Global performance improvement solutions provider GP Strategies Corporation (NYSE:GPX) today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.
Overview:
- Revenue of $122.0 million for third quarter of 2016 compared to $122.9 million for third quarter of 2015
- Operating income of $8.0 million for third quarter of 2016 compared to $6.9 million for third quarter of 2015
- Diluted earnings per share of $0.29 for third quarter of 2016 compared to $0.22 per share for third quarter of 2015
The Company’s revenue decreased $1.0 million or 1% during the third quarter of 2016. The revenue decline was primarily driven by a continued downturn in the Professional & Technical Services segment which reported a $5.2 million or 17% decrease in revenue. This decline was partially offset by a $4.5 million or 20% revenue increase in the Sandy Training & Marketing segment due to increased training services for automotive customers, and a $0.3 million revenue increase in the Performance Readiness Solutions segment. Learning Solutions’ revenue decreased slightly by $0.5 million due to a $3.2 million decline from foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by a $2.7 million or 5% increase from organic growth and acquisition. Foreign currency exchange rate declines resulted in a total $4.4 million decrease in U.S. dollar reported revenue during the third quarter of 2016 across all segments.
Operating income increased 17% to $8.0 million for the third quarter of 2016 from $6.9 million for the third quarter of 2015. The increase in operating income is partly due to $1.2 million of restructuring charges in the third quarter of 2015 which did not recur in 2016. Operating income for the third quarter of 2016 includes $0.3 million of legal expenses related to acquisition activity. Income before income taxes was $7.6 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $5.9 million for the third quarter of 2015. Net income was $4.8 million, or $0.29 per share, for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $3.7 million, or $0.22 per share, for the third quarter of 2015.
“While third quarter 2016 revenue was down slightly, strong performance in our Sandy Training & Marketing and Performance Readiness Solutions segments offset the continued downturn in the Professional & Technical Services segment and the dramatic decline from foreign currency fluctuations,” stated Scott N. Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer. “Our Learning Solutions segment also achieved organic revenue growth during the third quarter excluding the negative effect of foreign currency. In addition, we recently completed the acquisition of Maverick Solutions,
giving GP Strategies enhanced training capabilities in the ERP arena. We continue to pursue niche acquisitions and are currently evaluating additional opportunities.”
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights
As of September 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $15.7 million compared to $21.0 million as of December 31, 2015. The Company had $14.4 million of long-term debt outstanding as of September 30, 2016. In addition, the Company had $44.8 million of short-term borrowings outstanding and $14.7 million of available borrowings under its line of credit as of September 30, 2016.
Cash provided by operating activities was $11.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 340,000 and 255,000 shares, respectively, of its common stock in the open market for a total cost of approximately $8.0 million and $6.6 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, there was approximately $6.1 million available for future repurchases under the buyback program.
Investor Call
The Company has scheduled an investor conference call for 10:00 a.m. EDT on November 1, 2016. In addition to prepared remarks from management, there will be a question and answer session on the call. The dial-in numbers for the live conference call are 800-901-3958 or 212-231-2921, using conference ID number 21821044. A telephone replay of the call will also be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. on November 1st, until 12:00 p.m. on November 15th. To listen to the replay, dial 800-633-8284 or 402-977-9140, using conference ID number 21821044. A replay will also be available on GP Strategies’ website shortly after the conclusion of the call.
Presentation of Non-GAAP Information
This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization). The Company believes that EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s results. This measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a replacement for, or superior to, either net income, as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance, or cash flow, as a measure of the Company’s liquidity. In addition, because EBITDA may not be calculated identically by all companies, the presentation here may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. For a reconciliation of EBITDA to the most comparable GAAP equivalent, see the Non-GAAP Reconciliation – EBITDA, along with related footnotes, below.
About GP Strategies
GP Strategies Corporation (NYSE:GPX) is a global performance improvement solutions provider of sales and technical training, eLearning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. GP Strategies’ solutions improve the effectiveness of organizations by delivering innovative and superior training, consulting and business improvement services, customized to meet the specific needs of its clients. Clients include Fortune 500 companies, manufacturing, process and energy industries, and other commercial and government customers. Additional information may be found at www.gpstrategies.com.
