MARLTON, N.J., March 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hill International (NYSE:HIL), the global leader in managing construction risk, announced today financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014 (see attached tables).
Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2014 was a record $169.1 million, an increase of 16.7% from the fourth quarter of 2013. Consulting fee revenue for the fourth quarter was a record $148.7 million, an increase of 13.6% from the prior year's fourth quarter.
EBITDA (as defined below) for the fourth quarter was $5.7 million, down 38.3% from the fourth quarter of 2013. Operating profit for the fourth quarter was $3.3 million, a 52.2% decline from the prior year's fourth quarter. Net loss for the fourth quarter was ($3.5 million), or ($0.07) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($1.3 million), or ($0.03) per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2013. The net loss in the fourth quarter of 2014 was negatively impacted by higher bad debt expense and higher income tax expense partially offset by lower interest expense.
The company's total backlog at December 31, 2014 was a record $1.080 billion, up 0.7% from September 30, 2014. Twelve-month backlog at December 31, 2014 was also a record at $470 million, a 2.8% increase from September 30, 2014.
"We had another strong quarter with record backlog driving record revenues, but we continue to be challenged in converting that growth into better profitability," said David L. Richter, Hill's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our focus in 2015 will be on more aggressively managing our overhead costs so we can deliver higher and more consistent profitability going forward," added Richter.
Full Year 2014 Results
Total revenue for 2014 was a record $640.3 million, an increase of 11.0% from 2013. Consulting fee revenue for 2014 was a record $575.8 million, an increase of 12.4% over the prior year.
EBITDA for 2014 was $37.8 million, an 8.4% decrease from 2013. Operating profit for 2014 was $29.3 million, a 9.8% decrease from a year earlier. Net loss for 2014 was ($10.9 million), or ($0.25) per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $1.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, during 2013.
The net loss in 2014 was primarily caused by one-time expenses of $10.8 million in connection with the company's debt refinancing which closed in September 2014.
2015 Guidance
Based on current market conditions and the backlog amounts described above, the company estimates that consulting fee revenue in 2015 will be between $650 million and $675 million. This guidance reflects approximately 13% to 17% growth in consulting fee revenue for the year.
Business Segment Results
In addition to providing consolidated financial results, Hill also reports separate financial results for its two operating segments: the Project Management Group and the Construction Claims Group.
Project Management Group. Hill's Project Management Group provides program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, troubled project turnaround, staff augmentation, project labor agreement consulting, commissioning, estimating and cost management, and labor compliance services.
Total revenue at Hill's Project Management Group during the fourth quarter of 2014 was a record $129.5 million, an increase of 15.8% from the fourth quarter of 2013. Consulting fee revenue for the fourth quarter at the Projects Group was a record $110.2 million, an increase of 11.3% from the prior year's fourth quarter. Operating profit for the Projects Group for the fourth quarter was $11.4 million, a decrease of 2.6% from the fourth quarter of 2013.
Total revenue at the Projects Group during 2014 was a record $486.4 million, an increase of 7.5% from 2013. Consulting fee revenue for the Projects Group during 2014 was a record $427.5 million, an increase of 8.9% from the prior year. Operating profit for the Projects Group for 2014 was $48.5 million, down 0.3% from 2013.
Construction Claims Group. Hill's Construction Claims Group provides claims consulting, management consulting, litigation support, expert witness testimony, cost/damages assessment, delay/disruption analysis, adjudication, lender advisory, risk management, forensic accounting, fraud investigation and Project Neutral services.
Total revenue at Hill's Construction Claims Group during the fourth quarter of 2014 was $39.7 million, an increase of 19.7% from the fourth quarter of 2013. Consulting fee revenue for the fourth quarter at the Claims Group was a record $38.5 million, an increase of 20.7% from the prior year's fourth quarter. Operating profit for the Claims Group for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $0.1 million, a decrease of 97.8% from the fourth quarter of 2013.
Total revenue at the Claims Group during 2014 was a record $153.8 million, an increase of 23.9% from 2013. Consulting fee revenue for the Claims Group for 2014 was a record $148.3 million, an increase of 24.1% from the prior year. Operating profit for the Claims Group for 2014 was $11.0 million, a decrease of 9.7% from 2013.
Conference Call
David L. Richter, Hill's President and Chief Executive Officer, and John Fanelli III, Hill's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call on March 13, 2015, at 11:00 am Eastern Time to discuss the financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (877) 423-9820 (Domestic) or (201) 493-6749 (International) approximately 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and ask to be connected to the Hill International conference call. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet.
To listen to the live call, please go to the "Investor Relations" section of Hill's website at www.hillintl.com, and click on "Financial Information," and then "Conferences and Calls". Please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to participate in the live call, the conference call will be archived and can be accessed from Hill's website for approximately 90 days.
About Hill International
Hill International, with 4,600 employees in over 100 offices worldwide, provides program management, project management, construction management, construction claims and other consulting services primarily to the buildings, transportation, environmental, energy and industrial markets. Engineering News-Record magazine recently ranked Hill as the ninth largest construction management firm in the United States. For more information on Hill, please visit our website at www.hillintl.com.
The Hill International, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5733
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is our intent that any such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Except for historical information contained in this press release, the matters set forth herein including, but not limited to, any projections of earnings or other financial items; any statements concerning our plans, strategies and objectives for future operations; and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that the expectations, estimates and assumptions reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include: modifications and termination of client contracts; control and operational issues pertaining to business activities that we conduct on our own behalf or pursuant to joint ventures with other parties; difficulties we may incur in implementing our acquisition strategy; the need to retain and recruit key technical and management personnel; and unexpected adjustments and cancellations related to our backlog. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are set forth in the reports we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.
(HIL-F)
| HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||
| EARNINGS RELEASE TABLES | ||||
| (In 000's, Except Per Share Data) | ||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||
| Consolidated Statement of Operations | ||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Consulting fee revenue | $ 148,717 | $ 130,921 | $ 575,805 | $ 512,085 |
| Reimbursable expenses | 20,421 | 14,029 | 64,476 | 64,596 |
| Total revenue | 169,138 | 144,950 | 640,281 | 576,681 |
| Cost of services | 84,284 | 72,266 | 328,795 | 296,055 |
| Reimbursable expenses | 20,421 | 14,029 | 64,476 | 64,596 |
| Total direct expenses | 104,705 | 86,295 | 393,271 | 360,651 |
| Gross profit | 64,433 | 58,655 | 247,010 | 216,030 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 61,105 | 51,688 | 217,730 | 183,572 |
| Operating profit | 3,328 | 6,967 | 29,280 | 32,458 |
| Interest and related financing fees, net | 3,651 | 5,607 | 30,485 | 22,864 |
| Earnings before income taxes | (323) | 1,360 | (1,205) | 9,594 |
| Income tax expense | 2,987 | 2,060 | 8,411 | 6,043 |
| Net (loss) earnings | (3,310) | (700) | (9,616) | 3,551 |
| Less: net earnings - noncontrolling interest | 174 | 566 | 1,263 | 1,922 |
| Net (loss) earnings attributable to Hill International, Inc. | $ (3,484) | $ (1,266) | $ (10,879) | $ 1,629 |
| Basic (loss) earnings per common share - Hill International, Inc. | $ (0.07) | $ (0.03) | $ (0.25) | $ 0.04 |
| Basic weighted average common shares outstanding | 50,370 | 39,538 | 44,370 | 39,098 |
| Diluted (loss) earnings per common share -- Hill International, Inc. | $ (0.07) | $ (0.03) | $ (0.25) | $ 0.04 |
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 50,370 | 39,538 | 44,370 | 39,322 |
| Selected Segment Data | ||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Project Management | ||||
| Consulting fee revenue | $ 110,237 | $ 99,042 | $ 427,515 | $ 392,602 |
| Total revenue | $ 129,483 | $ 111,817 | $ 486,442 | $ 452,517 |
| Gross profit | $ 43,143 | $ 40,147 | $ 164,669 | $ 148,599 |
| Gross profit as a percent of consulting fee revenue | 39.1% | 40.5% | 38.5% | 37.8% |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ 31,748 | $ 28,445 | $ 116,153 | $ 99,917 |
| SG&A expenses as a percentage of consulting fee revenue | 28.8% | 28.7% | 27.2% | 25.4% |
| Operating profit | $ 11,395 | $ 11,702 | $ 48,516 | $ 48,682 |
| Operating profit as a percent of consulting fee revenue | 10.3% | 11.8% | 11.3% | 12.4% |
| Construction Claims | ||||
| Consulting fee revenue | $ 38,480 | $ 31,879 | $ 148,290 | $ 119,483 |
| Total revenue | $ 39,655 | $ 33,133 | $ 153,839 | $ 124,164 |
| Gross profit | $ 21,290 | $ 18,508 | $ 82,341 | $ 67,431 |
| Gross profit as a percent of consulting fee revenue | 55.3% | 58.1% | 55.5% | 56.4% |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ 21,235 | $ 15,966 | $ 71,345 | $ 55,260 |
| SG&A expenses as a percentage of consulting fee revenue | 55.2% | 50.1% | 48.1% | 46.2% |
| Operating profit | $ 55 | $ 2,542 | $ 10,996 | $ 12,171 |
| Operating profit as a percent of consulting fee revenue | 0.1% | 8.0% | 7.4% | 10.2% |
| Selected Other Financial Data | ||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Consulting fee revenue | $ 148,717 | $ 130,921 | $ 575,805 | $ 512,085 |
| Total revenue | $ 169,138 | $ 144,950 | $ 640,281 | $ 576,681 |
| Gross profit | $ 64,433 | $ 58,655 | $ 247,010 | $ 216,030 |
| Gross profit as a percentage of consulting fee revenue | 43.3% | 44.8% | 42.9% | 42.2% |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding corporate expenses) | $ 52,983 | $ 44,411 | $ 187,498 | $ 155,177 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding corporate expenses) as a percentage of consulting fee revenue | 35.6% | 33.9% | 32.6% | 30.3% |
| Corporate expenses | $ 8,122 | $ 7,277 | $ 30,232 | $ 28,395 |
| Corporate expenses as a percentage of consulting fee revenue | 5.5% | 5.6% | 5.3% | 5.5% |
| Operating profit | $ 3,328 | $ 6,967 | $ 29,280 | $ 32,458 |
| Operating profit as a percent of consulting fee revenue | 2.2% | 5.3% | 5.1% | 6.3% |
| Effective income tax rate | (924.8)% | 151.5% | (697.9)% | 63.0% |
| Selected Balance Sheet Data | ||
| December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 30,124 | $ 30,381 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 194,256 | 232,011 |
| Current assets | 257,099 | 297,893 |
| Accounts receivable, Libya | 49,659 | -- |
| Total assets | 464,984 | 449,102 |
| Current liabilities | 137,935 | 151,515 |
| Total debt | 128,236 | 133,261 |
| Stockholders' equity: | ||
| Hill International, Inc. share of equity | 154,112 | 131,144 |
| Noncontrolling interests | 8,674 | 11,887 |
| Total equity | $ 162,786 | $ 143,031 |
EBITDA Reconciliation
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for the fourth quarter of 2014 were $5.7 million compared to $9.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes EBITDA, in addition to operating profit, net income and other GAAP measures, is a useful indicator of Hill's financial and operating performance and its ability to generate cash flows from operations that are available for taxes and capital expenditures. Investors should recognize that EBITDA might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. This measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in accordance with SEC Regulation S-K follows:
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | |||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Net (loss) income | $ (3,484) | $ (1,266) | $ (10,879) | $ 1,629 |
| Interest and related financing fees, net | 3,651 | 5,607 | 30,485 | 22,864 |
| Income tax expense | 2,987 | 2,060 | 8,411 | 6,043 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,547 | 2,835 | 9,823 | 10,756 |
| EBITDA | $ 5,701 | $ 9,236 | $ 37,840 | $ 41,292 |
| Hill International, Inc. | The Equity Group Inc. |
| John P. Paolin | Devin Sullivan |
| Senior Vice President of Marketing and | Senior Vice President |
| Corporate Communications | (212) 836-9608 |
| (856) 810-6210 | dsullivan@equityny.com |
| johnpaolin@hillintl.com | |