HCKT Hackett Group Inc

The Hackett Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCKT), a leading benchmarking, research advisory and strategic consultancy firm that enables organizations to achieve Digital World Class® performance, today announced its financial results for the second quarter, which ended on June 30, 2023.

Financial Highlights

• Total revenue in the second quarter of 2023 was $77.1 million and revenue before reimbursements was $75.6 million, which was above the high end of our guidance. This compares to total revenue of $75.9 million and revenue before reimbursements of $74.8 million in the second quarter of the prior year.

• GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.32 in both the second quarter of 2023 and 2022.

• Second quarter 2023 adjusted diluted earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure, was $0.39, which was at the high end of our guidance, as compared to $0.38 in the second quarter of 2022. Adjusted financial information is provided to enhance the understanding of the Company’s financial performance and is reconciled to the Company’s GAAP information in the accompanying tables.

• As of June 30, 2023, the Company’s cash balances were $15.8 million, with a $53.0 million outstanding balance on the Company’s credit facility. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company paid down $5.0 million of its debt balance. As of the end of the second quarter of 2023, the Company's remaining share repurchase program authorization was $13.9 million.

• Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, the Company’s Board of Directors declared its third quarter 2023 dividend of $0.11 per share for its shareholders of record on September 22, 2023, to be paid on October 6, 2023.

“We reported solid operating results with 8% sequential revenue growth while continuing to increase our investment in program development and sales resources in our recurring high margin executive advisory and market intelligence offerings,” stated Ted A. Fernandez, Chairman & CEO of The Hackett Group, Inc. “More importantly, the current momentum is expected to continue into the third quarter and bodes well for the balance of the year.”

Business Outlook for the Third Quarter of 2023

Based on the Company’s current outlook:

• The Company estimates total revenue before reimbursements for the third quarter of 2023 will be in the range of $72.8 million to $74.3 million.

• The Company estimates adjusted diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2023 to be in the range of $0.38 and $0.41, assuming a GAAP effective tax rate of 27.5%.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

• On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, senior management will discuss second quarter results in a conference call at 5:00 P.M. ET. The number for the conference call is (800) 593-0486, [Passcode: Second Quarter]. For International callers, please dial (517) 308-9371. Please dial in at least 5-10 minutes prior to start time. If you are unable to participate on the conference call, a rebroadcast will be available beginning at 8:00 P.M. ET on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 and will run through 5:00 P.M. ET on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. To access the rebroadcast, please dial (800) 835-8067. For International callers, please dial (203) 369-3354.

• In addition, The Hackett Group® will also be webcasting this conference call live. To participate, simply visit https://www.thehackettgroup.com approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call and click on the conference call link provided. An online replay of the call will be available after 8:00 P.M. ET on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 and will run through 5:00 P.M. ET on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. To access the replay, visit www.thehackettgroup.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company provides adjusted earnings results (which exclude the loss from discontinued operations, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, acquisition-related compensation expense, acquisition-related non-cash stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges and reversals, amortization of intangible assets and includes a GAAP tax rate) as a complement to results provided in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP results are provided to enhance the users' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and its prospects for the future. The Company believes the non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors and by excluding certain expenses that it believes are not indicative of its core operating results. The non-GAAP measures are included to provide investors and management with an alternative method for assessing operating results in a manner that is focused on the performance of its ongoing primary operations and to provide a consistent basis for comparison between quarters. Further, these non-GAAP results are one of the primary indicators management uses for planning and forecasting. The presentation of this additional non-GAAP information should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any results prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the reconciliation of actual results titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures” in the accompanying tables.

The Company believes that the presentation of non-GAAP financial information on a forward-looking basis, including the guidance contained in this release, provides important supplemental information to management and investors regarding its anticipated results of operations. The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of GAAP measures to corresponding forward-looking non-GAAP measures without unreasonable effort due to the high variability and low visibility of most of the items that have been excluded from these non-GAAP measures. For example, non-cash stock-based compensation expense is impacted by the Company’s future hiring needs, the type and volume of equity awards necessary for such future hiring, and the price at which the Company’s stock will trade in those future periods. In addition, the provision or benefit for income taxes is impacted by non-recurring income tax adjustments, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and the income tax effect of non-GAAP exclusions. The effects of these reconciling items may be significant, as the items that are being excluded are difficult to predict.

About The Hackett Group®

The Hackett Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCKT) is a leading benchmarking, research advisory and strategic consultancy firm that enables organizations to achieve Digital World Class® performance.

Drawing upon our unparalleled intellectual property from more than 25,000 benchmark studies and our Hackett-Certified® best practices repository from the world’s leading businesses – including 97% of the Dow Jones Industrials, 93% of the Fortune 100, 73% of the DAX 40 and 52% of the FTSE 100 – captured through our leading benchmarking platform Quantum Leap® and our Digital Transformation Platform, we accelerate digital transformations, including enterprise cloud implementations.

For more information on The Hackett Group, visit: https://www.thehackettgroup.com/; email info@thehackettgroup.com; or call (770) 225-3600.

The Hackett Group, Hackett-Certified, quadrant logo, World Class Defined and Enabled, Quantum Leap, Digital World Class and Hackett Value Matrix are the registered marks of The Hackett Group.

Cautionary Statement Regarding “Forward-Looking” Statements

This release contains “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. Statements including without limitation, words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” seeks,” “estimates,” or other similar phrases or variations of such words or similar expressions indicating, present or future anticipated or expected occurrences or outcomes are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may impact such forward-looking statements include without limitation, the ability of The Hackett Group to effectively market its digital transformation and other consulting services, competition from other consulting and technology companies that may have or develop in the future, similar offerings, the commercial viability of The Hackett Group and its services as well as other risk detailed in The Hackett Group’s reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Hackett Group does not undertake any duty to update this release or any forward-looking statements contained herein.

The Hackett Group, Inc. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, July 1, June 30, July 1,

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Revenue: Revenue before reimbursements

$

75,641

 

$

74,768

 

$

145,472

 

$

149,876

 

Reimbursements

 

1,461

 

 

1,160

 

 

2,859

 

 

1,716

 

Total revenue

 

77,102

 

 

75,928

 

 

148,331

 

 

151,592

 

  Costs and expenses: Cost of service: Personnel costs before reimbursable expenses (includes $1,643 and $3,169 and $1,483 and $3,149 of non-cash stock based compensation expense in the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, respectively)

 

45,426

 

 

44,701

 

 

88,569

 

 

92,034

 

Reimbursable expenses

 

1,461

 

 

1,160

 

 

2,859

 

 

1,716

 

Total cost of service

 

46,887

 

 

45,861

 

 

91,428

 

 

93,750

 

  Selling, general and administrative costs (includes $1,129 and $2,050 and $1,235 and $2,168 of non-cash stock based compensation expense in the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, respectively)

 

17,425

 

 

15,886

 

 

32,861

 

 

30,252

 

Total costs and operating expenses

 

64,312

 

 

61,747

 

 

124,289

 

 

124,002

 

  Operating income

 

12,790

 

 

14,181

 

 

24,042

 

 

27,590

 

  Other expense, net: Interest expense, net

 

(921

)

 

(28

)

 

(1,780

)

 

(56

)

  Income from operations before income taxes

 

11,869

 

 

14,153

 

 

22,262

 

 

27,534

 

Income tax expense

 

3,149

 

 

3,938

 

 

5,381

 

 

6,814

 

Net income

$

8,720

 

$

10,215

 

$

16,881

 

$

20,720

 

  Basic net income per common share: Income per common share from operations

$

0.32

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.62

 

$

0.66

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

27,192

 

 

31,652

 

 

27,109

 

 

31,551

 

  Diluted net income per common share: Income per common share from operations

$

0.32

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.62

 

$

0.65

 

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

 

27,548

 

 

32,221

 

 

27,408

 

 

32,032

 

  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) (unaudited) June 30, December 30,

2023

2022

ASSETS Current assets: Cash

$

15,834

$

30,255

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

 

57,797

 

48,376

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

3,203

 

2,535

Total current assets

 

76,834

 

81,166

Property and equipment, net

 

19,856

 

19,359

Other assets

 

285

 

268

Goodwill

 

84,148

 

83,502

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

1,804

 

698

Total assets

$

182,927

$

184,993

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable

$

5,475

$

8,741

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

22,342

 

30,953

Contract liabilities

 

14,452

 

13,278

Income tax payable

 

3,373

 

5,759

Operating lease liabilities

 

1,226

 

870

Total current liabilities

 

46,868

 

59,601

Long-term deferred tax liability, net

 

9,339

 

6,877

Long-term debt

 

52,676

 

59,653

Operating lease liabilities

 

1,151

 

584

Total liabilities

 

110,034

 

126,715

  Shareholders' equity

 

72,893

 

58,278

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

182,927

$

184,993

  The Hackett Group, Inc. SEGMENT PROFIT (in thousands) (unaudited)   Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, July 1, June 30, July 1,

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

2022

 

Global S&BT (1): Total revenue (4)

$

43,632

$

44,530

 

$

85,967

$

87,167

 

Segment profit (5)

 

13,102

 

16,269

 

 

26,909

 

31,910

 

Oracle Solutions (2): Total revenue (4)

$

20,775

$

19,971

 

$

37,943

$

41,483

 

Segment profit (5)

 

5,886

 

4,301

 

 

8,935

 

8,834

 

SAP Solutions (3): Total revenue (4)

$

12,695

$

11,427

 

$

24,421

$

22,942

 

Segment profit (5)

 

2,990

 

2,977

 

 

5,624

 

5,391

 

Total Company: Total revenue (4)

$

77,102

$

75,928

 

$

148,331

$

151,592

 

  Total segment profit

$

21,978

$

23,547

 

$

41,468

$

46,135

 

Items not allocated to segment level (5): Corporate general and administrative expenses

 

5,610

 

5,935

 

 

10,571

 

11,569

 

Non-cash stock based compensation expense

 

2,772

 

2,718

 

 

5,219

 

5,317

 

Restructuring and asset impairment settlement

 

-

 

(125

)

 

-

 

(125

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

806

 

838

 

 

1,636

 

1,784

 

Interest expense, net

 

921

 

28

 

 

1,780

 

56

 

Income from continuing operations before taxes

$

11,869

$

14,153

 

$

22,262

$

27,534

 

  (1) Global S&BT includes the results of our strategic businesses consulting practices, including Strategy and Business Transformation Consulting, Benchmarking, Business Advisory Services, IP as-a-Service and OneStream. (2) Oracle Solutions includes the results of our EPM/ERP and AMS practices. (3) SAP Solutions includes the results of our SAP applications and related SAP service offerings. (4) Total revenue includes reimbursable expenses, which are project travel-related expenses passed through to a client with no associated operating margin. (5) Segment profits consist of the revenue generated by the segment, less the direct costs of revenue and selling, general and administrative expenses that are incurred directly by the segment. Items not allocated to the segment level include corporate costs related to administrative functions that are performed in a centralized manner that are not attributable to a particular segment. Items not allocated to the segment level include corporate general and administrative expenses, non-cash stock based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization expense, restructuring charge and asset impairment, interest expense and foreign currency gains and losses. Corporate general and administrative expenses primarily include costs related to business support functions including accounting and finance, human resources, legal, information technology and office administration. Corporate general and administrative expenses exclude one-time, non-recurring expenses and benefits.   The Hackett Group, Inc. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)   Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, July 1, June 30, July 1,

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

2022

 

GAAP NET INCOME

$

8,720

$

10,215

 

$

16,881

$

20,720

 

Adjustments (1): Non-cash stock based compensation expense (2)

 

2,769

 

2,714

 

 

5,213

 

5,309

 

Acquisition-related non-cash stock based compensation expense (3)

 

3

 

4

 

 

6

 

8

 

Restructuring and asset impairment settlement

 

-

 

(125

)

 

-

 

(125

)

Amortization of intangible assets (4)

 

-

 

10

 

 

-

 

154

 

ADJUSTED NET INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ON ADJUSTMENTS (1)

 

11,492

 

12,818

 

 

22,100

 

26,066

 

Tax effect of adjustments above (5)

 

731

 

669

 

 

1,377

 

1,364

 

ADJUSTED NET INCOME (1)

$

10,761

$

12,149

 

$

20,723

$

24,702

 

  GAAP diluted net income per common share

$

0.32

$

0.32

 

$

0.62

$

0.65

 

Adjusted diluted net income per common share (1)

$

0.39

$

0.38

 

$

0.76

$

0.77

 

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

 

27,548

 

32,221

 

 

27,408

 

32,032

 

  (1) The Company provides adjusted earnings results (which exclude the loss from discontinued operations, non-cash stock based compensation expense, acquisition-related compensation expense, acquisition-related non-cash stock based compensation expense, restructuring charge and asset impairment, amortization of intangible assets and include a GAAP tax rate) as a complement to results provided in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP results are provided to enhance the users' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and its prospects for the future. The Company believes the non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors and by excluding certain expenses that it believes are not indicative of its core operating results. The non-GAAP measures are included to provide investors and management with an alternative method for assessing operating results in a manner that is focused on the performance of ongoing operations and to provide a more consistent basis for comparison between quarters. Further, these non-GAAP results are one of the primary indicators management uses for planning and forecasting in future periods. In addition, since the Company has historically reported non-GAAP results to the investment community, it believes the continued inclusion of non-GAAP results provides consistency in its financial reporting. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. (2) Non-cash stock based compensation expense is accounted for under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. The Company excludes non-cash stock based compensation expense and the related tax effects for the purposes of adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. The Company believes that non-GAAP measures of profitability, which exclude non-cash stock based compensation expense, are widely used by investors. (3) The Company incurs cash and non-cash stock based compensation expense for acquisition related consideration that is recognized over time under GAAP. The Company believes excluding these amounts more consistently presents its ongoing results of operations because they are related to acquisitions and not due to normal operating activities. The acquisition-related non-cash stock based compensation expense is also accounted for under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. (4) The Company has incurred expense on amortization of intangible assets related to various acquisitions. The Company excludes the effect of the amortization of intangibles from our adjusted results in order to more consistently present its ongoing results of operations. (5) The adjustment for the income tax expense is based on the accounting treatment and income tax rate for the jurisdiction of each item. For the quarter end periods the impact of non-cash stock based compensation expense was $0.7 million and $0.7 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, and the impact of intangible amortization was $3 thousand in 2022 and the impact on the restructuring and asset impairment reversal was $32 thousand in 2022. For the six month periods the impact of non-cash stock compensation was $1.4 million and $1.4 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively; the impact of intangible amortization was $32 thousand in 2022 and the impact on the restructuring and asset impairment reversal was $32 thousand in 2022. The Hackett Group, Inc. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)   Quarter Ended June 30, March 31, July 1,

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Revenue Concentration: (% of total revenue) Top customer

 

5

%

 

5

%

 

7

%

Top 5 customers

 

16

%

 

16

%

 

18

%

Top 10 customers

 

24

%

 

24

%

 

26

%

  Key Metrics and Other Financial Data:   Total Company: Consultant headcount

 

1,148

 

 

1,128

 

 

1,125

 

Total headcount

 

1,401

 

 

1,368

 

 

1,339

 

Days sales outstanding (DSO)

 

68

 

 

66

 

 

59

 

Cash (used in) provided by operating activities (in thousands)

$

7,714

 

$

(3,063

)

$

18,235

 

Depreciation (in thousands)

$

806

 

$

830

 

$

828

 

Amortization (in thousands)

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

10

 

Capital expenditures (in thousands)

$

1,062

 

$

1,063

 

$

1,274

 

  Remaining Plan authorization: Shares purchased (in thousands)

 

-

 

 

37

 

 

-

 

Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands)

$

—

 

$

711

 

$

—

 

Average price per share of shares purchased

$

—

 

$

18.98

 

$

—

 

Remaining Plan authorization (in thousands) (1)

$

13,938

 

$

13,961

 

$

10,609

 

  Shares Purchased to Satisfy Employee Net Vesting Obligations: Shares purchased (in thousands)

 

6

 

 

162

 

 

4

 

Cost of shares purchased (in thousands)

$

119

 

$

3,526

 

$

76

 

Average price per share of shares purchased

$

19.00

 

$

21.75

 

$

21

 

  (1) The decrease in the Plan authorization in the second quarter of 2023 related to additional transaction fees for the tender offer which occurred in December 2022.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230808542760/en/

Robert A. Ramirez, CFO, 305-375-8005 or rramirez@thehackettgroup.com