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2018 Fourth Quarter Results
Driven by strong results in Executive Search, consolidated net revenue (revenue before reimbursements) increased 9.4%, or $15.9 million, to $185.3 million from $169.4 million in the 2017 fourth quarter. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which negatively impacted results by $2.6 million, or 1.4%, consolidated net revenue increased 10.9% or $18.5 million. The company’s adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, increased consolidated net revenue by $2.9 million compared to the historical method of revenue recognition.
Executive Search net revenue increased 13.2% year over year, or $19.6 million, to $168.5 million from $148.9 million in the 2017 fourth quarter. All three regions contributed to this growth with net revenue increasing 20.2% in the Americas, 0.3% in Europe and 4.7% in Asia Pacific. Every industry practice also contributed, except the Financial Services practice which declined 1.0%.
There were 353 Executive Search consultants at December 31, 2018 compared to 346 at December 31, 2017 and 346 at September 30, 2018. Productivity, as measured by annualized Executive Search net revenue per consultant, was $1.9 million compared to $1.7 million in the 2017 fourth quarter. The number of confirmed searches increased 5.9% compared to the 2017 fourth quarter, and the average revenue per executive search was $142,000 compared to $132,800 in the 2017 fourth quarter.
Heidrick Consulting net revenue decreased 18.0%, or $3.7 million, to $16.8 million from $20.5 million in the 2017 fourth quarter. The decline reflects the impact of new revenue recognition accounting on enterprise license agreements, which increased deferred revenue thereby reducing net revenue in the quarter by approximately $1.1 million, as well as the company’s realignment initiatives within this segment. There were 66 Heidrick Consulting consultants at December 31, 2018 compared to 64 at December 31, 2017 and 66 at September 30, 2018.
Consolidated salaries and employee benefits expense increased 6.6%, or $8.3 million,to $133.3 million from $125.1 million in the 2017 fourth quarter. Fixed compensation expense increased $7.4 million, largely reflecting higher costs for talent acquisition and retention of consultants. Variable compensation expense increased $0.9 million, primarily reflecting higher bonus accruals for Executive Search consultant performance. Salaries and employee benefits expense improved to 72.0% of net revenue for the quarter compared to 73.8% in the 2017 fourth quarter.
General and administrative expenses declined 1.6%, or $0.6 million, to $35.3 million from$35.9 million in the 2017 fourth quarter. Savings were achieved in a number of expense categories, but lower internal travel expense and lower office occupancy costs were two of the largest drivers of the decline. As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expenses improved to 19.0% compared to 21.2% in the 2017 fourth quarter.
Operating income increased to $16.7 million from a loss of $18.8 million in the 2017 fourth quarter. The operating margin improved to 9.0%. Excluding impairment and restructuring charges totaling $27.2 million in the 2017 fourth quarter, adjusted operating income would have been $8.5 million and the adjusted operating margin would have been 5.0 percent. In the 2017 fourth quarter, the company recorded anon-cash impairment charge of $11.6 million to write off the carrying value of the intangible assets and goodwill related to its former Leadership Consulting business, and recorded restructuring charges of $15.7 million related to strategic actions taken to reduce overall costs and improve operational efficiencies.