Site Search
Insights
2011 Year-over-Year Highlights
  2011 net revenue of $527.8 million  increased 7.0% with Americas  up 12.1%, Europe  up 4.3%, and Asia Pacific  down 1.4%
  Operating income, excluding impairment and restructuring charges, (1) improved to $31.8 million  and operating margin improved to 6.0%
  General and administrative expenses declined $7.0 million  or 5.4%
  Net revenue from Leadership Consulting Services increased 14.4% to $45.3 million , representing 8.6% of total net revenue
  Net revenue grew 20% in the Consumer practice, 17% in the Education & Social Enterprise practice, 16% in the Industrial practice and 15% in the Life Sciences practice, further improving the company's industry diversification, and more than offsetting a difficult year for the Financial Services practice
"We are pleased with our 2011 performance. Our net revenue was up 7 percent in a volatile economic environment and in line with our original 2011 guidance," said Chief Executive Officer 
(1) These represent non-GAAP financial measures because the impairment charges in the 2011 third quarter and the restructuring charges in the 2011 fourth quarter have been excluded. Including the impairment and restructuring charges, the operating loss was 
2011 Fourth Quarter Results
Consolidated net revenue was 
The number of executive search and leadership consulting consultants at 
Salaries and employee benefits increased 2.9 percent to 
General and administrative expenses declined 14.1 percent to 
Restructuring charges of 
The company reported an operating loss of 
The net loss was 
Net cash provided by operating activities in the quarter was 
2011 Results
For the year ended 
The company confirmed 4,274 executive searches in 2011, a 2.2 percent increase compared to 2010. The average number of consultants in 2011 was 376 compared to an average of 353 in 2010, and productivity, as measured by 2011 net revenue per consultant, remained 
The operating loss for 2011 was 
The reported net loss for 2011 was 
Regional Review
For segment purposes, reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses classified as revenue, restructuring charges, impairment charges, and other operating income are reported separately and, therefore, are not included in the results of each geographic region. The company believes that analyzing trends in net revenue (before reimbursements) and operating income (loss) excluding restructuring charges, impairment charges, and other operating income more appropriately reflects the company's core operations.
$ in millions          4Q 11          4Q 10         Change            2011           2010         Change
                          Americas                                                                                     
                       Net revenue       $ 69.4       $ 66.5        $ 2.9       $ 286.5        $255.7       $ 30.8
                  Operating income       $ 16.4       $ 10.2        $ 6.1        $ 60.6       $ 40.3       $ 20.3
                       Consultants            160            157              3                                           
                                                                                                                      
                            Europe                                                                                     
                       Net revenue       $ 32.9       $ 34.9      $ (2.0)       $ 132.7       $ 127.3        $ 5.5
           Operating income (loss)        $ 3.3        $ 4.3      $ (1.1)         $ 1.3      $ (0.6)        $ 1.9
                       Consultants            104            116           (12)                                           
                                                                                                                      
                      Asia Pacific                                                                                     
                       Net revenue       $ 24.9       $ 25.8      $ (0.9)       $ 108.6        $110.1      $ (1.6)
                  Operating income        $ 2.8        $ 6.3      $ (3.5)        $ 13.0       $ 24.5      $ (11.5)
                       Consultants             83             74              9                                           
                                                                                                                      
         Global Operations Support      $ (10.6)      $ (11.5)        $ 1.0      $ (43.1)      $ (46.1)        $ 3.1
             Restructuring charges      $ (16.3)         $ --        $(16.3)      $ (16.3)      $ (1.6)      $ (14.7)
                Impairment charges       $ --        $ --        $ --       $ (26.4)       $ --       $ (26.4)
            Other operating income       $ --        $ --        $ --         $ --         $ 1.1      $ (1.1)
     Total operating income (loss)      $ (4.5)        $ 9.3      $ (13.8)      $ (10.9)       $ 17.5       $(28.4)
                                                                                                                      
                                         Totals and subtotals may not equal the sum of individual line items due to rounding.                                    
Net revenue in the 
Net revenue in 
The 
Expenses related to Global Operations Support declined 8.5 percent, or 
2012 Outlook
Kelly said, "Considerable opportunities exist to further develop and build both our search and leadership consulting businesses, while integrating these services to become our clients' strategic leadership advisor. With this distinguishing platform, the best people in the business, and the most prestigious brand in the world, we will increase mind and market share in the C-Suite. We do not expect robust growth in 2012 unless we begin to see material movements in economic growth rates and investment patterns. However, we believe that we can improve productivity and increase our profitability. The initiatives we took in late 2011 have started us on the right course and we look forward to the year ahead."
The company is currently forecasting 2012 first quarter net revenue of between 
Quarterly Conference Call
Executives of 
About 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This earnings release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is defined as a numerical measure of a company's financial performance that excludes or includes amounts different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flow of the company. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, the press release contains the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure near the non-GAAP financial measure.
The non-GAAP financial measures used within this earnings release are:
  Operating income (loss), net income (loss), and operating margin to the extent presented as "excluding restructuring charges" or "excluding impairment and restructuring charges"; and
  Constant currency amounts that represent the outcome that would have resulted had exchange rates in the reported period been the same as those in effect in the comparable prior year period. 
These measures are presented because management uses this information to monitor and evaluate financial results and trends. Management believes this information is also useful for investors.
$ in thousands     Three months ended
    December 31, 2011     Year ended
     December 31, 2011
                                  Operating Income                                                                                  
                               GAAP operating loss                                  $ (4,502)                           $ (10,915)
                                Impairment charges                                        --                                 26,366
                             Restructuring charges                                      16,344                                16,344
                         Non-GAAP operating income                                   $ 11,842                             $ 31,795
                                                                                                                                   
                                  Operating Margin                                                                                  
           GAAP operating loss as % of net revenue                                        -3.5%                                  -2.1%
     Non-GAAP operating income as % of net revenue                                         9.3%                                   6.0%
Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect the outcome of the forward-looking statements include, among other things: our ability to attract and retain qualified executive search consultants; our ability to develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with our clients; further declines in the global economy and our ability to execute successfully through business cycles; the timing, speed or robustness of any future economic recovery; social or political instability in markets where we operate; the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; price competition; the ability to forecast, on a quarterly basis, variable compensation accruals that ultimately are determined based on the achievement of annual results; our ability to realize our tax losses; the timing of the establishment or reversal of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; the mix of profit and loss by country; the effect of our goodwill & intangible asset impairment charges and our restructuring initiatives; delays in the development and/or implementation of new or improved technology and systems; and the ability to align our cost structure and headcount with net revenue. Our reports filed with the 
 Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. 
                                                                                                          Consolidated Statements of Operations 
                                                                                                          (In thousands, except per share data) 
                                                                                                                                    (Unaudited) 
                                                                                                                                             
                                                                          Three Months Ended
    December 31,                                 
                                                                                        2011               2010      $ Change       % Change 
                                                                                                                                             
                                                               Revenue:                                                                     
                            Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)         $ 127,159        $ 127,223         $ (64)            -0.1%
                                                         Reimbursements              7,023             5,771           1,252            21.7%
                                                          Total revenue            134,182           132,994           1,188             0.9%
                                                                                                                                             
                                                    Operating expenses:                                                                     
                                         Salaries and employee benefits             85,106            82,729           2,377             2.9%
                                    General and administrative expenses             30,211            35,167         (4,956)           -14.1%
                                                    Reimbursed expenses              7,023             5,771           1,252            21.7%
                                                  Restructuring charges             16,344                --          16,344                
                                               Total operating expenses            138,684           123,667          15,017            12.1%
                                                Operating income (loss)            (4,502)             9,327        (13,829)          -148.3%
                                                                                                                                             
                                        Non-operating income (expense):                                                                     
                                                   Interest income, net                549               240                                
                                                             Other, net            (1,785)               272                                
                                     Net non-operating income (expense)            (1,236)               512                                
                                                                                                                                             
                                      Income (loss) before income taxes            (5,738)             9,839                                
                                                                                                                                             
                              Provision for (benefit from) income taxes            (1,649)             4,656                                
                                                                                                                                             
                                                      Net income (loss)         $ (4,089)          $ 5,183                                
                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                             
                       Basic weighted average common shares outstanding             17,850            17,548                                
                     Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding             17,850            17,893                                
                                 Basic earnings (loss) per common share          $ (0.23)           $ 0.30                                
                               Diluted earnings (loss) per common share          $ (0.23)           $ 0.29                                
          Salaries and employee benefits as a percentage of net revenue               66.9%              65.0%                                
      General and administrative expense as a percentage of net revenue               23.8%              27.6%                                
                 Operating income (loss) as a percentage of net revenue               -3.5%               7.3%                                
                                              Effective income tax rate               28.7%              47.3%                                
 
                                                                                                                         Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. 
                                                                                                                                              Segment Information
                                                                                                                                                   (In thousands)
                                                                                                                                                      (Unaudited)
                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                 Three Months Ended December 31,
                                                              2011             2010          $ Change     % Change     2011
    Margin *     2010
    Margin *
                                          Revenue:                                                                                                         
                                          Americas        $ 69,395       $ 66,513         $ 2,882         4.3%                                            
                                            Europe           32,864          34,879          (2,015)        -5.8%                                            
                                      Asia Pacific           24,900          25,831            (931)        -3.6%                                            
       Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)         127,159         127,223             (64)        -0.1%                                            
                                    Reimbursements           7,023           5,771            1,252        21.7%                                            
                                     Total revenue      $ 134,182      $ 132,994         $ 1,188         0.9%                                            
                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                          
                          Operating income (loss):                                                                                                         
                                          Americas       $ 16,358       $ 10,215         $ 6,143        60.1%                  23.6%                  15.4%
                                            Europe           3,262           4,344          (1,082)       -24.9%                   9.9%                  12.5%
                                      Asia Pacific           2,786           6,316          (3,530)       -55.9%                  11.2%                  24.5%
                                     Total regions          22,406          20,875            1,531         7.3%                  17.6%                  16.4%
                         Global Operations Support        (10,564)        (11,548)              984         8.5%                                            
     Operating income before restructuring charges          11,842           9,327            2,515        27.0%                   9.3%                   7.3%
                             Restructuring charges        (16,344)            --          (16,344)                                                        
                          Operating income (loss):      $ (4,502)        $ 9,327      $ (13,829)      -148.3%                                         7.3%
                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                  * Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).                                    
 
                                                                                                      Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. 
                                                                                                         Consolidated Statements of Operations 
                                                                                                         (In thousands, except per share data) 
                                                                                                                                            
                                                                         Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,                                
                                                                                         2011             2010      $ Change       % Change 
                                                                               (Unaudited)                                                 
                                                               Revenue:                                                                    
                            Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)          $ 527,793      $ 493,091       $ 34,702             7.0%
                                                         Reimbursements              26,187          20,145           6,042            30.0%
                                                          Total revenue             553,980         513,236          40,744             7.9%
                                                                                                                                            
                                                    Operating expenses:                                                                    
                                         Salaries and employee benefits             372,406         340,178          32,228             9.5%
                                    General and administrative expenses             123,592         130,622         (7,030)            -5.4%
                                                          Other charges                  --           4,218         (4,218)          -100.0%
                                                    Reimbursed expenses              26,187          20,145           6,042            30.0%
                                                  Restructuring charges              16,344           1,621          14,723           908.3%
                                                     Impairment charges              26,366              --          26,366                
                                                 Other operating income                  --         (1,072)           1,072           100.0%
                                               Total operating expenses             564,895         495,712          69,183            14.0%
                                                Operating income (loss)            (10,915)          17,524        (28,439)          -162.3%
                                                                                                                                            
                                        Non-operating income (expense):                                                                    
                                                   Interest income, net               1,402             813                                
                                                             Other, net             (5,262)         (1,389)                                
                                              Net non-operating expense             (3,860)           (576)                                
                                                                                                                                            
                                      Income (loss) before income taxes            (14,775)          16,948                                
                                                                                                                                            
                                             Provision for income taxes              18,947           9,455                                
                                                                                                                                            
                                                      Net income (loss)         $ (33,722)        $ 7,493                                
                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                            
                       Basic weighted average common shares outstanding              17,780          17,437                                
                     Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding              17,780          17,869                                
                                 Basic earnings (loss) per common share           $ (1.90)         $ 0.43                                
                               Diluted earnings (loss) per common share           $ (1.90)         $ 0.42                                
          Salaries and employee benefits as a percentage of net revenue                70.6%            69.0%                                
      General and administrative expense as a percentage of net revenue                23.4%            26.5%                                
                 Operating income (loss) as a percentage of net revenue                -2.1%             3.6%                                
                                              Effective income tax rate              -128.2%            55.8%                                
 
                                                                                                                                                                            Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Segment Information
                                                                                                                                                                                                      (In thousands)
                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                   Twelve Months Ended December 31 ,
                                                                                                                 2011             2010          $ Change     % Change     2011
    Margin *     2010
    Margin *
                                                                                                       (Unaudited)                                                                                          
                                                                                          Revenue:                                                                                                            
                                                                                          Americas          $ 286,503      $ 255,690        $ 30,813        12.1%                                            
                                                                                            Europe             132,722         127,267            5,455         4.3%                                            
                                                                                      Asia Pacific             108,568         110,134          (1,566)        -1.4%                                            
                                                       Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)            527,793         493,091           34,702         7.0%                                            
                                                                                    Reimbursements             26,187          20,145            6,042        30.0%                                            
                                                                                     Total revenue         $ 553,980      $ 513,236        $ 40,744         7.9%                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                          Operating income (loss):                                                                                                            
                                                                                          Americas           $ 60,612       $ 40,307        $ 20,305        50.4%                  21.2%                  15.8%
                                                                                            Europe               1,250           (604)            1,854       307.0%                   0.9%                      
                                                                                      Asia Pacific              12,983          24,517         (11,534)       -47.0%                  12.0%                  22.3%
                                                                                     Total regions             74,845          64,220           10,625        16.5%                  14.2%                  13.0%
                                                                         Global Operations Support           (43,050)        (46,147)            3,097         6.7%                                            
     Operating income before restructuring charges, impairment charges, and other operating income             31,795          18,073           13,722        75.9%                   6.0%                   3.7%
                                                                             Restructuring charges           (16,344)         (1,621)         (14,723)      -908.3%                                            
                                                                                Impairment charges           (26,366)            --          (26,366)                                                        
                                                                            Other operating income               --            1,072          (1,072)      -100.0%                                            
                                                                          Operating income (loss):        $ (10,915)       $ 17,524      $ (28,439)      -162.3%                                         3.6%
                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                     * Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).                                    
 
                                                                     Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                                                                        Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                                                                               (In thousands)
                                                                                                          
                                                           December 31,
    2011     December 31,
    2010
                                                                   (Unaudited)                           
                                        Current assets:                                                    
                              Cash and cash equivalents                $ 185,390                $ 181,124
                                        Restricted cash                       440                       393
                               Accounts receivable, net                    69,081                    83,360
                                      Other receivables                     9,404                     7,724
                                       Prepaid expenses                    16,551                    15,323
                                   Other current assets                     1,382                     1,871
                               Income taxes recoverable                    19,866                    11,912
                                  Deferred income taxes                     8,211                    10,759
                                   Total current assets                   310,325                   312,466
                                                                                                          
                                    Non-current assets:                                                    
                            Property and equipment, net                    44,781                    34,406
                                        Restricted cash                     1,470                     1,609
     Assets designated for retirement and pension plans                    22,883                    23,647
                                            Investments                     9,868                    11,021
                               Other non-current assets                     6,480                     8,593
                                               Goodwill                    90,696                   109,888
                           Other intangible assets, net                     2,556                     6,480
                                  Deferred income taxes                    26,506                    36,917
                               Total non-current assets                   205,240                   232,561
                                                                                                          
                                           Total assets                $ 515,565                $ 545,027
                                                                                                          
                                   Current liabilities:                                                    
                                       Accounts payable                  $ 9,157                  $ 8,408
                 Accrued salaries and employee benefits                   131,697                   124,969
                              Other current liabilities                    39,362                    34,064
                                   Income taxes payable                     4,868                     3,208
                                Deferred income taxes                          6                     1,807
                              Total current liabilities                   185,090                   172,456
                                                                                                          
                               Non-current liabilities:                                                    
                           Retirement and pension plans                    31,747                    30,907
                          Other non-current liabilities                    47,396                    47,015
                                  Deferred income taxes                        37                       107
                          Total non-current liabilities                    79,180                    78,029
                                                                                                          
                                   Stockholders' equity                   251,295                   294,542
                                                                                                          
             Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                $ 515,565                $ 545,027
 
                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                              Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                                                                                                 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                                                                                                        (In thousands)
                                                                                                                           (Unaudited)
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                            Three Months Ended
    December 31,      
                                                                                                         2011             2010      
                                                                                                                                  
                                                        Cash flows from operating activities:                                      
                                                                            Net income (loss)      $ (4,089)        $ 5,183      
     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:                                      
                                                                Depreciation and amortization           3,056           2,260      
                                                                        Deferred income taxes             756           3,942      
                                            Net realized and unrealized losses on investments           (277)             492      
                                                             Stock-based compensation expense           1,342           1,738      
                                                              Allowance for doubtful accounts         (2,086)             256      
                                                                        Restructuring charges          16,344            --       
                                                          Cash paid for restructuring charges         (6,833)           (621)      
                                                           Changes in assets and liabilities:                                      
                                                                  Trade and other receivables          34,059          30,263      
                                                                             Accounts payable         (1,621)         (2,472)      
                                                                             Accrued expenses          18,676          14,141      
                                                      Income taxes recoverable (payable), net         (8,544)           2,409      
                                           Retirement and pension plan assets and liabilities             957           (875)      
                                                                                  Prepayments             802           4,384      
                                                            Other assets and liabilities, net           2,884            (14)      
                                                    Net cash provided by operating activities          55,426          61,086      
                                                                                                                                  
                                                        Cash flows from investing activities:                                      
                                                                              Restricted cash              70           (142)      
                                                                         Capital expenditures         (1,766)         (1,498)      
                                                  Purchases of available for sale investments           (187)           (499)      
                                         Proceeds from sale of available for sale investments              25              12      
                                                                                   Other, net            (15)            --       
                                                        Net cash used in investing activities         (1,873)         (2,127)      
                                                                                                                                  
                                                        Cash flows from financing activities:                                      
                                                                        Cash dividends paid          (2,343)         (2,329)      
                                  Payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions           (101)            (16)      
                                                        Net cash used in financing activities         (2,444)         (2,345)      
                                                                                                                                  
                           Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents         (1,218)           1,747      
                                                                                                                                  
                                                    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents          49,891          58,361      
                                             Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period         135,499         122,763      
                                                   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period      $ 185,390      $ 181,124      
 
                                                                                          Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                                                                                             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                                                                                                    (In thousands)
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                     Year ended
    December 31 ,
                                                                                                            2011             2010
                                                                                                  (Unaudited)                 
                                                        Cash flows from operating activities:                                   
                                                                            Net income (loss)        $ (33,722)        $ 7,493
     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:                                   
                                                                Depreciation and amortization             10,263          11,584
                                                                      Write-off of investment              2,810            -- 
                                                                        Deferred income taxes             10,571           7,093
                                            Net realized and unrealized losses on investments                211           1,509
                                                             Stock-based compensation expense              5,503           7,765
                                                                       Other operating income               --          (1,072)
                                                              Allowance for doubtful accounts            (2,753)           1,735
                                                                           Impairment charges             26,366            -- 
                                                                        Restructuring charges             16,344           1,621
                                                          Cash paid for restructuring charges            (7,491)         (3,439)
                                                           Changes in assets and liabilities:                                   
                                                                  Trade and other receivables             13,572        (18,946)
                                                                             Accounts payable              (732)           2,203
                                                                             Accrued expenses              5,960          65,162
                                                      Income taxes recoverable (payable), net            (6,886)           3,726
                                           Retirement and pension plan assets and liabilities                667           (483)
                                                                                  Prepayments            (1,186)             672
                                                            Other assets and liabilities, net              5,277         (2,329)
                                                    Net cash provided by operating activities             44,774          84,294
                                                                                                                               
                                                        Cash flows from investing activities:                                   
                                                                              Restricted cash                 83           2,620
                                                                 Acquisition earnout payments            (3,930)           (554)
                                                                         Capital expenditures           (18,016)        (17,564)
                                                  Purchases of available for sale investments              (986)         (1,046)
                                         Proceeds from sale of available for sale investments                 83             292
                                                             Loan to equity method investment            (1,008)            -- 
                                                                                   Other, net                 74            -- 
                                                        Net cash used in investing activities           (23,700)        (16,252)
                                                                                                                               
                                                        Cash flows from financing activities:                                   
                                                                        Cash dividends paid             (9,723)         (9,696)
                                  Payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions            (2,853)         (4,585)
                                                        Net cash used in financing activities           (12,576)        (14,281)
                                                                                                                               
                           Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents            (4,232)           4,333
                                                                                                                               
                                                    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents              4,266          58,094
                                             Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period            181,124         123,030
                                                   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period         $ 185,390      $ 181,124
CONTACT: Investors & Analysts:
         Julie Creed , Vice President, Investor Relations
         & Real Estate:
         +1 312 496 1774 or jcreed@heidrick.com
         Media:
         Jennifer Nelson , Director, Global Marketing:
         +1 404 682 7373 or jnelson@heidrick.com