Kelly Services® Reports Third Quarter Earnings

November 7, 2018
PDF Version

Financial Highlights

  • Q3 revenue up 1.0%; up 1.9% in constant currency
  • Q3 operating earnings up 21% from last year
  • Q3 earnings per share of $0.84, or $0.56 on an adjusted basis, compared to $0.58 last year

       
TROY, Mich., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kelly Services (Nasdaq: KELYA) (Nasdaq: KELYB), a global leader in providing workforce solutions, today announced results for the third quarter of 2018.

George S. Corona, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced revenue for the third quarter of 2018 totaled $1.3 billion, a 1.0% increase, or 1.9% in constant currency, compared to the corresponding quarter of 2017.
               
Earnings from operations for the third quarter of 2018 totaled $21.9 million, compared to the $18.2 million reported for the third quarter of 2017.

Diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of 2018 were $0.84 compared to earnings per share of $0.58 in the third quarter of 2017. Included in earnings per share in the third quarter of 2018 is the favorable impact of $0.28 due to the non-cash after-tax gain on our investment in Persol Holdings common stock.  Effective in 2018, changes in the fair value of our investment in Persol Holdings common stock are reflected as gains or losses on our Consolidated Statement of Earnings below earnings from operations.  Adjusted for the gain on Persol Holdings common stock net of tax, diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.56.

“The company performed well in the third quarter despite the continuing tight labor market,” said Kelly Services President and CEO George S. Corona. “Our teams are working on new and innovative ways to close the labor supply gap and we are taking the actions necessary to deliver on the bottom line while continuing to invest in technology for our future. Given the current economic environment we will carefully manage our business with a focus on adding value to our clients and improving our profitability,” he said.

Kelly also reported that on November 7, its board of directors declared a dividend of $0.075 per share. The dividend is payable December 6, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 21, 2018.

In conjunction with its third quarter earnings release, Kelly Services has published a financial presentation on the Investor Relations page of our public website and will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on November 7 to review the results and answer questions. The call may be accessed in one of the following ways:

Via the Internet:
Kellyservices.com

Via the Telephone:

U.S.  1 800 288-9626
International  1 651 291-5254

The pass code is Kelly Services

This release contains statements that are forward looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties.  These factors include, but are not limited to, competitive market pressures including pricing and technology introductions and disruptions, changing market and economic conditions, our ability to achieve our business strategy, the risk of damage to our brand, the risk our intellectual property assets could be infringed upon or compromised, our ability to successfully develop new service offerings, our exposure to risks associated with services outside traditional staffing, including business process outsourcing, our increasing dependency on third parties for the execution of critical functions, the risks associated with past and future acquisitions, exposure to risks associated with investments in equity affiliates including PersolKelly Asia Pacific, material changes in demand from or loss of large corporate customers as well as changes in their buying practices, risks particular to doing business with government or government contractors, risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, including foreign currency fluctuations, the exposure to potential market and currency exchange risks relating to our investment in Persol Holdings, risks associated with violations of anti-corruption, trade protection and other laws and regulations, availability of qualified full-time employees, availability of temporary workers with appropriate skills required by customers, liabilities for employment-related claims and losses, including class action lawsuits and collective actions, risks arising from failure to preserve the privacy of information entrusted to us or to meet our obligations under global privacy laws, the risk of cyber attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security, our ability to sustain critical business applications through our key data centers, our ability to effectively implement and manage our information technology projects, our ability to maintain adequate financial and management processes and controls, risk of potential impairment charges triggered by adverse industry developments or operational circumstances, unexpected changes in claim trends on workers’ compensation, unemployment, disability and medical benefit plans, the impact of changes in laws and regulations (including federal, state and international tax laws), competition law risks, the risk of additional tax or unclaimed property liabilities in excess of our estimates, our ability to realize value from our tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards, our ability to maintain specified financial covenants in our bank facilities to continue to access credit markets, and other risks, uncertainties and factors discussed in this release and in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results may differ materially from any forward-looking statements contained herein, and we have no intention to update these statements.

About Kelly Services®

As a global leader in providing workforce solutions, Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) and its subsidiaries, offer a comprehensive array of outsourcing and consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary, temporary-to-hire, and direct-hire basis. Kelly® directly employs nearly 500,000 people around the world in addition to having a role in connecting thousands more with work through its global network of talent suppliers and partners. Revenue in 2017 was $5.4 billion.  Visit kellyservices.com and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

KLYA-FIN

ANALYST & MEDIA CONTACT:                                  
James Polehna                                                                                     
(248) 244-4586                                                                   
james_polehna@kellyservices.com


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOR THE 13 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 AND OCTOBER 1, 2017
(UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars except per share data)
                %   CC %
    2018   2017   Change   Change   Change
                 
Revenue from services $ 1,342.4   $ 1,328.8   $ 13.6     1.0 %    1.9 % 
                 
Cost of services   1,103.3     1,098.1     5.2     0.5    
                 
Gross profit   239.1     230.7     8.4     3.6     4.5  
                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   217.2     212.5     4.7     2.2     3.0  
                 
Earnings from operations   21.9     18.2     3.7     20.6    
                 
Gain on investment in Persol Holdings   15.8     —     15.8     100.0    
                 
Other expense, net   (0.7 )   (0.4 )   (0.3 )   (74.3 )  
                 
Earnings before taxes and equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliate   37.0     17.8     19.2     108.2    
                 
Income tax expense (benefit)   5.9     (4.1 )   10.0     246.4    
                 
Net earnings before equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliate   31.1     21.9     9.2     42.0    
                 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliate   2.0     1.1     0.9     80.5    
                 
Net earnings $ 33.1   $ 23.0   $ 10.1     43.9 %   
                 
Basic earnings per share $ 0.84   $ 0.59   $ 0.25     42.4 %   
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.84   $ 0.58   $ 0.26     44.8 %   
                 
                 
STATISTICS:                
                 
Permanent placement income (included in revenue from services) $ 18.4   $ 14.2   $ 4.2     30.2 %    32.4 % 
                 
Gross profit rate   17.8 %    17.4 %    0.4 pts.    
                 
Conversion rate   9.2     7.9     1.3      
                 
% Return:                
Earnings from operations   1.6     1.4     0.2      
Net earnings   2.5     1.7     0.8      
                 
Effective income tax rate   16.1 %    (22.9 )%   39.0 pts.     
                 
Average number of shares outstanding (millions):                
  Basic   38.8     38.3          
  Diluted   38.9     38.8          


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOR THE 39 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 AND OCTOBER 1, 2017
(UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars except per share data)
                %  
CC %
    2018   2017   Change   Change   Change
                 
Revenue from services $ 4,099.2   $ 3,952.1   $ 147.1     3.7 %    2.8 % 
                 
Cost of services   3,381.4     3,261.0     120.4     3.7    
                 
Gross profit   717.8     691.1     26.7     3.9     3.1  
                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   663.5     636.2     27.3     4.3     3.6  
                 
Earnings from operations   54.3     54.9     (0.6 )   (1.0 )  
                 
Loss on investment in Persol Holdings   (13.0 )   —     (13.0 )   (100.0 )  
                 
Other expense, net   (1.8 )   (2.5 )   0.7     29.3    
                 
Earnings before taxes and equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliate   39.5     52.4     (12.9 )   (24.4 )  
                 
Income tax (benefit) expense   (3.3 )   0.1     (3.4 )   NM    
                 
Net earnings before equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliate   42.8     52.3     (9.5 )   (18.0 )  
                 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliate   4.0     1.6     2.4     143.5    
                 
Net earnings $ 46.8   $ 53.9   $ (7.1 )   (13.0 )%  
                 
Basic earnings per share $ 1.20   $ 1.38   $ (0.18 )   (13.0 )%  
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.19   $ 1.37   $ (0.18 )   (13.1 )%  
                 
                 
STATISTICS:                
                 
Permanent placement income (included in revenue from services) $ 52.3   $ 41.4   $ 10.9     26.4 %    24.6 % 
                 
Gross profit rate   17.5 %    17.5 %    — pts.     
                 
Conversion rate   7.6     7.9     (0.3 )    
                 
% Return:                
Earnings from operations   1.3     1.4     (0.1 )    
Net earnings   1.1     1.4     (0.3 )    
                 
Effective income tax rate   (8.2 )%   0.2 %    (8.4 )pts.    
                 
Average number of shares outstanding (millions):                
  Basic   38.7     38.3          
  Diluted   38.8     38.8          


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
(UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars)
                 
    Third Quarter
                 
              %   CC %
    2018     2017   Change   Change
AMERICAS STAFFING                
Revenue from services $ 561.8     $ 554.8     1.3 %    2.0 % 
Gross profit   106.0       98.8     7.3     7.9  
Total SG&A expenses   91.2       85.5     6.6     7.3  
Earnings from operations   14.8       13.3     11.3    
                 
Gross profit rate   18.9 %      17.8 %    1.1 pts.   
Conversion rate   14.0       13.5     0.5    
Return on sales   2.6       2.4     0.2    
                 
GLOBAL TALENT SOLUTIONS                
Revenue from services $ 507.6     $ 503.0     0.9 %    1.2 % 
Gross profit   97.3       93.0     4.6     5.1  
Total SG&A expenses   73.2       72.2     1.5     1.9  
Earnings from operations   24.1       20.8     15.7    
                 
Gross profit rate   19.2 %      18.5 %    0.7 pts.   
Conversion rate   24.7       22.4     2.3    
Return on sales   4.7       4.1     0.6    
                 
INTERNATIONAL STAFFING                
Revenue from services $ 277.2     $ 275.6     0.6 %    2.8 % 
Gross profit   36.4       39.5     (7.8 )   (5.6 )
Total SG&A expenses   31.6       32.3     (2.7 )   (0.3 )
Earnings from operations   4.8       7.2     (31.1 )  
                 
Gross profit rate   13.2 %      14.3 %    (1.1 )pts.  
Conversion rate   13.5       18.0     (4.5 )  
Return on sales   1.8       2.6     (0.8 )  


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
(UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars)
                   
    September Year to Date
                   
              %   CC %
    2018     2017   Change   Change
AMERICAS STAFFING                  
Revenue from services $ 1,770.1     $ 1,703.5     3.9 %    4.1 % 
Gross profit   322.5       307.9     4.7     4.9  
SG&A expenses excluding restructuring charges   273.8       252.6     8.4     8.6  
Restructuring charges   —       0.4     (100.0 )   (100.0 )
Total SG&A expenses   273.8       253.0     8.2     8.4  
Earnings from operations   48.7       54.9     (11.4 )    
Earnings from operations excluding restructuring charges   48.7       55.3     (12.0 )    
                   
Gross profit rate   18.2 %      18.1 %    0.1 pts     
Conversion rate   15.1       17.8     (2.7 )    
Conversion rate excluding restructuring charges   15.1       18.0     (2.9 )    
Return on sales   2.8       3.2     (0.4 )    
Return on sales excluding restructuring charges   2.8       3.2     (0.4 )    
                   
GLOBAL TALENT SOLUTIONS                  
Revenue from services $ 1,494.1     $ 1,495.8     (0.1 )%   (0.3 )%
Gross profit   281.8       272.2     3.6     3.2  
SG&A expenses excluding restructuring charges   224.0       218.8     2.4     2.0  
Restructuring charges   —       2.0     (100.0 )   (100.0 )
Total SG&A expenses   224.0       220.8     1.5     1.0  
Earnings from operations   57.8       51.4     12.5      
Earnings from operations excluding restructuring charges   57.8       53.4     8.3      
                   
Gross profit rate   18.9 %      18.2 %    0.7 pts.     
Conversion rate   20.5       18.9     1.6      
Conversion rate excluding restructuring charges   20.5       19.6     0.9      
Return on sales   3.9       3.4     0.5      
Return on sales excluding restructuring charges   3.9       3.6     0.3      
                   
INTERNATIONAL STAFFING                  
Revenue from services $ 848.5     $ 766.0     10.8 %    5.9 % 
Gross profit   115.4       112.7     2.3     (2.1 )
Total SG&A expenses   99.2       96.2     3.0     (1.0 )
Earnings from operations   16.2       16.5     (1.4 )    
                   
Gross profit rate   13.6 %      14.7 %    (1.1 )pts.    
Conversion rate   14.1       14.6     (0.5 )    
Return on sales   1.9       2.2     (0.3 )    


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars)
             
    September 30, 2018   Dec. 31, 2017   October 1, 2017
Current Assets            
  Cash and equivalents $ 20.8   $ 32.5   $ 22.2  
  Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of            
  $12.4, $12.9, and $13.1 respectively   1,294.0     1,286.7     1,271.7  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   68.0     65.1     70.0  
Total current assets   1,382.8     1,384.3     1,363.9  
             
Noncurrent Assets            
  Property and equipment, net   85.0     86.1     81.4  
  Deferred taxes   196.5     183.4     192.0  
  Goodwill   107.3     107.1     107.1  
  Investment in Persol Holdings   213.6     228.1     212.4  
  Investment in equity affiliate   120.3     117.4     116.4  
  Other assets   287.6     271.8     263.5  
Total noncurrent assets   1,010.3     993.9     972.8  
             
Total Assets $ 2,393.1   $ 2,378.2   $ 2,336.7  
             
Current Liabilities            
  Short-term borrowings $ 8.1   $ 10.2   $ 23.9  
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   497.0     537.7     496.1  
  Accrued payroll and related taxes   304.7     287.4     312.6  
  Accrued insurance   25.9     25.7     25.6  
  Income and other taxes   66.5     65.2     60.0  
Total current liabilities   902.2     926.2     918.2  
             
Noncurrent Liabilities            
  Accrued insurance   50.2     49.9     49.7  
  Accrued retirement benefits   186.9     178.1     175.0  
  Other long-term liabilities   68.0     72.5     66.8  
Total noncurrent liabilities   305.1     300.5     291.5  
             
Stockholders' Equity            
  Common stock   40.1     40.1     40.1  
  Treasury stock   (27.3 )   (35.2 )   (35.2 )
  Paid-in capital   25.0     32.2     30.0  
  Earnings invested in the business   1,165.0     983.6     968.8  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income   (17.0 )   130.8     123.3  
Total stockholders' equity   1,185.8     1,151.5     1,127.0  
             
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 2,393.1   $ 2,378.2   $ 2,336.7  
             
             
STATISTICS:            
 Working Capital $ 480.6   $ 458.1   $ 445.7  
 Current Ratio   1.5     1.5     1.5  
 Debt-to-capital %   0.7 %    0.9 %    2.1 % 
 Global Days Sales Outstanding   58     55     58  
 Year-to-Date Free Cash Flow $ 15.4   $ 46.2   $ 18.3  


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE 39 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 AND OCTOBER 1, 2017
(UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars)
     
    2018   2017
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net earnings $ 46.8   $ 53.9  
Noncash adjustments:        
Depreciation and amortization   19.5     16.5  
Provision for bad debts   1.3     3.6  
Stock-based compensation   6.7     6.8  
Loss on investment in Persol Holdings   13.0     —  
Other, net   (5.0 )   (2.3 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition   (49.0 )   (45.5 )
         
Net cash from operating activities   33.3     33.0  
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Capital expenditures   (17.9 )   (14.7 )
Acquisition of company, net of cash received   —     (37.2 )
Investment in equity securities   (5.0 )   —  
(Loan to) proceeds from repayment of loan to equity affiliate   (2.9 )   0.6  
Other investing activities   (0.8 )   —  
         
Net cash used in investing activities   (26.6 )   (51.3 )
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Net change in short-term borrowings   (1.9 )   23.9  
Dividend payments   (8.8 )   (8.7 )
Payments of tax withholding for stock awards   (6.3 )   (1.7 )
Other financing activities   —     (0.1 )
         
Net cash (used in) from financing activities   (17.0 )   13.4  
         
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (0.7 )   (2.3 )
         
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (11.0 )   (7.2 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period   36.9     34.3  
         
         
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 25.9   $ 27.1  


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
REVENUE FROM SERVICES
(UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars)
                 
    Third Quarter (Americas, International and GTS)
                 
            %   CC %
    2018   2017   Change   Change
                 
Americas                
United States $ 942.5   $ 941.1     0.1 %    0.1 % 
Canada   37.0     37.1     (0.2 )   4.0  
Mexico   32.3     32.9     (1.9 )   4.3  
Puerto Rico   28.2     15.9     77.0     77.0  
Brazil   8.1     12.3     (33.9 )   (20.8 )
Total Americas   1,048.1     1,039.3     0.8     1.3  
                 
EMEA                
France   68.8     73.0     (5.6 )   (4.7 )
Switzerland   53.8     59.1     (9.0 )   (7.0 )
Portugal   48.2     46.0     4.5     5.5  
United Kingdom   28.1     23.3     20.4     20.9  
Russia   24.0     22.5     7.0     19.3  
Italy   18.3     15.9     15.3     16.5  
Germany   13.8     15.5     (10.3 )   (9.4 )
Ireland   11.3     8.3     36.7     38.2  
Norway   8.8     8.9     (1.7 )   1.8  
Other   13.0     12.1     7.0     9.3  
Total EMEA   288.1     284.6     1.3     3.5  
                 
Total APAC   6.2     4.9     28.9     37.5  
                 
Total Kelly Services, Inc. $ 1,342.4   $ 1,328.8     1.0 %    1.9 % 
                 


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
REVENUE FROM SERVICES
(UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars)
                 
    September Year to Date (Americas, International and GTS)
                 
            %   CC %
    2018   2017   Change   Change
                 
Americas                
United States $ 2,898.4   $ 2,866.8     1.1 %    1.1 % 
Canada   107.6     105.8     1.7     0.3  
Mexico   92.7     85.0     9.1     10.5  
Puerto Rico   74.2     51.2     45.0     45.0  
Brazil   26.6     38.3     (30.6 )   (23.9 )
Total Americas   3,199.5     3,147.1     1.7     1.7  
                 
EMEA                
France   212.7     202.1     5.3     (1.8 )
Switzerland   156.3     161.3     (3.1 )   (4.0 )
Portugal   150.5     124.0     21.3     13.1  
United Kingdom   85.6     64.3     33.1     25.7  
Russia   75.7     69.3     9.3     15.4  
Italy   58.1     45.3     28.4     19.8  
Germany   45.0     43.3     4.0     (3.3 )
Ireland   34.3     23.4     46.4     36.8  
Norway   26.4     24.9     5.8     2.6  
Other   38.2     33.5     13.9     7.2  
Total EMEA   882.8     791.4     11.6     6.6  
                 
Total APAC   16.9     13.6     24.5     25.6  
                 
Total Kelly Services, Inc. $ 4,099.2   $ 3,952.1     3.7 %    2.8 % 
                 


 KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
 (UNAUDITED)
 (In millions of dollars except per share data)
                 
     
    Third Quarter   September Year to Date
    2018   2017   2018   2017
                 
Earnings from operations   $ 21.9     $ 18.2     $ 54.3     $ 54.9  
Restructuring charges (Note 1)   —     —     —     2.4  
Adjusted earnings from operations   $ 21.9     $ 18.2     $ 54.3     $ 57.3  
                 
    Third Quarter   September Year to Date
    2018   2017   2018   2017
Income tax expense (benefit)   $ 5.9     $ (4.1 )   $ (3.3 )   $ 0.1  
Tax (expense) benefit on investment in Persol Holdings (Note 2)   (4.9 )   —     4.0     —  
Tax expense on restructuring charges (Note 1)   —     —     —     0.7  
Adjusted income tax expense (benefit)   $ 1.0     $ (4.1 )   $ 0.7     $ 0.8  
                 
    Third Quarter   September Year to Date
    2018   2017   2018   2017
                 
Net earnings   $ 33.1     $ 23.0     $ 46.8     $ 53.9  
(Gain) loss on investment in Persol Holdings, net of taxes (Note 2)   (10.9 )   —     9.0     —  
Restructuring charges, net of taxes (Note 1)   —     —     —     1.7  
Adjusted net earnings   $ 22.2     $ 23.0     $ 55.8     $ 55.6  
                 
    Third Quarter   September Year to Date
    2018   2017   2018   2017
    Per Share   Per Share
Net earnings   $ 0.84     $ 0.58     $ 1.19     $ 1.37  
(Gain) loss on investment in Persol Holdings, net of taxes (Note 2)   (0.28 )   —     0.23     —  
Restructuring charges, net of taxes (Note 1)   —     —     —     0.04  
Adjusted net earnings   $ 0.56     $ 0.58     $ 1.42     $ 1.41  

Note: Earnings per share amounts for each quarter are required to be computed independently and may not equal the amounts computed for the total year.


KELLY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
(UNAUDITED)

Management believes that the non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) information excluding the 2017 restructuring charges and 2018 gain/loss on investment in Persol Holdings is useful to understand the Company's fiscal 2018 financial performance and increases comparability.  Specifically, Management believes that removing the impact of these items allows for a more meaningful comparison of current period operating performance with the operating results of prior periods.  These non-GAAP measures may have limitations as analytical tools because they exclude items which can have a material impact on cash flow and earnings per share.  As a result, Management considers these measures, along with reported results, when it reviews and evaluates the Company's financial performance.  Management believes that these measures provide greater transparency to investors and provide insight into how Management is evaluating the Company's financial performance.  Non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

(1) Restructuring charges in 2017 represent costs related primarily to optimizing our GTS service delivery models to deliver expected cost savings.

(2) The gains and losses on the investment in Persol Holdings in 2018 represent the change in fair value of the investment during the period presented and the related tax expense and benefit.

 

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Source: Kelly Services, Inc.