Monster Worldwide Reports Second Quarter 2004 Results
2004 Second Quarter Financial Highlights
ˇ Total Revenue Increases 26% to $209.4 Million
ˇ Diluted EPS Up 75% Over the Second Quarter of 2003 to $0.14
ˇ Monster Division�'s Deferred Revenue Increases to a New High of $178.9 Million
ˇ Monster Division�'s Operating Income Grows 33% to $24.7 Million on 41% Revenue Increase
New York, July 27, 2004 - Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST), the parent company of the leading global online careers property, MonsterO, the world�'s largest Yellow Pages advertising agency and one of the world�'s largest Recruitment Advertising agency networks, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004.
Second Quarter Results
Total revenue for Monster Worldwide increased 26% in the second quarter of 2004 to $209.4 million from $166.7 million reported in the same quarter of 2003, due to continued strong performance at the Monster division, the contributions of strategic acquisitions and improved results at the Advertising & Communications Division. The Monster division recorded $141.9 million of revenue, a 41% increase over the $100.6 million recorded in the comparable quarter last year. The division produced 22.5% organic revenue growth over the prior year quarter, with acquisitions adding $17.3 million of revenue to the second quarter growth. Compared to the first quarter of 2004, revenue at the Monster division increased 16% overall and 5.7% organically. The Monster division�'s deferred revenue balance reached a new high of $178.9 million as of June 30, 2004, an overall increase of 11% over the $161.3 million recorded in the first quarter. On an organic basis, the division�'s deferred revenue increased 2.5% over the first quarter of 2004. Consolidated net income for the second quarter of 2004 increased to $16.2 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.6 million or $0.08 in the same period in 2003.
Andrew McKelvey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monster Worldwide, said, "We are pleased with our strong second quarter results and the continued momentum we are deriving from the solid execution of our strategies by our sales force and operating team. The revenue and deferred revenue increases achieved by the Monster division in the quarter reflect the benefits of the sales force expansion and marketing activities we implemented earlier in the year, as well as contributions from our recent strategic acquisitions. Given the traction of our business initiatives and the improving conditions of the broader employment marketplace, we are confident that we will continue to achieve revenue and earnings growth in the second half of 2004."
Cash generated from operating activities was $17.4 million in the second quarter of 2004, a $33.6 million improvement over the $16.2 million of cash used for operating activities in the comparable 2003 quarter. The Company�'s cash position was $82.2 million at June 30, 2004, which reflects net cash used for acquisitions of $90.2 million in the second quarter of 2004. Cash and cash equivalents at March 2004 and December 2003 were $155.9 million and $142.3 million, respectively. Debt increased $36.6 million in the second quarter of 2004, reflecting future purchase price commitments related to the Tickle acquisition. These commitments are payable over the next three years. As a result of the above, net cash at June 30, 2004 decreased to $25.4 million from the $135.7 million reported at March 31, 2004.
Six Months Results
Monster Worldwide reported total revenue of $397.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $335.2 million in the comparable prior year period. Income from continuing operations was $29.0 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $18.1 million, or a loss of $0.16 per share from continuing operations in the prior year period. Non-GAAP income from continuing operations was $20.4 million or $0.18 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2003.
Recent Developments/Operating Highlights
ˇ Monster Expands Presence in Consumer Business
On May 24, Monster Worldwide announced the acquisition of Tickle Inc. (www.tickle.com), the market leader in online career assessment testing, serving more than 18 million active members. The addition of Tickle�'s popular interpersonal content and subscriber services in the areas of self-discovery, career assessment and social networking is expected to expand Monster�'s subscriber base, enhance its career-related content and further fuel its viral marketing growth.
ˇ U.S. Olympic Team Sponsorship
Monster, the official online career management sponsor of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team, recently announced the formation of Team Monster. Comprised of athletes representing five Olympic sports and competing in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Team Monster members serve as key spokespeople at featured events pre- and post-Olympic Games. Monster has also continued developing the successful TeamUSAnet website, the first-ever career management website designed exclusively for U.S. Olympic athletes and Olympic hopefuls. TeamUSAnet, a joint effort between Monster and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), features an assortment of career management tools, including a resume builder, job search access, an Olympic mentoring network, and other distinctive content that caters specifically to athletes. It has now received over 1,900 profile entries from Olympic athletes and hopefuls since its creation in 2002.
ˇ Monster and Community Connect Sign Strategic Alliance
Monster signed a strategic Diversity and Inclusion recruiting alliance with Community Connect Inc. (CCI), the leading developer of dedicated online membership sites that serve underserved communities on the Web. With more than 18 million registered members, CCI websites are leading destinations for Asian Americans, African Americans and Latinos on the Internet.
ˇ Tapping Local Markets, Attracting Small Business Owners with eBay
Monster�'s strategic marketing agreement with eBay and its title sponsorship of the eBay Live! 2004 Community Conference in June is giving Monster prominent exposure to eBay's large base of users. Monster�'s presence on the eBay homepage enables eBay users, many of whom are small business owners, to easily access Monster's industry-leading career tools and services with a click of a button. In addition, as part of its sponsorship of eBay Live!, Monster offered educational seminars to small business owners about how Monster can help them recruit most effectively to grow their business.
Outlook
Based on favorable market conditions and the Company�'s strong financial performance in the first six months of the year, Monster Worldwide expects to report continued strong revenue and earnings growth as the year progresses.
In the third quarter of 2004, revenue growth at Monster Worldwide and at the Monster division is expected to increase sequentially and year over year on both an actual and organic basis. While investments in sales related initiatives will continue in the third quarter of 2004, revenue growth is expected to outpace the increased expenses. The Company anticipates reporting progressively improving consolidated operating margins in the second half of the year. As a result, third quarter diluted earnings per share is expected to be $0.16, representing strong sequential growth and a 45% increase over last year�'s third quarter diluted earnings per share of $0.11.
Conference Call Information
Second quarter 2004 results will be discussed on Monster Worldwide�'s quarterly conference call taking place on July 28, 2004 at 10:00am EDT. To join the conference call, please dial in on 1-888-323-9686 at 9:50 AM EDT and give the operator the password "Monster." For those outside the United States, please call in on 1-773-756-4621 and give the operator the same password. The call will begin promptly at 10:00 AM EDT. Individuals can also access Monster Worldwide�'s quarterly conference call online through the investor information section of the Company�'s website at www.monsterworldwide.com. Interactive Metrics for Monster Worldwide and Monster are available at www.monsterworldwide.com or www.monster.com.
About Monster Worldwide
Founded in 1967, Monster Worldwide, Inc. is the parent company of MonsterŽ, the leading global online careers property. The company also owns TMP Worldwide, the world's largest Yellow Pages advertising agency and one of the world�'s largest Recruitment Advertising agency networks. TMP Worldwide is also a provider of direct marketing services. Headquartered in New York with approximately 5,000 employees in 26 countries, Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ: MNST) is a member of the S&P 500 Index. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at www.monsterworldwide.com.
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Monster is the leading global online careers property. A division of Monster Worldwide, Monster works for everyone by connecting quality job seekers at all levels with leading employers across all industries. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Maynard, Mass., Monster has 22 local language and content sites in 20 countries worldwide. Monster is the official online career management services sponsor of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. More information is available at www.monster.com or by calling 1-800-MONSTER. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading employer products and services, please visit http://recruiter.monster.com.
Financial Information Tables
On March 31, 2003, Monster Worldwide completed the spin-off of its eResourcing and Executive Search business units as a publicly traded company known as Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HHGP), and in August 2003, the Company�'s Monster division terminated its joint venture arrangement in Australia and New Zealand. As a result, the financial information tables following this release present the results of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. and the disposition of the terminated joint venture as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Monster Worldwide�'s 2003 financial results from continuing operations reflect the remaining results of the Company�'s Monster, Advertising & Communications, and Directional Marketing business segments.
Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Monster Worldwide, Inc. (the "Company") has provided certain non-GAAP financial information as additional information for its operating results. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. The Company believes that its presentation of non-GAAP measures such as non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA, net cash and free cash flow provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company's management uses these measures for reviewing the financial results of the Company and for budget planning purposes.
Non-GAAP operating income, income from continuing operations and related per share information exclude business reorganization, spin-off and other special charges and any tax benefits thereon. Non-GAAP operating income is a measure used by the Company in reviewing business trends and the financial results of its reportable segments. These measures are also the primary basis upon which the Company prepares its budgets and forecasts.
Adjusted EBITDA is one of the measures that determines the Company's ability to borrow under its $100 million credit facility. If the Company failed to meet the required level of adjusted EBITDA as defined in its credit agreement, the lender may terminate the agreement, requiring the Company to repay any outstanding amount. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or as a measure of the Company's profitability or liquidity. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA reflected herein may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities or operating activities of continuing operations, less capital expenditures. Free cash flow is considered a liquidity measure and provides useful information about the Company's ability to generate cash after investments in property and equipment. Free cash flow reflected herein is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Free cash flow does not reflect the total change in the Company's cash position for the period and should not be considered a substitute for such a measure.
Net cash is defined as cash and cash equivalents after subtracting total debt. Net cash is considered a measure of the Company's liquidity and reflects the amount of cash and cash equivalents that would remain with the Company after paying off its contractual debt obligations. Net cash also provides information to investors regarding the effect that each period's borrowings have on the Company's balance of cash and cash equivalents. Net cash presented herein is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Special Note: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Company's strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of our control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, risks associated with acquisitions, competition, seasonality and the other risks discussed in our Form 10-K and our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference.
Media:
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