Other Financial and Operating Highlights
ISG generated $6.6 million of cash from operations in the fourth quarter, compared with $2.5 million in the prior year, and $11.1 million for the full year. The firm’s cash balance totaled $30.6 million at December 31, 2022, up from $19.7 million at September 30, 2022.
During the fourth quarter, ISG paid dividends of $2.0 million, paid down $1.1 million of debt and drew down $9.0 million on its revolving credit agreement with the funds used for the acquisition of Change 4 Growth and for general operating purposes. As of December 31, 2022, ISG had $79.2 million in debt outstanding, compared with $74.5 million at the end of the fourth quarter last year. The firm’s gross-debt-to-adjusted-EBITDA ratio (a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing outstanding debt by adjusted EBITDA) was 1.8 times, a record low for year end.
“Our strong operating results allowed us to return $23.6 million of capital to our shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in 2022,” Connors said. “It also allowed us to amend our existing credit agreement, converting it to an all-revolver facility, with more favorable terms and an extended maturity date.”
Amended Credit Agreement
As previously announced, on February 22, 2023, ISG successfully amended the credit agreement that the firm originally entered into on March 10, 2020. The amended agreement provides $140 million of borrowing capacity at more favorable terms, converts the previous term and revolving loan into an all-revolving credit facility, eliminates $4.3 million of mandatory annual principal payments under the previous agreement, and extends the maturity date of the previous agreement by three years, to February 2028.
2023 First-Quarter Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
“For the first quarter, ISG is targeting revenues of between $73 million and $75 million – including 200 basis points of FX headwinds – and adjusted EBITDA of between $10 million and $11 million. We will continue to monitor the macroeconomic environment, including the impact of FX, inflation and other factors, and adjust our business plans accordingly.”
Quarterly Dividend
The ISG Board of Directors declared a first-quarter dividend of $0.04 per share, payable on March 31, 2023, to shareholders of record as of March 20, 2023.
Conference Call
ISG has scheduled a call for 9 a.m., U.S. Eastern Time, Friday, March 10, 2023, to discuss the company’s fourth-quarter results. The call can be accessed by dialing +1 833-470-1428; or, for international callers, by dialing +1 929-526-1599. The access code is 356636. A recording of the conference call will be accessible on ISG’s website (www.isg-one.com) for approximately four weeks following the call.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” which represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of ISG concerning future events and their potential effects. Statements contained herein including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “continue,” “should,” “may,” and other similar expressions, are “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Those risks relate to inherent business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies relating to the businesses of ISG and its subsidiaries including without limitation: (1) failure to secure new engagements or loss of important clients; (2) ability to hire and retain