“Results from our European operations reflected continued robust revenue and profit growth. We remain very pleased with the contribution from our acquisition of Soft Company, which continues to complement the favorable market trends and solid organic growth in our European operations.”
Mr. Crumlish concluded, “As a result of deliberate execution on our strategic initiatives, we are realizing consistent and meaningful revenue growth across the organization. I am especially encouraged by the success from new Health Solutions business and the continued strong performance of our European operations. Additionally, we are determined to improve the quality of the revenue we generate from our staffing services, which will contribute to enhancing our overall profitability. Looking forward, we remain focused on driving continuedtop-line growth and increased efficiencies as well as maximizing the return on investments in support of achieving our financial goals and objectives in 2019.”
Consolidated Third Quarter Results
Revenue in the third quarter of 2018 was $90.3 million, compared with $92.7 million in the second quarter of 2018, and $74.0 million in the third quarter of 2017. The year-over-year increase in third quarter revenue was driven by a combination of organic growth in both Solutions and Staffing in both North America and Europe, as well as the revenue from Soft Company in Europe. Currency translation had a negligible impact on revenue in the third quarter, compared with a benefit of $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 and a benefit of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2017.
Direct costs in the third quarter of 2018 were $72.9 million, or 80.8% of revenue, compared with $75.0 million, or 80.9% of revenue, in the second quarter of 2018 and $61.0 million, or 82.4% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2017. Direct costs in the third quarter of 2017 included additional expenses associated with the Company’s self-insured medical plan that were well above historical averages. SG&A expense in the third quarter of 2018 was $16.5 million, which included $0.7 million in acquisition-related costs associated with Soft Company, compared with $16.0 million in the second quarter of 2018, which included $0.3 million in acquisition-related costs, and $12.6 million in the 2017 third quarter.
Operating income in the third quarter of 2018 was $0.8 million, or 0.9% of revenue. Excluding acquisition-related expenses,non-GAAP operating income was $1.5 million, or 1.7% of revenue. Operating income was $1.6 million, or 1.8% of revenue, in the second quarter of 2018. Excluding acquisition-related expenses,non-GAAP operating income was $1.9 million, or 2.1% of revenue, in the second quarter of 2018. Operating income in the third quarter of 2017 was $0.4 million, or 0.6% of revenue, and included $1.2 million of additional medical costs.Non-GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2017 was $1.6 million, or 2.2% of revenue. CTG’s operations outside of the U.S. conduct their business in local currencies. Accordingly, fluctuations in currency valuation for the countries in which we operate generally have minimal impact on operating profit.
GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2018 was $1.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, which included $0.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in acquisition-related expenses, and a $0.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted share,non-taxable gain from life insurance proceeds. This compared with net income in the second quarter of 2018 of $940,000, or $0.07 per diluted share, which included $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in acquisition-related expenses. GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2017 was $40,000, or $0.00 per share, which included $0.7 million of additional medical costs.
Non-GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2018, excluding acquisition-related costs and the gain from life insurance proceeds, was $0.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared withnon-GAAP net income, excluding acquisition-related costs, of $1.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2018.Non-GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2017 was $0.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, which excluded increased medical costs.
CTG’s effective income tax rate in the third quarter of 2018 was 15.3%, compared with 27.9% in the second quarter of 2018 and 86.6% in theyear-ago third quarter. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2018 was lower than the second quarter of 2018 as it reflects the reduction in the U.S. statutory rate that became effective at the beginning of the year, thenon-taxable life insurance benefit, offset by additional tax expense for the global intangiblelow-taxed income (GILTI) provisions of the new tax legislation. For the third quarter of 2017, the effective rate was significantly higher due to lower taxable income and a change required by GAAP in the accounting for unusable tax benefits from equity-based compensation.