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ROBERT HALF INC. - Quarter Report: 2007 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      to                      .

 


Commission File Number 1-10427

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   94-1648752

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2884 Sand Hill Road

Suite 200

Menlo Park, California

  94025
(Address of principal executive offices)   (zip-code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 234-6000

 


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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. (Check one): Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of October 31, 2007:

161,061,786 shares of $.001 par value Common Stock

 


 


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

ASSETS

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 328,657    $ 447,479

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $25,761 and $22,495

     628,254      531,824

Deferred income taxes and other current assets

     143,179      133,052
             

Total current assets

     1,100,090      1,112,355

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

     195,666      178,665

Property and equipment, net

     148,637      132,081

Deferred income taxes

     43,130      35,920
             

Total assets

   $ 1,487,523    $ 1,459,021
             

LIABILITIES

     

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 119,050    $ 99,484

Accrued payroll costs and retirement obligations

     344,210      294,325

Income taxes payable

     24,896      8,568

Current portion of notes payable and other indebtedness

     366      363
             

Total current liabilities

     488,522      402,740

Notes payable and other indebtedness, less current portion

     3,748      3,831

Other liabilities

     12,011      9,779
             

Total liabilities

     504,281      416,350
             

Commitments and Contingencies (Note G)

     

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Preferred stock, $.001 par value authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding zero shares

     —        —  

Common stock, $.001 par value authorized 260,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 161,009,750 and 167,847,849 shares

     161      168

Capital surplus

     917,003      1,003,926

Deferred compensation

     —        —  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     66,078      38,577

Retained earnings

     —        —  
             

Total stockholders’ equity

     983,242      1,042,671
             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,487,523    $ 1,459,021
             

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are

an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Net service revenues

   $ 1,179,045     $ 1,027,563     $ 3,425,598     $ 2,953,312  

Direct costs of services, consisting of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for temporary and risk consulting employees

     678,252       595,566       1,971,391       1,710,109  
                                

Gross margin

     500,793       431,997       1,454,207       1,243,203  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     381,031       316,732       1,104,046       912,387  

Amortization of intangible assets

     748       231       1,840       605  

Interest income, net

     (3,125 )     (4,874 )     (10,215 )     (12,500 )
                                

Income before income taxes

     122,139       119,908       358,536       342,711  

Provision for income taxes

     48,176       46,261       141,140       134,906  
                                

Net income

   $ 73,963     $ 73,647     $ 217,396     $ 207,805  
                                

Basic net income per share

   $ .47     $ .45     $ 1.35     $ 1.25  

Diluted net income per share

   $ .46     $ .43     $ 1.32     $ 1.20  

Shares:

        

Basic

     158,480       165,177       161,014       166,781  

Diluted

     161,903       169,983       165,166       172,666  

Cash dividends declared per share

   $ .10     $ .08     $ .30     $ .24  

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are

an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2007     2006  

COMMON STOCK—SHARES:

    

Balance at beginning of period

     167,848       170,682  

Net issuances of restricted stock

     1,299       1,204  

Repurchases of common stock

     (10,689 )     (9,132 )

Exercises of stock options

     2,552       4,381  
                

Balance at end of period

     161,010       167,135  
                

COMMON STOCK—PAR VALUE:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 168     $ 171  

Net issuances of restricted stock

     1       1  

Repurchases of common stock

     (11 )     (9 )

Exercises of stock options

     3       4  
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 161     $ 167  
                

CAPITAL SURPLUS:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 1,003,926     $ 875,843  

Net issuances, and other changes to, restricted stock—excess over par value

     (1 )     —    

Net issuances of restricted stock at par value

     —         (1 )

Repurchases of common stock—excess over par value

     (203,785 )     —    

Stock-based compensation expense—restricted stock and stock units

     39,547       29,943  

Stock-based compensation expense—stock options

     7,385       13,848  

Exercises of stock options—excess over par value

     48,614       70,131  

Tax impact of equity incentive plans

     21,317       43,327  

Reclassification of deferred compensation

     —         (86,178 )
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 917,003     $ 946,913  
                

DEFERRED COMPENSATION:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ —       $ (86,178 )

Reclassification of deferred compensation

     —         86,178  
                

Balance at end of period

   $ —       $ —    
                

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 38,577     $ 24,987  

Translation adjustments, net of tax

     27,501       12,994  
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 66,078     $ 37,981  
                

RETAINED EARNINGS:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ —       $ 156,050  

Repurchases of common stock—excess over par value

     (166,224 )     (321,291 )

Cumulative impact from adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48

     (1,709 )     —    

Cash dividends ($.30 per share and $.24 per share)

     (49,463 )     (40,922 )

Net income

     217,396       207,805  
                

Balance at end of period

   $ —       $ 1,642  
                

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are

an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 217,396     $ 207,805  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Amortization of intangible assets

     1,840       605  

Depreciation expense

     51,085       44,970  

Stock-based compensation expense—restricted stock and stock units

     39,547       29,943  

Stock-based compensation expense—stock options

     7,385       13,848  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     (15,095 )     (33,070 )

Provision for deferred income taxes

     (2,230 )     (6,040 )

Provision for doubtful accounts

     7,403       6,459  

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

    

Increase in accounts receivable

     (87,651 )     (83,575 )

Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued payroll costs and retirement obligations

     59,255       60,314  

Increase in income taxes payable

     37,311       64,636  

Change in other assets, net of change in other liabilities

     (5,740 )     (9,101 )
                

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

     310,506       296,794  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchase of goodwill and other intangible assets and other assets

     (19,477 )     (5,856 )

Capital expenditures

     (63,592 )     (64,137 )

Increase in trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans

     (10,483 )     (2,219 )
                

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (93,552 )     (72,212 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Repurchases of common stock

     (367,953 )     (321,300 )

Cash dividends paid

     (49,463 )     (40,922 )

Decrease in notes payable and other indebtedness

     (331 )     (331 )

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     15,095       33,070  

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

     48,617       70,135  
                

Net cash flows used in financing activities

     (354,035 )     (259,348 )
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     18,259       8,065  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (118,822 )     (26,701 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     447,479       458,358  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 328,657     $ 431,657  
                

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 382     $ 382  

Income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 99,788     $ 74,363  

Purchase of goodwill and other intangible assets and other assets:

    

Assets acquired

    

Goodwill and other intangible assets

   $ 16,870     $ 7,218  

Other assets

     3,002       2,398  

Liabilities incurred

    

Notes payable and other contracts

     —         (1,524 )

Other liabilities

     (395 )     (2,236 )
                

Cash paid, net of cash acquired

   $ 19,477     $ 5,856  
                

Non-cash items:

    

Stock repurchases awaiting settlement

   $ 2,067     $ —    

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are

an integral part of these financial statements.

 

5


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2007

 

Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Operations. Robert Half International Inc. (the “Company”) provides specialized staffing and risk consulting services through such divisions as Accountemps®, Robert Half® Finance & Accounting, OfficeTeam®, Robert Half® Technology, Robert Half® Management Resources, Robert Half® Legal, The Creative Group®, and Protiviti®. The Company, through its Accountemps, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and Robert Half Management Resources divisions, is a specialized provider of temporary, full-time, and project professionals in the fields of accounting and finance. OfficeTeam specializes in highly skilled temporary administrative support personnel. Robert Half Technology provides information technology professionals. Robert Half Legal provides temporary, project, and full-time staffing of attorneys and specialized support personnel within law firms and corporate legal departments. The Creative Group provides project staffing in the advertising, marketing, and web design fields. Protiviti provides business and technology risk consulting and internal audit services, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Revenues are predominantly derived from specialized staffing services. The Company operates in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The Company is a Delaware corporation.

Basis of Presentation. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“Financial Statements”) of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The comparative year-end condensed consolidated statement of financial position data presented was derived from audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2006, included in the annual report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of, nor comparable to, the results of operations for a full year.

Principles of Consolidation. The Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany balances have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As of September 30, 2007, such estimates included allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, workers’ compensation losses, and income and other taxes.

Revenue Recognition. The Company derives its revenues from three segments: temporary and consultant staffing, permanent placement staffing, and risk consulting and internal audit services. Net service revenues as presented on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations represent services rendered to customers less sales adjustments and allowances. The Company records revenue on a gross basis as a principal versus on a net basis as an agent in the presentation of revenues and expenses. The Company has concluded that gross reporting is appropriate because the Company (i) has the risk of identifying and hiring qualified employees, (ii) has the discretion to select the employees and establish their price and duties and (iii) bears the risk for services that are not fully paid for by customers.

Temporary and consultant staffing revenues—Temporary and consultant staffing revenues are recognized when the services are rendered by the Company’s temporary employees. Temporary employees placed by the Company are the Company’s legal employees while they are working on assignments. The Company pays all

 

6


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

related costs of employment, including workers’ compensation insurance, state and federal unemployment taxes, social security and certain fringe benefits. The Company assumes the risk of acceptability of its employees to its customers.

Permanent placement staffing revenues—Permanent placement staffing revenues are recognized when employment candidates accept offers of permanent employment. The Company has a substantial history of estimating the effect of permanent placement candidates who do not remain with its clients through the 90-day guarantee period. Allowances established to estimate these losses are recorded as a reduction of revenues. Fees to clients are generally calculated as a percentage of the new employee’s annual compensation. No fees for permanent placement services are charged to employment candidates.

Risk consulting and internal audit revenues—Risk consulting and internal audit services are generally provided on a time-and-material basis or fixed-fee basis. Revenues earned under time-and-material arrangements are recognized as services are provided. Revenues on fixed-fee arrangements are recognized using a proportional performance method as hours are incurred relative to total estimated hours for the engagement. The Company periodically evaluates the need to provide for any losses on these projects, and losses are recognized when it is probable that a loss will be incurred. Reimbursements, including those relating to travel and out-of-pocket expenses, are included in risk consulting and internal audit service revenues, and equivalent amounts of reimbursable expenses are included in direct costs of services.

Costs of Services. Direct costs of staffing services consist of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for the Company’s temporary employees. There are no direct costs associated with permanent placement staffing services. Risk consulting and internal audit costs of services include professional staff payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs, as well as reimbursable expenses.

Advertising Costs. The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred.

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes net income and certain other items that are recorded directly to Stockholders’ Equity. The Company’s only source of other comprehensive income is foreign currency translation adjustments. The components of comprehensive income, net of tax, are as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

     2007    2006     2007    2006

Net income

   $ 73,963    $ 73,647     $ 217,396    $ 207,805

Translation adjustments, net of tax

     13,693      (917 )     27,501      12,994
                            

Total comprehensive income

   $ 87,656    $ 72,730     $ 244,897    $ 220,799
                            

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less as cash equivalents.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Intangible assets primarily consist of the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair market value of their net tangible assets at the date of acquisition. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their lives, typically ranging from two to five years. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested at least annually for impairment. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment analysis during the three months ended June 30, 2007, and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required.

 

7


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Income Tax Assets and Liabilities. In establishing its deferred income tax assets and liabilities, the Company makes judgments and interpretations based on the enacted tax laws and published tax guidance that are applicable to its operations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured and recorded using current enacted tax rates, which the Company expects will apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are recovered or settled. The likelihood of a material change in the Company’s expected realization of these assets is dependent on future taxable income, its ability to use foreign tax credit carryforwards and carrybacks, final U.S. and foreign tax settlements, and the effectiveness of its tax planning strategies in the various relevant jurisdictions.

Workers’ Compensation. Except for states which require participation in state-operated insurance funds, the Company retains the economic burden for the first $0.5 million per occurrence in workers’ compensation claims. Workers’ compensation includes ongoing healthcare and indemnity coverage for claims and may be paid over numerous years following the date of injury. Claims in excess of $0.5 million are insured. Workers’ compensation expense includes the insurance premiums for claims in excess of $0.5 million, claims administration fees charged by the Company’s workers’ compensation administrator, premiums paid to state-operated insurance funds, and an estimate for the Company’s liability for Incurred But Not Reported (“IBNR”) claims and for the ongoing development of existing claims.

The accrual for IBNR claims and for the ongoing development of existing claims in each reporting period includes estimates. The Company has established reserves for workers’ compensation claims using loss development rates which are estimated using periodic third party actuarial valuations based upon historical loss statistics which include the Company’s historical frequency and severity of workers’ compensation claims, and an estimate of future cost trends. While management believes that its assumptions and estimates are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the Company’s future results.

Foreign Currency Translation. The results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated at the monthly average exchange rates prevailing during the period. The financial position of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is translated at the current exchange rates at the end of the period, and the related translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within Stockholders’ Equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and have not been material for all periods presented.

Stock-based Compensation. Under various stock plans, officers, employees and outside directors have received or may receive grants of restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights or options to purchase common stock. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”).

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:

 

Computer hardware

   2 to 3 years

Computer software

   2 to 5 years

Furniture and equipment

   5 years

Leasehold improvements

   Term of lease, 5 years maximum

 

8


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Internal-use Software. The Company capitalizes direct costs incurred in the development of internal-use software. Amounts capitalized are reported as a component of computer software within property and equipment. The Company capitalized approximately $9.5 million and $5.8 million of internal-use software development costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Note B—New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”), which gives entities the option to measure eligible financial assets, and financial liabilities at fair value on an instrument by instrument basis, that are otherwise not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards. The election to use the fair value option is available when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability. Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings. This statement is effective as of the beginning of a company’s first fiscal year after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 159 to have a material impact on its Financial Statements.

In June 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards (“EITF 06-11”). EITF 06-11 requires that tax benefits generated by dividends paid during the vesting period on certain equity-classified share-based compensation awards be classified as additional paid-in capital and included in a pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies from share-based payment awards. EITF 06-11 is effective as of January 1, 2008. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of EITF 06-11 on its Financial Statements.

Note C—Deferred Income Taxes and Other Current Assets

Deferred income taxes and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

Deferred income taxes

   $ 50,223    $ 55,066

Deposits in trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans

     48,712      38,229

Other

     44,244      39,757
             
   $ 143,179    $ 133,052
             

Note D—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net

The following table sets forth the activity in goodwill and other intangible assets from December 31, 2006 through September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

 

     Goodwill    Other
Intangible
Assets
    Total  

Balance as of December 31, 2006

   $ 177,125    $ 1,540     $ 178,665  

Purchase of goodwill and other intangible assets

     11,788      5,100       16,888  

Translation adjustments

     1,926      27       1,953  

Amortization of intangible assets

     —        (1,840 )     (1,840 )
                       

Balance as of September 30, 2007

   $ 190,839    $ 4,827     $ 195,666  
                       

 

9


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note D—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Continued)

 

The estimated remaining amortization expense is $0.8 million for 2007, $2.4 million for 2008, $1.3 million for 2009 and $0.3 million thereafter.

On April 3, 2007 the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Protiviti, acquired PENTA Advisory Services, LLC (“PENTA”). PENTA, which has offices in Baltimore, Maryland and Richmond, Virginia, provides restructuring and insolvency services; litigation services; and bankruptcy-related tax, accounting and administrative services. As part of the purchase, the Company recorded goodwill of $11.8 million and identifiable intangible assets of $5.1 million, which will be amortized over periods of two to three years.

Note E—Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

Computer hardware

   $ 148,671     $ 131,591  

Computer software

     234,416       208,683  

Furniture and equipment

     126,443       118,536  

Leasehold improvements

     109,205       94,766  

Other

     15,931       15,955  
                

Property and equipment, cost

     634,666       569,531  

Accumulated depreciation

     (486,029 )     (437,450 )
                

Property and equipment, net

   $ 148,637     $ 132,081  
                

Note F—Accrued Payroll Costs and Retirement Obligations

Accrued payroll costs and retirement obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

Payroll and benefits

   $ 215,651    $ 173,307

Employee retirement obligations

     61,941      59,129

Workers’ compensation

     28,398      24,933

Payroll taxes

     38,220      36,956
             
   $ 344,210    $ 294,325
             

Included in employee retirement obligations is $56 million at September 30, 2007 and $53 million at December 31, 2006, related to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for a deferred compensation plan and other benefits.

Note G—Commitments and Contingencies

On September 10, 2004, Plaintiff Mark Laffitte, on behalf of himself and a putative class of salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers, filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries as Defendants. The complaint alleges that salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers based in California have been misclassified under California law as exempt employees

 

10


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note G—Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

 

and seeks an unspecified amount for unpaid overtime pay alleged to be due to them had they been paid as non-exempt hourly employees. In addition, the Plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount for statutory penalties for alleged violations of the California Labor Code arising from the alleged misclassification of these employees as exempt employees. On June 22, 2006, the Court heard cross-motions concerning class certification. On September 18, 2006, the Court issued an order certifying a class with respect to claims for alleged unpaid overtime pay but denied certification with respect to claims relating to meal periods and rest time breaks. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the accompanying financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.

On December 6, 2004, Plaintiffs Ian O’Donnell and David Jolicoeur, on behalf of themselves and a putative class of salaried Staffing Managers, Account Executives and Account Managers, filed a complaint in Massachusetts Superior Court naming the Company and one of its wholly owned subsidiaries as Defendants. The complaint alleges that salaried Staffing Managers, Account Executives and Account Managers based in Massachusetts within the past two years have been misclassified under Massachusetts law as exempt employees and seeks an unspecified amount equal to three times their unpaid overtime compensation alleged to be due to them had they been paid as non-exempt, hourly employees, plus costs and legal fees. The complaint also makes similar allegations under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act on behalf of all Staffing Managers, Account Executives and Account Managers employed in any state other than Massachusetts and California within the past three years and seeks an unspecified amount for unpaid overtime pay alleged to be due to them had they been paid as non-exempt, hourly employees, plus an equal amount as liquidated damages. The case has been removed to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. On March 30, 2006, the Court allowed Plaintiffs to amend their complaint to add claims that the Company failed to pay its exempt employees on a “salary basis” as required by Massachusetts and federal law, but denied Plaintiffs’ first motion seeking conditional certification of their federal claims as a collective action on behalf of a group of Staffing Managers, Account Executives and Account Managers. The Plaintiffs later filed a second motion for conditional certification, which the Court denied on May 10, 2007. The Plaintiffs have filed a motion for reconsideration of such ruling, which the Company has opposed. The parties have also filed cross-motions for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ salary basis claims, which motions are still pending. Finally, Plaintiffs filed a motion seeking certification, based on their state law salary basis claims, of a class of salaried Massachusetts employees. The Company has asked the Court to stay its decision on the motion for certification of state law claims pending resolution of the summary judgment motions. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict its outcome or a range of loss, should a loss occur. Accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the accompanying financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.

On August 9, 2005, Plaintiff Lizette Greene, on behalf of herself and a putative class of salaried “inside sales persons,” filed a complaint in United States District Court for the Northern District of California naming the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries as Defendants. On December 1, 2005, the Plaintiff amended the Complaint. The Amended Complaint alleges that purported “inside sales persons” based in California have been misclassified under federal law as exempt employees and seeks an unspecified amount for unpaid overtime pay alleged to be due to them had they been paid as non-exempt, hourly employees. In addition, the Plaintiff also makes two claims under the California Private Attorney Generals Act seeking an unspecified amount for statutory penalties for alleged violations of the California Labor Code arising from the alleged misclassification of these employees as exempt employees. Plaintiff also makes a claim under California Business and Professions

 

11


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note G—Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

 

Code § 17200 for a putative nation wide class of purported “inside sales persons.” On December 22, 2006, the Plaintiff filed a motion for conditional certification of their federal claims in which they seek to represent a class of salaried employees who worked for the Company and certain of its subsidiaries in California within three years before the complaint was filed and seeking permission to mail class members a notice regarding their right to opt into the case as plaintiffs. On June 7, 2007, the Court stayed this litigation pending resolution of the Lafitte action described in the first paragraph of this Note G. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the accompanying financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.

On May 4, 2006, Plaintiff Don Tran, on behalf of himself and a putative class of salaried Consultants, and a sub-class of terminated salaried Consultants, filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming Protiviti Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Protiviti”), as Defendant. The complaint alleges that salaried consultants based in California have been misclassified under California law as exempt employees and seeks an unspecified amount for unpaid overtime pay alleged to be due to them had they been paid as non-exempt, hourly employees. Plaintiff also seeks an unspecified amount for statutory penalties for alleged violations of the California Labor Code arising from the alleged misclassification of these employees as exempt employees. The complaint further seeks damages and penalties for the failure to provide meal and rest periods, and for the failure to reimburse business expenses, including, without limitation, parking and cellular telephone expenses. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the accompanying financial statements. Protiviti believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and Protiviti intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.

On September 24, 2007, Plaintiff Van Williamson, on behalf of himself and a putative class of salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers, filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries as Defendants. The complaint alleges that salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers based in California were not provided meal periods, paid rest periods, and accurate itemized wage statements. It seeks one hour of wages for each employee for each meal and rest period missed during the statutory liability period. It also seeks an unspecified amount for statutory penalties for alleged violations of the California Labor Code arising from the alleged failure to provide the meal and rest periods and accurate itemized wage statements. The allegations in the complaint are substantially similar to the allegations included in the complaint filed by Mark Lafitte against the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries on September 10, 2004, and described above. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the accompanying financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to vigorously defend against the litigation.

The Company is involved in a number of other lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. While management does not expect any of these other matters to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, litigation is subject to certain inherent uncertainties.

Note H—Income Taxes

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recognized a

 

12


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note H—Income Taxes (Continued)

 

$1.7 million increase in the liability for unrecognized gross tax benefits, which was accounted for as a decrease to retained earnings on January 1, 2007.

As of September 30 and January 1, 2007, the Company’s liability for unrecognized gross tax benefits totaled $9.7 million and $12.7 million, respectively, all of which, if ultimately recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate in future periods, net of federal tax benefit. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the settlement of certain tax uncertainties could occur within the next twelve months; accordingly, $6.7 million of the unrecognized gross tax benefit has been classified as a current liability as of September 30, 2007. This amount primarily represents unrecognized tax benefits comprised of items related to assessed state income tax audits, as well as state and federal settlement negotiations currently in progress.

The Company’s major income tax jurisdictions are the United States and Canada. For U.S. federal income tax, the Company remains subject to examination for 2002 and subsequent years. For major U.S. states, with few exceptions, the Company remains subject to examination for 2000 and subsequent years. For Canada, the Company remains subject to examination for 2002 and subsequent years.

The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of September 30 and January 1, 2007, accrued interest and penalties totaled $4.2 million and $4.6 million, respectively. These amounts are recorded as components of the unrecognized gross tax benefit amounts noted above.

Note I—Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Repurchase Program. As of September 30, 2007, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, up to 2.2 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company repurchased approximately 9.2 million and 7.1 million shares of common stock on the open market for a total cost of $315 million and $242 million, respectively. Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of exercise price and applicable statutory withholding taxes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, such repurchases totaled approximately 1.5 million and 2.1 million shares at a cost of $55 million and $79 million, respectively. Repurchases of securities have been funded with cash generated from operations.

Repurchases of shares are applied first to the extent of retained earnings and any remaining amounts are applied to capital surplus. As a result, the Company had no retained earnings as of September 30, 2007.

The repurchased shares are held in treasury and are presented as if constructively retired. Treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method. Treasury stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (consisting of stock option exercises and the purchase of shares for the treasury) is presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.

Note J—Stock Plans

Under various stock plans, officers, employees and outside directors have received or may receive grants of restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights or options to purchase common stock. Grants have been made at the discretion of the Committees of the Board of Directors. Grants generally vest over four years. Shares offered under the plan are authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

 

13


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note J—Stock Plans (Continued)

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R). Under SFAS 123(R), the Company determines the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. SFAS 123(R) requires the Company to recognize expense over the service period for options that are expected to vest and record adjustments to compensation expense at the end of the service period if actual forfeitures differ from original estimates.

Options currently outstanding under the plans have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and consist of non-statutory stock options under the Internal Revenue Code, and generally have a term of 10 years.

Recipients of restricted stock do not pay any cash consideration to the Company for the shares, have the right to vote all shares subject to such grant, and receive all dividends with respect to such shares, whether or not the shares have vested. Recipients of stock units do not pay any cash consideration for the units, do not have the right to vote and do not receive dividends with respect to such units. Compensation expense for restricted stock and stock units is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the stock’s fair market value on the grant date.

Compensation cost for all restricted stock and stock units is based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant and is recognized over the service period. SFAS 123(R) requires that the Company recognize compensation expense for only the portion of restricted stock and stock units that is expected to vest. If the actual number of forfeitures differs from those estimated by management, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required in future periods.

For purposes of calculating stock-based compensation expense for retirement-eligible employees, the service period is assumed to be met on the grant date or retirement-eligible date, whichever is later.

Note K—Net Income Per Share

The calculation of net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is reflected in the following table (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2007    2006    2007    2006

Net income

   $ 73,963    $ 73,647    $ 217,396    $ 207,805

Basic:

           

Weighted average shares

     158,480      165,177      161,014      166,781
                           

Diluted:

           

Weighted average shares

     158,480      165,177      161,014      166,781

Potentially dilutive shares

     3,423      4,806      4,152      5,885
                           

Diluted shares

     161,903      169,983      165,166      172,666
                           

Net Income Per Share:

           

Basic

   $ .47    $ .45    $ 1.35    $ 1.25

Diluted

   $ .46    $ .43    $ 1.32    $ 1.20

 

14


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note K—Net Income Per Share (Continued)

 

The weighted average diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 excludes the dilutive effect of approximately 0.3 million and 0.8 million options, restricted stock and stock units, respectively. The weighted average diluted common shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 excludes the dilutive effect of approximately 0.3 million and 0.2 million options, restricted stock and stock units, respectively. Employee stock options will have a dilutive effect under the treasury method only when the respective period’s average market value of the Company’s common stock exceeds the exercise proceeds. Under the treasury method, exercise proceeds include the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in capital surplus, if the options were exercised and the restricted stock and stock units had vested. The computation of potentially dilutive shares also included unvested restricted stock and stock units.

Note L—Business Segments

The Company, which aggregates its operating segments based on the nature of services, has three reportable segments: temporary and consultant staffing, permanent placement staffing, and risk consulting and internal audit services. The temporary and consultant segment provides specialized staffing in the accounting and finance, administrative and office, information technology, legal, advertising, marketing and web design fields. The permanent placement segment provides full-time personnel in the accounting, finance, administrative and office, and information technology fields. The risk consulting segment provides business and technology risk consulting and internal audit services.

The accounting policies of the segments are set forth in Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company evaluates performance based on income or loss from operations before interest income, intangible amortization expense, and income taxes.

The following table provides a reconciliation of revenue and operating income by reportable segment to consolidated results (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Net service revenues

        

Temporary and consultant staffing

   $ 925,693     $ 797,384     $ 2,697,891     $ 2,312,508  

Permanent placement staffing

     112,791       88,463       326,500       249,499  

Risk consulting and internal audit services

     140,561       141,716       401,207       391,305  
                                
   $ 1,179,045     $ 1,027,563     $ 3,425,598     $ 2,953,312  
                                

Operating income

        

Temporary and consultant staffing

   $ 95,511     $ 79,135     $ 273,968     $ 232,289  

Permanent placement staffing

     20,262       20,584       64,202       58,040  

Risk consulting and internal audit services

     3,989       15,546       11,991       40,487  
                                
     119,762       115,265       350,161       330,816  

Amortization of intangible assets

     748       231       1,840       605  

Interest income, net

     (3,125 )     (4,874 )     (10,215 )     (12,500 )
                                

Income before income taxes

   $ 122,139     $ 119,908     $ 358,536     $ 342,711  
                                

 

15


ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Note M—Subsequent Events

 

On October 31, 2007, the Company announced a quarterly dividend of $.10 per share to be paid to all shareholders of record on November 26, 2007. The dividend will be paid on December 14, 2007.

On October 31, 2007, the Company authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of up to 10 million shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. This authorization is in addition to the 2.2 million shares remaining under the existing repurchase program.

 

16


ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain information contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in other parts of this report may be deemed forward-looking statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect the Company’s future operating results or financial positions. These statements may be identified by words such as “estimate”, “forecast”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, or variations or negatives thereof or by similar or comparable words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in levels of unemployment and other economic conditions in the United States or foreign countries where the Company does business, or in particular regions or industries; reduction in the supply of candidates for temporary employment or the Company’s ability to attract candidates; the entry of new competitors into the marketplace or expansion by existing competitors; the ability of the Company to maintain existing client relationships and attract new clients in the context of changing economic or competitive conditions; the impact of competitive pressures, including any change in the demand for the Company’s services, on the Company’s ability to maintain its margins; the possibility of the Company incurring liability for its activities, including the activities of its temporary employees, or for events impacting its temporary employees on clients’ premises; the possibility that adverse publicity could impact the Company’s ability to attract and retain clients and candidates; the success of the Company in attracting, training, and retaining qualified management personnel and other staff employees; whether governments will impose additional regulations or licensing requirements on personnel services businesses in particular or on employer/employee relationships in general; whether there will be ongoing demand for Sarbanes-Oxley or other regulatory compliance services; and litigation relating to prior or current transactions or activities, including litigation that may be disclosed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings. Additionally, with respect to Protiviti, other risks and uncertainties include the fact that future success will depend on its ability to retain employees and attract clients; there can be no assurance that there will be ongoing demand for Sarbanes-Oxley or other regulatory compliance services; failure to produce projected revenues could adversely affect financial results; and there is the possibility of involvement in litigation relating to prior or current transactions or activities. Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the Company’s business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by considering past trends or extrapolating past results.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

As described below, the Company’s most critical accounting policies and estimates are those that involve subjective decisions or assessments.

Accounts Receivable Allowances. The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses resulting from (i) the inability of its customers to make required payments, (ii) temporary placement sales adjustments, and (iii) permanent placement candidates not remaining with the client through the 90-day guarantee period, commonly referred to as “fall offs”. The Company establishes these allowances based on its review of customers’ credit profiles, historical loss statistics and current trends. The adequacy of these allowances is reviewed each reporting period. Historically, the Company’s actual losses and credits have been consistent with these allowances. As a percentage of gross accounts receivable, the Company’s accounts receivable allowances totaled 3.9% and 4.1% as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, a five-percentage point deviation in the Company’s accounts receivable allowances balance would have resulted in an increase or decrease in the allowance of $1.3 million. Although future results cannot always be predicted by extrapolating past results, management believes that it is reasonably likely that future results will be consistent with historical trends and experience. However, if the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, or if unexpected events or significant future changes in trends were to occur, additional allowances may be required.

Income Tax Assets and Liabilities. In establishing its deferred income tax assets and liabilities, the Company makes judgments and interpretations based on the enacted tax laws and published tax guidance that are applicable to its operations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured and recorded using current enacted

 

17


tax rates, which the Company expects will apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are recovered or settled. The likelihood of a material change in the Company’s expected realization of these assets is dependent on future taxable income, its ability to use foreign tax credit carryforwards and carrybacks, final U.S. and foreign tax settlements, and the effectiveness of its tax planning strategies in the various relevant jurisdictions.

The Company also evaluates the need for valuation allowances to reduce the deferred tax assets to realizable amounts. Management evaluates all positive and negative evidence and uses judgment regarding past and future events, including operating results, to help determine when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets may not be realized. When appropriate, a valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized. In relation to actual net operating losses in certain foreign operations, valuation allowances of $14.1 million were recorded as of September 30, 2007. If such losses are ultimately utilized to offset future operating income, the Company will benefit its deferred tax assets up to the full amount of the valuation reserve.

While management believes that its judgments and interpretations regarding income taxes are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience may materially affect the future financial results of the Company.

Goodwill Impairment. The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill annually, or more often if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment assessments for goodwill are done at a reporting unit level. For purposes of this assessment, the Company’s reporting units are its lines of business. In performing periodic impairment tests, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to the carrying value, including goodwill and intangible assets. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, there is no impairment. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, however, an impairment condition exists.

The goodwill impairment assessment is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis. The estimate of future cash flows is based upon, among other things, a discount rate and certain assumptions about expected future operating performance. The discount rate used by management has been calculated on a consistent basis and has not fluctuated significantly. The primary assumptions related to future operating performance include revenue growth rates and expense levels. These assumptions are updated annually and are primarily based upon historical trends. Although management does not anticipate that these assumptions will change materially in the future, the Company’s estimates of discounted cash flow may differ from actual cash flow due to, among other things, economic conditions, changes to its business model or changes in its operating performance. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment analysis during the three months ended June 30, 2007, and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required. Based upon the Company’s most recent goodwill impairment analysis, management believes that unless a reporting unit were to be abandoned, the possibility of goodwill impairment as a result of a change in assumptions is unlikely.

Workers’ Compensation. Except for states which require participation in state-operated insurance funds, the Company retains the economic burden for the first $0.5 million per occurrence in workers’ compensation claims. Workers’ compensation includes ongoing healthcare and indemnity coverage for claims and may be paid over numerous years following the date of injury. Claims in excess of $0.5 million are insured. Workers’ compensation expense includes the insurance premiums for claims in excess of $0.5 million, claims administration fees charged by the Company’s workers’ compensation administrator, premiums paid to state-operated insurance funds, and an estimate for the Company’s liability for Incurred But Not Reported (“IBNR”) claims and for the ongoing development of existing claims. Total workers’ compensation expense was $11.2 million and $11.0 million, representing 0.43% and 0.47% of applicable U.S. revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The accrual for IBNR claims and for the ongoing development of existing claims in each reporting period includes estimates. The Company has established reserves for workers’ compensation claims using loss development rates which are estimated using periodic third party actuarial valuations based upon historical loss

 

18


statistics which include the Company’s historical frequency and severity of workers’ compensation claims, and an estimate of future cost trends. While management believes that its assumptions and estimates are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the Company’s future results. Based on the Company’s results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a five-percentage point deviation in the Company’s estimated loss development rates would have resulted in an increase or decrease in the allowance of $0.4 million.

Stock-based Compensation. Under various stock plans, officers, employees and outside directors have received or may receive grants of restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights or options to purchase common stock. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”). SFAS 123(R) requires the Company to recognize compensation expense for only the portion of restricted stock and stock units that is expected to vest, rather than record forfeitures when they occur. If the actual number of forfeitures differs from those estimated by management, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required in future periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, compensation expense related to restricted stock and stock units was $14.1 million and $39.5 million, respectively, of which $6.4 million and $14.9 million, respectively, related to grants made in 2007. A one-percentage point deviation in the estimated forfeiture rates would have resulted in a $0.1 million and $0.4 million increase or decrease in compensation expense related to restricted stock and stock units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”), which gives entities the option to measure eligible financial assets, and financial liabilities at fair value on an instrument by instrument basis, that are otherwise not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards. The election to use the fair value option is available when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability. Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings. This statement is effective as of the beginning of a company’s first fiscal year after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 159 to have a material impact on its Financial Statements.

In June 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards (“EITF 06-11”). EITF 06-11 requires that tax benefits generated by dividends paid during the vesting period on certain equity-classified share-based compensation awards be classified as additional paid-in capital and included in a pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies from share-based payment awards. EITF 06-11 is effective as of January 1, 2008. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of EITF 06-11 on its Financial Statements.

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

Temporary and consultant staffing services revenues were $926 million and $797 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, increasing by 16% during the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. Temporary and consultant staffing services revenues were $2.7 billion and $2.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, increasing by 17% during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.

Permanent placement revenues were $113 million and $88 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, increasing by 28% during the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. Permanent placement revenues were $327 million and $249 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, increasing by 31% during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.

 

19


Improvement in both domestic and international labor markets, particularly Continental Europe, contributed to the increase in temporary and permanent staffing services revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Risk consulting and internal audit services revenues were $141 million and $142 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, decreasing by 1% during the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The year-over-year quarterly decrease in risk consulting and internal audit services revenues is primarily due to lower U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley consulting revenues. Risk consulting and internal audit services revenues were $401 million and $391 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, increasing by 3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The 2007 increase in risk consulting and internal audit services revenues is primarily due to higher international revenues, particularly in Asia and Continental Europe.

There can be no assurances that there will be ongoing demand for Sarbanes-Oxley or other regulatory compliance services, or that future results can be reliably predicted by considering past trends or extrapolating past results. We expect total Company revenues to continue to be impacted by general macroeconomic conditions in 2007.

The Company’s temporary and permanent staffing services business has 366 offices in 42 states, the District of Columbia and 18 foreign countries, while Protiviti has 60 offices in 22 states and 14 foreign countries. Revenues from foreign operations represented 24% and 20% of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Gross margin dollars from the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services represent revenues less direct costs of services, which consist of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for temporary employees. Gross margin dollars from permanent placement staffing services are equal to revenues, as there are no direct costs associated with such revenues. Gross margin dollars for risk consulting and internal audit services represent revenues less direct costs of services, which consist primarily of professional staff payroll, payroll taxes, insurance costs and reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services were $346 million and $293 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, increasing by 18% during the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s temporary and consultant staffing services were $1.0 billion and $854 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, increasing by 17% during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. Gross margin amounts equaled 37% of revenues for temporary and consultant staffing services for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.

Gross margin dollars for the Company’s permanent placement staffing division were equal to revenues, as there are no direct costs associated with permanent placement revenues.

Gross margin dollars for the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit division were $42 million and $50 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, decreasing by 16% in 2007. Gross margin dollars for the Company’s risk consulting and internal audit division were $126 million and $140 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, decreasing by 10% in 2007. Gross margin amounts equaled 30% and 36% of revenues for risk consulting and internal audit services for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Gross margin amounts equaled 31% and 36% of revenues for risk consulting and internal audit services for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The 2007 decrease in gross margin percentage is primarily the result of lower staff utilization rates in both U.S. and international operations.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $381 million and $1.1 billion in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $317 million and $912 million during the three and nine months

 

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ended September 30, 2006. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 32% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to 31% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of staff compensation, advertising, depreciation and occupancy costs. The higher mix of permanent placement activities and the continuing additions to professional staff all contributed to the higher percentage of 2007 selling, general and administrative expenses.

For acquisitions, the Company allocates the excess of cost over the fair market value of the net tangible assets first to identifiable intangible assets, if any, and then to goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their lives, typically ranging from two to five years. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested at least annually for impairment. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment analysis during the three months ended June 30, 2007, and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required. Net intangible assets, consisting primarily of goodwill, represented 13% of total assets and 20% of total stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2007.

Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $4.1 million and $5.3 million, respectively. Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $13.3 million and $13.8 million, respectively. The lower 2007 interest income resulted from lower average cash balances partially offset by higher interest rates. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $0.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $3.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

The provision for income taxes was 39% of income before taxes for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The change in the Company’s liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is primarily the net effect of funds generated by operations and the funds used for capital expenditures, repurchases of common stock, payment of dividends and principal payments on outstanding notes payable.

Cash, and cash equivalents were $329 million and $432 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Operating activities provided $311 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, offset by $94 million and $354 million of net cash used in investing activities and financing activities, respectively. Operating activities provided $297 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, offset by $72 million and $259 million of net cash used in investing activities and financing activities, respectively.

Operating activities—Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was composed of net income of $217 million adjusted for non-cash items of $90 million, and net cash provided by changes in working capital of $4 million. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was composed of net income of $208 million adjusted for non-cash items of $57 million, and net cash provided by changes in working capital of $32 million.

Investing activities—Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $94 million. This was primarily composed of capital expenditures of $64 million, purchases of goodwill and other intangible assets of $19 million and deposits to trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans of $11 million. Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $72 million. This was primarily composed of capital expenditures of $64 million, purchases of goodwill and other intangible assets of $6 million, and deposits to trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans of $2 million.

Financing activities—Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $354 million. This included repurchases of $368 million in common stock and $50 million in cash dividends to

 

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stockholders, partially offset by proceeds of $49 million from exercises of stock options and the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $15 million. Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $259 million. This included repurchases of $321 million in common stock and $41 million in cash dividends to stockholders, partially offset by proceeds of $70 million from exercises of stock options and the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $33 million.

On October 31, 2007, the Company authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of up to 10 million shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. This authorization is in addition to the 2.2 million shares remaining under the existing repurchase program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company repurchased approximately 9.2 million and 7.1 million shares of common stock on the open market for a total cost of $315 million and $242 million, respectively. Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of exercise price and applicable statutory withholding taxes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, such repurchases totaled approximately 1.5 million and 2.1 million shares at a cost of $55 million and $79 million, respectively. Repurchases of securities have been funded with cash generated from operations.

The Company’s working capital at September 30, 2007 included $329 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company’s working capital requirements relate primarily to accounts receivable. While there can be no assurances in this regard, the Company expects that internally generated cash will be sufficient to support the working capital needs of the Company, the Company’s fixed payments, dividends, and other obligations on both a short- and long-term basis.

On October 31, 2007, the Company announced a quarterly dividend of $.10 per share to be paid to all shareholders of record on November 26, 2007. The dividend will be paid on December 14, 2007.

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rates relates primarily to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. Exchange rates impact the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s reported earnings, investments in its foreign subsidiaries, and the intercompany transactions with its foreign subsidiaries.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, approximately 24% of the Company’s revenues were generated outside of the United States. These operations transact business in their functional currency. As a result, fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, particularly the Canadian dollar, British pound, and Euro, have an impact on the Company’s reported results. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the monthly average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Consequently, as the value of the U.S. dollar changes relative to the currencies of the Company’s non-U.S. markets, the Company’s reported results vary.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates impact the U.S. dollar amount of the Company’s stockholders’ equity. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at period end. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Management, including the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the

 

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disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On September 24, 2007, Plaintiff Van Williamson, on behalf of himself and a putative class of salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers, filed a complaint in California Superior Court naming the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries as Defendants. The complaint alleges that salaried Account Executives and Staffing Managers based in California were not provided meal periods, paid rest periods, and accurate itemized wage statements. It seeks one hour of wages for each employee for each meal and rest period missed during the statutory liability period. It also seeks an unspecified amount for statutory penalties for alleged violations of the California Labor Code arising from the alleged failure to provide the meal and rest periods and accurate itemized wage statements. The allegations in the complaint are substantially similar to the allegations included in the complaint filed by Mark Lafitte against the Company and three of its wholly owned subsidiaries on September 10, 2004, and described in Note G to the accompanying financial statements. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding, and accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the accompanying financial statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations, and the Company intends to vigorously defend against the litigation.

There have been no material developments with regard to the other legal proceedings previously disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In the risk factor titled “The Company and certain subsidiaries are defendants in several class action lawsuits alleging various wage and hour claims that could cause the Company to incur substantial liabilities” disclosed in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as amended in the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company references a total of four class and representative lawsuits, three of which are pending in California, and one of which is pending in Massachusetts. As disclosed in Part II, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, a new action was recently filed in California. Accordingly, the above titled risk factor is revised to reflect that the number of class or representative actions is five, four of which are pending in California, and one of which is pending in Massachusetts. This is the only substantive change to such risk factor. There have not been any material changes with respect to the other risk factors disclosed in such Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
    Average
Price Paid
per Share
  

Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased

as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans

   Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under
Publicly
Announced
Plans (d)

July 1, 2007 to July 31, 2007

   781,287 (a)   $ 34.71    670,000    5,044,046

August 1, 2007 to August 31, 2007

   1,766,658 (b)   $ 33.15    1,761,600    3,282,446

September 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007

   1,070,101 (c)   $ 30.17    1,070,000    2,212,446
                

Total July 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007

   3,618,046        3,501,600   

(a) Includes 111,287 shares repurchased in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable withholding taxes and/or exercise price.

 

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(b) Includes 5,058 shares repurchased in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable withholding taxes and/or exercise price.
(c) Includes 101 shares repurchased in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable withholding taxes and/or exercise price.
(d) Commencing in October 1997, the Company’s Board of Directors has, at various times, authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions depending on market conditions. Since plan inception, a total of 58,000,000 shares have been authorized for repurchase of which 55,787,554 shares have been repurchased as of September 30, 2007. On October 31, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of up to 10,000,000 additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions, bringing the total authorization since plan inception to 68,000,000 shares and the remaining authorization to 12,212,446 shares.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2001.
3.2    By-Laws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

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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.

 

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Registrant)

/S/    M. KEITH WADDELL        

M. Keith Waddell

Vice Chairman, President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and
duly authorized signatory)

Date: November 2, 2007

 

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