UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023
OR
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
Commission file number: 000-50976
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification Number) | |||||||
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company | Emerging Growth Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
As of April 25, 2023, 19,211,704 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.
| Huron Consulting Group Inc. | ||
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
INDEX
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| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| Item 5. | ||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
Receivables from clients, net of allowances of $ | |||||||||||
Unbilled services, net of allowances of $ | |||||||||||
| Income tax receivable | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | |||||||||||
| Long-term investments | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Other non-current assets | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Accrued payroll and related benefits | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Deferred revenues | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Deferred compensation and other liabilities | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | |||||||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
Common stock; $ | |||||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost, | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | |||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
1
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Revenues and reimbursable expenses: | |||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Reimbursable expenses | |||||||||||
| Total revenues and reimbursable expenses | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
| Direct costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) | |||||||||||
| Reimbursable expenses | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | |||||||||||
| Restructuring charges | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net: | |||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other income, net | |||||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | ( | ||||||||||
| Income before taxes | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Net income per basic share | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net income per diluted share | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax | ( | ||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investment, net of tax | ( | ||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax | ( | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
2
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share repurchases | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share repurchases | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2022 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)(Unaudited)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Non-cash lease expense | |||||||||||
| Lease-related impairment charge | |||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs | |||||||||||
| Allowances for doubtful accounts | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment, excluding transaction costs | ( | ||||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities | |||||||||||
| Change in fair value of preferred stock investment | ( | ||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestiture: | |||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in receivables from clients, net | |||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in unbilled services, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in current income tax receivable / payable, net | |||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in other assets | ( | ||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll and related benefits | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Investment in life insurance policies | ( | ||||||||||
| Purchases of businesses | ( | ||||||||||
| Capitalization of internally developed software costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from note receivable | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | |||||||||||
| Divestiture of business | |||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercises of stock options | |||||||||||
| Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Share repurchases | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from bank borrowings | |||||||||||
| Repayments of bank borrowings | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Payments for debt issuance costs | ( | ||||||||||
| Deferred payments on business acquisition | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | |||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | ( | ||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||||||
| Non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment expenditures and capitalized software included in current liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Contingent consideration related to purchase of business | $ | $ | |||||||||
4
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
1. Description of Business
Huron is a global professional services firm that partners with clients to develop growth strategies, optimize operations and accelerate digital transformation using an enterprise portfolio of technology, data and analytics solutions to empower clients to own their future. By collaborating with clients, embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging new ideas and challenging the status quo, we create sustainable results for the organizations we serve.
We provide our services and products and manage our business through three operating segments: Healthcare, Education and Commercial. See Note 13 “Segment Information” for more information.
2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
3. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Healthcare | Education | Commercial | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated impairment losses | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, net as of March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following:
| As of March 31, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Useful Life (in years) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology and software | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade names | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-competition agreements | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Customer relationships as well as certain trade names and technology and software, are amortized on an accelerated basis to correspond to the cash flows expected to be derived from the assets. All other intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis.
5
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Intangible asset amortization expense was $2.2 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The table below sets forth the estimated annual amortization expense for the intangible assets recorded as of March 31, 2023.
| Year Ending December 31, | Estimated Amortization Expense | |||||||
| 2023 | $ | |||||||
| 2024 | $ | |||||||
| 2025 | $ | |||||||
| 2026 | $ | |||||||
| 2027 | $ | |||||||
Actual future amortization expense could differ from these estimated amounts as a result of future acquisitions, dispositions, and other factors.
4. Revenues
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized revenues of $317.9 million and $260.0 million, respectively. Of the $317.9 million recognized in the first quarter of 2023, we recognized revenues of $1.2 million from obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in prior periods, due to the release of allowances on receivables from clients and unbilled services. During the first quarter of 2023, we also recognized a $2.5 million decrease to revenues due to changes in the estimates of our variable consideration under performance-based billing arrangements. Of the $260.0 million recognized in the first quarter of 2022, we recognized revenues of $1.9 million from obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in prior periods, of which $1.0 million was primarily due to the release of allowances on receivables from clients and unbilled services, and $0.9 million was due to changes in the estimates of our variable consideration under performance-based billing arrangements.
As of March 31, 2023, we had $143.8 million of remaining performance obligations under engagements with original expected durations greater than one year. These remaining performance obligations exclude variable consideration which has been excluded from the total transaction price due to the constraint and performance obligations under time-and-expense engagements which are recognized in the amount invoiced. Of the $143.8 million of performance obligations, we expect to recognize $61.9 million as revenue in 2023, $33.5 million in 2024, and the remaining $48.4 million thereafter. Actual revenue recognition could differ from these amounts as a result of changes in the estimated timing of work to be performed, adjustments to estimated variable consideration in performance-based arrangements, or other factors.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
The payment terms and conditions in our customer contracts vary. Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue are recognized as either unbilled services or deferred revenues in the consolidated balance sheets.
Unbilled services include revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients. Services performed that we are not yet entitled to bill because certain events, such as the completion of the measurement period or client approval in performance-based engagements, must occur are recorded as contract assets and included within unbilled services, net. The contract asset balance as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $45.1 million and $50.2 million, respectively. The $5.1 million decrease primarily reflects timing differences between the completion of our performance obligations and the amounts billed or billable to clients in accordance with their contractual billing terms.
6
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
5. Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share under the basic and diluted computations are as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic | |||||||||||
| Weighted average common stock equivalents | |||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted | |||||||||||
| Net income per basic share | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net income per diluted share | $ | $ | |||||||||
The number of anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of the weighted average common stock equivalents presented above for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were less than 0.1 million shares and 0.4 million shares, respectively, and related to unvested restricted stock and outstanding common stock options.
In November 2020, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program permitting us to repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock through December 31, 2021. Subsequent to the initial authorization, our board of directors authorized extensions of the share repurchase program through December 31, 2023 and increased the authorized amount to $300 million. The amount and timing of repurchases under the share repurchase program were and will continue to be determined by management and depend on a variety of factors, including the trading price of our common stock, capacity under our credit facility, general market and business conditions, and applicable legal requirements. All shares repurchased and retired are reflected as a reduction to our basic weighted average shares outstanding based on the trade date of the share repurchase.
In the three months ended March 31, 2023, we repurchased and retired 632,894 shares for $44.3 million, and settled the repurchase of 15,200 shares for $1.1 million which were accrued as of December 31, 2022. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, we repurchased and retired 523,399 shares for $23.9 million, and settled the repurchase of 3,820 shares for $0.2 million that were accrued as of December 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2023, $64.8 million remained available for share repurchases under our share repurchase program.
6. Financing Arrangements
The Company has a $600 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to the terms of a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 2022 (the "Amended Credit Agreement") that becomes due and payable in full upon maturity on November 15, 2027. The Amended Credit Agreement provides the option to increase the revolving credit facility or establish term loan facilities in an aggregate amount up to $250 million, subject to customary conditions and the approval of any lender whose commitment would be increased, resulting in a maximum available principal amount under the Amended Credit Agreement of $850 million. The initial borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement were used to refinance borrowings outstanding under a prior credit agreement, and future borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases, permitted acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes.
Fees and interest on borrowings vary based on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). At our option, borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement will bear interest at one, three or six month Term SOFR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin will fluctuate between 1.125 % per annum and 1.875 % per annum, in the case of Term SOFR borrowings, or between 0.125 % per annum and 0.875 % per annum, in the case of base rate loans, based upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio at such time.
7
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
In April 2023, the Company and PNC Capital Markets, LLC, as Sustainability Structuring Agent, with the consent of the Required Lenders (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), amended the Amended Credit Agreement to incorporate specified key performance indicators with respect to certain environmental, social and governance targets of the Company. Based upon the performance of the Company against those key performance indicators in each Reference Year (as defined in the First Amendment), certain adjustments to the otherwise applicable rates for interest, commitment fees and letter of credit fees will be made. These annual adjustments will not exceed an increase or decrease of 0.01% in the aggregate for all key performance indicators in the case of the commitment fee rate or an increase or decrease of 0.05% in the aggregate for all key performance indicators in the case of the Term SOFR borrowings, base rate borrowings or letter of credit fee rate.
Amounts borrowed under the Amended Credit Agreement may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. We are required to prepay the amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement in certain circumstances, including upon an Event of Default (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). In addition, we have the right to permanently reduce or terminate the unused portion of the commitments provided under the Amended Credit Agreement at any time.
The loans and obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured pursuant to a Third Amended and Restated Security Agreement and a Third Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement (the “Pledge Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. as collateral agent, pursuant to which the Company and the subsidiary guarantors grant Bank of America, N.A., for the ratable benefit of the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement, a first-priority lien, subject to permitted liens, on substantially all of the personal property assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors, and a pledge of 100 % of the stock or other equity interests in all domestic subsidiaries and 65 % of the stock or other equity interests in each “material first-tier foreign subsidiary” (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) entitled to vote and 100 % of the stock or other equity interests in each material first-tier foreign subsidiary not entitled to vote.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains usual and customary representations and warranties; affirmative and negative covenants, which include limitations on liens, investments, additional indebtedness, and restricted payments; and two quarterly financial covenants as follows: (i) a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA) of 3.75 to 1.00; however the maximum permitted Consolidated Leverage Ratio will increase to 4.25 to 1.00 upon the occurrence of a Qualified Acquisition (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), and (ii) a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest) of 3.00 to 1.00. Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of the financial covenants is calculated on a continuing operations basis and includes adjustments to add back non-cash goodwill impairment charges, share-based compensation costs, certain non-cash restructuring charges, pro forma historical EBITDA for businesses acquired, and other specified items in accordance with the Amended Credit Agreement. For purposes of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio total debt is on a gross basis and is not netted against our cash balances. At March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with these financial covenants with a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of 2.75 to 1.00 and a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.63 to 1.00.
Borrowings outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement at March 31, 2023 totaled $447.0 million and are classified as long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheet. These borrowings carried a weighted average interest rate of 4.8 %, including the effect of the interest rate swaps described in Note 8 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity.” Borrowings outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement at December 31, 2022 were $290.0 million and carried a weighted average interest rate of 3.8 %, including the effect of the interest rate swaps in effect at that time. The borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding letters of credit. At March 31, 2023, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.6 million, which are used as security deposits for our office facilities. As of March 31, 2023, the unused borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility was $152.4 million.
7. Restructuring Charges
8
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Employee Costs | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Payments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
All of the $0.8 million restructuring charge liability related to employee costs at March 31, 2023 is expected to be paid in the next 12 months and is included as a component of accrued payroll and related benefits in our consolidated balance sheet. All of the $0.5 million other restructuring charge liability at March 31, 2023, which relates to the early termination of a contract in 2022, is expected to be paid in the next 12 months and is included as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet.
8. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity
In the normal course of business, we use forward interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate risk associated with our variable-rate borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and we use non-deliverable foreign exchange forward contracts to manage the foreign currency exchange rate risk related to our Indian Rupee-denominated expenses of our operations in India. From time to time, we may enter into additional forward interest rate swaps or non-deliverable foreign exchange forward contracts to further hedge against our interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
Interest Rate Swaps
We are party to forward interest rate swap agreements with aggregate notional amounts of $250.0 million and $200.0 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreements, we receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one month Term SOFR and we pay to the counterparty a stated, fixed rate. The forward interest rate swap agreements have staggered maturities through February 29, 2028 .
As of March 31, 2023, it was anticipated that $5.1 million of the gains, net of tax, related to interest rate swaps currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into interest expense, net of interest income in our consolidated statement of operations within the next 12 months.
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
We are party to non-deliverable foreign exchange forward contracts that are scheduled to mature monthly through December 29, 2023 . As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the aggregate notional amounts of these contracts were INR 789.6 million, or $9.6 million, and INR 657.9 million, or $8.0 million, respectively, based on the exchange rates in effect as of each period end.
As of March 31, 2023, it was anticipated that less than $0.1 million of the gains, net of tax, related to foreign exchange forward contracts currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into direct costs in our consolidated statement of operations within the next 12 months.
9
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Derivative Instrument | Balance Sheet Location | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | Other non-current assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange forward contracts | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | Deferred compensation and other liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange forward contracts | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
All of our derivative instruments are transacted under the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements. These agreements permit the net settlement of amounts owed in the event of default and certain other termination events. Although netting is permitted, it is our policy to record all derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis in our consolidated balance sheet. Refer to Note 10 “Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)” for additional information on our derivative instruments.
9. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Level 1 Inputs | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. | |||||||
| Level 2 Inputs | Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. | |||||||
| Level 3 Inputs | Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. | |||||||
10
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | $ | — | $ | $ | — | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debt investment | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange forward contracts | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation assets | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | — | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | $ | — | $ | $ | — | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange forward contracts | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contingent consideration for business acquisitions | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | — | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | $ | — | $ | $ | — | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debt investment | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation assets | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | — | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange forward contracts | $ | — | $ | $ | — | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contingent consideration for business acquisitions | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | — | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: The fair values of our interest rate swaps were derived using estimates to settle the interest rate swap agreements, which are based on the net present value of expected future cash flows on each leg of the swaps utilizing market-based inputs and a discount rate reflecting the risks involved. Refer to Note 8 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity” for additional information on our interest rate swaps.
Foreign exchange forward contracts: The fair values of our foreign exchange forward contracts were derived using estimates to settle the foreign exchange forward contracts agreements, which are based on the net present value of expected future cash flows on each contract utilizing market-based inputs, including both forward and spot prices, and a discount rate reflecting the risks involved. Refer to Note 8 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity” for additional information on our foreign exchange forward contracts.
Deferred compensation assets: We have a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) for the members of our board of directors and a select group of our employees. The deferred compensation liability is funded by the Plan assets, which consist of life insurance policies maintained within a trust. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies approximates fair value and is based on third-party broker statements which provide the fair value of the life insurance policies' underlying investments, which are Level 2 inputs. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies is invested primarily in mutual funds. The Plan assets are included in other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) from the deferred compensation assets are recorded to other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations.
Convertible debt investment: Since 2014, we have invested $40.9 million in the form of 1.69 % convertible debt in Shorelight Holdings, LLC (“Shorelight”), the parent company of Shorelight, a U.S.-based company that partners with leading nonprofit universities to increase access to and retention of international students, boost institutional growth, and enhance an institution’s global footprint. The convertible notes will mature on January 17, 2027 , unless converted earlier.
To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment, we performed a variable interest entity (“VIE”) analysis and concluded that Shorelight does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the convertible
11
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
notes are not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment, we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment to be that of an available-for-sale debt security. We continue to monitor the key factors of our VIE analysis and the terms of the convertible notes to ensure our accounting treatment is appropriate. We have not identified any changes to Shorelight or our investment that would change our classification of the investment as an available-for-sale debt security.
| Convertible Debt Investment | ||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Change in fair value | ||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
Contingent consideration for business acquisitions: We estimate the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration using either a probability-weighted assessment of the specific financial performance targets being measured or a Monte Carlo simulation model, as appropriate. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of our contingent consideration are our measures of the estimated payouts based on internally generated financial projections on a probability-weighted basis and a discount rate which was 5.9 % as of March 31, 2023 and 5.5 % as of December 31, 2022. The fair value of the contingent consideration is reassessed quarterly based on assumptions used in our latest projections and input provided by practice leaders and management. Any change in the fair value estimate is recorded in our consolidated statement of operations for that period. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration liability, which would result in different impacts to our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations. Actual results may differ from our estimates.
| Contingent Consideration for Business Acquisitions | ||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Change in fair value | ||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
Financial assets and liabilities not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
Medically Home Preferred Stock Investment
In the fourth quarter of 2019, we invested $5.0 million in Medically Home Group, Inc. (“Medically Home”), a hospital-at-home company. The investment was made in the form of preferred stock. To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our preferred stock investment, we performed a VIE analysis and concluded that Medically Home does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the preferred stock is not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment, we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment in Medically Home to be that of an equity security with no readily determinable fair value. We elected to apply the measurement alternative at the time of the purchase and will continue to do so until the investment does not qualify to be so measured. Under the measurement alternative, the investment is carried at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment in Medically Home. On a quarterly basis, we review the information available to determine whether an
12
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
During the first quarter of 2022, we recognized a pre-tax unrealized gain of $27.0 million based on an observable price change of preferred stock issued by Medically Home with similar rights and preferences to our preferred stock investment, a Level 2 input. There were no observable price changes for the remainder of 2022 or in the first quarter of 2023. Since our initial investment, we have recognized cumulative pre-tax unrealized gains of $28.6 million, which were recorded to other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations, and we have not identified any impairments of our investment. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of our preferred stock investment was $33.6
Senior Secured Credit Facility
The carrying value of our borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility is stated at cost. Our carrying value approximates fair value, using Level 2 inputs, as the senior secured credit facility bears interest at variable rates based on current market rates as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement. Refer to Note 6 “Financing Arrangements” for additional information on our senior secured credit facility.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Other Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. The carrying values of all other financial instruments not described above reasonably approximate fair market value due to the nature of the financial instruments and the short-term maturity of these items.
10. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The table below sets forth the components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Before Taxes | Tax (Expense) Benefit | Net of Taxes | Before Taxes | Tax (Expense) Benefit | Net of Taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investment | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments into earnings | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange forward contracts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments into earnings | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain on foreign exchange forward contracts | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The before tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to our interest rate swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded to interest expense, net of interest income, and direct costs, respectively. Refer to Note 8 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity” for additional information on our derivative instruments.
13
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, includes the following components:
| Cash Flow Hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Currency Translation | Available-for-Sale Investment | Interest Rate Swaps | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current period change | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
11. Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, our effective tax rate was 15.3 % as we recognized income tax expense of $2.4 million on income of $15.8 million. The effective tax rate of 15.3 % was more favorable than the statutory rate, inclusive of state income taxes, of 26.6 %, primarily due to a discrete tax benefit for share-based compensation awards that vested during the quarter and a tax benefit related to non-taxable gains on our investments used to fund our deferred compensation liability. These favorable items were partially offset by certain nondeductible expense items.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, our effective tax rate was 29.6 % as we recognized income tax expense of $11.3 million on income of $38.1 million. The effective tax rate of 29.6 % was less favorable than the statutory rate, inclusive of state income taxes, of 26.4 %, primarily due to tax expense related to nondeductible losses on our investments used to fund our deferred compensation liability and certain nondeductible expense items.
12. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
Litigation
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we are not a party to any litigation or legal proceeding or subject to any claim that, in the current opinion of management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. However, due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings, actual results could differ from current expected results.
Guarantees
Guarantees in the form of letters of credit totaling $0.6 million and $0.7 million were outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, to support certain office lease obligations.
In connection with certain business acquisitions, we may be required to pay post-closing consideration to the sellers if specific financial performance targets are met over a number of years as specified in the related purchase agreements. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total estimated fair value of our outstanding contingent consideration liability was $3.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
To the extent permitted by law, our bylaws and articles of incorporation require that we indemnify our officers and directors against judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with civil or criminal action or proceedings, as it relates to their services to us if such person acted in good faith. Although there is no limit on the amount of indemnification, we may have recourse against our insurance carrier for certain payments made.
13. Segment Information
14
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
•Healthcare
Our Healthcare segment serves acute care providers, including national and regional health systems; academic health systems; community health systems; and public, children’s and critical access hospitals, and non-acute care providers, including physician practices and medical groups; payors; and long-term care or post-acute providers. Our Healthcare professionals have a depth of expertise in business operations, including financial and operational improvement, care transformation, and revenue cycle managed services; digital solutions, spanning technology and analytic-related services and a portfolio of software products; organizational transformation; financial advisory and strategy and innovation. Healthcare organizations are focused on establishing a sustainable long-term strategy and business model centered around growth, optimal cost structures, reimbursement models, financial strategies, and consumer-focused digital transformation; changing the way care is delivered, particularly in light of personnel shortages, and improving access to care; and evolving their digital capabilities to more effectively manage their business. Our solutions help clients adapt to this rapidly changing healthcare environment to become a more agile, efficient and consumer-centric organization. We use our deep industry, functional and technical expertise to help clients solve a diverse set of business issues, including, but not limited to, identifying new opportunities for growth, optimizing financial and operational performance, improving care delivery and clinical outcomes, increasing physician, patient and employee satisfaction, and maximizing return on technology investments.
•Education
Our Education segment serves public and private colleges and universities, research institutes and other education-related organizations. Our Education professionals have a depth of expertise in strategy and innovation; business operations, including the research enterprise and student and alumni lifecycle; digital solutions, spanning technology and analytic-related services and Huron Research Suite, the leading software suite designed to facilitate and improve research administration service delivery and compliance; and organizational transformation. Our Education segment clients are increasingly faced with strategic, financial and/or enrollment challenges, increased competition, and a need to modernize their businesses using technology to advance their missions. We combine our deep industry, functional and technical expertise to help clients solve their most pressing challenges, including, but not limited to, transforming business operations with technology and analytics; strengthening research strategies and support services; evolving their organizational strategy; optimizing financial and operational performance; applying innovative enrollment strategies; and enhancing the student lifecycle.
•Commercial
Our Commercial segment is focused on serving industries and organizations facing significant disruption and regulatory change by helping them adapt to rapidly changing environments and accelerate business transformation. Our Commercial professionals work primarily with six primary buyers: the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the chief strategy officer, the chief human resources officer, the chief operating officer, and organizational advisors, including lenders and law firms. We have a deep focus on serving organizations in the financial services, energy and utilities, industrials and manufacturing industries and the public sector while opportunistically serving commercial industries more broadly, including professional and business services, life sciences, consumer products, and nonprofit. Our Commercial professionals use their deep industry, functional and technical expertise to deliver our digital services and software products, strategy and innovation, and financial advisory (special situation advisory and corporate finance advisory) services. In today’s disruptive environment, organizations must reimagine their historical strategies and financial and operating models to sustain and advance their competitive advantage. Our experts help organizations across industries with a variety of business challenges, including, but not limited to, embedding technology and analytics throughout their internal and customer-facing operations; developing analytics and insights to identify the needs of tomorrow’s customers, evolving their strategies, and bringing new products to market; managing through stressed and distressed situations to create a viable path forward for stakeholders; and providing financial, risk and regulatory advisory offerings.
Segment operating income consists of the revenues generated by a segment, less operating expenses that are incurred directly by the segment. Unallocated costs include corporate costs related to administrative functions that are performed in a centralized manner that are not attributable to a particular segment. These administrative function costs include corporate office support costs, office facility costs, costs related to accounting and finance, human resources, legal, marketing, information technology, and company-wide business development functions, as well as costs related to overall corporate management. Our chief operating decision maker does not evaluate segments using asset information.
15
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
The table below sets forth information about our operating segments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, along with the items necessary to reconcile the segment information to the totals reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Healthcare: | |||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues | % | % | |||||||||
| Education: | |||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues | % | % | |||||||||
| Commercial: | |||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues | % | % | |||||||||
| Total Huron: | |||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Reimbursable expenses | |||||||||||
| Total revenues and reimbursable expenses | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Items not allocated at the segment level: | |||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | ( | ||||||||||
| Income before taxes | $ | $ | |||||||||
16
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
The following table illustrates the disaggregation of revenues by our two principal capabilities: i) Consulting and Managed Services and ii) Digital, and includes a reconciliation of the disaggregated revenues to revenues from our three operating segments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues by Capability | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Healthcare: | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting and Managed Services | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Digital | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Education: | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting and Managed Services | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Digital | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Commercial: | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting and Managed Services | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Digital | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total Huron: | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting and Managed Services | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Digital | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, substantially all of our revenues were recognized over time. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, no single client accounted for greater than 10 10
17
| ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. | ||||
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Huron,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Huron Consulting Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical in nature, including those concerning the Company’s current expectations about its future results, are “forward-looking” statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “provides,” “anticipates,” “assumes,” “can,” “will,” “meets,” “could,” “likely,” “intends,” “might,” “predicts,” “seeks,” “would,” “believes,” “estimates,” “plans,” “continues,” “goals,” “guidance,” or “outlook,” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations about our future requirements and needs, results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation: failure to achieve expected utilization rates, billing rates, and the necessary number of revenue-generating professionals; inability to expand or adjust our service offerings in response to market demands; our dependence on renewal of client-based services; dependence on new business and retention of current clients and qualified personnel; failure to maintain third-party provider relationships and strategic alliances; inability to license technology to and from third parties; the impairment of goodwill; various factors related to income and other taxes; difficulties in successfully integrating the businesses we acquire and achieving expected benefits from such acquisitions; risks relating to privacy, information security, and related laws and standards; and a general downturn in market conditions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including, among others, those described under Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events, or for any other reason.
OVERVIEW
Our Business
Huron is a global professional services firm that partners with clients to develop growth strategies, optimize operations and accelerate digital transformation using an enterprise portfolio of technology, data and analytics solutions to empower clients to own their future. By collaborating with clients, embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging new ideas and challenging the status quo, we create sustainable results for the organizations we serve.
We provide our services and products and manage our business under three operating segments: Healthcare, Education and Commercial. We also provide revenue reporting across two principal capabilities: i) Consulting and Managed Services and ii) Digital.
Capabilities
Within each of our reportable segments, we provide services under two principal capabilities: i) Consulting and Managed Services and ii) Digital.
•Consulting and Managed Services
Our Consulting and Managed Services capabilities represent our management consulting services, managed services (excluding technology-related managed services) and outsourcing services delivered across industries. Our Consulting and Managed Services experts help our clients address a variety of strategic, operational, financial, people and organizational-related challenges. These services are often combined with technology, analytic and data-driven solutions powered by our Digital capability to support long-term relationships with our clients and drive lasting impact. Examples include the areas of revenue cycle management and research administration at our healthcare and education clients, where our consulting and managed services projects are often coupled with our digital services and product offerings.
•Digital
Our Digital capabilities represent our technology and analytics services, including technology-related managed services and software products delivered across industries. Our Digital experts help clients address a variety of business challenges, including, but not limited to, designing and implementing technologies to accelerate transformation, facilitate data-driven decision making and improve customer and employee experiences.
We have expanded our ecosystem to work with more than 25 technology partners. We are a Leading Modern Oracle Network Partner; a Summit-level consulting partner with Salesforce.com and a Premium Partner with Salesforce.org; a Workday Services, Preferred Channel, Extend, and Application Management Services Partner; an Amazon Web Services consulting partner; an Informatica Platinum Partner; an SAP Concur implementation partner; and a Boomi Elite Partner.
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We have also grown our proprietary software product portfolio to address our clients' challenges with solutions that expand our base of recurring revenue and further differentiate our consulting, digital and managed services offerings. Our product portfolio bundles our deep industry expertise and unique intellectual property together to serve our clients outside of our traditional consulting offerings. Our product portfolio includes, among others: Huron Research Suite, the leading software suite designed to facilitate and improve research administration service delivery and compliance; Huron Intelligence™ Rounding, the #1 ranked Digital Rounding solution in the 2023 Best in KLAS® report; and Huron Intelligence™ Analytic Suite in Healthcare, a predictive analytics suite to improve care delivery while lowering costs.
Operating Industries
We provide our services and products and manage our business under three operating industries, which are our operating segments: Healthcare, Education and Commercial.
•Healthcare
Our Healthcare segment serves acute care providers, including national and regional health systems; academic health systems; community health systems; and public, children’s and critical access hospitals, and non-acute care providers, including physician practices and medical groups; payors; and long-term care or post-acute providers. Our Healthcare professionals have a depth of expertise in business operations, including financial and operational improvement, care transformation, and revenue cycle managed services; digital solutions, spanning technology and analytic-related services and a portfolio of software products; organizational transformation; financial advisory and strategy and innovation. Healthcare organizations are focused on establishing a sustainable long-term strategy and business model centered around growth, optimal cost structures, reimbursement models, financial strategies, and consumer-focused digital transformation; changing the way care is delivered, particularly in light of personnel shortages, and improving access to care; and evolving their digital capabilities to more effectively manage their business. Our solutions help clients adapt to this rapidly changing healthcare environment to become a more agile, efficient and consumer-centric organization. We use our deep industry, functional and technical expertise to help clients solve a diverse set of business issues, including, but not limited to, identifying new opportunities for growth, optimizing financial and operational performance, improving care delivery and clinical outcomes, increasing physician, patient and employee satisfaction, and maximizing return on technology investments.
•Education
Our Education segment serves public and private colleges and universities, research institutes and other education-related organizations. Our Education professionals have a depth of expertise in strategy and innovation; business operations, including the research enterprise and student and alumni lifecycle; digital solutions, spanning technology and analytic-related services and Huron Research Suite, the leading software suite designed to facilitate and improve research administration service delivery and compliance; and organizational transformation. Our Education segment clients are increasingly faced with strategic, financial and/or enrollment challenges, increased competition, and a need to modernize their businesses using technology to advance their missions. We combine our deep industry, functional and technical expertise to help clients solve their most pressing challenges, including, but not limited to, transforming business operations with technology and analytics; strengthening research strategies and support services; evolving their organizational strategy; optimizing financial and operational performance; applying innovative enrollment strategies; and enhancing the student lifecycle.
•Commercial
Our Commercial segment is focused on serving industries and organizations facing significant disruption and regulatory change by helping them adapt to rapidly changing environments and accelerate business transformation. Our Commercial professionals work primarily with six primary buyers: the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the chief strategy officer, the chief human resources officer, the chief operating officer, and organizational advisors, including lenders and law firms. We have a deep focus on serving organizations in the financial services, energy and utilities, industrials and manufacturing industries and the public sector while opportunistically serving commercial industries more broadly, including professional and business services, life sciences, consumer products, and nonprofit. Our Commercial professionals use their deep industry, functional and technical expertise to deliver our digital services and software products, strategy and innovation, and financial advisory (special situation advisory and corporate finance advisory) services. In today’s disruptive environment, organizations must reimagine their historical strategies and financial and operating models to sustain and advance their competitive advantage. Our experts help organizations across industries with a variety of business challenges, including, but not limited to, embedding technology and analytics throughout their internal and customer-facing operations; developing analytics and insights to identify the needs of tomorrow’s customers, evolving their strategies, and bringing new products to market; managing through stressed and distressed situations to create a viable path forward for stakeholders; and providing financial, risk and regulatory advisory offerings.
19
Business Strategy, Opportunities and Challenges
Our strategy is to be the premier transformation partner to our clients by helping them address a variety of strategic, operational, financial, people, and organizational challenges through an array of industry-differentiated consulting, digital and managed services offerings that meet their unique needs. To achieve our strategic and financial objectives that will drive increased shareholder value, we remain focused on:
•Extending our leading market positions and accelerating growth in healthcare and education,
•Growing our presence in commercial industries,
•Advancing our integrated, global digital platform,
•Building a more sustainable base of revenue and executing on our margin levers to drive more consistent growth and improved profitability,
•Strategically deploying capital to accelerate our strategy and return capital to shareholders, and
•Investing in and growing our talented team, including attracting and retaining our managing directors - the senior most practitioners that lead our revenue generation efforts.
We regularly evaluate the performance of our businesses to ensure our investments meet these objectives.
COMPONENTS OF OPERATING RESULTS
Revenues
Our revenues are primarily generated by our employees who provide consulting and other professional services to our clients and are billable to our clients based on the number of hours worked, services provided, or achieved outcomes. We refer to these employees as our revenue-generating professionals. Revenues are primarily driven by the number of revenue-generating professionals we employ as well as the total value, scope, and terms of the consulting contracts under which they provide services. We also engage independent contractors to supplement our revenue-generating professionals on client engagements as needed.
We generate our revenues from providing professional services and software products under the following four types of billing arrangements: fixed-fee (including software license revenue); time-and-expense; performance-based; and software support, maintenance and subscriptions.
•Fixed-fee (including software license revenue): In fixed-fee billing arrangements, we agree to a pre-established fee in exchange for a predetermined set of professional services. We set the fees based on our estimates of the costs and timing for completing the engagements. Fixed-fee arrangements also include software licenses for our revenue cycle management software and research administration and compliance software.
•Time-and-expense: Under time-and-expense billing arrangements, we require the client to pay based on the number of hours worked by our revenue-generating professionals at agreed upon rates. Time-and-expense arrangements also include speaking engagements, conferences and publications purchased by our clients.
•Performance-based: In performance-based fee billing arrangements, fees are tied to the attainment of contractually defined objectives. We enter into performance-based engagements in essentially two forms. First, we generally earn fees that are directly related to the savings formally acknowledged by the client as a result of adopting our recommendations for improving operational and cost effectiveness in the areas we review. Second, we earn a success fee when and if certain predefined outcomes occur. Often, performance-based fees supplement our time-and-expense or fixed-fee engagements. The level of performance-based fees earned may vary based on our clients’ risk sharing preferences and the mix of services we provide.
•Software support, maintenance and subscriptions: Clients that have purchased one of our software licenses can pay an annual fee for software support and maintenance. We also generate subscription revenue from our cloud-based analytic tools and solutions. Software support, maintenance and subscription revenues are recognized ratably over the support or subscription period. These fees are generally billed in advance and included in deferred revenues until recognized.
Time-and-expense engagements do not provide us with a high degree of predictability as to performance in future periods. Unexpected changes in the demand for our services can result in significant variations in utilization and revenues and present a challenge to optimal hiring and staffing. Moreover, our clients typically retain us on an engagement-by-engagement basis, rather than under long-term recurring contracts. The volume of work performed for any particular client can vary widely from period to period.
Our quarterly results are impacted principally by the total value, scope, and terms of our client contracts, the number of our revenue-generating professionals who are available to work, our revenue-generating professionals' utilization rate, and the bill rates we charge our clients. Our utilization rate can be negatively affected by increased hiring because there is generally a transition period for new professionals that results in a temporary
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drop in our utilization rate. Our utilization rate can also be affected by seasonal variations in the demand for our services from our clients. For example, during the third and fourth quarters of the year, vacations taken by our clients can result in the deferral of activity on existing and new engagements, which would negatively affect our utilization rate. The number of business work days is also affected by the number of vacation days taken by our consultants and holidays in each quarter. We typically have fewer business work days available in the fourth quarter of the year, which can impact revenues during that period.
Reimbursable Expenses
Reimbursable expenses that are billed to clients, primarily relating to travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with client engagements, are included in total revenues and reimbursable expenses. We manage our business on the basis of revenues before reimbursable expenses, which we believe is the most accurate reflection of our services because it eliminates the effect of reimbursable expenses that we bill to our clients at cost.
Operating Expenses
Our most significant expenses are costs classified as direct costs. Direct costs primarily consist of compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals, which includes salaries, performance bonuses, share-based compensation, signing and retention bonuses, payroll taxes and benefits. Direct costs also include fees paid to independent contractors that we retain to supplement our revenue-generating professionals, typically on an as-needed basis for specific client engagements, and technology costs, product and event costs, and commissions. Direct costs exclude amortization of intangible assets and software development costs and reimbursable expenses, both of which are separately presented in our consolidated statements of operations.
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs for our support personnel. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses is third-party professional fees, software licenses and data hosting expenses, rent and other office related expenses, sales and marketing related expenses, recruiting and training expenses, and practice administration and meetings expenses.
Other operating expenses include restructuring charges, depreciation expense, amortization expense related to internally developed software costs and amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations.
Segment operating income consists of the revenues generated by a segment, less operating expenses that are incurred directly by the segment. Other operating expenses not allocated at the segment level include corporate costs related to administrative functions that are performed in a centralized manner that are not attributable to a particular segment. These administrative function costs include corporate office support costs, office facility costs, costs related to accounting and finance, human resources, legal, marketing, information technology, and company-wide business development functions, and costs related to overall corporate management.
Non-GAAP Measures
We also assess our results of operations using the following non-GAAP financial measures: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). These non-GAAP financial measures differ from GAAP because they exclude a number of items required by GAAP, each discussed below. These non-GAAP financial 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 GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures may be defined differently from time to time and may be defined differently than similar terms used by other companies, and accordingly, care should be exercised in understanding how we define our non-GAAP financial measures.
Our management uses the non-GAAP financial measures to gain an understanding of our comparative operating performance, for example when comparing such results with previous periods or forecasts. These non-GAAP financial measures are used by management in their financial and operating decision making because management believes they reflect our ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful period-to-period comparisons. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures when publicly providing our business outlook, for internal management purposes, and as a basis for evaluating potential acquisitions and dispositions. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating Huron’s current operating performance and future prospects in the same manner as management does and in comparing in a consistent manner Huron’s current financial results with Huron’s past financial results.
These non-GAAP financial measures include adjustments for the following items:
Amortization of intangible assets: We exclude the effect of amortization of intangible assets from the calculation of adjusted net income, as it is inconsistent in its amount and frequency and is significantly affected by the timing and size of our acquisitions.
Restructuring charges: We have incurred charges due to restructuring various parts of our business. These restructuring charges have primarily consisted of costs associated with office space consolidations, including lease impairment charges and accelerated depreciation on lease-related property and equipment, and employee severance charges. We exclude the effect of the restructuring charges from our non-GAAP measures to permit comparability with periods that are not impacted by these items.
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Other losses (gains): We exclude the effects of other losses (gains), which primarily relate to changes in the estimated fair value of our liabilities for contingent consideration related to business acquisitions and litigation settlement losses and gains, to permit comparability with periods that are not impacted by these items.
Transaction-related expenses: To permit comparability with prior periods, we exclude the impact of third-party legal and accounting fees incurred related to business acquisitions.
Unrealized gain on preferred stock investment: We exclude the effect of unrealized gains related to changes in the fair value of our preferred stock investment in Medically Home Group, Inc. (“Medically Home”), which are recognized when an observable price change occurs. These unrealized gains are included as a component of other income (expense), net. We believe that these unrealized gains are not indicative of the ongoing performance of our business and their exclusion permits comparability with prior periods.
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net: We exclude the effect of foreign currency transaction losses and gains from the calculation of adjusted EBITDA because the amount of each loss or gain is significantly affected by changes in foreign exchange rates.
Tax effect of adjustments: The non-GAAP income tax adjustment reflects the incremental tax impact applicable to the non-GAAP adjustments.
Income tax expense, Interest expense, net of interest income, Depreciation and amortization: We exclude the effects of income tax expense, interest expense, net of interest income, and depreciation and amortization in the calculation of EBITDA, as these are customary exclusions as defined by the calculation of EBITDA to arrive at meaningful earnings from core operations excluding the effect of such items. We include, within the depreciation and amortization adjustment, the amortization of capitalized implementation costs of our enterprise resource planning ("ERP") and other related software, which is included within selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue-Generating Professionals
Our revenue-generating professionals consist of our full-time consultants who generate revenues based on the number of hours worked; full-time equivalents, which consists of coaches and their support staff within the Culture and Organizational excellence solution, consultants who work variable schedules as needed by clients, and full-time employees who provide software support and maintenance services to clients; and our Healthcare Managed Services employees who provide revenue cycle billing, collections insurance verification and change integrity services to clients.
Utilization Rate
The utilization rate of our revenue-generating professionals is calculated by dividing the number of hours our billable consultants worked on client assignments during a period by the total available working hours for these billable consultants during the same period. Available hours are determined by the standard hours worked by each billable consultant, adjusted for part-time hours, and U.S. standard work weeks. Available working hours exclude local country holidays and vacation days. Utilization rates are presented for our revenue-generating professionals who primarily bill on an hourly basis. We do not present utilization rates for our Managed Services professionals as most of the revenues generated by these employees are not billed on an hourly basis.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Executive Highlights
Highlights from the first quarter of 2023 include:
•Total revenues increased 22.2% to $317.9 million for the first quarter of 2023 from $260.0 million for the first quarter of 2022
•Revenues within our Digital capability increased 28.5% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the first quarter of 2022
•Diluted EPS was $0.68 for the first quarter of 2023; compared to $1.27 for the first quarter of 2022 which included a $19.8 million unrealized gain, net of tax, on our preferred stock investment
•Adjusted diluted EPS increased 77.6% to $0.87 for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $0.49 for the first quarter of 2022
•Returned $44.3 million to shareholders by repurchasing 632,894 shares of our common stock in the first quarter of 2023
Total revenues increased $57.8 million, or 22.2%, to $317.9 million for the first quarter of 2023 from $260.0 million for the first quarter of 2022. The increase in revenues reflects continued strength in demand for our Digital capability services across all segments; as well as strengthened demand for our Consulting and Managed Services offerings within our Healthcare and Education segments, which reflects our focus on accelerating growth in the healthcare and education industries.
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In our Consulting and Managed Services capability, revenues for the first quarter of 2023 increased 17.7%, compared to the first quarter of 2022, and reflected strengthened demand in our Healthcare and Education segments. The utilization rate within our Consulting capability increased to 76.3% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 71.4% in the first quarter of 2022.
Revenues within our Digital capability increased 28.5% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022, and reflected strength in demand in all of our segments. The utilization rate within our Digital capability decreased to 71.0% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 72.4% in the first quarter of 2022.
The total number of revenue-generating professionals increased to 5,013 as of March 31, 2023, compared to 4,023 as of March 31, 2022, as a result of hiring to support the overall increase in demand for our services within all of our segments. We proactively plan and manage the size and composition of our workforce and take actions as needed to address changes in the anticipated demand for our services as employee compensation costs are the most significant portion of our operating expenses.
Net income decreased $13.4 million to $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $26.9 million for the same period last year, driven by the $19.8 million unrealized gain, net of tax, recognized in the first quarter of 2022 related to the increase in fair value of our preferred stock investment. As a result of the decrease in net income, diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2023 was $0.68 compared to $1.27 for the first quarter of 2022. Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 77.6% to $0.87 for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $0.49 for the first quarter of 2022.
During the first quarter of 2023, we deployed $44.3 million of capital to repurchase 632,894 shares of our common stock, representing 3.2% of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022.
Summary of Results
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected segment and consolidated operating results and other operating data, including non-GAAP measures.
| Segment and Consolidated Operating Results (in thousands, except per share amounts): | Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Healthcare: | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 149,049 | $ | 121,876 | ||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 32,255 | $ | 28,032 | ||||||||||
| Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues | 21.6 | % | 23.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Education: | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 104,147 | $ | 80,662 | ||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 23,165 | $ | 14,306 | ||||||||||
| Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues | 22.2 | % | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Commercial: | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 64,699 | $ | 57,511 | ||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 14,067 | $ | 12,214 | ||||||||||
| Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues | 21.7 | % | 21.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Huron: | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 317,895 | $ | 260,049 | ||||||||||
| Reimbursable expenses | 8,490 | 4,726 | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues and reimbursable expenses | $ | 326,385 | $ | 264,775 | ||||||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | 69,487 | $ | 54,552 | ||||||||||
| Items not allocated at the segment level: | ||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 46,340 | 33,548 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,716 | 5,046 | ||||||||||||
| Operating income | 18,431 | 15,958 | ||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | (2,584) | 22,169 | ||||||||||||
| Income before taxes | 15,847 | 38,127 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 2,428 | 11,275 | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 13,419 | $ | 26,852 | ||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.70 | $ | 1.29 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.68 | $ | 1.27 | ||||||||||
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| Segment and Consolidated Operating Results (in thousands, except per share amounts): | Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Data: | ||||||||||||||
| Number of revenue-generating professionals by segment (at period end): | ||||||||||||||
| Healthcare | 1,985 | 1,647 | ||||||||||||
| Education | 1,633 | 1,231 | ||||||||||||
Commercial (1) | 1,395 | 1,145 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 5,013 | 4,023 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue by capability: | ||||||||||||||
Consulting and Managed Services (2) | $ | 177,194 | $ | 150,584 | ||||||||||
| Digital | 140,701 | 109,465 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 317,895 | $ | 260,049 | ||||||||||
| Number of revenue-generating professionals by capability (at period end): | ||||||||||||||
Consulting and Managed Services (3) | 2,360 | 2,003 | ||||||||||||
| Digital | 2,653 | 2,020 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 5,013 | 4,023 | ||||||||||||
Utilization rate by capability (4): | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting | 76.3 | % | 71.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Digital | 71.0 | % | 72.4 | % | ||||||||||
(1)The majority of our revenue-generating professionals within our Commercial segment can provide services across all of our industries, including healthcare and education.
(2)Managed Services capability revenues within our Healthcare segment was $19.8 million and $13.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Managed Services capability revenues within our Education segment was $4.6 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(3)The number of Managed Services revenue-generating professionals within our Healthcare segment as of March 31, 2023 and 2022 was 726 and 543, respectively.
The number of Managed Services revenue-generating professionals within our Education segment as of March 31, 2023 and 2022 was 101 and 92, respectively.
(4)Utilization rates are presented for our revenue-generating professionals who primarily bill on an hourly basis. We do not present utilization rates for our Managed Services professionals as most of the revenues generated by these employees are not billed on an hourly basis.
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Non-GAAP Measures
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 317,895 | $ | 260,049 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 13,419 | $ | 26,852 | |||||||
| Add back: | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 2,428 | 11,275 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 4,303 | 2,196 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 6,553 | 7,122 | |||||||||
| Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) | 26,703 | 47,445 | |||||||||
| Add back: | |||||||||||
| Restructuring charges | 2,284 | 1,555 | |||||||||
| Other losses | 435 | 12 | |||||||||
| Transaction-related expenses | — | 50 | |||||||||
| Unrealized gain on preferred stock investment | — | (26,964) | |||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction losses, net | 80 | 19 | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 29,502 | $ | 22,117 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues | 9.3 | % | 8.5 | % | |||||||
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 13,419 | $ | 26,852 | |||||||
| Weighted average shares - diluted | 19,699 | 21,167 | |||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.68 | $ | 1.27 | |||||||
| Add back: | |||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 2,231 | 2,860 | |||||||||
| Restructuring charges | 2,284 | 1,555 | |||||||||
| Other losses | 435 | 12 | |||||||||
| Transaction-related expenses | — | 50 | |||||||||
| Unrealized gain on preferred stock investment | — | (26,964) | |||||||||
| Tax effect of adjustments | (1,312) | 5,959 | |||||||||
| Total adjustments, net of tax | 3,638 | (16,528) | |||||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 17,057 | $ | 10,324 | |||||||
| Adjusted weighted average shares - diluted | 19,699 | 21,167 | |||||||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.87 | $ | 0.49 | |||||||
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Revenues
Revenues by segment and capability for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| Revenues (in thousands) | Three Months Ended March 31, | Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Healthcare | $ | 149,049 | $ | 121,876 | $ | 27,173 | 22.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Education | 104,147 | 80,662 | 23,485 | 29.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 64,699 | 57,511 | 7,188 | 12.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 317,895 | $ | 260,049 | $ | 57,846 | 22.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consulting and Managed Services | $ | 177,194 | $ | 150,584 | $ | 26,610 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Digital | 140,701 | 109,465 | 31,236 | 28.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 317,895 | $ | 260,049 | $ | 57,846 | 22.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues increased $57.8 million, or 22.2%, to $317.9 million for the first quarter of 2023 from $260.0 million for the first quarter of 2022. The overall increase in revenues reflects continued strength in demand for our Digital capability services across all segments; as well as strengthened demand for our Consulting and Managed Services offerings within our Healthcare and Education segments, which reflects our focus on accelerating growth in our healthcare and education industries. Additional information on our revenues by segment follows.
•Healthcare revenues increased $27.2 million, or 22.3%, driven by strengthened demand for our performance improvement, revenue cycle managed services and business advisory solutions within our Consulting and Managed Services capability, as well as strengthened demand for our technology and analytics services within our Digital capability. Revenues in the first quarter of 2023 included $0.3 million of incremental revenues from our acquisition of Customer Evolution, LLC, which was completed in December 2022.
The number of revenue-generating professionals within our Healthcare segment grew 20.5% to 1,985 as of March 31, 2023, compared to 1,647 as of March 31, 2022.
•Education revenues increased $23.5 million, or 29.1%, driven by strengthened demand for our technology and analytics services and software products within our Digital capability, as well as strengthened demand for our strategy and operations and research solutions within our Consulting and Managed Services capability.
The number of revenue-generating professionals within our Education segment grew 32.7% to 1,633 as of March 31, 2023, compared to 1,231 as of March 31, 2022.
•Commercial revenues increased $7.2 million, or 12.5%, driven by strengthened demand for our technology and analytics services within our Digital capability and our restructuring and turnaround solution within our Consulting and Managed Services capability, partially offset by a decrease in demand for our strategy and innovation solution within our Consulting and Managed Services capability.
The number of revenue-generating professionals within our Commercial segment grew 21.8% to 1,395 as of March 31, 2023, compared to 1,145 as of March 31, 2022.
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Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2023 increased $59.1 million, or 23.8%, over the first quarter of 2022.
Operating expenses and operating expenses as a percentage of revenues were as follows:
| Operating Expenses (in thousands, except amounts as a percentage of revenues) | Three Months Ended March 31, | Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct costs | $ | 228,383 | 71.9% | $ | 187,247 | 72.0% | $ | 41,136 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reimbursable expenses | 8,624 | 2.7% | 4,756 | 1.8% | 3,868 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 62,289 | 19.6% | 48,395 | 18.6% | 13,894 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring charges | 2,284 | 0.7% | 1,555 | 0.6% | 729 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 6,374 | 2.0% | 6,864 | 2.7% | (490) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 307,954 | 96.9% | $ | 248,817 | 95.7% | $ | 59,137 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct Costs
Direct costs increased $41.1 million, or 22.0%, to $228.4 million for the first quarter of 2023 from $187.2 million for the first quarter of 2022. The $41.1 million increase primarily related to a $35.3 million increase in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals as we continue to invest in and grow our talented team to meet increased market demand. Specifically, the increase in compensation costs is driven by increased headcount, annual salary increases that went into effect in the first quarter of 2023, and increases in performance bonus expense and share-based compensation expense. Additional increases in direct costs include a $2.7 million increase in contractor expenses and a $1.2 million increase in technology costs. As a percentage of revenues, direct costs decreased to 71.8% during the first quarter of 2023, compared to 72.0% during the first quarter of 2022, primarily due to revenue growth that outpaced the increase in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals; partially offset by the increase in contractor expenses, as percentages of revenues.
Reimbursable Expenses
Reimbursable expenses are billed to clients at cost and primarily relate to travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with client engagements. These expenses are also included in total revenues and reimbursable expenses. We manage our business on the basis of revenues before reimbursable expenses, which we believe is the most accurate reflection of our services because it eliminates the effect of reimbursable expenses that are also included as a component of operating expenses.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $13.9 million, or 28.7%, to $62.3 million in the first quarter of 2023 from $48.4 million in the first quarter of 2022. The $13.9 million increase primarily related to an $8.6 million increase in compensation costs for our support personnel, driven by a $4.3 million increase in deferred compensation expense attributable to the change in market value of our deferred compensation liability, a $1.9 million increase in salaries and related expenses and a $1.6 million increase in share-based compensation expense. The increase in deferred compensation expense is offset by an increase in the gain recognized for the change in the market value of investments that are used to fund our deferred compensation liability and recognized in other income, net. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $5.3 million for non-payroll costs, driven by a $2.0 million increase in practice administration and meetings expenses, a $2.0 million increase in promotion and marketing expenses, and a $1.0 million gain recognized in the first quarter of 2022 related to the sale of our aircraft. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 19.6% during the first quarter of 2023, compared to 18.6% during the first quarter of 2022. This increase was primarily attributable to the increases in deferred compensation expense and practice administration and meetings expenses, as percentages of revenues; partially offset by revenue growth that outpaced the increase in salaries and related expenses for our support personnel.
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges for the first quarter of 2023 were $2.3 million, compared to $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2022. In the first quarter of 2023, we exited our office space in Hillsboro, Oregon which resulted in a $1.9 million non-cash impairment charge on the related fixed assets and right-of-use operating lease asset of that office space. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2023, we recognized $0.4 million of additional restructuring expense for rent and related expenses, net of sublease income, for previously vacated office spaces.
The $1.6 million of restructuring charges incurred in the first quarter of 2022 included $0.6 million for rent and related expenses, net of sublease income, for previously vacated office spaces, $0.5 million of employee-related expenses, $0.3 million of accelerated amortization of capitalized software implementation costs for a cloud-computing arrangement that is no longer in use, and $0.1 million for third-party transaction expenses related to the modification of our operating model.
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Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.5 million, or 7.1%, to $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $6.9 million in the first quarter of 2022. The $0.5 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily attributable to a decrease in amortization of intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions due to the accelerated basis of amortization in prior periods.
Operating Income and Operating Margin
Operating income increased $2.5 million, or 15.5%, to $18.4 million in the first quarter of 2023 from $16.0 million in the first quarter of 2022. Operating margin, which is defined as operating income expressed as a percentage of revenues, decreased to 5.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 6.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Operating income and operating margin for each of our segments is as follows. See the Segment and Consolidated Operating Results table above for a reconciliation of our total segment operating income to consolidated Huron operating income.
| Segment Operating Income (in thousands, except operating margin percentages) | Three Months Ended March 31, | Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Healthcare | $ | 32,255 | 21.6% | $ | 28,032 | 23.0% | $ | 4,223 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | 23,165 | 22.2% | 14,306 | 17.7% | 8,859 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 14,067 | 21.7% | 12,214 | 21.2% | 1,853 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total segment operating income | $ | 69,487 | $ | 54,552 | $ | 14,935 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
•Healthcare operating income increased primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals and contractor expenses. The increase in compensation costs was primarily driven by an increase in headcount, annual salary increases that went into effect in the first quarter of 2023, and increases in performance bonus expense and share-based compensation expense. Healthcare operating margin decreased primarily due to the increase in contractor expenses, as a percentage of revenues; partially offset by revenue growth that outpaced the increase in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals.
•Education operating income increased primarily due to the increase in revenues as well as a decrease in contractor expenses, partially offset by increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals, technology expenses, and promotion and marketing expenses. The increase in compensation costs was primarily driven by an increase in headcount, annual salary increases that went into effect in the first quarter of 2023, and an increase in performance bonus expense. Education operating margin increased primarily driven by the decrease in contractor expenses and revenue growth that outpaced the increase in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals.
•Commercial operating income increased primarily due to the increase in revenues, as well as decreases in compensation costs for our support personnel and restructuring charges; partially offset by increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals and promotion and marketing expenses. The increase in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals was primarily driven by an increase in headcount, annual salary increases that went into effect in the first quarter of 2023, and an increase in performance bonus expense. Commercial operating margin increased primarily due to the decreases in compensation costs for our support personnel and restructuring charges; partially offset by the increase in promotion and marketing expenses, as a percentage of revenues.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Interest expense, net of interest income increased $2.1 million to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2023 from $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2022 primarily attributable to higher levels of borrowing under our credit facility and higher interest rates during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below and Note 6 “Financing Arrangements” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information about our senior secured credit facility.
Other income, net decreased $22.6 million to $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2023 from $24.4 million in the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in other income, net was primarily attributable to a $27.0 million unrealized gain recognized in the first quarter of 2022 related to the increase in the fair value of our preferred stock investment in Medically Home. See Note 9 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our preferred stock investment in Medically Home. This decrease in other income, net was partially offset by a $4.4 million increase in the gain recognized for the market value of our investments that are used to fund our deferred compensation liability. During the first quarter of 2023, we recognized a $1.8 million gain for the market value of our deferred compensation investments compared to a $2.6 million loss recognized in the first quarter of 2022.
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Income Tax Expense
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, our effective tax rate was 15.3% as we recognized income tax expense of $2.4 million on income of $15.8 million. The effective tax rate of 15.3% was more favorable than the statutory rate, inclusive of state income taxes, of 26.6%, primarily due to a discrete tax benefit for share-based compensation awards that vested during the quarter and a tax benefit related to non-taxable gains on our investments used to fund our deferred compensation liability. These favorable items were partially offset by certain nondeductible expense items.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, our effective tax rate was 29.6% as we recognized income tax expense of $11.3 million on income of $38.1 million. The effective tax rate of 29.6% was less favorable than the statutory rate, inclusive of state income taxes, of 26.4%, primarily due to tax expense related to nondeductible losses on our investments used to fund our deferred compensation liability and certain nondeductible expense items.
Net Income and Earnings per Share
Net income decreased $13.4 million to $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $26.9 million for the same period last year, driven by the $27.0 million unrealized gain recognized in the first quarter of 2022 related to the increase in fair value of our preferred stock investment. As a result of the decrease in net income, diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2023 was $0.68 compared to $1.27 for the first quarter of 2022.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA decreased $20.7 million to $26.7 million for the first quarter of 2023 from $47.4 million for the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in EBITDA was primarily attributable to the $27.0 million unrealized gain recognized in the first quarter of 2022 related to the increase in the fair value of our preferred stock investment; as well as the increase in corporate expenses, excluding the impact of the change in the market value of our deferred compensation liability. These decreases to EBITDA were partially offset by the increase in segment operating income.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $7.4 million to $29.5 million in the first quarter of 2023 from $22.1 million in the first quarter of 2022. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in segment operating income, excluding the impact of segment restructuring charges; partially offset by the increase in corporate expenses, excluding the impacts of the change in the market value of our deferred compensation liability and corporate restructuring charges.
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share
Adjusted net income increased $6.7 million to $17.1 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $10.3 million in the first quarter of 2022. As a result of the increase in adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.87 for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $0.49 for the first quarter of 2022.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and cash equivalents were $12.0 million and $11.8 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash flows from our U.S. operations, and borrowing capacity available under our credit facility.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows (in thousands): | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (92,101) | $ | (79,099) | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (10,172) | (3,316) | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 102,449 | 71,387 | ||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 16 | (5) | ||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 192 | $ | (11,033) | ||||||||||
Operating Activities
Our operating assets and liabilities consist primarily of receivables from billed and unbilled services, accounts payable and accrued expenses, accrued payroll and related benefits, operating lease obligations and deferred revenues. The volume of services rendered and the related billings and timing of collections on those billings, as well as payments of our accounts payable and salaries, bonuses, and related benefits to employees affect these account balances. Our purchase obligations primarily consist of payments for software and other information technology products to support our business and corporate infrastructure.
Net cash used in operating activities increased $13.0 million to $92.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $79.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in net cash used in operating activities was primarily related to an increase in the amount paid for annual performance bonuses in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022, an increase in salaries and related expenses for our
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revenue-generating professionals, and increases in payments for selling, general and administrative expenses for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same prior year period; largely offset by an increase in cash collections in the first three months of 2023 compared to the same prior year period.
Additionally, in the first quarter of 2023, our unbilled receivables increased, partially driven by certain large Healthcare and Education engagements where our services performed and revenue recognized exceeded the amounts billed to clients in accordance with the contractual billing terms. We expect to bill and collect for these services in the second half of 2023. In the future, we may enter into additional client engagements with similar deferred billing terms.
Investing Activities
Our investing activities primarily consist of purchases of complementary businesses; purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to computers and related equipment for our employees and leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures for office spaces; payments related to internally developed cloud-based software sold to our clients; and investments. Our investments include a convertible note investment in Shorelight Holdings, LLC, a preferred stock investment in Medically Home Group, Inc., and investments in life insurance policies that are used to fund our deferred compensation liability.
The use of cash in the first three months of 2023 primarily consisted of $6.6 million for payments related to internally developed software to advance our Healthcare and Education software products; $2.0 million for purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to purchases of computers and related equipment; and $1.8 million for contributions to our life insurance policies.
The use of cash in the first three months of 2022 included $3.9 million for purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to purchases of leasehold improvements and furniture for certain office spaces and computers and related equipment; $2.3 million for the purchase of a business and $2.1 million for payments related to internally developed software. These uses of cash for investing activities were partially offset by $4.8 million of cash received for the sale of our aircraft in the first quarter of 2022.
We estimate that cash utilized for purchases of property and equipment and software development in 2023 will total approximately $30 million to $35 million; primarily consisting of software development costs, information technology related equipment to support our corporate infrastructure, and leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures for certain office locations.
Financing Activities
Our financing activities primarily consist of borrowings and repayments under our senior secured credit facility, share repurchases, shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings upon vesting of share-based compensation, and payments for contingent consideration liabilities related to business acquisitions. See “Financing Arrangements” below for additional information on our senior secured credit facility.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $102.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we borrowed $201.0 million primarily to fund our operations, including our annual performance bonus payment in the first quarter of 2023, and made repayments on our borrowings of $44.0 million. Additionally, during the first three months of 2023, we paid $45.1 million for share repurchases, including $1.1 million related to the settlement of share repurchases that were accrued as of December 31, 2022, and reacquired $9.5 million of common stock as a result of tax withholdings upon vesting of share-based compensation.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $71.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we borrowed $150.0 million under our credit facility primarily to fund our operations, including our annual performance bonus payment in the first quarter of 2022, and made repayments on our borrowings of $47.8 million. These repayments on our borrowings included the repayment of the outstanding principal of our promissory note due 2024 of $2.7 million from the proceeds received for the sale of our aircraft. Additionally, during the first three months of 2022, we repurchased and retired $23.9 million of our common stock under our share repurchase program, and settled $0.2 million of share repurchases that were accrued as of December 31, 2021. We also reacquired $6.9 million of common stock as a result of tax withholdings upon vesting of share-based compensation.
Share Repurchase Program
In November 2020, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program permitting us to repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock through December 31, 2021. Subsequent to the initial authorization, our board of directors authorized extensions of the share repurchase program through December 31, 2023 and increased the authorized amount to $300 million. The amount and timing of repurchases under the share repurchase program were and will continue to be determined by management and depend on a variety of factors, including the trading price of our common stock, capacity under our credit facility, general market and business conditions, and applicable legal requirements. As of March 31, 2023, $64.8 million remained available for share repurchases under our share repurchase program.
Financing Arrangements
At March 31, 2023, we had $447.0 million outstanding under our senior secured credit facility, as discussed below.
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The Company has a $600 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to the terms of a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 2022 (the "Amended Credit Agreement") that becomes due and payable in full upon maturity on November 15, 2027. The Amended Credit Agreement provides the option to increase the revolving credit facility or establish term loan facilities in an aggregate amount up to $250 million, subject to customary conditions and the approval of any lender whose commitment would be increased, resulting in a maximum available principal amount under the Amended Credit Agreement of $850 million. The initial borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement were used to refinance borrowings outstanding under a prior credit agreement, and future borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases, permitted acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes.
Fees and interest on borrowings vary based on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). At our option, borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement will bear interest at one, three or six month Term SOFR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin will fluctuate between 1.125% per annum and 1.875% per annum, in the case of Term SOFR borrowings, or between 0.125% per annum and 0.875% per annum, in the case of base rate loans, based upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio at such time. Fees and interest on borrowings are paid on a monthly basis.
In April 2023, the Company and PNC Capital Markets, LLC, as Sustainability Structuring Agent, with the consent of the Required Lenders (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), amended the Amended Credit Agreement to incorporate specified key performance indicators with respect to certain environmental, social and governance targets of the Company. Based upon the performance of the Company against those key performance indicators in each Reference Year (as defined in the First Amendment), certain adjustments to the otherwise applicable rates for interest, commitment fees and letter of credit fees will be made. These annual adjustments will not exceed an increase or decrease of 0.01% in the aggregate for all key performance indicators in the case of the commitment fee rate or an increase or decrease of 0.05% in the aggregate for all key performance indicators in the case of the Term SOFR borrowings, base rate borrowings or letter of credit fee rate.
Amounts borrowed under the Amended Credit Agreement may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. We are required to prepay the amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement in certain circumstances, including upon an Event of Default (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). In addition, we have the right to permanently reduce or terminate the unused portion of the commitments provided under the Amended Credit Agreement at any time.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains usual and customary representations and warranties; affirmative and negative covenants, which include limitations on liens, investments, additional indebtedness, and restricted payments; and two quarterly financial covenants as follows: (i) a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA) of 3.75 to 1.00; however the maximum permitted Consolidated Leverage Ratio will increase to 4.25 to 1.00 upon the occurrence of a Qualified Acquisition (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), and (ii) a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest) of 3.00 to 1.00. Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of the financial covenants is calculated on a continuing operations basis and includes adjustments to add back non-cash goodwill impairment charges, share-based compensation costs, certain non-cash restructuring charges, pro forma historical EBITDA for businesses acquired, and other specified items in accordance with the Amended Credit Agreement. For purposes of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, total debt is on a gross basis and is not netted against our cash balances. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with these financial covenants. Our Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of March 31, 2023 was 2.75 to 1.00, compared to 1.92 to 1.00 as of December 31, 2022. Our Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio as of March 31, 2023 was 12.63 to 1.00, compared to 14.04 to 1.00 as of December 31, 2022.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains restricted payment provisions, including a potential limit on the amount of dividends we may pay. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, if our Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.50, the amount of dividends and other Restricted Payments (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) we may pay is limited to an amount up to $50 million.
Principal borrowings outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 totaled $447.0 million and $290.0 million, respectively. These borrowings carried a weighted average interest rate of 4.8% at March 31, 2023 and 3.8% at December 31, 2022, including the impact of the interest rate swaps described in Note 8 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity” within the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding letters of credit. At March 31, 2023, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.6 million, which are used as security deposits for our office facilities. As of March 31, 2023, the unused borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility was $152.4 million.
Future Financing Needs
Our primary financing need is to fund our long-term growth. Our growth strategy is to expand our service offerings, which may require investments in new hires, acquisitions of complementary businesses, possible expansion into other geographic areas, and related capital expenditures.
We believe our internally generated liquidity, together with our available cash, and the borrowing capacity available under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to support our current financing needs and long-term growth strategy. Our ability to secure additional financing in the future, if needed, will depend on several factors, including our future profitability, the quality of our accounts receivable and unbilled services, our relative levels of debt and equity, and the overall condition of the credit markets.
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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We regularly review our financial reporting and disclosure practices and accounting policies to ensure that our financial reporting and disclosures provide accurate information relative to the current economic and business environment. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make assessments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Critical accounting policies are those policies that we believe present the most complex or subjective measurements and have the most potential to impact our financial position and operating results. While all decisions regarding accounting policies are important, we believe there are five accounting policies that could be considered critical: revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services, business combinations, carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets, and accounting for income taxes. For a detailed discussion of these critical accounting policies, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
No new accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements have been issued or adopted that are material to our consolidated financial statements since those included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
| ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. | ||||
We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates and changes in the market value of our investments. We use certain derivative instruments to hedge a portion of the interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risks.
Interest Rate Risk
We have exposure to changes in interest rates associated with borrowings under our bank credit facility, which have variable interest rates tied to Term SOFR or an alternate base rate, at our option. At March 31, 2023, we had borrowings outstanding under the credit facility totaling $447.0 million that carried a weighted average interest rate of 4.8%, including the impact of the interest rate swaps described below. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in the interest rate would have a $2.0 million effect on our pretax income on an annualized basis, including the effect of the interest rate swaps. At December 31, 2022, we had borrowings outstanding under the credit facility totaling $290.0 million that carried a weighted average interest rate of 3.8% including the impact of the interest rate swaps described below. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in the interest rate would have had a $0.9 million effect on our pretax income on an annualized basis, including the effect of the interest rate swaps.
We enter into forward interest rate swap agreements to hedge against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one-month Term SOFR and we pay to the counterparty a stated, fixed rate. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the aggregate notional amount of our forward interest rate swap agreements was $250.0 million and $200.0 million, respectively. The outstanding interest rate swap agreements as of March 31, 2023 are scheduled to mature on a staggered basis through February 29, 2028.
Foreign Currency Risk
We have exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar (USD) and the Indian Rupee (INR) related to our operations in India. We hedge a portion of our cash flow exposure related to our INR-denominated intercompany expenses by entering into non-deliverable foreign exchange forward contracts. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the aggregate notional amounts of these contracts were INR 789.6 million, or $9.6 million, and INR 657.9 million, or $8.0 million, respectively, based on the exchange rates in effect as of each period end. The outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts as of March 31, 2023 are scheduled to mature monthly through December 29, 2023.
We use a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations may have on the fair value of our foreign currency exchange rate hedge portfolio. The sensitivity of the hedge portfolio is computed based on the market value of future cash flows as affected by changes in exchange rates. This sensitivity analysis represents the hypothetical changes in value of the hedge position and does not reflect the offsetting gain or loss on the underlying exposure. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in the foreign currency exchange rate between the USD and INR would have an immaterial impact on the fair value of our hedge instruments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
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Market Risk
We have a 1.69% convertible debt investment in Shorelight Holdings, LLC, a privately-held company, which we account for as an available-for-sale debt security. As such, the investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. As of March 31, 2023, the fair value of the investment was $62.8 million, with a total cost basis of $40.9 million. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the investment was $57.6 million, with a total cost basis of $40.9 million.
We have a preferred stock investment in Medically Home Group, Inc. ("Medically Home"), a privately-held company, which we account for as an equity security without a readily determinable fair value using the measurement alternative. As such, the investment is carried at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment. Any unrealized holding gains and losses resulting from observable price changes are recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the investment was $33.6 million with a total cost basis of $5.0 million. During the first quarter of 2022, we recognized an unrealized gain of $27.0 million on our preferred stock investment resulting from an observable price change of preferred stock with similar rights and preferences to our preferred stock investment issued by Medically Home. Following our purchase, we have not identified any impairment of our investment.
We do not use derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. From time to time, we invest excess cash in short-term marketable securities. These investments principally consist of overnight sweep accounts. Due to the short maturity of these investments, we have concluded that we do not have material market risk exposure. Refer to Note 8 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our derivative instruments.
| ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. | ||||
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of March 31, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act, and such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended March 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
| ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. | ||||
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we are not a party to any litigation or legal proceeding or subject to any claim that, in the current opinion of management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. However, due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings, actual results could differ from current expected results.
| ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS. | ||||
See Part 1, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2023, for a complete description of the material risks we face.
| ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS. | ||||
Our Stock Ownership Participation Program and 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan permit the netting of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock awards to satisfy individual tax withholding requirements. During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, we reacquired 135,420 shares of common stock with a weighted average fair market value of $70.37 as a result of such tax withholdings.
In November 2020, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program permitting us to repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock through December 31, 2021. Subsequent to the initial authorization, our board of directors authorized extensions of the share repurchase program through December 31, 2023 and increased the authorized amount to $300 million. The amount and timing of repurchases under the share
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repurchase program were and will continue to be determined by management and depend on a variety of factors, including the trading price of our common stock, capacity under our credit facility, general market and business conditions, and applicable legal requirements.
The following table provides information with respect to purchases we made of our common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Dollar Value of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Plans or Programs (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 1, 2023 - January 31, 2023 | 273,369 | $ | 69.42 | 263,948 | $ | 90,558,075 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| February 1, 2023 - February 28, 2023 | 368,946 | $ | 69.69 | 368,946 | $ | 64,836,694 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| March 1, 2023 - March 31, 2023 | 125,999 | $ | 70.22 | — | $ | 64,836,694 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 768,314 | $ | 69.68 | 632,894 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)The number of shares repurchased included 9,421 shares in January 2023 and 125,999 shares in March 2023 to satisfy employee tax withholding requirements. These shares do not reduce the repurchase authority under the share repurchase program.
(2)As of the end of the period.
| ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES. | ||||
None.
| ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES. | ||||
Not applicable.
| ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION. | ||||
None.
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| ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS. | ||||
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Filed herewith | Furnished herewith | Form | Period Ending | Exhibit | Filing Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.1† | 8-K | 10.1 | 5/2/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31.2 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32.2 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
†† Pursuant to Regulation S-K 601(b)(10)(iv), certain exhibits to this Exhibit have been omitted. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, a copy of any or all omitted exhibits.
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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 thereunto duly authorized.
| Huron Consulting Group Inc. | ||||||||||||||
| (Registrant) | ||||||||||||||
| Date: | May 2, 2023 | /s/ JOHN D. KELLY | ||||||||||||
| John D. Kelly | ||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||||||||||||||
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EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, C. Mark Hussey, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Huron Consulting Group Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: | May 2, 2023 | By: | /s/ C. MARK HUSSEY | |||||||||||||||||
| C. Mark Hussey | ||||||||||||||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, John D. Kelly, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Huron Consulting Group Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: | May 2, 2023 | By: | /s/ JOHN D. KELLY | |||||||||||||||||
| John D. Kelly | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||||||||||||||||||||
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Huron Consulting Group Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, C. Mark Hussey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods presented therein.
| Date: | May 2, 2023 | By: | /S/ C. MARK HUSSEY | |||||||||||||||||
| C. Mark Hussey | ||||||||||||||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
The foregoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q and shall not be considered filed as part of the Form 10-Q.
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Huron Consulting Group Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, John D. Kelly, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods presented therein.
| Date: | May 2, 2023 | By: | /s/ JOHN D. KELLY | |||||||||||||||||
| John D. Kelly | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||||||||||||||||||||
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
The foregoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 10-Q and shall not be considered filed as part of the Form 10-Q.