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Hudson Global, Inc. - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549  

 
FORM 10-K

x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number: 000-50129 

HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  

Delaware
 
59-3547281
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 351-7300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 

  
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes   o    No   x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Act.   Yes   o    No   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x     No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit to post such flies).    Yes  x     No  o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filer
o
 
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
o
 
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No x

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $58,308,000 based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2016.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding on January 31, 2017
Common Stock - $0.001 par value
 
31,708,428

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.



Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
 
Page
PART I
ITEM 1.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9A.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 14.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
 
 



PART I
ITEM 1.    BUSINESS
Hudson Global, Inc. (the “Company” or “Hudson”, “we”, “us” and “our”) provides specialized professional-level recruitment and related talent solutions worldwide. Core service offerings include Permanent Recruitment, Contracting, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”) and Talent Management Solutions. Hudson has approximately 1,600 employees and operates in 13 countries with three reportable geographic business segments: Hudson Americas, Hudson Asia Pacific, and Hudson Europe.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amounts and percentages of the Company’s total gross margin from the three reportable segments were as follows:
 
 
Gross Margin
$ in thousands
 
Amount
 
Percentage
Hudson Americas
 
$
13,609

 
7.8
%
Hudson Asia Pacific
 
84,126

 
48.2
%
Hudson Europe
 
76,682

 
44.0
%
Total
 
$
174,417

 
100.0
%

The Company's core service offerings include:

Permanent Recruitment: Offered on both a retained and contingent basis, Hudson's Permanent Recruitment services leverage the Company's consultants, supported by the Company's specialists in the delivery of its proprietary methods to identify, select and engage the best-fit talent for critical client roles.

Contracting: In Contracting, Hudson provides a range of project management, interim management and professional contract staffing services. These services draw upon a combination of specialized recruiting and project management competencies to deliver a wide range of solutions. Hudson-employed professionals - either individually or as a team - are placed with client organizations for a defined period of time based on specific business needs.

RPO: Hudson RPO delivers both permanent recruitment and contracting outsourced recruitment solutions tailored to the individual needs of primarily mid-to-large-cap multinational companies. Hudson RPO's delivery teams utilize state-of-the-art recruitment process methodologies and project management expertise in their flexible, turnkey solutions to meet clients' ongoing business needs. Hudson RPO services include complete recruitment outsourcing, project-based outsourcing, contingent workforce solutions and recruitment consulting.

Talent Management Solutions: Featuring embedded proprietary talent assessment and selection methodologies, Hudson's Talent Management Solutions capability encompasses services such as talent assessment (utilizing a variety of competency, attitude and experiential testing), interview training, executive coaching, employee development and outplacement.

On June 15, 2015, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets (excluding working capital) of its Hudson Information Technology (US) business (the "US IT business") to Mastech, Inc. As a result, the Company no longer has an Americas' Information Technology contracting practice. The Company also completed the sale of its Netherlands business to InterBalanceGroup BV effective April 30, 2015.

On November 7, 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its Legal eDiscovery business in the United States and United Kingdom. As a result, the Company no longer has operations in the Legal eDiscovery business. In addition, the Company ceased direct operations in Sweden, which was included within the Hudson Europe segment during the third quarter of 2014.
 

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CLIENTS

The Company's clients include small to large-sized corporations and government agencies. For the year ended December 31, 2016, within revenue from continuing operations, there were approximately 50 Hudson Americas clients (as compared to approximately 130 in 2015), 2,800 Hudson Asia Pacific clients (as compared to 2,600 in 2015) and 3,200 Hudson Europe clients (as compared to 3,500 in 2015).

In 2015, the Company sold and exited a number of businesses in the Americas and Europe. The divested businesses in the Americas and Europe, consisted of approximately 90 and 240 clients, respectively, included in continuing operations and in the 2015 client numbers above.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, no single client accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total revenue. As of December 31, 2016, no single client accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total outstanding accounts receivable.

EMPLOYEES

The Company employs approximately 1,600 people worldwide. In most jurisdictions, the Company's employees are not represented by a labor union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company regards its relationships with its employees as satisfactory.

SALES AND MARKETING

The majority of Hudson's employees include approximately 1,200 client-facing consultants who sell its portfolio of services to its existing client base of approximately 6,100 companies and to prospective client organizations. The Company's consultant population has deep expertise in specific functional areas and industry sectors, and provides broad-based recruitment and solution services based on the needs of the client on a regional and global basis.

COMPETITION

The markets for the Company's services and products are highly competitive. There are few barriers to entry, so new entrants occur frequently, resulting in considerable market fragmentation. Companies in this industry compete on a number of parameters, including degree and quality of candidate and position knowledge, industry expertise, service quality, and efficiency in completing assignments. Typically, companies with greater strength in these parameters garner higher margins.

SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA

Financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments and geographic areas of operation is included in Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We maintain a website with the address www.hudson.com. We are not including the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this report. Through our website, we make available free of charge (other than an investor's own Internet access charges) our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports in a timely manner after we provide them to the Securities and Exchange Commission.



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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

The following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

Our operations will be affected by global economic fluctuations.

Clients' demand for our services may fluctuate widely with changes in economic conditions in the markets in which we operate. Those conditions include slower employment growth or reductions in employment, which directly impact our service offerings. In addition, certain geopolitical events, including the United Kingdom’s vote to withdraw from the European Union (“Brexit”), have caused significant economic, market, political and regulatory uncertainty in some of the Company’s markets. We have limited flexibility to reduce expenses during economic downturns due to some overhead costs that are fixed in the short-term. Furthermore, we may face increased pricing pressures during these periods. For example, in prior economic downturns, many employers in our operating regions reduced their overall workforce to reflect the slowing demand for their products and services.

We may not be able to successfully execute our strategic initiatives or meet our long-term financial goals.
We have been engaged in strategic initiatives to refocus on our core business to maximize long-term stockholder value, to improve our cost structure and efficiency and to increase our selling efforts and developing new business. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to successfully execute these or other strategic initiatives or that we will be able to execute these initiatives on our expected timetable. We may not be successful in refocusing our core business and obtaining operational efficiencies or replacing revenues lost as a result of these strategic initiatives.

Our operating results fluctuate from quarter to quarter; no single quarter is predictive of future periods' results.

Our operating results fluctuate quarter to quarter primarily due to the vacation periods during the first quarter in the Asia Pacific region and the third quarter in the Americas and Europe regions. Demand for our services is typically lower during traditional national vacation periods when clients and candidates are on vacation.

Our revenue can vary because our clients can terminate their relationship with us at any time with limited or no penalty.

We provide professional mid-level personnel on temporary assignment-by-assignment basis, which clients can generally terminate at any time or reduce their level of use when compared to prior periods. Our professional recruitment business is also significantly affected by our clients' hiring needs and their views of their future prospects. These factors can also affect our RPO business. Clients may, on very short notice, terminate, reduce or postpone their recruiting assignments with us and, therefore, affect demand for our services. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our markets are highly competitive.

The markets for our services are highly competitive. Our markets are characterized by pressures to provide high levels of service, incorporate new capabilities and technologies, accelerate job completion schedules and reduce prices. Furthermore, we face competition from a number of sources. These sources include other executive search firms and professional search, staffing and consulting firms. Several of our competitors have greater financial and marketing resources than we do. Due to competition, we may experience reduced margins on our services, loss of market share and our customers. If we are not able to compete effectively with current or future competitors as a result of these and other factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We have no significant proprietary technology that would preclude or inhibit competitors from entering the mid-level professional staffing markets. We cannot provide assurance that existing or future competitors will not develop or offer services that provide significant performance, price, creative or other advantages over our services. In addition, we believe that, with continuing development of information technology, the industries in which we compete may attract new competitors. Specifically, the increased use of the web-based and mobile technology may attract technology-oriented companies to the professional staffing industry. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to continue to compete effectively against existing or future competitors. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and

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results of operations.

We have had periods of negative cash flows and operating losses that may recur in the future.

We have experienced negative cash flows and reported operating and net losses in the past. For example, we had operating and net losses for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014. We cannot provide any assurance that we will have positive cash flows or operating profitability in the future, particularly to the extent the global economy continues to recover slowly from the global economic downturn. If our revenue declines or if operating expenses exceed our expectations, we may not be profitable and may not generate positive operating cash flows.

Our credit facilities restrict our operating flexibility.

Our credit facilities contain various restrictions and covenants that restrict our operating flexibility including:

borrowings limited to eligible receivables;

lenders' ability to impose restrictions, such as payroll or other reserves;

limitations on payments of dividends by our subsidiaries to us, which may restrict our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders;

restrictions on our ability to make additional borrowings, or to consolidate, merge or otherwise fundamentally change our ownership;

limitations on capital expenditures, investments, dispositions of assets, guarantees of indebtedness, permitted acquisitions and repurchases of stock; and

limitations on certain intercompany payments of expenses, interest and dividends. 

These restrictions and covenants could have adverse consequences for investors, including the consequences of our need to use a portion of our cash flow from operations for debt service, rather than for our operations, restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt financing for future working capital or capital expenditures, a lesser ability for us to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities, the potential need for us to undertake equity transactions which may dilute the ownership of existing investors, and our inability to react to market conditions by selling lesser-performing assets.

In addition, a default, amendment or waiver to our credit facilities to avoid a default may result in higher rates of interest and could impact our ability to obtain additional borrowings. Finally, debt incurred under our credit facilities bears interest at variable rates. Any increase in interest expense could reduce the funds available for operations.

Extensions of credit under our existing agreements are permitted based on a borrowing base, which is an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable, less required reserves, applicable letters of credit and outstanding borrowings. If the amount or quality of our accounts receivable deteriorates, then our ability to borrow under these credit facilities will be directly affected. Furthermore, our receivables facilities with National Australia Bank Limited and Bank of New Zealand do not have a stated maturity date and can be terminated by National Australia Bank Limited and Bank of New Zealand upon 90 days' written notice, and our receivables finance agreement with Lloyds Bank PLC and Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance can be terminated by Lloyds Bank PLC and Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance upon three months’ written notice. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to borrow under these credit facilities if we need cash to fund working capital or other needs.

If sources of liquidity are not available or if we cannot generate sufficient cash flows from operations, then we may be
required to obtain additional sources of funds through additional operating improvements, capital markets transactions, asset sales or financing from third parties, or a combination thereof and, under certain conditions, such transactions could substantially dilute the ownership of existing stockholders. We cannot provide assurance that the additional sources of funds will be available, or if available, would have reasonable terms.

Our investment strategy subjects us to risks.

From time to time, we make investments as part of our growth plans. Investments may not perform as expected because they are dependent on a variety of factors, including our ability to effectively integrate new personnel and operations, our

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ability to sell new services, and our ability to retain existing or gain new clients. Furthermore, we may need to borrow more cash from lenders or sell equity or debt securities to the public to finance future investments and the terms of these financings may be adverse to us.

We face risks related to our international operations.

We conduct operations in 13 countries and face both translation and transaction risks related to foreign currency exchange. For the year ended December 31, 2016, approximately 92% of our gross margin was earned outside of the United States ("U.S."). Our financial results could be materially affected by a number of factors particular to international operations. These include, but are not limited to, difficulties in staffing and managing international operations, operational issues such as longer customer payment cycles and greater difficulties in collecting accounts receivable, changes in tax laws or other regulatory requirements, issues relating to uncertainties of laws and enforcement relating to the regulation and protection of intellectual property, and currency fluctuation. If we are forced to discontinue any of our international operations, we could incur material costs to close down such operations.

Regarding the foreign currency risk inherent in international operations, the results of our local operations are reported in the applicable foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable foreign currency exchange rates for inclusion in our financial statements. In addition, we generally pay operating expenses in the corresponding local currency. Because of devaluations and fluctuations in currency exchange rates or the imposition of limitations on conversion of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, we are subject to currency translation exposure on the revenue and income of our operations in addition to economic exposure. Our consolidated U.S. dollar cash balance could be lower because a significant amount of cash is generated outside of the U.S. This risk could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We depend on our key management personnel.

Our success depends to a significant extent on our senior management team. The loss of the services of one or more key senior management team member could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if one or more key employees join a competitor or form a competing company, the resulting loss of existing or potential clients could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our success also depends upon our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled professionals who possess the skills and experience necessary to meet the staffing requirements of our clients. We must continually evaluate and upgrade our base of available qualified personnel to keep pace with changing client needs and emerging technologies. Furthermore, a substantial number of our contractors during any given year may terminate their employment with us and accept regular staff employment with our clients. Competition for qualified professionals with proven skills is intense, and demand for these individuals is expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that qualified personnel will continue to be available to us in sufficient numbers. If we are unable to attract the necessary qualified personnel for our clients, it may have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We face risks in collecting our accounts receivable.

In virtually all of our businesses, we invoice customers after providing services, which creates accounts receivable. Delays or defaults in payments owed to us could have a significant adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Factors that could cause a delay or default include, but are not limited to, global economic conditions, business failures, and turmoil in the financial and credit markets.

In certain situations, we provide our services to clients under a contractual relationship with a third-party vendor manager, rather than directly to the client. In those circumstances, the third-party vendor manager is typically responsible for aggregating billing information, collecting receivables from the client and paying staffing suppliers once funds are received from the client. In the event that the client has paid the vendor manager for our services and we are unable to collect from the vendor manager, we may be exposed to financial losses.

If we are unable to maintain costs at an acceptable level, our operations could be adversely impacted.


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Our ability to reduce costs in line with our revenues is important for the improvement of our profitability. Efforts to improve our efficiency could be affected by several factors including turnover, client demands, market conditions, changes in laws, and availability of talent. If we fail to realize the expected benefits of these cost reduction initiatives, this could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on our information systems, and if we lose our information processing capabilities or fail to further develop our technology, our business could be adversely affected.

Our success depends in large part upon our ability to store, retrieve, process, and manage substantial amounts of information, including our client and candidate databases. To achieve our strategic objectives and to remain competitive, we must continue to develop and enhance our information systems. This may require the acquisition of equipment and software and the development, either internally or through independent consultants, of new proprietary software. If we are unable to design, develop, implement and utilize, in a cost-effective manner, information systems that provide the capabilities necessary for us to compete effectively, or if we experience any interruption or loss of our information processing capabilities, for any reason, this could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

As we operate in an international environment, we are subject to greater cyber-security risks and incidents. We also use mobile devices, social networking and other online activities to connect with our candidates, clients and business partners. While we have implemented measures to prevent security breaches and cyber incidents, our measures may not be effective and any security breaches or cyber incidents could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business depends on uninterrupted service to clients.

Our operations depend on our ability to protect our facilities, computer and telecommunication equipment and software systems against damage or interruption from fire, power loss, cyber attacks, sabotage, telecommunications interruption, weather conditions, natural disasters and other similar events. Additionally, severe weather can cause our employees or contractors to miss work and interrupt delivery of our service, potentially resulting in a loss of revenue. While interruptions of these types that have occurred in the past have not caused material disruption, it is not possible to predict the type, severity or frequency of interruptions in the future or their impact on our business.

We may be exposed to employment-related claims, legal liability and costs from clients, employees and regulatory authorities that could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and our insurance coverage may not cover all of our potential liability.

We are in the business of employing people and placing them in the workplaces of other businesses. Risks relating to these activities include:

claims of misconduct or negligence on the part of our employees;

claims by our employees of discrimination or harassment directed at them, including claims relating to actions of our clients;

claims related to the employment of illegal aliens or unlicensed personnel;

claims for payment of workers' compensation and other similar claims;

claims for violations of wage and hour requirements;

claims for entitlement to employee benefits;

claims of errors and omissions of our temporary employees;

claims by taxing authorities related to our independent contractors and the risk that such contractors could be considered employees for tax purposes;

claims by candidates that we place for wrongful termination or denial of employment;

claims related to our non-compliance with data protection laws, which require the consent of a candidate to transfer resumes and other data; and

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claims by our clients relating to our employees' misuse of client proprietary information, misappropriation of funds, other misconduct, criminal activity or similar claims.

We are exposed to potential claims with respect to the recruitment process. A client could assert a claim for matters such as breach of a blocking arrangement or recommending a candidate who subsequently proves to be unsuitable for the position filled. Similarly, a client could assert a claim for deceptive trade practices on the grounds that we failed to disclose certain referral information about the candidate or misrepresented material information about the candidate. Further, the current employer of a candidate whom we place could file a claim against us alleging interference with an employment contract. In addition, a candidate could assert an action against us for failure to maintain the confidentiality of the candidate's employment search or for alleged discrimination or other violations of employment law by one of our clients.

We may incur fines and other losses or negative publicity with respect to these problems. In addition, some or all of these claims may give rise to litigation, which could be time-consuming to our management team, costly and could have a negative effect on our business. In some cases, we have agreed to indemnify our clients against some or all of these types of liabilities. We cannot assure that we will not experience these problems in the future, that our insurance will cover all claims, or that our insurance coverage will continue to be available at economically-feasible rates.

Our ability to utilize net operating loss carry-forwards may be limited.

The Company has U.S. net operating loss carry-forwards (“NOLs”) that expire through 2036. Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code imposes an annual limitation on a corporation's ability to utilize NOLs if it experiences an “ownership change.” In general terms, an ownership change may result from transactions increasing the ownership of certain stockholders in the stock of a corporation by greater than 50% over a three-year period. The Company has experienced ownership changes in the past. Ownership changes in our stock, some of which are outside of our control, could result in a limitation in our ability to use our NOLs to offset future taxable income, could cause U.S. Federal income taxes to be paid earlier than otherwise would be paid if such limitation were not in effect and could cause such NOLs to expire unused, reducing or eliminating the benefit of such NOLs.

There may be volatility in our stock price.

The market price for our common stock has fluctuated in the past and could fluctuate substantially in the future. For example, during 2016, the market price of our common stock reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ranged from a high of $2.97 to a low of $1.20. Factors such as general macroeconomic conditions adverse to workforce expansion, the announcement of variations in our quarterly financial results or changes in our expected financial results could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly. Further, due to the volatility of the stock market, our relatively low daily trading volume or actions by significant stockholders, the price of our common stock could fluctuate for reasons unrelated to our operating performance.
 
Our future earnings could be reduced as a result of the imposition of licensing or tax requirements or new regulations that prohibit, or restrict certain types of employment services we offer.

In many jurisdictions in which we operate, the provision of temporary staffing is heavily regulated. For example, governmental regulations can restrict the length of contracts of contract employees and the industries in which they may be used. In some countries, special taxes, fees or costs are imposed in connection with the use of contract workers.
 
The countries in which we operate may:

create additional regulations that prohibit or restrict the types of employment services that we currently provide;

impose new or additional benefit requirements;

require us to obtain additional licensing to provide staffing services;

impose new or additional restrictions on movements between countries;

increase taxes, such as sales or value-added taxes, payable by the providers of staffing services;


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increase the number of various tax and compliance audits relating to a variety of regulations, including wage and hour laws, unemployment taxes, workers' compensation, immigration, and income, value-added and sales taxes; or

revise transfer pricing laws or successfully challenge our transfer prices, which may result in higher foreign taxes or tax liabilities or double taxation of our foreign operations.

Any future regulations that make it more difficult or expensive for us to continue to provide our staffing services may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Provisions in our organizational documents and Delaware law will make it more difficult for someone to acquire control of us.

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and the Delaware General Corporation Law contain several provisions that make it more difficult to acquire control of us in a transaction not approved by our Board of Directors, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current prices, and that may limit the ability of stockholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests. Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws currently include provisions:
 
authorizing our Board of Directors to issue shares of our preferred stock in one or more series without further authorization of our stockholders;

requiring that stockholders provide advance notice of any stockholder nomination of directors or any new business to be considered at any meeting of stockholders; and

providing that vacancies on our Board of Directors will be filled by the remaining directors then in office.
 
In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally provides that a corporation may not engage in any business combination with any interested stockholder during the three-year period following the time that the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless a majority of the directors then in office approve either the business combination or the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder or specified stockholder approval requirements are met.

In February 2005, our Board of Directors adopted a Rights Agreement between the Company and a rights agent (the "2005 Rights Agreement") and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of our common stock payable upon the close of business on February 28, 2005 to the stockholders of record on that date. On January 15, 2015, our Board of Directors approved an amendment and restatement of the 2005 Rights Agreement by adopting an Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and a rights agent. The Board adopted the Rights Agreement in an effort to protect stockholder value by attempting to diminish the risk that the Company's ability to use its net operating losses ("NOLs") to reduce potential future Federal income tax obligations may become substantially limited. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (“Preferred Shares”) at a price of $8.50 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. If any person becomes a 4.99% or more stockholder of the Company, then each Right (subject to certain limitations) will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Right's then current exercise price, a number of shares of common stock of the Company or of the acquirer having a market value at the time of twice the Right's per share exercise price. The Company's Board of Directors may redeem the Rights for $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the time when the Rights become exercisable. The Rights will expire on the earliest of (i) January 15, 2018, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as described above, (iii) the time at which the Rights are exchanged pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement, (iv) the repeal of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code if the Board determines that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary for the preservation of the Company’s NOLs, and (v) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines that no NOLs may be carried forward. The Rights may have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights may cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire the Company without the approval of the Board. As a result, the overall effect of the rights may be to render more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer or other business combination involving the Company that is not supported by the Board.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.


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ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

All of the Company's operating offices are located in leased premises. Our principal executive office is located at 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10019, where we occupy space under a lease expiring in December 2017 with approximately 7,000 aggregate square feet.

Hudson Americas shares our principal executive office and maintains no other leased locations. Hudson Asia Pacific maintains 16 leased locations with approximately 130,000 aggregate square feet. Hudson Europe maintains 17 leased locations with approximately 142,000 aggregate square feet. All leased space is considered to be adequate for the operation of its business, and no difficulties are foreseen in meeting any future space requirements.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company is not involved in any pending or threatened legal proceedings that it believes could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following table sets forth certain information, as of March 3, 2017, regarding the executive officers of Hudson Global, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
Name
 
Age
 
Title
Stephen A. Nolan
 
56
 
Chief Executive Officer
Patrick Lyons
 
53
 
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
David F. Kirby
 
42
 
Senior Vice President, Treasury and Investor Relations

The following biographies describe the business experience of our executive officers:
Stephen A. Nolan has served as Chief Executive Officer since May 2015, with overall responsibility for the Company’s growth strategy, operational execution, and overall performance. Until August 2015, Mr. Nolan also served concurrently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a position he held since joining the Company in May 2013. Mr. Nolan also served as the Company’s Controller from March 2014 to March 2015. Mr. Nolan has more than 30 years of experience in accounting and finance, and has served as Chief Financial Officer for both Adecco Group North America and DHL Global Forwarding North America. From 2004 until 2012, Mr. Nolan served as Chief Financial Officer of Adecco Group North America, a staffing and human capital division of Adecco SA, one of the world’s leading human resources service providers. During his tenure at Adecco, he helped drive strong performance during a market downturn, spearheaded a major back office transformation and led the acquisition of MPS. Earlier in his career, he spent 15 years with Reckitt Benckiser, including two in the UK. Mr. Nolan is a Chartered Accountant and began his career as Audit Senior with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Ireland.
Patrick Lyons has served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer since August 2015 with overall responsibility for the Company's global accounting and finance functions. Prior to that, Mr. Lyons served as Vice President, Planning since 2010 and prior to that as Chief Financial Officer, Americas, since joining the Company in 2006. Having served for more than 25 years in professional services financial management and leadership roles, Mr. Lyons combines analytical rigor with hands-on execution focus, driving accountability and accuracy in financial reporting, cost control and profitability. Before joining the Company, Mr. Lyons held Chief Financial Officer roles at two staffing companies, Strategic Legal Resources and Adecco Staffing USA. Previously, Mr. Lyons worked for the TNT Group and Arthur Andersen where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
David F. Kirby, has served as Senior Vice President, Treasury and Investor Relations since August 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Kirby served as Vice President, Finance since 2011 and as Assistant Treasurer since 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Kirby served in a variety of roles in finance, treasury and investor relations since joining the Company in 2001. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kirby held positions at TMP Worldwide, TransportEdge, and Merrill Lynch.
Executive officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.



- 10 -


PART II

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK

The Company's common stock was listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market during 2016 under the symbol "HSON." On January 31, 2017, there were approximately 409 holders of record of the Company's common stock.

The following is a list by fiscal quarter of the market prices of the Company's common stock.
 
  
 
Market Price
 
 
High
 
Low
2016
 
 
 
 
Fourth quarter
 
$
1.70

 
$
1.20

Third quarter
 
$
2.41

 
$
1.46

Second quarter
 
$
2.74

 
$
1.85

First quarter
 
$
2.97

 
$
2.22

2015
 
 
 
 
Fourth quarter
 
$
2.98

 
$
2.10

Third quarter
 
$
3.24

 
$
2.10

Second quarter
 
$
3.10

 
$
2.11

First quarter
 
$
3.23

 
$
1.98


DIVIDENDS

In December 2015, our Board of Directors determined that we would pay a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock. The Company paid two cash dividends of $0.05 per share during fiscal 2016, the first on March 25, 2016 to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2016 and the second on June 24, 2016 to shareholders of record as of June 14, 2016. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid a total of $3.4 million in dividends to shareholders. The cash dividend payments are applied to accumulated deficit.

In September 2016, the Board of Directors determined that the acceleration of the Company's stock repurchase program was a better use of capital and, accordingly, stopped paying a quarterly cash dividend. Payment of any future cash dividends is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon our financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. In addition, the terms of the credit agreements of our subsidiaries may restrict such subsidiaries from paying dividends and making other distributions to us that would provide us with cash to pay dividends to our shareholders.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company's purchases of its common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 were as follows:

Period
 
Total 
Number of Shares 
Purchased
 
Average 
Price
Paid 
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased 
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs
 
Approximate Dollar 
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs (a)
October 1, 2016 - October 31, 2016
 
3,143

 
1.47

 
3,143

 
$
3,692,000

November 1, 2016 - November 30, 2016
 
54,341

 
1.47

 
54,341

 
3,612,000

December 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
 
85,187

 
1.48

 
85,187

 
3,486,000

Total
 
142,671

 
$
1.48

 
142,671

 
$
3,486,000


- 11 -



(a)
On July 30, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of the Company's common stock. The authorization does not expire. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had repurchased 2,989,127 shares for a total cost of approximately $6.5 million under this authorization. From time to time, the Company may enter into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan for purposes of repurchasing common stock under this authorization.

- 12 -


The following information in this Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing. 

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The following graph compares the cumulative total return since December 31, 2011 of (a) the Company's common stock with (b) Russell 2000 Index and (c) a peer group selected in good faith by the Company, in each case assuming reinvestment of dividends. The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2011 in the Company's common stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the peer group consisting of Resources Connection, Inc., Kelly Services, Inc., Kforce, Inc., and CDI Corporation.

a5yeartotalreturn.jpg

 
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
Hudson Global, Inc.
 
$
100.00

 
$
93.53

 
$
83.92

 
$
64.72

 
$
60.96

 
$
29.57

Russell 2000
 
$
100.00

 
$
116.35

 
$
161.52

 
$
169.42

 
$
161.95

 
$
196.45

Peer Group
 
$
100.00

 
$
120.21

 
$
165.40

 
$
161.77

 
$
149.99

 
$
176.16



- 13 -


ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table shows selected financial data of the Company that has been adjusted to reflect the classification of certain businesses as discontinued operations. The data has been derived from, and should be read together with, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and corresponding notes and the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Items 7 and 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
$ in thousands, except per share data
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
422,744

 
$
463,197

 
$
581,192

 
$
562,572

 
$
655,875

Gross margin
 
$
174,417

 
$
187,710

 
$
222,845

 
$
209,429

 
$
257,793

Business reorganization
 
$
1,580

 
$
5,828

 
$
3,789

 
$
5,440

 
$
7,506

Operating income (loss)
 
$
(7,587
)
 
$
3,241

 
$
(17,486
)
 
$
(27,152
)
 
$
(10,094
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(8,933
)
 
$
1,607

 
$
(15,786
)
 
$
(30,211
)
 
$
(7,222
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 
$
143

 
$
722

 
$
2,592

 
$
(184
)
 
$
1,887

Net income (loss)
 
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
(13,194
)
 
$
(30,395
)
 
$
(5,335
)
Basic income (loss) per share from continuing operations
 
$
(0.27
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
(0.48
)
 
$
(0.93
)
 
$
(0.22
)
Basic net income (loss) per share
 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
0.07

 
$
(0.40
)
 
$
(0.94
)
 
$
(0.17
)
Diluted income (loss) per share from continuing operations
 
$
(0.27
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
(0.48
)
 
$
(0.93
)
 
$
(0.22
)
Diluted net income (loss) per share
 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
0.07

 
$
(0.40
)
 
$
(0.94
)
 
$
(0.17
)
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
(9,420
)
 
$
(17,351
)
 
$
(17,840
)
 
$
2,513

 
$
13,159

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
$
(2,724
)
 
$
21,648

 
$
16,731

 
$
(2,557
)
 
$
(8,272
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
$
(2,930
)
 
$
644

 
$
(1,256
)
 
$
(497
)
 
$
(4,274
)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
$
84,142

 
$
106,143

 
$
118,921

 
$
134,323

 
$
157,412

Total assets
 
$
101,812

 
$
124,949

 
$
139,672

 
$
158,829

 
$
193,468

Current liabilities
 
$
50,579

 
$
51,591

 
$
67,117

 
$
69,818

 
$
67,168

Total stockholders’ equity
 
$
41,885

 
$
61,180

 
$
59,257

 
$
74,385

 
$
106,541

OTHER DATA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA (loss) (b)
 
$
(4,744
)
 
$
6,820

 
$
(11,725
)
 
$
(20,471
)
 
$
(3,788
)

(a)
Effective June 14, 2015, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets (excluding working capital) of its US IT business to Mastech, Inc. The Company also completed the sale of its Netherlands business to InterBalanceGroup BV effective April 30, 2015. In addition, during 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors and management approved the exit of operations in certain countries within Central and Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Slovakia), Luxembourg and Ireland. As these actions did not meet the requirements for classification as discontinued operations, the operating results and gain (loss) on sale and exit of businesses are presented as components of income (loss) from continuing operations. See Note 3 included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.

Effective November 9, 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of its Legal eDiscovery business in the U.S and U.K. to Document Technologies, LLC and DTI of London Limited. In addition, the Company ceased its operations in Sweden within the Hudson Europe segment during the third quarter of 2014. The results of operations of the Legal eDiscovery business and the Company's operations in Sweden have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented and has been excluded from continuing operations in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 205-20-45, “Reporting Discontinued Operations." See Note 4 included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.

(b)
SEC Regulation S-K 229.10(e)1(ii)(A) defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information to investors about the Company's operations on a basis consistent with the measures that the Company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance.

- 14 -


Management also uses this measurement to evaluate working capital requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income and net income prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the Company's profitability. See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further EBITDA segment and reconciliation information.

- 15 -


ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements. Please see “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. This MD&A also uses the non-generally accepted accounting principle measure of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for EBITDA segment reconciliation information.
This MD&A includes the following sections:
Executive Overview
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Contingencies
Critical Accounting Policies
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Forward-Looking Statements

Executive Overview

The Company has expertise in recruiting mid-level professional talent across all management disciplines in a wide range of industries. The Company matches clients and candidates to address client needs on a part time, full time and interim basis. Part of that expertise is derived from research on hiring trends and the Company's clients’ current successes and challenges with their staff. This research has helped enhance the Company's understanding about the number of new hires that do not meet its clients’ long-term goals, the reasons why, and the resulting costs to the Company's clients. With operations in 13 countries and relationships with specialized professionals around the world, the Company brings a strong ability to match talent with opportunities by assessing, recruiting, developing and engaging the best and brightest people for the Company's clients. The Company combines broad geographic presence, world-class talent solutions and a tailored, consultative approach to help businesses and professionals achieve maximum performance. The Company's focus is to continually upgrade its service offerings, delivery capability and assessment tools to make candidates more successful in achieving its clients' business requirements.

The Company’s proprietary frameworks, assessment tools and leadership development programs, coupled with its broad geographic footprint, have allowed the Company to design and implement regional and global recruitment solutions that the Company believes greatly enhance the quality of its client's hiring.
To accelerate the implementation of the Company's strategy, the Company has engaged in the following initiatives:
Investing in the core businesses and practices that present the greatest potential for profitable growth.
Facilitating growth and development of the global RPO business.
Building and differentiating the Company's brand through its unique talent solutions offerings.
Improving further the Company’s cost structure and efficiency of its support functions and infrastructure.

Strategic Actions
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company executed on strategic actions to focus on its core business lines and growth opportunities. These actions included:
In February 2015, the Company's management approved the exit of operations in certain countries within Central and Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Czech Republic and Slovakia). During the second quarter of 2015, the Company deemed the liquidation of those Central and Eastern Europe businesses to be substantially complete. As such, under ASC 830, "Foreign Currency Matters," the Company transferred $1.2 million of accumulated foreign

- 16 -


currency translation gains from accumulated other comprehensive income to the statement of operations within gain on sale and exit of businesses. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
In March 2015, the Company's management approved the exit of operations in Luxembourg. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company deemed the liquidation of its Luxembourg business to be substantially complete. As such, under ASC 830, "Foreign Currency Matters," the Company transferred $0.1 million of accumulated foreign currency translation losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to the statement of operations within gain on sale and exit of businesses. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
On May 7, 2015, the Company completed the sale of its Netherlands business to InterBalance Group B.V., effective April 30, 2015, in a management buyout for $9.0 million, including cash sold of $1.1 million. The Company recognized a gain on sale of $2.8 million, net of closing and other direct transaction costs, on the divestiture of the Netherlands business which included $2.8 million of non-cash accumulated foreign currency translation losses. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
On June 15, 2015, the Company completed the sale of its Hudson Information Technology (US) business (the "US IT business") for $17.0 million in cash. The Company retained approximately $3.0 million in net working capital associated with the US IT business. The Company recognized a gain on sale of $15.9 million, net of closing and other direct transaction costs. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
In August 2015, the Company exited its operations in Ireland.
In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company substantially completed the migration of the remaining Americas business to a new, lower-cost, IT platform and shared service center and decommissioned the legacy support infrastructures.
Discontinued Operations
Effective November 9, 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of its Legal eDiscovery business in the U.S. and U.K. to Document Technologies, LLC and DTI of London Limited for $23.0 million in cash, and recorded a gain of $11.3 million in connection with the sale. In addition, the Company ceased its operations in Sweden within the Hudson Europe segment during the third quarter of 2014.

The Company's divestiture of its Legal eDiscovery business and exit of operations in Sweden accounted for $0.2 million of operating income and $0.0 million of operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively, which have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented and have been excluded from continuing operations and from segment results for all periods presented in accordance with the provisions of ASC 205-20-45 “Reporting Discontinued Operations”. See Note 4 included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Current Market Conditions
Economic conditions in most of the world's major markets remain mixed. In the U.K., the June 23, 2016 referendum by British voters to exit the European Union (commonly referred to as “Brexit”) adversely impacted global markets, including currencies, and resulted in a decline in the value of the British pound as compared to the U.S. dollar. A weaker British pound compared to the U.S. dollar during a reporting period causes local currency results of the Company's U.K. operations to be translated into fewer U.S. dollars. The Company's U.K. operations, future financial performance and translation of results may be affected, in part, by the outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory, and other negotiations as the U.K. negotiates its exit from the European Union.

Conditions in Continental Europe have shown improvement with GDP growth in most of the major markets, as well as forecasted GDP growth for 2017. Australia faces a modest growth outlook for 2017, while the outlook for Asia is uncertain given China's slowing growth outlook.

The Company closely monitors the economic environment and business climate in its markets and responds accordingly. At this time, the Company is unable to accurately predict the outcome of these events or changes in general economic conditions and their effect on the demand for the Company's services.

- 17 -


Financial Performance

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company increased revenue in its retained businesses in most markets. On a constant currency basis, for the year ended December 31, 2016, revenue and gross margin declined by $20.7 million and $7.2 million, or 4.7% and 4.0%, respectively, compared to 2015. A primary driver of the decrease was attributable to the prior year divestitures of the Netherlands, US IT business, Luxembourg and Central and Eastern Europe businesses. The following table reconciles the change in reported revenue and gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2016:

 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
$ in millions
Change in Revenue on a Constant Currency Basis
 
Change in Gross Margin on a Constant Currency Basis
Netherlands divestiture
$
(12.7
)
 
$
(2.7
)
US IT business divestiture
(13.7
)
 
(3.4
)
Luxembourg divestiture
(0.3
)
 
(0.1
)
Central and Eastern Europe divestitures
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Retained businesses increase (decrease)
6.1

 
(0.9
)
Reported change
$
(20.7
)
 
$
(7.2
)

On a constant currency basis, the Company's retained businesses experienced an overall increase in revenue for the year ended 2016, as compared to 2015. This was driven by retained revenue growth in 10 countries, led by Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, France, Hong Kong and the Americas. The increases were partially offset by declines in revenue in the U.K. and China.

The following is a summary of the highlights for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. These should be considered in the context of the additional disclosures in this MD&A.
Revenue was $422.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $463.2 million for 2015, a decrease of $40.5 million, or 8.7%.
On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased $20.7 million, or 4.7%. Contracting revenue decreased $18.7 million (down 6.5% compared to 2015) and permanent recruitment revenue decreased $2.6 million (down 2.2% compared to 2015). The decreases were partially offset by an increase in talent management revenue of $0.3 million (up 0.7% compared to 2015).
Revenue was $463.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $581.2 million for 2014, a decrease of $118.0 million, or 20.3%.
On a constant currency basis, the Company's revenue decreased $48.8 million, or 9.9%. Contracting revenue decreased $54.6 million (down 15.9% compared to 2014). The decrease was partially offset by increases in permanent recruitment revenue of $5.6 million (up 5.1% compared to 2014) and talent management revenue of $0.8 million (up 2.2% compared to 2014).
Gross margin was $174.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $187.7 million for 2015, a decrease of $13.3 million, or 7.1%.
On a constant currency basis, gross margin decreased $7.2 million, or 4.0%. Contracting gross margin decreased $6.5 million (down 15.9% compared to 2015) and permanent recruitment gross margin decreased $2.4 million (down 2.1% compared to 2015). The decrease was partially offset by an increase in talent management gross margin of $1.5 million (up 5.4% compared to 2015).
Gross margin was $187.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $222.8 million for 2014, a decrease of $35.1 million, or 15.8%.
On a constant currency basis, gross margin decreased $9.1 million, or 4.8%. Contracting gross margin decreased $12.7 million (down 23.8% compared to 2014) and talent management gross margin decreased $1.1 million (down 3.6% compared to 2014). The decrease was partially offset by an increase in permanent recruitment gross margin of $4.9 million (up 4.6% compared to 2014).

- 18 -


Selling, general and administrative expenses and other non-operating income (expense) (“SG&A and Non-Op”) was $177.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $194.9 million for 2015, a decrease of $17.3 million, or 8.9%
On a constant currency basis, SG&A and Non-Op decreased $10.7 million, or 5.7%. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 42.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 42.5% for 2015.
SG&A and Non-Op was $194.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $230.1 million for 2014, a decrease of $35.2 million, or 15.3%
On a constant currency basis, SG&A and Non-Op decreased $9.8 million, or 5.0%. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 42.5% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 40.3% for 2014.
Business reorganization was $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $5.8 million for 2015, a decrease of $4.2 million, or $4.1 million on a constant currency basis.
Business reorganization was $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $3.8 million for 2014, an increase of $2.0 million, or $2.4 million on a constant currency basis.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded an impairment of long-lived assets charge of $0.7 million. See "Long-lived Assets and Goodwill" below for further detail.
EBITDA loss was $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to EBITDA of $6.8 million for 2015. On a constant currency basis, EBITDA decreased $12.1 million in 2016 compared to 2015.
EBITDA was $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to EBITDA loss of $11.7 million for 2014. On a constant currency basis, EBITDA increased $18.8 million in 2015 compared to 2014.
Net loss was $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to a net income of $2.3 million for 2015. On a constant currency basis, net income decreased $11.9 million in 2016 compared to 2015.
Net income was $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to a net loss of $13.2 million for 2014. On a constant currency basis, net income increased $15.0 million in 2015 compared to 2014.

Long-lived Assets and Goodwill

Under Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment," the Company is required to test a long-lived asset for impairment if circumstances indicate that its carrying value might exceed its current fair value.

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company experienced continued declines in the operating results within certain markets. These events were deemed to be triggering events that required the Company to perform an impairment assessment with respect to long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment. The Company's internal projections as of the fourth quarter of 2016 anticipate improvement in its operating performance in 2017. The undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the long-lived assets use and eventual disposition, exceeded the asset groups' carrying values. Accordingly, management concluded the Company's long-lived assets were not impaired.

In addition to the Company's long-lived assets impairment testing, the Company's management also tested its goodwill for potential impairment as of October 1, 2016. At the conclusion of its goodwill impairment testing, the Company determined the fair value of its China reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value. As such, the Company determined that no impairment of goodwill had taken place.

Although the Company currently anticipates improvement in its operating results for 2017, if general economic conditions in certain markets in which the Company operates remain weak, or if the Company’s performance does not improve, the Company may record impairment charges related to goodwill and other long-lived assets in the future.
Constant Currency
The Company operates on a global basis, with the majority of its gross margin generated outside of the U.S. Accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can affect our results of operations. For the discussion of reportable segment results of operations, the Company uses constant currency information. Constant currency compares financial results between

- 19 -


periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. The Company defines the term “constant currency” to mean that financial data for previously reported periods are translated into U.S. dollars using the same foreign currency exchange rates that were used to translate financial data for the current period. The Company’s management reviews and analyzes business results in constant currency and believes these results better represent the Company’s underlying business trends.
Changes in revenue, gross margin, SG&A and Non-Op, business reorganization, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and EBITDA (loss) include the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The tables below summarize the impact of foreign currency exchange rate adjustments on the Company’s operating results for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
As
 
As
 
Currency
 
Constant
 
As
 
Currency
 
Constant
$ in thousands
 
reported
 
reported
 
translation
 
currency
 
reported
 
translation
 
currency
Revenue:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Hudson Americas
 
$
15,561

 
$
28,627

 
$
(22
)
 
$
28,605

 
$
50,146

 
$
(128
)
 
$
50,018

Hudson Asia Pacific
 
236,839

 
219,391

 
(2,235
)
 
217,156

 
246,873

 
(39,412
)
 
207,461

Hudson Europe
 
170,344

 
215,179

 
(17,537
)
 
197,642

 
284,173

 
(49,465
)
 
234,708

Total
 
$
422,744

 
$
463,197

 
$
(19,794
)
 
$
443,403

 
$
581,192

 
$
(89,005
)
 
$
492,187

Gross margin:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Hudson Americas
 
$
13,609

 
$
16,111

 
$
(22
)
 
$
16,089

 
$
20,757

 
$
(123
)
 
$
20,634

Hudson Asia Pacific
 
84,126

 
89,682

 
(1,533
)
 
88,149

 
93,014

 
(13,074
)
 
79,940

Hudson Europe
 
76,682

 
81,917

 
(4,550
)
 
77,367

 
109,074

 
(18,907
)
 
90,167

Total
 
$
174,417

 
$
187,710

 
$
(6,105
)
 
$
181,605

 
$
222,845

 
$
(32,104
)
 
$
190,741

SG&A and Non-Op (a):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Hudson Americas
 
$
12,862

 
$
17,590

 
$
(44
)
 
$
17,546

 
$
20,582

 
$
(178
)
 
$
20,404

Hudson Asia Pacific
 
83,954

 
85,684

 
(1,700
)
 
83,984

 
92,127

 
(12,783
)
 
79,344

Hudson Europe
 
74,514

 
83,617

 
(4,836
)
 
78,781

 
108,613

 
(19,004
)
 
89,609

Corporate
 
6,251

 
8,006

 

 
8,006

 
8,797

 

 
8,797

Total
 
$
177,581

 
$
194,897

 
$
(6,580
)
 
$
188,317

 
$
230,119

 
$
(31,965
)
 
$
198,154

Business reorganization:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Hudson Americas
 
$
(39
)
 
$
1,108

 
$

 
$
1,108

 
$
94

 
$

 
$
94

Hudson Asia Pacific
 
248

 
669

 
29

 
698

 
1,322

 
(215
)
 
1,107

Hudson Europe
 
1,387

 
2,883

 
(141
)
 
2,742

 
1,407

 
(211
)
 
1,196

Corporate
 
(16
)
 
1,168

 

 
1,168

 
966

 

 
966

Total
 
$
1,580

 
$
5,828

 
$
(112
)
 
$
5,716

 
$
3,789

 
$
(426
)
 
$
3,363

Operating income (loss):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Hudson Americas
 
$
1,090

 
$
12,931

 
$
10

 
$
12,941

 
$
870

 
$
11

 
$
881

Hudson Asia Pacific
 
454

 
3,548

 
119

 
3,667

 
(3,013
)
 
357

 
(2,656
)
Hudson Europe
 
1,709

 
1,743

 
381

 
2,124

 
3,112

 
(391
)
 
2,721

Corporate
 
(10,840
)
 
(14,981
)
 

 
(14,981
)
 
(18,455
)
 

 
(18,455
)
Total
 
$
(7,587
)
 
$
3,241

 
$
510

 
$
3,751

 
$
(17,486
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(17,509
)
Net income (loss), consolidated
 
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
733

 
$
3,062

 
$
(13,194
)
 
$
1,214

 
$
(11,980
)
EBITDA (loss) from continuing operations(b):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Hudson Americas
 
$
770

 
$
13,354

 
$
27

 
$
13,381

 
$
117

 
$
55

 
$
172

Hudson Asia Pacific
 
(338
)
 
2,851

 
123

 
2,974

 
(890
)
 
(54
)
 
(944
)
Hudson Europe
 
1,064

 
(207
)
 
413

 
206

 
(1,187
)
 
345

 
(842
)
Corporate
 
(6,240
)
 
(9,178
)
 

 
(9,178
)
 
(9,765
)
 

 
(9,765
)
Total
 
$
(4,744
)
 
$
6,820

 
$
563

 
$
7,383

 
$
(11,725
)
 
$
346

 
$
(11,379
)
 

(a)
SG&A and Non-Op is a measure that management uses to evaluate the segments’ expenses, which include the following captions on the Consolidated Statements of Operations: Salaries and related, Office and general, Marketing and promotion and other income (expense), net. Corporate management fees are included in the segments’ other income (expense).

(b)
See EBITDA reconciliation in the following section.

- 20 -


Use of EBITDA (Non-GAAP measure)
Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful indicator of the Company’s performance that provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. EBITDA is also considered by management as an indicator of operating performance and most comparable measure across the regions in which we operate. Management also uses this measurement to evaluate capital needs and working capital requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income or net income prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) or as a measure of the Company’s profitability. EBITDA is derived from net income (loss) adjusted for the provision for (benefit from) income taxes, interest expense (income), and depreciation and amortization.
 
The reconciliation of EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided in the table below:
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
$ in thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
 
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
(13,194
)
Adjustment for income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 
143

 
722

 
2,592

Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(8,933
)
 
$
1,607

 
$
(15,786
)
Adjustments to income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 

 
 

 
 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
742

 
646

 
(2,159
)
Interest expense (income), net
 
357

 
722

 
661

Depreciation and amortization
 
3,090

 
3,845

 
5,559

Total adjustments from income (loss) from continuing operations to EBITDA (loss)
 
4,189

 
5,213

 
4,061

EBITDA (loss)
 
$
(4,744
)
 
$
6,820

 
$
(11,725
)
 

- 21 -


Contracting Data
The following table sets forth the Company’s contracting revenue, gross margin and gross margin as a percentage of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
$ in thousands
 
As reported
 
As reported
 
Currency
translation
 
Constant
currency
 
As reported
 
Currency
translation
 
Constant
currency
CONTRACTING DATA (a):
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Contracting revenue:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Hudson Americas
 
$
1,459

 
$
15,562

 
$

 
$
15,562

 
$
37,816

 
$

 
$
37,816

Hudson Asia Pacific
 
168,577

 
142,350

 
(769
)
 
141,581

 
170,370

 
(29,164
)
 
141,206

Hudson Europe
 
100,741

 
147,140

 
(14,764
)
 
132,376

 
199,920

 
(34,845
)
 
165,075

Total
 
$
270,777

 
$
305,052

 
$
(15,533
)
 
$
289,519

 
$
408,106

 
$
(64,009
)
 
$
344,097

Contracting gross margin:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Hudson Americas
 
$
222

 
$
3,587

 
$

 
$
3,587

 
$
8,738

 
$

 
$
8,738

Hudson Asia Pacific
 
20,052

 
17,937

 
(94
)
 
17,843

 
21,412

 
(3,635
)
 
17,777

Hudson Europe
 
13,849

 
21,044

 
(2,033
)
 
19,011

 
32,370

 
(5,603
)
 
26,767

Total
 
$
34,123

 
$
42,568

 
$
(2,127
)
 
$
40,441

 
$
62,520

 
$
(9,238
)
 
$
53,282

Contracting gross margin as a percent of contracting revenue:
 
 

 
 
 
 
Hudson Americas
 
15.2
%

23.0
%

N/A


23.0
%
 
23.1
%
 
N/A

 
23.1
%
Hudson Asia Pacific
 
11.9
%

12.6
%

N/A


12.6
%
 
12.6
%
 
N/A

 
12.6
%
Hudson Europe
 
13.7
%

14.3
%

N/A


14.4
%
 
16.2
%
 
N/A

 
16.2
%
Total
 
12.6
%

14.0
%

N/A


14.0
%
 
15.3
%
 
N/A

 
15.5
%
 
(a)
Contracting gross margin and gross margin as a percentage of revenue are shown to provide additional information regarding the Company’s ability to manage its cost structure and to provide further comparability relative to the Company’s peers. Contracting gross margin is derived by deducting the direct costs of contracting from contracting revenue. The Company’s calculation of gross margin may differ from those of other companies. See details in Results of Operations for further discussions of the changes in contracting revenue and gross margin.


- 22 -


Results of Operations (Discussion of significant matters is presented below):
Hudson Americas (reported currency) 
Revenue
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
 As reported
 
 As reported
 
 
 
 As reported
 
 
Hudson Americas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
15.6

 
$
28.6

 
$
(13.1
)
 
(45.6
)%
 
$
50.1

 
$
(21.5
)
 
(42.9
)%
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, contracting revenue decreased $14.1 million, or 90.6%, partially offset by an increase in permanent recruitment revenue of $1.0 million, or 7.9%, as compared to 2015. The decline in contracting revenue was directly attributable to the divestiture of the Company's US IT business in June 2015. The increase in permanent recruitment revenue was a result of growth in RPO, as compared to 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, contracting revenue decreased $22.3 million, or 58.8%, partially offset by an increase in permanent recruitment revenue of $0.8 million, or 6.2%, as compared to 2014. The change in revenue was attributable to the same factors as described above.
Gross margin 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
 As reported
 
 As reported
 
 
 
 As reported
 
 
Hudson Americas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
$
13.6

 
$
16.1

 
$
(2.5
)
 
(15.5
)%
 
$
20.8

 
$
(4.6
)
 
(22.4
)%
Gross margin as a percentage of revenue
 
87.5
%
 
56.3
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
41.4
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

Contracting gross margin as a percentage of contracting revenue
 
15.2
%
 
23.0
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
23.1
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, contracting gross margin decreased $3.4 million, or 93.8%, partially offset by an increase in permanent recruitment gross margin of $0.8 million, or 6.6%, as compared to 2015. The changes in gross margin were attributable to the same factors as described above for revenue. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 15.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 23.0% for 2015. Total gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 87.5% for 2016, as compared to 56.3% for 2015, and such increase was attributable to the same factors as described above for revenue.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, contracting gross margin decreased $5.2 million, or 58.9%, partially offset by an increase in permanent recruitment gross margin of $0.5 million, or 4.5%, as compared to 2014. The changes in gross margin were attributable to the same factors as described above for revenue. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 23.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 23.1% for 2014. Total gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 56.3% for 2015, as compared to 41.4% for 2014, the change was attributable to the same factors as described above for revenue.


- 23 -


Selling, general and administrative expenses and non-operating income (expense) (“SG&A and Non-Op”)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 $ in millions
 
 As reported
 
 As reported
 
 
 
 As reported
 
 
Hudson Americas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A and Non-Op
 
$
12.9

 
$
17.6

 
$
(4.7
)
 
(26.9
)%
 
$
20.6

 
$
(3.0
)
 
(14.5
)%
SG&A and Non-Op as a percentage of revenue
 
82.7
%
 
61.4
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
41.0
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, SG&A and Non-Op decreased $4.7 million, or 26.9%, as compared to 2015 due to lower sales and administrative costs as a result of the prior year divestiture of the US IT business. The decline was also driven by the change in control stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million recorded in June 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, SG&A and Non-Op decreased as compared to 2014 due to lower support costs and allocated corporate expenses as a result of the Legal eDiscovery and US IT business divestitures. The decline was partially offset by a proportion of stranded administrative expenses being allocated to the discontinued Legal eDiscovery business in 2014 and change in control stock-based compensation expenses of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Business reorganization

For the year ended December 31, 2016, business reorganization was $0.0 million, as compared to $1.1 million and $0.1 million for 2015 and 2014, respectively. Business reorganization incurred in 2015 were primarily related to severance for support personnel associated with the sale of the US IT business, lease exit and contract cancellation costs.
Operating Income and EBITDA
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
 As reported
 
 As reported
 
 
 
 As reported
 
 
Hudson Americas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss):
 
$
1.1

 
$
12.9

 
$
(11.8
)
 
(91.5
)%
 
$
0.9

 
$
12.1

 
(a)
EBITDA (loss)
 
$
0.8

 
$
13.4

 
$
(12.6
)
 
(94.0
)%
 
$
0.1

 
$
13.2

 
(a)
EBITDA as a percentage of revenue
 
4.9
%
 
46.6
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
0.2
%
 
N/A

 
N/A
(a) Information was not provided because the Company did not consider the change in percentage as a meaningful measure for the years in comparison.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, EBITDA was $0.8 million, or 4.9% of revenue, as compared to EBITDA of $13.4 million, or 46.6% of revenue, for 2015. The decrease in EBITDA was primarily due to the prior year gain on sale of the US IT business of $15.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in business reorganization, as compared to 2015. Operating income was $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $12.9 million for 2015.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, EBITDA was $13.4 million, or 46.6% of revenue, as compared to EBITDA of $0.1 million, or 0.2% of revenue, for 2014. The increase in EBITDA was primarily due to the gain on sale of the US IT business of $15.9 million, partially offset by an increase in business reorganization, as compared to 2014. Operating income was $12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to $0.9 million for 2014.
The difference between operating income (loss) and EBITDA (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was primarily due to corporate management fees and depreciation.
Hudson Asia Pacific (constant currency)
Revenue 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
As
reported
 
Constant
currency
 
 
 
Constant
currency
 
 
Hudson Asia Pacific
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
236.8

 
$
217.2

 
$
19.7

 
9.1
%
 
$
207.5

 
$
9.7

 
4.7
%
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, contracting revenue increased $27.0 million, or 19.1%, partially offset by a decrease in permanent recruitment and talent management revenue of $5.9 million and $1.5 million or 9.7% and 10.6%, respectively, as compared to 2015.

In Australia, for the year ended December 31, 2016, revenue increased $23.4 million, or 14.8%, as compared to 2015. Contracting revenue increased $23.5 million, or 19.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2015. The increase in contracting revenue was in the Company's information technology and public sector practice groups.

In Asia, revenue decreased $7.5 million, or 22.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015. The decrease in Asia was primarily in China, as a result of weaker market conditions, leadership changes and employee turnover.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, contracting revenue, permanent recruitment revenue and talent management revenue increased $0.4 million, $9.0 million and $0.5 million, or 0.3%, 17.3% and 3.4%, respectively, as compared to 2014.

In Australia, revenue increased $6.0 million, or 3.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014. The increases were primarily in permanent recruitment and contracting revenue increasing $3.1 million and $2.8 million, or 13.2% and 2.4%, as compared to 2014.

In Asia, revenue increased $5.1 million, or 17.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014. The increase in Asia was primarily in China.

Gross margin 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
As
reported
 
Constant
currency
 
 
 
Constant
currency
 
 
Hudson Asia Pacific
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
$
84.1

 
$
88.1

 
$
(4.0
)
 
(4.6
)%
 
$
79.9

 
$
8.2

 
10.3
%
Gross margin as a percentage of revenue
 
35.5
%
 
40.6
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
38.5
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

Contracting gross margin as a percentage of contracting revenue
 
11.9
%
 
12.6
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
12.6
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, permanent recruitment gross margin decreased $5.7 million, or 9.4%, partially offset by an increase in contracting gross margin of $2.2 million or 12.4%, as compared to 2015.

In Australia, gross margin increased $2.8 million, or 5.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015. The increase was primarily in permanent recruitment and contracting, which increased $1.6 million and $1.9 million, or 6.2% and 12.6%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2015. The increase was partially offset by a decline in talent management gross margin of $0.4 million, or 5.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2015.

In Asia, gross margin declined $7.9 million, or 24.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2015. The decrease in Asia was primarily in China.

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 35.5%, as compared to 40.6% for 2015. The decrease in total gross margin as a percentage of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 resulted from a decline in the permanent recruitment gross margin as a percentage of total gross margin, as compared to 2015. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 11.9% for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 12.6%, for 2015 due to the growth in gross margin with large public sector clients in Australia and New Zealand, where the gross margin percentage is lower than the rest of the contracting business.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2015, permanent recruitment and contracting gross margins increased $8.5 million and $0.1 million, or 16.4% and 0.4%, respectively, as compared to 2014.

In Australia, gross margin increased $2.7 million, or 5.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014. The increase was primarily in permanent recruitment and contracting increasing $2.6 million and $0.6 million, or 11.3% and 3.9%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014. The increase was partially offset by a decline in talent management gross margin of 0.8 million, or 9.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014.

In Asia, gross margin increased 5.8 million, or 21.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the same period in 2014. The increase in Asia was primarily in China.

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2015, was 40.6%, as compared to 38.5% for, 2014. The increase in gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, resulted from an increase in higher margin permanent recruitment revenue. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, remained relatively flat at 12.6%, as compared to 2014.

SG&A and Non-Op
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
As
reported
 
Constant
currency
 
 
 
Constant
currency
 
 
Hudson Asia Pacific
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A and Non-Op
 
$
84.0

 
$
84.0

 
$

 
 %
 
$
79.3

 
$
4.6

 
5.8
%
SG&A and Non-Op as a percentage of revenue
 
35.4
%
 
38.7
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
38.2
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

  
For the year ended December 31, 2016, SG&A and Non-Op remained relatively flat as compared to 2015. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 35.4% for 2016, as compared to 38.7% for 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, SG&A and Non-Op increased $4.6 million, or 5.8%, as compared to 2014. The increase was primarily due to higher headcount as a result of investment in additional fee earners in the region, higher variable bonus and commissions on gross margin and change in control stock-based compensation of $0.6 million, as compared to 2014. The increase was partially offset by savings associated with reorganization actions initiated in 2014.

SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue remained relatively flat, at 38.7% for 2015, as compared to 38.2% for 2014.

Business reorganization

For the year ended December 31, 2016, business reorganization was $0.2 million, as compared to $0.7 million for 2015 and $1.1 million for 2014. Business reorganization incurred in the current year was primarily for employee termination benefits. Business reorganization incurred in 2015 was primarily for lease termination payments in Australia and New Zealand. Business reorganization incurred in 2014 was related to a change-in-estimate for office space optimization in Australia and employee termination costs for integration of back-office support functions in Asia.
 
Operating Income and EBITDA
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
As
reported
 
Constant
currency
 
 
 
Constant
currency
 
 
Hudson Asia Pacific
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss):
 
$
0.5

 
$
3.7

 
$
(3.2
)
 
(86.5
)%
 
$
(2.7
)
 
$
6.3

 
(a)
EBITDA (loss)
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
3.0

 
$
(3.3
)
 
(a)

 
$
(0.9
)
 
$
3.9

 
(a)
EBITDA as a percentage of revenue
 
(0.1
)%
 
1.4
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
(0.5
)%
 
N/A

 
N/A
(a) Information was not provided because the Company did not consider the change in percentage as a meaningful measure for the years in comparison.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, EBITDA loss was $0.3 million, or 0.1% of revenue, as compared to EBITDA of $3.0 million, or 1.4% of revenue, for 2015. The decrease in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2016 was principally due to a decrease in gross margin. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.5 million, as compared to operating income of $3.7 million, for 2015.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, EBITDA was $3.0 million, or 1.4% of revenue, as compared to EBITDA loss of $0.9 million, or 0.5% of revenue, for 2014. The increase in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2015 was principally due to higher gross margin, partially offset by an increase in SG&A and Non-Op expense. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $3.7 million, as compared to operating loss of $2.7 million, for 2014.
The difference between operating income (loss) and EBITDA (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was principally due to corporate management fees and depreciation.
Hudson Europe (constant currency)
Revenue
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
As
reported
 
Constant
currency
 
 
 
Constant
currency
 
 
Hudson Europe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
170.3

 
$
197.6

 
$
(27.3
)
 
(13.8
)%
 
$
234.7

 
$
(37.1
)
 
(15.8
)%
  
For the year ended December 31, 2016, contracting revenue decreased $31.6 million or 23.9%, as compared to 2015, partially offset by an increases in permanent recruitment and talent management revenue of $2.3 million and $1.8 million, or 5.7% and 7.6%, respectively. The decrease was driven by the sale of the Netherlands business in May 2015 and the decline in the U.K. business, partially offset by improvements in Continental Europe. Total revenue in the Netherlands for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased $12.7 million, or 100.0%, as compared to 2015.

In the U.K., for the year ended December 31, 2016, revenue decreased $21.1 million, or 15.3%, to $116.5 million, from $137.6 million in 2015. The decrease in the U.K. was driven by a decline in contracting revenue of $20.7 million, or 17.8%, as compared to 2015, primarily a result of reduced demand and pricing pressure from large financial services contracting clients.

In Continental Europe, for the year ended December 31, 2016, total revenue was $53.8 million, as compared to $60.1 million for the same period in 2015, a decrease of $6.2 million, or 10.4%. The decline was a result of the prior year divestitures, lowering revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 by $13.1 million, as compared to the same period in 2015. Excluding the decline from prior year divestitures, revenue in Continental Europe increased by $6.9 million, or 14.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, contracting revenue and permanent recruitment revenue decreased $32.7 million and $4.3 million, or 19.8% and 9.6%, respectively, as compared to 2014, partially offset by an increase in talent management revenue of $0.4 million or 1.7%, as compared to 2014. The sale of the Netherlands business during 2015 was the primary driver of the decline, as total revenue of the Netherlands for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased $26.2 million, or 67.3%, as compared to 2014.

In the U.K., for the year ended December 31, 2015, revenue decreased $11.6 million, or 7.8%, to $137.6 million, from $149.2 million in 2014. The decrease in the U.K. was driven by declines in contracting and permanent recruitment revenue of $6.7 million and $4.9 million, or 5.4% and 20.1%, respectively, as compared to 2014. The declines were primarily a result of reduced demand from large financial services and public sector clients.

In Continental Europe, for the year ended December 31, 2015, total revenue was $60.1 million, as compared to $85.5 million in 2014, a decrease of $25.5 million, or 29.8%. As noted above, the prior year divestitures were the primary driver of the decline. Excluding the decline from the divestitures, revenue in Continental Europe, increased by $2.4 million, or 5.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014.

Gross margin
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
As
reported
 
Constant
currency
 
 
 
Constant
currency
 
 
Hudson Europe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
$
76.7

 
$
77.4

 
$
(0.7
)
 
(0.9
)%
 
$
90.2

 
$
(12.8
)
 
(14.2
)%
Gross margin as a percentage of revenue
 
45.0
%
 
39.1
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
38.4
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

Contracting gross margin as a percentage of contracting revenue
 
13.7
%
 
14.4
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
16.2
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, contracting gross margin decreased $5.2 million, or 27.2% partially offset by increases in permanent recruitment and talent management gross margins of $2.5 million and $1.7 million, or 6.2% and 8.9%, respectively, as compared to 2015.

In the U.K., total gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2016, decreased $3.6 million or 10.1%, as compared to 2015. Contracting and permanent recruitment gross margin declined $3.0 million and $0.5 million, or 19.3% and 2.8%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2015.

In Continental Europe for the year ended December 31, 2016, total gross margin increased $2.9 million, or 7.1%, as compared to 2015. The divestitures in 2015 resulted in a decline in gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2016, of $3.0 million, as compared to 2015. Excluding the decline from prior year divestitures, for the year ended December 31, 2016, gross margin in Continental Europe increased $5.9 million, or 15.2%, as compared to 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, gross margin as a percentage of revenue, was 45.0%, as compared to 39.1%, for 2015. The increase in gross margin, as a percentage of revenue resulted from an increase in the relative mix of higher margin permanent recruitment revenue. Contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 13.7% as compared to 14.4%, for 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, contracting, permanent recruitment and talent management gross margins decreased $7.8 million, $4.2 million, and $0.4 million or 29.0%, 9.6% and 2.1%, respectively, as compared to 2014.

In the U.K., total gross margin decreased $7.0 million, or 16.4%, as compared to 2014. Permanent recruitment and contracting gross margin declined $4.8 million and $2.2 million, or 20.4% and 12.2%, respectively, as compared to 2014. The decline in the U.K. was driven by both lower margins in contracting as well as a reduction in higher margin permanent recruitment.

In Continental Europe for the year ended December 31, 2015, total gross margin decreased $5.8 million, or 12.3%, as compared to 2014. The prior year divestitures resulted in a decline in gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2015, of $7.2 million, as compared to 2014. Excluding the decline from prior year divestitures, for the year ended December 31, 2015 gross margin in Continental Europe increased $1.4 million, or 3.8%, as compared to 2014.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, gross margin as a percentage of revenue, was 39.1%, as compared to 38.4%, for 2014. The contracting gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 14.4%, as compared to 16.2%, for 2014. The decline is a result of weaker contracting margins in the U.K. and the partial year impact of selling the Netherlands contracting business, which earned a higher than average contracting gross margin.

SG&A and Non-Op
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
As
reported
 
Constant
currency
 
 
 
Constant
currency
 
 
Hudson Europe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 


SG&A and Non-Op
 
$
74.5

 
$
78.8

 
$
(4.3
)
 
(5.4
)%
 
$
89.6

 
$
(10.8
)
 
(12.1
)%
SG&A and Non-Op as a percentage of revenue
 
43.7
%
 
39.9
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
38.2
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

  
For the year ended December 31, 2016, SG&A and Non-Op decreased $4.3 million, or 5.4%, as compared to 2015. The decline is a result of the 2015 divestiture of the Netherlands business, lower stock based compensation expense and actions taken to streamline business processes in 2015, including reduced real estate, back office support functions and corporate management fees, partially offset by higher staff costs in Continental Europe. The decline in stock based compensation expense is partially attributable to the prior year June 2015 change in control stock compensation expense of $0.7 million. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 43.7% for 2016 compared to 39.9% for 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, SG&A and Non-Op decreased by $10.8 million, or 12.1%, as compared to 2014. In the U.K., lower gross margin resulted in a reduction of employee compensation expense in the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014. In addition, actions taken to streamline business processes in 2014, including real estate reductions, back office support functions and reduced corporate management fees, resulted in lower SG&A and Non-Op for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to 2014. SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, was 39.9% for 2015 as compared to 38.2% for 2014. The increase in SG&A and Non-Op, as a percentage of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2015 was higher due to a relatively larger decline in revenue and change in control stock-based compensation expense of $0.7 million as compared to 2014.

Business reorganization
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, business reorganization was $1.4 million, as compared to $2.7 million and $1.2 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Current year business reorganization was primarily attributable to lease termination payments in France and changes in lease termination payment estimates in the U.K. Business reorganization in 2015 was primarily attributable to lease termination payments and employee termination costs in the U.K., Central and Eastern Europe and Luxembourg. Business reorganization in 2014 were principally attributable to employee termination costs primarily in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and the U.K.
Operating Income and EBITDA
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
 
2014
 
Change in amount
 
Change in %
$ in millions
 
As
reported
 
Constant
currency
 
 
 
Constant
currency
 
 
Hudson Europe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss):
 
$
1.7

 
$
2.1

 
$
(0.4
)
 
(19.0
)%
 
$
2.7

 
$
(0.6
)
 
(21.9
)%
EBITDA (loss)
 
$
1.1

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.9

 
(a)

 
$
(0.8
)
 
$
1.0

 
(a)

EBITDA (loss) as a percentage of revenue
 
0.6
%
 
0.1
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
(0.4
)%
 
N/A

 
N/A

(a) Information was not provided because the Company did not consider the change in percentage as a meaningful measure for the years in comparison.

 For the year ended December 31, 2016, EBITDA was $1.1 million, or 0.6% of revenue, as compared to EBITDA of $0.2 million, or 0.1% of revenue, for 2015. The increase in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2016 was principally due to lower business reorganization and SG&A and Non-Op, partially offset by a decrease in gross margin. Operating income was $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to operating income of $2.1 million, for 2015.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, EBITDA was $0.2 million, or 0.1% of revenue, as compared to EBITDA loss of $0.8 million, or 0.4% of revenue, for 2014. The increase in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2015 was principally due to the gain on sale of the Netherlands business of $2.8 million and lower SG&A and Non-Op offset by lower gross margin. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2015 there were no impairment charges, as compared to $0.3 million for 2014. Operating income was $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to operating income of $2.7 million for 2014.
The difference between operating income (loss) and EBITDA (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was principally due to corporate management fees and depreciation.
The following are discussed in reported currency

Corporate expenses, net of corporate management fees
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, corporate expenses were $6.3 million as compared to $8.0 million for 2015, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 21.9%. The decrease was due to savings associated with business reorganization efforts launched in 2015 and a decline in stock based compensation expense, offset by legal settlement costs associated with an arbitration claim (see Note 14) and lower corporate allocations to our regional business operations. The decline in stock based compensation expense is partially attributable to the June 2015 change in control stock compensation expense of $0.8 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, corporate expenses were $8.0 million, as compared to $8.8 million for 2014, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 9.0%. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2015 was due to savings associated with reorganization efforts launched in 2014, offset by stock-based compensation expense related to the change in control event and $0.7 million of CEO severance costs. Included in 2014 were approximately $1.4 million of costs incurred for the proxy contest and organizational strategy review. Excluding these items, corporate expenses decreased approximately $0.9 million, or 11.7%, primarily due to savings associated with business reorganization efforts launched in 2014 partially offset by lower proportional corporate allocations to the regions.

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, business reorganization were $0.0 million, 1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, and primarily consisted of lease termination payments and employee termination benefits.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense was $3.1 million, $3.8 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $0.4 million for 2016 and was $0.7 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.7 million, on $8.2 million of pre-tax loss, as compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.6 million on $2.3 million of pre-tax income for 2015. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016 was negative 9.1%, as compared to 28.7% for 2015. The change in the Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2015, was primarily attributable to the gains on the sale or exit of businesses in 2015 which were tax-exempt. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the effective tax rate difference from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% was primarily attributable to the inability of the Company to recognize tax benefits on certain losses until positive earnings are achieved in the U.S. and certain other foreign jurisdictions, changes in assessment of recoverability of future tax benefits in certain foreign jurisdictions, variations from the U.S. Federal statutory rate in foreign jurisdictions, and non-deductible expenses.
The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $0.6 million on $2.3 million of pre-tax income, as compared to a benefit for income taxes of $2.2 million on $17.9 million of pre-tax loss for 2014. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 was 28.7%, as compared to 12.0% for 2014. The change in the Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014 was primarily attributable to U.S. tax benefits recognized in 2014 with respect to intra-period allocations between continuing and discontinued operations and the gains on the sale or exit of businesses in 2015 which were tax-exempt. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the effective tax rate difference from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% was primarily attributable to changes in valuation allowances in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions which reduces or eliminates the effective tax rate on current year profits or loss, variations from the U.S. Federal statutory rate in foreign jurisdictions, taxes on repatriations of foreign profits, and non-deductible expenses. The effect of state tax rate changes in 2015 on deferred tax assets was offset by an increase in valuation allowance and has no net impact on effective tax rate.

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations

Income from discontinued operations was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $0.7 million and $2.6 million, in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Net Income (Loss)

Net loss was $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to net income of $2.3 million for 2015, a decrease in net income of $11.1 million. Basic and diluted loss per share were $0.26 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to basic and diluted income per share of $0.07 in 2015.

Net income was $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to net loss of $13.2 million for 2014, an increase in net income of $15.5 million. Basic and diluted income per share were $0.07 for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.40 in 2014.
 

- 24 -


Liquidity and Capital Resources 
As of December 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaled $21.3 million, as compared to $37.7 million as of December 31, 2015 and $34.0 million as of December 31, 2014. The following table summarizes the cash flow activities for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
$ in millions
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
(9.4
)
 
$
(17.4
)
 
$
(17.8
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(2.7
)
 
21.6

 
16.7

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
(2.9
)
 
0.6

 
(1.3
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
 
(1.3
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(1.0
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
(16.3
)
 
$
3.7

 
$
(3.4
)
 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash used in operating activities was $9.4 million, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $17.4 million in 2015, a decrease in net cash used in operating activities of $8.0 million. The change in net cash used in operating activities is principally due to a reduction in operating expenses, fluctuations in foreign currency, lower business restructuring outflows and the timing of cash receipts and payments to vendors and employees. For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash used in operating activities included $4.0 million for business reorganization activities and $3.8 million for legal settlement costs associated with an arbitration claim (see note 14). Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to cash used in operating activities from discontinued operation of $0.1 million in 2015.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash used in operating activities was $17.4 million, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $17.8 million in 2014, a decrease in net cash used in operating activities of $0.4 million. The decrease in net cash used in operating activities resulted principally due to the same factors noted above. Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 as compared to net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations of $12.1 million in 2014.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash used in investing activities was $2.7 million, as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $21.6 million in 2015, a decrease in net cash provided by investing activities of $24.3 million. The decrease in net cash provided by investing activities was principally related to the net proceeds from sale of the US IT and Netherlands businesses in 2015 of $24.7 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided by investing activities was $21.6 million, as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $16.7 million in 2014, an increase in net cash provided by investing activities of $4.9 million. The increase in net cash provided by investing activities was principally related to the proceeds from sale of the US IT and Netherlands business in 2015 and a decline in capital expenditures, to $3.1 million in 2015 from $5.3 million in 2014.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash used in financing activities was $2.9 million, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $0.6 million in 2015, an increase in net cash used in financing activities of $3.5 million. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to current year cash dividends and repurchase of common stock, partially offset by an increase in net borrowings in the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 2015.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided by financing activities was $0.6 million, as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $1.3 million for 2014, an increase in net cash provided by financing activities of $1.9 million. The increase in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily attributable to an increase in net borrowings in 2015 as compared to 2014, partially offset by the repurchase of common stock in 2015.

- 25 -


Credit Agreements

Receivables Finance Agreement with Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited and Lloyds Bank PLC

On August 1, 2014, the Company’s U.K. subsidiary (“U.K. Borrower”) entered into a receivables finance agreement for an asset-based lending funding facility (the “Lloyds Agreement”) with Lloyds Bank PLC and Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited (together, “Lloyds”). Until September 15, 2016, the Lloyds Agreement provided the U.K. Borrower with the ability to borrow up to $18.5 million (£15.0 million), at which time the U.K. Borrower entered into an amendment to the Lloyds Agreement that reduced the borrowing limit to $14.8 million (£12.0 million). Extensions of credit are based on a percentage of the eligible accounts receivable less required reserves from the Company's U.K. operations. The initial term was two years with renewal periods every three months thereafter. Borrowings under this facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of the U.K. Borrower.

The credit facility under the Lloyds Agreement contains two tranches. The first tranche is a revolving facility based on the billed contracting and permanent recruitment activities in the U.K. operation ("Lloyds Tranche A"). The borrowing limit of Lloyds Tranche A is $14.2 million (£11.5 million) based on 83% of eligible billed contracting and permanent recruitment receivables. The second tranche is a revolving facility that is based on the unbilled work-in-progress (as defined under the receivables finance agreement) activities in the Company's U.K. operations ("Lloyds Tranche B"). The borrowing limit of Lloyds Tranche B is $0.6 million (£0.5 million) based on 25% of eligible work-in-progress from permanent recruitment activity. For both tranches, borrowings may be made with an interest rate based on a base rate as determined by Lloyds Bank PLC, based on the Bank of England base rate, plus 1.75%.

The Lloyds Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants including (1) that true credit note dilution may not exceed 5%, measured at audit on a regular basis; (2) debt turn may not exceed 55 days over a three month rolling period; (3) dividends by the U.K. Borrower to the Company are restricted to the value of post tax profits; and (4) at the end of each month, there must be a minimum excess availability of $2.5 million (£2.0 million).
The details of the Lloyds Agreement as of December 31, 2016 were as follows:
$ in millions
 
December 31,
2016
Borrowing capacity
 
$
7.4

Less: outstanding borrowing
 

Additional borrowing availability
 
$
7.4

Interest rates on outstanding borrowing
 
2.00
%

The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Lloyds Agreement as of December 31, 2016.

Facility Agreement with National Australia Bank Limited

On October 30, 2015, Hudson Global Resources (Aust) Pty Limited (“Hudson Australia”) and Hudson Global Resources (NZ) Limited (“Hudson New Zealand”), both subsidiaries of Hudson Global, Inc., entered into a Finance Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015 (the “Finance Agreement”), with National Australia Bank Limited (“NAB”), a NAB Corporate Receivables Facility Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015 (the “Australian Receivables Agreement”), with NAB and a BNZ Corporate Receivables Facility Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015 (the “New Zealand Receivables Agreement”), with Bank of New Zealand (“BNZ”).

The Finance Agreement provides a bank guarantee facility of up to $2.2 million (AUD3.0 million) for Hudson Australia and Hudson New Zealand. The Finance Agreement matures and becomes due and payable on October 27, 2018. A fee equal to 1.5% per annum will be charged on each bank guarantee issued under the Finance Agreement. The Finance Agreement bears a fee, payable semiannually in arrears, equal to 0.3% per annum of NAB’s commitment under the Finance Agreement.

The Australian Receivables Agreement provides a receivables facility of up to $18.0 million (AUD25.0 million) for Hudson Australia, which is based on an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable, and of which up to $2.9 million (AUD4.0 million) may be used to support the working capital requirements of operations in China, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Australian Receivables Agreement does not have a stated maturity date and can be terminated by Hudson Australia or NAB upon 90 days written notice. Borrowings under the Australian Receivables Agreement may be made with an interest rate based

- 26 -


on a market rate plus a margin of 1.5% per annum. The Australian Receivable Agreement bears a fee, payable monthly in advance, equal to $5 thousand (AUD6 thousand) per month.

The New Zealand Receivables Agreement provides a receivables facility of up to $3.5 million (NZD5.0 million) for Hudson New Zealand, which is based on an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable. The New Zealand Receivables Agreement does not have a stated maturity date and can be terminated by Hudson New Zealand or BNZ upon 90 days written notice. Borrowings under the New Zealand Receivables Agreement may be made with an interest rate based on a market rate. The New Zealand Receivables Agreement bears a fee, payable monthly in advance, equal to $1 thousand (NZD1 thousand) per month.

The details of the NAB Finance and Facilities Agreements as of December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
$ in millions
December 31,
2016
Finance Agreement:
 

Borrowing capacity
$
2.2

Less: outstanding borrowing
(1.9
)
Additional borrowing availability
$
0.3

Interest rates on outstanding borrowing
1.50
%
 
 
Australian Receivables Agreement:
 

Borrowing capacity
$
15.6

Less: outstanding borrowing
(7.8
)
Additional borrowing availability
$
7.9

Interest rates on outstanding borrowing
3.17
%
 
 
New Zealand Receivables Agreement:
 

Borrowing capacity
$
2.2

Less: outstanding borrowing

Additional borrowing availability
$
2.2

Interest rates on outstanding borrowing
4.00
%

Amounts owing under the Finance Agreement, the Australian Receivables Agreement and the New Zealand Receivables Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of Hudson Australia and Hudson New Zealand. Each of the Finance Agreement, the Australian Receivables Agreement and the New Zealand Receivables Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants applicable to the Obligors, including: a requirement that the Obligors maintain (1) a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the NAB Facility Agreement) of 1.50x as of the last day of each calendar quarter; and (2) a minimum Receivables Ratio (as defined by the NAB Facility Agreement) of 1.20x.

The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the NAB Facility Agreement as of December 31, 2016.

Other Credit Agreements
The Company also has lending arrangements with local banks through its subsidiaries in Belgium and Singapore. As of December 31, 2016, the Belgium subsidiary had a $1.1 million (€1 million) overdraft facility. Borrowings under the Belgium lending arrangement may be made with an interest rate based on the one month EURIBOR plus a margin, and was 2.75% as of December 31, 2016. The lending arrangement in Belgium has no expiration date and can be terminated with a 15 day notice period. In Singapore, the Company’s subsidiary can borrow up to $0.1 million (SGD0.2 million) for working capital purposes. Interest on borrowings under this overdraft facility is based on the Singapore Prime Rate plus 1.75%, which was 6.00% on December 31, 2016. The Singapore overdraft facility expires annually each August but can be renewed for one year periods at that time. There were no outstanding borrowings under Belgium and Singapore lending agreements as of December 31, 2016.
Excluding the NAB Finance Agreement, the average monthly outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate for all the credit agreements above was $7.4 million and 3.37%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016.

- 27 -


The Company continues to use the aforementioned credit to support its ongoing global working capital requirements, capital expenditures and for other corporate purposes and to support letters of credit. Letters of credit and bank guarantees are used primarily to support office leases. 
Liquidity Outlook

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents on hand of $21.3 million supplemented by additional borrowing availability of $18.6 million under the Lloyds Agreement, the NAB Facility Agreement and other lending arrangements in Belgium and Singapore. The Company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to satisfy its needs through at least the next 12 months, based on the Company's total liquidity as of December 31, 2016. The Company's near-term cash requirements during 2017 are primarily related to funding operations, restructuring actions, investing in capital expenditures and repurchasing common stock. For 2017, the Company expects to make capital expenditures of approximately $2.5 million to $3.5 million and payments in connection with current restructuring actions of approximately $1.5 million to $2.0 million. The Company is closely managing its capital spending and will perform capital additions where economically prudent, while continuing to invest strategically for future growth.
As of December 31, 2016, $5.2 million of the Company's cash and cash equivalents noted above was held in the U.S. and the remainder was held internationally, primarily in the U.K. ($5.0 million), Belgium ($3.0 million), Mainland China ($2.0 million), Spain ($1.8 million), France ($1.3 million), Hong Kong ($0.7 million), and Australia ($0.6 million). The majority of the Company's offshore cash is available to it as a source of funds, net of any tax obligations or assessments. Unrepatriated cumulative earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries are considered to be invested indefinitely outside of the United States, except where the Company is able to repatriate these earnings to the United States without a material incremental tax provision. In managing its day-to-day liquidity and its capital structure, the Company does not rely on the unrepatriated earnings as a source of funds.  The Company has not provided for U.S. Federal income or foreign withholding taxes on these undistributed foreign earnings because a distribution of these foreign earnings with material incremental tax provision is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. It is not practicable to determine the amount of tax associated with such undistributed earnings.
The Company believes that future external market conditions remain uncertain, particularly access to credit, rates of near-term projected economic growth and levels of unemployment in the markets in which the Company operates. Due to these uncertain external market conditions, the Company cannot provide assurance that its actual cash requirements will not be greater in the future than those currently expected, especially if market conditions deteriorate substantially. If sources of liquidity are not available or if the Company cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations, the Company could be required to obtain additional sources of funds through additional operating improvements, capital market transactions, asset sales or financing from third parties, or a combination of those sources. The Company cannot provide assurance that these additional sources of funds will be available or, if available, would have reasonable terms.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2016, other than operating leases described below, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements. 
 

- 28 -


Contractual Obligations

The Company has entered into various commitments that will affect its cash generation capabilities going forward. Specifically, it has entered into a number of non-cancelable operating leases for facilities and equipment worldwide. Future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016 were as follows (commitments based in currencies other than U.S. dollars were translated using exchange rates as of December 31, 2016):

Contractual Obligation
 
Less than
1 year
 
1 to 3 
years
 
3 to 5 
years
 
More than
5 years
 
 
$ in thousands
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Operating lease obligations (a)
 
$
15,355

 
$
21,939

 
$
7,121

 
$
1,027

 
$
45,442

Capital lease obligations
 
98

 
147

 

 

 
245

Other purchase obligations
 
900

 
1,125

 

 

 
2,025

Other long term liabilities (b)
 

 

 

 

 

Other (c)
 
266

 

 

 

 
266

Total
 
$
16,619

 
$
23,211

 
$
7,121

 
$
1,027

 
$
47,978


a.
Future minimum lease commitments have not been offset by expected future minimum sublease rental income of $5.9 million, due in the future through 2020 under subleases with third parties. Commitments and sublease rentals based in currencies other than U.S. dollars were translated using exchange rates as of December 31, 2016.

b.
The Company's non-current liabilities of $8.4 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016 are primarily comprised of income taxes, unrecognized tax benefits, deferred rent, and other various accruals. As the timing and/or amounts of any cash payment is uncertain, the related amounts have not been reflected in the table above.

c.
Represents remaining employee severance and related costs expected to be paid pursuant to the 2016 Exit Plan and Previous Plans. See Note 13 included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Contingencies
From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to compliance audits by U.S. federal, state, local and foreign government regulatory, tax and other authorities relating to a variety of regulations, including wage and hour laws, unemployment taxes, workers’ compensation, immigration, and income, value-added and sales taxes. The Company is also subject to, from time to time in the ordinary course of business, various claims, lawsuits and other complaints from, for example, clients, candidates, suppliers, landlords for both leased and subleased properties, former and current employees, and regulators or tax authorities. Periodic events and management actions such as business reorganization initiatives can change the number and type of audits, claims, lawsuits, contract disputes or complaints asserted against the Company. Events can also change the likelihood of assertion and the behavior of third parties to reach resolution regarding such matters.
The economic conditions in the recent past have given rise to many news reports and bulletins from clients, tax authorities and other parties about changes in their procedures for audits, payment, plans to challenge existing contracts and other such matters aimed at being more aggressive in the resolution of such matters in their own favor. The Company believes that it has appropriate procedures in place for identifying and communicating any matters of this type, whether asserted or likely to be asserted, and it evaluates its liabilities in light of the prevailing circumstances. Changes in the behavior of third parties could cause the Company to change its view of the likelihood of a claim and what might constitute a trend. Employment laws vary in the markets in which we operate, and in some cases, employees and former employees have extended periods during which they may bring claims against the Company.
For matters that have reached the threshold of probable and estimable, the Company has established reserves for legal, regulatory and other contingent liabilities. The Company’s reserves were $0.1 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be determined, the Company believes that none of the currently pending matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.


- 29 -


Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. GAAP provides the framework from which to make these estimates, assumptions and disclosures. We choose accounting policies within GAAP that our management believes are appropriate to accurately and fairly report our operating results and financial position in a consistent manner. Our management regularly assesses these policies in light of current and forecasted economic conditions. Our accounting policies are stated in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. We believe the following accounting policies are critical to understanding our results of operations and affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue for temporary services at the time services are provided and revenue is recorded on a time and materials basis. Contracting revenue is reported on a gross basis when the Company acts as the principal in the transaction and is at risk for collection in accordance with ASC 605-45, “Overall Considerations of Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent." The Company’s revenues are derived from its gross billings, which are based on (i) the payroll cost of its worksite employees; and (ii) a markup computed as a percentage of the payroll cost.

The Company recognizes revenue for permanent placements based on the nature of the fee arrangement. Revenue generated when the Company permanently places an individual with a client on a contingent basis is recorded at the time of acceptance of employment, net of an allowance for estimated fee reversals. Revenue generated when the Company permanently places an individual with a client on a retained basis is recorded ratably over the period services are rendered, net of an allowance for estimated fee reversals.

ASC 605-45-50-3 and ASC 605-45-50-4, “Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities,”
provide that the presentation of taxes on either a gross basis (included in revenue and expense) or net basis (excluded from revenue) is an accounting policy decision. The Company collects various taxes assessed by governmental authorities and records these amounts on a net basis.

Accounts Receivable

The Company's accounts receivable balances are composed of trade and unbilled receivables. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts and makes ongoing estimates as to the collectability of the various receivables. If the Company determines that the allowance for doubtful accounts is not adequate to cover estimated losses, an expense to provide for doubtful accounts is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. If an account is determined to be uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Management's assessment and judgment are vital requirements in assessing the ultimate realization of these receivables, including the current credit-worthiness, financial stability and effect of market conditions on each customer.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” This standard establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effects of income taxes that result from an enterprise's activities. It requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes.

The calculation of net deferred tax assets assumes sufficient future earnings for the realization of such assets as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets where management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. If we determine that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of earnings at that time. Our assessment includes an analysis of whether deferred tax assets will be realized in the ordinary course of operations based on the available positive and negative evidence, including the scheduling of deferred tax liabilities and forecasted income from operations. The underlying assumptions we use in forecasting future taxable income require significant judgment. In the event that actual income from operations differs from forecasted amounts, or if we change our estimates of forecasted income from operations, we could record additional charges or reduce allowances in order to adjust the carrying value of deferred tax assets to their realizable amount. Such adjustments could be material to our consolidated financial statements. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding deferred tax assets

- 30 -


and valuation allowance.

ASC 740-10-55-3, “Recognition and Measurement of Tax Positions - a Two Step Process,” provides implementation guidance related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements and prescribes a two-step evaluation process for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The first step is recognition and the second is measurement. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, disclosures, transition and accounting for interim periods. In addition, ASC 740-10-25-9 provides guidance on how to determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. As of December 31, 2016, the gross liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions was $2.2 million.

The Company's unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized in the future, would affect the annual effective income tax rate. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding unrecognized tax benefits. We elected to continue our historical practice of classifying applicable interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes.

We provide tax reserves for Federal, state, local and international exposures relating to periods subject to audit. The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate. We assess our tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties have also been recognized. Although the outcome relating to these exposures are uncertain, we believe that our reserves reflect the probable outcome of known tax contingencies. In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome of exposures and risks involves significant uncertainties which render them inestimable. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, including those that cannot be quantified, they could have a material impact on our results of operations.

Unrepatriated cumulative earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries are considered to be invested indefinitely outside of the United States, except where the Company is able to repatriate these earnings to the United States without a material incremental tax provision. The Company has not provided for Federal income or foreign withholding taxes on these undistributed foreign earnings because a distribution of these foreign earnings with a material incremental tax provision is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. It is not practicable to determine the amount of tax associated with such undistributed earnings.

Long-lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When such circumstances are present, the Company assesses whether the carrying value will be recovered though the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use and eventual disposition of the long-lived asset. In the event the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the long-lived asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the long-lived asset's carrying value over its fair value is recorded in ASC 360-1-35.

Goodwill

ASC 350-20-35,“Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, Goodwill Subsequent Measurement,” requires that goodwill not be amortized but be tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances warrant. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that its carrying value might exceed its current fair value. Per the provisions of ASC 350, the Company may elect to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In the qualitative assessment, the Company considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance and the trend of cash flows, other relevant company-specific events and the ''cushion'' between a reporting unit's fair value and carrying amount in a recent fair value calculation. If it is concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, it is necessary to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required.

The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount,

- 31 -


then goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. In contrast, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test shall be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.

Step two of the impairment test, if necessary, consists of determining the implied fair value of each reporting unit’s goodwill. In calculating the implied fair value of goodwill, the fair values of the reporting units are allocated to all of the other assets and liabilities of the reporting units based on their fair values. The excess of the fair value of each reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its other assets and liabilities is equal to the implied fair value of its goodwill. The goodwill impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of goodwill over its implied fair value.

To estimate the fair value of a reporting unit, the Company utilizes the income approach, a valuation technique which indicates the fair value of the invested capital of a reporting unit based on the value of the cash flows that it is expected to generate in the future. The discounted cash flow method, an application of the income approach, estimates the future cash flows of the reporting unit and discounts these cash flows to their present value equivalents at a rate of return that considers the relative risk of achieving the cash flows and the time value of money. These cash flows indicate the fair value of the invested capital of the reporting unit on a marketable, controlling basis.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates, operating margins, corporate overhead allocations, cash flow adjustments related to capital expenditures, and working capital investments and risk-adjusted discount rates used to calculate the present value of the projected future cash flows. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, "Compensation - Stock Compensation." The Company determines the fair value as of the grant date. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock compensation awards requires the input of certain complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock compensation award and the Company’s Common Stock price volatility. In addition, determining the appropriate amount of associated periodic expense requires management to estimate the rate of employee forfeitures and the likelihood of achievement of certain performance targets. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock compensation awards and the associated periodic expense represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company deems it necessary in the future to modify the assumptions it made or to use different assumptions, or if the quantity and nature of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards changes, then the amount of expense may need to be adjusted and future stock compensation expense could be different from what has been recorded in the current period.

For awards with graded vesting conditions, the values of the awards are determined by valuing each tranche separately and expensing each tranche over the required service period. The service period is the period over which the related service is performed, which is generally the same as the vesting period. Prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09 ("ASU 2016-09"), Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) on October 1, 2016, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures. The Company estimated its forfeiture rate based on historical data such as stock option exercise activities and employee termination patterns. After adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. There were no stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements regarding the impact or potential impact of recent accounting pronouncements upon our financial position and results of operations.

Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-K contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-K, including statements regarding the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe” and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including industry and economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, (1) global economic fluctuations, (2) the Company's ability to successfully execute its strategic initiatives, (3) risks related to fluctuations in the Company’s operating results from quarter to quarter, (4) the ability of clients to terminate their relationship with the Company at any time, (5) competition in the Company’s markets, (6) the negative cash flows and operating losses that the Company has experienced in recent periods and may experience from time to time in the future, (7) restrictions on the Company’s operating flexibility due to the terms of its credit facilities, (8) risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations, (9) the Company’s dependence on key management personnel, (10) the Company’s ability to

- 32 -


attract and retain highly-skilled professionals, (11) the Company’s ability to collect its accounts receivable, (12) the Company’s ability to achieve anticipated cost savings through the Company’s cost reduction initiatives, (13) the Company’s heavy reliance on information systems and the impact of potentially losing or failing to develop technology, (14) risks related to providing uninterrupted service to clients, (15) the Company’s exposure to employment-related claims from clients, employers and regulatory authorities and limits on related insurance coverage, (16) the Company’s ability to utilize net operating loss carry-forwards, (17) volatility of the Company’s stock price, and (18) the impact of government regulations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. The Company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company conducts operations in various countries and faces both translation and transaction risks related to foreign currency exchange. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company earned approximately 92% of its gross margin outside the United States (“U.S.”), and it collected payments in local currency and paid related operating expenses in such corresponding local currency. Revenues and expenses in foreign currencies translate into higher or lower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars as the U.S. dollar weakens or strengthens against other currencies. Therefore, changes in exchange rates may affect our consolidated revenues and expenses (as expressed in U.S. dollars) from foreign operations.
Amounts invested in our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The translation of the foreign currency into U.S. dollars is reflected as a component of stockholders’ equity and did not impact our reported net income (loss).
The Brexit referendum resulted in a decline in the value of the British pound, as compared to the U.S. dollar. The Company's United Kingdom ("U.K.") operations, future financial performance and translation of results may be affected, in part, by the outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory, and other negotiations as the U.K. negotiates its exit from the European Union.
As more fully described in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the Company has credit agreements with Lloyds Bank PLC and Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited, National Australia Bank Limited and other credit agreements with lenders in Belgium and Singapore. The Company did not hedge the interest risk on borrowings under the credit agreements, and, accordingly, it is exposed to interest rate risk on the borrowings under such credit agreements. Based on our annual average borrowings, a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates on our borrowings would not have a material impact on our earnings.

- 33 -


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15 (f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company's management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, the Company's management believes that, as of December 31, 2016, the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

The Company's independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued a report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. That report is set forth immediately following the report of KPMG LLP on the financial statements included herein.


- 34 -


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Hudson Global, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hudson Global, Inc. and subsidiaries (Hudson Global, Inc.) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedules in Item 15(2). These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hudson Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Hudson Global, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 3, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
March 3, 2017

- 35 -


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Hudson Global, Inc.:
We have audited Hudson Global, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (Hudson Global, Inc.) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Hudson Global, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying ”Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Hudson Global, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Hudson Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, and our report dated March 3, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
March 3, 2017


- 36 -


HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue
 
$
422,744

 
$
463,197

 
$
581,192

Direct costs
 
248,327

 
275,487

 
358,347

Gross margin
 
174,417

 
187,710

 
222,845

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and related
 
139,848

 
149,442

 
176,718

Office and general
 
33,457

 
40,921

 
48,131

Marketing and promotion
 
4,029

 
4,268

 
5,472

Depreciation and amortization
 
3,090

 
3,845

 
5,559

Business reorganization
 
1,580

 
5,828

 
3,789

Impairment of long-lived assets
 

 

 
662

Total operating expenses
 
182,004

 
204,304

 
240,331

Gain (loss) on sale and exit of businesses
 

 
19,835

 

Operating income (loss)
 
(7,587
)
 
3,241

 
(17,486
)
Non-operating income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income (expense), net
 
(357
)
 
(722
)
 
(661
)
Other income (expense), net
 
(247
)
 
(266
)
 
202

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
 
(8,191
)
 
2,253

 
(17,945
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes from continuing operations
 
742

 
646

 
(2,159
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
(8,933
)
 
1,607

 
(15,786
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 
143

 
722

 
2,592

Net income (loss)
 
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
(13,194
)
Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(0.27
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
(0.48
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
0.01

 
0.02

 
0.08

Net income (loss)
 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
0.07

 
$
(0.40
)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
33,174

 
33,869

 
32,843

Diluted
 
33,174

 
34,084

 
32,843

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



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HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)


 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
(13,194
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes
 
(3,333
)
 
(3,326
)
 
(3,718
)
Defined benefit pension plans - unrecognized net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service costs (credit), net of income taxes
 
(28
)
 
5

 
158

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
 
(3,361
)
 
(3,321
)
 
(3,560
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(12,151
)
 
$
(992
)
 
$
(16,754
)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


- 38 -


HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
ASSETS
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
21,322

 
$
37,663

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $799 and $860, respectively
58,517

 
62,420

Prepaid and other
4,265

 
5,979

Current assets of discontinued operations
38

 
81

Total current assets
84,142

 
106,143

Property and equipment, net
7,041

 
7,928

Deferred tax assets, non-current
6,494

 
6,724

Other assets
4,135

 
4,154

Total assets
$
101,812

 
$
124,949

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
4,666

 
$
5,184

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
36,154

 
40,344

Short-term borrowings
7,770

 
2,368

Accrued business reorganization
1,756

 
2,252

Current liabilities of discontinued operations
233

 
1,443

Total current liabilities
50,579

 
51,591

Deferred rent
2,968

 
4,244

Income tax payable, non-current
2,211

 
2,279

Other non-current liabilities
4,169

 
5,655

Total liabilities
59,927

 
63,769

Commitments and contingencies


 


Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; issued 34,910 and 35,260 shares, respectively
34

 
34

Additional paid-in capital
482,265

 
480,816

Accumulated deficit
(440,478
)
 
(428,287
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
6,931

 
10,292

Treasury stock, 3,145 and 646 shares, respectively, at cost
(6,867
)
 
(1,675
)
Total stockholders’ equity
41,885

 
61,180

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
101,812

 
$
124,949

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 



- 39 -


HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands) 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
(13,194
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 

 
 

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
3,090

 
3,845

 
5,835

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 
1,129

Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts
226

 
178

 
97

Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes
(208
)
 
189

 
(102
)
Stock-based compensation
1,449

 
4,231

 
1,325

Gain on sale and exit of businesses

 
(21,245
)
 
(11,333
)
Other, net
211

 
194

 
354

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of dispositions:
 

 
 

 
 
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
(582
)
 
(1,254
)
 
(7,117
)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid and other assets
1,053

 
2,763

 
(1,731
)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
(3,317
)
 
(7,902
)
 
4,213

Increase (decrease) in accrued business reorganization
(2,552
)
 
(679
)
 
2,684

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(9,420
)
 
(17,351
)
 
(17,840
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

 
 
Capital expenditures
(2,766
)
 
(3,061
)
 
(5,346
)
Proceeds from sale of consolidated subsidiary, net of cash sold

 
7,894

 

Proceeds from sale of assets, net of disposal costs
42

 
16,815

 
22,077

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(2,724
)
 
21,648

 
16,731

Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

 
 
Borrowings under credit agreements
118,583

 
147,429

 
133,030

Repayments under credit agreements
(112,835
)
 
(144,994
)
 
(133,194
)
Repayment of capital lease obligations
(85
)
 
(104
)
 
(500
)
Dividend payments
(3,401
)
 

 

Payments for deferred financing costs

 
(57
)
 
(454
)
Purchases of treasury stock
(5,127
)
 
(1,386
)
 

Purchase of restricted stock from employees
(65
)
 
(244
)
 
(138
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(2,930
)
 
644

 
(1,256
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
(1,267
)
 
(1,267
)
 
(1,024
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(16,341
)
 
3,674

 
(3,389
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
37,663

 
33,989

 
37,378

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
$
21,322

 
$
37,663

 
$
33,989

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 

 
 

 
 
Cash payments during the period for interest
$
336

 
$
381

 
$
442

Cash payments during the period for income taxes, net of refunds
$
918

 
$
89

 
$
970

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 


- 40 -


HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Common stock
 
Additional
paid-in
capital
 
Accumulated deficit
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Treasury
stock
 
Total
 
 
Shares
 
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2014
 
33,332

 
$
34

 
$
475,461

 
$
(417,422
)
 
$
17,173

 
$
(861
)
 
$
74,385

Net income (loss)
 

 

 

 
(13,194
)
 

 

 
(13,194
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), translation adjustments
 

 

 

 

 
(3,718
)
 

 
(3,718
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), pension liability adjustment
 

 

 

 

 
158

 

 
158

Purchase of restricted stock from employees
 
(36
)
 

 

 

 

 
(129
)
 
(129
)
Issuance of shares for 401(k) plan contribution
 
118

 

 
(97
)
 

 

 
527

 
430

Stock-based compensation
 
128

 

 
1,325

 

 

 

 
1,325

Balance at December 31, 2014
 
33,542

 
$
34

 
$
476,689

 
$
(430,616
)
 
$
13,613

 
$
(463
)
 
$
59,257

Net income (loss)
 

 

 

 
2,329

 

 

 
2,329

Other comprehensive income (loss), translation adjustments
 

 

 

 

 
(3,326
)
 

 
(3,326
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), pension liability adjustment
 

 

 

 

 
5

 

 
5

Purchase of treasury stock
 
(528
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,386
)
 
(1,386
)
Purchase of restricted stock from employees
 
(108
)
 

 

 

 

 
(244
)
 
(244
)
Issuance of shares for 401(k) plan contribution
 
116

 

 
(104
)
 

 

 
418

 
314

Stock-based compensation
 
1,589

 

 
4,231

 

 

 

 
4,231

Balance at December 31, 2015
 
34,611

 
$
34

 
$
480,816

 
$
(428,287
)
 
$
10,292

 
$
(1,675
)
 
$
61,180

Net income (loss)
 

 

 

 
(8,790
)
 

 

 
(8,790
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), translation adjustments
 

 

 

 

 
(3,333
)
 

 
(3,333
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), pension liability adjustment
 

 

 

 

 
(28
)
 

 
(28
)
Cash Dividends ($.10 per share)
 

 

 

 
(3,401
)
 

 

 
(3,401
)
Purchase of treasury stock
 
(2,461
)
 

 

 

 

 
(5,127
)
 
(5,127
)
Purchase of restricted stock from employees
 
(35
)
 

 

 

 

 
(65
)
 
(65
)
Stock-based compensation
 
(350
)
 

 
1,449

 

 

 

 
1,449

Balance at December 31, 2016
 
31,765

 
$
34

 
$
482,265

 
$
(440,478
)
 
$
6,931

 
$
(6,867
)
 
$
41,885


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 


NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Hudson Global, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) are comprised of the operations, assets and liabilities of the three Hudson regional businesses of Hudson Americas, Hudson Asia Pacific, and Hudson Europe (“Hudson regional businesses” or “Hudson”). The Company provides specialized professional-level recruitment and related talent solutions worldwide. The Company’s core service offerings include Permanent Recruitment, Contracting, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”) and Talent Management Solutions. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately 1,600 employees operating in 13 countries with three reportable geographic business segments: Hudson Americas, Hudson Asia Pacific, and Hudson Europe.

The Company’s core service offerings include:
Permanent Recruitment: Offered on both a retained and contingent basis, Hudson’s Permanent Recruitment services leverage its consultants, psychologists and other professionals in the development and delivery of its proprietary methods to identify, select and engage the best-fit talent for critical client roles.
Contracting: In Contracting, Hudson provides a range of project management, interim management and professional contract staffing services. These services draw upon a combination of specialized recruiting and project management competencies to deliver a wide range of solutions. Hudson-employed professionals - either individually or as a team - are placed with client organizations for a defined period of time based on a client's specific business need.
RPO: Hudson RPO delivers both permanent recruitment and contracting outsourced recruitment solutions tailored to the individual needs of primarily mid-to-large-cap multinational companies. Hudson RPO's delivery teams utilize state-of-the-art recruitment process methodologies and project management expertise in their flexible, turnkey solutions to meet clients' ongoing business needs. Hudson RPO services include complete recruitment outsourcing, project-based outsourcing, contingent workforce solutions and recruitment consulting.
Talent Management Solutions: Featuring embedded proprietary talent assessment and selection methodologies, Hudson’s Talent Management capability encompasses services such as talent assessment (utilizing a variety of competency, attitude and experiential testing), interview training, executive coaching, employee development and outplacement.

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Unless otherwise stated, amounts are presented in United States of America (“U.S.”) dollars and all amounts are in thousands, except for number of shares and per share amounts.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation for discontinued operations. See Note 4 for further details regarding the discontinued operations reclassification.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)" ("ASU 2016-09") which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment awards transactions. ASU 2016-09 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods, and early adoption is permitted. The Company has elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09 as of January 1, 2016. The Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (subtopic 205-40)" ("ASU 2014-15"), which requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management will be required to

- 41 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

perform this assessment for both interim and annual reporting periods and must make certain disclosures if it concludes that substantial doubt exists. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods thereafter. The Company adopted ASU 2014-15 effective December 31, 2016. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions between and among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Such estimates include the value of allowances for doubtful accounts, insurance recovery receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets, legal reserve and provision, estimated self-insured liabilities, assumptions used in the fair value of stock-based compensation and the valuation of deferred tax assets. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates the estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Instability in the global credit markets puts pressure on global economic conditions and may in turn impact the aforementioned estimates and assumptions.

Nature of Business and Credit Risk

The Company's revenue is earned from professional placement services, mid-level employee professional staffing and contracting services and human capital services. These services are provided to a large number of customers in many different industries. The Company operates throughout North America, the United Kingdom ("U.K."), Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. During 2016, no single client accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total revenue. As of December 31, 2016, no single client accounted for more than 10% of the Company's outstanding accounts receivable.

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, are primarily cash and accounts receivable. The Company performs continuing credit evaluations of its customers and does not require collateral. The Company has not experienced significant losses related to receivables.
 
Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue for temporary services at the time services are provided and revenue is recorded on a time and materials basis. Contracting revenue is reported on a gross basis when the Company acts as the principal in the transaction and is at risk for collection in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 605-45, “Overall Considerations of Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent. The Company's revenues are derived from its gross billings, which are based on (i) the payroll cost of its worksite employees; and (ii) a markup computed as a percentage of the payroll cost.

The Company recognizes revenue for permanent placements based on the nature of the fee arrangement. Revenue generated when the Company permanently places an individual with a client on a contingent basis is recorded at the time of acceptance of employment, net of an allowance for estimated fee reversals. Revenue generated when the Company permanently places an individual with a client on a retained basis is recorded ratably over the period services are rendered, net of an allowance for estimated fee reversals.

ASC 605-45-50-3 and ASC 605-45-50-4, “Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities,

- 42 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

provide that the presentation of taxes on either a gross basis (included in revenue and expense) or net basis (excluded from revenue) is an accounting policy decision. The Company collects various taxes assessed by governmental authorities and records these amounts on a net basis.
Operating Expenses

Salaries and related expenses include the salaries, commissions, payroll taxes and employee benefits related to recruitment professionals, executive level employees, administrative staff and other employees of the Company who are not temporary contractors. Office and general expenses include occupancy, equipment leasing and maintenance, utilities, travel expenses, professional fees and provision for doubtful accounts. The Company expenses the costs of advertising and legal costs as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, "Compensation - Stock Compensation." The Company determines the fair value as of the grant date. For awards with graded vesting conditions, the values of the awards are determined by valuing each tranche separately and expensing each tranche over the required service period. The service period is the period over which the related service is performed, which is generally the same as the vesting period. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures.

For stock options, the Black-Scholes option pricing model considers, among other factors, the expected volatility of the Company's stock price, risk-free interest rates, dividend rate and the expected life of the award. Expected volatilities are calculated based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock. Volatility is determined using historical prices to estimate the expected future fluctuations in the Company's share price. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury, the term of which is consistent with the expected term of the option.

When the Company estimates the expected life of stock options, the Company determines its assumptions for the Black-Scholes option-pricing model in accordance with ASC 718 and Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 107. Significant assumptions used in the valuation of stock options include:

The expected term of stock options is estimated using the simplified method since the Company currently does not have sufficient stock option exercise history.
The expected risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate which term is consistent with the expected term of the stock options.
The expected volatility is based on the historic volatility.

In December 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff issued SAB No. 110, “Certain Assumptions Used In Valuation Methods - Expected Term". SAB No. 110 allows companies to continue to use the simplified method, as defined in SAB No. 107, to estimate the expected term of stock options under certain circumstances. The simplified method for estimating expected term uses the mid-point between the vesting term and the contractual term of the stock option. The Company has analyzed the circumstances in which the use of the simplified method is allowed. The Company has opted to use the simplified method for stock options the Company granted because management believes that the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term.

In accordance with ASC 718, the Company reflects the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of income tax benefits as a financing cash flow in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, when applicable.

Income Taxes

Earnings from the Company's global operations are subject to tax in various jurisdictions both within and outside the United States. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. This standard establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effects of income taxes that result from an enterprise's activities. It requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes.

The calculation of net deferred tax assets assumes sufficient future earnings for the realization of such assets as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred

- 43 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

tax assets where management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. If we determine that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of earnings at that time. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding deferred tax assets and valuation allowance.

ASC 740-10-55-3, “Recognition and Measurement of Tax Positions - a Two Step Process,” provides implementation guidance related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements and prescribes a two-step evaluation process for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The first step is recognition and the second is measurement. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, disclosures, transition and accounting for interim periods. The Company provides tax reserves for U.S. Federal, state and local and international unrecognized tax benefits for all periods subject to audit. The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate. The Company assesses its tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties have also been recognized as a component of income tax expense. Although the outcome related to these exposures is uncertain, in management's opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for estimable potential liabilities emanating from these exposures. In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome for exposures and risks involve significant uncertainties which render them inestimable. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, including those that cannot be quantified, they could have material impact on the Company's results of operations.

U.S. Federal income and foreign withholding taxes have not been provided on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company intends to reinvest these earnings in its foreign operations indefinitely, except where it is able to repatriate these earnings to the United States without a material incremental tax provision. The determination and estimation of the future income tax consequences in all relevant taxing jurisdictions involves the application of highly complex tax laws in the countries involved, particularly in the United States, and is based on the tax profile of the Company in the year of earnings repatriation. Accordingly, it is not practicable to determine the amount of tax associated with such undistributed earnings.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing the Company’s net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. When the effects are not anti-dilutive, diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the Company’s net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding and the impact of all dilutive potential common shares, primarily stock options “in-the-money” and unvested restricted stock. The dilutive impact of stock options and unvested restricted stock is determined by applying the “treasury stock” method. Performance-based restricted stock awards are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share only to the extent that the underlying performance conditions: (i) are satisfied prior to the end of the reporting period, or (ii) would be satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related performance period and the result would be dilutive under the treasury stock method. Stock awards subject to vesting or exercisability based on the achievement of market conditions are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share only when the market conditions are met.

Income (loss) per share calculations for each quarter include the weighted average effect for the quarter; therefore, the sum of quarterly income (loss) per share amounts may not equal year-to-date income (loss) per share amounts, which reflect the weighted average effect on a year-to-date basis.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.


- 44 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For financial statement presentation purposes, the Company considers all highly liquid investments having an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

The Company's accounts receivable balances are composed of trade and unbilled receivables. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts and makes ongoing estimates as to the ability to collect on the various receivables. If the Company determines that the allowance for doubtful accounts is not adequate to cover estimated losses, an expense to provide for doubtful accounts is recorded in office and general expenses. If an account is determined to be uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Management's assessment and judgment are vital requirements in assessing the ultimate realization of these receivables, including the current credit-worthiness, financial stability and effect of market conditions on each customer.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight line method over the following estimated useful lives:
 
  
Years
Furniture and equipment
  
3 - 8
Capitalized software costs
  
3 - 5
Computer equipment
  
2 - 5

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term. The amortization periods of material leasehold improvements are estimated at the inception of the lease term.

Capitalized Software Costs

Capitalized software costs consist of costs to purchase and develop software for internal use. The Company capitalizes certain incurred software development costs in accordance with ASC 350-40, “Intangibles Goodwill and Other: Internal-Use Software.” Costs incurred during the application-development stage for software purchased and further customized by outside vendors for the Company's use and software developed by a vendor for the Company's proprietary use have been capitalized. Costs incurred for the Company's own personnel who are directly associated with software development are capitalized as appropriate. Capitalized software costs are included in property and equipment.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When such circumstances are present, the Company assesses whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use and eventual disposition of the long-lived asset. In the event the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the long-lived asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the long-lived asset's carrying value over its fair value is recorded. The fair values of long-lived assets are based on the Company's own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or on observable market data, when available.

Goodwill Impairment

ASC 350-20-35,“Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, Goodwill Subsequent Measurement,” requires that goodwill not be amortized but be tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances warrant. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that its carrying value might exceed its current fair value. Per the provisions of ASC 350, the Company may elect to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In the qualitative assessment, the Company considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and

- 45 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance and the trend of cash flows, other relevant company-specific events and the ''cushion'' between a reporting unit's fair value and carrying amount in the recent fair value calculation. If it is concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, it is necessary to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required.

The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. The Company's reporting units are the components within the reportable segments identified in Note 19.

If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step two compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with the current carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment amount equal to the difference is recorded.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial position and results of operations of the Company's international subsidiaries are determined using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Statements of Operations accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during each period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) account in stockholders' equity, other than translation adjustments on short-term intercompany balances, which are included in other income (expense). Gains and losses resulting from other foreign currency transactions are included in other income (expense). Intercompany receivable balances of a long-term investment nature are considered part of the Company's permanent investment in a foreign jurisdiction and the gains or losses on these balances are reported in other comprehensive income.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined to include all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The Company's other comprehensive income (loss) is primarily comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments, which relate to investments that are permanent in nature, and changes in unrecognized pension and post-retirement benefit costs.

Recent Accounting Standard Updates Not Yet Adopted

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" ("ASU 2016-18"), which requires the inclusion of restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact to its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" ("ASU 2016-15"), which provides clarification on how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact to its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" ("ASU 2016-02"), which amends the existing standards for lease accounting. This new standard requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance

- 46 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

sheet and the disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements including the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and will require modified retrospective application as of the beginning of the earliest year presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2019, and are currently evaluating the impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." This ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In July 2015, the FASB amended the effective date of this ASU to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted only for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. In March, April and May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” ASU 2016-10 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” and ASU 2016-12 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients" which provide further clarifications to be considered when implementing this ASU. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. We have started evaluating the impact of this ASU as it relates to our revenue streams, as well as certain associated expenses, however, are unable at this time to assess whether the application of this ASU has a material impact on the recognition of our revenues. Depending on the results of our review, there could be changes to the classification and timing of recognition of revenues and expenses. We expect to complete our assessment process, including selecting a transition method for adoption, by the end of the third quarter of 2017 along with our implementation process prior to the adoption of this ASU on January 1, 2018.

There have been no other new accounting pronouncements not yet effective that have significance, or potential significance, to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 3 – DIVESTITURES

Hudson Information Technology (US) business (the "US IT business")

On June 15, 2015, the Company completed the sale (the "US IT Business Sale") of substantially all of the assets (excluding working capital) of its US IT business to Mastech, Inc. (the "Purchaser"). The completion of the US IT Business Sale was effective June 14, 2015. The US IT Business Sale was pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2015, by and among the Company, Hudson Global Resources Management, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Purchaser. At the closing of the Sale, the Company received from the Purchaser pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement the purchase price of $16,977 in cash. The US IT business pre-tax loss in accordance with ASC No. 205 "Reporting Discontinued Operations" ("ASC 205") for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $130 compared to a pre-tax profit of $2,167 for the same period in 2014.

On the US IT Business Sale, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $15,918, net of closing and other direct transaction costs. Income tax on the gain of the US IT business sale was $11. For U.S. Federal income tax purposes, the gain is offset in full by net operating loss carryforwards. For state and local income tax purposes, the gain is mostly offset by net operating loss carryforwards. As the divestiture did not meet the requirements for classification as discontinued operations, the gain on sale is presented as a component of income (loss) from operations.


- 47 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Netherlands business

On May 7, 2015, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement and completed the sale (the "Netherlands Business Sale") of its Netherlands business, to InterBalance Group B.V., effective April 30, 2015, in a management buyout for $9,029, which included cash retained of $1,135. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company recognized a gain of $2,841 on the divestiture of the Netherlands Business Sale, which included $2,799 of non-cash accumulated foreign currency translation losses. Income tax on the gain was $0 because the gain is exempt from Netherlands tax. As the divestiture did not meet the requirements for classification as discontinued operations, the gain on sale is presented as a component of income (loss) from operations. The Netherlands pre-tax profit in accordance with ASC 205 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $373 and $1,799, respectively.

Exit of Businesses in Central and Eastern Europe

In February 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved the exit of operations in certain countries within Central and Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Czech Republic and Slovakia). During the second quarter of 2015, the Company deemed the liquidation of its Central and Eastern Europe businesses to be substantially complete. In accordance with ASC 830, "Foreign Currency Matters," ("ASC 830") for the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company transferred $1,208 of accumulated foreign currency translation gains from accumulated other comprehensive income to the statement of operations within gain on sale and exit of businesses.

Luxembourg

In March 2015, the Company's management approved the exit of operations in Luxembourg. In the third quarter of 2015, the Company deemed the liquidation of its Luxembourg business to be substantially complete. In accordance with ASC 830, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company transferred $132 of accumulated foreign currency translation losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to the statement of operations within gain on sale and exit of businesses.

NOTE 4 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Effective November 9, 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of its Legal eDiscovery business in the U.S. and U.K. to Document Technologies, LLC and DTI of London Limited for $23,000 in cash, and recorded a gain of $11,333 in connection with the sale excluding customary working capital adjustments. Based on the terms of the asset purchase agreement, the Company had no significant continuing involvement in the operations of the Legal eDiscovery business after the disposal transaction. In addition, the Company ceased operations in Sweden, which were included within the Hudson Europe segment, during the third quarter of 2014.

The Company concluded that the divestiture of the Legal eDiscovery business and the cessation of operations in Sweden met the criteria for discontinued operations set forth in ASC No. 205, "Presentation of Financial Statements." The Company reclassified its discontinued operations for all periods presented and has excluded the results of its discontinued operations from continuing operations and from segment results for all periods presented.

The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities from the Legal eDiscovery business and Sweden operations included as part of the discontinued operations were as follows:

 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
eDiscovery
 
Sweden
 
Total
 
eDiscovery
 
Sweden
 
Total
Total assets
 
$
38

 
$

 
$
38

 
$
49

 
$
32

 
$
81

Total liabilities (a)
 
$
291

 
$

 
$
291

 
$
1,439

 
$
4

 
$
1,443


a.
Total liabilities primarily consisted of restructuring liabilities for lease termination payments and severance.


- 48 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Reported results for the discontinued operations by period were as follows:
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
 
eDiscovery
 
Sweden
 
Total
Revenue
 
$
30

 
$

 
$
30

Gross margin
 
130

 

 
130

Business reorganization
 
(111
)
 

 
(111
)
Operating income (loss), excluding gain (loss) from sale of business
 
187

 
(19
)
 
168

Other non-operating income (loss), including interest
 

 

 

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations
 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes
 
187

 
(19
)
 
168

Provision (benefit) for income taxes (b)
 
25

 

 
25

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
$
162

 
$
(19
)
 
$
143

 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
 
eDiscovery
 
Sweden
 
Total
Revenue
 
$
(1
)
 
$
30

 
$
29

Gross margin
 
(30
)
 
30

 

Business reorganization
 
501

 
(29
)
 
472

Operating income (loss), excluding gain (loss) from sale of business
 
(731
)
 
14

 
(717
)
Other non-operating income (loss), including interest
 
(8
)
 

 
(8
)
Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations
 
137

 
1,273

 
1,410

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes
 
(602
)
 
1,287

 
685

Provision (benefit) for income taxes (b)
 
(37
)
 

 
(37
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
$
(565
)
 
$
1,287

 
$
722

 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2014
 
 
eDiscovery
 
Sweden
 
Total
Revenue
 
$
54,620

 
$
1,513

 
$
56,133

Gross margin
 
9,227

 
864

 
10,091

Business reorganization
 
2,861

 
416

 
3,277

Impairment charges (a)
 
467

 

 
467

Operating income (loss), excluding gain (loss) from sale of business
 
(5,491
)
 
(1,087
)
 
(6,578
)
Other non-operating income (loss), including interest
 
(9
)
 
(33
)
 
(42
)
Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations
 
11,333

 

 
11,333

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes
 
5,833

 
(1,120
)
 
4,713

Provision (benefit) for income taxes (b)
 
2,121

 

 
2,121

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
$
3,712

 
$
(1,120
)
 
$
2,592


a.
As a result of the divestiture of the Company's Legal eDiscovery business in the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company recorded impairment charges related to assets no longer in use of $467 in the U.S. and U.K.

b.
Income tax expense is provided at the effective tax rate by taxing jurisdiction and differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% due to the inability of the Company to recognize tax benefits on losses in the U.S. and certain foreign

- 49 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

jurisdictions, variations from the U.S. tax rate in foreign jurisdictions, non-deductible expenses and other miscellaneous taxes.

NOTE 5 – REVENUE, DIRECT COSTS AND GROSS MARGIN
 The Company’s revenue, direct costs and gross margin were as follows: 
  
 
For The Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Contracting
 
Permanent Recruitment
 
Talent Management
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue
$
270,777

 
$
112,582

 
$
37,204

 
$
2,181

 
$
422,744

Direct costs (1)
236,654

 
2,429

 
7,216

 
2,028

 
248,327

Gross margin
$
34,123

 
$
110,153

 
$
29,988

 
$
153

 
$
174,417

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Contracting
 
Permanent Recruitment
 
Talent Management (2)
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue
$
305,052

 
$
118,934

 
$
37,425

 
$
1,786

 
$
463,197

Direct costs (1)
262,322

 
2,733

 
8,681

 
1,751

 
275,487

Gross margin
$
42,730

 
$
116,201

 
$
28,744

 
$
35

 
$
187,710

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Contracting
 
Permanent Recruitment
 
Talent Management (2)
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue
$
408,106

 
$
126,686

 
$
43,586

 
$
2,814

 
$
581,192

Direct costs (1)
345,586

 
2,369

 
7,980

 
2,412

 
358,347

Gross margin
$
62,520

 
$
124,317

 
$
35,606

 
$
402

 
$
222,845


(1)
Direct costs include the direct staffing costs of salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefits, travel expenses and insurance costs for the Company’s contractors and reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses and other direct costs. Other than reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, there are no other direct costs associated with the Permanent Recruitment and Other categories. Gross margin represents revenue less direct costs. The region where services are provided, the mix of contracting and permanent recruitment, and the functional nature of the staffing services provided can affect gross margin.

(2)
Talent Management has been recast from Other in this disclosure.

- 50 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE 6 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Equity Compensation Plans
The Company maintains the Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan, as amended and restated on May 24, 2016 (the “ISAP”), pursuant to which it can issue equity-based compensation incentives to eligible participants. The ISAP permits the granting of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units as well as other types of equity-based awards. The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) will establish such conditions as it deems appropriate on the granting or vesting of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other types of equity-based awards. As determined by the Compensation Committee, equity awards may also be subject to immediate vesting upon the occurrence of certain events following a change in control of the Company. The Company primarily grants restricted stock and restricted stock units to its employees. A restricted stock unit is equivalent to one share of the Company’s common stock and is payable only in common stock of the Company issued under the ISAP.
The Compensation Committee administers the ISAP and may designate any of the following as a participant under the ISAP: any officer or other employee of the Company or its affiliates or individuals engaged to become an officer or employee, consultants or other independent contractors who provide services to the Company or its affiliates and non-employee directors of the Company. On May 24, 2016, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the ISAP to, among other things, increase the number of shares of the Company's common stock that are reserved for issuance by 2,400,000 shares. As of December 31, 2016, there were 2,834,298 shares of the Company’s common stock available for future issuance.

All share issuances related to stock compensation plans are issued from the aforementioned stock available for future issuance under stockholder approved compensation plans.

The Company’s stock plan agreements provided that a change in control of the Company will occur if, among other things, individuals who were directors as of the date of the agreement and any new director whose appointment or election was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were either directors on the date of the agreement or whose appointment or election was previously so approved or recommended (each, a “continuing director”) cease to constitute a majority of the Company’s directors. A change in control occurred as of the Company's 2015 annual meeting of stockholders on June 15, 2015 under these agreements because continuing directors ceased to constitute a majority of the Company's directors. As a result, certain equity awards vested resulting in an accelerated stock-based compensation expense of $2,541 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

A summary of the quantity and vesting conditions for stock-based units granted to the Company's employees for the year ended December 31, 2016 was as follows:
Vesting conditions
 
Number of Restricted Stock Units Granted
Performance and service conditions (1) (2)
 
500,000


(1)
The performance conditions with respect to restricted stock units may be satisfied as follows: 
(a)
For employees from the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe 80% of the restricted stock units may be earned on the basis of performance as measured by "regional adjusted EBITDA," and 20% of the restricted stock units may be earned on the basis of performance as measured by "group adjusted EBITDA" and
(b)
For employees from the Corporate office 100% of the restricted stock units may be earned on the basis of performance as measured by "group adjusted EBITDA."
(2)
To the extent restricted stock units are earned on the basis of performance, such restricted stock units will vest on the basis of service as follows:
(a)
33% of the restricted stock units will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date;
(b)
33% of the restricted stock units will vest on the second anniversary of the grant date; and

- 51 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(c)
34% of the restricted stock units will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date; provided that, in each case, the employee remains employed by the Company from the grant date through the applicable service vesting date.
The Company also maintains the Director Deferred Share Plan (the “Director Plan”) pursuant to which it can issue restricted stock units to its non-employee directors. A restricted stock unit is equivalent to one share of the Company’s common stock and is payable only in common stock issued under the ISAP upon a director ceasing service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company. The restricted stock units vest immediately upon grant and are credited to each of the non-employee director's retirement accounts under the Director Plan. Restricted stock units issued under the Director Plan contain the right to a dividend equivalent award in the form of additional restricted stock units. The dividend equivalent award is calculated using the same rate as the cash dividend paid on a share of the Company's common stock, and then divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date the dividend is paid to determine the number of additional restricted stock units to grant. Dividend equivalent awards have the same vesting terms as the underlying awards. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company granted 263,477 restricted stock units to its non-employee directors pursuant to the Director Plan. As of December 31, 2016, non-employee directors held 459,656 deferred restricted stock units.
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, which are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, were as follows: 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Stock options
$
17

 
$
23

 
$
85

Restricted stock
678

 
3,188

 
798

Restricted stock units
754

 
1,020

 
442

Total
$
1,449

 
$
4,231

 
$
1,325

Tax benefits recognized in jurisdictions where the Company has taxable income
$
90

 
$
362

 
$
98


As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, unrecognized compensation expense and weighted average period over which the compensation expense is expected to be recognized relating to the unvested portion of the Company's stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit awards, in each case, based on the Company's historical valuation treatment, were as follows: 

 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Unrecognized Expense
 
Weighted Average Period in Years
 
Unrecognized Expense
 
Weighted Average Period in Years
Stock options
 
$

 
0.00
 
$
17

 
0.85
Restricted stock
 
$

 
0.00
 
$
701

 
0.75
Restricted stock units
 
$
195

 
1.55
 
$

 
0.00
 

- 52 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Stock Options
Stock options granted by the Company generally expire between five and ten years after the date of grant and have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying share of common stock on the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a four-year period.
The following were the weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock options granted by the Company and the details of option activity as of and for the respective periods:
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Volatility
 
(a)
 
48.9%
 
(a)
Risk free interest rate
 
(a)
 
1.1%
 
(a)
Dividends
 
(a)
 
 
(a)
Expected life (years)
 
(a)
 
2.75
 
(a)
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period
 
(a)
 
$0.81
 
(a)
(a)
Stock option assumptions are not provided above because there were no options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014.
Changes in the Company’s stock options for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 

 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Number of
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
per Share
 
Number of
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
per Share
 
Number of
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
per Share
Options outstanding at January 1,
206,000

 
$
8.13

 
756,800

 
$
8.78

 
800,350

 
$
9.15

Granted

 

 
50,000

 
2.49

 

 

Forfeited

 

 
(485,000
)
 
7.32

 

 

Expired
(82,500
)
 
11.09

 
(115,800
)
 
13.35

 
(43,550
)
 
15.50

Options outstanding at December 31,
123,500

 
$
6.16

 
206,000

 
$
8.13

 
756,800

 
$
8.78

Options exercisable at December 31,
123,500

 
$
6.16

 
181,000

 
$
8.91

 
756,800

 
$
8.78


The cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options, associated income tax benefits, and total intrinsic value for stock options exercised based on the closing price of the Company's common stock were nil for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregated intrinsic value for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 
 
 As of December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Remaining Contractual Term in Years
 
Aggregated Intrinsic Value
 
Remaining Contractual Term in Years
 
Aggregated Intrinsic Value
Stock options outstanding
 
2.35
 
$

 
2.22
 
$
22

Stock options exercisable
 
2.35
 
$

 
1.86
 
$
11



- 53 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Restricted Stock
Changes in the Company’s restricted stock for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Unvested restricted stock at January 1,
680,000

 
$
1.60

 
803,999

 
$
3.00

 
997,802

 
$
3.00

Granted

 

 
1,270,500

 
2.17

 
482,900

 
3.22

Vested
(330,000
)
 
2.45

 
(1,204,798
)
 
2.90

 
(182,251
)
 
5.21

Forfeited
(350,000
)
 
0.85

 
(189,701
)
 
3.14

 
(494,452
)
 
2.39

Unvested restricted stock at December 31,

 
$

 
680,000

 
$
1.60

 
803,999

 
$
3.00


The total fair value of restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Fair value of restricted stock vested
 
$
553

 
$
2,675

 
$
669


Restricted Stock Units 
Changes in the Company’s restricted stock units arising from grants to certain employees and non-employee directors for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock Unit
 
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock Unit
 
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock Unit
 
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Unvested restricted stock units at January 1,

 
$

 
119,940

 
$
3.57

 
115,869

 
$
3.65

Granted
763,477

 
2.56

 
372,739

 
2.47

 
175,759

 
3.40

Vested
(263,477
)
 
2.12

 
(450,179
)
 
2.70

 
(122,522
)
 
3.86

Forfeited
(20,000
)
 
2.79

 
(42,500
)
 
3.21

 
(49,166
)
 
2.42

Unvested restricted stock units at December 31,
480,000

 
$
2.79

 

 
$

 
119,940

 
$
3.57

 
The total fair value of restricted stock units vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Fair value of restricted stock units vested
 
$
558

 
$
1,022

 
$
436



- 54 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Defined Contribution Plan and Employer-matching contributions
The Company maintains the Hudson Global, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) plan”). The 401(k) plan allows eligible employees to contribute up to 15% of their earnings to the 401(k) plan. The Company has the discretion to match employees’ contributions up to 3% of the employees' earnings through a contribution of the Company’s common stock or cash. Vesting of the Company’s contribution occurs over a five-year period. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s expenses and contributions to satisfy the prior years’ employer-matching liability for the 401(k) plan were as follows: 
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands, except otherwise stated)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Expense recognized for the 401(k) plan
 
$
155

 
$
193

 
$
385

Contributions to satisfy prior years' employer-matching liability
 
 

 
 

 
 
Number of shares of the Company's common stock issued (in thousands)
 

 
116

 
118

Market value per share of the Company's common stock on contribution date (in dollars)
 
$

 
$
2.71

 
$
3.65

Non-cash contribution made for employer matching liability
 
$

 
$
314

 
$
430

Additional cash contribution made for employer-matching liability
 
162

 

 

Total contribution made for employer-matching liability
 
$
162

 
$
314

 
$
430

  

- 55 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

7 – INCOME TAXES

Income Tax Provision

The domestic and foreign components of income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations were as follows:
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Domestic
 
$
(5,768
)
 
$
3,607

 
$
(10,342
)
Foreign
 
(2,423
)
 
(1,354
)
 
(7,603
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
 
$
(8,191
)
 
$
2,253

 
$
(17,945
)

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes from continuing operations were as follows:
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Current tax provision (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Federal
 
$

 
$

 
$
(1,712
)
State and local
 
(11
)
 
18

 
(550
)
Foreign
 
981

 
439

 
205

Total current provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
970

 
457

 
(2,057
)
Deferred tax provision (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Federal
 

 

 

State and local
 

 

 

Foreign
 
(228
)
 
189

 
(102
)
Total deferred provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
(228
)
 
189

 
(102
)
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes from continuing operations
 
$
742

 
$
646

 
$
(2,159
)

Tax Rate Reconciliation

The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were negative 9.1%, 28.7% and 12.0%, respectively. These effective tax rates differ from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes, changes in valuation allowances in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions which reduces or eliminates the effective tax rate on current year profits or losses, variations from the U.S. Federal statutory rate in foreign jurisdictions, taxes on repatriations of foreign profits, and non-deductible expenses. The effect of state tax rate changes in 2015 on deferred tax assets was offset by an increase in valuation allowance and has no net impact on effective tax rate.


- 56 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The following is a reconciliation of the effective tax rate from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 to the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35%:
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Provision for (benefit from) continuing operations at Federal statutory rate of 35%
 
$
(2,867
)
 
$
787

 
$
(6,281
)
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax effect
 
(7
)
 
11

 
(357
)
Change in valuation allowance
 
(5,045
)
 
447

 
(3,427
)
Taxes related to foreign income
 
8,901

 
2,140

 
5,628

Effect of state tax rate changes on deferred tax assets
 

 
(6,834
)
 

Nondeductible expenses
 
399

 
1,375

 
2,446

Others
 
(639
)
 
2,720

 
(168
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
$
742

 
$
646

 
$
(2,159
)

Deferred Taxes Assets (Liabilities)

Deferred income taxes are provided for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2015 the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" on a prospective basis, which required that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. Accordingly, net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, have been classified as non-current in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Significant temporary differences at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Deferred tax assets (liabilities):
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
157

 
$
122

Property and equipment
 
1,024

 
321

Goodwill and intangibles
 
3,879

 
5,381

Accrued compensation
 
3,011

 
2,666

Accrued liabilities and other
 
2,311

 
3,244

Tax loss carry-forwards
 
152,197

 
154,028

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) gross, total
 
162,579

 
165,762

Valuation allowance
 
(156,343
)
 
(159,298
)
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowance, total
 
$
6,236

 
$
6,464


Net Operating Losses (“NOLs”) and Valuation Allowance

At December 31, 2016, the Company had net NOLs for U.S. Federal tax purposes of approximately $326,295. This total includes approximately $16,584 of tax losses that were not absorbed by Monster Worldwide, Inc. ("Monster") on its consolidated U.S. Federal tax returns through the spin off of the Company on April 1, 2003. NOLs expire at various dates through 2036. As December 31, 2015, the NOL balance did not include a deduction in the amount of $5,222 attributable to stock options and restricted stock until such time as the Company recognizes the deferred tax asset associated with such deduction. During 2016, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, as a result the NOL balance was increased by the $5,222 previously unrecognized deductions related to stock options and restricted stock and the valuation allowance was increased resulting in a net tax impact of $0. The Company's utilization of NOLs is subject to an annual limitation imposed by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, which may limit our ability to utilize all of the existing NOLs before the expiration dates. As of December 31, 2016, certain international subsidiaries had NOLs for local tax purposes of $82,355. With the exception of $75,273 of NOLs with an indefinite carry forward period as of December 31, 2016, these losses will expire at various dates through 2036, with $42 scheduled to expire during 2017. The deferred tax recognized for NOLs are presented net of

- 57 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

unrecognized tax benefits, where applicable.

ASC 740-10-30-5 requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In making this assessment, management considers the level of historical taxable income, scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies, and projected future taxable income. The provision for income tax includes a net tax benefit of $887, resulting from changes in judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets in future years. As of December 31, 2016, $147,941 of the valuation allowance relates to the deferred tax asset for NOLs, $130,518 of which is U.S. Federal and state, and $17,423 of which is foreign, that management has determined will more likely than not expire prior to realization. The remaining valuation allowance of $8,402 relates to deferred tax assets on U.S. and foreign temporary differences that management estimates will not be realized due to the Company's U.S. and foreign tax losses.
Uncertain Tax Positions 
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company's unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, which would lower the Company’s annual effective income tax rate if recognized in the future, were as follows:
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Gross unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties
 
$
2,039

 
$
2,190

Less: amount presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset
 
438

 
447

Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties
 
$
1,601

 
$
1,743

Accrued interest and penalties
 
610

 
536

Total unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate
 
$
2,211

 
$
2,279


The following table shows a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, exclusive of interest and penalties:
Balance at January 1, 2016
 
$
2,190

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
 
87

Additions for tax positions of prior years
 
7

Lapse of statute of limitations
 
(162
)
Currency Translation
 
(83
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
2,039

Estimated interest and penalties classified as part of the provision for income taxes in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Expense for (benefit of) estimated interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits
 
$
77

 
$
50

 
$
(150
)
Based on information available as of December 31, 2016, it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease in the range of $200 to $400 over the next 12 months as a result of projected resolutions of global tax examinations and controversies and potential lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations.

- 58 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

In many cases, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. Tax years with NOLs remain open until such losses expire or the statutes of limitations for those years when the NOLs are used or expire. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's open tax years remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities and currently under income tax examination were principally as follows:
 
 
Year
Earliest tax years remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities:
 
 
U.S. Federal
 
2013
Other U.S. state and local jurisdictions
 
2012
U.K.
 
2015
Australia
 
2012
Majority of other foreign jurisdictions
 
2011
The Company believes that its tax reserves are adequate for all years subject to examination above.

NOTE 8 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share calculations were as follows:
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings (loss) per share ("EPS"):
 
 

 
 

 
 
EPS - basic and diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(0.27
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
(0.48
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
0.01

 
0.02

 
0.08

Net income (loss)
 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
0.07

 
$
(0.40
)
EPS numerator - basic and diluted:
 
 

 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(8,933
)
 
$
1,607

 
$
(15,786
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 
143

 
722

 
2,592

Net income (loss)
 
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
(13,194
)
EPS denominator (in thousands):
 
 

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic
 
33,174

 
33,869

 
32,843

Common stock equivalents: stock options and other stock-based awards (a)
 

 
215

 

Weighted average number of common stock outstanding - diluted
 
33,174

 
34,084

 
32,843


(a)
For the periods in which net losses are presented, the diluted weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding did not differ from the basic weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding because the effects of any potential common stock equivalents (see Note 6 for further details on outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock units and unvested restricted stock) were anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the calculation of the denominator of dilutive earnings per share.

- 59 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 did not include the effect of the following potentially outstanding shares of common stock because the effect would have been anti-dilutive or market conditions have not been achieved:
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Unvested restricted stock
 

 
350,000

 
803,999

Unvested restricted stock units
 
480,000

 

 
119,940

Stock options
 
123,500

 
206,000

 
756,800

Total
 
603,500

 
556,000

 
1,680,739



NOTE 9 – RESTRICTED CASH
A summary of the Company’s restricted cash included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was as follows: 
 
As of December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Included under the caption "Other assets":
 

 
 

Collateral accounts
$
557

 
$
229

Rental deposits
385

 
480

Total amount under the caption "Other assets":
$
942

 
$
709

Included under the caption "Prepaid and other":
 

 
 

Client guarantees
$
139

 
$
118

Other
108

 
110

Total amount under the caption "Prepaid and other"
$
247

 
$
228

Total restricted cash
$
1,189

 
$
937


Collateral accounts primarily include deposits held under a collateral trust agreement, which supports the Company’s workers’ compensation policy and an outstanding letter of credit in the U.S. The rental deposits with banks include amounts held as guarantees from subtenants in the U.K. Client guarantees were held in banks in Belgium as deposits for various client projects. Other primarily includes bank guarantee for licensing in Switzerland.


- 60 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE 10 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, property and equipment, net were as follows:
 
As of December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Computer equipment
$
5,888

 
$
5,911

Furniture and equipment
2,244

 
2,668

Capitalized software costs
17,010

 
17,946

Leasehold and building improvements
13,699

 
15,522

 
38,841

 
42,047

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
31,800

 
34,119

Property and equipment, net
$
7,041

 
$
7,928


The Company had expenditures of approximately $235 and $513 for acquired property and equipment, mainly consisting of software development, fixtures, computer equipment and leasehold improvements, which had not been placed in service as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Depreciation expense is not recorded for such assets until they are placed in service.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company experienced continued declines in the operating results within certain markets. These events were deemed to be triggering events that required the Company to perform an impairment assessment with respect to long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment. The Company estimated the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the long-lived assets' use and eventual disposition, and compared it to their carrying value. The undiscounted future cash flows exceeded the asset group's carrying value, indicating the Company's long-lived assets were not impaired.
Non-Cash Capital Expenditures
The Company has acquired certain computer equipment under capital lease agreements. The current portion of the capital lease obligations are included under the caption “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the non-current portion of the capital lease obligations are included under the caption “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. A summary of the Company’s equipment acquired under capital lease agreements was as follows:
 
As of December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Capital lease obligation, current
$
65

 
$
62

Capital lease obligation, non-current
$
140

 
$
229


The Company acquired $0 and $0 of property and equipment under capital lease agreements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


- 61 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE 11 – GOODWILL

The following is a summary of the changes in the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill, which was included under the caption of Other Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The goodwill is related to the Company’s acquisition of the businesses of Tong Zhi (Beijing) Consulting Service Ltd and Guangzhou Dong Li Consulting Service Ltd.
 
Carrying Value
 
2016
 
2015
Goodwill, January 1,
$
1,938

 
$
2,029

Currency translation
(126
)
 
(91
)
Goodwill, December 31,
$
1,812

 
$
1,938


On October 1, 2016 and 2015, the Company applied ASC 350-20-35, and performed quantitative assessments to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of its China reporting unit was less than its carrying value. At the conclusion of its assessment, the Company determined the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. As such, the Company determined that no impairment of goodwill had taken place.

At December 31 2016, the Company performed additional assessment with respect to goodwill and determined that no impairment existed at its China reporting unit as of December 31, 2016.

NOTE 12 – ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company's accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Salaries, commissions and benefits
 
$
21,843

 
$
23,684

Sales, use, transaction and income taxes
 
7,438

 
7,876

Fees for professional services
 
1,148

 
1,760

Rent
 
1,920

 
1,218

Deferred revenue
 
1,024

 
1,722

Other accruals
 
2,781

 
4,084

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
$
36,154

 
$
40,344



- 62 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE 13 – BUSINESS REORGANIZATION

The Company initiated and executed certain strategic actions requiring business reorganization ("2016 Exit Plan"). Business exit costs associated with the 2016 Exit Plan primarily consisted of employee termination benefits, lease termination payments and costs for elimination of contracts for certain discontinued services and locations.

The Board previously approved other reorganization plans in prior years (the "Previous Plans"). Business exit costs associated with Previous Plans primarily consisted of employee termination benefits, lease termination payments and costs for elimination of contracts for certain discontinued services and locations.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, restructuring charges associated with these initiatives primarily included employee separation costs in Europe and Asia Pacific and lease termination payments for rationalized offices and professional fees in Europe under the 2016 Exit Plan and Previous Plans.
Business reorganization from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 for the 2016 Exit Plan and the Previous Plans, collectively, were as follows:   
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Business reorganization from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
Previous Plans
 
$
482

 
$
5,828

 
$
3,789

2016 Plan
 
1,098

 

 

Total business reorganization from continuing operations
 
$
1,580

 
$
5,828

 
$
3,789


The following table contains amounts for Changes in Estimate, Additional Charges, and Payments related to prior restructuring plans that were incurred or recovered during the year ended December 31, 2016. The amounts for Changes in Estimate and Additional Charges are classified as business reorganization in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amounts in the “Payments” column represent primarily the cash payments associated with the reorganization plans. Changes in the accrued business reorganization for the year ended December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
Changes in
Estimate
 
Additional
Charges
 
Payments
 
December 31,
2016
Lease termination payments
$
2,970

 
$
301

 
$
691

 
$
(1,689
)
 
$
2,273

Employee termination benefits
1,186

 
(144
)
 
460

 
(1,236
)
 
266

Other associated costs
208

 
22

 
250

 
(448
)
 
32

Total
$
4,364

 
$
179

 
$
1,401

 
$
(3,373
)
 
$
2,571

 
Lease Termination Payments

The business reorganization incurred for lease termination for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 by segment were as follows:
Lease termination payments for the year ended December 31,
 
Hudson
 
Hudson
 
Hudson
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
 
Asia Pacific
 
Europe
 
Corporate
 
Total
2016
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(24
)
 
$
1,022

 
$
10

 
$
992

2015
 
$
503

 
$
625

 
$
1,358

 
$
181

 
$
2,667

2014
 
$
91

 
$
771

 
$
40

 
$

 
$
902



- 63 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Employee Termination Benefits

The business reorganization incurred for employee termination benefits for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 by segment were as follows:
Employee termination benefits for the year ended December 31,
 
Hudson
 
Hudson
 
Hudson
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
 
Asia Pacific
 
Europe
 
Corporate
 
Total
2016
 
$
(8
)
 
$
273

 
$
77

 
$
(26
)
 
$
316

2015
 
$
350

 
$
(2
)
 
$
792

 
$
969

 
$
2,109

2014
 
$
3

 
$
510

 
$
1,285

 
$
967

 
$
2,765


Other Associated Costs

Other associated business reorganization incurred for contract cancellation costs and professional fees for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 by segment were as follows:

Other Associated Costs for the year ended December 31,
 
Hudson
 
Hudson
 
Hudson
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
 
Asia Pacific
 
Europe
 
Corporate
 
Total
2016
 
$
(15
)
 
$

 
$
287

 
$

 
$
272

2015
 
$
255

 
$
47

 
$
733

 
$
17

 
$
1,052

2014
 
$

 
$
40

 
$
82

 
$

 
$
122



- 64 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

14 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company leases facilities and equipment under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2027. Some of the operating leases provide for increasing rents over the term of the lease. Total rent expense under these leases is recognized ratably over the lease terms. As of December 31, 2016, future minimum lease commitments under non-cancelable operating leases, which will be expensed as primarily in office and general expenses, were as follows:
2017
 
$
15,355

2018
 
13,181

2019
 
8,758

2020
 
5,506

2021
 
1,615

Thereafter
 
1,027

 
 
$
45,442


Rent and related expenses for operating leases of facilities and equipment recorded under the caption “Office and general” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations were $8,931, $10,540, and $14,441 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Future minimum lease commitments have not been offset by expected future minimum sublease rental income of $5,893, due in the future through 2020 under subleases with third parties. Commitments and sublease rentals based in currencies other than U.S. dollars were translated using exchange rates as of December 31, 2016.

Asset Retirement Obligations 
The Company has certain asset retirement obligations that are primarily the result of legal obligations for the removal of leasehold improvements and restoration of premises to their original condition upon termination of leases. The current portion of asset retirement obligations are included under the caption “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The non-current portion of asset retirement obligations are included under the caption “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s asset retirement obligations that are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 
As of December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Current portion of asset retirement obligations
$
78

 
$
142

Non-current portion of asset retirement obligations
1,693

 
1,820

Total asset retirement obligations
$
1,771

 
$
1,962

Consulting, Employment and Non-compete Agreements
The Company has entered into various consulting, and employment agreements with certain key members of management. These agreements generally (i) are one year in length, (ii) contain restrictive covenants, (iii) under certain circumstances, provide for compensation and subject to providing the Company with a release, severance payments, and (iv) are automatically renewed annually unless either party gives sufficient notice of termination.
Litigation and Complaints 
The Company is subject, from time to time, to various claims, lawsuits, contracts disputes and other complaints from, for example, clients, candidates, suppliers, landlords for both leased and subleased properties, former and current employees, and regulators or tax authorities arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company routinely monitors claims such as these, and records provisions for losses when the claim becomes probable and the amount due is estimable. Although the outcome of these claims cannot be determined, the Company believes that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

- 65 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

For matters that have reached the threshold of probable and estimable, the Company has established reserves for legal, regulatory and other contingent liabilities. The Company’s reserves were $105 and $109 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Costs Associated with Termination
As previously disclosed, in May 2015, the Company incurred compensation and benefits obligations to its former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Manuel Marquez, under his employment agreement, dated March 7, 2011, in connection with the Company providing Mr. Marquez notice of non-renewal of his employment agreement, which is treated as a termination without cause. The Company had accrued $747 as of March 31, 2016 in connection with compensation and benefits Mr. Marquez was entitled to upon a termination without cause, subject to his execution of a release. Mr. Marquez did not agree with the Company’s treatment of compensation and benefits under his employment agreement and, in August 2015, filed an arbitration claim against the Company for additional amounts of up to approximately $2,000 and reimbursement of his legal fees.

On May 27, 2016, the arbitrator issued his decision on Mr. Marquez’s claim and awarded Mr. Marquez approximately $1,800 in additional compensation and benefits and approximately $700 toward the reimbursement of a portion of his legal fees incurred pursuing his claim. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded an additional charge of $3,025 for the resolution of this arbitration.


- 66 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE 15 – CREDIT AGREEMENTS

Receivables Finance Agreement with Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited and Lloyds Bank PLC

On August 1, 2014, the Company’s U.K. subsidiary (“U.K. Borrower”) entered into a receivables finance agreement for an asset-based lending funding facility (the “Lloyds Agreement”) with Lloyds Bank PLC and Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited (together, “Lloyds”). Until September 15, 2016, the Lloyds Agreement provided the U.K. Borrower with the ability to borrow up to $18,518 (£15,000), at which time the U.K. Borrower entered into an amendment to the Lloyds Agreement that reduced the borrowing limit to $14,814 (£12,000). Extensions of credit are based on a percentage of the eligible accounts receivable less required reserves from the Company's U.K. operations. The initial term was two years with renewal periods every three months thereafter. Borrowings under this facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of the U.K. Borrower.

The credit facility under the Lloyds Agreement contains two tranches. The first tranche is a revolving facility based on the billed contracting and permanent recruitment activities in the U.K. operation ("Lloyds Tranche A"). The borrowing limit of Lloyds Tranche A is $14,197 (£11,500) based on 83% of eligible billed contracting and permanent recruitment receivables. The second tranche is a revolving facility that is based on the unbilled work-in-progress (as defined under the receivables finance agreement) activities in the U.K. operation ("Lloyds Tranche B"). The borrowing limit of Lloyds Tranche B is $617 (£500) based on 25% of eligible work-in-progress from the permanent recruitment. For both tranches, borrowings may be made with an interest rate based on a base rate as determined by Lloyds Bank PLC, based on the Bank of England base rate, plus 1.75%.

The Lloyds Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants including (1) that true credit note dilution may not exceed 5%, measured at audit on a regular basis; (2) debt turn may not exceed 55 days over a three month rolling period; (3) dividends by the U.K. Borrower to the Company are restricted to the value of post tax profits; and (4) at the end of each month, there must be a minimum excess availability of $2,469 (£2,000).
The details of the Lloyds Agreement as of December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2016
Borrowing capacity
 
$
7,380

Less: outstanding borrowing
 
(19
)
Additional borrowing availability
 
$
7,361

Interest rates on outstanding borrowing
 
2.00
%

The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Lloyds Agreement as of December 31, 2016.

Facility Agreement with National Australia Bank Limited

On October 30, 2015, Hudson Global Resources (Aust) Pty Limited (“Hudson Australia”) and Hudson Global Resources (NZ) Limited (“Hudson New Zealand”), both subsidiaries of Hudson Global, Inc., entered into a Finance Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015 (the “Finance Agreement”), with National Australia Bank Limited (“NAB”), a NAB Corporate Receivables Facility Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015 (the “Australian Receivables Agreement”), with NAB and a BNZ Corporate Receivables Facility Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015 (the “New Zealand Receivables Agreement”), with Bank of New Zealand (“BNZ”).
 
The Finance Agreement provides a bank guarantee facility of up to $2,161 (AUD3,000) for Hudson Australia and Hudson New Zealand. The Finance Agreement matures and becomes due and payable on October 27, 2018. A fee equal to 1.5% per annum will be charged on each bank guarantee issued under the Finance Agreement. The Finance Agreement bears a fee, payable semiannually in arrears, equal to 0.3% per annum of NAB’s commitment under the Finance Agreement.

The Australian Receivables Agreement provides a receivables facility of up to $18,005 (AUD25,000) for Hudson Australia, which is based on an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable, and of which up to $2,881 (AUD4,000) may be used to support the working capital requirements of operations in China, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Australian Receivables Agreement does not have a stated maturity date and can be terminated by Hudson Australia or NAB upon 90 days

- 67 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

written notice. Borrowings under the Australian Receivables Agreement may be made with an interest rate based on a market rate plus a margin of 1.5% per annum. The Australian Receivable Agreement bears a fee, payable monthly in advance, equal to $5 (AUD6) per month.

The New Zealand Receivables Agreement provides a receivables facility of up to $3,463 (NZD5,000) for Hudson New Zealand, which is based on an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable. The New Zealand Receivables Agreement does not have a stated maturity date and can be terminated by Hudson New Zealand or BNZ upon 90 days written notice. Borrowings under the New Zealand Receivables Agreement may be made with an interest rate based on a market rate. The New Zealand Receivables Agreement bears a fee, payable monthly in advance, equal to $1 (NZD1) per month.

The details of the NAB Finance and Facility Agreements as of December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2016
Finance Agreement:
 

Borrowing capacity
$
2,161

Less: outstanding borrowing
(1,901
)
Additional borrowing availability
$
260

Interest rates on outstanding borrowing
1.50
%
 
 
Australian Receivables Agreement:
 

Borrowing capacity
$
15,606

Less: outstanding borrowing
(7,751
)
Additional borrowing availability
$
7,855

Interest rates on outstanding borrowing
3.17
%
 
 
New Zealand Receivables Agreement:
 

Borrowing capacity
$
2,231

Less: outstanding borrowing

Additional borrowing availability
$
2,231

Interest rates on outstanding borrowing
4.00
%

Amounts owing under the Finance Agreement, the Australian Receivables Agreement and the New Zealand Receivables Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of Hudson Australia and Hudson New Zealand. Each of the Finance Agreement, the Australian Receivables Agreement and the New Zealand Receivables Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants applicable to the Obligors, including: a requirement that the Obligors maintain (1) a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the NAB Facility Agreement) of 1.50x as of the last day of each calendar quarter; and (2) a minimum Receivables Ratio (as defined by the NAB Facility Agreement) of 1.20x.

The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the NAB Facility Agreement as of December 31, 2016.


- 68 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Other Credit Agreements
The Company also has lending arrangements with local banks through its subsidiaries in Belgium and Singapore. The Belgium subsidiary had a $1,052 (€1,000) overdraft facility as of December 31, 2016. Borrowings under the Belgium lending arrangement may be made using an interest rate based on the one month EURIBOR plus a margin, and the interest rate under each of these arrangements was 2.75% as of December 31, 2016. The lending arrangement in Belgium has no expiration date and can be terminated with a 15-day notice period. In Singapore, the Company’s subsidiary can borrow up to $138 (SGD200) for working capital purposes. Interest on borrowings under this overdraft facility is based on the Singapore Prime Rate plus a margin of 1.75%, which was 6.0% on December 31, 2016. The Singapore overdraft facility expires annually each August but can be renewed for one year periods at that time. The outstanding borrowings under the Belgium and Singapore lending agreements were $0 as of December 31, 2016.
Excluding the NAB Finance Agreement, the average monthly outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate for all the credit agreements above was $7,385 and 3.37%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016.
The Company continues to use the aforementioned credit to support its ongoing global working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to support letters of credit. Letters of credit and bank guarantees are used primarily to support office leases.
 
NOTE 16 – STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

The Company paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per share paid on June 24, 2016 to shareholders of record as of June 14, 2016. The Company also paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per share on March 25, 2016 to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2016. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid $3,401 in dividends to shareholders. The cash dividend payments are applied to accumulated deficit.

On July 30, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10,000 of the Company's common stock. The Company intends to make purchases from time to time as market conditions warrant. This authorization does not expire. During the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had repurchased 1,361,493 and 527,634 shares in the open market for a total cost of $3,147 and $1,386, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company also purchased 1,100,000 shares from Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. in a private transaction pursuant to a securities purchase agreement for a total cost of $1,980 or $1.80 per share. As of December 31, 2016, under the July 30, 2015 authorization, the Company had repurchased 2,989,127 shares for a total cost of $6,513.


NOTE 17 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, consisted of the following:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
6,826

 
$
10,159

Pension plan obligations
 
105

 
133

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
6,931

 
$
10,292


As a result of the sale of the Netherlands business and substantially complete liquidation of certain foreign owned entities, the net foreign currency translation loss transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income and included in determining net income (loss) was $450 for year ended December 31, 2015. No such adjustment was recorded in the current year. See Note 3 and 4 regarding the substantially complete liquidation of certain foreign owned entities and the sale of the Netherlands business.

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the amounts of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which primarily pertained to pension plan obligations, were $22 and $19, respectively, and reclassified to the Consolidated Statement of Operations under the caption "Salaries and related" expenses.


- 69 -


NOTE 18 – SHELF REGISTRATION AND STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
Acquisition Shelf Registration Statement
The Company has a shelf registration on file with the SEC to enable it to issue up to 1,350,000 shares of its common stock from time to time in connection with acquisitions of businesses, assets or securities of other companies, whether by purchase, merger or any other form of acquisition or business combination. If any shares are issued using this shelf registration, the Company will not receive any proceeds from these offerings other than the assets, businesses or securities acquired. As of December 31, 2016, all of the 1,350,000 shares were available for issuance.
 
Stockholder Rights Plan

On February 5, 2005, the Board adopted a Rights Agreement between the Company and a rights agent (the "2005 Rights Agreement") and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock of the Company. The dividend was paid upon the close of business on February 28, 2005 to the stockholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 (“Preferred Shares”), of the Company, at a price of $8.50 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. On January 15, 2015, the Board approved an amendment and restatement of the 2005 Rights Agreement by adopting an Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”) between the Company and a rights agent. The Board adopted the Rights Agreement in an effort to protect stockholder value by attempting to diminish the risk that the Company’s ability to use its net operating losses (“NOLs”) to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations may become substantially limited. If any person becomes a 4.99% or more stockholder of the Company, then each Right (subject to certain limitations) will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Right's then current exercise price, a number of shares of common stock of the Company or of the acquirer having a market value at the time of twice the Right's per share exercise price. The Company's Board of Directors may redeem the Rights for $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the time when the Rights become exercisable. The Rights will expire on the earliest of (i) January 15, 2018, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as described above, (iii) the time at which the Rights are exchanged as described in the Rights Agreement, (iv) the repeal of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code if the Board determines that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary for the preservation of the Company’s NOLs, and (v) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines that no NOLs may be carried forward.




- 70 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE 19 – SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA
Segment Reporting
The Company operates in three reportable segments: the Hudson regional businesses of Hudson Americas, Hudson Asia Pacific, and Hudson Europe. Corporate expenses are reported separately from the three reportable segments and pertain to certain functions, such as executive management, corporate governance, human resources, accounting, administration, tax and treasury, and have been allocated to the reportable segments to the extent which the costs are attributable to the reportable segments. Segment information is presented in accordance with ASC 280, “Segments Reporting.” This standard is based on a management approach that requires segmentation based upon the Company’s internal organization and disclosure of revenue and certain expenses based upon internal accounting methods. The Company’s financial reporting systems present various data for management to run the business, including internal profit and loss statements prepared on a basis not consistent with U.S. GAAP. Accounts receivable, net and long-lived assets are the only significant assets separated by segment for internal reporting purposes.
 
Hudson
Americas
 
Hudson
Asia Pacific
 
Hudson
Europe
 
Corporate
 
Inter-
segment
elimination
 
Total
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue, from external customers
$
15,561

 
$
236,839

 
$
170,344

 
$

 
$

 
$
422,744

Inter-segment revenue
20

 

 
314

 

 
(334
)
 

Total revenue
$
15,581

 
$
236,839

 
$
170,658

 
$

 
$
(334
)
 
$
422,744

Gross margin, from external customers
$
13,609

 
$
84,126

 
$
76,682

 
$

 
$

 
$
174,417

Inter-segment gross margin
(14
)
 
(271
)
 
285

 

 

 

Total gross margin
$
13,595

 
$
83,855

 
$
76,967

 
$

 
$

 
$
174,417

Business reorganization
$
(39
)
 
$
248

 
$
1,387

 
$
(16
)
 
$

 
$
1,580

EBITDA (loss) (a)
$
770

 
$
(338
)
 
$
1,064

 
$
(6,240
)
 
$

 
$
(4,744
)
Depreciation and amortization
49

 
1,744

 
892

 
405

 

 
3,090

Intercompany interest income (expense), net

 

 
(204
)
 
204

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

 
(318
)
 
(32
)
 
(7
)
 

 
(357
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
$
721

 
$
(2,400
)
 
$
(64
)
 
$
(6,448
)
 
$

 
$
(8,191
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
$
30

 
$
(2,040
)
 
$
2,761

 
$
(9
)
 
$

 
$
742

As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
$
2,507

 
$
32,271

 
$
23,739

 
$

 
$

 
$
58,517

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
$
2

 
$
7,049

 
$
1,528

 
$
359

 
$

 
$
8,938

Total assets
$
5,880

 
$
51,331

 
$
40,790

 
$
3,811

 
$

 
$
101,812


- 71 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
Hudson
Americas
 
Hudson
Asia Pacific
 
Hudson
Europe
 
Corporate
 
Inter-
segment
elimination
 
Total
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue, from external customers
$
28,627

 
$
219,391

 
$
215,179

 
$

 
$

 
$
463,197

Inter-segment revenue
41

 

 
498

 

 
(539
)
 

Total revenue
$
28,668

 
$
219,391

 
$
215,677

 
$

 
$
(539
)
 
$
463,197

Gross margin, from external customers
$
16,111

 
$
89,682

 
$
81,917

 
$

 
$

 
$
187,710

Inter-segment gross margin
25

 
(477
)
 
451

 

 
1

 

Total gross margin
$
16,136

 
$
89,205

 
$
82,368

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
187,710

Gain (loss) on sale and exit of businesses
$
15,918

 
$

 
$
3,917

 
$

 
$

 
$
19,835

Business reorganization
$
1,108

 
$
669

 
$
2,883

 
$
1,168

 
$

 
$
5,828

EBITDA (loss) (a)
$
13,354

 
$
2,851

 
$
(207
)
 
$
(9,178
)
 
$

 
$
6,820

Depreciation and amortization
604

 
1,951

 
802

 
488

 

 
3,845

Intercompany interest income (expense), net

 

 
(526
)
 
526

 

 

Interest income (expense), net
(342
)
 
(276
)
 
(94
)
 
(10
)
 

 
(722
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
$
12,408

 
$
624

 
$
(1,629
)
 
$
(9,150
)
 
$

 
$
2,253

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
58

 
776

 
(176
)
 
(12
)
 

 
646

As of December 31, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts receivable, net
$
3,155

 
$
29,824

 
$
29,441

 
$

 
$

 
$
62,420

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
$
36

 
$
7,382

 
$
1,859

 
$
674

 
$

 
$
9,951

Total assets
$
7,766

 
$
49,246

 
$
53,557

 
$
14,380

 
$

 
$
124,949

 
Hudson
Americas
 
Hudson
Asia Pacific
 
Hudson
Europe
 
Corporate
 
Inter-
segment
elimination
 
Total
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue, from external customers
$
50,146

 
$
246,873

 
$
284,173

 
$

 
$

 
$
581,192

Inter-segment revenue
60

 

 
198

 

 
(258
)
 

Total revenue
$
50,206

 
$
246,873

 
$
284,371

 
$

 
$
(258
)
 
$
581,192

Gross margin, from external customers
$
20,757

 
$
93,014

 
$
109,074

 
$

 
$

 
$
222,845

Inter-segment gross margin
35

 
(143
)
 
108

 

 

 

Total gross margin
$
20,792

 
$
92,871

 
$
109,182

 
$

 
$

 
$
222,845

Business reorganization
$
94

 
$
1,322

 
$
1,407

 
$
966

 
$

 
$
3,789

Impairment of long-lived assets
$

 
$
314

 
$
348

 
$

 
$

 
$
662

EBITDA (loss) (a)
$
117

 
$
(890
)
 
$
(1,187
)
 
$
(9,765
)
 
$

 
$
(11,725
)
Depreciation and amortization
485

 
3,287

 
1,247

 
540

 

 
5,559

Intercompany interest income (expense), net

 

 
(439
)
 
439

 

 

Interest income (expense), net
(90
)
 
(199
)
 
(37
)
 
(335
)
 

 
(661
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
$
(458
)
 
$
(4,376
)
 
$
(2,910
)
 
$
(10,201
)
 
$

 
$
(17,945
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
$
(2,201
)
 
$
11

 
$
35

 
$
(4
)
 
$

 
$
(2,159
)
As of December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts receivable, net
$
6,695

 
$
26,745

 
$
40,639

 
$

 
$

 
$
74,079

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
$
860

 
$
8,227

 
$
2,171

 
$
584

 
$

 
$
11,842

Total assets
$
10,553

 
$
54,141

 
$
65,105

 
$
9,873

 
$

 
$
139,672



- 72 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(a)
SEC Regulation S-K 229.10(e)1(ii)(A) defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information to investors about the Company's operations on a basis consistent with the measures that the Company uses to manage its operations and evaluate its performance. Management also uses this measurement to evaluate working capital requirements. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income and net income prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as a measure of the Company's profitability.

Geographic Data Reporting
A summary of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and long-lived assets and net assets by geographic area as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 
Information by geographic region
United
Kingdom
 
Australia
 
China
 
United
States
 
Continental
Europe
 
Other
Asia Pacific
 
Other
Americas
 
Total
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue (a)
$
116,508

 
$
181,899

 
$
16,203

 
$
14,690

 
$
53,837

 
$
38,737

 
$
870

 
$
422,744

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue (a)
$
154,931

 
$
159,539

 
$
25,401

 
$
27,965

 
$
60,248

 
$
34,451

 
$
662

 
$
463,197

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue (a)
$
181,155

 
$
184,853

 
$
20,976

 
$
49,375

 
$
103,018

 
$
41,044

 
$
771

 
$
581,192

As of December 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Long-lived assets, net (b)
$
1,259

 
$
4,023

 
$
2,381

 
$
369

 
$
261

 
$
645

 
$

 
$
8,938

Net assets
$
9,101

 
$
10,732

 
$
5,762

 
$
4,854

 
$
7,284

 
$
4,279

 
$
(127
)
 
$
41,885

As of December 31, 2015
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Long-lived assets, net (b)
$
1,707

 
$
4,115

 
$
2,835

 
$
718

 
$
144

 
$
432

 
$

 
$
9,951

Net assets
$
17,371

 
$
9,920

 
$
9,386

 
$
13,467

 
$
7,176

 
$
3,875

 
$
(15
)
 
$
61,180

As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived assets, net (b)
$
1,834

 
$
5,404

 
$
2,186

 
$
1,429

 
$
330

 
$
636

 
$
23

 
$
11,842

Net assets
$
18,894

 
$
13,913

 
$
6,198

 
$
7,255

 
$
9,366

 
$
3,574

 
$
57

 
$
59,257

  
(a)
Revenue by geographic region disclosed above is net of any inter-segment revenue and, therefore, represents only revenue from external customers according to the location of the operating subsidiary.
(b)
Comprised of property and equipment and goodwill, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Corporate assets are included in the United States.


- 73 -

Index
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE 20 – SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)

 
 
For The Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
First
quarter
 
Second 
quarter
 
Third
quarter
 
Fourth 
quarter
Revenue
 
$
101,227

 
$
113,067

 
$
108,136

 
$
100,314

Gross margin
 
$
41,262

 
$
46,839

 
$
43,542

 
$
42,774

Operating income (loss)
 
$
(3,705
)
 
$
(2,425
)
 
$
(786
)
 
$
(671
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(3,570
)
 
$
(3,347
)
 
$
(1,908
)
 
$
(108
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
$
83

 
$
209

 
$
35

 
$
(184
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(3,487
)
 
$
(3,138
)
 
$
(1,873
)
 
$
(292
)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations
 
$

 
$
0.01

 
$

 
$
(0.01
)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.01
)
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)
 
34,631

 
33,252

 
33,572

 
32,227

Common stock equivalents and outstanding stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands)
 
1,345

 
548

 
299

 
604

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For The Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
First
quarter
 
Second 
quarter
 
Third
quarter
 
Fourth 
quarter
Revenue
 
$
124,317

 
$
122,743

 
$
110,028

 
$
106,109

Gross margin
 
$
47,904

 
$
50,222

 
$
45,145

 
$
44,439

Operating income (loss)
 
$
(6,716
)
 
$
13,643

 
$
(3,826
)
 
$
140

Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(6,654
)
 
$
12,774

 
$
(2,029
)
 
$
(2,484
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
$
(184
)
 
$
1,103

 
$
(55
)
 
$
(142
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(6,838
)
 
$
13,877

 
$
(2,084
)
 
$
(2,626
)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
 
$
(0.20
)
 
$
0.38

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.07
)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.03

 
$

 
$

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
$
(0.21
)
 
$
0.41

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.08
)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)
 
33,053

 
33,525

 
34,687

 
34,274

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)
 
33,053

 
34,007

 
34,687

 
34,274

Common stock equivalents and outstanding stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands)
 
1,903

 
979

 
1,124

 
886


Earnings (loss) per share calculations for each quarter include the weighted average effect for the quarter; therefore, the sum of quarterly earnings (loss) per share amounts may not equal year-to-date earnings (loss) per share amounts, which reflect the weighted average effect on a year-to-date basis.  


- 74 -



ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures 
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2016.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The report of management required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.”

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The audit report required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION
None.
 

- 75 -


PART III
 
ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information included under the captions “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company's definitive proxy statement, which is expected to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days following the end of the fiscal year covered by this report (the “Proxy Statement”), is hereby incorporated by reference. The information required by Item 10 with respect to our Executive Officers is included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees and a Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Financial and Accounting Officers. We have posted a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics on our website at www.hudson.com. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics are also available in print to any stockholder who requests them in writing from the Corporate Secretary at 1325 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10019. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website at www.hudson.com. We are not including the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this report.

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required in Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Policies and Practices and Risk.”

ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required in Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Principal Stockholders.”

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table presents information on the Company's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2016.
 
 
Number of 
shares to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options
 
Weighted 
average
exercise
price of 
outstanding
options
 
Number of shares remaining available
for future issuance
under equity 
compensation plans
(excluding shares
reflected in
Column A)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A
 
B
 
C
 
Equity Compensation Plans approved by stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long Term Incentive Plan
 
73,500

 
$
8.66

 

 
2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan
 
50,000

 
2.49

 
2,834,298

(1)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 

 

 
116,329

(2)
Total
 
123,500

 
$
6.16

 
2,950,627

 

(1)
Excludes 480,000 shares of unvested restricted common stock previously issued under the Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan and 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan.

(2)
The Company suspended the Hudson Global, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan effective January 1, 2009.



- 76 -


ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required in Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance-Independent Directors” and “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance-Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Person Transactions.”

ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required in Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Ratification of the Appointment of KPMG LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”


- 77 -


PART IV
ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES

1. Financial statements - The following financial statements and the reports of independent registered public accounting firm are contained in Item 8.
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations For The Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) For The Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets As Of December 31, 2016 and 2015
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For The Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity For The Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 

2. Financial statement schedules

Schedule I - Condensed financial information of the registrant
Schedule II - Valuation and qualifying accounts and reserves

All other schedules are omitted since the required information is not present, or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

3. Exhibits - The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 


- 78 -


SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT

HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
$
10,451

 
$
13,327

 
$
16,948

Depreciation and amortization
 
405

 
488

 
541

Business reorganization
 
(16
)
 
1,168

 
967

Operating loss
 
(10,840
)
 
(14,983
)
 
(18,456
)
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest, net
 
197

 
516

 
103

Corporate costs allocation and other, net
 
4,195

 
5,318

 
8,150

Income (loss) from parent before provision for income taxes
 
(6,448
)
 
(9,149
)
 
(10,203
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes for parent company
 
(9
)
 
(12
)
 
(4
)
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of income taxes
 
(2,351
)
 
11,466

 
(2,995
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
(13,194
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See notes to condensed financial statements.



- 79 -


HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
2,414

 
$
13,025

Prepaid and other
 
220

 
196

Total current assets
 
2,634

 
13,221

Property and equipment, net
 
359

 
674

Investment in and advances to/from subsidiaries
 
39,965

 
50,770

Other assets
 
818

 
485

Total assets
 
$
43,776

 
$
65,150

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
$
1,425

 
$
3,494

Total current liabilities
 
1,425

 
3,494

Other non-current liabilities
 
466

 
476

Total liabilities
 
1,891

 
3,970

Stockholders’ equity
 
41,885

 
61,180

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
43,776

 
$
65,150

 
 
 
 
 
See notes to condensed financial statements.


- 80 -


HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(8,790
)
 
$
2,329

 
$
(13,194
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends received from subsidiaries
 
1,593

 
7,468

 

Non-cash (income) losses from subsidiaries, net of taxes
 
2,363

 
(11,466
)
 
2,995

Depreciation and amortization
 
405

 
488

 
541

Stock-based compensation
 
390

 
637

 
405

Other, net
 

 

 
248

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets
 
(447
)
 
1,921

 
(744
)
(Increase) decrease in due from subsidiaries
 
4,959

 
14,503

 
11,910

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
(1,251
)
 
(1,269
)
 
837

Increase (decrease) in accrued business reorganization
 
(825
)
 
(120
)
 
793

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
(1,603
)
 
14,491

 
3,791

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 

 
(897
)
 

Advances to and investments in subsidiaries, net
 
(415
)
 
(5,945
)
 
(4,126
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(415
)
 
(6,842
)
 
(4,126
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings under credit facility
 

 

 
22,081

Repayments under credit facility
 

 

 
(22,081
)
Dividend payments
 
(3,401
)
 

 

Purchase of treasury stock
 
(5,127
)
 
(1,386
)
 

Purchase of restricted stock from employees
 
(65
)
 
(244
)
 
(129
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
(8,593
)
 
(1,630
)
 
(129
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(10,611
)
 
6,019

 
(464
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
 
13,025

 
7,006

 
7,470

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
 
$
2,414

 
$
13,025

 
$
7,006

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See notes to condensed financial statements.


- 81 -


HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands)

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Hudson Global, Inc. (the “Parent Company”) is a holding company that conducts substantially all of its business through its subsidiaries. As specified in certain of its subsidiaries' credit agreements in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, there are restrictions on the Parent Company's ability to obtain funds from certain of its subsidiaries through dividends, intercompany expenses or interest (refer to Note 15, “Credit Agreements”, to the Parent Company's Consolidated Financial Statements). As of December 31, 2016, the Parent Company was in a stockholders' equity position of $41,885, and approximately $13,831 constituted restricted net assets as defined in Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X. The restricted net assets of the Parent Company's subsidiaries exceeded 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Parent Company and its subsidiaries, thus requiring this Schedule I, “Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant.” Accordingly, the results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and the balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been presented on a “Parent-only” basis. In these statements, the Parent Company's investments in its consolidated subsidiaries are presented under the equity method of accounting. The Parent-only financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Parent Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

NOTE 2 - DIVIDENDS RECEIVED

The Parent Company received dividends of $1,593, $7,468 and $0 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, from its consolidated subsidiaries.

NOTE 3 - CREDIT AGREEMENTS
Several of the Parent Company's subsidiaries have credit agreements with lenders. Borrowings under the credit agreements are based on an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable. Refer to Note 15, “Credit Agreements” to the Parent Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.



- 82 -


SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(IN THOUSANDS)

Column A
 
Column B
 
Column C
 
Column D
 
Column E
 
 
 
 
Additions
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at
 
Charged to
 
 
 
Balance at
 
 
Beginning
 
Costs/Expenses
 
Deductions
 
End
Descriptions
 
of Period
 
(Recoveries)
 
Other
 
of Period
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
$
1,108

 
97

 
219

 
$
986

Deferred tax assets-valuation allowance
 
$
162,278

 
(3,427
)
 

 
$
158,851

2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
$
986

 
178

 
304

 
$
860

Deferred tax assets-valuation allowance
 
$
158,851

 
447

 

 
$
159,298

2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
$
860

 
226

 
287

 
$
799

Deferred tax assets-valuation allowance
 
$
159,298

 
(5,045
)
 
(2,089
)
 
$
156,342



- 83 -


SIGNATURES
 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ STEPHEN A. NOLAN
 
 
 
Stephen A. Nolan
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
Date:
March 3, 2017
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ STEPHEN A. NOLAN
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
March 3, 2017
Stephen A. Nolan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ PATRICK LYONS
 
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
March 3, 2017
Patrick Lyons
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JEFFREY E. EBERWEIN
 
Chairman
 
March 3, 2017
Jeffrey E. Eberwein
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ ALAN L. BAZAAR
 
Director
 
March 3, 2017
Alan L. Bazaar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ RICHARD K. COLEMAN, JR.
 
Director
 
March 3, 2017
Richard K. Coleman, Jr.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ IAN V. NASH
 
Director
 
March 3, 2017
Ian V. Nash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


- 84 -



HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
FORM 10-K
EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
(2.1)
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2014, by and among Document Technologies, LLC, DTI of London Limited, Hudson Global, Inc., Hudson Global Resources Management, Inc. and Hudson Global Resources Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 2014 (File No. 0-50129)).
(2.2)
 
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2015, by and among Hudson Global, Inc., Hudson Global Resources Management, Inc. and Mastech, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 8, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(3.1)
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Hudson Global, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 15, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(3.2)
 
Certificate of Designations of the Board of Directors Establishing the Series and Fixing the Relative Rights and Preferences of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 2, 2005 (File No. 0-50129)).
(3.3)
 
Amended and Restated By-laws of Hudson Global, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 15, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(4.1)
 
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2015, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Computershare Inc., successor rights agent to The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A of Hudson Global, Inc. dated January 27, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(4.2)
 
Receivables Finance Agreement, dated August 1, 2014, between Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance and Hudson Global Resources Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 1, 2014 (File No. 0-50129)).
(4.3)
 
Receivables Finance Agreement Amendment, dated September 15, 2016, between Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited and Hudson Global Resources Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 15, 2016 (File No. 0-50129)).
(4.4)
 
Finance Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015, among Hudson Global Resources (Aust) Pty Limited, Hudson Global Resources (NZ) Limited, and National Australia Bank Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(4.5)
 
NAB Corporate Receivables Facility Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015, among Hudson Global Resources (Aust) Pty Limited, Hudson Global Resources (NZ) Limited, and National Australia Bank Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(4.6)
 
BNZ Corporate Receivables Facility Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015, among Hudson Global Resources (NZ) Limited, Hudson Global Resources (Aust) Pty Limited, and Bank of New Zealand (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.1)*
 
Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended through October 29, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.2)*
 
Form of Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (Employees) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.3)*
 
Form of Hudson Global, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 11, 2006 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.4)*
 
Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan, as Amended and Restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company's definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on Schedule 14A on April 13, 2016 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.5)*
 
Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Stock Option Agreement (New Non-Employee Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 2, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.6)*
 
Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 (File No. 0-50129)).

- 85 -



HUDSON GLOBAL, INC.
FORM 10-K
EXHIBIT INDEX


(10.7)*
 
Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for aggregated regional EBITDA and corporate costs vesting awards (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.8)*
 
Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Executive Officers and Global Leadership Team) for awards made on or after November 6, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Hudson Global, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 3, 2016 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.9)*
 
Form of Hudson Global, Inc. 2009 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Hudson Global, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated April 28, 2016 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.10)*
 
Summary of Hudson Global, Inc. Compensation for Non-employee Members of the Board of Directors.
(10.11)*
 
Hudson Global, Inc. Amended and Restated Director Deferred Share Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.12)*
 
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated April 30, 2016 and effective as of May 18, 2015, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Stephen A. Nolan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 30, 2016 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.13)*
 
Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated April 30, 2016 and effective as of May 18, 2015, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Stephen A. Nolan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 30, 2016 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.14)*
 
Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2015, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Stephen A. Nolan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 18, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.15)*
 
Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2015, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Stephen A. Nolan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 18, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.16)*
 
Promotion Letter Agreement, dated as of August 7, 2015, between Hudson Global, Inc. and Patrick Lyons (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Hudson Global, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 7, 2015 (File No. 0-50129)).
(10.17)
 
Promotion Letter Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2015, between Hudson Global, Inc. and David F. Kirby. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Hudson Global, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 3, 2016 (File No. 0-50129)).
(21)
 
Subsidiaries of Hudson Global, Inc.
(23)
 
Consent of KPMG LLP.
(31.1)
 
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(31.2)
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(32.1)
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
(32.2)
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
(99.1)
 
Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders [To be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after December 31, 2016; except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference, the Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall not be deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.]
(101)
 
The following materials from Hudson Global, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 are filed herewith, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
*
 
A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

- 86 -