• FTI Consulting Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 27 Apr 2023 07:30:15   America/New_York

    • First Quarter 2023 Revenues of $806.7 Million, Up 11.5% Compared to $723.6 Million in Prior Year Quarter; Excluding Estimated Negative Impact of FX, First Quarter 2023 Revenues Up 13.8% Compared to Prior Year Quarter
    • First Quarter 2023 EPS of $1.34 Compared to $1.66 in Prior Year Quarter

    WASHINGTON, April 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today released financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

    First quarter 2023 revenues of $806.7 million increased $83.1 million, or 11.5%, compared to revenues of $723.6 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated negative impact from foreign currency translation (“FX”), revenues increased $99.7 million, or 13.8%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher demand across the Corporate Finance & Restructuring, Forensic and Litigation Consulting and Technology segments. Net income of $47.5 million compared to $59.3 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease in net income was primarily due to an increase in compensation, including the impact of an 11.0% increase in billable headcount, higher selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses and FX remeasurement losses, which more than offset the increase in revenues compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA of $78.4 million, or 9.7% of revenues, compared to $90.5 million, or 12.5% of revenues, in the prior year quarter. First quarter 2023 earnings per diluted share (“EPS”) of $1.34 compared to $1.66 in the prior year quarter.

    Steven H. Gunby, President and Chief Executive Officer of FTI Consulting, commented, “Our teams, once again, delivered record revenues this quarter, with revenues up 11.5%, or 13.8% excluding the impact of FX. Notwithstanding the strong top-line performance this quarter, our bottom line declined substantially compared to the prior year quarter. That shortfall was partially the result of a combination of factors that happened to cut negatively in the quarter but was also driven by major investments we have been making behind growth opportunities, which we believe will continue to support the powerful multi-year trajectory that our company has been on.”

    Cash Position and Capital Allocation

    Net cash used in operating activities of $254.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 compared to $203.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The year-over-year increase in net cash used in operating activities was largely due to an increase in salaries primarily related to headcount growth, higher operating expenses and an increase in annual bonus payments, which was partially offset by an increase in cash collections.

    Cash and cash equivalents of $238.5 million at March 31, 2023 compared to $271.1 million at March 31, 2022 and $491.7 million at December 31, 2022. Total debt, net of cash, of $122.7 million at March 31, 2023 compared to $60.1 million at March 31, 2022 and ($175.5) million at December 31, 2022. The sequential increase in total debt, net of cash, was primarily due to an increase in cash used in operating activities, which included annual bonus payments.

    During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 112,139 shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $158.70 for a total cost of $17.8 million. As of March 31, 2023, approximately $460.7 million remained available for common stock repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program.

    First Quarter 2023 Segment Results

    Corporate Finance & Restructuring
    Revenues in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment increased $46.7 million, or 18.4%, to $300.0 million in the quarter compared to $253.3 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated negative impact from FX, revenues increased $51.4 million, or 20.3%, compared to the prior year quarter. Acquisition-related revenues contributed $1.5 million in the quarter. The increase in revenues was due to higher demand for restructuring and business transformation services, which was partially offset by a decline in demand for transactions services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $55.0 million, or 18.3% of segment revenues, compared to $53.5 million, or 21.1% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by higher compensation, which includes the impact of a 13.9% increase in billable headcount, and higher SG&A expenses compared to the prior year quarter.

    Forensic and Litigation Consulting
    Revenues in the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment increased $19.5 million, or 12.7%, to $173.4 million in the quarter compared to $153.9 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated negative impact from FX, revenues increased $22.0 million, or 14.3%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher demand for data & analytics, investigations and health solutions services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $18.6 million, or 10.7% of segment revenues, compared to $17.3 million, or 11.2% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by an increase in compensation, which includes the impact of a 4.2% increase in billable headcount, an increase in as-needed contractor expenses and higher SG&A expenses compared to the prior year quarter.

    Economic Consulting
    Revenues in the Economic Consulting segment increased $3.6 million, or 2.2%, to $169.6 million in the quarter compared to $166.0 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated negative impact from FX, revenues increased $8.6 million, or 5.2%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher demand for merger and acquisition (“M&A”)-related antitrust services and higher realization for non-M&A-related antitrust services, which was partially offset by lower demand for non-M&A-related antitrust services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $14.2 million, or 8.4% of segment revenues, compared to $21.2 million, or 12.8% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The decrease in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to higher compensation, which includes the impact of an 8.5% increase in billable headcount, and higher SG&A expenses compared to the prior year quarter.

    Technology
    Revenues in the Technology segment increased $10.1 million, or 12.6%, to $90.6 million in the quarter compared to $80.5 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated negative impact from FX, revenues increased $11.8 million, or 14.6%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher demand for investigations and litigation services, which was partially offset by lower demand for information governance, privacy & security services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $15.4 million, or 17.0% of segment revenues, compared to $13.4 million, or 16.6% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by higher SG&A expenses and an increase in compensation, which includes the impact of a 17.1% increase in billable headcount, compared to the prior year quarter.

    Strategic Communications
    Revenues in the Strategic Communications segment increased $3.2 million, or 4.5%, to $73.1 million in the quarter compared to $69.9 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated negative impact from FX, revenues increased $6.0 million, or 8.6%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher demand for corporate reputation services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $9.6 million, or 13.1% of segment revenues, compared to $15.7 million, or 22.5% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The decrease in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to higher compensation, which includes the impact of a 16.2% increase in billable headcount, and higher SG&A expenses, which more than offset the increase in revenues compared to the prior year quarter.

    First Quarter 2023 Conference Call
    FTI Consulting will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss first quarter 2023 financial results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The call can be accessed live and will be available for replay over the internet for 90 days by logging onto the Company’s investor relations website here.

    About FTI Consulting
    FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 7,700 employees located in 31 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated $3.03 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2022. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we sometimes use information derived from consolidated and segment financial information that may not be presented in our financial statements or prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Certain of these financial measures are considered not in conformity with GAAP ("non-GAAP financial measures") under the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules. Specifically, we have referred to the following non-GAAP financial measures:

    • Total Segment Operating Income
    • Adjusted EBITDA
    • Total Adjusted Segment EBITDA
    • Adjusted EBITDA Margin
    • Adjusted Net Income
    • Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share
    • Free Cash Flow

    We have included the definitions of Segment Operating Income and Adjusted Segment EBITDA, which are GAAP financial measures, below in order to more fully define the components of certain non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release. We define Segment Operating Income as a segment’s share of consolidated operating income. We define Total Segment Operating Income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as the total of Segment Operating Income for all segments, which excludes unallocated corporate expenses. We use Segment Operating Income for the purpose of calculating Adjusted Segment EBITDA. We define Adjusted Segment EBITDA as a segment’s share of consolidated operating income before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges and goodwill impairment charges. We use Adjusted Segment EBITDA as a basis to internally evaluate the financial performance of our segments because we believe it reflects current core operating performance and provides an indicator of the segment’s ability to generate cash.

    We define Total Adjusted Segment EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as the total of Adjusted Segment EBITDA for all segments, which excludes unallocated corporate expenses. We define Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as consolidated net income before income tax provision, other non-operating income (expense), depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges, goodwill impairment charges, gain or loss on sale of a business and losses on early extinguishment of debt. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results and GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with a more complete understanding of our operating results, including underlying trends. In addition, EBITDA is a common alternative measure of operating performance used by many of our competitors. It is used by investors, financial analysts, rating agencies and others to value and compare the financial performance of companies in our industry. Therefore, we also believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, considered along with corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with additional information for comparison of our operating results with the operating results of other companies. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues.

    We define Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share ("Adjusted EPS"), which are non-GAAP financial measures, as net income and EPS, respectively, excluding the impact of remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges, goodwill impairment charges, losses on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash interest expense on convertible notes and the gain or loss on sale of a business. We use Adjusted Net Income for the purpose of calculating Adjusted EPS. Management uses Adjusted EPS to assess total Company operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results and GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with an additional understanding of our business operating results, including underlying trends.

    We define Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less cash payments for purchases of property and equipment. We believe this non-GAAP financial measure, when considered together with our GAAP financial results, provides management and investors with an additional understanding of the Company’s ability to generate cash for ongoing business operations and other capital deployment.

    Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable with other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, the information contained in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the financial tables accompanying this press release.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which involve uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, initiatives, projections, prospects, policies and practices, objectives, goals, commitments, strategies, future events, future revenues, future results and performance, expectations, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, share repurchases and other matters, business trends, new or changes to laws and regulations, including U.S. and foreign tax laws, environmental, social and governance ("ESG")-related issues, climate change-related matters, scientific and technological developments, and other information that is not historical, including statements regarding estimates of our future financial results. When used in this press release, words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "commits," "aspires," "forecasts," "future," "goal," "seeks" and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, estimates of our future financial results, are based upon our expectations at the time we make them and various assumptions. Our actual financial results, performance or achievements and outcomes could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements. Further, unaudited quarterly results are subject to normal year-end adjustments. The Company has experienced fluctuating revenues, operating income and cash flows in prior periods and expects that this will occur from time to time in the future. Any references to standards of measurement and performance made regarding our climate change-, ESG- or other sustainability-related plans, goals, commitments, intentions, aspirations, forecasts or projections, or expectations are developing and based on assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management’s plans, expectations, intentions, aspirations, beliefs, goals, estimates, forecasts and projections, including any that are ESG- or sustainability-related, will result or be achieved. Other factors that could cause such differences include declines in demand for, or changes in, the mix of services and products that we offer; the mix of the geographic locations where our clients are located or where services are performed; fluctuations in the price per share of our common stock; adverse financial, real estate or other market and general economic conditions; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or future public health crisis, and related events that are beyond our control, which could affect our segments, practices and the geographic regions in which we conduct business differently and adversely; and other future events, which could impact each of our segments, practices and the geographic regions in which we conduct business differently and could be outside of our control; the pace and timing of the consummation and integration of future acquisitions; the Company’s ability to realize cost savings and efficiencies; competitive and general economic conditions; retention of staff and clients; new laws and regulations or changes thereto; and other risks described under the heading "Item 1A, Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2023 and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform such statements to actual results or events and do not intend to do so.

    FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW



     
    FTI CONSULTING, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
      March 31, December 31,
       2023   2022 
      (Unaudited)  
    Assets    
    Current assets    
    Cash and cash equivalents $238,539  $491,688 
    Accounts receivable, net  988,144   896,153 
    Current portion of notes receivable  27,989   27,292 
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets  97,733   95,469 
         Total current assets  1,352,405   1,510,602 
    Property and equipment, net  163,051   153,466 
    Operating lease assets  208,894   203,764 
    Goodwill  1,230,067   1,227,593 
    Intangible assets, net  22,158   25,514 
    Notes receivable, net  62,268   55,978 
    Other assets  62,140   64,490 
           Total assets $3,100,983  $3,241,407 
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity    
    Current liabilities    
    Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other $177,223  $173,953 
    Accrued compensation  308,762   541,892 
    Billings in excess of services provided  52,467   53,646 
         Total current liabilities  538,452   769,491 
    Long-term debt, net  360,583   315,172 
    Noncurrent operating lease liabilities  227,066   221,604 
    Deferred income taxes  158,315   162,374 
    Other liabilities  95,679   91,045 
           Total liabilities  1,380,095   1,559,686 
    Stockholders’ equity    
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; shares authorized — 5,000; none outstanding      
    Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares authorized — 75,000; shares issued and outstanding — 33,983 (2023) and 34,026 (2022)  340   340 
    Additional paid-in capital      
    Retained earnings  1,887,420   1,858,103 
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (166,872)  (176,722)
         Total stockholders’ equity  1,720,888   1,681,721 
           Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $3,100,983  $3,241,407 
     


    FTI CONSULTING, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    (in thousands, except per share data)
     
      Three Months Ended
      March 31,
       2023   2022 
      (Unaudited)
    Revenues $806,706  $723,620 
    Operating expenses    
    Direct cost of revenues  553,509   493,104 
    Selling, general and administrative expenses  184,213   148,971 
    Amortization of intangible assets  2,182   2,268 
       739,904   644,343 
    Operating income  66,802   79,277 
    Other income (expense)    
    Interest income and other  (1,342)  (347)
    Interest expense  (2,939)  (2,642)
       (4,281)  (2,989)
    Income before income tax provision  62,521   76,288 
    Income tax provision  14,974   16,967 
    Net income $47,547  $59,321 
    Earnings per common share ― basic $1.43  $1.76 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding ― basic  33,301   33,619 
    Earnings per common share ― diluted $1.34  $1.66 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding ― diluted  35,482   35,646 
    Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax    
    Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense of $0 $9,850  $(6,191)
    Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  9,850   (6,191)
    Comprehensive income $57,397  $53,130 
     


    FTI CONSULTING, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AND OPERATING INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
    (in thousands)
     
    Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
    (Unaudited)
     Corporate
    Finance &
    Restructuring
     Forensic and
    Litigation
    Consulting
     Economic
    Consulting
     Technology Strategic
    Communications
     Unallocated
    Corporate
     Total
    Net income             $47,547
    Interest income and other              1,342
    Interest expense              2,939
    Income tax provision              14,974
    Operating income  $51,216 $17,048 $12,700 $11,890 $8,683 $(34,735) $66,802
    Depreciation and amortization  1,892  1,379  1,493  3,476  787  416   9,443
    Amortization of intangible assets  1,912  184      86     2,182
    Adjusted EBITDA $55,020 $18,611 $14,193 $15,366 $9,556 $(34,319) $78,427
     


    Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
    (Unaudited)
     Corporate
    Finance &
    Restructuring
     Forensic and
    Litigation
    Consulting
     Economic
    Consulting
     Technology Strategic
    Communications
     Unallocated
    Corporate
     Total
    Net income             $59,321
    Interest income and other              347
    Interest expense              2,642
    Income tax provision              16,967
    Operating income $50,053 $15,542 $19,943 $10,243 $14,834 $31,338 $79,277
    Depreciation and amortization  1,666  1,467  1,252  3,120  679  723  8,907
    Amortization of intangible assets  1,820  248      200    2,268
    Adjusted EBITDA $53,539 $17,257 $21,195 $13,363 $15,713 $30,615 $90,452
     


    FTI CONSULTING, INC.
    OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
     
      
    Segment
    Revenues
     Adjusted
    EBITDA
     Adjusted
    EBITDA

    Margin
     Utilization Average
    Billable
    Rate
     Revenue-
    Generating
    Headcount
      (in thousands)       (at period end)
    Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)            
    Corporate Finance & Restructuring $299,987 $55,020  18.3% 62%  $460 2,002
    Forensic and Litigation Consulting  173,404  18,611  10.7% 55%  $376 1,577
    Economic Consulting  169,595  14,193  8.4% 68%  $458 1,031
    Technology (1)  90,618  15,366  17.0% N/M  N/M 581
    Strategic Communications (1)  73,102  9,556  13.1% N/M  N/M 995
      $806,706 $112,746  14.0%     6,186
    Unallocated Corporate    (34,319)        
    Adjusted EBITDA    $78,427  9.7%      
                 
    Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)            
    Corporate Finance & Restructuring $253,329 $53,539  21.1% 63%  $450 1,757
    Forensic and Litigation Consulting  153,896  17,257  11.2% 55%  $357 1,513
    Economic Consulting  165,977  21,195  12.8% 72%  $484 950
    Technology (1)  80,484  13,363  16.6% N/M  N/M 496
    Strategic Communications (1)  69,934  15,713  22.5% N/M  N/M 856
      $723,620 $121,067  16.7%     5,572
    Unallocated Corporate    (30,615)        
    Adjusted EBITDA    $90,452  12.5%      

    _______________________
    N/M   Not meaningful

    (1)      The majority of the Technology and Strategic Communications segments' revenues are not generated based on billable hours. Accordingly, utilization and average billable rate metrics are not presented as they are not meaningful as a segment-wide metric.

     
    FTI CONSULTING, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended
      March 31,
       2023   2022 
      (Unaudited)
    Operating activities    
    Net income $47,547  $59,321 
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:    
    Depreciation and amortization  9,443   8,907 
    Amortization of intangible assets  2,182   2,268 
    Acquisition-related contingent consideration  1,284   (979)
    Provision for expected credit losses  7,012   4,859 
    Share-based compensation  6,365   5,967 
    Amortization of debt issuance costs and other  646   527 
    Deferred income taxes  (3,016)  2,379 
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:    
    Accounts receivable, billed and unbilled  (93,739)  (66,471)
    Notes receivable  (6,851)  1,345 
    Prepaid expenses and other assets  321   (3,829)
    Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other  1,315   3,096 
    Income taxes  5,658   1,116 
    Accrued compensation  (230,967)  (216,560)
    Billings in excess of services provided  (1,406)  (5,724)
    Net cash used in operating activities  (254,206)  (203,778)
    Investing activities    
    Payments for acquisition of businesses, net of cash received     (6,698)
    Purchases of property and equipment and other  (18,012)  (12,607)
    Net cash used in investing activities  (18,012)  (19,305)
    Financing activities    
    Borrowings under revolving line of credit  90,000   155,000 
    Repayments under revolving line of credit  (45,000)  (140,000)
    Purchase and retirement of common stock  (20,982)  (3,098)
    Share-based compensation tax withholdings and other  (9,064)  (6,916)
    Payments for business acquisition liabilities  (847)  (2,680)
    Deposits and other  1,660   1,855 
    Net cash provided by financing activities  15,767   4,161 
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  3,302   (4,420)
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (253,149)  (223,342)
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  491,688   494,485 
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $238,539  $271,143 


     
    FTI CONSULTING, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW
    (in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended 
    March 31,
       2023   2022 
      (Unaudited)
    Net cash used in operating activities $(254,206) $(203,778)
    Purchases of property and equipment  (18,033)  (12,607)
    Free Cash Flow $(272,239) $(216,385)
     

    FTI Consulting, Inc.
    555 12th Street NW
    Washington, DC 20004
    +1.202.312.9100

    Investor & Media Contact:
    Mollie Hawkes
    +1.617.747.1791
    mollie.hawkes@fticonsulting.com 


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