NATIONAL RESEARCH CORP - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement includes phrases such as National Research Corporation, doing business as NRC Health (“NRC Health,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms), “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “could,” “anticipates,” “estimate” or the use of words such as “would,” “may,” “could,” or “should,” or other words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, statements regarding the future impact of adopting new accounting standards, value and utility of, and market demand for, our service offerings, future opportunities for growth with respect to new and existing clients, our future ability to compete and the types of firms with which we will compete, future consolidation in the healthcare industry, future adequacy of our liquidity sources, future revenue sources, future revenue growth, future revenue estimates used to calculate recurring contract value, future capital expenditures including, without limitation, our headquarters renovation costs, and the timing, amount, and sources of cash to fund such capital expenditures, future stock repurchases and dividends, the expected impact of pending claims and contingencies, the future outcome of uncertain tax positions, our future use of owned and leased real property, the source of funds for future payments of deferred purchase price obligations and other cash expenses, the future phase out of LIBOR and applicable replacement benchmark rates and the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government mandates and recommendations, among others, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could affect actual results or outcomes include, without limitation, the following factors:

Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these and other factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included are only made as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by the federal securities laws.

PART I – Financial Information

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts and par value)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except for per share amounts, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands except share and per share amounts, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands except share and per share amounts, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Description of business and basis of presentation

National Research Corporation, doing business as NRC Health (“NRC Health,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms), is a leading provider of analytics and insights that facilitate measurement and improvement of the patient and employee experience while also increasing patient engagement and customer loyalty for healthcare organizations in the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to enable human understanding. Our solutions enable health care organizations to understand what matters most to each person they serve. Our portfolio of solutions represents a unique set of capabilities that individually and collectively provide value to our clients.

Our condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021 was derived from our audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. All other financial statements contained herein are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Information and footnote disclosures included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 4, 2022.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiary, National Research Corporation Canada. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Our Canadian subsidiary uses Canadian dollars as its functional currency. It translates its assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. It translates its revenue and expenses at the average exchange rate during the period. We include translation gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of shareholders’ equity. Gains and losses related to transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the country in which we operate and short-term intercompany accounts are included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income.

Revenue Recognition

We derive a majority of our revenues from our annually renewable subscription-based service agreements with our customers, which include performance measurement and improvement services, healthcare analytics and governance education services. Such agreements are generally cancelable on short or no notice without penalty. See Note 3 for further information about our contracts with customers. We account for revenue using the following steps:

Our revenue arrangements with a client may include combinations of more than one service offering which may be executed at the same time, or within close proximity of one another. We combine contracts with the same customer into a single contract for accounting purposes when the contract is entered into at or near the same time and the contracts are negotiated together. For contracts that contain more than one separately identifiable performance obligation, the total transaction price is allocated to the identified performance obligations based upon the relative stand-alone selling prices of the performance obligations. The stand-alone selling prices are based on an observable price for services sold to other comparable customers, when available, or an estimated selling price using a cost-plus margin or residual approach. We estimate the amount of total contract consideration we expect to receive for variable arrangements based on the most likely amount we expect to earn from the arrangement based on the expected quantities of services we expect to provide and the contractual pricing based on those quantities. We only include some or a portion of variable consideration in the transaction price when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. We consider the sensitivity of the estimate, our relationship and experience with the client and variable services being performed, the range of possible revenue amounts and the magnitude of the variable consideration to the overall arrangement. Our revenue arrangements do not contain any significant financing element due to the contract terms and the timing between when consideration is received and when the service is provided.

Our arrangements with customers consist principally of four different types of arrangements: 1) subscription-based service agreements; 2) one-time specified services performed at a single point in time; 3) fixed, non-subscription service agreements; and 4) unit-priced service agreements.

Subscription-based services - Services that are provided under subscription-based service agreements are usually for a twelve- month period and represent a single promise to stand ready to provide reporting, tools and services throughout the subscription period as requested by the customer. These agreements are renewable at the option of the customer at the completion of the initial contract term for an agreed upon price increase each year. These agreements represent a series of distinct monthly services that are substantially the same, with the same pattern of transfer to the customer as the customer receives and consumes the benefits throughout the contract period. Accordingly, subscription services are recognized ratably over the subscription period. Subscription services are typically billed annually in advance but may also be billed on a quarterly and monthly basis.

One-time services – These agreements typically require us to perform a specific one-time service in a particular month. We are entitled to a fixed payment upon completion of the service. Under these arrangements, we recognize revenue at the point in time we complete the service and it is accepted by the customer.

Fixed, non-subscription services – These arrangements typically require us to perform an unspecified amount of services for a fixed price during a fixed period of time. Revenues are recognized over time based upon the costs incurred to date in relation to the total estimated contract costs. In determining cost estimates, management uses historical and forecasted cost information which is based on estimated volumes, external and internal costs and other factors necessary in estimating the total costs over the term of the contract. Changes in estimates are accounted for using a cumulative catch-up adjustment which could impact the amount and timing of revenue for any period.

Unit-price services – These arrangements typically require us to perform certain services on a periodic basis as requested by the customer for a per-unit amount which is typically billed in the month following the performance of the service. Revenue under these arrangements is recognized over the time the services are performed at the per-unit amount.

Revenue is presented net of any sales tax charged to our clients that we are required to remit to taxing authorities. We recognize contract assets or unbilled receivables related to revenue recognized for services completed but not invoiced to the clients. Unbilled receivables are classified as receivables when we have an unconditional right to contract consideration. A contract liability is recognized as deferred revenue when we invoice clients in advance of performing the related services under the terms of a contract. Deferred revenue is recognized as revenue when we have satisfied the related performance obligation.  

Deferred Contract Costs

Deferred contract costs, net is stated at gross deferred costs less accumulated amortization. We defer commissions and incentives, including payroll taxes, if they are incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a renewable customer contract. Deferred contract costs are amortized over the estimated term of the contract, including renewals, which generally ranges from three to five years. The contract term was estimated by considering factors such as historical customer attrition rates and product life. The amortization period is adjusted for significant changes in the estimated remaining term of a contract. An impairment of deferred contract costs is recognized when the unamortized balance of deferred contract costs exceeds the remaining amount of consideration we expect to receive net of the expected future costs directly related to providing those services. We have elected the practical expedient to expense contract costs when incurred for any nonrenewable contracts with a term of one year or less. We deferred incremental costs of obtaining a contract of $234,000 and $941,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Deferred contract costs, net of accumulated amortization was $3.5 million and $3.8 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Total amortization by expense classification for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:

Additional expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses for impairment of costs capitalized due to lost clients was $1,000 and $7,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our existing accounts receivable, determined based on our historical write-off experience, current economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future. We review the allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

The following table provides the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (In thousands):

Leases

We determine whether a lease is included in an agreement at inception. We recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset on the balance sheet for our operating leases under which we are lessee. Operating lease ROU assets are included in operating lease right-of-use assets in our consolidated balance sheet. Finance lease assets are included in property and equipment. Operating and finance lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities. Certain lease arrangements may include options to extend or terminate the lease. We include these provisions in the ROU asset and lease liabilities only when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in direct expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. Our lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments during the lease term. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recorded at lease commencement based on the estimated present value of lease payments. Because the rate of interest implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, we use our estimated incremental collateralized borrowing rate at lease commencement, to calculate the present value of lease payments. When determining the appropriate incremental borrowing rate, we consider our available credit facilities, recently issued debt and public interest rate information.

We elected the practical expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component for all asset classifications. We have also made a policy election to not record short-term leases with a duration of 12 months or less on the balance sheet.

Due to remote working arrangements, we reassessed our office needs and subleased our Seattle location under an agreement considered to be an operating lease beginning in May 2021. We have not been legally released from our primary obligations under the original lease and therefore we continue to account for the original lease separately. We recorded an ROU asset impairment charge in the three months ended March 31, 2021 of $324,000, which was the amount by which the carrying value of the Seattle office lease ROU asset exceeded the fair value. We estimated the fair value based on the discounted cash flows of estimated net rental income for the office space subleased. The ROU asset impairment charge is included in depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses. There were no ROU asset impairment charges in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Rent income from the sublessee are included in the statement of operations on a straight-line basis as an offset to rent expense associated with the original operating lease included in other expenses.

Fair Value Measurements

Our valuation techniques are based on maximizing observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. The inputs are then classified into the following hierarchy: (1) Level 1 Inputs—quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; (2) Level 2 Inputs—observable market-based inputs other than Level 1 inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for similar or identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; (3) Level 3 Inputs—unobservable inputs.

The following details our financial assets within the fair value hierarchy at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

There were no transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Our long-term debt described in Note 5 is recorded at historical cost. The fair value of long-term debt is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and was estimated based primarily on estimated current rates available for debt of the same remaining duration and adjusted for nonperformance and credit. The following are the carrying amount and estimated fair values of long-term debt:

The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate their fair value. All non-financial assets that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, which includes ROU assets, property and equipment, goodwill, intangibles and cost method investments, are measured at fair value in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). We estimated the fair value of the Seattle office ROU using discounted cash flows of the sublease based on management’s most recent projections, which are considered level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy and recorded an ROU asset impairment charge of $324,000 during 2021. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there was no indication of impairment related to these assets.

Annually, we consider whether the recorded goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles have been impaired. However, goodwill and intangibles must be tested between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change to indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred (“triggering event”).

Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, we are involved in certain claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. Management assesses the probability of loss for such contingencies and recognizes a liability when a loss is probable and estimable. Legal fees, net of estimated insurance recoveries, are expensed as incurred. We do not believe the final disposition of claims at March 31, 2022 will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted  

In March 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting", which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. During 2022 we expect to apply the optional expedient for contract modification to account for the change in the reference rate on impacted credit facilities prospectively by adjusting the effective interest rate.

On January 4, 2021, we acquired substantially all assets and assumed certain liabilities of PatientWisdom, Inc., a company with a health engagement solution that will further our purpose of operationalizing human understanding through tangible and actionable insights. $3.0 million of the total $5.0 million all-cash consideration was paid at closing. We paid the remaining $2.0 million in January 2022. All payments were made with cash on hand. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date.

The financial results associated with the PatientWisdom assets we acquired and liabilities we assumed are included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition, although the amounts are insignificant for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

The following table disaggregates revenue for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 based on timing of revenue recognition (in thousands):

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers (In thousands):

Significant changes in contract assets and contract liabilities during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows (in thousands):

We have elected to apply the practical expedient to not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less. Total remaining contract revenue for contracts with original duration of greater than one year expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at March 31, 2022 approximated $2.8 million, of which $1.1 million, $1.1 million and $593,000 are expected to be recognized during 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased to 25.3% expense compared to a 20.5% expense for the same period in 2021 mainly due to decreased tax benefits of $456,000 from the exercise of share-based compensation awards and higher state income taxes.  

In March 27, 2020, the U.S. federal government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak which, among other things, contains numerous income tax provisions. As a result of the CARES Act, we had deferred $1.3 million of employer social security tax payments in 2020. In accordance with the CARES Act, we paid half of this liability in December 2021 and we expect to pay the remaining $656,000 in December 2022. We have had no other impacts to our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures from the CARES Act.

Our long-term debt consists of the following:  

Our amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha (“FNB”) includes (i) a $30,000,000 revolving credit facility (the “Line of Credit”), (ii) a $33,002,069 term loan (the “Term Loan”) and (iii) a $15,000,000 delayed draw-dawn term facility (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan” and, together with the Line of Credit and the Term Loan, the “Credit Facilities”). The Delayed Draw Term Loan may be used to fund any permitted future business acquisitions or repurchases of our Common Stock and the Line of Credit can be used to fund ongoing working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes.

The Term Loan is payable in monthly installments of $462,988 through May 2025, with a balloon payment due at maturity in May 2025. The Term Loan bears interest at a fixed rate per annum of 5%.

Borrowings under the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan, if any, bear interest at a floating rate equal to the 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate plus 225 basis points (2.40% at March 31, 2022). Interest on the Line of Credit accrues and is payable monthly. Principal amounts outstanding under the Line of Credit are due and payable in full at maturity, in May 2023. As of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the Line of Credit did not have a balance. There were no borrowings on the Line of Credit for three months ended March 31, 2022. There have been no borrowings on the Delayed Draw Term Loan since origination.

We are obligated to pay ongoing unused commitment fees quarterly in arrears pursuant to the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility at a rate of 0.20% per annum based on the actual daily unused portions of the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility, respectively.

The Credit Agreement is collateralized by substantially all of our assets, subject to permitted liens and other agreed exceptions, and contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants (including financial covenants) and events of default. The negative covenants include, among other things, restrictions regarding the incurrence of indebtedness and liens, repurchases of our Common Stock and acquisitions, subject in each case to certain exceptions. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, we are required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x for all testing periods throughout the term(s) of the Credit Facilities, which calculation excludes, unless our liquidity falls below a specified threshold, (i) any cash dividend in a fiscal quarter that, together with all other cash dividends paid or declared during such fiscal quarter, exceeds $5,500,000 in total cash dividends paid or declared, (ii) the portion of the purchase price for any permitted share repurchase of our shares paid with cash on hand, and (iii) the portion of any acquisition consideration for a permitted acquisition paid with cash on hand. We are also required to maintain a cash flow leverage ratio of 3.00x or less for all testing periods throughout the term(s) of the Credit Facilities. As of March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with our financial covenants.

We measure and recognize compensation expense for all share-based payments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards. All of our existing stock option awards and unvested stock awards have been determined to be equity-classified awards. We account for forfeitures as they occur. We refer to our restricted stock awards as “non-vested” stock in these consolidated financial statements.

Our 2004 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, as amended (the “2004 Director Plan”), is a nonqualified plan that provides for the granting of options with respect to 3,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. The 2004 Director Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options to each of our directors who we do not employ. Beginning in 2018, on the date of each annual meeting of shareholders, options to purchase shares of Common Stock equal to an aggregate grant date fair value of $100,000 are granted to each non-employee director that is elected or retained as a director at each such meeting. Stock options vest approximately one year following the date of grant and option terms are generally the earlier of ten years following the date of grant, or three years from the termination of the outside director’s service.

Our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Equity Incentive Plan”), as amended, provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares and other share-based awards and benefits up to an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of our Common Stock. Stock options granted may be either incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options. Vesting terms vary with each grant and option terms are generally five to ten years following the date of grant.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we granted options to purchase 54,759 and 51,002 shares of Common Stock, respectively. Options to purchase shares of common stock are typically granted with exercise prices equal to the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. We do, in certain limited situations, grant options with exercise prices that exceed the fair value of the common shares on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options granted was estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted average assumptions:

The risk-free interest rate assumptions were based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected volatility was based on historical monthly price changes of our stock based on the expected life of the options at the date of grant. The expected life of options is the average number of years we estimate that options will be outstanding. We consider groups of associates that have similar historical exercise behavior separately for valuation purposes.

The following table summarizes stock option activity under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plans and the 2004 Director Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

As of March 31, 2022, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards was approximately $1.4 million which was expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.36 years.

There was $162,000 cash received from stock options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2021. We recognized $257,000 and $11,000 of non-cash compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to options, which is included in direct fixed and selling, general and administrative expenses.

We granted 12,698 non-vested shares of Common Stock under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2022, we had 12,698 non-vested shares of Common Stock outstanding under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. These shares vest over five years following the date of grant and holders thereof are entitled to receive dividends from the date of grant, whether or not vested. The fair value of the awards is calculated as the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. We recognized $27,000 and ($65,000) of non-cash compensation expense (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to this non-vested stock, which is included in direct fixed and selling, general and administrative expenses.

The following table summarizes information regarding non-vested stock granted to associates under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

As of March 31, 2022, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock awards was approximately $409,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.75 years.

The following represents a summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

Basic net income per share was computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted net income per share was computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and, if dilutive, the potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.

We had 231,319 and 109,286 options of Common Stock for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively which have been excluded from the diluted net income per share computation because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

The following discussion of our results of operations and financial conditions should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Our purpose is to establish human understanding by enabling our clients to understand what matters most to each person they serve. We are a leading provider of analytics and insights that facilitate measurement and improvement of patient engagement and customer loyalty for healthcare organizations. Our heritage, proprietary methods, and holistic approach enable our partners to better understand the people they care for and design experiences that inspire loyalty and trust, while also facilitating regulatory compliance and the shift to population-based health management. Our ability to measure what matters most and systematically capture, analyze and deliver insights based on self-reported information from patients, families and consumers is critical in today’s healthcare market. We believe that access to and analysis of our extensive consumer-driven information is becoming more valuable as healthcare providers increasingly need to more deeply understand and engage the people they serve to build customer loyalty.

Our portfolio of subscription-based solutions provides actionable information and analysis to healthcare organizations across a range of mission-critical, constituent-related elements, including patient experience, service recovery, care transitions, health risk assessments, employee engagement, reputation management, and brand loyalty. We partner with clients across the continuum of healthcare services. We believe this cross-continuum positioning is a unique and an increasingly important capability as evolving payment models drive healthcare providers and payers towards a more collaborative and integrated service model.

The outbreak of COVID-19, and the associated responses, have impacted our business in a variety of ways. Governments have implemented business and travel restrictions and recommended social distancing and other guidelines. Many businesses, including many of our clients, have de-emphasized external business opportunities and restricted in-person meetings while shifting their attention toward addressing COVID-19 planning, business disruptions, higher costs, and revenue shortfalls. At NRC, the vast majority of our associates are working remotely, and to date we have been capable of providing our services without significant disruption. We have made our facilities available for associates to return to work effective July 1, 2021 at their discretion. Historically, we have relied on national travel as part of our sales efforts, but as a result of the pandemic we had placed a temporary hold on all company related travel. We modified our travel policy and limited travel did resume in the third quarter of 2021. The duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated impacts on our business, including the impact on our revenue, expenses, and cash flows, cannot be predicted at this time. Like many other companies, we experienced higher attrition rates in 2021. We may incur higher costs to attract, train and retain these associates. Attrition in our sales and service areas can also impact our ability to retain and attract new business. Based on the foregoing, we do not expect our recent revenue and earnings growth to be indicative of future expectations. We do, however, expect to have adequate sources of liquidity to meet our current and expected needs for the foreseeable future. 

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected financial information derived from our consolidated financial statements and the percentage change in such items versus the prior comparable period, as well as other key financial metrics. The discussion that follows the information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022, Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

Revenue. Revenue in 2022 increased compared to 2021, primarily due to new customer sales, as well as increases in sales to the existing client base. Conference revenue also increased due to an increase in conferences held as well as the shift to allow live or virtual attendance.

Direct expenses. Variable expenses increased in 2022 compared to 2021 due to growth in conference expenses due to additional conferences being held in 2022 compared to 2021 and shift to allow live or virtual attendance at conferences. Variable expenses as a percentage of revenue were 14.9% and 13.7% in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Fixed expenses increased primarily as a result of increased salary and benefit costs to attract and retain associates and contracted services to support our clients and invest in workforce automation.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to innovation initiatives to support further development of our Human Understanding Solutions, as well as increases in state franchise taxes and building renovation costs.

Depreciation, amortization and impairment. Depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses decreased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to additional depreciation and impairment expense from shortening the estimated useful lives of certain building assets and incurring an ROU asset impairment from subleasing a remote office location in 2021.

Operating income and margin. Operating income and margin decreased due to growth in salary and benefit costs to attract and retain associates including a new benefit addition in 2022 as well as additional investments in our Human Understanding Solutions, workforce automation tools and building renovations.

Total other income (expense). Total other income (expense) decreased primarily due to lower interest expense due to the declining balance on our term loan.

Provision for income taxes and effective tax rate. Provision for income taxes and effective tax rate grew in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to decreased tax benefits from share-based compensation awards and higher state income taxes.

Recurring Contact Value. Recurring contract value declined in part due to our strategy to focus on growing our digital core solutions, resulting in the elimination of certain legacy offerings. Our core digital solutions did have positive recurring contract value growth at March 31, 2022 compared to March 31, 2021. In addition, sales declined due to the difficulties of selling to our clients during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as increased turnover within our sales force. Our recurring contract value metric represents the total revenue projected under all renewable contracts for their respective next annual renewal periods, assuming no upsells, downsells, price increases, or cancellations, measured as of the most recent quarter end.

Cash provided by operating activities. Cash provided by operating activities decreased mainly due timing of billing and cash collections on trades accounts receivable, a decrease in deferred revenue primarily due to timing of initial billings on new and renewal contracts and a decrease in accrued expenses, wages and bonuses mainly due timing and growth of year-end bonus payments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our Board of Directors has established priorities for capital allocation, which prioritize funding of innovation and growth investments, including merger and acquisition activity as well as internal projects. The secondary priority is capital allocation for quarterly dividends and share repurchases. We believe that our existing sources of liquidity, including cash and cash equivalents, borrowing availability, and operating cash flows will be sufficient to meet our projected capital and debt maturity needs for the foreseeable future.

As of March 31, 2022, our principal sources of liquidity included $47.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, up to $30 million of unused borrowings under our line of credit and up to $15 million on our delayed draw term note. Of this cash, $6.1 million was held in Canada. The delayed draw term note can only be used to fund permitted future business acquisitions or repurchasing our Common Stock.

Our cash flows from operating activities consist of net income adjusted for non-cash items including depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, share-based compensation and related taxes, reserve for uncertain tax positions and the effect of working capital changes. Cash provided by operating activities decreased mainly due to timing of billing and cash collections on trade accounts receivable, a decrease in deferred revenue primarily due to timing of initial billings on new and renewal contracts and a decrease in accrued expenses, wages and bonuses mainly due to timing and growth of year-end bonus payments. In addition, net income, depreciation, amortization and impairment and changes in deferred income taxes decreased cash flows from operating activities. These were partially offset by changes in income taxes receivable and payable which increased cash flow from operating activities.

We had a working capital surplus of $27.4 million and $33.3 million on March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The change was primarily due to decreases in cash and cash equivalents and increases in income taxes payable and dividends payable, partially offset by increases in trade accounts receivable and decreases in accrued wages and bonuses and accrued expenses. Trade accounts receivable will vary based on timing of invoicing and collections and income taxes receivable and payable will fluctuate based on the timing of payments. Dividends payable increased due to timing of declarations and payments of dividends. Accrued expenses and accrued wages and bonuses decreased mainly due to payment of the deferred acquisition consideration and our annual bonuses. Our working capital is significantly impacted by our large deferred revenue balances which will vary based on the timing and frequency of billings on annual agreements.

Cash used in investing activities consisted of purchases of property and equipment including computer software and hardware, building improvements and furniture and equipment.

Cash used in financing activities consisted of payments for borrowings under the term note and finance lease obligations. We also used cash to pay the deferred acquisition consideration, repurchase shares for treasury, and to pay dividends on common stock.

Our material cash requirements include the following contractual and other obligations:

Dividends

Cash dividends of $3.0 million were paid in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Dividends of $6.0 million were declared in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and paid in April 2022.The dividends were paid from cash on hand. Our board of directors considers whether to declare a dividend and the amount of any dividends declared on a quarterly basis.

Acquisition Consideration

On January 4, 2021, we acquired substantially all assets and assumed certain liabilities of PatientWisdom, Inc., a company with a health engagement solution that will further our purpose of operationalizing human understanding through tangible and actionable insights. $3.0 million of the total $5.0 million all-cash consideration was paid at closing. We paid the remaining $2.0 million in January 2022. All payments were made with cash on hand.

Capital Expenditures

We paid cash of $2.5 million for capital expenditures in the three months ended March 31, 2022. These expenditures consisted mainly of computer software development for our Human Understanding solutions and building renovations to our headquarters of $662,000 and $480,000, respectively. We estimate future costs related to our headquarters building renovations to be $14.5 million and $7 million in 2022 and 2023, respectively, which we expect to fund through operating cash flows.

Debt

Our amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha (“FNB”) includes (i) a $30,000,000 revolving credit facility (the “Line of Credit”), (ii) a $33,002,069 term loan (the “Term Loan”) and (iii) a $15,000,000 delayed draw-down term facility (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan” and, together with the Line of Credit and the Term Loan, the “Credit Facilities”). We may use the Delayed Draw Term Loan to fund any permitted future business acquisitions or repurchases of our Common Stock and the Line of Credit to fund ongoing working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes.

The Term Loan has an outstanding balance of $26.6 million and is payable in monthly installments of $462,988 through May 2025, with a balloon payment due at maturity in May 2025. The Term Loan bears interest at a fixed rate per annum of 5%.  

Borrowings under the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan, if any, bear interest at a floating rate equal to the 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate plus 225 basis points (2.40% at March 31, 2022). Interest on the Line of Credit accrues and is payable monthly. Principal amounts outstanding under the Line of Credit are due and payable in full at maturity, in May 2023. As of March 31, 2022, the Line of Credit did not have a balance. There were no borrowings on the Line of Credit during the three-month periods ended March 31,2022 or 2021. There have been no borrowings on the Delayed Draw Term Loan since origination.

We are obligated to pay ongoing unused commitment fees quarterly in arrears pursuant to the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility at a rate of 0.20% per annum based on the actual daily unused portions of the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility, respectively.

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants (including financial covenants) and events of default. The negative covenants include, among other things, restrictions regarding the incurrence of indebtedness and liens, repurchases of our Common Stock and acquisitions, subject in each case to certain exceptions. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, we are required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x for all testing periods throughout the term(s) of the Credit Facilities, which calculation excludes, unless our liquidity falls below a specified threshold, (i) any cash dividend in a fiscal quarter that, together with all other cash dividends paid or declared during such fiscal quarter, exceeds $5,500,000 in total cash dividends paid or declared, (ii) the portion of the purchase price for any permitted share repurchase of our shares paid with cash on hand, and (iii) the portion of any acquisition consideration for a permitted acquisition paid with cash on hand. We are also required to maintain a cash flow leverage ratio of 3.00x or less for all testing periods throughout the term(s) of the Credit Facilities. All obligations under the Credit Facilities are guaranteed by our subsidiary. As of March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with our financial covenants.

The Credit Facilities are secured, subject to permitted liens and other agreed upon exceptions, by a first-priority lien on and perfected security interest in substantially all of our and our guarantors’ present and future assets (including, without limitation, fee-owned real property, and limited, in the case of the equity interests of foreign subsidiaries, to 65% of the outstanding equity interests of such subsidiaries).

Leases

We have lease arrangements for certain computer, office, printing and inserting equipment as well as office and data center space. As of March 31, 2022, we had fixed lease payments of $564,000 and $473,000 for operating and finance leases, respectively payable within 12 months.

Taxes 

The liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions was $1.2 million as of March 31, 2022. See Note 4, "Income Taxes", to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report for income tax related information.

As of March 31, 2022, the balance of the deemed repatriation tax payable imposed by the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Act”) was $180,000, which we expect to pay by the end of 2022.

We generally do not make unconditional, non-cancelable purchase commitments. We enter into purchase orders in the normal course of business, but these purchase obligations do not exceed one year.

Stock Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2,250,000 shares of Common Stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions under a stock repurchase program. We repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time after considering market conditions and in accordance with repurchase limits authorized by our Board. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we repurchased 166,692 shares of our Common Stock under this authorization for an aggregate of $6.7 million. As of March 31, 2022, the remaining number of shares of Common Stock that could be purchased under this authorization was 1,981 shares.

Critical Accounting Estimates

There have been no changes to our critical accounting estimates described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 that have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes.

There are no material changes to the disclosures regarding our market risk exposures made in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and has concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2022, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

From time to time, we are involved in certain claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. Management assesses the probability of loss for such contingencies and recognizes a liability when a loss is probable and estimable. For additional information, see Note 1, under the heading “Commitments and Contingencies,” to our consolidated financial statements. Regardless of the final outcome, any legal proceedings, claims, inquiries and investigations, however, can impose a significant burden on management and employees, may include costly defense and settlement costs, and could cause harm to our reputation and brand, and other factors.

The significant risk factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results are described in Part I, Item 2:  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

In February 2006 and subsequently amended in May 2013, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 2,250,000 shares Common Stock. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of our Board of Directors, the repurchase program will expire when we have repurchased all shares of Common Stock authorized for repurchase thereunder. Our Credit Agreement provides that, in order for us to pay dividends, there must be no default or event of default existing or that would result from such payment and we must show that we would comply with the Credit Agreement’s fixed charge coverage ratio and consolidated cash flow leverage ratio after giving pro forma effect to such payment.

The table below summarizes repurchases of Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

The exhibits listed in the exhibit index below are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

EXHIBIT INDEX  

** Filed herewith

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.