TORONTO, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Retained executive search firm The Caldwell Partners International Inc. (TSX: CWL) today issued its financial results for the fiscal 2010 year ended August 31, 2010. All references to quarters or years are for the fiscal periods unless otherwise noted and all currency amounts are in Canadian dollars.
"We have now completed the first full year of our North American expansion strategy, and we are very pleased with our accomplishments to date", said John N. Wallace, Chief Executive Officer. "We nearly doubled our revenue, opened five physical locations in the US, established a strategic alliance with a London-based executive search boutique, and built a strong North American platform from which we can better serve our clients.
Taking full advantage of the economic recession and our own financial strength allowed us to selectively invest in a core of highly experienced professionals for our US operations. At the close of fiscal 2010, we had 31 partners in total, 18 of whom are in the United States. We are well-positioned to provide exceptional service to our clients as the economic recovery slowly unfolds and their executive recruitment needs increase.
Financial Highlights (all numbers expressed in $000s) -- Operating revenue: -- 2010 fourth quarter revenue, up 143% over fourth quarter 2009 results to $11,176; quarter over quarter improvement continues with fourth quarter revenues up 41% over third quarter -- The Company looks forward to continued improving quarterly revenues in fiscal 2011; however, attaining levels comparable to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 will prove challenging in the shortterm. -- Annual revenue increased 81% to $29,201, reflecting marked increase in contributions from US operations; US represented 60% of fourth quarter and 53% of annual revenues -- Gross profit: -- Given significant improvement in 2010 fourth quarter revenues, quarterly gross profit increased to $2,436 from a loss of $324 in the comparable period of 2009 -- Annual gross profit increases to $6,162 (21% of revenue) from $1,247 (8% of revenue) in 2009, reflecting increasing contributions and profitability of new partner additions and improving business volumes -- General and administrative expenses: -- Both quarterly and annual general and administrative expenses up only 13% on comparable 2009 periods, reflecting the Company's expansion into the United States and the addition of the five new offices. As well, improving financial performance resulted in accruals for management and other bonuses where none had been expensed in fiscal 2009. Offsetting these increases were reductions in a number of head office costs, including reduced compensation costs of the former Executive Chairman whose settlement costs are included in restructuring charges rather than compensation costs post March 23, 2010. -- Investment income: -- Annual investment income increases to $363 from a significant investment loss of $2,647 in 2009. 2009 loss includes a $929 provision for the impairment of investment portfolio as well as a $1,898 realized loss. As at the end of fiscal 2010, the investment portfolio included a $285 unrealized gain. -- Earnings before restructuring charge: -- Given significant improvement in 2010 fourth quarter revenues, operating margins and relatively stable general and administrative expenses, fourth quarter earnings were $859 as compared to a loss of $3,356 in the 2009 fourth quarter -- Strong fourth quarter earnings were not quite sufficient to cover nine-month losses of $1,111, netting an annual loss before restructuring charges of $252 versus an annual loss of $7,381 in 2009. -- Restructuring charge: -- The Company recorded a restructuring charge in its 2010 second quarter of $1,001 related to the retirement of the company's founder C. Douglas Caldwell as executive chairman and director of the company, and the related agreement to accelerate the planned conversion of the company's voting Class B shares to non-voting Class A shares. -- Net earnings: -- Including the $1,001 restructuring charge, the Company reported an annual net loss in 2010 of $1,253 as compared to a loss of $7,570 in 2009 -- This marked improvement over the prior year reflects the success of the Company's strategic plan to expand into US markets as well as improved market conditions in general
The Company continues to take advantage of its financial strength and market opportunities to strategically expand its organization and business, and to build a solid platform for sustainable revenue growth and profitable future returns. These initiatives will continue to require some investment of the Company's capital reserves over a period of time. Management believes that the Company has sufficient liquidity and cash resources to fund both its ongoing operations and its strategic growth initiatives.
Operating revenue, gross profit/loss and operating income/loss are non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) measures. The company believes, however, that they provide a useful understanding of the performance of its core human capital services operations as they exclude income or loss from investments and taxes.
For a complete discussion of the quarterly and annual financial results, please see the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis posted on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com/
About The Caldwell Partners
The Caldwell Partners International is one of North America's premier providers of executive search and has been for 40 years. As one of the region's most trusted advisors in executive search, the firm has a sterling reputation built on successful searches for boards, chief and senior executives, and selected functional experts.
With offices and partners in Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Calgary, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, Stamford, New York City, and a strategic presence in London, the firm takes pride in delivering an unmatched level of service and expertise to its clients.
The Caldwell Partners' Common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CWL). Please visit our website at http://www.caldwellpartners.com/ for further information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this document are based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results might differ materially due to various factors such as the competitive nature of the executive search industry, the ability of the company to execute its growth strategies, the performance of the Canadian domestic and international economies, and the company's ability to retain key personnel. The Caldwell Partners assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.
THE CALDWELL PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
The Caldwell Partners International Inc.
CONTACT:
Investors & Analysts:
Karen Richards, CA,
Chief Financial Officer
The Caldwell Partners International
href="mailto:krichards@caldwellpartners.com">krichards@caldwellpartners.com>
+1.416.934.2228
Media:
Caroline Lomot, Director of
Marketing
The Caldwell Partners International
href="mailto:clomot@caldwellpartners.com">clomot@caldwellpartners.com
+1.416.934.2239
