Fourth Quarter 2020 Segment Results
Corporate Finance & Restructuring
Revenues in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment increased $38.8 million, or 21.4%, to $219.8 million in the quarter, compared to $181.1 million in the prior year quarter. Acquisition-related revenues contributed $19.0 million in the quarter. Excluding acquisition-related revenues, revenues increased $19.8 million, or 10.9%, primarily due to higher demand for restructuring services, largely in North America and Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and an increase in success fees, which was partially offset by a $7.6 million decline in pass-through revenues compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $35.4 million, or 16.1% of segment revenues, compared to $24.8 million, or 13.7% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by higher compensation, primarily related to a 38.6% increase in billable headcount and higher variable compensation compared to the prior year quarter.
Forensic and Litigation Consulting
Revenues in the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment decreased $23.1 million, or 15.4%, to $127.2 million in the quarter, compared to $150.3 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to lower demand for disputes and investigations services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $7.6 million, or 6.0% of segment revenues, compared to $17.4 million, or 11.6% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The decrease in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to lower revenues with lower utilization, which was partially offset by a decline in SG&A expenses compared to the prior year quarter.
Economic Consulting
Revenues in the Economic Consulting segment increased $7.4 million, or 4.9%, to $160.5 million in the quarter, compared to $153.1 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues increased $5.1 million, or 3.4%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher demand and realized bill rates for merger and acquisition (“M&A”)-related and non-M&A-related antitrust services, which was partially offset by lower demand for financial economics services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $31.3 million, or 19.5% of segment revenues, compared to $17.3 million, or 11.3% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was due to higher revenues and a decline in SG&A expenses.
Technology
Revenues in the Technology segment increased $7.1 million, or 13.8%, to $58.6 million in the quarter, compared to $51.5 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues increased $6.5 million, or 12.6%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher demand for M&A-related “second request” and litigation services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $10.2 million, or 17.3% of segment revenues, compared to $7.8 million, or 15.1% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by an increase in compensation.
Strategic Communications
Revenues in the Strategic Communications segment decreased $5.8 million, or 8.8%, to $60.5 million in the quarter, compared to $66.3 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues decreased $7.2 million, or 10.8%, compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a $4.8 million decline in pass-through revenues. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $11.7 million, or 19.4% of segment revenues, compared to $9.9 million, or 14.9% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to lower SG&A expenses compared to the prior year quarter.
2021 Guidance
The Company estimates that revenues for full year 2021 will range between $2.575 billion and $2.700 billion. The Company estimates that full year 2021 EPS will range between $5.60 and $6.30 and that full year 2021 Adjusted EPS will range between $5.80 and $6.50. The variance between EPS and Adjusted EPS guidance for full year 2021 includes the estimated non-cash interest expense of $0.20 per share related to the Company’s 2023 Convertible Notes.