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Dec 31, 2019

Heidrick & Struggles Q4 2019 Earnings Report

Heidrick & Struggles' Q4 2019 financial results were announced, with net revenue at the high end of guidance.

Key Takeaways

Heidrick & Struggles reported Q4 2019 net revenue of $180.0 million, which was at the high end of their guidance. While this was a decrease of 2.8% compared to Q4 2018, the company highlighted Heidrick Consulting's sequential net revenue growth and their focus on operational efficiencies.

Net revenue for the fourth quarter was $180.0 million, at the high end of the company's guidance.

Heidrick Consulting's net revenue was $17.0 million in the fourth quarter, marking the third consecutive quarter of sequential growth.

The average revenue per executive search was $149,300, compared to $142,000 in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Cash and marketable securities totaled $332.9 million at the end of the year.

Total Revenue
$180M
Previous year: $185M
-2.8%
EPS
$0.54
Previous year: $0.58
-6.9%
Executive Search
$1.7M
Previous year: $1.9M
-10.5%
Avg. Revenue per Search
$149K
Previous year: $142K
+5.1%
Adjusted EBITDA
$20.5M
Previous year: $22.2M
-7.9%
Gross Profit
$54.8M
Previous year: $57.6M
-5.0%
Cash and Equivalents
$272M
Previous year: $280M
-2.9%
Free Cash Flow
$42.5M
Previous year: $125M
-65.9%
Total Assets
$844M
Previous year: $701M
+20.5%

Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles Revenue by Segment

Heidrick & Struggles Revenue by Geographic Location

Forward Guidance

The company expects 2019 first quarter consolidated net revenue of between $165 million and $175 million.

Positive Outlook

  • The outlook is based on the average currency rates in December 2019.
  • The outlook reflects management’s assumptions for the anticipated volume of new Executive Search confirmations.
  • The outlook reflects management’s assumptions for Heidrick Consulting assignments.
  • The outlook reflects management’s assumptions the current backlog.
  • The outlook reflects management’s assumptions consultant productivity and consultant retention, and the seasonality of its business.

Challenges Ahead

  • The company is proactively monitoring the significant level of uncertainty associated with the Coronavirus.
  • The company is keeping in close communication with its team and clients in affected regions.
  • The situation is still fluid and it is too early to quantify.
  • It is reasonable to assume that along with the reported economic pressure, the Coronavirus could have a related impact on first quarter results.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income