form8-k.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
_____________________

FORM 8–K

CURRENT REPORT

 
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

May 6, 2008
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
_____________________

Huron Consulting Group Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
                000-50976
01-0666114
(State or other jurisdiction
               (Commission
(IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization)
               File Number)
Identification Number)


550 West Van Buren Street
Chicago, Illinois
60607
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(312) 583-8700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_____________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


 
 

 

Item 2.02.                      Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 6, 2008, Huron Consulting Group Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated in this report as if fully set forth herein.


Item 9.01.                      Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 
(d)
Exhibits
     
   
99.1           Press release, dated May 6, 2008

 
- 1 - -

 


SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


     
Huron Consulting Group Inc.
     
(Registrant)
       
       
Date:
May 6, 2008
 
/s/ Gary L. Burge
     
Gary L. Burge
     
Vice President,
     
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 
- 2 - -

 


EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
99.1
 
Press release, dated May 6, 2008


exh99-1.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1
 
[Huron Consulting Group Logo]
News
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2008

Huron Consulting Group Reports First Quarter 2008 Financial Results

·  
Revenues of $139.4 million for Q1 2008 increased 20.2% from $116.0 million in Q1 2007.
·  
Diluted earnings per share for Q1 2008 were $0.56 compared to $0.55 in Q1 2007.
·  
Average number of full-time billable consultants(1) totaled 1,237 for Q1 2008 compared to 919 for Q1 2007. Average number of full-time equivalent professionals(4) totaled 753 for Q1 2008 compared to 473 in the same period last year.

CHICAGO - May 6, 2008 - Huron Consulting Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HURN), a leading provider of financial and operational consulting services, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.

“We are confident that our balanced portfolio of offerings will continue to deliver results,” said Gary E. Holdren, chairman and chief executive officer, Huron Consulting Group. “Huron’s business remains fundamentally strong and is positioned to generate growth in the future. We continue to execute our business plan by identifying market demands, meeting the evolving needs of the marketplace, and helping clients solve complex business challenges.”

First Quarter 2008 Results
Revenues of $139.4 million for the first quarter of 2008 increased 20.2% from $116.0 million for the first quarter of 2007. The Company's first quarter 2008 operating income increased 9.1% to $20.6 million compared to $18.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. Net income was $10.2 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2008 compared to $9.8 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Financial results for the first quarter of 2007 included $2.2 million of rapid amortization on intangible assets. There was no rapid amortization in the first quarter of 2008.

First quarter 2008 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")(5) increased 2.4% to $25.8 million, or 18.5% of revenues, compared to $25.2 million, or 21.7% of revenues, in the comparable quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA(5), which excludes share-based compensation expense, rose 9.5% to $32.2 million, or 23.1% of revenues, compared to $29.4 million, or 25.3% of revenues, in the comparable quarter last year.

The average number of full-time billable consultants(1) increased 34.6% to 1,237 in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 919 in the same quarter last year. Huron also has a number of variable, on-demand consultants, contract reviewers and other professionals who generate revenues based on number of hours worked and units produced, such as pages reviewed and data processed. The average number of these full-time equivalent professionals(4) increased 59.2% to 753 in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 473 for the comparable period in 2007. Full-time billable consultant utilization rate was 65.0% during the first quarter of 2008 compared with 78.1% during the same period last year. Average billing rate per hour for full-time billable consultants was $276 for the first quarter of 2008 compared to $271 for the first quarter of 2007.

 
 

 

Operating Segments Results
Huron continues to demonstrate the success of its broad portfolio of service offerings with solid revenue growth based upon strong market demand. The Company’s operating segments are as follows: Health and Education; Financial Consulting; Legal Consulting; and Corporate Consulting.

Segment results are included in the attached schedules and in Huron's Form 10-Q filing for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

Outlook for 2008
Based on currently available information, the Company expects Q2 2008 revenues before reimbursable expenses in a range of $140 million to $ 145 million, EBITDA in a range of $23 million to $26 million, operating income in a range of $18 million to $21 million, and between $0.48 and $0.57 in diluted earnings per share.

The Company anticipates full year 2008 revenues before reimbursable expenses in a range of $590 million to $620 million, EBITDA in a range of $116 million to $127 million, operating income in a range of $95 million to $106 million, and between $2.57 and $2.88 in diluted earnings per share.

Share-based compensation expense of approximately $7 million and $28 million is included in the Q2 and full year 2008 estimates, respectively. Weighted average diluted share counts for 2008 are estimated to be 18.4 million for Q2 2008 and 18.5 million for full year 2008.

First Quarter 2008  Webcast
The Company will host a webcast to discuss its financial results today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time). The conference call is being webcast by Thomson and can be accessed at Huron Consulting Group’s website at www.huronconsultinggroup.com/webcasts.aspx. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the end of the webcast and for 90 days thereafter. 

About Huron Consulting Group
Huron Consulting Group helps clients effectively address complex challenges that arise in litigation, disputes, investigations, regulatory compliance, procurement, financial distress, and other sources of significant conflict or change. The Company also helps clients deliver superior customer and capital market performance through integrated strategic, operational, and organizational change. Huron provides services to a wide variety of both financially sound and distressed organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized businesses, leading academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and the law firms that represent these various organizations. Learn more at www.huronconsultinggroup.com.

Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature and concern Huron Consulting Group's current expectations about the Company's future results in 2008 are "forward-looking" statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” or “continues.” These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectation about our future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, including without limitation, that our business continues to grow at the current expectations with respect to, among other factors, utilization rates, billing rates, and number of revenue-generating professionals; that we are able to expand our service offerings; that we successfully integrate the businesses we acquire; and that existing market conditions, including those in the credit markets, do not change from current expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Please see “Risk Factors” in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a complete description of the material risks we face.

 
 

 

Media Contact:
Jennifer Frost Hennagir
312-880-3260
jfrost-hennagir@huronconsultinggroup.com
 
Investor Contact:
Gary L. Burge, Chief Financial Officer
312-583-8722
investor@huronconsultinggroup.com
###


 
 

 

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenues and reimbursable expenses:
           
Revenues                                                                                                   
  $ 139,394     $ 116,009  
Reimbursable expenses                                                                                                   
    11,613       10,035  
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses                                                                                                
    151,007       126,044  
Direct costs and reimbursable expenses (exclusive of depreciation and
amortization shown in operating expenses):
               
Direct costs                                                                                                   
    83,444       66,903  
Intangible assets amortization                                                                                                   
    24       2,240  
Reimbursable expenses                                                                                                   
    11,610       10,117  
Total direct costs and reimbursable expenses                                                                                                
    95,078       79,260  
Operating expenses:
               
Selling, general and administrative                                                                                                   
    30,162       23,827  
Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                   
    5,138       4,042  
Total operating expenses                                                                                                
    35,300       27,869  
Operating income                                                                                                   
    20,629       18,915  
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense, net                                                                                                   
    (1,833 )     (1,425 )
Other income (expense)                                                                                                   
    (294 )     30  
Total other expense                                                                                                
    (2,127 )     (1,395 )
Income before provision for income taxes                                                                                                   
    18,502       17,520  
Provision for income taxes                                                                                                   
    8,289       7,709  
Net income                                                                                                   
  $ 10,213     $ 9,811  
                 
Earnings per share:
               
Basic                                                                                                
  $ 0.59     $ 0.59  
Diluted                                                                                                
  $ 0.56     $ 0.55  
                 
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
               
Basic                                                                                                
    17,372       16,725  
Diluted                                                                                                
    18,215       17,768  
                 

 
 

 


HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


   
March 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 14,277     $ 2,993  
Receivables from clients, net
    90,239       86,867  
Unbilled services, net
    38,798       28,245  
Income tax receivable
    13,996       13,492  
Deferred income taxes
    15,567       13,680  
Other current assets
    10,277       10,435  
Total current assets
    183,154       155,712  
Property and equipment, net
    40,239       38,147  
Deferred income taxes
    3,228       3,628  
Deposits and other assets
    10,866       8,737  
Intangible assets, net
    12,213       13,936  
Goodwill
    223,284       223,053  
Total assets
  $ 472,984     $ 443,213  
                 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 7,109     $ 5,823  
Accrued expenses
    15,785       17,748  
Accrued payroll and related benefits
    21,582       58,279  
Accrued consideration for business acquisitions
    24,300       32,422  
Income tax payable
    2,659       1,342  
Deferred revenues
    5,610       5,278  
Current portion of notes payable and capital lease obligations
    1,165       1,309  
Total current liabilities
    78,210       122,201  
Non-current liabilities:
               
Deferred compensation and other liabilities
    4,773       3,795  
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion
    164       234  
Bank borrowings
    177,000       123,500  
Deferred lease incentives
    9,413       9,699  
Total non-current liabilities
    191,350       137,228  
Commitments and contingencies
           
Stockholders’ equity
               
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 19,447,123
and 19,279,176 shares issued at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007,
respectively
    185       182  
Treasury stock, at cost, 310,876 and 589,755 shares at March 31, 2008 and
December 31, 2007, respectively
    (17,602 )     (20,703 )
Additional paid-in capital
    122,125       116,148  
Retained earnings
    98,314       88,101  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    402       56  
Total stockholders’ equity
    203,424       183,784  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 472,984     $ 443,213  

 
 

 

 
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income                                                                                                          
  $ 10,213     $ 9,811  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                       
    5,162       6,282  
Deferred income taxes                                                                                                       
    (1,487 )     (3,866 )
Share-based compensation                                                                                                       
    6,418       4,206  
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services                                                                                                       
    651       3,035  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
               
Increase in receivables from clients                                                                                                     
    (2,823 )     (10,937 )
Increase in unbilled services                                                                                                     
    (11,752 )     (10,972 )
Decrease in income tax receivable / payable, net                                                                                                     
    812       8,884  
Increase in other assets                                                                                                     
    (1,094 )     (2,224 )
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    1,815       (521 )
Decrease in accrued payroll and related benefits                                                                                                     
    (36,697 )     (16,115 )
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues                                                                                                     
    332       (1,567 )
Net cash used in operating activities                                                                                                   
    (28,450 )     (13,984 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment, net                                                                                                          
    (5,530 )     (3,022 )
Net investment in life insurance policies                                                                                                          
    (878 )     (1,206 )
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired                                                                                                          
    (10,153 )     (96,312 )
Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                   
    (16,561 )     (100,540 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                                                                          
    136       164  
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings                                                                                                          
    (5,491 )     (1,564 )
Tax benefit from share-based compensation                                                                                                          
    8,018       1,832  
Proceeds from borrowings under line of credit                                                                                                          
    101,500       146,500  
Repayments on line of credit                                                                                                          
    (48,000 )     (42,500 )
Principal payment of notes payable and capital lease obligations
    (214 )     (144 )
Net cash provided by financing activities                                                                                                   
    55,949       104,288  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                                                                                          
    346        
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                          
    11,284       (10,236 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period                                                                                                          
    2,993       16,572  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period                                                                                                          
  $ 14,277     $ 6,336  
                 

 
 

 

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND OTHER OPERATING DATA
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Percent Increase(Decrease)  
Segment and Consolidated Operating Results (in thousands):
 
2008
   
2007
     
Revenues and reimbursable expenses:
                 
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 51,088     $ 38,852       31.5 %
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
    38,811       36,612       6.0 %
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
    25,223       23,271       8.4 %
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
    24,272       17,274       40.5 %
Total revenues                                                                                         
    139,394       116,009       20.2 %
Total reimbursable expenses                                                                                             
    11,613       10,035       15.7 %
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses                                                                                             
  $ 151,007     $ 126,044       19.8 %
Operating income:
                       
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 22,132     $ 12,200       81.4 %
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
    9,589       16,175       (40.7 %)
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
    6,587       7,902       (16.6 %)
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
    9,377       4,196       123.5 %
Total segment operating income                                                                                         
    47,685       40,473       17.8 %
Operating expenses not allocated to segments                                                                                             
    27,056       21,558       25.5 %
Total operating income                                                                                             
  $ 20,629     $ 18,915       9.1 %
                         
Other Operating Data:
                       
Number of full-time billable consultants (at period end) (1):
                       
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
    466       352       32.4 %
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
    364       281       29.5 %
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
    175       121       44.6 %
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
    229       170       34.7 %
Total                                                                                         
    1,234       924       33.5 %
Average number of full-time billable consultants (for the period) (1):
                       
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
    458       345       32.8 %
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
    370       280       32.1 %
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
    178       121       47.1 %
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
    231       173       33.5 %
Total                                                                                         
    1,237       919       34.6 %
Full-time billable consultant utilization rate (2):
                       
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
    78.1 %     78.3 %        
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
    51.8 %     85.0 %        
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
    57.9 %     75.5 %        
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
    65.2 %     68.4 %        
Total                                                                                         
    65.0 %     78.1 %        
Full-time billable consultant average billing rate per hour (3):
                       
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 269     $ 248          
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 268     $ 298          
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 234     $ 238          
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 329     $ 293          
Total                                                                                         
  $ 276     $ 271          
Revenue per full-time billable consultant (in thousands):
                       
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 103     $ 94          
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 66     $ 126          
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 64     $ 78          
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 103     $ 97          
Total                                                                                         
  $ 86     $ 102          

 
 

 

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND OTHER OPERATING DATA (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)

 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
Percent Increase (Decrease)
 
Other Operating Data:
 
2008
   
2007
     
Average number of full-time equivalents (for the period) (4):
                 
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
    38       63       (39.7 %)
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
    239       10       N/M  
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
    468       395       18.5 %
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
    8       5       60.0 %
Total                                                                                         
    753       473       59.2 %
Revenue per full-time equivalents (in thousands):
                       
Health and Education Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 104     $ 103          
Financial Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 61     $ 147          
Legal Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 30     $ 35          
Corporate Consulting                                                                                             
  $ 70     $ 114          
Total                                                                                         
  $ 44     $ 47          
 
(1)  
Consists of our full-time professionals who provide consulting services and generate revenues based on the number of hours worked.
(2)  
Utilization rate for our full-time billable consultants is calculated by dividing the number of hours all our full-time billable consultants worked on client assignments during a period by the total available working hours for all of these consultants during the same period, assuming a forty-hour work week, less paid holidays and vacation days.
(3)  
Average billing rate per hour for our full-time billable consultants is calculated by dividing revenues for a period by the number of hours worked on client assignments during the same period.
(4)  
Consists of our variable, on-demand consultants, contract reviewers and other professionals who generate revenues primarily based on number of hours worked, and units produced, such as pages reviewed and data processed.
N/M  
Not meaningful, change greater than 500%.

 
 

 

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.

RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME TO ADJUSTED EARNINGS BEFORE
INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (5)
(in thousands)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenues                                                                                                           
  $ 139,394     $ 116,009  
                 
Operating income                                                                                                           
  $ 20,629     $ 18,915  
Add back:
               
Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                       
    5,162       6,282  
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA) (5)                                                                                                       
    25,791       25,197  
Add back:
               
Share-based compensation                                                                                                       
    6,418       4,206  
Adjusted EBITDA (5)                                                                                                           
  $ 32,209     $ 29,403  
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues                                                                                                           
    23.1 %     25.3 %


RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME (5)
(in thousands)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net income                                                                                                           
  $ 10,213     $ 9,811  
Diluted earnings per share                                                                                                           
  $ 0.56     $ 0.55  
Add back:
               
Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                       
    1,724       3,789  
Share-based compensation                                                                                                       
    6,418       4,206  
Tax effect                                                                                                       
    (3,330 )     (3,270 )
Total adjustments, net of tax
    4,812       4,725  
Adjusted net income (5)                                                                                                           
  $ 15,025     $ 14,536  
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (5)                                                                                                           
  $ 0.82     $ 0.82  
 
 
(5)  
In evaluating the Company’s financial performance, management uses earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income, which are non-GAAP measures. Management believes that the use of such measures, as supplements to operating income, net income and other GAAP measures, are useful indicators of the Company’s financial performance and its ability to generate cash flows from operations that are available for taxes and capital expenditures. Investors should recognize that these non-GAAP measures might not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. These measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance, cash flows or liquidity prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.