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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                  to                 

 

Commission File Number 0-25837

 


 

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware   36-2681268

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

233 South Wacker Drive-Suite 4200

Chicago, Illinois

60606-6303

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(312) 496-1200

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

As of August 2, 2004, there were 19,114,915 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.

 



HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

          PAGE

PART I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Consolidated Financial Statements     
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2004 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2003

   1
    

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

   3
    

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2004

   4
    

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

   5
    

Unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   14

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

   27

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   27

PART II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

   28

SIGNATURE

   30

 


HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

     June 30,
2004


   December 31,
2003


     (Unaudited)     

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 118,674    $ 119,289

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

     64,789      46,847

Other receivables

     1,895      3,191

Prepaid expenses

     7,659      9,022
    

  

Total current assets

     193,017      178,349
    

  

Non-current assets:

             

Property and equipment, net

     29,982      33,466

Assets designated for retirement and pension plans

     27,703      28,751

Investments

     4,342      2,842

Other non-current assets

     3,603      4,226

Goodwill

     48,594      48,627

Other intangible assets, net

     7,328      7,771
    

  

Total non-current assets

     121,552      125,683
    

  

Total assets

   $ 314,569    $ 304,032
    

  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

1


HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

    

June 30,

2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (Unaudited)        

Current liabilities:

                

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 214     $ 568  

Accounts payable

     7,791       7,196  

Accrued salaries and employee benefits

     68,983       61,275  

Other accrued liabilities

     20,661       21,660  

Current portion of accrued restructuring charges

     12,525       18,090  

Income taxes payable, net

     3,779       4,349  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     113,953       113,138  
    


 


Non-current liabilities:

                

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     27       26  

Retirement and pension plans

     31,616       32,232  

Non-current portion of accrued restructuring charges

     23,704       27,698  

Other non-current liabilities

     4,751       4,729  
    


 


Total non-current liabilities

     60,098       64,685  
    


 


Total liabilities

     174,051       177,823  
    


 


Stockholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

     —         —    

Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, of which 19,099,391 and 18,339,567 shares were outstanding at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     196       196  

Treasury stock at cost, 486,386 and 1,246,210 shares at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     (8,552 )     (21,898 )

Additional paid in capital

     242,261       250,489  

Accumulated deficit

     (95,744 )     (106,895 )

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

     5,287       6,712  

Unrealized gain on available for sale investments

     5       —    

Deferred stock-based compensation

     (2,935 )     (2,395 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     140,518       126,209  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 314,569     $ 304,032  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

2


HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED 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:

                                

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

   $ 97,926     $ 81,674     $ 185,155     $ 158,985  

Reimbursements

     4,954       6,221       10,153       11,886  
    


 


 


 


Total revenue

     102,880       87,895       195,308       170,871  
    


 


 


 


Operating expenses:

                                

Salaries and employee benefits

     66,299       62,917       127,668       117,067  

General and administrative expenses

     23,024       20,398       43,771       42,960  

Reimbursed expenses

     4,954       6,221       10,153       11,886  

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         5,500  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     94,277       89,536       181,592       177,413  
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     8,603       (1,641 )     13,716       (6,542 )
    


 


 


 


Non-operating income (expense):

                                

Interest income

     331       468       695       960  

Interest expense

     (18 )     (53 )     (23 )     (90 )

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity and warrant portfolio

     644       21       522       248  

Other, net

     83       (315 )     (106 )     (1,137 )
    


 


 


 


Net non-operating income (expense)

     1,040       121       1,088       (19 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

     9,643       (1,520 )     14,804       (6,561 )

Provision for income taxes

     2,717       1,089       3,653       2,785  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 6,926     $ (2,609 )   $ 11,151     $ (9,346 )
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.36     $ (0.14 )   $ 0.59     $ (0.52 )
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.34     $ (0.14 )   $ 0.56     $ (0.52 )
    


 


 


 


Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                                

Basic

     19,000       18,138       18,745       18,147  

Diluted

     20,082       18,138       19,755       18,147  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3


HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Common Stock

   Treasury
Stock


    Additional
Paid in
Capital


    Accumulated
Deficit


    Accumulated
Other
Compre-
hensive
Income
(Loss)


    Deferred
Stock-
Based
Compen-
sation


    Total

 
     Shares

   Amount

            

Balance at December 31, 2003

   18,340    $ 196    $ (21,898 )   $ 250,489     $ (106,895 )   $ 6,712     $ (2,395 )   $ 126,209  

Net income

   —        —        —         —         11,151       —         —         11,151  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                                                            

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments

   —        —        —         —         —         5       —         5  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —        —        —         —         —         (1,425 )     —         (1,425 )
    
  

  


 


 


 


 


 


Total comprehensive income (loss)

   —        —        —         —         11,151       (1,420 )     —         9,731  
    
  

  


 


 


 


 


 


Treasury and common stock transactions:

                                                            

Issuance of restricted stock units

   —        —        —         2,181       —         —         (2,181 )     —    

Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation

   —        —        —         —         —         —         1,640       1,640  

Other stock-based compensation

   —        —        —         282       —         —         —         282  

Forfeitures of restricted stock units

   —        —        —         (1,071 )     —         —         1       (1,070 )

Exercise of stock options

   414      —        7,279       (846 )     —         —         —         6,433  

Vested restricted stock units, net of tax withholdings

   345      —        6,067       (8,774 )     —         —         —         (2,707 )
    
  

  


 


 


 


 


 


Balance at June 30, 2004

   19,099    $ 196    $ (8,552 )   $ 242,261     $ (95,744 )   $ 5,292     $ (2,935 )   $ 140,518  
    
  

  


 


 


 


 


 


 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

4


HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income (loss)

   $ 11,151     $ (9,346 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     6,439       7,099  

Deferred income taxes

     —         1,563  

Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) on equity and warrant portfolio

     (522 )     (248 )

Stock-based compensation expense, net

     852       1,662  

Restructuring charges

     —         5,500  

Cash paid for restructuring charges

     (9,559 )     (13,035 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                

Trade and other receivables

     (17,181 )     (8,992 )

Accounts payable

     692       (2,592 )

Accrued expenses

     3,426       (16,552 )

Income taxes recoverable (payable), net

     (533 )     14,961  

Other, net

     1,831       9,148  
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (3,404 )     (10,832 )
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Capital expenditures

     (3,069 )     (2,905 )

Proceeds from sales of equity securities, net

     79       531  

Other, net

     80       223  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,910 )     (2,151 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Payments on debt

     (369 )     (224 )

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     6,433       21  

Purchases of treasury stock

     —         (3,175 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     6,064       (3,378 )
    


 


Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     (365 )     2,029  
    


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (615 )     (14,332 )

Cash and cash equivalents:

                

Beginning of period

     119,289       110,220  
    


 


End of period

   $ 118,674     $ 95,888  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

5


Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(All tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Information

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., and Subsidiaries (the “Company”), included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, the statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows. These financial statements and notes are to be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company applies the intrinsic-value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations including Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation,” an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25, issued in March 2000, to account for fixed-plan stock options. Under this method, compensation expense is recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. As allowed by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply the intrinsic-value-based method of accounting described above, and has adopted only the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123.

 

Had compensation expense been determined based upon fair value at the grant date for all awards in accordance with SFAS No. 123, the Company’s pro forma net income (loss) and basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share would have been as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


    Six Months
Ended June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net income (loss):

                                

As reported

   $ 6,926     $ (2,609 )   $ 11,151     $ (9,346 )

Add: Stock-based compensation expense already included in net income, net of tax in 2003

     1,088       1,079       852       981  

Deduct: Pro forma employee compensation cost related to stock options, restricted stock units and performance share plan, net of tax in 2003

     (3,070 )     (3,470 )     (5,128 )     (5,322 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 4,944     $ (5,000 )   $ 6,875     $ (13,687 )
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings (loss) per share:

                                

As reported

   $ 0.36     $ (0.14 )   $ 0.59     $ (0.52 )

Pro forma

     0.26       (0.28 )     0.37       (0.75 )

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

                                

As reported

   $ 0.34     $ (0.14 )   $ 0.56     $ (0.52 )

Pro forma

     0.25       (0.28 )     0.35       (0.75 )

 

6


Investments

 

The Company receives warrants for equity securities in client companies, in addition to the cash fee, for services rendered on some searches. Some of the warrants meet the definition of a derivative instrument under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its subsequent amendments. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. These derivative instruments are initially recorded at their fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, with a corresponding amount recorded as net revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Bonus expense related to this net revenue is also recorded. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as unrealized gains (losses), net of the consultants’ share of the gains (losses).

 

Other warrants received and which do not meet the definition of a derivative under SFAS No. 133 are initially recorded at their fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, with a corresponding amount recorded as net revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Bonus expense related to this net revenue is also recorded. These warrants are regularly reviewed for declines in fair value. Any declines in the fair value of these warrants are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as unrealized losses, net of the consultants’ share of the losses.

 

Upon a value event such as an initial public offering or an acquisition, changes in the fair value of the warrants, both derivatives and non-derivatives, are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as unrealized gains (losses), net of the consultants’ share of the gains (losses).

 

Any equity securities arising from the exercise of a warrant are accounted for as available-for-sale investments in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these available-for-sale investments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Upon the sale of these investments, the Company records a realized gain (loss), net of the consultants’ share of the gain (loss) and other costs.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 classifications.

 

3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill

 

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2004 are as follows:

 

     North
America


   Europe

    Asia
Pacific


   Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

   $ 18,362    $ 28,701     $ 1,564    $ 48,627  

Exchange rate fluctuations

     —        (46 )     13      (33 )
    

  


 

  


Balance at June 30, 2004

   $ 18,362    $ 28,655     $ 1,577    $ 48,594  
    

  


 

  


 

Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill in the fourth quarter of 2003. The fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units was determined using a discounted cash flow methodology with the assistance of an independent valuation firm. These impairment tests indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. As a result, no impairment charge was recorded.

 

7


Other Intangible Assets

 

The carrying amount of amortizable other intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization are as follows:

 

     Weighted
Average
Life


   June 30, 2004

   December 31, 2003

      Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net
Carrying
Amount


   Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net
Carrying
Amount


Client relationships

   14.3    $ 11,302    $ (3,974 )   $ 7,328    $ 11,302    $ (3,537 )   $ 7,765

Other intangible assets

   3.4      1,625      (1,625 )     —        1,625      (1,619 )     6
         

  


 

  

  


 

Total

        $ 12,927    $ (5,599 )   $ 7,328    $ 12,927    $ (5,156 )   $ 7,771
         

  


 

  

  


 

 

Intangible amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was $219 thousand and $362 thousand, respectively. Intangible amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was $443 thousand and $819 thousand, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31,


    

2004

   $ 881

2005

     874

2006

     874

2007

     874

2008

     874

 

4. Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

 

A reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share, and the shares used in the computation, are as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


    Six Months
Ended June 30,


 
     2004

   2003

    2004

   2003

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:

                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,926    $ (2,609 )   $ 11,151    $ (9,346 )

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     19,000      18,138       18,745      18,147  

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.36    $ (0.14 )   $ 0.59    $ (0.52 )

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,926    $ (2,609 )   $ 11,151    $ (9,346 )

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     19,000      18,138       18,745      18,147  

Dilutive common shares

     1,082      —         1,010      —    
    

  


 

  


Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

     20,082      18,138       19,755      18,147  
    

  


 

  


Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.34    $ (0.14 )   $ 0.56    $ (0.52 )

 

8


For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, there were approximately 0.6 million and 0.5 million, respectively, dilutive common shares that were not included in the computation of the loss per common share because the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

5. Segment Information

 

The Company operates its executive search and complementary leadership services in four geographic regions: North America, which includes the United States (except Miami) and Canada; Latin America, which includes Mexico and the rest of Latin America, as well as Miami, which serves as the gateway office to the region; Europe; and Asia Pacific.

 

Reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses are characterized as revenue. For segment purposes, the reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses are reported separately and therefore do not affect the analysis of net revenue by geographic region. Related reimbursed expenses are shown separately within operating expenses. The presentation of reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses has no impact on the consolidated operating income (loss) or on the operating income (loss) of the geographic regions. The Company believes that analyzing trends in revenue before reimbursements (“net revenue”) and analyzing operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue more appropriately reflects the Company’s core operations.

 

The revenue, operating income (loss), depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures, by segment, are as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


    Six Months
Ended June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenue:

                                

North America

   $ 53,723     $ 44,728     $ 99,620     $ 86,546  

Latin America

     3,133       2,658       5,670       4,936  

Europe

     32,460       28,179       64,579       56,438  

Asia Pacific

     8,610       6,109       15,286       11,065  
    


 


 


 


Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

     97,926       81,674       185,155       158,985  

Reimbursements

     4,954       6,221       10,153       11,886  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 102,880     $ 87,895     $ 195,308     $ 170,871  
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss):

                                

North America

   $ 11,078     $ 10,161     $ 20,742     $ 16,042  

Latin America

     134       103       48       (20 )

Europe

     582       (1,949 )     1,362       (1,384 )

Asia Pacific

     2,348       1,090       3,399       1,529  
    


 


 


 


Total regions

     14,142       9,405       25,551       16,167  

Corporate

     (5,539 )     (11,046 )     (11,835 )     (17,209 )

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         (5,500 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 8,603     $ (1,641 )   $ 13,716     $ (6,542 )
    


 


 


 


 

9


     Three Months
Ended June 30,


   Six Months
Ended June 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Depreciation and amortization:

                           

North America

   $ 1,521    $ 1,474    $ 2,793    $ 2,866

Latin America

     107      99      184      195

Europe

     1,067      1,486      2,207      3,030

Asia Pacific

     191      198      382      382
    

  

  

  

Total regions

     2,886      3,257      5,566      6,473

Corporate

     502      307      873      626
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 3,388    $ 3,564    $ 6,439    $ 7,099
    

  

  

  

Capital expenditures:

                           

North America

   $ 560    $ 525    $ 1,146    $ 1,097

Latin America

     76      50      139      99

Europe

     586      536      1,070      807

Asia Pacific

     58      228      197      471
    

  

  

  

Total regions

     1,280      1,339      2,552      2,474

Corporate

     246      230      517      431
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 1,526    $ 1,569    $ 3,069    $ 2,905
    

  

  

  

 

The identifiable assets, and goodwill and other intangible assets, by segment, are as follows:

 

    

June 30,

2004


  

December 31,

2003


Identifiable assets:

             

North America

   $ 68,134    $ 60,457

Latin America

     5,870      5,390

Europe

     126,407      141,080

Asia Pacific

     23,640      21,837
    

  

Total regions

     224,051      228,764

Corporate

     90,518      75,268
    

  

Total

   $ 314,569    $ 304,032
    

  

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net:

             

North America

   $ 21,804    $ 22,099

Latin America

     —        —  

Europe

     32,541      32,735

Asia Pacific

     1,577      1,564
    

  

Total

   $ 55,922    $ 56,398
    

  

 

10


6. Restructuring Charges

 

In 2001, the Company began the restructuring of its business to better align costs with expected net revenue levels. During 2001, 2002 and 2003 the Company recorded restructuring charges of $53.2 million, $48.5 million and $29.4 million, respectively.

 

Included in these restructuring charges are $5.5 million, recorded in the first quarter of 2003, to increase previously established accruals for office space reflecting the expectation of longer vacancy periods due primarily to weakness in the real estate markets in which the leased properties are located. By segment, the restructuring charges recorded in the first quarter of 2003 are as follows: North America $0.4 million and Europe $5.1 million.

 

The table below outlines the restructuring-related accruals at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, and the cash payments for the six months ended June 30, 2004:

 

     Severance
And Other
Employee-
Related
Costs


    Office
Consolidations


    Total

 

Accrual balance at December 31, 2003

   $ 6,443     $ 39,345     $ 45,788  

Cash payments

     (3,051 )     (6,508 )     (9,559 )
    


 


 


Accrual balance at June 30, 2004

   $ 3,392     $ 32,837     $ 36,229  
    


 


 


 

7. Income Taxes

 

The income tax provision includes an expense of $1.2 million and $4.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively, to reduce certain deferred tax assets, representing the excess of expense for accounting purposes over the deduction for tax purposes, required to be recorded upon the vesting of restricted stock units. In prior years, a portion of consultant and management compensation was granted in restricted stock units at the then-average market price of approximately $39 per share. This price served as the basis for the compensation expense and the related tax benefit and deferred tax asset. The restricted stock units vested in the first quarter of 2003 at an average market price of approximately $12 per share. As this share price serves as the basis for the current tax deduction, the Company realized a smaller tax benefit than initially recorded. Accordingly, the Company adjusted the deferred tax asset to reflect the lower tax benefit. Excluding this expense, the effective tax rate was 8% and 23%, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, reflecting the U.S. tax benefit offset by foreign income taxes.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets for the U.S. and certain foreign operations that comprise the U.S. income tax entity. In 2004, the Company anticipates that it will generate a loss for U.S. income tax purposes, due primarily to the timing of tax deductions related to restructuring charges recorded in prior years, and therefore does not anticipate recording or paying any U.S. federal income tax in 2004. These tax estimates exclude the affects of any warrant monetizations. The Company will, however, continue to record and pay income tax expense for certain of its foreign operations. While the Company expects to be profitable in 2004 and beyond, there is no assurance that future taxable income will be sufficient to realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets. If after future assessments of the realizability of the deferred tax assets, the Company determines a lesser allowance is required, the Company would record a reduction to the income tax expense and the valuation allowance in the period of such determination.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company recorded $3.7 million of income tax expense. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was 24.7%. The income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2004 is based on a full year estimated effective tax rate of 21.1%. In addition, the income tax expense includes an expense of $0.5 million to adjust the tax reserve for certain items in the U.S.

 

11


In the second quarter of 2004, the Company recorded $2.7 million of income tax expense, which includes an expense of $0.5 million to adjust the tax reserve. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2004 was 28.2%. Excluding the tax reserve adjustment, the effective tax rate was 22.7%.

 

8. Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Equity and Warrant Portfolio

 

The realized and unrealized gains (losses), net of consultants’ share of the gains (losses) and other costs, arising from the equity and warrant portfolio are as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


    Six Months
Ended June 30,


 
     2004

   2003

    2004

   2003

 

Realized gains on investments

   $ 28    $ 165     $ 79    $ 531  

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments

     616      (144 )     443      (283 )
    

  


 

  


Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity and warrant portfolio

   $ 644    $ 21     $ 522    $ 248  
    

  


 

  


 

9. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


    Six Months
Ended June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,926     $ (2,609 )   $ 11,151     $ (9,346 )

Change in foreign currency translation adjustments

     (1,025 )     2,710       (1,425 )     4,030  

Change in unrealized gain on available-for- sale investment, net of tax in 2003

     5       (18 )     5       (28 )
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 5,906     $ 83     $ 9,731     $ (5,344 )
    


 


 


 


 

10. Guarantees

 

The Company has issued a letter of credit and guarantees on the payment of lease commitments for office space for certain subsidiaries in Europe and Asia Pacific. The guarantees were made to secure the respective lease agreements. The guarantees are for the term of the lease agreements, which extend through 2009. For each guarantee issued, if the subsidiary defaults on a lease payment, the Company would have to perform under the guarantee. The maximum amount of undiscounted payments the Company would be required to make in the event of default on all outstanding letters of credit and guarantees is approximately $8.8 million as of June 30, 2004. No amount has been accrued for the Company’s obligation under these guaranty arrangements.

 

12


11. Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

The Company maintains a pension plan for certain employees in Germany. The pensions are individually fixed euro amounts depending on the function and the eligible years of service of the employee. The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


   Six Months
Ended June 30,


     2004

    2003

   2004

    2003

Service cost

   $ 95     $ 166    $ 192     $ 323

Interest cost

     302       319      613       619

Amortization of net gain

     (49 )     —        (99 )     —  
    


 

  


 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 348     $ 485    $ 706     $ 942
    


 

  


 

 

12. Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidate the entity. This Interpretation replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which was issued in January 2003. The Company will be required to apply this Interpretation to variable interests in variable interest entities created after December 31, 2003. The Company currently does not have any controlling financial interests that are within the scope of this Interpretation.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” This Statement establishes standards for the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. The Statement also includes required disclosures for financial instruments within its scope. The Statement was effective for instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise is effective as of January 1, 2004, except for mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. For certain mandatorily redeemable financial instruments, the Statement will be effective on January 1, 2005. The effective date has been deferred indefinitely for certain other types of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. The Company currently does not have any financial instruments that are within the scope of this Statement.

 

In December 2003, the FASB revised SFAS No. 132, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” The disclosure requirements of SFAS 132 were revised to require more complete information in both annual and interim financial statements about pension and postretirement benefits as well as to increase the transparency of the financial reporting related to those plans and benefits. Except as noted, the revised disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. The interim-period disclosures required by the revised Statement are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. The Company adopted the interim-period disclosure requirements of SFAS 132 on January 1, 2004. The additional disclosure of information about foreign plans required by the revised statement is effective for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004. The adoption of these revisions of SFAS No. 132 will impact the disclosures related to our foreign pension plan in 2004, and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

13


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as well as other sections of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate, and management’s beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect the outcome of the forward-looking statements include, among other things, our ability to attract and retain qualified executive search consultants; the condition of the economies in the United States, Europe, or elsewhere; social or political instability in markets in which we operate; price competition; our ability to achieve the planned cost savings from our cost reduction initiatives; our ability to sublease or assign unused office space; our ability to realize our tax loss carryforwards; the mix of profit or loss by country; an impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets; and delays in the development and/or implementation of new technology and systems. Our reports filed with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission also include information on factors that may affect the outcome of forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Executive Overview

 

Our Business

 

We are a premier provider of executive search and leadership consulting services. We help our clients build leadership teams by facilitating the recruitment, assessment and development of personnel for their executive management positions. In addition to executive search for permanent and interim placements, we provide other leadership services, including executive assessment, and, through an alliance, executive coaching.

 

Historical Perspective

 

During 1999 and 2000, the executive search industry experienced a dramatic increase in demand for its services in virtually all markets based on increased competition for executive talent, the need for executives with diverse and global leadership skills, and the proliferation of Internet and e-commerce businesses. Our rate of growth in net revenue during this period exceeded both the industry trend and our historical average because of the need for management at start-up companies, the creation of new e-commerce positions at more established companies and the growth in the financial services industry.

 

The slowdown in the United States economy that began early in 2001, especially in the financial services and technology sectors, followed by a slowdown in other geographic markets, created an environment where the previous trends began to reverse. Commencing in June 2001, when we anticipated a decrease in net revenue compared to 2000, we took steps to reduce our cost base by reducing our workforce while retaining capacity to meet additional demand when the economy recovered. In October 2001, we announced further reductions in our workforce and consolidated or eliminated office space. The initiatives related to these announcements were completed during the 2002 first quarter.

 

14


In 2002, the worldwide economies, and the demand for executive search services, continued to weaken. Even after taking into account the workforce reductions and office consolidations and closings that occurred since June 2001, at the then-current and anticipated net revenue levels, we determined that we had substantial excess search team capacity. In addition, the cost structure in Europe continued to be too high for its net revenue level. As a result, in October 2002, we announced further reductions in our workforce and additional office consolidations and closings.

 

In 2003, continued global economic weakness and geopolitical tensions adversely impacted the business environment and, consequently, the demand for our services. As a result, we announced further reductions in our workforce, primarily in Europe. In addition, we increased previously established accruals for unused office space, reflecting the expectation of longer vacancy periods due primarily to weakness in the real estate markets in which the leased properties are located.

 

2004 Outlook

 

For 2004, we currently anticipate that net revenue will grow at a rate in the low to mid-teens. This performance assumes that the worldwide economy will continue to strengthen. At that level of net revenue growth, we would expect to generate operating margins in the 6 percent to 8 percent range.

 

We receive warrants for equity securities in our client companies, in addition to our cash fee, for services rendered on some searches. Upon a value event such as an initial public offering or an acquisition, the equity securities arising from the exercise of the warrants are recorded at fair value, resulting in an unrealized gain, net of the consultants’ share of the gain and other costs. In 2003, 2002 and 2001, we recorded realized gains, net of the consultants’ share of the gain and other costs, of $0.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to the equity and warrant portfolio as a component of non-operating income (expense). With improvements in economic and market conditions, it is possible, although not certain, that we could realize gains which are significant to our reported earnings in the future. For more specific information on one of our holdings, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources – General.”

 

Results of Operations

 

We operate our executive search and complementary leadership services in four geographic regions: North America, which includes the United States (except Miami) and Canada; Latin America, which includes Mexico and the rest of Latin America, as well as Miami, which serves as our gateway office to the region; Europe; and Asia Pacific.

 

Total revenue consists of revenue before reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses (“net revenue”) and reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses. Net revenue consists primarily of retainers and indirect expenses billed to clients. For segment purposes, the reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses are reported separately and therefore do not affect the analysis of net revenue by geographic region. Related reimbursed expenses are shown separately within operating expenses. The presentation of reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses has no impact on the consolidated operating income (loss) or on the operating income (loss) of the geographic regions. We believe that analyzing trends in net revenue and analyzing operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue more appropriately reflects our core operations.

 

15


The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, the results of our operations as a percentage of revenue before reimbursements (net revenue):

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


    Six Months
Ended June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenue:

                        

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

   100.0  %   100.0  %   100.0  %   100.0  %

Reimbursements

   5.1     7.6     5.5     7.5  
    

 

 

 

Total revenue

   105.1     107.6     105.5     107.5  
    

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

                        

Salaries and employee benefits

   67.7     77.0     69.0     73.6  

General and administrative expenses

   23.5     25.0     23.6     27.0  

Reimbursements

   5.1     7.6     5.5     7.5  

Restructuring charges

   —       —       —       3.5  
    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   96.3     109.6     98.1     111.6  
    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   8.8     (2.0 )   7.4     (4.1 )
    

 

 

 

Non-operating income (expense):

                        

Interest income

   0.3     0.6     0.4     0.6  

Interest expense

   —       (0.1 )   —       (0.1 )

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity and warrant portfolio

   0.7     —       0.3     0.2  

Other, net

   0.1     (0.4 )   (0.1 )   (0.7 )
    

 

 

 

Net non-operating income (expense)

   1.1     0.1     0.6     —    
    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   9.8     (1.9 )   8.0     (4.1 )

Provision for income taxes

   2.8     1.3     2.0     1.8  
    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   7.1 %   (3.2 )%   6.0 %   (5.9 )%
    

 

 

 


Note: Totals and sub-totals may not equal the sum of individual line items due to rounding.

 

16


The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our revenue and operating income (loss) by segment (in thousands):

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


    Six Months
Ended June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenue:

                                

North America

   $ 53,723     $ 44,728     $ 99,620     $ 86,546  

Latin America

     3,133       2,658       5,670       4,936  

Europe

     32,460       28,179       64,579       56,438  

Asia Pacific

     8,610       6,109       15,286       11,065  
    


 


 


 


Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

     97,926       81,674       185,155       158,985  

Reimbursements

     4,954       6,221       10,153       11,886  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 102,880     $ 87,895     $ 195,308     $ 170,871  
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss):

                                

North America

   $ 11,078     $ 10,161     $ 20,742     $ 16,042  

Latin America

     134       103       48       (20 )

Europe

     582       (1,949 )     1,362       (1,384 )

Asia Pacific

     2,348       1,090       3,399       1,529  
    


 


 


 


Total regions

     14,142       9,405       25,551       16,167  

Corporate

     (5,539 )     (11,046 )     (11,835 )     (17,209 )

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         (5,500 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 8,603     $ (1,641 )   $ 13,716     $ (6,542 )
    


 


 


 


 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

Total revenue. Consolidated total revenue increased $15.0 million, or 17.0%, to $102.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $87.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in total revenue was due primarily to the increase in revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

 

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue). Consolidated net revenue increased $16.2 million, or 19.9%, to $97.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $81.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Our five largest industry practices, Financial Services, Industrial, Consumer, Technology and Health Care reported net revenue increases. Excluding a positive impact of $2.8 million due to exchange rate fluctuations, net revenue increased approximately 16%. We believe this increase reflects the impact of the continuing economic improvement in the global economy. The number of confirmed executive searches increased 11% compared to the second quarter of 2003.

 

Net revenue in North America was $53.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $9.0 million, or 20.1%, from $44.7 million in the second quarter of 2003. Increases in the Financial Services, Industrial, Consumer, Technology and Health Care practices’ net revenue more than offset weakness in the remaining practices. In Latin America, net revenue was $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $0.5 million, or 17.9%, from $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2003. The increase in Financial Services, Professional Services and Technology net revenue was partially offset by declines across the other practices. Excluding a negative impact of less than $0.1 million due to exchange rate fluctuations, net revenue increased by approximately 18% from the comparable quarter of 2003. Net revenue in Europe was $32.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $4.3 million, or 15.2%, from $28.2 million in the second

 

17


quarter of 2003. Most of the practices experienced increases in net revenue with the most significant increases in the Financial Services and Consumer practices. Excluding a positive impact of $2.4 million due to exchange rate fluctuations, net revenue increased by approximately 7% from the comparable quarter of 2003. In Asia Pacific, net revenue was $8.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $2.5 million, or 40.9%, from $6.1 million in the second quarter of 2003. All of the practices experienced significant increases in net revenue with the exception of the Consumer and Higher Education practices. Excluding a positive impact of $0.5 million due to exchange rate fluctuations, net revenue increased approximately 32% compared to the same quarter in 2003.

 

Salaries and employee benefits. Consolidated salaries and employee benefits expense increased $3.4 million, or 5.4%, to $66.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $62.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Salary and employee benefits expense for the second quarter of 2003 includes $5.2 million of expense related to the separation agreements for the former CEO and the former President and COO, as well as approximately $2.8 million of severance-related expenses, primarily in Europe and North America. Excluding these severance-related expenses, which we believe more appropriately reflects our core operations, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $11.4 million, or 20.8%. The increase was primarily attributable to $11.0 million of additional performance-related compensation expense for executive search consultants and support staff and an increase of $0.4 million in fixed salaries and employee benefits.

 

As a percentage of net revenue, salaries and employee benefits expense was 67.7% in the second quarter of 2004, compared to 77.0% in the second quarter of 2003. Excluding the $8.0 million of severance-related expenses in the second quarter of 2003, salaries and employee benefits expense as a percentage of net revenue was 67.2%, approximately even with the second quarter of 2004.

 

General and administrative expenses. Consolidated general and administrative expenses increased $2.6 million, or 12.9%, to $23.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $20.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. This increase was due to $1.9 million of higher discretionary spending and an increase of $0.9 million in bad debt expense, offset by $0.2 million of lower infrastructure expense.

 

As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased to 23.5% in the second quarter of 2004 from 25.0% in the second quarter of 2003.

 

Operating income (loss). Our consolidated operating income was $8.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared to an operating loss of $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The improvement in operating income of $10.2 million was due to the increase in net revenue of $16.2 million offset by increases in salaries and employee benefits expense of $3.4 million and general and administrative expenses of $2.6 million.

 

In North America, operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2004 increased $0.9 million to $11.1 million from $10.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase of $9.0 million in North America’s net revenue and lower fixed salaries and employee benefits expense of $1.7 million were offset by $7.8 million of additional performance-related compensation expense, and increases of $0.6 million in bad debt expense and $1.4 million in discretionary spending and facilities-related expenses.

 

In Latin America, operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was $0.1 million, approximately even with the second quarter of 2003. The increase in net revenue of $0.5 million was offset by higher salary and employee benefits expense.

 

In Europe, operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2004 increased $2.5 million to $0.6 million compared to an operating loss of $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in net revenue of $4.3 million and $0.2 million of lower general and administrative expenses more than offset an increase of $2.0 million of salaries and employee benefits expense. Excluding the severance-related expenses of $1.9 million, which we believe more appropriately reflects the Europe region’s core operations, the Europe region would have operated at approximately break-even for the three months ended June 30, 2003.

 

18


In Asia Pacific, operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was $2.3 million, an increase of $1.2 million, compared to $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in net revenue of $2.5 million was partially offset by an increase of $1.2 million in salaries and employee benefits expense and an increase of $0.1 million of general and administrative expenses.

 

Unallocated corporate expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2004 were $5.5 million, a decrease of $5.5 million, compared to unallocated corporate expenses of $11.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Corporate expense for the three months ended June 30, 2003 include $5.2 million related to the separation agreements for the former CEO and the former President and COO, and $0.1 million of other severance-related expenses. Excluding the severance-related expenses recorded in the second quarter of 2003, which we believe more appropriately reflects our core operations, corporate expenses decreased $0.2 million or 3.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2004. A decrease of $0.7 million in salaries and employee benefits expense was offset by an increase of $0.5 million in general and administrative expenses.

 

Non-operating income (expense). The following table presents the components of our net non-operating income (expense) for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively (in millions):

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,


    Change

 

Non-operating income (expense):


   2004

   2003

   

Interest income

   $ 0.3    $ 0.5     $ (0.2 )

Interest expense

     —        (0.1 )     —    

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity and warrant portfolio:

                       

Realized gains on investments

     —        0.2       (0.2 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments

     0.6      (0.1 )     0.7  
    

  


 


Net realized and unrealized gains

     0.6      —         0.6  

Other, net

     0.1      (0.3 )     0.4  
    

  


 


Net non-operating income

   $ 1.0    $ 0.1     $ 0.9  
    

  


 



Note: Totals and sub-totals may not equal the sum of individual line items due to rounding.

 

Interest income in the second quarter of 2004 decreased $0.2 million to $0.3 million due to lower returns on invested balances.

 

We receive warrants for equity securities in our client companies, in addition to our cash fee, for services rendered on some searches. The warrants are initially recorded at fair value. Some of the warrants in our portfolio meet the definition of a derivative instrument under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its subsequent amendments. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, subsequent changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations rather than as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Warrants which do not meet the definition of a derivative instrument are regularly reviewed for declines in value. Upon a value event such as an initial public offering or an acquisition, the equity securities arising from the exercise of the warrants are recorded at fair value, resulting in an unrealized gain, net of the consultants’ share of the gain and other costs.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2004, we recognized $0.6 million of unrealized gains, net of the consultants’ share of the gains and other costs, related to our equity and warrant portfolio. During the three months ended June 30, 2003, we recognized $0.2 million of realized gains and $0.1 million of unrealized losses, net of the consultants’ share of the gains (losses) and other costs, related to our equity and warrant portfolio.

 

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Net other non-operating income was $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, compared to a net non-operating loss of $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Other non-operating income (expense) consists primarily of exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances which are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency and are not considered permanent in nature.

 

Income taxes. In the second quarter of 2003, we had pre-tax loss of $1.5 million and recorded $1.1 million of income tax expense. The income tax provision for the second quarter of 2003 includes an expense of $1.2 million to reduce certain deferred tax assets, representing the excess of expense for accounting purposes over the deduction for tax purposes, required to be recorded upon the vesting of restricted stock units. In prior years, a portion of consultant and management compensation was granted in restricted stock units at the then-average market price of approximately $39 per share. This price served as the basis for the compensation expense and the related tax benefit and deferred tax asset. The restricted stock units vested in the first quarter of 2003 at an average market price of approximately $12 per share. As this share price serves as the basis for the current tax deduction, we realized a smaller tax benefit than initially recorded. Accordingly, we adjusted the deferred tax asset to reflect the lower tax benefit. Excluding this expense, the effective tax benefit rate for the second quarter of 2003 was 8% reflecting the U.S. tax benefit offset by foreign taxes.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003, we recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets for the U.S. and certain foreign operations that comprise the U.S. income tax entity. In 2004, we anticipate that we will generate a loss for U.S. income tax purposes, due primarily to the timing of tax deductions related to our restructuring charges, and therefore do not anticipate recording or paying any U.S. federal income tax in 2004. These tax estimates exclude the affects of any warrant monetizations. We will, however, continue to record and pay income tax expense for certain of our foreign operations. While we expect to be profitable in 2004 and beyond, there is no assurance that future taxable income will be sufficient to realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets. If after future assessments of the realizability of the deferred tax assets, we determine a lesser allowance is required, we would record a reduction to the income tax expense and the valuation allowance in the period of such determination.

 

In the second quarter of 2004, we recorded $2.7 million of income tax expense, which includes an expense of $0.5 million to adjust the tax reserve for certain items in the U.S. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2004 was 28.2%. Excluding the tax reserve adjustment, the effective tax rate was 22.7%. The effective tax rate is lower than the statutory tax rate primarily as a result of the full valuation allowance recorded in the fourth quarter of 2003 which eliminates U.S. federal income taxes for the near future.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

Total revenue. Consolidated total revenue increased $24.4 million, or 14.3 %, to $195.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $170.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in total revenue was due primarily to the increase in revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

 

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue). Consolidated net revenue increased $26.2 million, or 16.5%, to $185.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $159.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Our five largest industry practices, Financial Services, Industrial, Consumer, Technology and Health Care reported net revenue increases. Excluding a positive impact of $7.9 million due to exchange rate fluctuations, net revenue increased approximately 11%. We believe this increase reflects the impact of the continuing economic improvement in the global economy. The number of confirmed executive searches increased 6% compared to the same period of 2003.

 

Net revenue in North America was $99.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $13.1 million, or 15.1%, from $86.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Increases in the Financial Services, Industrial, Consumer, Technology and Health Care practices’ net revenue more than offset weakness in the remaining practices. In Latin America, net revenue was $5.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $0.8 million, or 14.9%, from $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in Financial Services, Professional Services, Technology and Health Care net revenue was partially offset by declines across the other practices. Excluding a positive impact of $0.1 million due to exchange rate fluctuations, net

 

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revenue increased by approximately 11% from the comparable period in 2003. Net revenue in Europe was $64.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $8.1 million, or 14.4%, from $56.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. All of the practices experienced increases in net revenue with the exception of the Industrial and Technology practices which experienced modest declines. Excluding a positive impact of $6.6 million due to exchange rate fluctuations, net revenue decreased by approximately 3% from the comparable period in 2003. In Asia Pacific, net revenue was $15.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $4.2 million, or 38.1%, from $11.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Most of the practices experienced increases in net revenue with the most significant increases in the Industrial, Financial Services and Technology practices. Excluding a positive impact of $1.1 million due to exchange rate fluctuations, net revenue increased approximately 28% compared to the same period of 2003.

 

Salaries and employee benefits. Consolidated salaries and employee benefits expense increased $10.6 million, or 9.1%, to $127.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $117.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Salary and employee benefits expense for the six months ended June 30, 2003 includes $5.2 million of expense related to the separation agreements for the former CEO and the former President and COO, as well as approximately $2.8 million of severance-related expenses, primarily in Europe and North America. Excluding these severance-related expenses, which we believe more appropriately reflects our core operations, performance-related compensation expense increased $18.6 million, or 17.1%. Increased performance-related compensation is the result of higher net revenue levels and improved profitability.

 

As a percentage of net revenue, salaries and employee benefits expense was 69.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to 73.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Excluding the $8.0 million of severance-related expenses in the second quarter of 2003, salaries and employee benefits expense as a percentage of net revenue was 68.6%, approximately even with the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

General and administrative expenses. Consolidated general and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million, or 1.9%, to $43.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $43.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. This increase was due to $0.3 million of additional discretionary spending and an increase of $1.5 million in bad debt expense offset by $1.0 million of lower rent, depreciation, amortization and other infrastructure expense.

 

As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased to 23.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from 27.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Restructuring Charges. In the first quarter of 2003, we recorded restructuring charges of $5.5 million to increase accruals for leased properties that had been identified as excess in previous office consolidation charges. The accruals were increased to reflect the expectation of longer vacancy periods due in part to weakness in the real estate markets in which leased properties are located. By segment, North America recorded $0.4 million and Europe recorded $5.1 million. No restructuring charges were recorded in the second quarter of 2003.

 

Operating income (loss). Our consolidated operating income was $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to an operating loss of $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The improvement in operating income of $20.2 million was due to the increase in net revenue of $26.2 million offset by increases in salaries and benefits of $10.6 million and general and administrative expenses of $0.8 million. The first quarter of 2003 included restructuring charges of $5.5 million while no restructuring charges were recorded in the first six months of 2004.

 

In North America, operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 increased $4.7 million to $20.7 million from $16.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase of $13.1 million in North America’s net revenue, lower fixed salaries and employee benefits expense of $4.3 million and $1.0 million of lower discretionary spending and facilities-related expenses were offset by $13.1 million of additional performance-related compensation expense and $0.6 million of bad debt expense.

 

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In Latin America, operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was less than $0.1 million, approximately even with the second quarter of 2003. The increase in net revenue of $0.8 million was offset by higher salary and employee benefits expense.

 

In Europe, operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 increased $2.8 million to $1.4 million compared to an operating loss of $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in net revenue of $8.1 million and lower discretionary spending of $1.0 million was offset by an increase of $5.5 million of salaries and employee benefits expense and an increase in bad debt expense of $0.8 million. Excluding the severance-related expenses, which we believe more appropriately reflects the Europe region’s core operations, the Europe region’s operating income would have been $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

In Asia Pacific, operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $3.4 million, an increase of $1.9 million, compared to $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in net revenue of $4.2 million was partially offset by an increase of $2.0 million in salaries and employee benefits expense and an increase of $0.3 million of general and administrative expenses.

 

Unallocated corporate expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $11.8 million, a decrease of $5.4 million, compared to unallocated corporate expenses of $17.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Corporate expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2003 include $5.2 million related to the separation agreements for the former CEO and the former President and COO, and $0.1 million of other severance-related expenses. Excluding the severance-related expenses recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2003, which we believe more appropriately reflects our core operations, corporate expenses decreased $0.1 million.

 

Non-operating income (expense). The following table presents the components of our net non-operating income (expense) for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively (in millions):

 

     Six Months
Ended June 30,


    Change

 

Non-operating income (expense):


   2004

    2003

   

Interest income

   $ 0.7     $ 1.0     $ (0.3 )

Interest expense

     —         (0.1 )     —    

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity and warrant portfolio:

                        

Realized gains on investments

     0.1       0.5       (0.3 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments

     0.4       (0.3 )     0.7  
    


 


 


Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     0.5       0.2       0.3  

Other, net

     (0.1 )     (1.1 )     1.0  
    


 


 


Net non-operating income (expense)

   $ 1.1     $ —       $ 1.1  
    


 


 



Note: Totals and sub-totals may not equal the sum of individual line items due to rounding.

 

Interest income in the first six months of 2004 decreased $0.3 million to $0.7 million due to lower returns on invested balances.

 

We receive warrants for equity securities in our client companies, in addition to our cash fee, for services rendered on some searches. The warrants are initially recorded at fair value. Some of the warrants in our portfolio meet the definition of a derivative instrument under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its subsequent amendments. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, subsequent changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations rather than as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Warrants which do not meet the definition of a derivative instrument are regularly reviewed for declines in value.

 

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Upon a value event such as an initial public offering or an acquisition, the equity securities arising from the exercise of the warrants are recorded at fair value, resulting in an unrealized gain, net of the consultants’ share of the gain and other costs.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2004, we recognized $0.1 million of realized gains and $0.4 million of unrealized gains, net of the consultants’ share of the gains and other costs, related to our equity and warrant portfolio. During the six months ended June 30, 2003, we recognized $0.5 million of realized gains and $0.3 million of unrealized losses, net of the consultants’ share of the gains (losses) and other costs, related to our equity and warrant portfolio.

 

Net other non-operating expense was $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Other non-operating income (expense) consists primarily of exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances which are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency and are not considered permanent in nature.

 

Income taxes. For the six months ended June 30, 2003, we had pre-tax loss of $6.6 million and recorded $2.8 million of income tax expense. The income tax provision for the second quarter of 2003 includes an expense of $4.3 million to reduce certain deferred tax assets, representing the excess of expense for accounting purposes over the deduction for tax purposes, required to be recorded upon the vesting of restricted stock units. In prior years, a portion of consultant and management compensation was granted in restricted stock units at the then-average market price of approximately $39 per share. This price served as the basis for the compensation expense and the related tax benefit and deferred tax asset. The restricted stock units vested in the first quarter of 2003 at an average market price of approximately $12 per share. As this share price serves as the basis for the current tax deduction, we realized a smaller tax benefit than initially recorded. Accordingly, we adjusted the deferred tax asset to reflect the lower tax benefit. Excluding this expense, the effective tax benefit rate for the first quarter of 2003 was 23% reflecting the U.S. tax benefit offset by foreign taxes.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003, we recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets for the U.S. and certain foreign operations that comprise the U.S. income tax entity. In 2004, we anticipate that we will generate a loss for U.S. income tax purposes, due primarily to the timing of tax deductions related to our restructuring charges, and therefore do not anticipate recording or paying any U.S. federal income tax in 2004. These tax estimates exclude the affects of any warrant monetizations. We will, however, continue to record and pay income tax expense for certain of our foreign operations. While we expect to be profitable in 2004 and beyond, there is no assurance that future taxable income will be sufficient to realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets. If after future assessments of the realizability of the deferred tax assets, we determine a lesser allowance is required, we would record a reduction to the income tax expense and the valuation allowance in the period of such determination.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, we recorded $3.7 million of income tax expense. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was 24.7%. The income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2004 is based on a full year estimated effective tax rate of 21.1%. In addition, the income tax expense includes an expense of $0.5 million to adjust the tax reserve for certain items in the U.S. The effective tax rate is lower than the statutory tax rate primarily as a result of the full valuation allowance recorded in the fourth quarter of 2003 which eliminates U.S. federal income taxes for the near future.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

General. We continually evaluate our liquidity requirements, capital needs and availability of capital resources based on our operating needs. We believe that our existing cash balances together with the funds expected to be generated from operations and funds available under our committed line of credit will be sufficient to finance our operations for the foreseeable future, as well as to finance the cash payments associated with our restructuring charges. We historically have paid a portion of our bonuses in December and the remainder in March. Employee bonuses are accrued throughout the year and are based on our performance and the performance of the individual employee. Our ability to undertake acquisitions may depend, in part, on access to additional funds.

 

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We do not have material off-balance sheet arrangements, special purpose entities, trading activities of non-exchange traded contracts or transactions with related parties.

 

Some deferred compensation arrangements with certain employees, which were executed prior to July 30, 2002, are structured as forgivable loans. The forgivable loans are accounted for as deferred compensation, and are therefore amortized to compensation expense over the forgiveness period. At June 30, 2004, we had $0.5 million of deferred compensation structured as forgivable loans. The terms of a deferred compensation arrangement structured as a forgivable loan and granted to an executive officer are included in the employee’s employment agreement as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. At June 30, 2004, there were no deferred compensation arrangements structured as forgivable loans with any executive officer.

 

On April 29, 2004, Google Inc. (“Google”) filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its initial public offering. Google disclosed in the registration statement fully vested, nonforfeitable warrants to purchase 1,194,308 shares of Google Class B common stock at a price of $0.30 per share issued in connection with recruitment fees. Although it continues to be our policy not to comment on specific holdings in our warrant portfolio, we determined it appropriate to disclose that we were issued these warrants in connection with a search for Google and continue to hold them. It has been our policy to exercise similar warrants and monetize our gains within a limited period after we are able to do so. We are unable to provide any assurance as to when we will realize the value, if any, of these warrants as it will depend on a variety of factors, including contractual limitations and future market conditions. For similar reasons we are unable to provide any assurance as to the value of these warrants. Pursuant to the terms of the compensation policy with respect to warrants, 55% of the value of any gains from these warrants is payable to our consultants involved with the search. At the time of the Google initial public offering, the fair market value of the warrants will be recorded as a component of non-operating income (expense), net of the consultants’ share of the gain.

 

Lines of credit. During 2003, we had a $50.0 million committed revolving credit facility. This facility was amended on April 29, 2003, November 27, 2002 and March 25, 2002, and would have expired on December 28, 2004. We paid a facility fee even if no portion of the line of credit was used. In addition, in February 2003, we entered into an uncommitted line of credit for $5.0 million. There were no financial covenants or fees related to this unsecured line of credit.

 

In December 2003, we terminated the $5.0 million uncommitted line of credit and replaced our $50.0 million committed revolving credit facility with a new $60.0 million committed revolving credit facility (the “Facility”). Under this Facility, we may borrow U.S. dollars, euros, sterling and other major traded currencies, as agreed by the banks. Borrowings under the Facility bear interest at the existing Alternate Base Rate or LIBOR plus a margin as determined by our compliance with certain tests of our financial condition. The Facility has financial tests we must meet or exceed relating to:

 

  Fixed charge coverage (defined as consolidated EBITDAR minus consolidated capital expenditures to consolidated interest expense plus consolidated rental payments plus restricted payments). EBITDAR is defined as earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rental payments plus interest income;

 

  Leverage (defined as consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA plus interest income);

 

  Current ratio (defined as current assets divided by current liabilities); and

 

  Net worth.

 

The Facility sets limits on our ability to make acquisitions without bank approval and to incur additional debt outside of the Facility. We must pay a facility fee whether or not the Facility is used during the year.

 

In March 2004, we amended the Facility (“Amendment No. 1”) to reduce the net worth covenant from $145.0 million to $110.0 million. This amendment was required as a result of the non-cash income tax expense of $57.9 million, recorded in the fourth quarter of 2003, which provided a full valuation allowance for the net deferred tax

 

24


assets related to the U.S. and certain foreign operations that comprise the U.S. income tax entity. See Note 7, Income Taxes, in the unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

There were no borrowings outstanding under the lines of credit at June 30, 2004 or December 31, 2003. At June 30, 2004, after taking into effect Amendment No. 1, we were in compliance with the financial covenants of the Facility, and no event of default existed.

 

Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents were $118.7 million and $95.9 million at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The amount of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2003 was $119.3 million.

 

Cash from operating activities. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, cash used in operating activities was $3.4 million, reflecting payments related to the restructuring charges, an increase in trade receivables and the payments of bonuses in March 2004, offset by our net income before depreciation and amortization.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2003, cash used in operating activities was $10.8 million, reflecting our net loss, payments related to the restructuring charges, an increase in trade receivables and the payment of bonuses in March 2003, offset by the refund of approximately $14.7 million of U.S. income taxes paid in prior years arising from the carry-back of net operating losses.

 

Cash from investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Capital expenditures were $3.1 million and $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

Cash from financing activities. Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $6.1 million primarily as a result of stock options exercised. Cash used in financing activities was $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 primarily as a result of repurchases of our common stock.

 

The repurchases of our common stock were made according to the March 6, 2001 Board of Directors’ authorization for management to repurchase up to an aggregate of 2 million shares of our common stock with an aggregate purchase price up to $100 million through March 5, 2003. From February 25, 2003 through March 5, 2003, we repurchased 288,000 shares of common stock for $3.2 million.

 

On May 22, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up to an aggregate of 1 million shares of our common stock with an aggregate purchase price up to $20 million through May 21, 2005. No purchases of our common stock have been made under this authorization.

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2004. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. If actual amounts are ultimately different from previous estimates, the revisions are included in our results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts become known.

 

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that

 

25


reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the financial statements. Management believes its critical accounting policies that reflect its more significant estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, accruals related to the consolidation and closing of offices recorded as part of our restructuring, income taxes, goodwill and other intangible assets and allowance for doubtful accounts. See Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2004.

 

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidate the entity. This Interpretation replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which was issued in January 2003. The Company will be required to apply this Interpretation to variable interests in variable interest entities created after December 31, 2003. The Company currently does not have any controlling financial interests that are within the scope of this Interpretation.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” This Statement establishes standards for the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. The Statement also includes required disclosures for financial instruments within its scope. The Statement was effective for instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise is effective as of January 1, 2004, except for mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. For certain mandatorily redeemable financial instruments, the Statement will be effective on January 1, 2005. The effective date has been deferred indefinitely for certain other types of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. We currently do not have any financial instruments that are within the scope of this Statement.

 

In December 2003, the FASB revised SFAS No. 132, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” The disclosure requirements of SFAS 132 were revised to require more complete information in both annual and interim financial statements about pension and postretirement benefits as well as to increase the transparency of the financial reporting related to those plans and benefits. Except as noted, the revised disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. The interim-period disclosures required by the revised Statement are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. We adopted the interim-period disclosure requirements of SFAS 132 on January 1, 2004. The additional disclosure of information about foreign plans required by the revised statement is effective for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004. The adoption of theses revisions of SFAS No. 132 impacted the disclosures related to our foreign pension plan in 2004, and did not have a material impact on the our financial condition or results of operations.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Derivative instruments. We receive warrants for equity securities in our client companies, in addition to our cash fee, for services rendered on some searches. The warrants are initially recorded at fair value. Some of the warrants in our portfolio meet the definition of a derivative instrument under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its subsequent amendments. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Each quarter’s results of operations may be affected by the fluctuations in the fair value of these derivative instruments. Upon a value event such as an initial public offering or an acquisition, the equity securities arising from the exercise of the warrants are recorded at fair value, resulting in an unrealized gain, net of the consultants’ share of the gain and other costs. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, we recognized $0.1 million of realized gains and $0.4 million of unrealized gains, net of the consultants’ share of the gains and other costs, related to our equity and warrant portfolio. During the six months ended June 30, 2003, we recognized $0.5 million of realized gains and $0.3 million of unrealized losses, net of the consultants’ share of the gains (losses) and other costs, related to our equity and warrant portfolio.

 

Currency market risk. With our operations in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific we conduct business using various currencies. Revenue earned in each country is generally matched with the associated expenses incurred, thereby reducing currency risk to earnings. However, because certain assets and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in currency rates may cause fluctuations in the valuation of such assets and liabilities. As the local currency of our subsidiaries has been designated as the functional currency, we are affected by the translation of foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars. Outside of North America, Europe is our largest region in terms of net revenue. Based on our net income of $11.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, a 1% change in the average exchange rate of the British pound and the euro would have increased or decreased our net income by less than $0.1 million. For financial information by geographic segment, see Note 5, Segment Information, in the unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Evaluation and Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

We have contingent liabilities from various pending claims and litigation matters arising in the course of our business, some of which involve claims for damages that are substantial in amount. Some of these matters are covered by insurance. Although our ultimate liability in these matters cannot be determined, based upon information currently available, we believe the ultimate resolution of such claims and litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

In December 2002, Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Miami filed suit against us regarding a search for a chief executive officer we performed in 1998 seeking damages, including between $59 million and $75 million based primarily upon the operating loss incurred by Mt. Sinai in 2001, the chief executive officer’s last year at the hospital. On June 30, 2004, the judge presiding over this case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted summary judgement, dismissing all the claims made by Mt. Sinai. Mt Sinai has filed a notice of appeal with respect to this decision. While there can be no assurance as to the outcome, we believe that the claims are without merit.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities

 

At our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 12, 2004 in New York, New York, our stockholders voted on the following matter:

 

The election of three directors, Richard I. Beattie, John A. Fazio and Antonio Borges, to serve for a term of three years or until their successors have been elected and qualified.

 

The election of one director, Thomas J. Friel, to serve for a term of two years or until a successor has been elected and qualified.

 

The nominees to the Board of Directors were elected.

 

Name of Nominee


   Number of
Votes For


   Number
of Votes
Withheld


Richard I. Beattie

   15,768,590    550,621

Antonio Borges

   16,130,855    188,356

John A. Fazio

   16,151,881    167,330

Thomas J. Friel

   16,013,270    305,941

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


3.01    Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.02 of this Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-61023))
3.02    Form of Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.03 of this Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-61023))
4.01    Specimen Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 of this Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-61023))

 

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*10.01    Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement between Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. and JP Morgan Chase Bank as administrative agent dated December 22, 2003
*10.02    Employment agreement of Eileen A. Kamerick
* 31.1    Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
* 31.2    Certification of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
* 32.1    Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
* 32.2    Certification of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

* Filed herewith.

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

On April 14, 2004, we filed a report under Item 5 and Item 7 regarding a press release announcing the election of Antonio Borges to the Board of Directors.

 

On April 30, 2004, we furnished a report under Item 7 and Item 12 regarding a news release reporting our 2004 first quarter financial results.

 

On June 2, 2004, we filed a report under Item 5 and Item 7 regarding a press release announcing that Eileen A. Kamerick has been named Chief Financial Officer.

 

On June 14, 2004, we filed a report under Item 5 and Item 7 regarding a press release announcing the election of Jill Kanin-Lovers to the Board of Directors.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: August 6, 2004

 

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(Registrant)

By:  

/s/ Eileen A. Kamerick

   

Eileen A. Kamerick

   

Chief Financial Officer

 

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