 53,046   37,269   52,581   Diluted 54,036   38,154   53,680            

SUPPLEMENTAL SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

      Three Months Ended March 31,   December 31, 2013   2012 2012 Revenues: Technology – Apex $ 212,728 $ — $ 207,576 Oxford   95,262 78,759   90,410 307,990 78,759 297,986   Life Sciences 40,473 41,351 40,293 Healthcare 14,428 12,561 16,030 Physician   26,302 24,089   26,072 $ 389,193 $ 156,760 $ 380,381   Gross profit: Technology – Apex $ 55,619 $ — $ 56,752 Oxford   32,150 27,370   31,777 87,769 27,370 88,529   Life Sciences 13,384 13,839 14,225 Healthcare 4,638 4,041 4,997 Physician   7,483 7,499   7,868 $ 113,274 $ 52,749 $ 115,619          

SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

    Three Months Ended March 31,   December 31, 2013   2012 2012 Cash (used in) provided by operations $ (2,869 ) $ 6,973 $ 26,059 Capital expenditures $ 2,785 $ 2,119 $ 3,471          

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

    March 31, December 31, 2013   2012 2012 Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,237 $ 17,685 $ 27,479 Accounts receivable, net 257,196 102,026 243,003 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 755,904 260,626 762,196 Total assets 1,089,899 419,989 1,098,021 Current portion of long-term debt 10,000 5,000 10,000 Total current liabilities 125,362 62,541 118,727 Working capital 166,461 75,764 175,030 Long-term debt 373,588 75,500 416,588 Other long-term liabilities 29,166 25,932 29,983 Stockholders’ equity 561,783 256,016 532,723          

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA PER DILUTED SHARE (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    Three Months Ended March 31,   December 31, 2013   2012 2012 Income from continuing operations $ 10,610   $ 0.20 $ 5,047   $ 0.13 $ 9,748   $ 0.18 Interest expense, net 5,331 0.10 701 0.02 5,675 0.11 Provision for income taxes 7,793 0.14 3,622 0.09 8,113 0.15 Depreciation 1,855 0.03 1,410 0.04 1,838 0.03 Amortization of intangibles 5,379 0.10   634 0.02   11,857 0.22 EBITDA 30,968 0.57 11,414 0.30 37,231 0.69 Equity-based compensation 2,550 0.05 1,172 0.03 3,112 0.06 Acquisition-related costs 161 0.00 2,492 0.07 402 0.01 Strategic planning costs 457 0.01   — —   — — Adjusted EBITDA $ 34,136 $ 0.63   $ 15,078 $ 0.40   $ 40,745 $ 0.76   Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (diluted) 54,036 38,154 53,680          

NON-GAAP CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

  Income from Continuing Operations - GAAP Basis $ 10,610 Adjustments: Amortization of intangible assets (1) 5,379 Cash tax savings on indefinite-lived intangible assets (2) 3,850 Excess of capital expenditures over depreciation, net of tax (3) (1,050 ) Income from Continuing Operations - As Adjusted $ 18,789     Earnings per Diluted Share from Continuing Operations: GAAP Basis $ 0.20   As Adjusted $ 0.35     Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (diluted) 54,036     (1)     Amortization of intangible assets of acquired businesses.   (2) Cash tax savings on indefinite-lived intangible assets (goodwill and trademarks related to acquisition of Apex Systems, Oxford and HealthCare Partners) that are amortized and deductible in the determination of income taxes, but not amortized for financial reporting purposes. These assets total $593.1 million and are amortized (and deducted) for income tax purposes on a straight-line basis over 15 years. The annual income tax deduction is $39.5 million and the annual after-tax cash savings are approximately $15.4 million, assuming an estimated marginal combined federal and state income tax rate of 39 percent.   (3) Excess capital expenditures over depreciation is equal to one-quarter of the estimated full year difference between capital expenditures (full year estimate of $15.9 million) less depreciation (full year estimate of $9.0 million), tax affected using an estimated marginal combined federal and state tax rate of 39 percent.          

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE TO NON-GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE BEFORE ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    Three Months Ended March 31,   December 31, 2013   2012 2012 Income from continuing operations $ 10,610   $ 0.20 $ 5,047   $ 0.13 $ 9,748   $ 0.18 Acquisition-related costs, net of income taxes 93 —   1,451 0.04   (56 ) — Income from continuing operations before acquisition-related costs $ 10,703 $ 0.20   $ 6,498 $ 0.17   $ 9,692   $ 0.18   Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (diluted) 54,036

 

38,154 53,680  

 

                 

PRO FORMA OPERATING RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

Year Ended December 31, 2012

(In thousands)

    Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Full Year Revenues $ 342,721 $ 362,179 $ 374,512 $ 380,381 $ 1,459,793 Cost of services 240,652   250,583   258,882   264,762   1,014,879 Gross profit 102,069 111,596 115,630 115,619 444,914 SG&A expenses 77,397 77,172 77,009 78,912 310,490 Amortization of intangible assets 6,381   6,349   6,309   6,299   25,338 Operating income $ 18,291   $ 28,075   $ 32,312   $ 30,408   $ 109,086   Adjusted EBITDA $ 28,425 $ 38,855 $ 43,532 $ 41,659 $ 152,471 ___

The above unaudited pro forma results were prepared on the basis that the acquisition of Apex Systems occurred on January 1, 2012 and the divesture of the Nurse Travel division occurred on December 31, 2011. These results differ from the pro forma disclosures included in the Company's 2012 Form 10-K as those pro forma results were prepared on the basis that the acquisition of Apex Systems occurred on January 1, 2011 and the Nurse Travel division was included in continuing operations. SG&A expenses, operating income and Adjusted EBITDA included a $0.5 million and $1.0 million benefit in Q2 and Q3, respectively, related to the reduction in the earnout obligation for HealthCare Partners.

             

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION – REVENUES AND GROSS MARGINS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

    Technology Apex   Oxford   Total Life Sciences Healthcare Physician Consolidated Revenues: Q1 2013 $ 212,728 $ 95,262 $ 307,990 $ 40,473 $ 14,428 $ 26,302 $ 389,193 Q4 2012 $ 207,576 $ 90,410 $ 297,986 $ 40,293 $ 16,030 $ 26,072 $ 380,381 % Sequential change 2.5 % 5.4 % 3.4 % 0.4 % (10.0 )% 0.9 % 2.3 % Q1 2012 — $ 78,759 $ 78,759 $ 41,351 $ 12,561 $ 24,089 $ 156,760 % Year-over-year change N/M 21.0 % 291.1 % (2.1 )% 14.9 % 9.2 % 148.3 %   Gross margins: Q1 2013 26.1 % 33.7 % 28.5 % 33.1 % 32.1 % 28.5 % 29.1 % Q4 2012 27.3 % 35.1 % 29.7 % 35.3 % 31.2 % 30.2 % 30.4 % Q1 2012 — % 34.8 % 34.8 % 33.5 % 32.2 % 31.1 % 33.6 %   Average number of staffing consultants: Q1 2013 671 540 1,211 176 89 107 1,583 Q4 2012 658 547 1,205 178 86 108 1,577 Q1 2012 — 487 487 169 78 95 829 _______ N/M – not meaningful               Technology Apex   Oxford   Total Life Sciences Healthcare Physician Consolidated Average number of customers: Q1 2013 600 659 1,259 884 479 173 2,795 Q4 2012 606 651 1,257 935 519 180 2,891 Q1 2012 — 625 625 918 478 175 2,196   Top 10 customers as a percentage of revenue: Q1 2013 33.5 % 16.7 % 23.5 % 24.8 % 29.6 % 21.6 % 18.6 % Q4 2012 34.4 % 15.8 % 24.7 % 23.3 % 30.6 % 22.1 % 19.3 % Q1 2012 — 15.6 % 15.6 % 22.6 % 25.6 % 22.0 % 9.8 %   Average bill rate: Q1 2013 $ 59.62 $ 122.47 $ 69.88 $ 34.94 $ 38.01 $ 185.92 $ 64.21 Q4 2012 $ 58.74 $ 122.23 $ 69.52 $ 35.13 $ 37.48 $ 184.57 $ 63.45 Q1 2012 $ — $ 117.61 $ 117.61 $ 34.88 $ 36.74 $ 175.63 $ 67.82   Gross profit per staffing consultant: Q1 2013 $ 83,000 $ 60,000 $ 72,000 $ 76,000 $ 52,000 $ 70,000 $ 72,000 Q4 2012 $ 86,000 $ 58,000 $ 73,000 $ 80,000 $ 58,000 $ 73,000 $ 73,000 Q1 2012 $ — $ 56,000 $ 56,000 $ 82,000 $ 52,000 $ 79,000 $ 64,000          

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION – KEY METRICS (Unaudited)

      Three Months Ended   March 31,2013     December 31,2012 Percentage of revenues: Top ten clients 18.6% 19.3% Direct hire/conversion 1.9% 1.8%   Bill rate: % Sequential change 1.2% 0.1% % Year-over-year change (5.3)% (4.6)%   Bill/Pay spread: % Sequential change 0.7% (0.2)% % Year-over-year change (13.7)% (12.9)%   Average headcount: Contract professionals (CP) 11,583 11,602 Staffing consultants (SC) 1,583 1,577   Productivity: Gross profit per SC $ 72,000 $ 73,000