Performant Financial Corporation Announces Financial Results for Third Quarter 2016

Recently Awarded New Contracts from CMS and IRS


LIVERMORE, Calif., Nov. 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Performant Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:PFMT), a leading provider of technology-enabled recovery and related analytics services in the United States, today reported the following financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2016:

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

  • Total revenues of $31.2 million, compared to revenues of $38.5 million in the prior year period, down 19.0%
  • Net loss of $0.7 million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, in the prior year period
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $4.7 million, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $6.5 million in the prior year period
  • Adjusted net income of $0.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net income of $0.8 million or $0.02 per diluted share in the prior year period

Third Quarter 2016 Results

“We reported another solid quarter of adjusted EBITDA results, despite the headwinds generated from the absence of placements from the Department of Education during its transition to a new contract and the decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to pause its RAC program while it closes out the old contract.  As it relates to the outstanding contract awards with the Department of Education, we have maintained an ongoing dialog and remain confident that we are well positioned to be among the companies receiving a new contract award,” said Lisa Im, Performant Financial’s Chief Executive Officer.

Student lending revenues in the third quarter were $23.8 million, a decrease of 16.6% from $28.5 million in the prior year period. The U.S. Department of Education and Guaranty Agencies accounted for revenues of $3.9 million and $19.9 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $6.0 million and $22.5 million in the prior year period.  Student loan placement volume (defined below) during the quarter totaled $0.7 billion, compared to $0.5 billion in the prior year period. This figure reflects a 28% uptick in placements from Guaranty Agencies.

Healthcare revenues in the third quarter were $3.0 million, down from $5.1 million in the prior year period, as the Company's healthcare revenues continue to be adversely affected by the limitations on the scope of recovery activities and wind down of the current contract that have been imposed during the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") contract transition. Medicare audit recovery revenues were $1.7 million in the third quarter, a decline of $1.8 million from the prior year period. Commercial healthcare clients contributed revenues of $1.3 million, a decrease of $0.3 million from the prior year period.

Other revenues in the third quarter were $4.4 million, down from $4.9 million in the prior year period.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $48.3 million.

New Contract Awards

“We are very fortunate and excited to be able to announce that CMS recently awarded Performant two regions under its Medicare Fee-for-Service Recovery Audit Program contract, which includes Region 1, the reconstructed Northeast Region and Region 5, the newly created National Durable Medical Equipment and Home Health region.  We believe this dual award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our employees, as well as our ability to work effectively with all of our hospital partners, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with CMS," commented Im.

"Additionally, in September, the Internal Revenue Service announced that Performant was selected as a contractor on a new initiative to collect, on the government’s behalf, outstanding inactive tax receivables.   Work under the new contract is anticipated to begin during Spring 2017 and is expected to have a favorable impact on our fiscal 2017 revenue,” stated Im.

Business Outlook

Im continued, “As to the current fiscal year, we are reiterating our 2016 revenue range of $135 million to $145 million and increasing our adjusted EBITDA range to $22 million to $25 million from $18 million to $22 million.”

Terms used in this Press Release

Student Loan Placement Volume refers to the dollar volume of defaulted student loans first placed with us during the specified period by public and private clients for recovery. Placement Volume allows us to measure and track trends in the amount of inventory our clients in the student lending market are placing with us during any period. The revenue associated with the recovery of a portion of these loans may be recognized in subsequent accounting periods, which assists management in estimating future revenues and in allocating resources necessary to address current Placement Volumes.

Earnings Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter results today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.  A live webcast of the call may be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at investors.performantcorp.com. The conference call is also available by dialing 855-327-6837 (domestic) or 778-327-3988 (international).

A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website or by dialing 844-512-2921 (domestic) or 412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 10001870. The telephonic replay will be available approximately three hours after the call, through November 10, 2016.

About Performant Financial Corporation

Performant helps government and commercial organizations enhance revenue and contain costs by preventing, identifying and recovering waste, improper payments and defaulted assets. Performant is a leading provider of these services in several industries, including healthcare, student loans and government. Performant has been providing recovery audit services for more than nine years to both commercial and government clients, including serving as a Recovery Auditor for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Powered by a proprietary analytic platform and workflow technology, Performant also provides professional services related to the recovery effort, including reporting capabilities, support services, customer care and stakeholder training programs meant to mitigate future instances of improper payments. Founded in 1976, Performant is headquartered in Livermore, California.

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, to supplement our consolidated financial statements, the company presents adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income. These measures are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and accordingly reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income to net income determined in accordance with GAAP are included in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results” table at the end of this press release. We have included adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income in this press release because they are key measures used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends and to prepare and approve our annual budget. Accordingly, we believe that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income provide useful information to investors and analysts in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Our use of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In particular, many of the adjustments to our GAAP financial measures reflect the exclusion of items, specifically interest, tax and depreciation and amortization expenses, equity-based compensation expense and certain other non-operating expenses, that are recurring and will be reflected in our financial results for the foreseeable future. In addition, these measures may be calculated differently from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our financial guidance for 2016 and our expectation that we will receive a new recovery contract award from the Department of Education. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change and actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, that our agreement with the Department of Education has expired and is currently subject to a rebidding process and there is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining a new contract award; that the timing and scope of permitted recovery activity under our newly announced recovery contracts for the Medicare Fee-for-Service Recovery Audit Program and the Internal Revenue Service are uncertain; that we may need to incur significant expenses in connection with preparing to perform these new contracts and any new recovery contract award we may receive from the Department of Education; that our indebtedness and ability to comply with our financial covenants could adversely affect our business and financial condition; the high level of revenue concentration among the Company's three largest customers; that many of the Company's customer contracts are subject to periodic renewal, are not exclusive and do not provide for committed business volumes; that the Company faces significant competition in all of its markets; that the U.S. federal government accounts for a significant portion of the Company's revenues; that future legislative and regulatory changes may have significant effects on the Company's business; failure of the Company's or third parties' operating systems and technology infrastructure could disrupt the operation of the Company's business; and the threat of breach of the Company's security measures or failure or unauthorized access to confidential data that the Company possesses. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial condition and operating results is included from time to time in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and subsequently filed reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

 
PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
    
 September 30,
 2016
 December 31,
 2015
 (Unaudited)  
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$48,302  $71,182 
Restricted cash7,507   
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $224 and $386, respectively10,309  17,965 
Deferred income taxes7,734  7,170 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets12,878  12,933 
Income tax receivable658   
Total current assets87,388  109,250 
Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements, net23,740  25,515 
Identifiable intangible assets, net22,268  25,074 
Goodwill82,522  82,522 
Other assets157  179 
Total assets$216,075  $242,540 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   
Current liabilities:   
Current maturities of notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1,102 and $1,078, respectively$12,422  $7,998 
Accrued salaries and benefits8,518  4,761 
Accounts payable1,081  929 
Other current liabilities2,979  5,615 
Income Tax Payable  895 
Estimated liability for appeals19,556  19,118 
Net payable to client13,419  14,400 
Total current liabilities57,975  53,716 
Notes payable, net of current portion and unamortized debt issuance costs of $472 and $1,038, respectively50,955  84,144 
Deferred income taxes8,028  8,818 
Other liabilities1,776  2,006 
Total liabilities118,734  148,684 
Commitments and contingencies   
Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock, $0.0001 par value. Authorized, 500,000 shares at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015; issued and outstanding 50,226 and 49,479 shares at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively5  5 
Additional paid-in capital64,451  61,808 
Retained earnings32,885  32,043 
Total stockholders’ equity97,341  93,856 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$216,075  $242,540 
        


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
Revenues $31,195  $38,506  $107,548  $118,327 
Operating expenses:        
Salaries and benefits 18,710  21,729  60,107  67,595 
Other operating expenses 12,311  14,096  40,401  48,801 
Total operating expenses 31,021  35,825  100,508  116,396 
Income from operations 174  2,681  7,040  1,931 
Interest expense (1,863) (2,137) (6,136) (6,800)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes (1,689) 544  904  (4,869)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (974) 858  62  (879)
Net income (loss) $(715) $(314) $842  $(3,990)
Net income (loss) per share        
Basic $(0.01) $(0.01) $0.02  $(0.08)
Diluted $(0.01) $(0.01) $0.02  $(0.08)
Weighted average shares        
Basic 50,200  49,436  49,974  49,394 
Diluted 50,200  49,436  50,401  49,394 
             


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
  
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
Cash flows from operating activities:2016 2015
Net income (loss)$842  $(3,990)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:   
(Gain) loss on disposal of asset12  (594)
Depreciation and amortization10,098  10,094 
Deferred income taxes(2,455) (1,320)
Stock-based compensation3,546  3,398 
Interest expense from debt issuance costs and amortization of discount note payable874  957 
Write-off unamortized debt issuance costs468   
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Trade accounts receivable7,656  1,254 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets55  515 
Income tax receivable(658) 3,837 
Other assets22  163 
Accrued salaries and benefits3,757  2,311 
Accounts payable152  1,138 
Other current liabilities(2,210) (2,439)
Income taxes payable(895)  
Estimated liability for appeals438  318 
Net payable to client(981) 2,579 
Other liabilities(230) 792 
Net cash provided by operating activities20,491  19,013 
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements  1,272 
Purchase of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements(5,529) (5,635)
Net cash used in investing activities(5,529) (4,363)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Repayment of notes payable(29,307) (15,268)
Debt issuance costs paid(800)  
Restricted cash for repayment of notes payable(7,507)  
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of stock awards(261) (90)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options333  26 
Income tax benefit (shortfall) from employee stock options103  (370)
Payment of purchase obligation(427) (969)
Net cash used in financing activities(37,866) (16,671)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash24   
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(22,880) (2,021)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period71,182  80,298 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$48,302  $78,277 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:   
Cash paid (received) for income taxes$3,976  $(3,242)
Cash paid for interest$4,797  $5,846 
        


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results
(In thousands, except per share amount)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share:        
Net income (loss) $(715) $(314) $842  $(3,990)
Plus: Adjustment items per reconciliation of adjusted net income 1,492  1,097  4,798  6,570 
Adjusted net income 777  783  5,640  2,580 
Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share $0.02  $0.02  $0.11  $0.05 
Diluted avg shares outstanding (7) 50,866  50,083  50,401  50,050 
             


  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
Adjusted EBITDA:        
Net income (loss) $(715) $(314) $842  $(3,990)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (974) 858  62  (879)
Gain on sale of land (6)   (636)   (636)
Interest expense 1,863  2,137  6,136  6,800 
Transaction expenses (1)       3,270 
Restructuring and other expenses (4) 26    309  930 
Depreciation and amortization 3,292  3,242  10,098  10,094 
Stock-based compensation 1,206  1,231  3,546  3,398 
Adjusted EBITDA $4,698  $6,518  $20,993  $18,987 
                 


  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
Adjusted Net Income:        
Net income (loss) $(715) $(314) $842  $(3,990)
Gain on sale of land (6)   (636)   (636)
Transaction expenses (1)       3,270 
Stock-based compensation 1,206  1,231  3,546  3,398 
Amortization of intangibles (2) 931  943  2,800  3,081 
Deferred financing amortization costs (3) 324  290  1,342  906 
Restructuring and other expenses (4) 26    309  930 
Tax adjustments (5) (995) (731) (3,199) (4,379)
Adjusted Net Income $777  $783  $5,640  $2,580 
                 

(1) Represents direct and incremental costs associated with expenses incurred in 2015 for a potential acquisition and related financing.
(2) Represents amortization of capitalized expenses related to the acquisition of Performant by an affiliate of Parthenon Capital Partners in 2004, and also an acquisition in the first quarter of 2012 to enhance our analytics capabilities.
(3) Represents amortization of capitalized financing costs related to financing conducted in 2012 and costs related to the amendment of the terms of the note payable in 2014 and 2016.
(4) Represents restructuring costs and severance and termination expenses incurred in connection with termination of employees and consultants.
(5) Represents tax adjustments assuming a marginal tax rate of 40%.
(6) Represents gain on the sale of land in San Angelo, TX in 2015.
(7) While net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 reflects a net loss of $(314) and $(3,990), the computation of adjusted net income results in adjusted net income of $783 and $2,580, respectively.  Therefore, the calculation of the adjusted earnings per diluted share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 includes dilutive common share equivalents of 647 and 656 added to the basic weighted average shares of 49,436 and 49,394, respectively.  Similarly, while net income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2016 reflects a net loss of $(715), the computation of adjusted net income results in adjusted net income of $777.  Therefore, the calculation of the adjusted earnings per diluted share includes dilutive common share equivalents of 666 added to the basic weighted average shares of 50,200.

 
PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results
(In thousands, except per share amount)
(Unaudited)
 
We are providing the following preliminary estimates of our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2016:
     
  Nine Months Ended Year Ended
  September 30,
2016
 December 31,
2016
 December 31,
2015
 December 31,
2016
  Actual Estimate Actual Estimate
Adjusted EBITDA:        
Net income (loss) $842  $ (4,194) to (2,638) $(1,795) $ (3,352) to (1,796)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 62  (1,019) to (575) (386) (957) to (513)
Gain on Sale of Land (6)    (636) 
Interest expense 6,136  1,864 to 2,164 8,889  8,000 to 8,300
Transaction expenses (1)    3,270  
Restructuring and other expenses (4) 309   1,079  309
Depreciation and amortization 10,098  3,202 to 3,702 13,368  13,300 to 13,800
Stock-based compensation 3,546  1,154 to 1,354 5,009  4,700 to 4,900
Adjusted EBITDA $20,993  $  1,007 to 4,007 $28,798  $  22,000 to 25,000
             

(1) Represents direct and incremental costs associated with expenses incurred in 2015 for a potential acquisition and related financing.
(4) Represents restructuring costs and severance and termination expenses incurred in connection with termination of employees and consultants.
(6) Represents gain on the sale of land in San Angelo, TX in 2015.


            

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