Calian Reports Record First Quarter Results


OTTAWA, Feb. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calian Group Ltd. (TSX.CGY) today released its quarterly results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019.

First quarter 2020 highlights:

  • Revenue at $99.2 million, representing Calian’s sixth consecutive quarter of record revenue
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) at $8.4 million
  • 73rd consecutive profitable quarter
  • New contract signings of $87 million
  • Dividend of $0.28 per share 

The Company reported revenues for the quarter of $99.2 million, representing a 24% increase from the $79.9 million reported in the same quarter of the previous year.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) for the first quarter was $8.4 million or $1.04 per share basic and $1.03 per share diluted, an increase from $5.7 million or $0.73 per share basic and diluted in the same quarter of the previous year (Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter included a favorable impact of $0.7 million from the adoption of IFRS 16).

Adjusted net profit,(1) which excludes non-cash items related to our recent acquisitions, was $5.3 million or $0.67 per share basic and diluted for the quarter; this compares to $3.8 million or $0.49 per share basic and $0.48 diluted in the same period of the previous year.

Net profit for the first quarter was $4.3 million or $0.55 per share basic and $0.54 per share diluted, an increase from $3.4 million or $0.43 per share basic and diluted in the same period of the prior year.

"It is exciting to report another record quarter of consolidated revenue. Reflecting our growth, this is now our sixth consecutive quarter of achieving record revenue,” stated Patrick Houston, CFO. “The stability of our diversified business was evident in the quarter as Advanced Technologies, Health and IT posted solid revenue and EBITDA growth compared to the prior year’s first quarter.”

“We have received very positive feedback regarding our reporting aligned to four segments, which we introduced at the end of our 2019 Q4 and full-year results. The four segments of Advanced Technologies, Health, Learning and Information Technology are highlighting our focus going forward and have helped simplify the Company for our shareholders,” said Kevin Ford, President and CEO.  

“On that note I was pleased to see the results of our diversified engine at work during the quarter. The Advanced Technologies segment posted very positive organic revenue growth of 68% from the same period a year earlier, with top line contributions from our large ground systems project and new mobile wireless product. Health revenues rose 10% from a year earlier as demand increased on our clinician services and psychological assessment services. IT similarly posted 9% revenue growth on stronger sales for our cyber security practice,” Ford said. “Learning revenues declined slightly, reflecting pace of demand on our core training contracts and a focus on securing new business,” continued Ford.

“While first-quarter consolidated revenue grew 24% year-over-year, we also just announced a strategic acquisition for the Health segment in support of our growth objectives. On January 31 we announced the acquisition of health services companies Allphase Clinical Research Services Inc. and Alio Health Services Inc. (collectively, ‘Allphase/Alio’). The companies serve the pharmaceutical and medical device industry and the broader health care sector with clinical trial services, specialty medication support, community care and other services, all enabled by an innovative health care delivery management software application. This acquisition supports all four pillars of our growth framework. It diversifies our customer base into pharmaceuticals, home care and hospitals, and supports Calian’s innovation agenda with services enabled by sophisticated software.”

“Continued investment in R&D, M&A and our own internal innovation will be critical to our long-term profitable growth and continued push into global markets. Our recent filing of a shelf prospectus is an important step in providing flexibility as we continue on our growth agenda,” stated Ford.

Based on currently available information and our assessment of the marketplace, we expect revenues for fiscal 2020 to be in the range of $380 million to $410 million, adjusted EBITDA per share in the range of $4.25 to $4.55, and adjusted net profit per share in the range of $2.50 to $2.80.

For Calian’s Financial Statements, MD&A and other disclosures, please visit our IR webpage at https://www.calian.com/en/investor-relations ; for more information contact us at ir@calian.com.

About Calian

Calian employs over 3,400 people in its delivery of diverse products and solutions for private sector, government and defence customers in North American and global markets. The Company’s diverse capabilities are delivered through four segments: Advanced Technologies, Health, Learning and Information Technology. The Advanced Technologies segment provides innovative products, technologies and manufacturing services and solutions for the space, communications, defence, nuclear, government and agriculture sectors. The Health segment manages a network of more than 1,800 health care professionals delivering primary care and occupational health services to public and private sector clients across Canada. Learning is a trusted provider of emergency management, consulting and specialized training services and solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces and clients in the defence, health, energy and other sectors. The Information Technology segment supports public- and private-sector customer requirements for subject matter expertise in the delivery of complex IT and cyber security solutions. Headquartered in Ottawa, the Company’s offices and projects span Canada and international markets.

For investor information, please visit our website at www.calian.com or contact us at ir@calian.com

Kevin Ford
President and Chief Executive Officer
613-599-8600 
Patrick Houston
Chief Financial Officer
613-599-8600
Media inquiries:
Simon Doyle
613-599-8600 x 2205
   

DISCLAIMER

Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Such statements are generally accompanied by words such as “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, please see the Company’s most recent annual report and other reports filed by Calian with the Ontario Securities Commission. Calian disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No assurance can be given that actual results, performance or achievement expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking statements within this disclosure will occur, or if they do, that any benefits may be derived from them.

Calian · Head Office · 770 Palladium Drive · Ottawa · Ontario · Canada · K2V 1C8
Tel: 613.599.8600 · Fax: 613-592-3664· General Info email: info@calian.com

CALIAN GROUP LTD.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019
(Canadian dollars in thousands)

      
 December 31,  September 30, 
 2019 2019
ASSETS     
CURRENT ASSETS     
Cash$ 14,395 $ 17,135 
Accounts receivable  69,576   63,977 
Work in process  52,075   39,221 
Inventory  3,691   3,147 
Prepaid expenses  4,958   5,403 
Derivative assets  866   96 
Total current assets  145,561   128,979 
NON-CURRENT ASSETS     
Capitalized research and development  3,875   3,216 
Equipment  10,820   10,965 
Application software  1,033   1,013 
Right of use asset  18,133   - 
Investment and loan receivable  670   452 
Acquired intangible assets  15,810   16,699 
Goodwill  33,702   33,702 
Total non-current assets  84,043   66,047 
TOTAL ASSETS$ 229,604 $ 195,026 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     
CURRENT LIABILITIES     
Line of Credit$ 26,195 $ 13,000 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  41,952   45,058 
Contingent earn-out  6,526   800 
Provisions  1,201   1,129 
Unearned contract revenue  8,754   8,778 
Derivative liabilities  354   143 
Lease obligations  2,549   - 
Total current liabilities  87,531   68,908 
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES     
Lease obligations  17,470   - 
Contingent earn-out  -   5,519 
Deferred tax liabilities  5,532   5,525 
Total non-current liabilities  23,002   11,044 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  110,533   79,952 
      
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     
Issued capital  33,727   32,515 
Contributed surplus  1,595   1,817 
Retained earnings  83,709   81,608 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  40   (866)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  119,071   115,074 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY$ 229,604 $ 195,026 
Number of common shares issued and outstanding  7,970,764   7,929,238 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.                     

CALIAN GROUP LTD.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET PROFIT
For the quarters ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
(Canadian dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  
 Three months ended
 December 31, 
 2019  2018 
Revenue     
Advanced Technologies$ 40,043  $ 23,814 
Health  30,010    27,350 
Learning  15,108    15,850 
Information Technology  14,083    12,907 
Total Revenue  99,244    79,921 
Cost of revenues  78,989    63,077 
Gross profit  20,255    16,844 
Selling and marketing  2,777    2,463 
General and administration  8,658    8,415 
Research and development  414    279 
Profit before under noted items  8,406    5,687 
Depreciation of equipment and application software  572    495 
Depreciation of right of use asset  671    - 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets  889    280 
Other changes in fair value  (101)   - 
Changes in fair value related to contingent earn-out  207    142 
Profit before interest income and income tax expense  6,168    4,770 
Lease interest expense  110    - 
Interest expense (income)  63    (32)
Profit before income tax expense  5,995    4,802 
Income tax expense – current  1,979    1,356 
Income tax expense – deferred  (317)   91 
Total income tax expense  1,662    1,447 
NET PROFIT$ 4,333  $ 3,355 
Net profit per share:     
Basic$ 0.55  $ 0.43 
Diluted$ 0.54  $ 0.43 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

CALIAN GROUP LTD.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the quarters ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
(Canadian dollars in thousands)

  
 Three months ended
 December 31, 
 2019  2018 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES     
Net profit$ 4,333  $ 3,355 
Items not affecting cash:     
Interest expense (income)  63    (32)
Changes in fair value related to contingent earn-out  207    142 
Lease interest expense  110    - 
Income tax expense  1,662    1,447 
Employee share purchase plan expense  -    35 
Share based compensation expense  273    200 
Depreciation and amortization  2,132    775 
Other changes in fair value  (101)   - 
   8,679    5,922 
Change in non-cash working capital     
Accounts receivable  (5,678)   4,470 
Work in process  (12,854)   759 
Prepaid expenses  288    401 
Inventory  (544)   (320)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (974)   (6,511)
Unearned contract revenue  (24)   (1,964)
   (11,107)   2,757 
Interest received (paid)  (191)   33 
Income tax paid  (1,281)   (1,812)
   (12,579)   978 
CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES     
Issuance of common shares  717    - 
Dividends  (2,232)   (2,176)
Draw on line of credit  13,180    12,000 
Share repurchase  -    (81)
Payment of lease obligations  (614)   - 
   11,051    9,743 
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES     
Investments and loan receivable  (100)   - 
Business acquisitions  -    (11,299)
Capitalized research and development  (658)   (494)
Equipment and application software  (454)   (393)
   (1,212)   (12,186)
      
NET CASH (OUTFLOW) INFLOW$ (2,740) $ (1,465)
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  17,135    21,842 
CASH, END OF PERIOD$ 14,395  $ 20,377 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to most comparable IFRS measures

These non-GAAP measures are mainly derived from the consolidated financial statements, but do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS; therefore, others using these terms may calculate them differently. The exclusion of certain items from non-GAAP performance measures does not imply that these are necessarily nonrecurring. From time to time, we may exclude additional items if we believe doing so would result in a more transparent and comparable disclosure. Other entities may define the above measures differently than we do. In those cases, it may be difficult to use similarly named non-GAAP measures of other entities to compare performance of those entities to the Company’s performance.

Management believes that providing certain non-GAAP performance measures, in addition to IFRS measures,
provides users of the Company’s financial reports with enhanced understanding of the Company’s results and
related trends and increases transparency and clarity into the core results of the business. Adjusted EBITDA excludes items that do not reflect, in our opinion, the Company’s core performance and helps users of our MD&A to better analyze our results, enabling comparability of our results from one period to another.

Adjusted EBITDA

     
 Three months ended
 December 31 December 31
 2019 2018(1)
Net profit$ 4,333  $ 3,355 
Depreciation of equipment and application software  572    495 
Depreciation of right of use asset  671    - 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets  889    280 
Lease interest expense  110    - 
Changes in fair value related to contingent earn-out  207    142 
Interest expense (income)  63    (32)
Other changes in fair value  (101)   - 
Income tax  1,662    1,447 
Adjusted EBITDA$ 8,406  $ 5,687 
  1. No restatement performed in Fiscal 2019 or 2018 figures due to the entity applying the modified retrospective approach on implementation of IFRS 16 which occurred in fiscal 2020.

Adjusted Net Profit and Adjusted EPS

     
 Three months ended
 December 31 December 31
 2019 2018(1)
Net profit$ 4,333  $ 3,355
Other changes in fair value  (101)   -
Changes in fair value related to contingent earn-out  207    142
Amortization of intangibles  889    280
Adjusted net profit$ 5,328  $ 3,777
Adjusted EPS Basic  0.67    0.49
Adjusted EPS Diluted  0.67    0.48
  1. No restatement performed in Fiscal 2019 or 2018 figures due to the entity applying the modified retrospective approach on implementation of IFRS 16 which occurred in fiscal 2020.

The Company uses adjusted net profit and adjusted earnings per share, which remove the impact of our acquisition amortization and gains, resulting in accounting for acquisitions and changes in fair value to measure our performance. These measurements better align the reporting of our results and improve comparability against our peers. We believe that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-GAAP measures in the evaluation of issuers. Management also uses non-GAAP measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, prepare annual operating budgets and assess our ability to meet our capital expenditure and working capital requirements. Adjusted profit and adjusted earnings per share are not recognized, defined or standardized measures under the International Financial Reporting Standards. Our definition of adjusted profit and adjusted earnings per share will likely differ from that used by other companies (including our peers) and therefore comparability may be limited. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for or be considered in isolation from measures prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Investors are encouraged to review our financial statements and disclosures in their entirety and are cautioned not to put undue reliance on non-GAAP measures and view them in conjunction with the most comparable International Financial Reporting Standards financial measures. The Company has reconciled adjusted profit to the most comparable International Financial Reporting Standards financial measure as shown above.

____________________
(1) Caution regarding non-GAAP measures:

This press release is based on reported earnings in accordance with IFRS. Reference to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) means IFRS, unless indicated otherwise. This press release is also based on non-GAAP financial measures including EBITDA, adjusted net profit and adjusted net profit per share. These non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS; therefore, others using these terms may calculate them differently. Management believes that providing certain non-GAAP performance measures, in addition to IFRS measures, provides users of our financial reports with enhanced understanding of our results and related trends and increases transparency and clarity into the core results of our business. Refer to the MD&A for definitions of these metrics and reconciliations to the most comparable IFRS measures.