Exhibit 99.1
ChoicePoint® Reports Third Quarter 2007 Results
| | • | | Service revenue from continuing operations grew 3.4 percent from the third quarter of 2006, led by Insurance Services segment growth of 11.3 percent. |
| | • | | Strong Net Free Cash Flow from continuing operations of approximately $55 million for the quarter. |
| | • | | Repurchased 3.6 million shares during the quarter, bringing total shares acquired since inception of the program to approximately 24 percent of outstanding shares. |
| | • | | Recorded a $30.3 million after tax charge on a business within the Government Services segment that it intends to sell. |
ALPHARETTA, GA – October 24, 2007 – For the third quarter of 2007, ChoicePoint Inc. (NYSE: CPS) reported a 3.4 percent increase in service revenue from continuing operations to $265.2 million, compared to $256.5 million for the third quarter of 2006. Total revenue from continuing operations was $270.8 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $261.5 million for the third quarter of 2006. Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations (“EPS”) for the third quarter of 2007 was $0.44, compared to ($0.42) for the third quarter of 2006. Excluding the other operating charges detailed in the table below, EPS would have increased 10% to $0.46 for the third quarter of 2007, compared to $0.42 in the third quarter of 2006.
The following table provides a reconciliation of EPS excluding other operating charges to EPS calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | Quarter ended September 30, | |
| | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
EPS from continuing operations excluding other operating charges | | $ | 0.46 | | | $ | 0.42 | |
Other operating charges | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.84 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
EPS from continuing operations | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | (0.42 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Other operating charges incurred during the third quarter of 2007 totaled $2.8 m illion ($0.02 per share) and include costs associated primarily with sev erance and lease abandonm ent charges. See Note (c) to Financial Highlights for additional detail of 2006 and 2007 other operating charges.
ChoicePoint Earnings
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In September 2007, the Company decided to divest its iMap business which was previously included as part of the Government Services segment. In connection with the decision, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $48.8 million ($30.3 million after tax benefit) in discontinued operations to reduce the carrying value of iMap to reflect the currently estimated net proceeds to be realized from selling the business. While a transaction has not yet been consummated and the Company has no definitive agreements to sell the business, the Company has met the criteria to classify this business as discontinued operations, and GAAP requires the recognition of the estimated impairment during the third quarter of 2007. Prior period results have been reclassified to conform to this presentation. The Company will adjust these estimates when the ultimate selling price is determined. See Note (d) to the Financial Highlights for additional information.
After combining the results of continuing and discontinued operations, the Company’s net income for the third quarter of 2007 was $1.3 million or $0.02 per share as compared to a net loss of $72.2 million for the third quarter of 2006.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Highlights – Third Quarter
| | • | | Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations were $67.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $94.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. With $13.3 million in capital expenditures during the third quarter of 2007 and $12.0 million in capital expenditures during the same period in 2006, net free cash flow from continuing operations (cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations less capital expenditures) for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 was $54.5 million, compared to $82.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations were $187.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $163.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The improved cash flow results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily reflect lower federal tax payments and strong collections efforts. |
| | • | | During the third quarter, the Company repurchased 3.6 million shares of its common stock at an average cost of $38.66 per share for an aggregate of $140.1 million, leaving $193.8 million authorized in the Company’s buyback program as of September 30, 2007. Since the approval of the Company’s buyback program on July 26, 2005, a total of 21.4 million shares have been repurchased at an average cost of $38.76 per share for an aggregate of $831.2 million, representing the repurchase of approximately 24 percent of the shares that were outstanding at the commencement of the buyback program. |
ChoicePoint Earnings
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| | • | | Net debt (total debt of $515.0 million less cash and cash equivalents of $37.5 million) at September 30, 2007, increased by $80 million from June 30, 2007 to $477.5 million, with an average effective interest rate of 5.6 percent, as the Company utilized its borrowing capacity and cash flow from operations to repurchase shares and fund capital expenditures. The remaining debt capacity at September 30, 2007 under our committed financing lines was $200 million. |
Financial Highlights – Third Quarter
| | • | | Internal revenue (total revenue less revenue from acquisitions) from continuing operations increased 2.3 percent over the third quarter of 2006, led by a strong 11.0 percent growth in Insurance Services and 5.6 percent growth in Government Services. Internal revenue declined in Screening and Authentication Services, Financial and Professional Services, and Marketing Services due to macroeconomic conditions faced by our customers which directly impact these segments. Third quarter service revenue from continuing operations increased 3.4 percent to $265.2 million in 2007 from $256.5 million in 2006. |
| | • | | Operating income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2007 was $58.7 million, compared to operating loss of $53.0 million for the same period of 2006. Operating income from continuing operations results for the three months ended September 30, 2007, were reduced by other operating charges of $2.8 million ($1.7 million net of taxes) consisting of the following: |
| | • | | Charges of $2.5 million ($1.5 million net of taxes) for lease abandonment and severance primarily associated with the consolidation of facilities; and |
| | • | | Net charges of $0.3 million ($0.2 million net of taxes) including asset impairments and third party expenses related to the previously disclosed fraudulent data access. |
| | • | | Operating income from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, was reduced by other operating charges of $116.1 million, ($70.0 million net of taxes), consisting of the following: |
| | • | | Charges of $115.1 million ($69.4 million net of taxes) for asset impairment and severance primarily associated with our Marketing Services segment; and |
| | • | | Charges of $0.9 million ($0.6 million net of taxes) for third party expenses related to the previously disclosed fraudulent data access. |
ChoicePoint Earnings
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Excluding these charges, operating income from continuing operations would have been $61.5 million and $63.0 million for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively.
| | • | | The Company’s effective tax rate for continuing operations in the third quarter of 2007 was 38.0 percent, compared to 39.9 percent for the third quarter of 2006. The decreased rate for the current quarter is primarily due to the benefit of certain tax credits in the third quarter of 2007 not available in the third quarter of 2006. We expect the overall effective tax rate for the year to be in the mid 38 percent range. |
| | • | | Interest expense was $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2007, an increase of $2.0 million from the third quarter of 2006, due to higher average debt outstanding which is primarily associated with the Company’s share repurchase program, and higher average interest rates. |
Operational Highlights
Insurance Services
| | • | | Total revenue increased 11.3 percent to $129.2 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $116.1 million in the same period of the prior year. Internal revenue grew 11.0 percent during the third quarter of 2007, as compared to the same period of the prior year, led by almost 20 percent internal revenue growth in our software business, approximately 13 percent internal revenue growth in our claims and fraud analytics business, and 9 percent internal revenue growth in our data services business. |
| | • | | Operating income increased 7 percent in Insurance Services to $65.0 million for the third quarter of 2007, compared with $60.6 million for the third quarter of 2006. Operating profit margin improved slightly to 50.3% for the third quarter of 2007 compared to 50.1% in the second quarter of 2007. Operating profit margin decreased from 52.2 percent in the third quarter of 2006. This decrease is primarily due to changes in product mix and costs associated with new product development. |
ChoicePoint Earnings
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Screening and Authentication Services
| | • | | Total revenue and internal revenue both decreased by 3 percent in the third quarter of 2007 to $64.6 million, compared to $66.8 million in the third quarter of 2006. Double-digit internal revenue growth from our vital records and Bridger businesses was offset by negative internal revenue growth in our employment-related screening business due primarily to reduced hiring levels by our customers, primarily in the retail sector, and, to a lesser extent, the pricing impact of a previously disclosed long-term agreement with a major customer. |
| | • | | Operating income in Screening and Authentication Services was $13.2 million for the third quarter of 2007, compared to $15.7 million in the same period of the prior year. Operating profit margin improved to 20.5% for the third quarter of 2007 compared to 19.3% in the second quarter of 2007 as we recognized the benefit of cost saving initiatives. Operating profit margin decreased from 23.6 percent in the same period of the prior year. This decrease is primarily due to the impact of the revenue decrease discussed above. |
Financial and Professional Services
| | • | | Total revenue increased by 3.8% to $26.5 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $25.5 million in the third quarter of 2006. These results include the impact of our Charles Jones joint venture, which was effective July 1, 2007. Excluding $2.4 million of incremental revenue associated with the Charles Jones joint venture, internal revenue declined 5.7 percent during the third quarter of 2007, as compared to the same period of the prior year, as growth in our public filings business was offset by declining revenues from our financial services customers. |
| | • | | Operating income in the Financial and Professional Services segment was $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2007, unchanged from $3.0 million for the same period of 2006. Operating profit margin was 11.4% for the third quarter of 2007 compared to 16.7% in the second quarter of 2007 as the severe drop-off in the mortgage and deal financing markets negatively impacted our Charles Jones and BIS business units. Operating profit margin decreased from 11.9 percent in the third quarter of 2006, as a result of the consolidation of the Charles Jones joint venture. Excluding the impact of the Charles Jones joint venture, operating profit margin would have been 14.7% for the third quarter of 2007. |
Government Services
| | • | | Excluding the results of our iMap business, which is now included in discontinued operations, total revenue and internal revenue in the Government Services segment increased 6 percent to $30.6 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $29.0 million in the third quarter of 2006. This increase was led by double digit revenue growth in our software business, offset by slightly negative growth in data sales. |
ChoicePoint Earnings
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| | • | | Operating income in Government Services was $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2007, an increase from $2.4 million for the same period in 2006. Operating profit margin improved to 10.7% for the third quarter of 2007 compared to 5.2% in the second quarter of 2007 due to the benefit of increased software revenue and lower administrative costs in the quarter. Operating profit margin in Government Services increased from 8.3 percent in the third quarter of 2006, due primarily to the increased revenue discussed above, offset by the continued ramp-up of Fusion centers. |
Marketing Services
| | • | | Third quarter total revenue for Marketing Services (which includes all of the Company’s revenue from reimbursable expenses) declined 17 percent to $20.0 million in 2007 from $24.0 million in 2006. Marketing Services’ service revenue for the third quarter of 2007 declined 25 percent to $14.3 million from $19.1 million in the third quarter of 2006, primarily due to continuing reductions in spending by our customers in the sub-prime mortgage lending market. |
| | • | | Operating income in Marketing Services was $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2007, compared with $2.8 million for the same period of 2006. Operating profit margin declined to 3.5% for the third quarter of 2007, compared to 4.9% in the second quarter of 2007 due primarily to a decline in revenue. Operating profit margin decreased from 14.8 percent of service revenue in the third quarter of 2006 (11.8 percent of total revenue), a decrease resulting from the revenue decline discussed above. |
Corporate and Shared Expenses
| | • | | For the third quarter of 2007, corporate and shared expenses were $17.9 million, or 6.7 percent of service revenue, compared to $15.4 million, or 6.0 percent of service revenue, in the third quarter of 2006. We expect corporate and shared expenses to be 6 to 7 percent of service revenue for the full year 2007. |
| | • | | The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $5.7 million ($4.2 million net of taxes) during the third quarter of 2007. Approximately $0.9 million of stock-based compensation expense is included in cost of revenue with the remaining $4.8 million of stock-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses. These amounts include restricted stock expense of $2.7 million ($1.7 million net of taxes), and stock option expense of $3.0 million ($2.5 million net of taxes). The Company recorded $6.2 million ($4.7 million net of taxes) of stock-based compensation expense in the third quarter of 2006, which includes restricted stock expense of $1.9 million ($1.2 million net of taxes) and stock option expense of $4.3 million ($3.5 million net of taxes). |
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 7 of 17
2007 Updated Outlook
Refer to our attached Summary of Projections for the Year Ending December 31, 2007.
Webcast
ChoicePoint’s third quarter results will be discussed in more detail on October 24, 2007, at 8:30 a.m. EDT via teleconference. The live audio Webcast of the call will be available on ChoicePoint’s Web site at www.choicepoint.com. There will also be a replay of the call available beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m. EDT at the same Web address.
About ChoicePoint
ChoicePoint (NYSE: CPS) provides businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations with technology, software, information and marketing services to help manage economic and physical risks as well as identify business opportunities. Each year, we help more than 100 million people who are seeking to obtain jobs, fairly priced home and auto insurance, and who wish to rent apartments. Our authentication and anti-fraud tools improve efficiency and instill confidence in the decision-making process for our customers and consumers. Consumers have free access to the reports we create atwww.ChoiceTrust.com. Learn what we do to protect consumer privacy by visitingwww.PrivacyatChoicePoint.com and, for more information on our company, go towww.ChoicePoint.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain written statements in this release and oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or phrases such as “should result,” “are expected to,” “we anticipate,” “we estimate,” “we project,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following important factors: the results of our ongoing review of fraudulent data access and other events, the impact of our decision to discontinue certain services, the results of litigation or government proceedings, demand for the Company’s services, product development, maintaining acceptable margins, maintaining our data supply, maintaining secure systems including personal privacy systems, ability to minimize system interruptions, ability to control costs, the impact of federal, state and local regulatory requirements on the Company’s business, privacy matters and any federal or state legislative responses to identify theft concerns, the impact of competition and customer consolidations, ability to continue our long-term business strategy, ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, and the uncertainty of economic conditions in general. Additional information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10?K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (collectively, the “SEC Filings”). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, since the statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these statements based on events that may occur after the date of this press release.
ChoicePoint Earnings
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ChoicePoint Inc.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, | |
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Service revenue (a) | | $ | 265,154 | | | $ | 256,538 | | | $ | 784,358 | | | $ | 753,829 | |
Reimbursable expenses per EITF 01-14 (b) | | | 5,640 | | | | 4,934 | | | | 15,911 | | | | 16,744 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue | | | 270,794 | | | | 261,472 | | | | 800,269 | | | | 770,573 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue | | | 139,673 | | | | 135,215 | | | | 416,220 | | | | 397,346 | |
Reimbursable expenses | | | 5,640 | | | | 4,934 | | | | 15,911 | | | | 16,744 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 63,999 | | | | 58,286 | | | | 187,817 | | | | 173,324 | |
Other operating charges (c) | | | 2,761 | | | | 116,054 | | | | 4,961 | | | | 124,781 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total costs and expenses | | | 212,073 | | | | 314,489 | | | | 624,909 | | | | 712,195 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) | | | 58,721 | | | | (53,017 | ) | | | 175,360 | | | | 58,378 | |
Interest expense | | | 6,690 | | | | 4,693 | | | | 19,367 | | | | 9,858 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | | 52,031 | | | | (57,710 | ) | | | 155,993 | | | | 48,520 | |
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | | | 19,773 | | | | (23,006 | ) | | | 59,794 | | | | 19,013 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | 32,258 | | | | (34,704 | ) | | | 96,199 | | | | 29,507 | |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes (d) | | | (31,007 | ) | | | (37,512 | ) | | | (31,456 | ) | | | (36,252 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 1,251 | | | $ | (72,216 | ) | | $ | 64,743 | | | $ | (6,745 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Effective tax rate, continuing operations | | | 38.0 | % | | | 39.9 | % | | | 38.3 | % | | | 39.2 | % |
EPS - diluted | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | (0.42 | ) | | $ | 1.27 | | | $ | 0.34 | |
Loss from discontinued operations | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.45 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | (0.86 | ) | | $ | 0.86 | | | $ | (0.08 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares – diluted | | | 73,829 | | | | 83,533 | | | | 75,710 | | | | 86,691 | |
Note: Amounts may not sum due to rounding.
See accompanying notes.
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 9 of 17
ChoicePoint Inc.
Financial Highlights
Reconciliation to financial information excluding other expenses and discontinued operations
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, | |
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 1,251 | | | $ | (72,216 | ) | | $ | 64,743 | | | $ | (6,745 | ) |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes (d) | | | (31,007 | ) | | | (37,512 | ) | | | (31,456 | ) | | | (36,252 | ) |
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | | | 19,773 | | | | (23,006 | ) | | | 59,794 | | | | 19,013 | |
Interest expense | | | 6,690 | | | | 4,693 | | | | 19,367 | | | | 9,858 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) | | | 58,721 | | | | (53,017 | ) | | | 175,360 | | | | 58,378 | |
Add back: other expenses (e): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
accelerated depreciation expense | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,463 | |
other operating charges (c) | | | 2,761 | | | | 116,054 | | | | 4,961 | | | | 124,781 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income before other expenses (f) | | | 61,482 | | | | 63,037 | | | | 180,321 | | | | 188,622 | |
Interest expense | | | 6,690 | | | | 4,693 | | | | 19,367 | | | | 9,858 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes & other expenses (f) | | | 54,792 | | | | 58,344 | | | | 160,954 | | | | 178,764 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | 20,821 | | | | 23,262 | | | | 61,709 | | | | 70,915 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income from continuing operations before other expenses (f) | | $ | 33,971 | | | $ | 35,082 | | | $ | 99,245 | | | $ | 107,849 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Effective tax rate from continuing operations excluding other expenses (f) | | | 38.0 | % | | | 39.9 | % | | | 38.3 | % | | | 39.7 | % |
Earnings per share from continuing operations - diluted excluding other expenses (f) | | $ | 0.46 | | | $ | 0.42 | | | $ | 1.31 | | | $ | 1.24 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, | |
| | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Earnings per share from continuing operations - diluted excluding other expenses (f) | | $ | 0.46 | | | $ | 0.42 | | | $ | 1.31 | | | $ | 1.24 | |
Other operating charges | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.84 | ) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.87 | ) |
Accelerated depreciation expense | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.04 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | (0.42 | ) | | $ | 1.27 | | | $ | 0.34 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note: Amounts may not sum due to rounding.
See accompanying notes.
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 10 of 17
ChoicePoint Inc.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three months ended
September 30, | | | Nine months ended
September 30, | |
| ( dollars in thousands) | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Cash Flow Highlights | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss ) from continuing operations | | $ | 32,258 | | | $ | (34,704 | ) | | $ | 96,199 | | | $ | 29,507 | |
Depreciation & amortization | | | 17,791 | | | | 17,477 | | | | 53,223 | | | | 56,000 | |
Changes in assets & liabilities and other | | | 17,730 | | | | 112,114 | | | | 37,622 | | | | 78,223 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations | | $ | 67,779 | | | $ | 94,887 | | | $ | 187,044 | | | $ | 163,730 | |
Proceeds from the disposition of discontinued operations | | $ | — | | | $ | 18,000 | | | $ | 28,598 | | | $ | 18,000 | |
Acquisitions & investments, net of cash acquired | | | (280 | ) | | | (26,689 | ) | | | (863 | ) | | | (59,389 | ) |
Capital expenditures | | | (13,270 | ) | | | (12,043 | ) | | | (36,933 | ) | | | (44,397 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations | | $ | (13,550 | ) | | $ | (20,732 | ) | | $ | (9,198 | ) | | $ | (85,786 | ) |
Net cash used in financing activities - continuing operations | | $ | (44,974 | ) | | $ | (37,335 | ) | | $ | (161,901 | ) | | $ | (56,225 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in ) operating, and financing activities of discontinued operations | | $ | 389 | | | $ | (5,040 | ) | | $ | (5,651 | ) | | $ | (6,300 | ) |
Reconciliation of Net Free Cash Flow (g) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations | | $ | 67,779 | | | $ | 94,887 | | | $ | 187,044 | | | $ | 163,730 | |
Capital expenditures | | | (13,270 | ) | | | (12,043 | ) | | | (36,933 | ) | | | (44,397 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net free cash flow from continuing operations | | | 54,509 | | | | 82,844 | | | | 150,111 | | | | 119,333 | |
Fraudulent data access costs paid | | | 616 | | | | 2,008 | | | | 2,841 | | | | 8,549 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net free cash flow from continuing operations excluding fraudulent data access costs paid | | $ | 55,125 | | | $ | 84,852 | | | $ | 152,952 | | | $ | 127,882 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 11 of 17
ChoicePoint Inc.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
| | | | |
| (Dollars in thousands) | | September 30,
2007 | |
Key Balance Sheet Highlights & Reconciliation of Net Debt to Total Debt | | | | |
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt | | $ | — | |
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | | | 515,000 | |
| | | | |
Total debt | | | 515,000 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 37,487 | |
| | | | |
Net debt (h) | | $ | 477,513 | |
Shareholders’ equity | | $ | 490,320 | |
Net debt to book capital | | | 49.3 | % |
Days sales outstanding for continuing operations (adjusted for pass-through expenses) | | | 42 days | |
Share Repurchase Summary
(In thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | |
| | | Total number
of shares
repurchased | | Average cost
per share | | Total cost for
shares |
Three months ended September 30, 2007 | | 3,623 | | $ | 38.66 | | $ | 140,068 |
Inception of buyback program through September 30, 2007 | | 21,441 | | $ | 38.76 | | $ | 831,166 |
See accompanying notes.
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 12 of 17
ChoicePoint Inc.
Notes to Financial Highlights
| (a) | Service revenue excludes revenue from reimbursable expenses (see (b) below). The Company uses service revenue to measure its continuing operations without the effect of reimbursable expenses. |
| (b) | Reimbursable expenses per Emerging Issues Task Force 01-14, “Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for ‘Out-of-Pocket’ Expenses Incurred”, (“EITF 01-14”) represent out-of-pocket expenses fully reimbursed by ChoicePoint’s customers and recorded as revenues and expenses in accordance with EITF 01-14. As these expenses are fully reimbursed, without mark-up, by our customers and in a majority of cases prepaid by the customers, there is no impact on operating income, net income, EPS, cash flows or the balance sheet. In addition, management excludes these expenses from its revenue analysis for operational management and incentive purposes; therefore, we have separately identified these expenses and excluded their impact in our calculations of service revenue, internal revenue growth and operating margins. Other pass-through expenses such as motor vehicle registry fees will continue to be accounted for on a net basis and, as such, excluded from revenues in our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Third quarter pass-through expenses related to continuing operations totaled $206.0 million in 2007 and $200.1 million in 2006. Pass-through expenses related to continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30 were $628.6 million in 2007 and $613.6 million in 2006. |
| (c) | Other operating charges includes the following components: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, |
| | | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2007 | | | 2006 |
Asset impairments | | $ | 200 | | $ | 114,720 | | $ | 505 | | | $ | 120,157 |
Lease abandonment, severance and other expenses | | | 2,448 | | | 411 | | | 5,277 | | | | 1,948 |
Fraudulent data access related expense (benefit) | | | 113 | | | 923 | | | (821 | ) | | | 2,676 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other operating charges | | $ | 2,761 | | $ | 116,054 | | $ | 4,961 | | | $ | 124,781 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (d) | Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, includes the following components: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, | |
| | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes | | $ | (30,852 | ) | | $ | (34,424 | ) | | $ | (31,152 | ) | | $ | (33,164 | ) |
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes | | | (155 | ) | | | (3,088 | ) | | | (304 | ) | | | (3,088 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes | | $ | (31,007 | ) | | $ | (37,512 | ) | | $ | (31,456 | ) | | $ | (36,252 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from discontinued operations shown above includes a pre-tax charge of $48.8 million ($30.3 million after tax benefit) to reduce the carrying value of iMap to reflect the currently estimated net proceeds to be realized from selling the business. Although the Company has reduced the carrying value of iMap to reflect such proceeds, a transaction has not yet been consummated and the Company has no definitive agreements to sell the business. Based upon existing market dynamics, prospective purchasers - either strategic or financial buyers – will establish their own valuations for the business. The Company cannot at this time establish with certainty the fair value for the iMap business since the Company has not executed a definitive purchase agreement. Competition for the acquisition of the business, the uniqueness of the business, the interest rate environment, macro economic factors and many other considerations all impact the ultimate valuation to be realized. Based upon existing facts and circumstances, the Company cannot conclude that an additional impairment of these assets exists as of September 30, 2007. As the process to sell progresses toward consummation, the Company will have additional information to enable it to reflect a charge, if impairment is probable, and will disclose and reflect such charge at that time.
| (e) | The Company recorded $5.5 million of accelerated depreciation as a result of the centralization of functions and consolidation of technology platforms during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Additional other operating charges were recorded during 2007 and 2006 as discussed in Note (c) above. The Company has presented this analysis with and without these items because they represent costs that management excludes in its assessments of operating results of the business. |
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 13 of 17
| (f) | To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, the Company provides the following non-GAAP financial measures: “operating income before other expenses,” “income from continuing operations before income taxes and other expenses,” “net income from continuing operations before other expenses,” “effective tax rate from continuing operations excluding other expenses” and “earnings per share from continuing operations - 1diluted excluding other expenses”. In each case, these non-GAAP financial measures differ from the equivalent GAAP financial measures in that they exclude the other expenses described in Notes (c) and (e), which include expenses related to the fraudulent data access, accelerated depreciation and other costs relating to the consolidation of technology platforms, and other operating charges. |
Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for internal purposes in evaluating and forecasting the Company’s operating performance because they exclude expenses that are not reflective of the Company’s ongoing operating performance and, in the case of expenses related to the fraudulent data access and consolidation of operating platforms, are expected to be limited in duration and decreasing over time. The Company also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in setting bonus targets and targets for other performance-based compensation plans. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures assist investors in comparing the Company’s results with prior periods in which such expenses were not taken.
These adjusted financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP operating income, income before taxes, net income or earnings per share. In addition, there are limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. For example, expenses associated with items such as the fraudulent data access or consolidation of technology platforms could have a material impact on cash flows or liquidity. These effects are reflected in our GAAP financial statements. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results and reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of our business. The Company strongly encourages investors to review its financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Other companies may use different methodologies for calculating their non-GAAP financial measures and, accordingly, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to those measures.
| (g) | Net free cash flow is not defined under GAAP. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines net free cash flow as cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations less capital expenditures. It should not be inferred that the entire net free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. The Company believes net free cash flow is a useful measure of performance and its ability to generate cash. |
| (h) | Net debt is not defined under GAAP. The Company defines net debt as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. Management believes that net debt provides useful information regarding the level of the Company’s indebtedness by reflecting cash and investments that could be used to repay debt. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for total debt data prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. |
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 14 of 17
ChoicePoint Inc.
Summary of Projections for the Year Ending December 31, 2007*
| | | | |
| | | Internal
Revenue
Growth | | Operating Margins
Excluding Other
Operating Charges |
Insurance Services | | 9 – 11% | | 50 –52% |
Screening and Authentication Services | | (2%) – 0% | | 18 –20% |
Financial and Professional Services | | (6%) – (4%) | | 10 –12% |
Government Services | | 3% – 5% | | 5 – 7% |
Marketing Services | | (Mid 20%) | | 1 – 3% |
| | |
| Other Projections for the Year Ended December 31, 2007 |
| |
Service revenue growth | | 3 - 4% |
| |
Internal revenue growth | | 2 - 3% |
| |
Operating margins excluding other operating charges and including stock option expense | | 22% - 24% |
| |
Corporate expenses for continuing operations as a percentage of service revenue, excluding stock based compensation | | Approximately 6 -7% |
| |
Tax rate from continuing operations including stock option expense | | Mid 38% |
| |
Expenses related to the fraudulent data access | | Approximately $1 million** |
| |
Re-platforming expense and centralization of functions | | $5 - $7 million |
| |
Net free cash flow from continuing operations, excluding costs associated with the fraudulent data access *** | | $190 -$210 million |
| |
Capital expenditures – continuing operations | | $50 - $60 million |
| |
Cash flow from operating activities – continuing operations excluding costs associated with the fraudulent data access *** | | $240 - $270 million |
| |
Diluted EPS from continuing operations excluding other expenses and including stock option expense | | $1.71 – $1.75 |
| * | For a discussion of risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from these projections, please see the discussion under “Forward-Looking Statements” above, as well as the risk factors set forth in the SEC Filings. |
| ** | Exclusive of any potential settlements. |
| *** | Net free cash flow from continuing operations, excluding costs associated with the fraudulent data access is calculated as cash flow from continuing operations less capital expenditures and fraudulent data access costs. |
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 15 of 17
ChoicePoint Inc.
2007 Segment Results - Continuing Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in thousands) | | Q1 2007 | | | Q2 2007 | | | Q3 2007 | |
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | $ | 125,282 | | | $ | 125,185 | | | $ | 129,211 | |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | 61,438 | | | | 65,881 | | | | 64,556 | |
Financial and Professional Services | | | 26,272 | | | | 26,859 | | | | 26,488 | |
Government Services | | | 27,656 | | | | 28,118 | | | | 30,579 | |
Marketing Services | | | 17,200 | | | | 15,313 | | | | 14,320 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service Revenue | | | 257,848 | | | | 261,356 | | | | 265,154 | |
Reimbursable Expenses per EITF 01-14 | | | 4,859 | | | | 5,412 | | | | 5,640 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenue | | $ | 262,707 | | | $ | 266,768 | | | $ | 270,794 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Income | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | $ | 65,179 | | | $ | 62,727 | | | $ | 65,032 | |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | 10,067 | | | | 12,714 | | | | 13,237 | |
Financial and Professional Services | | | 3,050 | | | | 4,487 | | | | 3,030 | |
Government Services | | | 473 | | | | 1,470 | | | | 3,268 | |
Marketing Services | | | 1,197 | | | | 752 | | | | 495 | |
Corp orate & shared expenses (a) | | | (16,585 | ) | | | (15,277 | ) | | | (17,894 | ) |
Stock-based compensation (b) | | | (5,642 | ) | | | (5,773 | ) | | | (5,686 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income before other expenses | | | 57,739 | | | | 61,100 | | | | 61,482 | |
Other expenses (c): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other operating charges | | | (1,288 | ) | | | (912 | ) | | | (2,761 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income | | $ | 56,451 | | | $ | 60,188 | | | $ | 58,721 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Service Revenue Growth Rates | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | | 11.5 | % | | | 11.5 | % | | | 11.3 | % |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | -0.7 | % | | | 1.4 | % | | | -3.4 | % |
Financial and Professional Services | | | 1.2 | % | | | 0.1 | % | | | 3.8 | % |
Government Services | | | 7.8 | % | | | 6.5 | % | | | 5.6 | % |
Marketing Services | | | -21.4 | % | | | -20.0 | % | | | -25.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operations | | | 4.1 | % | | | 4.7 | % | | | 3.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internal Revenue Growth Rates | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | | 8.0 | % | | | 9.3 | % | | | 11.0 | % |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | -1.4 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | -3.4 | % |
Financial and Professional Services | | | 1.2 | % | | | 0.1 | % | | | -5.7 | % |
Government Services | | | 7.8 | % | | | 6.5 | % | | | 5.6 | % |
Marketing Services | | | -21.4 | % | | | -20.0 | % | | | -25.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operations | �� | | 2.3 | % | | | 3.7 | % | | | 2.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Profit Margins | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | | 52.0 | % | | | 50.1 | % | | | 50.3 | % |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | 16.4 | % | | | 19.3 | % | | | 20.5 | % |
Financial and Professional Services | | | 11.6 | % | | | 16.7 | % | | | 11.4 | % |
Government Services | | | 1.7 | % | | | 5.2 | % | | | 10.7 | % |
Marketing Services (d) | | | 7.0 | % | | | 4.9 | % | | | 3.5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income before other operating charges as a percentage of service revenue (c) | | | 22.4 | % | | | 23.4 | % | | | 23.2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income as a percentage of total revenue | | | 21.5 | % | | | 22.6 | % | | | 21.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 16 of 17
ChoicePoint Inc.
2006 Segment Results - Continuing Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in thousands) | | Q1 2006 | | | Q2 2006 | | | Q3 2006 | | | Q4 2006 | | | Total 2006 | |
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | $ | 112,326 | | | $ | 112,298 | | | $ | 116,118 | | | $ | 113,716 | | | $ | 454,458 | |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | 61,845 | | | | 64,955 | | | | 66,832 | | | | 63,456 | | | | 257,088 | |
Financial and Professional Services | | | 25,962 | | | | 26,832 | | | | 25,530 | | | | 26,717 | | | | 105,041 | |
Government Services | | | 25,663 | | | | 26,395 | | | | 28,969 | | | | 31,390 | | | | 112,417 | |
Marketing Services | | | 21,875 | | | | 19,140 | | | | 19,089 | | | | 19,610 | | | | 79,714 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service Revenue | | | 247,671 | | | | 249,620 | | | | 256,538 | | | | 254,889 | | | | 1,008,718 | |
Reimbursable Expenses per EITF 01-14 | | | 6,726 | | | | 5,084 | | | | 4,934 | | | | 6,134 | | | | 22,878 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenue | | $ | 254,397 | | | $ | 254,704 | | | $ | 261,472 | | | $ | 261,023 | | | $ | 1,031,596 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | $ | 60,815 | | | $ | 60,039 | | | $ | 60,594 | | | $ | 58,395 | | | $ | 239,843 | |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | 14,238 | | | | 14,729 | | | | 15,740 | | | | 12,389 | | | | 57,096 | |
Financial and Professional Services | | | 2,451 | | | | 3,923 | | | | 3,044 | | | | 3,580 | | | | 12,998 | |
Government Services | | | 1,785 | | | | 1,092 | | | | 2,400 | | | | 2,825 | | | | 8,102 | |
Marketing Services | | | 4,002 | | | | 2,135 | | | | 2,834 | | | | 3,475 | | | | 12,446 | |
Corporate & shared expenses (a) | | | (14,941 | ) | | | (14,463 | ) | | | (15,358 | ) | | | (19,240 | ) | | | (64,002 | ) |
Stock-based compensation (b) | | | (5,117 | ) | | | (5,103 | ) | | | (6,217 | ) | | | (6,249 | ) | | | (22,686 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income before other expenses | | | 63,233 | | | | 62,352 | | | | 63,037 | | | | 55,175 | | | | 243,797 | |
Other expenses (c): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accelerated depreciation | | | (5,463 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (5,463 | ) |
Other operating (charges) benefit | | | (5,987 | ) | | | (2,740 | ) | | | (116,054 | ) | | | 7,209 | | | | (117,572 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income | | $ | 51,783 | | | $ | 59,612 | | | $ | (53,017 | ) | | $ | 62,384 | | | $ | 120,762 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Service Revenue Growth Rates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | | 14.0 | % | | | 11.2 | % | | | 10.8 | % | | | 15.4 | % | | | 12.8 | % |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | 11.3 | % | | | 5.9 | % | | | 4.9 | % | | | 3.2 | % | | | 6.2 | % |
Financial and Professional Services | | | -21.5 | % | | | -11.3 | % | | | -11.9 | % | | | 5.9 | % | | | -10.6 | % |
Government Services | | | 0.4 | % | | | 7.6 | % | | | -2.2 | % | | | 13.5 | % | | | 4.7 | % |
Marketing Services | | | -5.3 | % | | | -16.8 | % | | | -17.5 | % | | | -12.0 | % | | | -12.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operations | | | 4.7 | % | | | 3.7 | % | | | 2.1 | % | | | 8.3 | % | | | 4.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internal Revenue Growth Rates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | | 12.8 | % | | | 10.1 | % | | | 8.2 | % | | | 11.6 | % | | | 10.6 | % |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | 11.1 | % | | | 5.0 | % | | | 3.8 | % | | | 2.3 | % | | | 5.4 | % |
Financial and Professional Services | | | -21.5 | % | | | -11.3 | % | | | -11.9 | % | | | 5.9 | % | | | -10.6 | % |
Government Services | | | -3.6 | % | | | 6.7 | % | | | -2.2 | % | | | 13.5 | % | | | 3.5 | % |
Marketing Services | | | -5.3 | % | | | -16.8 | % | | | -17.5 | % | | | -12.0 | % | | | -12.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operations | | | 3.7 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 0.8 | % | | | 6.5 | % | | | 3.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Profit Margins | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Services | | | 54.1 | % | | | 53.5 | % | | | 52.2 | % | | | 51.4 | % | | | 52.8 | % |
Screening and Authentication Services | | | 23.0 | % | | | 22.7 | % | | | 23.6 | % | | | 19.5 | % | | | 22.2 | % |
Financial and Professional Services | | | 9.4 | % | | | 14.6 | % | | | 11.9 | % | | | 13.4 | % | | | 12.4 | % |
Government Services | | | 7.0 | % | | | 4.1 | % | | | 8.3 | % | | | 9.0 | % | | | 7.2 | % |
Marketing Services (d) | | | 18.3 | % | | | 11.2 | % | | | 14.8 | % | | | 17.7 | % | | | 15.6 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income before other operating charges as a percentage of service revenue (c) | | | 25.5 | % | | | 25.0 | % | | | 24.6 | % | | | 21.6 | % | | | 24.2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income as a percentage of total revenue | | | 20.4 | % | | | 23.4 | % | | | -20.3 | % | | | 23.9 | % | | | 11.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ChoicePoint Earnings
Page 17 of 17
ChoicePoint Inc.
Segment Results - Continuing Operations
Notes to Segment Results
| (a) | Corporate and shared expenses represent costs of support functions, research and development initiative and incentives that benefit all segments. |
| (b) | Stock-based compensation includes the following components: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Q1 2006 | | Q2 2006 | | Q3 2006 | | Q4 2006 | | FY 2006 | | Q1 2007 | | Q2 2007 | | Q3 2007 |
Stock option expense | | $ | 3,537 | | $ | 3,424 | | $ | 4,284 | | $ | 4,156 | | $ | 15,401 | | $ | 3,349 | | $ | 3,450 | | $ | 3,002 |
Restricted stock expense | | | 1,580 | | | 1,679 | | | 1,933 | | | 2,093 | | | 7,285 | | | 2,293 | | | 2,323 | | | 2,684 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 5,117 | | $ | 5,103 | | $ | 6,217 | | $ | 6,249 | | $ | 22,686 | | $ | 5,642 | | $ | 5,773 | | $ | 5,686 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (c) | The Company has presented analysis above with and without these items because they represent costs that management excludes in its assessments of operating results. |
| (d) | Represents operating income as a percentage of service revenue. |
###
