Achieves $1.4 Billion of Full Year 2008 Revenue and 33 Percent Increase in Income From Operations; Solid Liquidity Drives a 55 Percent Increase in Cash Flow From Operations to $161 Million; Board of Directors Authorizes Additional $25 Million for Share Repurchases
ENGLEWOOD, CO, Feb 23, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- TeleTech Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEC), one of the largest and most
geographically diverse global providers of business process
outsourcing ("BPO") solutions, today announced financial results for
the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The
Company also filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities
and Exchange Commission for the fourth quarter and year ended December
31, 2008.
FOURTH QUARTER 2008 FINANCIAL RESULTS
TeleTech reported fourth quarter 2008 revenue of $326.0 million, a
$45.6 million decrease from fourth quarter 2007 revenue of $371.6
million. Nearly 80 percent, or $35.2 million, of the decline is
attributable to significant strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative
to currencies of certain foreign subsidiaries. The balance of the
reduction is primarily due to the challenging economic environment
resulting in lower seasonal client volumes in the fourth quarter 2008
when compared to the year-ago quarter.
TeleTech's fourth quarter 2008 income from operations grew 84 percent
over the year-ago quarter to $23.3 million and represented 7.1 percent
of revenue. Income from operations for the quarter included $2.4
million of restructuring and impairment charges and $3.9 million of
expenses primarily related to legal and payroll tax fees associated
with the Audit Committee's completed review of the Company's
equity-based compensation practices and the subsequent financial
restatement.
Excluding the $6.3 million of unusual charges mentioned above,
TeleTech's fourth quarter 2008 non-GAAP income from operations was
$29.5 million, or 9.1 percent of revenue. This represents a 150
basis point or 20 percent improvement over 7.6 percent, excluding
unusual charges, in the year-ago quarter.
Fourth quarter 2008 fully diluted earnings per share increased 29
percent over the year-ago quarter to 22 cents on net income of $14.1
million. Excluding the $6.3 million of unusual pre-tax charges
discussed above, fourth quarter 2008 non-GAAP earnings per share were
28 cents, compared to 32 cents non-GAAP earnings per share in the
year-ago quarter.
2008 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Full year 2008 revenue increased 2.2 percent over 2007 to a record
$1.4 billion.
TeleTech's 2008 income from operations grew 33 percent to $109.0
million and represented 7.8 percent of revenue. Income from
operations for the year included $8.1 million of restructuring and
impairment charges and $14.6 million of expenses primarily related to
legal and payroll tax fees associated with the Audit Committee's
completed review of the Company's equity-based compensation practices
and the subsequent financial restatement.
Excluding the $22.7 million of unusual charges mentioned above,
TeleTech's 2008 non-GAAP income from operations was $131.7 million, or
9.4 percent of revenue. This represents a 90 basis point or 11
percent improvement over 8.5 percent in 2007, excluding unusual
charges.
2008 non-GAAP EBITDA was $194.9 million, or 13.9 percent of revenue.
This represents a 70 basis point or 5 percent increase over 2007
non-GAAP EBITDA margin of 13.2 percent.
2008 fully diluted earnings per share increased 45 percent to $1.06
on net income of $73.7 million, compared to 73 cents on net income of
$53.1 million in 2007 Excluding the $22.7 million of unusual pre-tax
charges discussed above and certain tax benefits, 2008 non-GAAP
earnings per share increased 15 percent to $1.21 from $1.05 non-GAAP
earnings per share in 2007.
OTHER BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
Strong Balance Sheet Continues to Fund Organic Growth
- As of December 31, 2008, TeleTech had cash and cash equivalents of
$87.9 million and total debt of $89.1 million.
- Cash flow from operations grew $57.1 million or 55 percent to $160.6
million from $103.5 million in 2007.
- Free cash flow in 2008 was a record $98.9 million, representing a 133%
increase from $42.4 million in 2007.
- Free cash flow for the fourth quarter 2008 was $25.3 million,
representing a 280% increase from negative free cash flow of ($14.1
million) in the year-ago quarter.
- Capital expenditures, net of grant proceeds, in the fourth quarter
2008 were $10.0 million, totaling $61.7 million for the full year.
Approximately 80 percent of capital expenditures in 2008 were for growth-
related needs, primarily related to the expansion of TeleTech's global
footprint, with the balance for improving TeleTech's embedded
infrastructure.
- Return on invested capital was 29 percent as of December 31, 2008, up
from 27 percent in the year-ago quarter.
New Business
- During the fourth quarter 2008, TeleTech signed an estimated $100
million in new, annualized long-term revenue primarily from expanded client
relationships.
Share Repurchases
- TeleTech's strong balance sheet has given the Company the flexibility
to fund organic growth while also repurchasing common stock. During 2008,
the Company repurchased 6.5 million shares of common stock for $89.6
million and is continuing its stock repurchase program.
- TeleTech's Board of Directors has approved an incremental $25 million
for additional share repurchases, bringing the total amount currently
authorized for future repurchases to approximately $35 million.
EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY ON TELETECH'S FINANCIAL RESULTS
During 2008, TeleTech continued to deliver solid financial results
despite a dynamic global economic environment in the latter half of
the year," said Kenneth Tuchman, chairman and chief executive
officer. "Our revenue and profitability gains in 2008 enabled us to
deliver a 39% increase in net income and record free cash flow of
nearly $100 million. Our capital-efficient delivery model, high
client satisfaction, solid balance sheet and ample liquidity make us
a strong and trusted business partner to our clients. Our outsourced
business process solutions provide clients with the agility they need
to compete effectively in both good and challenging economic times."
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
The current economic environment has made forecasting difficult for
our clients and therefore for TeleTech. As a result, TeleTech remains
comfortable with the current analyst consensus numbers for 2009
annualized revenue and operating margin given the following business
trends:
- The strengthening U.S. dollar relative to currencies of certain
foreign subsidiaries including those that operate in Asia Pacific
countries, Brazil, Spain and the United Kingdom, is expected to adversely
impact 2009 revenue by $90 to $110 million versus 2008.
- While TeleTech continues to sign and ramp new business, the revenue
growth from these programs may be offset by lower volumes with certain
existing clients resulting from the challenging economic environment.
Despite the economic climate, TeleTech continues to further
diversify its client base and strengthen its balance sheet via
ongoing free cash flow generation and proactive working capital
management. Further, the Company intends to continue repurchasing
its stock under the current program authorization.
CONFERENCE CALL
A conference call and webcast with management will be held on
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. You are invited
to join the live webcast of the conference call by visiting the
"Investors" section of the TeleTech website at www.teletech.com. If
you are unable to participate during the live webcast, a replay will
be available on the TeleTech website through Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements
presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP) in the United States, the Company uses the following non-GAAP
financial measures: Free Cash Flow, Non-GAAP Income from Operations,
Non-GAAP EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS. TeleTech believes that providing
these non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with greater
transparency to the information used by TeleTech's management in its
financial and operational decision making and allows investors to see
TeleTech's results "through the eyes" of management. TeleTech also
believes that providing this information better enables TeleTech's
investors to understand its operating performance and information
used by management to evaluate and measure such performance. The
presentation of these financial measures are not intended to be used
in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared
and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of these
non-GAAP financial measures is available in the financial tables
attached to this press release.
ABOUT TELETECH
TeleTech is one of the largest and most geographically diverse global
providers of business process outsourcing solutions. We have a
27-year history of designing, implementing, and managing critical
business processes for Global 1000 companies to help them improve
their customers' experience, expand their strategic capabilities, and
increase their operating efficiencies. By delivering a high-quality
customer experience through the effective integration of
customer-facing front-office processes with internal back-office
processes, we enable our clients to better serve, grow, and retain
their customer base. We use Six Sigma-based quality methods
continually to design, implement, and enhance the business processes
we deliver to our clients and we also apply this methodology to our
own internal operations. We have developed deep domain expertise and
support more than 250 business process outsourcing programs serving
approximately 100 global clients in the automotive, communications
and media, financial services, government, healthcare, retail,
technology and travel and leisure industries. Our integrated global
solutions are provided by approximately 55,000 employees utilizing
39,900 workstations across 83 delivery centers in 17 countries. For
additional information, visit www.teletech.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this press release that relate to future results and
events (including statements about future financial and operating
performance) are forward-looking statements based on TeleTech's
current expectations. Actual results and events in future periods
could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking
statements because of a number of risks and uncertainties including:
general economic, business and industry conditions; the loss of
business or lower volumes from significant clients; delivery center
utilization and labor rates; the pace at which we are able to ramp
new business; the effect of TeleTech's failure to timely file all of
its required reports under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
and its restatement of previously issued financial statements,
including shareholder litigation and action by the SEC and/or other
governmental agencies; negative tax or other implications for TeleTech
resulting from any accounting adjustments or other factors;
unexpected regulatory changes, tax laws, and data privacy measures;
data privacy issues; our ability to accurately predict geographic
revenue mix and seasonal sales trends; information technology and/or
delivery center interruptions; issues or matters that may arise from
governmental and/or administrative agency investigations; our ability
to successfully remediate identified internal control deficiencies;
litigation and governmental investigations or proceedings arising out
of or related to accounting and financial reporting matters;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates along with our
ability to effectively hedge exposure to changes in foreign currency
exchange and/or interest rates; the ability to attract, retain and
motivate key personnel; and political instability, the effect of armed
hostilities, terrorism and natural disasters. A detailed discussion of
these and other factors that could affect our results is included in
TeleTech's SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission are available in the "Investors"
section of TeleTech's website, which is located at www.teletech.com.
TELETECH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------------ ------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Revenue $ 325,985 $ 371,557 $ 1,400,147 $ 1,369,632
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services 235,852 280,431 1,024,451 1,001,459
Selling, general and
administrative 51,108 59,853 199,495 207,528
Depreciation and
amortization 13,384 14,355 59,166 55,953
Restructuring
charges, net 1,402 4,265 6,059 7,115
Impairment losses 985 - 2,018 15,789
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total operating
expenses 302,731 358,904 1,291,189 1,287,844
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income From Operations 23,254 12,653 108,958 81,788
Other expense (1,986) 3,901 (4,354) (6,437)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income Before Income
Taxes and Minority
Interest 21,268 16,554 104,604 75,351
Provision for income
taxes (6,572) (3,369) (27,269) (19,562)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income Before Minority
Interest 14,696 13,185 77,335 55,789
Minority interest (596) (936) (3,588) (2,686)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Income $ 14,100 $ 12,249 $ 73,747 $ 53,103
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Net Income Per Share:
Basic $ 0.22 $ 0.18 $ 1.08 $ 0.76
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Diluted $ 0.22 $ 0.17 $ 1.06 $ 0.73
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Income From Operations
Margin 7.1% 3.4% 7.8% 6.0%
Net Income Margin 4.3% 3.3% 5.3% 3.9%
Effective Tax Rate 30.9% 20.4% 26.1% 26.0%
Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding
Basic 64,741 69,817 68,208 70,228
Diluted 65,217 71,573 69,578 72,638
TELETECH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(In thousands)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------------ ------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Revenue:
North American BPO $ 235,944 $ 266,342 $ 974,815 $ 955,810
International BPO 90,041 104,366 425,332 396,080
Database Marketing and
Consulting - 849 - 17,742
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total $ 325,985 $ 371,557 $ 1,400,147 $ 1,369,632
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Income (Loss) From
Operations:
North American BPO $ 21,261 $ 18,325 $ 100,236 $ 106,102
International BPO 2,065 (1,122) 9,278 8,327
Database Marketing and
Consulting (72) (4,550) (556) (32,641)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total $ 23,254 $ 12,653 $ 108,958 $ 81,788
=========== =========== =========== ===========
TELETECH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
December 31, December 31,
2008 2007
------------ ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 87,942 $ 91,239
Accounts receivable, net 236,997 270,988
Other current assets 79,949 97,598
------------ ------------
Total current assets 404,888 459,825
Property and equipment, net 157,747 174,809
Other assets 106,307 125,661
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 668,942 $ 760,295
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Total current liabilities $ 180,099 $ 186,810
Other long-term liabilities 127,949 118,729
Minority interest 5,011 3,555
Total stockholders' equity 355,883 451,201
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $ 668,942 $ 760,295
============ ============
TELETECH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,
-------------------- --------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Reconciliation of EBIT &
EBITDA:
Net Income $ 14,100 $ 12,249 $ 73,747 $ 53,103
Interest income (1,015) (829) (4,816) (2,364)
Interest expense 2,089 2,188 6,738 6,645
Provision for income taxes 6,572 3,369 27,269 19,562
--------- --------- --------- ---------
EBIT $ 21,746 $ 16,977 $ 102,938 $ 76,946
Depreciation and
amortization 13,384 14,355 59,166 55,953
--------- --------- --------- ---------
EBITDA $ 35,130 $ 31,332 $ 162,104 $ 132,899
Reconciliation of Free Cash
Flow:
Cash Flow From Operating
Activities:
Net income $ 14,100 $ 12,249 $ 73,747 $ 53,103
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and
amortization 13,384 14,355 59,166 55,953
Other 7,783 (23,375) 27,653 (5,542)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by
operating activities 35,267 3,229 160,566 103,514
Total Capital Expenditures net
of grant proceeds 9,984 17,295 61,712 61,083
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Free Cash Flow $ 25,283 $ (14,066) $ 98,854 $ 42,431
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP
Income from Operations:
Income from Operations $ 23,254 $ 12,653 $ 108,958 $ 81,788
Restructuring charges, net 1,402 4,265 6,059 7,115
Impairment losses 985 - 2,018 15,789
Equity comp review and
restatement expenses 3,906 11,381 14,645 11,481
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Non-GAAP Income from
Operations $ 29,547 $ 28,299 $ 131,680 $ 116,173
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP
EPS:
GAAP Net Income $ 14,100 $ 12,249 $ 73,747 $ 53,103
Add: Asset impairment and
restructuring charges, net
of related taxes 1,528 2,892 5,169 15,529
Add: Equity-based comp review
and restatement expenses,
net of related taxes 2,500 7,716 9,373 7,784
Less: Release of Income Tax
Valuation Allowance - - (3,895) -
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Non-GAAP Net Income $ 18,128 $ 22,857 $ 84,394 $ 76,416
Diluted shares outstanding 65,217 71,573 69,578 72,638
Non-GAAP EPS $ 0.28 $ 0.32 $ 1.21 $ 1.05
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP
EBITDA:
Net Income $ 14,100 $ 12,249 $ 73,747 $ 53,103
Interest income (1,015) (829) (4,816) (2,364)
Interest expense 2,089 2,188 6,738 6,645
Provision for income taxes 6,572 3,369 27,269 19,562
Depreciation and
amortization 13,384 14,355 59,166 55,953
Asset impairment and
restructuring charges 2,387 4,265 8,077 22,904
Equity-based comp review and
restatement expenses 3,906 11,381 14,645 11,481
Equity-based compensation
expenses 2,411 4,233 10,101 12,918
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Non-GAAP EBITDA $ 43,834 $ 51,211 $ 194,927 $ 180,202
Investor Contact:
Karen Breen
303-397-8592