10-Q
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

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

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2018

or

 

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

For the transition period from _________ to ___________

Commission File Number 001-14505

 

 

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware    95-2623879
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600, Los Angeles, California 90067

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(310) 552-1834

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post 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.

 

Large accelerated filer       Accelerated filer                    
Non-accelerated filer       (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   

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 

The number of shares outstanding of our common stock as of March 5, 2018 was 56,524,927 shares.


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

Table of Contents

 

 

Item #

 

  

 

Description

 

  

 

Page

 

 
   Part I. Financial Information   

Item 1.

   Consolidated Financial Statements   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2018 (unaudited) and April  30, 2017

     1  
  

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017

     2  
  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017

     3  
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017

     4  
  

Notes to Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

     5  

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      24  

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      40  

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures      41  
   Part II. Other Information   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      42  

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      42  

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      42  

Item 6.

   Exhibits      43  
  

Signatures

 

     44  


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Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

                                       
     January 31,
2018
    April 30,
2017
 
     (unaudited)        
       (in thousands, except per share data)    

ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 389,990     $ 410,882  

Marketable securities

     14,807       4,363  

Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $17,990 and $15,455 at January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively

     397,845       345,314  

Income taxes and other receivables

     25,985       31,573  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     63,409       51,542  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     892,036       843,674  

Marketable securities, non-current

     124,196       115,574  

Property and equipment, net

     116,767       109,567  

Cash surrender value of company owned life insurance policies, net of loans

     118,248       113,067  

Deferred income taxes, net

     23,222       20,175  

Goodwill

     586,561       576,865  

Intangible assets, net

     206,733       217,319  

Investments and other assets

     98,769       66,657  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,166,532     $ 2,062,898  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Accounts payable

   $ 28,359     $ 37,481  

Income taxes payable

     17,128       4,526  

Compensation and benefits payable

     234,411       248,354  

Term loan

     23,192       19,754  

Other accrued liabilities

     163,784       148,464  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     466,874       458,579  

Deferred compensation and other retirement plans

     233,595       219,905  

Term loan, non-current

     217,969       236,222  

Deferred tax liabilities

     7,619       7,014  

Other liabilities

     59,581       54,130  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     985,638       975,850  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 71,606 and 70,811 shares issued at January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively and 56,518 and 56,938 shares outstanding at January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively

     679,277       692,527  

Retained earnings

     537,353       461,976  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

     (38,671     (71,064
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Korn/Ferry International stockholders’ equity

     1,177,959       1,083,439  

Noncontrolling interest

     2,935       3,609  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,180,894       1,087,048  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 2,166,532     $ 2,062,898  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
January 31,
    Nine Months Ended
January 31,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Fee revenue

   $           447,581     $           381,918     $           1,291,853     $           1,159,456  

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     13,189       12,277       39,302       42,626  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     460,770       394,195       1,331,155       1,202,082  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

     310,751       262,438       885,748       796,014  

General and administrative expenses

     58,516       56,818       175,380       166,294  

Reimbursed expenses

     13,189       12,277       39,302       42,626  

Cost of services

     17,467       16,545       53,163       52,251  

Depreciation and amortization

     12,225       11,774       36,881       34,970  

Restructuring charges, net

           3,801       78       28,321  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     412,148       363,653       1,190,552       1,120,476  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     48,622       30,542       140,603       81,606  

Other income, net

     7,689       4,200       14,847       7,580  

Interest expense, net

     (2,665     (2,402     (7,904     (8,199
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries

     53,646       32,340       147,546       80,987  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

     97       113       187       221  

Income tax provision

     26,316       8,075       54,145       21,706  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     27,427       24,378       93,588       59,502  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (180     (481     (969     (2,245
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

   $ 27,247     $ 23,897     $ 92,619     $ 57,257  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.49     $ 0.42     $ 1.65     $ 1.01  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.48     $ 0.42     $ 1.63     $ 1.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     55,252       56,173       55,479       56,325  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     55,997       56,702       56,236       56,917  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per share:

   $ 0.10     $ 0.10     $ 0.30     $ 0.30  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
January 31,
    Nine Months Ended
January 31,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  
     (in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 27,427     $ 24,378     $ 93,588     $ 59,502  

Other comprehensive income:

        

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     17,839       (1,583     29,773       (20,016

Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax

     361       465       1,065       1,392  

Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax

     1,077             1,470        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     46,704       23,260       125,896       40,878  

Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (226     (219     (884     (1,809
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

   $         46,478     $         23,041     $         125,012     $         39,069  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
January 31,
 
     2018     2017  
     (in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 93,588     $ 59,502  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     36,881       34,970  

Stock-based compensation expense

     15,800       14,101  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     9,933       8,373  

Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     (6,020     (3,316

Gain on marketable securities

     (14,022     (7,090

Deferred income taxes

     5,373       7,812  

Change in other assets and liabilities:

    

Deferred compensation

     25,587       (22

Receivables due from clients

     (62,464     (35,503

Income tax and other receivables

     4,445       (3,249

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (11,867     (8,882

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries

     (187     (221

Income taxes payable

     18,217       (3,450

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (15,569     (45,891

Other

     (40,103     (3,393
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     59,592       13,741  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (31,133     (41,616

Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired

           (2,880

Purchase of marketable securities

     (7,462     (9,526

Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities

     2,515       42,533  

Premium on company-owned life insurance policies

     (1,339     (1,337

Proceeds from life insurance policies

     5,175        

Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries

     60       455  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (32,184     (12,371
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from term loan facility

           275,000  

Principal payment on term loan facility

     (15,469     (150,313

Payment of contingent consideration from acquisition

     (485     (1,070

Repurchases of common stock

     (32,568     (16,318

Payments of tax withholdings on restricted stock

     (3,657     (4,377

Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options and in connection with an employee stock purchase plan

     6,885       4,981  

Dividends – noncontrolling interest

     (1,558     (1,229

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (17,242     (17,546

Payments on life insurance policy loans

     (464      
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (64,558     89,128  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     16,258       (12,445
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (20,892     78,053  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     410,882       273,252  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $         389,990     $         351,305  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018

 

1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business

Korn/Ferry International, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its subsidiaries are engaged in the business of providing talent management solutions, including executive search on a retained basis, recruitment for non-executive professionals, recruitment process outsourcing and leadership & talent consulting services.

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2017 for the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing practice within the industry. The consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year.

Investments in affiliated companies, which are 50% or less owned and where the Company exercises significant influence over operations, are accounted for using the equity method.

The Company has control of a Mexico subsidiary and consolidates the operations of this subsidiary. Noncontrolling interest, which represents the Company’s 51% noncontrolling interest in the Mexico subsidiary, is reflected on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.

Use of Estimates and Uncertainties

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates and changes in estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed and determinable. The most significant areas that require management judgment are revenue recognition, restructuring, deferred compensation, annual performance related bonuses, evaluation of the carrying value of receivables, goodwill and other intangible assets, fair value of contingent consideration, share-based payments and the recoverability of deferred income taxes.

Revenue Recognition

Substantially all fee revenue is derived from fees for professional services related to executive search performed on a retained basis, recruitment for non-executive professionals, recruitment process outsourcing, people and organizational advisory services and the sale of product services. Fee revenue from executive search activities and recruitment for non-executive professionals is generally one-third of the estimated first year compensation of the placed executive or non-executive professional, as applicable, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement related expenses. The Company generally recognizes such revenue on a straight-line basis over a three-month period, commencing upon client acceptance, as this is the period over which the recruitment services are performed. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are recognized upon completion of the engagement, which reflect the difference between the final actual compensation of the placed executive and the estimate used for purposes of the previous billings. Since the initial contract fees are typically not contingent upon placement of a candidate, our assumptions primarily relate to establishing the period over which such service is performed. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition and profitability for the reported period. Any revenues associated with services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved. In addition to recruitment for non-executive professionals, Futurestep provides recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”) services and fee revenue is recognized as services are rendered and/or as milestones are achieved. Fee revenue from Hay Group (formerly known as Leadership & Talent Consulting (“Legacy LTC”) which was combined with HG (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l (“Legacy Hay”) in December 2015) is recognized as services are rendered for consulting engagements and other time-based services, measured by total hours incurred to the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for the consulting engagement may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate. Hay Group revenue is also derived from the sale of product services, which includes revenue from licenses and from the sale of products. Revenue from licenses is recognized using a straight-line method over the term of the contract (generally 12 months). Under fixed term licenses, the Company is obligated to provide the licensee with access to any updates to the underlying intellectual property that are made by the Company during the term of the license. Once the term of the agreement expires, the client’s right to access or use the intellectual property expires and the Company has no further obligations to the client under the license agreement. Revenue from perpetual licenses is recognized when the license is sold since the Company’s only obligation is to provide the client access to the intellectual property but is not obligated to provide maintenance, support, updates or upgrades. Products sold by the Company mainly consist of books and automated services covering a variety of topics including performance management, team effectiveness, and coaching and development. The Company recognizes revenue for its products when the product has been sold or shipped in the case of books. As of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, the Company included deferred revenue of $110.9 million and $95.8 million, respectively, in other accrued liabilities.

Reimbursements

The Company incurs certain out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by its clients, which are accounted for as revenue in its consolidated statements of income.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The amount of the allowance is based on historical loss experience, assessment of the collectability of specific accounts, as well as expectations of future collections based upon trends and the type of work for which services are rendered. After the Company exhausts all collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances identified as uncollectible.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, the Company’s investments in cash equivalents consist of money market funds for which market prices are readily available.

Marketable Securities

The Company currently has investments in mutual funds that are classified as trading securities based upon management’s intent and ability to hold, sell or trade such securities. The classification of the investments in mutual funds is assessed upon purchase and reassessed at each reporting period. The investments in mutual funds (for which market prices are readily available) are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans. Such investments are based upon the employees’ investment elections in their deemed accounts in the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (“ECAP”) from a pre-determined set of securities and the Company invests in marketable securities to mirror these elections. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The investments that the Company may sell within the next twelve months are carried as current assets. Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis; dividends are recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Interest, dividend income and the changes in fair value in trading securities are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in other income, net.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company determines the fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, the fair value is based upon the quoted market price of similar assets. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy as defined below:

 

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

As of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, marketable securities, foreign currency forward contracts and an interest rate swap. The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as trading are obtained

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

from quoted market prices and the fair values of foreign currency forward contracts or the interest rate swap are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets and financial instruments.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk due to the outstanding senior secured credit agreement entered on June 15, 2016. The Company has entered into an interest rate swap agreement to effectively convert its variable debt to a fixed-rate basis. The principal objective of these contracts is to eliminate or reduce the variability of the cash flows in interest payments associated with the Company’s long-term debt, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest payment cash flows. The Company has determined that the interest rate swap qualifies as a cash flow hedge in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in the fair value of an interest rate swap agreement designated as a cash flow hedge are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net within stockholders’ equity and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges

The Company has established a program that primarily utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures. These foreign currency forward contracts are neither used for trading purposes nor are they designated as hedging instruments pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Accordingly, the fair value of these contracts is recorded as of the end of the reporting period in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, while the change in fair value is recorded to the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Business Acquisitions

Business acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method. The acquisition method requires the reporting entity to identify the acquirer, determine the acquisition date, recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquired entity and recognize and measure goodwill or a gain from the purchase. The acquiree’s results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill, or if the fair value of the assets acquired exceeds the purchase price consideration, a bargain purchase gain is recorded. Adjustments to fair value assessments are generally recorded to goodwill over the measurement period (not longer than twelve months). The acquisition method also requires that acquisition-related transaction and post-acquisition restructuring costs be charged to expense as committed and requires the Company to recognize and measure certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies and contingent consideration in a business combination.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. The goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit would be considered impaired. To measure the amount of the impairment loss, the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. For each of these tests, the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is determined using a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow methodology. To corroborate the discounted cash flow analysis performed at each reporting unit, a market approach is utilized using observable market data such as comparable companies in similar lines of business that are publicly traded or which are part of a public or private transaction (to the extent available). Results of the annual impairment test performed as of January 31, 2017, indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount and no reporting units were at risk of failing the impairment test. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. The Company’s annual impairment test will be performed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. There was also no indication of potential impairment as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017 that would have required further testing.

Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases, intellectual property and trademarks and are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized in a pattern in which the asset is consumed if that pattern can be reliably determined, or using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which range from one to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset may be less than its carrying amount. As of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, there were no indicators of impairment with respect to the Company’s intangible assets.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

Compensation and Benefits Expense

Compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income consist of compensation and benefits paid to consultants (employees who originate business), executive officers and administrative and support personnel. The most significant portions of this expense are salaries and the amounts paid under the annual performance related bonus plan to employees. The portion of the expense applicable to salaries is comprised of amounts earned by employees during a reporting period. The portion of the expenses applicable to annual performance related bonuses refers to the Company’s annual employee performance related bonus with respect to a fiscal year, the amount of which is communicated and paid to each eligible employee following the completion of the fiscal year.

Each quarter, management makes its best estimate of its annual performance related bonuses, which requires management to, among other things, project annual consultant productivity (as measured by engagement fees billed and collected by executive search consultants and revenue and other performance/profitability metrics for Hay Group and Futurestep consultants), the level of engagements referred by a consultant in one line of business to a different line of business, Company performance including profitability, competitive forces and future economic conditions and their impact on the Company’s results. At the end of each fiscal year, annual performance related bonuses take into account final individual consultant productivity (including referred work), Company/line of business results including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives, the results of individual performance appraisals and the current economic landscape. Accordingly, each quarter the Company reevaluates the assumptions used to estimate annual performance related bonus liability and adjusts the carrying amount of the liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and reports any changes in the estimate in current operations.

Because annual performance-based bonuses are communicated and paid only after the Company reports its full fiscal year results, actual performance-based bonus payments may differ from the prior year’s estimate. Such changes in the bonus estimate historically have been immaterial and are recorded in current operations in the period in which they are determined. The performance related bonus expense was $155.2 million and $136.2 million during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income. During the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, the performance related bonus expense was $56.8 million and $41.1 million, respectively.

Other expenses included in compensation and benefits expense are due to changes in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities, changes in cash surrender value (“CSV”) of company owned life insurance (“COLI”) contracts, amortization of stock compensation awards, payroll taxes and employee insurance benefits. Investments and other assets include long-term retention awards that are generally amortized over four to five years.

Restructuring Charges, Net

The Company accounts for its restructuring charges as a liability when the obligations are incurred and records such charges at fair value. Such charges included one-time employee termination benefits and the cost to terminate an office lease including remaining lease payments. Changes in the estimates of the restructuring charges are recorded in the period the change is determined.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has employee compensation plans under which various types of stock-based instruments are granted. These instruments principally include restricted stock units, restricted stock and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock units, restricted stock and the estimated fair value of stock purchases under the ESPP on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance on accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The new guidance requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. Furthermore, cash flows related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as a financing activity apart from other income tax cash flows. The guidance also allows companies to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting, clarifying that all cash payments made on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be presented as a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The provisions of the guidance are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and were adopted by the Company effective May 1, 2017. The primary impact of the adoption was the recognition of excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes in the current year compared to recording it previously as a component of equity. Additional amendments to the accounting for income taxes and minimum statutory withholding tax requirements had no impact to retained earnings, where the cumulative effect of these changes are required to be recorded. The Company elected to apply the presentation for cash flows related to excess tax benefits retrospectively for all periods presented which resulted in minimal impact to cash used in operations and cash provided

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

by financing activities for the nine months ended January 31, 2017. The presentation requirements for cash flows related to employee taxes paid for withheld shares had no impact on any of the periods presented on our consolidated cash flows statements since such cash flows have historically been presented as a financing activity. The Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating the expected forfeitures over the vesting period. This election did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which superseded revenue recognition requirements regarding contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. Under this new guidance, entities are required to recognize revenue that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis to be performed on transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. In addition, the guidance permits companies to choose between the following two transition methods of adopting ASU 2014-09: (1) the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to all reporting periods presented and (2) the modified retrospective method, with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.

The new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those annual years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018 and expects to apply the modified retrospective method in adopting ASU 2014-09. The Company organized a team and developed a project plan to guide the implementation. The project plan includes working sessions to review, evaluate and document the arrangements with customers under our various reporting units to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard.

The Company has completed its initial evaluation of the impact of ASU 2014-09 on executive search activities and recruitment for non-executive professionals and recruitment process outsourcing. As to executive search and recruitment for non-executive professionals we expect the implementation of ASU 2014-09 to result in timing differences in the recognition of uptick revenue (uptick revenue occurs when a placement’s actual compensation is higher than the original estimated compensation). Currently the Company recognizes uptick revenue as the amount becomes fixed and determinable. Under ASU 2014-09, however, upticks are considered variable consideration and the Company will be required to estimate upticks at contract inception and recognize the revenue over the service period. Based on our initial evaluation the impact of ASU 2014-09 on the recruitment process outsourcing revenue stream is not expected to be material. The Company expects to finalize its evaluation of the impact of ASU No. 2014-09 by the end of the fiscal year.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for leases that generally requires all leases to be recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. The provisions of the guidance are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance in fiscal year beginning May 1, 2019. The provisions of the guidance are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is still evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. Based on our initial assessment, the Company expects that upon adoption it will report an increase in assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet as a result of recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to lease agreements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance provides clarification on specific cash flow issues regarding presentation and classification in the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments in this update are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018. The provisions of the guidance are to be applied using a retrospective transition method. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the definition of a business. The new guidance assists a company when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (disposals) of assets or businesses. The provisions of the guidance require that if the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is substantially concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, then it is not a business. The provisions of the guidance are effective for annual years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018. The provisions of the guidance are to be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The new guidance simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Companies will now perform the goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The amendments of this standard are effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the adoption timeline and the effects that the standard will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance that changes the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The new guidance will change the presentation of net periodic benefit cost related to employer sponsored defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits. Service cost will be included within the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period, while other components of net periodic benefit pension cost will be presented separately outside of operating income. Additionally, only service costs may be capitalized in assets. The amendments of this standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard is not anticipated to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the scope of modification accounting for stock compensation. The new standard provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. This pronouncement is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, but early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance amending and simplifying accounting for hedging activities. The new guidance will refine and expand strategies that qualify for hedge accounting and simplify the application of hedge accounting in certain situations. The amendments of this standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 which provides companies the option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net to retained earnings resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The new guidance requires companies to disclose whether they decided to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net to retained earnings and to disclose a policy for releasing the income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, but early adoption is permitted. If companies elect to reclassify the stranded tax effects the guidance allows it to be recorded in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the Tax Act is recognized. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

2. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

Accounting Standards Codification 260, Earnings Per Share, requires companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends prior to vesting as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. We have granted and expect to continue to grant to certain employees under our restricted stock agreements, grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities. Therefore, we are required to apply the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury method or the two-class method.

Basic earnings per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. Dilutive common equivalent shares include all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock as if they were exercised or converted. Financial instruments that are not in the form of common stock, but when converted into common stock increase earnings per share are anti-dilutive and are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.

During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, restricted stock awards of 0.6 million were outstanding, but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, restricted stock awards of 0.5 million and 0.6 million were outstanding, respectively, but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders:

 

     Three Months Ended
January 31,
     Nine Months Ended
January 31,
 
     2018      2017      2018      2017  
     (in the thousands, except per share data)  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

   $ 27,247      $ 23,897      $ 92,619      $ 57,257  

Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders

     295        227        982        505  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders

     26,952        23,670        91,637        56,752  

Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders

     235        172        804        356  

Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders

     232        171        793        353  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders

   $ 26,955      $ 23,671      $ 91,648      $ 56,755  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

           

Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     55,252        56,173        55,479        56,325  

Effect of dilutive securities:

           

Restricted stock

     738        505        744        540  

Stock options

     3        20        6        24  

ESPP

     4        4        7        28  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     55,997        56,702        56,236        56,917  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings per common share:

           

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.49      $ 0.42      $ 1.65      $ 1.01  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $             0.48      $             0.42      $             1.63      $             1.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

3. Stockholders’ Equity

The following table summarizes the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended January 31, 2018:

 

                                                                    
     Total Korn/Ferry
International
Stockholders’
Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interest
     Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of October 31, 2017

   $ 1,132,014     $ 2,709      $ 1,134,723  

Comprehensive income (loss):

       

Net income

     27,247       180        27,427  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     17,793       46        17,839  

Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax

     361              361  

Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax

     1,077              1,077  

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (5,705            (5,705

Purchase of stock

     (3,503            (3,503

Issuance of stock

     3,412              3,412  

Stock-based compensation

     5,263              5,263  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of January 31, 2018

   $             1,177,959     $             2,935      $             1,180,894  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

The following table summarizes the changes in stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended January 31, 2018:

 

                                                           
     Total Korn/Ferry
International
Stockholders’
Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of April 30, 2017

   $ 1,083,439     $ 3,609     $ 1,087,048  

Comprehensive income (loss):

      

Net income

     92,619       969       93,588  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     29,858       (85     29,773  

Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax

     1,065             1,065  

Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax

     1,470             1,470  

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (17,242           (17,242

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

           (1,558     (1,558

Purchase of stock

     (36,225           (36,225

Issuance of stock

     7,998             7,998  

Stock-based compensation

     14,977             14,977  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 31, 2018

   $ 1,177,959     $ 2,935     $     1,180,894  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended January 31, 2017:

 

                                                           
     Total Korn/Ferry
International
Stockholders’
Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total
  Stockholders’  
Equity
 
       (in thousands)    

Balance as of October 31, 2016

   $ 1,050,553     $ 3,591     $ 1,054,144  

Comprehensive income (loss):

      

Net income

     23,897       481       24,378  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (1,321     (262     (1,583

Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax

     465             465  

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (5,796           (5,796

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

           (1,229     (1,229

Purchase of stock

     (9,578           (9,578

Issuance of stock

     2,778             2,778  

Stock-based compensation

     4,406             4,406  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock

     17             17  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 31, 2017

   $ 1,065,421     $ 2,581     $     1,068,002  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended January 31, 2017:

 

                                                           
     Total Korn/Ferry
International
Stockholders’
Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total
  Stockholders’  
Equity
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of April 30, 2016

   $ 1,045,300     $ 2,001     $ 1,047,301  

Comprehensive income (loss):

      

Net income

     57,257       2,245       59,502  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (19,580     (436     (20,016

Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax

     1,392             1,392  

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (17,546           (17,546

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

           (1,229     (1,229

Purchase of stock

     (20,695           (20,695

Issuance of stock

     5,746             5,746  

Stock-based compensation

     13,497             13,497  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock

     50             50  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 31, 2017

   $ 1,065,421     $ 2,581     $     1,068,002  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

4. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to stockholders’ equity, except those changes resulting from investments by stockholders (changes in paid in capital) and distributions to stockholders (dividends) and is reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, is recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net were as follows:

 

     January 31,
2018
    April 30,
2017
 
     (in thousands)  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   $ (25,501   $ (55,359

Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax

     (14,062     (15,127

Interest rate swap unrealized gain (loss), net of taxes

     892       (578
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

   $             (38,671   $               (71,064
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net for the three months ended January 31, 2018:

 

                                                                                           
     Foreign
Currency
Translation
    Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan (1)
    Unrealized
(Losses) Gains
on Interest Rate
Swap (2)
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of October 31, 2017

   $ (43,294   $ (14,423   $ (185   $ (57,902

Unrealized gains arising during the period

     17,793             973       18,766  

Reclassification of realized net losses to net income

           361       104       465  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 31, 2018

   $         (25,501   $         (14,062   $         892     $         (38,671
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net for the nine months ended January 31, 2018:

 

 

     Foreign
Currency
Translation
    Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan (1)
    Unrealized
(Losses) Gains
on Interest Rate
Swap (2)
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of April 30, 2017

   $ (55,359 )   $ (15,127   $ (578   $ (71,064

Unrealized gains arising during the period

     29,858             1,061       30,919  

Reclassification of realized net losses to net income

           1,065       409       1,474  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 31, 2018

   $         (25,501   $ (14,062   $ 892     $ (38,671
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The tax effect on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, respectively.
(2) The tax effect on unrealized gains was $0.6 million and $0.6 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, respectively. The tax effect on the reclassification of realized net losses to net income was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net for the three months ended January 31, 2017:

 

                                                              
     Foreign
Currency
  Translation  
    Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan (1)
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of October 31, 2016

   $ (54,598   $ (20,645   $ (75,243

Unrealized losses arising during the period

     (1,321           (1,321

Reclassification of realized net losses to net income

           465       465  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 31, 2017

   $ (55,919   $ (20,180   $ (76,099
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net for the nine months ended January 31, 2017:

 

                                                              
     Foreign
Currency
  Translation  
    Deferred
 Compensation 
and Pension
Plan (1)
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of April 30, 2016

   $ (36,339   $ (21,572   $ (57,911

Unrealized losses arising during the period

     (19,580           (19,580

Reclassification of realized net losses to net income

           1,392       1,392  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 31, 2017

   $ (55,919   $ (20,180   $ (76,099
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The tax effect on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.3 million and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, respectively.

5. Employee Stock Plans

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
January 31,
    Nine Months Ended
January 31,
 
         2018         2017     2018     2017  
     (in thousands)  

Restricted stock

   $ 5,263     $ 4,406     $ 14,977     $ 13,497  

ESPP

     254       175       823       604  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax

     5,517       4,581       15,800       14,101  

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense

     (2,750     (1,111     (5,798     (3,778
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

   $             2,767     $             3,470     $             10,002     $             10,323  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock Incentive Plans

At the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on October 6, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement to the Korn/Ferry International Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2016 amendment and restatement being “The Third A&R 2008 Plan”), which among other things, increased the number of shares under the plan by 5,500,000 shares, increasing the current maximum number of shares that may be issued under the plan to 11,200,000 shares, subject to certain changes in the Company’s capital structure and other extraordinary events. The Third A&R 2008 Plan provides for the grant of awards to eligible participants, designated as either nonqualified or incentive stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, any of which may be performance-based or market-based, and incentive bonuses, which may be paid in cash or stock or a combination thereof. Under the Third A&R 2008 Plan, the ability to issue full-value awards is limited by requiring full-value stock awards to count 2.3 times as much as stock options.

 

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January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

Restricted Stock

The Company grants time-based restricted stock awards to executive officers and other senior employees generally vesting over a four-year period. In addition, certain key management members typically receive time-based restricted stock awards upon commencement of employment and may receive them annually in conjunction with the Company’s performance review. Time-based restricted stock awards are granted at a price equal to fair value, which is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense for time-based restricted stock awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

The Company also grants market-based and performance-based restricted stock units to executive officers and other senior employees. The market-based units vest after three years depending upon the Company’s total stockholder return over the three-year performance period relative to other companies in its selected peer group. The fair value of these market-based restricted stock units is determined by using extensive market data that is based on historical Company and peer group information. The Company recognizes compensation expense for market-based restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Performance-based restricted stock units vest after three years depending upon the Company meeting certain objectives that are set at the time the restricted stock unit is issued. Performance-based restricted stock units are granted at a price equal to the fair value, which is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. At the end of each reporting period, the Company estimates the number of restricted stock units expected to vest, based on the probability that certain performance objectives will be met, exceeded, or fall below target levels, and the Company takes into account these estimates when calculating the expense for the period.

Restricted stock activity during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 is summarized below:

 

             Shares             Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Non-vested, April 30, 2017

     1,581     $ 29.74  

Granted

     623     $ 37.46  

Vested

     (419   $ 26.01  

Forfeited

     (68   $ 33.28  
  

 

 

   

Non-vested, January 31, 2018

     1,717     $ 33.31  
  

 

 

   

As of January 31, 2018, there were 0.7 million shares and 0.2 million shares outstanding relating to market-based and performance-based restricted stock units, respectively, with total unrecognized compensation totaling $9.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

As of January 31, 2018, there was $35.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to all non-vested awards of restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, 4,653 shares and 105,024 shares of restricted stock totaling $0.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, were repurchased by the Company, at the option of employees, to pay for taxes related to vesting of restricted stock. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, 7,151 shares and 193,668 shares of restricted stock totaling $0.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, were repurchased by the Company, at the option of employees, to pay for taxes related to vesting of restricted stock.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an ESPP that, in accordance with Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows eligible employees to authorize payroll deductions of up to 15% of their salary to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at 85% of the fair market price of the common stock on the last day of the enrollment period. Employees may not purchase more than $25,000 in stock during any calendar year. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the ESPP is 3.0 million shares. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, employees purchased 82,464 shares at $35.17 per share and 198,749 shares at $31.77 per share, respectively. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, employees purchased 93,130 shares at $25.01 per share and 207,141 shares at $20.93 per share, respectively. As of January 31, 2018, the ESPP had approximately 1.1 million shares remaining available for future issuance.

Common Stock

During the nine months ended January 31, 2018, the Company issued 41,075 shares of common stock, as a result of the exercise of stock options, with cash proceeds from the exercise of $0.6 million. No stock options were exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2018. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, the Company issued 2,510 shares and

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

46,600 shares of common stock, respectively, as a result of the exercise of stock options, with cash proceeds from the exercise of $0.03 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, the Company repurchased (on the open market) 80,800 shares and 974,079 shares of the Company’s common stock for $3.3 million and $32.6 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, the Company repurchased (on the open market) 383,598 shares and 719,098 shares of the Company’s common stock for $9.4 million and $16.3 million, respectively.

6. Financial Instruments

The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classification as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017:

 

     January 31, 2018  
     Fair Value Measurement     Balance Sheet Classification  
     Cost      Unrealized
      Gains      
       Unrealized  
Losses
    Fair Value     Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
     Marketable
Securities,
Current
     Marketable
Securities,
Non-current
     Income
Taxes &
Other
Receivables
     Other
Accrued
Liabilities
 
     (in thousands)  

Level 1:

                        

Cash

   $ 388,962      $      $     $ 388,962     $ 388,962      $      $      $      $  

Money market funds

     1,028                     1,028       1,028                              

Mutual funds (1)

     124,202        15,489        (688     139,003              14,807        124,196                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $     514,192      $ 15,489      $ (688   $ 528,993     $ 389,990      $ 14,807      $ 124,196      $      $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Level 2:

                        

Foreign currency forward contracts

   $      $ 814      $ (1,992   $ (1,178   $      $      $      $ 78      $ (1,256

Interest rate swap

   $      $ 1,390      $     $ 1,390     $      $      $      $ 1,390      $  
                        
     April 30, 2017  
     Fair Value Measurement     Balance Sheet Classification  
     Cost      Unrealized
      Gains      
       Unrealized  
Losses
    Fair Value     Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
     Marketable
Securities,
Current
     Marketable
Securities,
Non-current
     Income
Taxes &
Other
Receivables
     Other
Accrued
Liabilities
 
     (in thousands)  

Level 1:

                        

Cash

   $ 409,824      $      $     $ 409,824     $ 409,824      $      $      $      $  

Money market funds

     1,058                     1,058       1,058                              

Mutual funds (1)

     113,818        6,697        (578     119,937              4,363        115,574                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $     524,700      $ 6,697      $ (578   $ 530,819     $ 410,882      $ 4,363      $ 115,574      $      $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Level 2:

                        

Foreign currency forward contracts

   $      $ 129      $ (846   $ (717   $      $      $      $      $ (717

Interest rate swap

   $      $      $ (947   $ (947   $      $      $      $      $ (947

 

(1) These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $122.3 million and $99.5 million as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 7 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized income of $7.2 million and $14.0 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income, net. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized income of $3.9 million and $7.1 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income, net.

Investments in marketable securities classified as trading are based upon employee elections from a pre-determined set of securities in the ECAP and the Company invests in marketable securities to mirror these elections. As of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, the Company’s investments in marketable securities classified as trading consist of mutual funds for which market prices are readily available.

 

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January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

Designated Derivatives - Interest Rate Swap Agreement

In March 2017, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract with a notional amount of $129.8 million, to hedge the variability to changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate risks caused by changes in interest rates related to its variable rate debt. The Company has designated the swap as a cash flow hedge. The notional amount will be amortized so that the amount is always half of the principal balance of the debt outstanding. As of January 31, 2018, the notional amount was $122.0 million. The interest rate swap agreement matures on June 15, 2021 and locks the interest rates on half the debt outstanding at 1.919%, exclusive of the credit spread on the debt.

The fair value of the derivative designated as a cash flow hedge instrument is as follows:

 

                                                                   
         January 31,    
2018
             April 30,        
2017
 
     (in thousands)  

Derivative asset:

     

Interest rate swap contract

   $ 1,390      $  

Derivative liability:

     

Interest rate swap contract

   $      $ 947  

During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, the Company recognized the following gains and losses on the interest rate swap:

 

                                                             
         Three Months    
Ended
          Nine Months     
Ended
 
     January 31, 2018  
     (in thousands)  

Gains recognized in other comprehensive income (net of tax effects of $553 and $609, respectively)

   $ 973      $ 1,061  

Losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense, net

   $ 167      $ 667  

As the critical terms of the hedging instrument and the hedged forecasted transaction are the same, the Company has concluded that the changes in the fair value or cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged are expected to completely offset at inception and on an ongoing basis.

We estimate that the amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of January 31, 2018 that will be reclassified into interest expense, net within the following 12 months is less than $0.1 million in income. The cash flows related to the interest rate swap contract are included in net cash provided by operating activities.

Non-Designated Derivatives – Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows:

 

                                                             
           January 31,      
2018
            April 30,        
2017
 
     (in thousands)  

Derivative assets:

    

Total gross amount of foreign currency forward contracts

   $ 814     $  

Gross derivatives offset on the balance sheet (1)

     (736      
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amounts presented on the balance sheet

   $ 78     $  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities:

    

Total gross amount of foreign currency forward contracts

   $ 1,992     $ 846  

Gross derivatives offset on the balance sheet (1)

     (736     (129
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amounts presented on the balance sheet

   $ 1,256     $ 717  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) These amounts represent the impact of netting derivative assets and derivative liabilities when a legally enforceable master netting agreement exists and fair value of adjustments related to our counterparty credit risk.

As of January 31, 2018, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $19.7 million and $57.2 million, respectively. As of April 30, 2017, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $19.4

 

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January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

million and $70.0 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, the Company incurred losses of $1.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively, related to forward contracts which is recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. These losses offset foreign currency gains that result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, the Company incurred gains of $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, related to forward contracts. These gains offset foreign currency losses that result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency. The cash flows related to foreign currency forward contracts are included in net cash used in operating activities.

7. Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans

The Company has several deferred compensation and retirement plans for eligible consultants and vice presidents that provide defined benefits to participants based on the deferral of current compensation or contributions made by the Company subject to vesting and retirement or termination provisions. Among these plans is a defined benefit pension plan for certain Hay Group employees in the United States. The assets of this plan are held separately from the assets of the sponsors in self-administered funds. The plan is funded consistent with local statutory requirements. All other defined benefit obligations from other plans are unfunded.

The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:

 

                                                                           
             Three Months Ended         
January 31,
            Nine Months Ended        
January 31,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  
     (in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ 3,235     $ 1,793     $ 8,526     $ 3,981  

Interest cost

     958       1,062       2,876       3,185  

Amortization of actuarial loss

     577       763       1,731       2,289  

Expected return on plan assets (1)

     (398     (389     (1,195     (1,169
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 4,372     $ 3,229     $ 11,938     $ 8,286  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 6.50% for January 31, 2018 and 2017.

The Company purchased COLI contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of funding benefits under such plans. The gross CSV of these contracts of $185.0 million and $180.3 million as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively, is offset by outstanding policy loans of $66.8 million and $67.2 million in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investments increased by $1.8 million and $6.0 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, respectively, and is recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investments increased by $0.1 million and $3.3 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, respectively, and is recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

The Company’s ECAP is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis. In addition, the Company, as part of its compensation philosophy, makes discretionary contributions into the ECAP and such contributions may be granted to key employees annually based on the employee’s performance. Certain key management may also receive Company ECAP contributions upon commencement of employment. The Company amortizes these contributions on a straight-line basis over the service period, generally a four- to five-year period. Participants have the ability to allocate their deferrals among a number of investment options and may receive their benefits at termination, retirement or “in service” either in a lump sum or in quarterly installments over one to 15 years. The ECAP amounts that are expected to be paid to employees over the next 12 months are classified as a current liability included in compensation and benefits payable on the accompanying balance sheet.

The ECAP is accounted for whereby the changes in the fair value of the vested amounts owed to the participants are adjusted with a corresponding charge (or credit) to compensation and benefits costs. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized an increase in compensation expense of $7.2 million and $14.4 million, respectively. Offsetting the increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities classified as trading (held in trust to satisfy obligations under the ECAP) of $7.2 million and $14.0 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, respectively, recorded in other income, net on the consolidated statements of income. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized an increase in compensation expense of $4.1 million and $6.7 million, respectively. Offsetting the increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities classified as trading (held in trust to satisfy obligations under the ECAP) of $3.9 million and $7.1 million during the

 

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January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, respectively, recorded in other income, net on the consolidated statements of income (see Note 6 — Financial Instruments).

8. Restructuring Charges, Net

During fiscal 2016, the Company implemented a restructuring plan in order to rationalize its cost structure by eliminating redundant positions and consolidating office space due to the acquisition of Legacy Hay on December 1, 2015. The Company continued the implementation of the fiscal 2016 restructuring plan in fiscal 2018 in order to integrate the Hay Group entities that were acquired in fiscal 2016 by consolidating premises.

Changes in the restructuring liability during the three months ended January 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

         Severance             Facilities             Total      
     (in thousands)  

Liability as of October 31, 2017

   $ 1,541     $ 4,716     $ 6,257  

Reductions for cash payments

     (231     (1,063     (1,294

Exchange rate fluctuations

     123       55       178  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liability as of January 31, 2018

   $             1,433     $             3,708     $             5,141  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Changes in the restructuring liability during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

 

     Severance     Facilities     Total  
     (in thousands)  

Liability as of April 30, 2017

   $ 5,341     $ 8,354     $ 13,695  

Restructuring charges, net

           78       78  

Reductions for cash payments

     (4,178     (5,328     (9,506

Exchange rate fluctuations

     270       604       874  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liability as of January 31, 2018

   $ 1,433     $ 3,708     $ 5,141  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, the restructuring liability is included in the current portion of other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, except for $1.6 million and $4.6 million, respectively, of facilities costs which primarily relate to commitments under operating leases, net of sublease income, which are included in other long-term liabilities.

The restructuring liability by segment is summarized below:

 

                                                                                
     January 31, 2018  
         Severance              Facilities              Total      
     (in thousands)  

Executive Search

        

North America

   $      $ 262      $ 262  

Asia Pacific

            5        5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Executive Search

            267        267  

Hay Group

     1,433        3,340        4,773  

Futurestep

            101        101  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liability as of January 31, 2018

   $             1,433      $             3,708      $             5,141  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

                                                                                
     April 30, 2017  
         Severance              Facilities              Total      
     (in thousands)  

Executive Search

        

North America

   $ 134      $ 250      $ 384  

Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”)

     393               393  

Asia Pacific

            6        6  

Latin America

            87        87  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Executive Search

     527        343        870  

Hay Group

     4,814        7,879        12,693  

Futurestep

            132        132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liability as of April 30, 2017

   $             5,341      $             8,354      $             13,695  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

9. Business Segments

The Company currently operates in three global businesses: Executive Search, Hay Group and Futurestep. The Executive Search segment focuses on recruiting Board of Director and C-level positions, in addition to research-based interviewing and onboarding solutions, for clients predominantly in the consumer, financial services, industrial, life sciences/healthcare and technology industries. Hay Group assists clients with ongoing assessment, compensation and development of their senior executives and management teams, and addresses four fundamental needs: Talent Strategy, Succession Management, Leadership Development and Rewards, Motivation and Engagement, all underpinned by a comprehensive array of world-leading intellectual property, products and tools. Futurestep is a global industry leader in high-impact talent acquisition solutions. Its portfolio of services includes global and regional RPO, project recruitment, individual professional search and consulting. The Executive Search business segment is managed by geographic regional leaders and Hay Group and Futurestep worldwide operations are managed by their Chief Executive Officers. The Executive Search geographic regional leaders and the Chief Executive Officers of Hay Group and Futurestep report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company also operates a Corporate segment to record global expenses of the Company.

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the Company’s chief operating decision maker’s review of (1) fee revenue and (2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges, net, integration/acquisition costs, certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset and other than temporary impairment). The accounting policies for the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies, except the items described above are excluded from EBITDA to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA. For the nine months ended January 31, 2017, Adjusted EBITDA includes deferred revenue adjustment related to the Legacy Hay acquisition, reflecting revenue that the Hay Group would have realized if not for business combination accounting that requires a company to record the acquisition balance sheet at fair value and write-off deferred revenue where no future services are required to be performed to earn that revenue.

Financial highlights by business segment are as follows:

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     
     Three Months Ended January 31, 2018  
     Executive Search                          
     North
America
    EMEA     Asia Pacific     Latin
America
    Subtotal     Hay
Group
    Futurestep     Corporate     Consolidated  
     (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

   $ 102,716        $ 46,782        $ 24,493        $ 6,425        $ 180,416        $ 198,056        $ 69,109        $        $ 447,581     

Total revenue

   $ 106,332     $ 47,763     $ 24,942     $ 6,456     $ 185,493     $ 201,961     $ 73,316     $     $ 460,770  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

                   $ 27,247  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

                     180  

Other income, net

                     (7,689

Interest expense, net

                     2,665  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
subsidiaries, net

                     (97

Income tax provision

                     26,316  
                  

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 21,313     $ 7,329     $ 5,289     $ 408     $ 34,339     $ 27,079     $ 10,056     $ (22,852     48,622  

Depreciation and
amortization

     990       458       361       113       1,922       7,882       733       1,688       12,225  

Other income, net

     585       37       185       40       847       370       2       6,470       7,689  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
subsidiaries, net

     97                         97                         97  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

     22,985       7,824       5,835       561       37,205       35,331       10,791       (14,694     68,633  

Integration/acquisition
costs

                                   1,593             80       1,673  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $         22,985     $         7,824     $         5,835     $         561     $         37,205     $         36,924     $         10,791     $         (14,614   $         70,306  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

     Three Months Ended January 31, 2017  
     Executive Search                           
     North
America
     EMEA      Asia Pacific      Latin
America
    Subtotal      Hay
Group
    Futurestep     Corporate     Consolidated  
     (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

   $   84,827      $   39,147      $   21,012      $   7,835     $   152,821      $   175,662     $   53,435     $     $ 381,918  

Total revenue

   $ 87,975      $ 39,965      $ 21,336      $ 7,856     $ 157,132      $ 178,962     $ 58,101     $     $ 394,195  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

                       $ 23,897  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

                         481  

Other income, net

                         (4,200

Interest expense, net

                         2,402  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
subsidiaries, net

                         (113

Income tax provision

                         8,075  
                      

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 17,718      $ 8,175      $ 2,086      $ 1,352     $ 29,331      $ 15,988     $ 6,549     $ (21,326     30,542  

Depreciation and
amortization

     996        226        268        (21     1,469        8,061       789       1,455       11,774  

Other income (loss), net

     316        19        60        61       456        122       (2     3,624       4,200  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
subsidiaries, net

     113                            113                          113  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

     19,143        8,420        2,414        1,392       31,369        24,171       7,336       (16,247     46,629  

Restructuring charges, net

                   893        309       1,202        2,519       80             3,801  

Integration/acquisition
costs

                                       3,364             1,466       4,830  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $         19,143      $         8,420      $         3,307      $         1,701     $         32,571      $         30,054     $         7,416     $         (14,781   $         55,260  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                      
     Nine Months Ended January 31, 2018  
     Executive Search                           
     North
America
     EMEA      Asia Pacific      Latin
America
    Subtotal      Hay
Group
    Futurestep     Corporate     Consolidated  
     (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

   $ 296,093      $ 128,249      $ 71,983      $ 22,048     $ 518,373      $ 577,462     $ 196,018     $     $ 1,291,853  

Total revenue

   $ 305,866      $ 130,894      $ 73,009      $ 22,114     $ 531,883      $ 589,093     $ 210,179     $     $ 1,331,155  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

                       $ 92,619  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

                         969  

Other income, net

                         (14,847

Interest expense, net

                         7,904  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
subsidiaries, net

                         (187

Income tax provision

                         54,145  
                      

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 66,253      $ 20,349      $ 12,811      $ 2,961     $ 102,374      $ 72,532     $ 27,702     $ (62,005     140,603  

Depreciation and
amortization

     2,923        1,345        1,052        331       5,651        24,110       2,313       4,807       36,881  

Other income, net

     1,157        136        384        99       1,776        459       10       12,602       14,847  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
subsidiaries, net

     187                            187                          187  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

     70,520        21,830        14,247        3,391       109,988        97,101       30,025       (44,596     192,518  

Restructuring charges (recoveries), net

                   313              313        (241     6             78  

Integration/acquisition
costs

                                       6,455             199       6,654  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $         70,520      $         21,830      $         14,560      $         3,391     $         110,301      $         103,315     $         30,031     $         (44,397   $         199,250  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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LOGO   

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

     Nine Months Ended January 31, 2017  
     Executive Search                            
     North
America
     EMEA     Asia Pacific      Latin
America
     Subtotal      Hay
Group
     Futurestep     Corporate     Consolidated  
     (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

   $     259,361      $     109,296     $    60,108      $     26,645      $     455,410      $     539,086      $     164,960     $     $     1,159,456  
Deferred revenue
adjustment due to
acquisition
                                       3,535                    3,535  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted fee revenue

   $ 259,361      $ 109,296     $ 60,108      $ 26,645      $ 455,410      $ 542,621      $ 164,960           $ 1,162,991  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 269,302      $ 111,721     $ 61,445      $ 26,766      $ 469,234      $ 552,822      $ 180,026     $     $ 1,202,082  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

                        $ 57,257  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

                          2,245  

Other income, net

                          (7,580

Interest expense, net

                          8,199  

Equity in earnings of
unconsolidated
subsidiaries, net

                          (221

Income tax provision

                          21,706  
                       

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 60,458      $ 21,049     $ 6,216      $ 5,966      $ 93,689      $ 31,188      $ 21,849     $ (65,120     81,606  

Depreciation and
amortization

     2,816        666       757        267        4,506        24,102        2,081       4,281       34,970  

Other income (loss), net

     512        (37     171        158        804        346        (4     6,434       7,580  

Equity in earnings of
unconsolidated
subsidiaries, net

     221                            221                           221  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

     64,007        21,678       7,144        6,391        99,220        55,636        23,926       (54,405     124,377  

Restructuring charges, net

     1,706        128       1,515        669        4,018        24,007        80       216       28,321  

Integration/acquisition
costs

                                       11,993              6,684       18,677  

Deferred revenue
adjustment due to
acquisition

                                       3,535                    3,535  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $         65,713      $         21,806     $         8,659      $         7,060      $         103,238      $         95,171      $         24,006     $         (47,505   $         174,910  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

10. Long-Term Debt

On June 15, 2016, the Company entered into a senior secured $400 million Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provides for, among other things: (a) a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $275 million (the “Term Facility”), (b) a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver” and together with the Term Facility, the “Credit Facilities”) in an aggregate principal amount of $125 million, (c) annual term loan amortization of 7.5%, 7.5%, 10.0%, 10.0% and 10.0%, with the remaining principal due at maturity, (d) certain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined below) and a minimum interest coverage ratio and (e) an expanded definition of permitted add-backs to Adjusted EBITDA in recognition of the accelerated integration actions. The Company’s credit agreement permits payment of dividends to stockholders and share repurchases so long as the pro forma leverage ratio is no greater than 2.50 to 1.00, and the pro forma domestic liquidity is at least $50.0 million. The Company drew down $275 million on the term loan and used $140 million of the proceeds to pay-off the term loan that was outstanding as of April 30, 2016.

At the Company’s option, loans issued under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at either LIBOR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable interest rate margin. The interest rate applicable to loans outstanding under the Credit Facilities may fluctuate between LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum to LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum, in the case of LIBOR borrowings (or between the alternate base rate plus 0.25% per annum and the alternate base rate plus 1.00% per annum, in the alternative), based upon the Company’s total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (as set forth in the Credit Agreement, the “consolidated leverage ratio”) at such time. In addition, the Company will be required to pay to the lenders a quarterly fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Term Facility, based upon the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio at such time and fees relating to the issuance of letters of credit. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018, the average rate on the Term Facility was 2.65% and 2.49%, respectively. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017, the average rate on the Term Facility was 2.06% and 2.29%, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2018 (continued)

  

 

Both the Revolver and the Term Facility mature on June 15, 2021 and may be prepaid and terminated early by the Company at any time without premium or penalty (subject to customary LIBOR breakage fees). The Term Facility is payable in quarterly installments with principal payments totalling $15.5 million made during the nine months ended January 31, 2018. As of January 31, 2018, $244.1 million was outstanding under the Term Facility compared to $259.5 million as of April 30, 2017. The current and long-term portion of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the long-term debt, was $2.9 million and $3.5 million as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s Term Facility is based on borrowing rates currently required of loans with similar terms, maturity and credit risk. The carrying amount of the Term Facility approximates fair value because the base interest rate charged varies with market conditions and the credit spread is commensurate with current market spreads for issuers of similar risk. The fair value of the Term Facility is classified as a Level 2 liability in the fair value hierarchy. As of January 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.

As of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, the Company had no borrowings under the Revolver. The Company had $2.9 million and $3.0 million of standby letters of credits issued under its long-term debt arrangements as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively. The Company had a total of $7.3 million and $8.1 million of standby letters of credits with other financial institutions as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively. The standby letters of credits were generally issued as a result of entering into office premise leases.

11. Income Taxes

The current fiscal year effective tax rate was significantly impacted by the December 22, 2017 enactment of the Tax Act into law in the United States. The most significant impacts of the Tax Act on the Company include (1) a reduction in the U.S. corporate federal statutory income tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% effective January 1, 2018, and (2) a one-time tax on accumulated foreign earnings (the “Transition Tax”), which is applicable at a rate of 15.5% on cash and other specified assets and 8% on other residual earnings. Because our fiscal year-end is April 30, 2018, the Company’s fiscal 2018 statutory federal tax rate is 30.4%.

As a result of the enactment of the Tax Act, the Company recorded a provisional tax charge of $16.3 million for the Transition Tax and a provisional tax benefit of $5.8 million from the remeasurement of our U.S. federal deferred tax assets and liabilities at the rate at which we expect these deferred tax balances to be realized (30.4% in fiscal 2018 and 21.0% thereafter). The amounts recorded as a result of the enactment of the Tax Act, specifically the impact of the Transition Tax and the remeasurement of deferred tax balances, are provisional estimates. Additional information and analysis are required to finalize the impact that the Tax Act will have on our financial results, including the final determination of foreign cash and other specified assets at the end of fiscal 2018, refinement of the computation of foreign subsidiaries earnings and the final determination of deferred tax balances subject to remeasurement. Additionally, anticipated future guidance from the Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission could result in changes to these provisional amounts. The Company will continue to appropriately refine these amounts within the measurement period allowed by Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No.118, which will be completed no later than December 22, 2018.

12. Subsequent Events

Quarterly Dividend Declaration

On March 5, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share with a payment date of April 13, 2018 to holders of the Company’s common stock of record at the close of business on March 26, 2018. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend policy will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, the terms of the Company’s indebtedness and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem to be relevant. The Board may amend, revoke or suspend the dividend policy at any time and for any reason.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, “forward-looking” statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “may,” “will,” “likely,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. The principal risk factors that could cause actual performance and future actions to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in demand for our services as a result of automation, dependence on attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, maintaining our relationships with customers and suppliers and retaining key employees, maintaining our brand name and professional reputation, potential legal liability and regulatory developments, portability of client relationships, global and local political or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, currency fluctuations in our international operations, risks related to growth, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, competition, reliance on information processing systems, cyber security vulnerabilities, changes to data security, data privacy, and data protection laws, limited protection of our intellectual property, our ability to enhance and develop new technology, our ability to successfully recover from a disaster or business continuity problems, employment liability risk, an impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, deferred tax assets that we may not be able to use, our ability to develop new products and services, changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions, tax accounting effects of the Tax Act, alignment of our cost structure, risks related to the integration of recently acquired businesses, the utilization and billing rates of our consultants, seasonality and the matters disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Exchange Act reports, including Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017 (“Form 10-K”) and Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

The following presentation of management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We also make available on the Investor Relations portion of our website at www.kornferry.com earnings slides and other important information, which we encourage you to review.

Executive Summary

Korn/Ferry International (referred to herein as the “Company,” “Korn Ferry,” or in the first person notations “we,” “our,” and “us”) is a global organizational consulting firm. Our services include Executive Search, advisory solutions and products through Hay Group (formerly known as Leadership & Talent Consulting (“Legacy LTC”) which was combined with HG (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l (“Legacy Hay”) in December 2015) and recruitment for non-executive professionals and recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”) through Futurestep. The Company also operates a Corporate segment to record global expenses of the Company. Approximately 71% of the executive searches we performed in fiscal 2017 were for board level, chief executive and other senior executive and general management positions. Our 3,589 executive search clients in fiscal 2017 included many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, including approximately 57% of the Fortune 500, middle market and emerging growth companies, as well as government and nonprofit organizations. We have built strong client loyalty, with 82% of assignments performed (without giving effect to Legacy Hay assignments) during fiscal 2017 having been on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years. Approximately 61% of our revenues were generated from clients that utilize multiple lines of business.

Superior performance comes from having the right conditions for success in two key areas – the organization and its people. Organizational conditions encourage people to put forth their best effort and invest their energy towards achieving the organization’s purpose. We can help operationalize a client’s complete strategy or address any combination of five broad categories:

 

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Organizational Strategy    We map talent strategy to business strategy by designing operating models and organizational structures that align to them, helping organizations put their plans into action. We make sure they have the right people, in the right roles, engaged and enabled to do the right things.
Assessment and Succession    We provide actionable, research-backed insights that allow organizations to understand the true capabilities of their people so they can make decisions that ensure the right leaders are ready — when and where they are needed — in the future.
Talent Acquisition    From executive search to recruitment process outsourcing, we integrate scientific research with our practical experience and industry-specific expertise to recruit professionals of all levels and functions for client organizations.
Leadership Development    We activate purpose, vision and strategy through leaders at all levels and organizations. We combine expertise, science and proven techniques with forward thinking and creativity to build leadership experiences that help entry- to senior-level leaders grow and deliver superior results.
Rewards and Benefits    We help organizations align reward with strategy. We help them pay their people fairly for doing the right things — with rewards they value — at a cost the organization can afford.

The Company currently operates in three global business segments: Executive Search, Hay Group and Futurestep. See Note 9 — Business Segments, in the Notes to Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements for discussion of the Company’s global business segments. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the chief operating decision maker’s review of (1) fee revenue and (2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges (recoveries), net, integration/acquisition costs and certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset and other than temporary impairment). For the nine months ended January 31, 2017, Adjusted EBITDA includes a deferred revenue adjustment related to the Legacy Hay acquisition, reflecting revenue that Hay Group would have realized if not for business combination accounting that requires a company to record the acquisition balance sheet at fair value and write-off deferred revenue where no future services are required to be performed to earn that revenue. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018 and the three months ended January 31, 2017, management no longer has adjusted fee revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. They have limitations as analytical tools, should not be viewed as a substitute for financial information determined in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. In addition, they may not necessarily be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

Management believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides meaningful supplemental information regarding Korn Ferry’s performance by excluding certain charges, items of income and other items that may not be indicative of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operating results. The use of these non-GAAP financial measures facilitates comparisons to Korn Ferry’s historical performance and identification of operating trends that may otherwise be distorted by certain charges and other items that may not be indicative of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operating results. Korn Ferry includes these non-GAAP financial measures because management believes it is useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its evaluation of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operations and financial and operational decision-making. The accounting policies for the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, except that the above noted items are excluded from EBITDA to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA. Management further believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by investors and other interested parties to measure operating performance among companies with different capital structures, effective tax rates and tax attributes and capitalized asset values, all of which can vary substantially from company to company.

Similarly, adjusted fee revenue, which includes revenue that Hay Group would have realized over the ensuing year after the acquisition if not for business combination accounting that requires a company to record the acquisition balance sheet at fair value and write-off deferred revenue where no future services are required to be performed to earn that revenue, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted fee revenue is not a measure that substitutes an individually tailored revenue recognition or measurement method for those of GAAP; rather, it is an adjustment for a short period of time that will provide better comparability in the current and future periods. Management believes the presentation of adjusted fee revenue assists management in its evaluation of ongoing operations and provides useful information to investors because it allows investors to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s operating results, to better identify operating trends that may otherwise be distorted by write-offs required under business combination accounting and to perform related trend analysis and provides a higher degree of transparency of information used by management in its evaluation of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operations and financial and operational decision-making.

Fee revenue was $447.6 million during the three months ended January 31, 2018, an increase of $65.7 million, or 17%, compared to $381.9 million in the three months ended January 31, 2017, with increases in fee revenue in all business segments. During the three months ended January 31, 2018, we recorded operating income of $48.6 million with Executive

 

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Search, Hay Group and Futurestep segments contributing $34.3 million, $27.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively, offset by Corporate expenses of $22.9 million. Net income attributable to Korn Ferry increased $3.3 million during the three months ended January 31, 2018 to $27.2 million from $23.9 million for the year-ago quarter. During the three months ended January 31, 2018, Adjusted EBITDA was $70.3 million with Executive Search, Hay Group and Futurestep segments contributing $37.2 million, $36.9 million and $10.8 million, respectively, offset by Corporate expenses net of other income of $14.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $70.3 million, an increase of $15.0 million during the three months ended January 31, 2018, from Adjusted EBITDA of $55.3 million in the year-ago quarter.

Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities decreased $1.8 million to $529.0 million at January 31, 2018, compared to $530.8 million at April 30, 2017. This decrease is mainly due to bonuses earned in fiscal 2017 and paid during fiscal 2018, sign-on and retention payments, stock repurchases in the open market, payments for the purchase of property and equipment, dividends paid during fiscal 2018 and principal payments on our term loan, partially offset by cash provided by operating activities. As of January 31, 2018, we held marketable securities to settle obligations under our Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (“ECAP”) with a cost value of $124.2 million and a fair value of $139.0 million. Our vested obligations for which these assets were held in trust totaled $122.3 million as of January 31, 2018 and our unvested obligations totaled $29.7 million.

Our working capital increased from April 30, 2017 to January 31, 2018 by $40.1 million to $425.2 million as of January 31, 2018. We believe that cash on hand and funds from operations and other forms of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate requirements, repayment of the debt obligations incurred in connection with the Legacy Hay acquisition, the retention pool obligations pursuant to the Legacy Hay acquisition and dividend payments under our dividend policy in the next twelve months. We had no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility at January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017. As of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, there was $2.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of standby letters of credit issued under our long-term debt arrangements. We had a total of $7.3 million and $8.1 million of standby letters of credits with other financial institutions as of January 31, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of our operations as a percentage of fee revenue:

(Numbers may not total exactly due to rounding)

 

                                                                                       
     Three Months Ended
January 31,
    Nine months Ended
January 31,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  

Fee revenue

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     2.9       3.2       3.0       3.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     102.9       103.2       103.0       103.7  

Compensation and benefits

     69.4       68.7       68.6       68.7  

General and administrative expenses

     13.1       14.9       13.6       14.3  

Reimbursed expenses

     2.9       3.2       3.0       3.7  

Cost of services

     3.9       4.3       4.1       4.5  

Depreciation and amortization

     2.7       3.1       2.9       3.0  

Restructuring charges, net

     —         1.0       —         2.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     10.9       8.0       10.9       7.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     6.1     6.4     7.2     5.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

     6.1     6.3     7.2     4.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The following tables summarize the results of our operations by business segment:

(Numbers may not total exactly due to rounding)

 

     Three Months Ended January 31,     Nine months Ended January 31,  
     2018     2017     2018     2017  
     Dollars     %     Dollars     %     Dollars     %     Dollars     %  
     (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

                

Executive Search:

                

North America

   $ 102,716       22.9   $ 84,827       22.2   $ 296,093       22.9   $ 259,361       22.4

EMEA

     46,782       10.5       39,147       10.3       128,249       9.9       109,296       9.4  

Asia Pacific

     24,493       5.5       21,012       5.5       71,983       5.6       60,108       5.2  

Latin America.

     6,425       1.4       7,835       2.0       22,048       1.7       26,645       2.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Executive Search

     180,416       40.3       152,821       40.0       518,373       40.1       455,410       39.3  

Hay Group

     198,056       44.3       175,662       46.0       577,462       44.7       539,086       46.5  

Futurestep

     69,109       15.4       53,435       14.0       196,018       15.2       164,960       14.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fee revenue

     447,581       100.0     381,918       100.0     1,291,853       100.0     1,159,456       100.0
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     13,189         12,277         39,302         42,626    
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total revenue

   $       460,770       $       394,195       $       1,331,155       $       1,202,082    
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   
                
     Three Months Ended January 31,     Nine months Ended January 31,  
     2018     2017     2018     2017  
     Dollars     Margin
(1)
    Dollars     Margin
(1)
    Dollars     Margin
(1)
    Dollars     Margin
(1)
 
     (in thousands)  

Operating Income

                

Executive Search:

                

North America

   $ 21,313       20.7   $ 17,718       20.9   $ 66,253       22.4   $ 60,458       23.3

EMEA

     7,329       15.7       8,175       20.9       20,349       15.9       21,049       19.3  

Asia Pacific

     5,289       21.6       2,086       9.9       12,811       17.8       6,216       10.3  

Latin America.

     408       6.4       1,352       17.3       2,961       13.4       5,966       22.4  
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total Executive Search

     34,339       19.0       29,331       19.2       102,374       19.7       93,689       20.6  

Hay Group

     27,079       13.7       15,988       9.1       72,532       12.6       31,188       5.8  

Futurestep

     10,056       14.6       6,549       12.3       27,702       14.1       21,849       13.2  

Corporate

     (22,852           (21,326           (62,005           (65,120      
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total operating income

   $ 48,622       10.9   $ 30,542           8.0   $ 140,603       10.9   $ 81,606       7.0
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1) Margin calculated as a percentage of fee revenue by business segment.

 

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    Three Months Ended January 31, 2018  
    Executive Search                          
    North
America
    EMEA     Asia Pacific     Latin
    America    
    Subtotal     Hay
Group
    Futurestep         Corporate         Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

  $   102,716     $   46,782     $   24,493     $       6,425     $       180,416     $     198,056     $ 69,109     $     $ 447,581  

Total revenue

  $   106,332     $   47,763     $   24,942     $       6,456     $       185,493     $     201,961     $ 73,316     $     $ 460,770  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

                  $ 27,247  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

                    180  

Other income, net

                    (7,689

Interest expense, net

                    2,665  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

                    (97

Income tax provision

                    26,316  
                 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 21,313     $ 7,329     $ 5,289     $ 408     $ 34,339     $ 27,079     $ 10,056     $ (22,852     48,622  

Depreciation and amortization

    990       458       361       113       1,922       7,882       733       1,688       12,225  

Other income, net

    585       37       185       40       847       370       2       6,470       7,689  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    97                         97                         97  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    22,985       7,824       5,835       561       37,205       35,331       10,791       (14,694     68,633  

Integration/acquisition costs

                                  1,593             80       1,673  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 22,985     $ 7,824     $ 5,835     $ 561     $ 37,205     $ 36,924     $ 10,791     $ (14,614   $ 70,306  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    22.4     16.7     23.8     8.7     20.6     18.6     15.6       15.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

    Three Months Ended January 31, 2017  
    Executive Search                          
    North
America
    EMEA     Asia Pacific     Latin
    America    
    Subtotal     Hay
Group
    Futurestep         Corporate         Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

  $     84,827     $   39,147     $   21,012     $       7,835     $       152,821     $     175,662     $ 53,435     $     $ 381,918  

Total revenue

  $     87,975     $   39,965     $   21,336     $       7,856     $       157,132     $     178,962     $ 58,101     $     $ 394,195  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

                  $ 23,897  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

                    481  

Other income, net

                    (4,200

Interest expense, net

                    2,402  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

                    (113

Income tax provision

                    8,075  
                 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 17,718     $ 8,175     $ 2,086     $ 1,352     $ 29,331     $ 15,988     $ 6,549     $ (21,326     30,542  

Depreciation and amortization

    996       226       268       (21     1,469       8,061       789       1,455       11,774  

Other income (loss), net

    316       19       60       61       456       122       (2     3,624       4,200  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    113                         113                         113  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    19,143       8,420       2,414       1,392       31,369       24,171       7,336       (16,247     46,629  

Restructuring charges, net

                893       309       1,202       2,519       80             3,801  

Integration/acquisition costs

                                  3,364             1,466       4,830  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 19,143     $ 8,420     $ 3,307     $ 1,701     $ 32,571     $ 30,054     $ 7,416     $ (14,781   $ 55,260  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    22.6     21.5     15.7     21.7     21.3     17.1     13.9       14.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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    Nine months Ended January 31, 2018  
    Executive Search                          
    North
America
    EMEA     Asia Pacific     Latin
  America  
    Subtotal     Hay
Group
    Futurestep       Corporate       Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

  $   296,093     $   128,249     $       71,983     $       22,048     $       518,373     $       577,462     $     196,018     $     $ 1,291,853  

Total revenue

  $   305,866     $   130,894     $       73,009     $       22,114     $       531,883     $       589,093     $     210,179     $     $ 1,331,155  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

                  $ 92,619  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

                    969  

Other income, net

                    (14,847

Interest expense, net

                    7,904  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

                    (187

Income tax provision

                    54,145  
                 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 66,253     $ 20,349     $ 12,811     $ 2,961     $ 102,374     $ 72,532     $ 27,702     $ (62,005     140,603  

Depreciation and amortization

    2,923       1,345       1,052       331       5,651       24,110       2,313       4,807       36,881  

Other income, net

    1,157       136       384       99       1,776       459       10       12,602       14,847  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    187                         187                         187  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    70,520       21,830       14,247       3,391       109,988       97,101       30,025       (44,596     192,518  

Restructuring charges (recoveries), net

                313             313       (241     6             78  

Integration/acquisition costs

                                  6,455             199       6,654  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 70,520     $ 21,830     $ 14,560     $ 3,391     $ 110,301     $ 103,315     $ 30,031     $ (44,397   $ 199,250  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    23.8     17.0     20.2     15.4     21.3     17.9     15.3       15.4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    Nine months Ended January 31, 2017  
    Executive Search                          
    North
America
    EMEA     Asia Pacific     Latin
  America  
    Subtotal     Hay
Group
    Futurestep       Corporate       Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

  $   259,361     $   109,296     $       60,108     $       26,645     $       455,410     $       539,086     $     164,960     $     $ 1,159,456  

Deferred revenue adjustment due to acquisition

                                  3,535                   3,535  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted fee revenue

  $ 259,361     $ 109,296     $ 60,108     $ 26,645     $ 455,410     $ 542,621     $ 164,960     $     $ 1,162,991  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

  $ 269,302     $ 111,721     $ 61,445     $ 26,766     $ 469,234     $ 552,822     $ 180,026     $     $ 1,202,082  

Net income attributable to Korn/Ferry International

                  $ 57,257  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

                    2,245  

Other income, net

                    (7,580

Interest expense, net

                    8,199  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

                    (221

Income tax provision

                    21,706  
                 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 60,458     $ 21,049     $ 6,216     $ 5,966     $ 93,689     $ 31,188     $ 21,849     $ (65,120     81,606  

Depreciation and amortization

    2,816       666       757       267       4,506       24,102       2,081       4,281       34,970  

Other income (loss), net

    512       (37     171       158       804       346       (4     6,434       7,580  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    221                         221                         221  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    64,007       21,678       7,144       6,391       99,220       55,636       23,926       (54,405     124,377  

Restructuring charges, net

    1,706       128       1,515       669       4,018       24,007       80       216       28,321  

Integration/acquisition costs

                                  11,993             6,684       18,677  

Deferred revenue adjustment due to acquisition

                                  3,535                   3,535  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 65,713     $ 21,806     $ 8,659     $ 7,060     $ 103,238     $ 95,171     $ 24,006     $ (47,505   $ 174,910  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    25.3     20.0     14.4     26.5     22.7     17.5     14.6       15.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Three Months Ended January 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended January 31, 2017

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue. Fee revenue increased by $65.7 million, or 17%, to $447.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $381.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $15.8 million, or 4%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The higher fee revenue was attributable to organic growth in all lines of business.

Executive Search. Executive Search reported fee revenue of $180.4 million, an increase of $27.6 million, or 18%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $152.8 million in the year-ago quarter. As detailed below, Executive Search fee revenue was higher in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific regions, partially offset by lower fee revenue in the Latin America region in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to the year-ago quarter. The higher fee revenue in Executive Search was mainly due to a 10% increase in the number of engagements billed and 4% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $5.6 million, or 4%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018, compared to the year-ago quarter.

North America reported fee revenue of $102.7 million, an increase of $17.9 million, or 21%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $84.8 million in the year-ago quarter. North America’s fee revenue was higher due to a 16% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 4% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The overall increase in fee revenue was driven by the increase in fee revenue from consumer, life sciences/healthcare, technology, industrial, and education/non-profit sectors. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $0.5 million, or 1% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter.

EMEA reported fee revenue of $46.8 million, an increase of $7.7 million, or 20%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $39.1 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $3.9 million, or 10%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018, compared to the year-ago quarter. The rest of the change in fee revenue was due to a 15% increase in the number of engagements billed, offset by a 5% decrease in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The performance in France, United Kingdom, Germany, and Denmark were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. In terms of business sectors, industrial and consumer had the largest increase in fee revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $24.5 million, an increase of $3.5 million, or 17%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $21.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The effect of exchange rates on fee revenue was $1.1 million, or 5%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in fee revenue was due to a 11% increase in the number of engagements billed in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The performance in China, Australia, and Singapore were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. Life sciences/ healthcare, financial services, and technology were the main sectors contributing to the increase in fee revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2018, as compared to the year-ago quarter.

Latin America reported fee revenue of $6.4 million, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 18%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $7.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The effect of exchange rates on fee revenue was minimal. The decrease in fee revenue in the region is due to lower fee revenue in Mexico in the three months ended January 31, 2018, compared to the year-ago quarter, partially offset by higher fee revenue in Argentina. Industrial and financial services were the main sectors contributing to the decline in fee revenue.

Hay Group. Hay Group reported fee revenue of $198.1 million, an increase of $22.4 million, or 13%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $175.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $7.8 million, or 4%, compared to the year-ago quarter. Fee revenue from consulting services was higher by $15.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter, with the remaining increase of $6.8 million generated by our products business.

Futurestep. Futurestep reported fee revenue of $69.1 million, an increase of $15.7 million, or 29%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $53.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $2.4 million, or 4%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018. Higher fee revenues in RPO and professional search of $9.9 million and $6.0 million, respectively, drove the increase in fee revenue.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense increased $48.4 million, or 18%, to $310.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 from $262.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $9.9 million, or 4%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in

 

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compensation and benefits was primarily due to a 9% increase in average headcount, which contributed $25.6 million in higher salaries and related payroll taxes, $3.4 million increase in amortization of long-term incentive awards, $1.8 million in vacation expense and $1.4 million in employee insurance costs. The rest of the change was due to an increase in performance related bonus expense of $15.7 million due to higher fee revenues and an increase in the amounts owed under certain deferred compensation and retirement plans of $4.8 million that was driven by increases in the fair value of participants’ accounts in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increases in compensation and benefits were partially offset by a decline in integration costs of $2.6 million.

Executive Search compensation and benefits expense increased by $21.7 million, or 21%, to $123.7 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $102.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $6.7 million due to a 6% increase in average headcount reflecting our continued growth-related investment back into the business. Also contributing to the increase in compensation and benefits expense was a $7.2 million increase in performance related bonus expense compared to the year-ago quarter, an increase of $3.5 million in expenses associated with our deferred compensation and retirement plans (including the increases in the fair value of participants’ accounts), and $2.4 million increase in amortization of long-term incentive awards. The increase in performance related bonus expense was due to the increase in fee revenue. Executive Search compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 69% and 67% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Hay Group compensation and benefits expense increased $13.9 million, or 12%, to $125.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 from $111.6 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher average consultant headcount of 6% compared to the year-ago quarter which contributed $10.5 million in higher salaries and related payroll taxes and an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $2.6 million due to higher fee revenues, offset by $1.8 million in lower integration costs. Hay Group compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 63% and 64% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $12.3 million, or 34%, to $49.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 from $36.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $7.4 million due to a 31% increase in the average headcount in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The higher average headcount was primarily driven by the need to service an increase in fee revenue in the RPO business. Also contributing to the increase in compensation and benefits was a higher performance related bonus expense of $4.6 million. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 71% and 69% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Corporate compensation and benefits expense increased by $0.4 million, or 3%, to $12.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 from $12.1 million in the year-ago quarter.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $1.7 million, or 3%, to $58.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $56.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $1.8 million, or 3%, during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to increases of $2.1 million and $0.9 million in legal and other professional fees and business development expense, respectively, offset by a decline of $0.6 million in integration costs and a decrease in foreign exchange loss of $0.5 million during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 13% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 15% in the three months ended January 31, 2017.

Executive Search general and administrative expenses increased $1.3 million, or 7%, to $19.3 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 from $18.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to increases of $0.4 million and $0.9 million in legal and other professional fees and other general and administrative expenses, respectively, during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. Executive Search general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 11% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 12% in the three months ended January 31, 2017.

Hay Group general and administrative expenses decreased $0.8 million, or 3%, to $24.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 from $24.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was due to generating a foreign exchange gain of $0.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to a foreign exchange loss of $1.0 million in the year-ago quarter. This was offset by an increase in legal and other professional fees of $0.4 million. Hay Group general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 12% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 14% in the three months ended January 31, 2017.

Futurestep general and administrative expenses was $6.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $6.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Futurestep general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 9% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 12% in the year-ago quarter.

 

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Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million, or 12%, to $8.7 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $7.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to an increase of $1.2 million in legal and other professional fees, offset by a decline of $0.6 million in integration costs and a decrease of $0.8 million in premise and office expense. The rest of the change was primarily due to generating foreign exchange loss of $0.8 million during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to a foreign exchange gain of $0.2 million in the year-ago quarter.

Cost of Services Expense

Cost of services expense consists primarily of non-billable contractor and product costs related to the delivery of various services and products, primarily in Futurestep and Hay Group. Cost of services expense increased $1.0 million, or 6%, to $17.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $16.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Cost of services expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 4% in both the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $12.2 million, an increase of $0.4 million, or 3%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $11.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase relates primarily to technology investments made in the current and prior year in software and computer equipment, in addition to increases in leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures.

Restructuring Charges, Net

During the three months ended January 31, 2018, no restructuring charges were incurred.

During the three months ended January 31, 2017, we continued the implementation of the fiscal 2016 restructuring plan to integrate Legacy Hay entities that were acquired in fiscal 2016 and recorded $3.8 million of restructuring charges, net relating to the consolidation of premises.

Operating Income

Operating income was $48.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to $30.5 million in the year-ago quarter. This increase in operating income resulted from higher fee revenue of $65.7 million and a decrease in restructuring charges, net of $3.8 million, offset by increases of $48.4 million in compensation and benefits expense, $1.7 million in general and administrative expenses and $1.0 million in cost of services expense.

Executive Search operating income increased $5.0 million, or 17%, to $34.3 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to $29.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Executive Search operating income was driven by higher fee revenue of $27.6 million and a decrease in restructuring charges, net of $1.2 million, offset by increases in compensation and benefits expense, general and administrative expenses, and depreciation and amortization expenses of $21.7 million, $1.3 million, and $0.5 million, respectively. Executive Search operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 19% in both the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017.

Hay Group operating income was $27.1 million, an increase of $11.1 million, or 69%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to operating income of $16.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue of $22.4 million and a decrease in restructuring charges, net of $2.5 million, offset by an increase of $13.9 million in compensation and benefits expense. Hay Group operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 14% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 9% in the year-ago quarter.

Futurestep operating income was $10.1 million, an increase of $3.6 million, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to $6.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in operating income was driven by higher fee revenue of $15.7 million, offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expense of $12.3 million. Futurestep operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 15% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 12% in the year-ago quarter.

Net Income Attributable to Korn Ferry

Net income attributable to Korn Ferry increased by $3.3 million to $27.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $23.9 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was due to higher total revenue of $66.6 million and an increase in other income, net of $3.5 million offset by higher operating expenses of $48.4 million and an increase in the income tax provision of $18.2 million compared to the year-ago quarter. Net income attributable to Korn Ferry, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 6% in both the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $15.0 million to $70.3 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to $55.3 million in the year-ago quarter. This increase was driven by higher fee revenue of $65.7 million and an increase of $3.5 million in other income, net due to the change in fair value of our marketable securities, offset by increases of $51.0 million in compensation and benefits expense (excluding integration costs), $2.3 million in general and administrative expenses

 

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(excluding integration cost) and $1.0 million in cost of services expense. Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 16% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 14% in the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA increased $4.6 million, or 14%, to $37.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to $32.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2017. The increase was driven by higher fee revenue of $27.6 million during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter, offset by increases of $21.7 million in compensation and benefits expense and $1.3 million in general and administrative expenses. Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 21% in both the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017.

Hay Group Adjusted EBITDA was $36.9 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018, an increase of $6.8 million, or 23%, as compared to $30.1 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by higher fee revenue of $22.4 million, offset by increases of $15.7 million in compensation and benefits expense (excluding integration costs) during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. Hay Group Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 19% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to 17% in the year-ago quarter.

Futurestep Adjusted EBITDA was $10.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018, an increase of $3.4 million, as compared to $7.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by higher fee revenue of $15.7 million, offset by increases of $12.3 million in compensation and benefits expense during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter. Futurestep Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 16% in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 14% in the year-ago quarter.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net was $7.7 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to $4.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to the change in the fair value of our marketable securities, where there was a larger gain during the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net primarily relates to our term loan facility and borrowings under our COLI policies, which is partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalent balances. Interest expense, net was $2.7 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to $2.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income tax was $26.3 million in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $8.1 million in the year-ago quarter. This reflects a 49% and 25% effective tax rate for the three months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The current fiscal year effective tax rate was significantly impacted by the December 22, 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) as a result of which, Korn Ferry recorded a provisional tax charge of $16.3 million for a one-time tax on accumulated foreign earnings (the “Transition Tax”) and a provisional tax benefit of $5.8 million from the remeasurement of our U.S. federal deferred tax assets and liabilities. Korn Ferry will continue to appropriately refine these amounts within the measurement period allowed by SAB No.118, which will be completed no later than December 22, 2018.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest represents the portion of a subsidiary’s net earnings that are attributable to shares of such subsidiary not held by Korn Ferry that are included in the consolidated results of operations. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the three months ended January 31, 2018 was $0.2 million compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2017.

Nine Months Ended January 31, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended January 31, 2017

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue. Fee revenue went up by $132.4 million, or 11%, to $1,291.9 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $1,159.5 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $17.7 million, or 2%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. The higher fee revenue was attributable to organic growth in all lines of business.

Executive Search. Executive Search reported fee revenue of $518.4 million, an increase of $63.0 million, or 14%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $455.4 million in the year-ago period. As detailed below, Executive Search fee revenue was higher in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, partially offset by lower fee revenue in the Latin America region in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to the year-ago period. The higher fee revenue in Executive Search was mainly due to an 8% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 4% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $6.4 million, or 1%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018, compared to the year-ago period.

 

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North America reported fee revenue of $296.1 million, an increase of $36.7 million, or 14%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $259.4 million in the year-ago period. North America’s fee revenue was higher due to a 10% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 4% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. All of the business sectors contributed to the growth in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to the year-ago period, with industrial and technology contributing the most. The effect of exchange rates on fee revenue was minimal in the nine months ended January 31, 2018, compared to the year-ago period.

EMEA reported fee revenue of $128.2 million, an increase of $18.9 million, or 17%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $109.3 million in the year-ago period. The favorable effect of exchange rates on fee revenue was $4.2 million, or 4%, in the three months ended January 31, 2018, compared to the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was due to a 16% increase in the number of engagements billed, offset by a 2% decrease in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. The performance in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. All of the business sectors contributed to the growth in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to the year-ago period, with industrial contributing the most.

Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $72.0 million, an increase of $11.9 million, or 20%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $60.1 million in the year-ago period. The favorable effect of exchange rates on fee revenue was $1.2 million, or 2%, compared to the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was due to a 9% increase in the number of engagements billed and an 8% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. The performance in China, Australia, Singapore, Japan and India were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by a decline in fee revenue in Hong Kong. Financial services, technology, industrial and life sciences/healthcare were the main sectors contributing to the increase in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2018, as compared to the year-ago period.

Latin America reported fee revenue of $22.0 million, a decrease of $4.6 million, or 17%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $26.6 million in the year-ago period. The effect of exchange rates on fee revenue was minimal. The decrease in fee revenue is due to lower fee revenue in Mexico and Brazil in the nine months ended January 31, 2018, compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by higher fee revenue in Argentina, Ecuador and Chile. Consumer goods and financial services were the main sectors contributing to the decline in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2018, compared to the year-ago period.

Hay Group. Hay Group reported fee revenue of $577.5 million, an increase of $38.4 million, or 7%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $539.1 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $8.5 million, or 2%, compared to the year-ago period. Fee revenue from consulting services was higher by $25.9 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period, with the remaining increase of $12.5 million generated by our products business.

Futurestep. Futurestep reported fee revenue of $196.0 million, an increase of $31.0 million, or 19%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $165.0 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $2.8 million, or 2%, compared to the year-ago period. Higher fee revenues in RPO and professional search of $22.3 million and $10.2 million, respectively, drove the increase in fee revenue.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense increased $89.7 million, or 11%, to $885.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 from $796.0 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $11.4 million, or 1%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits was primarily due to an 8% increase in the average headcount, primarily focused on fee earners, which contributed $58.3 million in higher salaries and related payroll taxes and $13.6 million more in expenses associated with our deferred compensation and retirement plans (includes the increases in the fair value of participants’ accounts) in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. The rest of the change was due to $19.0 million increase in performance-related bonus expense and $7.9 million increase in amortization of long term incentive awards, offset by an $8.4 million decrease in integration costs compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search compensation and benefits expense increased by $48.4 million, or 16%, to $348.9 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $300.5 million in the year-ago period. The increase was primarily due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $18.8 million due to a 6% increase in average headcount reflecting our continued growth-related investment back into the business. Also contributing to the increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase of $10.5 million in expenses associated with our deferred compensation and retirement plans (includes the increases in the fair value of participants’ accounts), $9.1 million increase in performance related bonus expense compared to the year-ago period and a $6.1 million increase in amortization of long-term incentive awards. The increase in performance related bonus expense was due to a 14% increase in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-

 

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ago period. Executive Search compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 67% in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 66% in the year-ago period.

Hay Group compensation and benefits expense increased $19.5 million, or 6%, to $365.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 from $346.2 million in the year-ago period. The change was primarily due to increases in salaries and payroll taxes of $18.6 million and $3.1 million increase in expenses associated with our deferred compensation and retirement plans (includes the increases in the fair value of participants’ accounts). Also contributing to the increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase of $2.3 million in performance related bonus expense and employer insurance cost of $1.7 million, offset by a decrease in integration costs of $5.5 million compared to year-ago period. Hay Group compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 63% in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 64% in the year-ago period.

Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $23.6 million, or 21%, to $138.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 from $114.8 million in the year-ago period. The increase was due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $18.4 million due to a 29% increase in the average headcount in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. The higher average headcount was primarily driven by the need to service an increase in fee revenue in the RPO business. Also contributing to the increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase of $6.5 million performance related bonus expense due to a 19% increase in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 71% in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 70% in the year-ago period.

Corporate compensation and benefits expense decreased by $1.8 million, or 5%, to $32.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 from $34.5 million in the year-ago period. This change was mainly due to a decrease of $2.9 million in integration costs in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period, offset by an increase of $1.1 million in performance related bonus expense.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $9.1 million, or 5%, to $175.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $166.3 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $1.7 million during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to increases of $3.7 million, $1.9 million, $1.7 million, and $1.6 million in legal and other professional fees, premise and office expense, business development expense, and bad debt expenses, respectively, offset by a decline of $3.6 million in integration costs during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. The rest of the change was primarily due to generating foreign exchange loss of $2.8 million during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to a foreign exchange gain of $0.6 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2017. General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 14% in both the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017.

Executive Search general and administrative expenses increased $7.3 million, or 15%, to $57.6 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 from $50.3 million in the year-ago period. General and administrative expenses increased due to generating foreign exchange losses of $0.3 million during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to a foreign exchange gain of $1.6 million during the year-ago period and an increase in bad debt expense of $1.2 million. The rest of the change was due to an increase of $1.0 million in legal and other professional fees, $0.8 million more in marketing and business development to support the higher fee revenues generated in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period and $0.5 million increase in premise and office expense. Executive Search general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 11% in both the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017.

Hay Group general and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million to $73.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $72.4 million in the year-ago period. General and administrative expenses increased due to an increase of $1.0 million in marketing and business development to support the higher fee revenues generated in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. Hay Group general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 13% in both the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017.

Futurestep general and administrative expenses increased $2.6 million, or 15%, to $20.0 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 from $17.4 million in the year-ago period. The increase was due primarily to increases in premise and office expense and bad debt expense of $1.0 million each in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the year-ago period. Futurestep general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 10% in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to 11% in the year-ago period.

Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased $1.6 million, or 6%, to $24.5 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $26.1 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was due to a decrease of $3.6 million in integration costs associated with the Legacy Hay acquisition, offset by an increase in legal and other professional fees of $2.1 million during the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to the nine months ended January 31, 2017.

 

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Cost of Services Expense

Cost of services expense consists primarily of non-billable contractor and product costs related to the delivery of various services and products, primarily in Futurestep and Hay Group. Cost of services expense was $53.2 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 compared to $52.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2017. Cost of services expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 4% in the nine months ended January 31, 2018 as compared to 5% in the year-ago period.