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Heidrick & Struggles Reports Fourth Quarter and 2022 Results

HSII

2022 Annual Net Revenue Surpasses 2021 Billion Dollar Milestone by 7%

Recent Atreus Acquisition Significantly Expands On-Demand Talent Business in Europe

CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSII) ("Heidrick & Struggles", "Heidrick" or the "Company") announced financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Fourth Quarter Highlights:

  • Net revenue of $235.7 million; on a constant currency basis net revenue was $243.9 million
  • Operating income and Adjusted EBITDA of $19.8 million and $30.9 million, respectively; operating margin was 8.4% and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 13.1%
  • Net income of $16.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.78
  • Declared fourth quarter dividend of $0.15 per share
  • Acquired Atreus, a leading German on-demand talent business, on February 1, 2023; expands diversification strategy embarked upon in 2021 with the acquisition of BTG in the U.S.

"We are pleased with the financial, operational, and strategic progress achieved during fiscal 2022 as we reported record net revenue on top of the historic billion-dollar milestone we achieved last year," stated Heidrick & Struggles' President and Chief Executive Officer, Krishnan Rajagopalan. "Our strong top- and bottom-line results are a testament to our ongoing efforts to further diversify our business, as we continue to make investments for the long-term in digital product innovation and aim to set the stage for prolonged, profitable growth. The year was highlighted by our dedicated efforts to further solidify Heidrick as a leader in providing diversified solutions to our clients while advancing our strategy, with a goal to achieve a more balanced revenue profile between our search and non-search businesses. During the year, we expanded our core Executive Search business and its geographic presence; On-Demand Talent continued to grow; Heidrick Consulting improved operations and efficiencies; and, we began beta testing a new digital product, Heidrick Navigator, which is receiving positive feedback from initial client usage. Additionally, our recent acquisition of Atreus, a leading player for executive interim management in Germany, meaningfully adds to our On-Demand Talent segment."

Rajagopalan continued, "Looking ahead to 2023, we are excited to continue advancing our differentiated strategy as we expand and evolve our business. Despite the current market slowdown and the strength of the U.S. dollar, our business in January remained on pace with the fourth quarter of 2022, and we expect to continue to operate above the heightened levels achieved during the pre-pandemic years of 2018 and 2019. We remain steadfast in our vision to transform Heidrick & Struggles into the world's premier leadership advisory firm that we believe will provide a new generation of business services, enabling companies to achieve higher performance from their executive-level talent in a fast-changing world. We believe execution of our strategy will allow us to even more fully satisfy our clients' needs while further enhancing long-term value for our stakeholders."

2022 Fourth Quarter Results

Consolidated net revenue of $235.7 million compared to record consolidated net revenue of $285.5 million in the 2021 fourth quarter. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which negatively impacted results by 2.9%, or $8.2 million, consolidated net revenue decreased 14.6%, or $41.6 million from the 2021 fourth quarter.

Executive Search net revenue of $192.7 million compared to net revenue of $243.4 million in the 2021 fourth quarter due to an anticipated market slowdown. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which negatively impacted results by 2.9%, or $7.0 million, net revenue decreased 18.0%, or $43.7 million from the 2021 fourth quarter. Net revenue decreased 22.6% in the Americas (down 22.5% on a constant currency basis), decreased 17.4% in Europe (down 6.4% on a constant currency basis), and decreased 16.0% in Asia Pacific (down 9.6% on a constant currency basis) when compared to the prior year fourth quarter. The Industrial practice group exhibited growth over the prior year.

The Company had 390 Executive Search consultants at December 31, 2022, compared to 365 at December 31, 2021. Productivity, as measured by annualized Executive Search net revenue per consultant, was $2.0 million compared to $2.7 million in the 2021 fourth quarter reflecting a higher number of consultants combined with lower revenue. Average revenue per executive search was approximately $150,000, up from $144,000 a year earlier. The number of confirmed searches decreased 24.1% compared to the year-ago period.

On-Demand Talent net revenue of $22.4 million compared to net revenue of $23.6 million in the 2021 fourth quarter reflecting trends associated with softening around potential macroeconomic conditions, which led to some delays in projects.

Heidrick Consulting net revenue of $20.7 million compared to net revenue of $18.5 million in the 2021 fourth quarter due to the higher value of longer-term engagements. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which negatively impacted results by 5.9%, or $1.1 million, Heidrick Consulting net revenue increased 17.5%, or $3.2 million, compared to the prior year period. The Company had 70 Heidrick Consulting consultants at December 31, 2022, compared to 69 at December 31, 2021.

Consolidated salaries and benefits decreased $47.3 million, or 23.2%, to $156.8 million compared to $204.1 million in the 2021 fourth quarter. Year-over-year, fixed compensation expense increased $10.4 million due to base salaries and payroll taxes, talent acquisition and retention costs, separation, stock compensation and the deferred compensation plan. Variable compensation decreased $57.6 million due to a decrease in production. Salaries and benefits expense was 66.5% of net revenue for the quarter, compared to 71.5% in the 2021 fourth quarter.

General and administrative expenses decreased $11.4 million, or 24.3%, to $35.5 million compared to $46.9 million in the 2021 fourth quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the Company's On-Demand Talent earnout fair-value adjustment recorded in the prior year, lower professional fees, taxes and licenses, and intangible amortization, partially offset by increases in business development travel, marketing, and office expense. As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expenses were 15.1% for the 2022 fourth quarter compared to 16.4% in the 2021 fourth quarter.

The Company's Cost of Services was $17.5 million, or 7.4% of net revenue for the quarter, compared to $18.0 million, or 6.3% of net revenue in the 2021 fourth quarter. This related to both On-Demand Talent's reduction in revenue and associated support costs and Heidrick Consulting's project mix, where more of the projects were serviced internally.

The Company's Research and Development ("R&D") expenses were $6.1 million, or 2.6% of net revenues for the quarter. Due to the rapid pace of technological advances and digital disruption many of our clients are experiencing, our ability to compete successfully depends increasingly upon our ability to provide clients with timely and relevant technology-enabled products and services. As such, we are focused on developing new technologies to enhance existing products and services, and to expand the range of our offerings through R&D, licensing of intellectual property and acquisition of third-party businesses and technology. The benefits from our R&D efforts will be utilized to develop and enhance new and existing services and products across our current offerings in Executive Search, Heidrick Consulting, On-Demand Talent and for products and services in new segments that we embark upon in the future from time to time, such as our new digital product Heidrick Navigator which we are beta testing. R&D expenses consist of payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation, other employee expenses and third-party professional fees associated with the enhancement of existing products and the development of new services and products.

Operating income was $19.8 million for the quarter compared to $16.6 million in the 2021 fourth quarter. Operating income margin was 8.4% versus 5.8% in the 2021 fourth quarter. The Company recorded a fair value adjustment to increase the On-Demand Talent earnout charge by less than $0.1 million in the 2022 fourth quarter to finalize the earnout payment based on actual results. Year-ago results included a one-time earnout charge of $11.4 million associated with the Company's On-Demand Talent business. Excluding these items in both periods, adjusted operating income in the 2022 fourth quarter was $19.9 million compared to $28.0 million in the 2021 fourth quarter and adjusted operating income margin was 8.4% compared to 9.8% in the 2021 fourth quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA was $30.9 million compared to $36.8 million in the 2021 fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 13.1%, compared to 12.9% in the 2021 fourth quarter. In Executive Search, Adjusted EBITDA was $56.1 million compared to $57.8 million in the prior year period. In On-Demand Talent, Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $1.4 million versus $2.1 million in the prior year period. In Heidrick Consulting, Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $2.1 million compared to a loss of $4.8 million in the prior year period.

Net income was $16.0 million and diluted earnings per share was $0.78, with an effective tax rate of 29.9%. This compares to net income of $12.5 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.61, with an effective tax rate of 30.3%, in the 2021 fourth quarter. Excluding the aforementioned fair value adjustment of the earnout in the 2022 fourth quarter and the one-time earnout charge recorded in the 2021 fourth quarter, adjusted net income was $16.1 million compared to $20.8 million in the 2021 fourth quarter and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.78 compared to $1.02 in the 2021 fourth quarter, with adjusted effective tax rates of 29.9% and 29.0%, respectively, for the 2022 fourth quarter and 2021 fourth quarter.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $160.3 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $206.6 million in the 2021 fourth quarter. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at December 31, 2022 was $621.6 million, compared to $545.2 million at December 31, 2021 and $456.0 million at September 30, 2022. The Company's cash position typically builds throughout the year as employee bonuses are accrued, mostly to be paid out in the first half of the year.

Fiscal 2022 Results

Consolidated net revenue increased 7.0%, or $70.5 million, to a record $1,073.5 million compared to $1,003.0 million in 2021. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which negatively impacted results by 3.1%, or $31.1 million, consolidated net revenue increased 10.1%, or $101.6 million, compared to the prior year.

Executive Search net revenue increased 3.8%, or $33.2 million, to $901.9 million from $868.8 million in 2021. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which negatively impacted results by 3.1%, or $27.0 million, net revenue increased 6.9%, or $60.2 million. Net revenue increased 5.4% in the Americas, increased 3.5% in Europe (increased 15.5% on a constant currency basis), and decreased 3.6% in Asia Pacific (increased 1.9% on a constant currency basis). All industry practices exhibited growth over the prior year, except for Healthcare & Life Sciences and Financial Services. Productivity was $2.3 million, in-line with productivity reported in 2021. The average revenue per executive search was approximately $144,000 compared to $131,000 in 2021, while confirmations decreased 5.3%.

On-Demand Talent recorded net revenue of $91.3 million compared to $66.6 million in 2021. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to the timing of the acquisition of Business Talent Group in the prior year and an increase in the average project size.

Heidrick Consulting net revenue increased 18.6%, or $12.6 million, to $80.2 million from $67.6 million in 2021. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which negatively impacted results by 5.7%, or $3.8 million, Heidrick Consulting revenue increased 24.3%, or $16.4 million.

Including fair-value adjustments made to the Company's On-Demand Talent earnout recorded in 2022 and in 2021, operating income was $112.3 million compared to operating income of $98.3 million in 2021. The operating income margin was 10.5% compared to 9.8% in 2021. Excluding the fair value adjustments recorded in both periods and restructuring charges in 2021, adjusted operating income was $111.8 million compared to $113.4 million in 2021 and adjusted operating income margin was 10.4% compared to 11.3% in 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA was $136.7 million and adjusted EBITDA margin was 12.7%, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $141.3 million and adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.1% in 2021. In Executive Search, Adjusted EBITDA was $211.8 million compared to $199.0 million in the prior year. In On-Demand Talent, Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $0.3 million versus $4.6 million in the prior year. In Heidrick Consulting, Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $5.5 million compared to a loss of $14.0 million in the prior year.

Net income was $79.5 million and diluted earnings per share was $3.86, with an effective tax rate of 31.0%. This compares to net income of $72.6 million and diluted earnings per share of $3.58 with an effective tax rate of 31.6% in the 2021 fourth quarter. Excluding the previously mentioned fair value adjustments recorded in 2022 and 2021 and restructuring charges in 2021, adjusted net income was $79.2 million compared to $83.5 million in 2021 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $3.84 compared to $4.11 in 2021, with adjusted effective tax rates of 31.0% and 31.1%, respectively, for the 2022 and 2021 periods.

Acquisition of Atreus

On February 1, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Atreus Group GmbH ("Atreus") which was announced in December 2022. Atreus is one of the leading providers of executive interim management in Germany, and now becomes part of the Company's On-Demand Talent segment. Total initial consideration is comprised of $33.5 million paid in the 2023 first quarter and an estimated subsequent payment, which the Company estimates to be between $9.0 million and $13.0 million, to be paid in 2023 upon the completion of Atreus' statutory audit for the year ended December 31, 2022, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The former owners of Atreus are also eligible to receive additional cash consideration, which the Company estimates to be between $30.0 million and $40.0 million on the acquisition date, based on the achievement of certain revenue and operating income milestones for the period from acquisition through 2025.

Dividend

The Board of Directors declared a 2022 fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.15 per share payable on March 24, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2023.

2023 First Quarter Outlook

The Company expects 2023 first quarter consolidated net revenue of between $235 million and $255 million, while acknowledging that continued fluidity in external factors such as the foreign exchange and interest rate environments, foreign conflicts, inflation and macroeconomic constraints on pricing actions may impact quarterly results. In addition, this outlook is based on the average currency rates in December 2022 and reflects, among other factors, management's assumptions for the anticipated volume of new Executive Search confirmations, On-Demand Talent projects, and Heidrick Consulting assignments, consultant productivity, consultant retention, and the current backlog.

Quarterly Webcast and Conference Call

Heidrick & Struggles will host a conference call to review its fourth quarter and full year results today, February 27, 2023 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time. Participants may access the Company's call and supporting slides through its website at www.heidrick.com or by dialing (888) 440-4091 or (646) 960-0846, conference ID# 6106012. For those unable to participate on the live call, a webcast and copy of the slides will be archived at www.heidrick.com and available for up to 30 days following the investor call.

About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world's top organizations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organization and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 65 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time. ® www.heidrick.com

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), Heidrick & Struggles presents certain non-GAAP financial measures. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is defined as a numerical measure of a company's financial performance that excludes or includes amounts different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of comprehensive income, balance sheets or statements of cash flow of the Company.

The non-GAAP financial measures used within this earnings release are adjusted operating income, adjusted operating income margin, adjusted net income, adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, and consolidated and segment net revenue excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. These measures are presented because management uses this information to monitor and evaluate financial results and trends. Management believes this information is also useful for investors to evaluate the comparability of financial information presented. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are provided as schedules attached to this release.

Adjusted operating income reflects the exclusion of earnout obligation adjustments and restructuring charges.

Adjusted operating income margin refers to adjusted operating income as a percentage of net revenue in the same period.

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share reflect the exclusion of earnout obligation adjustments and restructuring charges, net of tax.

Adjusted effective tax rate reflects the exclusion of earnout obligation adjustments and restructuring charges, net of tax.

Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, intangible amortization, equity-settled stock compensation expense, earnout accretion, earnout obligation adjustments, contingent compensation related to acquisitions, deferred compensation plan income and expense, restructuring charges, and other non-operating income (expense).

Adjusted EBITDA margin refers to adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue in the same period.

The Company evaluates its results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation is a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding its results of operations, consistent with how it evaluates its performance. The Company calculates constant currency percentages by converting its financial results in a local currency for a period using the average exchange rate for the prior period to which it is comparing. This calculation may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding guidance for the first quarter of 2023. 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," "outlook," "projects," "forecasts," "goal," "aim" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, rely on a number of assumptions, and involve certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, many of which are beyond our control. Factors that may cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted, or implied in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, our ability to attract, integrate, develop, manage and retain qualified consultants and senior leaders; our ability to prevent our consultants from taking our clients with them to another firm; our ability to maintain our professional reputation and brand name; our clients' ability to restrict us from recruiting their employees; our heavy reliance on information management systems; risks arising from our implementation of new technology and intellectual property to deliver new products and services to our clients; our dependence on third parties for the execution of certain critical functions; the fact that we face the risk of liability in the services we perform; the fact that data security, data privacy and data protection laws and other evolving regulations and cross-border data transfer restrictions may limit the use of our services and adversely affect our business; any challenges to the classification of our on-demand talent as independent contractors; the increased cybersecurity requirements, vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted cyber-related attacks that could pose a risk to our systems, networks, solutions, services and data; the impacts, direct and indirect, of the COVID-19 pandemic (including the emergence of variant strains) or other highly infectious or contagious disease on our business, our consultants and employees, and the overall economy; the aggressive competition we face; the fact that our net revenue may be affected by adverse economic conditions including inflation, the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; our ability to access additional credit; social, political, regulatory, legal and economic risks in markets where we operate, including the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the risks of an expansion or escalation of that conflict; unfavorable tax law changes and tax authority rulings; the timing of the establishment or reversal of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; the fact that we may not be able to align our cost structure with net revenue; any impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets and other long-lived assets; our ability to execute and integrate future acquisitions; and the fact that we have anti-takeover provisions that could make an acquisition of us difficult and expensive. We caution the reader that the list of factors may not be exhaustive. For more information on these risks, uncertainties and other factors, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, under the heading "Risk Factors" in Item 1A. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Investors & Analysts:
Suzanne Rosenberg, Vice President, Investor Relations
srosenberg@heidrick.com

Media:
Nina Chang, Vice President, Corporate Communications
nchang@heidrick.com

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended

December 31,




2022


2021


$ Change


% Change

Revenue








Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

$ 235,717


$ 285,539


$ (49,822)


(17.4) %

Reimbursements

2,952


1,654


1,298


78.5 %

Total revenue

238,669


287,193


(48,524)


(16.9) %









Operating expenses








Salaries and benefits

156,828


204,090


(47,262)


(23.2) %

General and administrative expenses

35,492


46,873


(11,381)


(24.3) %

Cost of services

17,484


17,968


(484)


(2.7) %

Research and development

6,067



6,067


100.0 %

Reimbursed expenses

2,952


1,654


1,298


78.5 %

Total operating expenses

218,823


270,585


(51,762)


(19.1) %









Operating income

19,846


16,608


3,238


19.5 %









Non-operating income (expense)








Interest, net

3,673


95





Other, net

(627)


1,203





Net non-operating income

3,046


1,298













Income before income taxes

22,892


17,906













Provision for income taxes

6,848


5,429













Net income

16,044


12,477













Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

8,196


(393)













Comprehensive income

$ 24,240


$ 12,084













Weighted-average common shares outstanding








Basic

19,861


19,592





Diluted

20,499


20,301













Earnings per common share








Basic

$ 0.81


$ 0.64





Diluted

$ 0.78


$ 0.61













Salaries and benefits as a % of net revenue

66.5 %


71.5 %





General and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue

15.1 %


16.4 %





Cost of services as a % of net revenue

7.4 %


6.3 %





Research and development as a % of net revenue

2.6 %


— %





Operating margin

8.4 %


5.8 %





Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Segment Information

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended December 31,


2022


2021


$

Change


%
Change


2022
Margin1


2021
Margin1

Revenue












Executive Search












Americas

$ 130,561


$ 168,700


$ (38,139)


(22.6) %





Europe

37,258


45,084


(7,826)


(17.4) %





Asia Pacific

24,838


29,579


(4,741)


(16.0) %





Total Executive Search

192,657


243,363


(50,706)


(20.8) %





On-Demand Talent

22,368


23,630


(1,262)


(5.3) %





Heidrick Consulting

20,692


18,546


2,146


11.6 %





Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

235,717


285,539


(49,822)


(17.4) %





Reimbursements

2,952


1,654


1,298


78.5 %





Total revenue

$ 238,669


$ 287,193


$ (48,524)


(16.9) %





























Operating income (loss)












Executive Search












Americas

$ 40,383


$ 42,218


$ (1,835)


(4.3) %


30.9 %


25.0 %

Europe

3,613


5,110


(1,497)


(29.3) %


9.7 %


11.3 %

Asia Pacific

5,218


4,926


292


5.9 %


21.0 %


16.7 %

Total Executive Search

49,214


52,254


(3,040)


(5.8) %


25.5 %


21.5 %

On-Demand Talent2

(2,154)


(10,306)


8,152


(79.1) %


(9.6) %


(43.6) %

Heidrick Consulting

(2,663)


(5,265)


2,602


49.4 %


(12.9) %


(28.4) %

Total segments

44,397


36,683


7,714


21.0 %


18.8 %


12.8 %

Research and Development

(6,067)



(6,067)


(100.0) %


(2.6) %


— %

Global Operations Support

(18,484)


(20,075)


1,591


7.9 %


(7.8) %


(7.0) %

Total operating income

$ 19,846


$ 16,608


$ 3,238


19.5 %


8.4 %


5.8 %



1

Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

2

Includes earnout fair value adjustments of less than $0.1 million and $11.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



Year Ended

December 31,




2022


2021


$ Change


% Change

Revenue








Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

$ 1,073,464


$ 1,003,001


$ 70,463


7.0 %

Reimbursements

10,122


5,473


4,649


84.9 %

Total revenue

1,083,586


1,008,474


75,112


7.4 %









Operating expenses








Salaries and benefits

737,430


717,411


20,019


2.8 %

General and administrative expenses

132,678


130,749


1,929


1.5 %

Cost of services

70,676


52,785


17,891


33.9 %

Research and development

20,414



20,414


100.0 %

Restructuring charges


3,792


(3,792)


(100.0) %

Reimbursed expenses

10,122


5,473


4,649


84.9 %

Total operating expenses

971,320


910,210


61,110


6.7 %









Operating income

112,266


98,264


14,002


14.2 %









Non-operating income (loss)








Interest, net

5,337


302





Other, net

(2,367)


7,463





Net non-operating income

2,970


7,765













Income before income taxes

115,236


106,029













Provision for income taxes

35,750


33,457













Net income

79,486


72,572













Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(5,864)


(1,742)













Comprehensive income

$ 73,622


$ 70,830













Weighted-average common shares outstanding








Basic

19,758


19,515





Diluted

20,618


20,296













Earnings per common share








Basic

$ 4.02


$ 3.72





Diluted

$ 3.86


$ 3.58













Salaries and benefits as a % of net revenue

68.7 %


71.5 %





General and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue

12.4 %


13.0 %





Cost of services as a % of net revenue

6.6 %


5.3 %





Research and development as a % of net revenue

1.9 %


— %





Operating margin

10.5 %


9.8 %





Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Segment Information

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)



Year Ended December 31,


2022


2021


$

Change


%
Change


2022
Margin1


2021
Margin1

Revenue












Executive Search












Americas

$ 612,881


$ 581,440


$ 31,441


5.4 %





Europe

176,275


170,312


5,963


3.5 %





Asia Pacific

112,766


117,008


(4,242)


(3.6) %





Total Executive Search

901,922


868,760


33,162


3.8 %





On-Demand Talent

91,349


66,636


24,713


37.1 %





Heidrick Consulting

80,193


67,605


12,588


18.6 %





Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

1,073,464


1,003,001


70,463


7.0 %





Reimbursements

10,122


5,473


4,649


84.9 %





Total revenue

$ 1,083,586


$ 1,008,474


$ 75,112


7.4 %





























Operating income (loss)












Executive Search












Americas2

$ 164,225


$ 142,040


$ 22,185


15.6 %


26.8 %


24.4 %

Europe3

19,274


18,424


850


4.6 %


10.9 %


10.8 %

Asia Pacific4

18,687


18,167


520


2.9 %


16.6 %


15.5 %

Total Executive Search

202,186


178,631


23,555


13.2 %


22.4 %


20.6 %

On-Demand Talent5

(3,361)


(9,272)


5,911


NM


(3.7) %


(13.9) %

Heidrick Consulting6

(7,155)


(16,162)


9,007


55.7 %


(8.9) %


(23.9) %

Total segments

191,670


153,197


38,473


25.1 %


17.9 %


15.3 %

Research and Development

(20,414)



(20,414)


(100.0) %


(1.9) %


— %

Global Operations Support7

(58,990)


(54,933)


(4,057)


(7.4) %


(5.5) %


(5.5) %

Total operating income

$ 112,266


$ 98,264


$ 14,002


(14.2) %


10.5 %


9.8 %















1

Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

2

Includes restructuring charges of $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

3

Includes restructuring reversals of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

4

Includes restructuring reversals of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

5

Includes a $0.5 million fair value adjustment to decrease the earnout obligation and an $11.4 million fair value adjustment to increase the earnout obligation for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

6

Includes restructuring charges of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

7

Includes restructuring reversals of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Income (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended

December 31,


Year Ended

December 31,


2022


2021


2022


2021

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

$ 235,717


$ 285,539


$ 1,073,464


$ 1,003,001









Operating income

19,846


16,608


112,266


98,264









Adjustments








Earnout adjustment1

43


11,368


(464)


11,368

Restructuring charges2




3,792

Total adjustments

43


11,368


(464)


15,160









Adjusted operating income

$ 19,889


$ 27,976


$ 111,802


$ 113,424









Operating margin

8.4 %


5.8 %


10.5 %


9.8 %

Adjusted operating margin

8.4 %


9.8 %


10.4 %


11.3 %



1

The Company recorded a fair value adjustment to increase the On-Demand Talent earnout by $0.1 million and $11.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recorded a fair value adjustment to reduce the On-Demand Talent earnout by $0.5 million and increase the On-Demand Talent earnout by $11.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

2

The Company incurred restructuring charges of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income and Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended

December 31,


Year Ended

December 31,


2022


2021


2022


2021

Net income

$ 16,044


$ 12,477


$ 79,486


$ 72,572









Adjustments








Earnout adjustment, net of tax1

29


8,282


(320)


8,282

Restructuring charges, net of tax2




2,642

Total adjustments

29


8,282


(320)


10,924









Adjusted net income

$ 16,073


$ 20,759


$ 79,166


$ 83,496









Effective tax rate

29.9 %


30.3 %


31.0 %


31.6 %

Adjusted effective tax rate

29.9 %


29.0 %


31.0 %


31.1 %









Weighted-average common shares outstanding








Basic

19,861


19,592


19,758


19,515

Diluted

20,499


20,301


20,618


20,296









Earnings per common share








Basic

$ 0.81


$ 0.64


$ 4.02


$ 3.72

Diluted

$ 0.78


$ 0.61


$ 3.86


$ 3.58









Adjusted earnings per common share








Basic

$ 0.81


$ 1.06


$ 4.01


$ 4.28

Diluted

$ 0.78


$ 1.02


$ 3.84


$ 4.11



1

The Company recorded a fair value adjustment to increase the On-Demand Talent earnout by $0.1 million and $11.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recorded a fair value adjustment to reduce the On-Demand Talent earnout by $0.5 million and increase the On-Demand Talent earnout by $11.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

2

The Company incurred restructuring charges of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)



December 31,
2022


December 31,
2021





Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$ 355,447


$ 545,225

Marketable securities

266,169


Accounts receivable, net

126,437


133,750

Prepaid expenses

24,098


21,754

Other current assets

40,722


41,449

Income taxes recoverable

10,946


3,210

Total current assets

823,819


745,388





Non-current assets




Property and equipment, net

30,207


27,085

Operating lease right-of-use assets

71,457


72,320

Assets designated for retirement and pension plans

11,332


12,715

Investments

34,354


36,051

Other non-current assets

25,788


23,377

Goodwill

138,361


138,524

Other intangible assets, net

6,333


9,169

Deferred income taxes

33,987


42,169

Total non-current assets

351,819


361,410





Total assets

$ 1,175,638


$ 1,106,798





Current liabilities




Accounts payable

$ 14,613


$ 20,374

Accrued salaries and benefits

451,161


409,026

Deferred revenue

43,057


51,404

Operating lease liabilities

19,554


19,332

Other current liabilities

56,016


24,554

Income taxes payable

4,076


10,004

Total current liabilities

588,477


534,694





Non-current liabilities




Accrued salaries and benefits

59,467


73,779

Retirement and pension plans

48,456


55,593

Operating lease liabilities

63,299


65,625

Other non-current liabilities

5,293


41,087

Total non-current liabilities

176,515


236,084





Total liabilities

764,992


770,778





Stockholders' equity

410,646


336,020





Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 1,175,638


$ 1,106,798

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)




Three Months Ended

December 31,



2022


2021

Cash flows - operating activities





Net income


$ 16,044


$ 12,477

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization


2,779


2,984

Deferred income taxes


8,064


(5,995)

Stock-based compensation expense


4,998


4,088

Accretion expense related to earnout payments



123

Gain on marketable securities


(2,293)


Loss on disposal of property and equipment


16


8

Changes in assets and liabilities:





Accounts receivable


69,275


48,058

Accounts payable


(2,481)


(3,263)

Accrued expenses


65,306


140,772

Restructuring accrual



(37)

Deferred revenue


(1,324)


6,330

Income taxes recoverable and payable, net


(7,945)


(3,560)

Retirement and pension plan assets and liabilities


(3,955)


(298)

Prepaid expenses


3,787


4,948

Other assets and liabilities, net


8,065


(10)

Net cash provided by operating activities


160,336


206,625






Cash flows - investing activities





Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired



(1,549)

Capital expenditures


(2,958)


(2,338)

Purchases of marketable securities and investments


(83,727)


(326)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities and investments


143


169

Net cash used in investing activities


(86,542)


(4,044)






Cash flows - financing activities





Cash dividends paid


(3,123)


(3,450)

Payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions



(50)

Net cash used in financing activities


(3,123)


(3,500)






Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash


9,308


(2,148)






Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash


79,979


196,933

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period


275,510


348,326

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period


$ 355,489


$ 545,259

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)




Year Ended

December 31,



2022


2021

Cash flows - operating activities





Net income


$ 79,486


$ 72,572

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization


10,603


19,560

Deferred income taxes


7,088


(7,481)

Stock-based compensation expense


16,689


12,760

Accretion expense related to earnout payments


820


486

Gain on marketable securities


(2,406)


(1)

Loss on disposal of property and equipment


392


135

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition:





Accounts receivable


4,522


(36,819)

Accounts payable


(5,731)


(332)

Accrued expenses


32,892


230,177

Restructuring accrual



(5,061)

Deferred revenue


(7,237)


12,783

Income taxes recoverable and payable, net


(13,606)


11,377

Retirement and pension plan assets and liabilities


(479)


1,145

Prepaid expenses


(2,850)


(2,776)

Other assets and liabilities, net


(895)


(37,124)

Net cash provided by operating activities


119,288


271,401






Cash flows - investing activities





Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired



(33,518)

Capital expenditures


(11,134)


(6,240)

Purchases of marketable securities and investments


(269,824)


(2,323)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities and investments


1,359


20,822

Net cash used in investing activities


(279,599)


(21,259)






Cash flows - financing activities





Cash dividends paid


(12,466)


(12,377)

Payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions


(3,219)


(3,140)

Net cash used in financing activities


(15,685)


(15,517)






Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash


(13,774)


(5,855)






Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash


(189,770)


228,770

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period


545,259


316,489

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period


$ 355,489


$ 545,259

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income and Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended

December 31,


Year Ended

December 31,


2022


2021


2022


2021

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)

$ 235,717


$ 285,539


$ 1,073,464


$ 1,003,001









Net income

16,044


12,477


79,486


72,572

Interest, net

(3,673)


(95)


(5,337)


(302)

Other, net

627


(1,203)


2,367


(7,463)

Provision for income taxes

6,848


5,429


35,750


33,457

Operating income

19,846


16,608


112,266


98,264









Adjustments








Stock-based compensation expense

4,971


4,014


15,775


12,325

Depreciation

1,991


1,839


7,394


7,150

Intangible amortization

788


1,146


3,209


2,898

Earnout accretion


123


820


486

Earnout fair value adjustments

43


11,368


(464)


11,368

Acquisition contingent consideration

914


575


3,885


1,973

Deferred compensation plan

2,357


1,108


(6,232)


3,057

Restructuring charges




3,792

Total adjustments

11,064


20,173


24,387


43,049









Adjusted EBITDA

$ 30,910


$ 36,781


$ 136,653


$ 141,313

Adjusted EBITDA margin

13.1 %


12.9 %


12.7 %


14.1 %

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA by Line of Business (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended December 31, 2022


Executive
Search


On-Demand
Talent


Heidrick
Consulting


Research &
Development


Global
Operations
Support


Total













Revenue before reimbursements (net
revenue)

$ 192,657


$ 22,368


$ 20,692


$ —


$ —


$ 235,717













Operating income (loss)1

49,214


(2,154)


(2,663)


(6,067)


(18,484)


19,846













Adjustments












Stock-based compensation

2,265


8


229


59


2,410


4,971

Depreciation

1,434


51


132


248


126


1,991

Intangible amortization

58


630


100




788

Earnout fair value adjustments


43





43

Acquisition contingent compensation

914






914

Deferred compensation plan

2,264



61


31


1


2,357

Total adjustments

6,935


732


522


338


2,537


11,064













Adjusted EBITDA

$ 56,149


$ (1,422)


$ (2,141)


$ (5,729)


$ (15,947)


$ 30,910

Adjusted EBITDA margin

29.1 %


(6.4) %


(10.3) %


(2.4) %


(6.8) %


13.1 %






































Three Months Ended December 31, 2021


Executive
Search


On-Demand
Talent


Heidrick
Consulting


Research &
Development


Global
Operations
Support


Total













Revenue before reimbursements (net
revenue)

$ 243,363


$ 23,630


$ 18,546


$ —


$ —


$ 285,539













Operating income (loss)1

52,254


(10,306)


(5,265)



(20,075)


16,608













Adjustments












Stock-based compensation

2,252



127



1,635


4,014

Depreciation

1,552



163



124


1,839

Intangible amortization

96


950


100




1,146

Earnout accretion


123





123

Earnout fair value adjustments


11,368





11,368

Acquisition contingent compensation

575






575

Deferred compensation plan

1,065



32



11


1,108

Total adjustments

5,540


12,441


422



1,770


20,173













Adjusted EBITDA

$ 57,794


$ 2,135


$ (4,843)


$ —


$ (18,305)


$ 36,781

Adjusted EBITDA margin

23.7 %


9.0 %


(26.1) %


— %


(6.4) %


12.9 %



1

The Company does not allocate interest income or expense, other income or expense, and the provision for income taxes to the Company's reportable operating segments or lines of business. As such, the Company has concluded that operating income (loss) represents the most directly comparable measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP for the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA in this presentation.

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA by Line of Business (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022


Executive
Search


On Demand
Talent


Heidrick
Consulting


Research &
Development


Global
Operations
Support


Total













Revenue before reimbursements (net
revenue)

$ 901,922


$ 91,349


$ 80,193


$ —


$ —


$ 1,073,464













Operating income (loss)1

202,186


(3,361)


(7,155)


(20,414)


(58,990)


112,266













Adjustments












Stock-based compensation

5,683


28


967


206


8,891


15,775

Depreciation

5,785


150


478


524


457


7,394

Intangible amortization

290


2,519


400




3,209

Earnout accretion


820





820

Earnout fair value adjustments


(464)





(464)

Acquisition contingent compensation

3,885






3,885

Deferred compensation plan

(5,990)



(167)


(75)



(6,232)

Total adjustments

9,653


3,053


1,678


655


9,348


24,387













Adjusted EBITDA

$ 211,839


$ (308)


$ (5,477)


$ (19,759)


$ (49,642)


$ 136,653

Adjusted EBITDA margin

23.5 %


(0.3) %


(6.8) %


(1.8) %


(4.6) %


12.7 %






































Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021


Executive
Search


On-Demand
Talent


Heidrick
Consulting


Research &
Development


Global
Operations
Support


Total













Revenue before reimbursements (net
revenue)

$ 868,760


$ 66,636


$ 67,605


$ —


$ —


$ 1,003,001













Operating income (loss)1

178,631


(9,272)


(16,162)



(54,933)


98,264













Adjustments












Stock-based compensation

5,285



638



6,402


12,325

Depreciation

6,044



645



461


7,150

Intangible amortization

488


2,010


400




2,898

Earnout accretion


486





486

Earnout fair value adjustments


11,368





11,368

Acquisition contingent compensation

1,973






1,973

Deferred compensation plan

2,951



77



29


3,057

Restructuring charges

3,661



355



(224)


3,792

Total adjustments

20,402


13,864


2,115



6,668


43,049













Adjusted EBITDA

$ 199,033


$ 4,592


$ (14,047)


$ —


$ (48,265)


$ 141,313

Adjusted EBITDA margin

22.9 %


6.9 %


(20.8) %


— %


(4.8) %


14.1 %



1

The Company does not allocate interest income or expense, other income or expense, and the provision for income taxes to the Company's reportable operating segments or lines of business. As such, the Company has concluded that operating income (loss) represents the most directly comparable measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP for the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA in this presentation.

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/heidrick--struggles-reports-fourth-quarter-and-2022-results-301757013.html

SOURCE Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.



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