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GP Strategies Reports Solid First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

COLUMBIA, Md., May 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Global workforce transformation solutions provider GP Strategies Corporation (NYSE: GPX) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Highlights

  • Gross profit of $21.4 million, or 18.7% on revenue of $114.6 million, for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $17.6 million, or 13.7% on revenue of $128.3 million, for the first quarter of 2020
  • Net income of $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to a net loss of $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2020
  • Earnings per share of $0.09 for the first quarter of 2021 compared to a net loss per share of $(0.08) for the first quarter of 2020
  • Adjusted earnings per share of $0.24 for the first quarter of 2021 compared to an adjusted loss per share $(0.03) for the first quarter of 2020
  • We had no long term-debt as of March 31, 2021 compared to $12.7 million as of December 31, 2020

"The first quarter reflects the benefits of our solid execution, through what was a challenging time for many parts of the economy, and we begin 2021 from a position of strength with the ability to capitalize on the opportunities ahead," stated Adam Stedham, Chief Executive Officer and President of GP Strategies. "Our gross margin percentage, for the first quarter of 2021, is the strongest for the company in the last ten years for a first quarter.  We believe that the learning industry has macroeconomic tailwinds that will propel our growth.  We end the first quarter with improving market conditions, a focused strategy, no debt, significant availability under our credit facility and a higher margin profile."

Revenue     

Our revenue decreased $13.7 million or 10.7% during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020. The net decrease is due to a $12.6 million decrease in our North America segment, a $1.9 million decrease in our EMEA segment partially offset by a $0.8 million increase in our Emerging Markets segment.  Excluding the effects of COVID-19, divestitures, and foreign  currency exchange rate changes, our revenue decreased $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to the timing of the shipment of publications from the first quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2021.  We estimate that the impact of COVID-19 resulted in at least a $7.0 million decrease in our revenue in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to the postponement of certain training events and other delays in client projects. In addition, our revenue decreased $2.8 million during the first quarter of 2021 due to a divested revenue stream resulting from the sale of our IC Axon Division on October 1, 2020. Offsetting these decreases, the foreign currency exchange rate changes resulted in a $2.8 million increase in U.S. dollar reported revenue during the first quarter of 2021.  

Operating income (loss)

Operating income (loss) increased $3.6 million to operating income of $3.2 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to an operating loss of $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2020.  The net increase is primarily due to a $3.8 million increase in gross profit to $21.4 million, or 18.7% of revenue from $17.6 million, or 13.7% of revenue primarily due to operating restructuring initiatives implemented in fiscal year 2020 that resulted in reduced costs and improved efficiencies.  In addition, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.4 million.  These favorable changes were partially offset by a $1.1 million gain on the sale of our Alternative Fuels Division in the first quarter of 2020, a $0.7 million restructuring charge incurring in the first quarter of 2021, a $0.6 million increase in sales and marketing expenses and a $0.3 million loss on change in fair value of contingent consideration in the first quarter of 2021. 

Net income (loss)

Net income was $1.7 million, or $0.09 per share, for the first quarter of 2021 compared to a net loss of $1.3 million, or $(0.08) per share, for the first quarter of 2020. After accounting for special items, which are set forth in the Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Adjusted EPS below, Adjusted EPS was $0.24 and $(0.03) for the first quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively. 

Investor Call

The Company has scheduled an investor conference call and webcast for 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 6, 2021. Prepared remarks regarding the company's financial and operational results will be followed by a question and answer period with GP Strategies' executive management team. The conference call may be accessed via webcast at: https://services.choruscall.com/links/gpx210506.html or by calling +1 (833) 535-2204 within the US, or + 1 (412) 902-6747 internationally, and requesting the "GP Strategies Call." The presentation slides broadcast via the webcast will also be available on the Investors section of GP Strategies' website the morning of the call. Participants must be logged in via telephone to submit a question to management during the call. Participants may optionally pre-register for the webcast at https://dpregister.com/sreg/10155409/e74d321a8f.

The webcast will be archived on the Investors section of GP Strategies' website and will remain available for 90 days. Alternatively, a telephonic replay of the conference call will be available for one week and may be accessed by dialing +1 (877) 344-7529 in the US, or +1 (412) 317-0088 internationally, and requesting conference number 10155409.

Presentation of Non-GAAP Information

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization), Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share (Adjusted EPS), and free cash flow (cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures). The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in evaluating the Company's results. These measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a replacement for, or superior to, either net income, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, or cash flow, as a measure of the Company's liquidity. In addition, because these measures may not be calculated identically by all companies, the presentation here may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS to the most comparable U.S. GAAP equivalents, see the Non-GAAP Reconciliations, along with related footnotes, below.

About GP Strategies

GP Strategies Corporation (NYSE: GPX) is a global workforce transformation solutions provider of training, digital learning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. GP Strategies' solutions improve the effectiveness of organizations by delivering innovative and superior training, consulting and business improvement services, customized to meet the specific needs of its clients. Clients include Fortune 500 companies, automotive, financial services, technology, and other commercial and government customers.

Forward-Looking Statements

We make statements in this press release that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about the anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related events on our business and results of operations. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from those we project, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related events that are beyond our control. For a full discussion of these risks, uncertainties and factors, we encourage you to read our documents on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our periodic reports under the forward-looking statements and risk factors sections. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

TABLES FOLLOW

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 
 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

     
 

2021

2020

     

Revenue

$

114,551

 

$

128,281

 

Cost of revenue

93,110

 

110,667

 

  Gross profit

21,441

 

17,614

 

General and administrative expenses

14,836

 

17,284

 

Sales and marketing expenses

2,468

 

1,839

 

Restructuring charges

699

 

 

Loss on change in fair value of contingent consideration

269

 

 

Gain on sale of business

 

1,064

 

  Operating income (loss)

3,169

 

(445)

 

Interest expense

181

 

978

 

Other expense

823

 

500

 

   Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

2,165

 

(1,923)

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

441

 

(629)

 

  Net income (loss)

$

1,724

 

$

(1,294)

 
     

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

17,325

 

17,082

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

18,153

 

17,117

 

Per common share data:

   

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

0.10

 

$

(0.08)

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

0.09

 

$

(0.08)

 
     

Other data:

   

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

$

9,194

 

$

3,424

 

Adjusted EPS (1)

$

0.24

 

$

(0.03)

 
   

(1)

The terms Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures that the Company believes are useful to investors in evaluating its results. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP equivalent, see the Non-GAAP Reconciliations, along with related footnotes, below.

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

     
 

2021

2020

Revenue by segment (2):

   

North America

$

72,329

 

$

84,936

 

Europe Middle East Africa

29,973

 

31,898

 

Emerging Markets

12,249

 

11,447

 

Total revenue

$

114,551

 

$

128,281

 
     

Gross profit by segment (2):

   

North America

$

14,493

 

$

13,058

 

Europe Middle East Africa

5,050

 

3,776

 

Emerging Markets

1,898

 

780

 

Total gross profit

$

21,441

 

$

17,614

 
     

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

   

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

564

 

$

9,847

 

Capital expenditures

(455)

 

(467)

 

Free cash flow

$

109

 

$

9,380

 
   

(2)

Effective July 1, 2020, we began managing our business under a new organizational structure on a regional basis through our three geographic markets, North America, EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa) and Emerging Markets.  Effective January 1, 2021 as a result of change in management, we transferred one of our businesses from our North America segment to our EMEA segment.  In addition, we realigned some of our business between our OPS and TPS solutions to more accurately align with their focus industries.  We have reclassified the segment financial information herein for the prior year periods to reflect the changes in our segment reporting and conform to the current year's presentation.

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Adjusted EBITDA (3)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Three months ended

March 31,

     
 

2021

2020

Net income (loss)

$

1,724

 

$

(1,294)

 

Interest expense

181

 

978

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

441

 

(629)

 

Depreciation and amortization

1,472

 

2,177

 

EBITDA

3,818

 

1,232

 

Adjustments:

   

Non-cash stock compensation expense

1,667

 

1,256

 

Restructuring charges

699

 

 

Severance expense

539

 

211

 

Loss on change in fair value of contingent consideration

269

 

 

Foreign currency transaction losses

1,249

 

496

 

Legal acquisition/divestiture and transaction costs

850

 

1,038

 

Impairment of operating lease right-of-use asset

103

 

255

 

Gain on sale of business

 

(1,064)

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

9,194

 

$

3,424

 
   

(3)

Adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) is a widely used non-GAAP financial measure of operating performance. It is presented as supplemental information that the Company believes is useful to investors to evaluate its results because it excludes certain items that are not directly related to the Company's core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back to net income, interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, non-cash stock compensation expense, and other unusual or infrequently occurring items. For the periods presented, these other items are restructuring charges, severance expense, loss on change in fair value of contingent consideration, foreign currency transaction losses, legal acquisition/divestiture and transaction costs, impairment of operating lease right-of-use asset, and gain on sale of business. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute either for net income, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, or for cash flow, as a measure of the Company's liquidity. In addition, because Adjusted EBITDA may not be calculated identically by all companies, the presentation here may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Adjusted EPS (4)

(Unaudited)

 

Three months ended

March 31,

     
 

2021

2020

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

0.09

 

$

(0.08)

 

Restructuring charges

0.03

 

 

Severance expense

0.02

 

0.01

 

Loss on change in fair value of contingent consideration

0.01

 

 

Foreign currency transaction losses

0.05

 

0.02

 

Legal acquisition/divestiture and transaction costs

0.04

 

0.04

 

Impairment of operating lease right-of-use asset

 

0.01

 

Settlement of contingent consideration in shares

 

0.01

 

Gain on sale of business

 

(0.04)

 

Adjusted EPS

$

0.24

 

$

(0.03)

 
   

(4)

Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share ("Adjusted EPS"), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as earnings per diluted share excluding the gain or loss on the change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration and special charges, such as restructuring, and other unusual or infrequently occurring items of income or expense. Management uses Adjusted EPS to assess total Company operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the gain on change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration and other special charges, when considered together with our U.S. GAAP financial results, provides management and investors with an additional understanding of our business operating results, including underlying trends.  

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

         
   

March 31,

 

December 31,

   

2021

 

2020

   

(Unaudited)

   

Current assets:

         

Cash

 

$

10,758

   

$

23,076

   

Accounts and other receivables

 

87,230

   

110,575

   

    Unbilled revenue

 

40,990

   

28,100

   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

19,504

   

15,186

   

 Assets held for sale

 

42,339

   

42,463

   

Total current assets

 

200,821

   

219,400

   

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

4,290

   

4,650

   

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

19,025

   

20,862

   

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

 

125,314

   

126,245

   

Other assets

 

9,290

   

10,619

   

Total assets

 

$

358,740

   

$

381,776

   
           

Current liabilities:

         

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

75,724

   

$

91,572

   

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

5,049

   

5,523

   

Deferred revenue

 

19,583

   

16,509

   

Liabilities held for sale

 

7,487

   

5,868

   

Total current liabilities

 

107,843

   

119,472

   

Long-term debt

 

   

12,748

   

Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities

 

14,615

   

16,260

   

Other liabilities

 

9,686

   

9,950

   

Total liabilities

 

132,144

   

158,430

   

Total stockholders' equity

 

226,596

   

223,346

   

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

358,740

   

$

381,776

   

© 2020 GP Strategies Corporation. All rights reserved. GP Strategies and GP Strategies with logo design are registered trademarks of GP Strategies Corporation.

 

 

SOURCE GP Strategies Corporation