Harte Hanks Reports Second Quarter Results


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jul 31, 2014) - Harte Hanks (NYSE: HHS), a leading marketing services organization that partners with top brands to establish deeper relationships with its customers and prospects, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014.

Second quarter 2014 revenues were $140.3 million compared to $140.1 million in the same quarter last year, a 0.1% increase. This is the second consecutive quarterly revenue increase reported by the company, marking further progress toward our 2014 goal of returning the company to sustained revenue growth.

  • Customer Interaction revenues increased 0.3% to $127.3 million, primarily due to a significant increase, over the prior year quarter, in our Select vertical from a new client win and expansion of relationships with existing clients. In addition, our Automotive and Consumer Brands vertical increased due to expansion of contact center services from an existing client and we also experienced revenue growth in our Technology vertical. These gains were partially offset by declines in our Healthcare Insurance and Pharmaceutical, Financial and Retail verticals principally due to reductions in mail volumes and lighter weight packages as well as the full year effect of 2013 client losses. 
  • Trillium Software revenues increased 4.3% for the first half of 2014 principally driven by increased software license revenues. Revenues increased 10.1% in the first quarter and declined 1.2% in the second quarter, primarily resulting from the timing of software license sales. Consistent with the growth in licensing sales, maintenance and professional service second quarter revenues increased compared to the second quarter last year.

Operating income for the quarter was $11.0 million compared to $12.4 million for the same quarter last year. Excluding $1.8 million of initiatives comprised of strategic investment and cost elimination efforts leading to for example severance and lease surrender costs, operating income improved $0.4 million for the quarter.

  • Operating income for Customer Interaction was $9.2 million a decline of $0.9 million. Excluding the previously mentioned $1.8 million of charges, Customer Interaction operating income improved 8.5% or $0.9 million for the quarter. 
  • Trillium Software operating income was $2.7 million, a decline of $0.7 million. This was due primarily from the timing in software license revenues as the cost basis in the software business is primarily fixed.

Second quarter 2014 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.09 as compared to $0.11 for the same quarter in 2013. Second quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.12, compared to $0.13 in 2013 excluding for 2014 the investments mentioned above and foreign currency translation charges, and for 2013 the charges related to our CEO's retirement.

Capital expenditures for the quarter were $2.2 million compared to $4.5 million in the prior year's second quarter. This reduction is representative of management's continued efforts to prudently manage cash flows.

The following table presents financial highlights of the company's operations for the second quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Full financial results are attached.

 
RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (unaudited)
     
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   Three Months Ended June 30,
    2014 2013 % Change
Operating revenues   $ 140,310 $ 140,105 0.1%
Operating income   10,987 12,413 -11.5%
Income from continuing operations   5,637 6,936 -18.7%
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations  
 0.09

 0.11

 -18.2%
Diluted shares (weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding)  
 62,987

 62,761

 0.4%
         
         

Commenting on the second quarter performance, Chief Executive Officer Robert Philpott said, "We made solid progress against our strategic plan in the second quarter. We remain focused on revenue growth, and this concerted effort to take our share of the market is shown by a second consecutive quarter of revenue advancement. Clearly, Harte Hanks' clients are supportive of the changes we are making to our business. Our target remains sustainable, consistent long-term revenue growth and our most recent performance confirms that we are on the right path to achieve this.

"We also continue to actively manage the cost side of our business. We have brought our on-going labor costs into line with our revenue performance and I expect to see added efficiencies over the coming months. Our attention is also focused on our geographic footprint and we are making excellent progress in streamlining our property portfolio in a way that makes it more closely correlated with the needs of our clients. The financial benefits of exiting long-term fixed costs, such as property leases, combined with labor efficiency gains, will become more apparent over time.

"Overall we can be satisfied with another quarter where we have successfully combined strategic change with operational performance. We are laying an excellent foundation for our future prospects and I am confident that the benefits of the work we have completed in the first half of 2014 will improve stockholder value."

The company will host a conference call on July 31, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results. Investors and interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (888) 724-9496 for domestic callers and (913) 312-0719 for international callers and referring to Conference ID 8762736. To access an audio webcast, please go to the link within the Harte Hanks website located on the Investors section of the website, http://HarteHanks.com. A replay will be available shortly after the call through August 7, 2014 at (888) 203-1112 for domestic callers and (719) 457-0820 for international callers, Conference ID 8762736. 

About Harte Hanks:
Harte Hanks is one of the world's leading, insight-driven multi-channel marketing organizations, delivering impactful business results for some of the world's best-known brands. Through strategic agencies and our core marketing services, we develop integrated solutions that connect brands with prospects and customers, moving them beyond awareness to transactions and brand loyalty. Visit the Harte Hanks website at http://HarteHanks.com or call (800) 456-9748.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Our press release and related earnings conference call contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. All such statements are qualified by this cautionary note, provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements other than historical facts are forward-looking and may be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "seeks," "could," "intends," or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on current information, expectations and estimates and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In that event, our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity could be materially adversely affected and investors in our securities could lose part or all of their investments. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors include: (a) local, national and international economic and business conditions, including (i) market conditions that may adversely impact advertising expenditures and (ii) the impact of economic uncertainty in the United States and elsewhere on the financial condition, marketing expenditures and activities of our clients and prospects; (b) the demand for our services by clients and prospective clients, including (i) the willingness of existing clients to maintain or increase their spending on products and services that are or remain profitable for us, and (ii) our ability to predict changes in client needs and preferences; (c) economic and other business factors that impact the industry verticals we serve, including competition and consolidation of current and prospective clients, vendors and partners in these verticals; (d) our ability to manage and timely adjust our capacity, workforce and cost structure to effectively serve our clients; (e) our ability to improve our processes and to provide new products and services in a timely and cost-effective manner though development, license or acquisition; (f) our ability to protect our data centers against security breaches and other interruptions and to protect sensitive personal information of our clients and their customers; (g) our ability to respond to increasing concern, regulation and legal action over consumer privacy issues, including changing requirements for collection, processing and use of information; (h) the impact of other regulations, including restrictions on unsolicited marketing communications and other consumer protection laws; (i) fluctuations in fuel prices, paper prices, postal rates and postal delivery schedules; (j) the number of shares, if any, that we may repurchase in connection with our repurchase program; (k) unanticipated developments regarding litigation or other contingent liabilities; and (l) other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The forward-looking statements in this press release and our related earnings conference call are made only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

In this press release and our related earnings conference call, the company intends to provide investors with a better understanding of operating results and underlying trends to assess the company's performance and liquidity. The company evaluates its operating performance based on several measures, including the non-GAAP financial measures of (1) free cash flow, defined as net income, plus depreciation and amortization, plus stock-based compensation (tax-effected), plus goodwill and other intangibles impairment (tax-effected) less capital expenditures, all of the aforementioned are from continuing operations and (2) EBITDA, defined as net income before interest, taxes, goodwill and other intangibles impairment, depreciation, and amortization. The company believes that free cash flow and EBITDA are useful supplemental financial measures for investors because they facilitate investors' ability to evaluate the operational strength of the company's business. Free cash flow and EBITDA, however, are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and they should not be considered substitutes for net income as an indicator of operating performance. A quantitative reconciliation of free cash flow and EBITDA to net income is found in the tables attached to this release.

As used herein, "Harte Hanks" refers to Harte-Hanks, Inc. and/or its applicable operating subsidiaries, as the context may require. Harte Hanks' logo and name are trademarks of Harte Hanks.

 
 
Harte-Hanks, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
                         
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
In thousands, except per share data   2014     2013     2014     2013  
                                 
Operating revenues   $ 140,310     $ 140,105     $ 273,037     $ 272,457  
Operating expenses:                                
  Labor     69,613       69,790       140,917       137,260  
  Production and distribution     42,158       40,571       82,434       79,556  
  Advertising, selling, general and administrative     13,860       13,558       26,590       25,985  
  Depreciation and amortization     3,692       3,773       7,530       7,839  
      129,323       127,692       257,471       250,640  
Operating income     10,987       12,413       15,566       21,817  
Other expenses (income):                                
  Interest expense     710       779       1,437       1,582  
  Interest income     (81 )     (29 )     (129 )     (51 )
  Other, net     1,075       82       1,809       (1,136 )
      1,704       832       3,117       395  
Income from continuing operations before income taxes     9,283       11,581       12,449       21,422  
Income tax expense     3,646       4,645       4,967       8,166  
Income from continuing operations   $ 5,637     $ 6,936     $ 7,482     $ 13,256  
                                 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of income taxes     -       1,373       -       1,721  
                                 
Net Income   $ 5,637     $ 8,309     $ 7,482     $ 14,977  
                                 
                                 
Basic earnings per common share                                
  Continuing operations   $ 0.09     $ 0.11     $ 0.12     $ 0.21  
  Discontinued operations     -       0.02       -       0.03  
    Basic earnings per share   $ 0.09     $ 0.13     $ 0.12     $ 0.24  
                                 
  Weighted-average common shares outstanding     62,734       62,446       62,711       62,459  
                                 
Diluted earnings per common share                                
  Continuing operations   $ 0.09     $ 0.11     $ 0.12     $ 0.21  
  Discontinued operations     -       0.02       -       0.03  
    Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.09     $ 0.13     $ 0.12     $ 0.24  
                                 
  Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding     62,987       62,761       62,975       62,712  
                                 
                                 
                                 
Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited)   June 30,     December              
In thousands   2014     31, 2013              
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 77,022     $ 88,747                  
Total debt   $ 91,875     $ 98,000                  
                                 
   
   
Harte-Hanks, Inc.  
Business Segment Information (Unaudited)  
   
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
In thousands   2014     2013     % Change     2014     2013     % Change  
                                             
OPERATING REVENUES:                                            
  Customer Interaction   $ 127,321     $ 126,952     0.3 %   $ 246,055     $ 246,590     -0.2 %
  Trillium     12,989       13,153     -1.2 %     26,982       25,867     4.3 %
    Total operating revenues   $ 140,310     $ 140,105     0.1 %   $ 273,037     $ 272,457     0.2 %
                                             
OPERATING INCOME:                                            
  Customer Interaction   $ 9,192     $ 10,135     -9.3 %   $ 11,142     $ 17,041     -34.6 %
  Trillium     2,749       3,410     -19.4 %     6,344       7,038     -9.9 %
  General corporate expense     (954 )     (1,132 )   15.7 %     (1,920 )     (2,262 )   15.1 %
    Total operating income   $ 10,987     $ 12,413     -11.5 %   $ 15,566     $ 21,817     -28.7 %
      -       -             -       -        
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:                                            
  Customer Interaction   $ 3,190     $ 3,250     -1.8 %   $ 6,548     $ 6,818     -4.0 %
  Trillium     496       520     -4.6 %     972       1,013     -4.0 %
  General corporate expense     6       3     100.0 %     10       8     25.0 %
    Total depreciation and amortization   $ 3,692     $ 3,773     -2.1 %   $ 7,530     $ 7,839     -3.9 %
                                             
 
 
Harte-Hanks, Inc.
Historical Business Segment Information (Unaudited)
 
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    March 31,     June 30,  
In thousands   2014     2013     % Change     2012     % Change     2014     2013     % Change     2012     % Change  
                                                                         
OPERATING REVENUES:                                                                        
  Customer Interaction   $ 118,734     $ 119,638     -0.8 %   $ 126,917     -5.7 %   $ 127,321     $ 126,952     0.3 %   $ 130,200     -2.5 %
  Trillium     13,993       12,714     10.1 %     12,539     1.4 %     12,989       13,153     -1.2 %     12,594     4.4 %
    Total operating revenues   $ 132,727     $ 132,352     0.3 %   $ 139,456     -5.1 %   $ 140,310     $ 140,105     0.1 %   $ 142,794     -1.9 %
                                                                         
OPERATING INCOME:                                                                        
  Customer Interaction   $ 1,950     $ 6,906     -71.8 %   $ 11,025     -37.4 %   $ 9,192     $ 10,135     -9.3 %   $ 11,382     -11.0 %
  Trillium     3,595       3,628     -0.9 %     3,009     20.6 %     2,749       3,410     -19.4 %     3,203     6.5 %
   General corporate expense     (966 )     (1,130 )   14.5 %     (1,301 )   13.1 %     (954 )     (1,132 )   15.7 %     (1,303 )   13.1 %
    Total operating income   $ 4,579     $ 9,404     -51.3 %   $ 12,733     -26.1 %   $ 10,987     $ 12,413     -11.5 %   $ 13,282     -6.5 %
                                                                         
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:                                                                        
  Customer Interaction   $ 3,358     $ 3,568     -5.9 %   $ 3,646     -2.1 %   $ 3,190     $ 3,250     -1.8 %   $ 3,544     -8.3 %
  Trillium     476       493     -3.4 %     464     6.3 %     496       520     -4.6 %     461     12.8 %
  General corporate expense     4       5     -20.0 %     5     0.0 %     6       3     100.0 %     5     -40.0 %
    Total depreciation and amortization   $ 3,838     $ 4,066     -5.6 %   $ 4,115     -1.2 %   $ 3,692     $ 3,773     -2.1 %   $ 4,010     -5.9 %
                                                                             
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30,     December 31,  
In thousands   2014   2013     % Change   2012     % Change     2014   2013     % Change   2012     % Change  
                                                                 
OPERATING REVENUES:                                                                
  Customer Interaction   $ -   $ 121,338     -   $ 127,049     -4.5 %   $ -   $ 135,831     -   $ 143,876     -5.6 %
  Trillium   $ -     13,635     -     13,944     -2.2 %   $ -     16,348     -     13,971     17.0 %
    Total operating revenues   $ -   $ 134,973     -   $ 140,993     -4.3 %   $ -   $ 152,179     -   $ 157,847     -3.6 %
                                                                 
OPERATING INCOME:                                                                
  Customer Interaction   $ -   $ 5,559     -   $ 12,688     -56.2 %   $ -   $ 9,418     -   $ 18,125     -48.0 %
  Trillium   $ -     3,931     -     4,176     -5.9 %   $ -     4,429     -     4,270     3.7 %
  General corporate expense   $ -     (1,130 )   -     (1,267 )   10.8 %   $ -     (1,363 )   -     (1,339 )   -1.8 %
    Total operating income   $ -   $ 8,360     -   $ 15,597     -46.4 %   $ -   $ 12,484     -   $ 21,056     -40.7 %
                                                                 
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:                                                                
  Customer Interaction   $ -   $ 3,380     -   $ 3,355     0.7 %   $ -   $ 3,469     -   $ 3,536     -1.9 %
  Trillium   $ -     565     -     432     30.8 %   $ -     474     -     464     2.2 %
  General corporate expense   $ -     4     -     5     -20.0 %   $ -     4     -     5     -20.0 %
    Total depreciation and amortization   $ -   $ 3,949     -   $ 3,792     4.1 %   $ -   $ 3,947     -   $ 4,005     -1.4 %
                                                                     
                         
                         
Harte-Hanks, Inc.  
Harte Hanks Revenue Mix (Unaudited)  
                         
Vertical Markets - Percent of Harte Hanks Revenue  
                         
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2014     2013     2014     2013  
                         
Retail   23.9 %   28.1 %   24.7 %   27.9 %
Financial and Insurance Services   13.9 %   15.2 %   14.3 %   15.8 %
Technology   24.1 %   23.8 %   23.1 %   24.0 %
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals   7.6 %   7.8 %   8.5 %   7.7 %
Auto and Consumer Brands   17.8 %   17.3 %   18.0 %   16.7 %
Other Select Markets   12.6 %   7.8 %   11.4 %   7.9 %
    100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %
                         
                 
                 
Harte-Hanks, Inc.                
Reconciliation of Net Income to Free Cash Flow (Unaudited)        
    Three months ended   Six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,
In thousands   2014   2013   2014   2013
Income from continuing operations   $ 5,637   $ 6,936   $ 7,482   $ 13,256
  Add: After-tax stock-based compensation (Note 1)     755     1,237     1,378     1,915
  Add: Depreciation and amortization     3,692     3,773     7,530     7,839
  Less: Capital expenditures     2,191     4,486     4,838     9,169
Free cash flow from continuing operations     7,893     7,460     11,552     13,841
                         
Income/(Loss) from discont'd operations     -     1,373     -     1,721
  Add: After-tax stock-based compensation (Note 1)     -     85     -     180
  Add: Depreciation and amortization     -     868     -     1,739
  Less: Capital expenditures     -     268     -     318
Free cash flow from discontinued operations     -     2,058     -     3,322
                         
Total free cash flow   $ 7,893   $ 9,518   $ 11,552   $ 17,163
                         
Note 1: For continuing operations pre-tax stock-based compensation expense was $1,259 and $2,061 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively; and was $2,297 and $3,191 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For discontinued operations, pre-tax stock-based compensation expense was $142 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and $300 for the six months ended June 30, 2014.
 
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA from Continuing Operations (Unaudited)
    Three months ended   Six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,
In thousands     2013     2012     2014     2013
Income from Continuing Operations   $ 5,637   $ 6,936   $ 7,482   $ 13,256
    Depreciation and amortization     3,692     3,773     7,530     7,839
    Interest expense, net and non-operating, net     1,704     832     3,117     395
    Income tax expense     3,646     4,645     4,967     8,166
EBITDA from Continuing Operations   $ 14,679   $ 16,186   $ 23,096   $ 29,656