Form 10-Q

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      to                     .

Commission File Number 1-10427

 

 

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

Delaware   94-1648752

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2884 Sand Hill Road

Suite 200

Menlo Park, California

  94025
(Address of principal executive offices)   (zip-code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 234-6000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of September 30, 2011:

142,960,024 shares of $.001 par value Common Stock

 

 

 


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     September 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 
ASSETS      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 242,726       $ 315,137   

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $20,997 and $21,569

     516,047         423,175   

Current deferred income taxes

     105,056         92,087   

Other current assets

     141,163         141,461   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,004,992         971,860   

Goodwill

     189,386         189,787   

Other intangible assets, net

     94         219   

Property and equipment, net

     106,424         103,651   

Deferred and other income taxes

     7,639         8,467   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,308,535       $ 1,273,984   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
LIABILITIES      

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 120,890       $ 93,690   

Accrued payroll costs and retirement obligations

     342,410         314,647   

Income taxes payable

     19,983         —     

Current portion of notes payable and other indebtedness

     115         123   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     483,398         408,460   

Notes payable and other indebtedness, less current portion

     1,572         1,656   

Other liabilities

     31,615         29,497   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     516,585         439,613   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note G)

     
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Preferred stock, $.001 par value authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding zero shares

     —           —     

Common stock, $.001 par value authorized 260,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 142,858,389 shares and 146,182,564 shares

     143         146   

Capital surplus

     748,284         787,105   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     43,523         47,120   

Retained earnings

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     791,950         834,371   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,308,535       $ 1,273,984   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Net service revenues

   $ 984,668      $ 817,258      $ 2,803,503      $ 2,323,521   

Direct costs of services, consisting of payroll, payroll taxes, insurance costs and reimbursable expenses

     592,765        508,118        1,701,223        1,456,395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     391,903        309,140        1,102,280        867,126   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     319,817        271,978        924,705        795,165   

Amortization of intangible assets

     39        46        118        362   

Interest income, net

     (148     (153     (598     (321
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     72,195        37,269        178,055        71,920   

Provision for income taxes

     28,027        16,645        70,757        30,641   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 44,168      $ 20,624      $ 107,298      $ 41,279   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders—diluted

   $ 43,556      $ 20,099      $ 105,740      $ 39,430   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share (Note J):

        

Basic

   $ .31      $ .14      $ .75      $ .28   

Diluted

   $ .31      $ .14      $ .74      $ .27   

Shares:

        

Basic

     139,449        142,230        141,118        143,182   

Diluted

     140,433        143,000        142,373        144,327   

Cash dividends declared per share

   $ .14      $ .13      $ .42      $ .39   

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010  

COMMON STOCK—SHARES:

    

Balance at beginning of period

     146,183        148,645   

Net issuances of restricted stock

     1,252        1,417   

Repurchases of common stock

     (5,238     (3,210

Exercises of stock options

     661        282   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     142,858        147,134   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK—PAR VALUE:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 146      $ 149   

Net issuances of restricted stock

     1        1   

Repurchases of common stock

     (5     (3

Exercise of stock options

     1        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 143      $ 147   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SURPLUS:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 787,105      $ 854,081   

Net issuances of restricted stock at par value

     (1     (1

Repurchases of common stock—excess over par value

     (33,088     (55,674

Cash dividends ($.42 per share and $.39 per share)

     (61,016     (44,074

Stock-based compensation expense

     38,193        43,213   

Exercises of stock options—excess over par value

     15,277        6,077   

Tax impact of equity incentive plans

     1,814        (859
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 748,284      $ 802,763   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 47,120      $ 45,580   

Translation adjustments

     (3,597     1,848   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 43,523      $ 47,428   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

RETAINED EARNINGS:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ —        $ —     

Repurchases of common stock—excess over par value

     (107,298     (27,511

Cash dividends ($.39 per share)

     —          (13,768

Net income

     107,298        41,279   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 107,298      $ 41,279   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Amortization of intangible assets

     118        362   

Depreciation expense

     38,509        42,370   

Stock-based compensation expense—restricted stock and stock units

     38,193        43,043   

Stock-based compensation expense—stock options

     —          170   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     (1,087     (917

Provision for deferred income taxes

     (7,186     (14,948

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable

     3,940        5,407   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Increase in accounts receivable

     (99,490     (71,189

Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued payroll costs and retirement obligations

     56,280        24,531   

Increase in income taxes payable

     30,701        19,773   

Change in other assets, net of change in other liabilities

     (7,608     11,592   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

     159,668        101,473   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Capital expenditures

     (41,708     (22,049

Decrease in trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans

     (4,812     (612
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (46,520     (22,661
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Repurchases of common stock

     (140,391     (83,188

Cash dividends paid

     (60,024     (57,612

Decrease in notes payable and other indebtedness

     (92     (84

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     1,087        917   

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

     15,279        6,077   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities

     (184,141     (133,890
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,418     340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (72,411     (54,738

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     315,137        365,794   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 242,726      $ 311,056   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 409      $ 454   

Income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 44,857      $ 23,537   

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

5


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2011

Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations. Robert Half International Inc. (the “Company”) provides specialized staffing and risk consulting services through such divisions as Accountemps®, Robert Half® Finance & Accounting, OfficeTeam®, Robert Half® Technology, Robert Half® Management Resources, Robert Half® Legal, The Creative Group®, and Protiviti®. The Company, through its Accountemps, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and Robert Half Management Resources divisions, is a specialized provider of temporary, full-time, and project professionals in the fields of accounting and finance. OfficeTeam specializes in highly skilled temporary administrative support personnel. Robert Half Technology provides information technology professionals. Robert Half Legal provides temporary, project, and full-time staffing of attorneys and specialized support personnel within law firms and corporate legal departments. The Creative Group provides project staffing in the advertising, marketing, and web design fields. Protiviti provides business consulting and internal audit services, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Revenues are predominantly derived from specialized staffing services. The Company operates in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The Company is a Delaware corporation.

Basis of Presentation. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“Financial Statements”) of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The comparative year-end condensed consolidated statement of financial position data presented was derived from audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2010, included in its annual report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of, nor comparable to, the results of operations for a full year.

Principles of Consolidation. The Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All intercompany balances have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As of September 30, 2011, such estimates included allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, workers’ compensation losses, and income and other taxes. Management estimates are also utilized in the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment.

Advertising Costs. The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs for the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, are reflected in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Advertising Costs

   $ 11,283       $ 9,529       $ 31,033       $ 28,092   

 

6


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2011

 

Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes net income and certain other items that are recorded directly to Stockholders’ Equity. The Company’s only source of other comprehensive income is foreign currency translation adjustments. The components of comprehensive income, net of tax, are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010      2011     2010  

Net income

   $ 44,168      $ 20,624       $ 107,298      $ 41,279   

Translation adjustments

     (14,611     16,523         (3,597     1,848   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

   $ 29,557      $ 37,147       $ 103,701      $ 43,127   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Internal-use Software. The Company capitalizes direct costs incurred in the development of internal-use software. Amounts capitalized are reported as a component of computer software within property and equipment. Internal-use software development costs capitalized for the three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, are reflected in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Internal-use software development costs

   $ 5,717       $ 3,052       $ 13,710       $ 7,013   

Note B—New Accounting Pronouncements

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and international financial reporting standards (“IFRS”). The amendments explain how to measure fair value and will improve the comparability of fair value measurement presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and IFRS. This authoritative guidance is to be applied prospectively and is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its Financial Statements.

Comprehensive Income. In June 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which allows an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This authoritative guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholder’s equity. This authoritative guidance is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Except for presentation requirements, the Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its Financial Statements.

Testing Goodwill for Impairment. In August 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which is intended to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. This authoritative guidance is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its Financial Statements.

 

7


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2011

 

Note C—Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Deposits in trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans

   $ 84,785       $ 82,335   

Other

     56,378         59,126   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 141,163       $ 141,461   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note D—Goodwill

The following table sets forth the activity in goodwill from December 31, 2010, through September 30, 2011 (in thousands):

 

     Goodwill  

Balance as of December 31, 2010

   $ 189,787   

Translation adjustments

     (401
  

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2011

   $ 189,386   
  

 

 

 

Note E—Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Computer hardware

   $ 118,831      $ 115,518   

Computer software

     251,518        232,657   

Furniture and equipment

     113,469        115,730   

Leasehold improvements

     114,329        116,241   

Other

     15,057        14,716   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, cost

     613,204        594,862   

Accumulated depreciation

     (506,780     (491,211
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

   $ 106,424      $ 103,651   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note F—Accrued Payroll Costs and Retirement Obligations

Accrued payroll costs and retirement obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Payroll and benefits

   $ 194,295       $ 153,329   

Employee retirement obligations

     84,342         80,716   

Workers’ compensation

     26,142         24,136   

Payroll taxes

     37,631         56,466   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 342,410       $ 314,647   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

8


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2011

 

Note F—Accrued Payroll Costs and Retirement Obligations (Continued)

 

Included in employee retirement obligations is the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Deferred compensation plan and other benefits related to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer

   $ 70,563       $ 67,891   

Note G—Commitments and Contingencies

On September 10, 2004, Plaintiff Mark Laffitte, on behalf of himself and a putative class of salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers, filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries as Defendants. The complaint alleges that salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers based in California have been misclassified under California law as exempt employees and seeks an unspecified amount for unpaid overtime pay alleged to be due to them had they been paid as non-exempt hourly employees. In addition, the Plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount for statutory penalties for alleged violations of the California Labor Code arising from the alleged misclassification of these employees as exempt employees. On September 18, 2006, the Court issued an order certifying a class with respect to claims for alleged unpaid overtime pay and related statutory penalties but denied certification with respect to claims relating to meal periods and rest time breaks. The Court has stayed the litigation until March 1, 2012. As disclosed in the Company’s prior filings, the litigation was previously stayed pending a decision by the California Supreme Court in a case titled Pellegrino, et al. v. Robert Half International Inc., which, as previously disclosed, the Company does not believe is a material pending legal proceeding. However, rulings by the California Supreme Court in Pellegrino or in Harris v. Superior Court, a case unrelated to the Company, may have a material adverse bearing on the Company’s position in this litigation. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.

On February 23, 2011, Plaintiff Isabel Apolinario, on behalf of herself and a putative class of salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers, filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries as Defendants. The complaint alleges that salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers based in California have been misclassified under California law as exempt employees and seeks an unspecified amount for unpaid overtime pay alleged to be due to them had they been paid as non-exempt hourly employees. In addition, the Plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount for statutory penalties for alleged violations of the California Labor Code arising from the alleged misclassification of these employees as exempt employees. The Court has stayed this case until March 1, 2012. As disclosed in the Company’s prior filings, the litigation was previously stayed pending decisions by the California Supreme Court in the Pellegrino and Harris cases referenced in the first paragraph of this Note G. Rulings by the California Supreme Court in Pellegrino or Harris may have a material adverse bearing on the Company’s position in this litigation. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations in this case, and the Company intends to vigorously defend against the litigation.

 

9


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2011

 

Note G—Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

 

On September 24, 2007, Plaintiff Van Williamson, on behalf of himself and a putative class of salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers, filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries as Defendants. The complaint alleges that salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers based in California were not provided meal periods, paid rest periods, and accurate itemized wage statements. It seeks one hour of wages for each employee for each meal and rest period missed during the statutory liability period. It also seeks an unspecified amount for statutory penalties for alleged violations of the California Labor Code arising from the alleged failure to provide the meal and rest periods and accurate itemized wage statements. The allegations in the complaint are substantially similar to the allegations included in the complaint filed by Mark Laffitte described above. The Court stayed the litigation pending the California Supreme Court’s decisions in two cases unrelated to the Company: Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court and Harris, a case referenced previously in this Note G. A ruling in the Harris case, the Brinker case, and/or the Pellegrino case referenced previously in this Note G, may have a material adverse bearing on the Company’s position in this litigation. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.

On April 23, 2010, Plaintiffs David Opalinski and James McCabe, on behalf of themselves and a putative class of similarly situated Staffing Managers, filed a Complaint in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey naming the Company and one of its subsidiaries as Defendants. The Complaint alleges that salaried Staffing Managers located throughout the U.S. have been misclassified as exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime pay requirements. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount for unpaid overtime on behalf of themselves and the class they purport to represent. Plaintiffs also seek an unspecified amount for statutory penalties, attorneys’ fees and other damages. On October 6, 2011, the Court granted the Company’s motion to compel arbitration of the Plaintiffs’ allegations. At this stage, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from these allegations and, accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to vigorously defend against the allegations.

On May 13, 2011, Plaintiff Michael Merchant filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming a division of the Company as a Defendant. The complaint alleges certain technical violations of the California Labor Code regarding the presentation formatting of wage statements of certain current and former hourly employees and seeks an unspecified amount for penalties, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations and has vigorously defended against the litigation. The parties to this action have entered into a verbal agreement that is expected to settle and resolve the claims included in the complaint. The actual settlement of the case is contingent upon the parties’ execution of a formal written settlement agreement approved by the Court. Based on the settlement terms contained in the verbal agreement between the parties, the Company has determined that this litigation is not currently a material legal proceeding. Accordingly, the Company does not presently intend to make disclosures regarding this case in its future Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

The Company is involved in a number of other lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. While management does not expect any of these other matters to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, litigation is subject to certain inherent uncertainties.

Legal costs associated with the resolution of claims, lawsuits and other contingencies are expensed as incurred.

 

10


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2011

 

Note H—Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Repurchase Program. As of September 30, 2011, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, up to 6.4 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. The number and the cost of common stock shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, are reflected in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010  

Common stock repurchased (in shares)

     5,021         2,961   

Common stock repurchased

   $ 134,026       $ 76,753   

Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of exercise price and applicable statutory withholding taxes. Repurchases of shares are funded with cash generated from operations. The number and the cost of employee stock plan repurchases made during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, are reflected in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010  

Employee stock plan repurchased (in shares)

     216         250   

Employee stock plan repurchased

   $ 6,365       $ 6,435   

The repurchased shares are held in treasury and are presented as if constructively retired. Treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method. Treasury stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (consisting of stock option exercises and the purchase of shares for the treasury) is presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.

Cash Dividends. The Company’s Board of Directors may at their discretion declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the Company’s stock either out of the Company’s retained earnings or capital surplus. The cash dividends declared during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, are reflected in the following table:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010  

Cash dividends declared per share

   $ .42       $ .39   

Repurchases of shares and issuances of cash dividends are applied first to the extent of retained earnings and any remaining amounts are applied to capital surplus. As a result, the Company had no retained earnings as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

11


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2011

 

Note I—Stock Plans

Under various stock plans, officers, employees and outside directors have received or may receive grants of restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights or options to purchase common stock. Grants have been made at the discretion of the Committees of the Board of Directors. Grants generally vest over four years. Shares offered under the plan are authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

Options currently outstanding under the plans have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and consist of non-statutory stock options under the Internal Revenue Code, and generally have a term of 10 years.

Recipients of restricted stock do not pay any cash consideration to the Company for the shares, have the right to vote all shares subject to such grant, and for grants made prior to July 28, 2009, receive all dividends with respect to such shares on the dividend payment dates, whether or not the shares have vested as long as any performance condition has been met. Restricted stock grants made on or after July 28, 2009, contain forfeitable rights to dividends. Dividends for these grants are accrued on the dividend payment dates but are not paid until the shares vest, and dividends accrued for shares that ultimately do not vest are forfeited. Recipients of stock units do not pay any cash consideration for the units, do not have the right to vote, and do not receive dividends with respect to such units. Compensation expense for restricted stock and stock units is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the stock’s fair market value on the grant date. For restricted stock grants issued with performance conditions, compensation expense is recognized over each vesting tranche.

Note J—Net Income Per Share

The calculation of net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is reflected in the following table (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Basic net income per share:

           

Net income

   $ 44,168       $ 20,624       $ 107,298       $ 41,279   

Income allocated to participating securities—basic

     615         525         1,564         1,849   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders—basic

   $ 43,553       $ 20,099       $ 105,734       $ 39,430   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares

     139,449         142,230         141,118         143,182   

Basic net income per share

   $ .31       $ .14       $ .75       $ .28   

Diluted net income per share:

           

Net income

   $ 44,168       $ 20,624       $ 107,298       $ 41,279   

Income allocated to participating securities—diluted

     612         525         1,558         1,849   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders—diluted

   $ 43,556       $ 20,099       $ 105,740       $ 39,430   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares

     139,449         142,230         141,118         143,182   

Dilutive effect of potential common shares

     984         770         1,255         1,145   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares

     140,433         143,000         142,373         144,327   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share

   $ .31       $ .14       $ .74       $ .27   

 

12


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2011

 

Note J—Net Income Per Share (Continued)

 

Potential common shares include the dilutive effect of stock options, unvested performance-based restricted stock, restricted stock which contain forfeitable rights to dividends, and stock units. The weighted average diluted common shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, excludes the effect of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2011              2010              2011              2010      

Total number of anti-dilutive potential common shares

     2,996         2,096         764         782   

Employee stock options will have a dilutive effect under the treasury method only when the respective period’s average market value of the Company’s common stock exceeds the exercise proceeds. Under the treasury method, exercise proceeds include the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in capital surplus, if the options were exercised and the stock units and performance-based restricted stock had vested.

Note K—Business Segments

The Company, which aggregates its operating segments based on the nature of services, has three reportable segments: temporary and consultant staffing, permanent placement staffing, and risk consulting and internal audit services. The temporary and consultant segment provides specialized staffing in the accounting and finance, administrative and office, information technology, legal, advertising, marketing and web design fields. The permanent placement segment provides full-time personnel in the accounting, finance, administrative and office, and information technology fields. The risk consulting segment provides business and technology risk consulting and internal audit services.

The accounting policies of the segments are set forth in Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company evaluates performance based on income or loss from operations before net interest income, intangible amortization expense, and income taxes.

 

13


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2011

 

Note K—Business Segments (Continued)

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of revenue and operating income (loss) by reportable segment to consolidated results (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Net service revenues

        

Temporary and consultant staffing

   $ 794,722      $ 661,178      $ 2,261,773      $ 1,879,661   

Permanent placement staffing

     79,064        57,177        227,331        161,949   

Risk consulting and internal audit services

     110,882        98,903        314,399        281,911   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 984,668      $ 817,258      $ 2,803,503      $ 2,323,521   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

        

Temporary and consultant staffing

   $ 61,196      $ 31,957      $ 145,507      $ 72,473   

Permanent placement staffing

     7,719        5,092        29,461        13,748   

Risk consulting and internal audit services

     3,171        113        2,607        (14,260
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     72,086        37,162        177,575        71,961   

Amortization of intangible assets

     39        46        118        362   

Interest income, net

     (148     (153     (598     (321
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   $ 72,195      $ 37,269      $ 178,055      $ 71,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note L—Subsequent Events

On November 2, 2011, the Company announced the following:

 

Quarterly dividend per share

     $.14   

Declaration date

     11/2/2011   

Record date

     11/23/2011   

Payment date

     12/15/2011   

 

14


ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain information contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in other parts of this report may be deemed forward-looking statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect the Company’s future operating results or financial positions. These statements may be identified by words such as “estimate”, “forecast”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, or variations or negatives thereof or by similar or comparable words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the global financial and economic situation; changes in levels of unemployment and other economic conditions in the United States or foreign countries where the Company does business, or in particular regions or industries; reduction in the supply of candidates for temporary employment or the Company’s ability to attract candidates; the entry of new competitors into the marketplace or expansion by existing competitors; the ability of the Company to maintain existing client relationships and attract new clients in the context of changing economic or competitive conditions; the impact of competitive pressures, including any change in the demand for the Company’s services, on the Company’s ability to maintain its margins; the possibility of the Company incurring liability for its activities, including the activities of its temporary employees, or for events impacting its temporary employees on clients’ premises; the possibility that adverse publicity could impact the Company’s ability to attract and retain clients and candidates; the success of the Company in attracting, training, and retaining qualified management personnel and other staff employees; the Company’s ability to comply with governmental regulations affecting personnel services businesses in particular or employer/employee relationships in general; whether there will be ongoing demand for Sarbanes-Oxley or other regulatory compliance services; the Company’s reliance on short-term contracts for a significant percentage of its business; litigation relating to prior or current transactions or activities, including litigation that may be disclosed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings; the ability of the Company to manage its international operations and comply with foreign laws and regulations; the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the possibility that the additional costs the Company will incur as a result of health care reform legislation may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s profit margins or the demand for the Company’s services; the possibility that the Company’s computer and communications hardware and software systems could be damaged or their service interrupted; and the possibility that the Company may fail to maintain adequate financial and management controls and as a result suffer errors in its financial reporting. Additionally, with respect to Protiviti, other risks and uncertainties include the fact that future success will depend on its ability to retain employees and attract clients; there can be no assurance that there will be ongoing demand for Sarbanes-Oxley or other regulatory compliance services; failure to produce projected revenues could adversely affect financial results; and there is the possibility of involvement in litigation relating to prior or current transactions or activities. Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the Company’s business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by considering past trends or extrapolating past results.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

As described below, the Company’s most critical accounting policies and estimates are those that involve subjective decisions or assessments.

Goodwill Impairment. The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill annually in the second quarter, or more often if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment analysis as of June 30, 2011, and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required. There were no events or changes in circumstances during the three months ended September 30, 2011, that caused the Company to perform an interim impairment assessment.

FASB authoritative guidance requires a two-step approach for determining goodwill impairment. In the first step the Company determines the fair value of each reporting unit utilizing a present value technique derived from a discounted cash flow methodology. For purposes of this assessment the Company’s reporting units are its lines of business. The fair value of the reporting unit is then compared to its carrying value. If the fair value of

 

15


the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is performed. The second step under the FASB guidance is contingent upon the results of the first step. To the extent a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired and the Company must perform a second more detailed impairment assessment. The second step involves allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to its net assets in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill as of the assessment date. The implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is then compared to the carrying amount of goodwill to quantify an impairment charge as of the assessment date.

The Company’s reporting units are Accountemps, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, OfficeTeam, Robert Half Technology, Robert Half Management Resources and Protiviti, which had goodwill balances at September 30, 2011, of $127.4 million, $26.5 million, $0.0 million, $7.2 million, $0.0 million and $28.3 million, respectively, totaling $189.4 million. There were no changes to the Company’s reporting units or to the allocations of goodwill by reporting unit through September 30, 2011.

The goodwill impairment assessment is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis. The estimate of future cash flows is based upon, among other things, a discount rate and certain assumptions about expected future operating performance. The discount rate for all reporting units was determined by management based on estimates of risk free interest rates, beta and market risk premiums. The discount rate used was compared to the rate published in various third party research reports, which indicated that the rate was within a range of reasonableness. The primary assumptions related to future operating performance include revenue growth rates and profitability levels. In addition, the impairment assessment requires that management make certain judgments in allocating shared assets and liabilities to the balance sheets of the reporting units. Solely for purposes of establishing inputs for the fair value calculations described above related to its annual goodwill impairment testing, the Company made the following assumptions. The Company assumed that year-to-date trends would continue for all reporting units through 2011, using unique assumptions for each reporting unit. In addition, the Company applied profitability assumptions consistent with each reporting unit’s historical trends at various revenue levels and, for year 2013 and beyond, used a 5% growth factor to calculate the terminal value at the end of ten years for each unit. This rate is comparable to the Company’s most recent ten-year annual compound revenue growth rate. In its most recent calculation, the Company used a 9.5% discount rate, which is slightly lower than the 9.6% discount rate used for the Company’s test during the second quarter of 2010.

In order to evaluate the sensitivity of the fair value calculations on the goodwill impairment test, the Company applied hypothetical decreases to the fair values of each reporting unit. The Company determined that hypothetical decreases in fair value of at least 70% would be required before any reporting unit would have a carrying value in excess of its fair value.

Given the current economic environment and the uncertainties regarding the impact on the Company’s business, there can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions regarding the duration of the ongoing economic downturn, or the period or strength of recovery, made for purposes of the Company’s goodwill impairment testing will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. If the Company’s assumptions regarding forecasted revenue or profitability growth rates of certain reporting units are not achieved, the Company may be required to recognize goodwill impairment charges in future periods. It is not possible at this time to determine if any such future impairment charge would result or, if it does, whether such charge would be material.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. In May 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and international financial reporting standards (“IFRS”). The amendments explain how to measure fair value and will improve the comparability of fair value measurement

 

16


presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and IFRS. This authoritative guidance is to be applied prospectively and is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its Financial Statements.

Comprehensive Income. In June 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which allows an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This authoritative guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholder’s equity. This authoritative guidance is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Except for presentation requirements, the Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its Financial Statements.

Testing Goodwill for Impairment. In August 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which is intended to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. This authoritative guidance is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its Financial Statements.

Results of Operations

Demand for the Company’s temporary and permanent placement staffing services and risk consulting and internal audit services is largely dependent upon general economic and labor market conditions both domestically and abroad. Correspondingly, results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, were positively impacted by improving global economic conditions. Because of the inherent difficulty in predicting economic trends and the absence of material long-term contracts in any of our business units, future demand for the Company’s services cannot be forecasted with certainty. We expect total Company results to continue to be impacted by general macroeconomic conditions in 2011.

The Company’s temporary and permanent placement staffing services business has more than 350 offices in 42 states, the District of Columbia and 19 foreign countries, while Protiviti has 60 offices in 23 states and 13 foreign countries.

Because fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have an impact on the Company’s results, the Company provides selected growth percentages below on a constant-currency basis. Constant-currency percentages are calculated using as-reported amounts which have been retranslated using foreign currency exchange rates from the prior year’s comparable period.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

Revenues. The Company’s revenues were $985 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 20% compared to $817 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. Revenues from foreign operations represented 30% of total revenues for three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to 28% for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The Company analyzes its revenues for three reportable segments: temporary and consultant staffing, permanent placement staffing, and risk consulting and internal audit services. In the third quarter of 2011, revenues for all three of the Company’s reportable segments were up compared to the third quarter of 2010. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.

 

17


Temporary and consultant staffing services revenues were $795 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 20% compared to revenues of $661 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, temporary and consultant staffing services revenues increased 18% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. In the U.S., revenues in the third quarter of 2011 increased 17% compared to the third quarter of 2010. On a constant-currency basis, the Company’s revenues from foreign operations increased 19% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.

Permanent placement staffing revenues were $79 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 38% compared to revenues of $57 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, permanent placement revenues increased 34% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. In the U.S., revenues in the third quarter of 2011 increased 44% compared to the third quarter of 2010. Historically, demand for permanent placement services is even more sensitive to economic and labor market conditions than demand for temporary and consulting staffing services and this is expected to continue. On a constant-currency basis, the Company’s revenues from foreign operations increased 23% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.

Risk consulting and internal audit services revenues were $111 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 12% compared to revenues of $99 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, risk consulting and internal audit services revenues increased 10% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. Contributing to the increase were the improved economic conditions in U.S. In the U.S., revenues in the third quarter of 2011 increased 14% compared to the third quarter of 2010. On a constant-currency basis, the Company’s revenues from foreign operations decreased 1% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.

Gross Margin. The Company’s gross margin dollars were $392 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 27% compared to $309 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. In the third quarter of 2011, gross margin dollars for all three of the Company’s reportable segments were up compared to the third quarter of 2010. Gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services segment and for the risk consulting and internal audit services division on a year-over-year basis. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.

Gross margin dollars from the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services represent revenues less direct costs of services, which consist of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for temporary employees, and reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services division were $282 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 25% compared to $225 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, temporary and consultant staffing services gross margin dollars increased 23% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. As a percentage of revenues, gross margin for temporary and consultant staffing services was 35.5% in the third quarter of 2011, up from 34.1% in the third quarter of 2010. The higher temporary and consultant gross margin percentage is primarily the result of higher bill rates and higher conversion revenues. Conversion revenues are earned when a temporary position converts to a permanent position. As there are no direct costs related to conversion revenues, the gross margin percentage is favorably impacted as the mix of conversion revenues increase.

Gross margin dollars from permanent placement staffing services represent revenues less reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s permanent placement staffing division were $79 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 38% compared to $57 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, permanent placement gross margin dollars increased 34% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. Because reimbursable expenses for permanent placement staffing services are de minimis, the increase in gross margin dollars is substantially explained by the increase in revenues previously discussed.

 

18


Gross margin dollars for risk consulting and internal audit services represent revenues less direct costs of services, which consist primarily of professional staff payroll, payroll taxes, insurance costs and reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit division were $31 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 14% compared to $27 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, risk consulting and internal audit gross margin dollars increased 13% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. As a percentage of revenues, gross margin for risk consulting and internal audit services was 27.5% in the third quarter of 2011, up from 27.0% in the third quarter of 2010. The year-over-year margin increase is primarily due to leverage gained from higher revenues, coupled with higher staff utilization levels.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses were $320 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 18% compared to $272 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, the Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses were 32.5% for the third quarter of 2011, down from 33.3% for the third quarter of 2010. For the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010, selling, general and administrative expenses increased for all three of the Company’s reportable segments. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased for all three of the Company’s reportable segments in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services division were $221 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, up 14% from $193 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses for temporary and consultant staffing services were 27.8% in the third quarter of 2011, down from 29.2% in the third quarter of 2010. For the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010, the decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the higher operating leverage obtained by higher revenues.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Company’s permanent placement staffing division were $72 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 37% compared to $52 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses for permanent placement staffing services were 90.2% in the third quarter of 2011, down from 91.1% in the third quarter of 2010. For the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010, improved leverage in general and administrative expenses, as a result of higher revenue, drove the overall decrease as a percentage of revenues.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit services division were $27 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, which remained flat compared to $27 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses for risk consulting and internal audit services were 24.6% in the third quarter of 2011, down from 26.9% compared to the third quarter of 2010. For the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010, the decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to lower variable overhead, administrative compensation and fixed overhead as a percentage of revenue.

Operating Income. The Company’s total operating income was $72 million, or 7.3% of revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 94% from $37 million, or 4.5% of revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2010. For the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services division, operating income was $61 million, or 7.7% of applicable revenues, up from $32 million, or 4.8% of applicable revenues, in the third quarter of 2010. For the Company’s permanent placement staffing division, operating income was $8 million, or 9.8% of applicable revenues, up from an operating income of $5 million, or 8.9% of applicable revenues, in the third quarter of 2010. For the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit services division, operating income was $3 million, or 2.9% of applicable revenues, up from an operating income of $0.1 million, or 0.1% of applicable revenues, in the third quarter of 2010.

 

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Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes was 39% and 45%, as a percentage of income before income taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease is due primarily to the impact of permanent non-deductible tax items, which became less significant relative to the Company’s improved financial results.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

Revenues. The Company’s revenues were $2.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 21% compared to $2.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Revenues from foreign operations represented 30% and 28% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company analyzes its revenues for three reportable segments: temporary and consultant staffing, permanent placement staffing and risk consulting and internal audit services. In the first three quarters of 2011, revenues for all three of the Company’s reportable segments were up compared to the first three quarters of 2010. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.

Temporary and consultant staffing services revenues were $2.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 20% compared to revenues of $1.9 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, temporary and consultant staffing services revenues increased 18% for the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010. In the U.S., revenues in the first three quarters of 2011 increased 17% compared to the first three quarters of 2010. For the Company’s foreign operations, constant-currency revenues in the first three quarters of 2011 increased 21% compared to the first three quarters of 2010.

Permanent placement revenues were $227 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 40% compared to revenues of $162 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, permanent placement revenues increased 36% for the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010. In the U.S., revenues in the first three quarters of 2011 increased 44% compared to the first three quarters of 2010. Historically, demand for permanent placement services is even more sensitive to economic and labor market conditions than demand for temporary and consulting staffing services and this is expected to continue. For the Company’s foreign operations, constant-currency revenues in the first three quarters of 2011 increased 27% compared to the first three quarters of 2010.

Risk consulting and internal audit services revenues were $314 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 12% compared to revenues of $282 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, risk consulting and internal audit services revenues increased 9% for the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010. Contributing to the increase was higher demand in U.S. In the U.S., revenues in the first three quarters of 2011 increased 13% compared to the first three quarters of 2010. For the Company’s foreign operations, constant-currency revenues in the first three quarters of 2011 increased 1% compared to the first three quarters of 2010.

Gross Margin. The Company’s gross margin dollars were $1.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, up from $867 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. For the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010, gross margin dollars increased for all three of the Company’s reportable segments. Gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services division and risk consulting and internal audit services division on a year-over-year basis. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.

Gross margin dollars from the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services represent revenues less direct costs of services, which consist of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for temporary employees, and reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services division were $792 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 24% compared to $638 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, temporary and consultant

 

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staffing services gross margin dollars increased 22% for the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010. As a percentage of revenues, gross margin for temporary and consultant staffing services was 35.0% in the first three quarters of 2011, up from 33.9% in the first three quarters of 2010. The year over year gross margin improvement was driven by higher pay/bill spreads and higher conversion revenues. Pay/bill spreads represent the differential between wages paid to temporary employees and amounts billed to clients. Conversion revenues are earned when a temporary position converts to a permanent position. As there are no direct costs related to conversion revenues, the gross margin percentage is favorably impacted as the mix of conversion revenues increase.

Gross margin dollars from permanent placement staffing services represent revenues less reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s permanent placement staffing division were $227 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 40% compared to $162 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, permanent placement gross margin dollars increased 36% for the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010. Because reimbursable expenses for permanent placement staffing services are de minimis, the increase in gross margin dollars is substantially explained by the increase in revenues previously discussed.

Gross margin dollars for risk consulting and internal audit services represent revenues less direct costs of services, which consist primarily of professional staff payroll, payroll taxes, insurance costs and reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit division were $83 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 24% compared to $67 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. On a constant-currency basis, risk consulting and internal audit gross margin dollars increased 22% for the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010. As a percentage of revenues, gross margin for risk consulting and internal audit services was 26.6% in for the first three quarters of 2011, up from 23.9% in the first three quarters of 2010. The year-over-year margin increase is primarily due to higher revenue, coupled with higher staff utilization levels.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses were $925 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 16% compared to $795 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, the Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses were 33.0% for the first three quarters of 2011, down from 34.2% for the first three quarters of 2010. For the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010, selling, general and administrative expenses increased for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services and permanent placement staffing divisions and decreased for the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit services division. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased for all three of the Company’s reportable segments in the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services division were $646 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, up 14% from $565 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses for temporary and consultant staffing services were 28.6% in the first three quarters of 2011, down from 30.1% in the first three quarters of 2010. For the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010, the decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the higher operating leverage obtained by higher revenues.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Company’s permanent placement staffing division were $198 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 34% compared to $148 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses for permanent placement staffing services were 87.0% in the first three quarters of 2011, down from 91.5% in the first three quarters of 2010. For the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010, improved leverage in general and administrative expenses, as a result of higher revenue, drove the overall decrease as a percentage of revenues.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit services division were $81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, decreasing by 1% compared to $82 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses for risk consulting and internal audit services were 25.7% in the first three quarters of 2011, down from 29.0% in the first three quarters of 2010. For the first three quarters of 2011 compared to the first three quarters of 2010, decreases as a percentage of revenues for fixed overhead and variable overhead drove the overall decrease.

Operating Income. The Company’s total operating income was $178 million, or 6.3% of revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increasing by 147% from $72 million, or 3.1% of revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. For the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services division, operating income was $146 million, or 6.4% of applicable revenues, up from $72 million, or 3.9% of applicable revenues, in the first three quarters of 2010. For the Company’s permanent placement staffing division, operating income was $29 million, or 13.0% of applicable revenues, up from operating income of $14 million, or 8.5% of applicable revenues, in the first three quarters of 2010. For the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit services division, operating income was $3 million, or 0.8% of applicable revenues, up from an operating loss of $14 million, or negative 5.1% of applicable revenues, in the first three quarters of 2010.

Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes was 40% and 43%, as a percentage of income before income taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease is due primarily to the impact of permanent non-deductible tax items, which became less significant relative to the Company’s improved financial results.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The change in the Company’s liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is primarily the net effect of funds generated by operations and the funds used for capital expenditures, repurchases of common stock and payment of dividends.

Cash and cash equivalents were $243 million and $311 million at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Operating activities provided $160 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which was more than offset by $47 million and $184 million of net cash used in investing activities and financing activities, respectively. Operating activities provided $101 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, which was more than offset by $23 million and $134 million of net cash used in investing activities and financing activities, respectively.

Operating activities—Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, was comprised of net income of $107 million, adjusted for non-cash items of $73 million, and offset by changes in working capital of $20 million. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, was composed of net income of $41 million, adjusted for non-cash items of $75 million, and net cash provided by changes in working capital of $15 million.

Investing activities—Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, was $47 million. This was comprised of capital expenditures of $42 million and deposits to trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans of $5 million. Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, was $23 million. This was composed of capital expenditures of $22 million and deposits to trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans of $1 million.

Financing activities—Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, was $184 million. This included repurchases of $140 million in common stock and $60 million in cash dividends to stockholders, offset by proceeds of $15 million from exercises of stock options and $1 million in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended

 

22


September 30, 2010, was $134 million. This included repurchases of $83 million in common stock and $58 million in cash dividends to stockholders, offset by proceeds of $6 million from exercise of stock options and $1 million in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, up to 6.4 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company repurchased 5.0 million shares and 3.0 million shares of common stock on the open market for a total cost of $134 million and $77 million, respectively. Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of exercise price and applicable statutory withholding taxes. During both the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2010, such repurchases totaled 0.2 million shares, at a cost of $6 million. Repurchases of shares have been funded with cash generated from operations.

The Company’s working capital at September 30, 2011, included $243 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company’s working capital requirements relate primarily to accounts receivable. While there can be no assurances in this regard, the Company expects that internally generated cash will be sufficient to support the working capital needs of the Company, the Company’s fixed payments, dividends, and other obligations on both a short- and long-term basis. However, continued or increased volatility and disruption in the global capital and credit markets could negatively impact the Company’s business operations and therefore its liquidity and ability to meet working capital needs.

On November 2, 2011, the Company announced a quarterly dividend of $.14 per share to be paid to all shareholders of record as of November 23, 2011. The dividend will be paid on December 15, 2011.

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rates relates primarily to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. Exchange rates impact the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s reported earnings, investments in its foreign subsidiaries, and the intercompany transactions with its foreign subsidiaries.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, approximately 30% of the Company’s revenues were generated outside of the U.S. These operations transact business in their functional currency. As a result, fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, particularly the Canadian dollar, British pound, and Euro, have an impact on the Company’s reported results. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the monthly average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Consequently, as the value of the U.S. dollar changes relative to the currencies of the Company’s non-U.S. markets, the Company’s reported results vary.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates impact the U.S. dollar amount of the Company’s stockholders’ equity. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at period end. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Management, including the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the

 

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reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company’s prior filings contained disclosure regarding a complaint filed in California Superior Court by Mark Laffitte, on behalf of himself and a putative class of salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers based in California. The Court has stayed the litigation until March 1, 2012. As disclosed in the Company’s prior filings, the litigation was previously stayed pending a decision by the California Supreme Court in a case titled Pellegrino, et al. v. Robert Half International Inc. As previously reported by the Company, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.

The Company’s prior filings contained disclosure regarding a complaint filed in California Superior Court by Isabel Apolinario, on behalf of herself and a putative class of salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers based in California. The Court has stayed this case until March 1, 2012. As disclosed in the Company’s prior filings, the litigation was previously stayed pending decisions by the California Supreme Court in the Pellegrino case referenced in the prior paragraph and in Harris v. Superior Court, a case unrelated to the Company. As previously reported by the Company, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.

On April 23, 2010, Plaintiffs David Opalinski and James McCabe, on behalf of themselves and a putative class of similarly situated Staffing Managers, filed a Complaint in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey naming the Company and one of its subsidiaries as Defendants. The Complaint alleges that salaried Staffing Managers located throughout the U.S. have been misclassified as exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime pay requirements. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount for unpaid overtime on behalf of themselves and the class they purport to represent. Plaintiffs also seek an unspecified amount for statutory penalties, attorneys’ fees and other damages. On October 6, 2011, the Court granted the Company’s motion to compel arbitration of the Plaintiffs’ allegations. At this stage, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from these allegations, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to vigorously defend against the allegations.

On May 13, 2011, Plaintiff Michael Merchant filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming a division of the Company as a Defendant. The complaint alleges certain technical violations of the California Labor Code regarding the presentation formatting of wage statements of certain current and former hourly employees and seeks an unspecified amount for penalties, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations and has vigorously defended against the litigation. The parties to this action have entered into a verbal agreement that is expected to settle and resolve the claims included in the complaint. The actual settlement of the case is contingent upon the parties’ execution of a formal written settlement agreement approved by the Court. Based on the settlement terms contained in the verbal agreement between the parties, the Company has determined that this litigation is not currently a material legal proceeding. Accordingly, the Company does not presently intend to make disclosures regarding this case in its future Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

There have been no material developments with regard to the other legal proceedings previously disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

There have not been any material changes with regard to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2011.

 

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ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

     Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
    Average
Price Paid
per Share
     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans
     Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under
Publicly
Announced
Plans (c)
 

July 1, 2011 to July 31, 2011

     166,432 (a)    $ 27.44         143,731         8,291,335   

August 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011

     1,527,829      $ 23.47         1,527,829         6,763,506   

September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011

     392,676 (b)    $ 21.44         391,665         6,371,841   
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total July 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011

     2,086,937           2,063,225      

 

(a) Includes 22,701 shares repurchased in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable withholding taxes and/or exercise price.
(b) Includes 1,011 shares repurchased in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable withholding taxes and/or exercise price.
(c) Commencing in October 1997, the Company’s Board of Directors has, at various times, authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions depending on market conditions. Since plan inception, a total of 88,000,000 shares have been authorized for repurchase of which 81,628,159 shares have been repurchased as of September 30, 2011.

 

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

 

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ITEM 6. Exhibits

 

    3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2009.
    3.2    By-Laws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
  31.1    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
  31.2    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
  32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
  32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
101.1    Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q formatted in XBRL.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Registrant)

/S/    M. KEITH WADDELL        

M. Keith Waddell

Vice Chairman, President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and

duly authorized signatory)

Date: November 3, 2011

 

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