HCKT Hackett Group Inc

The Hackett Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCKT), an IP and platform-based, Gen AI strategic consulting and executive advisory firm that enables Digital World Class® performance, today announced its financial results for the third quarter, which ended on September 27, 2024.

Financial Highlights

• Total revenue in the third quarter of 2024 was $79.8 million and revenue before reimbursements was $77.9 million, which exceeded the high end of our guidance. This compares to total revenue of $75.9 million and revenue before reimbursements of $74.6 million in the third quarter of the prior year.
• GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.31 in the third quarter of 2024, as compared to $0.34 in the third quarter of 2023. GAAP Net Income includes non-cash stock compensation expense from our recently approved stock price appreciation equity program of $602 thousand and acquisition related non-cash compensation of $232 thousand, which impacted our GAAP diluted earnings per share results by $0.02.
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure, was $0.43, which exceeded the high end of our guidance in the third quarter of 2024. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.41 in the third quarter of 2023. 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.
• Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Company's Board of Directors approved an additional $20.0 million under the share repurchase program to increase our authorization to $31.1 million and declared its fourth quarter of 2024 dividend of $0.11 per share for its shareholders of record on December 20, 2024, to be paid on January 3, 2025.

“We continued to report solid operating results that exceeded our revenue and earnings per share guidance. More importantly, we released AI XPLR version 2 and closed the acquisition of LeewayHertz, a highly recognized Gen AI consulting and implementation firm,” stated Ted A. Fernandez, Chairman & CEO of The Hackett Group, Inc. “We have now created an end-to-end Gen AI consulting and implementation capability to fully support our clients Gen AI journey, which should significantly improve growth prospects in this rapidly emerging area.”

Business Outlook for the Fourth Quarter of 2024

Based on the Company’s current outlook:

• The Company estimates total revenue before reimbursements for the fourth quarter of 2024 will be in the range of $73.5 million to $75.0 million.
• The Company estimates adjusted diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 to be in the range of $0.41 and $0.43, which assumes a GAAP effective tax rate of 27.6%.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

• On Monday, November 4, 2024, senior management will discuss third quarter results in a conference call at 5:00 P.M. ET. The number for the conference call is (800) 593-0486, [Passcode: Third 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 Monday, November 4, 2024, and will run through 5:00 P.M. ET on Monday, November 18, 2024. To access the rebroadcast, please dial (888) 566-0058. For International callers, please dial (203) 369-3035.
• 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 Monday, November 4, 2024, and will run through 5:00 P.M. ET on Monday, November 18, 2024. To access the replay, visit www.thehackettgroup.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company provides adjusted earnings results (which excluded non-cash stock-based compensation expense, acquisition-related non-cash stock-based compensation expense, legal settlement and related costs 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 an IP and platform-based, Gen AI strategic consulting and executive advisory firm that enables Digital World Class® performance. Using AI XPLR™ and ZBrain™ – our ideation through implementation platforms – our experienced professionals help organizations realize the power of Gen AI and achieve quantifiable, breakthrough results, allowing us to be key architects of their Gen AI journey. Our expertise is grounded in unparalleled best practices insights from benchmarking the world’s leading businesses – including 97% of the Dow Jones Industrials, 89% of the Fortune 100, 70% of the DAX 40 and 55% of the FTSE 100. Visit us at www.thehackettgroup.com.

The Hackett Group, quadrant logo, World Class Defined and Enabled, Quantum Leap, and Digital World Class 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 could impact such forward-looking statements include, among others, changes in worldwide and U.S. economic conditions that impact business confidence and the demand for our products and services, our ability to transition our capabilities to support generative artificial intelligence (AI)-related consulting services and solutions, our ability to effectively integrate acquisitions, including the Leeway acquisition, into our operations, our ability to manage joint ventures and successfully cooperate with our joint venture partners, our ability to retain existing business, our ability to attract additional business, our ability to effectively market and sell our product offerings and other services, the timing of projects and the potential for contract cancellation by our customers, changes in expectations regarding the business consulting and information technology industries, our ability to attract and retain skilled employees, possible changes in collections of accounts receivable due to the bankruptcy or financial difficulties of our customers, risks of competition, price and margin trends, foreign currency fluctuations, the impact of the geopolitical conflict involving Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East on our business and changes in general economic conditions, interest rates and our ability to obtain additional debt financing if needed 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 Nine Months Ended

September 27,

 

September 29,

 

September 27,

 

September 29,

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

Revenue: Revenue before reimbursements

$

77,949

 

$

74,634

 

$

229,572

 

$

220,106

 

Reimbursements

 

1,828

 

 

1,222

 

 

5,048

 

 

4,081

 

Total revenue

 

79,777

 

 

75,856

 

 

234,620

 

 

224,187

 

  Costs and expenses: Cost of service: Personnel costs before reimbursable expenses (includes $2,135 and $5,168 and $1,518 and $4,687 of non-cash stock based compensation expense in the three and nine months ended September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023, respectively)

 

46,417

 

 

44,421

 

 

137,583

 

 

132,990

 

Reimbursable expenses

 

1,828

 

 

1,222

 

 

5,048

 

 

4,081

 

Total cost of service

 

48,245

 

 

45,643

 

 

142,631

 

 

137,071

 

  Selling, general and administrative costs (includes $1,688 and $4,104 and $1,193 and $3,243 of non-cash stock based compensation expense in the three and nine months ended September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023, respectively)

 

18,732

 

 

16,470

 

 

55,046

 

 

49,331

 

Legal settlement and related costs

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

102

 

 

-

 

Total costs and operating expenses

 

66,977

 

 

62,113

 

 

197,779

 

 

186,402

 

  Operating income

 

12,800

 

 

13,743

 

 

36,841

 

 

37,785

 

  Other expense, net: Interest expense, net

 

(368

)

 

(814

)

 

(1,352

)

 

(2,594

)

  Income before income taxes

 

12,432

 

 

12,929

 

 

35,489

 

 

35,191

 

Income tax expense

 

3,845

 

 

3,509

 

 

9,423

 

 

8,890

 

Net income

$

8,587

 

$

9,420

 

$

26,066

 

$

26,301

 

  Basic net income per common share: Income per common share

$

0.31

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.95

 

$

0.97

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

27,645

 

 

27,220

 

 

27,561

 

 

27,146

 

  Diluted net income per common share: Income per common share

$

0.31

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.93

 

$

0.95

 

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

 

28,142

 

 

27,818

 

 

27,920

 

 

27,545

 

  The Hackett Group, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) (unaudited) September 27, December 29,

 

2024

 

2023

ASSETS Current assets: Cash

$

9,964

$

20,957

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

 

61,227

 

52,113

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

3,659

 

2,368

Total current assets

 

74,850

 

75,438

Property and equipment, net

 

20,307

 

20,044

Other assets

 

367

 

285

Intangible assets

 

2,800

 

-

Goodwill

 

89,417

 

84,242

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

3,010

 

1,419

Total assets

$

190,751

$

181,428

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable

$

5,280

$

7,557

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

26,142

 

26,801

Contract liabilities

 

12,572

 

12,087

Income tax payable

 

4,323

 

2,360

Operating lease liabilities

 

1,173

 

1,083

Total current liabilities

 

49,490

 

49,888

Long-term deferred tax liability, net

 

8,565

 

8,118

Long-term debt

 

19,739

 

32,711

Operating lease liabilities

 

2,041

 

631

Total liabilities

 

79,835

 

91,348

  Shareholders' equity

 

110,916

 

90,080

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

190,751

$

181,428

The Hackett Group, Inc. SEGMENT PROFIT (in thousands) (unaudited)   Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended

September 27,

 

September 29,

 

September 27,

 

September 29,

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

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

$

44,065

$

43,798

$

127,219

$

129,765

Segment profit (5)

 

14,093

 

13,951

 

36,895

 

40,860

Oracle Solutions (2): Total revenue (4)

$

22,759

$

20,831

$

67,533

$

58,774

Segment profit (5)

 

5,520

 

5,031

 

16,150

 

13,966

SAP Solutions (3): Total revenue (4)

$

12,953

$

11,227

$

39,868

$

35,648

Segment profit (5)

 

3,699

 

2,861

 

11,833

 

8,486

Total Company: Total revenue (4)

$

79,777

$

75,856

$

234,620

$

224,187

  Total segment profit

$

23,312

$

21,843

$

64,878

$

63,312

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

 

5,655

 

4,497

 

15,745

 

15,069

Non-cash stock based compensation expense

 

2,989

 

2,707

 

8,438

 

7,920

Stock price appreciation equity program compensation expense

 

602

 

-

 

602

 

-

Acquisition-related cash compensation expense

 

41

 

-

 

41

 

-

Acquisition-related non-cash stock based compensation expense

 

232

 

4

 

232

 

10

Acquisition-related costs

 

53

 

-

 

53

 

-

Legal settlement and related costs

 

-

 

-

 

102

 

-

Depreciation expense

 

940

 

892

 

2,824

 

2,528

Interest expense, net

 

368

 

814

 

1,352

 

2,594

Income before taxes

$

12,432

$

12,929

$

35,489

$

35,191

  (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, acquisition related cash and non-cash stock based compensation expense, depreciation expense, legal settlement and related costs, 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

 

Nine Months Ended

September 27,

 

September 29,

 

September 27,

 

September 29,

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

GAAP NET INCOME

$

8,587

$

9,420

$

26,066

$

26,301

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

 

2,989

 

2,707

 

8,438

 

7,920

Stock price appreciation equity program compensation expense (2)(3)

 

602

 

-

 

602

 

-

Acquisition-related cash compensation expense (4)

 

41

 

-

 

41

 

-

Acquisition-related non-cash stock based compensation expense (4)

 

232

 

4

 

232

 

10

Acquisition-related costs

 

53

 

-

 

53

 

-

Legal settlement and related costs

 

-

 

-

 

102

 

-

ADJUSTED NET INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ON ADJUSTMENTS (1)

 

12,504

 

12,131

 

35,534

 

34,231

Tax effect of adjustments above (5)

 

366

 

716

 

1,822

 

2,093

ADJUSTED NET INCOME (1)

$

12,138

$

11,415

$

33,712

$

32,138

  GAAP diluted net income per common share

$

0.31

$

0.34

$

0.93

$

0.95

Adjusted diluted net income per common share (1)

$

0.43

$

0.41

$

1.21

$

1.17

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

 

28,142

 

27,818

 

27,920

 

27,545

(1) The Company provides adjusted earnings results (which excludes non-cash stock based compensation expense, stock price appreciation equity program compensation expense, acquisition-related cash and non-cash stock based compensation expense, acquisition related costs and legal settlement and related costs 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. (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 stock price appreciation equity program compensation expense relates to equity awards that were granted with certain market share price hurdles and service conditions to meet before they are vested. The market price hurdles include twenty consecutive trading days of equal to or greater than $30, $40 and $50 per share price. As of September 27, 2024, these market conditions had not been met and as such the shares have not vested and are not included in the Company's basic or dilutive shares outstanding. Non-cash compensation of $0.6 million was recorded in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024. (4) 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. (5) The adjustment for the income tax expense is based on the accounting treatment and income tax rate for the jurisdiction of each item. The impact of non-cash stock based compensation expense was $0.1 million and $0.7 million the third quarters of 2024 and 2023 and $1.5 million and $2.1 million in the first nine month periods in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The impact of the stock appreciation equity program compensation expense was $0.2 million in both the third quarter and first nine month period of 2024. The impact of acquisition related cash compensation expense was $11 thousand in both the third quarter and first nine month period of 2024. The impact of acquisition related non-cash stock based compensation expense was $61 thousand in both of the third quarter and first nine month period of 2024 and $1 thousand and $3 thousand in the third quarter and first nine month period in 2023, respectively. The impact of the acquisition related costs were $14 thousand in both of the third quarter and first nine month period of 2024. The impact of the legal settlement and related costs were $27 thousand in the first nine months in 2024. The Hackett Group, Inc. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)  

Quarter Ended

September 27,

 

June 28,

 

September 29,

 

2024

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

Segment Total Revenue and Revenue Before Reimbursements (in thousands): Global S&BT: Total revenue

$

44,065

 

$

42,262

 

$

43,798

 

Reimbursements

 

813

 

 

700

 

 

498

 

Revenue before reimbursements

$

43,252

 

$

41,562

 

$

43,300

 

  Oracle Solutions: Total revenue

$

22,759

 

$

23,045

 

$

20,831

 

Reimbursements

 

921

 

 

888

 

 

457

 

Revenue before reimbursements

$

21,838

 

$

22,157

 

$

20,374

 

  SAP Solutions: Total revenue

$

12,953

 

$

12,349

 

$

11,227

 

Reimbursements

 

94

 

 

172

 

 

267

 

Revenue before reimbursements

$

12,859

 

$

12,177

 

$

10,960

 

  Total segment revenue: Total revenue

$

79,777

 

$

77,656

 

$

75,856

 

Reimbursements

 

1,828

 

 

1,760

 

 

1,222

 

Revenue before reimbursements

$

77,949

 

$

75,896

 

$

74,634

 

  Revenue Concentration: (% of total revenue) Top customer

 

13

%

 

13

%

 

6

%

Top 5 customers

 

24

%

 

25

%

 

16

%

Top 10 customers

 

33

%

 

33

%

 

24

%

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

 

1,262

 

 

1,145

 

 

1,177

 

Total headcount

 

1,546

 

 

1,409

 

 

1,430

 

Days sales outstanding (DSO)

 

70

 

 

68

 

 

75

 

Cash provided by operating activities (in thousands)

$

10,578

 

$

13,719

 

$

7,167

 

Depreciation (in thousands)

$

940

 

$

941

 

$

892

 

Capital expenditures (in thousands)

$

1,229

 

$

884

 

$

1,078

 

  Remaining Plan authorization: Shares purchased (in thousands)

 

65

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands)

$

1,737

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

Average price per share of shares purchased

$

26.77

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

Remaining Plan authorization (in thousands)

$

11,146

 

$

12,883

 

$

13,938

 

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

 

6

 

 

6

 

 

3

 

Cost of shares purchased (in thousands)

$

145

 

$

144

 

$

66

 

Average price per share of shares purchased

$

25.42

 

$

22.94

 

$

23.55

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241104718850/en/

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