they are first identified.
Due to the nature of contingent fee contracts, we recognize costs as they are incurred on the project and defer revenue recognition until the revenue is realizable and earned as agreed to by our clients. Although these contracts can be very rewarding, the profitability of these contracts is dependent on our ability to deliver results for our clients.
As we continued to adapt to changes in the communications consulting industry, we entered into more fixed fee contracts in which revenue is based upon delivery of services or solutions, and contingent fee contracts, in which revenue is subject to achievement of savings or other agreed upon results, rather than time spent. Both of these types of contracts are typically more results-oriented and are subject to greater risk associated with revenue recognition and overall project profitability than traditional time and materials contracts.
Revenues recognized in connection with fixed price and contingent fee engagements totaled $2.4 million and $0.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively, representing 26.7% and 16.6% of total revenue, respectively. The increase was due to the mix of our business shifting to more strategy and management consulting opportunities which are more likely to be structured as fixed price or contingent fee engagements.
Direct costs of services increased to $4.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005, compared to $2.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2004. As a percentage of revenues, our gross margin based on direct cost of service was 49.9% for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005, compared to 47.2% for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2004. The increase in gross margin was primarily attributable to a shift in the mix of services to more strategy and management consulting opportunities which typically yield higher margins than staffing engagements.
In total, operating expenses increased to $4.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005, or 6.0% from $4.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2004. Operating expenses include selling, general and administrative costs, real estate restructuring, equity related charges, and intangible asset amortization. Selling, general and administrative expense for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005 were $4.7 million compared to $4.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2004. The increase is primarily related to increased investment in our initiative to develop our Mobile Virtual Network Enablement (MVNE) offerings and toolsets for IP transformation.
Intangible asset amortization was $43,000 and $218,000 for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively. The $175,000 decrease in amortization expense was due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized during fiscal year 2004 and first quarter 2005.
Non-cash stock based compensation charges were $200,000 in the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005 compared to $232,000 for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2004. The charges relate to the award of restricted stock to select executives and key employees during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003 and first quarter of fiscal year 2005, which are being amortized on a graded vesting schedule over a period of two years from the date of grant for the fiscal year 2003 grants and four years from the date of grant for the fiscal year 2005 grants.
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
Interest income was $379,000 and $145,000 for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively, and represented interest earned on invested balances. Interest income increased for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005 as compared to the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2004 due primarily to increases in interest rates from 2004 to 2005. We primarily invest in money market funds and investment-grade auction rate securities as part of our overall investment policy. Other income increased due to investment gains recognized in the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005.
INCOME TAXES
In the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, we recorded provision for income taxes of $3,000 and $20,000, respectively. For the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005, the effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our use of net operating loss carry-forwards to offset income tax expense. For the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2004, the effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to valuation allowances recorded on tax benefits as a result of uncertainties about their recoverability.
TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED JULY 2, 2005 COMPARED TO TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED JULY 3, 2004
Effective March 4, 2004, management and the Board of Directors elected to discontinue our hardware business (previously reported as the separate business segment “All Other”). Operating results of the hardware segment for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2004, have been included as a component of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss contained herein.
REVENUES
Revenues increased 46.7% to $16.1 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005, from $11.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004.The increase in revenue is attributable to the increase in the concentration of our top 5 client relationships along with an increase in the number of consulting projects delivered, coupled with general improvements in economics within the telecommunications industry.During the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005, we provided services on 166 customer projects, compared to 110 projects performed in the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004. Average revenue per project was $97,000 in the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 compared to $100,000 in the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004. International revenue base decreased to 6.6% of revenues for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005, from 21.8% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004, due primarily to the end of multiple large projects in Western Europe at the end of fiscal year 2004, combined with an increase in our domestic project and revenue base.
Revenues recognized by the Company in connection with fixed price and contingent fee engagements totaled $5.0 million and $3.9 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively, representing 31.2% and 36.0% of total revenue, respectively. The increased volume was due to the mix of our business shifting to more strategy and management consulting opportunities which are more likely to be structured as fixed fee or contingent fee engagements.
COST OF SERVICES
Direct costs of services increased to $7.9 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 compared to $5.7 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004. As a percentage of revenues, our gross margin based on direct cost of services was 50.8% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005, compared to 48.4% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004. The increase in gross margin was primarily attributable to a shift in the mix of services to more strategy and management consultingopportunities which typically yield higher margins than staffing engagements.
Non-cash stock based compensation charges were $69,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005, compared to $106,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004.Non-cash stock based compensation charges primarily relate to our granting of restricted stock to select executives and key consultants during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003, which are being amortized on a graded vesting schedule over a period of two years from the date of grant.
OPERATING EXPENSES
In total, operating expenses remained consistent at $9.5 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005, and July 3, 2004, respectively. Operating expenses include selling, general and administrative costs, equity related charges, real estate restructuring, and intangible asset amortization. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 were $8.9 million compared to $8.5 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004. The increase is primarily related to increased investment in our initiative to develop our Mobile Virtual Network Enablement (MVNE) offerings and toolsets for IP transformation.
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Intangible asset amortization was $202,000 and $556,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively. The decrease in amortization expense was due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized during fiscal year 2004 and first quarter 2005.
Non-cash stock based compensation charges were $388,000 in the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 compared to $515,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004. The charges relate to the award of restricted stock to select executives and key employees during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003 and first quarter of fiscal year 2005, which are being amortized on a graded vesting schedule over a period of two years from the date of grant for the fiscal year 2003 grants and four years from the date of grant for the fiscal year 2005 grants.
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
Interest income was $703,000 and $281,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively, and represented interest earned on invested balances. Interest income increased for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 due primarily to increases in interest rates from 2004 to 2005. We primarily invest in money market funds and investment-grade auction rate securities as part of our overall investment policy. Other income increased due to investment gains recognized in the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2005.
INCOME TAXES
In the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, we recorded provision for income taxes of $18,000 and $34,000 respectively. The effective tax rate for these periods differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to valuation allowances recorded on tax benefits as a result of uncertainties about their recoverability.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004, charges related to the discontinuation of the hardware business were $2.2 million for goodwill impairment and severance charges. In addition, operating losses of the discontinued operations were $63,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004. These amounts are reported within discontinued operations in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
In fiscal year 2004, through additional clarifying guidance, we determined that our investments in auction rate securities are more appropriately classified as available-for-sale short-term investments rather than cash equivalents and we have reflected such change retroactively in our financial statements and in our liquidity discussions. Auction rate securities generally have long-term stated maturities; however, for the investor, these securities have certain economic characteristics of short-term investments because of their rate setting mechanism. The return on these securities is designed to track short-term interest rates due to a “Dutch” auction process which resets the coupon rate (or dividend rate). Auction rate securities are designed to be highly liquid. Unless an auction fails, an investor can, by electing not to bid, recoup the principal amount of its investment at each auction date. To date we have experienced no failed auctions.
Net cash used in operating activities was $1.2 million and $3.5 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively. We incurred negative cash flow from operating activities for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 due primarily to changes in working capital associated with increases in accounts receivable. Negative cash flow from operating activities for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004 was primarily due to operating losses.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $1.8 million and $2.1 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively. This includes net proceeds from sales and reinvestments of auction rate securities of $2.1 million and $2.2 million in the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively. Cash provided by investing activities also includes the acquisition of office equipment, software and computer equipment of $206,000 and $77,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005 and July 3, 2004, respectively.
Net cash used in financing activities was $122,000 in the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2005, and related to payments made on the current portion of our capital lease obligations, partially offset by proceeds received from exercise of stock options and purchases under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Net cash provided by financing activities was $150,000 in the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2004 and related to proceeds received from the exercise of stock options and purchases under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, partially offset by payments made on the current portion of our capital lease obligations.
At July 2, 2005, we had approximately $50.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. At July 2, 2005 we had capital lease obligations of $40,000. We believe we have sufficient cash to meet anticipated cash requirements, including anticipated capital expenditures, consideration for possible acquisitions, and any continuing operating losses that may be incurred, for at least the next 12 months. We have established a flexible model that provides a lower fixed cost structure than most consulting firms, enabling us to scale operating cost structures more quickly based on market conditions. Our strong cash position has enabled us to weather adverse conditions in the telecommunications industry and to make investments in intellectual property we believe will enable us to capitalize on the current recovery and transformation of the industry; however, if the industry and demand for consulting services do not continue to rebound and we continue to experience negative cash flow, we could experience liquidity challenges at some future point.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We do not invest excess funds in derivative financial instruments or other market rate sensitive instruments for the purpose of managing our foreign currency exchange or interest rate risk. We invest excess funds in short-term investments, including auction rate securities, the yield of which is exposed to interest rate market risk. Auction rate securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported on the balance sheet at cost, which approximates market value, as the rate on such securities resets generally every 28 to 35 days. Consequently, interest rate movements do not materially affect the balance sheet valuation of fixed income investments. Changes in the overall level of interest rates do affect our interest income generated from investments.
We do not have material exposure to market related risks. Foreign currency exchange rate risk may become material given U.S. dollar to foreign currency exchange rate changes and significant increases in international engagements denominated in the local currency of our clients.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
A review and evaluation was performed by our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect our internal controls over financial reporting subsequent to the date of their evaluation. There were no significant material weaknesses identified in the course of such review and evaluation and, therefore, we took no corrective measures.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We have not been subject to any material new litigation or claims since the time of our 10-K filing, on April 1, 2005. For a summary of litigation in which we are currently involved, refer to our annual report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2005 and Note 10 to the Condensed Consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS –
TMNG HELD AN ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON JUNE 9, 2005.
1. The stockholders approved the election of the two directors nominated by our nominating committee. The vote cast for each nominee were as follows:
| | | FOR | | | ABSTAIN | |
---|
| | | Grant G. Behrman | | | | 28,362,349 | | | 3,887,777 | |
| | | Rich Nespola | | | | 31,102,311 | | | 1,147,815 | |
2. The stockholders ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the 2005 fiscal year by a vote of 32,078,583 shares in favor of the appointment; 171,243 shares against the appointment and 300 shares abstaining.
ITEM 5. Other Information
None
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit 31. Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32. Certifications furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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.
SIGNATURE
| | TITLE
| | DATE
|
---|
/s/ RICHARD P. NESPOLA —————————————— Richard P. Nespola | | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | | August 16, 2005 |
/s/ DONALD E. KLUMB —————————————— Donald E. Klumb | | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) | | August 16, 2005 |
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