Cash Position and Capital Allocation
Net cash provided by operating activities of $224.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $188.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The year-over-year increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash collections resulting from increased revenues. The increase was partially offset by higher compensation expenses, primarily related to headcount growth, an increase in other operating expenses and higher use of working capital required for growth.
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $328.7 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $491.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $225.6 million at September 30, 2023. Total debt, net of cash and short-term investments, of ($328.7) million at December 31, 2023 compared to ($175.5) million at December 31, 2022 and $59.4 million at September 30, 2023. The sequential decrease in total debt, net of cash and short-term investments, was primarily due to an increase in cash provided by operating activities.
There were no share repurchases during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. In full year 2023, the Company repurchased 112,139 shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $158.70 for a total cost of $17.8 million. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $460.7 million remained available for common stock repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Results
Fourth quarter 2023 revenues of $924.7 million increased $150.3 million, or 19.4%, compared to revenues of $774.4 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues increased $139.0 million, or 18.0%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was due to higher demand across all business segments. Net income of $81.6 million compared to $47.5 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in net income was primarily due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by higher compensation and SG&A expenses compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA of $127.4 million, or 13.8% of revenues, compared to $92.0 million, or 11.9% of revenues, in the prior year quarter.
Fourth quarter 2023 EPS of $2.28 compared to $1.33 in the prior year quarter. Fourth quarter 2022 EPS included the aforementioned $8.3 million special charge, which decreased EPS by $0.19. Fourth quarter 2023 Adjusted EPS of $2.28 compared to Adjusted EPS of $1.52 in the prior year quarter.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Segment Results
Corporate Finance & Restructuring
Revenues in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment increased $60.2 million, or 19.7%, to $365.6 million in the quarter compared to $305.3 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the estimated positive impact from FX, revenues increased $57.2 million, or 18.7%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher demand for business transformation & strategy and restructuring services. Adjusted Segment EBITDA of $65.4 million, or 17.9% of segment revenues, compared to $49.1 million, or 16.1% of segment revenues, in the prior year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Segment EBITDA was primarily due to higher revenues, which was partially offset by higher compensation, which includes the impact of a 5.5% increase in billable headcount and higher contractor costs, as well as an increase in SG&A expenses compared to the prior year quarter.